My First Grow, super noob!

Okay, I got a lot of my information off of this forum. Funny enough I had the tub idea before I even started looking. This grow is going to be just bagseed for my first try because I dont want to ruin some exspensive shit. I've got some good seeds on the way for my next batch, provided this one goes well. I'm at about day 5, from when I started germinating the seeds. I chose a method which I learned at the cannabis college in amsterdam to germinate. Just put the seeds into a cup of water and look everyday for the little root things. So I did that and put my seeds into some miracle grow dirt with perlite and peat moss in it as well as some kind of fertilizer. It says it will grow plants twice as big.. we'll see. For the first pot I used these thing called peat pots which are supposed to stimulate root growth and can be planted directly into the next pot. As for the light, I've got a GE 50 watt plant light, which I guess is supposed to have more blues. It's in one of those shop light holders from inside the tub. On day five, in one of my pots I've got sprouts that are about 3 to 4 inches high with their first leaves coming in. I was running a light schedule of 20/4 but I think I'm going to be switching it to 24/0 today based on some stuff I read last night. Anybody know when I should switch to the 18/6? I'm going to be doing LST to maximize my yield in my space. Right now I'm just using one tub so that I can have the lights closer, but once they get high I'm going to stack two tub on top of each other and add more lights. I built my scrubber a little while ago and it went well. Instead of using the activated carbon I used Premium Fresh Step Crystals Cat Litter, which supposedly locks in odor up to 5X longer. We'll see.. I still haven't gotten a fan, because I live in a major american city, have no car and home depot and lowes are a little far from me. So I've been getting all my supplies from a small Ace Hardware store. Right now I'm running into a problem with a lot of condensation in my box, I guess due to the lack of ventilation. I was thinking about using the computer fans like I've seen a lot of people doing. But I wasn't really sure where or which I should get, maybe someone has a suggestion? Also, I know there's a tutorial for hooking those fans up to a regular wall plug, but I can't find it so if someone could also shoot me a link to that, it'd be cool.

Well that's about all I've got for now, any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated, since I don't really want to tell anyone else I know about this, you guys are my only real source of advice!

Thanks, Jeff

Oh and here's an explnation of the pictures attached, incase anyone doesnt know.
1. germinating the seeds in a cup of water
2. the kitty litter crystals
3. my cute little seedlings!
4. my box thus far
5. my scrubber, based off of someone else's I found on here

I almost forgot a question I had:
I bought a new bulb today because I heard a lot of people were using these on here. Its a GE Outdoor lucalox 35 High Pressure Sodium with 2250 lumens. It says on the box: Do not use in incandescent light bulb sockets. For use with s76 ballast only.

Is this true? Or can I just replace my plant light with this and be safe?

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

Here are some more pictures too.
1. Picture of the box of the bulb
2. a peek into my box
3. the scrubber being built (more of a bitch than I expected)

im definitly no pro but i recommend you keep reading through this site if you want to get a decent yield and check out stinkys grow guide: http://boards.cannabis.com/basic-gro...e-harvest.html

Thanks, but that link didn't work: 404 error

Unfortunately, The HPS bulb you've acquired needs a ballast. If you are going with the rubbermaid idea, check out some examples around the forum. I'd recommend using CFL's in the space you have, especially if you don't have a fan to reduce heat. CFL's are cheap and perfect for what your trying to achieve. Get a couple 100watt equivalent bulbs.

Start off by starting over from scratch. You have 5+ seedlings in one small pot (Save yourself a ton of trouble down the road and trash em). Place one germinated seed into a small dixie cup to start. Transplant 3 times. Once from dixie cup to larger 18oz party cup and the third time into it's final resting place - a 3-4 gallon pot.

Your plants will not survive long without proper ventilation so check out how to use a fan for an exhaust and create a passive intake.

I am no expert. But this is a little information I'm tossing over to you before I crash into bed. Maybe enough to get you started... I'd like to see you around and I wish you luck on your first grow.

Sucks about the HPS since it was $20, glad I didn't splurge on the 75 watt one. The bulb I'm using now is a plant light made by GE, it's got like light blue paint on it or something and its in the shape of a mini floodlight. It doesn't seem to produce a lot of heat. Does the "plant light" moniker really mean anything? Cause I wanted to go with CFLs but they didn't have any "plant light" ones. I plan on making a ventilation system, (hence the scrubber) but the small hardware store by my house didn't have an inline fan. I'm going to a different one tomorrow to see if I can find one. I just let the lid open a bit right now because it was getting so humid in the box that there was a puddle of water sitting on the bottom, so I can see that I need a proper ventilation system sooner than I thought.

