First grow w/250w iguana lamp, soil, closet...

Ok, so I know I may get the *tsk tsk* from the experienced growers here (and there are so many - hours of reading material!). Either way, this is my grow. I used found seeds, blech, but I did find a seed in some A-MA-ZING bud, which I'll try to baby after I learn my lessons from this one.
I am using one 250w, store-bought grow bulb, housed in a compatible iguana lamp.
One plant is about 1ft taller than the second largest (I think the third is a mulligan), so I am having issues giving each the proper amount of light. I'm going to pick up another light, and I'm relying on the larger plant to "tell" me what it wants by bending or burning from the light. I'm thinking one lamp dedicated to each of the two plants is the way to go.
I also think light is the reason behind them looking so gangly, like they've been reaching. Again, this is just a 250w grow bulb, not a kick-ass, high-powered lamp.
I'm using a store-bought fert for vegging, recommended for vegetables and ratioed at 13-13-13. I plan on picking up some FoxFarms fert for flowering.
I read that I should start flowering when I see alternation in nodes. I see one alternation on one of the off-shoots on the larger plant, so I think the time is soon.
I basically turn the lamp on when I wake up (7am) and turn it off when bf goes to bed (10-11pm).
So, yeah. I will go over to the discussion board to make sure I've got one set up, because I read the rule about comments...even though I hereby give everyone permission to rag on my setup.

Discussion: https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journal-discussion/179324-first-grow-w-250w-iguana.html#post2313629

whats up wave, I think your plants look good. I wont be the only one; but I'll be the first to say you need more light. You dont have to go HID. Just throw some warm CFL lights in there. I would also suggest to get that cardboard and wood out of there. They are absorbing your light, wrap them with emergency blankets or paint them white. Also remember plant light schedules are critical. You need to get a timer in there when you switch to 12/12 which I would also suggest is now. What are real good are the silver lamps that have the clamp on them. They have them at wallmart for like 6 bucks. Get a couple of those and throw light splitters on them. Shine those bitches on your babes and you'll be enjoying some nice big buds. Good luck
-Joe

Thank you, SO much. I was wondering whether to start flowering. I have a timer for my aquarium lights (planted 55g tank - great for nutritious houseplant drink), so I'll use that.
I'm going to get another clamp-lamp tomorrow, so I'll post some pics of the revised setup.
I've read threads on splitters, so I know to look for a Y-shaped thingy or just track down Vinny at Lowe's. I don't even think he works there, actually....but he was helpful, lol.

*Puts trip to Lowe's on to-do list for tomorrow*

*takes posterboard out of closet*

*gets excited about flowering*

*feels grateful for the great advice*

im going to give some advice

that light you have, looks to me like an incandescent, GET RID OF IT, they are useless for growing pot, unless you want to keep it as a houseplant and not harvest it
you dont need expensive lights either, get a power bar, some light socket adapters (they have a plug on one side that you plug into the power bad and a place to screw a bulb in on the other side), some Y splitters and some 6500K CFL bulbs from home depot or lowes. keep those lights close to the plant and add graciously as the plant grows
ill keep checking back here, keep us posted, best of luck

forgot to say that the timer is a must, they are like 15 bux at home depot, it saves you so much hassel

Hmmm....well, those leaves *are* quite pretty. I think I'll use it at a centerpiece...

Of course I'm joking. You members are so helpful. I think it is incandescent, bc I Googled it and saw what a cfl looks like (looks like the ones I use in aquarium). I'll add it to the home-improvement-store-list!

As for the timer, yeppers, got one of those for the planted aquarium.

It's on, baby. I'll post pics of the revisions asap.

waverush said:

Hmmm....well, those leaves *are* quite pretty. I think I'll use it at a centerpiece...

Of course I'm joking. You members are so helpful. I think it is incandescent, bc I Googled it and saw what a cfl looks like (looks like the ones I use in aquarium). I'll add it to the home-improvement-store-list!

As for the timer, yeppers, got one of those for the planted aquarium.

It's on, baby. I'll post pics of the revisions asap.

Click to expand...

all incandescent lights suck for growing, even the ones that are labled as "grow lamps"
make sure when getting cfls to get the 6500K, DAYLIGHT bulbs for veg and the 2700K, warm white bulbs for flower
26 watt is a good size cuz they come in valu-packs

K.
I went to home depot and, while everyone offered to help, no one really could.
I found perfect 26w/2700k bulbs, but alas, they couldn't find a ballast other than an expensive desk lamp. WTF?
So, within the for-e-ver I spent there, I finally purchased a clamp lamp set for 300w max, and 4 of the curled CFLs. Each CFL is 23=100w, 1600k each. I got 2 "soft" and 2 "day" lights, because of course there is no explanation on the box for each type.
With splitters, there is one of each bulb in each of my 2 clamp lamps. I figured I'd disperse the 2 types a bit. The light in the closet is MUCH more white, but not brighter. We'll see how warm it gets in there, bc the grow lamp I had before warmed up the whole room.
The lights are now set on a 12/12 schedule with the timer.
*crosses fingers*

Off to take pics.

