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First Time Grower - Provide feedback

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First Time Grower - Provide feedback

SavannA May 20, 2026 25 Replies 891 Views
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SavannA

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#1
Hello all from New Zealand!


This is likely to be a lengthy first post containing silly questions.


I have started my first ever grow in an extremely small space. I will post my current setup with pictures and would love your feedback (good and bad) as i need to learn. I am trying to keep costs down and power usage as low as I can.



My current grow is all bag seeds as a test grow. I currently have 3 females in the space (space way to small) but i plan on letting it go as im currently into week 3 after flipping to 12/12. I started with 6 bag seeds, 4 germinated and all four turned out to be female.
I topped the current plants but did not apply any training this time. My next batch i will attempt LST.

After this grow has completed I do have Ghost Train Haze, Bubba Kush and Z auto's for the next few runs.


My Grow space is part of a built-in wardrobe that is not 100% sealed but I'm constantly trying to make tweaks and changes to improve what I have to work with. The space is a tiny 1.5meters (tall) x 600mm (wide) x 730mm (deep). This is made of both plasterboard and Plywood.


Reflective Lining: Diamond White Silver PET Film


Heat: 2 x 60w Sabre heaters


Dehumidifier in the remaining wardrobe space - running where the main intake to the grow room is. I have this currently set to 45% but the grow space is still 63%


Light: https://herbals.co.nz/products/quantum-par-led-grow-light - This should be good enough for the small space I have


Extraction: I currently run https://herbals.co.nz/products/100mm-inline-fan-package - This is running on the low setting (1 of 2) but based on the size I expect its pulling far to much air. I have just ordered https://herbals.co.nz/products/clou...-duct-fan-system-with-speed-controller-4-inch to replace it to allow me to drop the speed more.


Heat Control: https://inkbird.co.nz/products/temperature-controller-itc-308-wifi - I have my 2 x 60w sabre heaters connected to this with it set to cut off at 25C / 77F BUT i can not even reach that during lights on, so my heaters are running 100% of the time. Its coming into winter here.


Fan: Single 6inch fan running



The issues I see and need to resolve without spending a fortune on gear and costing me more $$$ in power usage.


At this stage I have an issue trying to maintain temps and humidity. During lights on at this time of year I reach about 21C/70F, Light off 17C/66F and a constant 60% - 63% humidity.

I am still yet to install https://herbals.co.nz/products/cloudline-pro-s4-quiet-inline-duct-fan-system-with-speed-controller-4-inch I am hoping this may help. I think my current extraction fan is replacing the air far to fast causing it to draw the heat to fast and fitting the new extraction fan will allow me to reduce the air drawn out which may help to raise temps and lower humidity some what. Do you think this will help?

As my air intake is at floor level and my dehumidifier pumps the treated air up, I suspect raising my intake ducting to a high point would help draw in warmer and lower humid air. So I plan on trying that in the coming days.


Like I said, this is my first grow with a sub par setup. Please advise and provide your thoughts. Help me raise my temps and lower my humidity if possible. I really don't want to see bud rot and have to throw away months of time. I appreciate anyone and everyone's opinion and suggestions. Thank you very much for your time ready this.
 

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Grownsince95

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#2
You're doing great. The extraction fan should solve your heat and humidity problem by alternating on and off.

It is 100% essential that you add an additional fan inside for circulation though, or you will have problems with mold and bud rot down the line even with good humidity numbers.
 
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Ninjadogma

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#3
SavannA said:
Hello all from New Zealand!


This is likely to be a lengthy first post containing silly questions.


I have started my first ever grow in an extremely small space. I will post my current setup with pictures and would love your feedback (good and bad) as i need to learn. I am trying to keep costs down and power usage as low as I can.



My current grow is all bag seeds as a test grow. I currently have 3 females in the space (space way to small) but i plan on letting it go as im currently into week 3 after flipping to 12/12. I started with 6 bag seeds, 4 germinated and all four turned out to be female.
I topped the current plants but did not apply any training this time. My next batch i will attempt LST.

After this grow has completed I do have Ghost Train Haze, Bubba Kush and Z auto's for the next few runs.


