Jimster
Supporter
- 2,770
- 263
I've been perusing the new posts and the most common thread's subject is 1st timers having issues. Growing can be as simple as popping a pill in the dirt to something just shy of a nuclear reactor. The process I've used for decades is simple, foolproof, and I've NEVER had a problem that wasn't because of something I did. If asked, I would recommend this method until you get a little more comfortable with some of the methods described for training and diagnosing any problems that might pop up. This is the indoor mix that I've used and never had any problems. It can be tweaked when you get more experienced, but it is very simple..I use 5 or 6 gallon buckets but anything that is drained should work...the bigger the better.
1 Bale or Bag Pro-Mix - Available just about anywhere. Metro Mix also works
1 Bag Composted Cow Manure -Not mandatory but def helps with nutes
Wood Ashes
20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer
1000W HID
Ventilation
Mix promix and manure about 80/20...don't worry about being ultra precise
mix 1 cup ashes/bucket with promix mixture
I usually just put the germinated seed directly into the bucket and keep the light about 4 ft above it and move it up as it grows. Its important to train them to stay low as most indoor grows have height issues. If not...let em grow! Its important to mention that I've never used any type of grow tent, so a 1000 watt HID light is probably overkill and cause too much heat. A 600 watt light or a decent LED setup should work just about as well.
Regarding water, I water every day or every other day as they get to be a few nodes bigger. I typically use a gallon per day of water, with .5 to 1 TBS 20-20-20 every week. I usually give at least a gallon/day but sometimes more depending on how they look or until water comes out the bottom.
I leave lights on 18/24 for active growth...some use 24/24 initially but I don't personally. Turning lights to 12/24 will cause plants to change from growing to flowering. Some plants (autoflowering) will flower regardless of time period...I'm unfamiliar with these and can't offer any advice on them. You might want to cut back on the nitrogen ( the "N" or 1st number of the 20-20-20 fertilizer number, but it isn't mandatory. I continue feeding weekly until the last 2 weeks, when I let them go hungry.
This method is simple and foolproof. It doesn't require any special potions or fertilizers or nutes and will provide a better result than you thought possible. Once you can grow something simple and easy, you can then add to your own special formula and tweak it to try for better results. If you follow this plan, you will NOT have any issues unless you have very funky water, although I've never had any problems with the water around here (Ohio/Pennsylvania). I try to keep temps as close to 80F as possible, but try to avoid anything over 85 degrees if possible
Rome wasn't built overnight and don't expect to have your 1st grow to be the same as someone's who has done it for years. Keep track of things you change and don't be afraid to experiment after you have something solid to work from. This has ALWAYS worked and is a great start for a first timer. Hydroponics is tougher than most realize...the promix is considered soil-less but is similar to growing in dirt. Coco is probably about the same, but I've never used it yet.
I'm sure that I've overlooked something, but this should suffice to get you going. I'm sure there will be other suggestions added to this thread, but I just wanted to put down something very simple and foolproof, since so many tend to overthink the grow.
1 Bale or Bag Pro-Mix - Available just about anywhere. Metro Mix also works
1 Bag Composted Cow Manure -Not mandatory but def helps with nutes
Wood Ashes
20-20-20 water soluble fertilizer
1000W HID
Ventilation
Mix promix and manure about 80/20...don't worry about being ultra precise
mix 1 cup ashes/bucket with promix mixture
I usually just put the germinated seed directly into the bucket and keep the light about 4 ft above it and move it up as it grows. Its important to train them to stay low as most indoor grows have height issues. If not...let em grow! Its important to mention that I've never used any type of grow tent, so a 1000 watt HID light is probably overkill and cause too much heat. A 600 watt light or a decent LED setup should work just about as well.
Regarding water, I water every day or every other day as they get to be a few nodes bigger. I typically use a gallon per day of water, with .5 to 1 TBS 20-20-20 every week. I usually give at least a gallon/day but sometimes more depending on how they look or until water comes out the bottom.
I leave lights on 18/24 for active growth...some use 24/24 initially but I don't personally. Turning lights to 12/24 will cause plants to change from growing to flowering. Some plants (autoflowering) will flower regardless of time period...I'm unfamiliar with these and can't offer any advice on them. You might want to cut back on the nitrogen ( the "N" or 1st number of the 20-20-20 fertilizer number, but it isn't mandatory. I continue feeding weekly until the last 2 weeks, when I let them go hungry.
This method is simple and foolproof. It doesn't require any special potions or fertilizers or nutes and will provide a better result than you thought possible. Once you can grow something simple and easy, you can then add to your own special formula and tweak it to try for better results. If you follow this plan, you will NOT have any issues unless you have very funky water, although I've never had any problems with the water around here (Ohio/Pennsylvania). I try to keep temps as close to 80F as possible, but try to avoid anything over 85 degrees if possible
Rome wasn't built overnight and don't expect to have your 1st grow to be the same as someone's who has done it for years. Keep track of things you change and don't be afraid to experiment after you have something solid to work from. This has ALWAYS worked and is a great start for a first timer. Hydroponics is tougher than most realize...the promix is considered soil-less but is similar to growing in dirt. Coco is probably about the same, but I've never used it yet.
I'm sure that I've overlooked something, but this should suffice to get you going. I'm sure there will be other suggestions added to this thread, but I just wanted to put down something very simple and foolproof, since so many tend to overthink the grow.