Dizzys 1st go at grow. CFL/Cab W/ Bagseed

So half of my stepchild bagseed beans popped today after 3 days of making me wonder, :) 4 beans taking flight, 1 bean starting to show and 3 lazy ones.

Seed "room" was just something whipped up to force me into creating the cab and getting the ball rolling. I have 18 more seeds and time to kill if something goes to pot.. err, to shit.. Going to pot wouldn't be all that bad. ;)
Set-up for the seedling was a peat pellet dome with 8 seeds loaded up. (2) 13 watt CFL at 2700 CS were there mostly for heat and a little light. Temp averaged 70-80 F the entire time. I checked on the seeds each evening and there was nothing up until tonight and it seems the ball is indeed rolling.

The cab work you see here was built this far in the evening. The previous cab(not shown and deconstructed) showed the ability of my polish crafting ways and it was just too booty to keep patching together, so I started from scratch and so far it's going along smoothly... I just better hurry! lol

So enjoy and I will post as things move along.

Couple of days later, all 8 seeds have popped for the most part. Changed out one of the 13 watters for a 23 watt @ 6500K and lowered the tray about 4" from the lights. Keeping a close eye on the temps, might need to open a hole in that PC case to vent.
Also bought some soil today, I've been nervous about cooking the roots when I transplant so I bought some Black Gold-All Purpose potting soil when the time arises to move up.
Any advise or comments on that?
While I'm asking, and if someone is looking, should I just plunk the whole pete pack plant combo in the new pots when it's time, or take the pete off... please say I can keep it on and just cut off the surrounding netting.

Other than this, the cab is coming along slowly, got the door mounted, needs to be shimmed and a rubber seal installed. Oh! made a custom hood out of a 6" (maybe 4") piece of ducting that I split down the middle and used some metal strap to shape into an open C. Mounted some hardware and test hung it, it works. I'll post that pick after I finish up a few more things and roll on some white.


Any guesses as to Sativa or Indica yet? Not sure if you can tell.

Thanks for lookin!

Last pick was one I missed from the 1st post, nothing "new" yet in it.

Dizzy, can you get your lights any closer to your plants? With CFL's you shouldn't have to worry about burning unless they're actually touching the leaves. Your stems look healthy, but way stretched.

Oh I can for sure move them closer, I just wasen't sure how close that young of a plant should get. I knew the older plants could be, what, 3-4" away, I was just erring on the side of caution.

I thought they were stretching alot.

And thank you for the constructive comments, they'll always be appreciated.

no problem. i don't want to mislead you, though. make sure you have a fan on the plants or toward the lights to help cool things down if the lights are that close...and keep monitoring your temperatures between whatever space there is between the bulb and plant. strive for 72 - 82 F.

just a hint watch out, taking fotos with date time and too much background can place your growthplace for outsiders:)

keep up the good work.

Yea, I changed over the other bulb to a matching 6500K, raised them up, little more water and now I'm really keeping an eye on the temp... Hovering at 82 and that's at night, I have a perfect fan/filter I can kinda wedge in the case to combat this.
It's amazing how quickly these plants react to changes, like a matter of hours and they've already turned towards that one 6500K light, you'll see in the pic. I knew right there I had to change the other light over.
Still moving along on the cab, got a quick layer of "killz" flat white on a good chunk of the inside, ran out of paint... figures. Once it's coated I'll cut out the vents and mount some power points, lights, etc.
Wondering when a good point to transplant is? I know, read and read... but these things are getting fairly tall, there is still room to grow in the temp housing, but those pete pots will only last for so long. Speaking of transplanting, I made the mistake of wandering the gardening isle... never thought I would spend an hour doing that looking for goodies... always go with a list!! which I need to make to be sure I get the right stuff.
They'll be making a stop over in some red party cups to get used to real soil/nutes before going into a perm home once I find some freakin square pots large enough... who'd ah think those were so in demand.. it's only summer. ;)

And RLB, I know what your talking about and I try to make sure there isn't anything truely incriminating in the pics, but I will take no more chances and clean up the non-needed background items. Thanks and good call.

Last pic is one of the sewer vent I just noticed. It's within reach if I wanted to try and tie into it... but it's on an 1-1/2" and I'm not sure that would work. Back pressure from the fan and what not, might check it out and test it. That would save me building a scrubber... not that building a scrubber is a big deal.

On to the pics!

Here are more pics after the light change.

