1st time micro grow - 2 weeks 12/12 status

[CPHgrow]

Hi peeps - I'm a newbie experimenting with my very first grow.

I've got an Ikea cupboard out on my balcony - it's about 1,5 square feet - with three plants. The strain is Criminal+ from Ripper Seeds (80% Indica). I've got a 120w plug n' grow CFL horizontal and an extra 25w CFL vertical to give a little extra side light. I've got a fan going 24/7 and passive intake/exhaust.

I've been on 12/12 for 2 weeks now, but there seem to be very few signs of flowering. One plant has sprouted 4 hairs a few days ago, but that's all. I'm wondering if if I should do something to spur on flowering - like giving them 24 hours of darkness.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I've attached a few pics w/ all 3 plants and close ups of the plant tops.

Thanks!

P.S. The plants had a spider mite attack, but I sprayed them and got it under control pretty quickly and they seem to be fine now. I guess that might have slowed flowering a bit.

P.P.S. There's a little light leakage, but since the plants are in the cupboard outside, it's completely dark during night and there's only the few hours around dawn where ambient light may creep in.

 

[Smokecraft]

Sounds like your light leakage issue is keeping them in veg. Work on light proofing your box, or bring it inside and throw it in a closet.

Also, what do you have in the way of odor control? Being outside there is no buffer between your neighbors and the smell. Even if you are a legal grower, are you sure some random jackass won't smell it and climb up on your balcony to steal it? If you are renting there's also the chance someone might report you to your landlord. Anything can happen really, just keep security in mind when enjoying this hobby.

Good luck on your first grow I remember mine was a blast. Old entertainment center with 4x42 w CFL growing bagseed. The cured smoke ended up tasting exactly like Juicy Fruit gum

 

[littlegrow]

remember security and smell is key when in flowering

 

[plato]

How old were the plants when you started them to flowering? They look pretty small/ young to me
Being "micro", The plants may not have vegged long enough. That would cause it to take longer to show flowers, vs an old clone plant that has had hairs on it before it started flowering.
I'm looking at this situation in my room right now, in fact. 2 8 week plants, after 2 weeks of flower, 1 is covered in buds, and the other is only just starting to "bud" up.
Plus what they said before. I would be scared as hell not to use a filter...might have someone in your back yard with a gun one night...

 

[plato]

BTW, why are you using electrical lights, if they are outside? I just noticed where you are on a balcony, ignore this post

 

[CPHgrow]

Thanks for all the help guys - I appreciate it!

The plants are still pretty young so it seems very plausible that that's the reason why they are taking a while to flower. But I did find a few new "hairs" in there when I came home today - yay ;-)

The plants really don't smell much at all yet, but I guess it's gonna happen once they start to flower for real. Could you perhaps point me in the direction of a thread on this forum that deals with odor control and filtering?

I'm on the second floor and only have a close neighbouring balcony to the left, and the plants are in the cupboard so I'm not too worried. But I do need to look into odor control.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[plato]

They will definitely be stinking in short order.
I dunno any threads on this site about odor control, but your best bet would be to BUY a carbon filter from a hydro shop, and plug it up to your exhaust fan. Just remember you will need a powerful fan to overcome the pressure of the filter. A cheapy inline duct fan will not do, a squirrel cage fan would be best, or a "blower" fan. The latter is my choice, since they are cheaper. It is essentially built like the turbines in a jet engine. And they won't leak light either, btw.
Finding new hairs every day, you should be seeing pretty little buds soon, that means they are changing focus, but dang, they are still small, so they may continue to stretch a bit more too before the bud starts packing on
If you search the forum here, you will find some threads about DIY carbon filters, if you prefer. They are still fairly expensive,( I priced building one, and came out to about $30) and imo a lot of work. I'd buy one for about $60.00
It should last at least a year, so $5 a month for peace of mind, and laziness.

