Educated noob setting up my first closet SOG - Criticism welcome!

Ok guys I'm going to use this thread to introduce myself and my intentions as well as share my ideas and thoughts with seasoned professionals.

First off, I am 24 and completely new to marijauna other than a toke or ten with friends. Two months ago I dove into the idea of growing head first, and am learning as much as I can from as many sources as I can before I get started. As things continue to fall in place, I wanted to do a run through of my plans to see if everything sounds kosher...

For starters I have a 24x48 closet roughly 8' high.
*I've lined it in 2mil Mylar
*I have cut a 6" hole in the ceiling which I will vent my 600watt dimmable cool tube HPS/MH light through with a 6" fan and duct.
*Odor shouldn't be an issue considering I live 300 yards from my nearest neighbor (correct me if I'm underselling the strength of the odor?)
*I will mount two opposing oscillating fans on the walls facing downward onto the plants (the fans will be roughly 48" apart)
*I have a humidity monitor/thermometer mounted inside.
*A 6" fresh air inlet will be cut in (I will block the light so it doesn't affect the plants)
*I will be using nute-free potting soil but will be using FFOT to feed my babies. (I think I will stick to a half-strength nute schedule as it’s my first grow)
*I will closely monitor the PH level and will be using filtered well water to water them.

As for the actual grow:
*I'm starting with fem seeds, Indica-dominant, and am aiming for good quality bud without sacrificing quantity.
*My plan for germination is to soak the seeds in a cup overnight and place them into peat moss pots then into a greenhouse tray.
*After they have sprouted, I will plant them in my pots (I still haven't determined what size pots yet or how many - see Dilemmas/Questions)
*Now for lighting 24/7 for seedlings and MH 18/6 for veg. (I have heard MH is too much for the seedlings but since my ballast is dimmable, can I just turn it down to 200 watt and use it for the first week?)
*Once they're around a foot tall I'll switch to 12/12 HPS lighting

Now I have a few dilemmas/questions:
*I was originally going to grow 20 plants but the more I read the more I see people shoving as many as 4 plants per sq/ft!? How many would you guys recommend in my setup without overcrowding and will more plants with less yield or less plants with more yield be better? I don't know what to expect here - I may just go with 20 plants and hope to see near 15 ounces...
*I see a lot of 2-liter bottle grows - they just don't seem to provide sufficient room for my babies' roots to me. Am I wrong here?
*How often is everyone watering? I know generally if it feels dry down in the first two-three inches of soil it needs watered but is there a rough schedule I'm not seeing?
*How many of you prune? I plan on pruning to hopefully convince the plant to put more energy into its bud, but if it doesn't produce much better results it may not be worth the risk of damaging the plant.
*I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the variety of strains! I'm sure there are literally hundreds of strains I've never even heard of but from what I have researched I think I'm going to give Liberty Haze or Chemdog a chance. It’s either that or just a pick-n-mix of some higher THC/CBD strains. Any recommendations on a well-behaved high yielding SOG-friendly strain?

I just want to say thanks in advance and don't be afraid toshare your thoughts and opinions! I'm also looking forward to interacting withyou all in the future - especially during this grow!

First off. A sog is taking clones from a mother, rooting them. And going strait to 12/12
Secondly, getting 20 zones off of 20 plants under a 600 HPS is almost 1gpw....... Nuff said there.
Thirdly, I didn't read the whole post but it sounds like you're jumpin into something that you don't even know that you'll enjoy? On top of that, you need to START OUT with the kiss method. Go with 1-2 plants, veg the hell out of them and put that HPS on em. Get some experience. Losing 1-2 plants wont hurt at all.. Losing 20 plants migh sting a little.


P.S. Ditch the Mylar it blows goats. Peace

TokeHoldCough said:

First off. A sog is taking clones from a mother, rooting them. And going strait to 12/12
Secondly, getting 20 zones off of 20 plants under a 600 HPS is almost 1gpw....... Nuff said there.
Thirdly, I didn't read the whole post but it sounds like you're jumpin into something that you don't even know that you'll enjoy? On top of that, you need to START OUT with the kiss method. Go with 1-2 plants, veg the hell out of them and put that HPS on em. Get some experience. Losing 1-2 plants wont hurt at all.. Losing 20 plants migh sting a little.


P.S. Ditch the Mylar it blows goats. Peace

Click to expand...

lol
I agree THC..... dont mean to sound like a dick, but I couldnt read the whole thing either,
there tons of techniques and methods and what not....
grow 1 or 2 or even 3 plants all the way to harvest and cure......

I did not think about how much work, although fun, it would be to trim and and that lol
and you're talking 20 plants,
hats off for balls, but I promise you will have a much better time trying to grow 20 plants after you have a few grows under your belt.
but then again, ...... what do i know???

HAPPY GROWING

TokeHoldCough said:

Thirdly, I didn't read the whole post but it sounds like you're jumpin into something that you don't even know that you'll enjoy?

Click to expand...

Well, I can assure you that I will enjoy this thoroughly so I'm not sure what you mean...
Also, is there a better alternative you suggest for the Mylar?
I understand cloning is what makes a SOG work so well, but I don't have access to a mother yet - I will certainly keep a mother and adjust accordingly once this grow is on its feet.
I realize starting with two or three plants would be more cost efficient but I can't see any reason not to go ahead and grow enough to make it worthwhile. Time and love isn't an issue - i work out of my home most of the time and I am for certain dedicated to making this a sucessful grow. No offense at all meant by saying this, but I think I'm gonna give this a shot!

I should also add that this isn't my first round with indoor growing. I have grown indoor gardens in the past that have produced some nice yields (vegetables). From what I read, cannabis growing is very similar to tomato plants...

And carbon filter noted - I will install one just to be safe.

always use a carbon filter. always.

It's like... I wanted to get my dog fixed so I wouldn't worry about him knocking up bitches. But once he did have sex, he hated it. And has never done it again. See what I'm getting at?

Panda film. It's the bees knees