Hey Everyone!
I’m totally new at this and the only other plant I’ve owned was a small cactus. It died - lol - because I forgot to water it in college. Let’s hope I’m beyond that now. Here is my temporary setup for 2 seedlings and I’m hoping for advice on what the must haves are for optimal success. If I leave out something important, let me know and I’ll try to supplement the post.
Anyways, I’m using auto-flower OG kush seeds and my initial setup is the medium a-pot-for-pot kit. Right now, my soil has been setting for about a week and my seedlings are chilling on the soil in the pot.
The first seedling I germinated was using the jiffy pop in the kit and the seed was planted after a tail popped out after about 24-hours in dark spring water.
The second seed germinated took closer to 72-hours to sprout a tail. I put it in soil from my pot that I put into a small plastic cup.
Both seedlings sprouted within a few days. I had to poke around for the first one. I didn’t see the sprout and saw that it sunk too far in the jiffy pop. I got it free and it stretched out after getting some light.
Here are some photos for your reference. For scale, I just used a penny because they are very young. The first one was put in soil about 8-days ago. The second one was only planted about 3-days ago and just broke soil this morning.
2nd Seedling
1st Seedling
My first concern was just if I initially planted correctly and am unsure about seedling care. I read you could use indoor lights 24-hours/day with auto-flower and that’s what I’ve done so far. However, I have a timer I can use to put my lights on and a similar timer on a grow lamp.
I’ve had one led light strip turned on and suspended about 20” above the seedlings (red/purple/pinkish light). The light is a 10W 2-foot grow light. I am only using one now, but there are 6 of these lights in total (60W).
I’ve also used a grow lamp pointed at each seedling, about 6-8” above the plant. The lamp has 2 heads, 50W, and has multiple colors: 12 red LEDs (620-660 nm), 12 blue LEDs (460-470 nm), and 20 sunlight white LEDs: Full spectrum (380-800 nm). The lamp also advertises that it has “mixed, sunlight, and purple light.” The lights are dimmable.
After reading some posts, I’m already worried about overwatering and sufficient ventilation. Currently, my plant pot is in a closet with no real ventilation. However, the closet offers a more consistent temperature (around 66-68 degrees, give or take for lights). Here are photos I happened to take after spraying each seedling a few squirts of water. I generally do one spray of spring water on the plant and a few sprays around it.
Here is an example of how I’ve been watering. I do these sprays about once every 24-hours because I’ve left the lights on for 24-hours/day since they each sprouted. After a spray to this seedlings leaves, I spray around the side of the jiffy pop about 7-8 times to go around the edge with one spray each.
I had lightly watered the soil before this one sprouted. That happened 2x over 2-days. I was going to water it the same way: 1-spray to the plant, a few others around the edge of the cup to encourage roots to spread. I tried to get the “tiny” leaves and stems in the photo to see if anyone spots anything worth noting.
So, that’s what I’ve done. Now, I would like to know what I need to do. I haven’t gotten a tent yet and didn’t want to if I didn’t have to get one. The closet also has no ventilation now and I thought it was okay for seedlings, but I don’t know how long. I have some next step growing questions and then some what to do now questions. All helpful suggestions are appreciated.
Some questions about what’s next: I think I’ll need more space for 2 plants that will be indoors all winter. 1) Does it seem like the six 2-foot LED strip lights is enough light at only 60W. If not, how many more lights should I get. Do those look like acceptable beginner lights? 2) Should I get a second 50W grow lamp with 2 heads and special settings or would the other strip lights be enough? 3) How often should the auto-flowers be under lights? 9, 12, 21-hours/day? Those are timer setting options. 4) Should I get a fan now for the seedlings? If not, are fans okay alone or do you need forced air too? 5). I do not have my plant in a tent. Should indoor plants be in tents? If not all the time, what should make you consider using a tent? 6) How should I estimate the space my plants will need? I do not think both can stay in the closet.
I have attic space with unfinished eaves that is cooler in the winter and hot in the summer. I have more space for 2 plants there, but only about 3-4 feet vertically. I think that is okay for several strains. If I use that space, would a tent protect the plant from cooler weather. If a tent wasn’t needed for the attic, I don’t think it would need special ventilation because that area has great air flow. However, it could not get natural light up there at all. So, my lights would need to be enough.
A few specific questions for now: 1) Should I reduce how much or how often I water the seedlings? 2) Should I reduce the amount of light? If so, what is best for an auto-flower OG Kush? 3) When is a seedling ready to transfer to my breathable pot? 4) Can I use a regular pot for the second seedling? If so, what size pot and should I use the same soil?
Thanks for your time if you made it through. I’m just real excited about this as a new hobby and don’t want to blow if. Thanks in advance for all your suggestions.
Wannabe Dr. Greenthumb
