(I have Pictures) Need advice; first grow

[BayAreaBrotha]

I started up a little closet grow operation recently and have had some problems so I figure I should probably branch out for some advice. I started with a 2 bulbs 24" 18x2 Plant Bulbs fluorescent fixture and some bag seed. I had intentions of getting a nicer setup from the begining. The lil buggers grew very quickly at first but then from over watering I ended up with a fungus gnat problem and then they started slowing down. Then I committed the ultimate sin of using miracle grow and it nute burned my plants and then they stopped growing all together.

This is when I got some more light power and traded in the fluorescent tubes for a 125w(not equivelant) Hydro Farm Grow light, 6400k spectrum. I also complimented the 125w cfl & fixture with 3 42w(also not equiv.) Soft White CFLs for a total of 251w total (still not amazing but significantly better) and have intentions of adding more of these 42w sets of three.

The plants on the other hand still will not grow so I started germination with new seeds. I have 2 more plants in the dirt now, have upgraded my soil to Roots Organic, it was highly reccomended by 4 Hydro Shops. Should I give up on the older plants? They are almost 2months now and havent grown in weeks. My ph is at 7 flat and I have ditched my over watering ways. Do you think my old plants are worth it and do you think my new plants will do well? I have pics below. Plan on getting Mylar or some type of reflective surface to line the walls next.


Im keeping lights 3-4 inches from plant (cant get much closer)

[BayAreaBrotha]

no advice?

[TheAntidote]

Well I could be mistaken but I believe the bulb is your problem. It's my understanding that soft white won't grow plants, you need to get the kind that actually says fluorescent on the package.

Also you should have your lights much closer, because CFL lights don't get hot you can put them literally inches away from your plants.

[eodnam]

looks to me like you are using the wrong bulbs and is that sand?

[dlipford370]

Your lights are fine. Ideal is 6500k for veg, but i dont really think 6400 is any different, just remember to switch to 2600 for flower.

[BayAreaBrotha]

I have a 1in layer of sand on top my soil because my early attempt yielded fungus gnats from that damn miracle grow.

I have had a few people tell me those 42w cfls are better for flowering than veg so I am going to go pick up some 65w or 85w (not equivalent) daylight bulbs. The 65w is 6400k and the 85w is a 5000k. Would I be better off with lower wattage with more accurate kelvin temp. or just go with the 85w?

I also am trying to figure out how to get the side lighting closer to the plants.

I am kinda worried about 1 of my 2 new grows. They are only about 7-9 days old and one is already showing burning. Havent added any nutes


Do they look small? I would think that the 125w cfl alone would be able to sustain atleast 1 or 2 plants for begining of veg.

[marygoround]

Soft White isn't for Veg.. N:vision soft whites are between 2-4k .. Day Bright is 6k I believe.. Go back to home depot.

[BayAreaBrotha]

I know I am correcting the problem today. I am keeping the 42w softs for flowering later and will replace them with either 65w 6400k or 85w 5000k. I know that the 6400k is the spectrum I want but would the extra lumens from the 85w be beneficial? Which should I choose?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations of side light fixtures that would allow me to get my lights closer. The setup I have now is not optimal.

Thanks Again

[marygoround]

Message me on AIM if you have it and i'll help.

[BayAreaBrotha]

Thanks marygoround, I will have to do that this week.

I ditched the 3 42w 2400k and put in 2 23w 6500k and ordered 2 105w 6400k (not equiv) off 1000bulbs.com. That would put me at 381w ( 1800w equiv!). Now I just got to figure out how I am going to fit those big boys in the closet. They are spiral bulbs but over 10in. http://www.1000bulbs.com/105-Watt-Co...rescent/31681/ is the website for anyone interested.

Any suggestions of configurations for large bulb sockets/fixtures?

[marygoround]

I would put one 105 watt light above each plant, and use the smaller CFL's for the sides/lower parts of the plant. Don't forget CFL's give off light from the sides too.

[smokesalot88]

wow. how many lumens does that 150 watt CFL give off? mines like 50 watts with 2700 lumens i think,

[BayAreaBrotha]

The 125w puts out 8000 lumens, the 105w's put out 6300 lumens ea. and the 23w's are 1600 lumens ea.

So a total of 23,800 lumens.

[WhiteWidow127]

+rep 707 all the way brotha

[BayAreaBrotha]

I'm starting to wonder if my growing luck has turned sour again. I thought that plants were supposed to grow vigorously in the beginning and taper off. My plants burst out the ground, had some good days of growing and have now either slowed down significantly or stopped. Am I just being impatient or do I have reason for genuine concern? The plants broke ground about 8 or 9 days ago. Here are some pics taken today.