Galgrows
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I totally agree with your post, i've felt that way for years but i've never said it.In soil?
Ph is useless,
You can just pay attention to your plants health. If something is off water wise, and the plant reacts poorly, then ph’ing water isn’t going to change anything. crazy alkaline or acidic water would be the only reason to ever use it.
Meaning the water source would be toxic to even us and our pets.
It’s incredibly rare to see ph issues being the main driver of problems in soil.
theres no one way to grow a plant and get flowers "right"All I can say is WOW! No wonder I could never get a good grow in the past. There is so much more than planting a seed and watching it grow.
I am getting ready for my first grow and going a better route. I made a small investment in the tools. Purchased some seeds. On my next day off I am heading to ACE to get some soil, pots and nutrients (provided they carry what I have been reading are good).
Unlike other things I buy tools for and jump in... mistakes here are time consuming. An entire grow period can be wasted on lack of knowledge. Where I am not expecting a professional grade grow, I am realistic, I would like to have a successful 1st grow. For example.... I purchased seeds with higher THC levels fully expecting to get less until I get more experienced. I have a very high tolerance as I am a daily smoker so I hope that I can at least grow a crop that will have some affect on me.
Where I am getting confused is there are so many different responses to a situation. It can be hard to find an answer at times. The whole chemical thing still has me baffled. LOL.
If anyone here would be willing to help me I can trade services. I am a semi retired graphic designer including photo and video editing. I also program in PHP and more recently, 3D animation and modeling.
I am starting with 3 seeds (if they all sprout lol I have 2 extra in case) Different strains all with very similar climates and grow periods. I hope that nutrients will also be similar, this area is my most problematic. I have also seen nutrients that will boost the flavor. ( I wanna say also add flavor? if I read correctly).
My goals are:
A fair yieldDecent THC levelNot have to rely on someone else to get my supply.Most important - Does not taste homegrown!!! Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help
PH is chemically one of the single most important parameters you can monitor with plants being cultivated in non organic grow methods.Good point. I think they’ll test hardness, too.
FWIW, hardness is an indicator of buffering potential. Better is when they list CaCO3. Generally if water is hard and pH high, it has high buffering potential. CaCO3 is a better indicator. It has 4 ranges from soft to very hard. The higher the number, the greater the buffering potential. 0-60 soft, 60-120 moderate hard, 120-180 Hard, 180+ very hard.
If you care about pH then you need to care about buffering potential/hardness. Buffering for this purpose is the capacity to maintain pH. PH high but CaCO3 is 30, who cares. It lacks buffering potential so any acidic environments quickly acidify your water. Water that comes from a limestone aquifer, howdy Texas hill country, might have a pH of 9 and a CaCO3 hardness of 240. You’ll have to buy pH down by the gallon to overcome that. Worse you’ll think you’ve got the pH down only to check it the next day and the pH has bounced right back up.
Is this important? Beats me. It can be critical for newborn pigs and tropical fish. It would indicate you could potentially have pH issues in soil if pH is high and hardness is vey high, and like Paul Harvey would say, it is the rest of the story.
Yeah I’m not sure it would be the best thing to fiddle with, how does your water smell at the spicket? If it’s normal I wouldn’t worry about that.Do you think it could help paint an overall picture? At first I wanted nothing to do with Ph and reading here it isn’t really necessary ( I know your opinion about it). Why im asking is i have a couple plants that are starting to show some signs of something lol and if I know the Ph maybe I could rule out couple things out the gate. Or is this just my lack of experience in what the plant is telling me?
You want the fan at the top of your tent blowing air out of the tent.
Well this sucks, no pun intended!Turn your fan around, so that it sucks air from inside of the top of the tent, and blows the hot air out.
Yes, in Minneapolis. I have been told about this place around 65th and Penn. Been told they know what they are talking about. Getting there is the issue. I use public transportation. I have a place closer to me, they sell the Vivosun grow tent and seeds but no grow supplies. Also much more expensive on their tents and parts. They had a 4x2 for 650.00 or so. Basic kit... I purchased so much more straight from MarsHydro for less than 100.00 more. Bigger tent and better lights. I would ranter buy local but I am too cheap to waste money LOL.If you are in/near the twin cities, you have local options.
I have been reading up on the drying and curing as well... a bit early but getting prepared. But this is good news. The additional light I purchased claims to help boost yields... it's my 1st grow so I will not know for sure unless I do one with and one without. I paid too much to not use them, even to test LOL.The first 3 come from good genetics which I think you have covered, and the last one you wont have to worry about unless you mess up drying and curing haha.
I can’t address organic. If you’re going chemical water soluble, excepting CalMag which is usually liquid. Avoid anything that says time release, like Osmocote. Water soluble/liquids are easier to flush out, if needed, and easier to time. For example, when I’m in soil, a week before I plan on flipping to flower, I hold the higher nitrogen veg chemicals to allow the nitrogen to be utilized before flowering. Three weeks before harvest I hold flowering chemicals.As far as nutrients, do I want dry to mix with soil? Or liquid that can be added when watering? Or both?
I mean, you can certainly go with 2 filters, but it's not necessary for a smell free grow.Well this sucks, no pun intended!
