New to rollitup.org - New CFL Grower - Think I may have issues already. Help!

Hello! I am a new grower from Colorado and I am definitely trying the cheapest route possible when it comes to materials, etc. I'm not wealthy and I'm not looking for a huge yield. I am going to go the CFL route as I've heard and seen people do it before with great results. I am mostly interested in the journey and I want to log my experiences to hopefully help others out in the future. I have tarped off a corner of my room that I will soon line the inside with white reflective panda liner and take down the foil lining as some have told me not to use that as it causes hot spots. I have provided pictures below. I currently have a cheap humidifier going and it keeps the tent at a nice temperature between 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit with 60-70% humidity. I come here for advice because I think I am having issues. The two leaves on each of the sprouts are starting to turn yellow and/or brown on the tips like they were burned or are dying or something. I have no idea what this means. More info about my grow below: (used a template from another site, sorry)

What is your experience level? (first timer, novice, experienced...) I am brand spankin' new.

My Equipment:
.1) Type and wattage of lights. (MH, HPS, CFL's, tube fluorescents, LED's) I currently have four CFL 26w 1700 Lumens 4100k "Cool White" lights.
.2) Distance from tops? About 5-6 inches away.
.3) Reflector type? (cool tube set-up, bat wing, enclosed reflector, bare bulb...) Two are bare bulb and the two on the sides are closed reflectors.
.4) Is there a consistent fresh air supply? Yes.
.5) Do you have an exhaust fan and a circulation fan? No.
.6) What are the bulb wattages, kelvin ratings, and schedule? Bulb wattage is 26w, kelvin is 4100k, and schedule is 24/7.

My medium:
.7) Specific brand and type of soil, (coco, peat based soilless...) and anything you've added to it. (vermiculite, perlite, worm castings...) I am using Miracle Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix with 20-30% perlite. Amazon.com: Miracle-Gro 72986510 Organic Choice Potting Mix Bag, 16-Quart: Patio, Lawn & Garden
.8 ) Size of container? Red Solo Cups.
.9) Did you use peat pucks (or similar) to root clones or germinate seedlings? No additives or nutes yet.

My nutrients and water:
10) Source of water? (tap, bottled or filtered) What's it's ph before adjusting? Tap water and pH is reading 6.0-6.5
11) Method of checking water ph. (ph pen, test strips, aquarium test kit...) pH Analog Mini tester http://cdn.territorialseed.com/image...4238_large.jpg
12) Method of adjusting water ph. (phosphoric acid, white vinegar, hydrated lime, PH Up...) Have not done anything to water yet.
13) Specific brand and N-P-K ratio for each bottle. List dosages (quantity per gallon) and current feeding schedule. I have Big Bloom, Grow Big and Tiger Bloom ready, but not using yet.
14) How often are you watering between feedings, and how much per watering? Watered once before dropping seeds.
15) Any additives or tea's? (Superthrive, CalMag, molasses, Mother's Earth...) None.
16) Are your ph levels stable, or do they fluctuate? Stable as far as I know.
17) What is your ingoing water's ph? ...your runoff ph? 6.0-6.5
1 Do you foliar feed? If so, with what, how often, and at what time do you spray? N/A

My growroom:
19) Indoors or outdoors? Indoors.
20) What size of closet, room or hut? 4x4x8 grow tent.
21) What are the temps and humidity levels while lights are on? ...With lights off? Lights on is 75-80 Fahrenheit. Not sure with lights off.
22) Have you seen signs of insects in the growroom? No.

My strain:
23) What strain are you growing? (Indica dominate or Sativa dom?) White Widow Indica Dominant.
24) From seeds or clones? Bagseed.
25) Is this an autoflower strain? Not sure exactly.

There ya go! Please don't be harsh!

Harsh? Who in hell can even begin to read it! Wow. Good luck.

hotrodharley said:

Harsh? Who in hell can even begin to read it! Wow. Good luck.

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Thanks for the help!

The miracle grow may be a tad hot for your lil' ones. The yellow/brown points to a burn.. but you said you haven't hit it with ferts, which goes back to my miracle grow comment to start this post off.

Try asking a single question. At least at first. Your documentary is a hard read for we who are impatient. No need for a complete Order of Battle.

hotrodharley said:

Try asking a single question. At least at first. Your documentary is a hard read for we who are impatient. No need for a complete Order of Battle.

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Lol sorry I think just the opposite. I hate when people make short posts with no information like

"Hi i am trying to grow a plant, but it is turning yellow."

Wouldn't you want to know more information (as I am sure there are many factors that could potentially be causing my issue)?

Sort of like my grow but mine only has two lights same watt so I might have to move mine outside soon cause those lights are like the lowest watt you can use to grow mine just came with my aerogarden so I'm not complaining but most of the times MG does burn the seedlings.Give them a good dose of water and maybe move two of the lights closersee if that helps mon Good Luck brutha

I find MG soil to be of poor quality and inconsistent. Your plants look like they have a bit of nute burn, but my only attempt with their soil was exactly the opposite. I know many people on here use MG product to grow cannabis, but I have never been successful at it. If you are looking for inexpensive growing methods, I would look into Korean Natural Farming.

