Help I'm a newb and I don't want to screw this up!

After putting it off for about a month I'm finally a week away from starting my grow. I think I have everything I need, but I don't want to start this and realize I'm missing something important. I recently came across two of those "space blankets" that come in first aid kits. As far as I can tell they're mylar, so they would be better than just the white walls in my closet now, right??? But they do have wrinkles and creases so I don't know if the light will get reflected evenly and such. Also is it ok if two walls are mylar and two walls are just painted because that's as much mylar that I have??

Second question is regarding soil. Right now I have two bags of an organic potting mix of primarily Canadian peat moss, reed-sedge peat moss, perlite, and lime. From what I read that sounds like a good soil for my plants, but it doesn't say how much of said stuff is in there. Does this stuff sound like I don't need to worry about the soil and ph levels and stuff????

Final question is about lighting, right now I have 3 40w cfls and 4 23w cfls. I have plenty of lumens, nearly 15,000. However, they're all 2700K. I know the 6400K or 5000K is better for veg, but I'd rather not spend anymore money. What is the difference going to be if I don't get any full spectrum lights?? If it really will retard the plants' growth than I guess I'll be willing to buy a few new lights so then I'd just be mixing them with the 2700K ones. 10000Bulbs.com - The light bulb superstore! Light bulbs - Sylvania, Westinghouse and TCP Fluorescent, Halogen and projector bulbs at 10000Bulbs.com has 30w cfls @ 2000 lumens each for like 5 bucks a piece so I could pick up like 3 of them. Is 6000 lumens good enough for awhile during veg?

If you took the time to read this I can't thank you enough. Help a brother out. I'll get some pics up when I actually start this thing....man I'm starting to get giddy like a little school girl haha

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Originally Posted by illini420

Final question is about lighting, right now I have 3 40w cfls and 4 23w cfls. I have plenty of lumens, nearly 15,000. However, they're all 2700K. I know the 6400K or 5000K is better for veg, but I'd rather not spend anymore money. What is the difference going to be if I don't get any full spectrum lights?? If it really will retard the plants' growth than I guess I'll be willing to buy a few new lights so then I'd just be mixing them with the 2700K ones. 10000Bulbs.com - The light bulb superstore! Light bulbs - Sylvania, Westinghouse and TCP Fluorescent, Halogen and projector bulbs at 10000Bulbs.com has 30w cfls @ 2000 lumens each for like 5 bucks a piece so I could pick up like 3 of them. Is 6000 lumens good enough for awhile during veg?

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The higher spectrum lights are a better use for veg. because they make your plants bushy so that they don't stretch on you! Considering your doing an indoor grow that's what you would want to use considering you don't want a lanky 5 to 6 foot plant in your closet or grow room.....I'd go with the higher spectrum for veg and the lower for budding.....Also the lower spectrum during budding gives you dense buds as where higher spectrum gives your fluffy bud.......So if you can get the higher for veg. that's definitely the way to go.....Also it all depends on how many plants you are trying to grow.....I'd use at least 3 for each female plant, but that's just me! Just remember to keep the bulbs 2-3 in. from the tops for the best outcome....Now all is left is to start and wish ya good luck!!!!!

I would stick with the white walls myself unless you get some TRUE mylar. The wrinkles and creases in the space blanket will create hot spots and can cause problems. Also if 2 walls are one thing and other 2 are something else you wont have a uniform light reflection going on and the area will not have the same amount of light across the grow space.

Thank you for being so very respectful. +rep!

Try to find some 23 watt 6500k CFLs. They may be 7 or 8 bucks each, but they are very bright. Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT let any part of the plant touch the bulbs as it WILL burn them before you know it. ~3 is optimal.

Keep it up!

You in illinois? just wonderin....

nope, I'm just a big illinois fan after they had deron, luther and dee...theyre good this year though.