TealAtlas: Soil, Dark Angel, 2020, First Grow

[THC Onlyfans]

General rule of thumb that I've heard is to pot them once the tap root reaches about an inch or so. I think we're definitely there with the one...

I've heard an inch is too much? That u want to plant just over half an inch?

 

[Backlipslide]

I have never heard of that.


Additionally, the longer the root is exposed to air and light, the more damage will result, so it is preferable to transplant it before this occurs.

To avoid problems, it is best to plant the seeds when the tap-root measures approximately 1cm, or 2cm at the most. This will make it much easier to transplant and we won’t harm the development of the roots, which can be expand into the new growing medium without setbacks.

 

[tealatlas]

I have never heard of that.


Additionally, the longer the root is exposed to air and light, the more damage will result, so it is preferable to transplant it before this occurs.

To avoid problems, it is best to plant the seeds when the tap-root measures approximately 1cm, or 2cm at the most. This will make it much easier to transplant and we won’t harm the development of the roots, which can be expand into the new growing medium without setbacks.

Good to know! We're potting tomorrow then.

 

[Backlipslide]

Good to know! We're potting tomorrow then.

Good to hear!!

 

[Silverfox125]

Good advice @Backlipslide I’d get those babies in some soil. That root grows quick once they pop

 

[tealatlas]

It's been a long day... I've finally rigged the grow tent with both a humidistat and a thermostat controller, each with high and low points -- controlling a humidifier, a heater, and the exhaust fan (my air is super dry.) @southsidebecky and I transplanted the seedlings to five 6in pots with two parts Fox Farms Ocean Forest and one part Perlite. We gave them a little H20 spray, put a cheap blue light LED in (for now), and sealed up the tent.

The first thing that I realized was that the humidifier that I had in the tent was nowhere powerful enough to get me to the 70ish% RH that is ideal for seedlings. So... I upgraded.

After upgrading, my humidity control became a lot more granular. My humidistat works by allowing me to set an approved RH range, and based on that range, it will control two power outlets (assumed to be a humidifier and a dehumidifier.) My new humidifier has a humidistat built in, but the highest that it goes is to 60 RH -- not quite high enough for my ideal 70%. The humidifier does have a "full blast" option to where it will humidify until the tank runs dry. I attempted to bypass the humidistat on the humidifier by choosing "full blast" so that my humidistat can just turn off (aka unplug) the humidifier when the tent gets too humid, and turn it back on whenever it needs more humidity. The problem is that the humidifier doesn't come back on after a power loss... forcing me to use the built in humidistat, which can only go up to 60 RH... therein lies the issue.

So, for now, my room is using the built in humidistat, set all the way up to 60%. My own humidistat readings have varied throughout the day, but it does seem to average about 58% humidity in there using this method. Hopefully this lower RH range won't harm my seedlings, since my research has told me that seedlings and clones need 70-85% RH for the first couple of weeks. Correct me if I'm wrong with that... and if I am not wrong, how does one achieve such high humidity and temperature levels for this stage?

The good thing is that my ability to control the temperature in there (thermostat, spaceheater, and an exhaust fan) is pretty easy, and hasn't caused me any issues as of yet. Here's what it looked like this evening:

(Top number is the current value, bottom number is the target value. Temperature is on the left, RH is on the right.)

Right now, I'm setting this cheap LED light to 18/6. I'll probably switch to the actual grow light here in a few days. What is your advice on 24hr light vs light cycling at this early stage?

Looking forward to hearing input, suggestions, and advice! Today was a blast, but fuck am I tired.

 

[THC Onlyfans]

I have never heard of that.


Additionally, the longer the root is exposed to air and light, the more damage will result, so it is preferable to transplant it before this occurs.

To avoid problems, it is best to plant the seeds when the tap-root measures approximately 1cm, or 2cm at the most. This will make it much easier to transplant and we won’t harm the development of the roots, which can be expand into the new growing medium without setbacks.

Tap root went into the paper towel and had to pull it out with a bit of force with tweezers. Could have just ripped the paper towel instead...but who knew..

 

[Backlipslide]

You don’t have to raise the humidity in the entire tent for seedlings. If you have clear plastic (solo cups) you can put it over the soil, where the seed was planted. Once the plant emerges, and your cotyledons have come out to say hi. You can remove the cup as it won’t need it anymore.
everything will be fine with what ever RH you have. Those are optimal numbers, nothing says “we must” be at those numbers.

 

[tealatlas]

You don’t have to raise the humidity in the entire tent for seedlings. If you have clear plastic (solo cups) you can put it over the soil, where the seed was planted. Once the plant emerges, and your cotyledons have come out to say hi. You can remove the cup as it won’t need it anymore.
everything will be fine with what ever RH you have. Those are optimal numbers, nothing says “we must” be at those numbers.

I figured this had to be the case. Thank you!

Given this information (and some research on VPD), I decided to change my targets for the tent to 65% RH (usually sitting around 55-65% RH) and my temperature to 74°. The tent seems to be able to keep itself within that range easily, and per @Backlipslide 's suggestion, we placed clear solo cups over the seedlings to buff the humidity.

