HabaneroHead's 2014 Glog - Nuclear Destruction

HabaneroHead · Dec 31, 2013

Devv said:
Hi Balázs,

Glad to see you're cranking things up!

The extra garden space is a real bonus, and the soil looks great!

Like the grow box! It should get things going for sure.

Have a safe and happy New Years!

Hi Scott,

Thanks for checking in!
The soil in my parent's garden is not the best (clay soil), but it is better where we have the drip irrigation at. (lots of manure digged in, rototile is used)
I was planning the box since ages, I hope it will be suitable for my purposes :-)

Happy New Year, my friend!

maximumcapsicum said:
Nice grow box setup! Kind of jealous. I am considering getting some mylar film to surround mine in... depends on what kind of light I end up going with. Right now I am thinking of sticking some splitters in a standard incandescent clamp light and using 3-4 cool white CFLs.

Thanks. Mylar foil will do the magic. My setup is quite a ghetto one, the foil was around 10 USD only. What I did not have for it: time.

Balázs

HabaneroHead · Jan 1, 2014

Hello Everyone!

Life does not stop just because it is the 1st of January

I filled the trays with a special seedling-mix (I added some perlit to it).
Yesterday I tried out the lamp, and it added only 3.5 Celsius to the room temperature, so I got 23.5 Celsius inside the box...it is not the one I would like to achieve.
So before putting the trays into the box, I put my reptile heat mat into it, then the trays, then the thermometer, then I closed the box

If all goes well, I will sow the seeds this evening.
There is one more thing...it turned out that I cannot sow 118 seeds...I have 122 cells in fact! :dance:

So I have space for 4 other seeds.

What do you suggest?

I covered a rack with foil, what I can fill up with water to have my trays bottom-watered

How it looks like in the box. A little bit crowded, but if all germinates (what I really doubt, but it would be great), it will be a little bit small after the first transplant. I will find out what to do then :-)

Thanks for watching

Balázs

stickman · Jan 1, 2014

Good on ya Balázs! You must have a very efficient grow light in your box if it only raised the temperature inside 3 degreesC. I hope the lizard heat mat does the trick to bring the temps up to where you want them. You inspired me, and I went down cellar this morning after work and got mine online too.

HabaneroHead · Jan 1, 2014

Well, I am still waiting for the heat mat...it was 23 before I put in the soil...now it is 17

I was filling up the trays outside, and even if the soil was inside the house before, it cooled down, while it was outside... Hopefully by midnight it will be warm enough.

HillBilly Jeff · Jan 1, 2014

Looks like a nice little set up. If it all germs, you will have to figure something out for pot ups

Devv · Jan 1, 2014

Regarding Mylar, expensive stuff. Instead buy Mylar wrapping paper, the back side is like a mirror.

Bought 4 rolls for 1 buck a piece at the dollar store.

maximumcapsicum · Jan 1, 2014

HabaneroHead said:
Hello Everyone!

Life does not stop just because it is the 1st of January
I filled the trays with a special seedling-mix (I added some perlit to it).
Yesterday I tried out the lamp, and it added only 3.5 Celsius to the room temperature, so I got 23.5 Celsius inside the box...it is not the one I would like to achieve.
So before putting the trays into the box, I put my reptile heat mat into it, then the trays, then the thermometer, then I closed the box
If all goes well, I will sow the seeds this evening.
There is one more thing...it turned out that I cannot sow 118 seeds...I have 122 cells in fact!
So I have space for 4 other seeds.

What do you suggest?

I covered a rack with foil, what I can fill up with water to have my trays bottom-watered

How it looks like in the box. A little bit crowded, but if all germinates (what I really doubt, but it would be great), it will be a little bit small after the first transplant. I will find out what to do then :-)

Thanks for watching

Balázs

stickman said:
Good on ya Balázs! You must have a very efficient grow light in your box if it only raised the temperature inside 3 degreesC. I hope the lizard heat mat does the trick to bring the temps up to where you want them. You inspired me, and I went down cellar this morning after work and got mine online too.

