This is a just for fun grow, not looking for big yields.
Day 8: Both plants showing signs of 2nd set of true leaves coming in. Black Light (BL) is 7cm in height and Purple Bud (PB) is 2.5cm. BL is an auto which might explain why she is growing faster. Yesterday I tried to dig out BL's pellet to check the roots, little networks happening, but when I tried to remove the outside film of the pellet, I ended up dislodging some roots and pulling them out, oops. Today is another overcast and rainy day. No supplemental lights, working with nature here.
Day 9: A bit of stretch from the cotyledons to the true leaves on both, more visible on BL. Leaves on BL are now at 2.5cm. Today has cloud coverage with sunny breaks.
Day 10: Didn't learn from my mistake and ended up ripping out baby PB's roots too with the same pellet film removal procedure, so I decided to put her under light therapy. Set up a 9W 5500K light about 25cm away, with a reflector to bounce off light for 9h (1-10PM). Today there was full sunlight, so I opened the windows for the girls. Now PB's baby leaf has a tiny bit of light bleaching happening. No upward growth for PB, although her leaves look larger. BL is at 8.5cm in height.
Day 11: BL is 9cm. Her growth is a little stunted, I suspect it's lack of light. Putting her under light therapy for the next 9h (1-10pm). She also got direct sunlight in the morning. I'm fine with small plants but since none of her leaves have grown to full shape I worry a little. PB I can leave in vegetative state for months and deal with later if necessary. Earlier I was worried about the smell, now I know with the size of these girls it'll be negligible.
Day 12: I'm seeing the third set of true leaves come in on both! They are tiny little shadow nubs. Growth is definitely far behind compared to those on a grow light schedule or in full sunlight. I think I will keep supplementing BL's light schedule with the studio light I have. Possibly look into buying a new bulb.
Day 13: Ordered a 68W full spectrum clip-on light. It's set to arrive in 4 days. So BL will stay small, but be sufficiently irradiated during her flower phase. I left her under the 9W studio light for 10.5h yesterday with frequent misting. Will start LST with her today using a twist tie into the soil. Neither plant has grown in height but their leaves are slowly become larger.
Day 14: More leaf fingers are coming in. Supplemented BL for 5hrs while PB has been left just with natural light. PB has been developing at the same rate in terms of leaf structure yet she is just shorter and smaller. Her largest leaves are 1.5cm in length, and they are the same size as BL's 2nd set of leaves. Doing some companion planting. Planted a handful of basil seeds in paper towel in the 7L pot and then 3 seeds in the smaller pot.
Looking forward to next week!
What kind of deficiency causes small white spots on the leaves like this?
Also on the lower leaf it's a bit mottled and yellow. I think it is two distinct problems.
I like your post, easy to follow, plenty of info that will help me with my grow. I also like your determination to stick with your goal, i.e. to enjoy the grow and learn.
Keep up the good work