Problems with my first grow. PLEASE HELP!

[yblaster2k]

Hello!

I started my first grow around September 15th. I planted big bud strain and am using a 400W MH. I used an organic soil recipe I found online. I'm using 3 gallon containers and it's been like 2 months and my plants aRe only like 14-16 inches tall. My buddy has the same seeds and his are 2 1/2 feet tall and he started 2 weeks later than me. (hes using 250W + Miracle Grow) He also isnt venting his grow space.

I may have stunted their growth by overwatering in the beginning stages but I just don't understand why my plants are 3x smaller than his.


Here are some pics

I thought they would be around 20-24 inches atleast.. it's been like 7-8 weeks... Temps are fine, humidity is fine


I haven't seen any significant growth in the last 2 weeks... What should I do?

 

[HDPursuit]

Lot's of possibilities, ph, MG vs Organic homemade, have you topped? IMO ph or soil, MG feeds for something like 90 days, most good soils feed for around 30 days. I would ph my water to 6ph and start nutes at .25 strength. I've grown in MG you just have to nute lightly and later. My veg girls start getting nutes 30-40 days after transplanting. Your girls look healthy. Could be the seed phenol that you have. All seeds are not created equal.

 

[greenlikemoney]

Well, if it was me, first thing i would do is stop worrying so much. Your plants look healthy and happy. Was your buddy also growing in 3 gal pots? If his were smaller, then your plants spent more time making roots than his did. My suggestion to you is A): Make sure you are giving them the proper amount of nutes and aslso make sure you have ph'd EVERYTHING you put on them to the correct # ( ie 6.5-6.8 ).....B): I'd consider flipping to 12/12 soon also. I really have to believe that you did something, not sure what though, to inhibit the flow of nutrients to your plants. My guess is you missed your ph # somehow, and my further guess is that you did not ph your water AFTER adding the nutes.....it's important to do that. But your girls still look good, I'd flip them soon.

 

[yblaster2k]

First off, thanks for responding so quickly... this is my first post on Rollitup.org and am already happy with this forum!

I have no added any nutrients... I was told the soil mix I made did not require added nutes.

Recipe:

Peat moss
Humus (Lobster composte EWC)
Aeration
Kelp Meal
Crab Meal
Alfalfa Meal
Rock Dust
Organic Fertiziler
Little lime for PH


I think I over watered early in their lives... I was told this could have stunted their growth as well?

My buddy is using smaller containers than me, his only look to be 2gallon.


I am kinda going crazy over this lol... I have a better setup than him and he is producing larger plants... This is my first time so im sure Ive made some mistakes ( I like to learn the hard way though! )

 

[littlehorn]

just buy some common grow bloom nutes that are handy for you.You dont need to put your trust in the soil,max 1 month after they beg for nutes. Start with 1ml/l of some grow nute and use it every 3rd watering,then increase the dosage step by step.I think you should consider switcing on 12/12 in next 2 weeks Good for the first grow. Pm for results

 

[Slipon]

less is more, as some already said, stop worrying so much, let em be and do there thing, they know how, a neglected plant often do much better then one who got too much love

 

[inhaleindica]

Your plants look tightly packed. You could be over watering or, the soil is too hot? Is your buddy's plant stretched out? Stretching out is not always good IMO. Let your soil dry just before your plants wilt. It will force the roots to search for water and spread out. Once the roots are big. Your plants will be big. Other wise they look healthy.

 

[yblaster2k]

Your plants look tightly packed. You could be over watering or, the soil is too hot? Is your buddy's plant stretched out? Stretching out is not always good IMO. Let your soil dry just before your plants wilt. It will force the roots to search for water and spread out. Once the roots are big. Your plants will be big. Other wise they look healthy.

I do think the soil is a bit hot... I backed the light off to about 2 feet just the other day... I will also let the soil dry a bit and won't water them until the weekend. perhaps thats the problem?

 

[bertaluchi]

You might want to try to flush your plants. I always flush 2 times before flowering. Those plants look good. A little flush should correct any problem that has to do with the soil.

 

[HDPursuit]

IMO Flushing helps with soil and salt build up. I really think your growth issues are pot size and lack of nutes. But hell I've been wrong a lot in my life (and Grows) Your still building roots while your buddy in the smaller pots has fully rooted and taking off. I went from 3 gal pots to Folgers plastic cans (luv those things, handle and all) about 1 gal, they take off a lot faster now. Good Luck, Your problems are small ones

 

[inhaleindica]

I do think the soil is a bit hot... I backed the light off to about 2 feet just the other day... I will also let the soil dry a bit and won't water them until the weekend. perhaps thats the problem?

400w should be 12 inches from the canopy. I have my 600w 18 inches from the canopy. They could be stunted from the soil being too hot and over watering. Don't water until the pot gets light or half inch of the soil is dry.

 

[yblaster2k]

400w should be 12 inches from the canopy. I have my 600w 18 inches from the canopy. They could be stunted from the soil being too hot and over watering. Don't water until the pot gets light or half inch of the soil is dry.

The soil does seem to be hot but how can I make it cooler? the 400w Metal Halide is putting out tons of heat

 

[spliffbuddy]

Get yourself a moisture meter if you havnt got one so you can check moisture levels at the bottom of the pot, these big pots take a long while to use up the moisture and over watering is common. They look good to me though.