A Medical Marijuana Patient firs growing attempt. Tips welcome!

[ZeroBuds]

Hi Guys!
I am a total noob at growing pretty much anything, let alone MJ but in an effort to reduce my use of opiate based pain killers I tried MJ and it helped! It didn't cure me but it allowed me to cut my daily oxy usage in half!

I read Jorge's book on Medical MJ and it helped but seemed more geared towards the larger grower but in my state I am limited to 7 plants (3 mature) so I am doing it small time and on the cheap where possible.

After countless hours of research (via books and trolling various forums/grow sites) I decided to take a chance and go with the Hydrofarm T5 High Output Fluorescent System. The fixture I purchased came with 6 4' 6400k lamps and I got the seller to throw in 6 3000k lamps (for flowering) for an additional $40.00 shipped.

Initially I had my heart set on building a system using HID lighting, but due to the confined nature of my grow space (2'X4.5'X7' closet) I had concerns about heat issues.

Unfortunately for me, this light puts out too much heat when all 6 bulbs are on so I had to pick up a 4" inline fan anyway, now I just have to get a friend to help me install it.

I considered LEDS and while I believe LEDS will eventually be a great boon for indoor growers with heat and/or electrical issues, it is still way too new of a technology and most of the affordable units are made with cheap, ineffective LEDS that produce disappointing if any yield according to the various grow journals I have read. So I felt that left High Output fluorescent as the only viable choice for me at this time. (plus this unit is the perfect size, like it was built for my closet )

I went with Attitude Seed shop to purchase my seeds. They have a pretty decent selection of genetics, priced from very affordable to HOLY F$#%ing $h1t!

Since this is my very first grow I decided that no matter how tasty some of the more expensive strains sounded I would stick to the lower priced strains which really was not any problem since they had so many nice varieties in all the price ranges. Below is what I picked up from

The Attitude Seedbank:

White Label Seeds Double Gum

Nirvana Seeds Papaya

Mandala Seeds White Satin

And Finally....

KC Brains Cristal Paradise

I went with this site for a couple of reasons.

1. A friend recommended them and she seemed to get hers fast.

2. They were the only seed bank I found that actually has a "Guaranteed" stealth shipping method. If you purchase this option not only do you get the piece of mind that if your package is lost or seized that you will still get your seeds, you get a free T-Shirt! (Mine says Code 420 and has a barcode on the front)

3. They give you even more free stuff based on your purchase amount. For example, I got the following items for free:
5 seeds of G13 Thai Super Skunk
1 seed G13 Feminized Gigabud
1 Seed G13 Purple Lady Feminized

4. I found a coupon code! If you enter 420 into the coupon code box you get a percentage off (10% I believe). Ended up saving me around 12 bucks and they apply the freebies BEFORE the discount, not after, which I thought was pretty darn cool.

Total: GBP 78.06 ($113.73 US) I will let you guys know what percentage sprout and what the male/female ratio was for each strain as my experiment continues.

I remembered reading somewhere that plants that are exposed to a breeze develop stronger trunks and branches so I picked up a 10" wall mount fan to move the air around in the closet.

I also ordered a PH monitor and a digital Hygrometer/Temperature monitor.

For my Germination/seedling phase I used a Burpee germination station with a heating bad and humidity dome.

I picked up a few 3 gallon pots at my closest hydro store along with Roots Organics soil. I plan to use these when I transplant my seedlings

I planted my seeds (on 4/7 about 6PM) just by moistening the little compressed peat things that came with the germination station jabbed them with the metal end of an art pencil to a depth of about twice the height of the seed and moved a little loose dirt on top of it. ( I wish I would of saw docs university back when I first started reading )

For my water I am using a 7 stage RO unit with 100GPD rating and my TDS is 4PPM (from the tap it is several hundred). I was watering them from the bottom till they were moist, but the other day my wife added a ton of water (about 25+ OZ easy) and I didn't notice for about 6 hours and they were looking a little limp and generally ill So I stopped all watering until the soil looked a little drier and I stuck in a toothpick and the top inch came up clean then used the misting technique that Doc recommended in his thread and they seem to be recovering.

