Beginners Guide To Get You Started in Growing Cannabis

[ocitown]

Originally Posted by light of jah

Ebb and grow questions
I am an absolute beginner,so pardon my naivate'.

First, let me tell you where I'm at:

I have a 12 pot ebb and grow system. I've just transplanted last week, and I'm using Aquaflakes A and B for nutes, but I'm only using 1/4 the dosage at this time to acclamate the plants to their new home. The lighting system is a 600w/1000w MH/HPS. (Using MH until flowering stage).

The Ph level is right around 6.0 +/- .1/.2. I'm using distilled water and keeping the temp right around 75-78 degrees. Because I'm only using 12 pots, I have put 30 gallons in the resovoir instead of 55. I figured that if ever there was an issue with the floats, I can avoid a flood of any sizable quantity.

OK..that's where I stand, but I have some questions that I'm hoping a more seasoned grower might be able to help me with:

a) Being a few days after transplant, when should I begin my 18 on 6 off light cycle? How long should that cycle last?

b) I currently have the fill cycle on for 30 minutes soak 4 times daily (6am, 12noon, 6pm and 12 midnight). Is this the appropriate amount of time the newbies should soak, or should this time be adjusted plus or minus? Also, should the amount of soak time be adjusted during each stage, and if so, to what and when? (Someone mentioned that I should increase my watering to 30 min fill cycle and 45 min drain cycle...is this correct?)

c) Are there any tips that you all might have that you would care to share with this eager beginner to help grow my babies healthy and happy. Any input would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

LOJ

a) Being a few days after transplant, when should I begin my 18 on 6 off light cycle? How long should that cycle last?

You never said what light cycle you are on ATM,i assume 24/0?
Why do you think you need to begin an 18/6?
When do you plan on flowering?

Is this a Hydro farm F&D system?

You added a float system inside the 55gal. drum?

Your using distilled water and keeping the temps at 75-78F......of what the air or solution?
What's both temps?

Can you describe your pot design?

12 pots and 30 gallons=2.5 gallons max in the pots,this is why we need the design info.

[ocitown]

I am giving up on my burner as my heat is only one of my problems,my 4x8x7 tent has a 3x6 tray for 6 BB's,AC,Dehumidifier,8" can fan plus can-50 and all the electronics to boot with two Radiant 8" hoods(one water cooled) so there is NO room w/o burning something plus HEAT.

So,my local place is being GREAT in allowing me to return it with a 10% restocking fee,still like $500 store credit.

Now i need Co2/regulator to plug in my Fuzzy CAP.

Thing is i keep reading about regs being as cheap as $75 and bottles as low as $25(welding supply IIRC).

This place has bottles for $150/regs for $150 and duel regs for $250.

I could get all there top stuff and still have $$ but if i can get some links to get it for $100 i think i will just keep the credit.

I will be returning it Sat. morning so if ya have any info please add it here.

I remember Rump talking about just this so i will also ask on his thread as well.

[light of jah]

Originally Posted by ocitown

Is this a Hydro farm F&D system?

Can you describe your pot design?

I described the system in the body of my post saying that it was a 12 pot Ebb and Grow system. Perhaps I should be a bit more specific. Please forgive my brevity. I sometimes think that people are aware of the system I speak of. I'll try to be as detailed as I can. But thank you for your assistance!

Indeed my system is hydro. It consists of 12 (2 gallons per pot) F&D system. The pots are filled with clay hydroton. There's a 55-gallon resorvoir that fills into a 2 gallon controller tank. The controller tank, complete with floats, accurately fill the 12 grow pots with about 1&3/4 gallons respectively.

Initially, I had had the system on a 30 minute soak 4 times daily, but then I was told by another poster that I should increase my soak to a 30 minute fill (flood) and a 45 minute drain cycle. I adjusted my system to this new setting yesterday as directed by the poster.

The water temp is 75 and the air is about 77-78.

Oh, and I am still at a 24-0 light cycle at this time, but am approaching the vegetative stage and anticipate going to an 18-6 cycle at this time. Is this correct?

Did I cover enough, or did I leave any other details out that may be important?

Thanks for your help.

LOJ

[ocitown]

Originally Posted by light of jah

I described the system in the body of my post saying that it was a 12 pot Ebb and Grow system. Perhaps I should be a bit more specific. Please forgive my brevity. I sometimes think that people are aware of the system I speak of. I'll try to be as detailed as I can. But thank you for your assistance!

Indeed my system is hydro. It consists of 12 (2 gallons per pot) F&D system. The pots are filled with clay hydroton. There's a 55-gallon resorvoir that fills into a 2 gallon controller tank. The controller tank, complete with floats, accurately fill the 12 grow pots with about 1&3/4 gallons respectively.