Here's the sad news though... I think we may have let the seedlings dry out while I was getting the tent running. My super dry air is a pain in the ass. I hope we didn't kill them. One of them, #3, is doing just fine, but we haven't seen movement from any of the other seeds in 48+ hours. We had been watering with a spray bottle at first, but we decided shortly after that we should be watering more heavily, so we did. Just in case, I'm having @southsidebecky soak another few seeds.

But on the bright side, here's our star performer. (Easy to stand out when your competition sucks.)

I've also decided to change from potting in buckets to potting in fabric pots... as well as decided to switch to the Phlizon CREE COB 2000W over the BestVA DC series. I just want to be able to use an actual grow light already. I'm impatient.

 

[THC Onlyfans]

I figured this had to be the case. Thank you!

Given this information (and some research on VPD), I decided to change my targets for the tent to 65% RH (usually sitting around 55-65% RH) and my temperature to 74°. The tent seems to be able to keep itself within that range easily, and per @Backlipslide 's suggestion, we placed clear solo cups over the seedlings to buff the humidity.

Here's the sad news though... I think we may have let the seedlings dry out while I was getting the tent running. My super dry air is a pain in the ass. I hope we didn't kill them. One of them, #3, is doing just fine, but we haven't seen movement from any of the other seeds in 48+ hours. We had been watering with a spray bottle at first, but we decided shortly after that we should be watering more heavily, so we did. Just in case, I'm having @southsidebecky soak another few seeds.

But on the bright side, here's our star performer. (Easy to stand out when your competition sucks.)

I've also decided to change from potting in buckets to potting in fabric pots... as well as decided to switch to the Phlizon CREE COB 2000W over the BestVA DC series. I just want to be able to use an actual grow light already. I'm impatient.

Ive also switched from bestva 2000w, trying to decide now which to go to, may choose the mars hydro tsw or tsl 2000. The bestva didnt seem to make my grows pray at any point in time. My 600w philzon that I had at the time did make the plants pray, I think u got a good light there with philzon

 

[Backlipslide]

what size pots did you start the seeds in? It’s best to start in a small cup like a solo cup? Also how much drainage does those plastic pots have?? I know you switched, but the better drainage you have in pots, the better off you are brother!! Give the other seedlings time, they should bounce back!

 

[tealatlas]

what size pots did you start the seeds in? It’s best to start in a small cup like a solo cup? Also how much drainage does those plastic pots have?? I know you switched, but the better drainage you have in pots, the better off you are brother!! Give the other seedlings time, they should bounce back!

Seeds are in 6in pots for now. They have drainage out of the bottom into trays... I'll move them to fabric pots when they're ready.

Maybe I'll drill some side holes in those 6in pots. Either that or I could transplant to solo cups. I've been reading up on watering during veg, but I haven't read much about how much/often to water as a seedling. So far I've just been watering as needed. Hopefully that's what I should be doing...

Also another update! Our star performer is about two inches tall! Didn't catch a photo this morning, but she's taking off. Wish I could say the same for the rest.

 

[THC Onlyfans]

I have one autoflower about the same age as yours, she is day 3 from soil break today. I'll be comparing mine to yours, not for competition but for reference and to hope they are growing at a similar pace!

 

[Backlipslide]

Seeds are in 6in pots for now. They have drainage out of the bottom into trays... I'll move them to fabric pots when they're ready.

Maybe I'll drill some side holes in those 6in pots. Either that or I could transplant to solo cups. I've been reading up on watering during veg, but I haven't read much about how much/often to water as a seedling. So far I've just been watering as needed. Hopefully that's what I should be doing...

Also another update! Our star performer is about two inches tall! Didn't catch a photo this morning, but she's taking off. Wish I could say the same for the rest.

No sense moving them out of the pots there in until needing to be transplanted to a bigger home. If the pots you are using has good drainage, no point in drilling more. Just need to remember, drainage is key.

watering a seedling is tricky. They dampen off so easily, you don’t want to over water them. I always just keep them moist, and continue a really good, wet/dry cycle going. Play it by ear, (or eye). You will get it figured out man!

 

[tealatlas]

Not a whole lot to report -- we finally have stabilized the temp and humidity in the tent. We have two survivors (no doubt that the losses are because of my tent struggles) and they're vastly different. The first one didn't get the intense lighting that the second one did so early on, and is long and stringy.

Meanwhile, we're germinating a few more, and we have a few new ones potted in solo cups in the tent. No doubt that it's been a bit of a struggle, but right now it's pretty easy.

 

[Backlipslide]

Sorry to hear about the ones that aren’t doing well! Hopefully things come around for you!

 

[tealatlas]

I think we'll be fine! We're just popping seeds until we have enough to fill the tent. Haha.

Update: day ten!

 

[Silverfox125]

I like your style

 

[tealatlas]

Here are some better photos. Proud father.

Don't judge me, it's my first grow

 

[Silverfox125]

No judgment it’s your journal my friend upload all the pictures you want to.

looking ready to explode