First grow! Total beginner Journal!

Hey everyone! This is my first time attempting a grow, and I'll be growing Northern Light Auto! Right now, I have one seedling planted in a large pot of 2/3 FF Happy Frog Soil, and 1/3 Perlite. It's been 4 days since I planted my germinated seed, and it's under one 55 watt CFL light which gives off 3,600 Lumens. I have two others but I'm not using them yet. I watered for the first time since planting today. I also picked up a pH test kit today from the local pet store, and I tested the runoff which seemed to be around 6.3ish.

I'd love some company for my journey! And any feedback I could get!

Here's a picture of my set up and of my plant as of this morning! Thanks guys!

Good Luck!! Nice TV!

Seems like youve done your homework but your plant will need more light especially with cfls the more the merrier

kongofkush said:

Seems like youve done your homework but your plant will need more light especially with cfls the more the merrier

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can't a lot of light hurt plants when they first sprout? I've heard that too much light for seedlings can burn them. I was planning on adding the others that I have once it's not so small anymore. Should I add them sooner? Thanks!

They must be talking bout more high powered like hps or mhs cfls n leds are less intense heat wise as long as you keep them 4to 6 inchs away

Good luck on the grow! Subbed.

Day five and she's looking pretty perky! I think she's looking pretty good, what do you guys think?

Hi Growgirll,

Do you have some sort of air flow system set up on your rig? I don't see it from the pics... I ask because on my first grow (which is my current grow, but I'm almost at harvest stage) I didn't take this into account and as a result my plants storks didn't strengthen enough and once they got a bit taller they'd collapse under their own weight... Rookie mistake but you live and you learn!

The one cfl is fine when she's so small.My advice-set the light so its around 4 inches from the top of her,get a small fan blowing,and leave her alone for two days.After that,check her and raise your lamp according to growth,and continue like that,checking every two days and watering every four,so every second visit.I know its easier said than done but looking at your plants won't make them grow quicker but fucking about with them at this stage can easily kill them.Just let her be.Very best of luck!!

I wouldn't worry about too much light. Now heat from the light is a different story. Just ensure you have a safe distance from canopy to bulbs. A good way to test this is to place your hand above the top of the plant for around one min tops. If the heat level is not comfortable to your skin it wont be for your plant either. Should be able to get real close as cfl is low heat. Add the extra lighting in a week or two depending on growth. Leave enough room for stretch as well so your girl does not grow into the bulb overnight. Your plant will reward you for the extra lighting! Good luck and happy growing!

snoyl said:

The one cfl is fine when she's so small.My advice-set the light so its around 4 inches from the top of her,get a small fan blowing,and leave her alone for two days.After that,check her and raise your lamp according to growth,and continue like that,checking every two days and watering every four,so every second visit.I know its easier said than done but looking at your plants won't make them grow quicker but fucking about with them at this stage can easily kill them.Just let her be.Very best of luck!!

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Do NOT leave her for a couple days with the lights being so close. In optimal conditions your plant will grow rapidly and stretch right into the light and burn up. Never hurts to check your babies. Terrible advice imho.

i would keep them 4 inchs from the tops like snoyl said, and also there is such thing as too much light , if your leaves start wilting or drooping as if they were thirsty thats a sign from light stress if thats not happening then your good , but if you ever run into a droopy plant and you know its not over/underwatered then that could be a possibilty....just Fyi

STLbudz said:

i would keep them 4 inchs from the tops like snoyl said, and also there is such thing as too much light , if your leaves start wilting or drooping as if they were thirsty thats a sign from light stress if thats not happening then your good , but if you ever run into a droopy plant and you know its not over/underwatered then that could be a possibilty....just Fyi

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bro, 3 55w 3600k cfl bulbs is NOT to much light!

^^^ thats right and also dude who said leave them for a few days is crazy and water them every 4... just check them every day, u might not have to do anything but check for insect, mold, burns, spots, soil dryness or dampness, growth height all to ensure the proper growth of your seedling.. my babys are on day 3 and one is pushing through the soil and the other isnt

kongofkush said:

^^^ thats right and also dude who said leave them for a few days is crazy and water them every 4... just check them every day, u might not have to do anything but check for insect, mold, burns, spots, soil dryness or dampness, growth height all to ensure the proper growth of your seedling.. my babys are on day 3 and one is pushing through the soil and the other isnt

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These are all excellent reasons to check your plants growgirll! Good luck on your grow and good luck to you as well kongofkush!

Skidsteer gave you solid advice....If you dont get the light close it will be stringy and weak...move the light close for broad first leaves and less stretching....Good luck with your grow...your in a really good place to learn.

Thanks slipperyP

I spent all day today upgrading my set up a bit. I build a small grow box, about three feet tall, two feet wide two feet long. Inside are two fans, one for bringing air in and one for bringing it out. Two 20watt CFLS (give off 1180 lumens each, 6500k) and one 55watt CFL (3600 lumens, 2700K). There's a thermometer on the right wall which runs to a reader on the outside of the box. Temperatures seemed to stay around 78-80 degrees F. Let me know what you think!

There you go, much better. I understand the whole work with what you got, trust me you don't need to spend a fortune on a setup to grow some killer buds. Just keep studying and stay one step ahead and don't make it harder than what it is. Read and absorb all the info you can. Good luck and happy growing!

You do need to try and suspend your 2 side lights directly above your plant though or as close as possible. Leave roughly 4 inches. Sorry just noticed in the pic. Otherwise nice job!