First Time Grow

[AMLBudGuy91]

Hey all,

So I finally decided to try and grow my own bud. Im only using random seeds nothing serious, would like to get everyting situated and know what I'm doing before I buy seeds. I have four plants and they are about 2 weeks old and Im really just wondering if their looking ok? From what ive seen I think they may be growing slow but its because of my lights id guess. Right now I'm only using 1 cfl per plant and 2 of them ar 23w SW and the other 2 are 13w. I plan on getting socket splitters and using 4 2700k cfl and 4 6500k untill the end of the veg stage. One other question that id like to know is on a couple plants the leave kinda look like their turning or curling but its not as bad a other post ive seen and its only two of the plants, the others are fine.

Well here's the pics....

(P.S) The last pic is my setup duh which is getto but its working for now at least but all ofthe plants are now in the green containers.

[mscaboo]

looking great so far aml...what kinda of lighting are you going to use for flowering?what kind of ventilation and odor control are you using?

[bigtopsfinn]

Yup looks good. CFLs will grow bud, but slowly :jointsmile: If the leaves start to curl it's most likely a sign of overwatering (watering too often).

[AMLBudGuy91]

Thanx guys good to hear. Im not sure. I planed on just using all 2700k cfls and 2 80w cool white flourescent tubes. Not really sure what to use, have hard a lot ofdiffernt things. Any reccomendations?

[bluntar]

looks good. cfl's work freat for veg...gotta have alot to avoid stretching but for flower its not great. bigtops is right. SLOW SLOW SLOW...its painfully slow. you will want to tripple your lights when flowering if you stick with CFLs...i recomend saveing your moneys and get a MH for flowering. also if you can use 3 6500k for every 1 2700k woukd be better..then reverse that when flowering.

look into LST...i wish i did

[AMLBudGuy91]

Hey guys. Changed my setup a little but not much and figured Id show ya how their doing. I now have all 6500k cfls and over the biggest I have a socket splitter which has one 6500k and one 2700k. I also now have a tube flourescent ficture which atm have 4100k bulbs in them 40w a piece but I will be getting one 6500k tube and a 2700k tubes. Bluntar will this side ficture help will the canopy not letting light through? Not sure if I want to try the LST method. Couple of my plants got nurtrient burn...got some 15-15-15 fertalizer but I guess the soil I used had enough for the first so many weeks. I was told if they havent died yet their fine and just to add less next time?
Last thing is my 4 plant was overwatered and got all droppy but now its extremely dry, not sure what to do but I have some germinating seeds if it dosent improve. Thanx guys

[bluntar]

ya, i started with 4 lights...then 8...then 10 and now i think i have 15 or so...ended up with most hanging but i have a few lower because of the canopy. it helps with the smaller bud sites. i also found a small tube that is full spectrum. so looks like have similar setups

before and after...i still want more lights
[attachment=o252362]

[attachment=o252363]

no food yet..to young. if there is some in the soil that is ok but thats even longer that you dont have to add food to water..15-15-15 is ok but you want something with smaller numbers at the end, then the other way around for flowering, either way i hav read that 5 nodes is rule of thumb for when to start feeding:thumbsup: think about what you put in the plant because someday you will be putting that in your lungs

got anything to test ph? that is verry important and may help you determine when to start feeding.

lookin good so far!!:jointsmile: is there a hydro store anywhere near you?

p.s. nice color choice on the pots:thumbsup:

[oturbojoeo4o]

id invest in a small security light from lowes or homedepot or w.e online store....either Metal halide (MH) or high pressure sodium (HPS) they sell 50watt-400watt

they are really easy to take apart
Grow Marijuana FAQ, Cannabis cultivation - marijuana growing tips & photos (http://www.drugs-forum.com/growfaq/1151.htm)

there is the link on how to make it ....you are basically coverting a security light into a grow light...for 40-50 bucks...

next you need to get some computer fans or a good inline fan to keep air recirculating...depends on how much money you are trying to save/spend

just rememeber to have fun, take a lot of notes and pictures, thats the way you learn what works and what doesnt....

dont forget to keep it a secret too:rastasmoke:

im turbojoe and i approve this message

[HMBigBUd]

