1st Grow... Working with what I got!

captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
This is my first grow ever... and being a stay at home mom, I have the time, but limited on the resources. First off, I got this beautiful bud from a friend, "chronic" as anyone would call it... low and behold I find 7 seeds... I took this as a sign that ultimately I should save myself some money (mostly my husbands $) and hassle by just growing it myself.

I started off by germinating the seeds in a moist paper towel. After about 3 days I had a few sprouts. I was very excited
a day later when I had 6 sprouts, 3 of them with about a 1/2 tail... (didn't know if I had waited 2 long or not???) Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of space (ie stay at home mom) but we have a bar-counter in the non-functioning basement kitchen. I took two new opaque shower curtain liners and made two artificial walls on both sides of this counter. I got six 1/2 gallonish pots from home depot for $1.87 a piece, with a drainage dish... and unfortunately because of the season, had to settle with Miracle Grow Potting Mix ($10)... and I know its not the most efficient
soil, but until I can get to a hydroponics store for some fox farm to transplant in, it will have to do.

I currently have six seedlings planted (pretty sure i lost 1 completely, but we will see) and I have them set in two rows of 3, with a 24inch
75 watt florescent grow light (wal-mart $11 a piece) hanging 2 inches over each row. I replaced the track lighting with a
60watt blue plant light($5), and a
60watt enhanced color spectrum T10 bulb($3). I am working on how to include some cfls.

at either side of this bar, with plants in between, I have small household humidifier (both already owned) and a small Vornado space heater (doesnt emit anything and shuts itself off automatically when it gets to a certain temp)... im pretty :confused:sure i need this because the lights are low heat, and my basement is FREEZING (BTW I live in Michigan and there is already 8in of snow). I have a temp/humidity digi ($9) in there as well. Lights off about 67 with 20%... lights on about 76-82 with 30-40% humidity. Light schedule of 20/4 right now... not sure if thats ok for 1st week of germination.:confused:.. 1inch growth of plant???

I have to say, i have learned so much from these forums
... and I am really hoping that I can make my first grow a successful one. I will try and post pictures as soon as I can. I would really appreciate any input or suggestions... Again, I really am trying to stay at as low a budget as possible bc we all got bills to pay...

Thanks *Captbooyah:peace:
 
Stoner.Barbie

Stoner.Barbie

Well-Known Member
captbooyah said:
This is my first grow ever... and being a stay at home mom, I have the time, but limited on the resources. First off, I got this beautiful bud from a friend, "chronic" as anyone would call it... low and behold I find 7 seeds... I took this as a sign that ultimately I should save myself some money (mostly my husbands $) and hassle by just growing it myself.

I started off by germinating the seeds in a moist paper towel. After about 3 days I had a few sprouts. I was very excited
a day later when I had 6 sprouts, 3 of them with about a 1/2 tail... (didn't know if I had waited 2 long or not???) Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of space (ie stay at home mom) but we have a bar-counter in the non-functioning basement kitchen. I took two new opaque shower curtain liners and made two artificial walls on both sides of this counter. I got six 1/2 gallonish pots from home depot for $1.87 a piece, with a drainage dish... and unfortunately because of the season, had to settle with Miracle Grow Potting Mix ($10)... and I know its not the most efficient
soil, but until I can get to a hydroponics store for some fox farm to transplant in, it will have to do.

I currently have six seedlings planted (pretty sure i lost 1 completely, but we will see) and I have them set in two rows of 3, with a 24inch
75 watt florescent grow light (wal-mart $11 a piece) hanging 2 inches over each row. I replaced the track lighting with a
60watt blue plant light($5), and a
60watt enhanced color spectrum T10 bulb($3). I am working on how to include some cfls.

at either side of this bar, with plants in between, I have small household humidifier (both already owned) and a small Vornado space heater (doesnt emit anything and shuts itself off automatically when it gets to a certain temp)... im pretty :confused:sure i need this because the lights are low heat, and my basement is FREEZING (BTW I live in Michigan and there is already 8in of snow). I have a temp/humidity digi ($9) in there as well. Lights off about 67 with 20%... lights on about 76-82 with 30-40% humidity. Light schedule of 20/4 right now... not sure if thats ok for 1st week of germination.:confused:.. 1inch growth of plant???

