my babies aren't doin so good

I am a first time grower. I didn't really plan it out much, some seeds fell in my lap and I got em to sprout tossed em in some miracle grow potting soil (yes I hear that was a mistake). I never intended to be serious about it honestly, just thought I'd see what happens. They started out ok, getting bigger every day and now Im obsessed.

But they arent lookin too good anymore. They've been growing a little more than 2 weeks. less than a week ago I noticed the leaves starting to curl under, thought maybe it was over watering, so I held off for a while, til the soil was away from the container(still in styrofoam cups). Im not using any fertilizers, and I havnt tested my PH of my tap water yet, so I have been using spring water from a bottle. I started with one 4ft cfl, 2 32-watt bulbs in it. I now have three 4ft cfls(im poor, and trying to hide from my room mates) the 2 new cfls have 2 40-watt light bulbs, and they are hung sideways, to give light to the sides, so one overhead and two on either side. This is all in my closet. I got them on a timer, 18 on 6 off.

But overwatering didnt seem to be the problem cuz I stopped watering so much, but this morning I noticed brown spots on some of the leaves, and the edges are looking a little brown. some leaves are getting a little yellow too. I dont think its heat stress, cuz im using cfls, but I raised my lights anyway, and I have a fan blowing through. Overall they just look sad. I have about a dozen trying to stay alive right now. And i just started noticing some flys. Maybe I have multiple problems. I know pictures say a thousand words, and ill try to get some up soon. Maybe they have outgrown their cups? and i need to transplant to bigger as soon as possible cuz roots are starting to get bound?? I dont know.

Im in sad shape right now. Please help.

Ill have pictures up hopefully some time tonight, gotta charge the camera. thanks for stopping by. I really dont want to lose my babies.

If your growing outdoors its a lil late in season . Good Luck tho

Im growing in my closet, with 4ft cfls. its not as fancy as hps, but for the space I have and money spent on it, Im happy with how my set up is. A light on top and two on the sides, all three are adjustable thanks to some ingenuity on my part.

it looks like its mostly the original leaves, the round ones, that are yellow. but overall, they seem a bit paler than they used to be, which would suggest nitrogen deficiency, but i just dont know for sure. pics will be up in a few hours. i only have a few pots at the moment, so i can only re pot a few of them till i get more pots.

yes need pics

Im really happy this many people have showed interest in my problem. ill get pics definitely later tonight. thanks to everyone so far.

thanks deeznuts11. can I get blood meal at someplace like Lowes or Home Depot?

If it's those first 2 rounded leaves that are dying that is normal. They only live a couple of weeks to catch the sun so the plant can grow its real leaves.

I would still re-pot them into a nute free soil. I just don't like nutes already in the soil. Not every plant likes the same thing. It's like saying "one size fits all" and we all know that's a big lie.

how bad will it be if i replant in miracle grow potting soil. its the stuff has a 3-month time release. I have a friend doing this with me, although hes not as into it, but he bought the soil, and that was before I researched some stuff.

misshestermoffitt said:

I would still re-pot them into a nute free soil. I just don't like nutes already in the soil. Not every plant likes the same thing. It's like saying "one size fits all" and we all know that's a big lie.

Click to expand...

Look up ^

Im a complete beginner, what exactly are nutes? is that just a generic name for fertilizer? sorry for the dumb question.

Ive read Fox Farm on other threads, but I dont know what that is. And is it ok for me to water with bottles spring water? cuz thats what ive been using. when i get a chance im gonna buy a water and/or soil ph test kit. but i have to be careful cuz of my other room mates, so i have to be picky when I go shopping and what kinds of stuff im bringing back home.