First Grow Ever- Budget <$500

[Mashedmitten]

Hello People,

Name's Nate. I'm 4 days into my first ever grow. I started 4 seeds, 3 have germinated and 1 is still napping. I've got 1 each Amnesia Haze XL, Royal Purple Kush, Girl Scout Cookie and an AK(not 47). The AK is the late bloomer of the bunch.

For equipment I have two tents, a 2x2x4 and a 4x4x7 and two 600W FS LEDs along with the other doodads like temp/RH monitor and PH/ Light/Moisture meter. I got a couple of clip on fans for circulation, etc... . All told I'm in at just under 5 samolians. That will get you about an ounce and a half at the local dispensary.

So, I'm going to document this whole process from start to finish faithfully. I've started a youtube channel and will post a link as soon as I get some content up. I'm not monetized there so this isn't a commercial, just a resource. Hopefully my experience can help others on their first attempt. I'll post it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. If I bought a piece of equipment that's a lemon I'll accept it as a lesson learned. Again, hopefully, that won't be too much the case.

A little look at my philosophy going into this grow. A main fact is the plant's a weed that evolved on this planet for millennia without man's intervention. (Unless you're a 12th planet kinda guy like me.) To me, this means just like Man's Ego is his Id's worst enemy, his desire to manipulate can be his undoing. To come closer to the surface, I don't believe fancy gadgets and extra money make a hoot of a difference to the plant. All it wants is food, water, sun and rest. It doesn't care what kind of spigot they come from, just that they come and in usable forms/quantities. Don't get me wrong, the basics are important and decent tools do help, but I believe in being a parent and not a friend. A little tough love never hurt anyone.

In that vein, I germinated my seeds in regular bargain potting soil stuffed into cut-off dispensary containers which I covered with plastic wrap and alternated between window sill/sun and a shadier place and put them in a dark cabinet at night. Two seeds germinated in less than 48 hrs., one 12 hrs. later and the last is either a late riser or a dud. It was a freebie so not great loss. Besides, it's only day 4 so she might still kick. I've got them on 18/6 in the small tent and they seem happy. They don't seem to be stretching, the first leaves seem to be on scale with the stem. I did my homework as to PAR being the crucial number as far as light goes and have it 30" above the seedlings. I'll slowly lower it as they get bigger to around 24", given the numbers for this light. I am going to train my plants, but to start, the first couple will just be mild training/pruning to keep the canopy at the same height as much as possible. I'll lollipop them to concentrate the growth and remove environment pollution so bad things don't grow, etc.

Well, enough of the introduction, my next post will be an equipment list with pictures. I'm going to do reviews on youtube, also. And no, they won't start with me blowing bong hits in your face like 99% of the others. LMAO

Here's the wee-uns; From 12 o'clock is Amnesia HazeXL, Royal Purple Kush, Girl Scout Cookies and the absent AK.

 

[Mashedmitten]

Equipment list;

VIPARSPECTRA 48"x48"x80" Reflective 600D Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent
TopoLite Full Range Multiple Sized 24"x24"x48" Indoor Grow Tent
2 x Phlizon Newest 600W LED Plant Grow Light
Soil pH Meter, 3-in-1 Soil Test Kit For Moisture, Light & pH
2 x TOPGREENER Plug-In Digital Light Timer
Fox Farm Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula - Big Bloom, Grow Big, Tiger Bloom
2 x Optimus F-0702 7-Inch 2-Speed Personal Adjustable Clip-On Fan
Hongville 5-Pack Grow Bags /Aeration Fabric Pots w/Handles (Black) (5-Gallons)
Jiffy-7 42mm Peat Pellets
VIVOSUN 6.5" Gardening Hand Pruner
Rooting Gel – IBA Rooting Hormone
1 bag generic potting soil
seeds

So, this is what I'm starting out with. Total was $455.

First mistake was using the generic soil, I might have baby mushrooms sprouting in the germination cups. It could be vermiculite, I'll wait to disturb them as they just hatched.

Couple of quick questions as to my set-up. I'll number them for easy response.

1. I'm floundering as to which tent to use for what. I'm thinking the 4x4 for veg and the 2x2 for flower. Reasoning; I'm only growing for me so there's only so much I can use/store over a given period. Also, I don't plan on growing monster plants, starting easy but going for SOG is the intent. I'd like to try different techniques like mainlining which takes a lot more time to veg so I could have a few in the batter's box and one in flower at all times.

2. How viable is it for me to keep parents in regular light given I live in the NE US? Will something supplemental for a few extra hours in winter do the trick? It's legal here and I'd like to keep the clone moms out if possible.

