Budget & Stealth Grow

Brethren. I just ordered a pack of California Orange. I thought I'd go ahead an start my journal now so I can get some quality advice on planning my setup.

This grow needs to be cheap and stealthy. I'll only be growing 4 plants in a small closet using CFLs and Miracle Gro (regular potting mix or organic). My biggest concerns given my situation are going to be ventilation, odor, and maybe temps. Luckily things are cooling down.

I'm really interested in how you guys would go about putting together a cluster of say 6-8 CFL bulbs. Or maybe it's better to spread them out more?

I'd also like to know how to control the PH of Miracle Gro. I figured the stuff came fool proof. I keep hearing mixed reviews with some people saying it's too hot and burns their plants and others saying it's never failed them. I plan on starting the seedlings in small plantable pots with some flushed Miracle Gro and some perlite (1/2 soil and 1/2 perlite). And then I plan on transplanting them into larger pots with 1/3 perlite and 2/3 soil for the rest of their lifespan. I'm thinking I won't even feed them until I flower them unless you guys think they could use some extra Nitrogen.

As for odor control, I'm going to try placing a bunch of dryer sheets everywhere. I'm just trying to keep the smell contained in my bedroom or, ideally, my closet. Will this work or should I invest in something better?

Ventilation is going to be a problem because of the fact that it's in a closet with no air vent and I don't want to blow that sweet skunk smell all over the place. As of now I'm just planning on venting once a day after I get home from work. I'll keep a fan inside the closet at all times but when I get home I'll shut my bedroom door and blow the air out my window with a big fan. Probably with a bunch of dryer sheets taped along my window lol.

That's all I can think of for now. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. I'll probably start posting pics as soon as I start setting everything up. Let me share my growing experience with you! Thanks!

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Check out my grow. I'm growing in a closet. Not super stealthy but it's not bad. I'm using 9 CFL bulbs. Were you planning on building a box or just sticking the plants in the closet? I'm not sure if the dryer sheets would work. The main reason I built a box was because of odor control and I knew it would be a bit easier to maintain the smell. I don't own the house I live in so I can't just go around cutting holes in walls. Otherwise I would have.

I think your best bet would be to build a cheap growbox and stick that in the closet. Then smack a home build carbot filter on top with an exhaust fan blowing out.

LOL. I hear you man. Don't you still have to vent it though? And in doing so wouldn't it still release the smell?

I custom built a 2.5 foot rubbermaid growbox i think my plant will probably outgrow the location i have it in. But it is a stealth closet grow.

Also i don't have a problem with smell even though i don't have a carbon filter. All i do is spray febreeze around the room and I'm good to go for a few days. One plant doesn't smell that bad. I think i'll probably go with one of those auto fresheners that plug into the wall so i don't have to keep "refreshing" the room myself

Giblet said:

LOL. I hear you man. Don't you still have to vent it though? And in doing so wouldn't it still release the smell?

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No I don't have to vent anything. Carbon filter sits ontop of the box, a fan is blowing air outwards and there is a hole at the bottom of the box for air to be drawn in. Some strains smell worse than others. I don't think I need a carbon filter, but I still have one.

mr2shim said:

No I don't have to vent anything. Carbon filter sits ontop of the box, a fan is blowing air outwards and there is a hole at the bottom of the box for air to be drawn in. Some strains smell worse than others. I don't think I need a carbon filter, but I still have one.

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Oh. That's what I meant. Blowing air out. I'll read more of your thread and see what you did with that carbon filter. I really don't feel like messing with a box mostly because I don't want to cramp up the plants lol. I'd rather learn some training techniques. But if it's the only way to keep the air filtered then I just may go that route. Thanks for the feedback.

I'm seriously considering a cabinet now because it'll eliminate my two biggest worries. Odor control and high temps. Only problem is I'm retarded when it comes to hands on things like this. I mean, I barely learned how to change my car's oil for the first time a few weeks ago lol.

OK. Change of plans. I've decided to invest a little more in this grow.

I'm thinking about going with 250 Watts of CFL lighting. I'd like to know if it would be better to go with HID lighting for the price. Keeping in mind that low heat and energy efficiency are definitely a concern. The only ventilation my closet will have is when I get home from work and open the closet door and my bedroom window and place a fan on my window sill. I can get 2 reflectors with built-in sockets and 4 125 Watt bulbs with built-in ballasts for $177. Two 2700K bulbs @ 10,000 lumens each and 2 6500K bulbs @ 7,000 lumens each.

I'm also thinking about going with FoxFarm Ocean Forest soil. Is there a better soil for cannabis or is it just personal preference at this level? Also, is there an advantage to the organic mix or the potting mix?

Haven't thought about fertilizer or PH control yet. I'm definately getting a PH meter though.

Thanks guys.