First grow help

I'm starting from scratch here, moving in to a new house next week and am start growing my own mj. I'm not going to sell it just want to grow enough for a few spliffs a day. I have read lots of guides for growing and just thought I'd post here for some personalised help. I have very little money to start with and just want to know what the bare minimum I will need to start growing is. I will slowly upgrade as I get money but for now I just want to know the cheapest way to start growing a plant or two.

Seeds,Soil,Water,Light,Nutrition and finally knowledge is all you need

1) Four Compact fluorescent bulbs (bright white and/or cool white, color: 5K-7,500). About $5 each.
2) Two dome reflectors from Wal-Mart's automotive aisle (they have the lighting-fixture already attached, a nice reflective dome around it, AND a clamp haha they're perfect). They're about $10 each. Gotta love Wal-Mart!
3) Two Y-splitters from Home Depot's lighting aisle (allowing you to put two bulbs into each dome reflector). They're about $1.50 each.
4) While at either store, grab a few pots according to what size plants you want to grow. Just make sure that there are drain-holes in the bottom of the pots. If not, drill your own. I also usually put a layer of rocks down in the very bottom of the pots before I fill em up with soil.
5) While at either store, grab a bag of Potting Mix soil.
6) Start the cycle of life

Haha I hope this helped!

Many thanks for the quick reply and + rep for that also. However was looking for something slightly more specific, especially as far as lighting is concerned whats the least expensive but still acceptable lighting I could use. I will be upgrading as I build up my funds but where should I stat as far as lighting goes. Also what about soil? Is there a specific type I should use or could I just use some from the garden?

First thing I'd invest in is 4 Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL's).. Each at least 23 watts (actual) which is about 100 watts....6500*k temp

+ Rep for you also my friend another great post. One thing I should have mentioned is that I am in UK so wal mart and home depot not really an option although I suppose B&Q or homebase will also supply these. Can any UK tokers confirm this or point me in the direction of substitutes?

Thanks TommyHobby I see that four CFLs seems to be the norm. Is that the minimum I will need for 2 maybe 3 plants at the most?

seaneff said:

Thanks TommyHobby I see that four CFLs seems to be the norm. Is that the minimum I will need for 2 maybe 3 plants at the most?

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while vegging yes, 4 is minimum for 2-3 plants but probably 6... remember there's not such thing as TOO MUCH light....

More thanks again I notice you say while vegging. What about for flowering? Will I require different lighting or would it just be better if I had.

you'll want to switch the light spectrum from 6500k to 2500k for vegging.

seaneff said:

More thanks again I notice you say while vegging. What about for flowering? Will I require different lighting or would it just be better if I had.

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Yeah, you will want to switch from the 6500*K to 2700*K (warm) bulbs. But there's no substitute for a High Pressure Sodium (HPS) light fixture for blooming. Are you planning to grow completely inside? How big of a space? How many plants at a time?

You don't need any UK growers to back you up. Trust me man, I really am a Biologist and specialize in Plant Science. In reality, you want as many compact fluoros as possible, if going the fluorescent route. If you want to go bigger, purchase an HPS set-up and buy a Metal Halide conversion bulb. Use the Metal Halide for vegging and the HPS bulb for vegging.

seaneff said:

+ Rep for you also my friend another great post. One thing I should have mentioned is that I am in UK so wal mart and home depot not really an option although I suppose B&Q or homebase will also supply these. Can any UK tokers confirm this or point me in the direction of substitutes?

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Hi ya Seaneff

Welcome to RiU man

I'm in the UK to so i understand your wanting more local insight into getting equiptment .... The guys from the US are a great help to us ... but they just don't understand the concept of " We Don't Have Wall-Mart " LOL

Ok so ...First things first ... CLF's ... Perfect for Getting your babys going ... But for actual flowering you will more than likley want to step up to a High Power Sodium or a Metal Halide to give you some nice big tight bud's .... People grow the full cycle with CLF's ... But the debate rages on about how good it is ... Basics of it is ... CLF's = smaller and less potent yeilds ... But the choice is all yours

As far as soil ... I would recomend Canna Coco for a first time grower ..i will post some links for you to give you a better idea of how it works and why it will suit you better


Ok with all that said .... The best advice i can give you right now is ... READ .... Read as MUCH as you can ... and while your reading ... Get some cash saved ... If you just go head on into this you will come to a point that you need more things ...Its better to get all your kit together first ... Have a bit of basic knowlage ... Get your Grow enviroment ready ...and then get your seed ... Trust me on this , It will save you a lot of hassle later on ... Be patient now , Learn as much as you can ... watch a load of videos read as much as you can about the basics ...ask loads of questions and build up a little budget ... Plan your grow area ( can be small if you only want 3 plants ) Understand the importence of air flow and ventilation ( being in the UK you will need to be concerned with the smell of your plants in the flower stage ) and enviroment control .

