Help! Growing advice

Dr. Who said:

OK Meimei. I'll still say that growing out a photosensitive plant on your first grow, might be the best for over all learning to grow. If you would care to learn more about that method. I would suggest this book by Ed Rosenthal. Available directly from this link.

http://www.amazon.com/Marijuana-Growers-Handbook-Complete-Cultivation/dp/0932551467

This one is not bad and has a lot of set up advice with designs.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/187882323X/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0932551467&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1SB70WYCCW0G39AT3S1M

Now then. You have found some great advice from az2000 on Auto's with a why and how. I had feeding problems (fussy) with the one I tried. Yes it was an early auto strain and I hear good things about the new ones as far as the problem I encountered goes.
So with that said and after reading the whole thread,,,,,maybe what az says to try might be your ticket to happiness.

I would ask this of az2000. "az, would it be to much trouble to ask you exactly what you feed the auto's and how often?"

If the answer is a private thing, maybe you could PM the answer to her directly......?

I like your perpetual harvest suggestion and have become a bit interested in maybe trying out a couple of these newer auto strains myself again, just to learn more about them it's not like I don't have the room to. So why not.

I see that a company called Dutch Pro has a line of synthetics formulated just for auto's and that's got my attention too. I hear through the grape vine that other fert makers will be following suit with their own auto specific lines soon too. That should be a boon to auto growers of all abilities.

Good advice az !

Click to expand...

Thanks Doc for the info and the links! I looked up what you had said about photos and indicas. And I think that it's definitely just as viable as the autos. If i had the room and more knowledge, i think i would want to go full tilt with photos from seed to harvest.

I've really combing through a lot of information about autos and it looks like they have really come a long way from when they first emerged. It's been interesting reading the growing debate between them.

If you do not mind me asking Dr.Who, what sort of set up do you have?

I run large grows that supply 20 patients directly and keep a legal dispensary supplied with everything it needs here in my state. We are in the process of adding a new grow that will, combined with the others, supply a new disp location to open in the new year.
This one is 24' x 24' and completely self contained with heat, cooling, water ( including High output RO with recycled water from the dehumidifiers returned to the holding tank. ) and all waste water diverted to Gardens or animal use for conservation.
This building is in the interior framing phase with electrical to follow next, then insulation, drywall, heat, water and air/fixtures and supplies to follow in that order.

There is not much to "see" yet so no pic's are in order yet. I was planning on posting completed building pics in like 30 days.

I run 85% water only TLO "style" organic grows. The rest are a combination of synthetic nutrients at 50% concentration rates with AACT tea supplementation on a "feed - tea - water - water - repeat" schedule. I run 1k watt HPS through out, with some side lighting on large plants for quality of yields.

For ease of the Indica grow your considering. I might suggest that a full blooded Indica is very forgiving and about the least "fussy" as far as feeding goes. How about L.A. Confidential from G-13 labs? A VERY nice "straight" Indica that is WAY easy to grow and has GREAT results quality wise! I have ran this strain for years as it is one of the most consistently requested by my patients and store front customers.

Good luck!

Sorry it took a while to reply I on UK and it was late
There is many things which you have to decide to get your grow going. Do you want to jump in feet first or baby steps into the deep end. Me I chose baby steps and happy for it. I believe an auto flower is like having a safety net because they are so quick. If you mess up you Havant wasted 6 months for a Hermie on your first go (guilty) and sweet tooth auto is strong!! When I first started I thought I was right and riu was wrong (I lost) I started a cfl grow with sweet tooth auto using soil which was unbelievably bad, nutes of 15-15-15!!!, and 3 105w red cfl the whole way. Yes I was not a noob , I was a nob.
And I got 3 8ths of shit tasting bud. But got me high. As time has gone on I am still amazed how that plant lasted and survived. And got me high.... I believethe ssweet tooth auto is great for beginners because you can still get all of the usual problems of a photo nute def,heat stress ect: but bounces back strong as ever, and I would put money on it it could get a grower even with minimal knowledge a smoke at the end of it

Have you decided a set up yet?

Dr. Who said:

I run large grows that supply 20 patients directly and keep a legal dispensary supplied with everything it needs here in my state. We are in the process of adding a new grow that will, combined with the others, supply a new disp location to open in the new year.
This one is 24' x 24' and completely self contained with heat, cooling, water ( including High output RO with recycled water from the dehumidifiers returned to the holding tank. ) and all waste water diverted to Gardens or animal use for conservation.
This building is in the interior framing phase with electrical to follow next, then insulation, drywall, heat, water and air/fixtures and supplies to follow in that order.

There is not much to "see" yet so no pic's are in order yet. I was planning on posting completed building pics in like 30 days.

I run 85% water only TLO "style" organic grows. The rest are a combination of synthetic nutrients at 50% concentration rates with AACT tea supplementation on a "feed - tea - water - water - repeat" schedule. I run 1k watt HPS through out, with some side lighting on large plants for quality of yields.

