1st grow ever...

[225smokestack]

OK, so i wasnt even sure if i could call this a grow journal, but w/e. I have been in the veg stage for 3 1/2 weeks now. I only started with 2 4 foot flouros, but now i have 4 4 foot flouros side by side. Im pretty positive its still not enough light for the growth i want. I am in the process of scraping together some funds for a 400w lumatek digital ballast. I dont have a fan yet, for some reason they are seasonal items down here? So i have to borrow from a friend, should get it today or tom.

So this is my setup. The bigger plant (if you want to call it that) seems to have leaves turning down. What could that be?? I am in MG potting mix, and these are bagseed. Didnt want to buy any good ones on my first try haha.

But anyway, this is it. Im trying to learn as much as possible, so any comments, criticism, or suggestions... please dont hold back!

 

[andy52]

they look pretty good,just do not water too much,as the mg soil is nuted and every time you water you are feeding also.looks like its getting alittle too much nutes already.starting to ramhorn

 

[225smokestack]

another pic of the "bigger" one and then a pic of the smaller one...

 

[225smokestack]

if i added another 4 foot fixture... would that work for these lowryders ive been reading about or no? im so confused on what i need to do lol, i want the 400 watt lumatek for better results, but im worried about ventalation, you can see my grow area... is that area too small for a 400w?

 

[andy52]

you really need the HID light.especially when you flip the switch to 12-12.cfls and fluros are good for veg.but there is no comparison to the HPS for flower.jmo

 

[Alistair]

Proper ventilation is important, especially for a small area like yours. You can do the whole grow with fluorescent lights if heat is an issue. For vegetative growth you should be fine using fluoros, but for flowering an HPS is desirable. Just the same, if you must use fluoros for flowering, it can work. The buds might not be as nice, but it can work.

In my opinion. Fluoros seem to work best for indicas, because they have a tendency to remain relatively small, and therefore, easier to light properly using fluoros. I did a complete indica grow from beginning to end, using fluoros, and the buds were nice and tight.

From what I can see from the pics you posted, it shouldn't be long before those plants outgrow those pots and you'll need to transplant. You might want to transplant into a different soil that doesn't have nutrients premixed into it. Also, when you do re-pot those, be sure to fill the pots up to the top with soil.

 

[225smokestack]

thank yall. i will def repot soon and in new soil as well. yea, i think im set on getting a hps/mh ballast. im just gonna have to figure out how to vent the heat.

 

[andy52]

i had ventilation problems back in the summer months until i got the proper cfm blowers and 2 portable ac units.i also put in an dryer vent to draw cold air in from outside as i am now using.i keep my temps in the 60's

 

[Alistair]

What are the dimensions of the closet? How wide, deep, and what's the height? It looks too small to put an HID (metal halide/HPS) into, unless you have proper exhaust. My closet is 3' x 4' x 7'. I have one 400 watt HID and I have heat issue problems in the summer because I don't have proper exhaust. I've decided to purchase an AC unit for the room that the closet's in. With an AC unit I should be just fine when summer gets here again.

You must be able to accommodate the heat the light will put off. Don't ignore the likelihood of having heat issues with a small closet like you seem to have. It's possible to do what you want to do, but if you're not able to do something to maintain reasonable temperatures, then the closet will most likely get too hot.

 

[225smokestack]

my closet is like 2' x 6' x 7'. id really like to get a HID in there if i could. when you talk about an AC unit for the room, is that gonna be in the closet with the plants or just the room itself? im sure im gonna run into some heat issues, but i just need to find the right way to vent it.

 

[andy52]

i used a portable ac unit sitting outside the grow area,with ducting taped to the output vents on theac unit,running into the tents.i could keep my temps wherever i wanted them.i was heating up bad before this.that is one reason i will not grow during hot months.i will grow outdoors.it just cost too much to cool the areas.if and when i move i will have a basement and the temps are easier to control.i will also be paying my own damn power bill.i am ove paying now for what i use,on guestimation.fug that

 

[225smokestack]

ok, well i am now 4 weeks into veg stage and one looks good, at least to me, and one i must have done something REALLY wrong too. i hate how small they are! i need that MH/HPS ballast soon! but here are some updated pics. i got a fan in there finally and it looks like it has helped already on the one good looking plant.

i havent transplanted yet, but i think i should be doing that soon.

 

[225smokestack]

this is the messed up one...

 

[kalikisu]

never know that one may be an ugly duckling right now and become a swan.

 

[225smokestack]

yea, i hope so. i just dont know if its nute burn or a def. i am using MG soil, which i will never use again. it seems to be ok, but i think i would like to know how much many nutes my plants are getting...

 

[225smokestack]

OK, just a lil update. Right at 5 weeks since seed hit soil. Down to one experimental plant. Just a few pics. I am gonna be transplanting it tom. Any advice for transplanting? And any comments or suggestions would be helpful!

 

[225smokestack]

OK, 6 weeks into veg. I left my baby for 2 days for the holidays and came back and it was very droopy and the bottom leaves turned pretty yellow. Is this ok?? I re-potted, seems to like it so far though. Thoughts? Comments? Thank Yall!

 

[That crazy vancouver guy]

looks good. are you giving any nutes yet?... if so, how much?... looks to me that your lower leaves are being eaten by the plant. I'd say bumb up the nutes a lil....

 

[That crazy vancouver guy]

k... so u repotted today?... well... if u just came out of mg pre-nuted soil... what did you repot into?... did you get some diff soil?

 

[225smokestack]

actaully yea, it is still a MG soil, but its the Organic Choice mix, not the normal stuff... i also mixed it with some Perlite. And this plant has been pure water the whole time since i read dont use nutes with MG starting out. Could i start now with nutes?