UK window sill grow - absolute newb

Finding it increasingly difficult to score weed so the time has come to try an experimental first time grow. An 8th will last me a month so I'm only looking to grow a very small amount for purely personal consumption (3g would be fine). I understand that window growing is possible here in the Derby area and I do realise the yields will be small and that I need to disguise the plant from onlookers.

I'm looking for some general advice as I've never grown anything before. Looking at the 8 week wonder strain or possibly a lowrider as I do need to be discrete and would like something as easy to grow as possible. If I get some degree of success, I have a closet that I could convert to a small grow space but I really want to try the window method before splashing the cash.

Any help greatly appreciated!
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
It may well be possible to grow on a window sill but here in the UK depending on strain you may not be able to provide enough light for the plant. You wouldnt see any flower formation until the end of august and possibly not be ready to harvest until october november and by this time the temps will be too cold on your window sill to keep the plant happy.

My personal opinion is go get yourself a 2x CFL's (1x6400k 1x2700k) approx £50 buy a standard reflector £10 and try growing with this first.

Do alot of research and you should be able to grow approximately 1/2 - 1 oz by going 12/12 straight from seed.

this will keep the plant short and could turn you around with bud in about 10 weeks total.

there is alot of research about going 12 12 straight from seed.

I think if you try the window sill method you wont be happy as it will take too long and before you know it your plant will be pushing 20 inches on your window sill as it will stretch and stretch looking for light.

I have a friend who tried growing 5 in her bedroom on her window sill and within 3 weeks she had to them put them on the floor of her bedroom as they were getting too leggy from not enough light.

You can do this on a cheap scale if you need to. Just do your research first.


Hope this helps.


J
 

SensiStan

Well-Known Member
Screw all that advice , if you're looking at autoflowers then you're already on the right track, an autorlower will grow in ANY light conditions and be ready in 8 weeks for harvest REGARDLESS of lighting. what you will need to focus on is 1)smell as autoflower will stink youre house out windowsill or not and 2) growing medium and nutrients. Sorry for slammin ur post jondamon but i think u missed the bit where he specified he was thinking of an autoflowering strain . I still advise doing LOTS of research though matt .

PS if you go for an autoflower you should get at least 10 grams of dry bud
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
my point is that once that plant reaches 5-10inches tall its not gonna be able to sit on a window sill and then thats where the low light levels comes into play.

Hey im not saying its impossible but do you really want an 18inch plant with only 3g or bud on it?


J
 

SensiStan

Well-Known Member
Ok , fair enough, if height is an issue then you should probably go for the closet idea... luckily i'm probably the biggest cheapass in the uk so heres a thread full of ways to not spend money on your grow and still get that high grade we all know and love :D

Scroungers Guide to the Stealth Cabinet
 

phnx

Member
I find growning inside without air blowing on the plant, the stem is always really thin and the plant tries to get out, so will be tall and spindly. Have a fan blowing on it to strenthen the stem and make sure it's a south facing window.

Grow your plant to 12" and force it to bud by making it dark 12 on 12 off, you'll get more than 3g.
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Dont get me wrong im a cheap skate myself lol I would love the ability to grow on a window sill as i live in the UK but i just dont think its feasable if you want to get some nice smoke.

I started with a single 24w 6400k T5 and a 600w Dual spec lamp some COCO and some nutes and that was it and i harvested around 35g from my first plant. So a total investment initially of £150 to get about £200 of smoke.

that initial outlay of money is still keeping me going on my 3rd grow. Granted ive spent alot more since. But i make everything that i can myself even down to my own ducting brackets etc.


added some pics of things ive made and a pic of my first plant that i had.

Closet vetilation ducting brackets dry boxes etc can all be made on the cheap if you have the ability to research first.



J
 

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sickstoner

Well-Known Member
Dont get me wrong im a cheap skate myself lol I would love the ability to grow on a window sill as i live in the UK but i just dont think its feasable if you want to get some nice smoke.

I started with a single 24w 6400k T5 and a 600w Dual spec lamp some COCO and some nutes and that was it and i harvested around 35g from my first plant. So a total investment initially of £150 to get about £200 of smoke.

that initial outlay of money is still keeping me going on my 3rd grow. Granted ive spent alot more since. But i make everything that i can myself even down to my own ducting brackets etc.


added some pics of things ive made and a pic of my first plant that i had.

Closet vetilation ducting brackets dry boxes etc can all be made on the cheap if you have the ability to research first.



J
what are the white vent attachments called and where did you get the there sick for pc fans dude nice
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
what are the white vent attachments called and where did you get the there sick for pc fans dude nice
I make them on a laser cutter in work.

Sorry dont know what they are called as ive never had to buy any.

I make them using 5mm thermal plastic and Liquid cement which works on osmosis where it seeps into the cracks to form a bond.

They are really strong and cost me nothing.

A friend of mine has told me i should make and sell these lol But i cant do it all from work. lol


J
 

Bigby

Well-Known Member
My vote would be to get some cfl's and try an auto flower strain in your closet with a couple of oscilating fans in there. Get one plant started, then start another each month, and keep doing it as long as you want. That way, even if the plants only yield the lower end of auto strains you'l be getting yourself a quarter a month within about 60-70 days. Good thing about the auto strains is that you wouldn't need a timer or anything as you could keep the light on them 24 hours (although if you can manage some darkness they seem to work better under 20/4 or 18/6).
 
Thanks so much for the advice. I know I can get a far bigger harvest by investing in a lighting system but I'm decided on the window method for my first try. I need to know whether the strong smell and effort required (I work long hours so don't have a lot of time to nurture right now) will mean that I can't feasibly grow at the moment.

If the smell can be controlled and I can keep the plant alive I will invest in a small closet setup for grow number 2.
 

jondamon

Well-Known Member
Good luck with the window sill grow and let us all know how you get on.

When you decide to do out that closet let us know and i'll help you out however i can.

J
 
Thanks J, will do.
I may do a grow diary for the window sill attempt as I'm sure everyone's advice will help me out no end.
 
Despite the sensible advice of the above posts, I thought "what have I got to lose?" and purchased a single feminized 60 Day Wonder seed from DNA Genetics. I germinated using the shot glass and paper towel methods on 15th June and 21st June my seedling looked like this -


IMG_0592.jpg
 
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