Alot of new grower's seem to get all caught up with all the bells and whistles of growing, reading through these forums can get confusing. I find that alot of people are asking questions about things for which they'd probably have no real use. It is all too easy to get great information on this site, but not everything needs to be in every growroom. By all means reading and taking in info is a good way to learn, but until you've seen the full picture it can be hard to know what pieces go where.

I'm gonna try to cover everything (I forget things though ) I don't plan on being very scientifical about anything, I'm trying to keep it simple after all. Feel free to jump in about anything...

Lights...
HIDs (MH and HPS) are the most expenive, they are also the best. They do cause alot of heat though, so it could cost extra to cool the growroom.

Fluorescents are probably the next best and relatively cheap. HO (High Output) Fluoros are better but more expensive.

CFLs are the least expensive and the least intense.

Soil...
Try not to use wal-mart soil, get good 'fluffy' soil. By that I mean get something ph balanced (or neutral) with at least 25% Perlite. Coco mediums are quickly becoming more popular but be aware of what is in it. Not all coco-mediums are fert-free, if you want to use coco mediums get something nute-free...pure coco-mediums (nothing mixed in) can be used without perlite.

If you have to use "noname" type soils get yourself a bag of perlite (about $3) and mix it in at least 25%

Pots, Bags...and whatever else.
When choosing your container for your plants make sure you start it in something at least about 6" deep (if that's where it's staying for a bit) so the plant will be able to grow a deeper root system. Generally speaking a plant's height is somewhat limited by it depth of it's roots. If you grow in a 1 gallon pot, you will get a smaller plant than if you grow in a 3 gallon pot (generally speaking) That can also be a handy way to control size, if you're low on room.

Usually I start in 1 gallon pots, move to 3 gallon pots for flowering...and maybe up to 5 if they're bigger.


Nutrients/Fertilizers and Additives...
Here's where alot of people get confused I think, I know I did
Here it goes, I hope at least some people will listen...A basic 2 or 3 part nutrient mix is ALL you need. For example...General Hydroponics, Advanced Nutrients, Dutch Nutrient Formuls, and a whole bunch of other I forget all make basic 2 or 3 part nutrient mixes. They all work well, they are simple as can be and when used in moderation can create fantastic results. I say in moderation because labels can be very misleading...I seldomly go much past 3/4 of what they 'reccomend'


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That's the basics...that's what you need to start a succesful grow. Now here comes all the other stuff that you read about and don't need...

CO2 enrichment is not going to give you a considerably higher yield unless it is in fact the photoinhibitor (sorry I got scientifical) Unless the amount of CO2 in the plant's environment is limiting it's production it will not increase production enough to be worth the time, or money for that matter. CO2 enrichment 'kits' are costly things, even if you do it yourself to do it right...including having completely optimal light, nutrient uptake and so forth. The point is to get to that stage is gonna take some spending, you can't just put CO2 into a 400w growroom and expect much. So for now, unless you're diving in headfirst forget about CO2 enrichment.

Also don't worry about all those additives like BigBud and CarboLoad or any of it...get your grow optimized first. I mean know you're strain, your conditions, your nutes. You don't need these addditives, they aren't neccessary and they often complicate things more than need be.

When it comes it PPMs and PHs, don't obsess over them. Some make it seem like it's some magic trick to get it all down, it's not. PPMs (Parts per million) really only applies when you're growing hydro, or using additives...that's why I said skip them. If you stick with an A+B(+C) nutes mix you needn't worry about PPMs. Ph on the other hand is something to consider, it can cause problems. Ph meters are handy, but they are also a bit pricey...ph strips are fine, I've used them with no problems (I had a meter to double check them)
Basically if you use the same water every grow, even if it's tap water you will get to know the Ph of your water pretty quick. Keep in mind that some nute mixes may affect the ph a little, but most are very slight. Always check the ph of the nuted water as well, after you're comfortable that it isn't fluctuating on a daily basis (like some seem to think...check every single time? ya right!)

I have'nt checked my ph in like 6 months probably, I have used the same water and nutes since the last time(s) I checked. All my plants are fine, including any non marijuana plants...once you know what the ph is you don't really need to worry about it much.

I think I covered most things, at least the things you need to get started. The best advice I ever got on growing was "Keep it simple" I have complicated things many times, and have come to realize that was indeed the best advice I've received. I'm back to keeping it simple now, and I'm back to having alot more consistency in my growrooom. That being said I do use additives in flower, but I've also grown the same strains multiple times in the same environment. Even then I keep it simple compared to what some people like to add to their mixes....don't get too carried away.

The plant only needs a few things, light, water, food (nutrients), and something to grow in. Get those things working first, then when you feel comfortable with that you can start to dabble in other things.

Again...Feel free to jump in anywhere

This seems like sticky material. Good stuff.

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"Earth laughs in flowers." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nice Thread Hubert,

Only thing that I did not agree on is not checking your PH for 6 months because you knew what the city tap water was. I know more then most people do about city water and how it is purified and distributed. City water can jump in PPM and PH from Day to day. Sometimes it will be like a roller coaster ride, and other days/months it will be flat and level. Why chance killing your plants when it only takes a few seconds to check the PH. You are trusting you plants to some water district employ who just might have been smoking a big fatty while he was throwing levers and spinning dials. Check the PPM and PH of the water everytime you water is my way of doing things.
Even well water and spring water can change, especially after a heavy rain fall.

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This is all just a figment of my imagination... If this had been a Real Emergency, I would have told you where to go.

Everything I say on these forums is completely fictional and only used to make myself look Cool. Photos are pasted from intercepted ALIEN transmissions.

You're absolutely right, Ph fluctuations aren't out of the ordinary by any means. Ph checks should be done regularily, I've grown too comfortable with my water perhaps. I do however use the same water, and nutes without checking regularily...I really just threw that in to get a point across that Ph isn't some untamable beast. Again though, regular Ph checks would prove alot safer, Lord Dangly Bits is right...why not check?

That should read "pure coco-mediums should NOT be used without perlite"

Seriously don't use coco-mediums without perlite, disaster could entail.