Elcheapo's First Indoor Grow.

[elcheapo]

I initially started out with the idea of using a CFL or 2, wanting to avoid hydro shops and HID lighting. After researching it a little I found one of BobBongs threads and was stunned to see his amazing results.
Although money isn't a factor, my goal was to spend what it costs to buy an ounce, on equipment. Also trying to keep everything really simple.
Lighting I purchased was :-
3 x Natural CFLs (48watt/240watt equiv. 5000k) Energy Saving
3 x Warm White CFLs (48watt/240watt equiv. 3000k) Energy Saving
They are about $18 US each.
I whipped up a grow box that is approx. 3ft x 2ft x 3ft. (l, w, h)
Although the seeds are bagseed, they are from killer bags where I'd only find a few in an ounce. I've kept buds from these so I know what I'm growing. Really hoping that they produce a few male pods cause my seed stocks are many years old and I was lucky that anything germinated. Due to these germination issues plant maturity is staggered.
They don't have names at the moment but #3 is nicknamed 'Bitch on Roids'.
This pic of her is at about 20 days from germination.

elcheapo Reviewed by elcheapo on 11-14-2005. Elcheapo's First Indoor Grow. I initially started out with the idea of using a CFL or 2, wanting to avoid hydro shops and HID lighting. After researching it a little I found one of BobBongs threads and was stunned to see his amazing results. Although money isn't a factor, my goal was to spend what it costs to buy an ounce, on equipment. Also trying to keep everything really simple. Lighting I purchased was :- 3 x Natural CFLs (48watt/240watt equiv. 5000k) Energy Saving 3 x Warm White CFLs (48watt/240watt equiv. 3000k) Rating: 5

[elcheapo]

I trimmed some older fan leaves about a week ago to try and stunt her a little so the others could catch up. Showing female preflowers on the last few nodes of the main stem. The following pic is of her at 34 days after LST 2 days ago. And 1 pic of the dodgy setup.
Any suggestions, feed back or questions would be greatly appreciated.

[buthead]

soil ph to high and or wrong watering,been there to many times,many yeas ago....

[elcheapo]

Thanks for your response buthead. As far as watering goes.. The soil is fairly free draining so I water till its pissing out the bottom. Then let it dry out to the point where the pot is really light again and the plants start to look a little sad.
I don't have a soil ph meter so I can't tell what it is. How did you come to that conclusion? because of the lighter green tips? I think the flash from the camera made it look a little worse than it is. I'll post a pic without the flash.
Can someone please confirm that this is a problem? Thanks.

[BILL THICK]

Not a long time indoor grower myself, but She looks healthy to me, Buthead seems to make note that he has had some years experience behind him so I wouldn't discount his observation, just not sure how he came to that conclusion as it would be a valuable bit of knowledge to know how to see from your plants photo that the ph is too high or your watering wrong.

cool setup ( got a kick out of your light sockets , looks like something I might do )

People learn from your grow keep it going, like to see your progress

Peace
Bill

[buthead]

see the white stripes starting,between leafs ,and how big are ur grow shoots another indacator...

[elcheapo]

Thanks Bill. I'm glad I'm not the only one having a giggle at my lighting setup.
I was able to get the lamps much cheaper than just the sockets alone so I thought why not. This way I can always reuse them if I decide not to grow anymore. I'll post some new pics soon on how I have been able to vary them also which is a bonus.
The following is a pic of the number one plant taken at the same time the last ones were. Its had a hard life so far but is really starting to take off now. Its either male or has more sativa traits than number 3 plant.

[elcheapo]

It's been another week. #1 Plant seems to be going really well. #3 Plant seems sick. #3 last week took a turn for the worse possibly due to too much nutes, ph or stress. The leaves and tips have turned a darker green and have a cardboard sort of feel to them. I don't think I over fed or watered her but time will tell. It has been through a rigorous LST and pruning process. I've flushed her tonight because she was looking under watered as well. Seems to have perked up a little more. At least she's giving the others a chance to catch up.
I've commenced the LST process on the #1 plant also. Itâ??s such a hardy specimen. Overnight it was already facing up and booming again. So I've tied it down a little more.
Also fitted out the whole grow area with a more reflective material than the foil. You will notice the reflection in one of the pics.
Temperature is sitting at a good level I think. Itâ??s approaching summer here and some days are getting quite hot. The grow area has varied from 25c to 32c but mainly stays around 27c.
The following pics are from last night and tonight, before and after LST of #1 plant, before and after reflective material change over.
Any suggestions on what the problem might be with #3 plant would be helpful.
Thanks.

[BkSkillz]

as for the reflective material dull white reflects alot better then that tin foil..other then that very nice grow look forward to watching them come into bloom..p.s. check out my thread and leave any advice if any..happy growing

[Trichome Creator]

Don't expect a large yield using fluro lights.