Getting started (again) tips wanted

[Bumnog]

First off hello and thanks for having me here. I'm still new to the growing game. I've made attempts at indoor growing twice before with mixed results. And now that it's finally legal here in Oregon, I'm having another go at it. I would really like to hear any and all tips that you guys have to offer, this seems like a great resource site to draw upon as I try to get a decent crop growing here.

For this latest attempt at indoor growing I've set up a Quictent II 3 foot tall Mylar lined tent. Got some Misco "self watering" pots from Walmart. Decided to go with soil this time as hydro proved way too much work and too easy too easy to screw up last time. Soil is 50/50 mix of Fox Farms Ocean Forest and Happy Frog, as I read that ocean forest can be too hot by itself. Got White Widow auto flowering seeds from Robert @ ilovegrowingmarinuana. And as for lighting I have 3, all LED's. A 340w "hydrostar" (cheap Chinese) full spectrum light from the main Mars Hydro seller on eBay for veg/growth stage. And for flowering I have a 240w lighthouse hydro Blackstar LED light, coupled with a rather unknown 80w Chinese vertical led bar which I plan to hang in between the plants (see pics). I picked up the Fox Farms 3 part liquid nutrients, though I'm unsure when to start using those.

So at this stage I have literally just gotten the seeds into the dirt after soaking them in spring water for 24 hours, and following instructions for soil germination as laid out in the video from ilovegrowingmarijuana.

So even at this earliest stage, I have questions. Like do I really need to scrog? Friends been telling me I have to, and I've never done it before. When do I start adding nutrients, and in what quantities? (I know that's a good while off yet). Also since these seeds are "autoflowering" do I really need this 340w Chinese veg light? Or can I go straight to my blackstar flowering light? This Chinese light feels like it's putting off way too much heat for an LED light, more than old HPS and MH lights I've used in the past, so very strange to me.

I'm sure I'll have more questions soon, and look forward to learning here. As I said I'm looking to draw upon the knowledge base here to improve my grow. I plan to keep this post updated with pics of my project as it develops.

Cheers, and thanks in advance for advice.

 

[mr sunshine]

First off hello and thanks for having me here. I'm still new to the growing game. I've made attempts at indoor growing twice before with mixed results. And now that it's finally legal here in Oregon, I'm having another go at it. I would really like to hear any and all tips that you guys have to offer, this seems like a great resource site to draw upon as I try to get a decent crop growing here.

For this latest attempt at indoor growing I've set up a Quictent II 3 foot tall Mylar lined tent. Got some Misco "self watering" pots from Walmart. Decided to go with soil this time as hydro proved way too much work and too easy too easy to screw up last time. Soil is 50/50 mix of Fox Farms Ocean Forest and Happy Frog, as I read that ocean forest can be too hot by itself. Got White Widow auto flowering seeds from Robert @ ilovegrowingmarinuana. And as for lighting I have 3, all LED's. A 340w "hydrostar" (cheap Chinese) full spectrum light from the main Mars Hydro seller on eBay for veg/growth stage. And for flowering I have a 240w lighthouse hydro Blackstar LED light, coupled with a rather unknown 80w Chinese vertical led bar which I plan to hang in between the plants (see pics). I picked up the Fox Farms 3 part liquid nutrients, though I'm unsure when to start using those.

So at this stage I have literally just gotten the seeds into the dirt after soaking them in spring water for 24 hours, and following instructions for soil germination as laid out in the video from ilovegrowingmarijuana.

So even at this earliest stage, I have questions. Like do I really need to scrog? Friends been telling me I have to, and I've never done it before. When do I start adding nutrients, and in what quantities? (I know that's a good while off yet). Also since these seeds are "autoflowering" do I really need this 340w Chinese veg light? Or can I go straight to my blackstar flowering light? This Chinese light feels like it's putting off way too much heat for an LED light, more than old HPS and MH lights I've used in the past, so very strange to me.

I'm sure I'll have more questions soon, and look forward to learning here. As I said I'm looking to draw upon the knowledge base here to improve my grow. I plan to keep this post updated with pics of my project as it develops.

Cheers, and thanks in advance for advice.

Don't use the self watering pots.. they never dry out.

 

[Bumnog]

Don't use the self watering pots.. they never dry out.

So do I need to let them dry out? And if so, how often?

 

[mr sunshine]

In between every watering.

 

[Bumnog]

Here's some pics of the grow so far from sprout to 1 week to 2 week.

I removed the bottoms from the self-watering pots (the part that holds water) so that they drain normally now, and just placed saucers under them. I'm giving them 2 cups of spring water once every 3 days, which seems to be enough to drain out the bottom, and dry up in between watering.

Had a little trouble with heat stress for the first few days with temps inside the tent reaching up to 86 degrees (f). With more ventilation now I've got temps sitting around 75-77 (f), although with all the extra air movement humidity levels are down to 50-55% but what can ya do.

Right now I'm wondering when to start adding the FF nutes, which ones in what amounts and how often. I'll do some more searching, but any tips for using these fox farms nutes would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Bumnog]

week 3 pic
Just gave them 2nd feeding. First time was 1/4 teaspoon of grow big per gallon of water, then this time used 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. Next time probably will add 1/4 teaspoon of big bloom in addition.

 

[Maine Grower15]

Humidity is a little high for my liking, I'm still a very rookie grower and from my current grow and from what I have learned from buddies that 45-47% humidity is perfect when my room got up in the 55-58% range I ended up with powdery mildew which is just a pain in the butt but who knows my mold may not have been from the high humidity, and if I'm wrong please someone correct me so I can stop doing the wrong thing!lol toke one!

 

[Diabolical666]

Save your big bloom for flower cycle. happy frog and Ocean forest will feed all threw veg

 

[Bumnog]

Week 4 pic^
I backed off the feeding and added the vertical led light in addition to the overhead light. It raises temps a bit, but they seem to be liking it.
Cheers guys

 

[brimck325]

Humidity is a little high for my liking, I'm still a very rookie grower and from my current grow and from what I have learned from buddies that 45-47% humidity is perfect when my room got up in the 55-58% range I ended up with powdery mildew which is just a pain in the butt but who knows my mold may not have been from the high humidity, and if I'm wrong please someone correct me so I can stop doing the wrong thing!lol toke one!

sounds like you need better air circulation and/or exhaust.

 

[Bumnog]

Week 5 pics. Ladies have begun to flower, hence the 'closeup' lol. Gave first dose of big bloom at 1/4 strength. Was doing Just water for the last week.
New growth leaf tips are twisting a bit, dunno what to do about that. I've searched and read a bit but haven't found any satisfactory answers. Their Ph is good, maybe need more nutes as I've been very sparing with them (autos). Doesn't seem to be a big deal though, plants are looking good otherwise.
I removed the vertical LED light a couple days after I had added it, thing was a piece of garbage; lesson learned.