My 2nd Grow

[DaDuck]

I just got done harvesting four white widow plants I grew in a small 18"x18" grow tent. It was tight in there, but the plants still came out pretty good. I had some health issues at the end (I think because the soil was too acidic) so I didn't get to harvest my plants at the optimum time, but they still smoke and look good lol.

With my first grow my plants were crammed way to tight in that tent, I didn't have enough light (just used 150w HPS) and I had a serious odor problem once the plants outgrew the tent. I am trying to address all those problems for this grow, especially the odor problem since I live in an apartment and I really don't want to get caught.
So I got a new grow tent last week that is 2x4x5. It is about the perfect size for my walk in closet. I upgraded to a 400w MH a few weeks ago to make sure I was getting my plants plenty of light, so now I have a 400w MH that is in the tent now and a 150w HPS that I will add later when I start flowering (I'll hang the HPS over the top of them and hang the MH at an angle in front of them to get light all the way down the plant). The problem with using the 400w is that it generates so much heat that the tent turns into an oven and I have to leave my closet door open or it gets way too hot in there too, so I bought some duct work tubing and an exhaust fan to suck the air right off the 400w light and blow it out the top of the tent. It still gets a little warm in there, but it's not too hot. I put a weather station I already had next to the plants to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity. It is wireless so I have the display in the living room. I can check it from out there so I don't have to walk back to the closet all the time. Unfortunately the light is heating up the weather station and it's reading too high (temperature is supposed to be taken in the shade) so I just moved the weather station to outside the tent and put it next to the inflow vent.
To help with the odor problem I put a carbon filter in the tent next to the plants, which doubles as my fan inside the tent. The exhaust air from the filter fan blows right by the plants and keeps them moving a little bit. I got an extra little carbon filter deal that you are supposed to plug into the wall of your house for odor control (it's cheap) and put that right in front of the plants too. I don't expect it to help much with the smell, but I put it there so that when I turn everything else on at night I leave that little filter running (which has a small fan) and that keeps the air moving around without making any sound. Everything is set on a timer to go off when I leave for work in the morning and turns back on when I get home. The only thing that stays on continously is the little filter which is silent and keeps the air circulating.

I think that about covers the setup. I am growing four LSD plants from Barneys for this grow. I have to keep it limited to four plants because anything more than that is a felony here. I started two of the plants two weeks ago and the other two one week ago. I have already had problems with the two oldest plants. I think I just started feeding them too late. It looks like it might be potassium deficiency when I compare it to pictures in my grow book I have. I have no idea for sure what it is, but they do seem to have perked up a bit since I started feeding so I'm more confident they won't die off now. I ordered five Barney Pineapple Chunk seeds, 1 Barneys G13 seeds, 1 Dutch Passion Power Plant, and 1 Greenhouse Seeds Train Wreck. So if any of my plants die prematurely I can replace them.

Well I think that about covers it. I'll add some pictures now and I'll update with new pictures and posts as the plants grow. Again the two bigger plants are two weeks old and the two smaller ones are one week old. The older ones have some brown on their oldest leaves from some sort of problem.
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[bigsby]

Looks like you did some learning on your first grow. Nicely done.

Any chance you can move the light ballast outside of the tent? That will at least help with the heat issue.

Also, consider getting some ona. It won't kill the smell, you need the carbon filter for that, but it will mask it to some degree. Call it redundancy.

[DaDuck]

Here are some pics from my last grow, which was four white widow plants. I had a different setup then with a smaller tent that they outgrew.
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[PhatJay]

*pulls up a seat*

Looking forward to watching this one.:) I know it is a bit late now, but if you continue to have issues growing in soil, have you considered switching to coco for your next grow?

[DaDuck]

lol yeah I did learn quite a bit. I researched it a lot before I ever did my first grow, but I still had some surprises. I harvested all my plants too early. Some of them because of health issues and one because I thought it was ready. With this next grow I know what to watch for to tell when they are ready. I just didn't let the calyxes swell up as much as I should have last time. I know to watch the PH a lot closer than I did last time too. And I learned that when people tell you to follow the instructions on feeding they aren't kidding. Overall I learned it's a lot harder than some people might think it is if you want really good results.

