First grow: closet CFLs

DaleGribble · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 04:51 AM

Heres my closet stealth grow cab. Its a wooden box approx 2 feet tall that I will veg a few plants until sexing and then choose the best female.

I have 104w CFLs and am using MG fertilized soil.

Im not worried about yield or getting really serious I just want to use this as a cheap learning experience to play around with.

As of right now temperature is running a little hot @ like 95F, but I do have a fan in there albeit small. Ill get a newer bigger fan as ASAP and try to rig up better ventilation.

I plan on using LST to keep the plants short and squat.

Any comments or suggestions?

auto1986 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 09:51 AM

Looks good, not much room for the plant, you might want to start 12/12 light very early, definetly LST like you said or scrog. get those CFL's close they can be 2-3 inches away from it or else they will stretch and thats the last thing you want with limited room. 95 degrees is way to hot by the way, just get like one or two 80mm computer fans for outake at the top of the box, only cost you a few bucks if you don't have any lying around.

DaleGribble · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 09:03 PM

Thanks man.

I reconfigured the fan to suck air and blow out a larger vent hole at the top back of the cab and I'll be looking at new avg temps today.

I moved the plants slightly closer to the light as well.

I also added another light via a small lamp that will have to do for now, I will have to muck around with ballasts (if thats what theyre called) to get it situated out of the way once they start to put on some girth/height.

So total lightage is 4x 100w equiv CFLs. For what should end up being 1-2 plants.

You mentioned doing 12/12 early and doing LST. Will there be a problem if I LST too early so it hasnt had a chance to grow in LST when it starts flowering? I was planning on doing LST after 3rd set of leaves then putting it into flower not too long after that. Would this work?

DaleGribble · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 10:39 PM

Temp is now steady at approx 83F is that fairly decent?

DaleGribble · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 12:50 AM

Another question I wanted to get some attention on:
I used regular MG potting soil. I know a lot of people dont like this, but its cheap and I already had some. I know its not optimum, but nothing about my setup is. Will it work, even if not that well.
Id be happy to get an 1/8th out of this considering ive spent about $15 on this setup.

Yaysatan101 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleGribble

Temp is now steady at approx 83F is that fairly decent?

I've read that the ideal temperature for the light hours is 68 to 78 degrees and that it should drop about 15 degrees for cooler hours.

DaleGribble · #7 (**permalink**) 03-26-2009, 11:03 PM

Thanks man. I got it pretty solid going between 79 and 81 degrees.

The very tips of the third leaf set are emerging. When they develop a bit more I will take a picture.

I plan on waiting til the 4th leaf set is almost showing up to start LST, then let them grow like that for as long as possible when I can sex them, maybe pick 1 best female or 2 tops. and then I will wait a bit longer and begin flowering cycle. I dont have much time so my decisions on flowering will be based on making in a certain timeframe.

any input on this?
"You mentioned doing 12/12 early and doing LST. Will there be a problem if I LST too early so it hasnt had a chance to grow in LST when it starts flowering? I was planning on doing LST after 3rd set of leaves then putting it into flower not too long after that. Would this work?"

PhillieBluntCP · #8 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 12:41 AM

dale, have u moved the lights closer? that seems like a fairly large amount of space between it, get it a little bit closer me thinks... u might want to put it into LST after the third set and wait until it starts to grow towards the light again before switching it to flowering, which is what i plan on doing with mine once i transplant it

DaleGribble · #9 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 03:16 AM

my thoughts exactly. And yes, i did move the lights a tad closer and all stretching seems to have ceased.

PhillieBluntCP · #10 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleGribble

my thoughts exactly. And yes, i did move the lights a tad closer and all stretching seems to have ceased.

sounds good! my little sprout that was a droopy earlier in the day is now thriving with my 105w put in.... ill hope fully be uploading pictures onto a new thread im going to make cause the other one is cluttered lol, but ill let ya know

PhillieBluntCP · #11 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 07:03 AM

hey dale, check out my grow so far!
http://forum.grasscity.com/general-i...ml#post4255894

auto1986 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleGribble

Another question I wanted to get some attention on:
I used regular MG potting soil. I know a lot of people dont like this, but its cheap and I already had some. I know its not optimum, but nothing about my setup is. Will it work, even if not that well.
Id be happy to get an 1/8th out of this considering ive spent about $15 on this setup.

The MG potting soil should be okay, if the ph range is around 6.5... make sure you test that because the only valid reason i've ever heard MG isn't good is the soil is to acidic some of there soils come bagged at 5.5ph. So just check that ph, if its around 6.5 to 7 you should be good.

DaleGribble · #13 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 04:28 AM

Any input on this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleGribble

"You mentioned doing 12/12 early and doing LST. Will there be a problem if I LST too early so it hasnt had a chance to grow in LST when it starts flowering? I was planning on doing LST after 3rd set of leaves then putting it into flower not too long after that. Would this work?"

Here are some new shots of my plant. The ones in the back (the other pot in the first pics) were a loss after transplanting, so I'm germing up some seeds that will have to do their best to catch up.

As you might be able to see the third set of leaves is just coming in. I'm psyched to start LST in a week or two.

