First time grower

[Newguy31]

I seem to find myself reading alot on this site so I decided to sign up..

Just started my first grow a couple weeks ago.. I think I'm at day 12 from the time they sprouted until now.. I started with 4 seeds..(bag seeds from something that was called Santa's little helper).. I am now down to 2 but they seem to be healthy and happy.. So far I'm pretty psyched about this growing thing. Hopefully I can pull off a decent yield first time around.

I'm growing in a micro tent.. 2x2x4.. Have a 4" carbon filter along with a small fan clipped inside..

Also have a 600w LED light running.. Have it set on veg right now.. Wasn't sure if it was a good idea to have the flower and veg lights on.. More light is better but I didn't want to overdo it..

I'm growing in soil.. Just using miracle grow potting soil.. And last but not least.. They are currently in 1.5 gallon pots.. I have 3 gallon bags.. But 1.5 gallon is more than big enough for these guys right now.. Any thoughts.. Feel free to respond.. I'm attaching a couple pics.. So far I'm loving this though. Any advise is always welcome.

 

[Chris Scorpio]

Looking good

 

[West Hippie]

Welcome to 420 magazine Newguy 31
I’ve only found one grow that use Miracle grow. It came out fine , but the soil growers in here will help with the up pot soil to get in the right direction. St the bottom of my post is a guide helpful link for new members. I’d like you to get in there and make you a journal with this grow and it will teach you how !

 

[StoneOtter]

Welcome new, you're looking all set. Can't wait to see them grow into giants!

 

[Newguy31]

Unfortunately in a 2x2x4, they won't get huge.. Lol.. I don't know if it was a good idea.. But I just flicked my flower lights on too.. Give them more light.. I'll check them in a couple hours.. See if they react well.. If not.. Go back to veg only..

 

[Carcass]

Welcome NG31,
Looks like you're off to a good start- remember that Miracle Gro potting soil already has nutrients in it,
So you shouldn't need to feed them for awhile.

When you do feed them,and if you use MiracleGro food,only use half of the manufacturers recommended dose-it's a bit hot for Cannabis,but it works ok if you keep the dosages low enough.
I've used it for years on my outdoor grows(mainly because I'm cheap) and it's worked well.

This year I'm actually going to pry open my wallet and spring for some real "Cannabis stuff" to grow with.

Good luck with your grow!

 

[West Hippie]

Welcome NG31,
Looks like you're off to a good start- remember that Miracle Gro potting soil already has nutrients in it,
So you shouldn't need to feed them for awhile.

When you do feed them,and if you use MiracleGro food,only use half of the manufacturers recommended dose-it's a bit hot for Cannabis,but it works ok if you keep the dosages low enough.
I've used it for years on my outdoor grows(mainly because I'm cheap) and it's worked well.

This year I'm actually going to pry open my wallet and spring for some real "Cannabis stuff" to grow with.

Good luck with you’re

Now that’s two in miracle grow . I’d mix it in the soil when I grew outside. On my way to check out your grows . Outside grows here are tuff long drawn out.

 

[Carcass]

@Newguy31 -Since you're going to be limited as to how tall your plants can get,you should do a search on LST (Low Stress Training)-It will really help to keep your plants at a manageable height.
IF you're going to LST,now's about the time to start it.
The earlier you start it,the better it seems to work for keeping the plants short-at least that's been my experience.

Started this one at day 17

Not the same plant as above,but grew this one in a 2x2x3ft ghetto cardboard grow box (with CFL's) plus a little outside time when the sun was shining-She was 11 inches tall at harvest,which was close to the limit in 3' of headspace. Started LST at about 10 days from sprout.

Just a thought for you to kick around-There's also topping and supercropping to keep your plant
at a better size for your growspace

 

[West Hippie]

@Newguy31 -Since you're going to be limited as to how tall your plants can get,you should do a search on LST (Low Stress Training)-It will really help to keep your plants at a manageable height.
IF you're going to LST,now's about the time to start it.
The earlier you start it,the better it seems to work for keeping the plants short-at least that's been my experience.

Started this one at day 17

Not the same plant as above,but grew this one in a 2x2x3ft ghetto cardboard grow box (with CFL's) plus a little outside time when the sun was shining-She was 11 inches tall at harvest,which was close to the limit in 3' of headspace. Started LST at about 10 days from sprout.

Just a thought for you to kick around-There's also topping and supercropping to keep your plant
at a better size for your growspace

Great work running those down !

 

[Newguy31]

Well.. Lost one of my plants cuz it was a male.. But here's where I'm sitting with my one and only female..

Looks like I nute burned her.. I'm about 2-3 weeks from harvest.. Hoping she'll make it with no issues..

 

[Carcass]

I just lost 3 out of 4 of mine due to the same thing,so I can relate...

Your plant doesn't look too bad,I don't think you burned her very much,if at all- It's normal for the fanleaves to start yellowing close to harvest,and it seems like some strains do it worse than others.

I think she'll do fine-she could just be one of the ones that'll look like hell by the time she's "ripe".
She's pulling her nutes from the leaves to build more bud because she knows the end is near.

Maybe someone else will chime in here,because I'm not an expert on nutes, but I don't think it's a good idea to load her up on them as you get close to harvest...

 

[SgtKiLLx]

@carcass is right. Not a good idea to load er up on nutes before harvest. If anything, you could probably slow down on the nute intake, @Pennywise or even @Chris Scorpio could confirm .

 

[Pennywise]

Always reduce your nutes as you get close to harvest. Let her draw what she needs from the leaves.

 

[Newguy31]

I've stopped using nutes now..

