First Grow

sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
This is my first indoor grow. Just wondering how the pros think it's doing. It's Dinafem blue widow, I currently have it under 2 high output fluorescent lamps but this weekend I am going to set up some CFL's. I haven't given the plant any fertilizers yet, not to sure when I should start, but tell me what you think.

Oh yeah, i just planted the germinated seed last Wed night so it's only about a week old. I don't know if it's progressing slow or normal
 

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sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
welshsmoker said:
looking ok man. but re pot her deeper and get some more light asap or she will continue to stretch.
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I moved it right up to the lights about half an inch or so away on monday or tuesday and it stopped growing up ward and has really started growing the leaves out, but yeah I'm going to get a lot more lighting in there saturday for sure. By re pot do you think I should transplant it?
 
whitewidower420

whitewidower420

Member
Yea, put those CFL's about 4-6 inches above her. I don't know much about soil growing but I start doing quarter strength recommended nutes half way through the second week. Also, here's a handy chart to help you control your PH

Screen shot 2011-05-26 at 6.52.19 PM.png
 
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risca

Active Member
I only grow in soil, all organic. If soil is properly fortified before hand, you shouldn't need to fertilize for a month or so. If you didn't fortify the soil before you started, I would say between 2 - 3 weeks for first feeding. 4 years experience, so still learning myself, take with a grain of salt. In time, you will learn what your plants need by how they look and grow. I'm just beginning that phase now. Good luck.
 
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Runbyhemp

Member
If soil is properly fortified before hand, you shouldn't need to
fertilize for a month or so
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Agreed, a decent over the counter potting compost should provide everything a seedling needs for the first few weeks/month ... in a small pot that is.

In a bigger pot the goodies in the soil could potentially last months, as it will take time for the plant to grow into it.
 
sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
Runbyhemp said:
Agreed, a decent over the counter potting compost should provide everything a seedling needs for the first few weeks/month ... in a small pot that is.

In a bigger pot the goodies in the soil could potentially last months, as it will take time for the plant to grow into it.
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Pic makes this pot look bigger than it is. What point should I transplant to a bigger pot?
 
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risca

Active Member
It depends on how big your pot is, and how big your plant is. I start in 16 oz party cups, and transplant 2 weeks after sprouting. Growth will slow down noticeably once it becomes root bound.
 
sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
risca said:
It depends on how big your pot is, and how big your plant is. I start in 16 oz party cups, and transplant 2 weeks after sprouting. Growth will slow down noticeably once it becomes root bound.
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My pot is probably about twice the size of a party cup, not sure on the exact size.

I bought and set up two CFL lights today. Their 27 watts each with a output of 1750 lumens and a color temp of 5000k. The first pic isn't very good and I was just taking it to show you guys the fluorescent light I had mounted on the wall in the back. I used this light up until now and I was wondering if I should keep it on or if it'd serve me better just to remove it and use only the CFLs. The light in the back is only a 17w bulb output is 1,093 lumens and a color temp of 7800k. I actually have two of them.

IMG_20110529_023421.jpgIMG_20110529_023456.jpg
 
eokay

eokay

Member
are you planning on repot that plant deeper or you just gonna put more soil in that pot? cuz that plant looks stretch
 
sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
eokay said:
are you planning on repot that plant deeper or you just gonna put more soil in that pot? cuz that plant looks stretch
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I plan to repot it, just not sure when. Based on risca's response I think I may do it in about a week. It was stretching because I had the plant to far away from a weaker light. I upgraded the lights and I moved it closer, and it has stopped growing upward so much.
 
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risca

Active Member
You also might want to look at T5 lighting. Same power as cfl's, not too much more expensive, and approximately 25% more lumens.
 
Kingrow1

Kingrow1

Well-Known Member
T5's rock and t8's are just as good, i love flourescents! I repot when the roots from the plant have established in the pot. When they are poking out of everydrainage hole and filled all the soil, then it just takes a small push from underneath the pot and grab the stem of the plant and it easily lifts out of the pot and can be put straight into new pot. Some people advocate loosening the roots and soil but i feel my plants don't like this and just place the whole mass into a new pot and soil.
 