 

[Primalraindrop]

My plants usually take between 7-21 days to show serious signs of flower. But once the hairs start to come they are gonna come faster and faster!

p.s. From seed things can be different, naturally it takes a while for them to transfer over.

 

[CPHgrow]

They will definitely be stinking in short order.
I dunno any threads on this site about odor control, but your best bet would be to BUY a carbon filter from a hydro shop, and plug it up to your exhaust fan. Just remember you will need a powerful fan to overcome the pressure of the filter. A cheapy inline duct fan will not do, a squirrel cage fan would be best, or a "blower" fan. The latter is my choice, since they are cheaper. It is essentially built like the turbines in a jet engine. And they won't leak light either, btw.
Finding new hairs every day, you should be seeing pretty little buds soon, that means they are changing focus, but dang, they are still small, so they may continue to stretch a bit more too before the bud starts packing on
If you search the forum here, you will find some threads about DIY carbon filters, if you prefer. They are still fairly expensive,( I priced building one, and came out to about $30) and imo a lot of work. I'd buy one for about $60.00
It should last at least a year, so $5 a month for peace of mind, and laziness.

Thanks man - I just ordered a carbon filter and a duct fan - got a great deal on a Danish web shop (I live in Copenhagen).

 

[CPHgrow]

Thanks for the help guys - The plants have started flowering for real now. Within the last 24 hours tons of new hairs have started appearing. I've attached a photo if one of the top shoots that shows the new development.

Now the challenge is whether they'll be ready for harvest by October - that's when it starts getting cold here in Denmark. Otherwise, I'll have to start trying to convince my girlfriend to let me move the grow inside ;-)

Does anyone have experience with flowering under chilly weather conditions (around 50-60 degrees)?

 

[plato]

Called it!
October doesn't seem unreasonable. Im not too hot on my world geography, though.
. It isnt uncommon for us to be in the low 60s by harvest time, though.
But your plants will be extra vulnerable.
They are in pots, not the ground. Not even on the ground. Ever seen a warning sign " bridge freezes first"? That is your situation, they haven't got any insulation up there. A small-ish heater, run opposite the lights should work. I wouldn't run the heater with the lights, we usually put much effort into removing the heat they produce. That should keep you warm, through " daytime".

 

[CPHgrow]

Called it!
October doesn't seem unreasonable. Im not too hot on my world geography, though.
. It isnt uncommon for us to be in the low 60s by harvest time, though.
But your plants will be extra vulnerable.
They are in pots, not the ground. Not even on the ground. Ever seen a warning sign " bridge freezes first"? That is your situation, they haven't got any insulation up there. A small-ish heater, run opposite the lights should work. I wouldn't run the heater with the lights, we usually put much effort into removing the heat they produce. That should keep you warm, through " daytime".

Awesome - Again thanks for the help Plato!

Yes, I guess a small heater during the night would be a good option.

Perhaps it would help to insulate the bottom of the grow cupboard with polystyrene or something like that?

Incredible how much science goes into growing weed man. Every time I turn a corner and learn something new, a new issue arrises ;-)

 

[Primalraindrop]

Awesome - Again thanks for the help Plato!

Yes, I guess a small heater during the night would be a good option.

Perhaps it would help to insulate the bottom of the grow cupboard with polystyrene or something like that?

Incredible how much science goes into growing weed man. Every time I turn a corner and learn something new, a new issue arrises ;-)

Dont forget good air flow brotha!

 

[CPHgrow]

Yes - plants are in full flower!

Yes - plants are in full flower!

Yay - my girls are in full flower man!

I made some adjustments to my cupboard: I added an exhaust fan with carbon filter on it, passive air intake, and made sure to be extra careful about light proofing the cabinet 100%.

Moreover, I removed one of the 3 plants because it was getting super crowded in the tight space.

 

[plato]

Looks good. Too bad you got overcrowded.

 

[trem0lo]

Looking good for your first grow!