I have to say, i have learned so much from these forums
... and I am really hoping that I can make my first grow a successful one. I will try and post pictures as soon as I can. I would really appreciate any input or suggestions... Again, I really am trying to stay at as low a budget as possible bc we all got bills to pay...

Thanks *Captbooyah:peace:
Click to expand...
yay another stay at home growing mommy! i will help all that i can but it sounds like you got it all under control girl. just make sure that the heater is not directed at your babies. but yah everything else sounds good. and you'll find that you can't stop once you start. lol plus reps and i am subscribed. mmuah!
 
DB&ST

DB&ST

Well-Known Member
sounds like you really have it going!
don't think there is much we can help at this point..

Keep it up and upload some pics!
 
*BUDS

*BUDS

Well-Known Member
sounds like u know what your doing. except get a good ph meter $60+ and switch to hps lighting when flowering.
 
J

Jude Darlene

Member
I used reflector clip on light fixtures from lowes (5-7.00)DSCI0005 (4) - Copy.jpg. Had to remove the reflector as the cfl's wouldn't fit with them on but would probably have burnt plant anyway. Just the bulb touching the leaves have burnt where touching. I attach the clips to my pots so that I can move them for lower growth.DSCI0065.jpg, I'm using two cfl's and some flo grow's. DSCI0192.jpg. I have a leaking basement so if mine can get to this yours should do 100 times better. I'm working on the ph meter next, as I just use miricle grow fert. and soil. Hope you the best with your grow. Keep us updated.
 
Cheap Basterd

Cheap Basterd

Active Member
Awesome!

I love it when people just use what's at hand to grow. It's easy to throw money at something (well, for the people with money) I prefer the gorilla approach myself, in almost every one of my hobbies. Reduce, re-use, recycle all-the-way. With some ingenuity many household objects can be repurposed to growing Cannabis.

Good luck to you Captbooyah.

Subbed
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
Thank you all so much thus far for comments and support. And no, the heater is not blowing on my babies... I have it propped up on a box, and both humidifier and heater blowing at a 45 degree upward angle... kind of 'mixing' if you will just above the planter canopy... It kinda makes me feel like a nerd because I know I am creating an artificial environment, but at the same time its awesome. Plan on getting a HPS bulb for flowering purposes, but saving the $ to do so. This is kinda my christmas gift to myself. LOL Working on the pics... THANKS*
 
canefan

canefan

Well-Known Member
Welcome to RIU, glad to see to have a keen interest and use your imagination to accomplish your goals. Any help I can be please feel free to ask.
Welcome, Happy Growing and Merry Christmas
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
Hi again... I'm really sorry I haven't been able to upload pics... Having a hard time getting linux (ubuntu) to recognize my camera. Need to get to a windows computer... will do as soon a possible. One of the two 1 inch babies is starting to shrivel up... the stalk/stem got a bit flimsy vs. firm and the the leaves started to curl in a bit. really worried, but pretty sure exactly what is is, or could be... lots of variables right... There is no yellowing of the leaves or redding in the vain, and I have been trying diligently to NOT over water them... but then again, im worried maybe i havent given them enough H2O!!! Arg... so frustrated. I have some plant food, but think they are way to young??? Temp currently with lights on is 77*F with 32% humidity... Any input is much appreciated and again, sorry no pics, but i hope someone may just know whats going on.
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
p.s. The one that is starting to shrivel hasnt seemed to have changed much at all over the past week until now... disappointed bc that was the first one to get any leaves. So now its 4 pots with seelings still hoping to sprout, one suddenly dieing on me, and one looking pretty good.
 
