Hey guys, my roommates and I grew one lil wimpy plant somewhat au naturale going into winter last year. We just had it growing from natural light and we didn't really know what we were doing. But this time, I've done a lot of reading, and I know almost all of what I need to do to get a good, fairly cheap, small-sized closet grow. I'm setting everything up in an unused closet, about 24" wide by 24" deep. There are 4 shelves (recessed about 4" from the door), about 18" apart, starting at the bottom. The top shelf is about 14" from the top of the door. Currently I'm using the underside of the top shelf to mount my lights to, but my plan is to remove all shelves except the second from top, separating the closet into 2 vertical spaces, each about 3.5'-4.5' in height. I'm considering using one as a Veg space and the other as a Flower space. Any comments on this?, seeing as the same door accesses both of these spaces at the same time? I just germinated (3 days ago), then planted (last night), 2 seeds in separate pots, in organic soil. I didn't add any sand, gravel, or anything else. Considered it ... I'm currently using one 24" fluorescent bulb (don't have the specs on me, but ~6000k) with a reflector made from an unused aluminum casserole dish, until I get more efficient lights and reflective lining for the inside of the closet. My plan originally was to use 6-8 CFL bulbs, but I haven't found any 4-socket mounts, or any mountable sockets at all (thought that'd be a cinch at Home Depot!). I've heard some people recommend against CFL, but after seeing Kamel's CFL Guide, I have seen the light (pun intended). I think I'll just get clamp-lights like he is using, and put them on the sides, as well as the top, and maybe some HPS lights or something for flowering. Would really appreciate input on this Any input regarding a rigging system for raising the lights as the plants grow would be appreciated. I'm also planning to get a lamp timer for later (flowering stage). Any input on this would be also appreciated. [EDIT] Also forgot: As I've never done this before, when should I fertilize, and how should I do so? I've got the lighting on 24hr right now, that's correct, yes? [/EDIT] Attached are layouts as well as photos of what I've got right now. Thank you guys so much! Stay green!
Hey guys, I checked the specs on my fluorescent: 18", 15watt, 590 lumens, 5000K Would this, plus a few high Kelvin-rated CFLs for the sides of the plant be enough to get a moderate harvest?
Okay, is that total wattage (ie multiple bulbs combined = 60w, or 60w per bulb?) I thought the wattage was the power the bulb uses, not the power it puts out? Should I be more focused on getting a good wattage, lumens, or Kelvin? Also, the plant doesn't actually require light until it breaks the soil, right? So I'm okay for a few days as I figure my lighting out.
Yes that is the total wattage. I'm not sure about the lumens. Also make sure that you look at the actual wattage on the bulbs you buy. A lot of them will have the equvilent value and shit like that on there. Somebody else could help you a lot more then I could.
dude you need so so sooooooo many more lumens than 590 get it up to atleast 3000 but you want it around 7000 optimum would be 10000, per plant that is. good luck
So if I'm working in a small space with limited ventilation, what would you suggest? A lot of good CFLs? because that's the current plan.
After considering the information provided by Kamel's CFL guide, I picked up several 26-watt (highest they had), 1600 lumen, 6500k bulbs and some clamplights I've also lined the inside of the closet with reflective lining For flowering, I'm probably gonna get some HPS bulbs
If cost/space/heat is your issue, both Home Depot and Lowes sell a cheap shop light fixture that will hold two 40 watt 48 inch T12 florescent lights. About three ro four of those plus mylar would be just fine for a small closet grow.
Just recently I picked up two 50 Watt HPS Wall Lights for $30 each from Home Depot, and they both have 250 Watt light output each (4000 lumens per light). I actually veg with these lights on my 1.5 month old plant, and it seems to do the job way better than CFL's.
Thank you guys, this is just the kind of input I was looking for. Keep any suggestions coming. I'll take some updated photos and let u guys know where I'm at, probably tomorrow or the next day. Keep tokin'!
okay, so here's the setup so far: i've got 2x 2 CFLs in clamp lights. each CFL is 1600 lumens, 26 watt, 6500K (so 4 total), + the cheapie fluorescent bar I've got running up top (18", 15watt, 590 lumens, 5000K) my first plant is pretty happy. she's about a week old, and about 2 inches high, starting to get some good leaves in. but my second plant is not very happy. she took a day longer to sprout, and once i planted her, she didn't really poke thru the surface like my first one. she kind of pushed a lil sprout to the surface, but it didn't penetrate very well, and it's browned and dying on the tip. i don't have a camera except my webcam, but i'll try to get a good pic. both plants are in pots bought from the same place, in soil from the same bag. any idea what might be causing the problem? also, how often should I check the pH? I'm wondering if that's causing my above problem. and another question, I've been watering with water from my Brita water filter jug. it's kept in the fridge, and it's what we pour our drinking water from. should I continue this, or water it somehow else?
I know this was posted a while back but you should always keep your water at room temp.(grow room temp) as water either much colder or warmer than room temp. can cause shock for the plant which can have many different negative effects.
kelvin is not used for practical uses really, Kelvin is used on super intense heat sources that you have no need for except looking to burn a house down in secs ha ha the grow area looks good but you don't always need tall you can SCROG your plants and just make them bushy, throw some CFLs in too cause they are cool (temp) you can just about put them right onto the plant and when they get bigger it's good to have them below cause that will keep the plant from shedding it's fan leaves GG23
lower those lights man, if you sais you just germinated and now they are starting to pop up above ground level, they will need to be about 2" below your lights, 60 watt fine, 2- regular and 2 cool white are going to work best. the water should be naterual temp. meaning tap or warmer, not above room temp. just leave the jug out near where you will use it. if you are having a prob. with ph, chesk with a cheap meter every day.
As I understand it, Watts are the power consumption of the bulb, Lumens are the actual Light output of the bulbs, and Kelvin is the rated colour spectrum. What you want is the highest Lum / Watt. (effeciency) For instance, I am running 4 x 15w @900 Lum, and 2 x 40w @ 2400 Lum. Thats 140w @ 8400 Lum, 60 Lum / Watt, or just over 5500 Lum / SqFt. I have the room to add another 200w of cfl power, but I need not as one more 40w cfl will bring me to a total of 10,800 Lum. Wht not just use a HID setup? Well as for cost / bulb, and heat issues, i'm doing much better. BTW i'm only growing in a space less than 2 sqft. All of this light is delivered through a simple bathroom fixture and "Y" socket adaptors.
your plants look good man, when i germinated i put my fls about 10" abaove my babies and they came up stretching like crazy, was then told that i needed to lower to about 2" and they wouldnt do that, now they have to be held up temporarialy with a cast made froma splitt drinking straw, they are very happy with that, the stems apparently dont need light and as they grow, the straws and tender enough to grow as the stems do, and will probably fall off when the stems out grow. you will notice that a lot of people will putt lights close enough to almost burner them. that is working for me as well. just keep the fans on them to keep the heat down.