:rastasmoke:Lookin good man.I would recommend investing the extra money into better lighting. It'll pay for itself in the long run. TurboJoe made a good point, make sure your getting good ventilation with either some kind of fan or inline fan. It'll help keep the heat down too. It looks like you have a shorter thicker strain growing. look into LST ( Low stress training) it'll help your plants stretch out horizontally. It'll help increase yield. :rastasmoke:

[AMLBudGuy91]

Yeah Im actually trading a phone I have for a good light which my friend said he will order for me. Im really suprised that the plants started doing even better with the side light which I added. I do have a fan I run on and off throuighout the day on the very end of my set up. I ended up replanting some seeds because my 4th plant dried up and I figured since I have the 6500k lights they may start out better this time.I'll post some pics here in a day or too to keep everyone updated

[HMBigBUd]

What kind of enclosure are you growing in? if its a full room then you should be ok as long as you keep it kind of small operation. but if your growing in a confined area you def will need some kind of constant air flow. the fan is good because it blows the leafs around which makes all the stems thicker. but it wont do too much for the heat if your just using a fan.

Heres a website of what you should look into.

Viagrow 100 CFM, 4" Filter/TD Series Fan COMBO - Style # OCC2600, grow room odor,grow room odor control,air purification,air purifiers,can filter,carbon filters,activated carbon filter (http://www.hydrowholesale.com/Carbon-Filters-and-Air-Purification/Viagrow-100-CFM-4-FilterTD-Series-Fan-COMBO.asp)

Basically it sucks all the hot air and any smell and eliminates them. The CFLs dont put off much heat but they take forever for your plants to grow. but if you ever upgrade to a Metal Hilide(MH) or High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lighting system you'll def want to look into a better ventilation system. me and Turbojoe are using a 4 inch inline fan connected to a big air scubber ( the big white thing next to the fan in the picture on the website) it keep our temp between 74-82 degree F and eliminates all smells.

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http://boards.cannabis.com/closet-cabinet-growing/187275-400w-mh-hps-conver-bulb-grow-4x3x2cab-growlog.html

[AMLBudGuy91]

Id love to get all those things but Im so broke atm. Im trying to save for a light my friend reccomends, he says I should get a 225 watt cfl with a ficture with a reflective shield of whatever for 80 bucks. I also know someone who is selling a MH light with the ficture and shield thing too for 80...not sure what i should do. Im going to get some pics up of how their doing. I bought two 6500k tube flouresents since I had 4100k in their. So now I have all 6500k light on tops and sides. The tubes are 40w a piece which isnt alot but I have them just for side lights. Would having actual 43 watt cfl make a difference so I wouldnt have to have so many bulbs? .I think Im only going to have 3 plants so I can use less lights. How tall to I have to let my plants get to get a decent yield? I dont want them to get huge but I have space for 4 ft. I know a lot of questions but I just want to understand everything.
Ha thanx

[bigsby]

id invest in a small security light from lowes or homedepot or w.e online store....either Metal halide (MH) or high pressure sodium (HPS) they sell 50watt-400watt

they are really easy to take apart
Grow Marijuana FAQ, Cannabis cultivation - marijuana growing tips & photos (http://www.drugs-forum.com/growfaq/1151.htm)

there is the link on how to make it ....you are basically coverting a security light into a grow light...for 40-50 bucks...

You're on a tight budget. Listen to oturbojoeo4o. Good advice. Put your hands do work where your wallet falls short.

[HMBigBUd]

Id love to get all those things but Im so broke atm. Im trying to save for a light my friend reccomends, he says I should get a 225 watt cfl with a ficture with a reflective shield of whatever for 80 bucks. I also know someone who is selling a MH light with the ficture and shield thing too for 80...not sure what i should do. Im going to get some pics up of how their doing. I bought two 6500k tube flouresents since I had 4100k in their. So now I have all 6500k light on tops and sides. The tubes are 40w a piece which isnt alot but I have them just for side lights. Would having actual 43 watt cfl make a difference so I wouldnt have to have so many bulbs? .I think Im only going to have 3 plants so I can use less lights. How tall to I have to let my plants get to get a decent yield? I dont want them to get huge but I have space for 4 ft. I know a lot of questions but I just want to understand everything.
Ha thanx

As far as getting a decent yield look into Low Stress Training(LST) Basically you just stretch each individual branch out so the secondary branches can get light and grow up.
Check Out How To LST (Low Stress Training) (http://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/6834-how-lst-low-stress-training.html)

Another way is to use a Screen of Green or ScOG. ScOG is usually used in addition to LST but basically you place some kind of screen over your plants, about 6 in, and you fill each square of the screen with a bud site. LST you want to start when there pretty young but you'll need to wait til you get your plant stretched out to use ScOG, around the time you start to flower.

