Heed My Warning Noobs!

Hey guys how are we all? Just want to make a post regarding the disaster my first grow is...

So this is just a quick warning to everybody doing their research looking to get into growing and like I was, are OVERLY excited to do it! I bought my beans first and then started gathering equipment as I went along. I have had a number of different issues arise and I didnt have the right equipment to correct them so all the issues that have risen so far I have had to go buy the solution after the fact. All I am trying to say here is prepare yourself before you even THINK about germing your beans.

BUY YOUR EQUIPMENT AND I MEAN EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU START GROWING. I made the mistake of not doing so and it has basically cost me my first grow. They are still going but they are small, look like shit and prob not worth continuing with! The thing that pisses me off is I know EXACTLY what the problems were and if I was properly prepared they would not have progressed to the extent they did. My ph was off, had a P deficiency, Cal and Mag deficiency etc

Seriously guys if you are just starting out buy what you need before you start your beans...I am still a noob too but I can basically guarantee all the more experienced growers on this site will tell you the same. Dont rush into it otherwise you are asking for trouble!

great post! I'm still a noob too, and though my first grow did good, it would have been MUCH BETTER had I utilized better grow lights. As the saying goes, you live and learn.

Just do the K.I.S.S

Keep It Simple Stupid and you will be fine.

Haha, i remember trying to grow my Nirvana's Bubbleicious under 3 incandecent lights..

Really good point OP.

I know how you feel! I started with 4, lost 2, and my remaining 2, while healthy, are small. They're finally moving along. Fortunately I have 4 more started. But I panicked and thought I had a spider mite problem. Not much stuff available in my area, so I used something I had and burned them good. They have survived, and are growing like crazy again, bigger and faster than the first ones.

Here's what I know so far (and these are just my thoughts based on my experience so far)
A) Definitely have everything you can think of that you can afford before you start. Where we live is very limited and I order online a LOT of stuff as a result. You should have a good insecticidal soap spray, insect spot killer, fly strips, hot shot pest strips, a good fungicide all on hand. Because it's likely you WILL get pests and fungus gnats at some point. Those M'fers multiply, and waiting 2 to 3 days for shipping could do some damage.
Also get something like Azamax to have on hand if the others don't work. It's also for spider mites. Lots of people use different stuff because these pests can develop an tolerance. Better to have all this stuff and not need it than the reverse.

B) H and I had disagreements on a few things. i did the research (extensively) and was overruled.(We are using an LED 400 watt light; it was too strong for seedlings, DUH) And then what I said would happen did So then we did what I wanted to in the first place (use CFL'S for seedlings). But it cost us growth and weeks in time.

C) Just because I took a master gardener course and have grown many things for years DOES NOT mean we will have a jungle of monster buds the first time lol. I'm just happy they're still alive and the dog hasn't eaten them. But it's a learning experience and I'm enjoying it very much.

Everyone has a different opinion, but I like hearing from others that are new like me.

Carsh012 said:

IYou should have a good insecticidal soap spray, insect spot killer, fly strips, hot shot pest strips, a good fungicide all on hand. Because it's likely you WILL get pests and fungus gnats at some point. Those M'fers multiply, and waiting 2 to 3 days for shipping could do some damage.
Also get something like Azamax to have on hand if the others don't work. It's also for spider mites. Lots of people use different stuff because these pests can develop an tolerance. Better to have all this stuff and not need it than the reverse.

Click to expand...

You need to be careful what you use on or near your plants. Most people think about organics and food but the cardiovascular system is an even more direct route for harmful chemicals to get directly into your system and harm you. For example, take a look at the hot shot pest strip warnings. You are ONLY supposed to use this in non-living spaces...you aren't supposed to even hang this in your bedroom because it's too much exposure. You don't want to smoke this stuff.

Do some preventative spraying early with organic materials - like neem oil, insecticidal soap, milk (yep, milk will keep PM at bay), etc depending on the condition. There are lots of possibilities - many oils can work even peppermint oil like in Dr Bronner's. You can add neem and karanja cake to your soil as a nitrogen source but also helps keep pests at bay...food grade DE is also a good choice for this as well...think preventative. If you don't want spider mites, control the environment better - spider mites like it hot and dry so keep it cool and humid; it won't guarantee no mites but will make it much less likely and much easier to eradicate. Look for answers to pest problems that won't harm your health.

Just take a look at anything that you are going to put on or near what you are going to smoke - if it says for ornamentals only then don't put it on your plants at any point of growth. If it says not to use in living spaces, don't put it on your plants at any point of growth. Some materials say to use only X number of days before harvesting the food. Be very careful with these as well.

Good luck and good health growing.

GZPZ dude, I grow to avoid all those chemicals. Take your time, do some planning n do it right, you should not need all that crap.

You need good soil, good pots, good light, adequate ventilation, properly ph'd water and properly ph'd feeding nutes. That is the basics until the flip, then you need 12 hrs of TOTAL darkness. Pest control on hand is a plus.

My first grow out of 4 plants veg for 3months I only got half a oz all together. I know A LOT of wasted time but in them 5.5 months I learned sooooo much. My 2nd go around pulled a oz from one Iced Grapefruit veg for 3 weeks. When I first started I was trying to veg 4 ladies under a 4x2 T5 which was not working at all. Im on my 5th grow now got all the equipment I need down to the tent. I just upgrade every harvest. Oh and btw my first harvest smoke quality sucked ass BIG TIME buds were pretty as can be but sucked now its right on point. I left the chem alone and went organic.