1st Grow 416w CFLs in 13cu ft

MrDank007

MrDank007

Well-Known Member
After a lot of reading, I thougth I would post the progress of my first grow. I've made several errors, but I think I'll end ok considering this was a learning experience.DSCN0509.jpgDSCN0508.jpg
I've got 26w CFLs. 12 on top and 4 in the back for side-lighting. 416 true watts. The cab is 46 in high, 31 in across and 15 in deep (the real pisser of the deal). I'd put more side lighting in the front if it wasn't for this. I just rotate the plants around once a day.

The one on the left is straight up, middle is topped (2 colas) and the right is 2 plants in one pot (whoops...was an experiment didn't know that was a cardinal sin till later) Again, learing experience grow. Next grow will be real seeds. These are some bag seeds. Plants veg'd for about a month and are 9-10' tall.

I just put these into flower mode this week. Comments welcome except why not HID..cash, space, in the future, ect.
 
MrDank007

MrDank007

Well-Known Member
The strain is bagseed under my couch cushion for over a year. I'm suprised they germinated. As far as the light, I can't configure anymore into the space (open to ideas). The issue is the 15 in depth (lights in the back are a push). You can't see the back, but there are 16 bulbs in there (4 in back). Think it's maxed out. Also, the camera sucks taking pics of this thing so it is a bit of an illusion looking dark like that. I have to wear sunglasses to look at this thing with the light on without seeing spots or getting a headache. It's really bright when you open it if that's why you are asking. To give you an idea, here is a pic of a plant in normal light, which is not near as bright.pic.jpg
 
R

redivider

Well-Known Member
looks good. don't need more light.

any idea on temps midway between the soil and the top of the plant??
 
L

leftreartire

Active Member
may i ask what combination of cfl's you are using? in my experience an even combination of day white and cool white is the combination of cfl's you can use to veg your plants in. i still do alot vegging using this methoid of lighting. i have never flowered using cfl's but i understand that a 2 to 1 ratio of day white to cool white is best for flowering. working together the bulbs best replicate the closet you can get to sun light. i sure hope this is helpful and i am surprised you havent cleaned the cushions in over a year..wife has me sleeping on the couch so much i just get up and make my couch every morning....lol....best of luck to you...and even with quite a few grows under my belt i am still learning and finding new ways to make my grows better..that is what makes this hobby so great is it is never ending. it is never perfect and you can change the way everything is done even as a new grower.....
 
L

leftreartire

Active Member
i would also recommend since you are limited to the size of you grow that you read the thread on lst=ing your plants and it will show you a way to get the maxium growth and use of lighting you can in a small space. i have a large area to grow in and i still lst my plants becuase of the effects it has on the plants auxions and hormaones that increases your yeilds. gets the most out of your space......best of luck
 
MrDank007

MrDank007

Well-Known Member
This is my first grow. One of my biggest mistakes was leaving the hygrometer in the pot, which was fine from seed. As I added more light and the plants grew, it stayed there shaded under the canopy giving me the wrong impression. In the pics, you can see it hanging from the fixture now at the canopy top and when I first did this, temps were in the low 90s. GAME OVER. I fixed this before flowering, so hopefully the plants can handle it during veg.

I had one active intake and one active outtake which was fine at first. After those high temp reads, I then added another active outtake and a passive intake along with two 4' squirel cage target fans to blow across the lights (see pics). Now the hottest spot in the box fluctuates between 78-82 depending on what my condo's ac is doing. Not bad for the watts and the space?!?

Currently in flower, 5 of the bulbs are 6500k and the remainder are 2700k. I tried to go 3-1. It was 3-1 the other way during veg.

As far as the LST, I have 3 experiments going: One straight, one topped and 2 in one pot. Right now, they all look female, but I am not far enough in flower to be certain. Depending on how many plants I'm left with...one may get the LST treatment...kind of waiting to see what the next move is based on number of plants and space after sexing.
 
MrDank007

MrDank007

Well-Known Member
I wasn't real happy with those pics and the lights came on during my redo! This will have do for now
pics 002.jpgpics 005.jpgpics 001.jpgpics 004.jpgpics 003.jpgpics 006.jpg
 
MrDank007

MrDank007

Well-Known Member
leftreartire said:
may i ask what combination of cfl's you are using? in my experience an even combination of day white and cool white is the combination of cfl's you can use to veg your plants in. i still do alot vegging using this methoid of lighting. i have never flowered using cfl's but i understand that a 2 to 1 ratio of day white to cool white is best for flowering. working together the bulbs best replicate the closet you can get to sun light. i sure hope this is helpful and i am surprised you havent cleaned the cushions in over a year..wife has me sleeping on the couch so much i just get up and make my couch every morning....lol....best of luck to you...and even with quite a few grows under my belt i am still learning and finding new ways to make my grows better..that is what makes this hobby so great is it is never ending. it is never perfect and you can change the way everything is done even as a new grower.....
Click to expand...
Ironically, this is where my finance likes to hide her pot :)
 
MrDank007

MrDank007

Well-Known Member
leftreartire said:
i would also recommend since you are limited to the size of you grow that you read the thread on lst=ing your plants and it will show you a way to get the maxium growth and use of lighting you can in a small space. i have a large area to grow in and i still lst my plants becuase of the effects it has on the plants auxions and hormaones that increases your yeilds. gets the most out of your space......best of luck
Click to expand...
Can you give me a LST strategy? Does it matter that the plants are on 12/12?
 
MrDank007

MrDank007

Well-Known Member
I've spent so much energy on getting the box ready for this first and future grows and now that I think it's ok, I am running into plant issues. What do you guys think? Do I have a male on my hands (left) and a little nut burn (middle group)


pics 002.jpgpics 003.jpg pics 005.jpg
 
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