My first grow

Hey rollers,

Here is the process of my first grow. I am planning on using all CFL lights throughout the grow. But I did think of getting a 50w or 150w HPS -- still unsure for the first grow.


Seeds: Bag Seed from some good mids (you know...)

I had started these by wrapping them in damp paper towels and placing them in ziplocks inside my dresser. The original was placed in soil on February 25 under 2 t12 lamps, her sister whom was planted at the same time tipped over when I was in the process of placing them under my new lighting. The 2nd one was started March 4th and the 3rd just today March 5th.

Lighting:
(1) 42w CFL 2700k
(3) 26w CFL 6500k
(1) 26w CFL 2700K

Here are a few shots of the set up. I am using an aluminum disposable baking sheet for a reflector for now. I plan on getting some mylar or shiny wrapping paper from the dollar store. The cup in the frontermost (yeah..) of the photo is empty and just hanging out for now so ignore that.

I also plan on changing the way the lights are set up. I want to get a bath vanity where I can split the 4 bulb outlets into 8. Maybe 2 of those. Too much light clutter right now. Plus I will be adding in some wired up computer fans.

Any advice, comments, questions are encouraged.

Small adjustment.

I bought some reflective foil tape and adheased it onto some pieces of Styrofoam I had. I have 2 sides and a top to it. I still need to make the front panel and another side panel.

I kind of just assumed this stuff is better than aluminum. I realize it probably is not the best but it seems like it works. I just pray for no hot spots.

Picture #1 is actually a CFL growing out of the cup. I hung plants above it to grow it.

Hmmmm.....your baby looks a little stretched (not TOO bad), but the reflective surface should help bounce the light around and get better veg growth. And more lights is always good! The little gal looks healthy though!!!

yeah try to organize your lights better, but its looks pretty good

I did toss a little more soil in with her to hide the stretching. Which may also strengthen the stem.

Here are a few updates. I converted my grow into a cabinet for this stage of growing.

My water PH is around 6.8. Tap water which I let sit out. Sometimes it goes down to 6.3-.5. These were all just transplanted into these larger pots last night from their original SOLO cups. Seemed like they are liking their new homes because over night I noticed quite a bit of growth / strengthening.

Originally the cabinet was going to be placed in my room and closed. I had this closed for 2 hours and when I checked on it the heat POURED out. Probably 100+ degrees F! I was freaking out. So I moved it into my closet so I could keep the cab open and close my closet door. Now my temps are around 81 F. The Cabinet is lined with that Foil tape. I know not the best but I really can't find anything better in my budget. I guess I could paint it but it *SEEMS* this is reflecting well. Hurts my eyes like a bastard when I look at it!

Picture 1 is just an overview inside of the cabinet. It is a Hexagonal shaped cabinet that I had laying around and figured it would be good to use.

Picture 2 and 3 are of the same plant. A week ago the bottom leaves (not pictured) dried up in sections so I cut them off. No idea what happened to it. It is starting to do much better now.

Picture 4 is one of the newer plants. It is doing great minus the 2 slight burns on some leaves.

Picture 5 is my oldest and most loved. But she is suffering what seems like heat stress. Not doing too bad right now as this happened maybe 4 days ago. She was running out of room to grow in her old cup.

Picture 6 is my newest. I had this in half a SOLO cup for 2 weeks then put it in this new pot so I expect growth to take off as long as she survives. See how she is green? Last night 9pm she was yellow and brown. Basically she got gang raped and thrown in an alley to rot until I saved her.

Picture 7 is just an overview. Picture 8 is just a temporary (read: too loud for what I am using it for) fan. Right now I have it leaning against the top of the cab and throwing air right at my ladies. Probably take temps down to 72 to 75 or so.

Questions Comments and Criticism appreciated.

The heat problems you are having and the burning might be caused by the tin foil. My suggestion is to head to walmart buy a roll of mylar wrapping paper (birthday paper) or 1 of those emergency blankets they are mylar and only cost 2 bucks located in the camping section.

Thats A Neat Set Up Tho..how Close To The Lights? And How Much Water Do You Use A Day? Im Starting Too But I Really Dont Know How Im Sopposed To Keep It Steady Going..it Just Departed From The Seed And The Two Leaves Just Started To Spread Apart...but I Might Have Over Waterd It.. Can You Give Me Any Advice? Im In The Same Process As You About..so I Wanna Keep Updated And In The Same Bout Wit You..

