1st Grow. Closet - Cali Orange - CFL's

[Mic-Mechanic]

So about 2 and a half weeks ago i got thinking about growing because i got bagseed for the third time in my life. (Most bud i buy is unseeded).
So i did some reading, got Jorge Cervantes indoor/outdoor growers bible.

So i germed a few beans, and ended up planting 4. Since they sprouted it's been exactly 14 days and progress is pretty good. HEre is the specs of the set up:

Soil: Currently using unfertilized Seeding/cutting soil

Pots:Currently all in 6inch pots

Lights1 26 watt 6000k CFL bulb. 1 32 watt 3000k CFL tube. I intend to buy a third 6000k bulb today.

Location They're in a closet, currently the reflection isn't amazing and they're small so i've been using a cardboard box lined with white posterboard.

The strain is Cali orange so i'm expecting a 9-11 week flower period (I'm really basing it on the Trichs, i'm going to harvest before they get too amber for a nice head high). The yield per plant can get up to around 200g (So they say) but i'm not going to flatter myself and expect that much off one plant on my first time.

I'll post some pix of the plants in the next post

[Mic-Mechanic]

Alright, picture time:

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Wayfar.JPG
Thats Corky, the biggest. Got high hopes for her :jointsmile: That photo is from this morn

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Dooopep.JPG
This photo is 2-3 days old. I actually am transplanting the one still in the dixie cup in a few hours. Transplanting gives me the jitters :/

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Wilson.JPG
Thats Corky's branch system. Just for a profile pic.

So far no troubles, no pains. Been a smooth ride. (Knock wood). However im going to get a third CFL bulb and finish up the transplanting today (I ran out of soil, thats why i didnt transplant the last fella)

[Mic-Mechanic]

Woo. Okay i transplanted the other guy (She's a tad wilty, hope she perks up). I also noticed my corner store was selling two CFL's for 8.99 so i grabbed them. Two 14 watt 4400k's. I figure that with the 3000k and the 6000k gives me a larger light spectrum. Next light i buy will be 6000-6500k though. (Gotta pay my boy back this week, he spotted me my weekend buds)

Unfortunetly i noticed some light burn. Its all on one plant and very mild (a few of the ribbing tips on one of the leafs are brown, you'll see in the pic). The lights in the prior set up were adjusted a lot so it shouldn't continue as the new set up the lights are more fixed and i did the hand heat test on all of their positions.

Here are some updated photo's:
http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Lights.JPG

Those are all the lights. The tube is a 3000k 32 watt floro (Red). The two little bulbs are 14 watt 4000k (Yellow) CFLs and the big bulb in the black lamp is 26 watt 6000k (blue).

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Light_set_up_2.JPG

Thats the current set up. Even though the tube looks off it was on in the picture. Wierd huh? I'm using those yellow bulbs for side lighting, although once these girls start flowering the yellow and red bulbs will be alot more handy. I know i have no scientific evidence to back this, but i think its better that i've got more of the spectrum on the plants then just blue. Although i do intend to augment the blue alot more.

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Light_burn.JPG

Sorry, not the best photo. Notice the brown tips there? Thats the light burn. I figure it cant be a nute thing (I -just- started to sprinkle in nutes, and not even 1/4 the dose. Gunna not do that for a week then start on 1/4 because by then they'll be three weeks old) because there is no yellow anywhere.

If anyone thinks its not light burn let me know!

Any comments would be veeeeeeeeeeeerry helpful as i am new and us newbs thrive off constructive criticism and compliments.

[CannabisCarl2134]

For some reason I want to say, More light? But I am sure there is enough when the Floro tube is on. Looks good, maybe make the soil a little lighter? I dunno I am too high lol.
Can't wait for the Update.

[Mic-Mechanic]

I know that picture looks incredible dark. I dont get what my camera was smoking (Certainly wasnt my stuff!) because the tube was on when i took that pic. I took another pic right after and the entire frickin' closet is glowing pretty much. Either way i'm going to buy a fifth light this week.

