looking for help
- Thread starter k-town
- Start date
MightyBuddha
Well-Known Member
Basic setup would be a soil grow with CFLs and Home Garden center nutrients. Read over the grow journals for ideas and inspiration.
videoman40
Well-Known Member
First time growers frequently:
Overwater their medium based plants. When you pot your plant,
judge its weight dry by hefting. Then, water the plant
thoroughly, until water runs through the drain holes. Heft it
again. When your pot feels as nearly as light as it did dry, its
time to water again.
Overfeed their plants. Beginners rarely under do anything. When
all else fails, follow the directions on the fertilizer bottle.
[Editor's note: dont follow GH's instructions! Use @ 1/4 their
recommended strength]
Over analyze their grow. A first grow is like a first born child:
you pay attention to every little thing that happens. Further,
you worry at the first sign something may be wrong. Pay attention
to what happens in your grow, but do not try and find a remedy
for every yellow leaf. Frequently, the remedy of flushing your
medium causes more problems than it solves. Be responsive when
things go wrong, but be conservative in your remedies.
Overspend on grow supplies. New growers frequently commit
themselves to unrealistic and expensive first grows. It is much
more efficient to learn to grow and then invest in high end
equipment rather than the other way around. Most experienced
growers don't have room for all of the grow paraphernalia they
aren't using. As you will see throughout this FAQ: K-I-S-S.
Overpost. Try the search engine first. Chances are good that any
question you can think of has been asked and answered before.
Talk about their grow. Don't tell anybody that does not have to
know. How can you expect anybody else to keep a secret that you
cannot.
Part 2:
1. Don't Overwater
Overwatering kills marijuana plants. Water once the top few
inches of the soil dries out.
Hydroponics is harder to over-water than soil, due to the
abundance of water roots.
2. Don't Tell People
Why? They will only be jealous. People love to feel important and
that is why they will tell other people; because others will
listen to them.
Keep it to yourself.
3. Touch/kill Germinating Seeds
It can take up to 10 days for a seed to sprout. The paper towel
method is not recommended because you must handle the seeds when
transferring them from the paper towel to your growing medium.
4. Grow seeds from seeded marijuana (hermaphrodite seeds)
Unless you are prepared for possible disappointments don’t use
"unknown" seeds. This is why people buy seeds from seedbanks.
Self-seeding MJ is produced from hermaphrodite plants or a very
stunted and late flowering male the grower did not notice.
Flowered hermi seeds will produce tall late flowering females
coupled with early flowering males.
5. Don't Over-fertilize
Fertilize after first 2 spiked leaves appear.
Start with 25% of recommended label strengths and work your way
up. If the leaves suddenly twist or fold under, Leach and Spray
with pure water for several days!
Don’t fertilize your plants every time you water! (Soil)
A common watering schedule is to fertilize at full strength, then
water at half or quarter strength. This prevents excess salt
buildup, leaf and root burn. In addition, don’t water at full
strength if the medium is too dry – root burn can occur.
As a precaution, leach the plants with lots of pure water every
2-4 weeks.
6. Don't Under-fertilize
Under-fertilizing is less common. If you prefer to give the plant
‘just enough nutrients’, use a organic soil mixture with blood
meal and bone meal or some slow release fertilizer with micro
nutrients.
7. Don't Start with Clones
Start with seeds. Bugs are a pain, as are plant diseases. Many
growers are able to grow indoors without pest problems for years.
Another grower’s cuttings are almost guaranteed to have diseases
&/or pests.
8. Don't Provide A Bad Environment
Always provide air circulation and fresh air even during the
night cycle. All the air indoors should be replaced every 5-10
minutes.
Humidity between 30-70% temp aim for around 75-85' Even seedlings
need a gentle fan to strengthen the stems.
9. Don't Harvest Too Early
25% of the weight will form in the last 2 weeks. Begin flushing
with 100% pH’d water when the pistil are 25% brown. Harvest when
the plants have totally stopped growing and the white pistils are
at least 50-75% brown.
*NOTE: Outdoors if security is a factor make your own call on
when to sacrifice the fields. Also take buds continuously in case
of thieves.
Common questions:
Q. Can marijuana grow in a northern climate?
Marijuana plants can grow anywhere corn can grow. All it needs is
three growing months - seed to harvest. 2 if started indoors!
Q. Why do I have to buy seeds? Why can't I use my own that I
picked from my own stash?
Most people desire, and want to be guaranteed, certain
characteristics in their mature female plants. The seeds from any
weed will all grow into something different. This is unprofitable
and inefficient. As opposed to knowing the single set of
requirements for your entire crop, you must provide a different
set of requirements for each of your plants.
Q. What is better for a new grower - hydroponics or soil?
I believe the all around "better", more convenient setup is soil.
Hydro makes plants grow faster, but won't make your buds more
potent than soil. Hydro should be attempted after you have a few
successful soil crops under your belt.
If you are starting from seed and growing for personal, soil is
the practical growing medium. If the crop is started with clones
and is commercial, a hydroponics setup is more practical.
