So I got tired of buying bags and decided to start makin bags (mostly for myself and friends). This is a "cheap-as-possible" grow, so all I've payed so far is the soil, and the bags I got the seeds from. I plan on buying some N and P solutions to add to the water used as they are needed (if they are ever needed).

Here's some pics of the whole setup, I'm using a broken Aerogarden system that I found for the lighting.

-The Grow Setup-



-Germination-

The black plastic is to keep the seeds warm and dark.



Seeds 1 and 2, and everything behind them are from a bag I picked up a couple weeks ago, and seed 3 and everything in front of 1 & 2 is from nearly 2 years ago.

Seed #3 is doing the best, which I put in there 15 hours ago along with the others in that row, and the seed right next to it has cracked open but not shown a root, after i took these pics, which was like 2 hours earlier. and another seed from the bottom row has just cracked open a tiny bit.

Seeds 1 & 2 have barely opened up over the last 4 days, and all the ones around them from that same bag haven't done anything.

I find it strange that the seeds from 2 years ago that have been sitting out in light, room temperature, then into a dark drawer, have had like a 60% success rate over the last 15 hours, and the fresh seeds only 2 weeks old that I kept in the right conditions, have had almost no success over 4 days...

I've gone ahead and planted seed #3 about 1/4" into the soil in that beer can. As you can see it has holes drilled into the bottom, so there souldn't be any problems with it. I'll post some more pics once it breaks the surface.

And the soil comes premixed with 0.07% N, 0.01% P, and 0.03% K by bag volume (8 quarts). So I shouldn't have any nutrient problems for a few weeks.

Anyway I'll keep you guys updated as the grow progresses (if it even does, that is).

Wish me luck!

That seed sprouted up today, here's some pics.



The seed sprouted overnight, and this pic was taken 2 minutes after I woke up.


This was taken 30 minutes later.


About 3 hours later


Different angle


I think this seedling is growing faster than average... what do you guys think?

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Firstly, I would like to say that I am a huge fan of palindromes. Second, I think "dirt cheap" grows are really cool, espically ones were you are recycling (the Miller Lite cans). And third, I think your sprout did pop up pretty quick, but I am new to this so I don't have any experience to back up that statement. Good luck with your grow.

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My first DWC grow - Great Success!

Thanks, I think its doing pretty well so far. This is day 2 of it's life since being in the germination plate, just for the record.

Also, I read that putting a clear lid over the sprout is supposed to help it out so I've gone ahead and done that with the bottom of a water bottle.


Perfect fit

This shouldn't cause any problems right?

I don't think so. All it does is raise the humidity around the sprout, which is good for it.

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My first DWC grow - Great Success!

Alright thanks.

Also, one of the leaves has been slowly drooping down, that's not a big deal is it? Its kinda big so maybe the plant just doesn't want to put so much energy into keeping it up?

Cool. We are on pretty similar time lines. I was/am trying to be as cheap as possible too... but I am already getting a bit carried away. Hopefully watching your journal will keep me in check.
Happy growing.

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Everything I say is a lie, am just trying to look cool.
http://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/45949-gigglegirl-tries-again-magic-bud.html

Thanks for the reply, and good luck with your grow too.

I threw some more seeds from the bag of 2 year old seeds into a paper towel, and 4 from a more recent bag, and after 2 days (if that), 2 have sprouted and are ready to be planted, giving me a total of 3 seedlings to work with. There will probably be more on the way.

I'll post up some pics when I get the time.

My first seedling seems to be recovering from whatever stunted it, and is looking a lot greener.