Right, so my first grow is a few of weeks from harvest, it's been pretty bad overall, prob not going to get more than an oz dried from the two plants, had major lockout issues as some of you may have seen in the 24hr help thread. So - already planning my next grow, honestly can't wait to give this a second go and learn from the mistakes made this time. So I'm going to list my entire setup, and if anyone can suggest any improvements I can make, and especially any pre-emptive steps I can take to avoid the same ph/lockout issues I encountered this time around, I would be most grateful! (bear in mind my budget is pretty tight!)
Strain: 2 x Delicious seeds 'La Bella Afrodita'
Soil: Plant Magic soil, will be mixing with perlite at a 3:1 ratio, this was something I wasn't aware of when I started my first grow, but I think my soil has been taking a little too long to dry out, so will definitely be adding perlite this time. Using pebbles at the bottom for drainage.
Feed: Plant Magic Old Timer Grow and Bloom. Also have some of the PM veg boost. Will be adding a small amount of Humbroldt Equilibirum cal/mag to each feed as I live in a soft water area. As far as adjusting ph goes, I have just bought some dolomite lime as I heard this is better than baking soda, which is what I have been using. I also have some organic ph+ but I think it's for mixing with soil rather than feed (didn't know this when I bought it). Also have a digital ph tester on the way, those drop testers seem kinda rubbish.
Pots: Plastic 11 litre square pots.
Space: Black orchid 60x60x140cm tent set up inside a large cupboard located in a very big well ventilated hall.
Lighting: One dual spectrum 300w CFL (with reflector)
Ventilation: Passive intake via short length of ducting from large hall, 6" fan on the out (connected to carbon filter inside tent) venting straight into the cupboard which opens into my bedroom (the door is left open, if this all sounds a bit weird that's because it is, I live in a partially converted very old listed building with smaller rooms built inside it), so basically the air is being drawn from the large hall and being vented into my bedroom.
Also, I live in the UK and temps are gonna start getting lower soon, which is an issue for me as this building gets COLD and I mean really cold in winter, not to mention the damp, so I have ordered a mini oil filled radiator, and 2 chargeable dehumidifiers to keep things warm and dry enough in there. I've also ordered a filter to go on the intake to keep any mold/mildew out as this place can pretty bad for it. I know I must be crazy to live here but it's mega cheap and I'm a mature student, so money is kinda tight, probably wouldn't have been able to afford a grow setup at all living somewhere else!
Once the current grow is cropped, I'll take some pics of the setup for the next one, I'll be keeping a grow diary this time around
All advice/comments etc. most welcome, I want this grow to really be worth the money I've spent, unlike the last one!
Strain: 2 x Delicious seeds 'La Bella Afrodita'
Soil: Plant Magic soil, will be mixing with perlite at a 3:1 ratio, this was something I wasn't aware of when I started my first grow, but I think my soil has been taking a little too long to dry out, so will definitely be adding perlite this time. Using pebbles at the bottom for drainage.
Feed: Plant Magic Old Timer Grow and Bloom. Also have some of the PM veg boost. Will be adding a small amount of Humbroldt Equilibirum cal/mag to each feed as I live in a soft water area. As far as adjusting ph goes, I have just bought some dolomite lime as I heard this is better than baking soda, which is what I have been using. I also have some organic ph+ but I think it's for mixing with soil rather than feed (didn't know this when I bought it). Also have a digital ph tester on the way, those drop testers seem kinda rubbish.
Pots: Plastic 11 litre square pots.
Space: Black orchid 60x60x140cm tent set up inside a large cupboard located in a very big well ventilated hall.
Lighting: One dual spectrum 300w CFL (with reflector)
Ventilation: Passive intake via short length of ducting from large hall, 6" fan on the out (connected to carbon filter inside tent) venting straight into the cupboard which opens into my bedroom (the door is left open, if this all sounds a bit weird that's because it is, I live in a partially converted very old listed building with smaller rooms built inside it), so basically the air is being drawn from the large hall and being vented into my bedroom.
Also, I live in the UK and temps are gonna start getting lower soon, which is an issue for me as this building gets COLD and I mean really cold in winter, not to mention the damp, so I have ordered a mini oil filled radiator, and 2 chargeable dehumidifiers to keep things warm and dry enough in there. I've also ordered a filter to go on the intake to keep any mold/mildew out as this place can pretty bad for it. I know I must be crazy to live here but it's mega cheap and I'm a mature student, so money is kinda tight, probably wouldn't have been able to afford a grow setup at all living somewhere else!
Once the current grow is cropped, I'll take some pics of the setup for the next one, I'll be keeping a grow diary this time around
All advice/comments etc. most welcome, I want this grow to really be worth the money I've spent, unlike the last one!
