Indoor hydro idea and general q's

[trist]

Hi all! I've just found this site as a result of trying to get some info on hydro marijuana growing, so I thought I might try my idea here and see what you think of it. Also I have some questions (well, alot really) that relate to hydro growing because initially there is a wealth of information to be found on the net and many different opinions on the right way to grow!

I am planning to use an entire caravan as the setup for the hydro system. Perhaps a 14x7 footer, or around that mark anyways. Mid size for a caravan =) I want to completely strip the inside of it so that its totally bare, and make it suitable for a plant environment ... I hear that blocking out all other light sources and making the inside reflective is a good way to go. How many plants (50 - 80cm in size) do you think the ENTIRE caravan would be able to support on a hydro setup? Money here is not really a problem for me as I am quite willing to save up and make the investment. I really have very little idea on how much room an actual plant takes up in a hydro system. Considering the amount of money I will be investing in this (a couple of thousand each on the system and the caravan) I would want to get as many plants in as possible.

Making the actual hydro system is not that much of a problem either - I have a nice and friendly hydroponics store down the road who should be able to fit me with a professional system.

So I guess since the pros will be able to sort me out with the specifics of the hydro system, my main concerns are that of the growing process itself.

If I use a very intensive setup to get the best growth rate possible, what kind of period am I looking at from germination to harvest? Is it really best to use 24 hour lighting to encourage growth and then slow it down to 12-12 for the flowering stage? I have done a bit of research, and I've noticed that a fair variety of lights are needed to get the best results. Simply put, how many and what kind of lights would I be looking at for the amount of plants involved?

What's the best method to grow from? Seeds or cloning? Can plants that have been harvested be used again in a hydro system or does this only work in soil? And why is it such a bad idea to let the male plants release their pollen ... ? Does this have an effect on the female's yield? Why is it that people mostly want to encourage female plant growths?

If this setup was successful, given the estimated number of plants (say with a 250 gram yeild per sq/m), how many grams of useable smoke would I end up with after each harvest?

Hmm it seems this post has turned into a bit of a novel but oh well! Those are just about all the questions I can think of, no doubt I will think of more in time though ... if you think you can help out a newbie that would be great, as I am fully serious in doing this! I just want it to work perfect the first time so as not to waste my time and money =) If you could also tell me what you think of the caravan project and if it has worked before that would be great! Cheers!

- trist

[vatoloco]

Originally posted by trist


If I use a very intensive setup to get the best growth rate possible, what kind of period am I looking at from germination to harvest? Is it really best to use 24 hour lighting to encourage growth and then slow it down to 12-12 for the flowering stage? I have done a bit of research, and I've noticed that a fair variety of lights are needed to get the best results. Simply put, how many and what kind of lights would I be looking at for the amount of plants involved?

What's the best method to grow from? Seeds or cloning? Can plants that have been harvested be used again in a hydro system or does this only work in soil? And why is it such a bad idea to let the male plants release their pollen ... ? Does this have an effect on the female's yield? Why is it that people mostly want to encourage female plant growths?

If this setup was successful, given the estimated number of plants (say with a 250 gram yeild per sq/m), how many grams of useable smoke would I end up with after each harvest?

Space could be a problem in a caravan...depending on how much height you've got to work with.

I'll try to answer your questions the best I can...although I haven't grown hydro yet but I'm gathering my supplies for it. Leave the lights on 24 hrs if you're starting out with flouros. Get 48 in (4 ft) bulbs. For flowering you'll want an HPS...preferably a 400, 600, or 1000 watt bulb.

It's best to grow from clones because they don't take as long to veg. If the males release their pollen the females will put their energy into making seeds instead of buds. Yes it has a major effect on the yield, besides what would you rather smoke?

If it all works out you're time and effort will pay off.

[trist]

Okay that helps! I don't think space in the caravan would be too much of a prob because it'd have around a 7" ceiling .. or possibly more! I'm aiming for 100 plants, you think it could be done?

And is it suitable to use hps on growing plants, or are they only really effective in the flowering stage?

