First newbie med grow

[Ozarkchris]

I've got a 5x5 tent to start with, a Spider Farmers SF4000, 4 auto flowers for the first grow to keep it simple. I'll use a 440cfm exhaust w\carbon filter, and a 220cfm intake, if needed. 5 gal Smart Pots, with a blend of Happy Frog and perlite. Am I on the right track for starters? I realize everyone has their prefs, but input from growers using something similar would be appreciated. No plans on any major changes, but tweaks are fine. Here's a big argument question - germinate first, or straight to dirt??

Thanks all - OzarkChris - disabled Marine veteran - Semper Fi

 

[Chip Green]

Am I on the right track for starters?

I believe you are. I grew a lot of plants in Happy Frog. I don't know squat about autos.
As a beginner, I mostly germinated in paper towels so I could actually see that it had popped first. Good seed will certainly relieve the suspense from a pre-gremination burial, I do that mostly nowadays.
The only way to start growing, is to start growing.
Lots of good information shared in these pages, among lots of debatable, sometimes downright false information to be enjoyed as well.

Welcome to the community Sir.
I can say that I think? You definitely outrank me, you served. For which I thank you.

 

[jdog127]

I've got a 5x5 tent to start with, a Spider Farmers SF4000, 4 auto flowers for the first grow to keep it simple. I'll use a 440cfm exhaust w\carbon filter, and a 220cfm intake, if needed. 5 gal Smart Pots, with a blend of Happy Frog and perlite. Am I on the right track for starters? I realize everyone has their prefs, but input from growers using something similar would be appreciated. No plans on any major changes, but tweaks are fine. Here's a big argument question - germinate first, or straight to dirt??

Thanks all - OzarkChris - disabled Marine veteran - Semper Fi

I personally germinate first using wet paper towels inside a zip lock bag and I set it someplace warm for 24 to 48hrs like on top of my internet router, it stays dark and warm but never gets hot. Also something you may want to consider if you're not already, to get the most out your plants and lights is training. Do you plan on instituting some type of training or do you just want to let it go and do its thing? I highly suggest you look into at the very least doing some LST (low stress training). A couple of quick YouTube videos will fill you in pretty quick on the practis if you are unaware how to.

PS- welcome to RIU Marine! From a disabled Army vet.

 

[turbobuzz]

You're on the right track. Do some research on growing autos. There is a lot of arguments for starting the seed in the pot you're going to finish in on autos. Since the have a pre determined amount of time the theory is the less you mess with them the better since they don't have as much time to recover. I don't believe most people top, or train them, but research for yourself and make your own decisions.

 

[Ozarkchris]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies, have a great day!

 

[OldMedUser]

I'll use a 440cfm exhaust w\carbon filter, and a 220cfm intake, if needed

Not needed and if the only inlet is half the volume as exhaust the tent will suck itself inside out. lol

I recommend a speed controller on the fan and all the lower vents open with filters over them to keep critters out. Double layer of cheesecloth or better yet, furnace filters. They come in all sorts of sizes and with a roll of duct tape you're good to go. Don't get HEPA tho as they are very restrictive and then you're back to the inside out tent scenario again.

A 6" fan going full bore is noisy as hell and if it's running all the time it's hard to control the environment in there so a temp/rh controller is nice to have too so the fan only comes on when needed to reduce heat or humidity.

germinate first, or straight to dirt?

I'm a straight to dirt kind of guy. I first scuff up the seeds by shaking them gently in a pill jar lined with 150 grit sandpaper for 2 full minutes then stuck a half inch down and watered well. I also keep them in a dome until they are up and have a good set of true leaves. Dry here. Might want to mist the tops once a day too but not a whole lot. I'll use those 9-hole seed starter pots if doing a lot or the 3" square ones. With autos they should not be repotted so once up in their starter pots and a couple nodes should go into whatever pot you plan to have them finish in. Best results are in 5gal pots or larger.

Good luck and good growing!