I am just learning about it, and it intrigues me.

Rrog is the resident master of KNF, but this website has some great instructional videos.
http://www.prokashi.com/videos/

If your new to growing get rid of the MG soil. your better off with a good potting soil that does not auto feed. you already got good nutes to use but not at this point.
2 ..seedling and new plants should be in a fertless soil seeing they dont need it ,cant use it and will most likely kill plant or severly stunt growth
3...after you get 3 weeks growth you can move those lights to 1 to 2 inch's from plants
4... got to get a fan to move the air,as small as 4 or 6 inch fan will be fine.
hope thats some help i'll be back!!

Cheapest route possible = crappiest buds possible.

1. get 6500K bulbs for Vegging, and 2700K for flowering (or a mix of the two for flowering).
2. Need to be closer, as close as possible, use air movement to keep heat away from plants. (mine are usually around 1/2 to 1" away).
5. Get some, see 2.
6. See 1

althor said:

Cheapest route possible = crappiest buds possible.

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Not necessarily. Cost does not = yield. I've heard of people going close to free and using household items and bagseed and their grows didn't turn out too bad. I'm not trying to grow a forest with lush 6-8 feet tall plants lol...

Anotherlover said:

1. get 6500K bulbs for Vegging, and 2700K for flowering (or a mix of the two for flowering).
2. Need to be closer, as close as possible, use air movement to keep heat away from plants. (mine are usually around 1/2 to 1" away).
5. Get some, see 2.
6. See 1

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Lights will help with the overall grow after the nute burn issue is fixed, agreed.

Use a pushpin and put holes in the bottom of the solo cups, give the seedlings a good watering and they should be fine. Get the lights closer and find a way to get more lights around them. I have five seedlings under a total of twelve 26 watt 6500k. Used an old vanity light system that was in the bathroom, took it down, attached "y"'s or splitters and hung from top of growbox. Lights are two to three inches away, temps are 80 degrees since these lights do not create much heat. I will attach some pics in a few days if you want?

Man I hate when people germ seeds and then expect everyone else to teach them how to grow when they realize they are killing their seedlings. There is like a million threads here that answer every basic question you asked. The quality of grower has gone way down hill here in the last couple years.

bigv1976 said:

Man I hate when people germ seeds and then expect everyone else to teach them how to grow when they realize they are killing their seedlings. There is like a million threads here that answer every basic question you asked. The quality of grower has gone way down hill here in the last couple years.

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Eh, happens. Umadbro?

haoleflip said:

So I talked to a buddy who grows a lot and he said he's done "emergency transfers" before where he transfers seedlings from one type of soil to another. He said he's done them every time with success. I went to the store and got some NK Lawn and Garden Organic Starter Mix. The only ingredients are Sphagnum peat moss, horticultural vermiculite, perlite and an organic wetting agent. It doesn't mention anything about fertilizers or nutrients. I did an emergency transfer as carefully as I could last night. Today the seedlings look ok and they do not appear to be drooping or showing any signs of stress from the transfer, so that is good. Hopefully everything goes ok now!

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Much better medium selection, thank you for not arguing with us and telling us "Well, I have 10 bags of Miracle Gro, so I am going to grow through that first" (As much as I hate to say it, I wouldn't mention that if it hasn't happened in the last week) Hope your plants pull through with minimal to no shock, and all is good!

haoleflip said:

Not necessarily. Cost does not = yield. I've heard of people going close to free and using household items and bagseed and their grows didn't turn out too bad. I'm not trying to grow a forest with lush 6-8 feet tall plants lol...

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Try to remember this thread so in the future when you decide to get serious about growing and invest in quality equipment you can come back and say "Man you sure were right." You will also know then that it has nothing to do with 6-8 feet tall plants. My grow box is only 6' tall and about the top foot is the light. It is not just getting more, it is getting better in every aspect. Like I said, it is one of those things you have to see the results before you go "ah, damn, ok now I see".

althor said:

Try to remember this thread so in the future when you decide to get serious about growing and invest in quality equipment you can come back and say "Man you sure were right." You will also know then that it has nothing to do with 6-8 feet tall plants. My grow box is only 6' tall and about the top foot is the light. It is not just getting more, it is getting better in every aspect. Like I said, it is one of those things you have to see the results before you go "ah, damn, ok now I see".

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I don't need to invest in a Ferrari when a Honda will get me from point A to point B just as efficiently. Maybe not cool and not as fast, but that's why speed limits exist. It's the same concept. I have seen many other threads where people have had just as much yield and "beauty" from their closet CFL grows as they've had with their medicinal grows. Doing it the cost efficient way isn't always the bad way if you take the time to learn along the way. That is why I am posting here. To see what others have to say. I take heed of your warnings, but someone else can come on here and post how I'm doing ok for a first time grow and that would be their opinion. Just like you are entitled to yours. Thank you for the advice, but tons of people have squashed the "spend more money, grow better weed" myth. There was a time when no one even believed you can grow a marijuana plant with CFL's. They were all wrong.