PhillieBluntCP · #14 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaleGribble

Any input on this?

Here are some new shots of my plant. The ones in the back (the other pot in the first pics) were a loss after transplanting, so I'm germing up some seeds that will have to do their best to catch up.

As you might be able to see the third set of leaves is just coming in. I'm psyched to start LST in a week or two.

after the third set of leaves come out u might wanna do LST then cause the stem might get to strong and snap if u try any later

how old are those plants

DaleGribble · #15 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 04:55 AM

that one is like 1.5 to 2 weeks old I think...

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#2 (permalink) 03-24-2009, 09:51 AM
auto1986 Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 33	Re: First grow: closet CFLs Looks good, not much room for the plant, you might want to start 12/12 light very early, definetly LST like you said or scrog. get those CFL's close they can be 2-3 inches away from it or else they will stretch and thats the last thing you want with limited room. 95 degrees is way to hot by the way, just get like one or two 80mm computer fans for outake at the top of the box, only cost you a few bucks if you don't have any lying around. Last edited by auto1986; 03-24-2009 at 09:52 AM.

#3 (permalink) 03-24-2009, 09:03 PM
DaleGribble Resident Zombie Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA Posts: 2,602	Re: First grow: closet CFLs Thanks man. I reconfigured the fan to suck air and blow out a larger vent hole at the top back of the cab and I'll be looking at new avg temps today. I moved the plants slightly closer to the light as well. I also added another light via a small lamp that will have to do for now, I will have to muck around with ballasts (if thats what theyre called) to get it situated out of the way once they start to put on some girth/height. So total lightage is 4x 100w equiv CFLs. For what should end up being 1-2 plants. You mentioned doing 12/12 early and doing LST. Will there be a problem if I LST too early so it hasnt had a chance to grow in LST when it starts flowering? I was planning on doing LST after 3rd set of leaves then putting it into flower not too long after that. Would this work? Last edited by DaleGribble; 03-24-2009 at 09:09 PM.

#4 (permalink) 03-24-2009, 10:39 PM
DaleGribble Resident Zombie Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA Posts: 2,602	Re: First grow: closet CFLs Temp is now steady at approx 83F is that fairly decent? Last edited by DaleGribble; 03-24-2009 at 10:44 PM.

#5 (permalink) 03-25-2009, 12:50 AM
DaleGribble Resident Zombie Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA Posts: 2,602	Re: First grow: closet CFLs Another question I wanted to get some attention on: I used regular MG potting soil. I know a lot of people dont like this, but its cheap and I already had some. I know its not optimum, but nothing about my setup is. Will it work, even if not that well. Id be happy to get an 1/8th out of this considering ive spent about $15 on this setup.

#7 (permalink) 03-26-2009, 11:03 PM
DaleGribble Resident Zombie Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA Posts: 2,602	Re: First grow: closet CFLs Thanks man. I got it pretty solid going between 79 and 81 degrees. The very tips of the third leaf set are emerging. When they develop a bit more I will take a picture. I plan on waiting til the 4th leaf set is almost showing up to start LST, then let them grow like that for as long as possible when I can sex them, maybe pick 1 best female or 2 tops. and then I will wait a bit longer and begin flowering cycle. I dont have much time so my decisions on flowering will be based on making in a certain timeframe. any input on this? "You mentioned doing 12/12 early and doing LST. Will there be a problem if I LST too early so it hasnt had a chance to grow in LST when it starts flowering? I was planning on doing LST after 3rd set of leaves then putting it into flower not too long after that. Would this work?"

#8 (permalink) 03-27-2009, 12:41 AM
PhillieBluntCP Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,555	Re: First grow: closet CFLs dale, have u moved the lights closer? that seems like a fairly large amount of space between it, get it a little bit closer me thinks... u might want to put it into LST after the third set and wait until it starts to grow towards the light again before switching it to flowering, which is what i plan on doing with mine once i transplant it __________________ lifes a garden dig it, put some maryjane seeds in, and enjoy life http://forum.grasscity.com/indoor-gr...check-out.html ^^ current grow UPDATED PICS 6/11 MY version of UNFORGIVABLE... updated 10/31/09 http://forum.grasscity.com/general/3...orgivable.html

#9 (permalink) 03-27-2009, 03:16 AM
DaleGribble Resident Zombie Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA Posts: 2,602	Re: First grow: closet CFLs my thoughts exactly. And yes, i did move the lights a tad closer and all stretching seems to have ceased.

#11 (permalink) 03-27-2009, 07:03 AM
PhillieBluntCP Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,555	Re: First grow: closet CFLs hey dale, check out my grow so far! http://forum.grasscity.com/general-i...ml#post4255894 __________________ lifes a garden dig it, put some maryjane seeds in, and enjoy life http://forum.grasscity.com/indoor-gr...check-out.html ^^ current grow UPDATED PICS 6/11 MY version of UNFORGIVABLE... updated 10/31/09 http://forum.grasscity.com/general/3...orgivable.html

#15 (permalink) 03-29-2009, 04:55 AM
DaleGribble Resident Zombie Expert Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: VA Posts: 2,602	Re: First grow: closet CFLs that one is like 1.5 to 2 weeks old I think...

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