Grow Diary of a Inexperienced Grower

[bertandernie]

I am starting this diary as a record of learning and to exchange with those more experienced, and hopefully, to support those on the same journey.

 

[bertandernie]

Set Up

As I am completely new to growing, I wanted to keep costs reasonable while ensuring I had everything I needed. I initially considered buying the tent, light, fan, etc., separately, which might have been more cost-effective, but I was too inexperienced to know exactly what to get.

Since I'm based in Germany, that influenced my choice of certain products and brands. I ended up going with the MARS HYDRO TS600 full set: https://amzn.eu/d/isBvYay

I find this set perfect for what I need. It can comfortably hold 1-2 plants, includes almost everything necessary, and the overall quality is good. The price was just under 300 euros (around $324).

 

[Illbill]

What are the dimensions of your tent? What type of soil are you growing in and what are you planning on watering with?

 

[gmonster714]

A 2x2 kit is a simple way to start for a new grower. If ya dial things in right you'll get some good weed.

Environment is only half the equation. Medium choice and nutrients are big considerations to figure out your style of growing.

I'm a simple promix HP, Jack's nutrients grower. When I say simple I mean just that. I feed the same amounts seedling to harvest and I never meter a thing. I trust the product to buffer my ph and it's not failed me yet.

I get results from this simple method. I use flowering clones with lst, hst, supercropping, and then I add a floater screen.

 

[bertandernie]

Water & Nutes:

Nutrients

As I mentioned, I had no idea what I needed in terms of nutrients when I started. I decided to go for a pre-packaged set and chose Biobizz. It was a bit pricey at 59 euros, but it’s been worth it for a beginner, saving me the time and effort of researching individual nutrients.

Ph Tester
I originally bought a cheap pH tester from Amazon with a 4.2-star rating, but it turned out to be completely useless, so I sent it back. I went to my local grow store and picked up the Milwaukee PH51 instead. I’ve found it to be accurate, easier to use, and very simple to re-calibrate.

I also have testing strips as a backup in case I need to test something quickly.

For adjusting pH, I use pH Down powder.

Watering

I do all my watering with a syringe while my plants are still small. This approach has been really helpful as it allows me to accurately measure the amount of water I’m providing, preventing any single spot from becoming overloaded.

Recording My Watering and Feeding

Like many new growers, I initially overwatered. I received a great tip from a THC Farmer member: weigh your pot, record the weight, and only water again when the pot returns to its original weight. I now keep a watering diary, noting the pot’s weight, the amount of water provided, and any changes I make to the plant, such as repotting or adding nutrients.

 

[GreenNotYellow]

When a professional is at work - everything looks so easy :)
I must say, you took that diary seriously, great result is most expected! Those plants will tell you thanx

 

[Galgrows]

Great start to the plan keep it simple with the sprouts nothing more than a light mix with lots of airation. I saw you have a photo an a auto already sprouted is that right? Don't get too hung up on the beginnings just go slow with that auto and i'd not mess with it much just watch how fast and healthy they can grow.

 

[bertandernie]

Medium:

First, I bought a 'cannabis' specific medium from the local DIY store. As it was sold as a growers medium, I assumed that it would be fine. It wasn't. It caused all sorts of issues. The medium held water and suffocated the roots. See details here. I would not recommend.

I switched to Bio Bizz light mix. I found this mix totally turned my plants around. It was almost 30% lighter in comparison to the other medium and the plants really made a turn around.

The exact ratios of these ingredients aren't disclosed by BioBizz, as they keep their proprietary mix confidential. However, it’s generally estimated that Light-Mix contains about 20-30% perlite and a smaller portion of coco coir, with the remaining majority as organic soil.

 

[Galgrows]

Medium:

First, I bought a 'cannabis' specific medium from the local DIY store. As it was sold as a growers medium, I assumed that it would be fine. It wasn't. It caused all sorts of issues. The medium held water and suffocated the roots. See details here. I would not recommend.

View attachment 2313449

I switched to Bio Bizz light mix. I found this mix totally turned my plants around. It was almost 30% lighter in comparison to the other medium and the plants really made a turn around.
View attachment 2313450
The exact ratios of these ingredients aren't disclosed by BioBizz, as they keep their proprietary mix confidential. However, it’s generally estimated that Light-Mix contains about 20-30% perlite and a smaller portion of coco coir, with the remaining majority as organic soil.

