Re: Indoor mystery seeds. First Journal!
Hi MrNiceGuy -
They don't look that bad at all in the pictures, but it's tough to tell without seeing everything. Cardboard boxes can be made into effective grow boxes if done right and carefully (don't do something to burn your house down, etc.) UHaul often has really good corrugated boxes for sale that can be easily modified for this purpose.
I would stay away from foil - it can create hot spots and problems for your plants. If you'd like to make the inside of your grow box more reflective I would instead try mylar (most hydroponic/grow stores have it) or, if it were me, I'd use white poster-board as a liner inside my small cardboard grow box to help reflect light (white does a good job reflecting light).
If you have time to do some searches on this site you'll find a lot of creative small grow box ideas that are done at quite a low budget.
Here is a creative, budget grow box that would probably be safer than cardboard that you might want to consider:
White Widow, Bubble Gum, Purple Haze Grow Tubs LST CFL
Here's a great idea for a CFL fixture that you could make pretty affordably:
The CFL "12-Pack" Grow Light How-To:
Hope some of these ideas help or spur inspiration for you. Don't get discouraged - even if things don't work out you are learning. Speaking of inspiration, keep this Thomas Edison quote in mind - he was speaking of the fact that it took him more than 700 attempts before he succeeded at making a lightbulb:
"I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have
succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have
eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will
work." Thomas Edison
I only have 2 CFL's (HA!) tomorrow I am going out to buy some more bulbs and maybe try and make some sort of light box. Any suggestions on a cheap light box? I have something cardboard about the size that I was thinking of and foil.... Anyways, any advice would be appreciated!
Hi MrNiceGuy -
They don't look that bad at all in the pictures, but it's tough to tell without seeing everything. Cardboard boxes can be made into effective grow boxes if done right and carefully (don't do something to burn your house down, etc.) UHaul often has really good corrugated boxes for sale that can be easily modified for this purpose.
I would stay away from foil - it can create hot spots and problems for your plants. If you'd like to make the inside of your grow box more reflective I would instead try mylar (most hydroponic/grow stores have it) or, if it were me, I'd use white poster-board as a liner inside my small cardboard grow box to help reflect light (white does a good job reflecting light).
If you have time to do some searches on this site you'll find a lot of creative small grow box ideas that are done at quite a low budget.
Here is a creative, budget grow box that would probably be safer than cardboard that you might want to consider:
White Widow, Bubble Gum, Purple Haze Grow Tubs LST CFL
Here's a great idea for a CFL fixture that you could make pretty affordably:
The CFL "12-Pack" Grow Light How-To:
Hope some of these ideas help or spur inspiration for you. Don't get discouraged - even if things don't work out you are learning. Speaking of inspiration, keep this Thomas Edison quote in mind - he was speaking of the fact that it took him more than 700 attempts before he succeeded at making a lightbulb:
"I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have
succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have
eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will
work." Thomas Edison