3. Living in the NE US, is there any special considerations I should be aware of?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, just a start.

 

[SmokesalotofVT]

the only thing i would say I'd use the smaller tent for Veg,as they Grow when Flowering,,
Nice to see you've done your homework,But saying this i must admit Never done an indoor grow
have 8 working on 9 Out Door grows under my belt now.. also live in NE US . as far as mother plants id think you want them to have thier own Light and room.. good luck and Keep em Green.. Grow Strong

 

[Aqua Man]

I did my homework as to PAR being the crucial number as far as light goes and have it 30" above the seedlings. I'll slowly lower it as they get bigger to around 24", given the numbers for this light.

What numbers are you basing it off? your wattage?

Oh and welcome!

 

[Mashedmitten]

What numbers are you basing it off? your wattage?

Oh and welcome!

Thanks!

Actually, the lights come with a diagram that shows the PAR sweet spot for the different Wattages. I'm a little on the low side as far as ideal, but these lights don't have reflectors so I can get them closer without burning. Also, I plan to train/prune so all colas are on the same plane thus be able to be at the ideal PAR through the grow. Plus I can always add if needed. I plan to flower one plant at a time so it will have complete focus of the light and not live on the fringe.

 

[Mashedmitten]

the only thing i would say I'd use the smaller tent for Veg,as they Grow when Flowering,,
Nice to see you've done your homework,But saying this i must admit Never done an indoor grow
have 8 working on 9 Out Door grows under my belt now.. also live in NE US . as far as mother plants id think you want them to have thier own Light and room.. good luck and Keep em Green.. Grow Strong

Thanks for the input!

I hear what you're saying about the smaller tent, but here's my plan. I'll only be flowering one at a time. The first will just be gentle trained and pruned so all colas are even. While it's flowering, I can have the others in the larger tent for more intense pruning, like mainlining. By the time the first is done, I'll have a nice specimen to bloom and a third getting crazy. I can also set up a cloning bench, etc... .


And yes, a mother plant could live there also. I'm still going to put a couple about the house and see what happens. I have nice southern and western exposures that get full sun.

 

[Aqua Man]

Thanks!

Actually, the lights come with a diagram that shows the PAR sweet spot for the different Wattages. I'm a little on the low side as far as ideal, but these lights don't have reflectors so I can get them closer without burning. Also, I plan to train/prune so all colas are on the same plane thus be able to be at the ideal PAR through the grow. Plus I can always add if needed. I plan to flower one plant at a time so it will have complete focus of the light and not live on the fringe.

Just wanted to make sure you were not going by watts because both of your fixtures put together are about 200W and that could mess with your planning if you were considering it as 1200w.

 

[Mashedmitten]

Just wanted to make sure you were not going by watts because both of your fixtures put together are about 200W and that could mess with your planning if you were considering it as 1200w.

Never hesitate to correct me and/or school me, that's why I'm here. Could you elaborate on how you translate LED Wattage? When I said I did my homework, it was referring to PAR being the important factor as far as lighting goes and not lumens. You can treat me like I'm in Kindergarten.

 

[Aqua Man]

Never hesitate to correct me and/or school me, that's why I'm here. Could you elaborate on how you translate LED Wattage? When I said I did my homework, it was referring to PAR being the important factor as far as lighting goes and not lumens. You can treat me like I'm in Kindergarten.

Nope no need to correct you if your going by par values your right on. I'm referring to the actual wattage which is different than the advertised wattage. 1000w HID like HPS/MH par ratings are far higher than 1000w Led in (advertised watts) not true watts (wattage used at the wall) as its a comparative to the lumens it puts out and not the par. So if you were comparing by watts you would end up way off but your going by par so your good. Not that you can't grow under lower par just expect less yield.

 

[Mashedmitten]

So, a couple of dont's.

Don't buy the fans I did. I liked the grill's small openings, seemed less likely to grab a limb and go into roto-tiller mode but it twists into the clip and not too securely. I averted disaster with liberal use of a hot glue gun.

Don't adjust any overhead fixtures with the plants underneath, one slip and it's over. Luckily common sense kicked in here and I removed the babies before installing the fan. Nothing fell, just glad that got realized and burned in early on.

I'd go with a better soil also, but that's what happens when you send a woman to do a man's job (especially one that doesn't partake thus has no real interest in the goings on). Luckily it's just the starter pots and I can transplant into better shtuff.