I am definitely getting some Ona blocks for this grow. I've been looking at all the different ways to attack the odor and that seems like one of the cheapest and easiest. I'm going to put one in the tent and one by the outgoing air. Hopefully that will help. I've considered a little ozone generator, but I'm waiting to see how bad the smell is going to be with my new setup. I still have several weeks before they start to smell, so I'm not in a big rush. The carbon filter I bought sucks though so I'm sure I'll have an odor problem, I just don't know how bad it will be. Hopefully Ona blocks and the filters I have will be enough to take care of it.

[DaDuck]

Actually I haven't considered coco. I don't know much about it. I will definitely check it out. I don't mind the soil so much. I just had my head up my ass with my last/first grow. I didn't ever check the PH until I already had a problem. I'm hoping I can keep that from being an issue this time by checking the PH of the water/fertilizer before I feed each time and adding a bit of PH up to get it a tad higher than what it would be. I'm always open to trying something better though. I still have a lot to learn about this stuff. The only thing I don't want to try is hydroponics as long as I'm in an apartment. I could see that going south on me in a hurry lol. I just want a simple setup that produces A+ quality pot for personal use. The first grow put out decent quality weed, but it could have been better. Hopefully this grow will give me the results I really want.

[bigsby]

You probably posted this previously but what soil mix are you using? Nutes? Just curious. I'll start with a seedling soil and then move on to stinky's recipe for the rest of the grow - 2 parts agway manure humus : 1 part perlite together with PureBlend grow and bloom (for soil).

Also, what size are your pots and are you following a re-potting schedule? I understand that this is an important factor when doing a soil grow. I'm figuring on two re-pots - starter pot to 1 gallon to 3 gallon which will last through flower. Re-potting allows the roots to fill out a pot and bulk up before moving on to a larger pot. The new soil gained during the re-pot provides clean medium and aerated soil for the roots to expand into. If you start in a pot that is too large the plant spends a lot of energy and time growing under ground. A smaller pot allows for balanced growth - roots and canopy.

You likely know this. Just sharin' my 2 cents.

[DaDuck]

On my last grow I started all four plants in jiffy pots with miracle grow seed starter and then transplanted them into one gallon containers filled with 50% Fox Farm Ocean Forest, 25% Miracle Grow Seed Starter (to add a little fluff to it) and 25% Perlite.

With this grow I am keeping everything pretty much the same with a few exceptions. I planted three of the plants I have in a 50/50 mix of Miracle Grow Seed Starter and Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil. On one of my plants I just used Seed Starter. I wanted to see what kind of a difference it makes. The one I used seed starter on is one of the older two plants on the left side of the pictures. You can probably tell by looking it's the one in the top left corner. I'm not 100% sure this had anything to do with it, but the other plant that I added 50% soil to and started at the same time is about twice the size of the seed starter one. I think I started feeding them too late though so that may not have been the result if I started feeding them on time. What is weird is that both of the older two plants got the same leaf browning that looks like potassium definciency. You would think if that was the case the plant in the seed starter would be worse because it has no nutrients in there. The other plant has half Ocean Forest soil in its container so you would think it would have some nutrients. Both of them got sick all the same though. It's kind of weird. I still don't really know what happened to them. I'll post some pictures in a minute. They seem to be rebounding though. Sorry to ramble lol.

Last time I only did a transfer to one gallon pots because I was real cramped for space. I didn't really think about going to a larger pot this time even though I have more space with the bigger grow tent. I guess I could use bigger pots. I just planned on reusing the one gallon pots I already have. The plants didn't seem stunted at all from being in one gallon pots the last time and I was pretty happy with the results. Maybe I'll go pick up one 2 or 3 gallon pot for this grown and just put one plant in it to see if it makes any difference compared to the other three one gallon plants.

