not your ordinary first grow

[headshake]

what's good everybody. i've recently started a grow with some bag seed. it's just some average 'corn...not sure about the strain etc. i'm doing this on no budget and basically just for fun.

i say again, i'm trying to spend the least money possible!

there is several reasons for this...

1. i don't have a bunch of money to blow on this, again this is just for fun.

2. let's just say someone i share a residence with someone who wouldn't like a visit from the field officer

3. i live in a small one bedroom apt.

4. i just want to do it with a minimalist approach. when the time and place are right so will my set-up be.

i would appreciate any help. i've read a bunch of tutorials and watched a lot of videos.

i started a few batches just by germinating them and putting them in plastic cups (around 12 oz. which i cut holes in for drainage) with some cannibalized, what i'm assuming was potting soil. i've lost a batch of five and 4 out of 5 on my second batch. the stems went limp just above the soil. the plant preceded to wilt. the same thing has happened to all of them.

i made a trip to wal-mart last night and picked up a lights of america 24" fluorescent "grow light". it operates at 17W, 2700k red spectrum putting out 1093 lumens. from what i've read the red or warm spectrum was better suited for flowering as opposed to vegetative growth.

grow light $9.96
potting soild $2.50
pots $4.80
_____
total $17.26


i've noticed that a lot of the videos tell you what not to do but don't show you how to troubleshoot the symptoms of problems that one might encounter during this little hobby of ours.

i'm germinating a new batch of seeds for use with the new pots and soil and such.

how far do i want the seeds to germinate? i mean i have a rough idea but i'm a novice at best in all of this. when they are ready to be planted should i just use a finger to push a hole in the soil put the seed in and cover? and just plop it in there root side down?

i'm also gonna be adding a fan here once things get started.

once again i'm doing this for fun. i understand that a proper set-up is required for desired/best results. i also understand that my "set-up", if you want to call it that is not and will never be capable of producing the best results. i'm just trying to see what i can do with less than $20.

i'll keep this updated to the best of my ability. i appreciate any and all help. i welcome all new knowledge. thanks in advance.

-shake

** i'll edit with some pics when i get back from work **

headshake Reviewed by headshake on 10-16-2008. not your ordinary first grow what's good everybody. i've recently started a grow with some bag seed. it's just some average 'corn...not sure about the strain etc. i'm doing this on no budget and basically just for fun. i say again, i'm trying to spend the least money possible! there is several reasons for this... 1. i don't have a bunch of money to blow on this, again this is just for fun. 2. let's just say someone i share a residence with someone who wouldn't like a visit from the field officer Rating: 5

[Firemansam606]

IMO you'll need to invest in at least 3-5 more lights of similar power. Or purchase one of the 150w envirolites (£20-30). I just ordered one myself, that plus my 70w hps should give me a decent yeild from a couple of Lowryder 2s...well I certainly hope it will.

Oscar Mike

[headshake]

i have found some cheap MH and HPS lights online and a really cheap MH/HPS combo light. i just don't have the space for that right now. i will have to look into something similar to what you recommended. i don't really have a "grow room". i'm just kinda winging this. it's not that i don't take the cultivation of miss mary seriously, i just kinda decided to do this on the spur of the moment just for the hell of it. when i move in the next 6 months i'll have a dedicated proper area/setup. i appreciate the advice and will look into it.

my buddy is about to do a computer case grow with some lowryder hybrids. i'll probably help him out. that should be fun!

-shake

edit: i also just found an LED setup that will cover 15 sq ft. for $140 US. it says it uses 45 watts and puts out the equivalent of a 250 HPS.

[headshake]

ok. i've got the germinated seeds in the pots. 3 of them have broken the top of the soil. i've got some backup seeds germinating just incase. i guess you have to have 50 posts or whatnot to post pics so as soon as i have reached that number i guess i'll post some pics to get some feedback on etc. until then...

-shake

[lunarose]

Shake, Don't bother with the LEDs they just aren't there yet. You really don't have enough light to get them much pass breaking the soil. You can get some CLF's pretty cheap these days, Ralph's has them buy one get one free and I believe they are about $1 a piece they have both 6500K 23 watts and 2700K Walmart also has them for a little more. If you are only going to use a single spectrum the 6500K will do better then the 2700k. I'd say you could probably get a decent little micro grow for around $100-$200 not including cost of seeds but with only what you have got already going I don't think you'll be getting much in the way of results.

[headshake]

i appreciate it lunarose. i'll look into some of those CFL's. i've got a big box that my surround sound came in that i think i'm gonna setup. i'm gonna measure it and put up the info so maybe i can get some input as to how may lights i need. thanks again.

-shake

edit: the box is 27 1/4" x 20" x 17 1/2" (HxWxL). i can cover the inside with mylar or something else to help with the light. how much light/how many CFL's would one recommend?

[lunarose]

Shake, You may need to get a fan even though you are using CFLs my grow space is 24"L x20"w x63"h with a single shelf I am using 6 of 6500K and two 2700K CFLs and without the fan it will get as high as 100 in there even with CFLs.

[headshake]

the box has two holes (handles) but they are both about a quarter way down. i was gonna mount two fans there, but i don't know how much good that would do for the bottom. i'll have to expierment i guess. i was thinking of going with 4 CFL's. i'm gonna start doing some damage tomorrow so i'll get some pics up.

-shake

[headshake]

okay. i've completed (to what extent i can) the grow box i decided to make. the measurements are 27 1/4" x 20" x 17 1/2" (HxWxL).

i currently have the 24" "grow light" running across the top of the box where the hand holes are. i was thinking about putting fans in the hand holes. i don't know how exactly that would work. maybe i should run a duct to the bottom. i guess i'll have to play with it. any ideas?

i've used some of the styrofoam that came with my surround sound to get the pots close to the light. i can hold my hand on top of the plants with no problem. should i get the plants a little closer?

i don't have a thermometer/hydrometer at the moment. that and the fans will be the next step. along with some new lights. i was thinking of going with 4 CFL's maybe? sound like enough?

i'll also be adding a couple of latches and seals of some kind to keep the light in. i was also gonna add another small fan inside to help simulate wind and strengthen the stalks.

that's about all for now. i'm sure there's more i'm forgetting.

i welcome all suggestions. should i consider LST?

well time to forget some more! i have some pics but am not quite sure how to put them up. also do i or do i not have to have 50 posts first? i read that in one of the forums. thanks agian.

-shake

[headshake]

ok. so this morning i got as far as i could with what materials i had on hand. i'm gonna try to get some pics up on here for some feedback/advice. here goes nothing.

pic 1 - miracle grow. any good? it's 24-8-16. i just picked it up from walmart.

pic 2 - only light i have so far. The correct model # is 7020GL and the color temperature of this lamp is 7800K .Lumen output is 680 lumens. (info given to me by the company's rep. although it doesn't match what was on the package. or other websites. so i don't know quite about this.)

like i said i'm seeking some advice about using CFL's. how many?

pic 3 - potting soil. .10-.08-.06.

pic 4- little 4" pots. x5

pic 5 - box in original state

more pics to follow.

-shake