What do you mean about making soil lighter? like running a fork through to let air in?

[CannabisCarl2134]

Add some Perlite, Vermiculite. I would look into buying Fox farms Ocean mix, I just picked up a bag, Perlite, vermiculite, and my plant seems to absolutely be in heaven, Bar none the best soil ever. I highly recommend looking into it. While your there look at the Nutes as well.

[Mic-Mechanic]

I've got all purpose fert for nutes (NPK 20-20-20 of course) and im using that for veg. 1 week or so into flowering ill switch to a good flowering fert. Know any good ones?

As for the perlite you're probably right. Roots do love oxygen, thats why hydro grows so fast no? (Well part of why). However when i transplant them to their final pot (3 or 5 Gal) i will do that. Otherwise i'd have to stress the plants to get the perlite in.

Unless you can add it without disturbing them? However i cant imagine how.

When i stick my nose up to the plant i can smell the citrus. No wonder they call it cali orange.

[Mic-Mechanic]

I fimmed one plant to see how it'd turn out. I'll post pics once some form of growth happens . Hopefully i didnt just accidently top it.

The branch nodes are really compact. Corky is growing his sixth leaf set and he's about 5 1/2 inches tall. I raised one of the lights (the 6500k) about a inch to see if that helps.

[Mic-Mechanic]

Okay no batteries for the Camera, i'll pick some up soon. Alot going on.
The one i tried fimming has one definite growth but it doesnt look like anything else is happening for sure. The other growth is definetly far behind or something. Its as if the stem went into two, but one was lagging really far behind i mean.

Sorry, i'm stoned without coffee in the morning. I hope that made sense.

I picked up two 6500k 26 watt bulbs but one broke so i hooked one up. Gunna go get two more on tuesday and add them for a extra 52 watts.

The plants sem to be coming along, but very bushy. On the short side but quite dense inner foliage. I assume this is the indica pheno for cali orange as i know its used quite a bit for indoor growing. When i get my camera working i'll show thw edited set up and plant development...
Till then!

[Mic-Mechanic]

Found some Camera Batteries :D

Heres the new set up. Im purchasing 2 additional bulbs so they'll be one more 26watt bulb on each side of the partition. One of the shitty sockets i had broke so i had too take of a 14watter. No biggy

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Updi5.JPG
Here are some individual plant pics. Each is of one of the different plants. I'ma just give the URL so i dont clog up anyones bandwith

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Updi4.JPG

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Updi2.JPG

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Updi3.JPG

http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/UpD1.JPG

As you can see they're quite tight, with dense inner foliage. I'm hoping the new set up will let them space out some.

I tried to get emergenc blankets for mylar but they were out. Im going back again for more bulbs so ill try for some mylar-ee goodness

[CannabisCarl2134]

Not bad. You need something that reflects the light on the inside of those boxes. You can see in the picture that the cardboard eats all the light. Look into the Rubber maid Grow boxes. Great for stealth. Here is the Link on How to:http://boards.cannabis.com/growroom-setup/80747-how-rubbermaid-tub-growbox-4.html

[Mic-Mechanic]

Yes it is distressing. Canadian tire was out of emergency blankets for mylar, and i dont know where to get straight up mylar nor if i can afford it in that form.
I ran into some cash some today im hoping to add two more 6500k CFL's. When i do that i'll see if i can get that Mylar again.

The rubbermaid is quite cool and i had a scheme along those lines. I was going to raise the walls on the cardboard box (advantage to cardboard is i can constantly change it to mount lights), have it lined with mylar and build a cardboard top with the inside covered in mylar.

Odor control might be a problem as i dont think i can keep them in enviroment with air flow controlled strictly by me. Im sure the fan, and a open closet door right next to a open window will help, however im wondering if i can anything that eliminates odors without being a filter. Hell, it doesnt have to be eliminated just minimized. Also considering i'll only have 2-3 plants post sexing the smell shouldnt be TOO bad, no?

