ICURBYOUs WhiteWidow CFL dresser growbox

icurbyou

Well-Known Member
"Its all about good genetics? C'mon... you could at least rub my ego and say it's about the gardener too!!"


On my thread you were saying that you water them in the shower. Are you using fresh straight tap water? I can't remember you talking about the water in the first few days.
No no, not straight tap water. I have water in jugs.. I just do it in the shower because it's a big area where I can pour the water without worrying about spilling... Plus I water until some runs out of the bottom of the pot and I don't want that water in my box with the electrical plugs, or molding the wood of my box, or running out of my intake onto my carpet and causing mold :)

I let the jugs sit around for a few days without lids on in order to dissipate any chlorine or whatever.
 

icurbyou

Well-Known Member
Days since ground-break: 23 days
Number of plants: 2
Lights: (5)26w, (2)23w CFL
Lumens: 1600 (x7 = 11,200)
Light Cycle: 18/6
Temps: 75ºF
Nutes: On Hold.


Well, last night I decided to swap what side the plants are on so #3 could get some of that side light goodness again. I grabbed my phone and decided to document the procedure and take a few pictures for your sheer entertainment. What's cool about a journal if you're not being entertained??? Am I right?!

So, before we get started on that, I have been recently contemplating 150watt HPS with a cooltube for the flowering. Not fully because "HPS are better" but mainly due to money/HEAT.
Heat - Right now I have 7(26w) CFLs and my temps are okay.. But I think when I bring the big guns.. 8(42w)CFLs and an 80w CFL... I just have a feeling the temps are going to be more than I can handle. With the HPS cooltube, I wont have to worry about heat at all really.
Money - I will end up spending a cool $100 +tax on CFLs.. but I can spend that, or less on the hps+cooltube setup.

CFL Pros:
  • Stick to the cfl "pride" and see how banging I can get these plants by just using CFLs
  • I will have 416watts
CFL Cons:
  • It will cost more than this particular 150w/cooltube setup.
  • It will be more hot since I cant cooltube my CFLs
  • The light penetration wouldnt be as good as HPS

What do you guys think I should do? It's a tough decision. So far i've done great with CFLs.. But it's kind of a hassle to position lights and I know during flower it's just going to become more difficult.


Anyways.. Now on to the box!
(note: Charlotte is looking a little saggy. I think she may be slightly over-watered. I sort of watered her twice in a row to get the plants on the same schedule. Don't say anything to her, she is a little self conscious about it)


First we approach the closet... hey there closet.. Let me approach you.


And have a peek inside... *Gasp!* What is that glowing box?


With all of those supplies on top? (you dig my water sprayer holder?)


Why, it's an indoor garden!


That must be what these water jugs are for! (note the other fan, waiting for it's turn to make another debut)


Equipped with everything a nice plant (or set of plants) would need. Light, reflection, air, thermometer, and lights! (Charlotte on the left, #3 on the right)


Looks like a pretty sweet contraption!


Look at these beautiful plants!


Charlotte from the top


#3 from the top


And yes, they are STILL holding true to the fact that #3 lifts her fatty leaves while Charlotte sags her skinny leaves... (I put the hanger in there to show size I guess)


Charlotte's height


#3's height


The both of them again


Back in the box they go! #3 on the left this time!


Perk up little Charlotte! You're under your 75watts of light again!


I used the ol' WHITE FORK method to hold some of #3's branches out of the way so the light could penetrate it's hidden areas
 

Scroogeness

Well-Known Member
the poor baby is overwatered alright. i would know haha... damn
anyways, i think thats cool you are considering the 150w hps. it may be perfect for you actually. and for two plants... 416 watts of cfls seems like overkill not to mention all the other stuff you need (fixtures, more outlets, etc) If i had room to do a practical hps i would get the 150.