Watching you guys get your chambers set up reminds me I need to get the lead out. Only a couple of weeks until the semester starts and time gets short. Will hopefully be following your leads next week.

Devv said:
Regarding Mylar, expensive stuff. Instead buy Mylar wrapping paper, the back side is like a mirror.

Bought 4 rolls for 1 buck a piece at the dollar store.

You know, I thought it was pricey. Good to know. I may also try that reflective foam core you mentioned. I like how Rick has it set up on his grow chamber. A little electricians tape and you're good to go.

MeatHead1313 · Jan 2, 2014

Nice looking list. I like your idea for the growbox too. I might try something similar for some of my seedlings. Best of luck for your grow!

Scarecrw · Jan 2, 2014

Nice box

my son just made one out of a Omaha steak cooler. He also installed a glass window and light. I think I'll pick up some Mylar and let him line it. Happy new year and good luck in 2014.

HabaneroHead · Jan 2, 2014

maximumcapsicum said:
Watching you guys get your chambers set up reminds me I need to get the lead out. Only a couple of weeks until the semester starts and time gets short. Will hopefully be following your leads next week.

You know, I thought it was pricey. Good to know. I may also try that reflective foam core you mentioned. I like how Rick has it set up on his grow chamber. A little electricians tape and you're good to go.

All I can say is: Just do it! :-) My house is not that warm (20 Celsius), so I need this box, to keep my babies warm.

MeatHead1313 said:
Nice looking list. I like your idea for the growbox too. I might try something similar for some of my seedlings. Best of luck for your grow!

Thank you! It makes my life easier. In the last years I was using standalone pots, and it was a real pain in the a... to put them inside at the evenings, and take them out in the morning (to get sunlight). Now I am using trays, so it is easier to move them.

Scarecrw said:
Nice box my son just made one out of a Omaha steak cooler. He also installed a glass window and light. I think I'll pick up some Mylar and let him line it. Happy new year and good luck in 2014.

Well, this is just my ghetto-style grow box. I am using whatever I find at home :-) I am going to check your glog to see it!
Happy new year!
Today I was a little bit nervous...I was leaving the reptile heat mat on...there is no thermostate on it, so it can get pretty warm. Thanks for God there was no fire, but when I got home, I found that that part of the trays which were directly sitting on the heat mat got too warm. The themperature was 23-24 Celsius inside the box in general, but some parts got very warm. I hope I did not cook my seeds.
I was making a raft under the trays (from wood pranks), separating the heat mat from the trays. I also put the grow light into the box.
They are now working together to keep the box warm. Temp was increased to 27 Celsius (80.6 Farenheit) which is just about to ideal to the seeds. Hopefully they will pop-up quickly! :-)

Balázs

maximumcapsicum · Jan 2, 2014

Thanks man! Your and Rick's advice has me pointed in the right direction. This weekend will be construction time, but probably won't actually start the seeds for another week.

stickman · Jan 2, 2014

HabaneroHead said:
Today I was a little bit nervous...I was leaving the reptile heat mat on...there is no thermostate on it, so it can get pretty warm. Thanks for God there was no fire, but when I got home, I found that that part of the trays which were directly sitting on the heat mat got too warm. The themperature was 23-24 Celsius inside the box in general, but some parts got very warm. I hope I did not cook my seeds.
I was making a raft under the trays (from wood pranks), separating the heat mat from the trays. I also put the grow light into the box.
They are now working together to keep the box warm. Temp was increased to 27 Celsius (80.6 Farenheit) which is just about to ideal to the seeds. Hopefully they will pop-up quickly! :-)

Balázs

Hi Balázs,
We're pulling for you brother... if the soil was damp when you put it inside the box and it wasn't in there long, you're probably OK. Last year I was worried about germing in soil temps in excess of 34 degrees C for a couple of days, but found it was no problem. It sounds like you have it dialed in now in any case. Drive on bro!