[CannabisCarl2134]

Remember Mylar is aluminum, and conducts electricity. IMHO I like panda board. They also just came out with odor eliminating CFL's :jointsmile:

[Mic-Mechanic]

Odor eliminating CFL's? Either im dumb as fuck and missing you joking, or some marketing bean counter for a lighting company has discovered the grower niche.

Panda board eh? It sounds easier to handle and deal with and possible get. Ill look into it.
Thanks for being the sole person of advice/respone CC, its appriecated hahaa

[spongebobsmokepants]

Those plants are looking great! Wal-mart has mylar heat blankets in sporting goods, they work great and only cost about $2.50
It may be a bit early for nutes right now, but there are many ways to skin a cat.
With my CFL grow I try to utilize every bit of light they put out. Use a reflector to bounce that light from the top back to your girls. Also try to get all your plants as close to each other as possible and the position your lights over them so that they are all sharing all the lights. Hope that was clear because my mind is not.:stoned:

[Mic-Mechanic]

Thanks for the tips Sponge-bob. I have no idea where there is a walmart as us Canadians like our Canadian Tire (Well, they suck if you have to actually build something significant from scratch but thats neither here no there) however if Canadian tire doesn't get Mylar blankets i'll check it out.

Think its early for nutes? I gave them a 1/4 dose and they seem fine. Although im not sure if im supposed to give them nutes once a week or once every two... Or every two waterings? If its every two waterings or once a week that means now.. Hrm.

I'm hoping to make a reflector sort of thing by using a board of cardboard covered in mylar as a cover for the box (i'll add a cardboard outdent so it doesnt rest on the bulbs, thatd be bad)
The plants are as close as they can get without them blocking alot of light to the lower foliage, as the internal foliage is quite dense and i dont want to starve it. Earlier i had them closer and i think its made them happier to space out a bit.

For the long term plan i might Veg a bit longer then 'normal' (if normal is 6 weeks, 8 weeks. So like 2 or 2 and a half months) so the growth catches up a bit. From other photos of plants at 3 weeks they seem a tad small. Not horribly behind but i think its because they dont have *optimal* lighting yet.

Tomorrow night i pick up the next two lights and hopefully that'll make them happy

[specs]

Those plants are looking great! Wal-mart has mylar heat blankets in sporting goods, they work great and only cost about $2.50
It may be a bit early for nutes right now, but there are many ways to skin a cat.
With my CFL grow I try to utilize every bit of light they put out. Use a reflector to bounce that light from the top back to your girls. Also try to get all your plants as close to each other as possible and the position your lights over them so that they are all sharing all the lights. Hope that was clear because my mind is not.:stoned:

:thumbsup:

Nutes too early--throw out the 20-20-20 it is the cause of the brown spots-not the light. Check my grow, it suffered the same fate. I should've known better. Let them grow a couple more nodes and then start 1/4 nutes. I think 6-7" tall.

Please, Please, Please get some better nutes.
GH, PB anything but MG and 20-20-20. You'll suffer through out your grow with these.

My PB is like 1.0-.5-.5 or something like that-these are better nutes as 20ppm is ridiculous for ganja.

Hope that helps
Good Start
Bless
specs:rastasmoke:

[Mic-Mechanic]

Really. Everyone told me 20-20-20 was a good veg fert. Whats the NPK of a better fert? (I gave them fert today and they're all perked up and happy 10 hours later.

I havent been checking PB/ppm for nutes only NPK. I didnt realize that stuff was issue. Fuck, i dont even know exactly what PB and ppm are.

Also there is no brown on any of the leaf sets grown post-ferting.

Well, its too late to undo the last fert but lets watch how the plants react to this one and if they dont like it i'll grab a fert of the NPK you suggest.

[Juzt JR]

I believe that he is talking about Organic or Synthetic nutes, as yours being Synthetic, thats all that comes to mind. Anywho, I would get more lights, and quite possibly put all the plants together, I don't get why you have separated them? Definately get some reflective material in there, I would think that poster board would work good (with the shiny side out).
good luck, and keep updating!

