Setting up a new very small grow - help please :)

[Thorn]

Ok decided to set up a mini grow but can't decide on a few things.

My space is 15" squared (38.2cm). I have two 20W energy saving stick cfls which I used through most of my last grow until they got way too tall for those lights.

This time I will only do one plant so I can use those lights all the way through. AlthoughI can't decide whether to go straight into 12/12 lighting and LST like pot belly's one here:

http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18085

Or whether to veg for a while, top, veg, top again etc etc and LST for a low bushy plant.

The thing is if I only got one plant I could do the second option only to find out its a male. At the moment I have one germinated Easy Sativa seed that potted in some vermiculite on my windowsil.

Please please don't start telling me i should be using this that and the other as I have no money whatsoever at the mo and my alternative is to grow on the windowsil. Any advice on which way to grow etc would be great. Oh and the other thing, I can't decide whether or not to do a grow journal on here for it, if i do go ahead with this.

[KingKahuuna]

Hey there friend,
We had a saying way back when. It was what got said at the drag strip.
"Run whatcha brung". Good words.
Same sorta thing I would say to you, "Run with what ya got" Use you head, and be observant, perhaps you might find some lighting that is more in line with what you want to have. It's all up to you. Look around you and see if you can spot something that maybe you didn't notice before, check with friends, maybe someone has just what you want.
Good Growing Bro, and Good Luck
smoke in peace
KingKahuuna

[Crazy Horse]

It's tough to get a descent grow when you are broke. 2 20 watters is not enough light especially when u flower. And a 15" square room is pretty small for flowering MJ, especially if u plan on some lst. Not to say it can't be done though. You can get a plant to flower and bud out with what u got, but I think it will be a little disappointing harvest. And I highly recommend doing a grow journal, the advice you get will get u through the grow, and on to future grows.

[Midnight Toker]

Get some LowRyder plants going in there....short...small....autoflowering....dense buds....or 12/12 from seed and LST...either way... Good luck man! :)

[Thorn]

Ok just to clear up, I do not want a big harvest, this is just a bit for me and my fella as we have had nothing for a month now lol. I do have a 150W hps but do not currently have the space to use it or do anything major.

I've done one grow before mostly with those 2 20W cfls and managed to do this.. - first pic only with ONE 20W cfl!

http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=36386&d=1192198364

http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=36387&d=1192198364

I do miss having a grow to look after...and so far am swinging towards the 12/12 LST method. my lanky easy sativa seedling is waiting on the window sil hehe. I hav also seen a few 30W warm white cfls on ebay that i might think about getting if i get some money coming in. Also prob gonna go have a look around the garden centre this weekend.

But yea u never know til u try so gonna giv it a go probs. wil do a journal aswell i think so ppl can help me as i go again.

[Thorn]

oh and this is the 30W bulb i been lookin at for if i can afford them..

[Pot Belly]

Hey Thorn

Sounds like an interesting grow. I encourage everyone to experiment with different grow areas to get the perfect amount of meds they need. I say go for it. You shouldn't feel limited to a 400 watt HPS light, and the grow space required for it. I flower under a 150 w HPS, and it gives me all the bud I need until the next plant rolls out of there every 8 or nine weeks. My electric bills are lower, and risk of getting busted is reduced due to many factors. One being that I only have a maximum of 4 plants at one time, and it's obvious that I'm not growing commercially. My extra smoke on hand is minimal, so I don't have many pounds of illegal stuff lying around.

Looking at what you got.......1.5 square feet. Good enough for a small plant no doubt. You'll need around 7800 lumens for decent plant growth and flowering. I see you have to go with what you got, but a few extra cfls in the mix shouldn't break ya that much.

I would do my best to line your growspace to contain any amount of light you have. I'd personally choose a 70 watt (OK) or 100 watt (best) HPS for that space, and can the floros, (because of the space, and HID grows good flowers) but cfl's will work if you have enough lumens.

Your space requires (3) 42 watt cfls, or (5) 23 watters. All should be available at local stores. Of course, with any grow with proper lighting in a concealed space, ventilation is a must. I'm confident that cfl heat is the same when compared to HPS heat at the same lumens.

Is height a restriction? I don't know about easy sativa. It may have tendancies to grow beyond a small growbox if that is your concern. LST will be a requirement with a lanky plant. Don't forget that lanky plants are also caused by not enough lighting.

