The Growing Pains....1st Grow

Hey guys!

Name is Mikey, I'm a beginner grower that comes to Rollitup to learn how to grow as I've always enjoyed the concept of growing from seed to harvest. I've been collecting my information on growing from various threads on this forum, a few others, and countless YouTube videos. As I started my first grow setup, I'm learning that each grower will have there own setup/methods, however, I come here to hopefully share my setup/methods but more importantly learn from more experienced growers. I would like to frequently update this thread on my progress and hope to learn a lot from you all. Please do provide your feedback, positive and negative.


Space Bucket:

I decided to go with the Space Bucket setup initially as I'm a complete novice to growing and did not want to spend a lot on my first setup.

Setup/Material:
1 - 5 Gallon Bucket wt Lid
5 - CFL Lights ( 60W, had around the house)
Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Soil

Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition Twin Pack Fan
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RESFYK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

KINGSO 2 Pack E26 Light Bulb Socket to 2-Prong US AC Power Cord Adapter with On/Off Switch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016XKT63M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hydrofarm Dual Outlet 7-Day Grounded Digital Programmable Timer, 1725W, 15A, 1 Minute On/Off
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BPOBTY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

NAVA 2Pcs 82"x47" Hydroponic Highly Reflective Mylar Film Plants Garden Wall Covering Sheets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8PAAJW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

General Organics Go Box
https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-Organics-Go-Box/dp/B004PS4B08/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=_&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B004PS4B08



I had created the above Space Bucket back in December. Initially I just wanted to see if this setup would actually grow something, so the seed I used I was not sure if it was feminized or not or even the strain itself. I germinated the seed in some water for about 3 days. Once the root sprouted, I planted it in a solo cup and placed it in the Space Bucket. I had the lighting cycle on a 12/12, however, I had issues with the timer I was using so there were days where it went without light and watering cycle was inconsistent, I gave it water as I felt the soil was dry.


For some time I thought I was dealing with a male as I did not see any white hair for a few weeks so I moved the plant from the bucket to my window ledge. After some time, I noticed the white hair on my plant and since then I provided water and nutrients. Pics below were taken on 3/8/17



Overall, I know after hours of research that I had made major errors in the above grow. Lack of proper light cycle, veg 18/6, flowering 12/12. Lack of proper watering and nutrients. I believe since I did not provide the 18/6 light and nutrients during veg, that is why the height of my plant is not that tall.

Going forward I will have a strict light cycle (veg18/6, flow12/12) and follow a consistent water/nutrient cycle ( water, nothing, nutrients, nothing, water...repeat). Also once the seedling sprouts, I will make sure to transplant to a larger pot once the seedling sprouts.

With these trials/errors I felt more comfortable and decided to move to a grow tent and use LEDs.

Grow Tent:

Setup/Material:
VIPARSPECTRA 450W LED
https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-Reflector-Spectrum-Indoor-Plants/dp/B015FLSOCE/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=_&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B015FLSOCE

Oshion 2x2x4 Tent
https://www.amazon.com/Oshion-2x2x4-Small-Indoor-Hydroponics/dp/B01GCJ66NM/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=_&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B01GCJ66NM

FoxFarm Ocean Forest Soil
FoxFarm Big Bloom, Grow Big, and Tiger Bloom nutrients
Air System - TBD



I moved my plant from the Space Bucket to the grow tent. Before doing so, I transplanted from the solo cup to a bigger pot, however, I used Miracle Grow soil. The LED is on VEG & Bloom on a 12/12 timer. I have not been providing any nutrients, just water every other day.

Plant as of 3/15/17


The issue I currently am facing is with temp and humidity. The tent is currently in my bedroom closet on the second floor. It is not near any windows and I am unable to go through walls for duct work. The temp inside the tent is ranging from 79-83F when the LED is on. Currently I have been using the computer fans from my SpaceBucket to circulate air....this is just temporarily.

However, how can I keep the temp down? Do I need a intake and exhaust? Or can I be okay with just one? The tent is a 2x2x4. If I need a intake and or exhaust what CFM should it be? I've seen multiple grow setups on here have ventilation for the tent and for the light itself. However, the LED I have has fans, not sure if i can be okay without having ventilation for the light? Any suggestion on intake/exhaust brands/cfm on a budget? I've spent a lot on the tent/LED and do not want to spend too much on the fans.

Also, I'm having issues with the RH. Currently my RH ranges from 18-21%. I've been putting trays of water inside the tent, are there any other ways I can increase RH without having to buy a humidifier?

Cheers,

Mikey

heya Mikey,
what a nice writeup! Makes it easy to follow along
Also, she's looking really good, considering - she must really like you
Sadly, I'm no expert at anything, and can bring only 1 closet build and 1.5 years of growing in it to the table here.
But based on that, here's my take on your situation:

Yes you always need air intake and exhaust, not necessarily for the temperatures, but mainly because the plant lives off CO2 in the air and thus fresh air supply helps it flourish
I was taught the rule of thumb that for plants to do well, the air volume of the growroom needs to be exchanged completely every 5 minutes.
Calculate that by multiplying your tent volume x 12 (which is how many times 5mins goes into an hour). Add about 30% of that to itself (which should cover the resistance a carbon filter will create, which is then compensated with fan power). That will give you your needed air exchange, and the strength of fan you should be using
Not sure how it's done in tents, but in my closet I just had 1 fan sucking air into the closet via an air intake hole that ideally is same size or larger than the exit hole, and then sucking it through the carbon filter and out of the closet... shouldn't be much more complicated than that though?

