First grow journal cfl home built grow box.

Alright guys, this is my first grow and I'm new to forums. But I'm gonna try to keep up with this journal of 2 Northern light fem seeds. Just built my homemade box 3ft x3ftx 4ft fall. Pic of box and general light setup minus a 2 bulb drop that I will put in once I get my seeds germed. Any comments or suggestions would be whalecum.

Hey Brother,

I can't really see much, pics are kind of shabby. I think you got the right idea but you're gonna need a he'll of a lot more cfl,s. Also make sure that you have the lamps about one to two inches away from the top of the foliage. Be sure to get some good ventilation in there it's going to get hot. Search around this forum the information is endless. But good start.

Good luck.

Sherman420

sherman420 said:

Hey Brother,

I can't really see much, pics are kind of shabby. I think you got the right idea but you're gonna need a he'll of a lot more cfl,s. Also make sure that you have the lamps about one to two inches away from the top of the foliage. Be sure to get some good ventilation in there it's going to get hot. Search around this forum the information is endless. But good start.

Good luck.

Sherman420

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Thanks bro, I'm working it out. I got 6 - 150 Watt equivalent cfls. Only intend on growing two Northern lights plants at a time in this box. I plan to germ soon though.

Hey Deputy,

Here's a picture of my first plant under CFL,s in a grow box. I have a total of a 175 watts in a 2x2x3 dull white box. I veg. with daylight 6500k lamps and flower with soft white 3000k. The strain was a Nordic Jack. I vent with a 70 cfm fan built into the bottom side of the box and also have a small fan inside pointing at the lamps. The lights are on a chain fall system for easy day to day adjustment. I also have two light sockets on the bottom sides of the box which I only use when needed. Every socket has a Y splitter screwed into them. I will post pictures of my setup soon as have made some improvements most notably a drip bag irrigation system. Currently I have a baby Blueberry auto started she should be ready for the box after she grows a couple sets of true leaves.

That's a nice looking set up. Did you do any growth training for your plant in the pic?

Germed my 2 Northern light fem seeds in a paper towel in about 36 hours. Got them planted in their new home for the next couple weeks until I see some room growth. Any suggestions on when to start feeding? I had planned to start with my Canna A and B as soon as I saw the first leaves. Any different suggestions?

Incandescent for a little warmth

Hey Bro,

Looking good! First I suggest maybe putting some tin foil around the pots to block any light penetration. Roots hate light. I would'nt feed them until you get at least 2 to 3 sets of true leaves, then maybe 1/4 strength. What kind of soilless mix are you using? Any of the commercial stuff is good. Most of the folks around this site tend to frown a bit when you mention anything like Miracle Grow, the simple fact is that these soils are made by the pros and most have a certification and are regularly checked by those who certify them. If you would like to know more visit www.mandalaseeds.com under soils. I don't agree with everything they have on their site especially about feeding your plants, but by far one of the most informative sites on growing you will find. Anyhow, most potting soils contain time release nutes and will feed anywhere from 3 months to 6 months. However these amounts are so small and M.J. grows so fast that you probably should repot and start feeding after the second or third week. I go from a 4 inch pot to my large pot (two gallon) after she has enough true fan leaves and she gets root bound, about 3 weeks.

Start with these suggestions and if you need more information just post your questions. Also, the plant you see in the above post is grown under total c.f.l. start to finish, in Miracle Grow potting soil. Awesome seed genetics, a whole bunch of t.l.c. and not to mention 6 years of horticultural studies in college,all credit courses done at night. And no sgrog or l.s.t. on her either, just let her do her own thing. Big mistake! She pretty much out grew her space so I strongly recommend some sort of training. Her yield was lust under 3 ounces dried, just as the breeder said she would produce.

Get your lamps 1 to 2 Inches away from the top of the seedlings to reduce stretching, start now, if you intend on using c.f.l.s exclusively 1 to 2 inches will be par for the course . Use a fan, point it at the bottom of your lamps. MAKE SURE YOU PUT A FAN ON THEM OR YOU WILL BURN YOUR TENDER SEEDLINDS.

Good luck,

Sherman420

So much information Sherm! I'm using about 90% Coco coir and 10% perlite.

Also I was thinking about feeding a bit sooner since the Coco doesn't really have any nutes in it like soil does out of the bag. What are your thoughts? The seedlings have been in their first cups now for a day and a half. Will post when she pops through

Hey Brother,

Yeah I know I put a lot of information in that post. I kinda start rambling and can't stop. Sorry my friend. That's a perfect mix. I would still wait on the feeding, the seedlings should be able to feed themselves for a week or two. I've just started using coco myself, maybe someone else could help you and I with a feeding regiment when using coco. You are right, coco has no nutrition in it. If you're using Miracle Grow Expand n Grow, there are some nutes in that formula, the same as most soilless mixes. Hopefully your seedlings come up soon! Keep me posted. Could someone answer the question on proper feeding with coco?

Good luck.
Sherman420

One of the two NL seedlings popped out today. The other won't be far behind.

in that first pic your growbox looks so nice, clean, and shiney....Mine looked like that at one time too....Not anymore, lol....

Haha space! I got a question for whoever feels like replying.... So one of my two little seedlings looks healthy and on track while the other started on pace with the healthy one and seems to be not doing so well now that we're a week in. Any ideas? They have both been treated the exact same with the same care since day one. Pic #2 is the healthier looking plant.

Btw, my wife is a geologist/hippy and insists the crystals will help lol

+1 for the crystals bro

Doing it cheap Trying to use cfls 23 watts 6500k 1600 lumens daylight bulbs 4 plants 4 bulbs for each plant it that too much ???? Any help will do thank you

deputy...it's all good bro...those babies are barely even out of the womb, lol....I think you're trying to had to find a problem right now that probably doesn't exist ,lol...Just chill...They'll get growing soon enough !

I don't see anything wrong with them,...

that's funny about your wife...I have a bachelors myself in geology...And, well, I used to go to Grateful Dead shows ,lol....


I might actually have some hippies stones/quartz laying around somewhere....does your wife want to buy them ? lol

Deputydank said:

Haha space! I got a question for whoever feels like replying.... So one of my two little seedlings looks healthy and on track while the other started on pace with the healthy one and seems to be not doing so well now that we're a week in. Any ideas? They have both been treated the exact same with the same care since day one. Pic #2 is the healthier looking plant.View attachment 3207521 View attachment 3207522

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Where color are them stems ? Are they like purple?

Thanks for the input guys although I have since discovered they both died due to damping off ughhh. So I germinated two more, changed my soil, cleaned all my shit and gonna give her another whirl. But this time I'm putting the seedlings in solo cups so they'll be smaller and hold less water around the seedlings precious little tap root. Also, for the seedling solo cup I did prob close to 40% perlite and 60% Coco so it will drain a little better. Hope this works to wisp some excess moisture away. Fingers crossed!

On the lighter side Space... The first mate on the ship I work on is a huuuuuge dead head so I'm stuck listening to grateful dead satellite radio station all day and night on watch with him. Lol! Wish me luck bro! Thanks for stopping by my thread. Btw she's snuck a few more rocks/crystals in my grow box since the last pics lmao!