As far as 12/12 lighting from the start, I would give your plant at least a few weeks to veg before flowering. I'd prefer to veg a month or 6 weeks to establish healthy root growth and sexual maturation. But, that is my preference.

If you want to do 12/12 from seed, go for it. You won't learn anything if you don't try it. I did get a lot of bud from that Afghani in the thread you linked to on my 12/12 grow.

I'd also do a journal so we all can see how your method or approach works or doesn't work. Whatever outcome you get is not a failure. Only a learning experience for next go round. We all want to see your grow. Good luck.:aok:

PB:)

[Crazy Horse]

Good post PB. The one pic I noticed, it looked like you lined your grow room with tin foil. If you did, tin foil causes hot spots and doesn't reflect light that good. White paint would be better especially on a budgeted grow.

[Pot Belly]

Hey Crazy Horse - that is some good info for sure. My growbox is lined with that dashboard visor stuff that you get to protect your car's dashbord from the sun. I think it has reflective properties similar to mylar. It's held in place by some silver foil tape at the edges. It does resemble tinfoil in the pics.

One of these days, I plan on doing a total overhaul, gutting that stuff and painting it flat white, though.

[Thorn]

Good post PB. The one pic I noticed, it looked like you lined your grow room with tin foil. If you did, tin foil causes hot spots and doesn't reflect light that good. White paint would be better especially on a budgeted grow.

Yes i know, and thats why that foil was shiney side down as i already knew that. altho its not really relevant for this grow as i'm not even in that house anymore.

This grow will be lined with white paper. Not properly built it yet tho. Pot Belly, ta for ur post, was very helpful. Height is a no go, as the space is 15" squared so thats height too thats why i was interested in experimenting with lst.

[Crazy Horse]

Sorry for the confusion PB, bout the foil, was talking to Thorn. I don't know about white paper either, doesn't sound like a good idea either, but what do you do.

[Thorn]

well its either that atm or no growing no weed at all lol

[Thorn]

or paint the cardboard...but its all more stuff to buy :S

[KingKahuuna]

Yo Thorn,
Stay away from the paper idea, it won't reflect diddly for ya and can pose a fire threat. Ask some friends if any of them have say a pint or two of just some plain OL' Flat white paint sitting around in the garage or tool shed. Also remember to share a good hoober or two with anyone that helps you put your grow together, ya gotta be cool if your gonna bum. LOL It's a cool way to say thanks.
smoke in peace
KingKahuuna

[headband]

i found out that the dollar store can provide many necessities for the grow room. 23 watt cfls, and mylar(spaceblankets)n the first aid. All a $1 each.

[Crazy Horse]

Headband nailed it. The dollar store is where it's at.

[Thorn]

ok am going to poundland and wilkos tomorrow to see what i can find.

At the mo i have perlite, vermiculite and compost left over from the last grow. as i said the seedling is in just vermiculite atm. am probably gonna do a mix of all 3 when i pot her.

[Thorn]

For those readin this post, i'm settin up grow this wknd and will hav grow journal but before i do i need some help with fly infestations... have put this thread in sick plants and problems..

http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?p=199795#post199795

[Thorn]

anyone watchin this thread, i've now started a grow journal with pics..

Micro Stealth Grow with CFLs (http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21968)

[THCPezDispenser]

i found out that the dollar store can provide many necessities for the grow room. 23 watt cfls, and mylar(spaceblankets)n the first aid. All a $1 each.

Bit of an old thread, but just thought you should know that space blankets are made with a thin coating of aluminum, they are not mylar.

[pothead4life]

You sure pez i just looked it up and found this

Nurse's Notes: These blankets are invaluable to have on hand for outdoorsmen, and in the car in case of a cold weather emergency.


Mylar foil material assists in body heat retention in emergency situations
Individually bagged
Folded to compact size for easy storage
Holds 90% of body heat

[THCPezDispenser]

I guess it is by manufacturer, but I heard most produced in North America are aluminum. If the pack says it's mylar, it probably is :)

[pothead4life]

you got me little bit scared there because i ordered them. before i ordered i call and check if they were made out Mylar. She told me they were if not i could ship them back lol they cost only $2 each shipping them back cost more then that lol

[nvthis]

Hey Pez, I think you can get some mylar wrapping paper there, though (???) or at least some mylar balloons and a bit of creativity could do for such a small spot ; ). The Dollar Store... What a great spot. Unfortunately ya gotta bring your best 'Inspector Gadget' mentality to make it work though.