Initially, I had had the system on a 30 minute soak 4 times daily, but then I was told by another poster that I should increase my soak to a 30 minute fill (flood) and a 45 minute drain cycle. I adjusted my system to this new setting yesterday as directed by the poster.

The water temp is 75 and the air is about 77-78.

Oh, and I am still at a 24-0 light cycle at this time, but am approaching the vegetative stage and anticipate going to an 18-6 cycle at this time. Is this correct?

Did I cover enough, or did I leave any other details out that may be important?

Thanks for your help.

LOJ

Does your control bucket have a CAP timer on the side?

Your plants/seedlings are now in the veg state and will remain in that state untill you force flower only after you change the lighting to a 12/12.

You need not change lighting till you go 12/12.

How big are the plants/roots?
How old?
Anything in the solution?
What's the solutions pH?

[pomangro]

Hey guys, i have another question. Well, it is common knowledge that i like to squeeze things, my pots included. Common sense would tell me that this allows oxygen to the roots, but it also tells me that it damages the small root hairs. Should i avoid this squeezeage and just throw more perlite in, or squeeze to my hearts' content?

[kc36]

Ok i have these 2 Hash Power Plants under 1 250w CFL a few inches away from the plants.

I have very slow growth for 2 weeks and have it down to two factors:
1) Use of pre ferted soil
2)Cold temps at night (in attic and have been frosty in evening)

There are 2 weeks today (since popped), I have had to water then every 3 days or so and have a 1:2 ratio of prelite:soil.

Roots can be seen at bottom oking out but root growth is not taking all of soil at sides.

There are 2 nodes, very compact. So thats the set of oval leaves, the 1 finger leaf and now i belive the fan leaves onn 2nd node are coming through.

[Naturalman]

Hi all I a noob he as well and I am just reading through all of this great info before i atemp anything as well as asking any questions as of yet. Thanks for all of the knowledge here and the willingness to share, Peace out.

[light of jah]

Originally Posted by ocitown

Does your control bucket have a CAP timer on the side?

Your plants/seedlings are now in the veg state and will remain in that state untill you force flower only after you change the lighting to a 12/12.

You need not change lighting till you go 12/12.

How big are the plants/roots?
How old?
Anything in the solution?
What's the solutions pH?

There is a cap timer on the sideof the control bucket. This was part and parcel of my original question, which is what should the time be for the flood and drain respectively? I currently have it on 30 min flood 45 min drain. Is this correct?


The plants are about 6" or so and the roots are several inches and seem healthy, thick and vibrant

age 3 weeks to a month

The solution is comprised of Aquaflakes A and B one quarter strength for adjustment period.

The solution Ph is a very stable 6.0 +/- .1 or .2

Thanks again for your help.

LOJ

[jcj77d]

Originally Posted by xxxlmaxxx

i visited petsmart today and realized they have a lot of necessary things for indoor growing.
Hydrometer and thermometers. they have digital and analog ones. and theyre pretty cheap $10-15
they also have light timers, ph meters, cfl domes and i even saw some heaters that could be used to keep your plant warm.
Just putting it out there in case someone is lookin for somethinf, cause now i know where im buying mine,

yes they do, the biggest thing ppl look for is ph up/down, & the petco or petsmart around here carry them. though ive never seen digital ph meters there

[jcj77d]

Originally Posted by light of jah

Ebb and grow questions
I am an absolute beginner,so pardon my naivate'.

First, let me tell you where I'm at:

I have a 12 pot ebb and grow system. I've just transplanted last week, and I'm using Aquaflakes A and B for nutes, but I'm only using 1/4 the dosage at this time to acclamate the plants to their new home. The lighting system is a 600w/1000w MH/HPS. (Using MH until flowering stage).

The Ph level is right around 6.0 +/- .1/.2. I'm using distilled water and keeping the temp right around 75-78 degrees. Because I'm only using 12 pots, I have put 30 gallons in the resovoir instead of 55. I figured that if ever there was an issue with the floats, I can avoid a flood of any sizable quantity.

