My first grow - journal w/ pics

Stanky Danky · Post by **Stanky Danky** » Sat 30th Oct 2010 02:57 pm

Cal X wrote:I hate to say it ZBeebs, but that Fox Farms soil may be a little nutrient rich to start your seeds out in.

Never had a problem here. I don't give the plants any nutes for the first two weeks, except for maybe a little root stimulator.

Cal X · Post by **Cal X** » Sat 30th Oct 2010 09:16 pm

Stanky Danky wrote:
Cal X wrote:I hate to say it ZBeebs, but that Fox Farms soil may be a little nutrient rich to start your seeds out in.
Never had a problem here. I don't give the plants any nutes for the first two weeks, except for maybe a little root stimulator.

It depends on which F.F mix you are using, if that's the brand you are using?. The Ocean Forest and the Happy Frog are pretty high in P & K, I have tried both for seedlings with no luck . They are great soils for mature plants, and I can go about 3 weeks without adding nutes. I think a more neutral soil is a better choice; with a little root stimulator, as you suggest, like Root 66.

Stanky Danky · Post by **Stanky Danky** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 12:21 am

Cal X wrote: The Ocean Forest and the Happy Frog are pretty high in P & K, I have tried both for seedlings with no luck .

I've used Ocean Forest for nearly all my seedlings with no issues. It says right on the back of the bag, "Super medium for seeds and seedlings."

ZBeebs · Post by **ZBeebs** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 01:31 am

I've got about $1200 invested in the setup, including the seeds. I would be lying if I said I wasn't really nervous that I'm going to end up with nothing, just pots full of dirt. When I left for work this morning, the seeds had been in for about 2 1/2 days and there was no sign of growth at all. I realize its still early but after reading that my soil choice (Fox Farm Ocean Forest) may have ruined my chances at this going well, I wasn't feeling too good. Even though others had told me that they had good results starting with Fox Farm from seed, I was second guessing my decision and getting anxious over the whole thing.

When I came home today, (70 hours since planting) I found this:

Kandy Kush!

and

Vanilla Kush!

That's two down, seven to go.

Someone mentioned I should move the light as high as possible - right now I have it 32 inches from the tops of the pots. I could go as high as 68 inches above the plants. Where should it be?

Stanky Danky · Post by **Stanky Danky** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 02:01 am

ZBeebs wrote:Someone mentioned I should move the light as high as possible - right now I have it 32 inches from the tops of the pots. I could go as high as 68 inches above the plants. Where should it be?

I would get a small thermometer and put it at plant level and adjust the light height until the temperature is about seventy degrees.

Here's a good thread if you want to learn how to correctly germinate your seeds.
http://forum.grasscity.com/outdoor-mari ... doors.html

Cal X · Post by **Cal X** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 02:08 am

That's great news ZBeebs! I didn't mean to scare you, but that didn't work out so well for me, I'm glad it did for you! Is that Ocean Forest that you are using?

ZBeebs · Post by **ZBeebs** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 08:25 am

Couldn't sleep (it's about 4am now) and checked on my plants. Approximately 80 hours since planting, 7 of the 9 seeds have sprouted. Still waiting on a vanila kush and the rocklock. No pics this time, but I bet I'll have some nice leaves to show after work tomorrow.

So why am I doing this? It's just starting to seem crazy to keep spending $400-$450 an ounce every three weeks or so, and it's been going on for years now... My wife has no idea how much I spend on weed, and would probably freak out if she knew. I told her once a long time ago that maybe I spend $50 a week...one of these days shes going to find out, and by growing my own she won't. It would also be nice to put another $7000 cash back into my pocket every year. I realize the penalties for getting caught growing are severe, but my plan is to tell NO ONE. I won't be selling or giving any of it away, it's all for me. I think it's more risky for me to be driving around with an ounce of weed in my car 20 times a year than to have a tent in my basement.

Now that I've got it started, I can't believe it took me so long...for what I spend on weed in approximately 2 months, I now have the tools to grow my own and all the equipment I bought is quality and should last for years.

Ultimately, I'd like to do this once every year or so and not have to buy any at all. I'm hoping to get 2 ounces per plant, which would work out to 18 ounces which at my current rate of consumption would last about a year. I am sure that as I learn I will be able to get larger yields from the same space. I am perfectly content to grow from seed once every 10-12 months to keep myself stocked, and don't see a need to keep mother plants, multiple tents, etc when I can just order seeds and have them in a week.

ZBeebs · Post by **ZBeebs** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 08:31 am

Cal X wrote:That's great news ZBeebs! I didn't mean to scare you, but that didn't work out so well for me, I'm glad it did for you! Is that Ocean Forest that you are using?

Yes.

ZBeebs · Post by **ZBeebs** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 01:10 pm

Checked this morning before getting ready for work, all 9 have sprouted. One doesn't look too good, the first sprout I posted. I will take a pic and post it tonight.

codejd · Post by **codejd** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 04:23 pm

ZBeebs wrote:Someone mentioned I should move the light as high as possible - right now I have it 32 inches from the tops of the pots. I could go as high as 68 inches above the plants. Where should it be?

i may be wrong but i believe the rule of thumb is stick your hand just above the tops of your plants (sprouts at this point

) and if it's hot to your hand your lights are too low...you can lower them until you feel the heat but generally with 400W i used to stay right at 18" in the beginning

looks good so far...and don't worry about going right into the soil, you'll be fine.

ZBeebs · Post by **ZBeebs** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 04:56 pm

My light is switchable, have it at 400watts now. Should I be running it full power (600watts) now?

Cisco · Post by **Cisco** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 06:50 pm

looking good so far , im sure the soil you have used will be fine

Uncle Ron · Post by **Uncle Ron** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 07:32 pm

ZBeebs wrote:My light is switchable, have it at 400watts now. Should I be running it full power (600watts) now?

At this stage no artificial light is needed, seriously, so save some money (not to mention energy). Place them near a window where they can receive natural light, or, use a cheap fluorescent. They don't have to be in direct light to receive sufficient energy for growth, at least not at this stage. Put them under HID when they've established their first five-bladed leaf (2nd or 3rd internode?). Has worked for me in the past, so it should work for you, operative word being should.

Note on growing medium and nutrients:
Seems you have a very rich growing medium, very smart indeed. You probably won't need to feed them for a while, IMO three weeks. My suggestion is to not feed them until they start to show slight signs of malnutrition. That will be the time to start the feeding regimen.

What ever method you choose, good luck and happy farming.

Cal X · Post by **Cal X** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 07:36 pm

ZBeebs wrote:My light is switchable, have it at 400watts now. Should I be running it full power (600watts) now?

I would wait a week or two before switching to the 600w, Your seedlings need it to make the healthy plant stage before getting more light, imo!

Boner · Post by **Boner** » Sun 31st Oct 2010 10:05 pm

Dirty Uncle Ron wrote:At this stage no artificial light is needed, seriously, so save some money (not to mention energy). Place them near a window where they can receive natural light, or, use a cheap fluorescent.

A seedling needs 18 hrs of light minimum otherwise it'll start flowering (even from seed) so yes to the fluorescent (for the first 2ish weeks) but no to using natural light (obviously depends on time of year).