I believe that when they first germinated I didn't get them enough light and they stretched out a bit so I am thinking about transplanting them into either a larger pot or right into the 3 gallon in order to cover and better support the bottom stem. What do you guys think?

I will attach some shots of what I have going on and welcome any help or questions!

(and if this was a little long and rambling, I blame it on the medication )

 

[ZeroBuds]

Doh, I can't believe I typo'd (how do you spell that?) in the darn title LoL.

 

[Stoney McFried]

If you want to bury some of the stem, it won't hurt them.Sounds like you have a good setup so far, I'm no expert. I recommend a fan on them, start out on low and make sure to rotate them so they don't get totally bent one way or the other.The back and forth motion really seems to strengthen the stem.Then as they get older, increase the speed of the fan. I have two fans on mine, now, and she's had a fan on her since day one.The stem is the size of a quarter,there are pics of that in my journal.Good luck.

Hi Guys!
I am a total noob at growing pretty much anything, let alone MJ but in an effort to reduce my use of opiate based pain killers I tried MJ and it helped! It didn't cure me but it allowed me to cut my daily oxy usage in half!

I read Jorge's book on Medical MJ and it helped but seemed more geared towards the larger grower but in my state I am limited to 7 plants (3 mature) so I am doing it small time and on the cheap where possible.

After countless hours of research (via books and trolling various forums/grow sites) I decided to take a chance and go with the Hydrofarm T5 High Output Fluorescent System. The fixture I purchased came with 6 4' 6400k lamps and I got the seller to throw in 6 3000k lamps (for flowering) for an additional $40.00 shipped.

Initially I had my heart set on building a system using HID lighting, but due to the confined nature of my grow space (2'X4.5'X7' closet) I had concerns about heat issues.

Unfortunately for me, this light puts out too much heat when all 6 bulbs are on so I had to pick up a 4" inline fan anyway, now I just have to get a friend to help me install it.

I considered LEDS and while I believe LEDS will eventually be a great boon for indoor growers with heat and/or electrical issues, it is still way too new of a technology and most of the affordable units are made with cheap, ineffective LEDS that produce disappointing if any yield according to the various grow journals I have read. So I felt that left High Output fluorescent as the only viable choice for me at this time. (plus this unit is the perfect size, like it was built for my closet )

I went with Attitude Seed shop to purchase my seeds. They have a pretty decent selection of genetics, priced from very affordable to HOLY F$#%ing $h1t!

Since this is my very first grow I decided that no matter how tasty some of the more expensive strains sounded I would stick to the lower priced strains which really was not any problem since they had so many nice varieties in all the price ranges. Below is what I picked up from

The Attitude Seedbank:

White Label Seeds Double Gum

Nirvana Seeds Papaya

Mandala Seeds White Satin

And Finally....

KC Brains Cristal Paradise

I went with this site for a couple of reasons.

1. A friend recommended them and she seemed to get hers fast.

2. They were the only seed bank I found that actually has a "Guaranteed" stealth shipping method. If you purchase this option not only do you get the piece of mind that if your package is lost or seized that you will still get your seeds, you get a free T-Shirt! (Mine says Code 420 and has a barcode on the front)

3. They give you even more free stuff based on your purchase amount. For example, I got the following items for free:
5 seeds of G13 Thai Super Skunk
1 seed G13 Feminized Gigabud
1 Seed G13 Purple Lady Feminized

4. I found a coupon code! If you enter 420 into the coupon code box you get a percentage off (10% I believe). Ended up saving me around 12 bucks and they apply the freebies BEFORE the discount, not after, which I thought was pretty darn cool.

Total: GBP 78.06 ($113.73 US) I will let you guys know what percentage sprout and what the male/female ratio was for each strain as my experiment continues.

I remembered reading somewhere that plants that are exposed to a breeze develop stronger trunks and branches so I picked up a 10" wall mount fan to move the air around in the closet.

I also ordered a PH monitor and a digital Hygrometer/Temperature monitor.

For my Germination/seedling phase I used a Burpee germination station with a heating bad and humidity dome.