This is a post from another section.

lol
All I can do is laugh, I already got po'd off last night.

I greatly appreciate the replies, they helped tremendously, or rather they would have if I asked the question a few days earlier and recieved the same replies. As it is I got home last night and lifted up my little pete pots of love and lo and behold... a fricking root nightmare unfolded. I can't believe I didn't look under them before, chalk that up no experience. Anyway, roots, lots of roots, and lots of long roots. If the main root didn't wad up between the peat and the netting, it grew through it... and some grew into their neighbors netting. So I spent 2 hours doing my best surgical work (after 4-5 hours of sleep all week since I'm up late setting up the nursery). In the end 2 of the plants had the main root severed right at the base of the "pot", I didn't cut it, but all the handling finally took it's toll. The other six ended up having some chunk of the webbing still attached to the main root, the 1st transplant is when 1 of the roots went, so I was too scared of it happening again and just did the best I could without damage.
All 8 are now in their second home and as of this mornings check, seem to still be pointing skywards, which is good. I don't have any pics as it was 2am when I finished the potting and resetting up the PC case they're in to maximize space and changed out 2 lights for more lumens. Also added a 2" ABS 90 degree elbow out the back with a small fan attached to expell the heat. Still getting a bit too warm so tonight I will make an intake.
Didn't add any rooting hormones, just light watering to the new soil. Stinky hadn't replied yet and the root mess I encountered meant I had to act, here's hoping for the best.

I did find a mogul socket I plan to use in the main cabinet, now I just need to find one of those 125 watt CFL's I've seen so many people use. I want to find one locally. I didn't get the ballast, so I assume that rules out the use of a 100-175 watt MH/HPS. I plan to read if I need a ballast on a bulb that small, assuming I will though.

Things I've learned thus far.

Pete Pots are awsome in terms of a fairly sure fire way to get the ball rolling. Just check the bottom every day after the seeds sprouts and transplant as soon as you see the root! Otherwise you.. well you now know what'll happen.

Get the lights closer.. no closer.. CLOSER DANGIT! (CFLs)

Only use the 6500K lights (or close), don't bother mixing the lights, they only like the 6500K at this stage.

If using a PC case to start it, gut it completely. You don't need the 5-1/4" drive cage, drill out the rivets and GUT it, everything else but the frame and the skin get in the way. Make all the "final adjustments" up front so you don't have to do it on the fly. Rig up a small active exhaust and have a remote temp probe.

Have the final grow area completed before you germ, splitting time between the two means a serious decrease in sleep time. Sprouting happens before you know it and needs your attention now, not when you can make time. Growth waits for no person!

And I'm freakin beat. It's just like bringing a new baby home and sleepless night that follow. But I'm still a proud poppa! Just a seriously tired and frizzled one. lol

Nice start hope you keep us all updated. We all learn from are growing mistakes its all part of the process of growing. You seem dedicated and I see a sea of greeness in your future.

Thanks Root, I'm enjoying the labor so far... kinda sadistic, I'm not taking care of myself, but I'm bird dogging the lil ones. Like a hen...
peeks in cab, that he's been busy on, and checks how they're doing

I finished painting the inside of the cab.
Finished the home made hood. I like to call it the HMH.
Mounted (4) 24 watt GE Daylight, 6500k
And (1) 42 watt Lights of America - Big Funky Bulb. BFB if you will.
Ran it on some string and lowered it on the plants. Looks pretty good IMHO.
And damned if I don't have the camera to share.

Soon!

Well crap. I think DFYS will be stopping by. (department of youth services)
I stopped by the house at lunch after I picked up some more tools. I lifted the hood and was pretty shocked. I guess I didn't take into account how much more heat would be retained with the hood, and the addition of the 42 watt BFB, half of the plants are in rough shape with damage to the top leafs and 2 of those are pretty bad... I knew I would have to split up this op with 4 in the cab (if they were females) and the rest I would set up at my buddies house, but I didn't want to do it like this. Of course it happened to the 4 healthiest, I.E. tallest and "bushiest" ones. dangit.
But, it happens, right? I pulled the lights up a couple 3-4" inches higher, watered and went back to work. I think they'll make it, but... who knows.
Pics later.

Main tool I picked up was a moisture meter, which told me half of the pots were dry dry dry. I didn't want to overwater after the transplant and I think that didn't help with the burns.

Lessons lessons lessons!

