1st grow !! need advice

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shmittyb

Member
Hey what’s going on ! so this is my first grow. and i honestly i wanna try 4 plants in a 24x48x62 tent .. 2 gorilla glue autos and 2 gelato fem. using fox farm potting soil , fabric pots 2 600w led lights . i guess i’m trying to get all the help possible.

i want to try and soak the soil . and also he seeds before planting . is there any thoughts on just throwing them in the soil the next morning after soaking the seeds and soil? sorry if this is all over the place
 
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shmittyb

Member
yeah i already got everything i slowly got everything to set it up in a room that i have to spare. but i’m definitely open to getting certain things needed
 
Ukulele Haze

Ukulele Haze

Well-Known Member
You used the word "soak" to describe how you want to prepare your soil. You might not have meant really saturating the soil (like that word implies to me). But, if you are going to plant your Auto-flower seeds in the final pot (like some advise), I would recommend a very small amount of water at first. I personally get a paper towel damp, then slowly squeeze the towel in a small circle around the seeds (think gentle rain). I try to avoid getting water directly on a seed if possible. When a seedling sprouts, I personally keep using the towel method for a while. The thing is, it's really easy to over-water from the start. I would suggest increasing the watering amount very gradually.
 
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BeastLebanese

Well-Known Member
shmittyb said:
gonna check them out now thanks !
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Sounds good!! Don't stress over any mistakes or things that go wrong, shit happens, it will make you better in the end. The best advice I can give you is keep it simple your first grow, don't overwater or overfeed. I really can't stress this enough.

Other than that as long as you take things 1 step at a time, be patient, dont overthink everything or feel pressured to try every plant training technique your first grow, you'll be good.

If you have any specific questions about anything feel free to ask, lots of good folks on here with tons of great info.
 
quirk

quirk

Well-Known Member
To avoid the #1 kiss of death when germinating, I get a dry weight and a wet weight of my medium before seed placement. In the case of the solo cup, I let it lose 10 grams before planting and don't add water ( I use a ketchup bottle to control flow ) until I get within 20 grams of dry. With the Jiffys, I keep 10 below wet and 10 above dry. It takes the guesswork out of it for me. When I transfer to my 5 gal pots, same thing, I just have to use a bigger scale. Organic soil auto grower. Good luck.
 

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shmittyb

Member
BeastLebanese said:
Sounds good!! Don't stress over any mistakes or things that go wrong, shit happens, it will make you better in the end. The best advice I can give you is keep it simple your first grow, don't overwater or overfeed. I really can't stress this enough.

Other than that as long as you take things 1 step at a time, be patient, dont overthink everything or feel pressured to try every plant training technique your first grow, you'll be good.

If you have any specific questions about anything feel free to ask, lots of good folks on here with tons of great info.
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yeah not gonna lie the overthinking and second guessing is definitely present . just gotta realize things happen and your definitely right it will make me better in the long run. i appreciate the help so far fasure !
 
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shmittyb

Member
Ukulele Haze said:
You used the word "soak" to describe how you want to prepare your soil. You might not have meant really saturating the soil (like that word implies to me). But, if you are going to plant your Auto-flower seeds in the final pot (like some advise), I would recommend a very small amount of water at first. I personally get a paper towel damp, then slowly squeeze the towel in a small circle around the seeds (think gentle rain). I try to avoid getting water directly on a seed if possible. When a seedling sprouts, I personally keep using the towel method for a while. The thing is, it's really easy to over-water from the start. I would suggest increasing the watering amount very gradually.
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Yeah honestly i read and watched a video of someone like pre watering the soil the night before . but i also read how easy it is to overwater early on so i wanted to get a better understanding on the idea. with what your saying makes perfect sense .
 
Ukulele Haze

Ukulele Haze

Well-Known Member
shmittyb said:
Yeah honestly i read and watched a video of someone like pre watering the soil the night before . but i also read how easy it is to overwater early on so i wanted to get a better understanding on the idea. with what your saying makes perfect sense .
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That's interesting. I'd have to watch the video to get a feel for what the person is doing. Seedlings don't have established root systems though. So, if we're talking about saturating the whole lot of dirt, I don't see how the seedling could utilize it. I also question whether the risk of drowning the roots worth it.

From my experience, it really comes down to pot size. When thinking about a seedling, and the size of pot it REALLY needs, that would be a very small amount of water. But, I think just because (hypothetically) a person starts in a bigger pot, that doesn't mean they should add enough water so the entire diameter of the pot is doused (until the plant is large enough). In truth, I think a person should use an amount of water closer to what they would use if the plant were in the appropriate-sized pot.

I've read the main reason people start and finish Auto-flowering plants in the final pot is because there is less time for recovery from transplanting (like you get with Photoperiod cannabis). Anything that could potentially stunt their vegetative growth should be avoided if possible because you have no control over when it starts flowering. Before you know it, you're near the finish line with Autos.
 
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Wookiecookie420

Member
quirk said:
To avoid the #1 kiss of death when germinating, I get a dry weight and a wet weight of my medium before seed placement. In the case of the solo cup, I let it lose 10 grams before planting and don't add water ( I use a ketchup bottle to control flow ) until I get within 20 grams of dry. With the Jiffys, I keep 10 below wet and 10 above dry. It takes the guesswork out of it for me. When I transfer to my 5 gal pots, same thing, I just have to use a bigger scale. Organic soil auto grower. Good luck.
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Yes, I have my scale directly next to my solo cups. No, I did not think of this w/o this post 200IQ play fine sir!!
 