I picked up a few 3 gallon pots at my closest hydro store along with Roots Organics soil. I plan to use these when I transplant my seedlings

I planted my seeds (on 4/7 about 6PM) just by moistening the little compressed peat things that came with the germination station jabbed them with the metal end of an art pencil to a depth of about twice the height of the seed and moved a little loose dirt on top of it. ( I wish I would of saw docs university back when I first started reading )

For my water I am using a 7 stage RO unit with 100GPD rating and my TDS is 4PPM (from the tap it is several hundred). I was watering them from the bottom till they were moist, but the other day my wife added a ton of water (about 25+ OZ easy) and I didn't notice for about 6 hours and they were looking a little limp and generally ill So I stopped all watering until the soil looked a little drier and I stuck in a toothpick and the top inch came up clean then used the misting technique that Doc recommended in his thread and they seem to be recovering.

I believe that when they first germinated I didn't get them enough light and they stretched out a bit so I am thinking about transplanting them into either a larger pot or right into the 3 gallon in order to cover and better support the bottom stem. What do you guys think?

I will attach some shots of what I have going on and welcome any help or questions!

(and if this was a little long and rambling, I blame it on the medication )

 

[theloadeddragon]

hmmmm... don't you have a back yard?

 

[Stoney McFried]

Me or zero?

hmmmm... don't you have a back yard?

 

[theloadeddragon]

uhh zero. Its April... its nice outside... I would hate to flower with fluorescents....

 

[ZeroBuds]

uhh zero. Its April... its nice outside... I would hate to flower with fluorescents....

Me too, but I don't exactly live in the best area for outdoor growing, and I have to go stealth because my wife has her friends over frequently and I figure the fewer people that know the better. Maybe in a few years things will mellow out even more or I can move to Oregon or Cali or someplace more private at least.

Stoney: I hear ya with the fan, I didn't have it the first few 2 days (was waiting for it to come fedex) and the seeds that were slower to germinate (I.E. After I got fan) are also much thicker in the stem in general.

Is there such a thing as too small to transplant? What about too big of a container? I have like 4 inch peat pots and 3 3 gallon pots available right now.
Zero

 

[theloadeddragon]

you don't want to transplant seedlings or clones for about two weeks, or until the roots are actually growing out of the bottom of the cube/pot... typically the leaves will get lighter in color and the tips will start to yellow when they are ready for transplant. If your using a soil with nutrients/amendments in it, you shouldn't need to add any nutrients at all for about 20-25 days (or until you notice the same symptoms as for transplant).

 

[ZeroBuds]

you don't want to transplant seedlings or clones for about two weeks, or until the roots are actually growing out of the bottom of the cube/pot... typically the leaves will get lighter in color and the tips will start to yellow when they are ready for transplant. If your using a soil with nutrients/amendments in it, you shouldn't need to add any nutrients at all for about 20-25 days (or until you notice the same symptoms as for transplant).

I deliberately avoided a soil with time release nutrients (see link in earlier post for soil specs) due to the lack of control over what the plants receive, so I chose that one, it is pre-mixed with perlite, worm castings, etc. but no non organic or time release stuff in it.

Thanks for the tip on the leaves yellowing, I will look for that.

They are only about 10 days old total, I stuck them straight into the soil, watered and covered with a dome on the 9th and the gigabud was up the very next day and was actually showing 4 leaves within 36 hours but it seems to have stalled a bit, hopefully its due to them working on roots and not from the 1 over watering incident (which they seem to be recovering from)

I was considering transplanting due to the long stems and small plugs they are planted in, ( smaller than one of those net Jiffy peat plugs).

Oh well, I already know about 1/2 dozen things not to do next time and I did save a bit more than half my seeds from my Attitude order so worst case scenario I will have to start over, but I really hope I can keep enough of these alive to avoid that. (gives me more time to learn! )

Zero

 

[Stoney McFried]

I can only tell you how mine went, I transplanted her about two weeks in because her roots went crazy.She did fine.

I deliberately avoided a soil with time release nutrients (see link in earlier post for soil specs) due to the lack of control over what the plants receive, so I chose that one, it is pre-mixed with perlite, worm castings, etc. but no non organic or time release stuff in it.

Thanks for the tip on the leaves yellowing, I will look for that.

They are only about 10 days old total, I stuck them straight into the soil, watered and covered with a dome on the 9th and the gigabud was up the very next day and was actually showing 4 leaves within 36 hours but it seems to have stalled a bit, hopefully its due to them working on roots and not from the 1 over watering incident (which they seem to be recovering from)

I was considering transplanting due to the long stems and small plugs they are planted in, ( smaller than one of those net Jiffy peat plugs).

