newbie confused as to M/F/H and when to flower - GreenPassion.org - Dedicated to Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Education

Feezle · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 05:15 AM

Hey Y'all,

New here. New there too, but that's another thing.

Started with 18 seeds of unknown origin. Got 18 seedlings (them little dudes ya' get when a seed grows !). Gave 3 away 'cause they were the runts of the litter. [Me needs to smoke somethin' 'cause I can't recall precisely when I started growing these things, but hoping for a job asap(actually hoping to hit the lotto, but better chance at waking up as Bill Gates) so can't burn it right now]. I digress.

Built a little 6' L x 4' H x 3' D grow box in basement. Anyway, I don't have the budget for HID or HPS at the moment, so I'm runnin' the cheap route of two 4' (2 bulb) fluorescent fixtures with f40 groluxe type bulbs and three droplights each with a 'Y' for two compact fluorescents each. light are on 24 hrs. I'm running two box fans. The cabinet is not finished yet as I have not mounted the doors, so I've got an old white sheet stretched beyond it's limits for a front closure. Hokey but it works for the moment. The inside is painted flat white, the "ceiling" is a reflective emergency blanket.

OK, OK ... so, I'm lookin' the other day and a couple these plants look like they're budding at the very top. they're like 10" tall and skinny little dudes. I freak and move 'em outside 'cause I'm a' worryin' their males. OK, OK ...... so now I'm down to like 10 plants in the box. I know, the math doesn't work, but down to 10 anyway. The little dudes outside look like they're growin' nut sacks. It's either that or they're auto flowering. I ain't got a clue. But they ain't coming inside no matter how loud they yell.

So back to the 10 left in the grow box. I'm not seein' anything resembling a nut sack, so I'm hoping they may be fems. They're going thru a lot right now with me as their babysitter. I'm using 'supersoil' amended with 'Schults' potting soil for nutrients and hydrated lime to help with PH balance. I PH my tap water after dechlorinating with drops and letting stand open for minimum of 2 days. I don't have the bucks for the good **** so I use test strips that 'reflect' PH, Alkalinity, Hardness, Nitrates, and Nitrites. The only other nutrient I am using thus far is 'Alaskan' fish emulsion at 5-1-1. Nothing has died yet and they're getting purtier and bigger by the day. I worry about burnin' so I don't feed them but about once a week, and then only a TBSP per gallon.

So I've got a couple that are thick stemmed and 20" to 24" tall.

Questions: 1) Do I SOG or SCROG them? 2) when do I think about flowering?

I'm thinkin' pretty soon so I can sex them before some studdly males ruin my chances at gaining the max # of fems.

"Help me boys, I'm feelin' kind of weak ...the way I'm livin' just ain't right. I need someone to watch over me" - John Fogerty

Uh, ...... Help?

Thanks,

Feezle

(In my dreams !!!!)

literally !!

P.S. I have a video with no music that I'd like to attach, (but I ain't figured that part out yet).

Feezle · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 05:46 AM

Sry folks ... newbie (that be me) forgot to post a couple pics in the hopes it might help you help me !!!

4evergreen · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 08:03 AM

Hi Feezle,
Questions: 1) Do I SOG or SCROG them? 2) when do I think about flowering?,

I had the same situation when I started so I would give you my advice in this but please, do not take me for granted as I am a Newbie too.
ScrOG has a lot of work above and bellow the net, but two things that I like about ScrOg is that you do not need so many plants to cover your grow area. And for the space you currently have 6´L x 3´D, 10 plants are more than enough in ScrOG (you can even lose one or two more plants, and it is not going to be a problem, you let the rest to veg for a little extra and you will cover your grow space).
If at the time of 12/12 you have 10 plants you can let them grow at canopy space about 1,5´ each plant and this will yield you more than SOG in the same space and with the same number of plants. One more thing, you have a height problem (4`) and your buckets and light housing will eat at least 1´, so these two factors will make me get into ScrOG without doubt
I am adding two pictures of my current grow, so you see that I had the same height problem when I started so I went ScrOG. In the second picture you will see I have 10 plants under one net and 9 plants in the other (each net has 10´L x 3´D)
I hope this helps you
Peace

justanotherbozo · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 11:34 AM

high Feezle and welcome to Green Passion, you'll like it here, we're not
perfect, but we try hard, lol.

anyway, 4ever is right on the money advising you to go with a SCROG
to maximize your limited space.

btw, your plants look very healthy.

oh yeah, at this stage, you shouldn't be able to see any sacks or buds
as they are all still in veg.

...here are some pics to illustrate and a couple of some SCROGs to
inspire you, lol.