there are some tricks to clones....most dispensaries keep the clones on a 24 on 0 off light schedule...
so with the light you need to get them on a more natural schedule....like 16/8...check how much day light you will get on June first..
that will be your goal..every few days take away a hour...
yeah for 5 gallon buckets you are fine with just a shop light....(i am running 100 and 65 gallon pots)
you would have a better season if you used 18 gallon totes....
why you no start with clones? imo seeds are a lot more work....
depends on things like....how big of plants you want...are you on 215 and your county cool with outdoor grows?
since your just starting i would just use the shop light...then bring them outside (in shade)
if you want bigger plants you could get a 400w-600w and veg for longer before putting them...
the sandpaper thing is silly imo...
2-3 days is normal..
don't use FFOF to start seeds...
imo rockwool cube are for clones...(there is no advantage i can think of)
put out plants in may/june (i do it earlier,but i use lights outside)
harvest is sep-nov...depending on strain....
seeds dont need...
oh sub'd means subscribed...if there are new posts in thread,i will see it on "my rollitup"...
sucks about the mail system there...and we in the US all bitch about ours...
good luck on finding the items you need....
saw dust might be kind of ify....might be acidic...
i did 2 green crack plants in a 25 gallon grow bag last year...
the buds didn't swell like all the other in a garden...
so i wont be doing it again....
whats the humidity like? is it rainy there?
temps and elevation are fine....
http://www.gaisma.com/en/dir/005-region.html
will help you find when days get shorter
also im sub'd....