Growing newb. Advice please

Mccready203

Member
So I've decided I want to try and grow my own marijuana. This is extremely small scale, I just want to try it and see how it goes before I spend a lot of money on it. It started out when I got a few seeds in my bud and decided I'd put then aside to grow. I got around to it eventually and just got a small flower pot, a bag of the best soil I could get at the store. I put the seed in the dirt, watered it, and about 2 days ago it sprouted up. When it's sunny (which is about 5-6 days a week) it sits on my window sill and gets around 14 hours of direct sunlight a day. When the sun goes down or when it's cloudy out It sits under a room in my light about 6 inches from the bulb with aluminum foil set up to redirect more light onto the plant.
Will this work at all or will the plant just die soon? The sprout seems to be doing pretty good and has grown a lot in just the couple days since it came up.
Just to clarify, Im not trying to do a crazy growing set up and im not looking to get a crazy big yield. Just one plant of belladonna that I want to try and get a few buds from to see if I want to go bigger.
What can I do that is cheap, and reasonably simple to do in order to help this lil guy along?
 

tntgreen13

Well-Known Member
During veg the plant really doesn't need a whole lot of light to grow. However, come flower the light in your room won't be enough. Plus, you will probably notice that your plant will start growing a thin stretched out stem if it doesn't get enough light. Biggest issue in my opinion at this point would be the use of aluminum foil. All though it will redirect the light, it can cause spots to get much hotter then others. My suggestion would be to invest in some cfl or T5s as both are relatively inexpensive, but will definitely help when it comes to flower.

Not sure of laws in your area, but just keep them in mind while your placing your plants in the window. Furthermore, I am a new grower and these are just my opinions on the situation, but it's definitely a good idea to do your own research and make decisions based on your thoughts and ideas.

Finally, welcome to RIU! I have only been a member for a short time, but have gained more knowledge then I could have ever imagined. Unfortunately, it seems not all the information posted here is necessarily GOOD information, so always do your own research as well. I hope you find cultivation of your own cannabis to be as rewarding as most do! Most agree that the best buds, are the ones you put your time and energy into growing! Best of luck with the grow, and don't be surprised when you get hooked on the hobby. I started 4 plants a little over a month again, and now have an addition 21 seedlings going. Definitely no pro and not looking for HUGE outcomes, just found something that I really enjoy doing!

Best of luck with your grow!
 
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Mccready203

Member
During veg the plant really doesn't need a whole lot of light to grow. However, come flower the light in your room won't be enough. Plus, you will probably notice that your plant will start growing a thin stretched out stem if it doesn't get enough light. Biggest issue in my opinion at this point would be the use of aluminum foil. All though it will redirect the light, it can cause spots to get much hotter then others. My suggestion would be to invest in some cfl or T5s as both are relatively inexpensive, but will definitely help when it comes to flower.

Not sure of laws in your area, but just keep them in mind while your placing your plants in the window. Furthermore, I am a new grower and these are just my opinions on the situation, but it's definitely a good idea to do your own research and make decisions based on your thoughts and ideas.

Finally, welcome to RIU! I have only been a member for a short time, but have gained more knowledge then I could have ever imagined. Unfortunately, it seems not all the information posted here is necessarily GOOD information, so always do your own research as well. I hope you find cultivation of your own cannabis to be as rewarding as most do! Most agree that the best buds, are the ones you put your time and energy into growing! Best of luck with the grow, and don't be surprised when you get hooked on the hobby. I started 4 plants a little over a month again, and now have an addition 21 seedlings going. Definitely no pro and not looking for HUGE outcomes, just found something that I really enjoy doing!

Best of luck with your grow!
Thanks for the advice, I'll see if I can get some cfls. I tried to do research but everything I saw online seemed to be one massive argument about best ways to grow and nothing really about small scale growing. I wanted to start because the last few times I bought weed from my dealer I could literally taste the RAID bug killer on the weed
 

tntgreen13

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the advice, I'll see if I can get some cfls. I tried to do research but everything I saw online seemed to be one massive argument about best ways to grow and nothing really about small scale growing. I wanted to start because the last few times I bought weed from my dealer I could literally taste the RAID bug killer on the weed
You will find that when looking at forums about growing. Each person has their own preference and believe their way is the best (which for them it is). Check out the some of the CFL or micro grows on here, lot of good grows going on for sure. The search tool is very helpful, and you can even narrow it down to words within the title only.

Best thing I can really recommend is find what works for you! Every grow area, room, tent, etc is different and every climate characteristic (temps, humidity, etc) all play into it as well. Also, the more you learn, and the more experience you gain will be the best tool for learning. I have definitely seen some impressive things done with CFL's, including grows from @B166ER420 but just keep reading through threads and asking questions never hurts!
 