I say, if you plant to keep growing i think the hps is the best investment.
 

harryt43

Active Member
I am a new grower, but if i were you i would get the 150 hps and use some cfls as side lighting. You can get that econolight 150 for like 32 bucks after shipping and make a homeade cooltube with those bake a rounds. I think you can find them on ebay and end up spending way less. This is purely from research not experience, but thats my 2 cents.
 

drybiedog

Well-Known Member
thoroughly enjoying the blog. your plants are loving whatever it is you are doing. Great job and amazing growth considering your small set-up. My fingers are crossed that you'll get some female action. Looks like everything is fine without the HPS - maybe wait until you need it.
 

icurbyou

Well-Known Member
Days since ground-break: 24 days
Number of plants: 2
Lights: (5)26w, (2)23w CFL
Lumens: 1600 (x7 = 11,200)
Light Cycle: 18/6
Temps: 80ºF
Nutes: On Hold.


Welp, I have more talking than pictures for today's journal entry.

12/12 - I have decided I will likely drop my babies into 12/12 on Saturday November 1st or 2nd. This will make them 33-34 days old. Just shy of 5 weeks.

Filter - We all know of the DIY filters involving the activated carbon chunks... Well, I bought my supplies for it. I was going to do a very extensive, well-thought out, badass DYI filter based on this method BUT I came across a cheaper method that will only lose me $6 if it isn't big enough. To me it's worth $6 to try to save $30.

Lights - Well, I know I am a fan of CFL. I know that CFLs can do the trick. I know I titled my thread "CFL" and I know I told people to not bug me about using HPS... However, lol, I have decided that due to heat/cost that CFLs will create for me in my confined space, I should run a HPS cooltubed for flowering. Originally I had thought something like this would be $300+, and I had no idea cooltubes existed. Now I know... So I am making the switch.. Only for flowering.
Plus, honestly, the construction of it all sounds really fun to do.

HPS (I like to overshoot my bids):
$32 for HPS
$20 for cooltube glass
$6 for clamps etc
$30 for another inline fan
$10 for whatever stupid small other stuff I need
[I have tons of ducting, wire, etc laying around]
Total about $100

CFLs, these are legit prices:
$80+tax for 42w bulbs (8x $10)
$18 for 85w bulb I wanted too
$4 for a few more plug to bulb things (2 of them at least)
Total about $100

So, price-wise these two options are virtually identical.

With the cooltube light, I will eliminate 2 major things from this equation.
Positioning of lights. Sometimes it is fun thinking of ways to position your lights and coming up with creative little gadgets to make this happen, but most of the time it's just a fucking pain.
Heat. I dont want to deal with the heat of 9 large CFL bulbs in my box. I have 7 smaller bulbs now my temps are just right. There is no way 9 will be the same temp as I have now.

If you are getting the feeling that icurbyou is justifying his HPS purchase, I guess you're right. I really wanted to have a through-and-through CFL grow. Because I am positive I can make some great quality bud with it. However, logic, my wallet, and laziness have gotten the best of me. Do I like a challenge? Sure do! But I also don't want to be bugged with it.

I ordered the HPS last night, bought my filter stuff last night and I plan on ordering my cooltube tomorrow afternoon.

This leaves me with exactly 8 days to construct the filter, receive and construct the light/ballast, receive and construct my cooltube. It's going to cut it pretty close.. I have a ton of other shit going on in life (contrary to how it may seem since I post a journal everyday) so, it'll be tricky.

If you read this entire entry, then you rock. A true RUI friend.

Now on to the photos!

Charlotte


#3


Im still not buying these are the same strain


Products for filter: 2 pencil cups ($5)(large/medium), panty hose($1), a bag of cotton ($2) and activated carbon (like $7?)
 

hackel

Well-Known Member
I will go ahead and agree with everyone else's advice and say that you should go ahead and get the HPS! I don't think anyone should blindly follow a cause that doesn't serve them fully and it really looks like you could have a wild grow with some higher lumen output and your grow area is... well.... perfect for a much more powerful light! I would have to admit that I think the 416w of cfl would be overkill. lol. But I have to commend you on the fact that this grow has produced some of the bushiest little ladies I have seen! Even in Cannabis Culture, and High Times you will find veg pics with plants that seem to have much more stretch than your would even think of having... A true testament to your diligence in lighting!

The crazy thing I am seeing is tha tyou have two plants that look like perfect strangers, as far as strain goes, yet they are about the exact same height and bushiness! That fork technique is a clever trick! Kind of like LST-Lite!

