Looking to improve, need professional help

[TheSilentJester]

Hi all!
My (grower related) Background:
I'm new to Rollitup, I'm 21 finishing up my associates in science this semester and moving afterwords to pursue a degree in Botany (so hit me with the hard sciences!) I've been growing medical cannabis for about 3 years now, and I also keep an outdoor vegetable and herb garden in the spring and summer that seems to appreciate in size with every season and with my passion for all things botanical. I worked for awhile at a fairly reputable hydroponic supply store for a few months before they decided that eye-candy would reap more sales than knowledgeable staff members, and replaced me. I've read much on how to achieve yields of legendary proportions, but I've lived to know that it's experience that is the wielder of the tool named knowledge, and unfortunately have had to endure many disappointing yet enlightening failures to reach my goals.

My query:
I'm looking for experienced growers, preferably professionals for the "in's and out's" of the industry as well as qualitative reliable comprehensive sources to use so that I can grow my girls to their absolute potential. When I move, I'm planning on having a majority of my income that will sustain me whilst I continue my studies come from cannabis, the problem is my watt/gram and rate of production is quite pitiful. Sure the quality of the end product is phenomenal, but I can't seem to produce any of these 1Ib plants I've read of. As much as I love doing things the hard way, all these set backs are taking their toll, and it seems evident to me that I need to improve something(s) somewhere.
Can anyone provide me with insight as to better or proper methodology for cultivation on a large scale? I'm looking at moving into a house with a 1k^2 foot basement that I will dedicate to growing, and have some funds set aside for cost of equipment.

Thank you for your time,
irie days.

 

[althor]

Growing is very fluid and there are more opinions than facts. Even the most "professional" of growers have different techniques.

 

[TheSilentJester]

Growing is very fluid and there are more opinions than facts. Even the most "professional" of growers have different techniques.

I grew to know this while working at the hydro store I worked at, it seems everyone is in an arms race for the title of best grower. I had one guy who swore that putting kool-aid in his hydro res made his buds taste like grape, he also was confused as to why his plants were dying, but was convinced that it couldn't be the kool-aid.
That's why I'm looking for more objective data, or things related to the industry. I.E. one of the professional growers I talked to at work would talk about things like not venting your heat exhaust into the attic during the winter, because you'll be one of the only ones without a snow covered roof, and as such easier to spot.
Scholarly articles are great too, something like this:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550641/pdf/12298_2008_Article_27.pdf

 

[RM3]

Step one embrace your actual botany studies and move away from from forum myths and rhetoric, you'll be amazed at the results you can achieve

 

[Bugeye]

Identify the weakest link in your current set up and improve it. Get the genetics that have large yield potential. Manage your canopy with topping, LST or supercropping.

 

[Jimdamick]

Well, you sound like you want to produce product, so I will give you a small list of what you need to do.
1- read a lot, and not just on this site.
2- figure out how to create 4 rooms in your basement ( 1 mother/clone room 1 veg and 1 bloom room for a perpetual garden, and 1 drying)
3- figure out cooling and venting( the snow on the roof shit is laughable) AC might be needed for a big grow and charcoal filters to deal with the odor
4- lighting on a big grow has to be MH/HPS, like 1000w per 6'x6' area will work, shrinking to 4'x4' better.
5- go hydro, and use at least 3 gallon pots in a recirculating drip system, that will be the only thing that will work in a large system for large plants.
6- figure out how to supply water and drain water in a basement (can be a challenge)
7- figure out electrical requirements (2000w of lights need a separate 20 amp circuit at a minimum)
8- get fem seeds (no time for sexing) which for a good plant, expect at a minimum $10 per seed
9- figure out what to do with the waste products.
10- get a few names of good criminal lawyers in your area, so when you get popped, you will be good to go.
11- only fucking with ya, been growing in my basement for 20 years no problem (knock on wood)

Good luck my friend,and have lot's of fun!

 

[TheSilentJester]

Well, you sound like you want to produce product, so I will give you a small list of what you need to do.
1- read a lot, and not just on this site.
2- figure out how to create 4 rooms in your basement ( 1 mother/clone room 1 veg and 1 bloom room for a perpetual garden, and 1 drying)
3- figure out cooling and venting( the snow on the roof shit is laughable) AC might be needed for a big grow and charcoal filters to deal with the odor
4- lighting on a big grow has to be MH/HPS, like 1000w per 6'x6' area will work, shrinking to 4'x4' better.
5- go hydro, and use at least 3 gallon pots in a recirculating drip system, that will be the only thing that will work in a large system for large plants.
6- figure out how to supply water and drain water in a basement (can be a challenge)
7- figure out electrical requirements (2000w of lights need a separate 20 amp circuit at a minimum)
8- get fem seeds (no time for sexing) which for a good plant, expect at a minimum $10 per seed
9- figure out what to do with the waste products.
10- get a few names of good criminal lawyers in your area, so when you get popped, you will be good to go.
11- only fucking with ya, been growing in my basement for 20 years no problem (knock on wood)

Good luck my friend,and have lot's of fun!

