Looking for some EXPERIENCED help...

I'm looking for some help with choosing a good layout for my "stealth closet" grow. The largest box I would be able to fit into the closet is a 6Lx2Wx5H. I know that I probably won't be using a box that large, but that is my usable space.
For the past week I have spent in excess of 35 solid hours reading and studying the methods of growing and the things needed to get started with growing your own.
I've already calculated how many watts of light/sq.ft. that I'll need for each of the many layouts I've already drawn up. I also have a pretty good idea for what I'm going to do for odor control and ventilation. My biggest problem is choosing what method of growing I should use and what size box would be best for growing a personal stash.
I've already researched many methods for growing. The most appealing to me so far are ScrOG, SOG, LST, FIM, and maybe even some type of Hydroponics.
There are so many pros and cons to each of the methods, and also so many variations to each method. How does one even begin to choose?
What would be a good sized box for doing Screen of green, but as short as possible.
On average I've heard of people going full cycle (seed to harvest) in about 9 weeks(if all goes well). Is this average or should I be expecting some other time frame?
Well, any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.

KayAreOEnnEyeSee said:

I'm looking for some help with choosing a good layout for my "stealth closet" grow. The largest box I would be able to fit into the closet is a 6Lx2Wx5H. I know that I probably won't be using a box that large, but that is my usable space.
For the past week I have spent in excess of 35 solid hours reading and studying the methods of growing and the things needed to get started with growing your own.
I've already calculated how many watts of light/sq.ft. that I'll need for each of the many layouts I've already drawn up. I also have a pretty good idea for what I'm going to do for odor control and ventilation. My biggest problem is choosing what method of growing I should use and what size box would be best for growing a personal stash.
I've already researched many methods for growing. The most appealing to me so far are ScrOG, SOG, LST, FIM, and maybe even some type of Hydroponics.
There are so many pros and cons to each of the methods, and also so many variations to each method. How does one even begin to choose?
What would be a good sized box for doing Screen of green, but as short as possible.
On average I've heard of people going full cycle (seed to harvest) in about 9 weeks(if all goes well). Is this average or should I be expecting some other time frame?
Well, any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.

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maybe if you're doin hydro but soil will be more like 12 weeks IF you use clones. i would do soil in totes and lst. keep em low and bushy!

deep water culture can stay small i didnt have much space to work with and my setup has gotten a lil bigger than it originally was but i really like dwc with short bushy strains check out my grow

I always suggest soil for 1st timers. Expect several months(3-4 minimum).

KayAreOEnnEyeSee said:

My biggest problem is choosing what method of growing I should use and what size box would be best for growing a personal stash.
I've already researched many methods for growing. The most appealing to me so far are ScrOG, SOG, LST, FIM, and maybe even some type of Hydroponics.

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LST is a great way to maximize your yields by evenly distributing your light, I never felt the need to use a screen though...just seems like an unneeded hassle.

KayAreOEnnEyeSee said:

There are so many pros and cons to each of the methods, and also so many variations to each method. How does one even begin to choose?

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There's always time to try them all Like I said though I think LST would do you a world of good.

KayAreOEnnEyeSee said:

What would be a good sized box for doing Screen of green, but as short as possible.

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Just consider your temps, if you're not cooling your light then you'll want a bit more headroom to keep them a good 12" or more away...based on temps. If you are cooling your light then, again depending on temps you could get away with 6" or so. Based on HID lighting that is.

Just a suggestion...

Get a harvest every 2 weeks

I was suggested that 6 months ago...

I started with an Aerogarden...

That thread taught me this... Last Page of Gypsy's Picture Depot

Thank You so much for this information. It has totally helped answer a lot of the questions I had about DWC setups and what types of rotation cycles I could possibly use. I'm not looking for anything that size at all, so I will have to do a bit of tweaking to set up a personal system based off of the one shown on Al-B's link. Any suggestions or link help for an op in a 48'' tall 25'' wide 28'' deep box? And again, i appreciate your help so much. +rep to ya

I ran a 600 hps in a 36"x20"x54" tent...

Maybe I can help... what are your questions?

And yeah.. even Al says that you can just size it to your needs...

From a tray every two weeks to a plant every two weeks...

The only hold back is your imagination...

In my op, I chop 2 or 3 girls every day...

You can do the rotation as you please....

Good Luck Bro!

I'm really glad I ran across your profile. I bet there are so many things that you could help me with. You wouldnt happen to have any blueprints or pics of that setup you were talking about do you? It would really help jumpstart my imagination.
Even if you dont have pics of the setup, specs would be nice too... lights, plant height at harvest, grow medium... things like that.

So I've decided to go with the DWC closet box grow with a 250w HPS light... I dont think I'll need a cool tube for it but will make one if needed. So I'm guessing that if I do go with the Scrog I'll start out with 4 plants and just try keeping them short since im only planning on a 4ft tall box. Should I be worried about the plants growing too tall in there with a scrog grow? Any suggestions on how to keep them short? Should I just put the screen about 10-12 inches above the plants, then VEG until they are up to the screen, begin filling the screen and then start flowering just before they totally fill the screen?

