First Grow - Germinated Seeds - Questions

[bigsby]

pH of water going in should be between 6.2 - 6.9. For simplicity consider making your own soil. Stinky's tutorial on "growing da dankness" provides a fool proof recipe. Note that with a soil grow you need to re-pot through out the grow to replenish soil that is depleted around the roots. In other words, don't plant in a 3 or 5 gallon pot at the start and think you are done. Much better to plant in small pots and repot often.

Some measure pH coming out of the bottom but the composition will change as it flows through the soil so I don't put too much stock in that number. Some people swear by it though so decide for yourself.

bigsby Reviewed by bigsby on 05-17-2010. First Grow - Germinated Seeds - Questions Hello, This is my first grow and it is ambious I know. Setup: 4x4 Grow Tent - Currently 14 seedlings Bubblegum & White Widow Max (Holland Genetics). Seedlings are in 16 oz Plastic Cups (trimed down) (4 seedlings are in the cone style tray) Got caught off guard, Seeds were over germinated at exactly 3 days (72 hours). Seeds went into Sunshine mix on Monday night. Soil is Sunshine Number 4 with additional Perlite. Currently - Tent Humidity is 60% (stays between 50 - 60 %) - Temp is Rating: 5

[Joemontana]

Sorry for the wait, but here are some photo's.

The White Widow Max is on the right, Bubblegum to the left. I will take more pics today without the flash.

[Joemontana]

Wow, have I learned alot since I posted the pic. I was trying to ensure I did not over water and ended up underwatering. I have also stepped up the humidifier to ensure it's more consistantly near 60%. I was afraid I was drying the plants due to excessive air movement.I have two fans running in there.

In the pics you can see where I burned one plant a little when I got water on the leaf from a spray bottle (pre Big Bloom).

The pics show the girls before I watered w/ Big bloom (1/4 tablespoon / Gallon). They responded immediately (perked up).

Next Friday makes it 3 weeks. Does anyone here have any tips about growing in Sunshine #4 w/ added perlite in regards to watering. I alternate between 6.3 PH'ed water and the Bigbloom'ed water.

We will more the girls to the sealed grow room next weekend, transplanted into 3 gallon buckets. Any hints when doing that. What height should I start my 600w lights at? Shoule I bump up the Big bloom to full strength (2 teaspoons per gallon?)Now I will be more consistant with this log. The look good this morning.

[Joemontana]

Had to flush my plants yesterday. I was burning them with the nukes. It was also the first time I completely saturated the plants and they look doog today. I suspect I may have been under watering the whole time. Not sure. Iwill take more pics tomorrow.

Thanks

[Joemontana]

Well, plants were transplanted on Sunday and moved to the sealed grow room. WWM handled the stress better than the BG did. They look good now. I discovered that the reason I had to flush my plants as stated in a previous post, like an idiot I accidentally gave them nukes instead of food.

Sealed grow room = 14 x 6.5 x 8â?? tall

(1) Sentinel CHHC+ Environmental Controller
(2) Radiant ac 6â?� hoods - 600w lights (18" from plants)
(2) Ballasts are located outside of the room (to cut heat in grow room)
(1) 16â?� oscillating fan (waiting on wall mount fan coming this week)
(1) 50 lb CO2 tank - feed tube mounted on back of fan for distribution.
(1) 50 pint dehumidifier (not on controller and additional source of heat)
(1) Air Scrubber - Active carbon can filter with a 6â?� duct fan mounted on top on timer
Venting â?? closed loop. Air comes from outside room , thru lights, back out of room to outside. Fan located outside of grow room in duct work (pulls the heat).
All ducting is insulated including metal hoods (best we could).

Current environmental settings:

Temp = 85
Humidity = 60 â?? 65%
Co2 = 1400 ppm
Lights = 24/7
Water = PH 6.0 - 6.5

Any advice appreciated.

[ForgetClassC]

Man........that's an intense first grow........

Looks like your all set, what you have for flowering?

-C

[Joemontana]

We will swap the bulbs to HPS when we flower and change the timer to 12/12. We plan on running the lights at night for heat reasons during the flowering. We have made a few mistakes, but survived them all so far. I wish we had covered the lower portion of the wall with reflective material. I think we will do it within the next few days. I wanted to ensure that the plants did not deal with any other stress for a while. Our goal is high quality with yield. I wish I had two rooms like this. We started the seedlings in a grow tent. Currently White Widow Max and BubbleGum for this grow. This setup is fairly automated (which I appreciate after the grow tent). Heat will be our challenge. We will get mothers out of this group so we can start cloning these strains. When the cooling fan kicks in I have the CO2 off but not necessary as far as I can tell, drops very little and just one person breathing in the room drives up the CO2 quickly. I have left the room more than once due to driving the CO2 levels to high. Anyone can buy good equipment, but it does not replace experience. I listed our environment specs because I was hoping for some feed back for anyone who has used the sealed room method. Thank you to anyone who watches our posts and offers advice.

[Joemontana]

I would also appreciate any advice on the light distance from the plants. Again thank you!

[GetThisOrDie]

The good ol back of the hand method.

If the back of your hand is comfortable at a given distance under the light then your plants should be as well. Seedlings and young plants need extra distance.

Great looking first grow... it looks like you did your homework for sure! I dont use a sealed room so I cant offer any advice.

[Joemontana]

Is this burn from the light being to low? I have raised the light over these plants. I believe it is about 18". I also lowered the temp from 85 to 83 with a deadband of 2. I felt 85 with a deadband of 3 was allowing to high of a temp on the high side of the band.

The yellow leaf on the plant that is in the background is a result of a mis feed earilar in life. We're learning......

Thanks for your help.