Currently I have 7 plants in my storage room, They are under 8 "grow light" fluorescent lights that have an output of of 125 watts each. They are mounted above the plants, and the area is surrounded by aluminum foil. Can these lights support flowering? Also, the sex of the plants are still undetermined, and I am worried if I start flowering them I will get seed because they are so close together.......any tips?
100 watts per plant actual is enough to flower... when you begin the flowering cycle, make sure to check the plants closely every day after a few days... the male pods will form before the buds in most cases... look for clusters and pull anything resembling clustered bananas.... how close they are doesn't really matter as one male can pollenate all your plants from 40 feet away
Also, is there any good ways to ventilate a storage room? The closest window is a room away, and I have two fans in the room. I can't really create a ventilation system because of obvious apartment rules regarding holes in the wall and what not. Also, with the male pollen sacs, can they possibly open in the first few days of noticing them, pollinating the crop? I am assuming if I remove them gently as soon as I know they won't burst, but i'm not quite sure.
The soil is a MiracleGro Moisture Control. I've heard mixed messages on whether MiracleGro is good for weed but the plants are looking strong and healthy
MG soil will nute burn from time release capsules... there's no mixed review it's just awful... you'll need something to the tune of (my soil mix) 30% peat moss 20% worm castings 25% vermiculate 25% perlite 1TBSP mexican/jamaican bat guano (depending on veg/flower) 1TBSP dolomite lime (or some Fox Farms Ocean Forest cut with 25% perlite, but start seedlings in a regular potting soil that isn't Miracle Gro) you'll want some vital accessories as well... pH meter (i suggest the Hanna GroChek Stick Meter) pH natural up and down made by Earth Juice Some form of nutes... I use Earth Juice Grow/Bloom... some use Fox Farms line... both are great Maxicrop Kelp Extract.... for roots Superthrive or Liquid Karma... plants LOVE it... it'll save some from the brink of death and start seeds off on the right foot... carbon filter will help with the smell... don't nute till your seedlings turn light green, don't water but once every 4 days if you use my soil mix... if you ever need to water more than once every 3 days you probably need to transplant to a bigger pot... (unless its flowering obviously) so check for rootbound signs good luck bro... might cost you a little bit to accumulate everything you need, but you'll be MUCH happier with your outcome.... guarenteed
Ya unfortunately I don't really have the resources to start that any of that now, but I'll definitely keep it in mind for future projects. thanks
not tryna be all elitest or anything, but what you feed your plant's just as important as the light to sustain it... at the lightest expense.... spend $20 on a quart of EJ Grow and Bloom, get some non MG organic soil and a bag of perlite... some liquid dolomite lime, and some pH test strips.... that'd be like $60-70 and it's the BARE necessities... if you can't afford that i'd just pull the plant
I like this 1, First, not having any aluminum foil is better than having any when it comes to growing. Aluminum foil absorbs MUCH more light than it reflects, on either side. Known scientific fact. "What do I do then?" Look into buying Mylar offline or something. It reflects 90-100% of light that hits it. If you cant get any, use white paper, or paint a surface white. It will reflect more light than aluminum foil. BOOO FOIL BOOOO Second, if your going Miracle Grow, well, because that's all you can afford or can get, make sure is for organic edible plants w/ low acidity. Very important. As for it burning your plant, it could, but use it in minor doses and you should be fine. If it looks like its burning, get some root starter fertilizer. Its a weak concentration. I use it to feed my strawberries all through growth and they grow nicely with no burn. The root starter fertilizer you just sprinkle on the top of the soil, and during watering it will seep down. Try it out. Its apparent you just want to grow, not go crazy, that's cool man I know what you mean. Keep it simple, teach yourself along the way, and if you need help, well, Welcome to GrassCity man