Stealth Grow.

[alexsmoake]

So I have just started a two new little projects.
Im kind of new to all this stuff.
I would appreciate advice and comments.
First, I have turned a peice of luggage into a veg box.
Second, I have turned part of my desk into another little grow box.
Tell me what you think.

[alexsmoake]

I have three 100 watt CFL's in each box. The cabinet is lined with aluminum foil. The luggage is lined with the stuff people use in their car windows to reflect the sunlight.

[filo6942]

keep a very close eye on temps. this looks sketchy, but then again people do this with cardboard boxes too! be careful.

[filo6942]

also, what strain is this? do you plan on flowering in there?

[alexsmoake]

keep a very close eye on temps. this looks sketchy, but then again people do this with cardboard boxes too! be careful.

the temp stays around 78-83. Im working on getting some small computer fans for both set-ups. how do i get electricity to them though since they arent actually connected to the computer??? i try to keep a veryyyyy close eye on them period

[alexsmoake]

I'm not aware of the strains. They just happen to be sitting in the drawer and I figured I would use them as a little test instead of waiting forever to find some lowryder or another small strain. yes I do plan on flowering in there since I have seen the small pc growcases and I know that its possible now.

[Buzzbrain]

I would be alittle worried about the tin foil, it might be better to paint the inside with flat white paint, I belive that would prevent hot spots and burning of your plants in that tight space. Just a thoght. Buzz

[alexsmoake]

just regular spraypaint?

[Buzzbrain]

yea, make sure it's FLAT WHITE, it can be sprayed on or brushed whichever is easier, Buzz

[alexsmoake]

I would be alittle worried about the tin foil, it might be better to paint the inside with flat white paint, I belive that would prevent hot spots and burning of your plants in that tight space. Just a thoght. Buzz


Im about to get some flat white paint.

[alexsmoake]

So here is how things are going.
Feel free to give constructive critisism. :thumbsup:


Plants in luggage look kind of weird.
Plants in cabinet are coming along fine. :wtf:

[alexsmoake]

What kind of ferts or plant foods should I use?

[headshake]

depends on your budget.


-shake

[Darkace]

have ur cfls on there side thats were they emit most of there light... i just started a lil cfl grow 2... after ma outdoors got stolen :(... best of luck

[BeFree]

For the computer fans.. Find a 12 volt power converter. Say a old cell phone charger or some kind of little appliance powercord. Just don't wire strait 120volt. 'TIN' foil is your enemy. Metals conduct heat. :mad: White paint, white construction paper. Something. After I pulled the foil from my first grow a few years back, the temps dropped 5 degrees. :smokin:

beSafe:jointsmile:

[alexsmoake]

thanks for the advice.
friday when i get paid ill go get some computer fans from the local pc shop. what size fans should i use? exhaust up top intake down low? would it be alright if i just took the one peice of aluminum foil off , replaced it with white paint or paper and left the rest of my reflective material? it is kind of a foamy metalic fabric. When I get home I will update with new pictures. They are looking pretty

[alexsmoake]

here we go.

[alexsmoake]

can someone tell me why the center of the second one is turning yellowish?

p.s. still havent set the date on the new camera :jointsmile:

[alexsmoake]

4x 23w cfl's
1x 13w cfl

[BeFree]

Good deal on the lights. Also, how's the ventilation coming? anything to check the temps? :thumbsup: is the yellowing getting worse? or starting to 'green' up?

beSafe:jointsmile:

[Buzzbrain]

that's what I said what's happing, the yellow in the middle is it still going on? It is proubly too much N , that little I don't think you should fert, but then again these guys know 2x's what I do,,,, just really growing A WEED! They know what you need to learn to the max. and shorten the growing time! later , buzz

[alexsmoake]

Ventilation is not an issue at the moment. the temps stay at 75!!! :D yeh im definitally not using anymore ferts till they get alot bigger. and i think i mixed it wayyyy to strong
I killed off the other one.
but the healthier one I clipped the tips of the leaves and its doing just fine :jointsmile:

I got a new plant germing.
I want to set up a new veg box and a bigger flower box but I dont have the space.. UNLESS ITS STEALTH.

