Growing with Fluorescents

[iluvdankies]

I am a first timer at trying to grow, i'm using two fluorescents, they are two feet long, and i keep them on 24/7. I use distilled water and water them, spraying the top soil about 3 times a day. i've had them on for a week and a half now and theres no sprouts yet. I germinated the seeds. Anybody have any suggestions, should i have seen results by now? should i start over? and suggestions will help.

 

[bombbudpuffa]

Do you soak the soil or just keep it moist? You can drown your seedlings. How deep did you put them in?

 

[fleshstain]

if you germinated then planted them and it's been a week and a half you should have seen sprouts by now....IMO they were either planted to deep, mishandled during planting, or root rot....

 

[iluvdankies]

I usually soak the top soil i guess you could say and i put the seeds like a half inch to and inch deep

 

[bombbudpuffa]

My AFxPW took 21 days to break soil so be patient.

 

[fleshstain]

yeah, definately don't give up hope on 'em yet....next time try planting around 1/8-1/4" deep....it'll help them break the surface a little easier....i've been using Rapid Rooter plugs for a couple years now with great results....i don't soak my seeds and just place them directly in the plug....i've modified a plug tray to fit my Jiffy greenhouse and leave them in there till they've got a few roots showing....transplant and watch 'em grow....

 

[iluvdankies]

I used miracle grow too, is that a bad idea?

 

[fleshstain]

that might be a big part of the problem too....you shouldn't have to fertilize seedling for at least a week after sprouting....next time just go plain soil and water for the first week or 2 and you should be fine....and also go very easy with the Miracle Gro....it can work but it can also get to toxic levels very quickly....i'd try to find a good 1-part hydroponic fertilizer to use....makes it easier to control over/underfeeding....

 

[Mutt]

No ferts until week 3. MG fert "soyent green" will fry a new sprout.

 

[Mutt]

..i'd try to find a good 1-part hydroponic fertilizer to use....makes it easier to control over/underfeeding....

Gen Hydro makes a decent line if this is the route you want to go. Maxi series.
I use there Maxi-bloom for flower...decent results. but Fox Farms would be my first pick. I just got my thing down and too lazy to change it until I can go pure organic off the land. One day again....one day.