So, it's better to blow filtered air out and not filter the air in? I would think it healthier for the plants to have the air in filtered and allow the bad air pushed out from the bottom. I was thinking of getting a 2nd filter... just for this situation. Filter it in and out.
Yes, in Minneapolis. I have been told about this place around 65th and Penn. Been told they know what they are talking about. Getting there is the issue. I use public transportation. I have a place closer to me, they sell the Vivosun grow tent and seeds but no grow supplies. Also much more expensive on their tents and parts. They had a 4x2 for 650.00 or so. Basic kit... I purchased so much more straight from MarsHydro for less than 100.00 more. Bigger tent and better lights. I would ranter buy local but I am too cheap to waste money LOL.
I am going to ACE today to see what they have... they are close. If they do not have what I need I'll just make an amazon order for supplies.
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As far as nutrients, do I want dry to mix with soil? Or liquid that can be added when watering? Or both?
Thanks all... So many to respond to...
Ok, here is the rundown.....
3x3 MarsHydro with the FC3000 light and the add-on lights, IR, UV and RB.
View attachment 2173374
No PH meter, I read they are not necessary. One person is using theirs as a table wedge LOL.
Thinking the Fish soil I have read the PH should stay good for a bit.
No clue to nutrients yet.
The blower is on a phone app... not sure I like that. I may see if I can order a thermometer from the company for my blower. I hope it's somewhat automated to come on when needed.
I may need a de-humidifier, time will tell on that one. Minnesota can get really muggy.
My 1st grow will be (should be feminized and non-auto)
Buy Purple Queen Feminized Cannabis Seeds 👑 - Royal Queen Seeds USA
Journey to the clouds from the couch with mystical mountain Kush. Purple Queen is the cool purple bud that will get you royally stoned.www.royalqueenseeds.com Buy Sherbet Queen feminized cannabis seeds - Royal Queen Seeds USA
Sherbet Queen steps out of the shadow of Girl Scout Cookies to deliver a sensory phenomenon. Gorge on her fruity flavors and rapturous high. Available now.www.royalqueenseeds.com Buy Watermelon feminized cannabis seeds - Royal Queen Seeds USA
In the mood for some rest and relaxation? The high THC levels and fruity terpenes found in Watermelon feminized will scratch that itch, and then some.www.royalqueenseeds.com
These 3 all have the same climate and around the same grow time frame. I think they will be ok together.
Should one not sprout... My backups are
https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/us/feminized-cannabis-seeds/149-og-kush.htmlBuy Critical Kush Feminized Cannabis Seeds ⛰️ - Royal Queen Seeds USA
Critical Kush mixes the high-yielding Critical together with legendary Kush genetics from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Explore her magnificence.www.royalqueenseeds.com
I'm on a budget and wanted more than one kind so I bought one seed of each. The OG Kush was a gift for my purchase. The datasheets can be found on those pages. I had written Royal Queen for nutrient suggestions. I figure they made the seeds, they would know what is best to grown them. Still waiting for their answer.
So this is where I am atm. Waiting on seeds, need to get soil, nutrients and a few pots. Thinking starting the seeds in soil using a tiny pot. So... when to transplant is the question. I do not want to get the too tall at first. So do I wait until the roots fill the pot before transplanting? Last time I grew (around 1990) I had 4, 6 foot skinny plants. Didn't top.... didn't know LOL, and I think I transplanted into a too large pot too early.
Anyway... that is all I can think of at the moment. Been a long day and need some food.Thanks again.
>No PH meter, I read they are not necessaryThanks all... So many to respond to...
Ok, here is the rundown.....
3x3 MarsHydro with the FC3000 light and the add-on lights, IR, UV and RB.
View attachment 2173374
No PH meter, I read they are not necessary. One person is using theirs as a table wedge LOL.
Thinking the Fish soil I have read the PH should stay good for a bit.
No clue to nutrients yet.
The blower is on a phone app... not sure I like that. I may see if I can order a thermometer from the company for my blower. I hope it's somewhat automated to come on when needed.
I may need a de-humidifier, time will tell on that one. Minnesota can get really muggy.
My 1st grow will be (should be feminized and non-auto)
Buy Purple Queen Feminized Cannabis Seeds 👑 - Royal Queen Seeds USA
Journey to the clouds from the couch with mystical mountain Kush. Purple Queen is the cool purple bud that will get you royally stoned.www.royalqueenseeds.com Buy Sherbet Queen feminized cannabis seeds - Royal Queen Seeds USA
Sherbet Queen steps out of the shadow of Girl Scout Cookies to deliver a sensory phenomenon. Gorge on her fruity flavors and rapturous high. Available now.www.royalqueenseeds.com Buy Watermelon feminized cannabis seeds - Royal Queen Seeds USA
In the mood for some rest and relaxation? The high THC levels and fruity terpenes found in Watermelon feminized will scratch that itch, and then some.www.royalqueenseeds.com
These 3 all have the same climate and around the same grow time frame. I think they will be ok together.