Oh well, I already know about 1/2 dozen things not to do next time and I did save a bit more than half my seeds from my Attitude order so worst case scenario I will have to start over, but I really hope I can keep enough of these alive to avoid that. (gives me more time to learn! )

Zero

 

[theloadeddragon]

before I could offer any more advice I would really need to see pics. All organic additives release their nutrients over a period of time. Your using a "warm organic soil", so you want to make sure to wash it down a good bit before putting anything in it. I didn't see anything about PH adjusters in the description, so you might to check with them to see if they put anything in it for that. if not that I recommend mixing in Oyster Shell or dolomite lime, and mulching with a layer of no more than 1/2 inch of Chamomile.

 

[Stoney McFried]

Chamomile is for the anti fungal properties, right?I use cinnamon.

before I could offer any more advice I would really need to see pics. All organic additives release their nutrients over a period of time. Your using a "warm organic soil", so you want to make sure to wash it down a good bit before putting anything in it. I didn't see anything about PH adjusters in the description, so you might to check with them to see if they put anything in it for that. if not that I recommend mixing in Oyster Shell or dolomite lime, and mulching with a layer of no more than 1/2 inch of Chamomile.

 

[theloadeddragon]

Chamomile is for the anti fungal properties, right?I use cinnamon.

Chamomile has many benificial properties for mulching, insecticide, barrier, organic microbiotic stimulant, PH adjuster (for alkaline soils, which is most common), and yes anti fungal, and after it breaks down it releases nitrogen and potash.

 

[Stoney McFried]

Wow, I didn't know that about it, I just knew it was an antifungal.It grows wild around here in the summer, I pick a lot because I love the smell.It's also good for stomach aches, cramps,skin rashes, nerves,etc. Anyway, back to the topic, lol.

Chamomile has many benificial properties for mulching, insecticide, barrier, organic microbiotic stimulant, PH adjuster (for alkaline soils, which is most common), and after it breaks down it releases nitrogen and potash.

 

[ZeroBuds]

I can only tell you how mine went, I transplanted her about two weeks in because her roots went crazy.She did fine.

Thanks Stoney! I will wait another couple days unless they seem to really be hurting. I lifted the starter tray and saw one piece of root sticking out of one of the white satins, so I guess I will just hope they make it.

I am trying to be patient and not "Mother" my plants into the grave but boy it is tough to not sit there shouting GROW! at them.

They will be 2 weeks old around the 23rd. I am wondering how to transplant them out of these trays though (one of the reasons I will use the Docs solo cup method next time). I cant flip it over and dump it into my hand like most seem to reccommend so I am not sure what to do. Push from the bottom? Cut the tray apart and destroy it? (would rather ruin the tray then a plant. )

I hope they start to exhibit preflowers early so I can cull the males from the non feminized strains and for the record, my batch of KC Brains Crystal Paradise germinated like crap and the white satin did the best so far. The Double gum looks like 3 out of 5 may be viable so I am hoping at least one of those is a Fem I can get some clones from.

Thanks for your help guys!
Zero

 

[Stoney McFried]

If the roots are sticking out, just make sure they don't get any light on them. I'd personally transplant the ones with the roots sticking out, but hey, you do what you want.Get several opinions and decide. As for the tray, yeah, you could cut it...or if it's a tray that can be bent or squeezed, maybe wait until right before your next watering so the soil is a little firmer, and from the bottom of the cup gently squeeze around the individual cup, loosening the soil from the plastic, and then try to push it up till you can grab it with your other hand and safely lift it out.Then transplant into it's new pot, and a light watering.This is the first time I've cloned, and the peat pellet method in the growfaq was what I used.Three out of four clones thrived, and the fourth one didn't because I cut it wrong, it was the first one I took.

Thanks Stoney! I will wait another couple days unless they seem to really be hurting. I lifted the starter tray and saw one piece of root sticking out of one of the white satins, so I guess I will just hope they make it.

I am trying to be patient and not "Mother" my plants into the grave but boy it is tough to not sit there shouting GROW! at them.

