New Grow Journal from 100% Noob Using Supercloset Superbox

Discussion in 'Micro Grows' started by mushrush, Aug 17, 2013.

  1. #1 mushrush, Aug 17, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 17, 2013
    Hey folks,
     
    I thought I should start a little journal and share my first grow with y'all.  If I'm lucky, I'm hoping to get a little help from the experts along the way!
     
    I am a total noob.  Opted for a Supercloset Superbox because I am very busy with my job, require stealth, and wanted to just get started learning.  I'm not looking for killer yields, etc.  Just looking to learn the ropes and produce a modest amount for personal use.
     
    I advised the dispensary that I had limited growing space and needed "short" plants.  Based on the dispensary's recommendation, I picked up the following 4 clones:
     
    2 Grandaddy Blueberry Clones
    2 Purple Alien OG Clones
     
    All of the clones had less than 1" of root structure peeking through the bottom of the rockwool when I got them.  The roots haven't pushed through the pebbles/net into the water yet.  So I am using air pump only without water pump per the Superbox video that came with the unit.
     
    The Superbox came with the Technaflora starter kit.  I made the veg solution according to the instructions.  It's running about 840 ppm today.  Is that too much for these little girls?  They look OK to me but I was thinking the nutes may be too strong at this early stage.
     
    Temperature in the box is running high -- upper 80's into low 90's.  If anybody has suggestions regarding how to control the temperature in that box, I am all ears.  Not sure there's anything I can do though, given the ambient temperatures, lack of space, and my need for stealthiness.
     
    pH seems fine.  Drifted up about .5 in the first 12 hours and I corrected it.
     
    The box came with a CFL in the flowering spectrum.  I know it's not ideal for veg, but I decided to see what can be done with the stock box before sinking any more money into this.
     
    I'm reading up on topping, lst, etc.  Not sure if I should mess with those techniques during my first grow.  It might be better just to sit back and watch them do their own thing the first time around.  Thoughts?
     
    Pics attached.  Observations, comments and suggestions are welcome.  Thanks!
     
    CAM00239.jpg CAM00240.jpg CAM00241.jpg CAM00242.jpg CAM00243.jpg

     
  2. #2 mushrush, Sep 18, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2013
    Alright, here's an update approximately 1 month after the first post.  Plants have been in flower for about 2.5 weeks now.  Updated photos appear below.
     
    The Superbox sits within a crawlspace / closet.  Since the last time I posted, I've made some tweaks:
     
    1.  built a scrog for the Superbox
     
    2.  pruned fan leaves blocking bud sites; pruned lower branches
     
    3.  placed an ice water bottle in one of the net pot holes and change it whenever possible to keep the root zone cool
     
    4.  At first, temps inside the closed Superbox were high (95F) because ambient temperature in the crawlspace is about 81F.  Instead of closing the Superbox inside the enclosed crawlspace, I decided to just leave the Superbox door open with larger fans placed in the crawlspace, blowing air into the Superbox.  This method keeps air temps inside the Superbox in the 80-85F range.  Humidity in the Superbox is in the low 40s.  I haven't had odor problems yet but it's still early.  I expect to have to decide between controlling odor vs. controlling temperature pretty soon.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. How many plants have you got in this box?  I thought I could see three but it's pretty cramped quarters.
     
  4. There are four plants in there.

    Sent from my Nexus 7 using Grasscity Forum mobile app

     
  5. Good looking grow. What are your lighting specs exactly. Are the nutes pretty simple to use and maintain good ph. I'm considering a 2v2 soil Hempy dual next round. Was thinking I'd use these nutes. I use general organics in my soil.
     
  6. #6 mushrush, Oct 3, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 3, 2013
    It's a 200w Warm Spectrum Feliz CFL.  I find that one baster of pH up each day keeps things balanced.  The nutes are easy to use and appear to be working fine but keep in mind this is my first grow and I have nothing to compare to.
     
    Between the cost of electricity, the cost of nutrients, the daily maintenance, and the projected yield, I'm finding that it's not efficient to grow hydroponically on such a small scale.  But I'm enjoying the experience and I'm glad to be learning so it's worth it to me.  Gotta start somewhere.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Updated pix.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Update:
     
    I think we are into week 7 since switching to 12/12.  It's getting smelly around here but I don't mind.  Everything seems to be coming along nicely although development seems to be happening at a slower pace here than in some other journals.  I'm thinking it's because I'm using a CFL and also because the buds are too far from the bulb.  I haven't seen any amber trichomes yet.
     
    Before I started this project, I read many reports about people running out of vertical space when using boxes like this.   I think I overcompensated and flowered too early.  Next time I will grow 2-3 plants instead of 4.  I think I will place the scrog higher within the box and wait a bit longer to flower so the buds end up closer to the light source.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. Looking good!
     
  10. Thanks mosesnumb.
     
    Here are some updated pix.  I checked the calendar again and we are at approximately 7.5 weeks since I flipped them over to 12/12 -- so approximately 53 days in 12/12.
     
    Can anyone tell me how these are looking?  Is it time to flush or should I let them go longer?  Please let me know your thoughts.  I'd greatly appreciate some input at this stage.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Bump
     
    Can anyone tell me how these girls are looking?  How much longer you think I should wait until harvest?  Is it time to flush or should I let them go longer?  Please let me know your opinions.  I'd greatly appreciate some input at this stage.  Thanks!
     
  12. I would probably start flushing. Back when I used to grow hydro, I always shot for 2 weeks of flushing. But thats just me and how I did it.
     
  13. Thanks Moses!
     
  14. This thread makes me hopeful for my future endeavors. Thanks :D
     
    • Like Like x 1
  15.  
    If you don't mind me asking, what was the cost of electricity etc. versus projected yield?
     
  16. you make me wish i had more plants going in my superbox.  i just have two right now.  one is huge, the other is short and bushy, even tho tho they are both auto candy-kush.  i didn't put the net on until today.  one of my plants isn't even tall enough to reach is yet.  my net is the one that came with it, yours has much smaller squares, i wonder if i need to do the same?
     
  17. I'm not really sure yet but I'm guessing the electricity cost from start to finish will be about $150.  As for projected yield, I don't really know for sure...let's see how much I get...I was projecting 1.5 ounces but I honestly don't have enough experience to know if that's an accurate estimate...best bet is to just wait until harvest and report back then.
     
  18. I found the net to be useless because it isn't rigid enough.  But others have made it work.  I decided to build a scrog, which seems to work.  Next time I will place the scrog higher within the box and also wait a little bit longer to flower so that the buds end up closer to the CFL.
     
  19. #19 mushrush, Nov 5, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 6, 2013
    Here are updated pix after flushing with plain water for about five days:
     

    Attached Files:

  20. I have started to notice a few amber trichomes, maybe about 5% tops.  My plan is to let them go the rest of the week and then harvest this weekend, in about 5 days.
     
    If you have any thoughts about when I should harvest or any thoughts about other things I should be doing, please share...thanks!   :hippie:
     

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