First Indoor Grow for an Old Man

[GetAhead]

Disclaimer:

This is my first, ever, indoor grow. I WILL make mistakes. I have fairly extensive gardening experience (herbs, flowers, veggies) but have not grown weeds for a purpose. ;) I do take CONSTRUCTIVE comments profitably and welcome any and all suggestions. OTOH, I suffer smart-alecs and know-it-alls poorly – so be forewarned on that issue.

The reason for this grow is a desire to produce a self-sufficient stash after being out of the smoking arena for about 15 years. I do NOT want to deal with dealers, nor will I ever become a dealer. Both my wife and I have health issues and we are being increasingly made aware that our ailments might very well be effectively addressed by cannabis. We are actually in the process of obtaining our MM cards. However, my current status entails that this early effort be stealth in nature and construction.

This is a soil grow. I am using a digital 600W ballast with a reflector w/8� air-cooled ports – 600W HPS and a 600W MH conversion bulbs. The 4 X 4 flowering area will be vented using an 8� Elicent inline fan (680 CFM) and odor control provided by an 8� X 24� Phat Filter (550 CFM).

I was turned on to my growing seeds by a most generous benefactor who has also been a great help to me in a variety of other areas, including advise on MM. I would like to mention his name but, out of respect to his privacy, I will not at this time. However, I would venture to say that he has more than likely helped others here, too.

My seeds are:

“Fat Bastard� - Pictured
“Shag� (White Widow X Northern Lights 5 X Black Domina) - Pictured
“Coco Train� (Coco Thai X Trainwreak)
“Green Giant� Feminized (Big Bud X Shiva Skunk)

[BloodShotI'z]

My seeds are:

“Fat Bastard” - Pictured
“Shag” (White Widow X Northern Lights 5 X Black Domina) - Pictured
“Coco Train” (Coco Thai X Trainwreak)
“Green Giant” Feminized (Big Bud X Shiva Skunk)

You have great Blood!!

[Mogie]

I understand you reason for growing. You have some great seeds to start with. Let me check something for you and get right back.

[GetAhead]

My grandparents were gardeners who also sold plants through their livestock feed business. I was always taught to handle seeds as little as possible transplant as few times as possible. As such, I have always eschewed the towel germination technique, though I know that it works for many. I prefer to germinate the seeds straight away in soil medium. In this case, I am using Jiffy Pellets. On Friday last, August 10, I began 37 seeds – 13 Fat Bastards, 12 Shag, 10 CocoTrain, 2 Green Giant Feminized. I soaked and expanded the Jiffy Pellets with warm water. When expanded, I placed one seed in each Pellet by poking a small hole with the end of a sterilized nail set and covering lightly with medium. A person can do two per pellet if they have extra seeds and to ensure at least one seedling per Pellet.

These Pellets, with seeds, were placed in seedling flats, misted with warm water, covered with Saran wrap, and placed in a dark workshop that hovers around 80-85 degrees during the day [pictured below] My hope is to ultimately establish 12-15 female plants out of these 37, so I will need a bit of luck on my side.

As of today, August 16, 20 of the seedlings have broken through the surface (but sadly, no GG’s thus far). Note the colored thread at the bottom of the Pellets is to distinguish strain without marking the Pellets with ink and so as to avoid keeping the pellets in any perfect order. This also becomes useful since, as the seedlings sprout, I move them individually to a separate seedling flat which resides under a 4’ fluoro unit with four AgroSun tubes [10 of 20 seedlings pictured]. The lighting and seeds, in turn, reside in a seedling chamber containing a 12” oscillating fan.

The seedlings are looking good so far and a couple even have a pair of serrated leaves [pictured].

As things progress, I will post further. Looking forward to vegging, flowering, drying, curing, and, most of all…well, you know!

[Mogie]

http://www.drugs-forum.com/growfaq/G...c%20Topics.htm

That link is a mirror link to the old OverGrow site. They have TONS on info on growing. It should help you.

[GetAhead]

Originally Posted by Mogie

http://www.drugs-forum.com/growfaq/GrowFAQ%20Basic%20Topics.htm

That link is a mirror link to the old OverGrow site. They have TONS on info on growing. It should help you.