They will be 2 weeks old around the 23rd. I am wondering how to transplant them out of these trays though (one of the reasons I will use the Docs solo cup method next time). I cant flip it over and dump it into my hand like most seem to reccommend so I am not sure what to do. Push from the bottom? Cut the tray apart and destroy it? (would rather ruin the tray then a plant. )

I hope they start to exhibit preflowers early so I can cull the males from the non feminized strains and for the record, my batch of KC Brains Crystal Paradise germinated like crap and the white satin did the best so far. The Double gum looks like 3 out of 5 may be viable so I am hoping at least one of those is a Fem I can get some clones from.

Thanks for your help guys!
Zero

 

[ZeroBuds]

Where would I find the Chamomile at? A nursery store? The nearest place for me to get plant supplies is over 100 miles away each way, so I have been ordering lots of stuff via mail and recently found this company. They kick butt! Prices are fair (below MSRP mostly) and they had it to my door in like 2 days!

Here are the pics I have now and I will take some more tonight or tomorrow. Most recent are from yesterday.

 

[Stoney McFried]

Depending on where you live, it grows wild in the summer. Mine never looks quite like this, I think it's german chamomile, and the petals don't really show up.But you can tell, because if you squeeze the little button shaped flower center and sniff it, it smells kinda like a strawberry.EDIT: it looks A LOT like fleabane in these pics, so make sure you do the squeeze and sniff test.Fleabane is obviously good for fleas, I have some that grows out my back door.

Where would I find the Chamomile at? A nursery store? The nearest place for me to get plant supplies is over 100 miles away each way, so I have been ordering lots of stuff via mail and recently found this company. They kick butt! Prices are fair (below MSRP mostly) and they had it to my door in like 2 days!

Here are the pics I have now and I will take some more tonight or tomorrow. Most recent are from yesterday.

 

[ZeroBuds]

If the roots are sticking out, just make sure they don't get any light on them. I'd personally transplant the ones with the roots sticking out, but hey, you do what you want.Get several opinions and decide. As for the tray, yeah, you could cut it...or if it's a tray that can be bent or squeezed, maybe wait until right before your next watering so the soil is a little firmer.

I am hoping that the roots firm it up, because this stuff when dry is like sawdust in texture almost. Crazy lightweight and fluffy. I dug up one of the KC's that didn't sprout and it barely made a white tip protrude from the seed before it gave up the ghost it looks like.

I will just cut the darn thing, I can probably find replacements at the nursery next time I drive back to civilization.

Whould it hurt to transplant them straight into the 3 gallon pots or should I use something smaller for the meantime?

I plan on picking up some of that Dolomite and I will look for the chamomile but if no luck I will use Stoneys cinnamon method.

How much do you use Stoney?

On a side note, I thought I was going to have to wack my wifes cats when I saw my grow closet open this morn (I cant close it all the way till I get the exhaust fan installed due to heat) and the think I used to block the access and hold the door mostly shut laying flat on the floor.

Fortunately it looks like they didn't have a chance to graze. Furry little bastards.

Zero

 

[Stoney McFried]

If they're loose, transplant when moist and see if that helps.Cinnamon is just for fungus, I sprinkle that on the top of the soil.I don't think it really has anything beneficial to add in regards to ph or anything. Loaded, would chamomile tea work in a pinch as long as it was organic?

I am hoping that the roots firm it up, because this stuff when dry is like sawdust in texture almost. Crazy lightweight and fluffy. I dug up one of the KC's that didn't sprout and it barely made a white tip protrude from the seed before it gave up the ghost it looks like.

I will just cut the darn thing, I can probably find replacements at the nursery next time I drive back to civilization.

Whould it hurt to transplant them straight into the 3 gallon pots or should I use something smaller for the meantime?

I plan on picking up some of that Dolomite and I will look for the chamomile but if no luck I will use Stoneys cinnamon method.

How much do you use Stoney?

On a side note, I thought I was going to have to wack my wifes cats when I saw my grow closet open this morn (I cant close it all the way till I get the exhaust fan installed due to heat) and the think I used to block the access and hold the door mostly shut laying flat on the floor.

Fortunately it looks like they didn't have a chance to graze. Furry little bastards.

Zero