warewolff69
Member
So a number of you gave me advice a few weeks ago, and I've started my grow. It's for personal use, so I'm not worried about ridiculous amounts of yield. Just some quality herb to last me for awhile.
Now for the setup. I had already purchased a t12 lighting system before I learned a little more and realized that a t5 or t12 would be better, so I am now stuck with it.
Anyhow, I'm working off of six 4' fluorescent t12 bulbs. 40 watts and 3200 lumens each. Half cool white, half daylight.
I germinated my seeds using the paper towel method and a portable room heater, keeping the temperature about 80 degrees Farenheight and around 70 at night. Left them in the dark for a day and they had all cracked, but I wanted a little more taproot so I left them in another day. All had substantial roots when I put them into my soil.
I've started with ten 6" diameter pots, filled with MiracleGro potting soil. I realize this is not the best to use, but I am on a budget and this is what I am using. I watered each pot thoroughly, to the point where the water drained out of the bottom. After waiting a few minutes to ensure the soil was draining, I made a 1/2" indentation in the center of each pot and dropped the seeds in. Taproot up, taproot down, I don't care. I figured nature would take it's course. That was yesterday.
I turned the lights on, 2 inches above the soil, utilizing a 24 hour light cycle, closed the door, and waited. This was yesterday. To my amazement, less than 24 hours later, my first seedling sprouted through the surface, already 1/4" tall!
The room temperature seems to be perfect without any ventilation. I open the door every now and then to ensure fresh air, but it's slightly humid and the temperature seems like it's stabilizing in the upper 70's.
I'm going to veg them for a bit longer then usual because I have the space and time to do so -probably between 1 month and 2 months (with careful pruning) - while putting them under a 400w mh light for the last half of the vegeatitive cycle. Then they sit under the hps for the flowering
Some random information:
- The enclosure is approximately 4'x2'x6'. This means 8 square feet. To start, this means 30 watts and 2400 lumens per square foot. (A little low). Though this will change when I switch over to mh. I feel that fluorescent is better to start with, to deter stretching of the plant.
- I'm using filtered tap water that I let sit open for a few days to ensure any chlorine evaporates, watering only when the top soil becomes noticably dry.
- I will start supplementing nutrients after the third week or so, 1/8 the recommended amount to start.
Pictures to come soon! I'm a little weary of the whole idea, but I haven't found any great bubblicious logs on here and I feel it's time to show the potential. So far I am very happy.
Now for the setup. I had already purchased a t12 lighting system before I learned a little more and realized that a t5 or t12 would be better, so I am now stuck with it.
Anyhow, I'm working off of six 4' fluorescent t12 bulbs. 40 watts and 3200 lumens each. Half cool white, half daylight.
I germinated my seeds using the paper towel method and a portable room heater, keeping the temperature about 80 degrees Farenheight and around 70 at night. Left them in the dark for a day and they had all cracked, but I wanted a little more taproot so I left them in another day. All had substantial roots when I put them into my soil.
I've started with ten 6" diameter pots, filled with MiracleGro potting soil. I realize this is not the best to use, but I am on a budget and this is what I am using. I watered each pot thoroughly, to the point where the water drained out of the bottom. After waiting a few minutes to ensure the soil was draining, I made a 1/2" indentation in the center of each pot and dropped the seeds in. Taproot up, taproot down, I don't care. I figured nature would take it's course. That was yesterday.
I turned the lights on, 2 inches above the soil, utilizing a 24 hour light cycle, closed the door, and waited. This was yesterday. To my amazement, less than 24 hours later, my first seedling sprouted through the surface, already 1/4" tall!
The room temperature seems to be perfect without any ventilation. I open the door every now and then to ensure fresh air, but it's slightly humid and the temperature seems like it's stabilizing in the upper 70's.
I'm going to veg them for a bit longer then usual because I have the space and time to do so -probably between 1 month and 2 months (with careful pruning) - while putting them under a 400w mh light for the last half of the vegeatitive cycle. Then they sit under the hps for the flowering
Some random information:
- The enclosure is approximately 4'x2'x6'. This means 8 square feet. To start, this means 30 watts and 2400 lumens per square foot. (A little low). Though this will change when I switch over to mh. I feel that fluorescent is better to start with, to deter stretching of the plant.
- I'm using filtered tap water that I let sit open for a few days to ensure any chlorine evaporates, watering only when the top soil becomes noticably dry.
- I will start supplementing nutrients after the third week or so, 1/8 the recommended amount to start.
Pictures to come soon! I'm a little weary of the whole idea, but I haven't found any great bubblicious logs on here and I feel it's time to show the potential. So far I am very happy.