OK..that's where I stand, but I have some questions that I'm hoping a more seasoned grower might be able to help me with:

a) Being a few days after transplant, when should I begin my 18 on 6 off light cycle? How long should that cycle last?

b) I currently have the fill cycle on for 30 minutes soak 4 times daily (6am, 12noon, 6pm and 12 midnight). Is this the appropriate amount of time the newbies should soak, or should this time be adjusted plus or minus? Also, should the amount of soak time be adjusted during each stage, and if so, to what and when? (Someone mentioned that I should increase my watering to 30 min fill cycle and 45 min drain cycle...is this correct?)

c) Are there any tips that you all might have that you would care to share with this eager beginner to help grow my babies healthy and happy. Any input would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,

LOJ

imo, stick w/ 24/0 til your ready to flower. 10-15min 3-4x a day should be plenty, & it should take about the same time to drain. your water temps need to be lower, 68 is optimal

[jcj77d]

Originally Posted by ocitown

I am giving up on my burner as my heat is only one of my problems,my 4x8x7 tent has a 3x6 tray for 6 BB's,AC,Dehumidifier,8" can fan plus can-50 and all the electronics to boot with two Radiant 8" hoods(one water cooled) so there is NO room w/o burning something plus HEAT.

So,my local place is being GREAT in allowing me to return it with a 10% restocking fee,still like $500 store credit.

Now i need Co2/regulator to plug in my Fuzzy CAP.

Thing is i keep reading about regs being as cheap as $75 and bottles as low as $25(welding supply IIRC).

This place has bottles for $150/regs for $150 and duel regs for $250.

I could get all there top stuff and still have $$ but if i can get some links to get it for $100 i think i will just keep the credit.

I will be returning it Sat. morning so if ya have any info please add it here.

I remember Rump talking about just this so i will also ask on his thread as well.

Hydroponics, Indoor Gardening Supplies, Hydroponic Systems - home REG-1 CO2 Regulator / Valve | CO2 Enrichment High Tech Garden Supply CO2 Regulators Single Gauge CO2 Regulator PSI for Fish Aquararium | Virtual Village - US Co2 Air Aluminum Tanks for Keg Beer Systems | BeverageFactory.com Cylinder Mart - Discount Helium, CO2 Tanks and Cylinders Beer CO2 & Nitrogen Gas Cylinders (Air Tanks) - MicroMatic

[jcj77d]

Originally Posted by pomangro

Hey guys, i have another question. Well, it is common knowledge that i like to squeeze things, my pots included. Common sense would tell me that this allows oxygen to the roots, but it also tells me that it damages the small root hairs. Should i avoid this squeezeage and just throw more perlite in, or squeeze to my hearts' content?

i would just use 20-30% perlite, & up to 40% if u use mg organic, b/c squeezing can imo cause other probs too

[jcj77d]

Originally Posted by kc36

Ok i have these 2 Hash Power Plants under 1 250w CFL a few inches away from the plants.

I have very slow growth for 2 weeks and have it down to two factors:
1) Use of pre ferted soil
2)Cold temps at night (in attic and have been frosty in evening)

There are 2 weeks today (since popped), I have had to water then every 3 days or so and have a 1:2 ratio of prelite:soil.

Roots can be seen at bottom oking out but root growth is not taking all of soil at sides.

There are 2 nodes, very compact. So thats the set of oval leaves, the 1 finger leaf and now i belive the fan leaves onn 2nd node are coming through.

it could be the soil, or if the ph is off, that will stunt growth too. cold temps can slow growth, but not much, unless its getting below 55. when u transplant try to rinse off as much of that soil as u can w/o harming roots, & put into a good organic soil w/ 20-30% perlite. invest in some superthrive.
check the soils runoff waters ph, & let us know what it is.
whats the temps?

[ocitown]

Originally Posted by jcj77d

Hydroponics, Indoor Gardening Supplies, Hydroponic Systems - home REG-1 CO2 Regulator / Valve | CO2 Enrichment High Tech Garden Supply CO2 Regulators Single Gauge CO2 Regulator PSI for Fish Aquararium | Virtual Village - US Co2 Air Aluminum Tanks for Keg Beer Systems | BeverageFactory.com Cylinder Mart - Discount Helium, CO2 Tanks and Cylinders Beer CO2 & Nitrogen Gas Cylinders (Air Tanks) - MicroMatic

Thanx bro,the Aquarium ones seem like they use bubbles per min. and tanks are way cheaper at Beer places.

[Chinaeyedrapper]

so far with no nutes 24/0 light and only bottled water im beginning 4th week soon recently topped with good growth after 2 days...i had another sproutling come up but only lived above a week or so deformed limbs and all of that. I also have going along with my own LST plan,

If i clip fanleafs about 1/3 to 1/2 off will this give my plant a little extra growing speed on the main stem of the plant? tryin to speed this up so i can start flowering. i only wanted a few grams of some dank ass shit pretty sure i got good strain of headies going on. how many g's could i get out of a small time plant? veg'd for a month.