SpiderBall [First Time] Aerogarden Grow Journal

Ok! I was almost not going to do a journal, but I really want to succeed on my first try, so it's worth it to me not only to share so I can get help/opinion but also to keep myself organized.

First I want to thank everyone for all their SUPER helpful tips, journals, pictures....etc.
This seems like such a great community and I'm excited to get started!

Ok, so, first I am going to post my shopping list, what I bought, where I got the items from and how much I paid (tax or shipping charges included).

I'll include some pics of what I have and how it's all set up. Then I'll do a second post with some questions I have before I start. I have never grown before. This will be a closet grow.

I think I have everything I need now except for the AeroGarden itself which should be here tomorrow (Thursday). I was planning on starting to Germinate tomorrow once the AeroGarden is here and set up.

All and any feedback is appreciated!!!

Here goes....

I plan on using all details and steps included in the
AeroGarden Guide/FAQ v 2.0 by lurkmaster

My Costs - Project: 3 Little Hulks

Dispensary - $71.34
Seeds x 6 Feminized Chocolope

HomeDepot - $74.92
3 x 150 Watt Light Clamp
3 x y-socket for CFL
3 x 2-100w Daylight CFL (comes with 6 total)
1 x Thermometer
1 x Big Timer

eBay - $149.99
AeroGarden Delux

Walgreens - $1.20
1 x Gallon Distilled Water

Hydroponics Shop - $63.05
GH pH Control Kit
Mylar 50’

Fish Store - $9.87
Airstone - bubbler

PEtShop Chain Store - $16.44
AirPimp
Tubing

Total = $386.81

I got the Figure 8 Power Cord from my old XBox
I had an extra Power Strip, didn’t have to buy one

Still need 4 x 150W Soft White Lights for Flowering
Still need 1 x digital pH reader
Still need 1 x Fan
* Aerogarden is still on it's way here....Pictures showing everything except the Aero Garden.

Ok, here's some questions I have before I get started....(please bear with me, I'm a noob on some of these things and even though I think I might figure things out, I think it's better to ask)

Oh, and about my table space. I plan on putting up light a TALL cardboard wall lined with Mylar on the left hand side of the plans. You can see right now, on the right is the wall with Mylar, and on the left is nothing. I'll get that set up shortly


Lighting: The CFLs I bought are Ecosmart Daylight 100w equiv. The package says "27 energy used in watts". I bought 3 packs of 2.
The Light clamps I bought say "125V - 150 Watt Max Capacity. I bought 3 of these and 3 Y-sockets for each.
(1) Question : If I put a Y-socket on these light Clamps, and plug in 2 of the 100w equiv CFLs in it, it's still within the Light Clamp 150w Maxx since the CFL says "27 energy used in watts"?
(2) Question?: Using say the AeroGarden Delux lights it comes with, plus 2 light clamps with 4 of these Daylight CFLs.....ok safty wise? Being in a closet, would I ever have to worry about fire as long as everything is plugged in correctly? How about if I add 2 more of the Daylight CFL's? And when I switch to the BIGGER flowering SoftWhite CFLs?

Pests:
(3) Question: I have 2 dogs. They have run of the house ofcourse. I have a big lot of land and they hang out outside alot. Do I need to keep them TOTALLY away from my grow area? How about my and my clothes? I mainly have Ivy outback....how paranoid or careful should I be on this point?

Airstone:
(4) Question: see the 10" Bubble wall thing I got? Is that the same as the airstone? It didn't say it but it was the closest thing I could find to what I've seen here on the site. Just want to make sure.

Grow Space:
(5) Question: Should I keep the closet door mostly closed, open, doesn't matter? Main concern here for me is the heat, safety, and ventilation for the plants. I'm not too worried about the smell. I'm CONSTANTLY running my Volcano....



Ok....that's really all I can think of right now as far as questions go.

Again, thank you all in Advance and I hope to make this a STELLAR FIRST GROW!!!

SpiderBall said:

Ok, here's some questions I have before I get started:

Lighting: The CFLs I bought are Ecosmart Daylight 100w equiv. The package says "27 energy used in watts". I bought 3 packs of 2.
The Light clamps I bought say "125V - 150 Watt Max Capacity. I bought 3 of these and 3 Y-sockets for each.
(1) Question : If I put a Y-socket on these light Clamps, and plug in 2 of the 100w equiv CFLs in it, it's still within the Light Clamp 150w Maxx since the CFL says "27 energy used in watts"?

