First time grower (CFL) / new to RIU

So let me just say hello to the people of RIU!! I am new to this site, so if I make any newb mistakes, I apologize in advance haha.
I'd also like to say I love what you guys are doing on here. I ran across a couple pics of a few grow journals directing back to here and saw lots of good feedback and tips from all of you. So after I finally decided to start a small project, I was convinced that this would be the place to properly post pics and get some feedback. I have never grown anything before and I hope to do well.

I have done some research (outside of RIU), and one day said screw it, and started to buy pieces to the puzzle of this mysterious indoor growing concept. I had a small cupboard that I was using for stuff. After moving into a larger place, didnt need it anymore. So after much consideration, I decided that this "closet" would be just large enough for, what I believe to fit, just a single small-sized plant. I'll get into dimensions in a few.

I hope that you RIU'ers find it to be suitable for a grow, as I have actually officially started it haha. Fortunately, I am one to document most of my adventures/ projects. So I did actually take a few pics while I built the closet and will be posting here shortly after figuring out how to do so haha. Especially if I can do it from my phone, as all pics I take are using my phone and I dont use my home computer much, if at all.


All in all, I am scared, anxious, nervous, and excited to begin this journey, and to watch it unravel with all of you!

so this is the closet that started the idea. I moved that shelf from the middle up to allow a taller main grow space, while keeping a small shelf up top large enough for clones. Full closet size being 55" x 22.5" x 12". Clone shelf 12" tall and large shelf 43" tall.

Here I have two pics of the clone light socket and one computer fan test fit. I also got a small mercury-filled thermostat.

After removing everything down to wood, I started painting a couple primer coats down.
Oh, and I added wheels to make it mobile


Couple of metallic coats down and shes starting to shine

Bare bones again. Now lets get this thing electrified
ps. Idky but my pup pic got added too haha.

Wired up second fan and installed carbon filters on both. Installed doors. Also, if you look close around the edges, you'll see the rubber rubber seals I began installing as well.


What I did for the light fixtures was get some sockets, and wired them up thru one of the shelves that is able to be moved up and down inside the larger grow shelf. I decided six because of size, overall surface area, and bulb fixtures I was looking into. Which I will get into soon.

The backside all wired up. I actually changed the small rectangular fan to the left with a larger round one like the other fan.



Here I have all 6 flowering bulbs in. The top clone room bulb is not the real bulb in the pic. I chose 26 watt CFL. Each producing 1750 lumens at a temp of 2700k Total 10500 lumens.
Veg bulbs will be four 5000k 32 watt CFLs. Producing 1920 lumens each. I'll probably use one of these for cloning. Total: 7680 lumens. Combined: 11180.


I used an aluminum tube cut and opened up to form a nice reflector. One of the two hygrometers is also in the pic.


Extensive Houseplant testing (shroud removed)

Nice build, looking good man

im no expert but I have always heard flat white before any "shiny" coat as it reflects more usable photons as PAR (photosynthetic Active Radiation) than any other surface save maybe mylar....

FrozenChozen said:

im no expert but I have always heard flat white before any "shiny" coat as it reflects more usable photons as PAR (photosynthetic Active Radiation) than any other surface save maybe mylar....

Click to expand...

Yeah your correct. But mylar still has 97% reflectivity. Theres a chart somewhere, I'll see if I can find it

FrozenChozen said:

im no expert but I have always heard flat white before any "shiny" coat as it reflects more usable photons as PAR (photosynthetic Active Radiation) than any other surface save maybe mylar....

Click to expand...

Thanks man. I believe I've read that somewhere too. I'll see if I can strip the paint off it after this batch. Idky I let my buddy talk me into painting it ha.

Closetgardner said:

Nice build, looking good man

Click to expand...

thanks homie!

After extensive testing, I noticed the temp would get a little too high. What I did was replace the smaller fan with another second 80mm. I also put an 80mm for a cool intake (seen in center at bottom) when needed. I wired it up to have only one of the exhaust fans to run full light cycle. But to keep temperature from getting too high, I ran power thru the thermometer inside, to kick on the intake fan on bottom and the second exhaust fan up top. This should help keep that temperature where I want it when needed. All three fans have carbon filters.

