New to growing, a few questions :)

[mzdannie]

Okay so I decided to become a grower for many reasons neither here or there. However, I have some questions related to nutrients and feeding. I am currently waiting on non-feminized seeds AK48, Blackberry, and a indica/sativa mix. I am going to start of with 2 seeds of each kind to see if they germinate and if so, I want to clone to detemine the sexes. Now keep in mind that this is the way I see it in my head but I am missing some key elements to get me where I want to be.

The grow media I chose is Sunshine Mix Aggregate #4 and vermiculite. Considering that I will need to feed my babies, what is recommended and how often? I have done approximately 5 months of researching but you won't always find your answers.

Important Facts:
Sunshine Mix #4/vermiculite
blackberry,ak48, indica/sativa mix
400 Watt HPS Grown Light Fixture with hangers (haven't gotten bulbs yet)
Grow tent (2 ft/7 inches x 2 ft/7 inches x 5 ft/11 inches)

I stumpled across this page http://www.marijuanagrowershq.com/organic-marijuana-fertilizers/ and I want to know what do you all think about it? Should I use it as a guide and use one recommended organic fertilizer from each section under NPK and of course adjust based on my plants needs?

If there is anything I am missing, could you please be so kind to add addition information.

Happy

 

[jcmjrt]

I stumpled across this page http://www.marijuanagrowershq.com/organic-marijuana-fertilizers/ and I want to know what do you all think about it? Should I use it as a guide and use one recommended organic fertilizer from each section under NPK and of course adjust based on my plants needs?

If there is anything I am missing, could you please be so kind to add addition information.

Happy

Basically, yes, you can do that. I would try to choose one fast and one slow source of each basic NPK and then a couple, three trace mineral sources including kelp. You can start with just a fast of each and a couple of trace mineral sources including kelp. Crab meal is also something your link doesn't have but can be quite useful for calcium and chitin (help keep bad critters at bay as will the neem and karanja). Greensand is a great source of potassium but can take years to break down completely (some becomes available in a couple months) but really many of the slow and all the very slow sources like greensand are most valuable if you reamend and reuse your soil. I do and it works great.

I like neem or karanja cake as one of the nitrogen choices. It's basically a slow source.

There's an easy to read and very useful book - True Living Organics by The Rev - which discusses specifically organic soil grows for small containers. It's really a good book to learn a lot quickly.

Now if you are REALLY into organic and want some excellent grows also check out worm composting. It's easy and the worm castings can be incredibly high quality and great for your soil.

 

[mzdannie]

Thanks. I will definitely look into the worm castings. I'll make my husband deal with the shit (no pun intended) tehehe But thanks a lot!

 

[st0wandgrow]

Thanks. I will definitely look into the worm castings. I'll make my husband deal with the shit (no pun intended) tehehe But thanks a lot!

Your source of compost (worm poop) is the most important part of the program. You can slice and dice "NPK" all you want, but without a solid compost base in your soil all the additives in the world won't matter.

Look in to becoming a worm farmer. It's as simple as a rubbermaid tote, some bedding, and a couple pounds of worms. They will be turning your kitchen scraps in to garden-gold in no time!

 

[Vindicated]

If your thinking of going with soil start in one gallon containers and fill it with a seed starting mix. After a month switch to regular potting soil for containers. Don't feed the plants until they ask for it and then start slow.

The brands of fertilizer/nutrients and soil sold at hydro stores are a big ripoff. Your local Home Depot and Lowes will have everything you need and cost a fraction of the price.

The difference you'll see between $300 nutrients and $10 fertilizer is negligible. Same for soil. Lighting, air flow, and the growers watchful eye matter more.

Have you ever read about the old man who bought a "nice shrub" at a flea market only get busted by the cops because it grew into a huge seven foot tree? True story and it happens a lot. The old man knew nothing about weed. But he did know how to care for a simple plant. Read a few gardening books and get growing. Go cheap and try new things slowly and let experience guide you.

 

[Gruvymann]

Not sure you have to clone for sex. After the 4-5 week of vegetative growth you should see female or male preflowers.

 

[mzdannie]

Not sure you have to clone for sex. After the 4-5 week of vegetative growth you should see female or male preflowers.

I read that it's better to clone and place them into flowering and see what the sex is versus placing the full plant into flowering to determine it. If male, just kill the clone and the original plant and start the process again. However, I am not against flowering the whole plant to determine sex.


Wonderful tips and information. I have gotten some fairly reasonable products. The seeds came in today and I am waiting for the bulb and I should be ready. I am really excited! I definitely decided to go organic completely. Instead of planting in 2 gallon pots, I ordered a propagation station and will start them in that and then move to the pots when ready.