2nd grow log

Hey. This will be my 2nd grow log here, 4th go around with parenthood :thumbsup:

I'm actually on day 2 with my batch of 6. Adding a 7th on day 3, that one's in incubation right now.

2 kids are already working on their 1st set of nodes. 1 is showing off its cots, 1 has just broken its shell and surfaced. However its a little lime green at the moment, I'm concerned about any stress it might be undergoing, time will tell. The other 2 are still on their way to surface. Number 7 is in isolation working with natural day light, I wanna make sure this one is set and ready before I add to the group.

The group's under 78w CFL:
(1) 42w Warm CFL
(2) 13w Warm CFL
(1) 10w Daylight Spectrum CFL

The 3 weak lights will be replaced with more 42w CFLs, and much more will be added in time. The kids are being supplimented with daylight as well. I'm looking to make sure they healthy and ready for more intense light and transplanting. As well I'm working on my budget, but in time I expect to have a growbin set and secured with an adjustable light rig, filtered ventilation and so forth.

I noticed some initial stretching with the 2 bigger ones. This was prior to using the CFLs, just one day of regular sunlight. Currently the CFLs are half a foot over the group. I'll add some dull aluminum foil to the area to maximize light intensity. This should help some, but I expect the hotspots won't come, if not as harsh, if I keep the distance, hoping the intensity will disipate or distribute a little more evenly. Time will tell!

I don't find it picture worthy yet, but I am cataloging the changes. I'll photograph their status tomorrow, after their first encounter with indoor lighting.

alright..

replaced the 3 weaker bulbs with 20w warm cfls.

original output = 78w
current output = 102w

5 kids out the dirt now, last one hasn't surfaced yet.
The two late bloomers seem to have some stress. Healthy green, but the two leaves at the 1st node are curled into a crescent shape. As well, their sizes are MUCH smaller compared to the other 3. Seeds taken from mids, so I'm expecting a couple "autistic" growths.

#7 hasn't surfaced yet either. I was late in sticking this one in the dirt, the white hairs on the half inch root were already a little visible, so I'm expecting this one to have some trouble readapting.

The seeds were germinated in a brown paper towel, to give a little history behind it.

The other 3 however are responding positively. With the help of the CFLs there was little to no change in the length of the stems on the older 2 that were stretching. Leaves are growing well, all healthy green. The 3rd one REALLY played catch-up, I was impressed at how fast this one grew to the others' sizes in a day. This one also seemed to have leveled off, the 3 seem to be comfortable with their distance. Originally I had the kids covered under plastic wrap to shield off intensity and maintain a moist environment. I didn't want the soil drying out too fast. They've all managed to reach their plastic ceiling, so i had to cut slits into the plastic for them to grow out.

Pictures are provided. Still working on my budget so I can manage a better operation. I'm drawing up schematics for a self sufficient grow bin, allthewhile implimenting ideas i've learned from you guys over the years!

Pics

1 more

6/17
modified a cardboard box to grow in, using roughly 20ft of dull aluminum foil and a surge protector for the 4 lamps.

after 1-2 days, 1st set of node leaves began to fold upwards toward the light and inwards, I'm guessing this is an indication of heat stress. theres (2) 1.5in x3in vents in the bin, im guessing to small..
the oldest one incurred a burn on the tip of its leaf, NOT sure how it got their at all, at first i thought it was leftover residue from the inner shell skin, but a closer look indicated a burn. Plant is still healthy though and is continuing its growth, but I'm being extra careful..

this needs to be addressed immediately.. after giving them a day of regular sunlight, the leaves seemed to have calmed down and continued to work on their second nodes.

and so forth I...

replaced the lamps though with plugin light sockets and a 3way electric plug. Made a mount with (2) 2x4s cut down to fit inside the box and support the lights.. Now the lights are higher from the plants, hopefully this will bring down the heat in the box. Added a bowl of water to help build moisture within the bin and absorb stagnant heat.

In the meantime I was working on a new grow.. 6 plants.. 12 in total..

3 = 6/14/09 = 3 days old
3 = 6/15/09 = 2 days old

(3) x 20w = 60w CFL
(1) x 13w = 13w CFL
TOTAL = 73w CFL

5/6 out of the ground, 1 just breaking the shell. steady progress, but I need a grow bin ASAP

other set of 6 currently on 126w CFL at 16/8..
I know its supposed to be 18/6, preferably 24/24 for the 2-3wk infant stage, but given the heat stress..

it doesn't have to be 18/6....I think so long as it receives 16 hours of light then you should be fine. You seem to right there, so keep at it. :thumbsup:

earlier pix.. original setup with the bin..

havent taken pix of the new wood light rig yet, will soon though..

more pix, new set

So I'm on day 13, and two of them had shriveled up. I'm simply going to pull the plug on those two because at this moment I had 10 more to worry for, which are doing healthy by the way. Four of the original six are working on their third node. The other six are all healthy and working on their second. from here on out I'm going to keep this operation steady. I should be able to cut clones by the second week of July. for cheap reasons I'm keeping the lifetime to 16/8. When I build something more elaborate I will switch to 18/6, however the budget is minimal and I can only do what I can with what I have. Pics to come soon!

question though, what are some hints to light stress when it comes to the roots? containers I have my baby is growing and are almost all clear if not foggy, and I know the roots is supposed to bekept in darkness, so would I be seeing some iindications of strain or stress? I ask because now roots are becoming a little bit visible theyre almost fully developed with the root system. I'm thinking of transplanting come next week.

Quote:

---

question though, what are some hints to light stress when it comes to the roots? containers I have my baby is growing and are almost all clear if not foggy, and I know the roots is supposed to bekept in darkness, so would I be seeing some iindications of strain or stress? I ask because now roots are becoming a little bit visible theyre almost fully developed with the root system. I'm thinking of transplanting come next week.

---

Seal up those containers with something to cover up the roots, because the lights will kill the roots and stress the plant and you may not end up getting any good or may even not getting any growth. The roots exposed to light will shrivel and turn brown in those containers and possible root rot. In hydro setups if you have lights in your reservoir that your roots are in then it will algae up and cause other problems (root rot). Well anywho, cover them up now before it's too late. Electrical tape, dark construction paper, etc. Basically anything that light can't penetrate through.