I'm ready to step up to the plate: new grow

[GrimyVille]

I've been waiting to pull the trigger and start a grow. The only problem I thought I was gonna have was just putting the money up for the equipment. Now everything seems to be worrying me. I think my main problem is my height limitation which is pretty much 6 feet. I didn't want any problems with tents so I'm gonna go with gorilla tents.. I have to buy the shorty series though, with the attachment thee height I can work with is 5'11". I got a 4'x8'x11" and a 4'x4'x5'11". Well don't have yet but they are coming. I'm gonna grab 2 hlg scorpion rspec because of my height limitations. I have a friendly that recommended them... Now though I'm stressing over how many plants I should fit in what size pots I'm gonna try some in dirt and some in coco coir. I wanted to keep some mother's and all that too.. lol I've already wrote a decent amount, I would love to hear from you guys and hear your thoughts.

 

[RetiredRN]

I've been waiting to pull the trigger and start a grow. The only problem I thought I was gonna have was just putting the money up for the equipment. Now everything seems to be worrying me. I think my main problem is my height limitation which is pretty much 6 feet. I didn't want any problems with tents so I'm gonna go with gorilla tents.. I have to buy the shorty series though, with the attachment thee height I can work with is 5'11". I got a 4'x8'x11" and a 4'x4'x5'11". Well don't have yet but they are coming. I'm gonna grab 2 hlg scorpion rspec because of my height limitations. I have a friendly that recommended them... Now though I'm stressing over how many plants I should fit in what size pots I'm gonna try some in dirt and some in coco coir. I wanted to keep some mother's and all that too.. lol I've already wrote a decent amount, I would love to hear from you guys and hear your thoughts.

Hey, welcome. When you get started, start a “grow journal “ on here so you can get help throughout your grow. I have a 3x3x6 tent and I just finished growing 4 autos in it and only one plant gave me trouble with height. I grow in soil. Lights are really important I have found. I ran 2 lights in my tent that equaled actual 445 watts. It may have been a little over kill. Be sure to know what height your particular seeds need and then just jump in ! You can super crop and train them to keep them manageable.

 

[Sueet]

Well, I understand how overwhelming it can seem, went thru all that not long ago myself. One thing I will say is ... read around here on this site, look at some peoples' grow journals, get a feel for what you actually want, rather than trying to 'do it all' at once. Soil and hydro (my understanding is coco counts as hydro) are completely different in terms of how you care for the plants, not sure why you would want to do both at once.
Definitely also do some research on LST, topping, super-cropping, those are all things that will help you in the height dept., but remember, you are going to need to have the plant, the container it is in, something under it if its on concrete, and then space below and above the light, it could get tight if you aren't on top of keeping them short.
I feel like the cost isn't your biggest problem if you are going with hlg lights, yes of course they are amazing, but probably overkill for most folks.
How many plants and what size pots all depends on other things, I can tell you that MY plants take up a roughly 3' round space each, but someone else might have that same plant trimmed and tied down to take half or less of that space, so .. really, what I am tellin' you is that it's all up to you

 

[Rexer]

You've gotten some great advice, I'll just add this:

Growing in tight spaces can be done, you'll get there.
Have a plan for harvest, drying and curing. Don't wait till the last minute.
Start a grow journal


And, consider doing either soil or hydro- but not both at once as a new grower. They're two somewhat different beasts and you can trip yourself up. If you're determined, good on ya- I don't want to be discouraging. Just wanted to give food for thought.

 

[013]

welcome aboard! ditto soil & coco are not the same.... maybe you can handle that as a newcomer maybe not, but if you do know try it then know that they must be watered & fed very differently. As far as plant counts in a tent, starting out less is more - we often get newbies that want 12 plants in a 2X4 tent, then they decide to whittle it down to 8 but in reality they should have germed only 2 beans and saved the others for the future runs. Obviously this changes if you have multiple tents and / or large tents as you mentioned but you get the picture.

anywho drop a journal down and settle in

 

[GrimyVille]

Hey, welcome. When you get started, start a “grow journal “ on here so you can get help throughout your grow. I have a 3x3x6 tent and I just finished growing 4 autos in it and only one plant gave me trouble with height. I grow in soil. Lights are really important I have found. I ran 2 lights in my tent that equaled actual 445 watts. It may have been a little over kill. Be sure to know what height your particular seeds need and then just jump in ! You can super crop and train them to keep them manageable.

