IlAureliuslI
Active Member
Hello all. I've been hovering around these forums for a bit familiarizing myself with various canna-culture grower terms and ideas, as well as soaking up the tremendous amount of knowledge the experienced growers are nice enough to share. I decided it's time to introduce myself and share my grow plan. Warning, here are the footnotes for those who don't want to read the verbose posting that will ensue:
-First grow
-2'x2'x3' high airtight box w/ ventilation
-Aerogarden w/ 4 plants max by flowering time
-Foxfarm nutrients and additives
-Dutchmaster foliar spray
-600 watts full spectrum coverage from tubular and compact fluorescents
I've decided I'm going to create a grow that, to the best of my ability, replicates variables found in nature that contribute to the plant growth cycle and attempt to maximize their impact. Hence S.T.O.N.E.D, or, Simulated Tropically Optimized Natural Environment Design. This is my first grow, so I decided to approach it more from an engineering aspect, with each variable under control and in check, to get it right the first time. Here's the set-up, I have a 3' high airtight box with a 2'x2' floorspace, lined with foil, containing the following:
-The Aerogarden: Despite the controversy surrounding the use of this for Marijuana, I believe it's a solid foundation to start with for me. I don't intend to grow my first set of plants very tall, and I don't intend to grow very many at once. After a few learning attempts this will be used for cloning.
-600 watts of full spectrum fluorescent lighting: The lower energy consumption and targeted spectrum of the fluorescents was the main motivation behind the selection, and I like that they can be moved very close to the plant without risk of burn. I'm using 4x 125w CFLs, one in vegetative spectrum, three in flowering spectrum; 2x 26w fluorescent tubes, both in vegetative spectrum, will be used initially for sprouts/seedlings so I don't risk shocking them with 500 watts of CFLighting, and then kept on as supplemental lighting throughout the grow, and the two standardized 24w CF aerogarden lights that appear to have a vegetative spectrum.
-Carbon filter and centrifugal fan: Air movement and odor control
-Phillips Alarmclock/Stereo w/ wall-mount speakers: I intend to create a playlist of music that will click on 45 minutes before the lights do and continue 30 minutes after they come on. I will be using the foliar spray 15 minutes before the lights come on. I believe certain sound frequencies cue a plant that dawn is approaching, and it triggers the opening of stomata on the leaves, increasing cellular, and thus foliar, respiration. This should increase the uptake speed and efficient use of the foliar spray.
-Wal-Mart airpump and two mini-airstones
-Small wall-mounted oscillating fan
I'm debating changing the aerogarden out for a SH Bubbleponic system I'd modify a bit to increase O2 to the root zone, but both seem to have their pitfalls and limitations. Anyone with experience with either feel free to pitch your comments in.
I will be using the Foxfarm Nutrient Tripack as well as their three soluble additives and following their standard hydroponic schedule with a few regular doses of H2O2. A week before flowering I will begin using Dutchmaster Penetrator and Liquid Light foliar spray and continue until flushing begins.
I'll post pictures of the entire set-up come this weekend, as of now it's still incomplete and unassembled, and detail out my grow plan a little more as well. Let me know what you think? Criticism, advice, and pointers are more than welcomed, especially since I haven't even begun the grow yet and it may end up saving me a lot of time and effort. Thanks for looking!
-First grow
-2'x2'x3' high airtight box w/ ventilation
-Aerogarden w/ 4 plants max by flowering time
-Foxfarm nutrients and additives
-Dutchmaster foliar spray
-600 watts full spectrum coverage from tubular and compact fluorescents
I've decided I'm going to create a grow that, to the best of my ability, replicates variables found in nature that contribute to the plant growth cycle and attempt to maximize their impact. Hence S.T.O.N.E.D, or, Simulated Tropically Optimized Natural Environment Design. This is my first grow, so I decided to approach it more from an engineering aspect, with each variable under control and in check, to get it right the first time. Here's the set-up, I have a 3' high airtight box with a 2'x2' floorspace, lined with foil, containing the following:
-The Aerogarden: Despite the controversy surrounding the use of this for Marijuana, I believe it's a solid foundation to start with for me. I don't intend to grow my first set of plants very tall, and I don't intend to grow very many at once. After a few learning attempts this will be used for cloning.
-600 watts of full spectrum fluorescent lighting: The lower energy consumption and targeted spectrum of the fluorescents was the main motivation behind the selection, and I like that they can be moved very close to the plant without risk of burn. I'm using 4x 125w CFLs, one in vegetative spectrum, three in flowering spectrum; 2x 26w fluorescent tubes, both in vegetative spectrum, will be used initially for sprouts/seedlings so I don't risk shocking them with 500 watts of CFLighting, and then kept on as supplemental lighting throughout the grow, and the two standardized 24w CF aerogarden lights that appear to have a vegetative spectrum.
-Carbon filter and centrifugal fan: Air movement and odor control
-Phillips Alarmclock/Stereo w/ wall-mount speakers: I intend to create a playlist of music that will click on 45 minutes before the lights do and continue 30 minutes after they come on. I will be using the foliar spray 15 minutes before the lights come on. I believe certain sound frequencies cue a plant that dawn is approaching, and it triggers the opening of stomata on the leaves, increasing cellular, and thus foliar, respiration. This should increase the uptake speed and efficient use of the foliar spray.
-Wal-Mart airpump and two mini-airstones
-Small wall-mounted oscillating fan
I'm debating changing the aerogarden out for a SH Bubbleponic system I'd modify a bit to increase O2 to the root zone, but both seem to have their pitfalls and limitations. Anyone with experience with either feel free to pitch your comments in.
I will be using the Foxfarm Nutrient Tripack as well as their three soluble additives and following their standard hydroponic schedule with a few regular doses of H2O2. A week before flowering I will begin using Dutchmaster Penetrator and Liquid Light foliar spray and continue until flushing begins.
I'll post pictures of the entire set-up come this weekend, as of now it's still incomplete and unassembled, and detail out my grow plan a little more as well. Let me know what you think? Criticism, advice, and pointers are more than welcomed, especially since I haven't even begun the grow yet and it may end up saving me a lot of time and effort. Thanks for looking!