 

[Mashedmitten]

Nope no need to correct you if your going by par values your right on. I'm referring to the actual wattage which is different than the advertised wattage. 1000w HID like HPS/MH par ratings are far higher than 1000w Led in (advertised watts) not true watts (wattage used at the wall) as its a comparative to the lumens it puts out and not the par. So if you were comparing by watts you would end up way off but your going by par so your good. Not that you can't grow under lower par just expect less yield.

Ok, cool. Each of these draws 180W at the wall, IIRC. They have a veg and flower switch, I think the 180W is with both on.

Yeah, I erred on the side of caution. I figure PAR to be like rain. You don't want a deluge or a drought, deluge being worse in that it will cook the plant. At least with drought you can supplement.

Thanks again. :cool:

 

[Aqua Man]

Ok, cool. Each of these draws 180W at the wall, IIRC. They have a veg and flower switch, I think the 180W is with both on.

Yeah, I erred on the side of caution. I figure PAR to be like rain. You don't want a deluge or a drought, deluge being worse in that it will cook the plant. At least with drought you can supplement.

Thanks again. :cool:

Says its 108 W but maybe they made a typo

 

[Mashedmitten]

Says its 108 W but maybe they made a typo

Yeah, IIRC it was 108W on just veg and 180W with both. One source said it was like a 200W HID?

Anyways, good to know I'm on the right path. I read some good things about these lights, the company makes its own LEDs and they're the double 10W variety. The lack of reflectors was a factor also. They can concentrate radiation just like those solar farms where sunlight is concentrated into one hell beam. Birds fly into those beams with feathers and exit on a plate with cranberry stuffing.

 

[Aqua Man]

I would think at 180W closer to 400W HID. Well maybe 300

 

[Mashedmitten]

I would think at 180W closer to 400W HID. Well maybe 300

LOL When all else fails read the constructions which say 108W. You are correct, must be getting dyslexic.:)

 

[kansabis]

I'd say for cheap money your about spot on with your equipment although I would of went with cob LEDs or quantum boards for lighting,maybe a bit more or even around the same price as the blurples you have now,I'm kinda confused why you bought 2 of the same lights if one is for veg and one for flower and if only flowering 1 plant at a time you could of just got x2 2x2 tents or at least one smaller than the 4x4,I understand the idea of having a "stable of waiting females" in the bigger tent but I feel that a smaller tent would still suffice. Otherwise welcome and good luck on your grow.

 

[Mashedmitten]

I'd say for cheap money your about spot on with your equipment although I would of went with cob LEDs or quantum boards for lighting,maybe a bit more or even around the same price as the blurples you have now,I'm kinda confused why you bought 2 of the same lights if one is for veg and one for flower and if only flowering 1 plant at a time you could of just got x2 2x2 tents or at least one smaller than the 4x4,I understand the idea of having a "stable of waiting females" in the bigger tent but I feel that a smaller tent would still suffice. Otherwise welcome and good luck on your grow.

Thanks for responding. I'll look into those options for future. I have 0 experience growing, I figured I could put the 2nd light to other use when I upgrade/expand.

A number of reasons I think the big tent is better for now. One is I can house more replacements if something goes south, especially on the first couple of grows. I can try different methods of training at once and not have all the eggs in one basket is another. I'd like to do a 5 shot mainline with one of the Sativas I have so that'll take some time. Basically I want a sandbox to play in.

I'm thinking of getting a 3rd large just for clone parents. Either that or paper the room in Mylar.

 

[Mashedmitten]

Keep the suggestions and critique coming, I'm taking heed of all of it.

It's legal to grow here so no fear of losing my stuff. I went budget to see what I could do with it, but with an eye towards expansion later. Hopefully my initial purchases will stand in good stead and be relevant a long time.

 

[kansabis]

Keep the suggestions and critique coming, I'm taking heed of all of it.

It's legal to grow here so no fear of losing my stuff. I went budget to see what I could do with it, but with an eye towards expansion later. Hopefully my initial purchases will stand in good stead and be relevant a long time.

I feel ya man,we all gotta start somewhere and for alot of us it can't be with the best stuff or the biggest space or the top strains,I think you will be pretty happy with your results and start to get a good idea of what you wanna change and upgrade after your first couple harvests,not sure of your needs or goals for how much you harvest however often but you'll figure it out.

 

[Mashedmitten]

I feel ya man,we all gotta start somewhere and for alot of us it can't be with the best stuff or the biggest space or the top strains,I think you will be pretty happy with your results and start to get a good idea of what you wanna change and upgrade after your first couple harvests,not sure of your needs or goals for how much you harvest however often but you'll figure it out.

Anything over 12 oz/yr is gravy.