[fluid69]

you still need ventilation. fresh air helps your plants breath. as for powering pc fans, find an ac adaptor with 12v dc output.

good job with the lights! your plants will thank you.

[alexsmoake]

if i put computer fans on there wont it let light out the backside of my desk?

[fluid69]

the trick I used was: i got a small rectangle cardboard box cut a hole on one end for a fan, and another on the back. it works kinda like the trap under your sink, creating a 90 degree duct for air that light can't backtrack through. i just mount the box with the fan pointing down and duct tape the seams. you could also use flexible tubing to achieve the same effect. here's a diagram of my "light trap". it's my own design so you could probably make some improvements to it. but it works really well.

http://boards.cannabis.com/members/fluid69-albums-my-pics-picture1793-light-trap.jpg

[alexsmoake]

the trick I used was: i got a small rectangle cardboard box cut a hole on one end for a fan, and another on the back. it works kinda like the trap under your sink, creating a 90 degree duct for air that light can't backtrack through. i just mount the box with the fan pointing down and duct tape the seams. you could also use flexible tubing to achieve the same effect. here's a diagram of my "light trap". it's my own design so you could probably make some improvements to it. but it works really well.

http://boards.cannabis.com/members/fluid69-albums-my-pics-picture1793-light-trap.jpg


With the back against my box? i have some flexible 4" air duct. Will that work fine? Are the fans going to be noisy? If so how can I silence them?

[fluid69]

yeah just put it on the back. the flexible hose should work well for you. PC fans are really quiet, and most manufacturers give detailed specs on pc fans including cfm(how much air they move), as well as db level(how much noise it makes). here's a really good site that has awesome prices in addition to all the specs.

computer case fans (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=494&name=Case-Fans&)

[alexsmoake]

yeah just put it on the back. the flexible hose should work well for you. PC fans are really quiet, and most manufacturers give detailed specs on pc fans including cfm(how much air they move), as well as db level(how much noise it makes). here's a really good site that has awesome prices in addition to all the specs.

computer case fans (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=494&name=Case-Fans&)

well thank you!

[fluid69]

no problem! stealth grows force us to think inside the box..lol

[alexsmoake]

i just cut a whole in the top back and put some air duct through it and its letting a good bit of heat out. are you sure i will need the fans?

[fluid69]

maybe not, alot of growers use "passive" ventilation, but the more air you have moving, the better the plants can breathe.

[alexsmoake]

lookin better than yesterday :D

[bigtopsfinn]

Just read through this... do you have any fans moving air around inside the box? Your soil level looks pretty low compared to the rim of the pot (should only be one inch). Stale air can cause some stem disease, plus the air current will strengthen your stems and prevent stretching, which will be your worst enemy in this case. Maybe one of those clip-on oscillating fans... shouldn't be too noisy. :thumbsup:

Good luck :jointsmile:

[alexsmoake]

just put a 4" massey fan in there. kind of loud. what could i do for a quieter circulation?

[bigtopsfinn]

Is it vibrating noise or just air flow noise? I think it's going to be impossible for the cab to be totally silent... I'd just play music to drown the noise out :jointsmile:

[alexsmoake]

its a small vibrating noise. it should be fine. sounds like my computer actually...
so are you saying i should take the plant out and put more dirt under it??? :wtf:

[fluid69]

that's good finn! I was thinking just get a desk fan to sit out in the room.

[bigtopsfinn]

its a small vibrating noise. it should be fine. sounds like my computer actually...
so are you saying i should take the plant out and put more dirt under it??? :wtf:

If it's vibrating, then put something soft between the vibrating parts... even a towel might help.

And yes, you really should have it higher up... soil should be 1 inch from the top rim max... You could do it now, but that would give the roots a lot of room to grow, so you won't see much growth above ground. This is why we re-pot many times, starting in yogurt cups or dixie cups, then up to what you have now, then to a 3 gallon, then 5 gallon, for example. Each time waiting for a root ball to form before potting up. More info here -->http://boards.cannabis.com/basic-growing/151941-importance-continuous-canopy-its-all-about-efficiency-baby-2.html

What kind of soil were you using? Is it well aerated? Didn't see any perlite, thought I should mention that...

