Live Stoner Chat Hi All. I'm a new grower with lot of questions.

[F.N.]

Hi, I am 63 and also went over 30 years without using pot.

I am going to assume you plan on growing indoors. Here are my thoughts... take your time. In fact, don't plan on starting the grow before late Sept. Heat can be a real problem. When the ambient here hits the 70s, I have to turn the lights off for 6 - 12 hours to keep the temps in the tent below 90F.

Take advantage of your gardening skills. Don't start with hydro. Learn the basics, and if you still want to, try then.

What I have is a 8 sq ft tent. It's enough for me, although I do mostly edibles and that is a lot more efficient than smoking.

Don't smoke, vape. Lots of good vapes out there, I have a Magic Flight Launch Box. It's cheap, but good. There are better vapes, lots of them, but they cost more.

With HPS, the rule of thumb is 50 watts/sq ft. I wouldn't go over that. LED is trendy, but the good ones are quite expensive.
I have a 400 watt HPS. 600 watts is the most efficient hps, but not by a lot. Get a digital ballast, and make it a good one.
Fire is something I worry about.

You will also need a good strong fan to pull the air through the carbon filter. Another place you don't want to cheap out.

Hard to beat the GO Box for beginners.
Amazon product ASIN B004PS4B08
There are a lot of different pots. This is what I use.
Amazon product ASIN B0013YYY9U
You will want one of these...
Amazon product ASIN B0013BKDO8
You will want a nutrient free seed starter mix and a light potting soil made for pot. You will need to add a bunch of perlite to that. I have had good luck with Dr Earth Pot of Gold, but I was able to get that locally, so that's why I use that. Just be careful not get something hot that can burn seedlings.

I like to take a fine sandpaper and abrade the flattish end and ridge of the seed. If you get the seed I suggest, it doesn't need that. It's just that since I started doing that, I haven't had a single dud.

Autoflowers hate being transplanted. I just read about a great way to deal with that problem. Get 2 starter pots (some guys use solo cups. Cut the bottom out of one, and then put that into the other one. When it's time to transplant, just remove the lower cup and place in dirt.

Seedlings can dry out easily in that mix. So I start them with a small grow bulb outside the tent. I then get them used to the tent by slowly ramping up the hours 1/2/4/8/16

Your worst enemy is the desire you will have to keeping adding more nutes and water. As the plant grows, it will need more, but everybody goes too far in the beginning.

A fantastic seed for beginners is World of Seeds Afghan Kush Ryder.

Excellent post if you do want to try a bit in the hotter time of the year use a led as your light source

 

[late]

I am retired, and LED is expensive. I got a used hood, and a nice ballast on sale. I can grow more pot than I use now,
so while I like the idea of LED, I don't need it. I also like the 'free' heat I get from the tent during the winter.

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

Get 2 starter pots (some guys use solo cups. Cut the bottom out of one, and then put that into the other one. When it's time to transplant, just remove the lower cup and place in dirt.

I've tried 16 oz solos for non feminized seeds hoping to sex before planting, but always had major root-bound stunting. How the hell did I not think of using larger starter pots?!

 

[late]

What I tell my wife is 'don't beat yourself up, that's my job'

I have had so much help learning how to do this, it's just plain humbling. So I try to give a little back.
Trust me, my forehead has been on that cinderblock many times.

 

[krug]

Welcome t`one of the the True Freebies online mate. All the best for a great run!

 

[epenguin]

Hey Mike,

I loved your intro. I hope you make AFN your home. We would be happy to have you on board. Keep it simple to start with and always enjoy your growing.

Welcome chum, eP.

 

[DABaracuss]

I am retired, and LED is expensive. I got a used hood, and a nice ballast on sale. I can grow more pot than I use now,
so while I like the idea of LED, I don't need it. I also like the 'free' heat I get from the tent during the winter.

LED are Low COST now check out mars hydro on ebay but if you need the heat HPS is on fire lol

 

[DABaracuss]

I am retired, and LED is expensive. I got a used hood, and a nice ballast on sale. I can grow more pot than I use now,
so while I like the idea of LED, I don't need it. I also like the 'free' heat I get from the tent during the winter.

LED are Low COST now check out mars hydro on ebay but if you need the heat HPS is on fire lol

 

[Dr Fluff]

Hi Mike
A warm welcome to AFN forums.
I see you have already met some of our awesome members, we are a friendly bunch who love to help out our fellow growers, grow the best they can.
This is the only website you'll need and we will lend a hand to get you growing like a champ.
As a veggie grower you'll already have a handle on certain aspects of plant growth, we'll just help you hone you cannabis growing skills. There are quite a number of veggie grows in the forums, myself included, so please feel free to show us some pics of them too.
I see you have already found the new grows forum, ask any questions about your grow in your journal and someone will be sure to lend a hand.
Very nice to have you here with us and what a great way to start your retirement.
See you in the forums and happy growing.
All the best
arty