KeepItEasy
Member
Background:
We are first time growers, keeping it simple with a low-tech closet grow. We wanted to try a grow before we really got invested. The ultimate goal is to have a perpetual grow just to support our own usage, while still keeping things relatively simple. We've been kind of learning as we go, though we did do a lot of research ahead of time to have a general idea.
Setup:
Our closet space is about 3x3. We opted not to tent it (again, keeping it simple/low-tech). We started with a single T5HO 8 bulb 2' fixture, but decided that 2 would be better. Bulbs are all 6500k. If we are to believe the ratings on the fixtures, that is 40,000 lumens (though I think it's probably closer to 32,000). I keep the lights just an inch or two above the screen (I raise them up to work on the plants). So I think we're about in the mid-range for lights. We are running on an 18-hour timer. I ran a vent with a fan up and out of the closet to the attic and filter it out to open air. We have ample air flow within the closet provided by fans. I set up a screen for scrog'ing (though I didn't fully implement it properly with this grow). We have a clone box in another location to root and keep the next round of plants ready.
Plants:
We ordered some "Papaya" Nirvana seeds and sprouted a seed. The first one was slow and struggling so we planted a second one. We now have two plants. They had a rough start while I tried to figure out the watering and setup. We also had a minor root gnat and spider mite issue that I had to take care of. 1st seed (white bucket) was sprouted on 8/24 and the 2nd seed (orange bucket) was sprouted on 10/18. I finally got everything figured out, the pests taken care of, and growth took off to the point I could officially call them in "veg" mode on 11/18. That is the point I topped them and started my attempt at manifolding and scrog'ing.
The plants are both in 5 gallon buckets using Dr. Earth All Purpose Potting Mix (not ideal, but it's what we had). They both get 1/2 gallon of tap water every other day. The mid-week watering they get fertilized with 20-20-20 (we'll be switching to Dyna-Gro on the next round). On non-watering days, they get pruned a little bit at a time to remove lower leaves and shoots. I check and tuck as needed every day (pics are from today, before tucking). I've never done a pH test, or any other soil/water test for that matter. I just go by the look of the plant, what I have learned over the past few months, and what I know about other traditional gardening. Overall, I think the plants look very good. Could be better/faster, sure, but for a simple and low-tech grow I don't think I see any problems.
Today:
Fast-forward to today and we are 2 months in to the veg cycle. The screen is pretty much filled up directly under the lights (the grid outside of the lights is still open). We are contemplating if we are ready to switch to a 12-12 and start the process of flowering. I know there will be a stretch. In all of the research I have done, however, I can't seem to figure out if we should use the stretch to fill the remainder of the grid or if we do that while still in veg. To my untrained eye, the plants seem healthy enough to go to flower, but I just don't have that experience yet. There is still some vegetation under the screen that needs to be removed, but again, I don't know if that should be done in the veg stage or during the stretch of flowering.
So long story short, do you think these plants are ready for flowering?
We are first time growers, keeping it simple with a low-tech closet grow. We wanted to try a grow before we really got invested. The ultimate goal is to have a perpetual grow just to support our own usage, while still keeping things relatively simple. We've been kind of learning as we go, though we did do a lot of research ahead of time to have a general idea.
Setup:
Our closet space is about 3x3. We opted not to tent it (again, keeping it simple/low-tech). We started with a single T5HO 8 bulb 2' fixture, but decided that 2 would be better. Bulbs are all 6500k. If we are to believe the ratings on the fixtures, that is 40,000 lumens (though I think it's probably closer to 32,000). I keep the lights just an inch or two above the screen (I raise them up to work on the plants). So I think we're about in the mid-range for lights. We are running on an 18-hour timer. I ran a vent with a fan up and out of the closet to the attic and filter it out to open air. We have ample air flow within the closet provided by fans. I set up a screen for scrog'ing (though I didn't fully implement it properly with this grow). We have a clone box in another location to root and keep the next round of plants ready.
Plants:
We ordered some "Papaya" Nirvana seeds and sprouted a seed. The first one was slow and struggling so we planted a second one. We now have two plants. They had a rough start while I tried to figure out the watering and setup. We also had a minor root gnat and spider mite issue that I had to take care of. 1st seed (white bucket) was sprouted on 8/24 and the 2nd seed (orange bucket) was sprouted on 10/18. I finally got everything figured out, the pests taken care of, and growth took off to the point I could officially call them in "veg" mode on 11/18. That is the point I topped them and started my attempt at manifolding and scrog'ing.
The plants are both in 5 gallon buckets using Dr. Earth All Purpose Potting Mix (not ideal, but it's what we had). They both get 1/2 gallon of tap water every other day. The mid-week watering they get fertilized with 20-20-20 (we'll be switching to Dyna-Gro on the next round). On non-watering days, they get pruned a little bit at a time to remove lower leaves and shoots. I check and tuck as needed every day (pics are from today, before tucking). I've never done a pH test, or any other soil/water test for that matter. I just go by the look of the plant, what I have learned over the past few months, and what I know about other traditional gardening. Overall, I think the plants look very good. Could be better/faster, sure, but for a simple and low-tech grow I don't think I see any problems.
Today:
Fast-forward to today and we are 2 months in to the veg cycle. The screen is pretty much filled up directly under the lights (the grid outside of the lights is still open). We are contemplating if we are ready to switch to a 12-12 and start the process of flowering. I know there will be a stretch. In all of the research I have done, however, I can't seem to figure out if we should use the stretch to fill the remainder of the grid or if we do that while still in veg. To my untrained eye, the plants seem healthy enough to go to flower, but I just don't have that experience yet. There is still some vegetation under the screen that needs to be removed, but again, I don't know if that should be done in the veg stage or during the stretch of flowering.
So long story short, do you think these plants are ready for flowering?
?