Should one not sprout... My backups are
https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/us/feminized-cannabis-seeds/149-og-kush.htmlBuy Critical Kush Feminized Cannabis Seeds ⛰️ - Royal Queen Seeds USA
Critical Kush mixes the high-yielding Critical together with legendary Kush genetics from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Explore her magnificence.www.royalqueenseeds.com
I'm on a budget and wanted more than one kind so I bought one seed of each. The OG Kush was a gift for my purchase. The datasheets can be found on those pages. I had written Royal Queen for nutrient suggestions. I figure they made the seeds, they would know what is best to grown them. Still waiting for their answer.
So this is where I am atm. Waiting on seeds, need to get soil, nutrients and a few pots. Thinking starting the seeds in soil using a tiny pot. So... when to transplant is the question. I do not want to get the too tall at first. So do I wait until the roots fill the pot before transplanting? Last time I grew (around 1990) I had 4, 6 foot skinny plants. Didn't top.... didn't know LOL, and I think I transplanted into a too large pot too early.
Anyway... that is all I can think of at the moment. Been a long day and need some food.Thanks again.
I haven’t needed one in years. There is an army of folks here who never do or don’t.>No PH meter, I read they are not necessary
In
>No PH meter, I read they are not necessary
Not true, in soil, peat or cocoa you need one. you can get aquarium drops for $5 that's what I now use since I got sick of buying pricey PH meters that didn't last
If you want a link let me know, if you want to continue without adjusting pH, best wishes.
I haven’t needed one in years. There is an army of folks here who never do or don’t.
Need is a strong word here. bc in soil, it’s pointless.
What works for you isn't necessarily going to work for others, they don't have the same water as you, nor experience level. I would never recommend that to beginners, or even in general.I haven’t needed one in years. There is an army of folks here who never do or don’t.
Need is a strong word here. bc in soil, it’s pointless.
It's true that adjusting the pH is usually unnecessary for organic growing. I grow organically and I've checked mine, though, and I use the same type of pH tester that you do. So far, my tap water has tested the same (7.6) every time I've checked it. That is well within a safe range for organic growing. My thinking, however, is it's helpful to know what the pH is, but that is mostly useful for diagnosing problems. It's certainly possible to have lousy water.>No PH meter, I read they are not necessary
Not true, in soil, peat or cocoa you need one. you can get aquarium drops for $5 that's what I now use since I got sick of buying pricey PH meters that didn't last
If you want a link let me know, if you want to continue without adjusting pH, best wishes.
I think it's misleading to say pH adjustment is unnecessary for soil. It can be necessary when using synthetic nutrients. That's why it's important to know what type of nutrients are being used.What works for you isn't necessarily going to work for others, they don't have the same water as you, nor experience level. I would never recommend that to beginners, or even in general.
He is 100% correct on this. Ph is not needed in organic soil. If you are using synthetic nutrients in soil then it can be necessary.
Exactly, there's too many variables. It's a simple step that I recommend for all new growers.Alot of people will be fine not ph’ing organic soil. But thats not the case for everyone, never ph’ing living soil is a myth thats slowly dying, ive seen it on numerous occasions of soil growers having issues until they start to ph.
Im not trying to step on anyones toes. It is true that for the vast majority of people the living soil environment will regulate itself, but if microbes self adjusted everything then you could plant a blueberry bush in alkaline soil and have amazing fruit every year without maintenanceExactly, there's too many variables. It's a simple step that I recommend for all new growers.
Bro, adding variables is never a good thing.What works for you isn't necessarily going to work for others, they don't have the same water as you, nor experience level. I would never recommend that to beginners, or even in general.
Testing pH certainly can be informative. For the majority, however, it won't matter. It's about playing the odds. I don't advise testing until a problem is encountered that can't be resolved without a pH test. Those problems are rare.Exactly, there's too many variables. It's a simple step that I recommend for all new growers.
Do you differentiate between living soil and organic growing? I do. That can be a source of confusion, I think.It is true that for the vast majority of people the living soil environment will regulate itself, but if microbes self adjusted everything then you could plant a blueberry bush in alkaline soil and have amazing fruit every year without maintenance
LoL what?Testing pH certainly can be informative. For the majority, however, it won't matter. It's about playing the odds. I don't advise testing until a problem is encountered that can't be resolved without a pH test. Those problems are rare.
Do you differentiate between living soil and organic growing? I do. That can be a source of confusion, I think.
We're not discussing blueberry bushes. The organic growing we do is specific to cannabis and in the OP's case, it's in a controlled environment. I imagine there could be beneficial microbes for blueberries, though.
Tell Mall of America I said howdy.
I can even send 4” nursery pots, a 4 cell tray, and rockwool cubes for seed starting and initial transplant. It’ll get you through this grow and give you time to sort through everything for your growing future.
LoL, IDK much about blueberries, except they draw bears.LoL what?
What do you think that youre adding for cannabis living soils that isnt there for blueberries? Theyre both acid loving plants
No worries. I've decided you're one of the good guys. Control + B turns bolding on and off in browsers. I've hit that by mistake a few times. Just highlight the text and hit Ctrl+b till it goes away. The same is true for Ctrl+i for Italics.I have no idea why my text is bold, im not shouting
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