Hello, Im very new :P

Hello Everyone!

I just had a couple of quick questions...scince im only starting to look in to growing myself....

1. Since im trying to find a cheaper alternative to buying, how many flouresent lights would need to be running?? (im sure they dont use much power right?)

2. Are Seed expensive? like if you dont have a mate that grows and can spare some

and
3. Is it cheaper enough that it is worth the effort to grow rather than buy
(I would imagine it is)

Thanks

Ps Sorry for the Newb Questions!

bow said:

Hello Everyone!

I just had a couple of quick questions...scince im only starting to look in to growing myself....

1. Since im trying to find a cheaper alternative to buying, how many flouresent lights would need to be running?? (im sure they dont use much power right?)

2. Are Seed expensive? like if you dont have a mate that grows and can spare some

and
3. Is it cheaper enough that it is worth the effort to grow rather than buy
(I would imagine it is)

Thanks

Ps Sorry for the Newb Questions!

Click to expand...

I might be new to the site but have dabbled in growing many times with success.

1. Growing with Fluros is definitely cheaper - I grew (4) plants at a time with 1000 watts worth of light.

2. Seeds can be expensive depending on the strain...Do your research and decide what will work best for your growing conditions. My suggestion, don't spend to much money on seeds the first go around or until your learn from your mistakes.

3. Again growing with Fluros is rather inexpensive but I would not worry about that as much as getting caught. All I can say is be discreet if you are going to try it


At the end of the day it's a great learning experience and you learn to appreciate it more when you grow it yourself. I know I did.

Thanks heaps for the reply!

Very helpful...
One more stupid question,

Does any body know approx. how much you might save growing rather than buying??

sorry if its another bad question

last one I promise

Thanks again

I'll echo SooHigh's sediments. Read and re-read on this site; there is a TON of information here that can help you, as well as people that are willing to give you the benefit of their knowledge. Be polite and say "thank you"...

As far as being cheaper than purchasing, it will be after your initial investment. If you're a DIY type of person, you find uses for things in your grow that you never imagined [I know I have]. Growing is like playing a musical instrument...you only get out of it what you put into it. But, what you'll find is that it is a very fun and enjoyable hobby,...and the fringe benefits ain't bad, either...

Nelson

Here are some great books. You need to read, read, read. Also some websites listed at the bottom.

The following provide worthwhile information and insights. They are available by mail order from FS Book Co at www.fsbookco.com, Red Eye Press at www.redeyepress.com or New Moon Publishing at www.growingedge.com.
Cannabis Culture, Growing Edge, High Times, and Practical Hydroponics are magazines which provide up to date information.
[Editor's note: these books may be out of date &/or print]

Closet Cultivator - Revised Edition by Ed Rosenthal from Last Gasp.
An easy-to-handle and follow marijuana grow-guide, describing and illustrating by using examples of setting-up hidden (e.g. closet) mini-gardens. 128 pages, 55 illustrations.

Cannabis Alchemy by Daniel Gold from Ronin Publishing.
"The art of preparing extremely potent Cannabis (marijuana) products." Extraction and preparation of hashish and hash-oil. Also describes isomerization. This popular little book remains a classic from the 1970’s. 96 pages, illustrated.

CO2, Temperature, & Humidity by Daniel Gold and Ed Rosenthal from Quick American Publishing.
A newly revised guide to increasing yields with simple, practical techniques for indoor and greenhouse gardens, primarily through the use of supplemental CO2 which dramatically increases plant yields. 54 pages, illustrated.

HASHISH! by Robert Connell Clarke from Red Eye Press.
Covers the history of hashish in all major hashish cultures. Describes cultivation, manufacture, legendary and contemporary hashish, the hashish market and availability. Edited by Mel Frank. 339 pages with 261 photos, charts and illustrations.

Hydroponic Food Production - 6th Edition, Hardback by Howard M. Resh, PhD
Over 500 pages long and only available in hardback. He is formerly with the Department of Plant Science at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver and is currently an international horticultural consultant and president of International Aquaponics, Inc.

Indoor Marijuana Horticulture (The indoor bible) - Revised, by Jorge Cervantes, Interport USA.
A user-friendly, easy to understand guide to indoor growing under High Intensity lights (HID’s). Revised and expanded edition with new sections by Rob Clarke and Ed Rosenthal. 384 pages, illustrated, index and glossary.

Marijuana Grower’s Insider’s Guide by Mel Frank, from Red Eye Press.
A complete guide to indoor, greenhouse/outdoor gardening. Hydroponics and organics, cloning, breeding, maximizing potency, nutrient deficiencies, pest control, CO2 set-up, harvesting, curing and drying. 380 pages with 200 photos, charts and illustrations.

