Introduction: Greetings to all on GC! This is my first grow, and I am very excited for it. I have always loved agriculture, and, more recently [user for 2 years now], Cannabis. I just figured I'd combine the two for a whole lot of fun! I live around the 44 Degree North Latitude line, so you know, cold winters, warm summers etc. In any case, I am a complete beginner, and much of this is up to scrutiny, criticism and certainly revisions along the way. Lets just hope this goes smoothly... Start Date: March 26 Local Area Weather: Spring Temps: 35-70 F, Lots of Rain Summer Temps: 50-95 F, Sometimes excessive rain, sometimes drought... Fall Temps: 30-80 F, but risk of frost in October, less rain Set Up: 8-12 Plants total, still debating... Secluded Forest Location (struggled hard to find sunny, yet incognito places) Native Soil/Imported Soil if necessary Basic Fertilizing- N heavy during veg, balanced during flowering [this is NOT my area of expertise, any and all suggestions welcome] Not sure about the finer points of LST, probably gonna go the all natural way starting inside, then transplanting once safe from frost and at maturational readiness My Questions Checklist [trying to get these answered along the way] What are good brands for fertilizer/soil? Is MiracleGro ok or a no no? Is a forest floor soil (decaying plant matter, mulch, sand, dirt) good for growing or will I need to import? What precautions should I take to fend against animals without compromising my stealth? I think Deer will be my biggest adversaries. Ive heard predator fur, urine, feces etc. Maybe my dog can come in handy with this one! How often should I be visiting to water during veg? During flower? Is there a schedule, or is it a play it by ear type of thing? Progress/Updates: March 26-Started germinating the first four for site 1. March 28-First 2 seeds have rooted, been placed in party cups, watered, and now resting under the light [is this a good idea?] Pics coming when they are sprouting! March 30 (PICS!) The first two have sprouted, a third was just placed in its cup today. At the moment I still have four germinating. Check it out! This is the set up I have to get them going inside. This box closes, placing the floros about 2 inches away from the sprouts, and that is only going to decrease, so I am going to move them farther from the light soon, but not too far! This is the first one to sprout, going to be labeling it "a" for now, until it is big enough to have distinguishing characteristics. This little one is number two to sprout, going to be labeling it "b." This is the whole shebang
Ok so now that I am on my way I have some urgent questions to ask. I am currently using MiracleGro Potting Soil. Is this bad? Also, how far should the plants be from a standard floro like the one I am using? I figured I might be able to go a little farther dur to the giant mirror reflecting light right down on the plants. Can anyone weigh in on what I am doing just in case I am headed for disaster?
I just have standard MiracleGro Potting soil. Nothing special. As you can see from the box though, the light can only be directly above for so long before the plants would grow into it. Is it ok for them to be at an angle to the light, especially taking that mirror into account?
Ok, so I found that my previous setup was way to short height wise, and now I have moved it. But all that did was bring more questions than answers. I have created an extremely rudimentary indoor box meant only for raising the young-lings until there is no longer frost danger. I put the box in my closet, and have stacked blankets and pillows on top to make it look casual (I can't trust my roommate) however I am extremely apprehensive about doing so. Does it pose any electrical/fire danger? Will it affect the growing? I have pics to help you along in helping me. : This is the new setup. As far as I can tell, there are no major problems with it specifically. Advice anyone? : A farther view of the box : Another pic of the box : The box glows and I'm not sure the best way to counter it. Any help? : I threw this over to counteract the glow... : this is what it looks like all stacked up In short the change had to be made to prevent any further stretching on the babies' part, but I am worried that it may be dangerous. In an unrelated note, I have a CFL that I could use instead of the cool white floro I am currently using. It says it is the equivalent to a standard incandescent bulb. Would that even be enough for the three I have going so far? Also, I happen to have a craft light portable light box, (meant for tracing while drawing). It appears to give of floro light, and I was wondering if it could have any use for growing? I will put pics of it up soon...Can anyone weigh in and help a brother out?
Update: April 2 (PICS) Three of my babies are seedlings, soaking up as much artificial light as they can before they are ready for the outside. The weather is marvelous, and is supposed to stay that way for a while. Occasionally last frost for my area is as late as May 15th, but the last frost is usually early to mid April. I am aiming for an April 15th transfer, but it all still depends on the forecast, farmers almanac, and lady luck. I've been making careful adjustments, learning how to curb and avoid stretching on my babies, but they are coming along fairly well. my first two plants (named A and B at this point) were planted March 28th, making them nearly a week old, and plant C was planted the 29th. D and E germed on April Fools and were planted today. All, may I remind you, are from bagseed (no use in wasting money first time through). Also I spent some time yesterday and today finalizing the site, pictures below. The Seedlings This is the setup... still wondering how much of a fire hazard it is (see my last post) These are the seedlings in order (A,B,C) These are all shots of the location. Even with a panoramic view, it is impossible to see any clearings, or houses. My house is a simple walk from it, yet it is very hidden. The prevalence of the thorns and briar patch shows that no man has attempted to tame the land, no paths, tracks, etc. I didn't even see evidence of counterproductive animals (deer etc) but I know they frequent nearby areas, so I will still take as many precautions as I can (urine, dog hair, coffee grounds, fishing line, fences etc.). Tell me what you think of the area! (Sorry for the annoying sound on the video, not sure what it is from. No dialog or anything, feel free to turn the sound down) View My Video
what kind of fluoros are you using? consider getting a thermometer at walmart with humidifier for like 5$ and small fans are about six bucks... if the fluoro isnt a daylight bulb then make sure you have a day light bulb and try to get the light at 6500 K which is the color tempurature and that is noted on the box to the bulb, generally in a day light. your plants look good just very stretched out and thats why i ask about the bulb.