Question about vegetative stage

[Billybob NewGrower]

OK. So I am currently in week 8 of my first grow and I'm still in the vegetative stage, on an 18/6 light cycle. My plants look nice, but the tallest one is only about 13", the second tallest is about 10" and then it drops down to about 6". I have 7 plants total. They look good and healthy but seem to be growing slowly. I have four 4' fluorescent 60 watt cool white bulbs in my grow space.

Also keep in mind that the first two weeks of my grow I'm pretty sure it was too cold in my closet and that slowed early growth.

So I guess my question is this: When should I start flowering? I'm ready to get the show on the road considering that I thought I would only be vegging for 4 weeks. Thanks in advance! I'll post pics too..

 

[stoneyluv]

some variables come into play here billybob, how tall would you like the finished plant to be?
do you have a separate area to flower in?
what type of lights will you flower with?
What kind of soil are you growing in?
have you or are you planning on giving them any veg nutes?

PS. have some rep for the healthy looking plants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Billybob NewGrower]

some variables come into play here billybob, how tall would you like the finished plant to be?
do you have a separate area to flower in?
what type of lights will you flower with?
What kind of soil are you growing in?
have you or are you planning on giving them any veg nutes?

PS. have some rep for the healthy looking plants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I haven't really thought about how tall I want them to be...My space is about 7-8 feet tall but I would think no taller than 4 or 5 feet would be good...I do not have a seperate flower space unfortunately...I was thinking I could flower with the same lights that I have...I am growing in Miracle Grow organic soil (I live in a small town with little options)...I am giving them nutes that are high in nitrogen at about 50% strength, having worked that up from 1/4 strength.

Thanks again!

 

[Xcon]

Flourescent bulbs are great for young plants, but growth rates leave much to be desired in veg and flower stages. I have a 400w cfl board and a 400w HPS/MH side by side and the difference in growth rates is remarkable.

You can flower under flourescents, but be prepared for fluffy popcorn buds and half the weight.

 

[stoneyluv]

He's right, the lights you have were great up to this point, now they require quite of bit more.... everything else you have sounds great. the reason i asked about the separate area is, i didn't know if you were open to starting a perpetual grow. that would get you started with the big one and add the others every week or so.... down side you will have more lights.... up side is you get a constant supply going.

for vegging you want a light spectrum of 5500K or higher
for flowering you want 2700K but twice the lumen's.

you have to consider how much yield you want vs. how much you spend on lights. if you want 3-10 grams keep using what you got if you want more, than you need to get more lights.

 

[Billybob NewGrower]

Could I just add one or two more of the type of ballast that I'm using. I don't have much funds to work with so I am forced to be creative.

 

[Billybob NewGrower]

And I would like to start a perpetual grow at some point. I'm just kinda taking it easy and trying to learn how to grow properly before I try to get more advanced.

 

[Billybob NewGrower]

The lights I have are 4100k and 2,650 lumens. I have 4 of them. My space is about 2x5 and about 8 feet tall.

 

[stickyfingaz89]

mmm 2650 lumens im taking it these lights will be at the top of the plants. This will mean the light emited at the lamp will be 2,650 lumens but for each foot light has to travel it deminishes by 50% so 1 foot below the lamp the plant will be recieving 1,325 lumens at 2 foot below this lamp there is 662.5 lumens at 3 foot below 331.25 and at 4 foot 165.625 lumens. there would be no point at all going over 24 inches with this set up.. i would sujest i for the top and 3 placed around the sides then you should see a nice harvest If only 1 plant is used.. hope this helps

 

[cowell]

what do lumens have to do with growing plants?

 

[stickyfingaz89]

what do lumens have to do with growing plants?

I hope this is a genuine question not a sarcastic responce!! anyway light is mesured in lumens, the intensity of the light and the amount produced is lumens!!! the more you have the better, The sun emits 10,000 lumens for every square foot of the planet, getting to this would be unrealistic with indoor lighting, but being able to know how much you have will tell you how much lighting you need to make a plant happy!!

 

[dannyboy602]

OK. So I am currently in week 8 of my first grow and I'm still in the vegetative stage, on an 18/6 light cycle. My plants look nice, but the tallest one is only about 13", the second tallest is about 10" and then it drops down to about 6". I have 7 plants total. They look good and healthy but seem to be growing slowly. I have four 4' fluorescent 60 watt cool white bulbs in my grow space.

Also keep in mind that the first two weeks of my grow I'm pretty sure it was too cold in my closet and that slowed early growth.

So I guess my question is this: When should I start flowering? I'm ready to get the show on the road considering that I thought I would only be vegging for 4 weeks. Thanks in advance! I'll post pics too..


View attachment 1566976View attachment 1566977View attachment 1566979

u can flip whenever ur ready. I flipped in about 6 wks veg. Theyll stretch and if you prune em now ul get four nice plump colas.

Btw way billybob I like the way you talk mm hmmm

 

[Sensibowl]

u can flip whenever ur ready. I flipped in about 6 wks veg. Theyll stretch and if you prune em now ul get four nice plump colas.

Btw way billybob I like the way you talk mm hmmm

Nice one dannyboy....

You can always flip, but sometimes, I like to stretch things out as far as possible for the maximum results.

But hey, that's just me...and what the hell do I know? LOL

 

[Billybob NewGrower]

Did I mention that I am just now going to 100% strength with my nutes? I am mostly trying to take my time and get it right. But I feel like I'm taking TOO much time. My plants vary in height so much but I have 2 that look (to an amateur like me) ready. So I'm giving them 100% nutes for 1 weeks and then I'm going to 12/12 and letting the chips fall where they may.

Also, since I began this thread I added two CFL's to the sides of my plants. I will post pictures at 3 CST if I get any interest here (my plants are in the dark period right now). Thanks for the advice everyone, I truly appreciate your input.