Marijuana Grower’s Guide Deluxe - Revised by Mel Frank, Red Eye Press.
This is the classic, known as the Grower’s Bible. Cannabis botany, chemistry, history and cultivation indoor and outdoor. Covers it all and is an excellent reference for both novice and professional growers. 330 pages, 193 photos, charts, and illustrations.

Marijuana Botany by Robert Connell Clarke from And/Or Press.
Clearly explains marijuana propagation cloning, grafting, seeds and breeding for potency, yield, etc. Beautifully illustrated with excellent drawings. Includes cultivation tips by an expert. An author’s work of love. 173 pp., glossary, index, bibliography.

Marijuana Question? Ask Ed by Ed Rosenthal from Quick American
A compendium of questions and answers by the infamous answer-man for High Times. Ed answers hundreds of reader’s queries on marijuana growing, preparing, smoking, health, and legal concerns. A wealth of information clearly explained. 264 pages with 70 photos.

Marijuana Chemistry - Revised by Michael Starks from Ronin Publishing.
A guide to marijuana chemistry with descriptions of marijuana and hashish extractions and preparations. Claims to show how to enhance potency of products and plants. 200 pages, photos, charts, and numerous tables.

Marijuana Grower’s Handbook by Ed Rosenthal from Quick Publishing.
A guide for marijuana growing under lights. From seeds to final stash with addendum on photoperiod. Details the set-up of high-yield gardens. 232 pages with 100 photos and drawings.

Marijuana Hydroponics by Daniel Storm from And/Or Books.
A guide to growing hydroponically (without soil) from basic systems to computer control. 117 pages, illustrated

The Cannabis Breeder's Bible by Greg Green from Green Candy Press.
The Cannabis Breeder's Bible offers real-world, professional techniques for breeding primo pot. The book covers new hybridization techniques, international seed law issues, protecting new breeds or strains from knockoff artists, shipping seeds and clones, breeding lab designs, product testing, primordial cannabis, landrace and lost strains, common mutations, and more. This useful guide also features a wealth of photographs, instructive illustrations, and in-depth interviews with breeders and seed bank professionals.

The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Defintive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medical Use by Greg Green from Green Candy Press.
This guide is the culmination of 20 years of experience in marijuana cultivation and collaboration with growers from all over Europe. For the enthusiast and professional alike, this is the most authoritative grow book to be released in more than a decade. With more than 200 photographs and 20 tables, it describes in detail how growers can maximise their yield and potency of their crops using state-of-the-art equipment and tools available from any gardening store. The first book to fully explain the newest growing technique, Screen of Green, that is sweeping through Europe.

The Marijuana Chef Cookbook by S.T. Oner from Green Candy Press.
Putting the Joy Back in Cooking, this Book Turns a Humble Leaf into a Culinary Treat; Easy-to-follow instructions and more than sixty delicious recipes make The Marijuana Chef Cookbook simply the best way to cook with cannabis. Promoting health and fun, this valuable addition to any stoner's kitchen contains everything readers need to know - from the safest way to regulate dosage using buds, leaf or hashish, to how certain foods and cooking methods can increase potency. For the concerned or curious, health information, legal tips and a culinary history of marijuana are also included.

Hydroponic Nutrients - Easy Ways to Make Your Own by M. Edward Muckle
The Best of Sinsemilla Tips from New Moon Publishing
The Best of The Growing Edge Volume 1 (1989-1994) from New Moon Publishing
The Best of The Growing Edge Volume 2 (1995-1999) from New Moon Publishing
The Best of Practical Hydroponcs and Greenhouses from New Moon Publishing

The following websites provide extensive information on grow related topics:
Overgrow : http://www.overgrow.com
http://www.cannabinoid.com
http://www.cannabisculture.com
http://www.cannabisworld.com
http://www.growingedge.com
http://www.hightimes.com
http://www.yahooka.com

Additional Reading:
Marijuana Chemistry by Michael Starks
Cannabis Alchemy by David Hoye
Luther Burbank: his methods and discoveries and thier practical applications by L. Burbank
Breeding field crops by Poehlman and Sleeper
http://www.gnome.agrenv.mcgill.ca/breeding/index.htm
http://www.anth.org/ifgene/breed1.htm