Gawwd i hate when i waste my money LOL Just dump that first bag of crap in the garden bed. I've never bought that HP but seen it around alot. In my area the container outdoor growers just get pallet of FF and amend that as needed.

 

[bertandernie]

Germination

I use the following approach for germinating seeds:

1. Place seeds in a shot glass of water for 24 hours.
2. Transfer the seeds between two cotton pads, each sprayed twice with water from a spray bottle.
3. Place the cotton pads with seeds in sandwich bags, add three more sprays of water, and leave the bags open 2-3 cm.
4. Put the bags in a small box and leave it on top of a grow light or Wi-Fi router for warmth.

I’ve found this method has a 100% success rate so far, and the seeds sprout very quickly.

The plants

Starberry Cough
Auto
4 weeks old

This was my first plant, and it’s been a brilliant learning experience. Although it’s stunted, it has made good progress and even came back from the brink.

I initially started it in its final pot, then switched it to a smaller pot to help it recover. Once it looked healthier, I moved it back into the larger fabric pot. I was running the light on 24hours and I switched to 18/6 and the plants seem much happier.

It has come into bloom. I am going to see how it goes and take it is as learning.

Pink Rozay
Auto
2 weeks old

I started this plant to hedge my bets, in case, my first plant failed. It started slowly and has gained pace. It has a few mutations on its early leaves.

Pinapple Express (in the red cup)
Photo
2 weeks

I had heard that autos were easier for new growers because they don’t require light cycle changes. However, when I struggled with my autos, I was told that they can be sensitive to stress and that photos are actually more forgiving. I’ve bought a few photo seeds to see how things go.

In the coming days, I plan to move the plant into a larger pot and bury part of the stem, as it’s stretched a little.

 

[bertandernie]

Gawwd i hate when i waste my money LOL Just dump that first bag of crap in the garden bed. I've never bought that HP but seen it around alot. In my area the container outdoor growers just get pallet of FF and amend that as needed.

Yeah, it was real crap. I used it to fil holes that my dog had dug in the garden

The issue is that living in Germany, it has just this year become legal, so its not so easy to find everything in store. I just didn't want to order a 50L bag of soil online and thought that I'd give it a go. But, lesson learnt!

 

[bertandernie]

What are the dimensions of your tent? What type of soil are you growing in and what are you planning on watering with?

60 x 60 x 140 cm or 2feet x 2feet x 5feet

Biobizz light as a medium.

I am just using tap water and Biobizz nutes. I checked my tap water analysis and ask chatgpt to check it with what a weed plant needs. The concerns points were PH and potentially high calcium and magnesium in the tap water. I just adjust the PH and keeping an eye on calmag.

 

[ArtistZanner]

Water & Nutes:

Nutrients

As I mentioned, I had no idea what I needed in terms of nutrients when I started. I decided to go for a pre-packaged set and chose Biobizz. It was a bit pricey at 59 euros, but it’s been worth it for a beginner, saving me the time and effort of researching individual nutrients.

View attachment 2313430
Ph Tester
I originally bought a cheap pH tester from Amazon with a 4.2-star rating, but it turned out to be completely useless, so I sent it back. I went to my local grow store and picked up the Milwaukee PH51 instead. I’ve found it to be accurate, easier to use, and very simple to re-calibrate.

I also have testing strips as a backup in case I need to test something quickly.

For adjusting pH, I use pH Down powder.

Watering

I do all my watering with a syringe while my plants are still small. This approach has been really helpful as it allows me to accurately measure the amount of water I’m providing, preventing any single spot from becoming overloaded.

Recording My Watering and Feeding

Like many new growers, I initially overwatered. I received a great tip from a THC Farmer member: weigh your pot, record the weight, and only water again when the pot returns to its original weight. I now keep a watering diary, noting the pot’s weight, the amount of water provided, and any changes I make to the plant, such as repotting or adding nutrients.


