Growing the plant, the no fuss way.

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Kittyfang

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*** This is basically some taughts I've been chewing over for a while. I admire people who go out and get a big set up, but I'm too cheap to do it myself, so I came up with this little mentality***

As I've mention in my introduction, this is the first time I am groing marijuana, but, I am an experienced grower of every other kind of plant.

For a short time I was wondering what the fuss was about with the big instalations and setup. The only conclusion I could reach was that such a set up is needed if you want your plant to acheive the best results. Whether you end up smoking or selling it, you want maximum yeild and investing is a sure way to make sure of this.

But, this is where my mentality on the matter changes. This is my first time growing something. I do not plan on spending one dime (eccept on a grow light because the plant will be in a fairly dark room). So, I don't understand those who go out, spend money, then start growing. (I aplaude your confidence in your skills, but I personally am cheap... so I prefer seeing what I can come up with first, before spending money). (As an example, I am growing a lemon tree from seed, every guide I read was very precise about care and warmth, etc. I gave it water, soil, love and cold coffee (wich is excellent for tropical plants) and it's growing nicelly)

Second thing, if this is your first time growing, a lot of mistakes will probably me made. I would rather improve my set up, then correct it. It seems more cost efficient to end up buying a grow light for my next generation of plants, rather then re-buy an other kind of bulb.

Basically, what I'm trying to comunicate is that it's a plant. I'd rather see what it can do on it's on, then try to see what I can do to help it. Kudos if you have the money to make a big set up tho.

Or, maybe I need to get over myself and realise that planting/normal care giving will not be enough?

you tell me. :)
 
Its just like every other plant, give it proper light, air and nutes and it will grow nice and happy.

The problem is since its not leagal to grow it providing these things at the proper level for good growth becomes more of a challange.

The trick is to learn what you can and cannot get away with.
 
Good news is, if you're already an experienced greenthumb this should come pretty easy for you. You will get what you put into this project tho. So if you bare bones it, you may just get bare bones results. It's a pretty easy plant to grow, it is after all, a "weed".

My grow is pretty cheap. Maybe $75-80 or under in supplies ( fans, soil, perlite, fert, mylar, vermiculite, pots, etc.) to get started. I scavenged materials around my area to build my closet. I already had a 400w MH lamp tho. I invested more as I saw decent results.

Just don't skimp on the lighting, that's probly the most important part. You'll need 5000 lumens per square foot as a minimum.

Great thing about this forum is there are alot of articles with DIY information, to help lower your costs, and most of the ideas here are ingenious! Look around, ask questions, and enjoy =)
 
Thank you for the great replies! I have to agree that lighting is the one part scaring me. I know that Lowes, or maybe even walmart, will have some grow light, but I'm not sure which one to buy. Again, it might just be one of those trial and error thing.

Would you recommend any?

(and I will go about it the way you did, start with what I have and improve as I get results. Nothing worst than going all out, having bad results and abandoning with money in the hole)
 
Well, it would depend on how many plants you're willing to grow. