First grow assistance needed

Hi, so this is my first grow and im not really sure if im doing it entirely right, so any help to get me on a better track would be appreciated.

so first off i have a T5 4' (2 bulb) mixed bulb (bloom and grow) fluro fixture thats about 20'' above my plants. regarding that, i was wondering if that is enough to take a few plants through their entire cycle or if i needed a more powerful bulb to do so.

also, i only had some rather crappy unknown soil to start off with so i think that may be attributing to some problems i am having now (slightly yellowing/browning lower leaves) what is the best soil i can get thats relatively inexpensive?

the larger plant in the pictures is nearing about 2 months old now (somewhere between 5 to 7 weeks old) and it seems as though it should be larger at this point, but maybe im wrong.

i was initially growing the larger plant outside until i got the fluro fixture and there were some bug/wind problems that slightly crippled it but i think for the most part i was able to re fortify it with some grass and straws for support and soil enrichment.

on that note i was wondering if putting some grass seeds in the soil could cause more problems.

the lower two levels of leaves seem to be drooping slightly and im not sure if it is because of any of the above circumstances or what.

i was initially just watering once a day in the morning but since the stems seemed weak and fragile i started watering more often once brought inside (but usually not so frequent as to be watering when the soil was still wet). used miracle grow solution in water probably a little too frequently at first (was just after transferring inside

temp is fairly consistent around 80F and humidity fluctuates between 40-60%
lights are on a timer that remains on 15 hours a day (recently switched it to 18 )

ordered some ceramic/terra cotta auto water plugs that supposedly only let water seep into the soil if the soil is dry which should hopefully help with the water regulation

mostly i am just trying to catch anything ahead of time that could result in a drop in the plants health and verify if this is about where things should be at this point.

any further info/insight would be greatly appreciated.

1 - Stop Watering
2 - Get rid of the grass
3 - run T5 no higher than 8"

Do this or start over

Do that then read the first two links in my signature below

ya man you need to get rid of he grass like the man said and water less. ventalation will help alot with uptake that way your plant dont start looking yellow and over watered. dont use mirical grow anything. and when you get some soil mix it 1/3 to 1/2 with peralite so that you get good and easy drainage, with that and a little vent. you should be able to feed more properly with out any sighns of distress to the plant. a good way to look at feeding in soil is to give them just enough so that the plant sucks up everything in 2-3 days so that you have to feed again,thats a decent feeding cycle for inside but you dont want to see the plant wilt so pay attention! good luck!!! love and respect!!!

thanks for the info all!


distance from the top of the plant to the light is 6''.

going to transplant larger plant into better soil with moderate ph + 1/3 or so peralite. (getting rid of grass)

ceasing use of miracle grow and going to water only as soil dries.

anyone happen to know of the effectiveness of these terra cotta auto waterers? also looking to maybe get the oasis automatic indoor watering system.

thanks again

if your gonna do that then put them out side in teh ground cause there not gettin enought light dont make them suffer.

z4qqqbs said:

if your gonna do that then put them out side in teh ground cause there not gettin enought light dont make them suffer.

Click to expand...

what are you referring to exactly? It was mentioned to keep it under 8'' away from the plant and I set the tallest plant at a position 6'' away from the light, expecting that it will eventually grow closer. I also have a ledge (not visable in the pictures) off to the left that is 7'' closer than the shelf shown for just budding plants.

You guys are nuts, a T5 6" away isn't going to do anything. I'd have a T5 1" away and still wouldn't be enough without supplemental light.
Your plant is stringy, look up something called LST, and use it on your plant, then drop your light waaaay down. The only way a light can be too close is if its burning leafs, and I don't even think T5s can burn leafs.
If you don't, expect it to get 3x taller and remain just as thin.

Miricle Grow is fine, people just hate on it because they don't know how to use it. You should be watering once every 3-8 days, that is why your leafs are droopy.

Below are what plants look like with adequate lighting, and a light source that is close enough to foliage.

Haha the grass is bigger than the plant.

ECP said:

You guys are nuts, a T5 6" away isn't going to do anything. I'd have a T5 1" away and still wouldn't be enough without supplemental light.
Your plant is stringy, look up something called LST, and use it on your plant, then drop your light waaaay down. The only way a light can be too close is if its burning leafs, and I don't even think T5s can burn leafs.
If you don't, expect it to get 3x taller and remain just as thin.

Miricle Grow is fine, people just hate on it because they don't know how to use it. You should be watering once every 3-8 days, that is why your leafs are droopy.

Below are what plants look like with adequate lighting, and a light source that is close enough to foliage.

Click to expand...

ok, so i should decrease the distance further and ill add some tin foil to the walls and base to reflect the light back onto the plant more.

any recommendations for a new bulb/fixture purchase?

Edit: ok transplanted to slightly larger pot with new soil (has perlite) kgrow or kmax something like that.

ya man you need to drop your light right to the top cause those lamps wont even burn like ECP said. i would say get yourself at least a 250 watt h.i.d. lamp asap and then work on your ventalation. if you cant set up a space were you can have proper lighting and proper ventalation your just waisting your time, and if that be the case stik them outside asap! love and respect!!