New grow started 7/10/2010 *First Timer*

Hey All!

Thanks for stopping in and checking out my first grow. I was going to go do an indoor Aeroponic setup (Stinkbud's), but after factoring the costs for equipment, mediums, and energy I've decided to just go ALL Natural lol.

Anyway I started this grow on 7/10/2010 and even though I'm behind on the season, I figured this is my first grow with some hand me down seeds so all I'm really out is the cost of the soil. Plus I'm just starting out, so this grow is just for the experience for next season, and an ok harvest will just be a plus .

Here is a little more info

Goal:
To have a successful 6 plant grow while vegging 12 plants during the off season. In my county in California, I'm allowed to have 6 mature, and 12 immature plants. I want to utilize the free light provided by sun so my side yard is where this will all happen. I want to keep the cost of this grow as little as possible mainly because I'm not serious in super huge buds with $$$ on my mind. Not only is it therapeutic to smoke, its just as much to take part and watch it grow. So I probably wont go out and buy fancy soil, and nutes, etc. etc. Just the bare necessities. After all... in the super early ancient dinosuar'ish cannabis plant days I'm sure none of that was around, and yet it still flourished and thrived for us modern pot-heads to get our hands on it hahaha!

Any advice, comments AND criticism will be gladly accepted!



Strain:
Big Bud/Cheese cross (Got the seeds for free! WOOHOO!) From online research both strains produce a good yield so we'll see.

Soil:
Ok, so yeah I'm a total noob, and as I mentioned I'm not going with fancy nasa space age dirt, etc. etc. My medium is simple.
Progress 7/10/2010-7/14/2010:
Prior to the initial 7/10 start date I germinated about 20 seeds in a soaked paper towel and zip-lock bag. It was then left in a cupboard for about three days. After the roots were about 1/2" to 1", six of them were transferred into the "pink party cups" (thanx to my daughter!) They were planted about and inch down (which I'm starting to think was a little too deep but oh well) My watering schedule is pretty much whenever I get home from work. I may skip a day, but I always check them three or four times a day to make sure the soil is moist.

On 7/13/2010 one of them sprouted! It was a nice surprise. It then gave me a little bit more motivation so I lined the box they are in with foil haha.

On 7/14/2010 I decided to plant 6 more in the white Styrofoam cups you see pictured. This time I planted the seed at a 1/2" down. At this rate I'll be at 12 immature, but will have some options just in case I run into a few males. Any left over females I will try and keep them veg'd for as long as I can.


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Good job on the free seeds. I hear ya on the cost thing and just curious what kind of set up you got exactly. You say thier in a box outside? Picture of whole setup would be nice , id definitely like to check that out. Will be watching.

how is the soil working for you?

im thinking of using a similar soil make-up

Using foil is not a good idea, can cause hotspots that will burn ur plants. You can get some cheap emergency blankets @ Walmart that reflect light very well for around 3 bux a piece. Just cut to fit ur grow space. Goodluck with ur babies..

thumbz said:

Good job on the free seeds. I hear ya on the cost thing and just curious what kind of set up you got exactly. You say thier in a box outside? Picture of whole setup would be nice , id definitely like to check that out. Will be watching.

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thumbz,
thanx for staying tuned! that is correct, they are literally in a box outside.. (please hold laughter) I figured at this stage i just need them to be protected from any kind of wind. The placement of the box in my side yard catches about 5 hours of direct morning sunlight, and about 2 hours of late afternoon sunlight. In the attached image you'll see the box they are housed in. on the bottom I placed two oatmeal boxes on the ends with a grill which elevates the plants. this is so excess water can properly be drained.

deewnixon said:

how is the soil working for you? im thinking of using a similar soil make-up

Click to expand...

so far so good. when the rest of the seedlings catch up i'm sure i'll be able to see if its causing any harm. I'll keep the thread posted

howhighru said:

Using foil is not a good idea, can cause hotspots that will burn ur plants. You can get some cheap emergency blankets @ Walmart that reflect light very well for around 3 bux a piece. Just cut to fit ur grow space. Goodluck with ur babies..

Click to expand...

thanx for the input, and even being a noob i kinda figured that. I just watch a grower dvd and they just got saying not to use foil either haha. Anyhow the foil is just temporary. Eventually when the seedlings are ready, they will be transplanted into 10" or 12" pots. when i start my next crop my seedling housing will definitely be lined a good reflective material.

good to see someone start later like i did. Mine are about a week and day or two old and looking good...now i can compare my first grow to someone else. Good Luck hope all grows well

Thanx man and good luck to your harvest too! Do you have a grow journal on here?

Hey man.

At first I must say, good luck with your grow and may your plants be strong and stout and give you back the love you gave them in form of bud... *ahem* ok there goes my poetic spirit

For the seedlings you are keeping outside - an idea just came to my mind - take a PET bottle, cut off the top so you have only the stable cylinder out of it, make holes to the top of the cylinder (or somewhat around, so air can circulate) and "dip" the "3/4-bottle" in the soil - that way your seedlings would be protected from the wind but having fresh air all the time

Hurm damn and just now I noticed you have them in smaller cups So perhaps if some of them would get a bigger pot that could take the circumference of the bottle, it would work

Anyhoo I'm staying tuned for any updates. Cheers!

can.i.bust said:

Thanx man and good luck to your harvest too! Do you have a grow journal on here?

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no i dont have a journal but have a pic up of one baby in the newbie section under the thread name "signs from your plant" i think

Alistar said:

Hey man.

At first I must say, good luck with your grow and may your plants be strong and stout and give you back the love you gave them in form of bud... *ahem* ok there goes my poetic spirit

For the seedlings you are keeping outside - an idea just came to my mind - take a PET bottle, cut off the top so you have only the stable cylinder out of it, make holes to the top of the cylinder (or somewhat around, so air can circulate) and "dip" the "3/4-bottle" in the soil - that way your seedlings would be protected from the wind but having fresh air all the time

Hurm damn and just now I noticed you have them in smaller cups So perhaps if some of them would get a bigger pot that could take the circumference of the bottle, it would work

Anyhoo I'm staying tuned for any updates. Cheers!

Click to expand...

alistar that's def an idea to think about. Thanx for the input chum!

IOWNEVERY1 said:

no i dont have a journal but have a pic up of one baby in the newbie section under the thread name "signs from your plant" i think

Click to expand...

I'll check 'em out!

Ok so I'm a bit worried that the 5 other seedlings have yet to sprout. I carefully dug a few up and discovered no growth. I replaced the seedlings with others from the same germination (three to be exact) the two other ones I'm assuming will suffer the same fate.

because of this I decided to start a new germination for back up. as for the seedlings from 7/14/2010 I'm remaining optimistic. I read somewhere on this forum that in order to keep the PH level with miracle grow soil stable you have to water it a lot so I've up the watering to three times a day, with just enough water to keep the soil moist.

the one super-star seedling is growing GREAT! I hope its a female (fingers crossed)

Ya or you can use plastic bags and rubberband them to the pot works wonders!

here's the new link guys! things are looking good!!!

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/350321-noob-big-bud-cheese-cross.html