Led box of Auto`s very low budget.

[MasterpieceNutes]

I bought some of those red case lights from ebay. They are decently made, but the LED chip is simply the worst.. .25 g/w yield if you're lucky. But don't throw it away: I tried to replace with vero 18's, didn't light.. Tried Vero 29's: had to take reflector out, but worked about perfectly: temps super low, Vero's 29 @ about 1200 ma was VERY NICE. I also tried cxa 25xx's on them, using the chip holder, if you cut out a small chunk of plastic on your reflector you can make em fit nice.. They ran a bit hotter than than the 29's, but still happy with it. (I would have stuck with the 29'sm but I was getting the cx25xx for $8 ea, vs $35 for v29... Multiply by those 9-cob's and yeah..$280 vs $72..

 

[CannaZen]

Todays update not much happening here. still just water, I wont be removing any leaves in the future slowed em down me thinks! dont know how they will turn out much with only 4 weeks to go.

Do you see flowers developing yet? I think they could go longer than 4 weeks to finish, Those panels don't seem to put out enough light for them to grow that fast. Still, most of the plants look like they are doing really well considering, i wonder how they will smoke.

 

[claypipe69]

No flowers yet the panels are doing their thing lol feeding the undergrowth, what undergrowth, the top light is doing all the work but hey it just a simple grow the test will be in the end, there not dying so all good for now I dont think trimming off the leaves of autos is a good idea it has set them back a lot, lesson learned for next time. I have already put some seeds down to add to the box to get a continuous grow happening

 

[CannaZen]

No flowers yet the panels are doing their thing lol feeding the undergrowth, what undergrowth, the top light is doing all the work but hey it just a simple grow the test will be in the end, there not dying so all good for now I dont think trimming off the leaves of autos is a good idea it has set them back a lot, lesson learned for next time. I have already put some seeds down to add to the box to get a continuous grow happening

think your looking okay. under the circumstances I think trimming would set them back as well, To be honest i didn't notice until you mentioned it. How much power do the lights produce, can you tell me the specs for one panel? I'm only curious.

My cobs are quite weak, something like 50 watts per chip. (x6 chips) I bought them used and they seem to be spent, putting out a faintly red/orange/white spectrum. Its actually triggered (temporary) flowering growth, I've a 2ft 24W 6500k T5 bulb (x4) by side and i had been turning the led cobs off mid day to give the plants a break but I'd forgotten them until the next day a couple of times. a plant of one clone initiated some flowering growth. I've just read that certain colors of red spectrum to be involved in the triggering of flowering when exposed to the plants by indicating day length in the 24h cycle, I wonder if this can have an affect on the autoflower varietals though presumably not. Its said to be expressed the most at the beginning and end of day outdoors and so giving indication to plants.

 

[claypipe69]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/321939099339?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300W-60-LED-Grow-Light-Panel-Kits-Full-Spectrum-Lamp-Blue-Red-Hydroponic-Garden-/222153819143?hash=item33b9664407

These are the lights if you go to the bottom of the pages they have the specifications on each all the info I know is there.
If you leave the lights on for a few days your photos will go back into veg, autos have time set from germination so light has no effect on flowering.
As for your lights could be the drivers are tied check their output voltage may have dropped from new, the cobs should have a 50000 hr life at least & yeah it is all about colour spectrum including UV IR thats why I bought the top light its claimed to have 9 bands? But that what this test is about to see if cheap an cheerful can do the job OR not

I have read in other threads that cob growers add UV IR to their setups so I guess it does help. Thanks for input an Happy Growing

 

[claypipe69]

update just watering they are happy an small going along fine

 

[CannaZen]

Clay I'm not sure but i see some leaves curling with the yellowing, could that be a sign of nutrient lockup?

 

[pitchforksandtorches]

i'm guessing that you ain't gonna pull them at the "appointed date" and will just wait to see what happens to them? Even accounting for the "China" factor I entirely arbitrarily guesstimate that your led's would be pulling about 200w, maybe 250 so you should have enough light to finish them... and I don't know auto's but I assume that they are just taking a long veg and will flower and finish provided they get enough time and nutrients.

