2nd cfl/auto grow

Well, here goes my second CFL/Auto grow. Hopefully better than the first one with poor genetics (ganja dwarf lowryder from amsterdam seeds) This time I ordered seeds from the 'TUDE'. Still being rather in the dark about which genetics to choose , I ordered 'Russian Rocket Fuel' by Short Stuff. After I ordered I saw both good and bad posts from others, so I'm hoping my genetics will be better the second time around. I put all 5 seeds in the paper towel last Saturday, hoping for 3 or 4 to pop. 30 hours later all 5 had nice tap roots. YESSSS!!!! I was only prepared for a max of four, so I planted them in 2 1/2 gal buckets with drain holes and drip trays. I used about a 50/50 combo of Pro Mix organic soil and perlite, since I have had good luck with it on non-autos before. I like to fix my buckets and water them at least a day ahead of planting to bring the soil up to temp and time for the initial watering to leech down and drain. It works well and you don't float your seeds out on the first watering. no nutes for now. The fifth seed is now the object of an experiment. I used a 'big gulp' cup with some of the wifes MG soil, since I didn't want to waste the 5th seed. (no more 2 1/2 gal buckets). anyway, every one was planted last Sunday 11/20/11. Tuesday the 22nd all 5 were above ground. yahoo !!!! I'm using a DIY reflector with a wooden frame , with a 4" vertical lip around the bottom to putt 6 bulb bases around it. the reflector is a 2' X 3' rectangle with 2 bases on each side evenly spaced, and 1 on each end centered. The end ones each have (actual wattage) 85 watt 6500 K cfl's and the side ones have Y's and each socket has 4 - 43 watt 2700 K for a total of 8 - 43 watt 2700 K, and the ends have the 2 - 85 watt 6500 K. I used the lip to allow the bulbs to lay horizontally, unlike most you see, to take beter advantage of more of the bulbs lumens. I used a product called thermopan (the silvery cardboard like stuff that you see stapled to wall studs to create heat/cool ducts in your basement. I left a 2" slit along the peak of the fixture to allow some of the heat to dissapate, and warm the bsmt closet, which is a bit cool normally. this works beautifully and reflects the top side of the bulbs nicely. The room stays at about 74 degrees with a plant top temp of 79 degrees. I'm no cannibis god, so any and all questions, comments, etc. are welcome. (unless you act like an ass). I have been doing growing for over 40 yrs, but this autoflowering stuff is almost new to me. This new stuff is fun for an old fart like me. I will try to attach photos of the light fixture and the babies for all to see. I already have the pics, but I'm a little computer slow. remember....any suggestions, advice or comments are welcome, since I have spent years rather secluded fom up to date knowledge. Thanks for reading and I will post at least weekly (unless I become excited about something!), In that case, more often. Thanks again for reading. I would also appreciate any strain recommendations, or fore-warnings, if you have already been where I'm going. The attached photos are my light fixture (hope you can see the arrangement), and my 6 ft tall dwarf autos that should have been 15" tall, from my first auto experience

Well....today is day 14 . am attaching some pics of the babies. All 5 still surviving. One of the 2 1/2 gal pots seed washed up with the first watering. I carefully replaced it and it looks healthy, but is a runt. Hope this passes. Made a 3-2 liter bottle co2 generator with ideas from others. The the main difference with mine is I am using a dual outlet aquarium pump that has both lines hooked together with 3 T'S for more equal distribution of air. Also used T's in each inlet line (kinda like a car exhaust crossover pipe) to further equalize line pressure to the bottles. Have an air stone in each bottle on the inlet lines to keep the bottles mixing. Also the pump runs constantly, and keeps positive pressure in the bottles to better evacuate the co2 to the plants. This also allows you to leave the bottles at a lower level, since you have constant positive pressure leaving the bottles, gently forcing the co2 through the lines . I have discovered though that I need a smaller (20 oz) bottle for each 2 litre to act as a catch basin for yeast and sugar residue to keep from splattering the babies. Works wonderful though.fed the lines through the top of my diy hood for accurate placement of the co2. The runt doubled in size the first day. The other 4 also benefited wildly. It is interesting that the baby in the MG in a 32 oz cup is considerably bigger than the rest, in 2 1/2 gal buckets with organic components, but the first set of leaves had some nute burn. As always....comments and suggestions are welcome.

View attachment 1966853View attachment 1966854View attachment 1966855View attachment 1966857View attachment 1966858View attachment 1966859View attachment 1966860Well...today, new years eve, marks five weeks since planting the russian rocket fuel. There are 2 phenos. 4 with the prominent center cola and 1 that has a flat canopy top with no large center cola. The flat top would have been an excellent scrog plant - no bending. I of the first four is about a week behind the other 3, but all are very healthy, with the exception of some minor nute burn on the ends of the leaves. all but the slow plant are showing crystals and are budding nicely. I have been running bloom nutes at 25% strength, and using them at every watering. that is pushing it just a tad, as indicated by the minor nute burn. The slow plant was my fault, as I germed 5 seeds, with only supplies for four, thinking at least 1 wouldn't pop. All 5 popped and i had to put #5 in a big gulp cup with some of the wifes MG soil. It got very root bound and I repotted it after it sexed and started showing calyxes. I didn't have much hope but it is coming back strong and looks about 10 days to 2 weeks behind the others. It does however look very dark and healthy in the MG. go figure. I will attach some pics. Note the two front plants in the pic are different phenos. also if you look at the left side of the pics you will see godzilla, my diy carbon air scrubber. These indica-autos are pretty smelly, but the beast works great. you could put the whole operation in a closet at the cop shop and no one would smell a thing. i'm very happy with it. especially since the wife was really bitchin about the smell. as always, questions and comments are welcome. i may be turning 60 soon, but i'm still eager to learn.