this is my 5th year growing. I grow one crop, 3-4 plants, outdoors , NYC. I’ve never had a problem germinating and getting seedlings hardy enough to go outside but this year has been a disaster. I successfully germinated 13 seeds, 6 white widow, 3 gold leaf, 2 black widow and 2 purple haze using the paper towel method. After 5 weeks only 3 have survived and they don’t look great. Once the seeds popped I planted them in 16 oz plastic plant pots, with FF Ocean Forest and they all emerged within 1-2 days. I kept them under an 54W T5 light , 4-6” above. I was able to maintain the temp between 75-80. The humidity was only 35% ( I now know this is a problem). Watered with spray bottle, around edges. I want to start some more plants but I’m looking for specific suggestions on humidity control and soil recommendations. Any other help appreciated.
Are you managing the pH of your water? What water source are you using? Once nodes established they need more frequent watering than a spray bottle. They are establishing roots and ready to drink. Water in a ring around the leaves edges.
Put a clear plastic cup over the seedlings to keep the humidity up until they get established.
Ocean Forest may be a bit “hot” for the seedlings. Try a “starter soil” from your local nursery. Move them into the Ocean Forest when you transplant the first time.
Also, they are very stretchy indicating that they need more light.
They definitely need more light, be sure and check the PH of the FF soil, it’s had some ph issues quite often on here. Definitely need more light, blue- white spectrum if you can adjust. 
lots here use Strawberry Fields for starting seedlings. It’s a lighter mix the OF.
They are light deprived. I would also not start seeds in OF soil. It’s very inconsistent and can burn up young plants.
The long “leggy” stems are due to lack of light as some have mentioned above.
Your humidity is SUPER low for seedlings. You should be closer to 70% - you can dome them early but once you have a couple sets of leaves you’ll wanna take it off.
You mention spraying with a water bottle - are you pHing the water? Are you letting them dry out at all? It’s still possible you’re overwatering them too in addition to the medium being too hot.
Those three plants you currently have alive - I would transplant into larger containers and plant their long stems deeper into soil.
If you’re gonna use Fox Farms soil - I would at least mix Happy Frog in with it (it’s less hot) and add more perlite or peat moss for extra drainage.
^ like this for example (I just did this with my leggy seedlings.
I hope 
you get it all squared away! 
They are stretching to much and too hot of heat source
I haven’t checked the ph. I did use distilled water for germinating. After planting I used tap water same as I have in previous years. Last year I had a problem with overwatering so I’m reluctant to overwater but I have watered a round the edge.
Why?
Isn’t FFSF a flowering soil? Its high in p and k and low in n, wich makes it a great soil to pot up into just before flowering.
I read people saying they have problems starting in FFOF all the time but I never did. Honestly FF soils are not that great by comparison to other brands. Once upon a time maybe but now a days there are cannabis oriented soils so why use FF?
What kind of drainage is there for those plastic pots, I also notice no addtl perlite was added to your mix. I always add 25% perlite to FF soils to facilitate drainage. In the pics your soil looks very wet, could be why you have damping off going on, which is what it looks like to me.
I am going to use something other than the ocean Forest this time. Is there any particular starter soil preferred ? I have used the same 54W T5 HO light for a couple of years, i thought 4-6 inch’s above would be sufficient. When i saw the plants shriveling i thought it might be too close. I think the humidity is definitely a problem. Trying to decide if I should invest in a humidity dome or use the plastic cup route. If using the cup, what’s the procedure? I read that you spray the side of the cup with water and put it over the seedling. When it first emerges and for how long? How far above should i keep the light?
Yes sir! I meant Happy Frog, it was late and I was half asleep, my sincere apologies on that! Thanks for the catch @Docnraq . But like you mentioned, why use FF when there are great soils out there?!
#1 DOMES
You do not need to buy anything for domes, even plastic sandwich baggies work:
You also don’t need to spray inside… I never did but I have them in a tent and a humidifier keeping the tent at 70%rh as well.
I “dome” them once they’re planted until they get a couple sets of leaves but again, my humidity is regulated at 70% in the test.
#2 THAT LIGHT 
That light at 54W is also very, very weak and you’ll need it super close and even then you’re probably getting more light from the windows and is why they’re stretching so bad.
You said you’ve successfully started them with this light in the past tho, correct?
#3 SOIL TO START
I started and ran my first run in Fox Farm Happy Frog w/ added perlite so that “works”… but I’m on my second run now and I’m using Promix BX with added perlite. The thing people love about Promix (mostly peat moss) is it’s harder to overwater AND it’s doesn’t have all the added nutes and crap that can burn your plants (ie. It’s easier to get the numbers in check).
#4 OTHER MISC YET IMPORTANT
Do you have a pH pen? This is also SOOOO important! I know you said you didn’t pH but to help narrow things down and keep plants properly fed it truly is invaluable.
Have you ever used the Photone app? This can test out your ppfd/dli for free with your phone. Numbers will be more precise with their defuser.
Also, there are a million kinds of Promix so if you are wanting to try that:
White bags either Promix BX or Promix HP, highly recommend, for any and all stages.
Thanks for all of your advice. I dont have a tent or humidifier and it’s pretty dry, so i need to do something about that. I will try the Promix. And keep an eye on the pH, I do have a pen.
Roots organics original. I have tried a ton of soils but nothing has been as consistent as roots. Safe for seedlings and the PH is perfect throughout. Never had compaction issues or anything. It’s been 6 years without an issue with the soil.
I’m a big fan of build a soil 3.0, get you some build a soil lite ( great for seedlings) and some 3.0. Take the 3.0 and fill your pot with a solo cup in the middle, remove the solo cup and fill the void with the lite. By the time the roots reach outside the lite they are tough enough to rock out!! Or you can use the solo for a couple weeks till they get established ( poke lots of holes…) then just transplant directly into said hole!