New Grower NL First Time Grow... Total Newb

[AKA Rambo]

Ok I think I'm going to water every 6 days.. My pots aren't huge just 1 gallon pots. Im thinking about using a feeding of Miracle Gro, I know most people burn their plants with it but hey Im on a budget... It is a product by MG called All Purpose Plant Food.. It is 24-8-16, the box said 1 Tablespoon diluted in a gallon, but I was gonna dilute 0.5 teaspoon in a gallon to feed.. I am also going to wait until the first round leaves fall off before using.

What do you guys think?

 

[AKA Rambo]

I have some good news, I purchased a 600 watt winged lighting hood, an MH bulb, an HPS bulb, a nice ballast, a hanging system, and a timer.. I just got tired of the small CFL bulbs I have so hopefully these will do the trick.. Do u fellas think this system will do me for a 1 or 2 plant grow?

 

[spellbound]

Hey Zip. From 1 newb to another newb wanted to say good luck an hope you knock-em out the park. If my memory serves me rite its a min. of 200 watts per plant. And with a 600 watt you should be able to do 4 plants if placed rite. Meaning like the #4 on a dice and some rotating time to time. I may be wrong and 1 of these seasoned growers well set me straight. But all in all just wanted to good luck and Ill be getting my feet wet real soon. : RE: RE: Its lumens that we are wanting and its a min. of 2000 per sq. foot an optimal is 7000 per sq. foot

 

[AKA Rambo]

Thanks spellbound, I think I kinda turned everyone off with my miracle gro comment earlier. I hear alot of people hate it, but then again I have heard in like 1/8 to 1/4 doses it has been known to work. I appreciate the kind words.. This forum has been so helpful.

I hope my lighting will be up to par now, I started as a poor fella and slowly worked up..

I just want my plants to flourish ya know, plus I enjoy growing as a hobby.. I baby my plants too much, lot left to learn.. Ill follow up tomorrow with some pictures...

 

[spellbound]

Yeah i hear yah. I myself am going to be on a budget grow but decided not to go with the miracal grow. Just go easy on the nute feedings and lite temps an i think youll do ok. Just keep researching.

 

[AKA Rambo]

Yeah I have also been taught a valuable lesson on watering... I used to watch and baby these plants too much, and everytime I blinked I felt I needed to water... I am also growing some super hot chili peppers.. I know I watered them too much... Oh well lesson learned they say... Now I gotta learn how far to keep MH and HPS bulbs away from my grows...

 

[AKA Rambo]

Well Ive took a pic tonight before I laid down to try to get some shut eye, hopefully I can sleep tonight without bad dreams or hearing broken radio transmissions of QRF or friendly KIA.

Well nonetheless, here is a pic of my girl growing. I havent watered in the past 3 to 4 days, noticed a little leaf curling. I am just so afraid to overwater...

Lemme know what u think? No nutes have been added, still kinda scared on the cheapo MG nutes..

 

[CLMonkey]

High Zipperheah, you have some good help here.. i notice you are using the MG soil, so i would hold off on throwing any more food at her until you see her needing it, because you will still have a good bit in the soil for a while. at this stage the tap root is growing fast and will search for moisture. if possible you could sit it in a tray, and just add a bit of water from the bottom doing this will help the roots to develop a little faster trying to find water. if the soil is too wet it makes it too easy for the roots, and the root system can develop to shallow, or even rot. MG ferts have been used but i wouldn't go over 1/4 strength or even a bit weaker until you see how she acts, but i dont think you will need that for a while. Once you do i would do a ph'd water only feeding every couple times, just to help keep the salts from building up from the MG. Im not sure who, but i do believe that someone on here has documented a grow that MG was used in.
Try to get yourself a PH meter as soon as you can, because i have a feeling the soil will get high on you just by its nature. and knowing the PH will help solve any issues you might come across along your way and can help pinpoint uptake issues.
Sending good grow Karma
Peace :karma Cloud:

 

[SmokyD]

Hey Zipper, your lights are easily enough for 2 plants, you should get real nice results! Personally I grow 6 plants per 600W light... but it's possible to grow even more, I grew 21 Think Different under 2x 600W HPS lights. Nice one! In the summer you will need a good ventilation system though, but in winter I don't get any problems with heat. I calculated that in NL it costs about EUR25 per month in electricity to have a 600W lamp running for 6 hours, including all the fans etc.

I have connected Sunon fans to each of my hoods to cool the bulb. I don't know if others do this too? But without the fan blowing on the bulb it can get pretty hot, for safety I like to keep everything as cool as possible. It has the added advantage of cooling the air directly under the hood so the plants can get a little closer too.



They cost €16.

Rather than give water every X days I would just check them and water when the top soil feels dry (but BEFORE the pot feels light because of no water). Because the need for water will change depending on weather and growth stage.

Hope this is helpful

 

[spellbound]

Say Zip do see a little curl there. Could be a heat stress issue. Take your hand an hold it just above the plant as close as you can with the back of your hand facing the lamp. If is seems a little warm to you then its also to warm for your little friend. :thumbs: