Help getting started

heelop

Member
I've been looking around on how to get started but still confused about equipment lighting, and soil etc . First off lighting sources. I have no idea were to start, I do understand that a mix of mh and HPS lighting would be the best option for growth(although cash is tight). I've also heard that florescence lights work as well and do not cost much. I've also come across LED lights which are very cheap(something that I can afford). So I've been fairly confused on were to start as I'm a beginner at this and don't wanna break the bank.
My second question is should I start off with soil or a hydroponic system ? Soil in my case would be much easier for me as I'm unsure how to maintain hydroponic systems and what type of feed that I need. I'm also looking to grow one or two plants so a small hydroponic system for two plants would be good. Also my growing space is a closet space(real closet which is a 2x1.5 foot space) So which system would work best for me.
Also fertilizer and soil? In your experiences what works best, as there just a bunch of stuff that I can try and this has been fairly confusing.
And since my system is in a closet should I just a small air dehumidifier as well as a small fan to circulate air throughout the closet space ?

I've read a bunch of guides but they don't really mention what kind of equipment you need other then expensive hps bulbs and hydroponic systems. So any help on this would be great cause I've love to get started on this project.
 
If money is tight my advice is save money up. Growing inst cheap. While your trying to save money I would use some of your time researching on here for advice. Read the stickies at the top of each section they are loaded with info. Most people on here aren't just gonna hand feed you everything you need to start they expect us to research. I would start out by buying either a 600 or 1000 W MH light for veg. This has the blue spectrum you will need for veg. Also I would buy a 600 or 1000W HPS for flowering this has red spectrum for flowering. Or you can buy a multispectrum bulb that has both spectrums in one bulb. As far as soil or hydro that's a personal decision you will have to make for yourself.
 

hellbelly

Active Member
I've been looking around on how to get started but still confused about equipment lighting, and soil etc . First off lighting sources. I have no idea were to start, I do understand that a mix of mh and HPS lighting would be the best option for growth(although cash is tight). I've also heard that florescence lights work as well and do not cost much. I've also come across LED lights which are very cheap(something that I can afford). So I've been fairly confused on were to start as I'm a beginner at this and don't wanna break the bank.
My second question is should I start off with soil or a hydroponic system ? Soil in my case would be much easier for me as I'm unsure how to maintain hydroponic systems and what type of feed that I need. I'm also looking to grow one or two plants so a small hydroponic system for two plants would be good. Also my growing space is a closet space(real closet which is a 2x1.5 foot space) So which system would work best for me.
Also fertilizer and soil? In your experiences what works best, as there just a bunch of stuff that I can try and this has been fairly confusing.
And since my system is in a closet should I just a small air dehumidifier as well as a small fan to circulate air throughout the closet space ?

I've read a bunch of guides but they don't really mention what kind of equipment you need other then expensive hps bulbs and hydroponic systems. So any help on this would be great cause I've love to get started on this project.
Start here:
https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/937-how-grow-marijuana.html

What's your budget?
 

mrmadcow

Well-Known Member
for the size of your closet, CFLs would be fine.I would start w/ soil & organic ferts as it is easy & more forgiving of newbie mistakes.
I have considered LED lights but the more I research them,the less I like about them.
pay more attention to ventilation, a small fan to move the air around is needed but you also need to draw fresh air in.
 

heelop

Member
I don't want to spend over 150 I'm only looking for 1 plant to start with then maybe move to 2. Any suggestions on what I can start off for that much ?
 

Chronic Connoisseur

Well-Known Member
Never use LED if your budget is low. All good LED grow lights cost a lot. Use cfls for veg. and if your using one plant get a low wattage hps for flowering. try google searches for a refurbished ballast and stuff, it can save you a lot of money.

Im kinda busy right now so i cant get into too much detail, but try to use soil with no nutes already in it. but i started off small and cheap a few years ago when i lived with parents, so if you have any really specific questions feel free to add me and message.
 

GidgetGrows

Well-Known Member
If your looking for cheap, you can try to simulate what I've got going on.

I bought the cheapest "potting soil" at home depot think it was $6-7. It had fertilizer in it, so I didn't have to feed them for almost 2 months. I use CFL's plugged into a power bar.


If you are only going to grow one plant you should be able to manage with fairly low costs the only concern is if that one plant is a male after all your time.
 

heelop

Member
If your looking for cheap, you can try to simulate what I've got going on.

I bought the cheapest "potting soil" at home depot think it was $6-7. It had fertilizer in it, so I didn't have to feed them for almost 2 months. I use CFL's plugged into a power bar.


If you are only going to grow one plant you should be able to manage with fairly low costs the only concern is if that one plant is a male after all your time.
Yea I was looking at lights from homedepot, do tube florescent lights work as well as the CFL? Because if so its going to be easier to hang from the bar in my closet so i can adjust the height of it through its growth. Why would the male plant be any concern ? The sex of plants is still a bit confusing for me I havent read any guides that can explain the differences between them clearly(aside from the fact that the female can produce seeds)
 

GidgetGrows

Well-Known Member
MJ plants are like people, you need a male and female to have babies. If its a hermi, it can have babies with itself, and any other girls around.


Male- (not a good smoke/not smokeable) If you have a male it will pollenate your crop and you will have to pick seeds out of your bud from your females.

Female- (This is your bud!) The female produces the flower buds, those are what you smoke, if they do not get pollenated, you get a nice phat nug with no seeds and a good smoke. If you had a male, those phat nugs are going to be fat cause in the middle is a giant seed, instead of more bud to smoke.

Hermi- This is a best/worst of both worlds. It has smokeable parts, but it also has the capability of ruining your whole crop, by seeding any nearby females. But if its your only plant it can provide you with seed for awhile.

Hope that helps
 

heelop

Member
MJ plants are like people, you need a male and female to have babies. If its a hermi, it can have babies with itself, and any other girls around.

Hope that helps
So I guess I should start off with two plants to increase the chances that I get a female and a male plant? so that way i am able to pollinate and continue to grow ?
 
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