Plz help a beginner.... growing tips, tricks, ideas, thoughts, how to

[jimbowimbo]

As the topic title implies I am doing research for my first grow. As one would expect, as a beginner, I know very little about the marijuana plant. But of course I have hundreds of questions. I am an experienced groundskeeper and a fast learner, though so I feel fully confident in being able to learn a new trade.

 

Ok, so my grow space is going to have to be very very small. I'm not looking to sell or distribute anything either, this is just for myself and maybe a friend or two. I heard of ppl growing their pot in computer cases...given my space limitations and other surrounding factors I would like to do that too.

 

1. How do pgr's (plant growth regulators) effect marijuana? I have been reading mixxed thoughts and theories on the subject about toxicity, half-life, and other blah, blah, blah....I would like to hear some ppl's experience with pgr's and what products they use or have used.

 

2. What type of strains should I look at? I am assuming low ryder, however, the downside of the cultivar, I guess, is low amounts of THC production. Anything is better than nothing. Any recomendations on seed banks?

 

3. What other maintenance techniques can I use to keep the plant small? PGR's, close light source, small pot, cutting back before bloom, chemicals to force early bloom, slow release, low N, high P, and K organic ferts...?

 

4. Does anyone use compost tea?...what kind? if so is it fungal or bacteria dominant, does anyine use it in conjunction with conventional garden fertilizers? worm castings too?

 

5. And now soil, can I get away with nuetral, convential potting soil with perlite? I'm figuring if ppl are out there doing things hydroponically then potting soil with good amendments, water, and fertilizer as needed would do the job.

 

Ok, let me catch my breath...There's plenty more where they came from. Later on I would like to get into seed germination, ventilation and all kinds of other fun stuff. Again, I'm new and I understand that the plant wont yeild all that much. I'm assuming I might get a few grams????

 

If you read all of that I must say I'm very impressed. I'll keep it more brief in future posts if I can. Any valid input and thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Edited December 2, 2008 by jimbowimbo

[bufo marinus]

love the questionaires

1. They don't work very well imo. Not designed for Cannabis, if your not growing for profit, delete them from the memory bank, not worth the loss in quality

2. Lowryder Northern Lts x Shiva from Nirvana via Gypsey any cheap Indica will get you going, don't underestimate the cheaper seedbanks/seeds quality

3. Veg under flouros, tip at 5th node, flower at 8-10 inches high under a 400HPS. I flower em short in trays, the roots don't get rootbound and the plants stay small.

4. I like coco and or perlite with Hydro nutes, so not up with all the worm stuff available, seems to be the shit to use though.

5. Searles Premium Potting Mix cut with 20% perlite has a few fans here.

 

Lots of good grow guides here at the top of the forum page, if you only end up with a few grams, I'd be surprised.

[jimbowimbo]

...Thanks bufo marinus for your thoughts.

 

Can I get away with incandescents for the whole process (veg to bloom)? I understand that it has a spectrum that isnt ideal for the best grow, but, they are cheap and I have a bunch around the house that I need to use. Have you seen the results of this?

 

How much can I really expect to yeild from a first grow in a mod computer case?

 

Will the plant flower earlier as a result of being dwarfed by frequent pruning and pinching?

 

Also, I was planning on germinating like a dozen seeds in an egg carton. This way I can identify the losers and pick out the winners from the begining with very little space and soil needed. Of course, I plan to transplant when roots develope. It's standard procedure where I come from to start seedlings in egg trays or rly little pots. That's green house practices for annual flowers though.

[jimbowimbo]

My apologies...Some kind of error occured there with that double post.

[jimbowimbo]

problem appears to have been fixed by a moderator.....Anywho....

 

Another idea....

 

I was doing research on Giberellic acid, a plant phytohoromone, and its effects on seed germination in grass plants (fescues, ryes, turf that is...not mj). Has anyone used this chemical on their pot plant seeds to stimulate early sprout?

[bufo marinus]

Normal lamps .... but check out some of the cfl grows here and ask those guys some questions, these type of grows are possible and I don't knock anyone for trying but really there are better options than the ol' computer case stealth cab

Even a cloning tent would be a better idea

Forget about geberlic acid, not for beginners

[jimbowimbo]

Normal lamps .... but check out some of the cfl grows here and ask those guys some questions, these type of grows are possible and I don't knock anyone for trying but really there are better options than the ol' computer case stealth cab

Even a cloning tent would be a better idea

Forget about geberlic acid, not for beginners

 

I guess GA wouldn't be economical either...I spoke with some people about it, they clearly expressed the high costs of synthetic phyto's.

 

A cloning tent? that doesn't sound familiar to me. I'll look it up.

 

Unfortunately, I already started work on the computer case (case fans, foil, wiring for lights...etc.). The computer case works b/c I build computers on the side a a hobby....nobody knows I smoke, nobody would suspect me growing, and certainly not in a computer case that appears to be running as a server.

 

I'll look into other lighting options for my box.

[bufo marinus]

2 computer cases joined together, sitting on top of a pot of coco, with a couple of high output cfls, should grow something.

Try an Afghani, they have small fan leaves.

[TD.]

2. What type of strains should I look at? I am assuming low ryder, however, the downside of the cultivar, I guess, is low amounts of THC production. Anything is better than nothing. Any recomendations on seed banks?

 

You should try this page.

SENSI SEEDS (feminized) thru "Gypsy Nirvana's Seed Boutique"

 

And on a more personal note, this seed bank actually delivers your goods no rip offs

if your growing in a small space (like a pc case) i have used fluro's on 2 different grows and they work the treat, try and get something around 100watts (ebay) in compact fluorescent at a colour range of 2000-3000degrees kelvin for flowering and 4000degrees kelvin and up for vegging. use both of them at the same time the whole time u grow, just make sure no plant matter gets within about 5cm of the bulb or u will get some crisping.

 

I must absolutely stress "exhaust" in a pc case with two 100watt CFL's make sure u have sufficient air out otherwise u will crack the 40degress Celsius mark for temps and plants arnt happy with that. also in a pc case u should roll with a indica plant otherwise i might run out of head room, may i suggest big bud feminized