First time growers frequently:
Overwater their medium based plants. When you pot your plant, judge its weight dry by hefting. Then, water the plant thoroughly, until water runs through the drain holes. Heft it again. When your pot feels as nearly as light as it did dry, its time to water again. Overfeed their plants. As MrSoul says, beginners rarely under do anything. When all else fails, follow the directions on the fertilizer bottle. [Editor's note: dont follow GH's instructions! Use @ 1/4 their recommended strength, or follow recipes in the FAQ]
Overanalyze their grow. A first grow is like a first born child: you pay attention to every little thing that happens. Further, you worry at the first sign something may be wrong. Pay attention to what happens in your grow, but do not try and find a remedy for every yellow leaf. Frequently, the remedy of flushing your medium causes more problems than it solves. Be responsive when things go wrong, but be conservative in your remedies.
Overspend on grow supplies. New growers frequently commit themselves to unrealistic and expensive first grows. It is much more efficient to learn to grow and then invest in high end equipment rather than the other way around. Most experienced growers don't have room for all of the grow paraphernalia they aren't using. As you will see throughout this FAQ: K-I-S-S.
Overpost. Try the search engine first. Chances are good that any question you can think of has been asked and answered before.
Talk about their grow. Don't tell anybody that does not have to know. How can you expect anybody else to keep a secret that you cannot.
Part 2:
Contributed by: Bush_Grower
1. Don't Overwater
Overwatering kills marijuana plants. Water once the top few inches of the soil dries out.
Hydroponics is harder to over-water than soil, due to the abundance of water roots.
2. Don't Tell People
Why? They will only be jealous. People love to feel important and that is why they will tell other people; because others will listen to them.
Keep it to yourself.
3. Touch/kill Germinating Seeds
It can take up to 10 days for a seed to sprout. The paper towel method is not recommended because you must handle the seeds when transferring them from the paper towel to your growing medium.
4. Grow seeds from seeded marijuana (hermaphrodite seeds)
Unless you are prepared for possible disappointments don’t use "unknown" seeds. This is why people buy seeds from seedbanks.
Self-seeding MJ is produced from hermaphrodite plants or a very stunted and late flowering male the grower did not notice. Flowered hermi seeds will produce tall late flowering females coupled with early flowering males.
5. Don't Over-fertilize
Fertilize after first 2 spiked leaves appear.
Start with 25% of recommended label strengths and work your way up. If the leaves suddenly twist or fold under, Leach and Spray with pure water for several days!
Don’t fertilize your plants every time you water! (Soil)
A common watering schedule is to fertilize at full strength, then water at half or quarter strength. This prevents excess salt buildup, leaf and root burn. In addition, don’t water at full strength if the medium is too dry – root burn can occur.
As a precaution, leach the plants with lots of pure water every 2-4 weeks.
6. Don't Under-fertilize
Under-fertilizing is less common. If you prefer to give the plant ‘just enough nutrients’, use a organic soil mixture with blood meal and bone meal or some slow release fertilizer with micro nutrients.
7. Don't Start with Clones
Start with seeds. Bugs are a pain, as are plant diseases. Many growers are able to grow indoors without pest problems for years. Another grower’s cuttings are almost guaranteed to have diseases &/or pests.
8. Don't Provide A Bad Environment
Always provide air circulation and fresh air even during the night cycle. All the air indoors should be replaced every 5-10 minutes.
Humidity between 30-70% temp aim for around 75-85' Even seedlings need a gentle fan to strengthen the stems.
9. Don't Harvest Too Early
25% of the weight will form in the last 2 weeks. Begin flushing with 100% pH’d water when the pistil are 25% brown. Harvest when the plants have totally stopped growing and the white pistils are at least 50-75% brown.
*NOTE: Outdoors if security is a factor make your own call on when to sacrifice the fields. Also take buds continuously in case of thieves.

Common questions:
Q. Can marijuana grow in a northern climate?
Marijuana plants can grow anywhere corn can grow. All it needs is three growing months - seed to harvest. 2 if started indoors!

Q. Why do I have to buy seeds? Why can't I use my own that I picked from my own stash?
Most people desire, and want to be guaranteed, certain characteristics in their mature female plants. The seeds from any weed will all grow into something different. This is unprofitable and inefficient. As opposed to knowing the single set of requirements for your entire crop, you must provide a different set of requirements for each of your plants.

Q. What is better for a new grower - hydroponics or soil?
I believe the all around "better", more convenient setup is soil. Hydro makes plants grow faster, but won't make your buds more potent than soil. Hydro should be attempted after you have a few successful soil crops under your belt.
If you are starting from seed and growing for personal, soil is the practical growing medium. If the crop is started with clones and is commercial, a hydroponics setup is more practical.

Q. Why are my seedlings stretching?
Low light conditions. They also need a gentle wind. Plants will also stretch when subjected to conditions of high humidity.

Q. What kind of lights should I use?
Cheap 4 ft. cool white fluorescent tubes : for germination/seedlings
400 watt Metal halide/HPS : for personal home growers
1000 watt Metal halide/HPS : for some personal growers and commercial growers.
*Use at least 40 watts per sq. foot of grow space.

Q. How far should the lights be from the plants?
Fluorescent: tips of leaves almost touching bulbs
400 watt halide : two feet away from seedlings and one foot away from grown plants
1000 watt halide: four feet away from seedlings and two feet away from grown plants

thanks a ton mogie!!! you're a lotta help man!