First Grow Help

Hi, this is my first grow, so I'm definately a noobie. Anyways I have two 48" 40 watt florescent lights. I know these aren't quite up to par, but they have been working so far. The bulbs are 3000 Lumens and 4100 K temp. I was advised to get better lights, but they aren't really in my budget right now so I tried with these. I have two plants that have been growing for about a month - One is 8 inches tall and the other is 6 inches tall--both seem to be very bushy. (Sorry I don't have any pics at the moment) the nodes on the stem are still sprouting out parallel, so I don't think they are quite ready to flower.

I have a few questions:
1. How long do you think before these plants might be ready to flower, and what size should I flower??
2. Also, I live in the midwest and it is summer time, so would I be able to just move these plants outside to flower??and how long migh that take?

Or is there any chance that tryin to flower with my current lights might work?
Thanks for any help.

I need ten characters hmmm...what to do...

bump!

Deuces said:

Hi, this is my first grow, so I'm definately a noobie. Anyways I have two 48" 40 watt florescent lights. I know these aren't quite up to par, but they have been working so far. The bulbs are 3000 Lumens and 4100 K temp. I was advised to get better lights, but they aren't really in my budget right now so I tried with these. I have two plants that have been growing for about a month - One is 8 inches tall and the other is 6 inches tall--both seem to be very bushy. (Sorry I don't have any pics at the moment) the nodes on the stem are still sprouting out parallel, so I don't think they are quite ready to flower.

I have a few questions:
1. How long do you think before these plants might be ready to flower, and what size should I flower??
2. Also, I live in the midwest and it is summer time, so would I be able to just move these plants outside to flower??and how long migh that take?

Or is there any chance that tryin to flower with my current lights might work?
Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

You definately need to get more/better lights, especially for flowering. Your temperature range of 4100k is FAR from optimal for growing any kind of decent bud. You want 6500k for veg and 2700k for flowering for best results.

You can flower your plants pretty much any time you want. Just keep in mind that they will grow 2 or 3 times the size they are at when you induce flowering. If space/height is a concern, you want to keep this in mind. Some people grow 12/12 right from seed.

Lastly, read up on info over in the Outdoor section of RIU. If you DO decide to move your plants outdoors, don't just throw them out there. You need to slowly introduce them to the outdoor environment. Start with a couple hours one day, then each day thereafter, add an hour or two. After about 2 weeks, THEN you can plant them outdoors in their new home.

Good luck, and keep reading these forums. There's a lot of good info here.

LOOK INTO A 150W HPS THERE LIKE $80 !DUDE YOU CAN FLOWER NOW IF YOU WANT SMALL/SHORT PLANTS! OR WAIT TILL THERE BIGGER.
FLOWERING TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 6-12 WEEKS (DEPENDS ON STRAIN) BUT NORMALLY 10 WEEKS!

yA THROW THOSE PLANTS OUTDOORS IF YOU CAN! THEY SHOULD BE READY BY SEPTEMPER OR OCTOBER!


GOOD LUCK DUDE

Lol i hate when someone types faster than me and beats me to the first post!! Lol im high

What would be the quickest/cheapest option to produce buds?..because I will not be living in the same state come Sept.

dude but plants under 12/12 light cycle!

mexsinsemilla said:

dude but plants under 12/12 light cycle!

Click to expand...

Exactly. There's no real way to do it "quick". It'll all be up to the plants genetics. Figure 7-12 weeks to flower.

Your lights are plenty fine for veg, don't worry about upgrading them. 4100K is cool white so you are good with the tubes you have. If you want to upgrade spend another 20 - 30 dollars and get another shop light with more cool white bulbs or get the gro lux ones. You are covered for veg.

When it comes to flower you definitely need to get an HPS setup if you want good results. Since you only have 2 plants you can get by with 80 watt one or whatever the local lumber store sells but it would be worth it to save another 20 or 30 dollars and get something bigger. You'll have to get a magnetic ballast but at least you'll have a good start. A complete setup from HIDHUT 400 watts with digital ballast, reflector bulb and all that is $150. So you have to decide what you can spend but if you can save the extra money I'd look for something in the $100 - $150 range that will give you some good options for 250 watt or 400 watt setup.

You can also check out flood lighting at e-conolight, they will get the job done also. 150 watt flood light is $42. 250 watt is $105, 400 watt is $115, these are pretty durable lights and I can recommend them. If you are real tight on money I'd suggest the 150 watt one.

As far as flowering I'd wait till you were able to pick up an HPS fixture.

Yeah, your lights are plenty fine for veg if you want to grow a weed. You want to grow strong healthy plants that will produce good bud during flowering? You need the proper spectrum of lighting. 4100k light has the least amount of usable light for these plants. They will grow, yes, but far from optimal.

Here's a graph that'll help you decide what YOU want to do. Personally, I would invest in a bulb or two that emits 6500k light.