Glad to hear about the water too! I almost got a little worried about them if you weren't aging the water. After seeing all the extra pics of your grow area, I am obscenely envious. You have enough room for a couple of shelves in there and you have GREAT ventilation! My temps are already in the mid 80's and I only have 3 lights! Now they are pretty big bulbs, but still!

Are you still thinking about holding off of nutes until flower? LOL Pee is always free! :blsmoke:

Random Question: If for some reason your plants blasted out 8oz of buds... what would you do with all of it?
 

icurbyou

Well-Known Member
I will go ahead and agree with everyone else's advice and say that you should go ahead and get the HPS! I don't think anyone should blindly follow a cause that doesn't serve them fully and it really looks like you could have a wild grow with some higher lumen output and your grow area is... well.... perfect for a much more powerful light! I would have to admit that I think the 416w of cfl would be overkill. lol. But I have to commend you on the fact that this grow has produced some of the bushiest little ladies I have seen! Even in Cannabis Culture, and High Times you will find veg pics with plants that seem to have much more stretch than your would even think of having... A true testament to your diligence in lighting!

The crazy thing I am seeing is tha tyou have two plants that look like perfect strangers, as far as strain goes, yet they are about the exact same height and bushiness! That fork technique is a clever trick! Kind of like LST-Lite!

Glad to hear about the water too! I almost got a little worried about them if you weren't aging the water. After seeing all the extra pics of your grow area, I am obscenely envious. You have enough room for a couple of shelves in there and you have GREAT ventilation! My temps are already in the mid 80's and I only have 3 lights! Now they are pretty big bulbs, but still!

Are you still thinking about holding off of nutes until flower? LOL Pee is always free! :blsmoke:

Random Question: If for some reason your plants blasted out 8oz of buds... what would you do with all of it?
LOL this was the most awesome post ever. First of all, thanks for "admiration" of my plants. I have a real passion for this growing thing. I already have plans on growing non-cannabis plants in the grow box after this grow is up. I wouldnt mind some super homegrown organic tomatoes!

I really love my contraption for lighting. I suggest it to anyone who is able to use this type of setup. I really figured my homemade "reflector" would be trashed by now, but it's holding up very good and I feel like it works really good too.

As far as the water, I have to be honest... I have been testing it, and it appears to be right around 7.0 pH. It's a little high, and I'd like to pH down it to around 6.5, but I read that vinegar is really a temporary fix rather than long-term. I haven't seen any problems appearing pH-wise, so I guess they are fine with that level. Shhh! Dont tell anyone.

As far as nutes, I think I may hold off.. until right around that time. I have read that WW (assuming thats what they both are, lol) like modest water and nutes. Even though my nutes are organic, I figure I may as well feed them modestly. They are doing so great too, that Im not sure they will need nutes until that time.
lol.. god, I almost want to feed the pee just because it would make my gf go "WTF".. but im telling you, i'd only think about piss while I was high from their buds if I did!

If my plants got 8OZ.. lol.. hmm first let me see how many pounds that is... (checking google)... Okay, so HALF a POUND? lol... ok, i can go with this 'what if'.... Well, considering I am a small smoker.. I buy 2grams and it will roll about 1 1/2 blunts... And they last me a few months.. (yes, I said a blunt lasts me a few months) I only hit the blunt maybe 3 times and I am good to go. sometimes I will go back to the blunt and hit it some more, but usually im pretty good at that amount.... 1/2 a pound would last me probably my entire life. I would likely keep it in the mason jars and continue to cure/store it.

They say pot is like wine, and it gets better with age (while properly stored) so I would keep it all curing and having some super bomb weed for many moons to come!! lol

I've noticed I hit the weed more now though. When Im smoking it... I think because I used to smoke cigarettes, and hitting a cig would intensify my high, whereas now, I dont have that cig bumper so I have to hit the weed more. Either way, Im a lightweight. I can not WAIT to hit some WW. Im going to blast through galaxies.

What kind of exhaust do you have? If I remember correctly (and I have a horrible memory) you don't have an actual exhaust expelling heat from your grow area right? I know for sure you have fans. If this is all accurate, I would say if an exhaust fan you could easily push your temps down! Mine get as low as 65 right when the lights come on.
 

