My 1st grow is about to begin.......

[stefjw]

Or at least I thought it was, now I'm having 2nd thoughts.

I knew my setup was basic but I had no idea how basic until I've had a look on here

It's in my attic and all I have is a 1000w HPS light, a fan and some tin foil stuck to cardboard boxes

So before I start I was just wondering do I REALLY need all this CO2 stuff and air extraction ? I do have a window in my loft which I can open when the lights go off but it does get very cold where I live in the winter (which is basically here)

I'd just like to add a few questions aswell about starting.

Regarding all the germination methods, no-one seems to agree on the best way.

I've purchased seeds from nirvana shop (which came in a nice wallet thankyou very much) and was going to just put the seeds straight into the soil under the light for 18hrs on 6 hrs off and hope for the best. Is this silly ?

Thanks all the way from Scotland.

 

[benson.]

you need to germinate,
every1 began as a newbie.
just takes time to learn it and read.
youl find its easy as hell once u get into it.
happy growing!!!

 

[swad]

As for your seeds, many people germ in different ways. It is what works best for them.

IMO the best way is to scuff the sides a little with sand paper or a file. Just a little to get some of the hard shell to thin.

Soak in PH'ed water for 24hrs to let the seed soak in water and get soft.

Then put them in a folded paper towel and wet it with PH'ed water. Then put it in a plastic bag and set it in a warm dark place. The warm air will help germ it faster. Keep an eye on them every day to make sure your towel is moist with water (not soaking wet). After 2-7 days you will see them pop open.

A 1000W light gets very hot. I suggest setting it up as you plan to use it (with timers and fans). Then see how your temps and humidity handle in the environment you want to put your new plants into. Also, 1000W is WAY to much for seeds. All you need to start seeds is a little CFL. You will over light your seedlings with a 1000W as well as waste money on electricity.

Tin foil gets hot and if you are using a 1000W un-vented light in a box with foil on the walls your box is going to get VERY hot and kill your plants.

Test out what you have, get it tuned in, then introduce your seedlings.

.

 

[stefjw]

thanks for the replys.

I have a timer to control the light anmd fans going on/off at the same time so no probs there.

The plants aren't going to be in a box what I meant was I've used cardboard boxes as walls in my attic so its quite a large space.

As for the light I don't have anything less powerful so will moving my light really far away be any use ?

I'll try and post pics when I get home tonight so you can see what you think.

One more thing, I read about flowering time everywhere but how long is it from seed to smoke ?

Thanks again

 

[TheDifferenceX]

thanks for the replys.

I have a timer to control the light anmd fans going on/off at the same time so no probs there.

The plants aren't going to be in a box what I meant was I've used cardboard boxes as walls in my attic so its quite a large space.

As for the light I don't have anything less powerful so will moving my light really far away be any use ?

I'll try and post pics when I get home tonight so you can see what you think.

Thanks again

I doub't you'll have much luck w/ the seedlings with a 1000watt hps... If you keep it a couple feet away, your seedlings will STREEEETCHHHHH way too much... and it will fry them if it's too close...

You really need CFL's or flouresents to start it out..

 

[stefjw]

I doub't you'll have much luck w/ the seedlings with a 1000watt hps... If you keep it a couple feet away, your seedlings will STREEEETCHHHHH way too much... and it will fry them if it's too close...

You really need CFL's or flouresents to start it out..

Ok thanks.

So you suggest I should use one of those light fittings you get in kitchens ??

Just with a standard bulb ??

And then move onto the HPS light after they've had time to grow ?

 

[benson.]

yea a few cfl household bulbs..
i got a 200watt of ebay!

 

[DoeEyed]

You don't have to germinate the seeds first. I do it, because I want to know that the seed I planted is good - but it isn't required. Go ahead and stick it in the soil if you like - but not too deep, about a quarter to half an inch. You should see like within 4-5 days. It helps, if you put something over the top of your containers to start, to work as a humidity dome - plastic lid from a disposable roasting pan, top half of a soda bottle, you get the idea. Remove it as soon as they break the surface. It's Important that the area stay warm, as well - if it's too cold they won't germinate.

I would recommend getting a fluorescent tube light for the first couple of weeks. Lowes and Home dDepot have them for about ten bucks. These don't get hot so you can keep them right above your seedling for it's first two weeks or so, it will give the baby time to strengthen before you hit it with the big light, and help keep them from stretching.
Aluminum foil is not recommended. Far a cheap alternative, try an emergency blanket - $2.88 at Wal-Mart in the camping section.

Lastly I would recommend leaving your fan on all the time, not just lights on. Make sure it isn't blowing right at your babies - you want to position it so it just makes them shiver - this will help them grow strong stems, as well as keep their air circulated.
Good luck!

 

[stefjw]

You don't have to germinate the seeds first. I do it, because I want to know that the seed I planted is good - but it isn't required. Go ahead and stick it in the soil if you like - but not too deep, about a quarter to half an inch. You should see like within 4-5 days. It helps, if you put something over the top of your containers to start, to work as a humidity dome - plastic lid from a disposable roasting pan, top half of a soda bottle, you get the idea. Remove it as soon as they break the surface. It's Important that the area stay warm, as well - if it's too cold they won't germinate.

I would recommend getting a fluorescent tube light for the first couple of weeks. Lowes and Home dDepot have them for about ten bucks. These don't get hot so you can keep them right above your seedling for it's first two weeks or so, it will give the baby time to strengthen before you hit it with the big light, and help keep them from stretching.
Aluminum foil is not recommended. Far a cheap alternative, try an emergency blanket - $2.88 at Wal-Mart in the camping section.

Lastly I would recommend leaving your fan on all the time, not just lights on. Make sure it isn't blowing right at your babies - you want to position it so it just makes them shiver - this will help them grow strong stems, as well as keep their air circulated.
Good luck!

Thanks man, much appreciated.

I think I'll pop 1 seed in just now and put a bottle over it and see what happens and I'll invest in a fluorescent light 2morrow.

 

[PainWrek]

Thanks man, much appreciated.

I think I'll pop 1 seed in just now and put a bottle over it and see what happens and I'll invest in a fluorescent light 2morrow.

hey dude i would definitely germ your nirvana seeds first. i recently ordered 30 wonder woman seeds from nirvana and only 4 germinated. after planting the 4 germ i had no growth on any of them. its not a problem with my germ techniques either cuz i have 27 other plants from different breeders. just try to give you a heads up on NIRVANA, heard they went to shit as of late. so i would germ first. wouldn't want to plant them right away and not have shit come up and get discouraged thinking you did something wrong along the way.