First Time Growing... Need Some Tips.

MichaelB0329 · Mar 5, 2020

This is my first time growing and I'm going on vacation soon, so I decided to just go with one plant for now until I can take care of multiple. So its sort of an 'experiment' to see if I can grow properly. I'm looking for tips on what I can change about my setup and how I could rearrange things to get the absolute most out of what I have; I'm definitely on a budget. The strain is White Lightning and hopefully, it turns out to be a female.

I'm using x4 23w 5000k CFL's. The temperature stays at a constant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit except at night when it drops to 60 and I aim my heater at my closet and it keeps the heat up.

Jack og · Mar 6, 2020

At this stage one bulb above it is fine, about 16-18” up top.
Once big enough then add the other 3, maintain that distance as it will dry the plant due to heat.
welcome to the farm and lots here will chime in as they all started somewhere small and on a budget.

MichaelB0329 · Mar 6, 2020

Jack og said:
At this stage one bulb above it is fine, about 16-18” up top.
Once big enough then add the other 3, maintain that distance as it will dry the plant due to heat.
welcome to the farm and lots here will chime in as they all started somewhere small and on a budget.

I appreciate it! I'll go ahead and put one bulb at that height. About how far into growth would you recommend adding hte other 3? And also, is pH a major factor, or can I just use for example great value purified bottled water?

edit: The reason I had the bulbs so close is that I read CFL bulbs don't penetrate that far

Jack og · Mar 6, 2020

MichaelB0329 said:
I appreciate it! I'll go ahead and put one bulb at that height. About how far into growth would you recommend adding hte other 3? And also, is pH a major factor, or can I just use for example great value purified bottled water?

edit: The reason I had the bulbs so close is that I read CFL bulbs don't penetrate that far

Ph always matters but purified water is good.
Cfls don’t penetrate that deep if the plant was persay bigger etc. at seed any light is good enough

MichaelB0329 · Mar 6, 2020

Jack og said:
Ph always matters but purified water is good.
Cfls don’t penetrate that deep if the plant was persay bigger etc. at seed any light is good enough

Thanks a whole bunch! Glad to see it's not one of those forums where you get jumped on right off the bat for not knowing a whole bunch. I mean, the only way to gain knowledge is to ask questions! If I have any more questions I'll make sure to get at you. If this plant doesn't end up amazing like I said it's sort of an 'experiment' to see if I can actually do it. I have 4 more of these seeds (white lightning) and 5 White Widow Auto Fems which will be my main ones once I get back from vacation and am able to start a dedicated grow. I got this plant on a 18-6 light cycle with a timer.

Jack og · Mar 6, 2020

Hey we all started somewhere and we all keep learning so I feel what you saying!
the farm is for helping each other out! no such thing as a dumb question, cause a question is just that , a learning experience!
Keep at it and HMU if u need any other help

M0nStarNuggety · Mar 6, 2020

MichaelB0329 said:
This is my first time growing and I'm going on vacation soon, so I decided to just go with one plant for now until I can take care of multiple. So its sort of an 'experiment' to see if I can grow properly. I'm looking for tips on what I can change about my setup and how I could rearrange things to get the absolute most out of what I have; I'm definitely on a budget. The strain is White Lightning and hopefully, it turns out to be a female.

I'm using x4 23w 5000k CFL's. The temperature stays at a constant 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit except at night when it drops to 60 and I aim my heater at my closet and it keeps the heat up.

Welcome!! Hey we all start somewhere! I started same way, in my closet with some CFLs. Good luck!!

916Fisherman · Mar 6, 2020

What’s your plan for watering while on vacation? I’d also consider adding some perlite to your soil, 20-30% is ideal. It will help with drainage and keep the soil from compacting.

