Best method of grow for beginners

[BigCube]

Soil sucks and is easy to over water, a very common mistake for first time growers. Coco on the other hand is beyond simple and impossible to over water. Other than dealing with the waste water it couldn't be easier.

While I do have a few strains I plan to grow in the ground this season it will probably be my last year of soil growing of any kind. Coco rocks and all I do is mix the nute water and water 2-3 times a day most days due to my work schedule the growth rate exceeds any I've ever grown in soil. And watering every 2-3 hrs if you can is even better.

Pros: Can't over water. You control all nutrients the plant recueves. No guess work, just follow a simple mix schedule. Growth rate is exceptional compared to soil.

Cons: Waste water.

This of course is my opinion from my limited experience but after 50 yrs of growing in soil I can see the difference.

Good luck with whatever method you choose, just be sure to start a grow diary here as there are many who will help!

I treated my promix hpcc like that and it's only 30% coco. The rest is peat moss and perlite.

If you give it a proper watering, allowing a head of water to build up in the pot, as it drains it pulls the water through the medium pulling out the unused salts and replacing them with new ones.
The benefit is, I didn't have to water every day.

The runoff is a problem lol. But a shop vac works great!

 

[916Fisherman]

I try and keep it simple and only have 3 indoor grows under my belt. Basic cheap soil and I’ve been using Maxsea nutes because it’s cheap, easy to use and has worked. As I gain experience I’ll try other mediums, nutes, etc. This has worked great outdoors as well.

 

[Kampbe1l]

in terms of medium, i think it's a choice between soil or coco.

one reason for me to choose soil over coco in my first grow, is the issue of watering & runoff management. my issue about any hydroponic system is a reservoir.

i agree also to check out the nutrients you are going to use, with that chosen medium. you generally need more equipment for non-soil options.

 

[BogartAmungus]

For medium fox farm ocean forest just add pearlite for airation, i grow autos and they luv it!

How many crops do you get per year and do you have separate grow or use same area? I guess you would not need separate for autos? I will try some autos maybe after my 1st grow.

 

[Badgeradventures]

Go with the Mars SP-250 instead as well....

That's what I got the mars sp250 2 of them looking at a 48 x48 tent

 

[BogartAmungus]

I received almost all of the stuff I need I believe to get going. Waiting on some seeds. Hopefully they will be here tomorrow. I have HIGH expectations hahaha! Can't wait to get started!

 

[SkunkyDunk]

The most important part is to let them mature long enough!
No matter what or how you grow, if you don't let them "finish" it's all a waste of time.
8 weeks is not long enough for flower, period!

 

[Seraphine]

Basic potting soil (not fox farms or other amended soil), 3 gallon fabric pot, and basic trio of nutrients.

New growers mess up when they try to get complicated with amended soil and supplements.

The fabric pot will ensure you don’t get root bound, helps prevent over watering and makes sure roots get enough O2.

 

[Edinburgh]

First off small strains can be difficult, for a new grower i would go simple, northern lights is a very beginner plant there big and let rookie mistakes slide, i grow autos, i exusifley use fox farm ocean forest, IT IS NOT A HOT MIX I HAVE BEEN GROWING AUTOS IN IT 9 YEARS JUNE NEVER BURNED A SEEDLING! just add pearlite for airation, get i good food i use botanacare pro grow, atami bloombastic for flower, i grow autos but this works with photos, other than watering leave them alone and let them do there thing, wait till they get some sets before feeding, if you r growing autos wait till at least day 21 and feed very lighley, i keep my light about 30 inc when there tiny as they grow i lower light to 24 inc. Growing small plants is fine if you grow 10 of them, like i suggested try Northern light, easy big good yield simple here r 2 pics of gelato a small plant but good. Just keep it simple.

 

[cloudyhelads]

I’m going to say something really controversial and will probably get panned, but... the easiest thing in the world is an organic living soil. My grow is downright boring. I have nothing to do except pest management, and watering. Its a little work to get going, but compared to a hydro setup equipment is minimal and I don’t have to buy nutrients (a few dry amendments once in a while ).
that being said, for a first grow I would do what @Beachwalker said and buy a bag of fox farm, a decent light, and get rolling. But give a thought from moving from there to true organic. I’m not saving the world, preaching, or telling you you to go vegan. True organics is hugely rewarding. There is so much magic involved with it. Every day I find a new example.

