More noobie questions

[android56]

hi a few more noob questions please bare with me.

I want to try a very BASIC attempt, happy to learn as I go but I'm just not able or want to make this anything significant. I guess I'm cutting corners before I start :|

 

- potting a couple (2) seeds that have sprouted (flukey I reckon). can i use some sort of pre-mix soil (seed mix) from a gardening shop? what would do an ok job? what's my next easiest option?

- I'm reading all sorts of stuff about lighting. Do I have to mess with the electrics of my house or can i just plug in a 250w light? Confused.

- When do I start worrying about ph and plant food/fertilizers?

Big Thanks.

[WantDaChronic]

1) most store brand soils are ok, some like the dynamic lifter brand are alot better than others though...

2) grow lights are simply big, bright lamps. they plug into the wall and require no rewiring

3) from day 1

 

hope that helps

[loylty gets u nothing]

id start the seeds in a seed raising mix

then get some searles premium potting mix

some [perlite and mix perlite into potting mix

wdc has answered the other ??

all tha best

bil

[Bazza]

and obviously they dont mean to start ferts from day 1. the plants would die pretty quick if you poured ferts on a baby.

[humphrey b flaubert]

A good potting mix is 40% Perlite 40% Vermiculite and 20% from a bag of good potting mix.

You won't need to fertilse for a couple of weeks with this mix and when you do fertilse the soil in the mix will give you a bit of a buffer so if make a mistake it (hopefully) won't be fatal. I reckon self watering pots are a good way to go for a beginer or using an autopot system if you have a bit more money to spend.

[android56]

Thank you all very much, I will hopefully get the potting done tomorrow and I will report back soon

[android56]

Got any (current) tips on where to get a light from? Thx.

I need to use light, even while the sprouts are under the soil, right?

I might have to use a fluro until i can get a 250w.

[loylty gets u nothing]

i like to have a fluoro on for wen they break threw

depends what u want wen u ask for lighting help..

sorry i dont use 250w so have no idea

i also like a heat mat for the new borns to sit on

cause atm its probably a bit cool for optimum growth

all tha best

bil

[ijustdontcare]

the fluro light should be good for awhile, just remember there is the Grow Room Calculators section on the main page so u can work out how much light u need for the space u have. I was looking at a 250w hps for the space i had (which is small) but for the $50 extra you could get a 400w hps might be worth looking at something a bit bigger aswell as the difference in lumens never hurts example - 250W HPS - 28,500 lumens - 400W HPS - 60,000+ depending on the setup & bulb.. & gettin the light try eBay or a online hydro shop, even your local hydro shop you can search on google aswell. p.s might also help if u told us where u were from if you are from australia check this out click here Edited August 31, 2008 by ijustdontcare

[android56]

Hi again. Went to Bunnings, didn't work out quite how I'd hoped.

They didn't know what perlite was! WTF?

I ended up with some seed raising mix, premium potting mix, ph/light/water testers and a self-watering planter which seems big. Next decision points;

1. Should I plant the sprouts in the seed raising, or pottiing mix, or a mixture

2. Should I wait until I find perlite

3. Not sure if my single fluro light is the right sort, it is a fish tank light, looking for info on that now

 

Thanks as always for all your responses.