Help with first grow!!!

I

Iamabignoob

New Member
Hello,
This is my first grow I wanted something simple so I decided I was going to get a auto flower strain(I decided on the ak48 auto from nirvana seeds, I will be growing 1 or 2 at a time). I am going to be growing in a shed using cfl lights ( I am using 3 40 watt 6500k http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Ele...CFL-Light-Bulb-ESL40TN-D/203252142?quantity=3 and 5 42 watt 2700k lights http://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart...-Light-Bulb-ES5M842TSCAN/205388189?quantity=5 ) I will be growing in the winter in east coast near dc were it gets cold during the winter. I will be using Fox Farm Ocean Forest as soil (tell me if I should mix it with perlite). My questions are
1. Is my lighting good( should I get different bulbs, do I have enough, should I start my grow (from germination to harvest) with all lights on or should I start with 1 or 2 and add as time goes on.
2. What nutrients will I need, I have no clue what I should use, when I should use it, and how much I should use, and do you have any suggestion on good nutrients)
3. Since I will be growing the winter will the lights I am using be able to keep the room warm ( the grow space is 2 ft x 2 ft x 7ft) or will I need to buy a heater( I will insulate the shed will that be enough.
4. Do you see anything wrong with my plan any suggestion and general tips?

ps. I have nought bought any thing yet so fell free to change what ever you think would work better :)
Thank You,
Happy growing!
 
I'm not far from DC...
That should be enough light. More 6500 (ratio to 2700) would prob be better with auto but I'm not sure as I have never grown one.

You will need some more heat! I would make lights off time during the day if you can to help moderate it. But I think it will still be too cold once things get down into the 30s and lower 40s.

The FFOF will provide all the nutes you will need for a while. I would add in more plain perlite if you can (approx. 20%). For nutes once needed ( plant will tell you when needed) I recommend DynaGro Foliage Pro - easy one step has everything you really need.

I would only use 1-2 bulbs until you get some true leaves going. Once she is established, the more the better.

Good luck.
 
Iamabignoob said:
Hello,
This is my first grow I wanted something simple so I decided I was going to get a auto flower strain(I decided on the ak48 auto from nirvana seeds, I will be growing 1 or 2 at a time). I am going to be growing in a shed using cfl lights ( I am using 3 40 watt 6500k http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Ele...CFL-Light-Bulb-ESL40TN-D/203252142?quantity=3 and 5 42 watt 2700k lights http://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart...-Light-Bulb-ES5M842TSCAN/205388189?quantity=5 ) I will be growing in the winter in east coast near dc were it gets cold during the winter. I will be using Fox Farm Ocean Forest as soil (tell me if I should mix it with perlite). My questions are
1. Is my lighting good( should I get different bulbs, do I have enough, should I start my grow (from germination to harvest) with all lights on or should I start with 1 or 2 and add as time goes on.
2. What nutrients will I need, I have no clue what I should use, when I should use it, and how much I should use, and do you have any suggestion on good nutrients)
3. Since I will be growing the winter will the lights I am using be able to keep the room warm ( the grow space is 2 ft x 2 ft x 7ft) or will I need to buy a heater( I will insulate the shed will that be enough.
4. Do you see anything wrong with my plan any suggestion and general tips?

ps. I have nought bought any thing yet so fell free to change what ever you think would work better :)
Thank You,
Happy growing!
Click to expand...

Growindad gave you a decent start only thing I would add is more lights it does not matter its an auto, I would use all the bulbs if it helps heating up the place. Plus a heater as well. oh i almost forgot FFOF will be too hot for seedlings, cut it down with at least 30% perlite no feeding for at least 3 weeks.


