New Grower First Grow - GCS Bubble Gum and Cheese

[Puff Puff Pat]

Since @420Forever has been hounding me for like 2 hours to post up a grow journal I figured I should get off my duff and get this started! For those who haven't read my intro thread, My name's Pat, and this will be my first grow. I've got almost everything I need to start, but since I'm still waiting on the beans to arrive, I've got some time to gather the last pieces.

For this grow, I'm using a 2*2*4 grow tent, I'm using this LED for lighting and will be planting in a mix of this soil and OF using 3-gallon fabric pots. I also have a thermometer/hygrometer, as well as a pH reader. A charcoal filter is on the list for next payday.

I'm pretty sure that the lighting is a little anemic (Although with it on in the grow tent it seems plenty bright, but then again, I don't live off of photosynthesis, so what do I know?!). But I have a couple of Grow Light fixtures similar to these so I should be able to supplement the LED with a couple of CFLs.

On to some questions. First off, I'm concerned about temp/humidity management. I did a dry run in the tent with the lights and exhaust running and was getting temps in the mid-60s and RH in the 75-80% range (Gotta love basements), so I'm looking for tips on managing this. I'm not sure how much heat these plants will give off, but I'm assuming it's minimal. As for humidity, I can't see that getting lower with a plant or two and wet soil in there. So what's the consensus on lowering the humidity? I'm torn on the heat issue, I can either throw a space heater in the room the tent is in, or throw the space heater in the tent itself. I worry about the latter, just due to the proximity to water. I might play around with this one ad see if placing it next to one of the intakes and see how that does for temps. For the humidity, I was thinking of throwing in a larger container of salt to help absorb the moisture in the air, a lid on the container with varying openings should allow control of how much absorption occurs.

My next question is the number of plants. I'm getting three Bubble Gum seeds from GCS and by sending in my MO I'll be getting three more seeds. My thought for a room of this size is two plants maybe three. I'm not looking for a huge haul from my first grow, if I can pull 2-3 oz from a couple of plants I'd be ecstatic, but are two plants realistic for a 2*2 tent? Never having grown before, I just don't know. I would think so, especially since autos tend to be a bit smaller. I do plan on doing some LST to keep them low and wide given the height constraints that I'm under.

Like I said, I'm completely new to this, and gardening in general, so any tips, suggestions, or good-natured mocking are very much welcome!! I'll try to get some pics up in the next couple of days the grow room set up as it sits now, and more updates to come as I get more stuff in!

 

[Shrederr]

Temp and RH are an issue.

You want an avg of about 25c and 50% during your grow.
Not lower than 20c and 40%, not higher than 28c and 70%.

 

[420Forever]

subbed as for addin a bit of heat, ya, jus put the space heater in the room the tent is in & the intake fanz will, well, intake it, lol which in turn, should help lower the rh a wee bit at least...tempz between 75-80f are uzually best and a couple small bowlz of either baking soda or de will also help absorb moisture and imho, two plantz would be jus right in a 2x2...oh, and jus a thought, but u may also wanna consider topping to help with the height thing ppp

 

[Puff Puff Pat]

Thanks guys! I just remembered that we have a dehumidifier that we use in my girls room during the summer, I'll bring that down to the basement and put in in the same room as the tent. That should take care of the high humidity as well as up the temps a bit, combined with the space heater, and the added CFLs that should bring me to a better climate for my babies!

 

[Jean-O]

Hello n good luck. Ive grown several gcs bubblegum n they get quite tall n bushie. That said though 3 in 3 gal bags might get tight in a 2x2x4 the height should b ok but this strain will stretch quite a bit n should flower around day 21 from the 4 ive run all were very similar. Its one of my favorite strains from them. 2 zips appeace should b no problem but id start 2 then stagger a 3rd maybe mine usually finish around 90 to 110 days. Very creamy rosey smell huge colas from this strain.

 

[Puff Puff Pat]

@Jc420bigbud I've read through one of your grows of Bubble Gum, it was very informative and helped quell some of my fears of issues with GCS seeds. I think I'll stick with 2 to start with, and possibly stagger in a third towards the end to keep production moving along. I'm probably putting the cart before the horse here by planning out a second grow before the first is even in the ground!

 

[Jean-O]

Ive had 2 small issues with gcs not autoflowering but was pretty happy with their genetics. Honestly the bubblegum seemed the most stable n i actually used it for crossing a pineapple express of theirs another good strain. They do take quite a bit longer to grow out so patience is necessary with their strains. Its not too picky with the nutrients and has a pretty vigorous growth. Ill definitely follow along on this one.

 

[Puff Puff Pat]

Couldn't find the grow lights, so I'm going to have to order some. I did find one he used, but it was wired pretty hinky so I think I'll buy something instead. Moved the dehumidifier and space heater downstairs as well. I've got both running with the dehumidifier set to 55% and the heater set to 75. I'll let it run overnight and see how we look tomorrow afternoon when I get home from work.

Since we all like pics, here's the tent, looking pretty forlorn with nothing green inside it.

I was lucky to have a duct exit right next to the grow room. Pardon the mess, it's an unfinished basement so it always looks messy.

I have a couple of more feet to go up, so I see a bigger tent in my future. But let's get a couple of successful grows under my belt before I take that plunge.

 

[Puff Puff Pat]

So I'm thinking my thermometer is bunk. I've got the space heater near the tent and set to 75° and the thermometer is still showing 64. The space heater hasn6kicked on once. I'm going to have to bring it upstairs and set it next to the one for my HVAC and see if they jive. The hygrometer is showing a drop to 68% but the dehumidifier is still running full tilt, and it's quite an improvement from the peak of 81%

On a side note, anyone (Maybe @Jc420bigbud ) have any experience with time frame from sending payment to updating the order status when ordering from Growers Choice? It's been a week and it's still sitting at Pending mail in payment. I kinda wish I had used priority to send it out for tracking. I'm just being a bit impatient!

 

[Puff Puff Pat]

Another day, another (arguably pointless :smoking update. I brought the thermometer/hygrometer up to the main house thermometer and after 20 minutes they matched within 1°, so looks like the thermostat is shot on the space heater. So put the unit back in the tent and set the heater to low running constantly this morning. I also noticed the bucket on the dehumidifier was full so had to dump that so it would kick back on.

I just went down to check on it after putting two more lights in there, and temp was up to 80° and humidity was down to 41% so this is a success. I've bumped the dehumidifier up to 55% instead of 35% so I can maintain a bit higher humidity.

I also ordered a sample of Mega Crop for down the road. Now if only my damn seeds would ship, I'd be able to get this hrow moving!