First and foremost, Welcome to ILGM forum. There are a lot of really experienced growers here that will assist you along the way. To help us, please fill out this support ticket. Particularly important is the length of time that the plants have been growing and the stage they’re in, if you know.
COPY/PASTE: This “Support Ticket” into your forum post. Answer these simple questions the best you can.
If you do not know, or do not use something; Just say so = NA
ILGM Support Ticket:
What is the strain and type(unknown bag seed, strain name, regular seeds, feminized seeds, auto-flower, etc)?
Indoor or Outdoor? If outdoor, planted in ground or in a container?
Size of space (max height and area, length/width)?
Soil or Hydro? Type of Medium used? System type?
pH? Of the soil or medium (root zone/reservoir/run-off) and of the water and/or nutrient mix that is fed to the plant?
Type and strength of nutrients used? NPK? EC/TDS/PPM levels? Of what you feed it as well as what is in the water by itself and in the soil/medium (run-off), or reservoir.
Temperature? Day vs. night temp or highest and lowest temps? Root zone temps?
Humidity %? Day vs. night
Light system/watts/lumens/FLUX/PAR?
Ventilation system? Size? CFM? CO2? AC, Humidifier, De-humidifier?
Number “weeks/days” from into Season, Vegetative Growth or Bloom/flowering?
Add anything else you feel would help us give you a most informed answer. Feel free to elaborate, but try to be brief and to the point. Short and to the point questions and/or facts will help us help you
With autoflower plants, it would be better to leave it on 24/0, 20/4 or 18/6. They grow better at that exposure. The only reason we switch to 12on/12off is if the plant refuses to flower on its own.
Fill the support ticket out and we can give you a better, more informed opinion. Jerry
I think that if I were growing autos I would maintain a long light schedule simply for sugar production and better yields. I don’t believe you have to worry about them going out of flower. Pour on the light so you get lots of bud!
ILGM Support Ticket:
What is the strain and type(unknown bag seed, strain name, regular seeds, feminized seeds, auto-flower, etc)?
The seed is White Widow Autofliwer purchased from this ILGM website. This was by far the largest investment made on this project.
Indoor or Outdoor? If outdoor, planted in ground or in a container?
The application is in a basement in the upper Midwest in the middle of Winter.
Size of space (max height and area, length/width)?
The space is approximately 8 foot square with about a 7 foot ceiling. It is constructed of PVC lining, used for billboards and fish ponds (painted white on plant side with Krylon), and a white tarp. Insulation was stuffed into the gaping holes. Total cost was no more than $50.
Soil or Hydro? Type of Medium used? System type?
Germinated in RO water for 48 hours. Then, put seeds on soaked paper towels in a black plastic container on a heating pad turned on low for 3 days with excellent results.
Then, I used Foxfarms Light Warrior soil to grow in 1 gallon plastic pots for about 3 weeks. Then, transplanted to Foxfarms Ocean Forest in 5 gallon fabric pots. The soil was also a costly investment (6 bags in all). But, I was told this was the best medium for my budget.
pH? Of the soil or medium (root zone/reservoir/run-off) and of the water and/or nutrient mix that is fed to the plant?
PH has been around 6.5 to 6.7 when I checked it. I was told the Foxfarms soil was good for this purpose. Pots are on shipping pallets, so runoff falls to plastic lined floor below.
Type and strength of nutrients used? NPK? EC/TDS/PPM levels? Of what you feed it as well as what is in the water by itself and in the soil/medium (run-off), or reservoir.
I used the Flower Power fertilizers supplied with the kit I purchased from the website. I feed fertilizer every other watering. I water until there is runoff evident (almost a gallon per pot) then I wait until soil is dry again (3 to 5 days ) before watering again. All water is aerated RO. I go by the instructions on the amount of fertilizer per gallon of water. I use triple beam scales to weigh it and mix it one gallon at a time.
Temperature? Day vs. night temp or highest and lowest temps? Root zone temps?
Temperature is 73-76 when lights are on and 63-65 when lights are off. Using an electric heater and forced air from furnace at night. Heater rarely on during light time. I have never checked root zone temperature. Maybe I will get a thermometer and do that this evening.
Humidity %? Day vs. night. I have 2 room humidifiers running constantly, and an under the bed storage container (2 foot x 4 foot 8") with 5 gallons of water in it with an oscillating fan blowing on it as well. Fan only runs when lights are on. Humidity has been by far the biggest issue. It rarely gets over 45% in the day and goes as low as 30% at night.
Light system/watts/lumens/FLUX/PAR? Lighting is an aquarium light fixture I had with two 250 watt blade ended halides and 4 96w actinic bulbs. This is over 5 plants. Also, a 4 bulb T5 fluorescent aquarium fixture with 2 daylight and 2 blue spectrum bulbs. Those are probably 50 watt bulbs. Finally, I actually purchased one red spectrum LED plant grow light. I think it is equivalent to 1000 watts. These are on adjustable cable/pulley setups. I keep them just far enough above the plants so as to not overheat them. Probably 4 to 6 inches.
Ventilation system? Size? CFM? CO2? AC, Humidifier, De-humidifier? I currently have no ventilation, because the incoming aor from the basement would be about 60 degrees. It would easily overpower any heat sources I have. However, the room is not 100% sealed. There are some drafts, resulting in some circulation. One forced air heat register from the furnace is in the room. It does pressurize the room a bit when it is on.
Number “weeks/days” from into Season, Vegetative Growth or Bloom/flowering?
I started the seeds just before February 14, (valentines). I put them in soil on Feb. 15 or 16. The photo is from this morning.
Thanks in advance for any advice, comments, etc. If I appear to be doing OK, I may make a considerable investment and start a small time operation. I’m just curious as to what the average yield is for this strain, when grown in optimal conditions, so I have something to compare. I’m sure things will get easier as I learn and the weather gets warmer. But, I tried winter first, because I knew it would be the most difficult. I would also like a recommendation of a strain that tolerates lower humidity and below average temperatures for obvious reasons. Thanks again.
Thanks for the info. I will cover a window and remove the light timers today.
PS- I have ordered a 4" fan and charcoal filter and will plumb it with a 3" Y pipe to the furnace discharge. Once a smell is evident, I will have to turn it on. I just hope it warms up soon.
One final thing. Soil temperature is 67 degrees. Should I be warming my water to 75 or so before watering the plants? The water is stored at basement temperature and not room temperature. Any advice appreciated.