first grow...any help is appreciated

[stinkyattic]

Could be the soil mix, check the runoff pH next time you water.
REMOVE THE DRIP TRAYS FROM THOSE POTS!!!!! They make the bottom layer of soil stay soggy and create perfect conditions for root rot, pests, and lockouts.
Drop that halide a foot or so.
Otherwise, you're looking good.

[psteve]

What stinky said.
And if you can't lower your light due to box design, then jack your plants up on a milk crate or something.
Also, why is your fan pointed away from the plants?

[stinkyattic]

I actually prefer to point fans away from the plants- the air moves in the space fine either way, and you avoid desiccating the plant closest to the fan.
I didn't notice the light is fixed up[ there.
Box retrofit idea: Add eye-bolts and chains to hang lights. Convert the hole into an exhaust duct with a big bad blower. That's an ideal spot for the intake of the exhaust, right over the light, at the highest point in the grow cab.
CRAFTY!!! Nice box.

[psteve]

I use an oscillating fan directly on the lower part of the plants. I find I get stronger stalks if the fan actually moves the plants. It also stimulates capillary action, helping the plant to uptake nutrients better.
Never had a problem with dessication. Just some edge wear on a few leaves.

[Johnaldinho]

:jointsmile:

[gottagrow4]

i check the ph everytime i water..ph is betweek 6.7 and 7.0 on all of them...im using miracle grow potting soil....the temp in the box is at a steady 76. so when should i cut the light to 12/12 and put in the high pressure sodium? and the fan is facing away cus it seems to even out the amount of wind in the box instead of the plants getting slammed with high winds and when i tried it facing them they almost got ripped out of the soil..it didnt look like a good idea..atleast facing away i get the leaves shaking and i nice cool breeze...and what should i do about lst or pinching the tops or cutting clones? am i ready for any of that and will it increase my yeild?

[stinkyattic]

IT depends on what you have space/time for.
If you have time and a spot to keep a prop dome under constant light and nice and cozy, by all means pinch the tops, wait another 1-2 weeks for that side growth to get stronger, cut clones, LABEL THEM, wait another 2 weeks for the plants to get over the shock, and flower away.
Don't cheat yourself by taking small wimpy clones. They should have a growing tip, 2 fan leaves cut down to 1" blades, and a stripped node further down the stem. That's pretty much a minimum for healthy clones.
Your plants do not appear sexually mature yet, so flowering now isn't going to get you too far- it will take longer for sex to show, and you can be adding undue stress.
Doing the clones in a week or 2, you are givine the plants time to mature, and giving yourself the option of skipping the whole seedling-rearing/sexing step on your next grow.

[psteve]

First get your plants a little closer to the light, or you'll have stretching problems.
Then wait until you have 5 or 6 nodes before you start to LST. I never top anymore, I just train the plants to go where I want them.
You might want to consider a scrog to even out your canopy and maximize your use of the space.

[gottagrow4]

what do you mean a prop dome? as in take them out of the box and put them somewhere else? and by pinching do i literally jst pinch the top with my fingers? how? and which would be better lst, pinch,both maybe? sorry i realy dont have any idea what to do...ive read so much online about growing but now im just getting alil confused so i really just need someone to walk me through this first grow day by day so i get it right the first time...i have a 6 foot by 4 foot base and its 6 feet tall...whats the best thing to do to get the most buds in the room i got...i have a daughter coming tomorrow(c-section) so i want to keep everything in the basement and out of view of her so all im working with is my box and nothing else

[Weedhound]

Well you have the best help in the world with Stinky. :thumbsup:

Your plants look great. I won't go into my horrors with soil growing which is why I stick with hydro.

Good luck with your grow.