my first indoor grow with cfls

[harrybuzz]

first 0f all, i am a NOOB to the growing of really anything green. i will not always use the correct punctuation, but i will try to write correctly. so unless you are my english teacher, please do not comment on my writing style thanks. ok so i am an a..hole! please just comment on the grow i am using some 150 watt equivalent cfls and some 100 watters. i am trying to find the ones with the highest lumens. i am using aurora products as far as the soil is concerned. i will purchase some of their nutes soon. i have just repotted them and started the 18/6 lighting cycle on two white rhino and one blue dream. i will post some pics soon . the white rhinos were a little root bound and the leaves were starting to droop before i repotted they are looking a little better since. i possibly should have used some anti shock nutes, as my experience increases, or as to the collective suggestions of this forum. the mylar i found at a party store 3- 18 inch by 30 inch sheets for $ 1.99 . the lights i made from a $1.19 6 foot extension chord and some lamp components from any hardware store. this is a very cheap way of making this grow room. i plan to harvest once i get this down is a crop every 3 to 4 weeks of hopefully of a 2 to 3 ounces. i will post some pics in the next hour.

[harrybuzz]

in the third pic of the white rhino it was a little root bound and this is what it looked like the morning after repotting .any suggestions or observations no matter how obvious is appreciated

[PhatJay]

first 0f all, i am a NOOB to the growing of really anything green. i will not always use the correct punctuation, but i will try to write correctly. so unless you are my english teacher, please do not comment on my writing style thanks.

Not going to cuss your punctuation (If I struggle to read something I just don't reply) but it would be easier to read if it wasn't in one solid wall of text ;)



i am using some 150 watt equivalent cfls and some 100 watters.

It's best to quote actual wattage rather than equivalent as this is what most people work in. What spectrum are the lights you are using?


i am trying to find the ones with the highest lumens.

Good move


i plan to harvest once i get this down is a crop every 3 to 4 weeks of hopefully of a 2 to 3 ounces.

What are your expectations with your current setup? If you get half a gram a watt (actual wattage) on your 1st grow you will be doing well. If you get 1g a watt you will have got things locked down.


any suggestions or observations no matter how obvious is appreciated

Do you have ventilation fans? Have you got the right mix of bulbs spectrum wise for veg and flower?


So far they look good to me... :thumbsup:

[harrybuzz]

when i first set up the grow closet i was a super noob. i did not keep a record of the wattage, plus i might have some soft white mixed in.(most all of my bulbs were what i had in storage) i will be replacing all of them soon to make sure i have the correct lights. i will then record the total # of watts and lumens. the fan i am using is a bit big. its one i had around the house. i am going to have two grow spaces, maybe 3. two will be for vegging and flowering ,and one space for the babies, for when i start to cut my own clones. it will be a fun challenge to design 3 spaces, that are all cooled by one fan and yet be light proof. the only expectation i have now is to produce some medicine. as i learn more i will concentrate on bigger yields. as for now, it is just lets see what i can do.

[harrybuzz]

i tried to separate the sentences. but the forum program stuffed it all together to make it seem like one long paragraph. i am still learning my way around.

[harrybuzz]

I JUST SCORED THESE TWO HPS LIGHTS FROM HOME DEPOT for as you can see a great price currently there are 4 more at this price and store .i am going to put them around a vegging plant and see what happens when i trick it(12-12) prematurely.

[Weezard]

You are having fun.:)

Might have to lower your expectations a bit.
Doing it "on the cheap" almost always costs more in the long run.

No matter, the simple act of growing is a joyful thing.
And the journey is it's own reward.

I have a bigger "jones" for growing than I do for smoking.:jointsmile:
Think I'll pull up a chair fo' da contact high up in here.:hippy:
Grow on bro!:cool:

Aloha
Weezard

[harrybuzz]

i found a great deal on some 50 watt hps outdoor security system lights. and upon further reading of the box it lists the color as bronze. at first i thought it meant the color of the light housing but they are black and compared to the cfl's i am using they have a bronze hue. so now i have to find out whats up with the bronze color and if it can do. so if you have any thoughts i'd appreciate it at the least got the hps ballast's real cheap and i can switch out the bulbs for the white if need be. the plants are liking it so far. heres a pic of my latest configuration. the top has my blue dream with 3 -50 watt 4050 lumens 9.99$ hps lights with one 23 watt 1500 lumens cfl, the bottom has two white rhino with two 50 watt 4050 lumens hps,and two 30 watt 2100 lumens cfl's and one 30 watt 1845 lumens cfl, my humidity is good and the temp stays around 78

[bigtopsfinn]

Kinda sucks it doesn't give a Kelvin rating for the color on those HPS, but from here it looks pretty good. And with 4000 lumens each, as long as the temps are in range you should be fine. :thumbsup:

[r2thizzl3]

I am liking what i am seeing so far.

[PhatJay]

Color temps of the HPS security lights are 2000k.