CFLs generate far less heat than conventional bulbs. I have the same set-up with the "Y" sockets and run 2 150w equivs in those with no problems. My space is well ventilated and I do not allow the bulbs to touch any surfaces. You should be fine.

(2) Question?: Using say the AeroGarden Delux lights it comes with, plus 2 light clamps with 4 of these Daylight CFLs.....ok safty wise? Being in a closet, would I ever have to worry about fire as long as everything is plugged in correctly? How about if I add 2 more of the Daylight CFL's? And when I switch to the BIGGER flowering SoftWhite CFLs?


See my answer above.....you should be fine. If, like me, your plants get too big for the hood.....you'll need to remove it and use your clamp lights as overhead lights. I suspend mine from "O" hooks in the ceiling and am now using the hood as a sidelight....works great! Just make sure your CFLs touch no surfaces and you should be good with decent ventilation.

Pests:
(3) Question: I have 2 dogs. They have run of the house ofcourse. I have a big lot of land and they hang out outside alot. Do I need to keep them TOTALLY away from my grow area? How about my and my clothes? I mainly have Ivy outback....how paranoid or careful should I be on this point?

If your dods are like mine....they will want to eat your girls...specially when they start smelling delicious!

Airstone:
(4) Question: see the 10" Bubble wall thing I got? Is that the same as the airstone? It didn't say it but it was the closest thing I could find to what I've seen here on the site. Just want to make sure.

As long as that will fit in the res you'll be fine. You should have no problems......I use a 6 incher with success.

Grow Space:
(5) Question: Should I keep the closet door mostly closed, open, doesn't matter? Main concern here for me is the heat, safety, and ventilation for the plants. I'm not too worried about the smell. I'm CONSTANTLY running my Volcano....

Besides the PH level....The most important 2 things are light and ventilation. When you first begin you'll be in veg light cycle. The periods of darkness are very important. Your room should be as light-proof as possible. When it's night-night time.....your babys should have complete darkness.
Ventilation is really important as well. Helps control heat and gives your girls the fresh air they need to develop.
.


Ok....that's really all I can think of right now as far as questions go.

Again, thank you all in Advance and I hope to make this a STELLAR FIRST GROW!!!

Click to expand...

Hope that helps man! I sub'd to your thread...keep us updated!

Thanks so much Shingar!
Yes, your info was super helpful.

So it sounds like my light set up/plan is good and I have no problem with removing the hood and hanging lights. I'm already prepared for that I think. The closet has the hanger rail I can use and I am going to be mounting 2 thin PVC pipes that attach to the hanger which will come down along each side of the girls where I can clamp my CLFS too. I'll adjust those too as the girls get bigger and spread out.

So I'm confident I can control my dogs from eating my plans, it's just the outdoor pest issue I'm still concerned about. Should I even be concerned about this?

And for ventilation, I forgot that I need a little fan still. I will add that to my list above so I can help myself keep track
The door to the closet totally closes with about a 1 inch gap along the bottom from the floor. Makes it easy to run wires out of.
I'm hoping that if I keep the windows in the room cracked open and maybe keep the closet door open during the day then close it at night...should be ok?
I don't have to drill holes in my closet door, do I? cause I will!! LOL

I just subscribed to your grow. There's a lot of great info in there and your girls look GREAT!!!! I like that there's info on taking the clones. I need to read up better around that because I'm not sure how and when to do it, but I think it'll be the smart thing to do!

I should get my AeroGarnden tomorrow....so I will probably start germinating then. I'm STOKED

SpiderBall said:

So I'm confident I can control my dogs from eating my plans, it's just the outdoor pest issue I'm still concerned about. Should I even be concerned about this?

I'm hoping that if I keep the windows in the room cracked open and maybe keep the closet door open during the day then close it at night...should be ok?
I don't have to drill holes in my closet door, do I? cause I will!! LOL

I just subscribed to your grow. There's a lot of great info in there and your girls look GREAT!!!! I like that there's info on taking the clones. I need to read up better around that because I'm not sure how and when to do it, but I think it'll be the smart thing to do!

I should get my AeroGarnden tomorrow....so I will probably start germinating then. I'm STOKED

Click to expand...

FLOWERING- DAY 38 (DAYS SINCE GERMINATION- 62 )

I don't think you should be too worried about pests. It really depends on the cleanliness of you closet and how open your house is to the great outdoors. I'm always on the look-out for spider mites though! I'm from an area that runs rampant with these little buggers durning the summer.....so I've really been looking out.....so far nothing thankfully.

