Beginner indoor grow, starting sunday.

Peace everyone!

I haven't attempted a grow in close to a decade... and am suffering from analysis paralysis with all the info out there. I will be growing;

Fat Banana Auto
Royal Gorilla Auto
Northern Lights Auto

I have a 3x3x6 tent, 1000W KINGLED light, a humidifier, five 5 gallon fabric pots, elevators and trays. Two small oscillating fans that could either stand up or get clipped somewhere. The plan here is to use one fan on the floor, and the other is to place in the top exhaust hole (I believe thats the right terminology?)... I didn't want to start off right away with the actual exhaust systems... and I've seen "budget grow" videos where growers have just used fans in the nature I've described above.

The plan is to mix FFOF x HF 50/50? I'm not sure which nutrient line to use... whether FF's line of nutrients are better or if I should go with something like GG? Although I am leaning towards going with the FF trio, just keep things uniform. I'll start germination using the old paper towel method and drop seeds in when they germinate.

If you all have any tips, ideas, recommendations, etc in terms of nutrients, soil mix ratio, when to add nutrients, light schedules... whatever! Please share!

While I have a broad, yet general plan, I do plan on continuing to research, read, and watch videos throughout the process, as well as post here and detail the journey. There is no real expectation for this first run aside from learning and being able to light up at least a gram LOL. My goal is to become a student, learn as I grow and be able to indulge in this form of artistry.

Peace!

Good luck. Welcome to RIU!

Your 1000w light, is actually 100w, King says it’s good for a 3x3 in veg, 2.5x2,5 in flower, I’m a bit skeptical, so be ready to get more light, if needed. I, personally, would use either the HF or the OF for the soil, not a mix. Nutes are up to you, depends on if you want to go organic or synthetic. Pluses and minuses to each. Lastly, get a good simple to use nute line, truly you need NPK, possibly calmag, and micronutrients, don’t fall into the “sweeteners”, “finishers” or other add on nutes trap, your wallet will thank you.

A few points that might save you some grief:

Your light is likely fine for starting and early veg, but it's not 1000W, more like 150. A contemporary ~ 300w white LED would be a wise investment.

Don't attempt to grow 5 plants in a 3x3

There's no reason you can't get a decent harvest on your fist attempt.

Good luck

Both soils do just fine. No need to mix them. If you start the seeds directly in soil, you take away the risk of damaging the root when it sprouts in the towel.

Check your light. I'm guessing here but I'm guessing your 1000w led is actually 100-150w. Plenty of juice to get the plants started and going, but will not be sufficient enough to flower multiple plants in a 3x3. (If it's actually 1000w, disregard this)

Either way, get those beans popped and going. Good luck!!!!

Ive grown in a hf and ffof mix before. Threw in some perlite that I had left over. Ratio was about 3:1. ffof runs hotter than hf but it shouldnt be an issue. Recently ive been starting in only hf and transplant to 30gal no til containers.

5 plants is to much for the 3x3. IMO, throw a 30 gal in there and just have one plant and train that mofo until its canopy covers the whole tent. I find 5 gals a little too small and not as forgiving as a 20+ gal.

5 plants in there will be hard to keep the humidity in check (depending on your climate )

I always germinate in a glass of water keeps in a dark cool place. Once they are about 1/4in long I plant them in 1/4 gal bags. Then transplant up.

What are you using to track temp and humidity ?

I run 6 plants in a 3x3 no prob. Short veg. Duno why everyone's saying not to? Less veg time is cheaper on your electric bill. That's my 2cents

Jjgrow420 said:

I run 6 plants in a 3x3 no prob. Short veg. Duno why everyone's saying not to? Less veg time is cheaper on your electric bill. That's my 2cents

Click to expand...

It's absolutely a viable option to run 6, but for a first run it's easier to keep it as simple as possible.

I certainly wouldn't want to run five 5gal fabric pots in a 3x3. Unless you live in the desert, controlling humidity would be a nightmare.

shnkrmn said:

Good luck. Welcome to RIU!

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Phytoplankton said:

Your 1000w light, is actually 100w, King says it’s good for a 3x3 in veg, 2.5x2,5 in flower, I’m a bit skeptical, so be ready to get more light, if needed. I, personally, would use either the HF or the OF for the soil, not a mix. Nutes are up to you, depends on if you want to go organic or synthetic. Pluses and minuses to each. Lastly, get a good simple to use nute line, truly you need NPK, possibly calmag, and micronutrients, don’t fall into the “sweeteners”, “finishers” or other add on nutes trap, your wallet will thank you.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice and tips! I've read multiple reviews about this light... some say it gives 150w... some say it's equivalent to 400w HPS and the list goes on... I'll be intentional to learn how I can know the real wattage. So, in your opinion there is no reason to mix soil? Over the last few months of researching I've seen so many people saying OF is too hot for seedlings, especially autos? I guess it all boils down to everyone's personal experience? I'm planning on getting FF Trio nutes and I just ordered Langbeinite 0-0-22... No nutes until 3-4 weeks?

Billy the Mountain said:

A few points that might save you some grief:

Your light is likely fine for starting and early veg, but it's not 1000W, more like 150. A contemporary ~ 300w white LED would be a wise investment.

Don't attempt to grow 5 plants in a 3x3

There's no reason you can't get a decent harvest on your fist attempt.

Good luck

Click to expand...

