So, I'm starting this thread just to document my first grow, and to hopefully obtain tips and pointers from anyone willing to input.
I've spent countless hours over the last couple months reading everything I could on this forum and others like it, while simultaneously constructing my grow box. I feel like I'm prepared well enough going into it, that I hopefully won't mess anything up bad enough to tank it all on the first try, lol.
So, I guess I'll start out with what my grow consists of, thus far;
Grow box - using a 3ft tall rubbermaid plastic storage container. 3 gal pot. I have a two fan system, intake and exhaust. Box is lined with reflective mylar. Using 4 CFL bulbs, two 2700k and two 6500k.
Seeds - Auto Bomb Fem by Bomb Seeds.
Medium/nutes - I'm using Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil. Went with the trio of nutes from Fox Farm (grow big, big bloom, tiger bloom) as well as Grandma's unsulphered molasses.
Misc supplies - I've also got a temperature/hygrometer with comfort meter in the box, and a homemade CO2 bottle (active yeast, sugar, water).
Okay, so I believe that's it for all the supplies. So here's where I'm going to start document step by step what I've done so far, and will continue to update. I'm going to try to be as thorough as possible, and remember constructive criticism is much appreciated! As long as it has a purpose, and that purpose isn't to troll. I'm this can be as informative as possible, to not only help myself with future grows, but as well help any other newbs. I'm currently 12 days into my grow. So, I'll start with what I've done so far.
Germination - went with the paper towel technique. Used pH'd water to soak the paper towel, and covered with two plates. I then used the lights in my box as a heat source, and set the plates under my lights. It worked great. I germed two seeds (one for my roommate, one for me) one split in about 20 hrs and the other split about 30hrs in. Once I noticed the tap root was showing, I then put the seedling directly in the 3gal pot with the
OF. I wet the soil before planting with about half a gallon of water (water is always pH'd).
It took about two days before she broke the surface. In the beginning, first two weeks or until she shows sex, I'm only using two of the CFLs (one 2700k & the one 6500k) to avoid over exposure to the light. I started with them towards the top of the box and have gradually moved them lower towards the pot each day. I've been going back and forth on what I'm going to do with the light schedule for the first grow, as everyone and their sister's cat seems to have an different opinion on the light schedule. So, I've decided to just go full 24/0 for the first grow, and go 20/4 for the second, so I can see first hand the difference. And as both methods seem to have positive feedback, I'm not going to ruin anything either way.
I waited exactly one week, day 7, before I watered again with the remaining half gallon. Although, during the first week I did dump in a shot glass of water every other day, just to keep the surface moist. Also, probably just so I could actively do something other than just stare at her, lol. On day 11, I gave her a light watering, about 1/4 gallon, with water and added a tbsp of molasses to the gallon this time. On day 14, I plan on giving her the rest of the gallon (or until I see enough run off), plus 1/4 strength big bloom.
I've been able to keep my temp between 75° - 78°, and the RH between 40% - 45%. So far she's done great. I'll finish this post with progress pics through the first 11 days. I'll also be updating regularly, step by step, as I continue my first autoflower grow!
I've spent countless hours over the last couple months reading everything I could on this forum and others like it, while simultaneously constructing my grow box. I feel like I'm prepared well enough going into it, that I hopefully won't mess anything up bad enough to tank it all on the first try, lol.
So, I guess I'll start out with what my grow consists of, thus far;
Grow box - using a 3ft tall rubbermaid plastic storage container. 3 gal pot. I have a two fan system, intake and exhaust. Box is lined with reflective mylar. Using 4 CFL bulbs, two 2700k and two 6500k.
Seeds - Auto Bomb Fem by Bomb Seeds.
Medium/nutes - I'm using Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil. Went with the trio of nutes from Fox Farm (grow big, big bloom, tiger bloom) as well as Grandma's unsulphered molasses.
Misc supplies - I've also got a temperature/hygrometer with comfort meter in the box, and a homemade CO2 bottle (active yeast, sugar, water).
Okay, so I believe that's it for all the supplies. So here's where I'm going to start document step by step what I've done so far, and will continue to update. I'm going to try to be as thorough as possible, and remember constructive criticism is much appreciated! As long as it has a purpose, and that purpose isn't to troll. I'm this can be as informative as possible, to not only help myself with future grows, but as well help any other newbs. I'm currently 12 days into my grow. So, I'll start with what I've done so far.
Germination - went with the paper towel technique. Used pH'd water to soak the paper towel, and covered with two plates. I then used the lights in my box as a heat source, and set the plates under my lights. It worked great. I germed two seeds (one for my roommate, one for me) one split in about 20 hrs and the other split about 30hrs in. Once I noticed the tap root was showing, I then put the seedling directly in the 3gal pot with the
OF. I wet the soil before planting with about half a gallon of water (water is always pH'd). It took about two days before she broke the surface. In the beginning, first two weeks or until she shows sex, I'm only using two of the CFLs (one 2700k & the one 6500k) to avoid over exposure to the light. I started with them towards the top of the box and have gradually moved them lower towards the pot each day. I've been going back and forth on what I'm going to do with the light schedule for the first grow, as everyone and their sister's cat seems to have an different opinion on the light schedule. So, I've decided to just go full 24/0 for the first grow, and go 20/4 for the second, so I can see first hand the difference. And as both methods seem to have positive feedback, I'm not going to ruin anything either way.
I waited exactly one week, day 7, before I watered again with the remaining half gallon. Although, during the first week I did dump in a shot glass of water every other day, just to keep the surface moist. Also, probably just so I could actively do something other than just stare at her, lol. On day 11, I gave her a light watering, about 1/4 gallon, with water and added a tbsp of molasses to the gallon this time. On day 14, I plan on giving her the rest of the gallon (or until I see enough run off), plus 1/4 strength big bloom.
I've been able to keep my temp between 75° - 78°, and the RH between 40% - 45%. So far she's done great. I'll finish this post with progress pics through the first 11 days. I'll also be updating regularly, step by step, as I continue my first autoflower grow!