 

[Badgeradventures]

I’m going to say something really controversial and will probably get panned, but... the easiest thing in the world is an organic living soil. My grow is downright boring. I have nothing to do except pest management, and watering. Its a little work to get going, but compared to a hydro setup equipment is minimal and I don’t have to buy nutrients (a few dry amendments once in a while ).
that being said, for a first grow I would do what @Beachwalker said and buy a bag of fox farm, a decent light, and get rolling. But give a thought from moving from there to true organic. I’m not saving the world, preaching, or telling you you to go vegan. True organics is hugely rewarding. There is so much magic involved with it. Every day I find a new example.

Thanks
My grow setup just got pushed a few weeks . Iam thinking either soul or coco
But I have more time think about it

 

[Badgeradventures]

I’m going to say something really controversial and will probably get panned, but... the easiest thing in the world is an organic living soil. My grow is downright boring. I have nothing to do except pest management, and watering. Its a little work to get going, but compared to a hydro setup equipment is minimal and I don’t have to buy nutrients (a few dry amendments once in a while ).
that being said, for a first grow I would do what @Beachwalker said and buy a bag of fox farm, a decent light, and get rolling. But give a thought from moving from there to true organic. I’m not saving the world, preaching, or telling you you to go vegan. True organics is hugely rewarding. There is so much magic involved with it. Every day I find a new example.

First off small strains can be difficult, for a new grower i would go simple, northern lights is a very beginner plant there big and let rookie mistakes slide, i grow autos, i exusifley use fox farm ocean forest, IT IS NOT A HOT MIX I HAVE BEEN GROWING AUTOS IN IT 9 YEARS JUNE NEVER BURNED A SEEDLING! just add pearlite for airation, get i good food i use botanacare pro grow, atami bloombastic for flower, i grow autos but this works with photos, other than watering leave them alone and let them do there thing, wait till they get some sets before feeding, if you r growing autos wait till at least day 21 and feed very lighley, i keep my light about 30 inc when there tiny as they grow i lower light to 24 inc. Growing small plants is fine if you grow 10 of them, like i suggested try Northern light, easy big good yield simple here r 2 pics of gelato a small plant but good. Just keep it simple.

Nice
My genetics are going to be gelato , purple kush and berry kush. The berry kush are Reg so I save them for my second grow. Gelato and berry kush are Feminized

 

[Seraphine]

Thanks
My grow setup just got pushed a few weeks . Iam thinking either soul or coco
But I have more time think about it

I grow in coco. Just do your homework before.

 

[Seraphine]

I wouldn’t say coco is more difficult, just less forgiving and more involved/work required

 

[bunkerking]

Co Co Co Co Co Co Co Co!

 

[bunkerking]

I wouldn’t say coco is more difficult, just less forgiving and more involved/work required

way easier to fix issues that will happen with new growers. Dont have to wait 7+ days to make a correction. More work for sure, but worth it. 10-15min a day top.

 

[Irishking]

I have not started growing yet
Iam the set up stage.
I was researching different methods
Krakty, coco coir , organic soil or micro grow.
For a beginner what might the best way to go?

Look at fox farm soils. There super soil really good. Best for beginners by far dude. They have enuf nutrience to last 4-6 weeks. So u only have to water. Very easy to maintain. Once runoff is low PPM u need to feed. Make sure u buy a ph meter and TDS meter

 

[Seraphine]

way easier to fix issues that will happen with new growers. Dont have to wait 7+ days to make a correction. More work for sure, but worth it. 10-15min a day top.

That’s true. I didn’t think about it that way!

 

[MIMedGrower]

way easier to fix issues that will happen with new growers. Dont have to wait 7+ days to make a correction. More work for sure, but worth it. 10-15min a day top.

Try it with up to 24 different plants all different ages. You will be mixing nutes all night.

With peat light mix or potting soil only some plants are ready each day and when they are young they only need attention once a week or so.

I just lift the pots and see who needs it.

 

[bunkerking]

Try it with up to 24 different plants all different ages. You will be mixing nutes all night.

With peat light mix or potting soil only some plants are ready each day and when they are young they only need attention once a week or so.

I just lift the pots and see who needs it.

One and done for me. So limited on pheno types. It's just the age. 5ml gb and dash of sulfate. From pre roots to week 3. They all can handle that.

But yes If they were growing a bunch, and are new. That would be rough.