first grow, budget grow box - grow log from zero to 420

lmn8r · #1 03-21-2009, 03:17 AM

This is my first time growing cannabis. I'm growing for personal use. Space & money are limited, so here is my setup:

Enclosure: 2x 4ft garment boxes, 5 sq ft. growing area
Ventilation: 70mm pc fan intake, 50mm pc fan exhaust, 9 inch internal circulation fan, no odor control yet
Grow Medium: indoor, expert gardener potting soil w/ 33% perlite mix, NPK 14-9-12, watering with tap water
Strain: Not sure, seeds came unlabeled, but could be Kush/Afghan/Power/Skunk/Jock
Light: 8 CFL bulbs 12,000 combined lumens, 18/6 light cycle
Growing Method: Low Stress Training - LST

Here is my budget and supplies breakdown:
$0 boxes
$6 clamp light
$6 clamp light
$6 clamp light
$6 clamp light
$3.50 23 watt CFL 1600 lumens 5k
$3.50 23 watt CFL 1600 lumens 5k
$3.50 23 watt CFL 1600 lumens 5k
$3.50 23 watt CFL 1600 lumens 5k
$4 seed starting soil
$6 electric timer
$30 10 seeds
$0 plastic cups
$3 twine
$3 Y-socket splitter
$3 Y-socket splitter
$3 Y-socket splitter
$3 Y-socket splitter
$3 26 watt CFL 1600 lumens 6.5k
$3 26 watt CFL 1600 lumens 6.5k
$3 26 watt CFL 1600 lumens 6.5k
$3 26 watt CFL 1600 lumens 6.5k
$0 copy paper
$0 staples/duct tape
$0 scrap hookup wire
$2 Y-socket splitter
$7 digital thermometer/hydrometer with min/max memory
$0 60mm 12v computer fan (exhaust) 18 CFM
$0 70mm 12v computer fan (intake) 32 CFM
$0 some old 12v DC adapter
$2.50 Y-socket splitter
$2 simple plug socket adapter
$2 simple plug socket adapter
$2 simple plug socket adapter
$2 simple plug socket adapter
$10 9-inch fan
$6 clamp light
$4 MG bloom nutes
$9 plastic storage bin
$9 potting soil
$12 perlite
$6 2-pack power strips
------------------------------------------------
$180.50 for supplies

$14/mo electricity costs

lmn8r · #2 03-21-2009, 04:10 AM

Germination:

I used the paper towel method. It took roughly 3 days to germinate the seeds. I was only able to germinate 6 of the 10 seeds. I used a regular 60 watt incandescent bulb to keep the area warm.

lmn8r · #3 03-21-2009, 04:19 AM

Seedling:

I have managed to gather some supplies to begin planting. There are no grow shops around here, so i'm more or less limited to whatever wal-mart sells.

lmn8r · #4 03-21-2009, 04:26 AM

All 6 seedlings have begun growing. The two that first germinated are also the two that first sprouted through the dirt, and are the biggest. I guess they are good genes.

I installed an exhaust fan to cool the 4 lights, cut a slit in the back for passive intake.

lmn8r · #5 03-21-2009, 04:34 AM

the seedlings are continuing their growth. I wasn't sure how much to water them so I think I let them get too dry. I found out they needed daily watering.

kryptakrOnic · #6 03-21-2009, 04:46 AM

Yea u should water it daily but just enough 2 give it a drink ...tha idea is for it 2 dry out for the next watering

lmn8r · #7 03-21-2009, 04:47 AM

I purchased some more supplies, which is most of what i'll need for the rest of the grow. I think my seedlings were sluggish to grow big, I found out why once I began to transplant them-they were all root-bound. I was surprised how quickly the little gals fill up with roots.

I decided to stick them all in one single plastic container instead of separate pots. The benefits of this are a lot more overall soil volume, and plus its cheap. This is their final container.

I also made the decision to spend a little extra to get a cheap thermometer. Two of my plants had heat burn, so I needed to find out what temps were inside the grow container so I could install better ventilation.

I looked at a ph/moisture meter wal-mart sold, but it was $20 and thats too much. I might buy one later on if its under $10.

I also got some rooting hormone, i'm gonna try my hand at cloning once I can sex the plants.

I included photos of the two burnt plants.

lmn8r · #8 03-21-2009, 05:01 AM

1 week after transplanting, the plants have exploded in growth. I guess the extra soil to grow was all they really needed. I'm watering every couple days now, i'm letting the top few inches of the soil dry out. I use the finger test =)

I have all 8 lights going now, which throws temps up to 90F if I leave the door on the box closed, so I leave it open most of the day. I plan on installing a second exhaust fan-80mm computer fan for additional cooling. With the door open it hovers around 82F with 35% humidity.

The plants are starting to give off a slight smell, kinda like body odor. Luckily, being a guy, it blends right in with my own musk. I don't really have a plan for what i'm gonna do once they bud to control smell, I might make a ghetto carbon filter or something.

I have most of the light on the left side to see if I can balance out some of the plants sizes.

I took some more macros of the plants as well.

jeanna · #9 03-21-2009, 12:36 PM

wow this is a great journal. fricking informative keep it up

chitownsmoking · #10 03-21-2009, 01:02 PM

good shit!!! we have the same idea on that tote. what gallon is it? mine is 18 or 20 i got a few more plants in mines plus im useing a 250 watt hps and some cfl. that sativa ass lookig plant looks amost pure be ready to flower for a while.

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