What did I do wrong?

jmitch711

Member
Hi everyone
I just had my first harvest and I am wondering what need to do different to get nice full fat nugs. I used Fox farm ocean forest mixed with organic soil along with FF nutes. I read the OF is very rich hence the mix. I have a very reflective and air flow efficient box. One plant I used straight cfl lighting and got very light buds with no density. It was probably 3ft at harvest and yielded 8.5 grams. The second out grew the box so I moved it to a bigger space with a 400w grow light. The buds grew huge but still not very dense. At about 4ft at harvest still got less than an ounce. What can I do to make my next grow more successful?
 

Majorduke

Active Member
What kind of 400w light are you using? I recommend using it the whole time and use your cfls for side lighting. What kind of plants were they? What was your light cycle?
 

jmitch711

Member
Not sure on type of light got it from a friend. They were two different strains. Just seeds I had saved. Light cycle 18-6 for veg and 12-12 for flower.
 

althor

Well-Known Member
Most likely, starting out your lights were not strong enough which caused so much stretch hence the outgrowing the box. So when you bumped up the 400, that was the right thing, but also it was too late, you already had the big gap stretch.
 

Majorduke

Active Member
Still hard to tell what kind of light but get ya a good my for veg and a mh for flower, open up that shield a little if ya can, it'll help
 

jmitch711

Member
Still hard to tell what kind of light but get ya a good my for veg and a mh for flower, open up that shield a little if ya can, it'll help
Thanks. I'm gonna move it into the box next time and use cfl for side lighting. Maybe even buy some seeds so I know what I have. Kind of glad I didn't for this one since it didn't go so well lol.
 

$bkbbudz$

Well-Known Member
On the bulb towards the base it should say MH (metal Halide) or HPS (High Pressure Sodium). Either way, they can both grow full cycle. To get optimum lighting check the ballast to see if it is switchable and buy the opposite light of that one. @Majorduke is right use the cfl as side lighting. I just harvested 2 plants grown under 400w I yielded over 5 ounces dry weight...dense crystally nugs.

The FFOF and nute trio is more than sufficient to grow a nice healthy crop. Adding the organic soil was IMHO superfluous. I would have added perlite and/or vermiculite. I also would add some soluble lime and some Epsom salt. But that is just what I would do and not necessarily what you should do. :peace:
 

jmitch711

Member
On the bulb towards the base it should say MH (metal Halide) or HPS (High Pressure Sodium). Either way, they can both grow full cycle. To get optimum lighting check the ballast to see if it is switchable and buy the opposite light of that one. @Majorduke is right use the cfl as side lighting. I just harvested 2 plants grown under 400w I yielded over 5 ounces dry weight...dense crystally nugs.

The FFOF and nute trio is more than sufficient to grow a nice healthy crop. Adding the organic soil was IMHO superfluous. I would have added perlite and/or vermiculite. I also would add some soluble lime and some Epsom salt. But that is just what I would do and not necessarily what you should do. :peace:
I added some perlite to the mix but I was planning to try just the FFOF and nute trio. Thanks for the input.
 

Mount

Well-Known Member
80 is ok... providing you have good circulation with a gentle breeze across the plants at 50%, keep the fans blowing 24/7 to keep mold and bud rot at bay...
 

jmitch711

Member
80 is ok... providing you have good circulation with a gentle breeze across the plants at 50%, keep the fans blowing 24/7 to keep mold and bud rot at bay...
I have a couple small fans providing a light cross breeze and a more powerful fan outside to constantly pulling fresh air through.
 

Mount

Well-Known Member
I have a couple small fans providing a light cross breeze and a more powerful fan outside to constantly pulling fresh air through.
Sounds like you are on track for a better 2nd grow... keep up the good work and remember, any smoke-able harvest is a good harvest..just combine all those lights and the next ones will be denser..happy growing..
 

jmitch711

Member
Sounds like you are on track for a better 2nd grow... keep up the good work and remember, any smoke-able harvest is a good harvest..just combine all those lights and the next ones will be denser..happy growing..
Will proper lighting cut down on sugar leaves? Ended up with a carp ton of them. Which is fine. I'll use them for brownies or something. But it makes trimming a HUGE hassle lol
 

Mount

Well-Known Member
Will proper lighting cut down on sugar leaves? Ended up with a carp ton of them. Which is fine. I'll use them for brownies or something. But it makes trimming a HUGE hassle lol
Welcome to growing.. the fun of trimming... more light isnt going to cut them down sorry to say.. if you have a butt load of sugar leaves covered in frost... hash comes to mind...
 

jmitch711

Member
Welcome to growing.. the fun of trimming... more light isnt going to cut them down sorry to say.. if you have a butt load of sugar leaves covered in frost... hash comes to mind...
Darn. Oh well worth it to not have to buy it anymore. Hash was another thought. Thanks for your insights. Much appreciated.
 
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