Oh and you don't need exta ventilation for the lights themselves. One of the perks of LED

As for the RH. Yeah, she's looking a tad lonely in there and can't get the RH up herself...
If you have other plants, put them in there with that girl of yours.
Or get a fabric pot and grow something along with her in there that grows fast and profusely - if you like herbs... or just go for beans, anyone can grow beans and they go fast ... it's more about watering that soil, which will then disperse humidity, than harvesting anything, though of course if you choose something you like, you'll have double benefit!

Anyway, hope that helps a bit!
Cheers!

Hey calliandra,

Thanks I'm definetly going to look into the intake/exhaust fans and definitely like the idea of getting some other plants in there to help with RH.

With your closet build do you see fluxuaction in temp? If so how do you handle it?

Hey all,

Still battling with the temp/humidity and getting a ventilation system going however wanted to provide an update on my baby.

It seems today she wanted to start crystallizing.


I've read around that once the white hairs become brownish, it should be ready for drying. Any direction on what my next step should be or what indicators the plant will show that it's time for drying is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Mikey

HeyitsMikey said:

Hey calliandra,

Thanks I'm definetly going to look into the intake/exhaust fans and definitely like the idea of getting some other plants in there to help with RH.

With your closet build do you see fluxuaction in temp? If so how do you handle it?

Click to expand...

Actually, my closet was pretty stable tempwise once I got it finetuned.
What caused trouble were summer temperatures, so in the summertime I moved the lights-on phase into the night.
RH used to be low as long as I didn't have much plantmass in there (think seedling stage), which I circumvented with humdity domes to start them off (I was sowing autos directly into into their final containers) and letting companions such as calendula and tomatoes grow beside them.

HeyitsMikey said:

Hey all,

Still battling with the temp/humidity and getting a ventilation system going however wanted to provide an update on my baby.

It seems today she wanted to start crystallizing.
View attachment 3907434 View attachment 3907436 View attachment 3907437

I've read around that once the white hairs become brownish, it should be ready for drying. Any direction on what my next step should be or what indicators the plant will show that it's time for drying is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Mikey

Click to expand...

Your plant looks like she still has about a month to go, very pretty
Look how juicy and gloriously vital those hairs are, not really a dried up one in sight. And those hairs grow out from the calyxes - all those are still going to swell up too. Plus she could pack on more buds atop of what she already has, especially now that she is getting space and more light.
So, I daresy patience is your next step hehe
Nice going!

ask the mod to move this to grow journals, you'll get more heads over there with info

Hey all,

Here's an update on my beauty. I've been clipping some of the leafs but stopped in midst of the process to confirm if that is okay to do or not. Figured the leaves were just in the way.

HeyitsMikey said:

Hey all,

Here's an update on my beauty. I've been clipping some of the leafs but stopped in midst of the process to confirm if that is okay to do or not. Figured the leaves were just in the way.
View attachment 3911749

Click to expand...

Yeah the leaves are just the place where photosynthesis takes place, that is, all the energy production for the plant and its microbial partners, if there are any

I wouldn't have from where I stand today, but yes, I also did my defoliation experiment when I started growing...

Hey Mikey,
You did great with that plant looks healthy.
You will want to veg longer if you are going to fill the room with the led better. Great basics though.
Keep up the great work.

calliandra said:

Yeah the leaves are just the place where photosynthesis takes place, that is, all the energy production for the plant and its microbial partners, if there are any

I wouldn't have from where I stand today, but yes, I also did my defoliation experiment when I started growing...

Click to expand...

Hey calliandra,

Did you see any negative impact when you did defoliate?

Haze the maze said:

Hey Mikey,
You did great with that plant looks healthy.
You will want to veg longer if you are going to fill the room with the led better. Great basics though.
Keep up the great work.

Click to expand...

Hey Haze,

Thanks man! Honestly I'm surprised she made it this far. I made a lot of mistakes with the light/nutrient cycle. I'm assuming the lack of size is due to inconsisnt lighting in veg and not to mention only doing 12/12 lighting in veg, those 6hrs a day would made of a difference. But I'm just gonna let her do her thing. I just purchased some white widow seeds off Nirvana, I'm gonna have a more consist routine when I start them up.

HeyitsMikey said:

Hey calliandra,

Did you see any negative impact when you did defoliate?

Click to expand...

heya Mikey I didn't have a plant to compare to, so it's hard to say.
However, my main motivation for defoliating was air humidity and getting light downstairs, both of which did improve with the defoliation

Take everything off except for the leaf around your main bud site. Keep like the top 10 inch's of foliage keep your sun leafs for now around the main bud site (Cola) that you have now. every thing else will just be fluff if you keep it.

Good luck

How many weeks into flowering do you guys usually decide to defoliate?

Also, thanks for all the info. Definetly appreciate it!

It's usually early flower like 2-4 weeks in. Just to clear out leaf ,open up and clear out leafs and small branches that wont turn into good bud.. By then you know what will be good bud and what will turn into nothing. Then later after the plant uses up the energy from the larger leafs, You get better bud.
I like to leave any large leafs that are on the outside of the plant. That being said your plant has not been topped so I would leave all of the large leafs on the top part and use there energy to finish. the plant will just eat them and they turn yellow.and....
You get better bud.

Check out this grow ,https://www.rollitup.org/t/waterfarm-400-hps-lemon-kush-modified-scottyballz.934638/ .
He made lots of comments on My grow.. And is really filling up his grow space.

this is what the leafs will look like later on.

Hey all,

Been awhile since I updated this thread. I checked on my baby today and noticed her leaves aren't looking so good. Any ideas what it could be?

Forgot to mention. The buds still looking good and have become more dense. What signs should I be looking for when it's time to harvest?

That plant looks nice don't worry about the leafs.The plant is using up the energy in them.
All of the white hairs will turn red and shrink up a little. You could get yourself a magnifier and look at it.you will need 30x then you will know exactly when to harvest. I got a digital one on-line it was super cheap.