Plant Pots and CFL Question

MrKodak

Member
probably a stupid question and i have no idea where to start lookin for the solution but anyways im literally just about to start trying to grow anything for the first time in my life and im very very strapped on cash(by this i mean no cash after i buy my lights) so i was wondering if it was possible just to put the germinated seeds right into a larger size pot and avoid the whole 'transpant' and buying a bunch of small pots phrase. also I am planning on purchasing a couple CFL lights I only plan to grow maybe 2-3 tree's at the most but when buying the lights can i just put them in normal light sockets or do i have to buy something additional to it and if so what would probably be the most effective for just a little closet operation.

thx in advance for any responses :weed:
 
cfls have normal sockets , in my region the socket is like 1$ , and 32w cfl are about 4$
and you can use small plastic cups in the first week or two
 

navyfighter04

Active Member
First of all welcome to RIU..Secodly. Yes you can just start out growing in your final pot. Many people do it. And also you dont need any special light socket as long as the socket can handle the wattage, volts and amps. As long as you arent using some 300+ watt cfl. Then you wont have any problems using a standard socket.
 

MrKodak

Member
another thing before i forget is approx how do i know if i have enough watts to grow, i assume just 2 low watt CFL's is definately not enough as should be used but a general idea on how to determine how muchs watts/plant would be sufficent just for a little while, i just wanna do the bare minimum for my first run. like how good is a 26W CFL compared to a like 150HPS in a ratio. thx for the quick responses also
 

tricloud

New Member
another thing before i forget is approx how do i know if i have enough watts to grow, i assume just 2 low watt CFL's is definately not enough as should be used but a general idea on how to determine how muchs watts/plant would be sufficent just for a little while, i just wanna do the bare minimum for my first run. like how good is a 26W CFL compared to a like 150HPS in a ratio. thx for the quick responses also
A 150 watt HPS is very dinky but huge compared to a 26w cfl......

It's difficult for most growers to supply themselves with a 400 watt hps.
 

Bakatare666

Well-Known Member
2 'low watt CFL's' will get you through 1 month or so, while you sprout the seeds and a few weeks into veg.
Will you be able to add more lights after that or by then?
By the time you get 2-3 weeks into veg, if you can get a couple 4 packs of CFL's that will be plenty.
I vegged for a month with 98w.
 

MrKodak

Member
yeah ive been lookin up the prices and i can get a 4 pack of 26watt CFL's (it was surprisely a lot cheaper then i expected) but now the only problem ill have is where and how do i hang them, i was considering using a extenstion cord with 6 outlet power tap and maybe just duct taping it upside down on the little shelf thing in my closet but im not sure if thats a safe idea, i think it might be a potential fire hazard lol anyone got any other idea?

also in a few weeks to a month i will be able to add a few more CFL's i just need enough to start it because then i'll feel obligated to continue rather then trying to save up for a decent light because then ill just end up blowing my money so any help/advice yall can offer is extremely appriciated
 

MrKodak

Member
that is the type of little grow op i am interesting in making, just something basic but effective, how did you attach the lights to the wooden sheet though?
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
probably a stupid question and i have no idea where to start lookin for the solution but anyways im literally just about to start trying to grow anything for the first time in my life and im very very strapped on cash(by this i mean no cash after i buy my lights) so i was wondering if it was possible just to put the germinated seeds right into a larger size pot and avoid the whole 'transpant' and buying a bunch of small pots phrase. also I am planning on purchasing a couple CFL lights I only plan to grow maybe 2-3 tree's at the most but when buying the lights can i just put them in normal light sockets or do i have to buy something additional to it and if so what would probably be the most effective for just a little closet operation.

thx in advance for any responses :weed:
Go to McD's next time and buy the largest drink from their value menu. Heat a paper clip and melt drain holes in the bottom. There's your first container. Start small and don't be lazy, damn it. Roots before shoots. Plant in a big contaier right off the bat and chop a mini-plant later unless you veg that thing a while.
 

luckybleu

Well-Known Member
those lights should be hung horizontal here is my old cfl setup box was made from an old dresser gutted
that was a nice cfl setup. 1 of the better ones ive seen .With cfls you want every single lumen you can get beaming on the plants.You really need some kind of reflector for max potential.Plants look healthy and not scragly like youd get with insufficent light.
 

Javadog

Well-Known Member
For my first grow (autos (Sweet Tooth, Biodiesel Mass, and Low Girl) I filled my
3 gallon smart pots with FFOF, a fairly "hot" soil, but with a small drinking cup
set into the center of the top of the soil.

I then removed the cup and filled the depression with Light Warrior, a soil good
for seed germination. I germinated the seeds in moist paper towels and put
them right into the soil.

This is one of the Sweet Tooths, after the main cola was removed, still in it's
original container:
SweetToothFinal1.jpg

Take care,

JD
 

EPODKEVEN

Member
Hey prince, check other posts but I think you will get more out of your lights if you try to mount them horizontally so you get more bulb surface facing your plants. Also try to get some sort of reflector for the lights. Walmart sports dept. for a cheap emergency blanket if nothing else.
 

AZPsyclops

Well-Known Member
I always plant into my final pots when I can. Is there a reason you guys use CFLs instead of T-5 fluorescents?
 
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