New Grower First grow! A journey of learning and hope

pop22

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This is my first grow in over 40 years. Its more than just a "pot" grow for me though, its a journey, and a step towards having reliable pain relief that modern medicine has not been able to provide me in an acceptable manner in over 26 years. Its also about finding inner peace. Its not a bad hobby either LOL!

My lady has MS and a year and a half ago, was forced to retire from a job she loved. She had worked for 20 years, as an X-ray technologist. Her MS has gone from Relapsing/recurring to progressive. 6 months of interferon beta-1a, @ $3500 a month ( wasn't prescribed till after she lost her insurance )did nothing for her. My issues stem from a work related back injury that occurred many years ago, and was complicated by a nasty car accident a few years back. Thus, we are both retired

Recently, I said to her, "I've been reading a lot about the medicinal value of Cannabis. I think we should start using it to see what if any value it has for us." Now, we had both smoked recreationally way back before drug testing in the workplace became common so we weren't just venturing into unknown territory. One of her ( adult ) daughters hooked us up and for myself, the benefit was immediate.

We are hoping that, with a regular supply she will maybe show some improvement in her mobility.

Which brings me to growing. I'm never one to take on a project without doing my homework first. I've spent many hours on youtube, and forums. Thankfully I've found this one! I feel at home here.

after studying several methods I decided upon DWC for my first grow. Budget for this is slim so as much of it as possible is DIY. I'm making a "cloning/seedling box from a dollar store tote. its clear but I'm wrapping it in black plastic I've measured it and I'll be able to get 16 2" netpots in it. I got a second lid which i trimmed so that it fits down inside the tote part way so that I can use the other lid to seal in the moisture during germination or cloning ( yes I'm going to do Photos as well as autos ).

I'm using Hydroton as medium. I'm building a 4'x7'4"x7' grow room inside a spare bedroom that I use as my computer room. I'm framing with 1"x2". Because I spent my budget on my lights and supplies, my walls are going to be cardboard painted flat white. I'll upgrade to foam insulation maybe next month depending on the budget.

I've bought 2 lights. Well three really...lol. First a new 600 watt MH with an adjustable electronic ballast. It came with the standard "batwing" reflector ( good enough for this first grow . It was also packaged with the hooks to hang the light, and a pair on yoyos. I lit it up to day and WOOO that baby is bright! Not a bad deal for $139 shipped ( got it on ebay ) I also bought a used 1000 Apollo HPS light that came with a new bulb and and aircooled hood. I got it for what the hood is worth! Actually I was going to keep the hood and sell the rest but now I'm going to put it to work! I also have a 4' T5 and a 105 watt 6400k CFL for seedlings/ mommas




My grow room will be 2 sectiona: A x4'x5'x7' Flowering area and a 2'4"x4'x7' veg/seedling area. the actual veg area will be2'4"x4'x4' the smaller portion will be seedling/clone area


*********** WOOOOOO HOOOOO! Santa came early! My sweetie just ordered my seeds! I've got some White Widow autos and Northern Lights Femms, also got a free Big Bud fem, and a AK49 fem. So tomorrow I start building my room!
 

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Hello Pop. Welcome to AFN! Seems like you have a good solid plan. Good luck with your grow. Best wishes to you and your lady. Im 3/4 done with my first grow and this place has been great about helping me out. Wishing great karma to your grow! Im looking forward to tracking your progress.

Peace,
K
 
Welcome to AFN brother! Sorry to hear about your wife. I was dx'ed with MS 13 years ago. It went from relapsing-remitting to now it's secondary progressive :( I have taken Avonex (interferon) for well over 9 years... It's hell, but I guess the doc says with out it Id be in a wheelchair. The other option and I'm starting to consider it (cause this interferon is freaking hell) is a mild form of chemo you get once a month. Though am glad to say I'm doing great for the most part thanks to AFN and being able to grow my own... I especially love the opportunity growing affords me to try different strains to see what works best for me.. I got to say the dragons treat my MS GREAT! By far the best meds for my MS. Have your wife try strains that's lean towards Affy's, it makes us ms pt feel better ;) also always find great pain relief in a ambered up indica:
Just hollar if you need anything... What strains you going to run? Looking forward to watching your grow! You'll find with all the helpful members here you and wifey will soon be smoking some dank ass home grown :dance:
:stylez rasta smoke:
 
High!

Welcome and lots of :karma Cloud: to both of you
Peace!
 
Hey and Welcome from another oldster starting out on a new adventure! Yes it is a journey, definitely some anxious moments but mostly joy. It is a wonderful thing to watch them grow from seed to magnificent! A warning though, growing it and of itself is very addictive. Believe me!!!
My sincere sympathies to you and your wife. I am sure you have made the right choice to explore cannabis for its curative powers. If you have not yet, check out RSO and Rick's site Phoenix Tears.
All my best and most positive vibes on their way out to you and yours! And a big :karma Cloud: too.
Peace.
 
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Thanks Yodabud..hehe! And good to hear from someone who's been there. My lady became progressive while taking the interferon so it was pretty much a wasted effort for her, as interferon does nothing for the progressive stage. I'm glad that you at least have been able to keep that at bay. My personal opinion only, but my lady agrees, using radiation is just SO not worth it. The damage it will do to your body vs the limited benefits just isn't worth it. We'll take whatever we can get, by going this route. At least its natural and will make her time here on this world more pleaseant.

I'll be growing White Widows autos, and Northern Lights Photo-periods and man waiting for the seeds is going to be killer. Especially knowing the holiday mail will SLOW the delivery.
 
Thank you very much! Yes I've done a little research on rick Simpson. We'll be exploring that route once we have some grow experience under our belt We've got a friend ( her son inlaw actually ) who is suffering from the later stages of untreated Lyme disease. We're hoping the RS oil will be of benefit to him also. Man, Lyme Disease is a nasty thing, it can do some really terrible things to you. My 16 year old son's dog just died of complications of advanced Lyme disease.
 
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