As far as ventilation goes......As long as your ladies are getting the light and dark priods they need....it won't matter at all if your closet door is open or closed. As far as drilling holes....I have an exhaust fan in my closet sucking the air out and into my attic (I have a carbon can filter...so there is no smell). I've found that I can leave the door closed at all times (I have no holes drilled for an intake) and the air exchange in the room is constant. The cracks of the door and the bottom gap seems to be plenty as far as intake goes. So I'd say no to the drilling of the holes in the closet! lol.

Let us know when you get germinating those seeds! I'm looking forward to seeing some green pretty soon!

Ok! Here's an update! Here's the quick notes I'm taking. Figure I can track them on this post ....

Start
4/22 - Thursday
Started Germinating 3 seeds at 8pm

4/23 - Friday
Seeds not germinated yet as of 11pm. Set up AeroGarden & Space.

4/24 - Saturday
One of the seeds germinated in under 48 hours. Found only one germinated on Sat morning. I put them back to keep germinating while I was out. Plant the one or more later tonight.

4/25 - Sunday (2am update)
Found that 2 out of 3 seeds germinated. I then planted the 2 and put one more to keep germinating.

I set up the seeds in the AeroGarden pods. I Cut the moss thing in half, placed the germinated seed root down, closed the moss, put it into the pod....then placed the paper label ontop of the pod after I wrote the seed info on it....I put a hot iron over it to get the label to stick (I pressed down on it for about 10 seconds). I thought it might be bad for the seed but while I was pressing down, my fingers were so close to the underside of the iron and it wasn't hot at all. But it seemed to get the label attached.

I added Distilled water to the AeroGarnden and got the airstone and aerogarden plugged in and running, off timer.

I did not check the pH level at this time.

AeroGarden lights only plugged into the timer, set to 20/4.
(later that day....2pm Sunday) 3rd seed still has not germinated. What to do about this one?

Question (1): Can anyone tell me why 1 might not have germinated? It's not defective is it? I figure more time is all she needs but thought I'd ask.

Question (2): Since the third seed is late to germinate, will it be a paroblem with my grow if she's off by 5 days? Or do I just start flowering all 3 as soon as the later female is ready to go?

Question (3): Since the third seed hasn't' germinated, should I consider using a new seed and putting the "runt" aside?

Ok, and I'm attaching pictures that I took since my last post. Trying to capture all things that I am encountering from End to End!

I should have a little more time on the forum this coming week, just been so swamped with work but I'm staying on this project...I am SO freakn EXCITED. Last night just hearing the pump going, light's on, seeds planed and looking at it after it was all set up was euphoric. I love this shit.....

Alrigh first off im assuming that ur using ur aerogarden to germinate you can do that but it can take up to 5 days while doin it directly into the garden...I HIGHLY reccomend that you just get a plate put some paper towels in it just covering it then pour some distilled water on them get rid of the excess u dont want a puddle just tip the plate. Then place your seeds in there evenly apart then put another paper towel wet that the same way remove acess water then put another same size plate on it wrap the shit outta it in plastic wrap then put that in a high cabnet 2 days later guranteed your gonna have a nice tail on those seeds.then just CAREFULLY place them tail goin thru the whole and 2 days later they should have some greenery to them.Hope this helped happy and safe growing BBUUUUDDDDDYYY

Yo dude thanks for the response! Thing is I did put them in a plate. I have a pic of them set up in my last post and then a pic of the 2 seeds that germinated and the 1 that didn't. Actually...I should go check it now. I reset her up last night with new fresh papertowel and water.

OH! one thing! Smokey, you mentioned germinating them with distilled water. I just used tap! I hope that was ok. Hoping as long as 2 came out they should be good. Only have the distilled water in the Aerogarden.

Ok, be back....gonna go check that seed. I last saw her around 3am......

Hmm....she's still not poppin....

I think in the interest of time, I might just use a new seed tonight. I had the first 2 germinate SO fast...I should be able to get a new one going quick too.

My question is, if I have a 3rd plant that is a bit behind the other 2 in maturity (5 or so days) how big of a deal is that?

I am and will again use the paper towel method....

I'll update again soon!

Awesome avatar Spider Ball, good luck with your grow, I'm on my first grow also.. A few words of caution..Learn the PH thing it will save you...Looking forward to following your grow...Good luck again...