My Grow space is part of a built-in wardrobe that is not 100% sealed but I'm constantly trying to make tweaks and changes to improve what I have to work with. The space is a tiny 1.5meters (tall) x 600mm (wide) x 730mm (deep). This is made of both plasterboard and Plywood.


Reflective Lining: Diamond White Silver PET Film


Heat: 2 x 60w Sabre heaters


Dehumidifier in the remaining wardrobe space - running where the main intake to the grow room is. I have this currently set to 45% but the grow space is still 63%


Light: https://herbals.co.nz/products/quantum-par-led-grow-light - This should be good enough for the small space I have


Extraction: I currently run https://herbals.co.nz/products/100mm-inline-fan-package - This is running on the low setting (1 of 2) but based on the size I expect its pulling far to much air. I have just ordered https://herbals.co.nz/products/clou...-duct-fan-system-with-speed-controller-4-inch to replace it to allow me to drop the speed more.


Heat Control: https://inkbird.co.nz/products/temperature-controller-itc-308-wifi - I have my 2 x 60w sabre heaters connected to this with it set to cut off at 25C / 77F BUT i can not even reach that during lights on, so my heaters are running 100% of the time. Its coming into winter here.


Fan: Single 6inch fan running



The issues I see and need to resolve without spending a fortune on gear and costing me more $$$ in power usage.


At this stage I have an issue trying to maintain temps and humidity. During lights on at this time of year I reach about 21C/70F, Light off 17C/66F and a constant 60% - 63% humidity.

I am still yet to install https://herbals.co.nz/products/cloudline-pro-s4-quiet-inline-duct-fan-system-with-speed-controller-4-inch I am hoping this may help. I think my current extraction fan is replacing the air far to fast causing it to draw the heat to fast and fitting the new extraction fan will allow me to reduce the air drawn out which may help to raise temps and lower humidity some what. Do you think this will help?

As my air intake is at floor level and my dehumidifier pumps the treated air up, I suspect raising my intake ducting to a high point would help draw in warmer and lower humid air. So I plan on trying that in the coming days.


Like I said, this is my first grow with a sub par setup. Please advise and provide your thoughts. Help me raise my temps and lower my humidity if possible. I really don't want to see bud rot and have to throw away months of time. I appreciate anyone and everyone's opinion and suggestions. Thank you very much for your time ready this.
Click to expand...

Hello and welcome to your new obsession!

Wishing you the best on your debut run. One thing I noticed is that light only puts out 100w. You can certainly work with a light that small but it will pose some challenges because you have a very small optimal "grow zone" with a lower way light. You are going to want to make your top canopy as flat and even as you can, and check with the manufacturer notes to see how close to the canopy the light should be for proper PPDF. The plants you've started are not currently being trained to accomplish this. You could do a double SCROG net over the top and that might be your best bet for managing hight and keeping a tight canopy. Secondary to that, you're moving into winter and it sounds like you've got a strategy to keep the environment warm. You might consider a seed mat. They are extremely efficient at warming the root zone with minimal power consumption and it's mainly the roots that need to be kept warm, not the above-ground portion of the plant.

Again wishing you the best, and keep us posted with pics and stuff!
 
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SavannA

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#4
Grownsince95 said:
You're doing great. The extraction fan should solve your heat and humidity problem by alternating on and off.

It is 100% essential that you add an additional fan inside for circulation though, or you will have problems with mold and bud rot down the line even with good humidity numbers.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much!


The last thing i want is mold or bud rot.
Your 100% correct on this. I did plan on adding another fan at low speed under the canopy if possible . As i have a wall/ceiling of green its likely hard for that moisture to escape down there.
 
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SavannA

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#5
Ninjadogma said:
Hello and welcome to your new obsession!

Wishing you the best on your debut run. One thing I noticed is that light only puts out 100w. You can certainly work with a light that small but it will pose some challenges because you have a very small optimal "grow zone" with a lower way light. You are going to want to make your top canopy as flat and even as you can, and check with the manufacturer notes to see how close to the canopy the light should be for proper PPDF. The plants you've started are not currently being trained to accomplish this. You could do a double SCROG net over the top and that might be your best bet for managing hight and keeping a tight canopy. Secondary to that, you're moving into winter and it sounds like you've got a strategy to keep the environment warm. You might consider a seed mat. They are extremely efficient at warming the root zone with minimal power consumption and it's mainly the roots that need to be kept warm, not the above-ground portion of the plant.