I definitely will be keeping a journal. Last year I did outdoor started a journal pretty close to the start. That said though it wasn't detailed enough from the start towards the end I wrote down temp humidity everything.. this time it will prob be the size of a novel. I got some autos as wells as fem seeds... 1 of the autos is a super auto. What size pots did you use for your autos? I was thinking 3 gallon for my reg autos and a 5 gallon for the supers... I think I'm gonna start them indoor then bring I'm outside

 

[CO Finest]

Using a net can help big time with height fears. Set it to the max you want the plant or plants to grow - 14 inches or so for finial stretch. When plant or plants hit net then flip to flower or use net to tuck plant or plants down to fill area then flip[ when your happy with area filled. If you do not want to use a net then just tie a string across to have a visible line to know when to flip flower.

 

[RetiredRN]

I definitely will be keeping a journal. Last year I did outdoor started a journal pretty close to the start. That said though it wasn't detailed enough from the start towards the end I wrote down temp humidity everything.. this time it will prob be the size of a novel. I got some autos as wells as fem seeds... 1 of the autos is a super auto. What size pots did you use for your autos? I was thinking 3 gallon for my reg autos and a 5 gallon for the supers... I think I'm gonna start them indoor then bring I'm outside

I did 3 gallon for my autos. They say 1 gallon for every month of the life of the plant. My one auto got so big I probably should have had her in a 5 gallon, but who knew.

 

[GrimyVille]

Well, I understand how overwhelming it can seem, went thru all that not long ago myself. One thing I will say is ... read around here on this site, look at some peoples' grow journals, get a feel for what you actually want, rather than trying to 'do it all' at once. Soil and hydro (my understanding is coco counts as hydro) are completely different in terms of how you care for the plants, not sure why you would want to do both at once.
Definitely also do some research on LST, topping, super-cropping, those are all things that will help you in the height dept., but remember, you are going to need to have the plant, the container it is in, something under it if its on concrete, and then space below and above the light, it could get tight if you aren't on top of keeping them short.
I feel like the cost isn't your biggest problem if you are going with hlg lights, yes of course they are amazing, but probably overkill for most folks.
How many plants and what size pots all depends on other things, I can tell you that MY plants take up a roughly 3' round space each, but someone else might have that same plant trimmed and tied down to take half or less of that space, so .. really, what I am tellin' you is that it's all up to you

Last year I went with coast of maine stonington blend .. outdoor. And some plants had hollow stems and 2 of the strains I had a few of my buddy's would rather smoke them instead of the dispensary bud. I got really really good cuts, thought that I would always have access to them but my buddy lost the mother's... LoL .. lost have no idea how.. stolen , infestation I don't know. He didn't seemed worried so I wasn't either. He invested a bunch of money on high priced seeds and he had some exclusive cuts sent from Cali. About 2 months in maybe a little longer either the very start of flowering or right before he found out he had a bug that attacks the roots... Some bug from Cali, he didn't even know himself until someone he sold a clone to told him. So anyway here I am trying to find that Micheal Jordan seed outlet of the small handful I have

 

[GrimyVille]

I did 3 gallon for my autos. They say 1 gallon for every month of the life of the plant. My one auto got so big I probably should have had her in a 5 gallon, but who knew.

Last year I went with coast of maine stonington blend .. outdoor. And some plants had hollow stems and 2 of the strains I had a few of my buddy's would rather smoke them instead of the dispensary bud. I got really really good cuts, thought that I would always have access to them but my buddy lost the mother's... LoL .. lost have no idea how.. stolen , infestation I don't know. He didn't seemed worried so I wasn't either. He invested a bunch of money on high priced seeds and he had some exclusive cuts sent from Cali. About 2 months in maybe a little longer either the very start of flowering or right before he found out he had a bug that attacks the roots... Some bug from Cali, he didn't even know himself until someone he sold a clone to told him. So anyway here I am trying to find that Micheal Jordan seed outlet of the small handful I have. I almost forgot I'm gonna use dirt in some then coca in others I want to see what will be best.. I'll prob do that till I can take clones and see what's best with the same clones. I never used coco, so I'm a little nervous sense I have no experience with It at all. The plan in the beginning was to use only coco mainly because my buddy uses it and he recommended it. I read some were only that with coco there is a chance that the roots will drowned.. so it got me a little worried.

 

[GrimyVille]

Using a net can help big time with height fears. Set it to the max you want the plant or plants to grow - 14 inches or so for finial stretch. When plant or plants hit net then flip to flower or use net to tuck plant or plants down to fill area then flip[ when your happy with area filled. If you do not want to use a net then just tie a string across to have a visible line to know when to flip flower.

I'm new to this but I'm here to learn. So you think I should veg till they are 14" tall? I know they can double or sometimes triple in size. I was thinking to shoot for like 3 feet maybe 3 1/2 feet for final height.. lol I'm thinking now and that seems to be about right... I just tryed to order the nets they are sold out were I shop. Will def be using them though

 

[CO Finest]

No. You put net 14 inches bellow max height wanted. The finial stretch is the bud sights so average 12-14 inch colas indoors. Either way what I am getting at is using a net to know when to flip if you want more finial cola space then lower net from max height wanted. Sound like you already know.