Last time I made the transfer to soil once I saw little points of roots poking through the jiffy pots. I think I'm going to make the transfer a little sooner this time. I will probably move all of the plants to their pots this week (even though two of the plants are younger than the other ones).

As soon as the plants get around ten inches or so I'll switch my light cycle over to 12/12. I want to get them flowering ASAP. I'm not worried about maximum yeild really. I just want to get some high quality pot off these so then I can move on to some new strains to try. I want to get a cigar shop of pot built up lol. You know have little glass jars filled with different kinds of pot to choose from. Personally I'm all about trying different strains. I have no desire to start cloning plants. I like the variety and I'm pretty much just growing for personal use. My next grow should be really interesting. I have a mix of Pineapple Chunk, Train Wreck, G13, and Power Plant seeds coming. I also want to buy some Critical Mass and Cheese seeds. I am going to plant four different strains for my next grow. Not sure which yet.

Actually I didn't know that Bigsby. I've read a few books and done quite a bit of research online, but I still have a LOT to learn. I'm just hoping that I can make it through this grown without any of my plants dying. With my last grown all but one of them were on the verge of death before I decided to chop them down instead of nursing them back to health. I was shocked at how quickly a plant can curl up and die. I'm still not really sure what the hell happened. I think it was because my PH got way to low in my soil, but I'm not for sure. It was a disaster though. If I can keep these healthy until they mature I'll be pumped.

I'll get some pictures of the plants posted so you can see the two sick ones. Like I said before it looks like potassium deficiency in my book, but that is just a guess. They do seem to be coming back though since I started feeding them.

[DaDuck]

Here are a couple pictures of my plants. The two bigger plants that are sick are about two weeks old and the smaller two plants are a week old.

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[bigsby]

Bigger pot = bigger plant. Too small pot = problems. Did you take a look at the roots coming out of the 1 gallon pot? If the plant gets root bound it loses the ability to uptake the needed nutrients. Also, they do not hold water and become dehydrated much more quickly. This stress together with low PH could well have been their demise. If the plants were not root bound then you should have no problem continuing with the 1 gallon pots so long as the plants stay relatively small. Then again, a re-pot to 3 gallons after 2 weeks of flower may be just the ticket to getting them through to completion.

I'm with you on the different strains. I've been busy reading up. For my first grow I'm looking for an easy to manage variety. I'll likely do two strains - AK48 and Chiesel. Both do well indoors and both are relatively easy. Depending on how that goes I'll move on to some others. I plan to keep some bonsai mothers around. Some I will flower off after the first cloning to be sure. I aim to find a few strains that I love. I'll then keep those longer term. I want to do clones in part b/c the seeds are pricey but also because clones are better suited to scrog grows due to heavy branching that they exhibit.

I'm still looking for sites with good strain information. I believe I posted a few earlier in this thread. Here is another one. (http://www.1stmarijuanagrowerspage.com/) Have a look at the links running down the left hand side of the page. Also, where did you get your tent? What did it set you back?

[irydyum]

Get that big seedling in a container please!! It's crying out to get moving. Don't treat any deficiency, just get it in a real pot so it can consume some nutes and green back up for you.

I'm all about starting with the peat ones too, but you gotta get em moving!!

[PhatJay]

I also want to buy some Critical Mass and Cheese seeds.

Have you smoked Cheese before? It is wickedly strong but severely lacking in the taste department imo. It has an earthy chemical taste, if you are going to grow cheese I would go with a cross. The second best weed I ever smoked was Cheese crossed with Grapefruit, amazing hit and beautiful flavour.

