my first grow

[flourogrw]

this is my first time growing anything, im looking for any tips or if im forgetting something.

i have 5 plants from bagseed that are a week or 2 old, i forgot when i planted them. i had 6 but i snapped 1. im using a 75w grow light i got for 10 bucks its been working fine and it will have to do until i get cash for a better light. im using potting soil with miracle grow, ive heard miracle grow was bad but i dont see what the problem is.

here are some pics.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1028081909a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1028081909.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1028081911.jpg

[dillhole]

Hi fluorogrw, welcome! Your plants seem pretty healthy but be careful with the nutes. They look a little young to be giving them much nutrients already.

I also used miracle gro for my veg nutes. The plants seemed to like it. I just fed them at 1/4 and 1/2 strength until I switched the lights to 12/12.

If you're looking for cheap lighting, try CFL's. A lot of people around here have good results with them. Myself included :)

Keep us posted!

[bigworm1922]

looks like they are streching a bit much. Might want to lower the light alittle. Just watch for curling of the leaves.

[flourogrw]

i didnt add any nutes it came in the soil.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1028082224.jpg

because i only have 2 feet to work with i plan on either topping or low stress training

[dillhole]

I've been told that MG soil is usually too hot for seedlings. Maybe one of the experts will stop by here tell us about it :)

I strongly recommend LST if you have height limitations. My 3 plants have done well with it. It may be hard to keep your plants under 2 foot tall though unless you do SCROG. Or tie them to something outside of the pot to make them spread out. The canopy on my plants takes up about 8 sq ft and they are all over 2 ft tall already. And they've just started flowering so there's more growing to be done :)

Another way to keep em small is to switch the lights to 12/12 a little early. Just remember that some strains will triple in height after they start flowering.

[flourogrw]

i found a small cfl and tossed it in there, its still not much but an improvement.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1030080349.jpg

theyre all looking healthy but the leaves on this one look like they're curling down
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1030080350.jpg

[flourogrw]

so i got some cfl's and made a hood out of one of those disposable baking sheets

i found some outlet to socket converters and used 2 power strips so i can plug in more bulbs when i get them.
i have 2 26w, 1 23w, and 1 13w. so that's 5800 lumens plus the cheapo grow light i got from walmart
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1031080440.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1031080443.jpg

[flourogrw]

4 of the 5 are doing well but this one looks like its on its way out.
its leaves are curling down, and those two little leaves that first open up when it sprouts are brown and shriveled up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/runt.jpg

heres the healthiest looking plant, really hope this ones a female
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/best.jpg

and heres all of them
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/group.jpg

this is only a temporary setup while i figure out how to hang the lights.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/fan.jpg

[flourogrw]

if it looks messy and made out of crap, thats because it is.
oh and can you use a timer with cfl's? all the boxes say dont use with a timer?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/front.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/side.jpg

[flourogrw]

well i planned on making a cab today but i only bought 1 rubermaid 30gallon container, i wish i could say i was stoned. so i made half of one and ill make the other half when i get another bin. i also picked up a bunch of cfls. and i really need a second fan for intake but out of the 8 stores i tried they all think people dont buy fans in winter. i found this metal locker rack and i'd like to know if i can use it for a scrog.

thats 8800 lumens right there, big improvement imo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/top.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/bla.jpg

[flourogrw]

77 views and no one else has any advice or can answer my questions? dont mean to sound like an ass.

[flourogrw]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/hhhhhhhhh.jpg

this is the plant i thought was going to die after i moved it to a bigger container.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/ddddd.jpg

i love learning experiences :)

[dillhole]

Plants are looking happy. They must be getting what they need:thumbsup:

I'm a beginner myself so I don't have many answers. But I can tell you that it's ok to run cfl's on a timer. Just don't exceed the timer's watt rating. You're not supposed to use a dimmer with them though. Of course, us growers have no need for a dimmer anyway.

Do you have plans to LST? Or are you gonna rig up a way to raise the lights? Cant wait to see how this turns out...

[SunShine4me]

rock on..http://jira.atlassian.com/secure/attachment/16943/macgyver.gif

[flourogrw]

i cant wait either, im running blindly with absolutely no experience in gardening and getting new ideas every day. i do plan to lst at least one plant and top at least one. and id like to try to turn one into a bonsai, don't care too much about getting males or a poor yield, like i said, this is a learning experience. my next grow definitely wont be bagseed and i'll definitely have a plan.


Of course, us growers have no need for a dimmer anyway.

what if i wanted to set the mood??

[dillhole]

Lol. I use candles :)

[flourogrw]

are you gonna rig up a way to raise the lights?

i actually moved it from under my desk to the closet, i have the 2 150w on a splitter hanging from the shelf, so if i want to i could just let em grow but wheres the fun in that? :weedpoke:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/gah.jpg

[flourogrw]

i added some lights and a few of them are looking a bit yellow, other wise everything is looking good. i plan on starting the lst in about a week.

12,800 lumens. yay.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1102080908.jpg


same plant 3 angles

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1102080614.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1102080616.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1102080617.jpg

i really need a camera, cell picks suck

[dillhole]

I really like the lights on the outlet strip. I may have to borrow that idea for my next grow:D Keep an eye on that yellowing. I've been fighting that on my plants. Mine is caused by a low soil pH causing a nitrogen lockout (i think). Do you have anything to test the pH with?

[flourogrw]

I really like the lights on the outlet strip. I may have to borrow that idea for my next grow:D Keep an eye on that yellowing. I've been fighting that on my plants. Mine is caused by a low soil pH causing a nitrogen lockout (i think). Do you have anything to test the pH with?

i might, does yellowing stop plants from producing flowers? thanks its pretty much a 195w=760w 12800lumen light fixture that cost me 30 bucks to make.

