NZ noob grower in need of some help!

scoobysteve

Member
Hey guys here's my dilemma!
I got a transplant from my mate a week ago and my set-up wasn't ready for it yet so I've fetched these for a cabinet grow:

Cabinet:
Old Drawer/ Filing Cabinet: Height- 125cms, Width- 50cms, Depth- 40cms
need-(Flat white cardboard sheet inserts for interior walling of cabinet)

Lights:
1x 32w 5000k spectrum CFL for vegetation. Light cycle- 18hrs on, 4hrs off,
1x 32w 2700k spectrum CFL for flowering. Light cycle- 12hrs on 12hrs off,

Soil:
Potting mix

Watering:
Tap water

Nutrients:?

Fan
I'm currently waiting on a power supply to set-up my 4 small computer fans

Extras:
- Light timer

So I've attached photos of what it looks like, can anyone figure out what strain it is or what's wrong with it? The leaves at the bottom seem wiltered, or is that just because of the rough transplant from when i got it a week ago?
Any help is kindly appreciated!
 

Attachments

jamie497

Active Member
You need more light for starters. The plant is stretched so i'd move lights closer to it. You need some reflective material like white paint or aluminium foil.

I think your plant is a bit fucked, i'd just top it and start it again from scratch. There are loads of topping guides on RIU so just look around
 

jawbrodt

Well-Known Member
^Agreed, more light. Also, a reflector. Buy one of those aluminum cone-shaped reflectors, they're only like $10 from Lowe's, for example. Bigger bulbs, too. That plant has outgrown it's 32 watt bulbs, and it's time for 42, or better yet, 65+ watt bulbs. If you use that 32 for flowering, you're not going to get much more than a couple joints, final yield. Also, check your PH, I'm guessing it's off. Check your PPM/TDS, as well, 'cause you might have 'hard water'.

Don't believe anyone who tells you that PH is not important, 'cause it most certainly is. Those guys, are the one's who said "fuck it", and got lucky, ending up with useable PH, out of sheer luck. If it's off, you'll end up with plants that look like your's, no disrespect intended. :)

Could be a watering issue too. What's your routine?
 

lazaah

Well-Known Member
Welcome bro! Where in NZ you at? I would put it in a bigger pot, carefully rip off the dead shit at the bottom then burry it a few more inches up the stem. This will help the plant be less "leggy". The chuck it outside it the sunniest spot you can find. You still have another 3ish weeks before you would have to bring it inside so it doesnt start flowering. That will give you a chance to sort the cab out you wanna make.

What potting mix are you using? PLLLLEEEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE tell me its not the $5 shit from the warehouse, Ive found all sorts of nasty critters in that stuff
 

scoobysteve

Member
You need more light for starters. The plant is stretched so i'd move lights closer to it. You need some reflective material like white paint or aluminium foil.

I think your plant is a bit fucked, i'd just top it and start it again from scratch. There are loads of topping guides on RIU so just look around
Cheers jamie I'll have a look into that.

^Agreed, more light. Also, a reflector. Buy one of those aluminum cone-shaped reflectors, they're only like $10 from Lowe's, for example. Bigger bulbs, too. That plant has outgrown it's 32 watt bulbs, and it's time for 42, or better yet, 65+ watt bulbs. If you use that 32 for flowering, you're not going to get much more than a couple joints, final yield. Also, check your PH, I'm guessing it's off. Check your PPM/TDS, as well, 'cause you might have 'hard water'.

Don't believe anyone who tells you that PH is not important, 'cause it most certainly is. Those guys, are the one's who said "fuck it", and got lucky, ending up with useable PH, out of sheer luck. If it's off, you'll end up with plants that look like your's, no disrespect intended. :)

Could be a watering issue too. What's your routine?
How should I check the parts per million or total dissolved solids? Is there a sticky on that?
Basically for my watering I do every day or second day, (when the soils dry at about half my fingertip down). I water till the holes at the bottom drip.

Welcome bro! Where in NZ you at? I would put it in a bigger pot, carefully rip off the dead shit at the bottom then burry it a few more inches up the stem. This will help the plant be less "leggy". The chuck it outside it the sunniest spot you can find. You still have another 3ish weeks before you would have to bring it inside so it doesnt start flowering. That will give you a chance to sort the cab out you wanna make.

What potting mix are you using? PLLLLEEEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE tell me its not the $5 shit from the warehouse, Ive found all sorts of nasty critters in that stuff
I'm just using the potting mix it came with, I was planning to use one my friend gave me who lives on a farm and harvests watermelons/strawberries on a large scale. Do you think it will outgrow the cabinet if I put it outside to finish the veg cycle?
 

lazaah

Well-Known Member
It wont outgrow the cab in a few weeks, if it does you could always top it and try your luck at clonning with the top. With its stretchiness i would actually recommend topping it once its in better health so it bushes out a bit.

I imagine his soil is good quality, but theres always a chance of bringing crap inside with it. if you do buy mix, I recommend grabbing Tui vege mix and mixing a bit of perlite in it. And remember to aim for 4.5L of soil for each month you veg, if your using prefertilised soil then you shouldnt need to add ferts for a couple of weeks. Ive been using Natures Own Guano Grow from SOG, $8, and I mixed half a teaspoon in 6L of water, pHd it, and within 3 days the bottom leaves have greened up again.

Always an idea to start a journal too so others can comment, theres no specific NZ thread on here, but there is a few of us! Should probably start adding nz folk as friends.

Im assuming your up north? I think im the only cat on here in the south :(
 

scoobysteve

Member
It wont outgrow the cab in a few weeks, if it does you could always top it and try your luck at clonning with the top. With its stretchiness i would actually recommend topping it once its in better health so it bushes out a bit.

I imagine his soil is good quality, but theres always a chance of bringing crap inside with it. if you do buy mix, I recommend grabbing Tui vege mix and mixing a bit of perlite in it. And remember to aim for 4.5L of soil for each month you veg, if your using prefertilised soil then you shouldnt need to add ferts for a couple of weeks. Ive been using Natures Own Guano Grow from SOG, $8, and I mixed half a teaspoon in 6L of water, pHd it, and within 3 days the bottom leaves have greened up again.

Always an idea to start a journal too so others can comment, theres no specific NZ thread on here, but there is a few of us! Should probably start adding nz folk as friends.

Im assuming your up north? I think im the only cat on here in the south :(
Cheers for that, I'll have a look into some SOG stuff, and yeah I'm up North haha! Also, what do you mean when you say "aim for 4.5L of soil for each month you veg"? Like increase the pot size from 4.5L to 9L to 13.5L for months 1,2 and 3? And any ideas for reflective material in NZ? Know if anywhere local sells mylar, etc?

if i was that plant i would want more light and reflectors but you kno that teeheheh
Haha yeah I thought initially the 32W 5000k cfl was going to be sufficient but apparently I need more! And am definitely planning on getting mylar asap!
 

lazaah

Well-Known Member
i got my mylar out of a first aid kit, they sell survival blankets at the warehouse for $10, thats mylar and a decent sized sheet for what you need it for. Just be careful as it rips real easy, even tape can rip it.

Yes, 4.5L to 9L, so on. Its important to "pot-up" a plant as it grows from seedling. Start a seed in a wee punnet, then move it upto a 10cm Square pot, then bigger. It gives the roots a chance to fill out, rather than growing straight down. My 7" plants are in 10cm square pots, and have been for 6 weeks, so you dont always need a large pot, just means you have to feed more often down the track (good practice, im just having to start feeding mine now, has helped me figure out whats to much and too little). However i am growing mine for use as bonsai mothers
 
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