Again wishing you the best, and keep us posted with pics and stuff!
Click to expand...
Hi,

Thank you very much for further information and support. I really appreciate it.

Im very new and my thoughts on how to solve issues may be far from correct.

From what i have read, the light should cover the area i have. The specifications state flowering 60cm x 60cm and veg 80cm x 80cm. with a height of 45cm above canopy. The light is currently sitting at 90% power and i intend to increase it to 100% in a week or so when im out of the stretch section of the 12/12 flip.

The two 60w sabre heaters sit at pot level and fingers crossed are keeping the root zone warm. But still having problems maintaining the 25c / 77f temps. Im finding it difficult to get the temps higher and the humidity lower.
 
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Ninjadogma

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#6
SavannA said:
Hi,

Thank you very much for further information and support. I really appreciate it.

Im very new and my thoughts on how to solve issues may be far from correct.

From what i have read, the light should cover the area i have. The specifications state flowering 60cm x 60cm and veg 80cm x 80cm. with a height of 45cm above canopy. The light is currently sitting at 90% power and i intend to increase it to 100% in a week or so when im out of the stretch section of the 12/12 flip.

The two 60w sabre heaters sit at pot level and fingers crossed are keeping the root zone warm. But still having problems maintaining the 25c / 77f temps. Im finding it difficult to get the temps higher and the humidity lower.
Click to expand...

If placement is at 45cm then probably at a distance of around 75cm you don't have enough energy for the plant, so your canopy is only going to be about 30 cm deep for optimal plant energy. That's roughly 12" for us lazy yanks.
 
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trygrowup

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#7
Here i just took that from the lamp specs
 
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Ninjadogma

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#8
trygrowup said:
Here i just took that from the lamp specs
View attachment 2644300
Click to expand...

Yeah that's a tight fit and sitting right at the margin line of good numbers, but still doable.
 
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trygrowup

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#9
Ninjadogma said:
Yeah that's a tight fit and sitting right at the margin line of good numbers, but still doable.
Click to expand...
Yeah but also the 30cm not 45 could explain the "long legs"

Edit: That's 15 cm lost of the usable light you mentioned.
Double edit: Plus 80%. I'd say power that lamp 100%
 
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SavannA

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#10
Ninjadogma said:
Yeah that's a tight fit and sitting right at the margin line of good numbers, but still doable.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

I might look at the next model up in the next grow or one after as its quite an expense.
 
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SavannA

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#11
trygrowup said:
Yeah but also the 30cm not 45 could explain the "long legs"

Edit: That's 15 cm lost of the usable light you mentioned.
Click to expand...

So your recommendation would be to lower the height to about 30cm from the top of the canopy?
I have been basing it pretty much on
 
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trygrowup

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#12
Yes and turn it up to 100% to get those 600'ish ppfd
 
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trygrowup

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#13
As ninja said, you can use the lamp but have to use it right to get good harvest.
If they stretch too much the spacing between the buds gives fewer buds in the optimal light.

Edit. Or at least adjust the light to the stretch. Maybe a bit early to go full power 30 cm
 
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SavannA

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#14
Loving the feedback Team. Please keep it coming.

I was just a little hesitant as the tops of one of the plants looked a little bleached (lime green)
Once i get back home i will lower the light to about 30cm and turn it up to 100%.
 
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trygrowup

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#15
SavannA said:
Loving the feedback Team. Please keep it coming.

I was just a little hesitant as the tops of one of the plants looked a little bleached (lime green)
Once i get back home i will lower the light to about 30cm and turn it up to 100%.
Click to expand...
Yeah maybe wait doing both. But you have flipped so 600 ppfd should be ok, but keep an eye on the leaf tips
 
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#16
SavannA said:
Loving the feedback Team. Please keep it coming.

I was just a little hesitant as the tops of one of the plants looked a little bleached (lime green)
Once i get back home i will lower the light to about 30cm and turn it up to 100%.
Click to expand...

What we are describing as your grow zone is pretty much the shape that you want to train your plant to take that form... Flat as you can get it and wide with the space it will fit, and only about a foot deep. That way the leaves and buds will all be growing within the space where they're getting the necessary light they need. It's normal tent tactics but because you have a smaller light there isn't much wiggle room to work with, that's all.
 