Things look a little better than before, still not pretty, but ok...ish
Still not 100% finished with the cab.
The reflector/lights look kinda mean, I like the close up side picture of the lights over the plants.
I'm kinda ripped and it looks like something out of a Alien invasion movie with the plants cowering in fear (and rightfully so) of the craft. :rasta:

And things look "better" than earlier.:(

Added a 2" exhaust.
Runs from that inside 90, to an outside 90 then down a 6' or so 2" shop vac hose, then to a PC fan, I believe it's an 80mm and it moves a decent amount of air, cab has been sealed for an hour and the temp is 76.7F., 24.5C.
I'll still be adding an Intake and more than likely I'll also enlarge the exhaust port. Well see where I decide to route the end and the sound.
Don't mind the safetly blanket, it's sole purpose is to take that last little bit of light glow away when the room is dark.

Wow, Dizz. I admire your set-up...I really do. I hope to be sharing my own progress with you all soon. I am curious as to what you plan on doing if the plants outgrow the box? It is unfortunate what happened to your plants but you really seem to have the right touch...the green touch. :)
Good luck & keep us updated!

Thanks Ganj. :jointsmile:
I put a decent chunk of time into it all and I'm starting to be able to enjoy it a little more as the projects die down. Nice to be able to fire one up before midnight. I don't do that fuzzy construction, I enjoy my finger tips too much... so to speak.
A couple are starting develope noticable second limbs. Can't wait until the messed up leaves dissapear, I didn't even feel like a pic. Couple days and I will.
As to the growth, I figure it like this.
I started with 8 bagseed. Decent smoke, but god damn there was a lot of seeds! I think in the 2 grams I bummed, the ratio was 50/50 seed and weed.
Ok, so I'm :rastasmoke: and you got a story, my bad.
So I really figured this...
That of the 8 planted I would guess at least 2-3 would be boys. I think I could try for 3 in this cab with LSTing. My buddy would take the left overs and give it a go with already established females then. I think he could take a 200 watt HID, we'd figure something out. I also think I'll put these into flowering in another week, maye 2. They're already a week and some change old, would also help keep them smaller.

Thanks again. :thumbsup:

Some updated pics and the addition of a little suprise. :)

Plants seem to have recovered from the burning, one seems unsure though.
Soil is very dry in these pics, the fan and CFLs rape the soil of moisture very quickly. After the photo shoot I added an inch of MG moisture control soil to the top and watered heavily. I figure the minute addition of nutes shouldn't hurt much, it was an inch or less addition to the cups, so very minimal.
The last pic was a freebie I picked up a few weeks ago. I wasn't sure it was operable and I thought the bulb was burnt out... I was blindedly wrong. :stoned: In fact I'm still blind... It's a 150 watt HPS bulb with matching fixture. Since I know it works I will try to fab up a sheetmetal enclose so I don't have to install this heavy duty outside security enclosure in my cabinet.
Also not shown in the addition of a 1.5" passive intake mounting on the front portion of the floor and leading to the side of the box where the exhaust is. The pipe runs about 3' into the box and I configured a temp light trap with 3 90 degree elbow outside the cab, just to keep it dark while the silicone seals set up and then I can configure it how I want it.
I might try the HPS for the evening to see how the cab handles the temp and see if I need to work on more intake or exhaust.

wow your a mad handy man eh;) great job with everything

I don't know how handy I am, but I sure can rig some sh*t. ;)

And thanks!

oops

Updates

There lookin alot better then before nice ta see them still alive bro.

damn i posted a photo in your section on accedent im high, but the plants are looking good keep the updates up!

lol, no worries and thanks!

Those suckers have grown a lot since I last checked in...nice recovery...stay the course, man!

Thanks Daze!
I don't know what strain they are, but they sure are fiesty, eh?
I needed a robusto strain to try out my green thumb and these are working out pretty good so far. No complaints!

Did another transplant last night. Plants were root bound like a mo fo!
I'm going to need to weed out half of them asap, my cab space got a teeeensy bit smaller. ;) Checked on them all this morning and.. wow... they all have taken to the bigger pots with some vigor!
And they're starting to stink, smell good, but still stink. This weekend will be filter making time.

I'll update pics tonight.

From this afternoon.

Hey,

I have a setup Im thinking of building almost identical to your pc case one, I have 2x13w CFLs and I was wondering how it worked out for you? Also a general question, how much smell do those seedlings put out? Thanks!