Edinburgh · Mar 6, 2020

Your lights are to close, for sidelight i use full spectrum spot lights $30 at home depo, i screw them in clamp lights $10 home depo see pics, these spots are led not cfl, get an extension cord droplight take off the metal protecter and hang the light over your plant at about 2ft you can use your cfl for sidelight that will work as i did it to prove a point and it was a dwarf and an autoflower, all i guess i can say is good luck.

Madbud · Mar 6, 2020

One seed, one dream

MichaelB0329 · Mar 6, 2020

916Fisherman said:
What’s your plan for watering while on vacation? I’d also consider adding some perlite to your soil, 20-30% is ideal. It will help with drainage and keep the soil from compacting.

I was going to give it to a family friend for vacation if I can find someone and ok- I’m assuming they have that at Lowe’s, etc?

MichaelB0329 · Mar 6, 2020

Edinburgh said:
Your lights are to close, for sidelight i use full spectrum spot lights $30 at home depo, i screw them in clamp lights $10 home depo see pics, these spots are led not cfl, get an extension cord droplight take off the metal protecter and hang the light over your plant at about 2ft you can use your cfl for sidelight that will work as i did it to prove a point and it was a dwarf and an autoflower, all i guess i can say is good luck.

Thanks a bunch!

916Fisherman · Mar 6, 2020

MichaelB0329 said:
I was going to give it to a family friend for vacation if I can find someone and ok- I’m assuming they have that at Lowe’s, etc?

Yes HD or lowes or any garden supply

MichaelB0329 · Mar 8, 2020

Just a little update on my baby! Seems to be growing all good so far! Thanks for the help everyone above ^

GNick55 · Mar 8, 2020

MichaelB0329 said:
Just a little update on my baby! Seems to be growing all good so far! Thanks for the help everyone above ^

wood chips are bad, as always soil needs air! wet/dry cycle!, more holes in bottom and sides, roots are growing first for plant to build on later..

MichaelB0329 · Mar 9, 2020

GNick55 said:
wood chips are bad, as always soil needs air! wet/dry cycle!, more holes in bottom and sides, roots are growing first for plant to build on later..

I've heard a lot of good things about FoxFarm, but it's expensive. Do you think it's worth the investment or should I hold off

916Fisherman · Mar 9, 2020

I’m on a tight budget so foxfarm or ocean forest we’re out of the questions. My soil has wood chips as well, they hold moisture so you have to be careful of overwatering. But with a 20-30% or more perlite mix I’ve had zero issues thus far.

MichaelB0329 · Mar 9, 2020

916Fisherman said:
I’m on a tight budget so foxfarm or ocean forest we’re out of the questions. My soil has wood chips as well, they hold moisture so you have to be careful of overwatering. But with a 20-30% or more perlite mix I’ve had zero issues thus far.

Thank's a lot!

Oldbay · Mar 9, 2020

I’m not suggesting that you are, but a common early stumbling block is “loving them too much” too much water, lights, nutes. If it’s a learning run, I would error on the side of less is more. If smell will be an issue for you, I would start to look around to see what you want to do about it. Carbon scrubbers/filters are the norm and you can make one yourself for pretty cheap. Think bigger and more slow airflow vs smaller. CPI fans can push through them just fine if you go that way

MichaelB0329 · Mar 10, 2020

Oldbay said:
I’m not suggesting that you are, but a common early stumbling block is “loving them too much” too much water, lights, nutes. If it’s a learning run, I would error on the side of less is more. If smell will be an issue for you, I would start to look around to see what you want to do about it. Carbon scrubbers/filters are the norm and you can make one yourself for pretty cheap. Think bigger and more slow airflow vs smaller. CPI fans can push through them just fine if you go that way

This is very wise, thanks a lot. I definitely like your mindset about it. I don't believe I've been watering too much just whenever I notice the soil is dry an inch or so under the surface, and even then I wait a bit before watering. And if I have 1 CFL bulb right now on it as it grows up, what's a good timestamp I should add more lights? For example, when the third pair of leaves grow fully?

First Time Growing... Need Some Tips.

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