Devv · Jan 2, 2014

Sounds like you have things in order, hope everything works out.

PaulG · Jan 2, 2014

+1 Rick. Two seasons ago my trays were over 90˚F for a day or two
but it didn't hurt them too much as far as I could tell.

HabaneroHead · Jan 3, 2014

maximumcapsicum said:
Thanks man! Your and Rick's advice has me pointed in the right direction. This weekend will be construction time, but probably won't actually start the seeds for another week.

Construction is always fun, it is a good way to spend your freetime

stickman said:
Hi Balázs,
We're pulling for you brother... if the soil was damp when you put it inside the box and it wasn't in there long, you're probably OK. Last year I was worried about germing in soil temps in excess of 34 degrees C for a couple of days, but found it was no problem. It sounds like you have it dialed in now in any case. Drive on bro!

Thank you, Rick. They should be OK, I believe. Thank you for the good vibes!

Devv said:
Sounds like you have things in order, hope everything works out.

Thank you, Scott! Let's cross our fingers...I would not like to restart the season

PaulG said:
+1 Rick. Two seasons ago my trays were over 90˚F for a day or two
but it didn't hurt them too much as far as I could tell.

Thanks Paul! Great news. Now I am completely calm and relaxed. I was a little bit worried when I arrived home and the trays were hot. On the surface it was only 24 Celsius hot, but the bottom was hotter. Since the seeds were sown 0.5 cm deep, I'd say they were still below 30 Celsius, so indeed, they should be fine.
Well, it will turn out in the next couple of days. :rolleyes:

PaulG · Jan 3, 2014

I think so, Balázs. When I took the temp on my last round
of jiffy pellets a couple of weeks ago, the bottom of the trays
were a little over 90˚F, but the soil at seed depth was at 85˚F
or so, and the seeds did just fine.

Have fun with your construction project!

maximumcapsicum · Jan 3, 2014

Those seeds are snug and toasty. You're gonna see hooks before you know it.

HabaneroHead · Jan 4, 2014

PaulG said:
I think so, Balázs. When I took the temp on my last round
of jiffy pellets a couple of weeks ago, the bottom of the trays
were a little over 90˚F, but the soil at seed depth was at 85˚F
or so, and the seeds did just fine.

Have fun with your construction project!

maximumcapsicum said:
Those seeds are snug and toasty. You're gonna see hooks before you know it.

Thanks for the support, guys! I really appreciate it!

I'm now counting back the minutes to see the first hooks.
They will be in the soil for the 4th day tomorrow (and 1 more soaking in weak camomile tea), so...well...it would be time

On the other hand I was planting the seeds a little bit deeper to avoid the seed helmet issue, so it would probably take longer for them to pop up.

Balázs

Devv · Jan 4, 2014

I started planting deeper as well this season, still had a few. Also instead on one seed per space upped it to three to try and help the timing some. No heat mat, but on my list for next year, I too keep the house at 20C during the winter.

Have a good one!

HabaneroHead · Jan 7, 2014

Devv said:
I started planting deeper as well this season, still had a few. Also instead on one seed per space upped it to three to try and help the timing some. No heat mat, but on my list for next year, I too keep the house at 20C during the winter.

Have a good one!

Hi Scott,

As far as I see, the low humidity is causing the seed helmet issue. Since I was planting them deeper, and I am trying to moist them every day, I'm expecting less lost seedlings. Well, in a week or so it will turn out anyways :-)
Heat mat is a good thing, expecially if there is thermostat attached to it. Mine does not have any, but I managed to set the box temperature to 27 Celsius (80.6 F), which I believe is ideal.

Today I checked my box, and saw two hooks: a 7 Pot Yellow and a 7 Pot Burgundy! :dance:

I will try to make some pictures in the evening!

Balázs