So here we begin. I started on this venture of curiosity April 24th of this year. Yeahhhhh, and this is where all of the intrigue begins.

Day 1 The first set of bag seeds I germinated started my little operation off on the right foot. Woot!
They were planted/placed in their individual containers, labeled and set on the Veg-rack.

Yeahhhh, and this is where the fun begins. I began this “no money needed” scheme to attempt to test my botany skills. Yeahhhh, so starting off from this juncture I had no awareness of the obstacles I would create for myself.

Day 2 I decided that all plants need is dirt sunlight and water. So I proceeded to the good ole garage to locate some potting/top soil (which for some strange reason this household has to spare) I took the potting soil, some mulch mix and some growth granules (I concluded that these were the murderers 10-10-10) and mixed them into what I thought was a Martini similar to the one James Bond is so famous for ordering, and my little seedlings soon-to-be-saplings would love it, Right? Yeahhhhh

Day 4 Yeahhhhhhh, so once I had kiilled two perfectly germinated batches of seedlings by sticking them into this toxic crud, I realized something; this soil mix sure smells of Ammonia <_<

Yeahhhhhh, so once I sorted out that seedlings definitely do not like Nutes…..

I had to scrap all that I initially began with after my enlightenment and brief brush with ignorant failure. I went out and bought some Jiffy seed starter mix (it is working wonderfully) 4 - One Gallon pots for the first of 2 transplants. A 1960’s Sylvania Gro-Lux light fixture that I will use strictly for flowering. And I actually took the time to setup the Grow Room properly. (Osc. Fan installed/Light fixtures hung properly etc..)

I still have a few things to add like Intake/Exhaust for proper air circulation, and painting the entire closet with Flat white. (which we just so happen to also have spare counts of laying around)

The Grow Room itself is a pine closet that measures, 89" X 47" X 78" Height X Width X Depth

There is a closet next to this one that is 3 times the size which I may use as an isolation room once I reach the gender determination stage.

To assess my first grow, I would say that "common knowledge" and assumptions can ruin the start to anything, but with the right insights (thanks to this forum) and a little preparation, and Plackoww!

Day 14 Now I have 3 little sprouts peeking at me when I enter the Grow Room. My 3rd Grade science teacher would be proud! Yeahhhhhhh….

Proceed here to view my images.
Picasa Web Albums - Technique - Botany

Best of luck, tech2

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My Grow Logs

Shov's Christmas Sativas 2008
July 4, 2008 Bubblegum
Shov's Christmas 2007 Grow Bubblegum and Foxy Seeds
Shov's Afghani x BOG Medley (Foxy Seeds) Spring 2007
Shov's Bubblegum Grow 2006

Thanks for the comment....it seems you might be a liitle further than i am....i just started germination 7 day today, but they are growing good. a few questions and comments.

1. What type of light do you have in the room now....it seems like a big room if those dimensions are in inches.

2. How much are you watering at this point?

suggestions on my limited experience up to this point.

1. add some perlite to the seedling mix....i used the seedling mix by itself and the mix seems to retain to much water....i left my first of germinated seeds in just the seedling mix watered each 2 inch pot with only 1/2 oz of water (used a medicine cup found on nyquil) and the mix seemed to still be wet on the 3rd day.

When i germinated all the seed i planted using three different methods and the seedling mix by itself only produced 2 of 8 good spouts and of those 2......one became a mutant and the other my best looking plant (I guess the harsh conditions made it strong maybe).

2. Try smaller pots in the beginning...it seems harder to control the water in a bigger pot which could lead to death by overwatering

these are just suggestions from my limited exp to this point
killa12345

Nice insights bro. Much appreciated.

Quote:

1. What type of light do you have in the room now....it seems like a big room if those dimensions are in inches.

Nah, the room is really just a closet.
I have 2 GE 'sunlight 48" fluros currently for veggie stage.
I may try to flower with a redder spectrum fluro using the other 48" fixture I have.

I water once or twice daily. The room gets pretty warm so moisture does not accumulate and stay, it's humid, but the humidity levels are consistent due to the osc. fan.

I am doing exactly what you are doing with the three different mthods of germinating. I know have 3 healthy sprouts and a possible 4th poking through from the second batch of germinating techniques. The third setup involves me placing 1 seed each into their own individual containers with the seed starter mix, water applied generously to wet the surface, a lid was placed on all 8 containers, and they are resting on a heating pad.

If I have success from this method, this will be the 'method of choice' for the future.

Once I transplant, I plan to begin using a high drainage lower half, and a more concentrated/compacted upper half. I only plan on 2 transplants, but I am fighting with only transplanting once IF I build this 20 Gallon tub into a sanctuary for possibly 4-6 healthy dames.