I put that many seeds in the pot to wait for the sex and then just keep the biggest, most healthy female. Is there a problem letting them grow in the same pot for awhile and then killing off all but one? Or, is it still earl enough that I could transplant them to different pots? I don't have any more bagseed, and I don't want my first grow to be the good shit I ordered.

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind. Let me know what you think about the seedlings now that you know my plan. :cool:

Cannabis plants need room to grow. It's most likely been accomplished growing 2 in one pot. However, myself and many others would advise not to. If anything, attempt at seperating them. Personally, it seems to me that bagseeds are not very hard to come by and you'd be better off starting over now rather than trying to transplant fragile seedlings.

As for CFL's - check out the sticky in the indoor lighting forum.

go to a commercial light store with the bulb and see if you can trade for a ballasted 100w which is equal to 1000w of 6500k light used for the veg stage. You might have to pay 40 more bucks, they are $60 at home depot but they are sweet. they also have 85, 65, 45. I think they are all 120 volt.

Get ready to know a shit-load about lights.

Its a 100 watt CFL ballasted Light

Alright, well I took the advice and separated the seedlings into their own pots today. I know bagseed isn't usually worth saving, but its not often that the weed I smoke has any seeds. I had 13 between the two pots and picked the six healthiest and very very carefully transplanted them. The wet peat pots made it easy to break up the soil and then I used a fork to pull away some of the dirt. In most cases the root ball was completely intact with dirt still around them, so hopefully they weren't too disturbed.

I also upgraded my lighting system with four more CFLs, 24 watts each 1750 lumens so thats 7000 lumens plus the plant light which is 50 watts, but didn't have a lumen rating on it.

I went to a used computer store and got the most powerful motherboard fan they had and hooked that bitch up to my box and made a passive intake so my plants can breathe. Which consequently solved my humidity problem. So now I'm just going to be hoping my seedlings make it for now.

Thanks for all the tips, but I don't think I'll be able to get the HPS ballast for now. It's hard to find anything like home depot or a light store in the south side of Chicago. I went to a different hardware store though, and almost bought this big 500 watt halogen thing, but I'm soooo glad I didn't. I was all excited about it cause it was only like 10 bucks. Thankfully I pulled up this message board on my iphone and found out real quick. I never thought I would be learning so much about lights. lol, I'm a political science major not a lightchemist or something or the other.

I do have a question, about my peat pots. Has anyone else tried them? It says I can transplant them with the pot and all when I'm ready. True?

Here are some updated pics too!
1. nice little view of the seedlings
2. separated seedlings
3. passive air intake demonstration
4. new light set up
5. the whole shebang

Oh and I also discovered that these homemade scrubbers are perfect weed smoke smell eliminator! Fuck the dryer sheets in a tube! I think I might start making these bitches and selling em to smokers on campus. The little fan sucked the smoke right outta my mouth, pushed it out and my apartment still smelt fresh!

It is looking much better. You seem to have some stretching. Fill the plant containers up to the brim with soil. It's okay to support the stem with more soil. You might have gotten red warm CFL's, those are perfect for when you flower, but for now, You should have blue cool CFL's. If you do have the red ones, save em for flower.

Keep up the good work, You've come a long way. I'm impressed. Look up where you could find some Mylar or Emergency Blanket material (Check Walmart). Finding some with increase the light getting to you plant significantly.

Well, I didn't know there was a difference in CFLs, which is just another thing I've learned about lights. I attached a picture of the box, maybe someone could identify which it is for me? I looked all over the box and it made no indication of which it was. I suspect that maybe the red square with the 100 in it designates this. So I'll head out today and try to find some blue ones.

I figured that the plants going that fast had something to do with the fact that they weren't getting enough light and were trying to grow faster towards the source. I didn't know it was bad or even called stretching. I'm just learning so much today! But I will fill the pots up all the way to try and counteract that. And hopefully I'll find some blue CFLs today and then they'll be happy.

And thank you very much Mr. Forest, I'm glad I could impress somebody, since I didn't expect to. As for the mylar goes, I searched up and down my hardware store for some (don't bother to ask because they will always tell you know and 8 times out of 10 I find it 3 minutes later) and just couldn't find any. Unfortunately for my project there are no Wal-Marts in Chicago. They're barred from the city! I think its nice sometimes not to have a wal-mart, until I need shit that I just can't find anywhere else. But, maybe they have emergency blankets at Target? I'll see what I can conjure. If I can't find any, then I'll just line the whole thing with that silver duct tape stuff. I just really didn't what to have to do that. Very tedious I'm sure.

