After a 20 year break, am I growing these right?

[HazyMorning]

This is my first grow in about 20 years. I have nothing good to bring this to harvest, being there is no money to spend at this time. The idea is just to get back into growing after a long break.
In the past, I grew outdoors. This is my first indoor grow, however, Iâ??ve done a lot of research on indoor growing to prepare.

I have two 23 watt (2700K) (no hoods) and one 68 watt (2700K) (has hood) CFL twisty bulbs, for a total of 114 watts. Being that the bulbs are 2700K instead of 6500K, they are not recommended for vegetative growth; however they are all I have. Miracle grow potting soil (first week), then switched to FoxFarm Ocean Forest. I'm using miracle grow as nutes.
I have a small non-oscillating fan and I'm using tin foil and white plastic as reflection. I have a Milwaukee PH Meter and an Acu>rite Thermometer/Hygrometer.

I am growing 2 Pineapple Express and 3 Sour Diesel from seed, so there could be males.

Iâ??d like to get a 150 watt HPS for flowering, the cost is around $90.00. However, I may as well, get an entire grow system, so that Iâ??m doing things right.

I don't expect a big harvest; I'm hoping that I can get enough to last until my next harvest. I'll be taken clones for the next grow.

After three weeks, the five look very small. The first week, I gave them 24/7 light and then switched to 18/6. I water them when the top of the soil is dry; I also mist them with water daily. I started giving them half dosage nutes after two weeks. Also, I added a little Vital Earthâ??s All Purpose Guano Mix and Vital Earthâ??s Mega Worm Earthworm Castings on top of the soil and then watered in.
Two weeks in, I topped two of them; they had three branches and 5 leaves. I also lollipopped the two of them early. Amazingly, the ones I topped are growing the best. One of them is dwarfed (not topped or lollipopped); it just wants to stay small and compact.
I keep the humidity between 50-60% and the temperature between 70-85 degrees. Also, my PH is sitting at around 6.9.

I think I supplied all the information that you need. Am I doing a good job with what I have or am I making mistakes?

I added a few photos to help. These were taken yesterday, at the three week mark.

HazyMorning Reviewed by HazyMorning on 06-23-2012. After a 20 year break, am I growing these right? This is my first grow in about 20 years. I have nothing good to bring this to harvest, being there is no money to spend at this time. The idea is just to get back into growing after a long break. In the past, I grew outdoors. This is my first indoor grow, however, Iâ??ve done a lot of research on indoor growing to prepare. I have two 23 watt (2700K) (no hoods) and one 68 watt (2700K) (has hood) CFL twisty bulbs, for a total of 114 watts. Being that the bulbs are 2700K instead of 6500K, they Rating: 5

[silent leprechaun]

You topped and lollypopped them when they are so small ? Not a good idea at all if you ask me. You are only stunting their growth.

Also you have a little over 100w to veg 5 plants... I'm afraid you are way off there... And you have only 1 reflector.

Just look in my signature and look through my first grow. You will find just about everything you need there.

You will need to invest some money in this grow or just put the outdoors and let nature give you some good size buds.

Take Care

S.L.

[HazyMorning]

Thank you. I understand. I know that I'm not ready for the grow right now. I don't have the right equipment. The topping and the lollipopping didn't stunt them, they took off after I did it. I would just like to know if I'll be able to to get a little harvest with what I have. My next grow will be superior to this one.

[silent leprechaun]

Personally I don't think your set-up is good enough for 5 plants... I have 4 plants under 190w of LED and 260w of CFL.

My LED is an animal and surely compares to a 400w HID. The 260w of 2700k CFL are a recent upgrade.

I don't see how you will veg 5 plants on 114w of "2700k" CFL. It just seems like a far stretch and all the plants will suffer. Even the spectrum is wrong for veg, which you know...

I would go outdoors if I were you.

[HazyMorning]

You right and I should put them outside, however I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the weather here is crazy. The sun doesn't shine much in my area and it's cool (50 degrees at night, 70 during the day), even in the summer and it's often cloudy.
Yes, I have five plants, but I won't be harvesting 5 plants. Some will be male and I know that unless I improve my lighting situation, I'll need to cut them down to two female plants, anyway.

How does the health of the plants look? I know they are small for three weeks, but all in all, (to me) they look really good, other the one that looks a little sick.

[HazyMorning]

I like your set up, by the way.

[jiggsaw]

I think since they're still small and you have so little light you should just put them all in flower right now. If they get bigger they'll need more light and start dying. But right now that light will hit them enough to do something. I'd lst, tie them down and put them on 12/12 right now if I were you. You'll get a little bud if they don't get too tall for the light.

[HazyMorning]

I don't know. Shouldn't I wait a little longer, until they're at least 12 in.? I think I should wait at least another week, maybe two, but I wait for some more advice. Thanx.

[HazyMorning]

Really? Nobody has anymore advice? Alright, this has officially became a experimental project.

Thank you for all the advice I received!

[Smokey4Mc2Pot0420]

This is my first grow in about 20 years. I have nothing good to bring this to harvest, being there is no money to spend at this time. The idea is just to get back into growing after a long break.
In the past, I grew outdoors. This is my first indoor grow, however, I’ve done a lot of research on indoor growing to prepare.

I have two 23 watt (2700K) (no hoods) and one 68 watt (2700K) (has hood) CFL twisty bulbs, for a total of 114 watts. Being that the bulbs are 2700K instead of 6500K, they are not recommended for vegetative growth; however they are all I have. Miracle grow potting soil (first week), then switched to FoxFarm Ocean Forest. I'm using miracle grow as nutes.
I have a small non-oscillating fan and I'm using tin foil and white plastic as reflection. I have a Milwaukee PH Meter and an Acu>rite Thermometer/Hygrometer.

I am growing 2 Pineapple Express and 3 Sour Diesel from seed, so there could be males.

I’d like to get a 150 watt HPS for flowering, the cost is around $90.00. However, I may as well, get an entire grow system, so that I’m doing things right.

I don't expect a big harvest; I'm hoping that I can get enough to last until my next harvest. I'll be taken clones for the next grow.

After three weeks, the five look very small. The first week, I gave them 24/7 light and then switched to 18/6. I water them when the top of the soil is dry; I also mist them with water daily. I started giving them half dosage nutes after two weeks. Also, I added a little Vital Earth’s All Purpose Guano Mix and Vital Earth’s Mega Worm Earthworm Castings on top of the soil and then watered in.
Two weeks in, I topped two of them; they had three branches and 5 leaves. I also lollipopped the two of them early. Amazingly, the ones I topped are growing the best. One of them is dwarfed (not topped or lollipopped); it just wants to stay small and compact.
I keep the humidity between 50-60% and the temperature between 70-85 degrees. Also, my PH is sitting at around 6.9.

I think I supplied all the information that you need. Am I doing a good job with what I have or am I making mistakes?

I added a few photos to help. These were taken yesterday, at the three week mark.

those are all goin to be shorty and really bushy plants. i would try to get better lighting and let them get taller and then switch them to 12/12 and see what happens from their. but ur best bet would be to put them outside, ull get bigger buds anyway, and like u said this is just an experimental grow, so y not just put them outside and get bigger buds?