Hey there, I would recommend a good nutrient. Your plants will love you for a good dose of P + K for flowering. Two things not to skimp on...Light and Food. Just my 2 cents.

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Everything I say is a direct result of typing in my sleep and should be taken as a joke as I am a fictional writer. I have created this character for entertainment purposes and to live life through someone who is intelligent because i am such an Idiot in real life. Thanks for stopping by!

@ PlantheadJ

I will definitely be investing in Bloom Booster for flowering. I am going to go easy on the nutes for flowering. I never want to OVER-DO anything. I want nature to take it's course, and I assist.... ever so slightly.

Thanks for the insights.

Hey Techique2

For germinating i use the paper towel technique. I use very high quality paper towels, but 1 roll might cost you $2.50....i used 1 paper towel....run it under tap water.....squeeze all the excess water out (all of it). Place seeds in paper towel....fold once...spray once with tap water sprayer....very gently slide in quart size bag....DO NOT CLOSE BAG......place next to cable box or anyone hot electronic device IN THE DARK....I try to prop the bag vertically against the cable box..Usually all seeds will have a very nice tap root by 48hrs..I then place them in jiffy pellets...Using this method ive almost gotten 100% germination rates.....I will be testing this method further....But im a statistician by trade...so i will be test the validity of this claim further...

Try this method..
Good Luck....Ill stay tuned.
Killa12345

Nice method. I DID attempt this method in the beginning, with a HIGH success rate. The only thing is, there was mold or mildew in the process. Meaning the seeds would germ' but they would also have a moldy aroma associated with the process. I REALLY did not like this, so I changed my germ' method.

I now place the seeds into 4" containers I purchased from the $1 store, all of which have lids. I start by filling half the container with Jiffy mix, then I wet it, then add another layer of Jiffy Mix, wet, and layer again, then I use a pencil to poke a hole and drop the seed in, cover it and wet again. The lid is applied and the containers are placed on a heating pad.

This method has turned my "Look and See" method of the paper towels into a "Wow, look at that sprout already showing" from just placing the seed in an environment conducive to growth.

I remember from Elem. Science class, nature knows best, we help with the rest. We being HUMANS.

So I only give my plants EXACTLY what is contended that our type of plants need. From that point, I know I can NEVER over-do it. Besides, what is the old adage?
"If if ain't broke' Don't fix it"

Updated Images
Technique's Grow Log

Time for an update:

Here are a few shots of my progress:





As anyone can see, I am in the infantile stages of this grow. I am using Bag Seed to get my process down. Any inputs of insights would be greatly appreciated.

I have a few more installations to make, such as;

1. Installing DC conversions to make intake and exhaust fans active.
2. Painting the entire room Flat White
3. Adding a door seal strip to prevent light infiltration
4. Mounting my 2nd 48" fluoro fixture
5. Installing a power surge protector

Once I complete these tasks my Grow Room will be pretty much set. One other idea I have is to move my Grow Room to the closet next to this one. This closet is 4X the size of the current one. But as it stands, the current setup is perfect for what I intend to accomplish.

Technique,

Thanks for stopping by ive been watching your as well.....But definity set up the other closet....the perpetual grow will give you probably 2 extra crops per year.....everyone i know who cultivates uses 2 or more rooms....without the extra closet you might get 2-3 crops per year which might work for you....but if you have one room for your mothers and clones and another bigger room just to flower.....its just a matter of getting the durations right and you can probably get 4-5 crops per year.

The set up looking good man....my plants arent doing so well....they need a flush already runoff was at like 6.0...they still look good but they are getting worse by the day...i need a new house so i can just do it in a whole room again......but back to you......do all that stuff to the room because its probably all needed at this point if your goint to take this hobby serious....unlike what im doing at this point....good luck....ill be tuned in..

peace..until next time
killa12345

killa12345,

Good afternoon to you. Thanks you for peeking in on my operation. I am definitely going to apply my changes or additions this evening. As it stands, the Dames are doing great, the temp. was 77 and the humidity was 38%. I just finished watering/nuting them. I discovered that the ONE seed I have from a named strain (Bubba Kush) germinated today, so now I have 10 Dames total.

On the topic of perpetual growing. I have a LARGER closet next to the one I am using now. I was thinking of making this my Flower Room. I appreciate the insight and input. So far so good on my end. Sorry to hear about your Ladies suffering. I hope you get them back on the healthy side of things. I will clean out that other closet later and post pictures.

I just peeked in on my dames and discovered the temp. to be 81 degrees and the humidity 42% If this is any indication, my Dames are in for quite a HOT summer down the road. Since it is only spring, and the outdoor temp. is 68 degrees today. I can only imagine what the temps will be in the coming months.

