So my last attempt at growing failed pretty miserably due to the lack of knowledge I had at the time. I have spent the last two weeks browsing the forum and grow faq and now I'm on my second time around. I plan on vegging them until they are about 10 inches tall. I start my new job pretty soon so I'll be able to upgrade my current setup with more lights and better ventilation. Anyways, my current setup:

4x42w CFL (2 5000k, 2 2700k) and a 23w cfl
6 bagseeds
Foxfarm Ocean crest soil and 25% perlite
Earth Juice grow
Superthrive
2 fans, one intake and one exhaust

My water ph is around 6.3 and the soil ph is around 6.6. Temps have been ranging from 75-82 F and I've been checking the soil using my finger. I've been watering about 1.5 tbsp of water with superthirive and yesterday I added a few drops of earth juice (for a 1000ml container) and in a few days planning on watering with a 1/4 strength mix of earth juice and 1/2 strength superthrive.

The six sprouts range from 3-5 days old. About 4 of them have some small second sets of leaves.

A few questions...First off, does 1.5 tbsp a day sound sufficent or is that too much? By the end of the day it's usually pretty dry. Is using a 1/4 strength of earth juice in a few days ok? It's organic so I figure it won't burn them or damage them. I've also noticed (and killed) a few (about 3 in the last 2 days) small flying bugs that looked a lot like gnats. Not sure though, checked the grow faq and didn't see anything familiar. Thanks a lot I plan on updating this and hopefully you guys can succesfully guide me a little bit with my first grow. Any suggestions so far? Thanks!

Current setup (will upgrade in about 2 weeks)


One of my seedlings (4 days, moved it away from the light to get a better picture)


Another seedling on day 4


Thanks for looking!

perfect.

and yes, it is possible to get burn, even with an organic fert.
i wouldn't worry about the 'gnats'.

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lookin Good Dude wish i had the balls to post pictures.never know whos feet u might step on and walla someone says hey look at this shit.im a nam vet little paronoid u might say.how u gonna flower and at what hgt. might need bigger box

Yeah I plan on keeping them in the box until I can't move the lights up any higher (I'm guessing about 2 weeks.) From there I plan on constructing something along the lines of Seemorebud's setup. By the time I'll be flowering I will definitely have more lights (and better ventilation for the added heat). Probably four or six more 40w cfls or 2 good sized envirolites (anyone know where I can find them in the US?) I'm also looking for any suggestions about how much/when I should use some earth juice. I've heard some people start using it pretty early with success. Also, when would be an appropriate time to transplant to bigger pots? I've seen some people keep their plants in the little plastic pots for a while. Thanks!

Also, a couple times this last week its gotten kind of hot where I live and the grow box got up to about 88 F. I usually fix it pretty quick by turning a few lights off for a moment but I was wondering what the best way to cool down your space is? I plan on getting some better fans next week but until then...? I've been using icepacks and frozen water bottles and it helps a little. Is it safe to turn all my lights off for about 10 minutes to cool off without stressing the plant? Thanks

Nice growing man,i dont think turning off your lights is the best solution for cooling your box down but im no pro and its just my 2cents.... for the big envirolites go to www.1000bulbs.com
peace

we have our fans set up the exact same way but my box seems to be a little taller. I also had temp problems but I have worked most of them out. My gauge keeps track of the hottest its gotten and the lowest and at one point it got to 112F but this was during testing of the box. Now it ranges between 73 and 88. I still want to get that 88 lower just like you I'll be looking forward to everyones response.

I also have little flying bugs I do believe they are baby gnats. I just put a little piece of fly strip in my box by the exhaust vent and most of them got caught and died.

Yh looking good dude ...!! Sw33t

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lookin good keep it in the low 80's if best higher 70's, will be keepin a eye on this one. good luck.

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Take everything i say as a joke. All the pictures, text, information i have stolen like everyone else from the internet, mostly from Wikipedia... great website.

First Timer: http://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/...uts-under.html and harvested.

Thanks guys for all your replies. It was pretty dry this morning when I got home so at about 5am I watered them each 1.5 tbsp mixed with a little bit of superthrive. They are still going good with their second set of leaves coming in. It's about 82 in there right now with the hot temps outside. I'm doing my best to keep my bedroom pretty dark and cool but even with the frozen water bottles and 2 fans (1 intake, 1 exhaust) it still gets up to about 83-84. For about 20 hours of the day though it stays from 75-78 F. I'll update tomorrow with some newer pictures. Thanks!