Well after months of observing and reading everyone's input, Ive decided to finally register and post. First off, hello to all of you, and thank you so so much for all the information you provide people on this wonderful website. I, like most people started smoking pot at a young age just to get high. I quickly grew out of that stage and joined the military. Now, I'm an injured vet that requires MMJ for various reasons, including pain and anxiety. I was very hesitant at first because I have a wife and children, but after seeing how much MMJ helped me, my wife has fully supported me in my medicinal endeavors. That said I recently started my first grow.
I most likely wont be making a detailed journal with this grow because its mostly bag seed and a few leftover seed bank seeds my friend gave me. The notable strains I was given are Godzuki and Rock Lock. The others were just labeled "Kush", and we all know how much that word is thrown around. I just labelled them "bag seed" on my plant tags. Also, after only 2 weeks, Ive noticed many things that I can improve on, or add my own little tweaks to the grow, in order to improve it. I believe that the next go 'round will be more noteworthy, so Ill be a little more detailed with a journal. For now, Ill just post a few pics here and there and keep you updated
On to the grow! My house recently had some construction done and the workers had built a 5 shelf unit out of 2x4's and scrap plywood to set their tools and equipment on. When they left I kept it because I figured it could come in handy. After a couple of simple modifications I turned it into a nice little grow tent/box. I crafted 2 Earthbox-esque containers called Earthtainers. The instructions can be found here. After reading about how newbies tend to micro-manage their grows, I figured this type of system would be perfect. So far so good.
For lighting, I found a cheap $12.99 T8 shop light at Walmart and purchased 2 6500K daylight bulbs for it. I also bought two cheap silver heat lamp (with clamps) shop lights and added a bulb splitter (?) to each. In those I have (4 total) 23w 6500K CFL's.
I think total including the cost of my family's secret plant food, Ive spent $150~. Overall, I'm very pleased with the way the babies are growing. The setup costs a minimal amount of money and seems to be providing ample energy to the plants. Not to mention, aside from the artificial light, everything is totally organic. Ill respond to this post a little later with pictures, but for now, here is a shopping list with prices for the total setup.
(4) 18 Gallon Totes - $20.00 (Walmart)
(2) Silver Heat Lamps - $16.00 (Home Depot)
(4) 23w 6500K CFLs - $5.00 (Most major energy companies sponsor their own brand of light bulbs that they sell at stores in their market area for extremely cheap. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) has these Ecobulb brand CFL's for .99 at Home Depot)
(2) Bulb Socket Extensions - $4.00 (Home Depot)
(2) 1x2 Bulb Conversion/Splitters - $4.00 (Home Depot)
(1) 4' T8 Shop Light - $12.99 (Walmart)
(2) 6500K T8 Bulbs - $7.99 (Home Depot)
Nutrients - $50.00
Seeds/Clones - ???
Random other stuff like a thermometer, a soil moisture/PH tester, small fan, and a hand full of screws (in the instructions for the EarthTainer you will find all the small things you need to craft them) add up to around $20-$30 more.
So its cost me roughly $120-$150.
Thats pretty much all I got right now. Ill keep you posted and Ill add pictures here shortly. I mainly wanted to say I appreciate all the information that everyone has given on this site, because it has truly helped me a lot. One last thing I'd like to add, Ive been gardening for quite some time. I'm quite the avid tomato and pepper gardener, but have never cultivated MMJ. I am hoping that my knowledge with growing other things can help me in my adventures
*Edit* I forgot to add in the medium as well. Im using Sunshine Mix #4. Anything labeled "Potting MIX" will work though. Make sure it says "mix", not soil. Soil becomes too soupy in the bottom of these wicking systems and it wont provide enough moisture to the plants. You'll end up top feeding, which is fine, but it defeats the purpose of the system. I also forgot to mention that I am ALWAYS up for suggestions. I am in no way a professional with MMJ plants, nor am I a professional with indoor grows. I am a spring through fall outdoor vegetable/fruit/herb gardener.
