PetePeva
(enthusiast)
3/3/01 04:45 PM
|
Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101722
]
|
|
|
I just made a really stupid mistake that cost me alot of money and lost time! I'll tell you the moral of the story upfront.
Never grow your plants in clear plastic containers, especially if you are growing organically.
I had 18 seedlings (from expensive seeds) that I germinated in small clear plastic cups. I had planned on growing the plants in these cups for the first few weeks until I thought they should be transplanted. I did this even though I know that light is harmful to roots.
They were all looking pretty healthy and vigorous at first so I put them under my 1000w MH. I figured I'd get a head start. Mistake number two! The intense light (even though I had them three and a half feet from the bulb) killed two of them outright after about 18 hours, so I put them back under floros. Still several of them started dropping off like flies. They looked like they were wilting even though the soil was wet. In fact I had worried that I had over watered them so I poked a few holes into the sides of the cups, away from any possible roots, to help the soil dry out. I couldn't figure out why they were dying, though I thought the Big MH light had hurt them badly, or put them out of whack somehow.
I had to go away on a trip for three days this week so my partner in crime was tending my plants. When I left I had seven plants in various stages of dishealth. A couple looked like they were going to make it though. When I got back three days later there were only three plants clinging to life. I couldn't figure out why my gardening skills had suddenly hit rock bottom.
Then this morning when I was inspefcting them I noticed that the insides of the cups were covered in a green substance. Fucking Algae! The clear cups, organic soil, plenty of water and powerful light was a perfect recipe for algae growth.
I transplanted the three survivors into clay pots with fresh soil. One Chronic, from Serious Seeds and two Oasis from DP; I hope they do OK.
Never use clear containers and organic soils together. Time to throw away all of the two-liter bottles I've been saving.
Pete
|
Stedd90
(enthusiast)
3/3/01 05:45 PM
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101748
/ re: 101722
]
|
|
|
You might want to try using some "superthrive" to give it vitamines and hormones. If you need more seeds Im sure there are a few people here that might be willing to give a few to you.
Sted - A friend with weed is a friend indeed
|
Tokernut
(member)
3/3/01 06:34 PM
|
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101765
/ re: 101722
]
|
|
|
Thanks PetePeva! I had a couple of clear plastic containers I was planning on using for some babies! NOT anymore.... Good Luck with the survivors!
Tokernut :)
|
PetePeva
(enthusiast)
3/3/01 06:55 PM
|
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101769
/ re: 101748
]
|
|
|
I have a pretty good organic soil right now. Do you think that the algae suck out some nutes or vitamins? Not that it could hurt to use those products anyway. I'm not real familiar with it, or what it does but I hear a lot of offhand talk about it, so people must think it is good.
Pete
|
Tokernut
(member)
3/3/01 07:05 PM
|
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101772
/ re: 101769
]
|
|
|
The algea definatley did something. I can't tell you what for sure. Here is a recent post about superthrive. "Now not legal to sell Superthrive in Canada" [Post#: 98422 ] in the general growing area 02/20/01
Tokernut :)
|
Overdrive
(enthusiast)
3/3/01 09:49 PM
|
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101807
/ re: 101722
]
|
|
|
Hey Pete...Although it's not a good idea to grow in clear containers,I don't think it was the algae that was so detrimental to your plants but rather overwatering them.Algae will not survive without constant moisture.If you completely dried them out,no moisture no algae.You even said that they had plenty of moisture.The algae itself wouldn't hurt your plants too much, especially in that short of time.You can grow in clear containers if that's all you have.Just cover with some dark paper or duct tape.I think moreso overwatering was the main problem aided by throwing them under the 1000 watter too soon.Make sure to go through a COMPLETE wet-dry cycle..IMHO..PEACE..
|
JayGuru
(journeyman)
3/3/01 11:05 PM
|
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101824
/ re: 101807
]
|
|
|
Hmmm... I usually soak a styrofoam cup, filled with dirt; throw in a germed bean; sprinkle some dirt over it; and stick it 18" below two 400W MH's.
|
meatstick
(stranger
)
3/4/01 02:44 AM
|
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101837
/ re: 101722
]
|
|
|
I have gotten algae growth in hydro bins several times. Didn't hurt the plants at all. At least nothing visible. I clean out the bins regularly and clean off the algae but I've never seen or heard about a single plant being killed off by algae. Sounds like you may have fried them under the lights. How big were they? Did you use a relatively weak solution or did u go full strength? I think it was something other than the algae but thats IMHO. Hope your others survive.
Set the gearshift for the high gears of your soul...
|
itsme
(journeyman)
3/4/01 06:13 AM
|
|
Re: Oh, what a fool I've been!
[Post#: 101857
/ re: 101837
]
|
|
|
hey pete sorry about your loss ........pm me if seeds are a problem
|
