egghead411
Member
This is the greatest forum on the web. Anyway, I just started my first grow. I am a complete newbie but I did my best to research (this site was very helpful) the best way to grow with the budget and space I have available. Anyway, here's my set up so far:
-I just planted five feminized auto ak47 seeds from dope-seeds.com in five 8-10 liter (not sure of the exact size but they look to be at least twice as big as the 4oz pots they had.
- As this is my first grow I didn't do anything too special with my soil. I went to my local nursery and purchased their premium potting soil http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/products.php?pid=1045&openparent=2119 . The listed ingredients seemed to be about right although I don't know the ratios. Even if there is a better soil method out there I figure for my first grow something would sprout.
- I put between 2 and 3 inches of pebbles on the bottom of my pots. I then added the soil mixed with about 30% sand for drainage. Everyone seems to say that the biggest mistake rookies make is overwatering. I figure the sand and pebbles will help me prevent that.
- All five pots are underneath a hydrofarm 250watt hps light. I have it on a timer set to a light schedule of 20/4 light/dark although there are no plants yet.
-In accordance with the instructions on the seed packet I planted the seeds directly into each pot.
-I am growing in an attic in secret. The space is pretty larger although not very tall. Its right below the roof (obviously) so the shape of the room is triangle (like A frame) with the sides meeting at a point at the top. Dimensions: 3.5' high, 12'-14' wide and around 30' to 35' long.
The photos I've seen in this forum show that at least some of you know what your doing. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Here are a couple questions about this grow and (hopefully) a second grow starting in a little over a month when I add a second 250watt light to my set up:
1. How long does it normally take for a baby plant to be visible after I plant it. It has been 96 hours since I put the seeds in the soil and I'm starting to get a little worried. I'm also a little worried because after I planted them I read in a guide for the original low ryder to plant the seeds 0.5cm to 1cm below the surface. I used by pinkie but each seed is probably closer to 2cm below the surface. When should I start getting worried?
2. I thoroughly watered all five pots when I planted the seeds. Each pot is still very moist. Darker, moist soil is still clearly visible on the top and feels moist to the touch. Is there any reason I should water more? A lot of people seem to prefer the paper toil method which would seem to be a much moister environment than moist soil.
3. I read that the auto ak47 cam grow over two feet. With the light place at the apex and the plant directly underneath it with some of the ceiling insulation moved aside I can about three feet from the bottom of the light to the soil. What happens if the top of the plant gets within six inches of the light? Will it scorch the plant or anything? Obviously, I've already planted so its too late to switch strains (although my next crop rotation will likely be diesel rider or some other shorter strain) but will it be necessary to move the plants to a taller room for the last couple weeks of the grow?
4. The potting soil has some fertilizer in it to get started. How many weeks should I wait to fertilize. I hear the second most common mistake among rookie growers is over fertilizing. Also, what is a good fertilizer? I figure some sort of liquid fertilizer mixed in with the water would be easiest. Other growers seem keen on sticking to organic soil and fertilizer. I don't really care about using organic anything. I'll use whatever works.
Thanks for your help and if something sprouts I'll be sure to post some photos.
-I just planted five feminized auto ak47 seeds from dope-seeds.com in five 8-10 liter (not sure of the exact size but they look to be at least twice as big as the 4oz pots they had.
- As this is my first grow I didn't do anything too special with my soil. I went to my local nursery and purchased their premium potting soil http://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/products.php?pid=1045&openparent=2119 . The listed ingredients seemed to be about right although I don't know the ratios. Even if there is a better soil method out there I figure for my first grow something would sprout.
- I put between 2 and 3 inches of pebbles on the bottom of my pots. I then added the soil mixed with about 30% sand for drainage. Everyone seems to say that the biggest mistake rookies make is overwatering. I figure the sand and pebbles will help me prevent that.
- All five pots are underneath a hydrofarm 250watt hps light. I have it on a timer set to a light schedule of 20/4 light/dark although there are no plants yet.
-In accordance with the instructions on the seed packet I planted the seeds directly into each pot.
-I am growing in an attic in secret. The space is pretty larger although not very tall. Its right below the roof (obviously) so the shape of the room is triangle (like A frame) with the sides meeting at a point at the top. Dimensions: 3.5' high, 12'-14' wide and around 30' to 35' long.
The photos I've seen in this forum show that at least some of you know what your doing. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Here are a couple questions about this grow and (hopefully) a second grow starting in a little over a month when I add a second 250watt light to my set up:
1. How long does it normally take for a baby plant to be visible after I plant it. It has been 96 hours since I put the seeds in the soil and I'm starting to get a little worried. I'm also a little worried because after I planted them I read in a guide for the original low ryder to plant the seeds 0.5cm to 1cm below the surface. I used by pinkie but each seed is probably closer to 2cm below the surface. When should I start getting worried?
2. I thoroughly watered all five pots when I planted the seeds. Each pot is still very moist. Darker, moist soil is still clearly visible on the top and feels moist to the touch. Is there any reason I should water more? A lot of people seem to prefer the paper toil method which would seem to be a much moister environment than moist soil.
3. I read that the auto ak47 cam grow over two feet. With the light place at the apex and the plant directly underneath it with some of the ceiling insulation moved aside I can about three feet from the bottom of the light to the soil. What happens if the top of the plant gets within six inches of the light? Will it scorch the plant or anything? Obviously, I've already planted so its too late to switch strains (although my next crop rotation will likely be diesel rider or some other shorter strain) but will it be necessary to move the plants to a taller room for the last couple weeks of the grow?
4. The potting soil has some fertilizer in it to get started. How many weeks should I wait to fertilize. I hear the second most common mistake among rookie growers is over fertilizing. Also, what is a good fertilizer? I figure some sort of liquid fertilizer mixed in with the water would be easiest. Other growers seem keen on sticking to organic soil and fertilizer. I don't really care about using organic anything. I'll use whatever works.
Thanks for your help and if something sprouts I'll be sure to post some photos.
I had to put a Diesel Ryder AF on 12/12 to empty one cab and rid it of gnats, but she was 35 days old and raised from seed under a 150HPS. She sure didnt get much bigger once put on 12/12, just fattened up a bit with ZERO branching. I will keep your pic in mind next time I think of going 12/12 in my AF cab 
Proud papa!! They are looking great.