[harrybuzz]

i have some rather large dark green leafs. i am not sure if i should trim them? what do you all think

[harrybuzz]

heres the pics

[TokinTebow]

heres the pics

Keep them till they die... wtf u want me to cut off ur nicest arm? I'd say those leaves are taking in 30% of what ur plant takes in so if you want a smaller crop go ahead buddy:rastasmoke:

[harrybuzz]

i was thinking, they might be telling me there is to much N. the size of the Leafs maybe saying it is to humid ? but the relative humidity is 60. i am using the aurora brand organic soil. i have added nothing but water, and not much of that . i don't want to over water. oh and by the way what is the best technique to water my babies?

[Weezard]

i was thinking, they might be telling me there is to much N. the size of the Leafs maybe saying it is to humid ? but the relative humidity is 60. i am using the aurora brand organic soil. i have added nothing but water, and not much of that . i don't want to over water. oh and by the way what is the best technique to water my babies?

I vote for the gravity method.:D

Fill a pot with dry soil, then heft it.
Make a mental note, (or weigh it and record the weight.)
Then water it 'til run-off and heft it again.

Now you know the limits.
With V. large pots, I jus' give a li'l kick.
If they move, I water 'em.:rastasmoke:

And please leave those healthy, green, photosynthesis factories/nitrogen storage bins, alone.
If, you want big healthy gals when you go into flower, that is.

Aloha and good luck,
Weezard

[harrybuzz]

and to everyone else that have been helping

[Weezard]

and to everyone else that have been helping

No trouble, I was in da neighborhood.

"i was thinking, they might be telling me there is to much N. the size of the Leafs maybe saying it is to humid "

Relaxation is in order.:jointsmile:
Mostly what dem leaves is sayin' is;
"Thanks for takin' such good care of us, we are very happy girls.":)


Weeze

[harrybuzz]

i put all the lights and plants on one shelf to maximize lighting. so thats two white rhino 1 blue dream (my most favorite) and a mazar. they all look real healthy. know i need to learn about clones. and there is plenty of info in this forum so i don't have to ask many ?'s

[harrybuzz]

6- 50 watt, 250 eqv. output ,HPS.4000 lumens ,2000k.and 5 cfls i take my first clones tonight!

[PhatJay]

You need to do something about that exposed wiring. That could be very dangerous. Especially if you are watering your plants around that circuit board.

[bigsby]

ditto PhatJay. That is a real hazard. Fire and electrocution are no fun. Deal with that ASAP.

[harrybuzz]

its safer than it looks. the only exposed wiring is on two of the 50 watt hps lights. those will be modified soon so as not to electrocute myself. the hps lights have been wired in series with wire nuts and tape. the power cord is rated at 15 amps and i am in no way close to overloading it. each cfl is on its own cord running to a surge protector. i am fine tuning the grow daily , thanks for the imput.

[Weezard]

its safer than it looks. the only exposed wiring is on two of the 50 watt hps lights. those will be modified soon so as not to electrocute myself. the hps lights have been wired in series with wire nuts and tape. the power cord is rated at 15 amps and i am in no way close to overloading it. each cfl is on its own cord running to a surge protector. i am fine tuning the grow daily , thanks for the imput.

Decent job fo' a quickie.:rastasmoke:

Even took the time to tape the wirenuts.
Looks safe enough to me and I'm the electrician,
(or someone like him.:D)

But I'm pretty sure you meant to type parallel.
'course series is mo' easy to spell.:D

Grow on!

Weeze

[budlover13]

What are your expectations with your current setup? If you get half a gram a watt (actual wattage) on your 1st grow you will be doing well. If you get 1g a watt you will have got things locked down.

Another noob question if you could please humor me: When everyone talks about 1gram or 1/2gram per watt, is that per plant?:jointsmile:

I would greatly appreciate your help with this. I also have a grow log for my first time grow (indoors). Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[harrybuzz]

phatjay made that statement, i am still learning and i am not experienced enough to consider watts to gram ratios. yet. but thanks to this forum i will know eventually

[PhatJay]

When everyone talks about 1gram or 1/2gram per watt, is that per plant?

No. It is total crop divided by watts.

[harrybuzz]

i have switched from cfls's to hps. the only catch is i have 14, 50 watt ,4050 lumens apiece, spread over a 34 inch wide by 26 deep and up to 8 foot area. i created a piece to hold 4 lights. take a look

[harrybuzz]

the last 8 lights were 7.00$ apiece. at this price i could not refuse . even at 14 lights i am only drawing 7 amps 0r 700 watts or 56,700 lumens or( 3500 watts equivalent ) on average i paid 8.00 per light.

[valstar]

Were these on a clearance Isle or some thing? I looked and only saw the normal prices on them. I guess each store is different. Man i sure could use some HPS lights for that low price. I live on limited income so splurging on lights means bills dont get paid.

[ForgetClassC]

That's gotta be against some kind of code, lol.