MeJuana

Well-Known Member
Google search micro grow they are actually kinda fun. Welcome to RIU ask if you need help
 

Mccready203

Member
Google search micro grow they are actually kinda fun. Welcome to RIU ask if you need help
I need help....... I just made what I think is called a grow box and I'll try and post a couple photos of it. I'll google the micro grow but I want to reply to this asap. I have done a lot of research but every time I read something new it contridicts everything else I've been told and leaves me on a whole new level of confusion so pretty much all I know is I have a baby plant of belladonna, there's something called cloning, I like smoking weed, I don't like when it tastes like raid. That is everything that I know about growing. Idk if photos are going to upload but I have a cardboard box standing on its side so that's 2 feet tall 1 foot deep and one foot wide. Aluminum foil on the top, bottom, and all 4 sides. Plant on bottom. And 2 lights right inside it (from my math it's about 1700-2000 lumens from both bulbs combined. No fan right now but I'll set one up when I can
 

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tntgreen13

Well-Known Member
So whats the question? Again, I would get rid of aluminum foil but just my personal opinion. The #1 mistake by newbies (including myself) is over loving there plants. This can include too much water, early nutes, etc but one thing I am reminded of often is that these plants are very resilient and you call it "weed" for a reason lo. Not necessarily rocket science if this is really just for a small little personal smoke in my opinion.

Got questions, ask away! Just not sure what response you are looking for from your last post?
 

Mccready203

Member
So whats the question? Again, I would get rid of aluminum foil but just my personal opinion. The #1 mistake by newbies (including myself) is over loving there plants. This can include too much water, early nutes, etc but one thing I am reminded of often is that these plants are very resilient and you call it "weed" for a reason lo. Not necessarily rocket science if this is really just for a small little personal smoke in my opinion.

Got questions, ask away! Just not sure what response you are looking for from your last post?
So the aluminum foil won't really do anything? I feel like an idiot, I figured it would redirect light that would have just hit the box or gone out of the box onto the plant. I really know nothing about plants, no green thumb what's so ever. My question I guess is what do I do next? The plant is in good soil and it did sprout so I haven't killed it so far, and from what people have said and from reading your growing blow on here I need cfls and a lot more lumens. So I guess how do I set this up properly
 

tntgreen13

Well-Known Member
That foil will cause hot spots and burn the fuck outta your plant!
This is as straight forward as it goes ^^^^

I'd start by googling micro grows. I personally built a box to grow in, cost about $20 in supplies, and added mylar to my walls (flat white paint would have probably worked better and less expensive). I currently run HPS in the box. My veg room is basically a closet with flat white walls that I've hung my T8's in.

As far as needing CFLs, the important thing is needing light in general. CFL, LED, HPS, etc are all just different options. Plants need the light as their number one source of food/energy. During the veg cycle I recommend running an 18/6 lights on/off routine, allowing the plants time to rest. When you are ready to switch to flower simply switch the lights to a 12/12 cycle.

If you live near a Home Depot, Menards, etc you can even by a prefab cabinet to get started. Just make sure there are no light leaks, good air movement, and keep an eye on temps and humidity.
 

Mccready203

Member
This is as straight forward as it goes ^^^^

I'd start by googling micro grows. I personally built a box to grow in, cost about $20 in supplies, and added mylar to my walls (flat white paint would have probably worked better and less expensive). I currently run HPS in the box. My veg room is basically a closet with flat white walls that I've hung my T8's in.

As far as needing CFLs, the important thing is needing light in general. CFL, LED, HPS, etc are all just different options. Plants need the light as their number one source of food/energy. During the veg cycle I recommend running an 18/6 lights on/off routine, allowing the plants time to rest. When you are ready to switch to flower simply switch the lights to a 12/12 cycle.

If you live near a Home Depot, Menards, etc you can even by a prefab cabinet to get started. Just make sure there are no light leaks, good air movement, and keep an eye on temps and humidity.
So all I need is a cabinet, the light and a small fan then? Because if that's really all I need then I just need to get a what ever light and set up the cabinet. Thank you so much for the help, this cleared up a lot. So once the plant gets bigger, what do I do? As far as telling when it flowers and harvesting? The simpler the better at least at first till I get used to growing and learn more
 

THCBrain

Well-Known Member
Ok, thank you for all the advice
No problem. @tntgreen13 you need to give out better advice you start by saying this guys plants don't need light in veg to then go on to say in another post he needs his plants on a 18/6 light cycle, to then tell him his plants get most of there energy from the lights... dude stop filling this guys head with your nonsense.
 

tntgreen13

Well-Known Member
No problem. @tntgreen13 you need to give out better advice you start by saying this guys plants don't need light in veg to then go on to say in another post he needs his plants on a 18/6 light cycle, to then tell him his plants get most of there energy from the lights... dude stop filling this guys head with your nonsense.
Nonsense? Last time I checked you can get a plant to veg under basically ANY light source which is where my statement "During veg the plant really doesn't need a whole lot of light to grow" come from, however it was poorly worded

Second, I recommend 18/6 light cycle which is pretty standard for vegging and allows the plant time to rest.

Finally, plants do get most of there energy from light, this is basic biology.

So other then bad wording in my first statement I'm not sure where the nonsense comes in, would you like to elaborate?
 

VenomGrower6990

Well-Known Member
So all I need is a cabinet, the light and a small fan then? Because if that's really all I need then I just need to get a what ever light and set up the cabinet. Thank you so much for the help, this cleared up a lot. So once the plant gets bigger, what do I do? As far as telling when it flowers and harvesting? The simpler the better at least at first till I get used to growing and learn more
http://www.growweedeasy.com/basics
 

Frajola

Well-Known Member
No problem. @tntgreen13 you need to give out better advice you start by saying this guys plants don't need light in veg to then go on to say in another post he needs his plants on a 18/6 light cycle, to then tell him his plants get most of there energy from the lights... dude stop filling this guys head with your nonsense.
A good start is definily a book!
 
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