Before I start... Questions

[mooseman99]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and I have to say its pretty amazing

Just from reading the guides and following some other grows I've got a pretty good idea of what i want to do.

Anyway, I plan on starting my first grow this summer once college is out (June 12), I'm gonna use a 7-pod Aerogarden because I'm short on cash and my friend has one that he got as a gift but doesn't use anymore.

So here's the plan
-Buy some seeds from Nirvana (fem. Snow White)
-Germinate w/ Paper Towel method
-Plant 3 best seeds in AG
-Set up 2 CFLs diagonaly facing it with foil behind it to reflect, add in an airstone, and cover holes
-No nutes first 2 weeks, switch to foxfarm after that
veg for like 3 weeks, then flower? I don't want it to get that huge I don't plan on selling most of it anyway

But I have a few Questions:
1. Whats the best stage that i can leave them unattended? Is there one? I'm going on vacation for 3 weeks July1-21, is there any stage where they need little attention? I can probably build some contraption that feeds them nutes every week, I'm studying to be an engineer so it shouldn't be hard, but I don't want them to die while I'm away

2. How long should they flower if they are only vegging for 3 weeks? Does size matter in terms of flowering time?

3. What is the cheapest pH meter I can get? I can't seem to find one under $50 which seems ridiculous. Would pH strips work?

4. Can I prune the plants to get more lateral growth? Since the Ag doesn't really have all that much vertical space...

Thanks a bunch
happy growing

 

[ohnothimagin]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and I have to say its pretty amazing

Just from reading the guides and following some other grows I've got a pretty good idea of what i want to do.

Anyway, I plan on starting my first grow this summer once college is out (June 12), I'm gonna use a 7-pod Aerogarden because I'm short on cash and my friend has one that he got as a gift but doesn't use anymore.

So here's the plan
-Buy some seeds from Nirvana (fem. Snow White)
-Germinate w/ Paper Towel method
-Plant 3 best seeds in AG
-Set up 2 CFLs diagonaly facing it with foil behind it to reflect, add in an airstone, and cover holes
-No nutes first 2 weeks, switch to foxfarm after that
veg for like 3 weeks, then flower? I don't want it to get that huge I don't plan on selling most of it anyway

But I have a few Questions:
1. Whats the best stage that i can leave them unattended? Is there one? I'm going on vacation for 3 weeks July1-21, is there any stage where they need little attention? I can probably build some contraption that feeds them nutes every week, I'm studying to be an engineer so it shouldn't be hard, but I don't want them to die while I'm away

2. How long should they flower if they are only vegging for 3 weeks? Does size matter in terms of flowering time?

3. What is the cheapest pH meter I can get? I can't seem to find one under $50 which seems ridiculous. Would pH strips work?

4. Can I prune the plants to get more lateral growth? Since the Ag doesn't really have all that much vertical space...

Thanks a bunch
happy growing

1.) You will not be able to leave them for 3 weeks. The reservoir is slightly less than 1 gallon. You will need someone trustworthy to add water and nutrients.

2.) An inexpensive pH meter can be found here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Milwaukee-PH-600-Digital-pH-Tester-Meter-0-14-NEW_W0QQitemZ370312332597QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563855c535

3.) Flowering time depends on the plant.

4.) You can find a lot of information about pruning, LST and topping on this sight.

Don't forget to get:

1.) An air pump, tubing and an air stone.

2.) Additional CFL side lights.

Good Luck!

 

[mooseman99]

You will need someone trustworthy to add water and nutrients.

ahh alright no problem, I'll just ask the neighbors
Hey, can you come over and grab the mail while I'm on vacation? OH and could you come and water my weed plant every now and then? Thanks

Damn
maybe this won't work then, I guess I might have to go with an outdoor grow. You can leave those alone right? since it rains anyway?

 

[baxta420]

Why cant u just do it when u get back? O and dont use foil to reflect light =) happy growing

 

[baxta420]

although u might be able to leave them in the beginning. If u dont mind risking a few seeds, but that is a long time ;[

 

[mooseman99]

although u might be able to leave them in the beginning. If u dont mind risking a few seeds, but that is a long time ;[

This is what I might do
Since they need little to no nutes and they probably won't gulp up too much water
maybe I can rig something to water them after a week too or something

Also why shouldn't I use foil?


EDIT: and if I do grow outside will I need to water/fertilize weekly or will natural rain be enough for the 3 weeks I'm away?

SECOND EDIT: I just found this http://berserk.org/ois/
will this drip irrigation system work if i set up one feeding into my aerogarden pumping a few oz of nutrient filled water everyday?