My first grow, decided on a PC setup.

Hey guys! I posted about my first grow in another section of the forums, but I am brand new here and didn't know there was a section devoted completely to micro-grows, so I am going to post here with the hopes of some help along the way. Now I know the PC growbox debate can get heated, and lots of people say it is a complete waste of time...however I have seen some pretty impressive yields in these things and hey, I am just trying to grow a little personal super dank ya know?

First of all I don't have to be completely stealthy, but I also can't devote the whole closet to this venture (which was originally my plan), so I want to give this a good effort on my first go of things. I will post some pics at the end of this post to show you what my setup looks like.

The Case

An old Dell XPS case that measures 22"x20"x10" which I have gutted and lined with an car window reflector. I have zip-tied (not glued) my powerstrip along the side of the case near the top, and have 4 120mm fans total in the box: 1 intake at the very bottom, 2 exhaust fans at the very top in line with the lights, and 1 fan that my "helping hands" helper will be holding inside the case directly on the plants. All of these fans are getting a full 12V and are rated at a 79CFM rating. I still need to get a temp/humidity gauge, but the case seems to stay pretty cool on the testing I have done so far.

The Lights

This is where I think I might be lacking. All constructive criticism is welcomed. My powerstrip at the top right now has 4 23W, 6500K, 1450 lumen bulbs for the initial seedling and veg stage. I know I am going to have to keep the plants propped up real close to the lights, but I am wondering everyone else's thoughts on adding another bigger Watt bulb. However to do this I would have to mount another powerstrip on the bottom of the case and have the bulb sticking straight up from the bottom of the case due to how large the bulb would be. Is this a waste of time or worthwhile?

The Seeds

So here I didn't skimp. I dropped a decent amount of money at Attitude Seed Bank and ordered 5 Critical Kush seeds, and got a few other free seeds during a promotion they were doing. So I think I should be good here. Again though, this is my first grow and I really don't want to waste these seeds so any and all pointers from the community are really appreciated.

OK so now I have told you my setup, I have told you I am a complete novice, and I have told you I have some good seeds on the way. Now I wait...in the meantime I will have plenty of questions for you all.

Here are the pics of my setup. Thanks guys!

Good job you did on the construction. You did the same thing I did to a point. Just remember not to VEG too long as the plant tends to double in size during flower. All things considered make sre you ad a temp and humidity sensor so you know whats going on with that adn you have your self a solid little PC case grow.

RIU is an awesome place and everyone is really helpful so dont be afraid to ask or have any questions answered.

sel3ctive said:

Good job you did on the construction. You did the same thing I did to a point. Just remember not to VEG too long as the plant tends to double in size during flower. All things considered make sre you ad a temp and humidity sensor so you know whats going on with that adn you have your self a solid little PC case grow.

RIU is an awesome place and everyone is really helpful so dont be afraid to ask or have any questions answered.

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Thanks, I am getting excited with anticipation!

So maybe you can answer this for me...when exactly is considered Veg period? Like when do I start counting the days it is in Veg? The day the seed goes in the dirt? The day it sprouts and shows leaves? I can't seem to find a clear answer.

It would really be worth getting at least a 400w hps by the time they flower, if not sooner.

GOD HERE said:

It would really be worth getting at least a 400w hps by the time they flower, if not sooner.

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lol how you gonna fit a 400 in there pipboy?

drolove said:

lol how you gonna fit a 400 in there pipboy?

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Good point. I guess I should actually read the post.

PlantsAreNeat said:

Thanks, I am getting excited with anticipation!

So maybe you can answer this for me...when exactly is considered Veg period? Like when do I start counting the days it is in Veg? The day the seed goes in the dirt? The day it sprouts and shows leaves? I can't seem to find a clear answer.

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I'd like to know the answer to this one as well.

I start counting from the first set of true leafs. But then again I go by size of the plant now and not by how many days I have had it in veg. Just note that th plant will double (if not more in some cases ) when you flip it to 12/12

My seeds are still on the way...the time from now until they get here is going to kill me, not to mention the lack of good herb to smoke on around where I live right now lol. Ugh.

I have a question about Veg time and lights and need some thoughts. Wondering if I should go 24 hour lights on through Veg or 12/12? Also needing some advice on how long to Veg for in the space I have. I guess some of it will depend on how big they get through Veg, right?

Opinions? Thanks guys!

I vegged my PC grow for about a month. I'd say veg it till its just under 1/2 way to the height of the lights. I tend to lean towards 18/6 lights for the veg cycle, IMHO all living things need to sleep, right?

Hello, very nice construction mister
It's going to be great in there with 4 120's.

