First Time Growing - Questions.

[chillax]

Hey everyone. I've been on the forum for some time now (more active in Recreational & Seasoned) and I've decided to try growing. I read a lot of the guides on here -- very helpful!

The seeds I have are from a bag of mids.

I'm not really expecting miracles, and if this fails, I'm not going to be too concerned. This is more like a fun summer experiment.

I have a couple grow spots in mind, I just have to investigate some more and choose one that works for me.

My questions are as follows:

1. How can I tell a seed worth planting vs. a seed not worth planting. Some of the seeds are brown vs. beige, etc. etc. (Pics would be great, but if not, just an explanation).

2. How early can I determine sex? I know I should look for the sacs on the males.

3. Is Miracle-Gro soil good? Something with some vermiculite maybe?

4. How badly will the plants smell? If they are 15 yards from an area where people MAY be, will it be terribly noticeable?

Thanks for your answers, guys.

Peace,
chillax.

[Underpantsman]

1. A good seed will have no cracks in it, and usually be colored brown, black or beige, sometimes "tiger-striped". A good way to see if a seed is viable, is put it in a small glass of water, let it sit for 6 hours then go back and give it a push with your finger, a good seed will sink to the bottom. Then you can put it in moist paper towels until a taproot emerges, or just leave it in the water until the taproot comes out.

Un-viable seeds usually have a white or green look to them, they are immature. Cracked seeds usually wont work either.

2. Be patient and wait is the method I would reccomend for a first timer, females will have an immature calyx with one or two white hairs called pistils, males have pollen sacs like you mentioned. After 8 weeks or so, they usually pre-flower and show sex, if not you will know in July for sure when the plants go into the first stages of flowering

Good pics in this thread of pre-flowering plants

http://forum.grasscity.com/general-o...ml#post2452103

3. I would avoid the Miracle Grow soils that say "feeds for __ months" on the bag, Ive seen a 3 month and 9 month bag, you dont want these. If you are going to plant out in the wild in holes you will probably want perlite added to the soil for drainage.

4. Depends on the strain truthfully, some smell more than others.

[chillax]

Thanks man. Rep+

[galatea]

Originally Posted by chillax

1. How can I tell a seed worth planting vs. a seed not worth planting. Some of the seeds are brown vs. beige, etc. etc. (Pics would be great, but if not, just an explanation).

2. How early can I determine sex? I know I should look for the sacs on the males.

3. Is Miracle-Gro soil good? Something with some vermiculite maybe?

4. How badly will the plants smell? If they are 15 yards from an area where people MAY be, will it be terribly noticeable?

1. I'm growing outdoors for the first time too. I sprouted my seeds in a wet paper towel first.

2. I want to know the same! I'm in New York if anyone here is also growing outdoors in NY and wants to compare notes.

3. I planted mine in MG soil and flipped out when I read on here that MG could kill your plants. Thankfully, they're just fine. Once I read more, I realized organic was the way to go, so I switched to compost and worm castings. I purchased mine at a farmer's market and they weren't that much more expensive than the MG.

4. Again, I want to know the same!

Why not plant some good seeds if you're going to do it?