:jointsmile:

Well, the case was good for the initial germination, and probably could have lasted up until this point if there were much fewer plants. I wouldn't do more than 3 in there, maybe 2 if you wanted to give them they're best growing chance. Keep in mind though that you will want to remove everything out of it, no drive cages, they just waste alot of space.
I used a black trash bag to line it and duct tape to keep it in place. You'll want an active exhaust fan, I used a 2" 90 degree elbow with a case fan and sealed it in the rear of the case. You should set up a passive intake as well. If your creative, you'll figure out a way.
My plan for next time is to get a matching case and bolt them together side by side with no panels between the two and set it up just like I did with a single case. I would like the extra room to move things around and have the plants able to stretch out more before I have to move them into the cab. I hope to put clones in there if I decide to go the clone route. In the end, the case worked great for it's intended purpose, germination with a little bit of veg time. (2) 13 watt CFLs will do just fine (6500k). Read my log about light distance... and learn. ;)

As for the smell, from what I have read, it varies from none (at my current growth age) to a deffinate, "I know what that smell is". I'm at the "I know what that smell is", stage. It's not over powering, there is a faint "wet green weed" smell in my office/grow room. Very faint, but getting stronger by the day. You can pick up one of the plants and take a wiff and have no doubt what the plant is. Just remember that I have 8 plants and no exhaust filter and nothing to cover the smell up... which will be worked on tonight in the hope it will last me a couple of days until I can make a Kitty litter filter.

Good luck!

Ok, thanks for the great info! :D

Ill probably only be letting them grow big enough until it warms up and I can move them outside. Im thinking Ill start with only two in it too. as for an air filter, I was thinking about maybe just putting a dryer sheet freshener thing over the fan so that it kind of masks the smell a bit. Hopefully my plants wont smell too bad. Why did you put the garbage bag in there out of curiosity?

To help mask the light and add a water barrier in case I got too carried away watering the plants. ;)


Don't count on it being too light proof without adding something, you'd be surprised.

And your welcome!

Light proof would be pretty important actually. I was all go until I went to put my side panel on, and It wasnt the right one. I cant seem to find a decent enough case here, Im going to try and find myself a nice old server sized tower if I can. Thanks for all the help!

Heh, you'll for sure need a full tower(server).
If you've got a second hand computer store look for an Inwin case, they're about as tall as you can get, and easily gutted.

Dear diary,

Today I decided to get a few more lights. I picked up another BFB (Big freakin bulb) and -sighs- and getto'd it up on top of the one I'm going to call Bertha and she comes with a theme song.
"One of these things is not like the others, guess which one it is".
There are a couple of plants in there that I'm sure got their lunch money taken by her. You'll notice em, the skinny sickly looking kids with bad skin and glasses. One of which is one of the two that got their roots severed when I tried to take the netting off those Peat pellets when I transplanted. I believe the second one could be the other Lost root case.
Anyway, the growth is really surprising to me, especially that one... Bertha.
Got my pantyhose. :D To build the scrubber... perverts. What a treat that was. How many times do you get to ask the shoe department gal,
"This might sound like an odd question, but where are your pantyhose?"
I went on to explain, because I had to... I could only act like it didn't mean anything for song long, I know what would be going through my mind if I were her.
"I wonder if he wants a quickie"
Or maybe, "Transvestite? I wonder if he knows Larry in the Deli department, don't think I didn't see you at that club Larry, you could have just told me about your other life, I would have understood Larry, I would have understood! You didn't need to leave...".
So I said there was another use for pantyhose... and she looked at me with question in her eyes... She probably thinks I'm going to rob a bank.

And it's FRIDAY! :rastabanna: WOOOOooooo.....

And yes I lightly sprayed the leaves this evening, and I made sure there wasn't any drops on the leaves by the time I lowered the lights.

There looking so much better now that there enviroment is in range , good job.

Built a kitty litter scrubber and changed the exhaust layout.
I got one of those cheapy 6" Inductor fans and since I'm not using 6" duct, the 120mm moved more air with 4" duct. I figured 6" might do ok, but it didn't and it was a freebie anyway, they never rung it up.
Those scrubbers work AWESOME. I don't smell crap! or plants.
Next time I make one, I will use window screen material instead of pantyhose, I think it'll be more durable.

very good lamp source, they're in Texas, ship fast -
Light Bulbs, Rope Lights, Halogen & Fluorescent Light Bulbs
:smokin:

They definitely have what ever bulb your lookin for.