Thanks Mr. Natural.
Ok, I will spend today practicing and learning about the pH levels.

Right now, my 2 girls are coming out and looking good. My biggest problem here is the dam 3rd seed that won't germinate! I put in a new (4th) seed to germinate, and it's been 48 hours now....no dice! I'm almost ready to pull my hair out...lol.
I dunno what's going on with them. The first 2 germinated almost instantly.
I'm thinking either the second 2 are duds? I'm wondering if growing 2 plants instead of 3 is better anyways.....ugh, I dunno....hey though....here are pics of my 2 girls that are doing good!!!

I'll check out your journal after I get these pics uploaded. (Oh, I just peeked. Looks like you have a bunch of plants going? I'll read on....I thought 3 was the max? I'm a little bummed that I might only have 2 this go....but hey....)...ok ok, here come a couple pics

Thanks!!!!

Ok, 2nd Update. End of Week 1

5/1 - Saturday - Help??!?
Very worried about one of my girls. Here's what happened. When I planted the seeds:

Choco 1, I did not cut off the nub from the bottom of the moss. I only cut the moss in half and put the seed in it.

Choco 2, I did cut off the nub from the bottom of the moss plus cut it in half.

I honestly wasn't too sure if this was what people were talking about when they said cut something off the bottom of the planter. So stoned me just did one and not the other, and didn't think to ask.

Result, I think Choco 1's roots were having a hard time getting through. They were all bunched up in the moss. I took scissors and snipped off that little round nub off the bottom of the moss. LUCKY me, I hit no roots and they came right down. They look like they're starting to head for the water......however.....
The girl up top has not grown at all in 3 days....and now there is brown spotting on a couple of the leaves and she looks sad!

I also ended up using little bits of electrical tape to keep down the labels as well as help keep out light from the res. I was noticing that when I oepend the res to look at the roots, some light was coming through in the plastic of the planters. I figured blacking them out totally with elec tape would do the trick....


Questions:
-pH is at 6.5. Is it too early for me to worry about bringing it down?
-should I start adding nutes now to help adjust the nutes?
-what do you guys think of my choco 1? is she saveable?
-when I go to adjust the pH, do I just add pH- to the res? or do I make a whole new batch in a gallon jug, let sit, empty out res, and replace with new?
-Lights are currently on 20/4. I'm using the AeroGarden lights and I have 2 extra CFLs right next to Choco 2...but I'm not sure I should turn these on? Would I just plug a multi plug into the timer then have the Aero Lights and these extra 2 CFL's plugged into the Timer?

I know these are SUPER noob issues. I appreciate any help!!!

THANKS!!!

Pics...
Pics of the Choco 1 and 2 this morning.
Pics of the Choco 1's roots now that I've cut the nub off the moss. They are coming down better.
Pic of Choco 1 from top view
Pic of Choco 1 and 2 after I taped the plastic and labels down
Pic of pH today and temps

Questions:
-pH is at 6.5. Is it too early for me to worry about bringing it down?

Try to keep the PH no Higher than 6.0 .no lower than 5.5 Drain the res, I use some leftover hose from air pump.
hope you got some PH Down with your kit.. DO NOT ADJUST IT IN THE RES!!!
Drain it adjust it and put it back..


-should I start adding nutes now to help adjust the nutes?
Not yet..

-what do you guys think of my choco 1? is she saveable?
Hell yes, I do
-when I go to adjust the pH, do I just add pH- to the res? or do I make a whole new batch in a gallon jug, let sit, empty out res, and replace with new?



-Lights are currently on 20/4. I'm using the AeroGarden lights and I have 2 extra CFLs right next to Choco 2...but I'm not sure I should turn these on? Would I just plug a multi plug into the timer then have the Aero Lights and these extra 2 CFL's plugged into the Timer?

I just used the AG lights at first. then after second and third sets of leaves or nubs
I added ....CFLs


This is one of the theads that helped me..hope it works for you. I glued down my paper tops Like Lurkmaster showed..
the book says to Iron them on...

https://www.rollitup.org/aerogardeners/168751-aerogarden-guide-faq-v-2-a.html

It looks like your sponges aren't pushed in all the way into the AG itself, they kinda click in..

I all most killed mine a couple times...hang in there

Thanks Mr. Natural!
Super helpful. I feel better and confident again with these 2 girls.

