New Grower 2 failed grow attempts & what I learned.

[Muddy]

That will be fine for the 3 x 3 box you are considering. I'd also suggest a variable speed controller for it. Gives you more flexibility on how much air you need to move, plus it will run quieter at slower speeds.

 

[Mellow Yellow]

What light/s

Ok, now for my 3x3 grow box, what light should I get?

I don't have a large amount of money, but I'dlike to get what I need for 2 to 3 plants.

 

[Muddy]

What you get is going to depend on a couple factors. Money, heat, and money. To get good coverage in an area that size you could use a 400 watt HPS system. That would consist of a ballast, reflector, bulb and a timer. There are some cheap systems on eBay and Amazon starting at around $120. I wouldn't recommend those. Look around and you should be able to find a better one for under $250. It will probably have a magnetic ballast. My 400 watt system was about $350 but that with an electronic ballast and a Hortilux bulb. The down side to HPS is the heat they generate and cost more to operate. That has to be removed via the exhaust fan to maintain the proper temperature in the box.

Or you could buy an LED light. A 300 watt unit would be about the right size for that space but expect to spend around $500 - $700 for one. But a 240 watt Blackstar, while not big enough to really cover the whole 3 x 3 area well, would be big enough to grow 2-3 plants. Much less expensive at around $300. Big advantage is much less heat than the HPS and cheaper to run.

Then there are CFLs. A 2' T5 fixture might work well in that space. Or maybe a couple of the bigger CFLs. I'll let someone else advise you on those as I'm not as familiar with them. Go here: http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/grow-lights-fluorescent-c-321.html. and you can see some of the options available with fluoros.

 

[Mellow Yellow]

I ordered the 240 watt Blackstar. Will I have to add any other light for heat?

I have my fan & carbon filter combo on the way as well as my variable speed control for it.

I will start building my box this week.

I wiill need a vent for air in correct, or will my fan and carbon filter be enough?

Also, what size pot do you recommend?

Should I put aluminum foil on the inside of the grow box or paint it white?

 

[Muddy]

Good choice on the light. I think you'll be very happy with it. It will probably raise the ambient temperature by about 4-5 degrees. Given your geography I expect you will probably need a small space heater in the winter. Yes, you will need a vent opening for intake air. Something like a dryer vent works pretty well. I got a couple at the local plumbing supply house real cheap. One for intake, one for exhaust. If you can, get the ones with the flappers on em. Also, put a piece of screen on the intake to keep the mice out. Intake low, exhaust high for good circulation. You'll also need a small fan for internal circulation and stem strengthening.

Three gallon pots are a good size for most autos.

No foil. It doesn't reflect light evenly and can create hot spots. Either mylar, panda film or white paint.

I ordered the 240 watt Blackstar. Will I have to add any other light for heat?

I have my fan & carbon filter combo on the way as well as my variable speed control for it.

I will start building my box this week.

I wiill need a vent for air in correct, or will my fan and carbon filter be enough?

Also, what size pot do you recommend?

Should I put aluminum foil on the inside of the grow box or paint it white?

 

[Mellow Yellow]

I did find a store relatively close that deals in Fox Farms products. I am gonna get a bag of Ocean forest & Happy Frog. From what I have been told, I germinate in Happy Frog and grow in Ocean Forest.

Do I put the Happy Frog in a small pot and then into the pot of Ocean Forest?

I have seen some posts that have a small pot in a larger one. I think they cut most of the pot away when they put the smaller one in to the bigger one to grow.

 

[Nelson]

I don't get that, why not just take the plant out of the small pot and replant it in the larger one? That is what I do and it works allright.

I did find a store relatively close that deals in Fox Farms products. I am gonna get a bag of Ocean forest & Happy Frog. From what I have been told, I germinate in Happy Frog and grow in Ocean Forest.

Do I put the Happy Frog in a small pot and then into the pot of Ocean Forest?

I have seen some posts that have a small pot in a larger one. I think they cut most of the pot away when they put the smaller one in to the bigger one to grow.

 

[AndyBotwin]

I don't get that, why not just take the plant out of the small pot and replant it in the larger one? That is what I do and it works allright.

Take a look at FD's tiered planting method: http://www.autoflower.org/f5/fds-guide-growing-hefty-autos-small-places-206.html. Cutting the bottom off the cup allows you to transplant with zero stress to the plant, and it allows you to grow in a smaller pot but have a longer tap root.

 

[Mellow Yellow]

Take a look at FD's tiered planting method: http://www.autoflower.org/f5/fds-guide-growing-hefty-autos-small-places-206.html. Cutting the bottom off the cup allows you to transplant with zero stress to the plant, and it allows you to grow in a smaller pot but have a longer tap root.

That must have been where I saw it.

I'm just trying to find what's best.

 

[Nelson]

I hear what your saying but don't roots move sideways also. They get bound in on the sides. I see it when I pull them out. I have goodluck starting them in two sizes of pots and then transplanting them into the raised beds.

I think next year I will try a couple of plants both ways side by side to get a comparison. Sometimes I think I am just from MIssourri the show me state because when I read something and it doesn't make much sence I gotta try it. Just call me skeptical.

All us growers have our own way of doing things and we are not always right. Not saying you are wrong and I am right just doesn't make much sence in my head.

I used to have a friend who read the Medical Marijuanna Bible and quotted to me every time I didn't do exactly what it said. I never found everything in there to be true. To this day some people cut of the bottom branches and some don't. Some take off the big fan leaves and some don't and they all have their own reasons for doing these things. The good thing is there are many rivers that all lead to the sea. Lots of good growers around and many have different ways that all yield good results.