 

[Ozarkchris]

Not needed and if the only inlet is half the volume as exhaust the tent will suck itself inside out. lol

I recommend a speed controller on the fan and all the lower vents open with filters over them to keep critters out. Double layer of cheesecloth or better yet, furnace filters. They come in all sorts of sizes and with a roll of duct tape you're good to go. Don't get HEPA tho as they are very restrictive and then you're back to the inside out tent scenario again.

A 6" fan going full bore is noisy as hell and if it's running all the time it's hard to control the environment in there so a temp/rh controller is nice to have too so the fan only comes on when needed to reduce heat or humidity.



I'm a straight to dirt kind of guy. I first scuff up the seeds by shaking them gently in a pill jar lined with 150 grit sandpaper for 2 full minutes then stuck a half inch down and watered well. I also keep them in a dome until they are up and have a good set of true leaves. Dry here. Might want to mist the tops once a day too but not a whole lot. I'll use those 9-hole seed starter pots if doing a lot or the 3" square ones. With autos they should not be repotted so once up in their starter pots and a couple nodes should go into whatever pot you plan to have them finish in. Best results are in 5gal pots or larger.

Good luck and good growing!

Not needed and if the only inlet is half the volume as exhaust the tent will suck itself inside out. lol

I recommend a speed controller on the fan and all the lower vents open with filters over them to keep critters out. Double layer of cheesecloth or better yet, furnace filters. They come in all sorts of sizes and with a roll of duct tape you're good to go. Don't get HEPA tho as they are very restrictive and then you're back to the inside out tent scenario again.

A 6" fan going full bore is noisy as hell and if it's running all the time it's hard to control the environment in there so a temp/rh controller is nice to have too so the fan only comes on when needed to reduce heat or humidity.



I'm a straight to dirt kind of guy. I first scuff up the seeds by shaking them gently in a pill jar lined with 150 grit sandpaper for 2 full minutes then stuck a half inch down and watered well. I also keep them in a dome until they are up and have a good set of true leaves. Dry here. Might want to mist the tops once a day too but not a whole lot. I'll use those 9-hole seed starter pots if doing a lot or the 3" square ones. With autos they should not be repotted so once up in their starter pots and a couple nodes should go into whatever pot you plan to have them finish in. Best results are in 5gal pots or larger.

Good luck and good growing!

The fan does have have a speed controller on it. I’m doing this in my basement, so noise and smell aren’t that big a deal. I’m with you on straight to dirt I think. They less you handle them....I read about people going through 3-4 transplants, and it makes no sense. If you have the final pot ready, what’s wrong with starting there. Right now my basement is 57 degrees, and about 45% rh. I have a good size dehumidifier for the summer. I’m thinking with my led giving off minimal heat, I should end up in a good place inside the tent. I’ll probably go passive air for a while until things get going. Thanks all

 

[OldMedUser]

The fan does have have a speed controller on it. I’m doing this in my basement, so noise and smell aren’t that big a deal. I’m with you on straight to dirt I think. They less you handle them....I read about people going through 3-4 transplants, and it makes no sense. If you have the final pot ready, what’s wrong with starting there. Right now my basement is 57 degrees, and about 45% rh. I have a good size dehumidifier for the summer. I’m thinking with my led giving off minimal heat, I should end up in a good place inside the tent. I’ll probably go passive air for a while until things get going. Thanks all

For regular photoperiod plants from seed you don't want to start them in 5gal pots as half will likely be male and get culled. If in small pots then a couple of small bulbs like CFLs is enough to get them going and saves power. Photo plants can be manipulated a lot more during their veg cycle which can be as long ass you want then you flip to 12/12 when you decide to flower them.

It's autos that seem to do best if they start in their biggest pot so they can spread their roots unimpeded. The plants will stay small if grown in a small pot and they flower when they want to. I've often read that they will flower later if they are under 24 hour light until flowering starts so they get larger before that happens and increase yields. Once the start flowering then 20/4 light or the standard 18/6 is best.

My basement is 45F now and will likely get colder. With only one 600W HPS going right now it doesn't get over 75F in the grow room which is just about perfect. It's been a warm week here but last week we got down to -38.1C which is a new record low for us. Previous was -37. We're in northern Alberta.