Just jarred up our very first ever harvest: three and a quarter ounces! Thanks to all who gave advice along the way like @GreenSnek, @Covertgrower, @Holmes, @MeEasy and lighting guru @dbrn32.
Now we want to make sure our beginner’s luck keeps working.
We just popped two autos: 420 FastBuds’ Strawberry Pie & Grapefruit 'Matic. They are currently cozy under about a 1/2 half inch of Happy Frog, waiting to show their pretty faces, while we mist the seed area several times a day to keep moist. They’re in separate 7-gallon fabric bags, since I read that autos like to be planted in their “forever” home. 70% rh, 18/6 light cycle. So far, so good?
I’m concerned that the light we’re using may not be enough for both autos. It’s hanging right now at 26" above the soil, which is a little lower than recommended by the manufacturer for germinating plants. But the only other time we tried a seedling (while we were vegging our previous crop) we got a super stretchy stalk. Is our current light sufficient, or do we need to supplement it somehow? Our custom tent is 2x3, and the manufacturer says the light is good for a 4x3 veg and a 2x3 flower. Yet I still have my doubts.
By the way, we planted the popped seeds off-center to allow for a planned LST about three weeks in. I’ve heard that topping autos is not recommended, so LST it is, along with a nice pre-flower lollipopping and scrogging, but that’s weeks away.
What is make and model of the light? Sometimes some of the specs are stretched on lights. I can take a look at what they list and share my opinion. My time here has concluded that most people fearing they are weak on light are usually correct.
Thanks, dbrn! The light is also linked to in the text above, but it’s the Parfactworks RA1000. It was not expensive, but it did the trick when we had just the one plant. It claims to be 1000 watts, but that’s an exaggeration; it only takes in 115W.
Is there any kind of quick-fix booster light (maybe with additional UV wavelength?) to get them on the right foot as they emerge?
Your light that you have would probably be good for your seedlings and help in veg. but since your others stretched too much you should put it closer to plant! There are several great choices provided you have the $! dbrn will get it right for you!
Thanks, @Holmes. I don’t want to upgrade too drastically as we’re on a limited budget. But I would like to get a little something extra for our new autos, if there’s a way.
By the way, the manufacturer suggests 36" from soil for germ; we’re currently 10 inches closer, which I thought might be close enough to ward off stretching when they emerge.
I didn’t even notice link the first time I read post, sorry!
I believe you definitely have some room for improvement. As far as a quick fix, would have to look around some as nothing is coming to mind. Mine is 36"x20" and I had to build to get anything close to what I wanted. I think with right lighting you could pretty easily get into 8-10 zips per harvest though.
You could probably build a nice light for you area for around $250, buy a kit for 320? or look around. Something like 2 HLG 288QBs with driver on DIY build would get you about 240w of light-heat loss, I built one like that for I think $240 but I had frame material already plus the prices are lower now!
You may wanna invest in a hlg rspec im also doing 2 420 fast bud in my current grow top left is my green crack( I can’t seem to shake this cal mag issue) and bottom right blue dreamatic , fastest growing of the current grow for sure
