6 days in the dirt and bendy stems

[JimmyJames88]

My new soldiers are about 6 days in the dirt.

After germinating the seeds in water I planted them in small peat bags and after about 4-5 days added the peat bags into my soil mixture.

The plants are sitting under 23W CFL 6500k bulbs (3 of them, I havent powered the fourth because it is a horizontal apparatus with reflectors in it that hold the lights. The plants have sat about 12in away from the lights for 4 days, now theyre getting a touch bigger I have positioned them about 9-10in away from my lights.

Throughout the last 3-4 days I have noticed that my stems seem to be slightly bendy, could this be from overwatering, underwatering maybe? I am having trouble determining exactly how damp I want my soil to be is there any tricks for that? I use bottled water for all of my watering and I use a humidity dome which isnt as effect as it used to be since ive propped it up on tooth picks over the tray theres alot of moving air that removes the moistness fairly quick. I do however spray the dome and lightly mist the leaves when I water. Oh and I water 3-4 times per day.

 

[JimmyJames88]

sorry can somebody move this to plant problems my bad.

 

[diemdepyro]

"Oh and I water 3-4 times per day."
Likely water logged.

 

[Nocturn3]

Remove the humidity dome, and stop watering so often. 3 - 4 times a day is FAR too often.

 

[diemdepyro]

Remove that dome a little at a time or they may die>

 

[JimmyJames88]

I water the plants very lightly thought and as for watering in the soil I use very little from my spray bottle, what is a way to tell my soil is at the desired dampness.

edit - also I am from Alberta and its getting the end of our winter season here, the air here is very very dry.

 

[robert 14617]

send some pics im always looking for a new avatar
get yourself a fan to blow over the tops of those thing to strengthen them up...

 

[Nocturn3]

It is advisable to water using a wet/dry cycle, as the roots need oxygen as much as they need water. Rather than keeping the soil moist, wet it thoroughly, until there is some run-off from the drainage holes, then allow it to dry out pretty well. If the soil feels dry when you put your finger down into the soil, then you are good to water. A better method is to judge the weight of the pots, but this takes some practise to get used to.

 

[JimmyJames88]

send some pics im always looking for a new avatar
get yourself a fan to blow over the tops of those thing to strengthen them up...

Hahaha I will take some shortly I have a fan I will start using, I didnt know if now was to soon to use the fan so I didn't, I take it that I am to set it on the low setting?

 

[robert 14617]

its to mimic nature a breeze it breaks cells in the stems that repair themselves making the stems stronger

also you need to keep the humidity up if it means putting pots of water on the wood stove or radiator veg likes 50%humidity

get yourself a humidifier around 20 bucks

 

[JimmyJames88]

Here are the pics.

 

[robert 14617]

they are stretching nest time you re pot bury them up to the seed leaves

 

[diemdepyro]

they are stretching nest time you re pot bury them up to the seed leaves

Thats it. Easy stuff with a pic.

 

[JimmyJames88]

So I want to bury them up to the leafs next time I understand now, I did not do that before. Can I fix this now, will my outcome not be good from this?

 

[Nocturn3]

It will be fine, as long as you get them closer to the light so they do not stretch any more. My advice would be to ditch the humidity dome, and move the plants closer, like a couple of inches from the light. I only ever use a humidity dome for clones that haven't rooted. Seed plants shouldn't generally need one.

 

[JimmyJames88]

It will be fine, as long as you get them closer to the light so they do not stretch any more. My advice would be to ditch the humidity dome, and move the plants closer, like a couple of inches from the light. I only ever use a humidity dome for clones that haven't rooted. Seed plants shouldn't generally need one.

I will definetely move them closer but again are you sure the alberta winter air wont be too dry for them?

 

[Nocturn3]

I will definetely move them closer but again are you sure the alberta winter air wont be too dry for them?

I can't say for certain, as I live in the UK, so all my growing experience is based on UK climate. It's worth a try though. Take it off for a couple of hours at a time, and monitor them. If they show signs of wilting or stress, put the dome back on for a day or two, then try again.

What is your usual humidty level in your grow room?

 

[JimmyJames88]

I do not know what the humidity is, none of the garden shops i went to had anything to tell me because theyre still trying to liquidate all of their christmas shit and dont have much for gardening atm...stupid

 

[robert 14617]

eight bucks at home depot i bought a humidity and temp gauge that supposed to stick to a window i just removed the suction cup