[CannabisCarl2134]

^^ Good info. Except MG has proven itself Bad/Good in the MJ Community. Yes, 20PPM is crazy, but it will be fine. Try to find a Hydroponics garden store in your area, I bet you have one, Unless your in out in the middle of fuck nowhere.lol.

Another Suggestion, try to stay semi-organic. Also "Superthrive" works well for veg, and can be found at most hardware stores.

Yes, get some reflective material ASAP. PPM=Parts Per Million

You have a fan blowing over the canopy of the plants correct? If not you should.

Yes, odor eliminating CFL's Check into it, look in the "Lighting thread" I am so high......Blaaaahhhhh...Later Bro...

[Mic-Mechanic]

First of all, thanks a bagill for all the responses. I thought i knew alot after doing so much research, but there is always more to learn.

I dont use Miracle Grow ferts, ive been using Plant Product Ferts. I will look into other ferts as the garden store is literally across the road so i can check out the fertilizer situation. (I also need to get perlite when for the final transplant)
So some superthrive, superbloom for flower (I assume theyre made by the same company)

Also when i do that final transplant should i get new soil thats ferted? Or just grab unferted and fert it myself?

Why i seperated them is simply because i needed somewhere in the middle to mount lights. Tonight when i return with more lights i'll see if there is a easier way to mount them. If Canuck Tire doesnt have mylar ill get more white posterboard for the time being.

Well tonight i go shopping again! Thanks for all the advice guys, time to spark a morning bowl and check on the plants.

[Mic-Mechanic]

Picture update:
http://gallery.cannabis.com/data/500/medium/Tee-ni.JPG

[specs]

Really. Everyone told me 20-20-20 was a good veg fert. Whats the NPK of a better fert? (I gave them fert today and they're all perked up and happy 10 hours later.

Hi if you see my grow I use organic Pure Blend nute. I'm not saying that 20-20-20 won't work, it is just easier to save a plant from nute issues with a lower NPK count and one more conducive to natural environment.

Also (you can take this with a grain of salt) but I find that 20-20-20 is such a high concentration, that it get's into the taste of the MJ even with exstensive flushing methods. Just my experience-MG is also the same with a little less harsher taste.



I havent been checking PB/ppm for nutes only NPK. I didnt realize that stuff was issue. Fuck, i dont even know exactly what PB and ppm are.

I don't want to scare you just want you to see good results and be able dialing in your methods for optimum cultivation and smooth pure MJ smoke in the end.

Oh and Pure Blend Grow by Botanicles is 1.0 N, 0.5 P, 1.0 K
Bloom is .5,.5,1 NPK if I read the bottle correctly. Check my post it has a close-up.

Good Growing
Specs:rastasmoke:

[Mic-Mechanic]

Oooh okay, i completely understand what you're saying now. I'm going to move towards getting ferts like that soon. I appreciate all the info, all is clear now.

unfortunetly Canuck tire told me "Come back in a few days" again because the tools wont restock on 6500ks and only have 2700ks, so im held up waiting for lights.

[Mic-Mechanic]

Ugh. I got overworked and tired and didnt check the plants for about a day and two leafs grew to close to the lights and had the tips fried. Ugh, i'm a idiot. I adjusted accordingly.

Also on the plants the first, first set of leafs (the ones in the seeds) have yellowed off and died. I assume this was normal (i even read elsewhere on one journal it was) however now the first set of leafs (the ones that are just a indistinct leaf with no blades) are getting a bit icky.
On some they're a tad light green/yellow and on one they've died off.
I'm thinking -this- is the ferts fault so i'm going to hold off on the ferts for a bit and give them some R&R. The ferts have helped growth as their heights are between 6-9 inches, however i dont want to risk further damage.

I hope the stress isn't too bad, i'm definetly going to veg 2-3 weeks longer unless there are signs of some serious rapid growth and healing.

Pics are delayed until i can upload them to the gallery.