Here is a link to a great Canna Coco topic ( lots to read ) it will help you unberstand why Coco might be better for you and why i recomend it >>> https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/163510-coco-growers-unite.html

Here Is a link to a great grow shop ...Its very cheap and a great place to start to get an idea of the kinds of products you might need in the future >> http://www.homehydro.co.uk/

Also , Here are a couple of video's you should try and watch that will help you understand a few basic things

Room set up ... Soil ( Coco ) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3522676950230105924#

Room Set Up ....Hydro ( Hydro can be a bit more involved ... but for a first time grower its recomended you stick with Soil / Coco ...But its a good video to help you understand how a room is set up and works >>> http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5469160/14392750

Myself and others here will do all we can to help you get going .... But please pay attention to the advice i have given and take your time

Bookmark this topic so you can get back to it at a later date Or just click on " My Profile " at the top of your page to list the posts you have been active on

Good Luck Sean ..and again ... Welcome to RiU

Any Questions ... feel free to ask or PM me any time

I'm allso a first time grower , Feel free to click on the link at the bottom of this post to see how i got on and my progress since

V

OK so first of all to TommyHobby thanks for clearing that up for me. Yes I'm planning to grow indoors, not sure how much space I'l have yet and I'm only planning on growing 2 plants at a time. I only want enough to keep me from buying any lol.

Now to the green biologist, you misunderstand me. I was not asking for confirmation of what you said but rather where I could get the equipment you mention.

Once again thanks to both of you for your continued response and advice

HI seaneff

Just to get you started you are gonna need to decide how little of a budget you actually have?

Could you give me a price range and i will find you what you need to get you through your first grow.

THis price should be everything you would be able to spend (NOT A WISHLIST)

I need a TOTAL budget

J

First of all big thanks to vento for a most helpful post, I will wait until morning before watching the videos etc but thanks again for that post.

To jondamon, I think my budget for the first grow will be roughly £100 - £150. However after the summer when I get back to college I should be able to build up more money to help upgrade things. Bearing in mind I don't plan to grow more plants than 2 or 3 plants.

Outdoor is cheapest... natural energy.... u need silo cups for seedlings like a handful of soil for each seed, some pure water, nutes and patience... prolly 20bucks spent... bag of soil cups pure water

inyourhead said:

Outdoor is cheapest... natural energy.... u need silo cups for seedlings like a handful of soil for each seed, some pure water, nutes and patience... prolly 20bucks spent... bag of soil cups pure water

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heheh It's clear your not from the UK .... If we had the weather here mate this country would be covered in Mj Plants , Fact is , Weather sucks , Can jump from one extream to the next in a couple of hours .... Last year ... our summer was on a thursday !

check this out i'd recomend the 400w btw
http://www.greenshorticulture.co.uk/Grow-Lights-182/Grow-Lights-189/Euro-Grow-Light-802.asp

Hi ya Sean

Just did a quick shopping list of stuff you will need , If you build a box .. or have a small cupboard you will get away with this to start you off for your budget ! ( but you will need some other stuff )

Coco
http://www.homehydro.co.uk/index.php/growing-media/canna/canna-coco-natural-50l.html

£10



Lamp Reflector
http://www.homehydro.co.uk/index.php/lighting/professional-reflectors/euro-wing.html

£22


Veg CLF

http://www.homehydro.co.uk/index.php/lighting/low-energy-cfl/envirogrow-cf-lamps-150-watt-cool-white-ideal-for-vegetative-growth.html

£30

Carbon Filter 4"

http://www.homehydro.co.uk/index.php/environmental-control/venilation/carbon-filters/fresh-carbon-filter.html

£24

Extraction Fan 4"
http://www.homehydro.co.uk/index.php/environmental-control/venilation/extraction-fans/hvk-fan-extraction.html

£55

Total £141


You will allso NEED !

Nutes...

Rhizotonic

http://www.homehydro.co.uk/index.php/nutrients/brand/canna/canna-rhizotonic-cutting-booster-stress-reliever-250ml.html

£8

Canna Coco A & B

http://www.homehydro.co.uk/index.php/nutrients/brand/canna/canna-coco-aandb-1l.html

£12

PH Tester and Buffer solution & PH Down , Im sure you can find them yourself


Hope this helps ... Let us know what you think

V