Help Me Out Please Thanks..

How Far Should The Light Be Away From The Plant..
Exp If It Just Departed From The Seed...meaning The Two Leafs Just Opend.

keep the lites right on them get some 45 spliter's and try to get the lite from the side of your bulbs right over the top of the plant 1.5 to 2 inches away.
good luck.

matrix12012 said:

Thats A Neat Set Up Tho..how Close To The Lights? And How Much Water Do You Use A Day? Im Starting Too But I Really Dont Know How Im Sopposed To Keep It Steady Going..it Just Departed From The Seed And The Two Leaves Just Started To Spread Apart...but I Might Have Over Waterd It.. Can You Give Me Any Advice? Im In The Same Process As You About..so I Wanna Keep Updated And In The Same Bout Wit You..

Help Me Out Please Thanks..

Click to expand...

I'll be more than happy to assist you. Keep in mind this is my first grow so I don't know how to grow this plant yet. I seem to have a green thumb though so I think this will work out for me.

As far as water I am using tap water which I let sit out. I also add a little bit of sugar to the water -- about a tablespoon. I mix it thoroughly before I water the plants. To be honest, I am purposely over watering a little bit due to the heat and the fan I have on it.

I keep the lights 1 - 2" away from the plants. Except the largest / oldest one I am just letting it collect light run off for lack of better terms. It seems when they get their first set of leaves it takes a little while for it to continue growing. But then they just shoot right up.

Now that I have transplanted these they have been growing like crazy!

The burning issue was because I left the cabinet closed for a few hours when I first made it and did not allow any air to enter or leave. They were all fried looking / wilted when I checked on them but I quickly got a fan on them to fix the problem.

UPDATE!

I added more lights. 2 more 26 watters. Just finished watering. I love getting my women wet so early in the day.

Brings me to 6 26w at 7800 lumens and 1 42w at around 3000 lumens (??? lost the packaging not sure exact number) on 4 plants.

Also had 3 more seeds germinate so I popped them into some cups and placed them inside my cabinet.

Photo #1 - My baby. Photo makes those bottom leaves look a lot worse than they look to my eye.

Photo #2 - My second love. She really took off in the past few days.

Photo #3 - Same as 1, closer.

Photo #4,5,6,7 - overview of my cabinet at different angles.

Photo #8 & 9 - She's a growin!

Photo #10 - Underneath shot of my baby.

Photo #11 - Same plant as photo #2

Photo #12 - Tight and petite. Same way I like my real women.

Enjoy.

sweet lookin plants!!!

Another Sunday update.

What do you think? Good progress over the week. Glad I added the extra lamps.

I made another thread regarding the last 2 to the last 2 photos (I know that is confusing -- the ones with circled areas are what I am talking about). Just a small problem I am having with one of the plants. Not even sure if it is a problem as I have no clue what caused this or what it is! Anyone?

Also I don't know WTF is up with the oldest plant. Picture #5. It is growing fine but it is just not bushing out. It seems like some of the smaller fill in leaves are just starting to come out.

looking good. you using any type of ferts? if so what kind. Also how many lights total do u have right now and how many watts

No ferts at the moment. Pretty soon, though.

5 x 26w "Blue" CFL
1 x 26w "Red" CFL
1 x 42w "Red" CFL

I'm going to make a new light set up for flowering when the time comes. Then continue to use this cab for sprouting and vegging.

wow nice yea im thinking about going to pick up like a 4 pac of cfl's today like 42 watters. How many would you suggest i put on the seedling the first week?

IOWNEVERY1 said:

wow nice yea im thinking about going to pick up like a 4 pac of cfl's today like 42 watters. How many would you suggest i put on the seedling the first week?

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I'd use 1 per plant.

*UPDATE*

I acquired 3 more plants!!! 2 are about 2.5" high the other about 1 - 1.5". Now I have 7 total plants + 2 I just started. And a bagfull of seeds germinating.

idl said:

No ferts at the moment. Pretty soon, though.

5 x 26w "Blue" CFL
1 x 26w "Red" CFL
1 x 42w "Red" CFL

I'm going to make a new light set up for flowering when the time comes. Then continue to use this cab for sprouting and vegging.

Click to expand...

Hey where did you get your different CFL's? Which brand did you get?