Thanks for the insight!
Might you know of a source I can find information on how to plan for the electrical consumption of my garden? I'd hate to be one of those people who accidentally melt the power supply wire going to their home from overloading it.
As for the Lawyer, I'm fortunate enough to have Matt Able as a contact.

 

[nomofatum]

Scientific Method. Always have control samples and experiments running. Don't believe anyone who hasn't tested with a control. So much false info based each person's personal experiences. You need to find an impartial way to do your comparisons. Look for side by sides where there is only one variable changing. Fuck opinions.

 

[nomofatum]

Thanks for the insight!
Might you know of a source I can find information on how to plan for the electrical consumption of my garden? I'd hate to be one of those people who accidentally melt the power supply wire going to their home from overloading it.
As for the Lawyer, I'm fortunate enough to have Matt Able as a contact.

First design your lighting, then size electrical based on power consumption of your lights. There are great options in HPS/MH, CMH, LED, .. HPS/MH is the easiest/best bang for the buck lights, but there are better (more expensive) lights (CHM, some LEDs, Plasma, Induction).

If you are doing a large space I would use all 600w HPS fixtures + UVB (tanning bulbs or T5HO) in the flower room, and 1000w MH + HPS or some warm supplemental in the veg space.

If you are willing to DIY, take a look at LED, if not willing to DIY, don't bother, way too expensive.

 

[calicocalyx]

First step is good genetics. Second max out all the factors that increase plants vigor. I'm talking CO2, good lights (spectrum is important), perfect temps. Soil-less and hydro IMO veg faster for several reasons. Also NO bugs, deficiencies, lock outs etc... Gotta start with a good yielder though. SOG is great, but not if your med and limited to plant numbers. Proper electrical should pop breakers not fry lines or equipment. Most houses seem to have 200 amp service. If you own your house you can most likely upgrade that, I added on 200 amps but had to get a permit and all. I did it " to code" myself from research and picking brains. My buddy did the same but added 400 amps. I'm guessin your local hydro shop might know a cool electrician that makes the rounds as well.

 

[SnapsProvolone]

You want yields, DWC is where it's at imo.

 

[Moebius]

Hi all!
My (grower related) Background:
I'm new to Rollitup, I'm 21 finishing up my associates in science this semester and moving afterwords to pursue a degree in Botany (so hit me with the hard sciences!) I've been growing medical cannabis for about 3 years now, and I also keep an outdoor vegetable and herb garden in the spring and summer that seems to appreciate in size with every season and with my passion for all things botanical. I worked for awhile at a fairly reputable hydroponic supply store for a few months before they decided that eye-candy would reap more sales than knowledgeable staff members, and replaced me. I've read much on how to achieve yields of legendary proportions, but I've lived to know that it's experience that is the wielder of the tool named knowledge, and unfortunately have had to endure many disappointing yet enlightening failures to reach my goals.

My query:
I'm looking for experienced growers, preferably professionals for the "in's and out's" of the industry as well as qualitative reliable comprehensive sources to use so that I can grow my girls to their absolute potential. When I move, I'm planning on having a majority of my income that will sustain me whilst I continue my studies come from cannabis, the problem is my watt/gram and rate of production is quite pitiful. Sure the quality of the end product is phenomenal, but I can't seem to produce any of these 1Ib plants I've read of. As much as I love doing things the hard way, all these set backs are taking their toll, and it seems evident to me that I need to improve something(s) somewhere.
Can anyone provide me with insight as to better or proper methodology for cultivation on a large scale? I'm looking at moving into a house with a 1k^2 foot basement that I will dedicate to growing, and have some funds set aside for cost of equipment.

Thank you for your time,
irie days.

The BIG commercial indoor growers are often using NFT systems for growing everything from tomatoes to cannabis. They use automated systems that control the supply of Carbon Dioxide and nutrients and temperature of the room. .. they're extremely simple to maintain once installed.

Plenty of Youtube videos and books will explain these setups.