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SavannA

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#17
Ninjadogma said:
What we are describing as your grow zone is pretty much the shape that you want to train your plant to take that form... Flat as you can get it and wide with the space it will fit, and only about a foot deep. That way the leaves and buds will all be growing within the space where they're getting the necessary light they need. It's normal tent tactics but because you have a smaller light there isn't much wiggle room to work with, that's all.
Click to expand...

It is all amazing help and advise and im trying to take it all in. I really appreciate it. Im sorry for some dumb questions.

I got a little carried away with this first ever grow. As they were all bag seeds i didn't expect to have 100% females and thought i would have a little more space with only 1 maybe 2 plants. All four that germinated ended up being female, i ended up culling one of them.
 
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#18
I will take a few photos of the tops of the plants and share them tomorrow to get your thought.
 
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WinJr63

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#19
SavannA said:
Hello all from New Zealand!


This is likely to be a lengthy first post containing silly questions.


I have started my first ever grow in an extremely small space. I will post my current setup with pictures and would love your feedback (good and bad) as i need to learn. I am trying to keep costs down and power usage as low as I can.



My current grow is all bag seeds as a test grow. I currently have 3 females in the space (space way to small) but i plan on letting it go as im currently into week 3 after flipping to 12/12. I started with 6 bag seeds, 4 germinated and all four turned out to be female.
I topped the current plants but did not apply any training this time. My next batch i will attempt LST.

After this grow has completed I do have Ghost Train Haze, Bubba Kush and Z auto's for the next few runs.


My Grow space is part of a built-in wardrobe that is not 100% sealed but I'm constantly trying to make tweaks and changes to improve what I have to work with. The space is a tiny 1.5meters (tall) x 600mm (wide) x 730mm (deep). This is made of both plasterboard and Plywood.


Reflective Lining: Diamond White Silver PET Film


Heat: 2 x 60w Sabre heaters


Dehumidifier in the remaining wardrobe space - running where the main intake to the grow room is. I have this currently set to 45% but the grow space is still 63%


Light: https://herbals.co.nz/products/quantum-par-led-grow-light - This should be good enough for the small space I have


Extraction: I currently run https://herbals.co.nz/products/100mm-inline-fan-package - This is running on the low setting (1 of 2) but based on the size I expect its pulling far to much air. I have just ordered https://herbals.co.nz/products/clou...-duct-fan-system-with-speed-controller-4-inch to replace it to allow me to drop the speed more.


Heat Control: https://inkbird.co.nz/products/temperature-controller-itc-308-wifi - I have my 2 x 60w sabre heaters connected to this with it set to cut off at 25C / 77F BUT i can not even reach that during lights on, so my heaters are running 100% of the time. Its coming into winter here.


Fan: Single 6inch fan running



The issues I see and need to resolve without spending a fortune on gear and costing me more $$$ in power usage.


At this stage I have an issue trying to maintain temps and humidity. During lights on at this time of year I reach about 21C/70F, Light off 17C/66F and a constant 60% - 63% humidity.

I am still yet to install https://herbals.co.nz/products/cloudline-pro-s4-quiet-inline-duct-fan-system-with-speed-controller-4-inch I am hoping this may help. I think my current extraction fan is replacing the air far to fast causing it to draw the heat to fast and fitting the new extraction fan will allow me to reduce the air drawn out which may help to raise temps and lower humidity some what. Do you think this will help?

As my air intake is at floor level and my dehumidifier pumps the treated air up, I suspect raising my intake ducting to a high point would help draw in warmer and lower humid air. So I plan on trying that in the coming days.


Like I said, this is my first grow with a sub par setup. Please advise and provide your thoughts. Help me raise my temps and lower my humidity if possible. I really don't want to see bud rot and have to throw away months of time. I appreciate anyone and everyone's opinion and suggestions. Thank you very much for your time ready this.
Click to expand...
Looks like those some fat finger leaves
 
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#20
SavannA said:
Hello all from New Zealand!
Click to expand...
Hey there, from over here! (California US) welcome to the Farm!
 
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Forum General Indoor Growing

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