First Grow- a few questions.

Hello everyone-

First off, this is a great site. Everyone on the forum seems really cool and there's definitely a lot of helpful info on here. Unfortunately, there is almost TOO much info. I've checked out some of the FAQs and a lot of threads and, while I found some of the stuff I was looking for, it'd take me a long time to find the specifics with all the info on here. To make a long story short- I'm interested in starting my first grow and, seeing as I've never attempted anything like this before, I've been trying to do a lot of pre-planning beforehand:

I've got my grow space picked out; I'm going to use a closet in my bedroom. The closet in question is about 3' deep, 4' wide and 8' tall. Obviously, I'm not planning anything on a huge scale. That being said, it is feasible for me to grow (or TRY to) five or six plants in a space that size, correct? I hope they'll all be female, but that's more wishful thinking than anything so, chances are, I won't even end up growing them all to completion, etc. Either way, I guess my next question would be my choice of light.

I work full time, but I don't make as much as I'd like (who does, though, right?) so I don't really have a ton of money to drop on a nice lighting set-up. I've heard that if you can only afford one light that it is best to go with a HPS as opposed to a MH. Agree, disagree? Furthermore, would a 250w HPS do the trick for just a few ladies or would I be better off going with a 400w perhaps?

Like I said earlier, I'm completely new to this and while a lot of the FAQs are helpful, they also seem more tailored towards larger-scale grows. I just want a plant or two for myself and (if I become a decent gardener) maybe one to give to my folks for their anniversary (seriously!). As far as soil, watering, nutrients, etc., I've been able to get a pretty good idea of all that from the FAQs. Mainly it's just the size of my growing space and lighting issues I'm curious about. So, any help (or just wishing me luck) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT- I'm dumb. I found another FAQ (must've overlooked it before.) It looks like it probably has most of what I want to know in it- but, I can't say for sure yet. Either way, any personal opinions would still really be appreciated.

Plants; start with 8 from seed and hope 4 are female.
Light; yes if you can only afford one go HPS, 250 will work but nothing like the 400.
Air; you are going to need some kind of way to get fresh air in to the room while exhausting out the hot stale air, also it is good to have a fan in the grow room to circulate the air and strengthen stocks.

Welcome to the site, have fun, and if you are having any other trouble just ask.

hello new friend. glad you could join us. sounds like you have done some homework. went right past the CFL's. good deal. i would go 400w if possible, but like shaman said, ventilation is crucial. hope all grows well.

welcome to the forum

Welcome aboard ,where are you putting this grow closet? this will have a lot of bearing on what you will need in the way of ventialation and cooling because in a small closet like that with a 400w it will get hot
But good luck and like fdd says any problems just ask because the people on here are great and thats the only way i have found out half the stuff i know.

cheers Bifter

Yeah, ventilation is going to be an issue. The closet in question is on the second floor of where I live. There is an attic and I've read a couple posts from people before about venting up and out through their attic. I don't really have the time or skill to do something like that though, as it seems a bit involved. There are a few other things that might be an issue though.

One thing I overlooked is my parents. Yes, I do still live with my folks and I'm sure someone is probably thinking: "How the hell do you overlook that?!" But, I'm 21 years old.. so, I'm old enough to take the heat if I were to get busted. The main reason it is something easily overlooked is that my parents smoke more pot than anyone I've ever met. The main reason for secrecy is that some of this is meant to be a surprise for their wedding anniversary. Now, if this changes anyone's opinion on my grow, I won't be upset. After all, it IS there house- not mine. But, then again- I'm old enough to assume responsibility for my actions.

Ventilation is my main issue though. Even if I weren't keeping it a secret, I know my folks wouldn't want me cutting a bunch of holes (or even a couple) in the wall for a vent. system. I was toying around with the idea of just keeping my closet door open while I've got the lights on and running a few fans both in the closet and in my room to circulate the air. Someone suggested putting a charcoal filter of some sort (perhaps like a furnace filter?) on a box fan to help control any growing scents in the room.. would that work at all? The only reason for using the closet is a) it is out of the way and b) there really isn't anywhere else to attempt it that wouldn't spoil the surprise.

nice , my mom smokes as much as me and I can remember smoking my first joint with her when I was a wee young lad.

welcome to the sight, keep us posted and let us know if we can help.

i don't have a pic, but last winter i used my closet. i made a temporary door out of plywood, and used it to make my intake and exhaust. after i was done with the closet, we put the original closet door back up.

not the stealthiest, but it's a solution to the no cutting anything problem....

kp

I am getting ready to harvest for the first time. I used 4-four foot flourescents from HD. I purchased two shop lights $35 each and the bulbs $10 each and a rotating fan. I have about 1.5oz per plant. There is almost no heat with flourescents (fire danger) and keeping the fan on them may be enough ventilation. You will have a hard time controlling the smell without outside ventilaton. Most say that flourescents grows are lame but my grow is proof that it can be done. Good luck bro!

i am using a 250watt light set up you can change the bulbs as long as they are still 250 an extra bulb is around £12 so then u can use mh and hps

Beartrap Hopscotch said:

Like I said earlier, I'm completely new to this and while a lot of the FAQs are helpful, they also seem more tailored towards larger-scale grows. I just want a plant or two for myself and (if I become a decent gardener) maybe one to give to my folks for their anniversary (seriously!). As far as soil, watering, nutrients, etc., I've been able to get a pretty good idea of all that from the FAQs. Mainly it's just the size of my growing space and lighting issues I'm curious about. So, any help (or just wishing me luck) would be greatly appreciated.

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What are you doing about ventilation? Because this will determine what light you can use in there. 4 x 3 is a good space, you could use a 250w in there no problem, a 400w will depend on ventilation.