CFl Grow

So this is my indoor grow Day 20. More pics below . Any tips or concerns you may have PLEASE lay them on me !

Photos of the actual girl up close . Day 20

1)looks like your getting a magnesium deficiency
2) how close are those lights?, I see a bit of burn but from what? No way from the heat, only if it touched the plant, because you need to bring those cfl's close if your expecting any bud

Well what are you feeding that with those tip burns? (Looked again, realized wasn't because of light)

When ever I see a plant like that I call in for a 7 gallon geopot....and give a 50%perlite and low fertilizer potting mix.
I run Maxsea powder....plants are ready for saturday night dancing

I don't know how to give it any magnesium it may need . I'm low on funds so I'm basically just using soil , no nutrients and water . I don't have a ph meter so I was using my tap water and j found that tap water around my city can be slightly acidic which I heard is HORRIBLE for the plants so I just watered it today with 10 cups of purified bottled water . It says it contains "Magnesium sulfate"

This is also a auto flower Big Bang #2 so I'm praying I have the right things for one successful harvest before I go out and get new things . Also, the CFLs are about 7" above the plant

I am a few days behind you on my first ever grow, but my 23w cfls are about 1.5 inches from the plant and I have a much more compact plant, so much so that I actually worried it was too compact. It depends what heat yours kick out, but I have been told on here that if you can put your fingers between the lights and the top of the plant and your fingers don't get warm your lights are too far away. Hot fingers means too close. Also, having the lights horizontal helps kick out more light. This pic was taken about 4 days ago (day13) but it might give you a better idea of what I mean. Hope it helps.

Next time spend a little cash on some good soil like FFOF or Pro-Mix , they carry some base nutes that can feed a plant up to week 4/5 then you can give a light feeding.

Sometimes I don't feed anything til week 6 ( to build buds - bloom ) then STOP after week 7 then water only til harvest. Bottle water can be used in a pinch but you can go fill up some containers with RO WATER at the water dispensing machines for like 25¢ a gallon at some places. However this water is stripped of calcium and magnesium so you may gave to supplement. Get Espom Salt at 99¢ store ( magnesium sulfate ).
Try to not just throw tap water or things at plant and expect it to thrive properly.
Keep things simple and follow the forum for more info on basics.

This plant is on FFOF ( $16 per 1.5 cubic bag ) only , NO NUTES ADDED.

Budzbuddha said:

Next time spend a little cash on some good soil like FFOF or Pro-Mix , they carry some base nutes that can feed a plant up to week 4/5 then you can give a light feeding.

Sometimes I don't feed anything til week 6 ( to build buds - bloom ) then STOP after week 7 then water only til harvest. Bottle water can be used in a pinch but you can go fill up some containers with RO WATER at the water dispensing machines for like 25¢ a gallon at some places. However this water is stripped of calcium and magnesium so you may gave to supplement. Get Espom Salt at 99¢ store ( magnesium sulfate ).
Try to not just throw tap water or things at plant and expect it to thrive properly.
Keep things simple and follow the forum for more info on basics.

This plant is on FFOF ( $16 per 1.5 cubic bag ) only , NO NUTES ADDED.
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You said get Epsom salt for magnesium sulfate . If my purified water contains magnesium sulfate is that an alright substitute besides Epsom salt ?

I also believe my soil is the basic Miracle Gro Organic Potting Soil.

DrewBerry said:

I also believe my soil is the basic Miracle Gro Organic Potting Soil.

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What up bro, I grow with cfl and as said u want them as close as possible without burning.. I use 8 23w= 184w for 1 plant and soil is FFOF and perlite.. Here's a pic 28days from seed with nothing but water.. Good luck!! She is about 30 days or so in flower now I'll post a pic tonight when lights come on, I haven't taking any since she started flowering..

best to position your CFL bulbs sideways as opposed to vertical

how many watts are your bulbs

ISK said:

best to position your CFL bulbs sideways as opposed to vertical

how many watts are your bulbs

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125watts each

DrewBerry said:

125watts each

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okay, unlike 23 watt bulbs which can be as close as 1 inch away, your bulbs should be further away.

I'm not sure just how far but i would think at least 6 inches, you may want to research in the CFL section

CFL distance can vary from an INCH or two to no more than 6" depending on setup .
CFL can grow some fair size plants ( recommend Autos ) because you can " stage " reflectors AROUND plant itself to further the limited penetration factor these bulbs suffer from.
I STILL like growing with these once in a while ( especially useful on very hot days when conventual lighting and heat generated is a little much ). The " sweet spot " on ANY CFL is the sides ( if not in a reflector ) - simple clamp lights are recommended.

The setup below is a creation I made from a 32 gallon tote lined with Mylar .
It has a horizontal slot at rear base to allow exhaust air OR be used to introduce air into chamber. It has a 46w / 250 W equiv CFL to " jump start " plant for awhile before moving into a with better lighting ( LED ). I can also add a y-splitter and run a dual CFL .

These are great " starter " lights and can be used for new seedlings too.


I use a small USB fan to gently move air over plant. Keep it simple no need to over think lights .
Below is a great comparison chart to help decide how much CFL equates more common lights .......