Baby Steps

InnDickUhh

InnDickUhh

Member
Hey guys,
I've read around and decided growing is right for me. For my first grow I chose not to do anything spectacular and stick with a relatively small grow. Just like every other thread about a person starting up I'm BROKE. I don't want to get personal on this thread, I'd prefer to talk about growing only so hopefully you guys can offer some good advice! :hump:

To start off this is what I have...

-The box I'm growing in is 28" Tall 24" Wide and 12" Deep

My equipment so far...

- Taylor Thermometer Hygrometer ( http://www.taylorusa.com/environment/hygrometers/digital-indoor-outdoor-thermometer-hygrometer.html)

-Gro1 120v, 2 outlet analog timer ( http://www.sears.com/gro1-120v-dual-outlet-mechanical-timer/p-SPM2923712101)

-4 2500k CFL's ..READING OFF THE BULB THE SPECS ARE.. ( 2 are 1520 Lumens each, 26w each, 120 vac each, 60hz each and 400mA each) (Other 2 are 1200 Lumens each, 20w each, 120 vac each, 60hz each, 300mA each)

-2 6500k CFL's ..READING OFF THE BULB THE SPECS ARE.. ( 1610 Lumens each, 26w each, 120 vac each, 60hz each, and 390mA each)

-CocoTek Fine Coir Brick ( http://www.hydrogalaxy.com/growing-media/cocotek-fine-coir-brick/?gclid=CIOrio_o87cCFUlxQgodKicAxQ)

-(25) 2 Gallon grow bags ( http://growace.com/2-gallon-pvc-grow-bags-10-pack.html?gclid=CIPDkavo87cCFaU5Qgod0RsALw )

-CalMag Plus 2-0-0 ( http://www.amazon.com/Botanicare-Plant-Nutrient-Supplement-1-Quart/dp/B004JKBMRW)

- DynaGro Bloom ( http://www.amazon.com/Dyna-Gro-Bloom-3-12-6-Plant-1-Quart/dp/B000E1VWZ2)

-PH up & PH down kit ( http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com/agricultural/products/PC500.asp?CAWELAID=1544825716&cagpspn=pla&"cagpspn=pla"&gclid=CIyIxfDo87cCFcN_QgodwGgA_w )
I KNOW THIS ISN'T THE BEST TO TEST PH BUT ITS ALL I HAVE TO WORK WITH RIGHT NOW ATM

- Ona Block Linen ( http://www.hydroponics.net/i/132434 )

- (2) 3" computer fans

- Last BUT NOT LEAST I have 5 Autoflower Blue Mystic seeds purchased from Nirvana about a year ago.

-FYI I didn't buy everything from the websites I posted, I only listed them to show you the exact product I have.-



Now that all of the facts are out of the way the main question is do I have everything needed to get started? I plan on having a passive intake with 2 exhaust fans and hopefully a fan inside to keep temps low.
Another thing.. From my understanding to get started I need to Rinse the CocoTek with Distilled water 2-3 times before use, Throw my seeds in a cup for 2 days then germ the rest of the way in a paper towel, Plant seed in a solo cup, Keep the light cycle at 18-6, Water every 2-3 days or until the top inch is dry, Replant in final pot after about 10 days, Continue feeding with water only until you see the cotyledons start to turn yellow, **When yellow feed at 1/4th the strength on the bottle with DynaGro and CalMag Plus??** & make sure to PH AFTER putting the nutes in the water.

So pretty much I think I know how to do everything except for the feeding... The only thing that confuses me is HOW MUCH do I feed them?

Also BTW would it make a big difference if I went out and bought Perlite and mixed it 60% coco and 40% perlite?

Anything else I need from my local Hydro shop??
 
hsfkush

hsfkush

Well-Known Member
Use an extension cord which is plugged into a timer. Then fix the extension chord so that all the sockets are directly above your plant(s), then you can plug in the lights and adjust to the required height.

