First Grow - King's Kush / Alaskan Ice / Chrystal

Hi people, firstly let me say hello and congratulations on such an excellent site with lots of valuable information and friendly users as I have been passively reading posts and schooling myself with your knowledge! I have decided to join in as I have some questions I would like you guys to help me with, I will explain my equipment and plans and then move on to what I need help with..

I know this post is quite long but I thought I would get everything covered in one topic instead of spamming the forum with many of them so thanks for taking the time to read through and share your knowledge with me

I have germinated 3 female seeds - Nirvana Chrystal, Green House Alaskan Ice/King's Kush, which are 10 days into their veg form and looking healthy and developing well. I am still trying to germinate a Green House White Widow but its being a pain so I added a Nirvana Bubbleicious which I'm also waiting on (using damp paper towel method in the dark warm airing cupboard, looks like they have started to open but haven't progressed any further? (any tips on getting these going?)

My 3 ladies so far are under a MaxiBright PL2 2x55w propagation lamp about 10 inches above the plants with the temp around 82-88'F while the lights are on then about 70-75'F when they are in darkness. I am using 18/6 for the veg as I want them to develop a healthy root base.

The soil I'm using is Biobizz Light Mix which I will be adding nutrients to when they are ready. I soaked the soil before I planted my ladies and have been watering them with distilled tap water when the soil feels like it needs it.

For flowering I have a SunMaster Super HPS Deluxe 400w light and am going to be using a grow tent with carbon filter and intake fan. I will also be using a PH water and PH soil tester to help me get things right. If there is any other equipment you would recommend please let me know.

I am going the totally organic route so will be using Bio Bizz Bio Grow, Bio Bloom, Top Max, Leaf Coat and possibly Plagron Top Activator.

Now you know what I am using and where I am so far with my grow I was hoping for some help with the next steps. To make it easy for people to answer and to view I'll add a number to each question making them easier to reference.

1. With my ladies 10 days into veg when should I start looking at adding nutrients to their watering?

2. Their current home is a make shift one that isn't getting a lot of fresh air and some of the soil is beginning to get furry, is this natural or a problem, if so how to I correct this.

3. How long should I be looking to keep them under the propagation lamp before I move to the 400w HPS?

4. Once my grow tent is up and running how often should I have my intake / extraction come on per hour during veg & flowering?

5. I've read about "flushing", is this necessary before they go into flower?

6. I plan to give them around 36 hours of darkness before they go into flowering, would you guys say this is a good method?

7. How far would you say to keep the 400w HPS light from my ladies when I start to use it, I don't want it to be too close that it burns them or too far that they don't get the benefits of it.

8. As this is my first time, when will I know its time to put them onto their 12/12 cycle?

9. How much water should I be using to water them during veg/flowering as I don't want to over water them or not give them enough.

10. Should I add nutrients every time I water, If not how often?

Although this is my first grow I would like to do everything possible to achieve some amazing results so any extra tips would be much appreciated!

1. With my ladies 10 days into veg when should I start looking at adding nutrients to their watering?
Not until they are around three weeks old. Prior to that, the cotyledons provide them with everything they need, food-wise.

2. Their current home is a make shift one that isn't getting a lot of fresh air and some of the soil is beginning to get furry, is this natural or a problem, if so how to I correct this.
I don't see any furryness in the pictures. But if there is, it's a bad thing - furry usually means mold, and mold will ruin your crop! If you do have a problem, try to get closeups of it and post in the Plant problem section. Fresh air is a must, and mold is but one reason why.

3. How long should I be looking to keep them under the propagation lamp before I move to the 400w HPS?
Approximately 2-3 weeks.

4. Once my grow tent is up and running how often should I have my intake / extraction come on per hour during veg & flowering?
Your intake and exhaust should be on continuously! Freash air and air movement is essential for plant developement, and keeping bad things from growing in there.