[Buzzbrain]

Hey, everything is looking good, Have you thought about smell control yet? :rasta:

[alexsmoake]

noooo. i smoke in my room all the time so nobody is really gonna think anything of the smell.

[alexsmoake]

wtf is going on with this thing?

[the image reaper]

first, they're over-fertilized, and kept too wet :wtf: ... for a 110-volt AC computer fan, go to 'Coolerguys.com', look at their fan selection, toggle the details, find the cfm ratings ... cheap, and I haven't had one fail, yet (they ship fast, too) :thumbsup:

[alexsmoake]

no ferts here homie. i wake up and the dirt is dry as fuck. i then i water them. how is that keeping them too wet?

[VanGogh001]

no ferts here homie. i wake up and the dirt is dry as fuck. i then i water them. how is that keeping them too wet?

My best guess would be what Bigtopps said earlier about soil drainage, (don't see any pearlite?) And do your pots have holes in the base for excess water to drain out? This is sometimes overlooked.

If not a drainage problem I'm going to guess hot spots or some sort of burn coming from a light being to close or something to that effect.

If this doesn't answer your question hopefully a more experienced grower can solve this...???

I have found with my first closet grow to keep it simple and clean follow the great words of wisdom around this blog and adjust to your situation. Happy growing alex.


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Anything i write about here is purely fictional, i am taking part in an on line Role Playing Game (RPG) about the cultivation of marijuana. In no way do i condone the cultivation, use, distribution, or consumption of the plant with genus "Cannabis" followed by species "Indica" or "Sativa" or any other breed or hybrid of said genus.

[alexsmoake]

hey thanks alot van.
i think the drainage is definitally the problem. the top of the soil will look kind of dry. yet under that it stays very moist and the bottom dirt doesnt really dry much.

[alexsmoake]

Yay!! the little sucker pulled through. i put her outside for 2 days and changed to soil with perlite. now shes back in the box and healthy. i have 3 other tiny sprouts in the box too.

[alexsmoake]

hmmm????
how come outside the leaves looked relaxed.
inside they kind of want to curl upwards?

[VanGogh001]

Wish i could tell you whats wrong but all i can see is that they are in alot of stress. If you happen across the latest "High Times" there is a good article on germination and seedling development. You can probably find the same info here with some searching. I think these plants are going to be hard to save from that much trauma so early on.

If you restart you need to follow these rules:

-Submerge in cup of "Distilled water" till seed breaks (exposing white)
-Transfer to wet paper towel (keep in warm place)
-After white root elongates to about 0.5"-1" place into grow medium.
-Your grow medium should be
-Peat cup
-rockwool
-dixie (the point is small amount of soil)
-water, wait, wait
-transfer to larger pot after 2nd set of true leaves develop(not huge, next step up)

-!Do not fert, !do not over water/under water,!keep temps in 78'-80'degrees)
-Use clean, room temperature, ph balanced water

when you have come this far we shall continue.

I hope this helps if your start a new. Best of luck and happy growing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anything i write about here is purely fictional, i am taking part in an on line Role Playing Game (RPG) about the cultivation of marijuana. In no way do i condone the cultivation, use, distribution, or consumption of the plant with genus "Cannabis" followed by species "Indica" or "Sativa" or any other breed or hybrid of said genus.

[alexsmoake]

aight i feel you man.
time to cut the lil bastard.
ill be startin up with some new in a few days.

[gedogen]

next time add about 3 times as much pearlite as you used this time.

DRAINAGE IS KEY. it also helps keep your soild aerated so your roots get plenty of air.

[VanGogh001]

yeah man what gedogen said is key. also check this out:

SurfTheChannel - Jorge Cervantes Ultimate Marijuana Grow Guide (http://www.surfthechannel.com/episode/61506/1019522.html)

I would suggest purchasing some of his books, but take a look at the film it will get you going in the right direction.

peace.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anything i write about here is purely fictional, i am taking part in an on line Role Playing Game (RPG) about the cultivation of marijuana. In no way do i condone the cultivation, use, distribution, or consumption of the plant with genus "Cannabis" followed by species "Indica" or "Sativa" or any other breed or hybrid of said genus.