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risca

Active Member
to repot, i cut a slit in party cup, and move whole mass also. no stress to the plant that way. i also use the same soil in party cups and pots.
 
sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
risca said:
You also might want to look at T5 lighting. Same power as cfl's, not too much more expensive, and approximately 25% more lumens.
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My problem with t5 is my grow box is not wide enough. The old fluorescent lights I have in there barely fit as it is and they are pretty short. I believe this is the one http://www.conservationmart.com/p-431-loa-24-17w-grow-light-stick-7020gl-under-cabinet-light.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=google_base it's only 24" long
 
Kingrow1

Kingrow1

Well-Known Member
Under cabinet lights are sh!t, rip that plastic fronting off and get a plant specific bulb. If you are stuck for space and want to use t5's and t8's they also make them in one foot versions with seperate ballasts but they are mainly aimed at the small fishtank market. I wanted to make a veg chamber with them but always had the room for two foot or 24 inch long ones. Here is a link-
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=1255&pf_id=51571&co=fr

This runs a one foot t8 or t5, there is a little attatchment so you can run both. What you do is buy a grolux or fishtank daylight 8w flourescent, rig four of these and you are basically running a couple of two foot flourescents, penetration should be the same no matter what wattage as the bigger the wattage the longer the lights not the bigger the wattage the more powerfull the light, this is the point of t5's over t8's as the t5 is a more powerfull version of the t8. In my opinion t8's give better light coverage.

Seriously those undercounter light units are not aimed at plants, the bulbs are always wrong, go off the kelvin reading if the bulbs have one, should be somthing like 6500k or 2700k if its any good but you need the right one for the veg chamber and they are blue looking or white when switched on. If you got the money buy some seperate ballasted units with relecters and the right bulbs. I really think that the plant/marijuana industry sucks when it comes to flourescents and cfl's as the fish tank/plant market has been streets ahead for years now, even the aquatic plant fertilizers seem to be far superior than the plant ferts and they understand and diagnose plant deficiencies like it is an applied science.
 
sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
Kingrow1 said:
Under cabinet lights are sh!t, rip that plastic fronting off and get a plant specific bulb. If you are stuck for space and want to use t5's and t8's they also make them in one foot versions with seperate ballasts but they are mainly aimed at the small fishtank market. I wanted to make a veg chamber with them but always had the room for two foot or 24 inch long ones. Here is a link-
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=1255&pf_id=51571&co=fr

This runs a one foot t8 or t5, there is a little attatchment so you can run both. What you do is buy a grolux or fishtank daylight 8w flourescent, rig four of these and you are basically running a couple of two foot flourescents, penetration should be the same no matter what wattage as the bigger the wattage the longer the lights not the bigger the wattage the more powerfull the light, this is the point of t5's over t8's as the t5 is a more powerfull version of the t8. In my opinion t8's give better light coverage.

Seriously those undercounter light units are not aimed at plants, the bulbs are always wrong, go off the kelvin reading if the bulbs have one, should be somthing like 6500k or 2700k if its any good but you need the right one for the veg chamber and they are blue looking or white when switched on. If you got the money buy some seperate ballasted units with relecters and the right bulbs. I really think that the plant/marijuana industry sucks when it comes to flourescents and cfl's as the fish tank/plant market has been streets ahead for years now, even the aquatic plant fertilizers seem to be far superior than the plant ferts and they understand and diagnose plant deficiencies like it is an applied science.
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I know their shit, that is why I bought the two CFL lights that I posted the details of previously. I only got them cause they were cheap (as well as convenient) and were enough to nurture my plant through the first week until I could afford to set up a few CFLs. My only question is, being that I have the CFL lights, is it worth it to keep the other grow lights running anyways to add to the amount of lumens, or am I just wasting electricity now?
 
Kingrow1

Kingrow1

Well-Known Member
Depends on their light spectrum really, just try to run the 6500k or 2700k or there abouts, read up on light spectrums. If you can mix these two light spectrums then even better. Its just those undercounter bulbs are generally the cheapest and give of more heat than light, not really suitable for plants imho. Look into what bulbs and lights you have available. I use big cfl's but think small ones are not gona do much. Maybe an investment in the right lights would be a good idea too. Good luck with it, i paid the money for plant specific flourescents, the only reason i use big cfls is because they are cooler than 400w hps and less of a fire hazard.
 
sync0s

sync0s

Well-Known Member
sync0s said:
My pot is probably about twice the size of a party cup, not sure on the exact size.

I bought and set up two CFL lights today. Their 27 watts each with a output of 1750 lumens and a color temp of 5000k. The first pic isn't very good and I was just taking it to show you guys the fluorescent light I had mounted on the wall in the back. I used this light up until now and I was wondering if I should keep it on or if it'd serve me better just to remove it and use only the CFLs. The light in the back is only a 17w bulb output is 1,093 lumens and a color temp of 7800k. I actually have two of them.

View attachment 1623275View attachment 1623276
Click to expand...
That's my post about the lights. I read that 5000k and 6500k are the best spectrums for vegging so I went with the 5000k. They are big CFL bulbs. The under cabinet lights are 7800k 17w
 
Kingrow1

Kingrow1

Well-Known Member
5000k is ok, 6500k is perfect, i think plants can use light from 5000k to 14000k effectively for veg but don't quote me on this, i see some 14000k arctic marine bulbs used for plants with great results, give off a weird colour though. Add them all if heat is no problem, mixed spectrum of all should be good till you can stump up the cash for somthing better. Peace
 
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