5. I've read about "flushing", is this necessary before they go into flower?
I never flush unless my plants tell me there's too much salt buildup, but you certainly can do it if you like, it won't hurt anything. Typically if I need to flush, it usually seems to be around six weeks into veg.

6. I plan to give them around 36 hours of darkness before they go into flowering, would you guys say this is a good method?
I've done it both ways. Doing this is unnecessary, and could possibly stress your ladies into hermie.

7. How far would you say to keep the 400w HPS light from my ladies when I start to use it, I don't want it to be too close that it burns them or too far that they don't get the benefits of it.
Start out around two feet, and gradually lower. Place your hand above the plants for at least 30 seconds - if it feels uncomfortable to you, it will burn them.

8. As this is my first time, when will I know its time to put them onto their 12/12 cycle?
There is no right time to do it - it's entirely up to you. They will grow roughly double (and possibly triple) their size, once in flower. Also - you can throw them in early, or even start them on 12/12 from seed - but you cannot force the plant to flower, until it is sexually mature. Up until then, it will continue to veg. Barring those two things, there are no restrictions on when you flower. Signs of sexual maturity are preflowers, and alternating nodes.

9. How much water should I be using to water them during veg/flowering as I don't want to over water them or not give them enough.
You want to water them slowly, until the water just starts to drain out the bottom - stop. Don't water again until you no longer feel moisture in the top two or three inches or so. If they start to droop, they need water. Try to water before this happens. Overwatering will also cause drooping.

10. Should I add nutrients every time I water, If not how often?
I give mine nutes every two out of three waterings, for the most part. Unless they tell me they are still hungry. You'll learn to read your plants, as you go. Look into molasses, as well - I use it both during veg and flower, to feed the positive bacteria in the soil.

Do you have a fan blowing in there? You don't want it blowing right on them, but rather so it kind of shivers them - it simulates wind, and helps the stems grow strong. Also - your temps are a bit on the high side - try to bring them down to your lights off temp. Lastly, I just wanted to mention one more time - leave your intake and exhaust on!
Other than that, sounds like you're off to a good start!

DoeEyed thank you very much for your answers, I will keep the intake & exhaust fan on ALL the time!

In regards to not using the 36 hour hours of darkness before going into flowering should I just give them their 6 hours of dark on the last day of veg and switch straight into the 12/12 cycle from there?

I have included some pics of this furryness, the 10MP digital camera I have is crap and they are the best it could take, the Bio Bizz Light Mix has lots of little white nuggets in so its hard to see which is the furry bits and which is these nuggets. On close inspection I can see it through the drainage holes on the bottom and on the surface. I wasn't sure if this was a characteristic of the soil I'm using or whether it's because I haven't given them enough fresh air as my make shift set up has been enclosed with no fan. I have opened it up now so it is ventilated but how do I get rid of this furr/mould?

Since opening my make shift grow area the temp is sitting nicely at 75'C, should this be the temp throughout veg & flowering?

good looking start and ima + rep doe for giving you awsome answers.

Have done mate, cheers for the pointer

luckymeh said:

DoeEyed thank you very much for your answers, I will keep the intake & exhaust fan on ALL the time!

In regards to not using the 36 hour hours of darkness before going into flowering should I just give them their 6 hours of dark on the last day of veg and switch straight into the 12/12 cycle from there?

I have included some pics of this furryness, the 10MP digital camera I have is crap and they are the best it could take, the Bio Bizz Light Mix has lots of little white nuggets in so its hard to see which is the furry bits and which is these nuggets. On close inspection I can see it through the drainage holes on the bottom and on the surface. I wasn't sure if this was a characteristic of the soil I'm using or whether it's because I haven't given them enough fresh air as my make shift set up has been enclosed with no fan. I have opened it up now so it is ventilated but how do I get rid of this furr/mould?

Since opening my make shift grow area the temp is sitting nicely at 75'C, should this be the temp throughout veg & flowering?