Stoner.Barbie

Stoner.Barbie

Well-Known Member
no nutes yet, did you happen to mix your soil with pearlight? this helps a lot. i mix mine about 50/50 some do 75 soil 25 pearlight. its a preference thing. but that will give the little roots room to grow and get oxygen. if the pot is light when you pic it up then water if its heavy then don't water. hope this helps. sorry i had a glass of wine with lunch and am kind fuzzy.................
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
Well, I'm going to consider the one gone, unless I can save it by replanting??? Hoping to get to the hydroponics store near me on wed/thurs when i have some $. Planning on getting Fox Farm Ocean Forest and Fox Farm Light Warrior (SOUND GOOD???) and no i never added perlite, but would like to... didn't have any, couldn't find any when started bc all the stores around here clear out their garden sections for X-mas decor. Lame... but hoping this will be good. I have a bunch (like 7) little sprouts coming up, but not directly where the seed sights were... not sure what it is yet, still very small and thin. And I'm pretty sure there is a blade of grass in one. LOL! One plant is doing well... seems to be about 1 1/4 inches... 1 set of 'true' leaves... really hoping to see more soon. I have one about 1/2 inch out of the soil, but the seed casing is still very tight, no green yet, so I have it covered by a opaque plastic cup as a little 'dome' hoping that will help. Its still getting light, but has the humidity too. Kinda not sure if it will help, but it already looks stronger than before. Currently 80* with 34% humidity right now... going lights out at 4am, back on at 8am. Still working on the camera situation, but might just buy a brand new camera. Mine is shotty now. Thanks Barbie, read through your Lowryder easy rider grow. Very excited for you! Did you order your seeds from Attitude? How are they?... I would love to order some autos. Worse comes to worse, I grow a crap ton of bag seed from God knows what... My mom never throws her trash out, so its mine for the planting if these don't work out... and yes, I said my mom... I'm sick of having to pick up for both of us, now I can charge her for my own stuff (is that worng?) Thanks again everyone!!!
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
I added 2 more 60 watt CFLs to the track lighting to help add a little something... but the only lights I have up close are the fluros... The rest are a good 5 feet away, but highlighting over the plants. Also put in a white poster board to help reflect light a bit better.
 
Stoner.Barbie

Stoner.Barbie

Well-Known Member
anytime a seedling comes above the soil then thats when you want to take off the dome. the light will make it green up. sometimes i help the little things by taking off the seed husk for them. but very carefully! for my cfls i got those shop lights that come with squeeze clam and a metal silver reflector (i take the reflector off) and that way i can pretty much clamp it anywhere to make sure that my ladies are getting enough light in the right places. i also got a bulb splitter so that i can put 2 bulbs in one outlet. don't worry, i try and kill all of my plants when they first start out. lol

that's awesome about your moms, and yeah, i would charge her too.lol
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
Really glad to find out that Wednesday, I will have at least $100 to blow on new soil, nutes for future, and a ph tester, or kit. Very excited.
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
Officially, the one plant died... but has two other sprouts coming up... Is it possible for a healthy root system to die off of one plant but continue supplying new sprouts? IDK... Today feels like a horrendous day. It's sad when you are out of smoke, and have baby plants just waiting to grow and flower and be smoked... but thats so far away from right now!!! LOL. I have to finish wrapping presents and baking, but that is always so much more fun when you dont have to be sober doing it. I know patience is a virtue, but damn this sucks. The 7 thin little sprouts have grown up to 2 inches, with two tiny elongated round leaves... if i start seeing true leaves, I will be jumping for joy. LOL
 
captbooyah

captbooyah

Active Member
That is absolutely GORGEOUS Barbie!!! I want one!!! LOL. I did put a small little fan in there. Make my babies stronger!!!
 
Devildog93

Devildog93

Well-Known Member
Sound like you are very "aware" greenthumb. The fan will definitely help strengthen your stocks. I have confidence that if you are patient, you will be well rewarded.

Good luck. Post pics when you get that damn Linux box figured out. LOL.
 
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