[barnaby_wylde]

HPS is in realaty the only light u need, it has all the spectrum u need to rase seeds clones veg grow and flower. only drawback is u have a slighty longer node lengh (that shudnt b a prob with a 7' cealing) and the plants can take a few more days to flower but u will get heaver buds so i think that off sets the time delay. also u dont have the hassle of changing hangin lamps, u only need to buy 1 lot of lamps and u dont need as many spare bulbs etc.

gud luck geting it right 1st time. if u manage that i'l b well impresed. might b an idea to set ur system up and run it 4 a few days 1st with no plants in it to check for problems like heat build up, leaks in ur hydro. light geting out and airplains tryin to land in ur back yard etc. its a lot easyer to sort them when u havent got plants to worry about.

[barnaby_wylde]

Oh and 100 plants? dont c y not, it does depend on wot type ur gonna grow and to what size. u'll know how many plants u can grow when ur hydro system is in. dont 4get to leave walk ways so u can get in and tend 2 ur plants remembering that plants grow so if u have to tip toe round b4 the plants go in ur gonna b buggerd as soon as they start to bush out.

[trist]

I was thinking of starting out with skunk red hair, cause it's a nice small plant that still puts out. Also the seeds are nice and cheap online =) So perhaps with a smaller plant like thus I might be able to fit in the 100? It will probably take a bit of designing to get it right the first time with space issues, so i'll leave that to the hydro shop pros...

Does anyone else have ideas? Maybe how many lights and wattage are needed for the plants ... i was thinking x 400 and maybe some fluros to stick on the walls. Any more suggestions on this design are welcome!

[hoko]

might wanna be a bit carefull at the hydro store too cause they might get suspicious if u go in and start looting up on tons of equipment and dont ask dumb qustions to them.....

Also r u going to be getting some air flow to them and is the van just gonna be parked in your front yard or on the street garage or backyard where cause it might smell a bit of bud once into flowering with 100 plants and all and it will smell up a big area so keep some constant air flow in there and try to hide it from neighbors

[trist]

The hydro store is pretty safe actually ... the shop has a big picture of a weed leaf painted on the side of it so I think they're aware of what their client base gets up to, and they don't care as long as they're making money =D

Air flow should be good, as I'd get a caravan with one of those heater/air con units... and also chuck a couple of electric fans inside to circulate the airflow.

And nah the van will definitely not be in the street! It will most likely be in a back yard and moved out whenever the landlords are due in =)

I think with that kind of ventilation setup it would be enough to stop people getting suspicious of the smell .. right?

That's about all the questions really .. I think I might read sidious' faq for the more specific things. If I think of anything else while making the room design, I'll post it here.

Cheers very much for the help guys!

[trist]

Okay I just read sidious' entire quick grow guide ... very helpful. I'm completely sorted on the whole setup now (with ventilation, co2, stuff like that) but there's still one thing that I'm unsure about.

I now know that male plants should be separated or killed off before they can pollenate the females. This sounds like a nasty waste of some good plants ... couldn't one simply cut off all the male pollen spores and prevent any seeds appearing in the female buds? Of course I would keep 2 males and a female for breeding in a separate area ... seeds are expensive =P

Then the males could be harvested right along side the females and added to the yeild ... or is it only unpollented female buds that produce good thc?

I promise this is my last question .. I really appreciate the help so far and every bit of it has counted!

[LavanderHydro]

You dont really need to breed 2 males and a female plant if you want to continue to grow, just cut off some clones and use them. Much more efficient and less timely in veg. Since you dont have to germinate seeds, and if clones are healthy, they already have a strong stem base and will root very easily.

Are you gonna have the caravan running to heat and cool plants? In my opinnion that would be extremely costly, both monetary and hurtful to the environment since your running a vehicle. (not to mention the un godly cost of gas these days. THANKS G.W.)

Other than that i think you have a great idea, very original and creative.

Check out my thread and tell me what you think of my set up
"HYDROPONIC PARADISE"

Any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Lavander Dro coming to a cigarrello near you!!!

[pungent]

Originally Posted by trist

I now know that male plants should be separated or killed off before they can pollenate the females. This sounds like a nasty waste of some good plants ...

This is a huge argument for using clones. Find a female, take a bunch of clones to grow. They will all be female and then you don't have to worry about cutting males out or cutting their pollen sacs off or wasting space etc. You will get more consistent growth rate among your plants if they are all a clone of the exact same genetics. They should all roughly grow at the same rate which makes things easier for you.