Maybe it's just cos i'm enjoying a few days off and a smoke but you have kind of inspired me and i'm gonna take a few pics of my little experiment when I get home next week (they are in big pots so I can eff off and bother the mrs) and share where i'm at, it's been cool following this

 

[claypipe69]

Clay I'm not sure but i see some leaves curling with the yellowing, could that be a sign of nutrient lockup?

Yes I think you are right I have`nt had time to check ph or anything for that matter. There is a definite lock out happening I will be checking ph in the next few days. thanks how are your lights going?

 

[claypipe69]

i'm guessing that you ain't gonna pull them at the "appointed date" and will just wait to see what happens to them? Even accounting for the "China" factor I entirely arbitrarily guesstimate that your led's would be pulling about 200w, maybe 250 so you should have enough light to finish them... and I don't know auto's but I assume that they are just taking a long veg and will flower and finish provided they get enough time and nutrients.

Maybe it's just cos i'm enjoying a few days off and a smoke but you have kind of inspired me and i'm gonna take a few pics of my little experiment when I get home next week (they are in big pots so I can eff off and bother the mrs) and share where i'm at, it's been cool following this

No it doesnt look like it. I think some of them cant take the compost its very overloaded with nutrients an still no sign of flowers yet. So I think they have a long time to go, maby a new year joint or two, all good looking forward to your pix of your grow. $30 worth of seeds is ok if I get a quarter from all of them good experiment. The soil amount per plant is less than a litre each so not expecting big yield more about the lights an strains that will tolerate the lights an home made organic grow mix. How was your break? never long enough,Happy gardening

 

[pitchforksandtorches]

hey, in your position i'd probably risk repotting them in larger containers, putting a milder mix about the roots and leaving the hotter stuff in a layer at the out side, or just leaving the hot stuff for a top dressing a few weeks down thee line. Never done this with weed before but I've carefully dug out shrubs and saplings before when I've overloaded them with hot poo and they were a lot better for it. MJ is purdy hardy, but maybe just do it on one or two of them and see how they react so you know for future.

The break is a regular one too - I am lucky enough to have an unconventional marriage and me and the mrs live about 100 miles apart and get together every couple of weeks. I think 100 miles is about the right safety/exclusion zone for married couples, more folk should try it

edit - if you are repotting them and worried about height, just use wider containers instead, I've grown some in wide shallow plastic washing up bowls and they were fine

 

[CannaZen]

My garden has met some challenges. I've recently lowered the t5/cob-led lighting for more direct contact and it killed off the last of my seedlings, It seems the soil had dried out too quickly to support the plants in that intensity. I think i need to apply a humidifier to that situation. :s I certainly need to be more mindful. I still intend to upgrade my lights but because of my medical urgency to produce the variety and quantity that i need i wont be doing a budget grow with what i have. Presently i have my plants contained in a 4' long by 2' wide grow tent space, i'll be posting a journal of my grow soon.

I would like to dial down a minimalistic approach except that i cannot afford to expend time on that right now. I do think it more than certainly to be as just valuable in its own right and that is why i enjoy seeing the results one can achieve from the bare minimum.


As a novice that is only looking to learn and help I feel that fulvic acid is definitely worth looking into for your plants.

I cant delve into the function of fulvic acid but I can say apart from its nutrient chelating properties (improving direct absorption for both plant and animal cells alike) It increases oxygen content within your soil. I would imagine you do not water so frequently with the light radiation your panels emit, The water is present more frequently thus affecting soil respiration and particularly affecting beneficial soil micro organisms that consume oxygen and perform vital soil functions for the plants, if possible i would water less at more frequency. Just some thoughts i had



Cheers.

 

[claypipe69]

update cant stop trimming all seem ok the ph was up on the slowest growing nocked it down with sulpher flowers started. Been to sick to really keep on it its all good though. Thanks for the interest I think the chinese lights are doable..

 

[pitchforksandtorches]

Good to see that flowers have started for you - maybe you've found the knack/identified the issue that will means you can start do what you need with your set up, and then onwards and upwards.

I think that cheapo chinese lights are a workable option too - mine are certainly going well enough so far (i've documented a bit of it, you'll find it via my profile etc) to encourage me that i can complete a grow under them. Been offered a 400w HID by a chum which is bloody tempting as my plants are so short and bushy that i could probably make it work in my short box. We'll see.

