My first CFL grow

lights.JPGplants.JPG

Right now I just have 6 seeds that have germinated and 2 that have sprouted since then, all bag seed. I plan on adding more 5000k bulbs (at least 4 more 23w) soon, but this is what I have so far

2x 30w 3500k (2100 Lumens)
2x 42w 2700k (2800 Lumens)
4x 23w 3500k (1600 Lumens)
4x 23w 5000k (1600 Lumens)

For flowering I plan on using the same set up, but changing out the 4x 23w 5000k bulbs with 4x 23w 3500k bulbs.
Anyways, wish me luck and I'm open to any advice! However, I'm a broke college student so I'm working on a small budget =[
 

lilrob1887

Active Member
need get those lights closer bro....gonna cause alot of stretch if not and in veg u need mostly all 5000k or 6500k id get rid of all of ur 27k 4 sure and replace em with either 5000k or 6500k plants will def thank u
 

LadyZandra

Active Member
And don't let anyone convince you that you can't produce a decent yield with CFL's... you can as long as there are enough of them per-plant, and you add as they get bigger/older.... and add both colors of bulbs in flower!!!
 
Yea I was actually going to move the plants higher because the extension cord wasn't long enough, but I planned on having them hang vertically in between plants (especially once they grow taller. Would you guys recommend that, or having the row of lights lay flat at the top and hang down pairs of lights between plants?
 

Bakatare666

Well-Known Member
If it's easier, raise the plants instead of trying to lower the lights.
What I do, to avoid excess holes in the walls is mount the light about halfway up, raise plants and just lower them as they grow.
IMO, add more 5000k or 6500k bulbs for veg, so you are at least 50/50, or 70/30 of the higher rating.March166_zpsea07d341.jpg
This is how I have my seedlings (10 days old) set up now, with the 5000k bulbs directly over, the 2700k outside, and I rotate them several times throughout the day, and if warm enough like today, even stick them outside for a few hours.
 

diet coke

Active Member
Nice but I prefer 55w=(200w) cfls, less bulbs is easier for me. I run 4 bulbs in a 2x2 area and I would like to add 2 more bulbs which would make 3 of 2700k and 3 6000k.
 
I agree, I moved the plants up and found that a lot easier as I only had to adjust the lights a little bit. They're still not horizontal above the plants, but do you think this is alright?
light2.JPG

It might take me a while to get some 6500k bulbs, but I heard the 5000k has a bit of the blue light necessary and can work well for vegging.

PS I'm sorry, idk why my pictures keep coming out sideways :wall:
 

Bakatare666

Well-Known Member
I agree, I moved the plants up and found that a lot easier as I only had to adjust the lights a little bit. They're still not horizontal above the plants, but do you think this is alright?
View attachment 2577856

It might take me a while to get some 6500k bulbs, but I heard the 5000k has a bit of the blue light necessary and can work well for vegging.
I like to point the side of my bulbs at the plant when possible, as more light is emitted from the side than the end.
I used 5000k because that was all I could grab at the time, and had been told be somebody solid here that they would work, and they did.
I ended up mixing with a couple 2700k's that I had already and turned out fine.
 
Just had another one sprout today! I'm keeping them on a 23/1 light schedule, do you think that might be too much for the ones that haven't sprouted yet?
On a side note, here's a pic of some of my outdoor babies (also taken from bag seed). Btw, they were all germinated and planted at the same time, and this is after a bit of some rain last night OD.JPG
 

FreshToke

Member
Looks good. they look like healthy little buggahs.

Im on my second grow and my plant is more healthy than expected(i grow with the CFLs aswell). if u treat ur plant(s) good and read what ur plant(s) tells you, it will be happy and give u Pretty buds without too much work.
But from my experience, 6 plants is a bit teedy for a first time grower, as i had 6 plants my first time. I did ok but would have been better with less plants. like 3 or 4 max.
heres my current setup im rolling with
https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/635449-2nd-grow-flowing-since-march.html
 
I have 6 because I don't expect them all to be female, and if they are, I can move some outside to make room. Along with my 23/1 light question, I also had a question about watering. I normally just spray them to get the soil moist, and do this about 3 times a day. There's holes at the bottom to drain, but could that be too much for seedlings or not enough for sprouts?
 

FreshToke

Member
I have 6 because I don't expect them all to be female, and if they are, I can move some outside to make room. Along with my 23/1 light question, I also had a question about watering. I normally just spray them to get the soil moist, and do this about 3 times a day. There's holes at the bottom to drain, but could that be too much for seedlings or not enough for sprouts?
Depends on the size of container ur plants are in,and that seems like a good amount of water for the young plants. As I did the same, misted them until that didnt handle it. Then I would move up from general misting onlut 1-2 bottles of water evvery other day. Cannabis like the soil dry a between waterings
 

HighLife4Me

Well-Known Member
I have 6 because I don't expect them all to be female, and if they are, I can move some outside to make room. Along with my 23/1 light question, I also had a question about watering. I normally just spray them to get the soil moist, and do this about 3 times a day. There's holes at the bottom to drain, but could that be too much for seedlings or not enough for sprouts?
Plants look good man. What i do with my seedlings in party cups is water the soil till i get drainage then plant the seedling. After that ill water again in 6-7 days. Its good to water till you get drainage so all the soil gets wet. When the plants are small just slow water till you get drainage. gl :)
 
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