My plants and I need some help!

[mike5308]

As is obvious in my photos, my plants are not doing too good right now. I have limited indoor growing experience. I would love to become more skilled and be able to grow indoors year-round.
-These seedlings were germinated from seeds that I purchased. I learned a costly lesson early on: remove the humidity dome after they breach the soil. I lost several seedlings to a moldy mess early on.
-The light is ViparSpectra 250w LED grow light - about 24"-30" above plants; originally I had the light just 6"-8" away but found out that was way too close. The light is set to 80% brightness.
-The temperature under the light is around 69 deg F while it is on, probably high 50s-low 60s at night when it's off (in my basement). Not sure on humidity. I have a dehumidifier in a nearby room set to kick on at 50%.
-Containers are 16oz solo cups with 4 holes drilled in the bottom.
-Watering schedule is just by observation: at first I was watering them from the bottom all the time, which is when I first saw signs of wilting. I have switched to using less water in the tray, and letting the soil dry out between watering (about 3-5 days betweeen). I will pick up the cups and feel the weight when they start looking dry. Using regular tap water, and don't have any PH measuring tools.
-I have a mix of several different plants in this setup. I have peppers, cannabis, radish, and so on. The peppers seem to be fine and perky, but the cannabis and radish are doing poorly.
-The soil is garden magic from Michigan Peat.
-These seedlings are around 1-1.5 months old, but not growing fast at all.
-I have not given any nutrients.
-I run the AC infinity fan on oscillate mode, low speed for a day or two, then turn it off for a day.
-My goal was just getting them started indoors and slowly hardening them off until it is warm enough outside, but at this pace I'm worried they won't make it.
-I was considering:
repotting with fox farm happy frog soil
turning off the dehumidifier
giving nutrients. I have some Miracle Gro all purpose plant food, is this a good idea?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm willing to spend some money on more supplies, but I'm not sure where to start. I'm open to any suggestions.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post!

 

[mike5308]

I realized a huge error aside from the aforementioned ones; I have only been running the lights around 13 hours per day. I will step this up to an 18:6 light cycle.

 

[Bigalmoby]

They look over watered a good dry back every time is extremely important
And maybe your soil mix dose not drain well or keeps to much moisture
Holes in bottom of cup ?

 

[Bigalmoby]

How often do you water and how much

 

[mike5308]

I've been watering about every 3 days, I pour about a half gallon in the bottom of the plastic container. Before that I was definitely watering too much, putting almost a gallon in the plastic container. The soil mix I used doesn't seem to get great reviews, so I think I will also repot with something higher quality. Each solo cup has 4 x 3/8" holes in the bottom. Thanks for looking into this!

 

[Bigalmoby]

You want some soil that drains a lot many choices out there good luck and keep posting updates kinda want to see how they end up

 

[Tj1bull4152]

Maybe if you use a little perlite in the soil will help with the drainage

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

I've been watering about every 3 days, I pour about a half gallon in the bottom of the plastic container. Before that I was definitely watering too much, putting almost a gallon in the plastic container. The soil mix I used doesn't seem to get great reviews, so I think I will also repot with something higher quality. Each solo cup has 4 x 3/8" holes in the bottom. Thanks for looking into this!

Are you trying to bottom water? Your post above makes it sound that way to me.

You want the soil to dry back between waterings. It's near impossible to achieve that if you're trying to bottom water in solo cups. Cannabis doesn't do well if the root zone is kept saturated.

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

Are you trying to bottom water? Your post above makes it sound that way to me.

You want the soil to dry back between waterings. It's near impossible to achieve that if you're trying to bottom water in solo cups. Cannabis doesn't do well if the root zone is kept saturated.

This

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

Saturating like that in solo cups is no bueno amigo. Maybe in a system designed for that but never in solos.

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

If you get the Photone App it’ll show you what your PAR is to get your DLI dialed in.

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

Saturating like that in solo cups is no bueno amigo. Maybe in a system designed for that but never in solos.

Always top watered after germinating until the root system is developed. Then you might consider using a self watering base, but not during seedling stage. AC Infinity's self-watering wicking bases works great with cannabis plants that have an established root system. The key to these working is the plants do not sit directly in the water. The fabric pots sit above the water on wicking ropes. I've used them in my greenhouse for several summers.

 

[mike5308]

Always top watered after germinating until the root system is developed. Then you might consider using a self watering base, but not during seedling stage. AC Infinity's self-watering wicking bases works great with cannabis plants that have an established root system. The key to these working is the plants do not sit directly in the water. The fabric pots sit above the water on wicking ropes. I've used them in my greenhouse for several summers.

Those bases look sweet. I'll keep that in mind for future indoor grows.

 

[mike5308]

I'll be top watering only from now on. I've adjusted the light cycle for 18:6. I will be buying some high quality soil and repotting soon. Hoping to see those leaves perk up before I do any kind of repotting. I'll post some updates in the next week. Thank you all for sharing your time and wisdom!

 

[RoadKillSkunkHunt]

I'll be top watering only from now on. I've adjusted the light cycle for 18:6. I will be buying some high quality soil and repotting soon. Hoping to see those leaves perk up before I do any kind of repotting. I'll post some updates in the next week. Thank you all for sharing your time and wisdom!

In my area, Fox Farm's Ocean Forest potting soil is probably your best bang for your buck. If you're near a Grow Generation, sign up for their grower's program. You'll get a discount on most of your purchases. I bought two 1.5 CuFt bags for $12.50 each plus tax.

Edit: I add about 10% more perlite to the mix. Nothing else until its time for nutrients. Then I use a salts based nutrient line.

 

[mike5308]

Just wanted to throw a little update out there. These girls have fully bounced back and are growing great after I took your suggestions! I used a blend of happy frog and ocean forest; I was able to pick them up locally at Rural King. Added about 10% perlite to the mix, filled 5 gallon fabric pots, and water about once a week.

Thanks everyone for the help!