Tahoe's doing it - stepping up to the plate....we're ready.....

Well, I am taking the plunge. We're gonna do this. I have a plan that makes sense (to me) and costs are reasonable - and the results - well, we'll just have to wait and see. This is the first gro in over 30 yrs, and more than a year listening and learning. My goal is a successful crop - not the most yeild, not the biggest tree, not monstrous bud, just ahealthy plants that offer reasonable yeild and high quality smoke. Those other goals are most commendable by those that pursue them, just not for me, this time around.

My space is approx. 2' x 3' x h (more than I need (i.e., >7')). I have a shelving unit to hang the light bar (with 9 x 42W CFLs - in three tri-arrays). should be able to easily accomodate a 3-4' plant. I may be looking at topping but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I like the idea of low bushy plants with more than one cola. the light bar is 14" x 32" entirely aluminum foiled, and it essentially forms a lid to the grow area below. I will put a timer in place for 18/6 and then 12/12 when the time is right. my plan is to do a minimum of two weeks vege, see where we're at the switch fairly early into flowering.

I have two 5 gal. pots with soil - professional potting soil, nothing fancy - with drip trays underneath. I have room for six pots depending on germination success? I will get some nutrients once they get started.

I have six seeds germinating - 3 Top44 and 3 BigBud - one Top44 has a definate crack showing - one of the BB might have been cracked and I didn't notice - I keep it there and see what happens for now.

I have an oil filled radiator heater with thermostat - the temp in the space is 16-23C (morning low - day high) and 29-35% humidity. I had been thinking that the natural sunlight through the window would suffice, but seems that more lighting is hugely beneficial, so closing off the window to all light (in or out) will be in order.

Once it is all set up properly I will take some photos. It feels good to have this underway. Now the real work starts, eh?

Best of luck to you!!!

Got any pearlite mixed into the soil?

some good progress made. lights are all in place and ready (photo). germination looks good - 6 seeds put in papertowel on Sunday - 5 showing - one really good (photo) - almost ready I suspect - prolly tomorrow into the soil? I guess I was a little surprised as these seeds were purchased last year, and sat idel for a full year. Then again there are those 7000 year old seeds so...what was I thinking.....

Without the lights all on - temp. seems to be pretty steady 70-75 and humidity ~30% - With the lights on it looks like I might have a temp problem. I have had the lights on for a couple of hours and its over 90 actually. But I still need to put a small fan in there for circulation which should help? I really did not expect the heat cuz so much has been written that CFLs do not produce heat?

I should be able to figure something out to manage the heat - though venting is not really an option so I'm not sure what to do. Man o man that is stinkin' bright - 9 x 42W CFL - 378W and 23400 lumens. I realize this is not anywhere near what some people are using.......but...i guess we'll see how effective this setup will be. Decided to use one of those windshield sunlight deflectors for reflective material. Oh well, guess we keep making some small steps forward and see wherer we end up...what challenghes will present themselves, and what successes we will experience.

https://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-pics/images/1268/medium/1_Picture_001cropped.jpg
https://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-pics/images/1268/medium/1_Picture_003cropped.jpg

I forgot - Congrats and good luck.

yes it does...its a professional prepared soil from a local garden supply. I love the smell of soil. No wonder I have spent almost 30 years as a wildlife biologist....nature is in me. I am pleased with my progress. How was your day?

Your Grandfather said:

Got any pearlite mixed into the soil?

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Looks like you are off to a very good start, I really like your hood idea, cheap and easy, I just may do that for my veg room.

concerning cfl watts, I'm using about the same watts as you for three of my plants, vegging and flowering with them, they seem to be doing ok but I really don't know what they are actually supposed to be doing as this is my first attempt, I'm 18 days into flowering, so far I'm pleased.

About the cooling, Iv'e seen people use small coolers such as swamp coolers or small air conditioners witch you could probably pick up for under hundred bucks, also I see them at thrift stores all the time (real cheap, specially this time of year)

May your grow be as good as the next!

thanks Humbolt. I'm gonna keep an eye on it now....I am confidentthat it is something I should be able to manage one way or another. I keep the status posted as it is better understood.

good luck tahoe. may the ganja gods look favorably upon you lol.

hey man....thanks a million. the germinating looks like I'm at least 5 for 6 which is a pleasing result. Now tomorrow I will place in the soil and then we'll see if we can continue to have such positive steps forward. Thanks again.....I'm already enjoying this! though my hope is that I will certainly enjoy the outcome in several months!

mastakoosh said:

good luck tahoe. may the ganja gods look favorably upon you lol.

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I have read that the exposed root tip from a germinating seed needs to be placed in soil rather quickly upon showing itself. i am inclined to NOT wait until tomorrow morning to plant these guys cuz they are all showing enuf that they are totally obviousl and noticeable. I think I will just go forward with putting them in the soil tonight.....