Another thing you can do is Fiming. With this technique you cut the top of the flower where its growing new leafs and instead of having one main flower or bud site you get 3-8 main bud sites. This Blog has a good diagram of what is happening.
Cannabis Forums Message Boards - Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Club, Dispensary, News (http://boards.cannabis.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2130075)

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http://boards.cannabis.com/closet-cabinet-growing/187275-400w-mh-hps-conver-bulb-grow-4x3x2cab-growlog.html

[bigsby]

See this tutorial for all things super cropping.

An Overview of Cannabis Training (ScrOG, SoG, FIM, Supercrop, LST, etc.)
(http://www.growery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/239247/fpart/1/vc/1)

[AMLBudGuy91]

Thanx for all the info guys I have some pics and a couple more questions. I found a 1000 watt hps/mh light for 135 so I figure If Im going to get a light my as well try to get a good one. I have some pics of the light for you guys to see. Just wondering if that will be enough light or will I still need side lights and such. I changed my setup again untill I can get my new light. I just added a downword reflector for all the lights so I hope that helps. So I was checking my plants and I saw roots at my drain holes, so I figured they were getting to big but I dont have any new pots so I took them out and broke up the soil and planted them higher since I had them planted aout half way but now one of my best ones is super droopy...the others seem fine. First pic is of the plant before I did the roots and second is what happened after. 3rd and 4th pic are of the biggest one and 5th is just another.

[bigtopsfinn]

Next time leave the roots untouched and just add soil. Damaging the roots will cause weird shit to happen above ground. :jointsmile:

A 1000w hps is more than enough light, usually covers an area of 4 x 4, even up to 5 x 5 with the right reflector. Gotta keep in mind though that it puts out some serious heat, so you'll need to invest as much $$$ or more in ventilation. Check out the growlogs and see how others with 1K's do it.

[budlover13]

I've found complete setups on the net that almost made me cry. I've spent more than the cost of the full set-up they offer. And I'm using CFL's and 4' fluoros! :( (1) - 400w HPS light with MH conversion, (1 ea) 400w HPS bulb & 400w MH bulb, ballast w/ 10' cord, (1) - 4-sided reflector, and (1) - dual outlet timer for only $165 + S&H.

High Tech Garden Supply (http://www.htgsupply.com/growlights.asp?categoryID=1&subcategoryID=155&typeID=55:()

[bigtopsfinn]

Yup kinda sucks, pretty good price on that package.

But you have to look at it this way... .5 grams per watt and up, so 200 grams with that light is very attainable. Plus you cut about a month off from your harvest cycles with hps vs. cfls and fluoros.

Add another $100 or so for ventilation (the more DIY the cheaper!) and you make back your invest and much more in one grow. There are DIY cooltube and carbon filter instructions on this site. Also google DIY Stanley Blower conversion (I think icmag has a thread on that).

[AMLBudGuy91]

Alright I haven't been of here for awhile because I don't have a computer ATM but I restarted all my plants with what I was told was some skywalker but I figure its just homegrown. Anyway they were doing way better then my last but then recently they started to droop and on two the top leaves are turning sideways.also some of the bottom leaves are turning yelloww and dying but its none of the big leaves just bottom leaveas near soil. I haven't given them any food yet and their only 4 weeks old today. I just changed the lighting to 18 and 6 to get them ready for flowering. I'm using two 50 Watt cfl 2700k 2 26w 6500k 2 23w 6500k and 2 tube flourescent 6500k but will be changing them to 2700k. Thing I want to know is what's wrong of course but the plant that looked the worst droopy wise but is the biggest plant I took outside and it perked up super well no droopyness. Why is that? And is is fine to do the same with the others? Last thing which I almost forgot my plants aren't in flowering yet the they all sexed. I had one male and have 3 females. How?