My opinion to the veg thing is that the plant is going to show you when it's ready. I don't believe there are rules for such things.
For example if you plan to lst or scrog, you may need more than two weeks or maybe 2 and a half. You never know. It also depends
on the strain, the medium etc. Just don't worry for such details . When it's time you'll know.
Btw you plan to grow on soil?

Keep up and good luck
peace

froghunter said:

Hello, very nice construction mister
It's going to be great in there with 4 120's.

My opinion to the veg thing is that the plant is going to show you when it's ready. I don't believe there are rules for such things.
For example if you plan to lst or scrog, you may need more than two weeks or maybe 2 and a half. You never know. It also depends
on the strain, the medium etc. Just don't worry for such details . When it's time you'll know.
Btw you plan to grow on soil?

Keep up and good luck
peace

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Hey thanks for the shot of confidence, I hope it goes well.

As far as for the medium to grow, yes, soil it will be. My reasoning behind that is because if I think I don't know what I am doing with soil, well, I REALLY don't know what I am doing with Hydro lol.

As far as the strain goes, it will be feminized seeds of Critical Kush. I plan to LST the hell out of the thing so I can maximize my space, but I am kind of a noob when it comes to that as well...I do hear that that strain gets pretty smelly, but I don't have to be completely discreet, just somewhat!

I also think you may have confused my CFLs a bit, as I have 4-23-watt CFLs, with the option to add some more on the sides or bottom, so not quite as large as you thought but I think it should work.

As far as an update goes, still waiting on the seeds, ugh. :/

PlantsAreNeat said:

Hey thanks for the shot of confidence, I hope it goes well.

As far as for the medium to grow, yes, soil it will be. My reasoning behind that is because if I think I don't know what I am doing with soil, well, I REALLY don't know what I am doing with Hydro lol.

As far as the strain goes, it will be feminized seeds of Critical Kush. I plan to LST the hell out of the thing so I can maximize my space, but I am kind of a noob when it comes to that as well...I do hear that that strain gets pretty smelly, but I don't have to be completely discreet, just somewhat!

I also think you may have confused my CFLs a bit, as I have 4-23-watt CFLs, with the option to add some more on the sides or bottom, so not quite as large as you thought but I think it should work.

As far as an update goes, still waiting on the seeds, ugh. :/

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I was talking about the fans . Light is hard when it comes to PC's.
There is also an lst tecnique in which you force the plant grow as a spiral on the pot.
that way you get a lot of tops

Hey guys just a little update...

My seeds came already! Holy crap, BIG UPS to Attitude Seeds for coming through so fast! I placed my order on the 1st of this month, and they were in my mailbox waiting for me this morning! Came in a nice discreet cheap wallet lol.

I practiced germinating seeds with a couple bagseeds I had and got all 3 of them to pop, so I am praying I have the same luck with the actual good seeds. 5 Critical Kush are what I ordered, and got 2 seeds free, 1 Royal Kush and 1 Auto AK, all feminized. Getting excited now! Tomorrow I go and get my soil!

Thanks for following and all the tips guys.

Hey guys another update.

I soaked two of my Critical Kush seeds last night and just moved them into the damp paper towel with both of them already showing a sprout, so I think I am good. Having said that...I NEED SOIL! Going to definitely have to go get it in the morning and plant these bad boys!

Soooooo, I need some advice..I am not going to be able to wait around for some soil that I ordered online (should have thought ahead more) so I am going to have to do the Lowes/Home Depot/Walmart selection. Any thoughts on what brands to use from seedling? I have perused the forum and found lots of different opinions, I just need to make up my mind and get it now!

Thanks guys!

I'd check if you have local hydro stores around...I'd go there first rather than a lowes/home depot etc. but that's just my opinion.

I wouldn't have germinated good seeds without having all my stuff lined up, but that's just me...to each their own. Good luck!

Good luck Your journey has just begun
As for the soil, you can start at a small party cup with a cheap soil (seedling do not need much fert) and then transplant it to the pot (talking about micro transplant ).
What nutrients are you going to use?

froghunter said:

Good luck Your journey has just begun
As for the soil, you can start at a small party cup with a cheap soil (seedling do not need much fert) and then transplant it to the pot (talking about micro transplant ).
What nutrients are you going to use?

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Not sure on my Nutes yet, going to need some advice on those as well.

Alright guys, so I just got them in the soil and under the lights in their red solo cups! Successfully germinated 2 Critical Kush seeds, and they had a nice little root on them before I threw them in the soil. I found some Organic soil that I hope works after endless searching around at 3 different places. So here is the pic of them, thanks for following guys.

I am going to need some help along the way so feel free to comment!

Good luck on the grow man! Subbed

Goodluck on the grow. If you need any help on LST'ing try this tutorial. http://www.hydrocanna.com/indoor-growing/6341-lbhs-4-way-lst-tutorial-topping-sub-tutorial.html I found it very helpful on my first grow.