First Grow - I think I'm ready..

Hello RIU members,

I'm a young guy who has been interested in growing my own for about 2 years but only in recent months have I pursued. Basically, i understand i have to be patient but when i don't see things happening or even being started, it de-motivates me. Sooo..

I recently purchased a 600w hps, Biobizz All-mix soil, Biobizz grow and bloom nutes (and getting seeds soon) and I will also need to buy pots.

Can i start with just this? The grow space is about 16ft x 14ft and its a loft so peak height is about 5'8 and the roof slopes down. Can anyone forsee any problems with what I'm doing? I'm looking to put in another 600w hps when I start growing some girls.

Will I be able to use the All-mix grow soil while raising the plant in the first few weeks after germination? I'm also wondering if it would be a better idea to grow by SOG method. I dont know much about it though other than the basics. Thanks in Advance.

I'm only going to use about 8 x 6 though for the ladies. any better?

study up if u havent already! i think ur space will do ive seen(and have done it myself and will do it again) gret results in a cardboard box! you get what you put into it, good luck

wayne85 said:

.... DO I NEED TO MAKE SURE THE ROOM IS COMPLETLY EMPTY ? IS THERE ANY TIPS THAT ANYONE CAN GIVE ME ? thanks.....

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I think the larger the space, the more you need to make sure its empty and sterilized and free of any dust and potential pests so they don't ruin your crops. And once its all clean keep it that way.

Yay i just received my 600 and biobizz stuff!

Do yourself a favor, Dispite the fact that you are very excited about this adventure, DO NOT TELL ANYONE WHO DOES NOT NEED TO KNOW.
Its hard not sharing your progress with others, its very exciting but its in you best interest to keep it to your self. Share with the RIU board but even my best friend does not know, and im legal..

I have found that over time it gets easyer to keep it your little secret

strangerdude562 said:

Congrats, all i can tell you is not to get too excited and start sprouting seeds before you have a complete setup. Good luck!

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hell no, get excited and get that shit grown like yesterday !... it will save some time, they wont need too much for the first 2 weeks

I'm a newbie but I would recommend getting a fan to move air in and out of the room. When you add your second 600W it might start to get a little warm. You could also line your 8x6 area with some mylar to help distrbute the light.

420weedman said:

hell no, get excited and get that shit grown like yesterday !... it will save some time, they wont need too much for the first 2 weeks

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Thats what I was thinking but I have no venting up yet.. just a 600hps hanging at the moment.
(TIP: Ez Roller Hangers = Hassle )

My envirolite timer isn't working on the extension i got up there.. which is annoying. Havn't tested it anywhere else.. brand new.
(ANOTHER TIP: Don't ever fall through your attic floor = Pain + Hassle ).

I have no ceiling insulation in the attic or vents which is scaring me but I plan to put Silver Mylar in soon because apparantly its very heat reflective (90%) but for some reason I'm still paranoid about heat signature...so could I start under normal light bulbs for germ or something for now?

I hope I'm making progress..

Just got 9 10cm pots and a few cheap propagation kits which i plan to put Big Buddha Cheese seeds in with Biobizz All-mix Soil. I saw some organic root stimulant, I'm not sure if its for food plants but i was thinking about buying it anyway.

Should I start?

germ them in a moist paper towel, then once opened (i like to wait to see like 1/4" tap) put them in your medium (i used a bunch of 16 oz small plastic cups w/ soil) and put a couple cfls above em ... 60-70 degrees ... just start like 10 they'll be fine like that for a couple weeks till u get ur shit together

Question - how do i get 60-70 degrees in a loft with fluorescents and no heating or insulation?

Herbzman said:

Question - how do i get 60-70 degrees in a loft with fluorescents and no heating or insulation?

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If it was me, I would wall off a portion of that large space and insulate the walls and floor. It'll help you not waste light and will be smaller environment that you can better control temps in.

Ah but you see yield is an important factor... how much would i get from 10 plants of ak47 or bbcheese or any other strains to your knowledge under a 600hps on average.. if i grow it properly?

I reckon I'll just put a heater or something in there.. which will mean I have to put the mylar up also... so effectively I can't start while I'm setting up because of heat sig and airflow in germ stage ... right?

Herbzman said:

Ah but you see yield is an important factor... how much would i get from 10 plants of ak47 or bbcheese or any other strains to your knowledge under a 600hps on average.. if i grow it properly?

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the key is if you grow it properly. if so, you'll get anywhere from 1 to 3 ounces per plant depending on strain, length of veg, co2 or not, space limitations, etc.

Ok well whats the max (roughly) i could get in a 10ft x 6ft area with two lights? USING SEA OF GREEN method? Any reccomended strains for high yields?

Herbzman said:

Ok well whats the max (roughly) i could get in a 10ft x 6ft area with two lights? USING SEA OF GREEN method? Any reccomended strains for high yields?

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a good rule of thumb is one gram per watt of light. for two 600 watt lights that means just less than 3 lbs total.