Anyway, hope you start feeling better soon

 

[claypipe69]

Its a bit unusual that only 2 had high Ph the rest 6.5 I re potted into slightly bigger pots watered them in weak sulphur solution they changed in 12 hours massive growth spurt looking much happier now.

The indica dom seem to like the lights more than the sativa dom but could just be the hot mix they where in.

I think the small space helps with the light intensity I have started some bubblegum x 2 dieselmatic x2 Krippleberry x2 in cup challenge size cups started them 27th/10 all doing well they should be ready end of January 1st week February

I would check the heat output of the HID in a small space It could be an issue I am not sure but I think you need at least 3 feet above canopy an big air circulation to keep temps down.hope all goes well for you,happy gardening.

 

[claypipe69]

My garden has met some challenges. I've recently lowered the t5/cob-led lighting for more direct contact and it killed off the last of my seedlings, It seems the soil had dried out too quickly to support the plants in that intensity. I think i need to apply a humidifier to that situation. :s I certainly need to be more mindful

Yes things can get really hot, I would increase the fan output , to add humidity I put a takeout food container with a rag in it an filled it with water this evaporates slowly under the fan an lights creating humidity in my tiny box is very effective raising it as much as 20% worth a go it works for me

 

[pitchforksandtorches]

Its a bit unusual that only 2 had high Ph the rest 6.5 I re potted into slightly bigger pots watered them in weak sulphur solution they changed in 12 hours massive growth spurt looking much happier now.

The indica dom seem to like the lights more than the sativa dom but could just be the hot mix they where in.

I think the small space helps with the light intensity I have started some bubblegum x 2 dieselmatic x2 Krippleberry x2 in cup challenge size cups started them 27th/10 all doing well they should be ready end of January 1st week February

I would check the heat output of the HID in a small space It could be an issue I am not sure but I think you need at least 3 feet above canopy an big air circulation to keep temps down.hope all goes well for you,happy gardening.

I was able to get a 400w v close years ago with a heat shield/spreader device under the bulb, but turns out it was a 250w in a cool tube hood, experiments begin tomorrow to see how it fits in and if it misbehaves or not :up: options are good!

 

[claypipe69]

Seeds wet 271016

The unofficial cup grow Seeds

week 1

Bubblegum auto
Week 3

.Krippleberrys are next equal size
Week 3

The dieselmatic in the green cup is powering ahead of the rest its sister in the clear pot is half the size


Week 3

Bubblegum are the smallest, they are all growing okay like the zone their in fitting in with the others getting enough light'

With the others

The others have all started flowering I trimmed off all the larger shade leaves to let the light through an I think it keeps them smaller, an dont shade each other out, the trim smokes good if you let it dry for three days or so yumo free weed in less 8 weeks. so I can grow more flavors to smoke.

 

[calliandra]

Seeds wet 271016

The unofficial cup grow Seeds

week 1

Bubblegum auto
Week 3

.Krippleberrys are next equal size
Week 3

The dieselmatic in the green cup is powering ahead of the rest its sister in the clear pot is half the size


Week 3

Bubblegum are the smallest, they are all growing okay like the zone their in fitting in with the others getting enough light'

With the others

The others have all started flowering I trimmed off all the larger shade leaves to let the light through an I think it keeps them smaller, an dont shade each other out, the trim smokes good if you let it dry for three days or so yumo free weed in less 8 weeks. so I can grow more flavors to smoke.

Wait, what.. you're smoking the fan leaves?

 

[claypipe69]

The leaves from the first plants I put in the box are sticky an smelly so yeah I let em dry naturally an they smoke up okay. The only smoke I get I from what I grow so it works for me, The cups are for February, I miss read the cup challenge thought I had till 11th but was wrong. The cups will be enough for my next lot

The first lot are 8 week old so will be finished in 4 or five weeks at that point I will put in another set for march april .......

This grow BOX in its tiny dimensions is to test the cheap lights performance. According to the outcome so far they work well.
I like you would not bother smoking trim in the past when I grew outside any trim went into the compost heap. My life has changed to a point this way of growing is the only way.