[DaDuck]

No I've never had cheese. I just wanted to grow it because the strain I was looking at had high yeilds and it was potent lol. I've been looking through all the different cheese crosses they sell on everyonedoesit.com. They have a lot of them on there. I know they have a couple blueberryxcheese. I'm still trying to decide exactly what to go with.
I forgot the other one I really want to grow is Light of Jah. It's a big sativa so I'm a tad worried about the size, but I'm going to grow a couple anyway. I'll have plants of all different sizes, but I'd like to do one pineapple chunk, one light of jah, one cheese and I have a couple G13 and trainwreck seeds on the way that I'd like to try for my fourth plant. I'm only allowed four here or it's a felony. If I get my setup to the point where it feels stealthy enough I may grow more than that, but I really don't need to. I can grow it faster than I can smoke it lol.
Feel free to recomend any other favorite strains. I'm definitely open to ideas

[bigsby]

I'm thinking potting together with PH were the principal issues with your last grow. The roots need sufficient soil to hold water and nutrients long enough for the plant to absorb them. 1 gallon pot seems awfully small. Then again, you are keeping them short. I'm guessing that with any significant stavia strain you will need the 3 gallon at least. Do you remember what the roots looked like coming out of the 1 gallon pot?

I'm also looking at G13. I like the stavias so I'm looking at Super Silver Haze and bubblegum Kush. Light of Jah looks like a winner too.

I'll be watching your grow. Good luck!

[GetThisOrDie]

Whats up?

Sorry if i repeat anything anyone said or ask something you answered but i just skimmed through...

Your plants dont look sick they look hungry! Im not sure if you should be potting them with a seed starter mix or not but from what ive read the ocean forest is awesome by itself. I recently moved and am just now able to get it and have seedlings in it now.

Other than looking hungry id say the big one could use a transplant. A good idea is to mix your water/nutes in gallon sized containers. That way you can follow nute schedules that say "X amount per gallon" much easier. ALWAYS mix nutes and water FIRST then adjust PH LAST.

Hope I could help!!

[DaDuck]

I totally agree. I think I started feeding them too late. Now that I started feeding them they seemed to perk up okay. With my last batch of seedlings I used the seed starter and they did great, but I also started feeding them right away.
Yeah I mix my nutrients in a big one gallon bowl for exactly that reason.
I decided to get bigger pots so I will have to run up there tomorrow before I can transplant them. That bigger plant looks a lot bigger in that picture than what it really is. I'll take a side shot of it tonight and post it. I think it still has quite a bit of room in there. On the last grow I waited until I saw the tip of a root poke through the jiffy pot and those ones took the transplant real well. I'll try 2 gallon pots if I can find them and see if it makes much difference.

[DaDuck]

I forgot to answer the question about where I bought my grow tent. I got it on ebay. I can try to find the seller if you want. They have tons of them on there and the prices are about as low as you'll find them.

[bigsby]

I forgot to answer the question about where I bought my grow tent. I got it on ebay. I can try to find the seller if you want. They have tons of them on there and the prices are about as low as you'll find them.

Yes please. You are pleased with the quality?

[DaDuck]

Yeah the quality is okay. My tent that I used for my first grow is a Growlab. It is higher quality, but they are more expensive too. I paid $100 for my Growlab tent and it's 16"x16"x4ft. The new tent I got is 2x4x5ft and it cost $110. The vents and ports coming into the growlab tent have drawstrings and velcro to close them up and to hold open the vents. This new grow tent doesn't have velcro to hold the windows open. That wasn't a big deal because I already had velcro tap. I just put a couple pieces on there and problem solved. There are three inlets on there that are 4" openings for ducts and electrical connections. On my growlab there are drawstrings to cinch these tight so no air or light gets out. With this new tent they have two strings that you can try to tie the opening closed with, but it doesn't really work. I don't really care if those things are closed all the way or not though, so again not a problem for me. The Growlab is simply higher quality, but you don't really need the higher quality IMO. The zippers are fine on my new tent. The material is basically the same as it is on my growlab.

I think this is the tent I got
2x4x5 Ft. Hydroponics Box Grow Room Tent Mylar Cabine - eBay (item 330391732971 end time Jun-01-10 11:58:34 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/2x4x5-Ft-Hydroponics-Box-Grow-Room-Tent-Mylar-Cabine-/330391732971?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cece1c2eb)

Here is a link to all the tents on ebay sorted by price. They have lots of options.
grow tents, Home Garden, Toys Hobbies items. Great deals on eBay! (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=grow+tents&_sacat=See-All-Categories)

[bigsby]

Thanks for the info.

