My 2nd Intro and a few Questions

Hi. I believe this is only my second post and I know this is my second time introducing myself. So here goes: I'm Bubblerman00 everybody - and how's everybody doin'? I've never grown before and this will be my first indoor/closet grow.

I have an empty closet that's 2 ft from front to back, 3 feet 9 inches from left to right and 5 ft from bottom to shelf up top which I will be keeping my fertilizer power strip etc on. (With this closet the shelf prevents my plants from losing any light; in other words no light should make it up top of my shelf) I've already ordered 2 Bright Wing Fixtures and 250 watt cfl's (for growth AND flowering). When I start my plants I will use the grow journal section of this forum and ask any questions as I go.

I did several searches and couldn't find any results exactly. My first question is:

1. Before I paint this closet flat white how should I clean it? I heard on this forum to wipe down the entire closet pots etc w/Clorox Disinfectant. All I can find is Clorox Disinfectant W/Bleach. Is that alright? Is it safe for my plants?

2. How do I avoid bugs? I bought a bottle Garden Safe Houseplant and Garden Insect killer. How often should I use this? This only goes on the plant right - meaning not on the walls or anything? (I know to turn my lights out before spraying the plant with anything)
How big should the plant be before I use Garden Safe Insect killer? Or how big must the plant be before you have to worry about bugs?

3. How can you avoid mold and mildew at all stages of life including drying/curing? And if you still end up with mold/mildew anyway at any stage of cycle - How do you get rid of it?

4. Can I run my 250 W CFL'S and my Bright Wing fixtures 24/7 for the first 10 weeks without fear of fire or the bulbs blowing out?

5. And last but not least I was wondering if anyone can tell me what pruning is, what it does, and how and when to do it?

Thanks for all your time - Bubblerman00

UPDATE 03-13-2009
I don't feel like as much of a newbie by now.
Everything is under control and my plant is growing nicely. The plant is 32 days old today - I have a picture of it at 31 days old.
Go here if you wish to see my rollitup.org Album. Here you will find 14 pics of my plant and closet. Also has a brief description.

HTML:

https://www.rollitup.org/members/bubblerman00-albums.html

About painting.... wipe the walls down so there is no dust bunnies ans crap. Disinfectent with bleach is ok just dilute it a lil.
Bugs... Neem oil is a good preventive thing. dip small plants and spray big ones, it wont kill bugs it will just keep them off. I used some of that home defense stuff you can get from walmart to spray aroung borders and any holes bugs might find. The stuff you have is good if you see a bug and kill it
Mold and allgee....Hydrogen peroxide. Add it to your res everytime you change it keeps algee in check
I dont know about those lights but i hope what i gave you will help. Good luck and Happy growing! Dirtfree

Thanks DirtFree for your informing answers. I'm doing a soil grow - not hydroponic, so I'm not sure what you meant about what preventive measueres to take for mold/mildew?
If you could be more clear that would help.
Anyone else have any input on my mold and mildew question? Or running Grow Wings with 250 watt cfls 24/7 for the first 10 weeks without fire or melting of the bulbs? (asked the co already they say 250 watt is ok) or maybe a pruning expert?
I thought I'd add another question if I could: I ordered jiffy 7 peat pellets; I don't know how to use them.
After I germinate my seeds just stick them into the jiffy 7's right?
And I actually can plant the jiffy 7 immediately into my 5 gallon bucket correct? I had heard it was completely dissolvable. And the point of using the Jiffy 7 Peat Pellets - I don't understand.
Thanks
Bubblerman00

Do you still plan on having a resivor? If so to keep the algee from growing inside first of all make sure its lightproof and you change it regularly. Im not sure if you can use peroxide in a soil grow, i saw a thread about it, but i add a lil peroxide per res change.
Those jiffy pellets are pretty cool. I got some from walmart just to try them out. 10 out of 12 germenated with no specail pre-germ paper towel. Got them wet the puffed up and threw some seeds in them. They are growing in my window now. Like i said i got them just for fun.

To avoid mold and mildew just keep your humidity fairly low and make sure you have adequate ventilation. You shouldn't have any problems if you have decent airflow.

weedaweedaweed said:

To avoid mold and mildew just keep your humidity fairly low and make sure you have adequate ventilation. You shouldn't have any problems if you have decent airflow.

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Thanks for the great info. I am truly a newbie and just need to be pointed in the right direction. The People are friendly around here so I hope there is also a Pruning expert.

Also What does anyone think of Dyna-Gro? I just ordered grow and bloom so then decided to also order Dyna-Gro Pro-Tekt? I am going to make a 1/4 solution from water of each bottle. Maybe only water every 3 days and fertilize every 6. I also have a HoldAll Moisture Light and PH Meter. Should come in handy.