Q. Why are my seedlings stretching?
Low light conditions. They also need a gentle wind. Plants will
also stretch when subjected to conditions of high humidity.
Q. What kind of lights should I use?
Cheap 4 ft. cool white fluorescent tubes : for
germination/seedlings
400 watt Metal halide/HPS : for personal home growers
1000 watt Metal halide/HPS : for some personal growers and
commercial growers.
*Use at least 40 watts per sq. foot of grow space.
Q. How far should the lights be from the plants?
Fluorescent: tips of leaves almost touching bulbs
400 watt halide : two feet away from seedlings and one foot away
from grown plants
1000 watt halide: four feet away from seedlings and two feet away
from grown plants
Q. How often should you water?
Once a week or once every two week for soil and twice a day with
a hydroponic flood and drain system.
*When top 2 inches of the soil dry out.* Occasionally provide
periods of extra dry and wet soil.
*Allow 10% extra water to drain out of the bottom of the tray.*
This will prevent toxic fertilizer build up.
Q. How long do your seeds last? What's the best way to keep them?
Seeds can last over 5 years if kept cool and dry. They may last
up to 10 years if sealed and frozen, but fewer will germinate.
Overwater their medium based plants. When you pot your plant,
judge its weight dry by hefting. Then, water the plant
thoroughly, until water runs through the drain holes. Heft it
again. When your pot feels as nearly as light as it did dry, its
time to water again.
Overfeed their plants. Beginners rarely under do anything. When
all else fails, follow the directions on the fertilizer bottle.
[Editor's note: dont follow GH's instructions! Use @ 1/4 their
recommended strength]
Over analyze their grow. A first grow is like a first born child:
you pay attention to every little thing that happens. Further,
you worry at the first sign something may be wrong. Pay attention
to what happens in your grow, but do not try and find a remedy
for every yellow leaf. Frequently, the remedy of flushing your
medium causes more problems than it solves. Be responsive when
things go wrong, but be conservative in your remedies.
Overspend on grow supplies. New growers frequently commit
themselves to unrealistic and expensive first grows. It is much
more efficient to learn to grow and then invest in high end
equipment rather than the other way around. Most experienced
growers don't have room for all of the grow paraphernalia they
aren't using. As you will see throughout this FAQ: K-I-S-S.
Overpost. Try the search engine first. Chances are good that any
question you can think of has been asked and answered before.
Talk about their grow. Don't tell anybody that does not have to
know. How can you expect anybody else to keep a secret that you
cannot.
Part 2:
1. Don't Overwater
Overwatering kills marijuana plants. Water once the top few
inches of the soil dries out.
Hydroponics is harder to over-water than soil, due to the
abundance of water roots.
2. Don't Tell People
Why? They will only be jealous. People love to feel important and
that is why they will tell other people; because others will
listen to them.
Keep it to yourself.
3. Touch/kill Germinating Seeds
It can take up to 10 days for a seed to sprout. The paper towel
method is not recommended because you must handle the seeds when
transferring them from the paper towel to your growing medium.
4. Grow seeds from seeded marijuana (hermaphrodite seeds)
Unless you are prepared for possible disappointments don’t use
"unknown" seeds. This is why people buy seeds from seedbanks.
Self-seeding MJ is produced from hermaphrodite plants or a very
stunted and late flowering male the grower did not notice.
Flowered hermi seeds will produce tall late flowering females
coupled with early flowering males.
5. Don't Over-fertilize
Fertilize after first 2 spiked leaves appear.
Start with 25% of recommended label strengths and work your way
up. If the leaves suddenly twist or fold under, Leach and Spray
with pure water for several days!
Don’t fertilize your plants every time you water! (Soil)
A common watering schedule is to fertilize at full strength, then
water at half or quarter strength. This prevents excess salt
buildup, leaf and root burn. In addition, don’t water at full
strength if the medium is too dry – root burn can occur.
As a precaution, leach the plants with lots of pure water every
2-4 weeks.
6. Don't Under-fertilize
Under-fertilizing is less common. If you prefer to give the plant
‘just enough nutrients’, use a organic soil mixture with blood
meal and bone meal or some slow release fertilizer with micro
nutrients.
7. Don't Start with Clones
Start with seeds. Bugs are a pain, as are plant diseases. Many
growers are able to grow indoors without pest problems for years.
Another grower’s cuttings are almost guaranteed to have diseases
&/or pests.
8. Don't Provide A Bad Environment
Always provide air circulation and fresh air even during the
night cycle. All the air indoors should be replaced every 5-10
minutes.
Humidity between 30-70% temp aim for around 75-85' Even seedlings
need a gentle fan to strengthen the stems.
9. Don't Harvest Too Early
25% of the weight will form in the last 2 weeks. Begin flushing
with 100% pH’d water when the pistil are 25% brown. Harvest when
the plants have totally stopped growing and the white pistils are
at least 50-75% brown.