View attachment 2313432View attachment 2313444

Hi,
That's not a bad price for the BioBizz. I'm in the UK and I paid almost half £23 for 2 bottles from BioBizz (500ml). I just flipped on the 27th (October) and I'm a inexperienced first time grower. I've thought about doing a grow diary, but my set up is totally unorthodox and kind of weird. I'm thinking that if my flowering goes well, I might start a grow diary.
I will be interested to follow your grow and see how things go. I'm always curious to see how other inexperienced growers get on with their plants.

 

[bertandernie]

Hi,
That's not a bad price for the BioBizz. I'm in the UK and I paid almost half £23 for 2 bottles from BioBizz (500ml). I just flipped on the 27th (October) and I'm a inexperienced first time grower. I've thought about doing a grow diary, but my set up is totally unorthodox and kind of weird. I'm thinking that if my flowering goes well, I might start a grow diary.
I will be interested to follow your grow and see how things go. I'm always curious to see how other inexperienced growers get on with their plants.

Yeah, I bought it from a local garden centre and I looked at prices online today and it does seem a decent price. I think it seemed expensive because I had no idea how much these things cost.

Someone suggested on a thread that I posted to start a diary as a ledger of learning for myself.

I made some silly mistakes and I like the idea of sharing my experience to help others too. I recieved many supportive comments, it was really nice.

p.s I am originally from the UK too. Been living in Germany for a few years.

 

[bertandernie]

Update - Strawberry Cough Auto

This is the plant where I saw the most challenges. The plant has been stunted due to a poor medium, which I changed, flushed and transferred into a smaller pot.

The plant now is 5 weeks old and starting to flower, not ideal, but it nice to see that I turnedit around. You can see the issues with its size, but it's made nice recovery. And I am really pleased with the results even though the yield will be heavily affected.

21.10

01.11

 

[bertandernie]

Update - Pinapple Express Photo

This is my pineapple express photo. I started this to hedge my bets because my other plants were struggling due to the medium and I was advised that photoe may be easier for beginners to start. This plant is growing quite nicely and is around two weeks old.

I have this in around a 5 l fabric pot. I water her between ten and twenty mililiters of water per week.

I'm going to experiment with topping the plant and once given some rest, I've been researching on some low strength training also.

 

[bertandernie]

Update - Pink Rozay Auto

This plant really shot out the blocks. It was planted at the same period of time as pineapple express but grew much faster.

The color of the plant is a dark , healthy looking green and it is still on minimal nutrients and water.

One thing that it would be interesting if somebody has any experience, are the mutations of the leaves? One leaf is joined together and the new leaves are almost round, rather than being pointed.

 

[Galgrows]

Just keep doing what your doing. The photo and auto look good Just try not to feed that auto till 3wks old then begin and increase amount of liquids. Those 2 are still feeling out their homes but don't scrimp with the water for them water in circle on the outer sides of leaf make those roots search. I write down on calender the days i do feed an water. Just FYI but do how you want to keep track. Do you have a gental fan to blow above them?

 

[bertandernie]

Just keep doing what your doing. The photo and auto look good Just try not to feed that auto till 3wks old then begin and increase amount of liquids. Those 2 are still feeling out their homes but don't scrimp with the water for them water in circle on the outer sides of leaf make those roots search. I write down on calender the days i do feed an water. Just FYI but do how you want to keep track. Do you have a gental fan to blow above them?

Thanks for the tips with the auto. I fed them a little 'root jucie' but kept it well below what was recommended.

Yes, I received a fan in my starter set and have it blowing lightly and indirectly on them.

I keep a journal of any changes (e.g repotting), pot weight, mL of water and on which days. It help me alot to keep track. I overwater at the start and the plants seem much happier since I started the journal.

 

[bertandernie]

Testing LST

My grows Pineapple express (photo) and Pink Rozay (auto) are now around four weeks old, and thought I'd practice some LST.

I began with string, then coated wire and found it super difficult. I saw a few times that I should not use metal pegs, but I find them super easy and it reduces the risk of breaking something.

I think the risk are to the roots and I saw the metal could get hot, but I felt the metal ever increasing in temperature.

Opted to go with metal stakes, and will see how they respond.

Unsure of how I've done and feedback welcome.