formal intro...first grow

[sergentjunk]

Hello everyone! I posted a couple weeks ago regarding light/heating issues. As of now I have no questions for anyone(in case you don't want to waste your time on my useless bable), I'm pretty resourceful and have done a ton of homework using this site. So first of all, I want to thank everyone for posting so much useful info for me to wrap what's left of my brain around. I am posting now to introduce myself and my own first set up/grow attempt....

I am growing in a Homebox XS (2'x2'x4'), 250w Lumatek ballast with a MH lamp now, HPS on standby. So I have roughly 16k lumens for a 4sq. ft. area. Growing in soil medium(perlite, coco fiber, worm casting, etc..) that has little to no nutrients in it. As embarrassing as it is, I started 4 little ones in an AeroGarden LOL. Funny I know, but it was a cheap fast start, and for a veg state...they did pretty well.

After I got my box set up, I transplanted them from a purely hydro environment to a soil environment. Not sure how that was going to pan out, but they were transplanted this past Sunday late evening and at least one has fully regained it's composure. The other three still look a little sad...droopy leaves, but look like they will come back as well(one of them is still questionable). Still fairly small at about 4", but a good amount of growth considering their previous home. I think they really like the MH light compared the grow cfl's included with the aerogarden.

I knew heat would be an issue with the light, in addition to being in the garage. I have a window a/c unit I had installed into my garage wall a while ago so I ducted half of that into the grow bag. I also rewired the t-stat from that a/c unit into the bag and placed that at the top of the plants. Temps with the lights on never exeed 83 at the highest (only when the light is first on does it even get that high, after that it's down to 80-82) which is nice considering here in the southwest desert it can get hot and as I have read (particularly RustyTrichome's guide to dealing with desert heat) can be a bitch to deal with. So I'm glad I was able to deal with the heat at the canopy in a reasonable manner. I still might go with a cool tube down the road so the a/c doesn't have to work as hard. I also have an insulated area I can take the bag to that has a/c as well if the garage doesn't work out. The light is on a 18/6 cycle, watering about every other day, and feeding about once a week.

Things are a little slow moving right now, but expect them to pick up after the kiddos recover from the move. When I am allowed to(per the forums requirements), I will post pics of the set up and status of the trees.

So that's it, just wanted to say hi and introduce my set up. If anyone has any suggestions or questions that I may be able to answer (remember I'm new so my knowledge is a little limited right now) please don't hesitate to get a hold of me.

*junk

sergentjunk Reviewed by sergentjunk on 05-28-2009. formal intro...first grow Hello everyone! I posted a couple weeks ago regarding light/heating issues. As of now I have no questions for anyone(in case you don't want to waste your time on my useless bable), I'm pretty resourceful and have done a ton of homework using this site. So first of all, I want to thank everyone for posting so much useful info for me to wrap what's left of my brain around. I am posting now to introduce myself and my own first set up/grow attempt.... I am growing in a Homebox XS Rating: 5

[sergentjunk]

Ok so I lied...all four plants have recovered from the transplant from hydro to soil. I'm very excited as there is a ton of new growth on all of them. Will most likely start flowering in a week or two. Will post pics and grow log as soon as I get a chance.

For my first attempt I have to say I am very happy with the way things are going. I'd be happy if just two of these turn out to be females. Thanks again to the forums...couldn't have done it as easily without it, if at all.


*junk