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I honestly don't know, about your soil - I use a different kind, so maybe it is the soil, I would really encourage you to post those pics in the Problem section, there should be someone who can give you a better idea of what's going on.

Switching to 12/12 is as easy as changing your timer. Dark before or extra light, either way, is ok. Mine get a 20/4 light schedule during veg - seems to be the best, IMO, for both roots and yield. So mine wind up with like 15 hours of light on switch day, because my veg lights come on at 4pm, and flower lights at 7pm. Not that big a deal - as long as you aren't talking days.

I'm hoping you meant 75F? 75C would be around 150F I think! The lower temp is perfect, for both veg and flower. Do you have a hygrometer in there as well? You want a higher humidity during veg, than flower. If you don't have one, you can find a cheap digital temp/hygrometer at Walmart for about $5. Other places should have some fairly cheap ones, as well.
Good luck with your grow! Don't be afraid to post any more questions you have, and of course - lots of pics!

DoeEyed said:

I honestly don't know, about your soil - I use a different kind, so maybe it is the soil, I would really encourage you to post those pics in the Problem section, there should be someone who can give you a better idea of what's going on.

Switching to 12/12 is as easy as changing your timer. Dark before or extra light, either way, is ok. Mine get a 20/4 light schedule during veg - seems to be the best, IMO, for both roots and yield. So mine wind up with like 15 hours of light on switch day, because my veg lights come on at 4pm, and flower lights at 7pm. Not that big a deal - as long as you aren't talking days.

I'm hoping you meant 75F? 75C would be around 150F I think! The lower temp is perfect, for both veg and flower. Do you have a hygrometer in there as well? You want a higher humidity during veg, than flower. If you don't have one, you can find a cheap digital temp/hygrometer at Walmart for about $5. Other places should have some fairly cheap ones, as well.
Good luck with your grow! Don't be afraid to post any more questions you have, and of course - lots of pics!

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Cheers DoeEyed, I will post those pics in the relevant forum and hopefully someone can give me some pointers. I read on here yesterday to scrape off the top layer of soil, add some new soil over the top ( I was going to do this anyway to give the base more support) then water and keep ventilated.

Seeing as i'm on 18/6 and you recommend 20/4 is there any way I can increase mine to 20/4 without affecting the plants? (they are 11 days in from popping up through the soil).

I meant 75'F* haha. I will get my self a thermometer with humidity level this week so thanks for the equipment info. What would be the optimum humidity to keep them to during veg/flowering and how would I increase/decrease it to achieve that?

luckymeh said:

Cheers DoeEyed, I will post those pics in the relevant forum and hopefully someone can give me some pointers. I read on here yesterday to scrape off the top layer of soil, add some new soil over the top ( I was going to do this anyway to give the base more support) then water and keep ventilated.

Seeing as i'm on 18/6 and you recommend 20/4 is there any way I can increase mine to 20/4 without affecting the plants? (they are 11 days in from popping up through the soil).

I meant 75'F* haha. I will get my self a thermometer with humidity level this week so thanks for the equipment info. What would be the optimum humidity to keep them to during veg/flowering and how would I increase/decrease it to achieve that?

Click to expand...

You can switch your light schedule in veg without undue stress to your girls - just don't do it more than a few times, and definately never in flower. You can grow just fine on 18/6, and even 24/0 - it's a matter of grower preference. Myself, I started out 18/6, read a study that had been done that stated what I told you - and have been 20/4 ever since. So you can do it whichever way you like, if you do want the 20/4, just change it, no problem.

For your humidity levels, you should have between 30%-60% in veg (plenty of wiggle room there), but only 20%-30% in flower. If your humidity levels are off you can use a humidifier to bring them up, and a dehumidifier (the more expensive) to bring them down. If you can't afford to get them but have a problem anyway, there are various things you can try - let me know and I'll share some of them (or you can google, lol).

Nice, i had similar questions ...

Peace.