new grower. 400w HPS attic setup

Hay Xsocial-
I don't think I'm following you on what your calling "germinated"? Did the seeds just crack open or are they above the ground? Because you don't need light until they break the soil. I use the hand technique to adjust light height. Put your hand over the plants palm down if you can keep it there for a few mins. and not get burned its the right height. Best to keep them as close as possible without burning them. MJ actually prefers the top inch or so of soil to be dry. Allows better Co2 exchange. As for light cycles I use 24/0 for about the first week then to 18/6 for the rest of veg. 12/12 for flower. Hope it helps and happy growing.

Heat and too high of airflow may causes the medium to dry out faster. Try covering the Soil with white foil to prevent the soil vaprorise to much and reflecting the light instead of absorbing it.


And about your light cycle, you should choose what best suits your grow area and in your case, I would have to say 24/7..

Dont take my word as I'm stilling learning.. Would love to hear from one of the pro's..

Good Luck

Peace

Mr. Homegrown said:

Because you don't need light until they break the soil.

Click to expand...

So your saying when the seeds are done germinating, and I place the seed not to far into the soil that the lights should stay out until the seedling becomes a sprout?

And I think that's the light cycle I'll end up goin with 24/7 for the first week. 18/6 for veg, 12/12 for flowering.

Thanks for the help guys!

xsocialx said:

So your saying when the seeds are done germinating, and I place the seed not to far into the soil that the lights should stay out until the seedling becomes a sprout?

And I think that's the light cycle I'll end up goin with 24/7 for the first week. 18/6 for veg, 12/12 for flowering.

Thanks for the help guys!

Click to expand...

Yes. I germ. my seeds in pt until they crack and the tap root emerges. Then into the soil about 1/4-1/2" ( is what I do ). When they break the ground on go the lights. Glad it helped and happy growing . MH

I think you'll do ok with the grow in the attic. I do it in the North with no heat source up to Dec. The attic is insulated however, and that makes a big difference. It can still get down to the high 40's at night. I use 150w hps and 4 4' 75w flouresents. The 150w hps gives off good heat, so I know your 400w will. One of the most beneficial things I did for myself was get strains that would do good for the time of year I was growing. In the fall or winter a good cold hardy plant will work, and in the late spring and summer a warm weather plant will do well.
24/0 light for the first couple weeks sounds good for the little girls (hopefully) and will keep em warm all day and night. Im only running small lights, so I go 24/0 until 12/12 flowering. I need all the light I can get!
I like your grow box. It should keep the heat in well.

Good Luck
NSB

Thanks for the input guys!

Me and my grow partner checked on the box today, it seems to release little to no heat. Both the intake and exhaust are doing a fine job.

The wee seedlings have yet to actually break soil.

I'm not to sure how these forums work but maybe I could get an admin to move this to the grow journal section?

Ok so I may have solved the moisture problem. I used some glad cling wrap to lock in some of the moisture so the soil doesnt dry out.

Now as for soil, for the early seeds I am using naturemix (by hortibec) Seed Starting Mix. It is a ready to use soil mix.

And the soil I'm going to to use for the rest of the way is Scott's Pro Potting mix. BUT! I am seriously considering Fox Farm's Ocean mix, or the fox farms trio mix. There is not a store that sells it around here, but I'm going to try to get the guy at the local hydroponics store to order some in.

Wish me luck...