Getting Started...

[Wilbur]

Here is the scenario. My friend and I live in an area where getting good weed is very difficult, and have been discussing as of late the option of growing our own, and enough to, shall we say, help out the local connoisseurs. He is a field man for a fertilizer company, so he has all the access to chemicals we could ever need, and a fair amount of know-how when it comes to growing plants outside, but we are going to be confined to a bedroom in an apartment, and are unsure of where to begin. Obviously we're going to need lighting, and will have to do some research as to what sort works the best, and we'll have no problem with the fertilizing and watering. I am concerned about ventilation and temperature though. I have one small vent that runs to the outside that is about 5.5 inches in diameter, and a window that can be cracked for short periods of time if necessary. What type of techniques are used to control these issues? I have honestly never been in contact with a cannabis plant, but I'm sure they have some sort of odor. Is there are particularly effective way to dissipate or mask that so that someone in the hallway right outside of this room would be unable to detect it? What type will grow most effectively indoors? And what types of things should I be aware of before I get started on this?

 

Essentially, in short, what I want is to be able to confine this to one room, so that someone who was visiting my apartment would not have the slightest idea that it was going on, as long as my excuses for an "off limits" room were up to par.

[Wilbur]

Also, if we have a good number of plants, what type of damage can we expect to happen to the room, and what measures can we take to prevent it? I assume moisture will be an issue, and, being an apartment, I cannot afford that type of damage being done.

[nitram]

Hi Wilbur & firstly a big welcome to OS.

 

Good you & ya M8 that have decided too do it for your self. You have considered the mot important things like ventilation (air exchange), heat (temps/humidity), space (area), and concerns like the possibility of damage of property.

 

I am thinking your main concern is in relation to lighting & ventilation - how, a design, what you need (equipment), & perhaps odor control (smell) as well. Plants can really have a 'pong' that is distinctively MJ.

 

I have one small vent that runs to the outside that is about 5.5 inches in diameter, and a window that can be cracked for short periods of time if necessary.

 

You have access to a an area to vent to and a window in the room that can be opened. A question i would ask you is about the proposed ventilation point you mention. Where dose the air 'go out to' (location)? A contained (hanging) ceiling or outdoors? Let us know.

 

Have you got a cabinet (Grow room) or do you have you to figure out what size area you want to use for this purpose.

 

Another way of thinking about it is to ask yourself "How many plants do you want to cater for, or, put simply "how many plants?" This question may often determine your area. Next would be the ventilation & odor issues.

 

Ventilation: Again the means (equipment) of ventilation you require goes once more back to the 'area' (size) used. The bigger the area, the more plants and the more need for odor control.

 

Lighting: - an approximation often quoted is a minimum of 50w per sq foot.

 

There are various types of lighting at can be used at differing stages of the plants cycle from germination (seed to approx 3-4 weeks) , to vegetative (growth), through to flower (budding). If one was to recommend to you a single light for all stages mentioned above this would be the HPS (High Pressure sodium) light availiable in 400w, 600w & 1000w which have the intensity and the required spectrum of light to do a magic job.

 

I am sure that you will have many questions & I am sure your capable of asking these. OS Members will be able to assist with possible solutions and suggestions to help in your decisions.

 

I Hope I have kicked your information gathering off even if at first there will be many questions put to you for you to answer first.

 

There is no dumb question so ask away.

 

All the best with you venture.

Nitty.