Bagelthief

Well-Known Member
haha, i see you are converting to the darkside (or actually the super bright side!! lol) of HID! trust me, you will never look back. although you have done very well so far with CFL...just hope that all your cfl buddies dont castrate you!! lol.
 

icurbyou

Well-Known Member
haha, i see you are converting to the darkside (or actually the super bright side!! lol) of HID! trust me, you will never look back. although you have done very well so far with CFL...just hope that all your cfl buddies dont castrate you!! lol.
LOL @ "darkside" reverse pun. I hope that I can do "very well" with the HPS too. I love doing this farming thing.

I guess I will have to change my signature from "I (heart) CFL" to:

I (heart) CFL 4 (a vegetable)
and
I (heart) HPS 4 (a flower)

hahaha
 

dirtbagg

Well-Known Member
I will go ahead and agree with everyone else's advice and say that you should go ahead and get the HPS! I don't think anyone should blindly follow a cause that doesn't serve them fully and it really looks like you could have a wild grow with some higher lumen output and your grow area is... well.... perfect for a much more powerful light! I would have to admit that I think the 416w of cfl would be overkill. lol. But I have to commend you on the fact that this grow has produced some of the bushiest little ladies I have seen! Even in Cannabis Culture, and High Times you will find veg pics with plants that seem to have much more stretch than your would even think of having... A true testament to your diligence in lighting!

The crazy thing I am seeing is tha tyou have two plants that look like perfect strangers, as far as strain goes, yet they are about the exact same height and bushiness! That fork technique is a clever trick! Kind of like LST-Lite!

Glad to hear about the water too! I almost got a little worried about them if you weren't aging the water. After seeing all the extra pics of your grow area, I am obscenely envious. You have enough room for a couple of shelves in there and you have GREAT ventilation! My temps are already in the mid 80's and I only have 3 lights! Now they are pretty big bulbs, but still!

Are you still thinking about holding off of nutes until flower? LOL Pee is always free! :blsmoke:

Random Question: If for some reason your plants blasted out 8oz of buds... what would you do with all of it?

preach!bongsmilie
 

icurbyou

Well-Known Member
Guys, I have a prob...

Charlotte is droopy as fuck, and #3 is looking droopy too.

They cant be "OVER" watered because I swear their dirt is dry from top to bottom. I even stuck my moisture meter into the dirt and got 0 reading.

I just watered them again... I hope they perk up. the last time I saw Charlotte looking good was 3 days ago...

Iunno man... It's like, whether I water or not she is droopy.

Any ideas??
 

icurbyou

Well-Known Member
Fuck.. I dont know,. Definintely not too many nutes, I stopped nuting them awhile ago, and I was using a low amount of nutes the 2 times I watered using them.

I guess I am going to just wait like 4 days WITHOUT watering them and if they dont stop being droopy, then... i have no fucking clue.

Heres my thread with more specifics:
https://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-plant-problems/123307-watering-pics.html

People say watering will perk them back up if they are under watered... I watered at like 6pm and its now 930 but I dont see them "perking up".. does it happen within this amount of time?
 