I would say she's ready for the dirt, I can't wait till they start growing, I want to see them under that hood, did you say what cycle of light you are going to be vegging? I vegged mine under 24/7 with good results.

thank you Humboldt. the topic of light schedule has been thought about. I had been thinking of going to 18/6 for a variety of reasons - then switch fairly early on to 12/12 - there seems to be continued debate on this. you say you went 24/7 vege - I suspect you did that to maximize vege growth in the shortest time - and it worked for you. I dunno, I guess I'm goona watch the lil'bitches grow and make some decisions along the way. I have a pretty clear pic in my mind about the whole aspect of the # nodes and height. I want to max. compactness and bushyness - and growing things too fast goes against my grain as a biologist - although there are many that will argue with me - this is a basic biological principle for me - there are lmiitations and trade-offs to pushing biological systems too much - it may not be obvious - but in the long run operating far outside the natural envelope has conequences - even if I don't know exactly what they might be.

nothing else new to report this AM - that sixth seed is either a dud or she's REALLY REALLY shy and does not want to show me her.....errr....you know! hope everyone has a great day...

I agree. Go to the edge but stay within the lines. I personally use 18/6 and am working on a supplemental timer/variable dimming CFL lights to simulate the reds of AM and then PM, just makes sense to me. The sky does not go from night to bright daylight_at the flip of a switch.

So, in theory I'd like the 3k cfl's to come on gradually, be supplemented by the 6.5k cfl's and then turn off until "evening" when the process would happen again but only in reverse.

Sorry for the rant on your thread.

You're welcome, I used 24/7 to speed up the proccess becuse I originally used shop lights standard flourecents tubes and when I switched to cfl's I just kept it that way, worked out good, if interested check out my journal to see the progress.

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/29010-humboldts-growing-adventures-up-away.html

working on a supplemental timer/variable dimming CFL lights to simulate the reds of AM and then PM, just makes sense to me. The sky does not go from night to bright daylight_at the flip of a switch.

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Sounds like a damn good idea, please keep us updated on the progress and the method you use to achieve this.

well just another regular day, eh?! - so how do you guarantee to draw attetnion to yourseslf? trying looking at air conditioners in Canada as the temp drops below freezing...hahahaha.....well I have not found exactly what I was looking for - don't suppose I even know exactly what that is....but I've leaqrned to go with my gut....and my gut was telling me what I saw ain't it....how freakin airy fairy is THAT! but I have a decent fan....and that's in the space on a dry run...to see what that might do to manage temp? the last seed it still hiding....more ans more a suspect of being classified as a dud. Still I suppose not bad. 5 out of 6, at least to this stage -- we'll see who is brave even to poke themselves out of the soil., and who will be first out of the gate.

Now this is very interesting and makes perfect sense. natuarl daylight hours do not work like artificial light do.

Thats a cool idea. I like it.

Your Grandfather said:

I agree. Go to the edge but stay within the lines. I personally use 18/6 and am working on a supplemental timer/variable dimming CFL lights to simulate the reds of AM and then PM, just makes sense to me. The sky does not go from night to bright daylight_at the flip of a switch.

So, in theory I'd like the 3k cfl's to come on gradually, be supplemented by the 6.5k cfl's and then turn off until "evening" when the process would happen again but only in reverse.

Sorry for the rant on your thread.

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Personally, I would go with the 86/6 and then 12/12 cycle. Its the simpliest and most well known method that produces great results.

I also would clip them after the 5th node and then gradually stress them to get more of a compact bushy plant.

Be patient with the last seeds as some are just slow. i've had seeds planted at the same time, come up almost weeks later.

Good luck with your grow tahoe.
I'll be keeping a watch out for you.

tahoe58 said:

thank you Humboldt. the topic of light schedule has been thought about. I had been thinking of going to 18/6 for a variety of reasons - then switch fairly early on to 12/12 - there seems to be continued debate on this. you say you went 24/7 vege - I suspect you did that to maximize vege growth in the shortest time - and it worked for you. I dunno, I guess I'm goona watch the lil'bitches grow and make some decisions along the way. I have a pretty clear pic in my mind about the whole aspect of the # nodes and height. I want to max. compactness and bushyness - and growing things too fast goes against my grain as a biologist - although there are many that will argue with me - this is a basic biological principle for me - there are lmiitations and trade-offs to pushing biological systems too much - it may not be obvious - but in the long run operating far outside the natural envelope has conequences - even if I don't know exactly what they might be.

nothing else new to report this AM - that sixth seed is either a dud or she's REALLY REALLY shy and does not want to show me her.....errr....you know! hope everyone has a great day...

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thanks Lacy.....I agree 86/6....that'll vege the heck out of them....ahahahaha JK....typo....anyway....I've had the lights on for a couple of hours and the temp is looking good 77.7F and 29% humidity. I am encouraged. I will be patient on the seed, no need to do anything - preciate all the feedback...its all good in the end....and if it ain't good yet.....it ain't the end yet!

Are you pots/containers directly on the floor?