Any suggestions beforehand on how to avoid the BROILER room temperatures of summer? As it stands I only have the one 48" fixture running.

Note: this is before I have activated the intake and exhaust fans. Will the function of these fans help to alleviate heat concerns? Or will I need to take different measures?

Yeahhh, so I accomplished the clean-up and here are the images of my soon-to-be Flower Room

Also, the temperature issues are no more, all I have to do in order to reduce the heat is run the House Fan for a few minutes on the sweltering days.

Anyhow, the images of the soon-to-be Flower Room.
The room measures 7'6" High X 9'6" Wide X 7'6" Deep
Plenty of space for plenty of Mothers
Left side of Closet

Right side of Closet

Doorway Shot

Thats a growing paradise right there, that little wooden corner.

Wow, I could do so much in that little space, lol.

Goodluck!

damn you can grow some monsters in there. Ill be lurking on this one



stay irie

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is how the alphabet would be if Q and R were eliminated from it
"mitch hedberg"

Dont believe anything I post since Im a figment of your imagination and dont really exist....................

Thanks whoreable and iriebowl

I THOUGHT my little operation would be SIMPLE.

Now, due to the advice of killa12345 it has turned into this.

All it took was initiative and elbow grease. Now I have a DEFINITE weekend project of painting both closets flat white. As well as mapping out my ventilation system, procuring and installing the (by my guess-timations) dual 600w HPS lamps, digital timers, more fans, create a soil mixture, humidifiers, more nutes, light-proofing, killa12345, see what you instigated??

j/k I'm loving every minute of it, oh AND the Dames are doing fine. All is well in my little neck of the woods

Now that is a growing paradise.....that closet is huge....for that type of space id be starting some more dames(i love it)...i hope my ladies come threw which i think they will.....but we are both going in opposite directions.....You can go bigger...while i have to down size today...6-8 plants hope it goes well....but keep up the good work....Sh*t with that closet your never going to have to worry about smoke anymore....Also id read rhizome's thread about setting up a room...some really insightful stuff about ventilation...PS if you think where you live is hot in the summer......got into my SUV yesterday and i said it was 108F outside eventually falling to 101F.
Good Luck
Killa12345

Also....You might want to consider mylar....because those wood closets look really good in the finish currently.....if you ever wanted nice closets again....just a heads up.

killa12345,

Again, thanks for the support I hope all goes well with your progression. Wow! 108?? Do you know how many SUPER-SIZED slurpies from 7/11 I would go through in one day???

And on the idea of Mylar, I think these Cedar closets served their purpose as such for as long as I can remember, housing old clothing, memorabilia, and junk. I think it's HIGH time this closet is utilized for something MUCH more beneficial to one's well-being

Besides, clothing doesn't care what you store it in right? I plan to remove the clothes hanging pipe and paint today, pics will follow completion.

On a side note. My oscillating fan took a crap on me again today (repairable). I mean it still moves air, but the oscillating function has failed AGAIN. I think I will opt to replace it.

That IS great looking wood......make a LOVELY hardwood floor.

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Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.

Awww, now I am starting to feel sorta guilty about the whole painting idea

Here I am all motivated to go and prep the room, and you guys are admiring the parque

I will heed the advice of the 'masses' and look into Mylar. Besides, I am a long ways out from actually UTILIZING this space. I am just a FORWARD THINKER.

And thanks for stopping in fellas. You are definitely welcomed here, and all of your insights and suggestions are much appreciated.

So I am starting to hone my thoughts more towards the Hydroponic (soiless) recirculating side.... Yeahhhhh, and I find myself Thinking...........

This


And This


And This

Elevated Gravity Drip Nute Receptical

And lastly Lower Nute Station


And this is where my moment of clarity halts....

To be continued...

how big are those buckets and net pots? I think your gonna need bigger buckets for those pots. other than that I cant wait to see that room in bloom.

__________________
PS
is how the alphabet would be if Q and R were eliminated from it
"mitch hedberg"

Dont believe anything I post since Im a figment of your imagination and dont really exist....................

I was initially thinking the same thing, but since I am also thinking of using individual air stones to distribute the Nutes via the Gravity drip system, (aquarium hose to each pot with an air stone on the end) I anticipate the bucket will only serve as a run-off/collector/ Excess root holder.

And if I get the delivery system right balanced with the right amount of H2O/Nutes, I should be able to set this up and monitor w/o all the mess I know I am soon to experience with my Soil Grow.

But to answer your Q.

The Net baskets are 5 Gallons in volume possibly more. (they weren't exactly intended for the use I am concocting)

The Mop Buckets are 3 Gallons or so in Volume. But we will see.