Grow Mediums Am I on the right track?

[Lovelaceg]

Hey everyone! 1st time grower and through the different things I have read and thought about I believe autos are for me.
Let me start by telling you what I have for a system/ living conditions for the the girlies and myself. I am renting so stealth is key, I have a 4x2x5 tent. For lighting I bought a 400w ballast that is capable of running mh or hps (both came with the ballast, has a cool tube reflector)I also have 3 40w cfl 1 cool 2warm bulbs. Also have a 4" exhaust kit with carbon filter, a few small fans to move around. For my grow I want to use aeroponics. I would also like to have continuous plant harvest (part the reason I went autos) I was going to have 3 bins 4 cups each. I will have 1 tub for veg, one for bloom, one for flushing. I will be using a cycle timer with 1:5 min onff ratio(or better ratio I find durning my grow). As for notes I have flora grow & bloom ( from what i understand this doesn't require mixing)

here are my questions

If hydro balls (expanded clay) are not available what's my next best bet?
if rock wool is not available what is my next best option?
I am hoping to expand my knowledge in to different strains and genetics, so growing as many different varieties would be a good way for me to find an road I wanna travel down. So am I able to grow different strains in the same bin. I plan on having 2-4 at each stage at any given time.
i am about to order seeds so any suggestions on strains that stay 3.5ft or shorter would be appreciated.


I already appreciate the help

 

[wwwillie]

Hey and Welcome.
Not a hydro type of grower, sorry, I do not have answers for you. I am sure a hydro type will stop by and have an answer for you. I'll keep an eye on your thread to make sure.
Peace and happy growing!

 

[Eekman]

I am not a hydro guy either, and hopefully we will get the word out for you.

However, I do have a couple of questions that come to mind. If you are growing different strains in the same bin, cannot the nutrients required by each strain be different? But you can only feed the whole batch the same level of nutrients?

I don't mean to rain on the preverbial parade, but that is why I use soil and individual pots. Because sometimes a different strain will grow uniquely, and require different nutrients at different times. But like I said, I am a hydro dork, so maybe you have a solution to this.

Good Karma sent in any way you choose to go.

 

[Lovelaceg]

Eekman, that's was kinda where I was heading/ hoping someone would discuss that or even share their experience of what autos use the same nute levels. My initial plan it to have 1 strain per bin to really nail down the processes and get some real experience before I experiment to much.

Im OCD about my hobbies so I could really go and play with this when I have my own place, until then I need you guys, I'll return the favour in the future. I keep A+ notes for my ball python breeding so I will transfer my note taking into growing. When I have a few successful grows will I start to see a connection in genetics and nute in take?

 

[Eekman]

I think you initial plan sounds good. Then you can redefine how you gorw.

I think you will see how plant will grow, and what you need to grow them well, after a period of time. Then you can find strains that use pretty much the same things.

Being OCD, you have to constantly watch yourself so you don't over-due stuff. Stay on a schedule, and do not vary. Otherwise, there is no need for record keeping.

Cheers, and luck

 

[gone1]

Hey everyone! 1st time grower and through the different things I have read and thought about I believe autos are for me.
Let me start by telling you what I have for a system/ living conditions for the the girlies and myself. I am renting so stealth is key, I have a 4x2x5 tent. For lighting I bought a 400w ballast that is capable of running mh or hps (both came with the ballast, has a cool tube reflector)I also have 3 40w cfl 1 cool 2warm bulbs. Also have a 4" exhaust kit with carbon filter, a few small fans to move around. For my grow I want to use aeroponics. I would also like to have continuous plant harvest (part the reason I went autos) I was going to have 3 bins 4 cups each. I will have 1 tub for veg, one for bloom, one for flushing. I will be using a cycle timer with 1:5 min onff ratio(or better ratio I find durning my grow). As for notes I have flora grow & bloom ( from what i understand this doesn't require mixing)

here are my questions

If hydro balls (expanded clay) are not available what's my next best bet?
if rock wool is not available what is my next best option?
I am hoping to expand my knowledge in to different strains and genetics, so growing as many different varieties would be a good way for me to find an road I wanna travel down. So am I able to grow different strains in the same bin. I plan on having 2-4 at each stage at any given time.
i am about to order seeds so any suggestions on strains that stay 3.5ft or shorter would be appreciated.


I already appreciate the help

If you cant get hydroton just use marbles or little stones, a substitute for rockwool could be these peat pellets:
http://images.bidorbuy.co.za/user_images/957/1893957/1893957_130821122424_Jiffy_7.jpg

Cheers

 

[Lovelaceg]

Alright thanks for the advice! I'll look around town for those. I may break down and order a big shipment of them online so I'm not bouncing from one method to another.

 

[sassy sue]

I too can be a bit OCD when it comes to growing things and I can say, as a newbie, almost done with first grow, DONT FUTS WITH THEM!!!
Everyone here will tell you that you shouldn't fim or top autos, only low stress allowed. Same with Nutes, under do it before you over do it. Nutes instructions are for plants that have a full life cycle, not for autos. Always error on the side of caution and under nute. Good news is autos are pretty resliant and everything I have done wrong (and the plants told me so ) they have recovered from. I would also caution you on your space. I have a 4.5x4.5 room and I am totally cramped with 3 plants in flower and 3 in veg on a shelf.