Colorado Newb growing rec/auto for FIRST TIME!

Okay guys...I've got a seemingly serviceable game plan but I need confirmation/advice...

Quick Intro:

44 yr old male. Been tokin' since late 80's. I was involved w/ a couple indoor grows back in the day. NL in peat/perlite with MiracleGro nutes, Mylar tent, HPS/MH lights and lamp oil CO2 infusion. Worked pretty good.

This time around, I'm starting with (and probably staying with) Autos due to turn-around time, ease of endeavor, less ability to mess it up, space and regulation limitations (3 in veg/3 flowering) and cost.

I have some Sweet Dark Devil Autos inbound (shhhh, it's a secret ;P)

Desired outcome: Aprox 1-2oz per plant with above average maturity/density/size/potency...CBDs more important than THC but don't want low THC per say....moderate is good enough. Herniated L5-S1, etc. (what an old fart)

Gameplan:

- 400W HPS/MH set-up - main reason for 400W is cost
- Augmented with a couple cheap (sub $60each) Full Spectrum LED's on the back wall underneath primary canopy
- FoxFarm Ocean Forest Soil
- FoxFarm Liquid Nutes - Big Bloom, Grow Big, Tiger Bloom
- Great White Premium Mycorrhizae
- 3X 2 Gallon buckets
- Nice, reverse-osmosis, ph neutral water
- an oscillating fan
- temp gauge
- timer
- ph strips
- some snippers for Harvest Time

So...Any glaring holes or mistakes in my game plan? Will 400W + the LED's be enough to not end up sparse and scrawny? Should I be thinking SOG/SCRog?

Any insights, experience, knowledge would be greatly appreciated. I assume that since this is in the Auto section, I don't need to ask for auto-haters to not bother chiming in...

Cheers!
JT

Woot Woot go Colorado! Smoke dat shiznit! 400w + and LED is gonna make some nice buds dude, scrog is awesome go to home depot they got everything you will need for a scrog. Good luck !

yeah...this thread ( v v v ) would lead me to believe 400W is going to be plenty:

https://www.rollitup.org/t/first-try-with-autos-sweet-seeds-red-poison.764106/

Thanks for the encouragement!

As to SCRoGging...I've been led to believe that the Sativa Dominant stuff goes better due to more stretching and thinner limbs...I've also been led to believe that topping, lollipopping, trimming, clearing, etc. is less advised. Just curious for some opinions...

I'd put some liquid cal/mag on your shopping list for the RO water. Also highly recommend you do not start your seeds in FFOF, it is too hot for seedlings. Grab a small bag of seedling mix soil and transplant them into hotter soil after two weeks. I don't think topping is advised on autos.

Sounds like a solid start. Personally I wouldn't touch FixFarm anything, I'm old school and I found mixing your own soil to the strain your growing increases your production immensely. Generic soil no matter how good the name brand is still generic soil. And I would scrap the led and go with the best 600w hps you can find for flower and a 250w mh will be enough for your veg.

Also are you going to be growing in tents or open rooms?

Thanks

I've heard transplanting can be dicey...and I'm really sensitive to "seafood" flavors and was hoping that the FFOF wasn't going to impart any "aquatic" flavors to the plants.
I've heard great things about the FFOF, but now I'm wondering if I may not be better off using some Lucky Dog or Happy Frog or ???

Is there a soil that can perform both tasks reasonably well or augmented later? Guess I have some more reading to do...

There is nothing dicey about transplanting. Very easy and very effective way to manage a soil feed. Every time you transplant to a larger container, you pretty much buy yourself another month of not having to add nutrients. It is also the only way you are going to get your myco fungi to take hold by sprinkling the root ball at transplant.

FFOF does not impart an aquatic or seafood flavor. I fucking hate fish so I would know! I like the Roots Organic a little better but they are both good. Mixing your own is definitely the way to go but you might be up against enough for now just pulling this grow together.

Bunnyfather...

Closet - lined with Mylar and blacked out trays. My theory on the LED's was to promote growth to the lower stuff from the side...no go?