-C

[harrybuzz]

i was (because how cheap i am) going to go with a all cfl grow. and i got off to a good start with them. i just happened to be in the lighting section of home depot in capitola cali. when i saw these lights priced at 9.49$ so purchased a couple and then just kept checking when ever i go there. i think there is one more box of 4 priced at 29.99. its a mistake, they should be sold seperately. i am taking advantage of a pricing error. so far i have 14, yes i know, that by now ,i could have purchased a used system for the amount i have in this current set up. one reason i like the multiple lights is they can be placed all over. instead of one over head. hopefully, this will put the light in places that an overhead wont reach. my only concern is that it is a bronze colored light . i have not been able to find a spectrum analysis for this type of bulb. i am hoping, i have stumbled upon something good ,considering the plant uses more of the red spectrum of light during flowering(i think) this light also maybe the reason that i have some real fat leaves. i will slowly replace some of the bronze bulbs with some white ones, but even those 50 watt bulls are around 22.00$. so now i am no longer a cfl grow. i should have this thread moved. this is also typical of a lot NOOBs and SUPERNOOBs ( like me) starting out cheap and then end up spending more money than if you did it correctly the first time. but i am learning a lot and having fun!

[GROWxMOREx420]

Get a HPS.

[Weezard]

"but i am learning a lot and having fun! ":thumbsup::cool:

'nuff said!

Aloha nui.

Weeze:jointsmile:

[harrybuzz]

heres some pics of the ever evolving grow room. the height of the circular piece of plywood is adjustable. i think i am only about 2 weeks from flower. i am still reading up on what to look for. i 've had to treat for lil flies (neem oil) and i have to get them under control before flowering. i just read where some people treat the soil with neem oil before planting, i want to use this method with my next repot . any info on this technique would be appreciated.

[harrybuzz]

well last nite i repotted to 3 gal pots. i am getting ready to flower and i needed to get the lil flies (gnats) under control. so i mixed up 3 gallons of neem oil, water, and some dish soap, and did the dunk method. when i removed the plant and already had it upside down i just submerged the entire plant in the neem oil solution. i did this on 2 of the 4 plants so as not to mess all of them up at the same time, in case i did it improperly. on my next garden i will do it when i get then as teen clones. the dispensary i deal with sells clones of different ages which makes it much easier for the SUPERNOOBS.

[harrybuzz]

well that did not work very well. it stressed one plant so much i had to remove it. the dispensary that i get my clones from said they neem oil dunk when they get them. so i will combat the ants in different ways.

[Weezard]

Last I read, it was fungus gnats, or at least flying bugs.

Ants are different critters.
More than just a nuisance, they "ranch" aphids.
Graze them on our sap so dey can lick dere li'l behinds fo' honeydew.
The nerve!

The good news is;
Ants are easy to thwart.

Here's what I do.
[attachment=o255165]
I flower inside, and outside, in 5 gallon DWC buckets.:thumbsup:
About 2/3 way up da bucket, I wrap wide, blue, masking tape.
Then I smear the tape with "Tanglefoot".
Stops all kine malicious buggahs.
'cept da flies.
When a bucket is not in service, I up-end 'em and set ladies in pots of coco on them, like li'l bug-free tables.

Stops crawlies before they evah reach da bottom of da pots.

Safe and sure!:cool:

That's my 2 cents on crawlies.

The skinny on gnats will cost ya a nickle, minimum.:D
Aloha,
Weeze

[harrybuzz]

i don't have a problem with ants. it should have read "gnats" my spell check thinks neem oil is" enema oil" i have to reread my posts to correct my spelling and the computers misinterpretations.

[Weezard]

"...my spell check thinks neem oil is" enema oil"


So do I!
But it's prolly unsuitable fo' dat as well.:)


It's "organic", yah?
It's also toxic, and it stinks.

But, to each his own.
You like it you ingest it.

Aloha,
Weeze

[harrybuzz]

i thought i would post the latest pics. i am in the 3rd week of flowering.

[harrybuzz]

i am using the aurora product line and just applied the aurora hpk and some molasses last nite. i will make a tea next app.
the cling wrap covering the top of the plant container seems to be working quite well combatting the gnats. the buds are looking like they might be light and fluffy i hope they get denser hence the addition of the nutes, being a noob ( thank goodness no longer a supernoob thanks to this forum) i was hoping i could plod along and get lucky with a good grow. but luck has nothing to do with it. you can get lucky purchasing the equipment but getting a decent grow and buds you are proud of takes a lot of reading and listening to the more experienced members. so i will be purchasing more nutes along the way to make my next grow more substantial. with a limited space i want to max out the potential. i will post some pics of the flower development tonite.

[harrybuzz]

That last post is a bit rough to read. http://boards.cannabis.com/images/smilies/stoned.gif

[harrybuzz]

heres the pic that would load. i am having trouble loading the pics

[harrybuzz]

here are the latest pics. looking yummy!