Ok, so I just drained the rez using the extra hose I had like you said.
Not sure if this was necessary, but I used new fresh distilled water. I got it's pH right to about 5.5...amybe 5.8ish.
Then I put that in the rez. When I was balancing that water, I had to down it a bit, and I ended up putting too much I think. I had to work on it a while trying to up it back to 5.5+. After a few tires I got it.

Well, I know now how to drain my rez and now to pH balance the water.
It's been mentioned to me a couple times now and so I know it's important. I'll keep on it daily for a while to make sure the balancing I did is ok.

Thanks again....VERY HELPFUL!!!
I may have one girl smaller than the other but I'm hoping I've got her environment right now....she should catch up.

Ok, thanks again!!! I'll update with new pics once I notice that Choco 1 starts to show significant growth...

You are welcome. Just passing on what I've picked up on RIU. I'm using city tap water. PPM of about 250 that means, its about medium full of particles.. I've read of growers using tap water as high as 400. I let it sit out in a open pitcher over night to dissipate to chlorine. Seems to work fine. The 2 ladies I'm down to drink almost a gallon a day...Good Luck

Yo yo

Ok another update!

So, I started counting like Day 1, being the day that I planed the 2 seeds.
That was Sunday April 25. Go going by that, this Saturday ends week 2 and week 3 Starts on Sunday the 9th. I plan on starting to add nutes then.

5/7 - Friday (Day 13)- 1 girl is kicking ass! I feel like I might have lost my second one?
Ok, Choco 1 looks quite good to me! See pics! She's getting tall FAST and she's looking good as far as I can tell. WAY early she had gotten those golden tips. It didn't continue so I felt ok. I figure she'll start to shine once week 3 starts, I change lighting and start adding nutes.

Choco 2....I'm not sure about this girl....she looks like she's either done, on deathrow....stunted? I can use some help on this one. Check out the pics of her. I took pics of her and her roots. If you're new to my journal, might know what's up but want background, I put her story on the 5/1 update. Any help is appreciated.

**If there is a chance to get her going, she will be behind Choco 1. My question here is would I just let Choco 1 Veg longer until the little one catches up then start them flowering together?

Ok, on the PH....It's been a little frustrating, because it seems like each day I adjust the pH down to 5.8ish, by the next day, it's back to around 6.2-6.5
Will this daily fluxuation stop once I start adding nutes? Or do I need to just plan on adjusting the water every day?

I think that's it for now. Start of week 3 (this Sunday) I plan on turning on my little fan for the girl(s), adding nutes, and turning on the extra CFLs I have.

Even with the one girl, I'm stoked because as I understand it, this strain is really good! Can't freakin wait....

Pics....

Looking good Spider... yep I adjust my pH down every day and have since I almost killed them early on..ha ha

Dude go easy on the nutes like 1/4 or 1/2 strength to start..

Stick your hand down next to your plants and keep it there a few moments after you set up more lights, make sure its not too warm. Easy to cook those seedlings, watch it closely at first.

Hang in there you are doing great!

Cool dude, you're the man
Ok so ya, I've been situating the water about once a day now. I added 1/4 Nute to a new batch of water on start of week 3. I get the water down to about 5.7ish and it seems to go back up to like 6.3 each day.

Unfortunately Mr. Natural I didn't read your reply to my post till a day or two after I turned on these extra CFL's. They might have been a TINY bit close.
The bigger girl start turing yellow in the middle. I started to think it was the light being to close? I turned the lights off all together for now and am just using the hood again. The yellowing seemed to slow and seems to be turning green again (might be my eyes playing tricks...)

Well anyways...the little one still looks little, however, her roots have starting moving to the water! I'm hoping once she hits the water, she will start to grow.
The Big one, looks nice to except for that yellowing I mentioned. Tell me what you think?

Ok, this was a reply to you and half assed update. Been so damn busy and it's also 4am, high, tired and still got work I gotta do lol.

Ok...here's some pics!!!

Oh ya, so can anyone help with this question?
-One plant is not as far along as the other, looks about 1 week+ behind. I've switched the lights to 18/6 for the bigger girl.
Question is....what happens to the little now? Should I go back to 20/4 until the little one gets to Veg size?



PEACE

Way to go Spider looks like you dodged that first bullet... Both look good...
Don't worry about the runt I bet she'll be just fine...
How long do you plan on veggin them?

Hey Spider! My runt turned out to be the biggest of all my ladies! Hang in there and give her a chance.