Need some tips! First time small budget grow!

[CenCaliKush]

Hey all, long time reader of the site, first time poster.
I have been a medicinal patient for almost a whole year now and have finally took it upon myself to start my own little grow op in my closet.

I built myself a ~22"x~30" grow box thats about 3 1/2' tall
It is made out of 3/4" Particle board and covered with Mylar on the inside. In/Out fans as well.
http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/1457/img1208c.jpg

I purchased http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-FLT24-2-Foot-Fluorescent-System/dp/B002JQBQZQ after keeping my clones under some other lights for a few days till I could get that. It came with 4 23watt 6500k bulbs
It puts out roughly 8000 lumens and takes up almost the entire space of the box(only a couple inches at most to each side)
It concerned to me that the lumen/sq. ft would be a little low with this fixture, but I decided to go with it anyways for heat and space reasons. I figured I could always supplement it with some CFLs to the side if I see the plants are starting to lack light a bit. I also purchased some 3000k flowering bulbs as well for when the time is right.
I am keeping the light about 3 inches away or so from the tops of the plants.

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/5355/img1238so.jpg
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/8015/img1239sn.jpg

As of now I am watering the plants about every other day about(pretty much as I see the soil start to dry at the top). And am vegging the plants on a 24/0 Light cycle.
I am using just regular potting soil for now with no nutrients(at least yet).

I am trying to fit as many plants as possible in here as there are currently 6 in(not inch) about gallon sizes pots, and going to transplant them into some taller pots about halfway through the veg cycle.


So this is where I am at now, and while I know the general direction of where I need to be going, I would like some direct input on what I'm doing right/wrong, what I should change/add/remove.

Thanks alot,
C.C.K.

 

[CenCaliKush]

Anyone have any input at all? This is my first grow and don't have any sources other than books/guides I've read so some actual feedback would be great.

 

[lime73]

let soil dry out more between waterings...to avoid overwatering( which i can see slight sign of)

when soil is dry(not just the top) then give a good watering( til water comes out bottom)...let soil dry out...(probably be a few more days between watering once you do this)

 

[CenCaliKush]

let soil dry out more between waterings...to avoid overwatering( which i can see slight sign of)

when soil is dry(not just the top) then give a good watering( til water comes out bottom)...let soil dry out...(probably be a few more days between watering once you do this)

Okay, do I need to saturate all the soil or just the area around the plant? I have absolutely no garden experience lol.

 

[lime73]

Okay, do I need to saturate all the soil or just the area around the plant? I have absolutely no garden experience lol.

wait til soil is allot more dry, stick your finger in soil to feel if its still moist, if so wait another day and check again.

then when your plant needs water ....water til you see water coming out the bottom of your pot( pour slowly or course/to allow soil to soak up all water/completely saturated).

then let dry out for a few days probably like 5 ..... before you will need to water again.

repeat

 

[finnal]

a tip i hear alot is its easyer for a plant to drown then it is for them to dry out

 

[CenCaliKush]

Okay I think I've got the watering down

For nutes I went with a 3-1-2 blend for veg, what should I do for flowering? I also added a drop of superthrive to my water to supplement their root growth, I will probably only do this for one more watering(after I transplant them into their final 2.5 gallon pots)

Im worried also that my lighting will not be sufficient for all 6 plants, and was thing about having a 2 tube t5 facing upwards below the plants.
If this doesn't seem like an efficient idea then I will mount cfls then around/under the colas to help with light penetration, but I believe the t5s will just be simpler and more efficient for all the plants.

 

[kindbud27]

The best way that i have seen is to use some good ole fish emulsion and your plants will love you for it. its organic and the plants love the shit. If you are new to growing and have never used nutes then don't use them till you have read enough on these forums and other sites to do it correctly.

Most problems on this board comes from Nute problems,heat stress, and over watering,and of course lack of knowledge. The watering and the heat problems are something that can be remedied with notice.

the nute problem can take a little longer to get the plant back to looking good again.
And the lack of knowledge well lets just say that can take a long time. Just keep learning and become familiar with what nutes you are using, I use Earth Juice and fish emulsion together and they love it but you can grow good dank bud with just using the fish emulsion and you will not burn your plants up.

I am not the best at growing nor am i even close but i might be in the top 2 million at it

but i do grow good ass buds and for my 1st year i grew with just the fish emulsion and the bud was amazing.

 

[CenCaliKush]

The best way that i have seen is to use some good ole fish emulsion and your plants will love you for it. its organic and the plants love the shit. If you are new to growing and have never used nutes then don't use them till you have read enough on these forums and other sites to do it correctly.

Most problems on this board comes from Nute problems,heat stress, and over watering,and of course lack of knowledge. The watering and the heat problems are something that can be remedied with notice.

the nute problem can take a little longer to get the plant back to looking good again.
And the lack of knowledge well lets just say that can take a long time. Just keep learning and become familiar with what nutes you are using, I use Earth Juice and fish emulsion together and they love it but you can grow good dank bud with just using the fish emulsion and you will not burn your plants up.

I am not the best at growing nor am i even close but i might be in the top 2 million at it

but i do grow good ass buds and for my 1st year i grew with just the fish emulsion and the bud was amazing.

Thanks for the advice, I already picked up some flora nova bloom and grow so I'm honna go ahead and try that
The guy at the hydro shop strongly recommended it