Basic Starter Kit

[g0m3zw33d]

So, Im looking to start a personal grow, 3 plants max in my closet.
I planted some seeds in a jar with watered cotton a few months ago and they germinated, but ended up dying when I tried to transfer them to soil. I did nothing to these plants except replenish the water every few days and they seemed to grow with no problem.

I am looking to step up and actually cultivate a good batch of greenery. So, I was wondering if anyone would be so nice to maybe give me some tips.:D

1. What kind of soil should i buy?
2. What kind of lights should i buy?
3. How long should the lights be on?
4. What kind of nutrients should i buy? and are they really necessary for the plant to survive?
5. How many times do I need to water the plants?
6. Is ventilation that important as well? Do I need to buy a fan?
If there is anything else I need, please let me know as well.

I plan on buying my supplies from either Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com) or Lowes (http://www.lowes.com). So, if you could maybe send me a link back on the items I need I would fucking really appreciate it.

Hope to hear back from some of you veterans. Thanks!

[sttony]

There are better places to get your growing supplys than Home Depot and Lowes.

Where abouts are you at, in the US? If so, try this search (http://www.sunlightsupply.com/dealer-search.cfm?sid=8E6FC63BE0815D55340C5407863CFD8C) to find a grow store near you.
It's a link to National Garden Wholesales website - dealer search.

Go to their website (http://nationalgardenwholesale.com/ngw/default.aspx) and browse around. :)

National Garden Wholesale® is a wholesale only supplier to the horticulture industry and has a commitment to work through our retail dealer network. We do not sell directly to the public. Please use our dealer search (http://www.sunlightsupply.com/dealer-search.cfm?sid=8E6FC63BE0815D55340C5407863CFD8C) to locate an authorized retailer near you.

[g0m3zw33d]

Hey Sttony, thanks for the link.


what do you think of a product like this?
http://www.aerogrow.com/index.php?clickname=Home%20(Menu)

Think it would grow cannabis? Or waste of money?

[sttony]

No. Aerogrow's have been discussed here on the forum already. Look around the forum :)

Since your just getting started, I would sugest you start with a basic soil/soilless grow.


Edit - Welcome to the forum btw.

[Zandor]

So, Im looking to start a personal grow, 3 plants max in my closet.
I planted some seeds in a jar with watered cotton a few months ago and they germinated, but ended up dying when I tried to transfer them to soil. I did nothing to these plants except replenish the water every few days and they seemed to grow with no problem.


You need to go back and listen to show 65 again to learn how to germinate seeds with out killing them, Direct Download GrowReport65 (http://media.libsyn.com/media/dopecast/GrowReport65.mp3)

Then listen to show 66 for transplanting them. Direct Download Growreport66 (http://media.libsyn.com/media/dopecast/GrowReport66.mp3)

That should help you to get started the right way.

Peace

Z

[g0m3zw33d]

Thanks for the help Zandor and Sttony.

I was trying to get this going as fast as possible, but now I realize that I need to take a lot more time in getting this all set up. I will browse the forum some more and hopefully gain some more knowledge. I also will listen to the grow reports, as i found them very helpful and interesting as well.

Once I feel capable enough to manage a safe and bountiful harvest I will definitely post some pictures of the set up and keep you updated :).

Quick question, I read about SoG's and ScroG's and they seem like the best way to get the most bud out of the small space I am working with. Do you guys have any comments or tips you'd like to share with me for going about this process?

Also, I am planning on planting seeds that I obtained from Oaxaca(a southern state in Mexico). Was wondering if you've heard of this strain? If so, is it sativa or indica?

Thanks for all the help guys, and thanks for letting me be part of this forum! :D

Edit: Zandor or really anyone, mind posting a link of a carbon scrubber for me?

[Zandor]

The big difference is SoG is short for Sea of Green and means lots of plants grown short and very close together. You keep them small and only look for about an once or less per plant. They are grown from clones and are placed into flower when they are about 12"-14" tall. They finish at about 18"-24" and I suggest you have a bottle of Bushmaster on hand if you want to grow SoG.

SCoG is Screen of Green, here you grow only one may two plants and grow them under a screen and only light the top bud areas of the plant. You must grow this as well from clones as seeds may leave you a hole in your screen. Your plants will end up looking more like a lollipop where only the top has flowers and leafs. The stock is just that a bare stock that feeds the top of the plant. No flowers, No buds because they are under the canopy and get no light.

Different methods that sound close but are far from each other in terms of growing style.

SCoG is more for a closet grower then SoG is.

I can't remember the show number where I put my Carbon Scrubber up, maybe someone else will remember. If not then send me an email and I can sent it to you direct (once I find my copy)

Peace

Z

[g0m3zw33d]

Hey fellas!

Here are some pictures of what I used on my 1st attempt which didn't go so well.. But hey I learned from my mistakes.

The 1st pictures are basically the products i bought.
Next we have an armoire lined w/ Mylar and also have a custom made Carbon Filter. You can probably also see the custom built reflector and see why it wasn't gonna work.

First mistake was using Miracle-Gro soil and Miracle-Gro nutrients.. have now switched to soil from "roots organics" and also got myself some real nutrient solution with 20/20/20 NPK. Can already see the plants health improving.

Second mistake.. having a 400w MH bulb in a custom-made reflector that was not air tight and did not have enough proper air circulation to succesfully keep the environment at a healthy temperature. Lost most of the ladies from my first germination.. TOO HOT.

Going to try and make a new mechanism to hold my bulb.. similar to the one Zandor uses on show 73 (click here to see it) (http://thegrowreport.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=4408).

But until thats built.. i just have my girls growing using natural sunlight.. hope thats enough? Seems like they're doing ok.

Have a few questions though..
1) Whats the ideal temperature/humidity for cannabis?
2) When I do get my reflector working.. Should i have the bulb on 24/7 for vegetative growth or is that not needed?
3) How often should I be watering my plants/feeding them nutrients?

Hope to hear back soon! Thanks all!

[g0m3zw33d]

Here are some pictures of the ladies.

1st pic is from the 1st germination and was also using miracle-gro soil. After the incident w/ the MH bulb only 2 survived. The last picture is one of the survivors and i gotta say she's a trooper, looks like shes gonna make it.

2nd pic is the next batch of seeds from germination and they are looking healthy! :D

[sttony]

Looks like you have a nice, light and airy soil mix there. Also looks like you need to water them more fully.

You need to keep the soil moist during the seedling stage. (Don't let the soil dry out completely.) The trick is to keep it moist without over watering. The way I do it is when I water I soak em' until they can't hold any more water and water is dripping out the bottom. At this point it would be over watering if I didn't let them dry back out, but we are going to let them dry for a few (2-4) days. When you look at them the next day, Pick them up and feel how heavy they feel. This will give you a gage to measure against. Then after a few days check to see how heavy the the pots feel. If they feel light water them again the same way and watch how the plants respond.

You won't need to fertilize them until they move into the veg stage. For the first few weeks in veg, feed them a half strength mixture. Then alternate between feeding and watering allowing the soil dry in between. So the plants go through a wet - dry cycle.

For the germination process you can use a fluorescent light. They're much cooler (than that 400w) and you can get the seedlings close to them without burn. Just make sure that they're not touching the tube. When you move to the veg stage then you can use the 400w. When you first put them under the 400w set the light about 4' above the plants for the first week, to get the plants accustomed to the light. After the first week you can move the light closer (24") to the top of the plants.

But you are going to need some type of reflector and lens for that 400mh. I use a vented Sun Spot Reflector (http://www.hhydro.com/cgi-bin/hhydro/HH00606.html) with a safety lens.

What kind of space are you growing in?