DarkHelmet
- 9
- 3
As the title says, this is a post concerning my first grow!
Along with many others, I have taken this additional time spent at home as an opportunity to learn how to grow. Being a frequent consumer, it only makes sense to save some money (OCS is expensive), grow my own and be self reliant! Plus a new hobby would do some good.
Other than looking into lights, I really didn't research a proper way to grow in soil and how to go abouts it - I can be a bit all knowing at times, this time no different so proceeded to put plant in soil, water, give good light and figured soon enough "boom": Buds.
So far, its been established that it is not as simple as that. I've been self educating and have learnt many a new thing and now want to show off my rookie mistakes and learn from a community of experiences growers. I'm really hoping to get some good insight and constructive criticism, lots of room for improvement here.
Started with clones - 2 "Bubble Bomb" & 2 "Chemfire" - not sure on those - its what I was told - I did want to know if sativa or indica but haven't a clue at this point.
2 plants indoor & 2 outdoor - 1 strain of each.
Outdoor plants
Indoor Plants
Some of you are probably wondering why the hell a first time grower spent $1500 CAD on lights - 2 for that matter - and WTF the plan is.
I plan on growing my maximum plant allowance (4) all the time indoors - the outdoor is more of an experiment thanks to starting all of this right when it was the right time to plant outdoors.
I purchased 2 of everything (excluding the lights) so I already have a second grow tent ready to rock when the outdoor is done. I got the SF2000 not knowing what route I wanted to stick with in regards to lights - stay with quantum board, move to ventilated LEDS or HPS ETC. I knew my cousin may buy the light off me if I didn't stick with it.
It became quickly obvious that quantum board is the way to go, waited for them to drop in price off amazon (I got hosed on the SF2000 and paid nearly $100 more than what its listed for right now). Waiting turned out to pay off as they released the new SF's with a new external dimmer knob and the price appeared reasonable on their webpage and it arrived in less than 48hrs! - sorry Amazon, not gonna get me this time!
This past week has been spent gearing up for flower and planning the next grow.
The plan for the next grow is to stick with the 5 Gal fabric pots, but this time around im switching to Blue Sky Organics Super Soil and their Cannabis Grow Kit. The Kit came with some PH down so I plan on applying that to the indoor probably tomorrow.
If theres one thing that I really cant seem to wrap my head around is nutrients. Im confused just thinking about it, which is part of the reason why im giving bluesky organic stuff a try, it comes with guides(!!!) and appears to be easy to understand for my level of smarts (yet to be put to the test).
Im not trying to push any products here, just want to make sure im clear with what ive done to this point and understand that criticism is best provided if you know what im working with!
I am also keeping a running cost sheet, costs of set up and operating costs, and plan on analyzing cost per gram etc including my time spent on upkeep etc.
My house hold consumes alot of cannabis, to be self sufficient is going to take some strategic timing with both tents and learning how to maximize yields every grow. This first indoor grow is strictly a learning experience (maybe the second too) and any good bud we get out of this is a bonus.
Thanks for taking the time to read and/or comment!
tl;dr - First Grow, am idiot and made mistakes, spending green to grow some trees!, pictures.
Along with many others, I have taken this additional time spent at home as an opportunity to learn how to grow. Being a frequent consumer, it only makes sense to save some money (OCS is expensive), grow my own and be self reliant! Plus a new hobby would do some good.
Other than looking into lights, I really didn't research a proper way to grow in soil and how to go abouts it - I can be a bit all knowing at times, this time no different so proceeded to put plant in soil, water, give good light and figured soon enough "boom": Buds.
So far, its been established that it is not as simple as that. I've been self educating and have learnt many a new thing and now want to show off my rookie mistakes and learn from a community of experiences growers. I'm really hoping to get some good insight and constructive criticism, lots of room for improvement here.
Started with clones - 2 "Bubble Bomb" & 2 "Chemfire" - not sure on those - its what I was told - I did want to know if sativa or indica but haven't a clue at this point.
2 plants indoor & 2 outdoor - 1 strain of each.
Outdoor plants
- 8x4x4 Pine planter box
- Placed in planter box with straight black soil and 1 layer of light compost (no idea what type / mix).
- They get uninterrupted sunlight (no shade) from sunrise to sundown.
- I've had tons of problems with caterpillars and inchworms destroying the leaves but i think i got this resolved with some consistent BTK applications with a mister. I dont plan on using any more BTK at this point.
