Easy Ryder PC Server CFL Soil Grow PICS!

Hey blades, this has been a long time coming, and I'm excited to share!
Please share any and all constructive criticism!

First off, The Case:

Dimensions: 24.5"H X 15.5"D X 7.5"W
Lining: Emergency blankets (mylar)
Lighting 4 x 23w 2700k CFL (9000 lumens @ 92w)
Exhaust 2 x 80mm 12v PC fan's (CFM unkown)
Intake Custom made light louver based on this.
Pot 1.375 Gallon container, only 4" tall!

Its a server case, so much taller than a normal ATX case.
I've removed all internal cages and whatnot, leaving only the shell.

I've added a 1/4" thick piece of plate glass directly under the bulbs.
This isolates the heat and allows an 80mm fan to exhaust the light section separately from the grow area, which has its own 80mm fan.
Temperatures in the "light section" are about 110 degrees, while never going over 80 degrees in the "grow section".

Currently, I have no carbon scrubber on the exhaust (to maximize airflow).
This means it is not light proofed either. My dark period is at night when I
am sleeping so as to not disturb the plant.
The intake is light proofed, using a custom light louver.

Now we can talk about The Strain!

For this grow (my first!) I will be growing the JDs Easy Ryder.
A Lowryder #2 crossed with Auto AK47, I have very high hopes for the final quality of the product!
I'm not going to guess about harvest weight, because this is a micro grow and I have no idea what is going to happen.
I will be growing the plant on 20/4 light schedule the entire time.

Next, My Questions!

I need to keep this plant as short as possible.
Because my plate glass is angled in the top of the case, and the pot is 4" tall, I am left with between 16" and 17.5" of vertical space.

Currently, I have 4 x 2700k bulbs, but will using 3 x 6500k and 1 x 2700k during the first week and a half keep the plant shorter? Or will veg spectrum bulbs only make it taller?

Also, I'm thinking about using some bushmaster (sea kelp) to keep the plant small. Does anyone have any experience using bushmaster on autoflowers/easy ryder?

Lastly, topping, fimming, supercropping, or any other stressful method are out of the question due to the short life cycle of the strain. There is simply not enough time to recover. I am debating LST or a minimal SCroG if the need arises. Thoughts?

Lastly, My Grow Journal!

Day 0: Tap root appeared after germinating using the paper towel method.
Placed seed in "Burpee" Organic Seed Starting mix in a solo cup covered with a plastic bag to up the humidity.
It comprises mainly coco coir and perlite, with a nute ratio of .06-.03-.03
Temperature 80 degrees during the day, 72 at night.

Day 1: Early this morning I saw the cotyledons begin to break the surface, and several hours later, they were out and unfolded, but not standing straight up yet. (Should I remove the plastic bag at this point?)
Temps still 80, and humidity around 30%.
I have put her on a 20/4 light schedule, as recommended by the JD.

Thanks for reading, and here's the pics I promised!

Bush doctor wont keep it low it actually excellerates it. I'd lst the shit out of her.

Accelerate the vertical growth? I was under the impression that a foliar feeding would stunt the plant.

If i'm going to so heavily LST, wouldn't a SCroG net in that small of a space be more efficient?

Easy Ryder get's like 18" max from what I've read, do you think my vertical space (16"-17.5") is really that lacking?

Not trying to be confrontational, I just want to make sure I don't make a mistake!

I have a 22" pc with 2 girls in under extreme Lst.
Check my sig I went with the scrog too but removed the screen as the Lst was better.
Im on my 5th PC grow so Im doing ok.
Just get her bent over and trian her to the final pot your using.
One of my girls is now over 16" from medium to top cola (8" Pots) and if i didnt Lst she would be sticking out of the top of the case.

Easyryders grow like a xmas tree (done 2 in the past and have 2 germing now for the garden) tie the side branches to the pot or pin down with wire. They can be manipulated without too much stress.
Their hardy plants and easy maintenace through out the entire cycle.

Good Luck and Happy Growing

Edited by xxxxxxxxxxxx, 26 February 2012 - 11:39 AM.

Also, I'm thinking about using some bushmaster (sea kelp) to keep the plant small. Does anyone have any experience using bushmaster on autoflowers/easy ryder?

I forgot to say theres no need to stunt them just Lst their asses

Thanks for the tips!

How big did your Easy Ryders end up growing vertically?

And did you use veg bulbs at all for the autoflowers?

Would have been about 1.5ft Maybe 2 without the Lst.
I always use a red spectrum 2700k on a auto for the whole grow but use blue spectrum for vegging photos.

Edited by xxxxxxxxxxxx, 26 February 2012 - 04:52 PM.
Bloody iPhone :(

Would have been about 1.5ft Maybe 2 without the Lst.
I always use a red spectrum 2700k on a auto for the whole grow but use blue spectrum for vegging photos.

Thanks for the help, I've decided i'm going to run 2700k the entire time to help keep it as short as possible.

Update! Day 2:
I know it's silly but I'm excited and want to share.
Plant has its first set of true leaves coming in, which means germination was a complete success! Temps are 79deg @ 30% humidity. (I've since removed the plastic bag that was functioning as a humidity dome.)
Any suggestions as per autoflower humidity levels? I want to try to optimize every variable I can.