Do you have any soil mixture combos you would suggest for Hybrid Autos? I'm assuming Peat and Perlite, but what else? By hot, I assume you mean the N-P-K levels?

I'm also wondering what kind of temps I should be expecting...another reason for the lower wattage + LEDs + fan. I don't really want to
build in a vent hose fan for the primary light fixture.

Bugeye, yeah...I had a bad pot of Mussels when I was 12...got violently ill, now every time I smell any aquatic food I gag....awful. No likey.

I was hoping to start and finish with the same containers (fairly large) should I not? Since I'm only rolling 3 to begin with, it's not like I need a space saver in that respect.

I appreciate the advice guys...I am currently reading through the pertinent threads as well (so I'm not acting like a complete newb asking questions that have been answered a million times already) But I also understand that there are probably a multitude of opinions out there. Just looking for above average, not record-breaking yields or anything.

Could use some FAQ Stickies...

...and BTW, what's up with not being able to quote previous posts here????

Edit: Nevermind...figured it out. DURP!

Not super familiar with XenForo Forum layouts yet.

First with your small area a 600w is the most efficient $ wise and you'll get close to 29" of strong penetration and I assume you'll be going short and bushy so it's ideal. Yes you'll have to vent it but then you can have your light 8" from your canopy to soak in those 200,000 + candle foots for your top buds

Put the 600w hps is my favorite, it's the constant performer.

Soil construction is a fine art. I think my methods are the best but I'm sure there's a line of gurus that would disagree. Maybe hit the premade and play with making your own down the road. Really do your research. Look at what is in other bags and ask why and what is does. Call the companies, they'll tell you all about their stuff. Then find the strains you like, learn about their genetics and build a soil for them. Sorry I shouldn't have brought up soil.

And lots of co2, hope that helps.

Trapper50cal said:

I was hoping to start and finish with the same containers (fairly large) should I not? Since I'm only rolling 3 to begin with, it's not like I need a space saver in that respect.

Click to expand...

The reality is that when you start seeds in large pots you are flushing a good bit of the soils nutrients out of the pot before the roots can even reach them. Just inefficient is all. To the extent that a transplant shocks the plant, letting the roots hit some fresh soil and getting your myco on the root ball more than offsets it in a few days. With autos, you could probably never have to feed them just by doing a few transplants.

I have sewn seeds in large pots and I have started seeds in FFOF and found both to be poor decisions. No worries if you go another route, you gotta experiment for yourself!

bunnyfather said:

... Sorry I shouldn't have brought up soil....

Click to expand...

LOL! No problem...If there were objective, perfect answers, there'd be no reason for forums...I'm ready to roll up my sleeves.

Bugeye said:

The reality is that when you start seeds in large pots you are flushing a good bit of the soils nutrients out of the pot before the roots can even reach them. Just inefficient is all. To the extent that a transplant shocks the plant, letting the roots hit some fresh soil and getting your myco on the root ball more than offsets it in a few days. With autos, you could probably never have to feed them just by doing a few transplants.

I have sewn seeds in large pots and I have started seeds in FFOF and found both to be poor decisions. No worries if you go another route, you gotta experiment for yourself!

Click to expand...

Agree fully. With an auto you could do 3 total transplants with your seedlings in a nice neutral soil and make sure your not transplanting that in to hot of soil. Because once the veg stage hit the growth is fast and you could damage the roots really fast.

Bugeye said:

The reality is that when you start seeds in large pots you are flushing a good bit of the soils nutrients out of the pot before the roots can even reach them. Just inefficient is all. To the extent that a transplant shocks the plant, letting the roots hit some fresh soil and getting your myco on the root ball more than offsets it in a few days. With autos, you could probably never have to feed them just by doing a few transplants.

I have sewn seeds in large pots and I have started seeds in FFOF and found both to be poor decisions. No worries if you go another route, you gotta experiment for yourself!

Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense.

I wonder if I could put a smaller container upside down inside the bigger one to begin with, to act as a sort of stool and a volume replacer...
EDIT: Stupid idea...may as well just use the smaller containers as the starters...

Trapper50cal said:

Bugeye, yeah...I had a bad pot of Mussels when I was 12...got violently ill, now every time I smell any aquatic food I gag....awful. No likey.