Well now the exciting part begins. Give it about two weeks and you should know whether you going to grow buds or be pulling males.
*fingers Crossed*

I call them "hairy armpits," but what are those little hairs right where the stem meets the stalk? I've been referring to the plants as "weedlet ladies," but I guess I'm not sure what to look for when sexing them.

Hmmm. What do the good people think?

Oh yeah I just wanted to share what my set up looked like so you can get an idea of a cfl grow.

On the right are warm cfls on splitters.
on the left I have daylight cfls on my seedlings.

I used a bathroom vanity light thingy from the goodwill.
At a home improvement store I bought a piece of sheetmetal for the reflector.

At the same Improvement store I purchased a HPS security light. 70W for the bottom of the plants.

So in total I have 356w
2 flowering females
4 clones
9 seedlings
All set on 12/12 schedule

your cfls seem to be very far from your plants waverush, you can have those just about touching those bulbs, also if your flowering with CFLs you need lots of them well spread out, take a look at some cfl grows in the grow journals

After seeing this great setup, I definitely realize that I'm not going to get the best out of my plants (2) with my lil dinky lights. I've moved them as close to each plant as they can possibly be, sort of dedicating one lamp to each plant. It is really bright and warm in there, at least.
I'm going to get a hold of the ex-fiance to see if he still has the homemade fixture (hung from chains) I was originally going to use w/the aquarium. I have flora-gro tube bulbs to go in it.
This is definitely a learning experience, and I am so grateful for all of your help. I'd like to work out the kinks before I invest in some really nice seeds for my next grow.

waverush said:

After seeing this great setup, I definitely realize that I'm not going to get the best out of my plants (2) with my lil dinky lights. I've moved them as close to each plant as they can possibly be, sort of dedicating one lamp to each plant. It is really bright and warm in there, at least.
I'm going to get a hold of the ex-fiance to see if he still has the homemade fixture (hung from chains) I was originally going to use w/the aquarium. I have flora-gro tube bulbs to go in it.
This is definitely a learning experience, and I am so grateful for all of your help. I'd like to work out the kinks before I invest in some really nice seeds for my next grow.

Click to expand...

in my opinion the only way to learn is to experience it first hand, to fuck up, to LEARN from your fuck up, and try again with new knowledge (i apply this to everything in life)

I just saw another grow journal that really encouraged me for next time. For the plants' growing phase, I didn't keep the light as close to the plants as it should be, at all. It needs to be consistently CLOSE to the plant, and side lamps are a good addition. I really can't wait to start again.
Right now my gangly girls (hopefully? I see hairs...) are on their first day of timed 12/12.

The best thing you are actually doing right now is Growing

you are going to go through all sort of mistakes or trial and errors as I call them.

I tried all sort of light variations my first run.
I promise once you start budding all you will tell yourself
" man I need more light"

You have done great to get this far, so now just tweak as you go.

Just search around forums and check out light setups.
You may go HID one day and from what I have seen seems to be the most promising.

Although there are plethora of awesome CFL grows
*including mine* i think
But there again Im only on my second attempt so I think Im still Noob at this too.

But either you have $$ to buy nice setups, Or seriously check out Goodwills and consignment shops they have boatload of light stuff you can use.

the fun part is Improvising. Good Luck
-Joe

camel i have an industrial light like yours how do you keep it cool ? Have you ever tried taking the cover off and blowing a fan directly at it? mines a 400hps ....

I agree with what joe camel just said. I too started out with cfl's. I also had two of those cheap fluorescent grow lights from walmart. In total when I started I had 8 cfl's and the 2 tubes. I ended up adding a couple more for each grow and then I realized I should look into T5 fixtures since I couldn't really ventilate at the time. I ended up with 2 96 watt, 4 bulb 8000 lumen light fixtures along with the cfl's. I then bought a tent and a 250 watt hps with a digital ballast. I then bought another tent and 250 watter. So as you can see, Joe Camel is right. I probably could have saved myself some money if I had just bought the good lights in the beginning. I now use the T5's for seedlings and I have cut the center walls between the 2 tents and have a 250 watter in each one.