I removed the bottom shelf of the unit and hung the shop light from the bottom of the next shelf up. All of the rest of the shelves are removable so I can raise the light up to 6' off the ground
Top View
Only the finest SoCal homegrown Bullrider
I most likely wont be making a detailed journal with this grow because its mostly bag seed and a few leftover seed bank seeds my friend gave me. The notable strains I was given are Godzuki and Rock Lock. The others were just labeled "Kush", and we all know how much that word is thrown around. I just labelled them "bag seed" on my plant tags. Also, after only 2 weeks, Ive noticed many things that I can improve on, or add my own little tweaks to the grow, in order to improve it. I believe that the next go 'round will be more noteworthy, so Ill be a little more detailed with a journal. For now, Ill just post a few pics here and there and keep you updated
On to the grow! My house recently had some construction done and the workers had built a 5 shelf unit out of 2x4's and scrap plywood to set their tools and equipment on. When they left I kept it because I figured it could come in handy. After a couple of simple modifications I turned it into a nice little grow tent/box. I crafted 2 Earthbox-esque containers called Earthtainers. The instructions can be found here. After reading about how newbies tend to micro-manage their grows, I figured this type of system would be perfect. So far so good.
For lighting, I found a cheap $12.99 T8 shop light at Walmart and purchased 2 6500K daylight bulbs for it. I also bought two cheap silver heat lamp (with clamps) shop lights and added a bulb splitter (?) to each. In those I have (4 total) 23w 6500K CFL's.
I think total including the cost of my family's secret plant food, Ive spent $150~. Overall, I'm very pleased with the way the babies are growing. The setup costs a minimal amount of money and seems to be providing ample energy to the plants. Not to mention, aside from the artificial light, everything is totally organic. Ill respond to this post a little later with pictures, but for now, here is a shopping list with prices for the total setup.
(4) 18 Gallon Totes - $20.00 (Walmart)
(2) Silver Heat Lamps - $16.00 (Home Depot)
(4) 23w 6500K CFLs - $5.00 (Most major energy companies sponsor their own brand of light bulbs that they sell at stores in their market area for extremely cheap. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) has these Ecobulb brand CFL's for .99 at Home Depot)
(2) Bulb Socket Extensions - $4.00 (Home Depot)
(2) 1x2 Bulb Conversion/Splitters - $4.00 (Home Depot)
(1) 4' T8 Shop Light - $12.99 (Walmart)
(2) 6500K T8 Bulbs - $7.99 (Home Depot)
Nutrients - $50.00
Seeds/Clones - ???
Random other stuff like a thermometer, a soil moisture/PH tester, small fan, and a hand full of screws (in the instructions for the EarthTainer you will find all the small things you need to craft them) add up to around $20-$30 more.
So its cost me roughly $120-$150.
Thats pretty much all I got right now. Ill keep you posted and Ill add pictures here shortly. I mainly wanted to say I appreciate all the information that everyone has given on this site, because it has truly helped me a lot. One last thing I'd like to add, Ive been gardening for quite some time. I'm quite the avid tomato and pepper gardener, but have never cultivated MMJ. I am hoping that my knowledge with growing other things can help me in my adventures
*Edit* I forgot to add in the medium as well. Im using Sunshine Mix #4. Anything labeled "Potting MIX" will work though. Make sure it says "mix", not soil. Soil becomes too soupy in the bottom of these wicking systems and it wont provide enough moisture to the plants. You'll end up top feeding, which is fine, but it defeats the purpose of the system. I also forgot to mention that I am ALWAYS up for suggestions. I am in no way a professional with MMJ plants, nor am I a professional with indoor grows. I am a spring through fall outdoor vegetable/fruit/herb gardener.
I removed the bottom shelf of the unit and hung the shop light from the bottom of the next shelf up. All of the rest of the shelves are removable so I can raise the light up to 6' off the ground Top View Only the finest SoCal homegrown Bullrider 