KayAreOEnnEyeSee said:

I'm really glad I ran across your profile. I bet there are so many things that you could help me with. You wouldnt happen to have any blueprints or pics of that setup you were talking about do you? It would really help jumpstart my imagination.
Even if you dont have pics of the setup, specs would be nice too... lights, plant height at harvest, grow medium... things like that.

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Gypsy's 600 watt Home Made Grow Tent

This should help...

KayAreOEnnEyeSee said:

So I've decided to go with the DWC closet box grow with a 250w HPS light...

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DWC is great in the right conditions... how big will your res be?

And Uh... 250 will do... hell I've flowered with 50w cfl....

BUT.. may I suggest a 400 in a cooltube to start with...

Trust me.. you'll want it and you will upgrade in less than a year...

If you know you will be growing for a while, even of on and off... do yourself a favor and get the right stuff only once... the first time...

Upgrading is VERY expensive...

And the difference between a 250 and a 400 is HUGE!!!!

I dont think I'll need a cool tube for it but will make one if needed.

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I'd get a real cool tube with a digi 400 from HTG... or even locally...

So I'm guessing that if I do go with the Scrog I'll start out with 4 plants and just try keeping them short since im only planning on a 4ft tall box.

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I've never done a SCROG, but it sounds like a good idea...

Have you seen SomeGuy's grow?

Someguys Perpetual Parabolic SCROG Cabinet grow (trying to actually keep a journal)

Should I be worried about the plants growing too tall in there with a scrog grow?

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Not if you do it right...

But as I said... I've never done one...

Any suggestions on how to keep them short?

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Train them...

LST, SCROG, there are many ways...

Have you seen my grow?

I can control how big/tall mine are by how big a clone I put into flower...

You could have lots of little lollipops...

Have you seen Dewey Kox's grow...

He's also very limited in height... and has a BANGING perpetual SOG...

White Rhino & Belladonna

Should I just put the screen about 10-12 inches above the plants, then VEG until they are up to the screen, begin filling the screen and then start flowering just before they totally fill the screen?

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You are going to need to ask someone with SCROG experience...

I can help you do what I do all day long.... in any scale... but if we step out of SOG... I know very little...

You must remember... I am still a newb too...

I have had success because I chose ONE recipe and stuck with it...

I found a proven method and followed it like there was no other way of growing...

Today I have a great platform to go out and experiment from... but the goal was to have a successful grow as quickly as possible...

I must say I am happy with my decision...

I hope this all helps... I'm not trying to say one way is better...

Just the opposite...

There are so many good ways to grow that it becomes tempting to mix it all up...

I say pick one way and forget about the rest for a while...

Sorry if I'm confusing you...

You can always tell me to STFU...

Cheers Bro...

WOW Gypsy!!! You are super helpful. Thank You So Much.
That friend of mine finally got back from his road trip, and I had the chance to talk to him about the clones and lighting. GREAT NEWS!!!! He wants to give me 2 400w HPS Hoods and any clones that I want. And wow does he have some great strains, 6 if I'm remembering correctly. I can't believe how lucky I've gotten with putting this thing together. So much help from everyone on this site, my growing buddy, and all the great things laying around the house that I can use to save me cash that I don't have.
Oh... do you think the 2 400watters would be a bit of overkill or no? That is if I can find a way to fit them in my teeny space. Maybe I'll just start another box with the 2nd light or even do the VEG box Flower box rotation thing.

wow! cool!

I would be very tempted to get a 2x4 tray and a 2x2 tray...( total 6x2)

and fit the 400s in cool tubes in a series...

and figure out the veg area with a t5...

or split the area and use 1 for veg and 1 for flower...

one small area for mothers and clones...

and a flowering area...

Thats the exact setup I was thinking. Ill have to do a bit more moving of the furniture but it will so be worth it. I guess I'll spend the cash that I saved on the lights and my ventilation on some closet doors lol. I really dont know how I would hide a box that big in this small room lol.

So what are youre thoughts on starting out with BigBud and Heiro-Juana (cant spell). Ever smoked or grown either?

if you pack in the 5" square pots... you could have ...

40 lollies and harvest 5 a week...

That's prolly an oz a week to start... 3 later on, once you get dialed in...

KayAreOEnnEyeSee said:

So what are youre thoughts on starting out with BigBud and Heiro-Juana (cant spell). Ever smoked or grown either?

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no...

sorry..

I'm pretty much strain ignorant...

but I got c99, ww & juicy fruit in my arsenal...

the JF is very frosty...

Pics like that rate up there with porn to me lol. That is beautiful. That plant is nothing but Trichs. Now is that mostly genetic or can the grower play with the amount of trichs on a plant?

I believe it's in the DNA to begin with, but takes a good environment to bring it out...

Here some bagseed I grow...

Another thing I'm having problems deciding on is if I should go "legal", get back in the game, or just grow personal... Michigan just started Medical MJ, so I have no idea even where to begin the application process and I'm not running around town asking "Where do I go so I can grow?". I'd like to keep it on the lowlow, too many shady people around here. Maybe I'll just move to a place where anybody and everybody can grow. Anyone know of a place like that? lol