[dillhole]

If yellowing is caused by bad pH, it can stop them from living. Or at least reduce yield. Not saying thats what yours is caused by but I'd keep an eye on it. I just put a post in the plant problems area seeking help with my pH problem. Maybe when the experts chime in I'll learn something:)

If you don't already have a pH meter or test strips, get em now. In my opinion it is absolutely necessary to know the soil pH. It gets more important as the plants get bigger too.

[fenderninja]

they seem to be comin along nicely.
keep it up!

[dillhole]

i might, does yellowing stop plants from producing flowers? thanks its pretty much a 195w=760w 12800lumen light fixture that cost me 30 bucks to make.

The more I think about it, the more I like it. I may use one for side and bottom lighting on my next grow. Hell, use some Y adapters (http://www.easternlightbulbs.com/nav/itempage.asp?itemid=806&trng=fgle) and double the bulbs too.

[flourogrw]

yeah, i can find those socket plugs everywhere but i cant find anymore y adapters

[flourogrw]

more pics!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1102081233.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1102081226.jpg

not that im going to, but just so i know, could i start flowering these now and how much if anything could they yield?

[dillhole]

You can start flowering at anytime. Some people use a 12/12 light cycle from seed but the yields are lower. Yields are impossible to predict.

If your plants haven't reached maturity yet and you switch to a 12/12 cycle, it'll take a couple of weeks before you see pistils/preflowers with most strains. If you wait until you see alternating nodes and preflowers they will start blooming almost immediately after switching the lights.

[flourogrw]

they all got bigger pots and a new grow area with more room to work with.
and they're starting to smell like weed. yay.:smokin:

they shelf theyre sitting on is removable so that gives me about 3 feet to grow vertical
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1103081336.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1103081524.jpg

[flourogrw]

are these pre-flowers?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1104080440.jpg

[flourogrw]

this one is my favorite, its nice and bushy, and its leaves are short and fat, could this be indica, that would be awsome.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1104080451.jpg

[XmaxxX]

dude those babies are crying for the light!
got a hell of a strech
lower your lights and get those other CFLS above them.. you dont need side light for this stage..
and next time when you transplant them bury the stem into the ground to cut that strech.

[XmaxxX]

ok now after lookin through your whole log Ive couple more things to say:

1.your plants are too stretched and you must stop this stretch by getting them closer to the lights(2 inch from the CFLs is perfect).
Repot them into deeper pots. When you repot bury the stem into the ground to reduce the stretch.
again move them side lights above the plants
2. Some of the curling down of the leaves is probably caused by nute burn because you are using miracle grow potting soil which is very hot for seedlings
3. In the picture you posted those aren't preflowers.. those are some sideshoot that are starting to develop.
sorry if I missed anything..
If you have any questions you are welcome to ask.
BTW I'm growing with CFLs too you can take a look at my log if you want

GOOD LUCK

[flourogrw]

you cant tell from the pics but the lights are about 2 inches away, most of the stretching took place when i first started growing them with a desk lamp and the light from a window...

im going to wait a while before i put them in bigger pots because i don't want to stress them too much, but when i do i'll be sure to bury the stem.

as far as the soil being to hot goes, i don't have the money for recommended soil + nutes. so what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.. i hope.

[XmaxxX]

ok 2 inch is good. but put your side lights above them for now.
btw transplanting if done correctly can cause nearly no stress to the plant.
and next time you use mircale soil flush it before planting in it, this will help abit

[flourogrw]

i actually moved them right after i took the pic. i can never transplant correctly, the root ball always falls apart for me. good call, i'll flush the soil next transplant, luckily im almost out of that stuff.

[flourogrw]

top view, then side view of each plant. i started to lst one of them, i probably didnt do it right, i was bored.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/2b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/2a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/3b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/3a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/4b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/4a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/5b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/5a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/fans.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/group-1.jpg

[XmaxxX]

you know that when you transplant you have to water them first
then when you hold them between your fingers compress the soil with your hand.
this will stop the root ball from falling apart.
when LST you should pull your main cola down abit more then 90* that way the side shoots start growing(thats the whole point here init?)

[flourogrw]

yeah i watered them first, but i didnt compress them, thanks.

and for the lst, i know i should have waited to tie it down at the 3rd or 4th node, but im just an eager new grower :b. im going to continue to tie it down around the pot in a circle, couldnt wait to get it started.

[flourogrw]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1105080716.jpg
:weedpoke:

[flourogrw]

is this adequate for scrog?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1105080833.jpg

[dillhole]

Haven't done scrog yet but I think it would work fine. I may try that on my next grow.

[flourogrw]

so i think i have my final setup. the plant are doing fine with the exception of 2 of them that have 2 yellow leaves each. the one in the center is doing really bad, thats fine though, i need more room... do plants this small have any thc content?:D... i've gotten high from smoking the leaves off a plant in veg in the past.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1106081004.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1106081055.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/1106081006.jpg

[flourogrw]

the new tops are finally starting to grow after the transplant.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/newnode.jpg

[flourogrw]

more lsting
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/icantthinkofausername/lstin.jpg

[XmaxxX]

Dude I think you should germ some more seeds for that final setup you got so you will have some guys that are growing good and not strechy.
btw did you think about the light leaks during flowering? you cant allow any lights into the flowering room during their night time

[flourogrw]

light leaks wont be a problem, im kinda worried though, in that last pic you can see the leaf to the left that is yellow and brown all of the plants have this to some degree, some have bad yellowing and brown others only have slight yellowing and a speck of brown you can barely see, what could be causing this?

[XmaxxX]

yellowing can be caused by many things.
post some pics in the plant problems forum.