"Although using marijuana may not be addictive, growing it is."
- Ed Rosenthal
What an exhilarating few weeks it's been. I began research on May 2nd, all in place by May 31st (or so I thought). I converted a master bedroom closet into something different. Born was a 3 x 3 x 8 Mylar lined grow room with 6" Tjernlund inline duct fan, fan speed controller, thermometer/hydrometer, 600 watt digital ballast with cheap wing reflector and decent MH/HPS bulbs, seeds, germination cups, fabric bags of 1, 3, and 5 gallon variety, all nutes, pH testers, distilled water, all in place.
May 31st, the big day, full system test. Closet temps with door closed soared to over 90F, I was crushed and hit the bar shortly thereafter. A couple drinks later, I said I'm not giving up and starting researching LEDs. By that evening, I'd ordered a Mars Hydro II 900w equivalent LED. By Wednesday I said screw it, I'm dropping seeds, the LED will be here Friday and it's going to work. UPS rescheduled delivery for Monday, while my first seed broke ground Saturday morning! Luckily I had both CFL and compact LED grow bulbs on hand. The rest has been a ride. It's new territory in every way, but it's so rewarding. Regardless of outcome, this has been such a rewarding experience. I fully understand how people love gardening and farming now. The thought of a successful harvest, let's just say it's ever present, the hope and dream.
The Stuff (most of it)
The Timeline
June 3rd - dropped seeds in water
June 6th - first seed sprouts, others follow later that day
June 7th - seedlings showing strong beautiful purple stems, no stretching
June 8th - Mars LED installed
June 9 - June 19 - progression!
June 20th - first FF feeding at 50% recommended
June 21st - plants thriving, beautiful stems and leaves, 3 nodes with no stretching, all seems well
June 22nd - Topped! Have to do at least one top
I topped above 3rd node then watered about three hours ago and plants seem to be doing fine. They're standing firm with no signs of stress. Lights out in 45 minutes, back on when I wake, our sleep schedules are the same. I expect to have room for four 5 gallon fabric pots, but will not let the 5th go to waste. I've already selected a guerrilla grow location and plan to use Coir block and Fox Farm Marine Cusine. A month late for my region but I have to try.
So far I've been blessed, from germination to topping, my babies seem hardy and are thriving. I'll update along the way. I plan to veg for ~25 days and not top again, I hope for tall plants and can hit them with additional LED lights under canopy.
Come one come all.. please feel free to comment or ask questions. So many of you helped me already, in posts new and old. I owe you thanks. Stay tuned..
- Ed Rosenthal
What an exhilarating few weeks it's been. I began research on May 2nd, all in place by May 31st (or so I thought). I converted a master bedroom closet into something different. Born was a 3 x 3 x 8 Mylar lined grow room with 6" Tjernlund inline duct fan, fan speed controller, thermometer/hydrometer, 600 watt digital ballast with cheap wing reflector and decent MH/HPS bulbs, seeds, germination cups, fabric bags of 1, 3, and 5 gallon variety, all nutes, pH testers, distilled water, all in place.
May 31st, the big day, full system test. Closet temps with door closed soared to over 90F, I was crushed and hit the bar shortly thereafter. A couple drinks later, I said I'm not giving up and starting researching LEDs. By that evening, I'd ordered a Mars Hydro II 900w equivalent LED. By Wednesday I said screw it, I'm dropping seeds, the LED will be here Friday and it's going to work. UPS rescheduled delivery for Monday, while my first seed broke ground Saturday morning! Luckily I had both CFL and compact LED grow bulbs on hand. The rest has been a ride. It's new territory in every way, but it's so rewarding. Regardless of outcome, this has been such a rewarding experience. I fully understand how people love gardening and farming now. The thought of a successful harvest, let's just say it's ever present, the hope and dream.
The Stuff (most of it)
- Mars Hydro II 900w (400+ watt actual) "full spectrum" LED
- Barney's Acapulco Gold 80% Sativa seeds, 5ea
- Fox Farm Trio for soil and FF solubles
- Cal Mag
- HM Digital PH and TDS pens
- Sunshine Mix #4 and Perlite
- Fine vermiculite for seed germination
- Solo cups, seedling mat
- RO water from the thing in Wal-Mart
- PH UP/Down
- trays, cups, jars, some painted for seed storage (I bought several strains), and more
The Timeline
June 3rd - dropped seeds in water
June 6th - first seed sprouts, others follow later that day
June 7th - seedlings showing strong beautiful purple stems, no stretching
June 8th - Mars LED installed
June 9 - June 19 - progression!
June 20th - first FF feeding at 50% recommended
June 21st - plants thriving, beautiful stems and leaves, 3 nodes with no stretching, all seems well
June 22nd - Topped! Have to do at least one top
I topped above 3rd node then watered about three hours ago and plants seem to be doing fine. They're standing firm with no signs of stress. Lights out in 45 minutes, back on when I wake, our sleep schedules are the same. I expect to have room for four 5 gallon fabric pots, but will not let the 5th go to waste. I've already selected a guerrilla grow location and plan to use Coir block and Fox Farm Marine Cusine. A month late for my region but I have to try.
So far I've been blessed, from germination to topping, my babies seem hardy and are thriving. I'll update along the way. I plan to veg for ~25 days and not top again, I hope for tall plants and can hit them with additional LED lights under canopy.
Come one come all.. please feel free to comment or ask questions. So many of you helped me already, in posts new and old. I owe you thanks. Stay tuned..