Thanks for this advice! If need could the 300w LED be a bulb screwed into a dome, or should I get another actual grow light?

TCH said:

Both soils do just fine. No need to mix them. If you start the seeds directly in soil, you take away the risk of damaging the root when it sprouts in the towel.

Check your light. I'm guessing here but I'm guessing your 1000w led is actually 100-150w. Plenty of juice to get the plants started and going, but will not be sufficient enough to flower multiple plants in a 3x3. (If it's actually 1000w, disregard this)

Either way, get those beans popped and going. Good luck!!!!

Click to expand...

Thanks! If I understand correctly your advice is to go seed directly in soil? spray a dome, cup, etc and put over seed until it pops?

freefromthematrix said:

Thanks! If I understand correctly your advice is to go seed directly in soil? spray a dome, cup, etc and put over seed until it pops?

Click to expand...

Yeah. It pretty much eliminates the chance of damaging the root when it pops. Also, you will notice that people that start seeds in the FFOF don't seem to have the problem with it being too hot. But start a seed and transplant a small seedling into FFOF and some see the issue. Two of these were up in under 48 hours of dropping. The other 2 were up in the next 12-18 hours. They are in coco, but same difference when popping beans. It is fun to soak seeds and see the roots pop in paper towels, but it adds a chance for damage.

chumo said:

Ive grown in a hf and ffof mix before. Threw in some perlite that I had left over. Ratio was about 3:1. ffof runs hotter than hf but it shouldnt be an issue. Recently ive been starting in only hf and transplant to 30gal no til containers.

5 plants is to much for the 3x3. IMO, throw a 30 gal in there and just have one plant and train that mofo until its canopy covers the whole tent. I find 5 gals a little too small and not as forgiving as a 20+ gal.

5 plants in there will be hard to keep the humidity in check (depending on your climate )

I always germinate in a glass of water keeps in a dark cool place. Once they are about 1/4in long I plant them in 1/4 gal bags. Then transplant up.

What are you using to track temp and humidity ?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply... Might be a dumb questions, however, to clarify when people use ratios like 3:1 they're meaning like 3gal to 1gal?

My thought is to use the final 5gal pot from the get go... seemingly, transplanting isn't really for newbies? I just have 5 pots, I planned to actually plant in 2 maybe 3 of them. Trying to decide how I should plant strains... multiple of the same strain, since there are 3 strains I could do 1 of each strain, etc.

Jjgrow420 said:

I run 6 plants in a 3x3 no prob. Short veg. Duno why everyone's saying not to? Less veg time is cheaper on your electric bill. That's my 2cents

Click to expand...

Wow 6? Do you primarily grow autos? What size pots do you use when running 6 of them?

If you are running autos, you just don't know how vigorous or big they will get. You get what you get, so you are probably better off with 4 plants tops in the 3x3. Especially as a beginner. That said, if you are running photos, Especially clones that you know how they grow, 6 isn't a problem because you can flip them early while they are small.

freefromthematrix said:

Thanks for the reply... Might be a dumb questions, however, to clarify when people use ratios like 3:1 they're meaning like 3gal to 1gal?

My thought is to use the final 5gal pot from the get go... seemingly, transplanting isn't really for newbies? I just have 5 pots, I planned to actually plant in 2 maybe 3 of them. Trying to decide how I should plant strains... multiple of the same strain, since there are 3 strains I could do 1 of each strain, etc.

Click to expand...

You can transplant with no issues. It's not a big deal. Be careful handling the plants and you're good to go.

TCH said:

Yeah. It pretty much eliminates the chance of damaging the root when it pops. Also, you will notice that people that start seeds in the FFOF don't seem to have the problem with it being too hot. But start a seed and transplant a small seedling into FFOF and some see the issue. Two of these were up in under 48 hours of dropping. The other 2 were up in the next 12-18 hours. They are in coco, but same difference when popping beans. It is fun to soak seeds and see the roots pop in paper towels, but it adds a chance for damage. View attachment 5330834

Click to expand...

Cool! I'm gonna give the seed directly into soil a go!

freefromthematrix said:

Thanks for the reply... Might be a dumb questions, however, to clarify when people use ratios like 3:1 they're meaning like 3gal to 1gal?

My thought is to use the final 5gal pot from the get go... seemingly, transplanting isn't really for newbies? I just have 5 pots, I planned to actually plant in 2 maybe 3 of them. Trying to decide how I should plant strains... multiple of the same strain, since there are 3 strains I could do 1 of each strain, etc.

Click to expand...

equal parts ffof hf and perlite
sorry for the confusion
transplanting isnt too bad. I really like https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Non-Woven-Biodegradable-Transplant/dp/B09RMY436V?th=1 to start with. I find it better when the soil is dry and they just slip out

When I start the seeds in a bigger container I have a really hard time watering them correctly. I have also used peat pots. Everything went well but I find that it forces the roots to go straight down and not in a natural way if that make senses

As you can see from the variance in responses everyone has their own way, but you'll find out that cannabis is quite a tough plant and any hiccups you have will help you set your own personal way

freefromthematrix said:

Wow 6? Do you primarily grow autos? What size pots do you use when running 6 of them?

Click to expand...

Nope. Photos. 1.8gal coco dtw.
Veg time costs the most money so more plants = less veg time = less overall cost per run. There are some disadvantages to running smaller plants but not many for my situation