- No other pest or insect problems at this point. My area has tons of Dragon Flies, Lady Bugs and Spiders so im hoping they keep the pests in check.
- With them getting straight sunlight, they were getting a bit of heat stress - noted with leaves cupping - but they appear recover quickly without a sunblock in place.
- Both outdoor plants were topped just after being placed in the plant box and the bottom growth has been cleaned up a few times at this point.
- Both plants have been secured with a Velcro tie down as they were swaying too much in strong winds.
- I have no intention on adding any nutrients at this time.
Indoor Plants
- 4x4x8 Tent
- 4'' exhaust w/ inline fan and carbon filter - approx 300 CFM
- Tower fan for in-room air circ.
- 5 Gal Felt Pots
- SF2000 Spider Farmer Light
- Placed in 5 Gal felt pots with straight potting soil (I've been told this is a mistake as it will stunt the growth as its giving the plants straight food?)
- Did some minor LST early in veg - didn't really understand how far I can push it and how often it should be readjusted but I believe I have a solid understanding now.
- Both indoor plants were topped.
- With the SF light putting off very little heat, I wasn't too sure of my exhaust requirements. After noticing some WPM it is now understood that exhaust, mixed with air circulation is a must have in order to ensure the grow room maintains consistent temp and humidity. I removed some leaves with WPM, cleaned off some others with a paper towel soaked in room temp water and it hasn't been back since.
- Room maintains 21C and around 45-50 % RH with exhaust, light and circ fan running 24hrs.
- 8 Weeks in veg as of today w/ 24hr light, water every 2 days, approx 2L per plant
- Defoliated
- Noticed some new growth with yellowing leaves - research tells me I have a zinc deficiency most likely due to high PH of soil / water.
- Checked & Soil PH (for first time today - i know, what the shit right?! - or at least thats my cousins reaction)
- Soil PH @ 7 - too high!
- Water PH after softener 8 - too high!
- Water PH after RO 7 - too high!
- Switched over to flower light schedule - 12/12 about an hr ago
- Installed new SF4000 Spider Farmer light (has dimmer knob - glad they came to their senses!)
- No nutrients used yet, not sure if I will use any at this point.
Some of you are probably wondering why the hell a first time grower spent $1500 CAD on lights - 2 for that matter - and WTF the plan is.
I plan on growing my maximum plant allowance (4) all the time indoors - the outdoor is more of an experiment thanks to starting all of this right when it was the right time to plant outdoors.
I purchased 2 of everything (excluding the lights) so I already have a second grow tent ready to rock when the outdoor is done. I got the SF2000 not knowing what route I wanted to stick with in regards to lights - stay with quantum board, move to ventilated LEDS or HPS ETC. I knew my cousin may buy the light off me if I didn't stick with it.
It became quickly obvious that quantum board is the way to go, waited for them to drop in price off amazon (I got hosed on the SF2000 and paid nearly $100 more than what its listed for right now). Waiting turned out to pay off as they released the new SF's with a new external dimmer knob and the price appeared reasonable on their webpage and it arrived in less than 48hrs! - sorry Amazon, not gonna get me this time!
This past week has been spent gearing up for flower and planning the next grow.
The plan for the next grow is to stick with the 5 Gal fabric pots, but this time around im switching to Blue Sky Organics Super Soil and their Cannabis Grow Kit. The Kit came with some PH down so I plan on applying that to the indoor probably tomorrow.
If theres one thing that I really cant seem to wrap my head around is nutrients. Im confused just thinking about it, which is part of the reason why im giving bluesky organic stuff a try, it comes with guides(!!!) and appears to be easy to understand for my level of smarts (yet to be put to the test).
Im not trying to push any products here, just want to make sure im clear with what ive done to this point and understand that criticism is best provided if you know what im working with!
I am also keeping a running cost sheet, costs of set up and operating costs, and plan on analyzing cost per gram etc including my time spent on upkeep etc.
My house hold consumes alot of cannabis, to be self sufficient is going to take some strategic timing with both tents and learning how to maximize yields every grow. This first indoor grow is strictly a learning experience (maybe the second too) and any good bud we get out of this is a bonus.
Thanks for taking the time to read and/or comment!
tl;dr - First Grow, am idiot and made mistakes, spending green to grow some trees!, pictures.