Hooligans

I bought 1 seed from an internet seed bank in UK (they gave me an additional seed for free) and they shipped it via airmail. When it got to the US it went through ICS (Immigration Customs Service) in NY and was forwarded to me. The shipper indicated that I would not have to sign for the package but my mailman made a big issue of it and said his bosses insisted he get a signature for the item. He was very suspicious. So I'm a little concerned.

Once behind closed doors I planted the seed in this Burpee's seed germinating pod and put it in a totally dark space. I wont check it for a couple of days.

I bought 2 banks of Vita Grow lights (15w) and have a 12v computer fan that I will use to strengthen the trunk. I set it up in my closet.

Naturallighting.com - Natural Full Spectrum Lighting[title]

What do you think?

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Hooligans

My seed has germinated. I had taken it out of the cool dark place and placed it on a heating pad at low setting. I watered it and put a thin sheet of cling wrap over it and left it alone. After a couple of days the sprout showed its head and then I removed it from the heating pad and placed it under my vita lights. I added a small amount organic fertilizer (I made a tea from the included Plant-tone organic fertlizer that came with the Burpee"s pack). Material Composition or Ingredients:Nitrogen 5%, Phosphate 3%, Potash 3%. Dehydrated Manure, Feather Meal, Crab Meal, Cocoa Meal, Corn Gluten, Bone Meal, Dried Blood, Sunflower Meal, Kelp Meal, Alfalfa Meal, Greensand, Rock Phosphate, Sulfate Of Potash, Sulfate Of Potash Magnesia,

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Hooligans

My plant is growing well. It is approximately 2.5 inches tall. I am concerned that the stem is not growing thick enough. Any suggestions are welcome.

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stoneric

Run a small fan over the top of the plant just so you get movement, don't point it directly at the plant. I do this throughout the plants life. It cools the lite at the same time.

stoneric

...and keep lites as close as possible.

Hooligans

I just invested in a new lighting system

1) Sun System 10 400w Ballast (400W Switchable MH/HPS Ballast Sun System 10 Econo Gro - Interior Gardens)

2) Sun System Yield Master 2 Classic hood (Sunlight Supply Sun System? Yield Master II Classic Reflector, 4" Air Cooling Optional - Style # 904370, grow light reflectors,air cooled grow light reflector,grow light reflector,best grow light reflector,grow light reflector reviews,wing reflecto)

3) Hortilux Super HPS bulb. (EYE Hortilux Super HPS)

I set it up in my closet which measures 2X2 and placed my plant approx 3 inches away from light. Within 2 minutes the leaves began to shrivel and thus I pulled the plant out and turned the system off. This system generates a huge amount of heat. How far from the lamp should I place my plant?

farmergiles

At least a foot, I'd start from 2' away.

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stoneric

With a room that size you'd need an air cooled system in my opinion. I'm not sure you could find one that fits with the venting and all. I've used a 250 watt system in a room that size with good ventilation and had trouble keeping the temps under 90. Still grew good dope though.

Sorry if I gave you bad advice about keeping your lites close as possible. Use the back of your hand as a guide. If it's hot for your hand it's hot for your plant.

Hooligans

I moved everything down to my basement. I added a 12v computer fan to the light hood so that it is blowing across the bulb. My basement is cool so any heat generated by system will dissipate. The plant is 20 inches from bulb. It looks wilted. I'm hoping it will come back.

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farmergiles

Keep the light plenty far away until the plant perks up, then move the light closer gradually, say 1 inch per day. Pull back if the plant looks stressed- (leaves curling up round the edges).

Sudden changes in light intensity (eg from 30w to 400w in a day ) upset plants.
Especial care is needed with smaller plants until they have a well developed root system.
The chart I posted is for light not heat- it assumes the temperature is fine- so you have to check yourself with the back of your hand at the top of the plant. If you hold your hand 3" away from the bulb it will become uncomfortable very quickly.

TBH it's a bit early for such a big light, the plant can only hope to use a fraction of those lumens until it gets a lot bigger.

Metal Halide bulbs produce a cooler bluer light spectrum than sodium which is better for vegging but they produce more heat.

BTW- in proximity to HID lighting always wear sunglasses with uv protection, preferably wrap arounds .

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Hooligans

My plant survived my rookie stupidity; the top leaves are pretty much burnt but there are small leaves sprouting from below these top leaves. I changed the light
from HPS to MH.
(MVR400/U).

I moved the whole setup to my basement which is cool. I built an enclosure
from Insulation ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyisocyanurate) which is
approx 19.333 cubic feet; it measures 26X26X48. The plant is 30 inches away
from light. I will decrease distance gradually over next week.

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Hooligans

O.K. I took my plant from under the MH and returned it to my Vita Grow lights. While it was under the HPS & MH it grew several small leaves. My concern is that the HPS pushed into flowering prematurely. Is this possible?

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farmergiles

Looks fine to me.

I'd let it grow under the vita lights for a while now, the bigger it grows the more robust it will be.
Also you want a lot more of a canopy to soak up all the lumens from the MH.

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Hooligans

My plant is a Feminized Diesel/LowRyder strain. It is presently 4in tall after 33 days growth. Is this appropriate for this strain or is its growth stunted.

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vaporedout

400w?? 33days?? isnt lowryder suposed to be a shorter plant? i think i saw that somewhere, hence the name, could be wrong looks healthy though

Hooligans

My plant has grown to 10 inches tall and I think it may be starting to flower - can you look at picture and tell me if it is?

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farmergiles

What's that? A closer pic would help. I think it's a girl.

You are looking for white hairs, pistils, which are part of the female flowers.

cannabis plant sex examples

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Hooligans

I believe it is in flowering or pre-flowering stage. I have switched to HPS bulb. Farmergiles thanks for responding so quickly. Peace

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stoneric

Is it an auto flower strain? Did you change the lite cycle?

Hooligans

It is an auto flower strain and I switched to 12/12 cycle.