Fully wired and running in this pic. Barely any sound, >1% light leakage. Stealth mode engaged. I think its ready.

Project/Test number two, Grow some Skanky ass catnip bud for my cat to have something to look forward to too bahaha Running 24hr light and germinating the catnip seeds right in small cup of soil.
Only two veg bulbs running in this pic. These bulbs are the bomb! Oh, and you'll notice a plug laying in the grow area; I actually installed that for a small negative ionizer that I purchased.

Hello again RIUsers. I need to catch up on the updates real quick!

Ok, so the seed I decided to get was Barney's Farm, Blue Cheese.
A full indica that takes Skunk #1 Cheese X with the Blueberry line. I narrowed it down to this strain as a first time grow because it is a Cannabis Cup Winner, bred for indoor toleration, as well as being known for putting out impressive yields at a very short height, which is currently my largest limitation.

That being said, lets roll that beautiful bean footage, shall we?

I had it wrapped in a wet paper towel, inside a sandwich bag. I had it laying in a dark, warm spot. Temp was set on a continous 72F. And then BOOM, after a mere 48 hours, She showed her first shoot. I'm now a proud father.

Here I have its new little home =)

I moved one of the hygrometers tips inside the tent to keep an eye on vitals. Lights still at 24hr cycle. Comparing to above pic, the two neighboring catnip plants seem to like it =P
After just one day of 24hr light, its already bursting out of its shell to show its nice green color =) I had to use the large size for this pic!

Just a day later and I see some beautiful green! Watering once to twice a day.

Another 24 hours of light, and Palm Tree status!! I decided to turn on a third bulb. Watering once to twice a day, and keeping it in its tent at a solid 74F

2 days later and looking happy. Temp consistent, light at 24hr.

One day later and you can just barely see the second set sprouting out. It seems to like the 24hr light and tent but I became weary. I decided to pull back as of tonight to 20/4 light without the use of the tent now.

So I have a question for RIUsers, should I return it to the 24 hour light and continue the use of a tent? Or am I being paranoid about rot? I figured the cube would help prevent that, but I wanted some real advice on this one.
Also from what I understand, the plant uses the sleep cycle to help build cells. So am I correct on lowering the cycle to 20/4?

thanks guys

So its been only a couple days and looking good

Here I have top view. Filling up the cup nicely

Only one thing makes me nervius, and it is this green developing on the soil


It seems to bedeveloping around where the rockwool cube is. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Update! It's spreading out quick.

The very next day, the bottom two leaves started showing a a few rusty spots. Starting from the inside towards the veins.
Please help if anyone knows

So I didnt hear anything back about the burn happening, I assumed it was from over-fert, so I started watering with a lighter mix. I still have been adjusting it to a ph of 6.7-6.8 in all feed and water mixes.

This is the soil I decided to use

And these are the nutes I decided to use. Basic, I know. But I'm a newb so dont judge haha.

Before I get into the transplant, I had to show you guys this macro shot I took

Here's the burn that's only on the bottom two leaves =(
Since I noticed this burn I have been cutting the nutes half with water. NSR boost and NSR grow. Still balanced to 6.7-6.8 pH

Shes getting a little too large for the solo cup anymoreeeee. =)View attachment 3031642

Yesterday was when I noticed the roots popping out definitely showing that its time for the final transplant. So what I did was cut down the sides of the cup to just open it up and get the whole ball of soil out for the transplant.View attachment 3031646

The final pot! Filled with the Miracle Gro potting mix. Moistened down with a mixture between the NSR boost and NSR Grow. Which again I have been cutting it 50% with water compared to recommended by NSR. I started this after I recognized the burn noted before. I assumed it was burn because I couldn't find its symptoms in the list of deficiencies. So I am assuming it must be calcium overload or something.View attachment 3031651

I'm still maintaining Temp between 70°F and as high as 79°F with lights on. Lights off it drops to ~63°F. Humidity level at a happy medium of ~50% - 60%.

If anyone has any comments or questions please feel free to chime in. I'm nervous of making mistakes because of being a first-time parent haha.