[GrilledCheeze]

who lives in Maryland which just legalized recreational cannabis and now allows individuals to grow. He has seen what I do over the years and the other day he asked if I would put together a list of items he would need in order to get started. Having known the guy for a while I'm not sure it's something he's going to be committed to. He already wants to set things up at friends house and when I asked him what his goals were for growing I got like 5 run around answers, even after I told him how I approach my growing in terms of yield, quality, saving money, etc. I love the idea of people getting into growing but I don't want him to waste a bunch of time and money on something he's not going to use.

I have always been a big fan of buying things from people on craigslist/marketplace so I'm well aware that this hobby has a pretty high turnover rate based on the constant availability of equipment I see listed for sale. It's understandable as growing cannabis takes dedication, patience, time, money, and lots more if you want to be successful at it. I don't want to lead him down a path where he invests a bunch of money (he's not going to buy things secondhand) and then ends up disappointed because he doesn't follow through with the care it requires.

So what do I do? I recommended he start by reading a book on the subject to help get his head around what it's going to take to get set up and the ongoing commitments he will need to make in order to be successful. All of my books are very technical not a good starting point. When I first started down this path I began by reading "Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible" by Jorge Cervantes and that really helped me to understand the basics. I might recommend that but am interested to see if you all have any other recommendations?

Assuming we find a good book to get him started and that goes well, how should I start to recommend equipment? I'm all about quality and performance but that's going to get expensive quick. He's financially comfortable but not well off. Space isn't an issue. I'm thinking a 4x4 tent with an AC Infinity 6" exhaust and controller setup and something like two SF2000pro lights? For a beginner I think having two lights is a definite advantage.

Anyways, I think that's a good amount of information to get a conversation started. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions.

 

[Variety719]

I’ve never read a grow book in my life
Your situation happened a lot here in Colorado and 90% of them don’t grow anymore. Most people don’t want to spend the time it takes to grow good weed and I don’t blame them.

 

[Moe.Red]

I’ve never read a grow book in my life

Yeah, but can you even grow?

 

[GrilledCheeze]

I’ve never read a grow book in my life
Your situation happened a lot here in Colorado and 90% of them don’t grow anymore. Most people don’t want to spend the time it takes to grow good weed and I don’t blame them.

You may have never read one but I'm willing to bet you could write one! Not everyone has the passion for growing but I don't think it's necessary, either. I'm recommending he read a book more as a test to kind of prove to me he's at least committed before I start spending his money.

 

[BigBlonde]

So what do I do?

One of the lessons I learned from my first grow had to do with learning how I wanted to grow. It's easy to be influenced by advertising and what others are doing. So, I'm thinking that would be an important emphasis when you talk with him. His wanting to grow at someone else's house would be a huge complication. Avoid that if you can. Keep it as simple as possible. If he likes growing, it's not difficult to upsize.

 

[Oldchucky]

I would stick with stuff you might want to use in the future. When he flakes, You can snag it for $.20 on the dollar.

 

[elusiveshame]

You may have never read one but I'm willing to bet you could write one! Not everyone has the passion for growing but I don't think it's necessary, either. I'm recommending he read a book more as a test to kind of prove to me he's at least committed before I start spending his money.

That’s probably not a good test tbh. That’s like giving someone a book on compiler designs to see if they want to be a programmer. Plus, not everyone wants to read a book full of technical details they have no idea about or anything to reference.

I’d show him some videos of various setups and what people do (easy ways, somewhat moderate grows, and difficult grows), and see what he would prefer to do.

Then just be honest and say “it’s like taking care of a pet - you have to be on top of things, regardless of method. If you can’t dedicate yourself to that, you’re wasting your money and should just continue to buy”.

 

[mysticepipedon]

I think you have it right.

The only way to go for a first run is have the guy buy an organic soil, like Lush, which is a just-add-water kind of a soil. 5 or 6 weeks after the last transplant, they will need nutrients. It's well-buffered, so if his water is a little weird, it will likely take it without an issue.

