Leaf curling

Hey guy newbie here only found this forum a couple days ago.
So quick back story my only grow experience is 10 clones I grew out side a couple years ago they went great until they got stolen ,so now I have use of some lights 400w MH and 2x 600w hps .
I have a couple bag seedlings under the 400 as a experiment while I wait for my seeds to germinate (slowly for some reason 2days so far but I'll get into that later) and I'm starting to get some curling and was after some input.
Nothing special just some seedling mix from the local garden shop and water from the tap I haven't tested pH or humidity don't have any mylar in the cabinet will be ordering this for the real run in the next couple days.
So is this over watering ? I don't think it heat it's pretty cool in there and the distance to the light is per this articlehttps://www.growweedeasy.com/how-far-grow-lights

Other 1

Looks like a lock up due to ph. Best guess with info available.

Possibly the lights are too close. Intensity is as dangerous as heat. Back the lights off and ph your water.

Thanks Michi I've dropped the plants down off what they were sitting on good half a foot.
I'll start ordering tomorrow what's best you rekon litmus paper or 1 of those digital testers?

Firsttimmer90 said:

Thanks Michi I've dropped the plants down off what they were sitting on good half a foot.
I'll start ordering tomorrow what's best you rekon litmus paper or 1 of those digital testers?

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A cheap pen and a matching TDS meter will serve you well. Just use baking soda and distilled water to calibrate the pen. Soda is 9.0Ph always. And rinse with distilled water and blow dry manually after every use. Will stay accurate and work for a long time without stupid expensive chemicals you don't need.

Thanks mate didn't know about the TDS meter will get 1 too.
So I'm germinating around 20 seeds I put them in water for twelve hours then into paper towels around 2 to 3 days ago now and I'm only just getting 2 or 3 tap roots showing 1-2mm .
They are in my hot water cupboard just would have thought illd have a few more showing by now

Also I used sterile tweezers for handling

Oh and I forgotten to mention I live on a farm so my water comes straight out of the ground only treatment it gets is a uv filter ino there's no telling with out testing but this should be the best kind of water right?

Firsttimmer90 said:

Thanks mate didn't know about the TDS meter will get 1 too.
So I'm germinating around 20 seeds I put them in water for twelve hours then into paper towels around 2 to 3 days ago now and I'm only just getting 2 or 3 tap roots showing 1-2mm .
They are in my hot water cupboard just would have thought illd have a few more showing by now

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Give seeds 3-10 days is what I do

Cool thanks how long do you plant the tap root?

This is very likely heat or light stress. Seedlings and clones sometimes get goofy when you first put them under hid if its too close. Leaf edges shrink and curl, sometimes they fold up. Probably want to harden them off by backing the light off, let them get used to the light intensity and heat. A 400w can be a little strong at first for tender young plants even at the recommended distance. Raise the light another 12" until they start reaching for it, then lower it a bit every day until you are at that optimal distance. Also helps if you have good air circulation, 50-55% humidity or so.

Cool thanks memo I've moved it to 13" hopefully the curling stops

MICHI-CAN said:

Soda is 9.0Ph always. And rinse with distilled water and blow dry manually after every use.

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Neat trick. I had no idea. Thanks for the tip!

memoponics said:

This is very likely heat or light stress. Seedlings and clones sometimes get goofy when you first put them under hid if its too close. Leaf edges shrink and curl, sometimes they fold up. Probably want to harden them off by backing the light off, let them get used to the light intensity and heat. A 400w can be a little strong at first for tender young plants even at the recommended distance. Raise the light another 12" until they start reaching for it, then lower it a bit every day until you are at that optimal distance. Also helps if you have good air circulation, 50-55% humidity or so.

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I agree 100% what I do for clones or seedligs when they come outta the small room and go uner the big lights I put the clones or seeds just on the outside perimeter of the light for a day or 2 then move them in towards the light as I feel they are hardening off that's if I already have other plants in the room under light if not I do what u said put under big light and pull light up high

Firsttimmer90 said:

Cool thanks how long do you plant the tap root?

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I make a whole in soil as long as the tail is, I put in seed and cover I put very little soil over the top and I soak my medium before I put seed in it

400W? 13"? I missed that. Your way to close. I run a minimum of 24" with 200 W actual Cree cobs. You're baking them.

Yeah looking at that article again I says 14" closest for 400w must of just skimmed it and thought I knew what I was talking about .
I've dropped them another 3" .
What height do you recommend? When I get home I'll raise the light some more

I would start at 24" minimum and see if the leaves, not already toasted, open back up. From there you can begin to dial the height in. If the leaves open you can drop 2" per day until you see the leaves beginning to curl or roll over. At which point go back up to the previous height. That is your sweet pot.

Your plant isn't bleaching as an indicator. So watch for upward curling of the leaves. As soon as you see it, raise the lights.