Is your tent light proof from the outside? This tent will be fore veg and mothers and it will sit inside my flower room so I need there to be no light leaks. How does your tent do in this regard?

[DaDuck]

The growlab is more light proof than this one. Because this one has three incoming four inch circles cut out of the side, you would have to cover those. On my growlab you sinch it tight after you run your duct, electrical cords or whatever else you are running into the tent. This one isn't like that. On it's inlets they have two strings hanging off the side of the little ports and you can tie the sleeve shut. I don't think it works very well, but you could always rig something up and cover them with duct tape if you had to. I don't have to worry about light issues since mine are already in a closet. I'd consider a lot of the different tents before getting one. I looked at a ton of them and the only reason I bought the one have is because the price was cheap and it's fine for what I'm doing. After having a growlab, I don't think spending the extra money to get a higher quality tent is worth it.

I took a couple updated pictures tonight. The two oldest plants (2 and a half weeks old) are both rebounding very well from getting sick after they first sprouted. Aside from the bottom leaves that turned brown, they look really healthy. The two smaller plants that are a week and a half old are both looking good too. I've been watering them quite a bit. I have a couple fans in the tent so they small jiffy pots they are in tend to get dried out fast. I bought 2 gallon pots for them today though so I'll get them transplanted later tonight.

I was growing with my 400w MH and it puts off too much heat so I set up some ducts to suck the hot air off the inside of the light. The blower I had was too loud so I went looking for a new fan today. I got a 4 inch inline fan, but I think that's too loud too. I live in an apartment and my neighbors room is right on the other side of my closet door. I don't know if I'm beeing paranoid or not, but I don't want to take any chance of them hearing any sounds through there. Is there any super quiet fans you can to vent a grow ten? I had to switch over to my 150w HPS since I can't run the fans right now. It puts off a lot less heat.

Well here are the pictures I took tonight.

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[bigsby]

So with the grow lab tent there was no light leak at all? I need it to be light proof as it will sit in my flower room.

I'm looking at a panasonic line of fans call whisperline. They claim to be quieter but I can't tell you that they are. It may just be the name. That said, they are designed for venting kitchens and bathrooms so I'm guessing they are pretty quiet. Here's a link: Westside Home (http://search.westsidewholesale.com/index?D=panasonic+inline&Ntt=panasonic+inline&Dk=0&N=0&Nty=1)

[DaDuck]

I actually ordered a deal that allows you to control the fan speed on your inline fan. I'm going to hook that up and just turn the fan down to an acceptable level where it doesn't make much sound. Hopefully that will work. If it doesn't then I'm going to have to rig something up with those small computer fans and little square inline boost fans. I just absolutely can not have something back there that makes noise. I seriously doubt the neighbor would be able to hear me, but I can't risk that. I want to know I'm growing in total secrecy and not have to worry about being busted.

Even the growlab wasn't 100%. You could make it 100% dark by taping over a few things in the tent if that's what you wanted. If you want something totally light proof I would just spend a little extra money and get a tent like this one Secret Jardin DR80 Grow Tent (http://www.greners.com/secret-jardin-dark-room-grow-tent-dr80.html?___store=english)

[DaDuck]

Here are some pictures I took of the plants tonight. The two biggest ones have responded very well since they got sick. They both look really healthy. The two smaller plants are looking healthy too. The two bigger plants are 2.5 weeks old and the smaller two are 1.5 weeks old.
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[bigsby]

Hey DaDuck. I found this strain library and thought you might be interested. (https://www.icmag.com/modules/ICStrainguide/index.php?eop=liststrains) It is pretty damn comprehensive and includes grower comments and a few interesting tools to help isolate what you are looking for.

How is the grow going?