Also, I read in this thread (http://forum.grassci...uto-plants.html) that growing autoflowers on 24/0 (as opposed to my 20/4) will keep the plant shorter and possibly increase yeild.
Can anyone comment on the efficacy of that technique?

Thanks all!

Thanks for the help, I've decided i'm going to run 2700k the entire time to help keep it as short as possible.

Update! Day 2:
I know it's silly but I'm excited and want to share.
Plant has its first set of true leaves coming in, which means germination was a complete success! Temps are 79deg @ 30% humidity. (I've since removed the plastic bag that was functioning as a humidity dome.)
Any suggestions as per autoflower humidity levels? I want to try to optimize every variable I can.

Also, I read in this thread (http://forum.grassci...uto-plants.html) that growing autoflowers on 24/0 (as opposed to my 20/4) will keep the plant shorter and possibly increase yeild.
Can anyone comment on the efficacy of that technique?

Thanks all!

Looking good man, it's not silly to share your excitement. It is exciting the first time you do it. I found with my 2nd one I wasn't nearly as stoked as the first time but still cool.

I haven't heard or read anything about using a 24/0 vs/ 20/4 cycle keeping the plant shorter. I would agree with DJSID666 that you should probably just stick to LST to keep the plant the height you want or to implement a scrog or both, although if you LST correctly you probably wouldn't need a scrog as mrbear2point8's grow would attest to. Some fine LST'ing going on in that guys grow.

From what I have heard and read most autoflowers seem to do well in a 20/4 light cycle. This will be my light cycle of choice when I grow autos for the future.

Happy growing

Looking good man, it's not silly to share your excitement. It is exciting the first time you do it. I found with my 2nd one I wasn't nearly as stoked as the first time but still cool.

I haven't heard or read anything about using a 24/0 vs/ 20/4 cycle keeping the plant shorter. I would agree with DJSID666 that you should probably just stick to LST to keep the plant the height you want or to implement a scrog or both, although if you LST correctly you probably wouldn't need a scrog as mrbear2point8's grow would attest to. Some fine LST'ing going on in that guys grow.

From what I have heard and read most autoflowers seem to do well in a 20/4 light cycle. This will be my light cycle of choice when I grow autos for the future.

Happy growing

Just took a look at mrbear2point8's grow, that LSTing is top notch!!
(http://forum.grassci...ed-grow-14.html)

However, I'm afraid that the autoflower's built in flowering time schedule might adversely affect the technique.
For example, he waited until the plant covered the whole horizontal area, before flipping to 12/12 and letting it grow upwards. Unfortunately I don't have that luxury. I get maybe 20 days max of seedling/veg before it begins to flower.

I'm thinking of just LSTing the whole time and whatever happens happens!

I've seen nothing but positive results thus far!

Edited by mike827, 26 February 2012 - 08:03 PM.
forgot the punchline

good looks man, your plant will probably be on the smaller end of the scale they suggest

being under CFLs, outdoor it'll reach its larger sizes (sun does wonders). Ive had autos outside that were

always on the taller end of the scale but the ones i have inside are comically small - they

are a different strain but i will be trying outside this summer too to compare

Hey dude, thanks for stopping by! I've been watching your PC grow and it looks great!

Any experience with LSTing the autoflowers?

nope this is my first go inside done outdoor where height wasn't an issue

Ok, quick question then, I see you had some issues with slow growth.

I think I may be experiencing a similar issue, because my plant is the exact same size today as it was yesterday. I noticed you used some nutes on the seedling, do you think that is what fixed the problem?

Also, what were the temps in your case?

temps are 74-82 depending on the time of the day, no i think the slow growth is this strain

its short stuff #1 so it should be short but i guess that means slow growth but from day

25-35 the plant grew from about 1.5 inches to just under 6 inches I think its going to be

maxed out soon, its a male though but keeping it alive for seeds till i see what the other 3 are, they

are a few weeks behind. slow growth might be the CFLs I'm sure they'd be bigger if they were under the sun

Thanks dude! So many things to consider...

Update! Day 3

Slightly less growth today than I was expecting...
Was hoping to see the initial fan leaves really stretch, but I think heat may be an issue.
Inside the case I'm running 78F measured near the center of the cab. When I measure near the top, it is about 80, sometimes 82. However, I'm thinking that being so close to the glass that separates the light from the grow space may be cutting air circulation and increasing heat. I've moved the plant slightly lower, and added a fan inside the case to help cool the glass/lighting area.

I've never had experience with something as small as a PC, but if its the same as just a little larger, temps around 78-82 is good to go. At 84 is where the plant starts being stunted. Right now it feels like our plants are taking forever too..

Can't wait to see how it goes man, subbed.

Hey Chiller, thanks for stopping by!

My problem is although my thermometer says 82, I just don't believe it! I have a feeling that so close to the lights is closer to 90... But on the flip side, moving the plant lower will make it stretch for the light! Hopefully my slight adjustment solves the problem...

I thought in a pc grow you want the least amount of stretch?

I thought in a pc grow you want the least amount of stretch?

Sorry for the poor word choice -- I meant to see the true leaves grow larger than the cotleydons, not to stretch vertically.