 

[GrimyVille]

I knew the different feeding.. I didn't know about the net. What's size pots do you think I should use. And I was thinking 8 for the 4×4 at max. But been stumped. My original plan was to veg for 2 months then flower 2 months give or take.. I know you got to look at the trichomes and different strains require different times. Now I know I can't veg for 2 months. At least I think I know. And know I'm not sure about 1 tent veg 1 tent flower. I wanted to keep mother's now I'm not sure if I can do it

 

[GrimyVille]

I knew the different feeding.. I didn't know about the net. What's size pots do you think I should use. And I was thinking 8 for the 4×4 at max. But been stumped. My original plan was to veg for 2 months then flower 2 months give or take.. I know you got to look at the trichomes and different strains require different times. Now I know I can't veg for 2 months. At least I think I know. And know I'm not sure about 1 tent veg 1 tent flower. I wanted to keep mother's now I'm not sure if I can do it. I ordered the lights I didn't get the tents yet... I have to do it soon now I'm doubting my whole plan.. that being said I'm still stepping up got hit the books.

 

[bobrown14]

I've been waiting to pull the trigger and start a grow. The only problem I thought I was gonna have was just putting the money up for the equipment. Now everything seems to be worrying me. I think my main problem is my height limitation which is pretty much 6 feet. I didn't want any problems with tents so I'm gonna go with gorilla tents.. I have to buy the shorty series though, with the attachment thee height I can work with is 5'11". I got a 4'x8'x11" and a 4'x4'x5'11". Well don't have yet but they are coming. I'm gonna grab 2 hlg scorpion rspec because of my height limitations. I have a friendly that recommended them... Now though I'm stressing over how many plants I should fit in what size pots I'm gonna try some in dirt and some in coco coir. I wanted to keep some mother's and all that too.. lol I've already wrote a decent amount, I would love to hear from you guys and hear your thoughts.

How many 4x4 tents you gonna have?

1 scorpion R-spec is good for a 4x4 or 5x5. 2 of those lamps wont even fit in 1 4x4.

I'd keep it simple first round.

Chose one medium and grow with it.

Maybe try the other medium next run and see which fits your style. You will get your own style of growing if you stick with it.

Experiments are great but best to get a good foothold starting out.

Growing in coco with Mega Crop is pretty easy and you will get some decent output.

I grow in organic soil nothing but water. I do that cause its the easiest and I'm an organic farmer so why fix what aint broke. For me its the easiest. I'm not going to break any yield records but everybody happy with results.

 

[GrimyVille]

How many 4x4 tents you gonna have?

1 scorpion R-spec is good for a 4x4 or 5x5. 2 of those lamps wont even fit in 1 4x4.

I'd keep it simple first round.

Chose one medium and grow with it.

Maybe try the other medium next run and see which fits your style. You will get your own style of growing if you stick with it.

Experiments are great but best to get a good foothold starting out.

Growing in coco with Mega Crop is pretty easy and you will get some decent output.

I grow in organic soil nothing but water. I do that cause its the easiest and I'm an organic farmer so why fix what aint broke. For me its the easiest. I'm not going to break any yield records but everybody happy with results.

I was thinking on a 4x4 and a 4x8

How many 4x4 tents you gonna have?

1 scorpion R-spec is good for a 4x4 or 5x5. 2 of those lamps wont even fit in 1 4x4.

I'd keep it simple first round.

Chose one medium and grow with it.

Maybe try the other medium next run and see which fits your style. You will get your own style of growing if you stick with it.

Experiments are great but best to get a good foothold starting out.

Growing in coco with Mega Crop is pretty easy and you will get some decent output.

I grow in organic soil nothing but water. I do that cause its the easiest and I'm an organic farmer so why fix what aint broke. For me its the easiest. I'm not going to break any yield records but everybody happy with results.

A 4x4 and a 4x8 I have a max height of just below 6 feet. I had an outdoor last year and had clones the soil my buddy recommended they were sold out but they had his number 2 under the same company. What needed up happening with me though they started to get a nitrogen deficiency so I started feeding them as well. Half the stuff my buddy told me was garbage info the other half he taught me well. But because they got that deficiency I started to feed them. Even after I transplanted them into 5s from the 1 and putting the first soil he recommended. I'm thinking if still using that soil it was coast of maine Stonington blend.. they came out great people even said it was better than the despensory bud that was mid 20s even higher thc. My buddy did give me great clones with great genetics though.. this time I'm starting form seed

 

[bobrown14]

Stonington Blend is good stuff. Everything I get from Coast of Main is great.

