Over/under watering? nut shock? or transplant shock?(PICS)

I just transplanted four clones from small containers yesterday. They were in need of a transplant in a bad way, but according to the guy who grew the clones, I still had two days until they were due for a transplant. Good thing I went with my gut. Three of the clones look great today, but the one that I was drooping before started to droop after the transplant and got progressively worse. here are some picks, one is of all four, one the healthiest plant, and one is the drooping clone, which is becoming dwarfed in size by the other three.

Here is my last two entries:
5-13-2009 This is my first time growing on my own. Here's the set up: 4 white widow clones, picked them up friday from a club in sacramento(2 weeks old at the time). They are in small conainers with peat moss(I think) and soil around the edges. I've watered them twice. I did spray the leaves at first, but it seemed to burn spots on the leaves so I stopped. They have been under 24 hr light from T5 cfls 2 2' 24 w bulbs since I've got them home. Yesterday I introduced them to my 400 watt hps then gave them their first hr of darkness (I plan to ween them down to 18/6 by the end of the week.) The room is 62 cubic feet, I have 2 oscilating fan and one inline fan changing the air 2.5 times per minute. Temp has stayed between 70-80 degrees f, humidity 35-55%. The room is lined with mylar film. I plan to transplant them on friday and start a nutrient cycle then. Today one of the clones main leaves started drooping. Is it overwatering? the soil is almost dry.


5-14-2009 I guess my plants were getting to big and needed a transplant. They went through the water really quick, I watered them at eleven last night and at three am the sad clone looked good as new. I transplanted them into 1 gallon buckets with an indoor soil blend today and lightly sprayed the soil around the plant. The guy at the hydro store said not to water for a while to let the roots look for water, but i'm worried because I know they were under watered last night, and possibly before the transplant. My question is should I water now, later? how much should I water when I do. Also, should I keep weening them off the 24/0 light cycle, or wait till they adjust to the new pots?

Yesterday I ended up giving them a full watering before I went to bed (when the one plant started looking bad again) I haven't watered them since then, roughly 30 hrs ago. Should need water tomorrow........right? Anyone who could help me get the little girl on back on the right track would be greatly appreciated.

Suggest you just change them to 18/6 rather than wean them. Water when they start to droop. They dont need much since theyre clones. Check your nutrient, make sure you are not mixing up too much, you want no more than 1/4 strength for clones. Live and learn with them, you will eventually learn the signs they need a water. Every now and then give them a good watering till water drains out the bottom, this will help roots grow from top to bottom of the grow medium.

what soil are you using??

SOIL:
Organicare Pure Earth premium organic-based potting soil, indoor aeration formula.
I haven't added any nuts yet, the guy at the hydro store said that this soil was "hot" and I shouldn't add any nuts for three weeks. I'm watching the three heathy clones closely(finally some noticable growth last night) for signs of needing water, soil still has moisture, leaves still perky, so I'll hold off watering those. I just don't know about my sick little girl, she is still drooping significantly, but looks like a little better.
PIC 1-the three healthy clones this morning
PIC 2-the drooping clone this morning
PIC 3-the drooping clone last night
She does look better, but still nowhere near the other three.

I was giving them an extra hour of darkness each day. yesterday was 3 hours, but I'm gonna listen to Jonus. My timer is set to 18/6 now. Thanks again Jonus.

24/0 for the first 7 days
20/4 for day 7 - 14
18/6 for day 14 and on

looks like an overwatering problem... you only need to water once every 2 - 3 days

She looks a little better today...just make sure you water according to plants needs and NOT a time schedule. Check the weight of your pots when full, they should be heavy. When the plants are ready to be watered, the pot will feel light, like there is nothing in the pot at all. Don't wait for your plants to droop, but if they start to droop and you know you haven't watered for a few days, give them a drink.

These plants are quite resilient, so as long as your clones have taken root you should be ok.

And your soil has nutes built in, so you shouldn't need to add any extra for a couple weeks. Once your roots get a good hold of their new environment, you'll see some rapid growth under that 400w hps.

They should all come back just fine. If they start to droop and you haven't watered, water. If they start to droop and you watered recently, you are overwatering.

Good luck

The girls just woke up from their night cycle. here are some pics:
PIC 1 Side View of the ladies
PIC 2 My sick girl(who took a 180)
PIC 3 Overhead view of the ladies
PIC 4 The top of the healthiest clone

Significant growth among all, the night cycle seemed to do wonders, especially all six hours(thanks alot again jonus! From what I have seen this week, 24/0 lighting is great and all, but you need to be ready for the extra growth, which means more nut use, more water, and faster root growth. If you end up with drooping plants, and have a hard time managing the "elements", you should consier switching to 18/6. Don't ween them, just switch them asap.(See Jonus' reply) In other words, in my opinion, 24/0 lighting works, but it is not for begininers. If its your first grow, I might be so bold to sugest sticking with the 18/6 hr light cycle.(anyone who doesn't agree please say so, I do not want my opinions to be seen as fact on the internet if anyone with more experience than myself would state the contrary)
One more question to those who know more than I:
What nuts should I use on a low budget, and when(considering my soil choice) should I start feeding? and how often for these clones? what about when I switch to flowering?

I don't think there is much difference between 18/6 and 24/0. I've tried both and they seem to grow just fine under each. 18/6 saves a few hours electricity, which is always a consideration. But my plants didn't seem to mind one way or the other. But 18/6 or 20/4 or some combination of light/dark does mimic natural conditions better than 24/0, which is also a consideration. Some strains also grow better under specific lighting conditions (some autoflowering plants like 20/4 better than 18/6 for example). But on the whole I don't think there is too much difference.

Regarding nutrients, the fox farm line is pretty cheap. The Grow Big is for vegetative growth, the Tiger Bloom is for flowering and the Big Bloom is pretty much just bat guano and earthworm castings and can be used the entire way through your grow (and is organic). Most soils have some nutrients that can support the plant for its first few weeks. I've gone almost 4 weeks with my current youngsters (already in flower) and only yesterday administered their first diluted feeding (always start with 1/4 recommended dosage and work your way up). I'm not familiar with your specific soil, but I use the Fox Farm Ocean Forest and have been good for a few weeks. If your soil is "hot" you're good to just let them go for a bit with water.

i just gotta say this grow journal helped me a lot -- as i was dealing with the same issues with my clones and over-watering issues. good luck