*NOTE: Outdoors if security is a factor make your own call on
when to sacrifice the fields. Also take buds continuously in case
of thieves.
Common questions:
Q. Can marijuana grow in a northern climate?
Marijuana plants can grow anywhere corn can grow. All it needs is
three growing months - seed to harvest. 2 if started indoors!
Q. Why do I have to buy seeds? Why can't I use my own that I
picked from my own stash?
Most people desire, and want to be guaranteed, certain
characteristics in their mature female plants. The seeds from any
weed will all grow into something different. This is unprofitable
and inefficient. As opposed to knowing the single set of
requirements for your entire crop, you must provide a different
set of requirements for each of your plants.
Q. What is better for a new grower - hydroponics or soil?
I believe the all around "better", more convenient setup is soil.
Hydro makes plants grow faster, but won't make your buds more
potent than soil. Hydro should be attempted after you have a few
successful soil crops under your belt.
If you are starting from seed and growing for personal, soil is
the practical growing medium. If the crop is started with clones
and is commercial, a hydroponics setup is more practical.
Q. Why are my seedlings stretching?
Low light conditions. They also need a gentle wind. Plants will
also stretch when subjected to conditions of high humidity.
Q. What kind of lights should I use?
Cheap 4 ft. cool white fluorescent tubes : for
germination/seedlings
400 watt Metal halide/HPS : for personal home growers
1000 watt Metal halide/HPS : for some personal growers and
commercial growers.
*Use at least 40 watts per sq. foot of grow space.
Q. How far should the lights be from the plants?
Fluorescent: tips of leaves almost touching bulbs
400 watt halide : two feet away from seedlings and one foot away
from grown plants
1000 watt halide: four feet away from seedlings and two feet away
from grown plants
Q. How often should you water?
Once a week or once every two week for soil and twice a day with
a hydroponic flood and drain system.
*When top 2 inches of the soil dry out.* Occasionally provide
periods of extra dry and wet soil.
*Allow 10% extra water to drain out of the bottom of the tray.*
This will prevent toxic fertilizer build up.
Q. How long do your seeds last? What's the best way to keep them?
Seeds can last over 5 years if kept cool and dry. They may last
up to 10 years if sealed and frozen, but fewer will germinate.
pauliojr
Well-Known Member
I'll keep mine nice and short.
TO START OFF WITH (After Germinating):
1. Use individual pots for each plant. Use bigger ones so you won't have to transplant as much.
2. SOIL: For the first few weeks a starting soil should be fine. Try JIFFY SEED MIX, they work really well. After that get some potting soil that will feed the plants for 3 months. (FOR BEGINNERS OF COURSE!!!) That should give you enough time to flower those lovely ladies without having too many problems and you won't have to add any NUTES!!
3. Use a nice size grow box and put reflective material around it. Mylar or White Paint works best. Grow box won't have to be that big for 1 or 2 plants.
4. For 1 or 2 plants you will not be needing any HID lights, so use some very high lumen output CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights).
5. Try and hang one on each side of every plant. These bulbs (cool white) can be a centimeter away from the plant because of the lack of heat. Just make sure they don't touch!!
6. An oscillating fan if you can. The more air that is getting moved around the better.
Down the road you can start adding CO2 manually to your plants, but as long as they are exposed to air they should be fine!! Even if they are in your closet, as long as you check on them a few times a day you should be good! Hopefully this was helpful to you. Good luck!!
TO START OFF WITH (After Germinating):
1. Use individual pots for each plant. Use bigger ones so you won't have to transplant as much.
2. SOIL: For the first few weeks a starting soil should be fine. Try JIFFY SEED MIX, they work really well. After that get some potting soil that will feed the plants for 3 months. (FOR BEGINNERS OF COURSE!!!) That should give you enough time to flower those lovely ladies without having too many problems and you won't have to add any NUTES!!
3. Use a nice size grow box and put reflective material around it. Mylar or White Paint works best. Grow box won't have to be that big for 1 or 2 plants.
4. For 1 or 2 plants you will not be needing any HID lights, so use some very high lumen output CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights).
5. Try and hang one on each side of every plant. These bulbs (cool white) can be a centimeter away from the plant because of the lack of heat. Just make sure they don't touch!!
6. An oscillating fan if you can. The more air that is getting moved around the better.
Down the road you can start adding CO2 manually to your plants, but as long as they are exposed to air they should be fine!! Even if they are in your closet, as long as you check on them a few times a day you should be good! Hopefully this was helpful to you. Good luck!!
He only wanted starting material.
mogie
Well-Known Member
I admit that is a lot to read. But the question was kind of a general one. Think everyone was just trying to cover all bases. We don't know the degree of this person's knowledge so starting off with a primer of sorts. If they care to give us a more detailed question I am sure they would receive a more detailed answer.
pauliojr
Well-Known Member
Hey I totally agree with ya Mogie. When I was a complete beginner and I came here, even if you guys left me 2 pages of stuff I would read every word of it!!! Sometimes you just need 2 different ways of seeing things for the others to make sense.