Thank you. I have seen that great site. One of a few which stresses foliar feeding - a technique by which I absolutely swear for plants that can take advantage.

I was REALLY hoping the GG fems would sprout but the man told me that they were pretty old. Still holding out hope. In another 4-5 days I will poke about with an X-Acto knife and take a peek - extracting to a wet towel as a last-ditch effort. My grandparents used to argue whether a seed that won't sprout should be left to perish, lest an inferior plant result if forced. Both had stories proving and disproving both sides of the coin! HA! ;)

[*GreenPassion*]

Hey getahead, I'm looking forward to this grow.
Maybe I'm old, but I didnt get what you meant by . "OTOH,"

Also, I don't think you have to worry about any "smart-alecs around here or know-it-alls, were all just a bunch of growers, helping other growers, simple as that.

You got some nice genetics to start with, I can hardly wait!

[GetAhead]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

Hey getahead, I'm looking forward to this grow.
Maybe I'm old, but I didnt get what you meant by . "OTOH,"

Also, I don't think you have to worry about any "smart-alecs around here or know-it-alls, were all just a bunch of growers, helping other growers, simple as that.

You got some nice genetics to start with, I can hardly wait!

Thanks GP. I am a bit concerned with my germ rate, but we'll see. The first ten came in three days, the second ten a couple days later but they do not look so good. No more since.

OTOH means "on the other hand".

good luck an good grow...

Originally Posted by GetAhead

Disclaimer:

This is my first, ever, indoor grow. I WILL make mistakes. I have fairly extensive gardening experience (herbs, flowers, veggies) but have not grown weeds for a purpose. ;) I do take CONSTRUCTIVE comments profitably and welcome any and all suggestions. OTOH, I suffer smart-alecs and know-it-alls poorly – so be forewarned on that issue.

The reason for this grow is a desire to produce a self-sufficient stash after being out of the smoking arena for about 15 years. I do NOT want to deal with dealers, nor will I ever become a dealer. Both my wife and I have health issues and we are being increasingly made aware that our ailments might very well be effectively addressed by cannabis. We are actually in the process of obtaining our MM cards. However, my current status entails that this early effort be stealth in nature and construction.

This is a soil grow. I am using a digital 600W ballast with a reflector w/8� air-cooled ports – 600W HPS and a 600W MH conversion bulbs. The 4 X 4 flowering area will be vented using an 8� Elicent inline fan (680 CFM) and odor control provided by an 8� X 24� Phat Filter (550 CFM).

I was turned on to my growing seeds by a most generous benefactor who has also been a great help to me in a variety of other areas, including advise on MM. I would like to mention his name but, out of respect to his privacy, I will not at this time. However, I would venture to say that he has more than likely helped others here, too.

My seeds are:

“Fat Bastard� - Pictured
“Shag� (White Widow X Northern Lights 5 X Black Domina) - Pictured
“Coco Train� (Coco Thai X Trainwreak)
“Green Giant� Feminized (Big Bud X Shiva Skunk)

Sounds like u grew up like I did!!!lol You've got the knowledge and the right equipment so you'll be fine w/ the dirt. May be headed back to it myself, these temps in the 100's are killing me!!! Looking foward to seeing these strains as I never have before.Thanks for letting us ride along!!!

[medicinecloset]

Looks like your off to a good start. In the future you may want to go ahead and spend the money either on a MH ballast or a cfl setup. I used to use conversion bulbs but after close watching and studying I found out that they are very inefficient and dont put out anywhere the lumens that a MH reg does. Not to mention that conversion bulbs drastically reduce your HPSor vice versas MH ballasts lefespan. More amperage is drawn to complete the conversion creating excessive heat inside the capacitors and coil in the ballast. Be carefull ya dont want a fire jumpin off in there. Keep a extinguisher nearby at all times no matter what and my suggestion would be to mount a smoke alarm in your room. JIC
Nice strains by the way they should rock ya pretty good. Be well my friend and prosper in your growing endeavors.
Peace

[freetolive]

This grower did a recent journal here : http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/purps-7624/

Peace.