Thanks again,
Jeff

Oh, and does anybody know about the peat pots? Will the roots be able to get thru them? They are supposed to decompose once I plant them in bigger pots. Is 9 weeks just not enough time for them to decompose?

hey im a newbie too good luck 2 u and your grow...

are u going to add another rubbermaid? Cause ur plant will most likely grow taller than that rubbermaid....

and u shuld put some books under ur pots to hoist them closer to the lights because i think thats why your stems are really long.

Good luck on ur grow tho.. im gonna keep track of it since we are both noobs and we are both around the same stage.

Look for some mylar online... Foil Duct tape isn't anywhere near reflective enough. It's better than nothing but I'm pretty sure its around the same as aluminum foil at reflecting 33% of light. Mylar is 99%. It's pretty cheap stuff too. Perfect for the rubbermaid. Emergency Blanket would be to the same effect.

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Originally Posted by Kbrandon

are u going to add another rubbermaid? Cause ur plant will most likely grow taller than that rubbermaid....

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Yeah, I got another one just chilling right now, I'm using it as a makeshift coffee table, lol.

Yeah man, I was looking at your post earlier. I'm glad I'm not the only person dong their first grow on here right now. Though, I think we're definitely going about it in different manners. I wish you the best of luck though.

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Originally Posted by jackforest

Look for some mylar online... Foil Duct tape isn't anywhere near reflective enough. It's better than nothing but I'm pretty sure its around the same as aluminum foil at reflecting 33% of light. Mylar is 99%. It's pretty cheap stuff too. Perfect for the rubbermaid. Emergency Blanket would be to the same effect.

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I'm going to head to target today and see if they don't have some emergency blankets. I had no idea that there was even that much of a difference between mylar and aluminum foil. Awesome to know. Thanks! If I can't find it at Target, I guess I'll bite the bullet and order some online.

You want the CFLs in the Super white spectrum "daylight" This runs around 6500K They make all types of 5000k cfls on up to 6500K the closer to that 65 number the better. You have around a "soft white" or 2700k. this is an orange color as you can tell which mimics the flowering sun in fall. I would ditch that other grow light. they tend to cause a lot of heat. Just stick another cfl in there in its place. You can use the pots to place in the larger ones. those break down over time and allow the roots to poke out. when your babies become bigger you will see the roots poke out. Then its time to throw those into a 1 gallon container on to 2 depending on the size limitations. How hot is it in there? it should be around 72 but I doubt you can achieve that in a rubber made without some serious ventilation. shoot for anything under 85 degrees but the lower the better.
place your hands under the cfls when they are one and determine how far away your hand can be from the lights without being hot. thats where the tops of the plants should be at. they like the same temps as you and I so if its hot to your hand then its hot to them.

Well I went to the store before I got to read your post, luckily I did get some 6500K daylight CFLs, 26=100 watt. They only had two though! :( So I got the two and I also upgraded the center light to a 120 watt big mamajamma plant light. I can see that you said to throw that one I had away, but I didn't get to read it in time. So for right now, I'm gonna keep it cause it was $16 and I wanna get my money worth. ;) So only two 6500k.

I also went to Office Depot, Walgreens and a grocery store looking for emergency blankets. But no luck. While I was at Walgreens I came across some CFL Ionic Bulb Air Purifiers in the clearance bin. I picked up two since for now, my other two CFLs are gonna be the wrong ones anyways, I just wanted to try these. I'm not sure if they'll be beneficial in anyway, but maybe later they'll help with the smell.

So here are some pics of my new light set up
1. Before and after of light set up
2. the new bulbs
3. new light set up activated

Nice finds! Just be on the lookout where ever you go for the 65k ones. they sell them in grocery stores...ect. don't worry about the space blankets. I tend to not like them because they cause "hot spots" due to them being folded up. Use some flat white paint. The commercial ceiling type. It stays cooler and reflects a lot of light. Better for that small space. Just take the plants out since their still in veg and place them in a window or somewhere with light. they dont need a ton right now. Next, paint the inside of the tub white (sand it down first to rough up the surface with a VERY light sand paper. Polishing sand paper will do.) Let dry overnight.

Well, the 120 watt plant light has bumped the temperature considerably. I'm gonna get a thermometer the next time I go out, and if the temp is to high, I might just have to put the other one in there. Are the 6500K a lot hotter than the other ones? I saw some 65 watt 6500Ks at the grocery store, but the guy at the hardware store said they'd have more of the 100 watts Monday, so I figure I'll wait til then.

As far as painting goes, I live in a 1 bedroom apartment, so I don't think I could deal with the fumes. What about putting up some white paper or something like that?

Those 65 w cfls might not be ballasted. Bad idea to plug an un-ballasted bulb in a socket. take that big one out of there for now if you think its hot. those plants dont need much light right now. They are young. Just 2 of those 65 k lights might just be enough right now. always better safe then sorry.