For ease of the Indica grow your considering. I might suggest that a full blooded Indica is very forgiving and about the least "fussy" as far as feeding goes. How about L.A. Confidential from G-13 labs? A VERY nice "straight" Indica that is WAY easy to grow and has GREAT results quality wise! I have ran this strain for years as it is one of the most consistently requested by my patients and store front customers.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Dr. Who said:

I run large grows that supply 20 patients directly and keep a legal dispensary supplied with everything it needs here in my state. We are in the process of adding a new grow that will, combined with the others, supply a new disp location to open in the new year.
This one is 24' x 24' and completely self contained with heat, cooling, water ( including High output RO with recycled water from the dehumidifiers returned to the holding tank. ) and all waste water diverted to Gardens or animal use for conservation.
This building is in the interior framing phase with electrical to follow next, then insulation, drywall, heat, water and air/fixtures and supplies to follow in that order.

There is not much to "see" yet so no pic's are in order yet. I was planning on posting completed building pics in like 30 days.

I run 85% water only TLO "style" organic grows. The rest are a combination of synthetic nutrients at 50% concentration rates with AACT tea supplementation on a "feed - tea - water - water - repeat" schedule. I run 1k watt HPS through out, with some side lighting on large plants for quality of yields.

For ease of the Indica grow your considering. I might suggest that a full blooded Indica is very forgiving and about the least "fussy" as far as feeding goes. How about L.A. Confidential from G-13 labs? A VERY nice "straight" Indica that is WAY easy to grow and has GREAT results quality wise! I have ran this strain for years as it is one of the most consistently requested by my patients and store front customers.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Ever consider moving to BC and starting up a second one?
What you describe sounds like a dream! I really wish this were not so difficult in Canada right now.

furious248 said:

Have you decided a set up yet?

Click to expand...

Hi. I realized yesterday that what I had in mind wouldnt work. So I've been looking into small tents, cabinets, PC grow box, Stealth speaker box. And I've been looking at some basic designs people have come up with.
I like the idea of the PC box and the speaker box for stealthiness.
Thoughts?

Dr. Who said:

I would ask this of az2000. "az, would it be to much trouble to ask you exactly what you feed the auto's and how often?"

Click to expand...

I grew my first auto with:

General Hydroponics Flora Series (3-part). I followed the so-called "useless" schedule which is slightly stronger than the customary practice of cutting GH's 3-2-1 (1-2-3) quantity in half. I added 2ml/gal Botanicare CalMag+ because I use RO water which removes minerals. In mid flower I increased to 4-5ml. Also added Liquid Karma each feeding. And, SilicaBlast. Soil was 60% Pro-Mix HP, 20% Kellogg Patio Plus potting soil, 20% Perlite.

I liked that GH 3-part. Being entirely synthetic, or made for hydro, was more like force feeding the plant. For example, if the nutes were too strong, I got immediate burnt tips. The immediate feedback was helpful, especially when I started growing.

Now I use Grow More Sea Grow. Much easier to use. It's dry, so it's cheaper because I don't pay for the transport and storage of water (contained in GH 3-part). 5lbs is about $15. At 1/2 tsp/gal, it will last a couple years. I started using it aggressively, which is why I had the acidic soil problem I mentioned. I'm closer to the sweet spot now and look forward to the new auto I'm vegging. This nute is more organic. Enough that me and my friends taste a substantial difference. But, those organics apparently change the immediacy of feeding. For example, when I was feeding 1 tsp/gal (and getting acidic soil in early flower), I didn't get burnt tips. Apparently the plant just takes what it needs, and the excess becomes salt buildup (rising soil ph, increased ppm of runoff).

I continue to use the supplements mentioned above. GH Flora 3-part being more for soilless, I intend to experiment with my medium ratios to have more soil. I'm thinking 50:25:25 or 40:30:30.

I prefer Sea Grow. I'm not going back. Even if I have reduced yield it will be worth the taste difference. But, GH Flora was very effective and easy to use in terms of seeing cause-and-effect while feeding. (Not as easy juggling bottles, changing ratios, etc.).

Switching from GH 3-part to Sea Grow stretched my skills and knowledge. That's a good way to compare the two. I didn't realize how unstretched my skills/knowledge were until I switched.

I feed (fed) every watering. No alternation between feed and water only. With GH Flora's immediacy, I don't think feed-water-feed would be advisable. With Sea Grow's organic nature, some people recommend water only either every other watering, or every third watering. I haven't had enough time to experiment. To me it seems like the proverbial "six of one, half-dozen of the other." I.e., why not feed less every feeding instead of occasional water only? It seems people do this to allow the soil's microbial life to recover from the inhibiting effect of synthetic nutes. But, I still think weaker nutes continuously should be about the same as periodic stronger/zero. But, definitely when I was feeding 1tsp/gal, I should have done water-only. I'll have to try that.

Dutch Masters strikes me as overpriced and gimmicky like some other nutrient lines. I don't think growing needs to be that complicated. (But, some would say organic growing is complicated. I'm leaning more that direction after tasting the difference.). I grow both autos and photos. I can't say I've noticed a fussyness. The strain I grow (Northern Storm from marijuana-seeds.nl) seems less fussy than a couple photo strains.

