Live Stoner Chat Virgin grower...newb alert

[Timbo]

Hi everybody!
I am super excited to join and learn about autos..
I live in Canada.. I am an older fella and have smoked for about 20 years now.
Costs are forcing me to try growing... So I have already began..

I built a grow cabinet out of a armoire.. Roughly 4'x2.5' and 5'tall.
I have a panasonic bathroom fan and homemade carbon scrubber pulling air out, and intakes down on bottom of my cabinet.. I currently have 5 big 42 watt Phillips CFL's for lighting. I put Mylar inside the cabinet to reflect the light better.
My cabinet runs at about 27 degrees celcius. The cabinet is located in my cool basement.
The cabinet seems to perform pretty good for winging it and my first build?

I did a test run of 2 Candy Kush autos... I used soil/perlite mix in 5 gallon pots.
I basically just watered the girls when dry, no nutrients yet (ordered some fox farm stuff now...waiting to arrive).
After 68 days, I harvested (I was a bit early, had to harvest due to Xmas holidays...)
I ended up with one plant giving me 12.5 g and 14.8g from other. The buds were super crystally and very potent!!!
I am so happy with trial run!!!

That's basically my story...
I am ready to learn more... I am very curious about LED lighting at the moment... I can't run HPS!

Ps I am not an expert on these forums.. Never joined one, I am so old...
Take it easy on me

 

[Fuggzy]

Hi there Timbo, and welcome to the network! I love the fact your going the DIY route. My first cab is a repourposed hope chest on it's side. It is 11"*13" (143² in) and about 4' tall. The light is a diy cob using vero 10s. 4 vero 10. 2 @ 3000k, and 2 @ 3500k. Ran at 350ma. ~26.7v * .35a=9.345w *4= 37.38w total. STAND BACK! I'm doing math!:smoking: If you have any questions about LED feel free to ask. I don't know much about prefab fixtures. Just that you can make 1 better with a bit of elbow grease and research. **I am not saying it is a walk in the park. It takes a VERY good understanding of electricity, math, and a big stash of herbs.**This is about 2 weeks ago, it's a bit more chaotic in there at the moment.

You got a great group of people here, and lots of knowledge to source out. If you have any problems (bugs, broke stalk, deficiencies) the infirmary is a great place to get fast help. Enjoy the stay here, and welcome aboard bud. Till later, take care.:smoking:

Edit: So i reread the **not easy** warning, and wanted to add, it's really not hard either. I just didn't know crap about electricity, or LEDs, so it took me some time, and study. Finding the correct driver can be a real pain, the actual LED part is a breeze.:smoking:

 

[epenguin]

Hello chum,

less off the old please, age is no barrier here. You are as young as you feel. Growing is an infectious hobby, and personally, I love LED's.. Cheap to run, low on heat and very effective.
Glad you joined us, keep posting pal, eP.

 

[Timbo]

Thanks for the hospitality guys!
I really love the home built cobs. I want to build one... But the Canadian dollar really hurts my costs when ordering parts and shipping them over the border.
I am going to read and get as much advice from everyone in here and then either build or buy a panel.

For now, I am going to add nutes in my next grow and see what happens for mass and bud quality???
I am rocking another Candy Kush and one lemon skunk auto now!!

Thanks fellas

 

[Timbo]

Here is my first ever grow.....
So surprised and happy!!!!!

 

[budelee]

Hi @Timbo ,that plant looks awesome ,and welcome to AFN ,make yourself at home,we are all pretty easy going !!!

 

[A-Train]

Congrats on your first harvest my friend.... I'm sure you have already seen growing is the only addicting thing about cannabis lol... your getting a plant to harvest your first run was a great step and it's only good things to come from here... as eP pointed out LED is a low heat cost efficient light source. I started with cfl myself just baby steps to work up and your yield will follow.... happy to have ya brother

 

[elsamurai]

Hey Timbo ! welcome to the best canna site on the planet. charter member of the old fart club myself. and like A-train, I started with cfl's and a diy cab. but with the $$$ you save not buying you'll be all up-graded in no time and sittin pretty on a well stocked herb cupboard. be sure to start a journal so we can follow along and offer help when needed. New Growers Academy is a good spot. and be sure to check out the monthly BOM/NOM contest. free seeds for the winner.

 

[Timbo]

Wow!
You are right, growing is an addiction!!!!
I have honestly read for about 8 hours since joining!!!

Thanks again for the welcome.

 

[Timbo]

This addiction is crazy!!
I stayed up all night and converted an old 3 drawer dresser into a new veg cabinet!!!
My plan is to run 3 CFLs in the veg cabinet.

Currently I am also running CFLs in my flower cabinet, but I want to switch over to LED after my next girls are done!

I am guessing moving them from CFL's to LED is okay??
Or will I stress them? I have read some guys believe it is hard on them?

Thanks for help...
I am off to the LED threads now to find a LED or maybe plans to build one!!!!!
And I also will get some photos of my bush league setup on here soon!