My very 1st Grow- Northern Lights

Thanks ilikebike! Very very helpful! I just made a post in the lighting section about ballast because to be honest I'm not sure how they work and how to install. But thanks so much i think ill use the CFL for now!

As for nutrients and LST I wasn't really sure how "established" a plant had to be before starting so now i have a rough idea of how soon i can start and i may just go "au natural" and not try any nutes just yet. Thanks for the answer!
 
PrincessPot said:
Thanks ilikebike! Very very helpful! I just made a post in the lighting section about ballast because to be honest I'm not sure how they work and how to install. But thanks so much i think ill use the CFL for now!

As for nutrients and LST I wasn't really sure how "established" a plant had to be before starting so now i have a rough idea of how soon i can start and i may just go "au natural" and not try any nutes just yet. Thanks for the answer!
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once you decide to transplant out of that red solo cup and into its new pot, you will more than likley notice a stunt in growth. dont be frightened its very common when transplanting from one container to another. The more you do it the better you become at it and the plants will have little to no transplant shock. Once you see it starting to grow either in height or in the amount of leaves you know it has re-established its rootbase and is safe to start LST.

also about the nutrients unless you are going to use a soil with time released nutrients (which most people on here will tell you not to do) your going to need to give your plants some sort of food, weather you buy a 10$ bottle of Shultz Liquid Plant food at Lowes or you buy Bat Guano and worm castings.

I know nutrients can be really confusing when you first get into growing thats why i didnt really use much the first time. I would advise you to do some research on this website and google as well and try to familiarize yourself with why the plants need what they need as far as nutrients and how the plant absorbs them. Good luck!
 
hey whats good pot princess?! it looks like the little won is doing well, seems to be enjoying her suroundings =)

if you wanted you could burry that stalk all the way up to those first bottom leaves, i would just lave about an 8th to a 1/4 in of stem sticking out above the surface.

not only will this sturdy your plant and give it more soil for the water to soak threw. it will also force your plant to sprout even more roots from the side of the stalk, this will help to increase the plants growth and yield in the end, it will also help to just make your plant a happier plant in general.. to more roots the merrier ;)

if you do decide to do this just be gentle, support the stalk as you add small amounts of soil into the cup, it looks like not even 1/3 maybe 1/3 cup of soil, then lighty tamp soil with your finger. you dont want to compress the mother living crap out of it, but a nice little pat here and there just to tuck that stalk into be night and snug =)
 
Hey Princess--

I haven't forgotten about you, just had some issues for a moment. But I am glad someone was here to help you out..Sir Tokelot must have been out on a canabis crusade...As for nutes, I would go with BPN. When I first started, I used FF, nothing against them but to me they seem a bit pricey. BPN is easier on the purse strings plus I saw immediate results with a lot less nute burn than FF. But that's just my opinion. Have you seen the BPN Army blogs? There's a lot of us there.

And ILB was right about transplanting and just adding the dirt til it gets a bit bigger...But sssshhhh, don't tell nobody but I have transplanted them that small before. Mine survived but each plant has it's own characteristics so I wouldn't suggest it. And really hasn't done it since then.
 
Ok hi first of all.....

So i would transplant, contrary to wot everyone else says.. U could cut bottom of cut off and plant in the cup. For future reference, if u are starting from seed use jiffy pellets soaked in root excellurator or rockwool, the roots will develop far faster as they dry out so much quicker and they can be transplanted directly into ur medium of choice. I never grow in soil any more as coco coir is so much better. But if u decide to be 100% organic soil is the way.

I'd start a half strength grow feed and get under a 400 or 600w hps/mh. Growth will explode, just dont have light to close at first. Do u have a ph meter and ppm meter, vital equipment for any grower to get the best out of their crop. PH is very important as big swings will cause all sorts of problems, i learnt that the hard way many years ago.

Weed is a very resillient plant and can handle alot of grief but thats not to say u should be abussive! However Its good to give extended dry periods then periods of wetness to encourage the plant to be strong and to use up all the nutes present.

Check out my grow for some tips and pm me if u have any questions i'd be happy to help.

I grow from seed regularly so I know what i talking about.

Good luck, i hope u learn lots and get good results........
 
Thanks cultivator! I appreciate the comment! however, I definitely don't plan on getting such a serious light fixture just yet.

For right now, contrary to everyone else, im starting with only ONE plant and plan to take cuttings/clones from it. Not to mention there are some personal problems keeping me from installing such a fixture. But I do have a ph tester and a moisture monitor.
 
PrincessPot said:
Thanks! I didn't plan on using nutes until she's in vegging and big. When I do I was thinking either BPN or fox farm but for the next two or three weeks or so just water :) thanks for the help.
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sounds good with just water for the first few weeks, dont wanna burn your plant up with nutes at this stage in its life.

Me, along with every one else on this site that uses BPN are going to tell you to use BPN. I have to say i dont have much experience with nutrients but it says something about a persons business when they are an active member on the same website you are! For the money, quality, and constant customer service you get, you really cant beat BPN! (no this is not a commercial just standing by the products! lol)
 
welcome PrincessPot hope you enjoy the site lets gets some new pics.

also dont let you paranoia over come this awesome website

keep calm and grow on
 
Just checking in to see how it is going with ya....any progress? Try something new? Did you ever show us a pic of your set up?
 
Hello PP, welcome to this wonderful site! Your plant is looking great thus far! I too feel it might be a good idea to get those roots s'more room soon.

Nice and green always tells us nice and healthy roots which are taking in the right amount of nutrients (nutes for short). Good look, and like the others, I too look forward for an update :thumb:

Peace
 
yes, pictures are always welcome, and in fact even praised lol. We some times (oddly enough, even) get our spiritual healing through visual stimulus ;)
 
Princess said:
I planned on using CFLs Because I can't really install a ballast as much as I wanted to use HPS I can't yet
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You can buy a 100W HPS for about $125. I'm sure if you shop around, you can find one for a better price. It doesn't require a ballast or anything. It has a mogul socket, which is wider than a regular bulb socket. It doesn't have a transformer, nor does it need one. It uses 120V and plugs into a regular outlet, so it's really no different from using any other kind of light.

Of course, HPS lamps give off lots of heat, so you have to keep your plants about 12" away from the light. The kit (not really a kit, no assembly required) includes the bulb, socket, overhead reflector and electrical cord. Just plug it in and you're good to go.

By the way, HPS bulbs are twice as efficient as CFL bulbs! Not sure of the size you're using. I use 25W CFL bulbs in my reflectors. A 100W HPS bulb has the luminous energy of eight 25W CFL bulbs!
 
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Can i use something like this for the metal halides that i have? (instead of buying a ballast)

And then for flowering buying the set with everything included for the HPS?
 
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