I do WAY too much research. So I have questions due to all the conflicting stuff I've seen. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being extremely), how important are the following: 1. Soil Quality. Potting soil in my region would have a whole lot more nutrients than outdoors would, but does one need to invest in organic, manure and casting containing spendy stuff or can generic potting soil be used? 2. Fertilizer. Okay, I'm willing to acknowledge garbage in, garbage out. But there are fertilizers for vegetables and flowers that seem like it would fit the bill for the whole thing; would 16-16-16 work just as well as 20-20-20; or is superthrive all one needs and should use? (Personally, I wouldn't want a gigantic plant ...) When and how do you know to change the fert? Is this something where less is a slightly better alternative to risking burn? 3. Light - quality and quantity. It's called weed for a reason, right? Is there anything wrong with indoor natural lighting, provided it has good exposure? What does the light affect the most? Who wouldn't want their first planting to go quickly. 4. timeline. I've seen too much of "this at that week and then this also and stop that...". Would it be just fine to fert once a week or so, top the plant if it gets too tall, basic houseplant care until harvest? If one has to trim it back a couple times, how far does it set harvest back? 5. size of planting container. Does this affect the size of the plant? Or does the plant just die if it gets rootbound? What's the smallest you think it could be (diam. and height)? 6. separating the sexes. The way I understand it, if the female gets pollinated it results in seeds which uses up some of the resin. And it also seems that I read somewhere that males are usable too - do they flower or is it in cooking or what??? Is there a problem with waiting until flowering before seperating them? Does one really need to care on their first attempt? So that's it. I apologize for the LOONNNGGG post, slap my hand if it's a bad thing to do. I truly do appreciate your help.
Hi rad girl and welcome to GrowKind. 1. you can use generic potting soil, but you'd want to add some pearlite (I'd suggest 25%). Sam's Choice (wall-mart) is good. 2. Nutrients (fertlizer) is important ,just like for all lving things. The better quality you use, the better results you'll have. I'd recommend Fox Farms (veg, bloom & micro). But if you're a beginner you might want to go with something like Peter's 20-20-20 for veg, then switch to a flowering nutrient when the time comes. 3. Light--only 3 types of light grow pot. a. fluorescent (good) b. metal halide (MH) (better) c. high pressure sodium (HPS) (best). at a rate of 6000 lumens per sq/ft. 4. A plant needs a 2-week recovery time when topped. 5. The size of a container needed is dependant on how tall you want to grow your plants. If you want to veg. to 12", the plant will end up at 2'--2.5', and a 2 gallon (min.) container would be good. 6. Get rid of the males as soon as they express sex (1--2 weeks into flowering). Pollination doesn't rob the females of resin, but part of your yield will be in hundreds of seeds instead of bud. Although there is a member of this site that hate's it when I suggest this, I recommend reading a grow book or 3. There are many good ones. Anything by Ed Rosenthal is excellent. Good luck. (Edited by rangerdanger at 1:51 am on Mar. 6, 2003)
Thats messed up!! I tried to post a nice and long information filled post to all of your questions....But, it wouldn't work..I'll send it via message box..CG (Edited by CLOSETGROWTH at 10:45 am on Mar. 5, 2003)
Hi dee Ho Rad Girl! Listen to these two cats! They know of what they speak! I'm a newbie too and I went as dirt cheap as possible and I have a real nice girl flowering away in a 5 gallon bucket in the basement! I used backyard dirt with some peat moss and pearlite and compost mixed in all the way through the process (germination to flowering) I got two 4 ft fluor fixtures from home depot for 8 bucks a piece and put in 40 watt grow tubes they vegged under that for almost two months then into a cheap ass looking but light tight 2x2x2x4 1/4 inch plywood box I made, that has a 150 watt hps in it. Granted the box only fits one plant and I rotate the plant a 1/4 turn every day [so it gets even light] and other that me over ferting it it is doing great! I hope this helps.
Thanks for the help everyone! Dickiebong, at first I thought you said it was growing in your backyard, I darn near shat! LOL I'll have to get some lights and figure out a better set-up than the current. Don't exactly know what I'll end up with as anything I do is vulnerable to exposure. I'll keep y'all posted.
i really digg chick's that grow pot.hehehehee........welcome ta "Growkind"...set back and enjoy the Grow
I also think its way cool for a woman to grow pot .. I wish we had lots more on this site... Women are usually excellant in gardening...And plus I enjoy chatting with Em..I hope my girlfriend dont see what I wrote.. Oh well.. Its not the first time that I got myself in trouble..Heheheheheheeee!! Keep it up ladies CG loves ya!!! CG
Well, heck, I can't be the only one!! But I have to admit that getting into this was not my idea ... but if I'm going to be involved I'm gonna do it right. I guess. LOL. Somebody has to. ("It's my duty ... I couldn't let the poor little things die ... " LOL) And no, unfortunately I am not a Brit. I watched the movie "The boondock Saints" earlier this week (I liked it, very entertaining) and I think the phrase must have gotten stuck in my brain from that ... or any of the other movies I've seen recently. Thank you for the warm welcome!