What do you think about the paper, though?

I just noticed after putting in these lamps that my leaves are now pointing slightly upward. Is this an indication of something?

have a picture? using any extra nutes? they like the light most likely

Yeah heres a pic. Its hard to get pics of them up close because my camera doesn't have macro.

ive noticed that when the leaves start lifting upward it means they are about to go through a growth spurt and youll see them grow faster than usual....

at least thats what happens to my plant when the leaves lift up.

Looks normal. Just don't let them stretch anymore.

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Originally Posted by JeffersonBud

Looks normal. Just don't let them stretch anymore.

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How can this be prevented? I filled the pots up to offer more support, they were pretty close the soil this morning, now it seems like they're getting right back where they were.

They stretch because they are reaching for the light. Don't put the lights closer. instead move the plants higher until they are close enough to not get burned. use blocks of wood ect... to stack under the pots.

Here are some seeds I got on the way for my next grow:
Blue Dynamite
A very sweet and fruity smoke flavour. Branchy plant with pink/purple hues as it finishes. Good yield and very heavy resin.
Plant height: short/Med
THC level %: 25+
Flowering times: 45-55 days
Yield: 600-700 g/m2
Grows: Indoors/Outdoors/Greenhouse
Strain Genetics: Indica/Sativa Hybrid
Grow Difficulty: Easy
Plant Odor: low-med
Smoke Flavor: Fruity

I just ate some space brownie.. loving it.

have u ever made brownies with schwag? If so was it worth it? My cuzin said u have to use really good weed for brownies but good weed cost alot.

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Originally Posted by Kbrandon

have u ever made brownies with schwag? If so was it worth it? My cuzin said u have to use really good weed for brownies but good weed cost alot.

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I only make brownies with schwag, the cheaper the better. I usually get it free. The THC butter doesn't care how the weed smokes, it just wants the THC. It's a high a lot like marinol. But definitely schwag. I make 2 big brownie pans and then put them on top of eachother with frosting in the middle and all around like a cake. Last one we made had reese's pices on the top. We had it in the freezer, and just took it out and nuked it and it got us hella baked. Still baked now.

Make them with the trim you will have. or some bubble hash:thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by bijnas

I only make brownies with schwag, the cheaper the better. I usually get it free. The THC butter doesn't care how the weed smokes, it just wants the THC. It's a high a lot like marinol. But definitely schwag. I make 2 big brownie pans and then put them on top of eachother with frosting in the middle and all around like a cake. Last one we made had reese's pices on the top. We had it in the freezer, and just took it out and nuked it and it got us hella baked. Still baked now.

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So do you think about an ounce of schwag is good enuff to make a cake with?

My aunt said all i got to do is break down the weed and mix it into the batter.. but she's from the old school so i dunno if thats really how ur sposed to do it.

check the recipe section out on this forum. lots of ideas. The better bud, the more thc in it (most likely) but an ounch of what you got will be just fine. Grind it up into a powder. far more then what a grinder for smoking will do. mix 1 cup of water for every stick of butter so it wont cook down and burn. So if you have 1 stick, bring 1 cup of water to a boil and drop the butter in so it melts. reduce to a simmer (low heat) stir in the powder and cover for 22 hours stirring often. (at least 7 hours will do) if you wait that long all the thc will be out of the cannabis at 22 hours but don't go more then 24 because it will start to degrade.
I have found that most recipes call for oil now like brownies. I always double my butter, add oil (2 t will do) so they won't dry out, and some extra flour, cinnamon, to balance out the extra liquid and add kiluah (for moisture).

Well I got an emergency blanket at target today and lined the inside of my box. It was one hell of a project. I certainly didn't expect it to be so hard. But anyways I got it in and I don't know if it makes a difference yet, but we shall see.

Plants are coming along well. The ones near the passive intake seem to be doing much better than the ones farthest away, they're almost double size.

I also got a very nice birthday present in the mail today. My seeds finally arrived! Interesting packaging. Blue Dynamite made by Next Generation seeds.

Here are some pics:
1: Front of packaging
2: back of packaging
3: Inside box with new mylar coating

I just checked on my plants and I think things might not look good. One of my plants was almost completely fallen over. And another (the one which is my favorite) seemed like the leaves were curling under instead of sticking out like they were.

I know its not the temperature, because it's quite cool in the box, like slightly above room temp. The only thing that has changed is the mylar I put in last night, could this be doing something bad?

Another possibility is perhaps I'm watering it too much? I water them once a day... sometimes twice.. depending on how the soil looks.

Another thing, is I've been going 24/0 is it time to switch the light down to a more respectable schedule like 18/6?

HELP!

Heres a pic of the one I'm worried about: