Jwilsn's Fruit Flavor Grow - MH/HPS

[Jwilsn]

So I have been around here for a while, mostly as a reader and kind of putting around getting used to the grow. This is my second attempt at growing and my previous one went horrible, so trying desperately to get this one right.

For this build/grow I decided to go simple and organized, so before germing I put together my grow room. This time I have separated my veg from flowering completely and purchased pandafilm instead of using the flimsy mylar stuff.

The veg room is 3'x5' and the flowering room is 5'x5'. Frame is built out of 2x3 mold resistant wood and the pandafilm was stapled on the inside and sealed making it almost air tight. I have a squirrel fan but forget what the cfm is on it (I just know it is enough) and 2 fans for the inside.

Inside the veg room is a MH bulb @ 400 watts and I am using a 1000 watt HPS for flowering.

My previous build was similar but too flimsy I found, I actually insulated the full basement room and framed it this time instead of going for a box. Going to drywall the front face so everything looks clean and unnoticeable yet still easy to access.

Ill get pictures of that up later since there is still some tweaking needed to be done to it.

So as far as growing medium, I'm going soil. I purchased this Black and gold organic soil with no ferts or anything of the sort, and the ph balance of it works amazing with the water I am using. I literally do not need to adjust anything and the runoff is at a steady 6.3ph. Not sure how it compares to happy or ocean but I figured I will give it a shot.

I received a few strains from Feminised seed bank (BIG GRAPFRUIT AND BERRY BOMB) among others but for this grow it will be these two.

I germ'd them for 2 days and they were literally popping their leaves already. Put them into their medium and it has been 24 hours since. These things are growing like nuts, cant wait to see them veg out.

Not sure if you guys prefer attachments or links to the images but for the first one I will do the attachments.

Let me know what I am doing right/wrong, leave feedback and so forth. I love hearing feedback so I know to keep doing something, or stop doing it. Speak up!

Thanks!

 

[Sp@rticus]

Hey I'll be your butt buddy! Im subbed

 

[Jwilsn]

Was hoping to see a bit more of a welcoming crew but all is good, yall are probably waiting to see a bit more than a single post.

Anyhow, things seem to be going good, stretching is an issue with this MH but do NOT want to burn these guys like I did in my first grow. I am actually thinking of switching over to LED for veg, anyone have thoughts on this? I heard it helps keep the nodes tighter since I can keep the light closer without as many issues + lower elec costs.

I'll get some images up soon, they have grown nicely though and still a beautiful green. Cya all in approx. 2-3 hours with some images!

 

[ImaFarmer]

Good luck and green mojo Jwilsn!

Looking forward to seeing more pics of your progress.

We all LOVE canna-porn!

cheers

 

[Jwilsn]

Well hopefully I wont disappoint then. I am going to try to be as thorough as I can, and if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

Here are some images today, 24 hours from the first images.

DAY 2

Big Grapefuit

Berry Bomb

Both Side by Side

Big grapefruit is pulling ahead in size and leaf width, should be an interesting grow.

 

[Jwilsn]

Did anyone have thoughts or suggestions on the switch to cfl/t5's for veg? What am I looking at for wattage and saving per month if any, I don't care if the veg is slower, but if it means tighter nodes and I don't have to worry about burning my plants as much I think its kind of worth it.

Let me know, input is appreciated.

 

[overgrowem]

Looks like Ur doing fine with Ur current set up, and if U pay attention to Ur fertz and water. U should be good till flip ( one crop and a little Lst. U can handle).Watch the Black and Gold,I have used it and the bag I had did not have enough sand to drain well. Put about 3" in a glass, add water,stir well, let settle, sand should be at least 1/3 of soil. Add coarse sand if needed. Am looking forward to seeing a mature Big Grapefruit. Good luck.

 

[Alienwidow]

Did anyone have thoughts or suggestions on the switch to cfl/t5's for veg? What am I looking at for wattage and saving per month if any, I don't care if the veg is slower, but if it means tighter nodes and I don't have to worry about burning my plants as much I think its kind of worth it.

Let me know, input is appreciated.

ya, i was wondering because of all your planning which is tight, where the cloning chamber/area was? three stage will keep you always where you want to be. you don't even need to be too fancy with your cloning/seed start lights. you'll save some good money like you were saying and don't have to worry about stressing the plants. and with a chamber you can run 18/6 in your veg and save money on lighting if you don't have to run veg at 24/7 to accommodate clones.

 

[Jwilsn]

Looks like Ur doing fine with Ur current set up, and if U pay attention to Ur fertz and water. U should be good till flip ( one crop and a little Lst. U can handle).Watch the Black and Gold,I have used it and the bag I had did not have enough sand to drain well. Put about 3" in a glass, add water,stir well, let settle, sand should be at least 1/3 of soil. Add coarse sand if needed. Am looking forward to seeing a mature Big Grapefruit. Good luck.

I opted to use perlite mix with the black and gold. I hope this will suffice or work better than the sand idea as it has already been mixed to a proper 50/50 amount. so far drainage seems fine, hopefully that stands true don the road as well. Thanks for the input, hope you stick around and watch

Thanks again!

ya, i was wondering because of all your planning which is tight, where the cloning chamber/area was? three stage will keep you always where you want to be. you don't even need to be too fancy with your cloning/seed start lights. you'll save some good money like you were saying and don't have to worry about stressing the plants. and with a chamber you can run 18/6 in your veg and save money on lighting if you don't have to run veg at 24/7 to accommodate clones.

I haven't made a cloning chamber yet, would it not be wise to just allocate some space in the veg room for it? Any advice on what to get for the lights then to save money and hassle? I am unfamiliar with cfl/t5 stuff as I have only had MH and HPS.

Again thanks for the info, much appreciated!

 

[overgrowem]

The sand content is important.Sounds like ur bag is good on sand The perlite is imp.for water retention, and light airy soil but is not the factor in drainage the sand is.I mix 25% perlite, 25 to 30% mulch with big pieces picked out, and the rest soil.My plants like it. I clone and start seedlings in a cardboard box under the kitchen cabs. with 1,2,or 3 cfls depending on the number.

 

[Jwilsn]

Hmm, and I am assuming It has to be a certain type of sand? I've honestly never heard of it but it makes sense I guess. Maybe during my transplant I will put some in the bottom for better drainage.

Right now I haven't seen any issues with the 50% soil and 50% perlite (the soil I'm using has a bit of mulch (I took the big stuff out as well) and castings in it). When I initially watered them it drained right out the bottom without issue. I only did this when they were not planted yet though to see what PH the runoff was of the water.

Thanks for the insight though, Ill def look more into it!

 

[Jwilsn]

As promised, more PICTURES!

Day 3

Berry Bomb

Big Grapefruit

 

[ImaFarmer]

looking nice...

how far do you have them from the light?

I germinate right under a 600MH and have them at 36" away for the first 5~7 days.

 

[Jwilsn]

So far they are 35" (only because I set up my light to go in increments of 5 in height). I am scared to move it above that due to my first grow going bad from being too close. Like I mentioned above, I really want to switch to t5 or cfl to veg for this reason.

 

[Jwilsn]

Made the decision to go CFL. Altering my room a bit now while they are still under MH but in due time they will be under a multi spectrum CFL Setup I am putting together, I have decided to make my veg room smaller and use the current veg room into a mother room where I will do my cuttings and such.

Going to do a grow box for my Veg now in a separate room, I am thinking 3x3x4. Need advice on how many CFL lights I will need and at what wattage. Was going to get a few 5000 and a few 6500 lumen 23 watters but if someone has different suggestion please tell me.

Pictures tonight of day 4. They are looking a bit bigger, and did a watering today as well!

 

[Jwilsn]

Pictures of progress. A bit of a chance but not all that much yet!

Day 4

Big Grapefruit

Berry Bomb

 

[ImaFarmer]

Made the decision to go CFL.

Id highly recommend you keep the cfl's NO MORE than 3 inches away at all times! I like to keep them closer to 1 inch away.
I have vegged for quite a few years with cfl's, but now am quite happy with the results I see using MH.

cheers

 

[Jwilsn]

As I am a beginner I find it hard to find the nice equal distance so it A) doesnt burn but B) doesnt stretch. As you can see these guys are stretching (about 5 inches now of stem. Maybe that is fine since I will be transplanting and burying but not sure.

Thanks!

 

[Jwilsn]

Day 5 and the second node is almost comin out. Took the photo's late today but will be back on track tomorrow. Here they are.

Day 5

Big Grapefruit

Berry Bomb

 

[Jwilsn]

Oh by the way, I made the switch to CFL in a new little grow room. I have 4 lights currently running at 1500 lumens each, 23 watts each and a light spectrum of 6500k. I looked for a 5k to mix but couldn't find, but thinking it would probably be beneficial if I mixed the two.