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Tiny2x2

Member
Ukulele Haze said:
That's interesting. I'd have to watch the video to get a feel for what the person is doing. Seedlings don't have established root systems though. So, if we're talking about saturating the whole lot of dirt, I don't see how the seedling could utilize it. I also question whether the risk of drowning the roots worth it.

From my experience, it really comes down to pot size. When thinking about a seedling, and the size of pot it REALLY needs, that would be a very small amount of water. But, I think just because (hypothetically) a person starts in a bigger pot, that doesn't mean they should add enough water so the entire diameter of the pot is doused (until the plant is large enough). In truth, I think a person should use an amount of water closer to what they would use if the plant were in the appropriate-sized pot.

I've read the main reason people start and finish Auto-flowering plants in the final pot is because there is less time for recovery from transplanting (like you get with Photoperiod cannabis). Anything that could potentially stunt their vegetative growth should be avoided if possible because you have no control over when it starts flowering. Before you know it, you're near the finish line with Autos.
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Water “wicks”. Meaning disperses away from where it was originally placed to drier areas. I personally do water all the soil. Just not until it is muddy. Ease into it. A little at a time until all the medium is moistened. Then as you say. Just water a bit around the seed and seedling for a short time. But yes you need to moisten all the soil regularly as needed. More so it will be a concern when the plant uptakes more of the water. In a seedling you want the roots to reach out for that moist soil underneath.
 
Ukulele Haze

Ukulele Haze

Well-Known Member
Tiny2x2 said:
Water “wicks”. Meaning disperses away from where it was originally placed to drier areas. I personally do water all the soil. Just not until it is muddy.
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I haven't really talked with a person who does this until now. But, I am glad it works for you. Do you think some bagged soil mixes have enough moisture content to begin with? I have never personally pre-watered the whole medium like that with the PROMIX I buy. Whether or not it's negatively impacting my final yield, I cannot say for sure right now.
 
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shmittyb

Member
Ukulele Haze said:
That's interesting. I'd have to watch the video to get a feel for what the person is doing. Seedlings don't have established root systems though. So, if we're talking about saturating the whole lot of dirt, I don't see how the seedling could utilize it. I also question whether the risk of drowning the roots worth it.

From my experience, it really comes down to pot size. When thinking about a seedling, and the size of pot it REALLY needs, that would be a very small amount of water. But, I think just because (hypothetically) a person starts in a bigger pot, that doesn't mean they should add enough water so the entire diameter of the pot is doused (until the plant is large enough). In truth, I think a person should use an amount of water closer to what they would use if the plant were in the appropriate-sized pot.

I've read the main reason people start and finish Auto-flowering plants in the final pot is because there is less time for recovery from transplanting (like you get with Photoperiod cannabis). Anything that could potentially stunt their vegetative growth should be avoided if possible because you have no control over when it starts flowering. Before you know it, you're near the finish line with Autos.
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yeah he had them in solo cups to begin with and jus soaked that soil in the cup the night before then planted the seed after soaking in hot tap water for 24hrs hr didn’t water the soil once planted but the night before
 
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shmittyb

Member
Tiny2x2 said:
Water “wicks”. Meaning disperses away from where it was originally placed to drier areas. I personally do water all the soil. Just not until it is muddy. Ease into it. A little at a time until all the medium is moistened. Then as you say. Just water a bit around the seed and seedling for a short time. But yes you need to moisten all the soil regularly as needed. More so it will be a concern when the plant uptakes more of the water. In a seedling you want the roots to reach out for that moist soil underneath.
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yeah that’s more along the lines of what the dude in the video was saying like if it isn’t muddy then when planting the seed it’s roots will reach out for that moisture. but i wanted to get some more information on it before i start dumping a bunch of water you know
 
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shmittyb

Member
i also have a question. should veg and bloom lights be on for seedlings . or only veg ?! i’ve been ready having both on for the full spectrum is cool but again need some more information !
please and thank you in advance
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
shmittyb said:
Hey what’s going on ! so this is my first grow. and i honestly i wanna try 4 plants in a 24x48x62 tent .. 2 gorilla glue autos and 2 gelato fem. using fox farm potting soil , fabric pots 2 600w led lights . i guess i’m trying to get all the help possible.

i want to try and soak the soil . and also he seeds before planting . is there any thoughts on just throwing them in the soil the next morning after soaking the seeds and soil? sorry if this is all over the place
Click to expand...
I wouldn't. Well let's say I shouldn't have... but I did 3 plants in the same size tent. 2 auto's 1 fem photoperiod. Bad idea. Had to boot one out of the tent because of space. The PP plant may be sacrificed if the auto's don't hurry up.
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
shmittyb said:
i also have a question. should veg and bloom lights be on for seedlings . or only veg ?! i’ve been ready having both on for the full spectrum is cool but again need some more information !
please and thank you in advance
Click to expand...
I those lights have veg & bloom switches I wouldn't even do 2 plants. Just being honest. I have 2 "600w" led's too.
 
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shmittyb

Member
HydroKid239 said:
I those lights have veg & bloom switches I wouldn't even do 2 plants. Just being honest. I have 2 "600w" led's too.
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so you recommend having both switches on? && with those lights you wouldn’t do more than 1 plant or because of the size of the tent ?
 
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