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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #15 on: September 01, 2012, 03:28:18 PM » |
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The basement plants seem to really be taking off! Unfortunately I have been having issues with the humidity being too high! I was having issues with black spot fungus forming on the leaves, but I think adding a fan 24/7 has helped with it, now we are down to 70% humidity.
Here are a few shots from today, Moonstruck, IAWL, Silver dragon and Braveheart all blooming happily.
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Cindy
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« Reply #16 on: September 15, 2012, 02:38:41 PM » |
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Wow, Chris! Beautiful!!!!!!!! School just started and I missed all these pics! It looks like you solved your humidity problem! I'm impressed, and all under lights! Way to go!
Cindy
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Cindy
Southern California
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #17 on: September 17, 2012, 08:28:47 AM » |
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Hi Cindy! I am so glad you like the photos, its been a bit of a challenge growing these plants under lights, but I am getting good size and color so I think that means they are happy.  Check out what Fly me to the moon looks like under the lights. Big 8 inch size and always budding/blooming since it started last month. Janys also does well under these conditions, the metallic lavender is really intense. |
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Charlie
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« Reply #18 on: September 18, 2012, 04:10:45 AM » |
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Fantastic colors, Chris. I'm hoping for a lot more plants of Fly Me To The Moon next year.
Charlie
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #19 on: September 20, 2012, 01:51:27 PM » |
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Thanks Charlie, FMTTM is one of my top favorites, it seems to be setting seed well if you wanted to bring one into your hybridizing area I am getting colors on some of these plants I didn't were possible. Check out Dark of Night and new seedling. No completely black hibiscus yet, but maybe a combination of these CV's gene pool might get us closer. |
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #20 on: September 22, 2012, 11:33:24 AM » |
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Tons of blooms in the basement grow area today!
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #21 on: October 17, 2012, 01:59:49 PM » |
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Some more from yesterday and today |
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roadrunner
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« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2012, 10:04:38 AM » |
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Chris, I'm sold. I'm about to order a T5 high output 4' 4 bulb fluorescent unit plus light hanging stand for one bedroom setup. If I like the results I'll order a second unit for another bedroom. This should also solve overcrowding issues in the greenhouse during the summer months as I should be able to keep several plants inside year round. I also have an entertainment center that's top is about 34 inches from the ceiling that may also yield some more space for smaller plants with the use of a single bulb 4' setup. Great news for Charlie and Cindy, I'll be able to order a few more plants. LOL!
dave
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Dave N.
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #23 on: October 24, 2012, 10:17:42 AM » |
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Hi Dave, Sorry I didnt get a chance to respond to your other post. I am very happy with the t5 lighting system, the 6400k stock lights have worked fine for me as far as getting lots of blooms. The "bloom lights" are not really necessary with hibiscus as they are tropical and do not really need the shift into the more red spectrum to induce flowering. The company I bought my lights from is called global greenhouse lighting, and they have a great product and customer service. Check them out here: http://www.humboldtwholesale.com/ggl/. I would also invest in a small fan to keep the air moving around the plants, the lights can get a bit warm as the plants grow closer to them. Some more heat sensitive CVs like Heartbreak hotel, would drop buds if the lights were too close, adding a fan helped eliminate this problem. You will also need to change your feeding regime a bit, pretty much decrease the amount of nitrogen you are using currently and increase the potassium and magnesium. This has worked well for me, with loads of blooms from all CVs I have tried using this system. |
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roadrunner
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« Reply #24 on: October 24, 2012, 01:06:20 PM » |
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Chris, thanks for the info and link. I changed my other post, it was so long it put me to sleep. Then I remembered this thread. I still have some HVH booster and fulmag of Magnesium so I should be good to go once the lights get here. I'm already using a few small fans to try discouraging mildew on my African violets.
dave
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Dave N.
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roadrunner
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« Reply #25 on: October 24, 2012, 06:30:02 PM » |
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Chris would I be correct in assuming since Humboldt is a wholesaler they don't do phone or internet orders and I need to find a local retailer for their products? Unfortunately the closest retailer to me is apparently in Phoenix about a 3 1/2 hr drive. I've been looking at 2 systems at ACF Greenhouse's website. They don't mention anything about warranties or what country they're manufactured in. Anyone familiar with or have experience with either UltraGrow or Sun Blaze T5 lighting systems?
dave
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Dave N.
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Merkity
Posts: 94
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« Reply #26 on: October 24, 2012, 07:45:44 PM » |
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I am currently using an ultra grow t5 sytem i think -i bought it for my orchids and have sticking my seedlings next to it as they sprout. seems to work fine - the orchids love it, the hibiscus seedlings, it has been working well so far - but they haven't had the prime spot under the light. course my light is only one 2 foot set of 4 bulbs... I have to get another one at the very least, as i have more seedlings that have to be indoors until the spring again. too bad i have to wait for xmas to be over to set them up ( the tree has to go in the spot i want to put the plants...
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roadrunner
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« Reply #27 on: October 25, 2012, 06:19:52 AM » |
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Thanks Merkity. How long have you had the system? I can certainly relate to your space issues. I no longer have any room for a Christmas tree. I suppose I could decorate one of my hibiscus.
dave
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Dave N.
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #28 on: October 25, 2012, 07:47:10 PM » |
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Hi Dave,
I have also been using 6400k T5 lights in the house and they have worked very well in growing hibiscus from seeds during this past winter/spring. Due to space constraints I have two 4 bulb 2 foot light fixtures I found on amazon. This works well for me as I like to light each shelf as the plants above block the light from the higher level. This is all inside a zippered plastic covered plant rack that I insulated the bottom with bubble wrap to keep it moist as my home gets rather dry during winter.
This winter I am moving it to the garage for more space and freedom to spray supernova as I also have a lot more seeds to germinate this time around.
Good luck and have fun!
Farmer D
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #29 on: October 26, 2012, 11:32:44 AM » |
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Hi Dave, I am pretty sure Humbolt is the wholesaler, sunblaze and hydrofarm seem to be fine companies too. I guess I really like the daisy chain feature and long product warranty of GGL. The most important thing is having the right spectrum bulbs and having the plants 1 foot or closer to the lights. You will notice that certain CVs bloom and perform just fine with indirect T5 lighting (not directly under the lights) and others need a prime spot under the lights to do well.
Here are a few pics from my set up where you can see the positioning of the lights and fan.
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