B4L
 
both those guys pretty much hit the nail on the head, but ill add a few bits.
definitely try to use as many veg lights as possible, 2700k is a flowering light (generally).
my advice would be have more 6500k lights than 2700k ATM you have 5 2700k and 3 6500k perhaps revers that in the favour of the 6500k.
start with all lights on, just watch the light intensity as young plants don't need to be right next to the bulb to benefit infact its probably counterproductive.
if your growing in soil as B4L said you shouldn't need nutrients for 2-3 weeks, but when you do search for a local hydroponics store.
Basically you need a 2 or 3 part nutrient feed regimen, im from AUS so im not familiar with the u.s products but i'm sure somebody can steer you in the right direction regarding brands but the nutrients should only cost at most $100 for your first grow of 5 plants anyway.
Cheers
 
GrowinDad said:
I'm not far from DC...
The FFOF will provide all the nutes you will need for a while. I would add in more plain perlite if you can (approx. 20%). For nutes once needed ( plant will tell you when needed) I recommend DynaGro Foliage Pro - easy one step has everything you really need.



Good luck.
Click to expand...

wait do i use the perlite in the soil i will plant my seedlings in for do i wait 3 weeks then add perlite to the existing soil
 
use the perlite on the first like 80-100m of the base of the pot.
so add perlite to allow airflow through and good drainage and then add your soil, if you want you can also put the perlite through the mix just don't overdo it as perlite doesn't harbour any nutrients until you introduce them
 
dopeleader said:
use the perlite on the first like 80-100m of the base of the pot.
so add perlite to allow airflow through and good drainage and then add your soil, if you want you can also put the perlite through the mix just don't overdo it as perlite doesn't harbour any nutrients until you introduce them
Click to expand...
With ffof you will want perlite throughout to knock down some of the nutrient concentration it has as it is a very hot soil....growing from seed most i have talked to are using the ff happy frog....its not as hot with the nutes....still wont need nutes for about 3 weeks.

Oh and with the ff line use ro or distilled water to let the beneficial bacteria survive and help your plant
 
koda7225 said:
With ffof you will want perlite throughout to knock down some of the nutrient concentration it has as it is a very hot soil....growing from seed most i have talked to are using the ff happy frog....its not as hot with the nutes....still wont need nutes for about 3 weeks.

Oh and with the ff line use ro or distilled water to let the beneficial bacteria survive and help your plant
Click to expand...

what is ro water?
 
Iamabignoob said:
what is ro water?
Click to expand...
Reverse osmosis, you what to use water without anything antibacterial or anti fungal in it and let the good ones in the soil do what they do, which is help keep the bad ones away
Alot of local hydroponics stores sell it cheper then the gallons of water you buy at the store....i think i was paying $1.50/ 5 gallon bucket
 
I would actually germinate the seed and then go into a solo cup with Miracle Grow Seed Starter for a couple weeks and then transplant into the FF in the final pot. That way no nute burn risk. I personally don't like using a nuted a soil. I used to mix my own neutral mix but now use ProMix for ease.

My entire regiment now is ProMix, Dyna Grow Foliage Pro and ProTekt (silica) and Drip Clean. And PH down. But really the FP is the only "nute"

I also don't think you need RO or distilled water in most places if your tap isn't horrendous...
 
Iamabignoob said:
wait do i use the perlite in the soil i will plant my seedlings in for do i wait 3 weeks then add perlite to the existing soil
Click to expand...

When you have a chance, try Pro Mix HP. And don't add any amendments to it - it's perfect like it is. It has plenty of porosity for good drainage.

You can then use the bottled nutes of your choice.
 
Iamabignoob said:
Hello,
This is my first grow I wanted something simple so I decided I was going to get a auto flower strain(I decided on the ak48 auto from nirvana seeds, I will be growing 1 or 2 at a time). I am going to be growing in a shed using cfl lights ( I am using 3 40 watt 6500k http://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Ele...CFL-Light-Bulb-ESL40TN-D/203252142?quantity=3 and 5 42 watt 2700k lights http://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart...-Light-Bulb-ES5M842TSCAN/205388189?quantity=5 ) I will be growing in the winter in east coast near dc were it gets cold during the winter. I will be using Fox Farm Ocean Forest as soil (tell me if I should mix it with perlite). My questions are
1. Is my lighting good( should I get different bulbs, do I have enough, should I start my grow (from germination to harvest) with all lights on or should I start with 1 or 2 and add as time goes on.
2. What nutrients will I need, I have no clue what I should use, when I should use it, and how much I should use, and do you have any suggestion on good nutrients)
3. Since I will be growing the winter will the lights I am using be able to keep the room warm ( the grow space is 2 ft x 2 ft x 7ft) or will I need to buy a heater( I will insulate the shed will that be enough.
4. Do you see anything wrong with my plan any suggestion and general tips?