I'm short on compost right now because we moved and our new compost bins are not ready yet. I bought some Lobster compost and ewc and stonington lobster and kelp plant food. Add them in as amendments to my soil and water to the end.

 

[GrimyVille]

Stonington Blend is good stuff. Everything I get from Coast of Main is great.

I'm short on compost right now because we moved and our new compost bins are not ready yet. I bought some Lobster compost and ewc and stonington lobster and kelp plant food. Add them in as amendments to my soil and water to the end

I've been waiting to pull the trigger and start a grow. The only problem I thought I was gonna have was just putting the money up for the equipment. Now everything seems to be worrying me. I think my main problem is my height limitation which is pretty much 6 feet. I didn't want any problems with tents so I'm gonna go with gorilla tents.. I have to buy the shorty series though, with the attachment thee height I can work with is 5'11". I got a 4'x8'x11" and a 4'x4'x5'11". Well don't have yet but they are coming. I'm gonna grab 2 hlg scorpion rspec because of my height limitations. I have a friendly that recommended them... Now though I'm stressing over how many plants I should fit in what size pots I'm gonna try some in dirt and some in coco coir. I wanted to keep some mother's and all that too.. lol I've already wrote a decent amount, I would love to hear from you guys and hear your thoughts.

So I've started it's been 6 days now.. they are are starting to have there 3 set of leaves counting there first set. I grabbed a t5 to start them. There in the 4x4. I bought a cloudlike t6 inline from ac infinity it's sucking the walls in. Before I bought the tents I called and asked if I should of bought them plastic pieces that's stops that. The guy said I prob didn't need it. I'm using the t6 as an exhaust which they recommend.. I didn't think I needed and intake but I think I'm gonna grab one. The exhaust has a prob and measures temp and humidity, I also have a separate humidity gauge that will turn on a dehumidifier when needed and a humidifier when needed. And I also got a digital and old-school temp and humidity reader. I'm having an issue with the exhaust measurements and the humidity measurements. There not crazy off but there not nsync. It's causing the exhaust to be on to long and the dehumidifier or humidifier to be on to long. Also we're should I put these probes in the tent? I will start a journal here I have already started writing one.. I will have to look and see were to put.

 

[GrimyVille]

How many 4x4 tents you gonna have?

1 scorpion R-spec is good for a 4x4 or 5x5. 2 of those lamps wont even fit in 1 4x4.

I'd keep it simple first round.

Chose one medium and grow with it.

Maybe try the other medium next run and see which fits your style. You will get your own style of growing if you stick with it.

Experiments are great but best to get a good foothold starting out.

Growing in coco with Mega Crop is pretty easy and you will get some decent output.

I grow in organic soil nothing but water. I do that cause its the easiest and I'm an organic farmer so why fix what aint broke. For me its the easiest. I'm not going to break any yield records but everybody happy with results.

I stuck with the organic soil I got the coast of Maine a seedling mix to start with. I have a 4x8 and a 4x4 I ended up getting a t5 for the seedlings. Last year I got clones and was outdoor I'm getting pretty nervous with this right now. Im pretty sure I watered them to much a day and half ago I didn't even water them yesterday. They are looking really good though they look like they will need water today though. My t5 has 8 bulbs and is 4ft. I think 432 watts something like that. How close should I keep it to the seedlings? The first day and a half I was way to far I needed up running the cord through the top plug port or whatever it's called. I ended up putting a couple little tables in there to fix that problem.. 2 days ago I was having issues with the temp I got an exhaust the measures heat and humidity and I got a humidity device that will turn on a dehumidifier and a humidifier when needed.. the thing is they almost never have the same reading it is causing the fan to run longer and the dehumidifier or humidifier to run longer... There probes are right next to each other does anybody know how to fix that. Also I ended up rasing the lights a couple inches because I was getting a higher temp on the table. I expected it but it was getting a little to high we're should I put the probes.

 

[013]

T5 can be right up on the plants like 4 to 6 inches away but better do a dry run without plants to see what your temps are. I had probs with running huey & dehuey - too much heat generated in small space. I pulled the plug on huey & dehuey and can control temp better without them. A large pan of water with fan blowing air across the surface worked for me. The top 3 for growing excellent Chiba are great genetics, great lighting & great environment.

I‘ve heard a lot of excellent comments about AC Infinity extraction fans since it has controller built in and also Inkbird controllers. I’m fortunate since I don’t have to run extraction fans and can keep enviro in check with minimal equipment. One prob I see is the continual bounce - huey cycles on to add moisture, then dehuey fires off to pull it back down, but both generate more heat. Just put your hygrometer at top of canopy for taking measurements and be aware don’t trust just 1 hygrometer.

Look at VPD chart for enviro cues on keeping temp & rh in alignment with the plants stage of growth. BRB lemme find a link.... see post #102 VPD chart