Or, you can buy some wall light sockets, which hang off of nails in the wall, they are harder to use though, as adjusting them can be a real pain, especially if the cord doesn't reach as high as you want it to!! >_<
 
InnDickUhh

InnDickUhh

Member
hsfkush said:
Use an extension cord which is plugged into a timer. Then fix the extension chord so that all the sockets are directly above your plant(s), then you can plug in the lights and adjust to the required height.

Or, you can buy some wall light sockets, which hang off of nails in the wall, they are harder to use though, as adjusting them can be a real pain, especially if the cord doesn't reach as high as you want it to!! >_<
Click to expand...
Is that safe to have 4 lights plugged into 1 extension chord? How did you mount them to the top?
 
method2mymadness

method2mymadness

Well-Known Member
Yes its safe pending the cord check its amp and volt u should be fine with CFL's I mounted all my friends CFL's to a piece of small plywood and then u have all ur lights mounted to one specific fixed board and u can raise and lower that instead of raising indavidual lights that make sense
 
Nullis

Nullis

Moderator
Just a couple things I noticed... one was you didn't buy any Grow nutrients? Plants need more nitrogen in veg, that Bloom formula is a 3-12-6... which is good, for flowering. But, whatever you start using 1/4 is a good rule of them. So if it says on the bottle, for example, to use 2 tsp per gallon, start at 1/4 teaspoon (2 tsp = 10 ml so 2.5 ml).

As for rinsing the coco, wouldn't hurt but in my experience not necessary anymore. These days they are pretty good about pre-rinsing the stuff, and it may even say on it that it has been "ultra-rinsed" or whatever... most brands sold for horticulture use should be fine.

And you really don't have to do all that crap to start seeds, especially in coir as it is sterile and holds ample moisture. The secret is that it wants to be moist and warm. Paper towels don't possess any magical germinating powers... if you put the seed in the coco coir (stick your finger in the to the 1st knuckle or a .5" hole), cover up and water thoroughly, keep at a steady 72-78 degrees and those seeds will sprout if they were ever going to.
 
InnDickUhh

InnDickUhh

Member
method2mymadness said:
Yes its safe pending the cord check its amp and volt u should be fine with CFL's I mounted all my friends CFL's to a piece of small plywood and then u have all ur lights mounted to one specific fixed board and u can raise and lower that instead of raising indavidual lights that make sense
Click to expand...
Thanks.. My only problem is finding a way to hook everything up in a stealthy manner. I don't live with mommy or daddy but I do live with a friend who is trustable but between all his friends and all of my friends who come over I simply cannot risk anyone finding out. My current problem are wires sticking out of the top -.-

Nullis said:
Just a couple things I noticed... one was you didn't buy any Grow nutrients? Plants need more nitrogen in veg, that Bloom formula is a 3-12-6... which is good, for flowering. But, whatever you start using 1/4 is a good rule of them. So if it says on the bottle, for example, to use 2 tsp per gallon, start at 1/4 teaspoon (2 tsp = 10 ml so 2.5 ml).

As for rinsing the coco, wouldn't hurt but in my experience not necessary anymore. These days they are pretty good about pre-rinsing the stuff, and it may even say on it that it has been "ultra-rinsed" or whatever... most brands sold for horticulture use should be fine.

And you really don't have to do all that crap to start seeds, especially in coir as it is sterile and holds ample moisture. The secret is that it wants to be moist and warm. Paper towels don't possess any magical germinating powers... if you put the seed in the coco coir (stick your finger in the to the 1st knuckle or a .5" hole), cover up and water thoroughly, keep at a steady 72-78 degrees and those seeds will sprout if they were ever going to.
Click to expand...
Thanks man for touching up on the actual growing part. A little bit ago the person who sold me on DynaGro bloom mentioned its the only nute he uses. I asked and he said even through veg. I don't know if me growing an auto will change things up but like you said, whatever... As for germing would it help if I still soaked it for 2 days in water or just plop it right in coco?
 
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