ps. I have nought bought any thing yet so fell free to change what ever you think would work better :)
Thank You,
Happy growing!
Click to expand...
Look into bottom heating of the plants. Far more efficient than heating a grow space.
 
GrowinDad said:
I would actually germinate the seed and then go into a solo cup with Miracle Grow Seed Starter for a couple weeks and then transplant into the FF in the final pot. That way no nute burn risk. I personally don't like using a nuted a soil. I used to mix my own neutral mix but now use ProMix for ease.

My entire regiment now is ProMix, Dyna Grow Foliage Pro and ProTekt (silica) and Drip Clean. And PH down. But really the FP is the only "nute"

I also don't think you need RO or distilled water in most places if your tap isn't horrendous...
Click to expand...
IF you want to keep the good microbes you most definitely want to use ro or distilled water, the chlorine or chlormine will kill any of the good ones.
 
bird mcbride said:
The way I see it if the water's good to drink it's good enough to grow plants with it.
Click to expand...
I agree if you are not using bemeficial bacteria of any kind most tap water is fine but as i said, for those that are paying for soils with or using beneficial bacteria for their grow, TAP water would be a NO NO, as it would kill their beneficials essentially wasting their money for the sake of saving less....like i said it was only $1.50 / 5 gallons locally to me, and if you are going to buy an ro filter (fairly in expensive anymore exspecially when uou consider what is paid for some of the other stuff we buy) make sure it is capable (the correct fileter) to remove chlorine or chlormine. If you are NOT using or trying to keep the beneficial microbes use your tap water by all means, but if it is over 200ppm watch for calcium toxicity....or have it tested so you know exactly what is in it.
 
I'd go with a 150 watt hps for lighting. You'll still need a heater. You may find a need for a ventilation system. If you have access to 4'x8'x1/2-1" white corolite it could line the box for reflective light and fireproof as well. Corolite looks alot like styrofoam but is non-flammable and fairly cheap. Corolite is mainly used for concrete insulation in the construction industry. If you're going soil in a plantpot get a hygrometer so you got some idea on when to water. A proper bonnet for the lighting could help in fire proofing as well. If you go with RO or distilled water make sure cal/mag is in the mix somewhere. Bottled spring water does not have the cal/mag removed.
 
bird mcbride said:
I'd go with a 150 watt hps for lighting. You'll still need a heater. You may find a need for a ventilation system. If you have access to 4'x8'x1/2-1" white corolite it could line the box for reflective light and fireproof as well. Corolite looks alot like styrofoam but is non-flammable and fairly cheap. Corolite is mainly used for concrete insulation in the construction industry. If you're going soil in a plantpot get a hygrometer so you got some idea on when to water. A proper bonnet for the lighting could help in fire proofing as well. If you go with RO or distilled water make sure cal/mag is in the mix somewhere. Bottled spring water does not have the cal/mag removed.
Click to expand...
I might just go 250 hid with a switchable ballast...if your gonna do 2 plants at a time. Get both mh and hps bulbs, mh for veg and hps for bloom. 50 watts per sq foot min
 
can anybody tell me what's wrong here, and how do I deal with different ph levels throughout pot??? Thanks I'm a noob and could use a little help
 

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You might want to cut some drain holes into the bottom of the plantpot(s). Potplants don't like stagnated pooling water at its' roots.
 
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