I was hoping to start and finish with the same containers (fairly large) should I not? Since I'm only rolling 3 to begin with, it's not like I need a space saver in that respect.

I appreciate the advice guys...I am currently reading through the pertinent threads as well (so I'm not acting like a complete newb asking questions that have been answered a million times already) But I also understand that there are probably a multitude of opinions out there. Just looking for above average, not record-breaking yields or anything.

Could use some FAQ Stickies...

Click to expand...

Newbie as well and I'm kinda glad you asked about the fishy flavor. I'm paranoid about things making my weed smell and taste undesirable to me, and fish, hell no.

Ashdown1967 said:

Newbie as well and I'm kinda glad you asked about the fishy flavor. I'm paranoid about things making my weed smell and taste undesirable to me, and fish, hell no.

Click to expand...

I wish I could introduce the smell of my wife's hair into some Couch Lock damn I love that smell...

Good luck with the fish and seaweed, I see the advantages but there's other ways. Not so smelly, or fish.

Alright guys....I was reading a couple threads earlier that referenced/linked a FAQ style thread that appeared to be the primary "How to Grow Autos" thread and I've been searching for 30 minutes and can't find it...anybody have the link?

Nevermind: Found it...here it is for future reference:

https://www.rollitup.org/t/advanced-autoflower-training-tips-secrets.652871/

Well....bummer.

I'm not going to have time to get the equipment set up and running, get through the grow, dry & cure before the wife and I head to Hawaii.
Don't really have anyone to tend to them either.

I guess it's okay though, because I really haven't made my mind up on lighting.

Small closet space with poor ventilation and no volume seems to set me up for temp issues with HPS/MH approach and odor mitigation is high priority for the wife. It looks like I may need to be thinking LED's...have to do some more research on how that will effect penetration and therefore yield.

I have, however, identified a better game plan on the soil/pot size scenario. A lot of research (and smart people's suggestions here) have led me to consider the "pot within a pot" method of cutting the bottom off a solo cup (or using a strawberry basket) and submerging it in the middle of a larger container. I figure something like FFLW/Perlite 50/50 in the solo and FFOF/Perlite 50/50 in the larger pot will allow me to start the plants less aggressively in the cooler mixture while not risking root bind and not needing to transplant (Who has two thumbs and is a total newb? This guy!) No nutes for the first week or so after breaking ground, then 3 or 4 weeks of 1/4 strength veg. nutes, then a week of 50/50 veg/flower nutes, then 3 or 4 weeks of flower nutes. (obviously, strength of mixture pursuant to the level of nutes the plant is already getting from the FFOF to begin with) Seems like a great way to protect the plant for the first stretch and promote root propagation at the same time. We'll see how it goes...after Hawaii.

The odor issue really threw a wrench in my plan as well. Now it looks as though I might need to incur the added expense of a carbon filter and sealable grow tent in addition to that reality exasperating the heat issue. Hence the re-examination of the lighting scenario.

Oh well, at least not rushing headlong into anything gives me more time to do research, ask questions and dial in my opportunities for success

Until then...

It sure is nice living in the great State of Colorado!

Cheers, guys
Keep the suggestions (and justifications) coming!

Okay...Light is going to be a Advanced LED Diamond Series 150W - $225

Maybe a little under powered but for 3 auto's I think it will be okay considering how close I can keep it and the fact that it's 11 band.

Edit: Okay, another tweak to the plan.....

2 plants instead of 3.

I'm thinking in terms of yield. I'd rather have 2 very healthy plants than 3 sparse or underlit plants. I'm an old fart and I don't smoke the same amount that I did in my 20's. I can't possibly smoke 3-4 ozers in 90 days (germ+grow+dry+light cure). Even with my last 1/4 of P98 Bubba Kush (which was awesome) smoking more than usual, it took me over 3 weeks to empty the jar. I figure if I went full phish-head on it (for me), I would only be able to get through 1.5 to 2 oz. of grass before my 2nd 2 plant batch was hanging. I'm assuming less smell too. That's still plenty to gift to friends as well.