First time growing, but very slow start?

Hey guys,

This is my first time growing, and am super pumped! I have four babies growing right now that are a little over a week since they first popped. Here's my setup:

48x24x60 grow tent
1000w full spectrum grow LED (177 actual watt pull) @ 3ft above seedlings
happy frog soil in coco starter cups
general organics nutrients (first fed small dose of nutrients today)


Based on pics of other peoples plants at this stage, it seems my plants are smaller than usual? Here's the symptoms:

smaller than expected (I think?)
yellow cotyledons (just fed first round of nutrients today, light dose)
red stems

I could just be paranoid but a lot of peoples plants at this age look much larger...

Forgot to mention, these are autoflower strains that are on a 20 on/ 4 off schedule.

I don't think you should have gave it nutes yet. It's too early

I gave a really small dose. I thought since the cotyledons were yellowing that it was a sign it was running out of initial nutes

sugarleaves9999 said:

I gave a really small dose. I thought since the cotyledons were yellowing that it was a sign it was running out of initial nutes

Click to expand...

Usually the seeds have enough nutes and energy to last a few weeks. I've usually read that you shouldn't use nutes till around 2 or 3 weeks.

Shadymercs said:

Usually the seeds have enough nutes and energy to last a few weeks. I've usually read that you shouldn't use nutes till around 2 or 3 weeks.

Click to expand...

That's what I thought as well, especially since I'm using soil that is supposedly nutrient rich. I'm not sure why the leaves are yellowing if it's not nutes though

I have a 6 day old and it looks pretty similar to the size you have pictured. Not sure about the yellowing but in my opinion you are good on the size.

sugarleaves9999 said:

That's what I thought as well, especially since I'm using soil that is supposedly nutrient rich. I'm not sure why the leaves are yellowing if it's not nutes though

Click to expand...

How often are you watering? The first set of leaves look a little droopy. I'd just give it water and hold the nutes untl it bounces back.

Shadymercs said:

How often are you watering? The first set of leaves look a little droopy. I'd just give it water and hold the nutes untl it bounces back.

Click to expand...

I've been trying to water when the soil looks really dry (soil looks shrunk compared to the container it's in). So once a day at most. I had a fan blowing on them which really dried the soil out quickly for a couple of days. But from what I understand, when seedlings are this small, a higher humidity is beneficial, so I killed the fan.

You're good bro at this stage seedlings don't need much. Don't worry about the yellow growth.

Just water.

Cool thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll ditch the nutrients for now (I was just following the schedule listed here http://www.growgreenerguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/generalhydroponics2.jpg) and stick with just adjusted PH water. I'll also try to let the soil dry out a bit more between waterings.

sugarleaves9999 said:

Cool thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll ditch the nutrients for now (I was just following the schedule listed here http://www.growgreenerguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/generalhydroponics2.jpg) and stick with just adjusted PH water. I'll also try to let the soil dry out a bit more between waterings.

Click to expand...

Just remember you are recreating nature, stuff doesn't happen over night. Just let the lady do her thing. You'll be able to tell when she's hungry.


Just keep reading and prepare for the stages you are in. Good luck !

At this stage of the grow game I can offer you three key pieces of advice:
1. Keep yourself, your tent, and your room super clean.
2. I forgot this one.
3. Sing to your plants. Make up goofy lil jingles or practice your freestyle gangsta rap skillz. They'll enjoy your COmpany.

MoMoGrows said:

At this stage of the grow game I can offer you three key pieces of advice:
1. Keep yourself, your tent, and your room super clean.
2. I forgot this one.
3. Sing to your plants. Make up goofy lil jingles or practice your freestyle gangsta rap skillz. They'll enjoy your COmpany.

Click to expand...

Analog CO2 generator.

sugarleaves9999 said:

I gave a really small dose. I thought since the cotyledons were yellowing that it was a sign it was running out of initial nutes

Click to expand...

This was probably due to overwatering. Unless you're just finishing up seed stage and are 1.5-2 weeks in. Which you are not.

Olive Drab Green said:

This was probably due to overwatering. Unless you're just finishing up seed stage and are 1.5-2 weeks in. Which you are not.

Click to expand...

Today is day 12 for these guys. I did water before that though when the soil looked very dry (over a day between watering). I probably should have held back then.... only thing I can do now is start a lighter watering schedule.

Is waiting til the leaves start dooping a good indication of when to water young plants?

sugarleaves9999 said:

Today is day 12 for these guys. I did water before that though when the soil looked very dry (over a day between watering). I probably should have held back then.... only thing I can do now is start a lighter watering schedule.

Is waiting til the leaves start dooping a good indication of when to water young plants?

Click to expand...

I'd just judge by how the soil feels. Top inch layer dry, or if your pot feels light

^What Shady said. Stick your finger into the pot half an inch to an inch. In bigger pots, put your finger knuckle fist deep into the soil. If it is not dry, then don't water.

Thanks for the watering advice, I'll give that a go