Jman: you might want to RTFB as most of the sources I'm listing below will answer your questions and a lot that you don't know yet to ask. I really think you;re better off cloning with rock wool cubes, a good treatment of rooting hormone, in a humidity dome, under a fluorescent light. It's the easiest and most dependable way I've found. I really wish there was an easier way, but from what you ask, Id suggest you refer to the following resources, particularly: Cervantes, Rosenthal and Green.
1. Read: SeeMoreBuds,
MARIJUANA BUDS FOR LESS- GROW 8 OZ. OF BUDS FOR LESS THAN $100. Its a must for beginning dirt gardeners especially those using CFLs.
2. You might also want to read: Mc McCarthys,
GROWING MARIJUANA. Its another good text for dirt gardeners.
3. Read: Jorge Cervantess,
MARIJUANA HORTICULTURE THE INDOOR/ OUTDOOR MEDICAL GROWERS BIBLE. Its great for both dirt and hydro.
4. Read: Ed Rosenthals,
MARIJUANA GROWERS HANDBOOK. Its very complete.
5.
THE CANNABIS GROW BIBLE- SECOND EDITION, written by Greg Green, is easily a match, if not better than the ones listed above.
6. You should also subscribe to,
HIGH TIMES, magazine. Each issue is full of useful information and excellent photography.
7. You might also want to subscribe to
www.gardenandgreenhouse.net. Its free and they offer a monthly news letter that always has a lot of good information, especially for newbies.
8. A lot of local hydroponics stores offer free weekend gardening classes. Admittedly they offer these classes as a means of boosting sales but they also present some good information and theyre frequently taught by experienced gardeners.
All these resources are very well written, well illustrated and packed with information that will answer most of your questions before you know to ask them. Doing your homework
before you start to grow by consulting these resources will save you and your plants a lot of stress. These forums are great but often theyre the blind leading the blind and when you do get it from a knowledgeable source they frequently cant get the information you need to you in a timely fashion. I sincerely hope this helps. HSA