hackel

Well-Known Member
LOL this was the most awesome post ever. First of all, thanks for "admiration" of my plants. I have a real passion for this growing thing. I already have plans on growing non-cannabis plants in the grow box after this grow is up. I wouldnt mind some super homegrown organic tomatoes!
- Gracie! Gracie! (takes a bow). I was never a big fan of tomatoes but there are many others to try.
I really love my contraption for lighting. I suggest it to anyone who is able to use this type of setup. I really figured my homemade "reflector" would be trashed by now, but it's holding up very good and I feel like it works really good too.
- I'm in the planning of a reflector like that as well! The aluminum cloning pans came in twos!
As far as the water, I have to be honest... I have been testing it, and it appears to be right around 7.0 pH. It's a little high, and I'd like to pH down it to around 6.5, but I read that vinegar is really a temporary fix rather than long-term. I haven't seen any problems appearing pH-wise, so I guess they are fine with that level. Shhh! Dont tell anyone.
- Yeah the best solutions are sometimes the simplest, they say. Yeah I use vinegar as a pH down and baking soda as a pH up. They seem to work very well indeed.
As far as nutes, I think I may hold off.. until right around that time. I have read that WW (assuming thats what they both are, lol) like modest water and nutes. Even though my nutes are organic, I figure I may as well feed them modestly. They are doing so great too, that Im not sure they will need nutes until that time.
lol.. god, I almost want to feed the pee just because it would make my gf go "WTF".. but im telling you, i'd only think about piss while I was high from their buds if I did!
- ROFL That was fucking hilarious! I swear I went cross-eyed for a while! But you could certainly continue hoping that you have a male among them. If you do, you can break out the bubbles on El Macho and see just what I mean! LOL I read somewhere that some phenos of the Big Bud strain smell and taste like cat piss... To that I ask... How can you tell?
If my plants got 8OZ.. lol.. hmm first let me see how many pounds that is... (checking google)... Okay, so HALF a POUND? lol... ok, i can go with this 'what if'.... Well, considering I am a small smoker.. I buy 2grams and it will roll about 1 1/2 blunts... And they last me a few months.. (yes, I said a blunt lasts me a few months) I only hit the blunt maybe 3 times and I am good to go. sometimes I will go back to the blunt and hit it some more, but usually im pretty good at that amount.... 1/2 a pound would last me probably my entire life. I would likely keep it in the mason jars and continue to cure/store it.
- So you wouldn't increase your consumption rate or amount or sell off enough to make back setup cost or either donate the remainder to a compassion club. I worry about that cuz I'm certain that I can produce a surplus for myself and, beyond a few novelty ideas, what the fuck will I do with the rest?
They say pot is like wine, and it gets better with age (while properly stored) so I would keep it all curing and having some super bomb weed for many moons to come!! lol
- So you would never grow cannabis at this scale again?
I've noticed I hit the weed more now though. When Im smoking it... I think because I used to smoke cigarettes, and hitting a cig would intensify my high, whereas now, I dont have that cig bumper so I have to hit the weed more. Either way, Im a lightweight. I can not WAIT to hit some WW. Im going to blast through galaxies.
- Ah! increase your use to about 4 times a week and you will be shocked at just how long an ounce will last. Well, I suspect you should have a right dandy time! My next strain may be a sativa dom. (and I've had my eye on Ice.) Maybe my perfect retirement would be growing and smoking weed all day chillin in bed with my woman...
What kind of exhaust do you have? If I remember correctly (and I have a horrible memory) you don't have an actual exhaust expelling heat from your grow area right? I know for sure you have fans. If this is all accurate, I would say if an exhaust fan you could easily push your temps down! Mine get as low as 65 right when the lights come on.
- you are right I don't have any exhaust I have to wrap my head around a solution to it but it will probably involve that flexible ducting and a small lampshade. LOL There are a lot of air spaces between the shelving and the back wall of the closet so the ventilation in isn't a problem it is the out. If I could get more heat out I would gladly add more lights, but I have a small room and it would just make the rest of the living space uncomfortably warm. I think for this area I will just keep my lighting limited to those 3 or 4 lights.
 

annanda

Active Member
Let me just say i admire your plants a lot, i have been reading a few journals since i've become a member but your plants look absolutely delicious!!

I have a grow of my own, wattitude white widow, my first grow, this is my 6th day and i was just wondering how do you maintain your heat in the closet after you turn off the lights? I also use CFL's, blue spectrum and the temperature is looking good so far. Im just worried that it will drop after i turn off the lights.

(I hope you can help me with my question and understand my english, im from Europe and english is not my 1st language).
 

hackel

Well-Known Member
I hope you don't mind me jumping in for this question, curb. The best way I know of keeping the temp at a constant is insulation, but between us.... Insulation in a grow box is usually not a good thing to have because it ensure a nice even baking on all of your leaves. What I have seen a lot is people set up the lights on one timer and the ventilation fans on another. set them up in staggered times so that from 7pm-7am the lights are on and the fans are on from, say... 7pm - 7:30am so that they get the excess heat away from the grow as the lights are cooling down from the day cycle and then they shut off shortly after all is well to keep the temps from sinking any further. That isn't the only way to do it, but it is surely a good idea! Good luck on your grow, Annanda!

Fantastic name by the way! Especially for a marijuana growing forum... kinda wished I had thought of it!
 
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