First Grow. Cfl in PC Case - Red Dwarf and Pakistan Ryder

Hi everyone

After some weeks of reading the forums, i found the needed information and i build a grow box from old pc server case Things i used -

-PC server case
-Mylar
-2x 80mm pc fans
-12v cell phone charger for the fans
-some pots, soil and etc.
-the seeds
-2x 48w 6500k CFLs for veg and 2x48w 2700k for flowering

So, the Pakistan ryder was put in the pot last night. The Red Dwarf is on day 2 after it shows the first green leaves form the soil

Everyting is ok so far, i'm just wondering about the watering, how much water to give them in the first days ? Maybe because of the fans, but the soil is getting dry really quick after i water them ... ? Any advice on this ?

edit: maybe i post in the wrong section of the forum, can someone move my thread to the Growing Journals section please, thanks

From what ive read on the forums, The best time to water your plants is to wait till the top soil is a little dry, Then poke your finger in the soil about an inch and if it feels dry water your plant. Its worked fine so far for me . Also at that stage of growth i dont think you will need to water that much/often.

Hi Belesar, thanks for the reply ! It sounds like a good and simple method, perfect for a lazy guy like me

Red Dwarf @ day 3 , still waiting for the Pakistan ryder to show up

Say hello to the little pakistan ryder Also the red dwarf is on day 4, is it looking good ? Is the light close enough to the both seedlings ? Any comments and critics are welcomed

Looks good to me.

Hi laboratory, thanks for the reply !

Here is the Red Dwarf @ day 5 and Pakistan Ryder @ day 2

I have some questions about the light schedule, is it good or is it bad if it is 18/6 from monday to friday, and 24/0 for saturday and sunday ? Or i should just stick with 18/6 all the time ?

Good looking seedlings and set up you got going on man. I'm no expert and just finishing my first grow, but I would keep your plant under one constant time cycle, mixing up the time schedule could "shock" the plant a bit and turn it hermie. I just stuck with 18/6 and let my girl take her time, patience is key now, it's hard to wait but it is so worth it instead of trying to rush her and risking inferior weed but if I'm wrong someone please correct me.

Keep her on one schedule, let her do her thing, the plants know what to do with what we give them

No, you are correct Lost. Using different light schedules can shock and plant. Stick with 18/6 since they are use to it.

Thanks for the reply guys, so i'll stick with 18/6 then

subed. i want to make a pc grow too and in a few days i will order my seeds(red dwarfs also).where did you get your seeds from? good luck m8

Hey man, those pc server are nice to grow in, at least you have some space to work with. Looking good so far, when they young I like to water with a spray bottle to ensure you dont overwater.

Keep it up man

Hi guys, thanks for the comments

swantip, the seeds are from attitude

rampageZA, maybe i will try with a spray bottle, for now im just watering with small amount of water every night, and i check before this how is the soil I'll post pictures from today in a hour

edit: here are the today pictures, red dwarf @ day 6 and paki ryder @ day 3

Looking nice and healthy saltonsea, most new plants die from overwatering so its good that you're paying close attention to it.

Remember what you put it, is what you get out

Yeah, i heard about so many new plants that died form overwatering, so im trying not to kill them I was watering with one tea cup of water per plant, but yesterday the soil was really dry, so this time i give them one cup and a half water, maybe when they are growing they need little more water

Other thing that im thinking of right now, is about the light in the dark period of the plant, the case is under a table, so there is a little light maybe, and because in the dark period the fans are not working, so is it bad if a small amount of light is comming in thru the fan when is not spinning ? Should i think of something to cover it or it is not a big problem ?

And one question about the cfl's, im with 2x 48w 6500k now, should i change one of the bulbs with 2700k after the second week, and after the third week to put the second 2700k, or to change them both after 2-3 weeks ?

And the update from today, red dwarf @ day 7 and paki ryder @ day 4

thesaltonsea said:

Other thing that im thinking of right now, is about the light in the dark period of the plant, the case is under a table, so there is a little light maybe, and because in the dark period the fans are not working, so is it bad if a small amount of light is comming in thru the fan when is not spinning ? Should i think of something to cover it or it is not a big problem ?

And one question about the cfl's, im with 2x 48w 6500k now, should i change one of the bulbs with 2700k after the second week, and after the third week to put the second 2700k, or to change them both after 2-3 weeks ?

Click to expand...

Hey man, light leaks are bad, when its the dark period you want no light leaking into the case, light leaks can cause plants to hermie from stress. About the bulbs change them when you want to induce flowering. Also why are the fans off when the lights are off, it would be better to circulate air even when the lights are off.

You should consider two plugs for the unit. One for the light source, and the other for a 12v power supply. The power supply can be spliced to the pc fan wires. A timer can cut the light off and keep the pc fans all the time.

Also you can use cardboard to keep light out. Use tape, get creative. I did this a couple of times.

Ok, i will put the fans on different plug to work 24/7 . And i will play with the tape in the weekend to cover all light leaks in the case

I've got some supplies But i will not give them nuts before day 21 . And i hope that the Ona Block Pro will cover the smell

red dwarf @ day 8 and paki ryder @ day 5