I just feel they might be the cause of yellowing leaves.. But I stopped giving her nutes last week.. Thank you though.

 

[Newguy31]

Hey...

Anyone have thoughts on flowering time when you're using such a small pot..

I'm finding more and more yellow leaves every day.. I just clipped 6 this morning from the bottom of the plant..

I'm just curious.. I had this girl in veg for 5 weeks.. Now we are at 5 weeks flowering.. I'm starting to think maybe I'm at the max for the plant if the leaves are all yellowing now..

I figure I'll give it one more week and harvest it.

I'm in 1.5 gallon pot.. I'm pretty sure she must be ready by now.. But I'd appreciate some thoughts from somebody who has experience.. This is my first grow.. From here on out I'll be using bigger pots for the summer..

Thanks..

 

[SmokingWings]

I have been lurking on this msg board for almost 2 years and I hope that I can explain what is happening.

I've stopped using nutes now..

I just feel they might be the cause of yellowing leaves.. But I stopped giving her nutes last week.. Thank you though.

In the msg (#13) just above the one I quoted above Pennywise says to let off on the nutrients and let the plant absorb what it needs from the leaves. That is what appears to be happening to your plant and the yellowing is not being caused by anything you have been feeding it.

<snipped out some of your msg>
I'm finding more and more yellow leaves every day.. I just clipped 6 this morning from the bottom of the plant..
<snipped out some of your msg>

Since the plant is absorbing what nutrients it needs from the leaves they are turning yellow. If you snip off a leaf that has started to turn yellow the plant will then go to another green leaf to start absorbing nutrients from that one. This leaf starts to turn yellow and if you snip it off then the plant goes to another leaf.

At this point in the game I will leave the yellow leaf alone. It will fall off by itself once the plant has drawn just about every iota of available nutrients it can. Every now and then I will give an ugly looking leaf a mild tug and if it comes off then all is good. If it does not want to pull free with a mild tug all is still good and I move on to another ugly looking leaf.

Will give my theory on using the small pot for the pot plant next.

 

[SmokingWings]

Hey...

Anyone have thoughts on flowering time when you're using such a small pot..

I'm just curious.. I had this girl in veg for 5 weeks.. Now we are at 5 weeks flowering.. I'm starting to think maybe I'm at the max for the plant if the leaves are all yellowing now..

I figure I'll give it one more week and harvest it.

I'm in 1.5 gallon pot.. I'm pretty sure she must be ready by now.. But I'd appreciate some thoughts from somebody who has experience.. This is my first grow.. From here on out I'll be using bigger pots for the summer..

Thanks..

Flowering time is flowering time. My limited experience with small pots is that there is a tendency to have a shorter flowering time. The shorter flowering time does end up with a yield of pot that is not ripe in the end. I am pretty sure some of the others will mention that you have about 3 more weeks, maybe 4, if all goes right. Just stop cutting off the leaves because they are starting to turn yellow. From this point on do not worry about a yellow starting to show up on the leaves.

I grow, for the most part, clones. If I need another mother plant I will choose one from among the clones. The way I have been playing the hobby the only reason I have sprouted seeds is because I am looking for another mother plant. But, I am only two years into the game so it could all change.

I have grown in my own super soil and have harvested from clones grown in 3 quart pots up to 2 gallon pots. I have settled on using 1 and 2 gallon pots for almost every clone that makes it to the bloom cabinet.

What you have going is very good so don't panic. Relax, wait and good things will come your way.
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[Newguy31]

Hmm..

I just figured because I was in such a small pot.. I'd be able to cut flowering time.. It's looking pretty good and looks ready to go to me.. But again.. My first time.. So I'll try not to cut her down too early.

As for the yellowing of the leaves.. I'll try to leave them alone.. I just thought being that 3/4 of the fan leaves are definitely changing color now that I would clip the worst ones.. That's the second time in the last couple weeks I've clipped leaves.. So I guess I will stop doing that on your advice..

Anyhow.. I'll give it at least another 2 weeks then.. I know that's a week early.. But I'm sure there is no space for the poor girls roots now and I want to harvest her before any problems arise because of it..

Thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted..

Can't wait to see what I actually get out of her.. Hoping and ounce plus.. But I'll take whatever I get..

 

[MaddHacker]

Hey man, just roaming after a good sesh when I saw this thread. I would like to tell you that your shiz looks good, and my plants always start to yellow out at the harvest/finish. The buds just start to suck all the life out of the plant in attempts to reproduce. It is natural. Green days, and If you don't mind I will just sit back in the corner and watch..

 

[SmokingWings]

Hmm..

I just figured because I was in such a small pot.. I'd be able to cut flowering time.. It's looking pretty good and looks ready to go to me.. But again.. My first time.. So I'll try not to cut her down too early.

My take on it is that we do not want to cut down on flowering time unless we are forced to. The longer the plant can take care of those flowers the better the end harvest will be. Just like the fruits and vegetables we eat will taste better if they are allowed to ripen versus eating them before they get ripe.

As for the yellowing of the leaves.. I'll try to leave them alone.. I just thought being that 3/4 of the fan leaves are definitely changing color now that I would clip the worst ones.. That's the second time in the last couple weeks I've clipped leaves.. So I guess I will stop doing that on your advice..

Anyhow.. I'll give it at least another 2 weeks then.. I know that's a week early.. But I'm sure there is no space for the poor girls roots now and I want to harvest her before any problems arise because of it..

Once I see the leaves starting to get that golden yellow after several weeks of flowering my theory is that the plant has stopped growing new roots except for the occasional hair roots. If so many others agree that the plant is now absorbing nutrients from the leaves then that supports the theory that there is little if any growing of new roots.
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