Also, have him read the primer on watering: https://www.thcfarmer.com/threads/w...-size-shape-and-environment-affect-it.126852/

If they guy can't handle that, get him an aloe plant.

 

[onTheGreenMountain]

I have a friend that I'm trying to get into growing indoors. Understandably, its a lot of $$$ so he hasn't done it yet. He does grow outdoors though (by that I mean he grew a few plants outside last summer for the first time and had some success)

He is always asking me about tents and lights. I have told him like 10 times, screw the tent, get a decent light and go from there. I offered to help him set up a grow space DIY to save $$$ on a tent. I've found lights on sale as low as $50 that would work for 1 plant in a small space. No dice... He thinks he can just sit it under a light like a house plant. I gave him 3 clones. I think his dogs ate them because they were just sat on a table in a room under a regular ceiling light.

He likes to message me tips on my indoor grow when I send him pics though.

 

[PipeCarver]

who lives in Maryland which just legalized recreational cannabis and now allows individuals to grow. He has seen what I do over the years and the other day he asked if I would put together a list of items he would need in order to get started. Having known the guy for a while I'm not sure it's something he's going to be committed to. He already wants to set things up at friends house and when I asked him what his goals were for growing I got like 5 run around answers, even after I told him how I approach my growing in terms of yield, quality, saving money, etc. I love the idea of people getting into growing but I don't want him to waste a bunch of time and money on something he's not going to use.

I have always been a big fan of buying things from people on craigslist/marketplace so I'm well aware that this hobby has a pretty high turnover rate based on the constant availability of equipment I see listed for sale. It's understandable as growing cannabis takes dedication, patience, time, money, and lots more if you want to be successful at it. I don't want to lead him down a path where he invests a bunch of money (he's not going to buy things secondhand) and then ends up disappointed because he doesn't follow through with the care it requires.

So what do I do? I recommended he start by reading a book on the subject to help get his head around what it's going to take to get set up and the ongoing commitments he will need to make in order to be successful. All of my books are very technical not a good starting point. When I first started down this path I began by reading "Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible" by Jorge Cervantes and that really helped me to understand the basics. I might recommend that but am interested to see if you all have any other recommendations?

Assuming we find a good book to get him started and that goes well, how should I start to recommend equipment? I'm all about quality and performance but that's going to get expensive quick. He's financially comfortable but not well off. Space isn't an issue. I'm thinking a 4x4 tent with an AC Infinity 6" exhaust and controller setup and something like two SF2000pro lights? For a beginner I think having two lights is a definite advantage.

Anyways, I think that's a good amount of information to get a conversation started. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions.

I'd suggest starting with a T5 florescent fixture 2 tube 4ft long...4 tube better.....and a contained space that will accommodate 3-4 plants. They put out enough heat to keep a small space warm with air in and air out and a small fan.

It will take 1.5 months to veg and in that time (if its still alive and he's looking after it) you have an opportunity to look for a flower light. I think Spiderfarmer has competitive prices and an SE3000 is a nice light to flower under.......

I also have a small 100w Sunlike burple that does a dam good job flowering. I got it for$5.99 used but I've seen similar for under $100 on Amzon...1 or 2 plants for a first time grow they do pretty good

 

[Harpua88]

who lives in Maryland which just legalized recreational cannabis and now allows individuals to grow. He has seen what I do over the years and the other day he asked if I would put together a list of items he would need in order to get started. Having known the guy for a while I'm not sure it's something he's going to be committed to. He already wants to set things up at friends house and when I asked him what his goals were for growing I got like 5 run around answers, even after I told him how I approach my growing in terms of yield, quality, saving money, etc. I love the idea of people getting into growing but I don't want him to waste a bunch of time and money on something he's not going to use.

I have always been a big fan of buying things from people on craigslist/marketplace so I'm well aware that this hobby has a pretty high turnover rate based on the constant availability of equipment I see listed for sale. It's understandable as growing cannabis takes dedication, patience, time, money, and lots more if you want to be successful at it. I don't want to lead him down a path where he invests a bunch of money (he's not going to buy things secondhand) and then ends up disappointed because he doesn't follow through with the care it requires.

So what do I do? I recommended he start by reading a book on the subject to help get his head around what it's going to take to get set up and the ongoing commitments he will need to make in order to be successful. All of my books are very technical not a good starting point. When I first started down this path I began by reading "Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible" by Jorge Cervantes and that really helped me to understand the basics. I might recommend that but am interested to see if you all have any other recommendations?

Assuming we find a good book to get him started and that goes well, how should I start to recommend equipment? I'm all about quality and performance but that's going to get expensive quick. He's financially comfortable but not well off. Space isn't an issue. I'm thinking a 4x4 tent with an AC Infinity 6" exhaust and controller setup and something like two SF2000pro lights? For a beginner I think having two lights is a definite advantage.

Anyways, I think that's a good amount of information to get a conversation started. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions.

Yes to reading. There are classic books by Ed Rosenthal, Cervantes, DJ Short, etc. Read the classics from the 60s-90s.

Then there's this, people here on this site....this is an ongoing process. "Continuing Ed" if you will. But then it's practice, practice. And that also means patience. It's like riding a bike, or math. You can read a book on "How to ride a bike". You can read volumes over years. But until you actually get on a bike.....do math problems.....you don't "know".

Patience. You can't squeeze 10 grows into 6 months. You can't produce a fine, ripe, well-cured sativa in 4 months. You must step back and realize it takes time. Enjoy that time.

Notes. Notebooks. Write. Not on a computer. Get a set of notebooks and put pen to paper.

And at the end, most people make 2 big mistakes. They pick too early, and they don't properly cure. Until you nail down what "vine ripened" means, you can almost go by "when you think it's really time to harvest, you'vereally waited......wait another week." Then.....curing, curing, curing.

You can grow great plants, with great genetics, and do an excellent job. It's an 8. If you want a "10", don't pick too early, and cure.

There's also the rabbit hole. Before I post the picture of my gear......there's a limit. Yes, there's a whole bunch of needed equipment from big to tiny scissors. Ph tester, things that lift pots off the floor, a temp/humidity guage........

But more and more "stuff" won't produce better weed. Stuff.......helps. It makes things more convenient.

Last thing. Cleanliness. As clean and neat and disinfected as possible. View your space like you would an operating room. Every time you go into your area, you bring things with you and transport them to your garden. Keep yourself and your area clean. And that means not "playing". Leave. Your plants. Alone. That doesn't mean you can't be with them. You want to go sit down and admire? Go right ahead. But don't play, touch, bother, snip snip snip.......if it's not necessary, if you can't come up with a darn good reason for doing something. Don't do it.

Have fun. And!......Have fun. :)

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions.

why is friend not joining the forum to get into checking how others grow to get idea of if and how he wants to do it
this 'hobby' is a massive commitment he needs to get an idea or will most likely end up leaving the grow to his friend you mentioned growing at his friends house.

 

[AnimalHouse]

My first few years indoors I plundered ebay and the used parts section at the local hydroshop. Only thing I'd buy new were lamps.

If he has no gardening experience or basic knowledge of photosynthesis growing weed can be a mutha for some. That's why there's so much "Used for one grow" lights on ebay.
The really good gear rarely goes up for resale so when you see 100's of Mars lights, and maybe 3-5 CLW's listed, that's telling you a lot right there.
My advice is be patient. Get good gear to start. Remember it's gardening at it's core and not a NASA experiment. Don't change things like nutes or lights in the middle of a grow. Don't fall victim to sales pitches. Know what's up with his water and if it needs to be purified. Get good seeds/clones, and good soil and he'll be good to go

 

[GrilledCheeze]

I’d show him some videos of various setups and what people do (easy ways, somewhat moderate grows, and difficult grows), and see what he would prefer to do.

I like this idea, thanks!