I've been tempted to try Jack's Classic (another inexpensive dry nute). But, with Sea Grow's organic components, similar price point, I'm liking it.

BTW: I found a download of the Rosenthal book.

furious248 said:

nutes of 15-15-15!!!,

Click to expand...

You said that like that's a bad ratio. There are experienced growers who advocate using a 1:1:1 ratio of NPK through the entire grow. I don't think it would be a bad way for a newbie to start. Especially during veg.

Advanced Nutrient's ratio in flower is supposed to be 1-2-1 and 0-2-1 at the end. Nothing crazy.

I suppose you are right, there is no set limit, and as long as or plant can take it there shouldn't really much of a limit. I think I was going off previous grows before (my bad). And to relation to meimei's question. It is all a matter of your mj. If go for autos it depends on which

Auto you go for. You want a tall this strain, small and bushy might be a problem. With the right plant and LST you should be OK. I know a great homemade carbon filter for one. OE you can think of it how I do, I'm in the UK and I can't grow here, my first thought was keeping my head down. Making a PC grow and be done with one plant a time, but for whatever reason if someone finds out I'm growing I'm fucked (and that's the nice way of saying it) there is just as much chance getting caught with a PC box as a tent with 5 plants and a carbon filter, so might as well make it a worth while risk, and there are some old wives tales about they get you with your energy bill, that's a lie. Company's don't care how much electric you use, they love it
Why are they going to take away a good customer for no reason. The only reason they suspect anything is if its stolen. And I have been reading into the laws very closely. And surprisingly every country is similar. There is No set amount of weed that someone must have before they are classed as a dealer, I have a personality disorder and weed helps so if I had 52 plants, get caught and say I don't want to grow often so I was growing a years supply, I smoke a ounce a week and I was expecting a ounce per plant for personal use. We all know that each plant will have a lot more than that, but play stupid. And as long as there is evidence of cannabis use, and it does help a problem you have all that will happen is your equipment is taken and you get in as much trouble as if you was walking down the street and had a small bag on you... Took me months to put that together, my uncle is a layer and confirmed that would stand in court.
So really its up to you, just if there is any risk why not make it worth it?

furious248 said:

Auto you go for. You want a tall this strain, small and bushy might be a problem. With the right plant and LST you should be OK.

Click to expand...

Why do you consider small and bushy a problem?

Also, LST isn't advisable for autos because of their fixed lifespan. Stresses like fimming, topping, supercropping should be avoided. LST'ing isn't as traumatic. But, I wouldn't overdo it. I LST the main cola in mid-stretch to keep the canopy more uniform (due to my limited height). If I were in a taller space I probably wouldn't.

While we're talking about avoidable stress, transplanting should be avoided. Those experienced with transplanting can do it, and like LST, the benefit of scaling up to a larger container may be worth the minimal stress. But, a new grower will probably have a rough transplant and stress the plant too much. Like LST, this is something better learned with photosensitives. In the meantime, plant in the final container. It will take a little longer for above ground growth as the plant develops roots in the larger area. I plant directly into my 2.5gal (#3) containers. I'm pretty good at transplanting and may try it with my autos soon. But, planting directly in the containers isn't bad by any means.

I said small and bushy would be bad in a PC grow. Light northern lights auto might struggle in there (without LST) as the PC box might not be wide enough but then again I have never lst a very small and bushy auto. But I have done a comparison grow with sweet tooth auto, one was normal, one LST and one topped. The normal had just over a oz and a half, the LST around 2 and the topped one the threw me a 8th lol. have u ever lstd a small bushy auto ? If so how did it go?

Hey doc I'm really interested in doing an organic grow but don't know much such as what nutrients to use which tea would be best and ect. You seem very experienced so I'd love to gain more knowledge off you if you can please direct message me or w.e and I'll give you more info on what I have in mind and such .. have a great day!

Organic is quite simple, bio buzz all mix (no feeding for 3 weeks) bio buzz bio grow and bio bloom. And you will need a tea spoon of Epsom salts once to help the magnesium. All organic, needs no flush, nice smoke. Have fun

Bio bizz (f**kin auto spell)

And that all I have

furious248 said:

Organic is quite simple, bio buzz all mix (no feeding for 3 weeks) bio buzz bio grow and bio bloom. And you will need a tea spoon of Epsom salts once to help the magnesium. All organic, needs no flush, nice smoke. Have fun

Click to expand...

That's all I have to really use the bio grow and bloom? What have you grown organic

furious248 said:

Bio bizz (f**kin auto spell)

Click to expand...

And do you really notice,taste, and smell the difference ?

I have never grown hydro. I only grow autos but. Pineapple express, sweet tooth auto, red dwarf , northern lights auto, blue mammoth, and little cheese. And yes that's all you need and Epsom salts are seriously ch

Cheap

No there is no taste difference