Growing Efficiently - Questions - First time grower

T

TheGeek

New Member
As the header states, this is my first time growing and I have searched this and other forums and there are so many conditions that I get lost in the overload of data.

My question: How much should I expect (in average / grams) growing 2 plants in a grow space that is 32" x 32" x 16"? Since I am only growing 2 plants at a time, what is my best option for lighting? I was looking to purchase (2x VIPARSPECTRA Reflector-Series 300W LED Grow Light), but is that too much just for a 3' H x 3' W x 1' D area holding two plants?

I know there are factors such as strain and what not, but I am mainly trying to get an idea on whether or not I will have enough personal use between grow cycles if this is mainly used in cooking and based on a single person's consumption.

:: Last second thought :: Pot size, what size pot should I use for my plants, I would like to avoid touching / moving my plants if possible, so I would like to start and grow in the same pot (if possible).
 
Re: Growing Efficiently | Questions (first time grower)

I found this in the first time growers section:

Q. What kind of lights should I use?
Cheap 4 ft. cool white fluorescent tubes : for germination/seedlings

400 watt Metal halide/HPS : for personal home growers
1000 watt Metal halide/HPS : for some personal growers and commercial growers.
*Use at least 40 watts per sq. foot of grow space.

Based on this information and a 32" W x 16" L grow area and only 2 plants, I feel a 400 watt should be more than fine. I guess it is still personal preference on LED or MH/HPS?

If I use an LED with the variety of color spectrum, do I need to do anything between growing and flowering or will that be a one size fits all solution? I would like the easiest light to maintain, but the again, I would also like enough output to last me 3 or 4 months per 2 plants (since I will have to wait for the next batch or buy off the streets until retail opens in 2018 | Massachusetts).


Still researching the "output information".
 
Re: Growing Efficiently | Questions (first time grower)

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if Lowes has a decent lighting rig? I do have a gift card I can use there.
 
Total available height is the big question here !

Once you factor in pot size/height, safe hanging distance from bulb/led panel & size of hood used if going down hps/mh route you only have some 12 to 18 inch of space to grow that will be tricky with an untrained plant.

400 w hps or mh gonna create a heat issue in that space i'm afraid so ya looking at air cooled hoods most won't fit but i'd suggest checking cool tube dimensions tho & suggest using a 250 w bulb.

Some led brands have veg / flower modes of lighting so one model does all i haven't checked out that brand name out yet.

Other wise a cfl option might be better in the long run.
 
I believe I am going to stick with LED lighting, may research additional benefits of possibly adding vertical fluorescent or the LED grow strips.

I've also decided on 3 gallon fabric grow bags.
 
Id try figure out a bigger space with more head height. Your not leaving much height to grow.

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How much head room are you thinking? What if I manage a way to install the lights on top of the unit giving it roughly 28" of actual grow room (taking away the 9" for the grow bag).
 
Its going to be tight. You will get something but id honestly try find a bigger spot. Id say bare minimum 4ft height, preferably 5ft.

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This is my first attempt at a (DYI) and a grow, there are no retail stores in MA (for marijuana) and none planned until mid-2018. I would prefer to grow my own in the meantime as prices are 250 - 300 an ounce and only medical strains (mainly dakani kush and golden cobra are available). If the grow goes well, I may opt for a grow tent.
 
the other option is a grow tent in my attic, but I would need to figure out a "heating source" as it is a bit frigid up there.
 
Why are you so limited in height? As others have said, you don't have enough room. Pot size + light size + safe distance from light + safe distance from light to top of tent= no room for much of a plant. If money for a tent is an issue (they are cheap), use your lowes gift card and build your own out of cheap plywood, cardboard, or dreams and start your grow.

Good luck and such!
 
Eeko said:
Why are you so limited in height? As others have said, you don't have enough room. Pot size + light size + safe distance from light + safe distance from light to top of tent= no room for much of a plant. If money for a tent is an issue (they are cheap), use your lowes gift card and build your own out of cheap plywood, cardboard, or dreams and start your grow.

Good luck and such!
Click to expand...

Initially it was because I was converting an old dresser into a grow box (I am not abandoning this project), but now the GF says I can opt for a grow tent. I am thinking a 3' x 3' x 6', so I am looking at different tents. The rough part about this if finding the right tent and light, I am trying to use kits as a starting point (idea of what I am looking for) and then piecing out the parts separately for my build. Maybe I am wrong, but based on everything I read in these forums, a "grow kit" sold by most of these companies won't work because they all come with under powered lights. That or the general consensus in the forums is go big or go home and just run unnecessary wattage.
 
You want no less than 400w of power per 4x4 area. That is absolute bare minimum but id say 600w. If you buy a tent use a 600w dual spec hps. Its cheap to set up, you can use from start to finish and will yield you no less than 1lb of dry weed. You can use less light but you will get shitty pop corn buds and its a waste of 3 months growing. Thats just my opinion but ive been doing this a lot longer than 99% of people on this forum.

Its not necessarily go big or go home but more go correct from the beginning. You will have much better success using a solid light source. Avoid cheap led panels. If you go led buy quality and they are not cheap.

Sent from my SM-G925F using 420 Magazine Mobile App
 
I like the "VIVOSUN 48"x48"x80" Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent with Obeservation Window" after looking at a few, this seems to be good quality and well put together. I always like the observation window, so I don't have to open and close the door to take a peak.

From that item, I was directed to their lighting kit, which is 600W and reasonably price, still looking around, but that tent and this light is really what I am looking for. Any experience with the vivosun brand?
 
Cultivator said:
yield you no less than 1lb of dry weed.
Click to expand...
based on how many plants? I was only planning to do 2 at a time, in Massachusetts we're legally allowed to grow 6 plants. I know 4' x 4' x 6.5' is overkill for 2 plants, but I can grow into it as I mature as a grower.
 
4 plants id go on that space but you could do 2 and scrog them

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I'm sticking w/ the finished basement, I don't know what happened, but in the 2 weeks I have been working in the basement on a stealth grow in an old dresser, the GF said a 4x4 tent in the corner of the basement is fine as long as I keep up on the odor control. (It is legal to grow in MA, she just doesn't care for the smell when I make cannabis oil or have a bag of bud laying around). As long as the grow is odor controlled and I keep my stash in a mason jar as I have been, it seems things are all good under the air cooled hood.
 
There should be zero smell outside of the tent if you use a good quality carbon filter. It be cheaper and better to set up with hps in my opinion.

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