The only way to go for a first run is have the guy buy an organic soil, like Lush, which is a just-add-water kind of a soil. 5 or 6 weeks after the last transplant, they will need nutrients. It's well-buffered, so if his water is a little weird, it will likely take it without an issue.

I started in FF Ocean Forest. That was good stuff and easy to work with. It's also readily available. Good suggestion, thank you.

I'd suggest starting with a T5 florescent fixture 2 tube 4ft long...4 tube better.....and a contained space that will accommodate 3-4 plants. They put out enough heat to keep a small space warm with air in and air out and a small fan.

I see where you're coming from here but I really think your light is where the bulk of your up front cost should be. Starting with a T5 will be easier in veg for sure but I'm thinking if it's not enough for flower and the end result is sub par that may push a new grower away. I've never tried flowering with florescent lighting so I'll have to look more into it. Thanks!

Then there's this, people here on this site.

For sure although I hesitate to push people into these waters right off the bat. There is so much info here that it can be confusing. The Farm here is a much more reliable source than others forums but there is still plenty of suggestions and such that could be misleading. I think it's great for someone who has already gotten their feet wet. I'm still testing this out myself after long avoiding forums for many years due to lots of trash info. So much has changed since then.

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

another thing, maybe get some experience outdoors for a season first. only expense seeds and nutes or some dry amendments

 

[elusiveshame]

I see where you're coming from here but I really think your light is where the bulk of your up front cost should be. Starting with a T5 will be easier in veg for sure but I'm thinking if it's not enough for flower and the end result is sub par that may push a new grower away. I've never tried flowering with florescent lighting so I'll have to look more into it. Thanks!

My first grow was in a $500 kit from Vivosun - came with the 2x4' tent, 5 fabric 5 gallon grow bags, filter, exhaust fan, and a VS2000 light. I needed to get some extra stuff, but it was usable for a successful grow. You can piece it together much cheaper, though, considering I got a 4000/400 watt light for $200, a 4x4 tent for $80, filter and fan combo for $75, another $80 for the hygrometer outlet and timer outlet, so about $450. Add on $30 or so for a pair of 6" fans, $30-$50 for a humidifier, and then whatever pots he'll want to use. So maybe $550 - $600 for a decent setup.

 

[GrilledCheeze]

My first few years indoors I plundered ebay and the used parts section at the local hydroshop. Only thing I'd buy new were lamps.

If he has no gardening experience or basic knowledge of photosynthesis growing weed can be a mutha for some. That's why there's so much "Used for one grow" lights on ebay.
The really good gear rarely goes up for resale so when you see 100's of Mars lights, and maybe 3-5 CLW's listed, that's telling you a lot right there.
My advice is be patient. Get good gear to start. Remember it's gardening at it's core and not a NASA experiment. Don't change things like nutes or lights in the middle of a grow. Don't fall victim to sales pitches. Know what's up with his water and if it needs to be purified. Get good seeds/clones, and good soil and he'll be good to go

Finding deals is my MO. The two 4x4 tents I grow in now I got for free off craigslist from some people who were moving and just didn't want them anymore. There is also a whole story to that lol. Unfortunately this guy doesn't work that way but when we start talking $$ he might move out of his comfort zone. I'll definitely emphasize the KISS principal. I had reservations going into this but you all are starting to make me think we might be able to make this work!

 

[AnimalHouse]

another thing, maybe get some experience outdoors for a season first. only expense seeds and nutes or some dry amendments

Outdoors taught me tons to help with indoors.
Learned a lot about temperature tolerances and water uptake in hot climates growing in 115 temps. Learned to use peat base soil when it's warm and coco based when it's cool. Learned to "read" plants, and learned a lot about bugs, molds, rains at the right and wrong times and more.

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

Outdoors taught me tons to help with indoors.
Learned a lot about temperature tolerances and water uptake in hot climates growing in 115 temps. Learned to use peat base soil when it's warm and coco based when it's cool. Learned to "read" plants, and learned a lot about bugs, molds, rains at the right and wrong times and more.

only reason im transitioning into indoor myself is due to now having moved to a extremely windy town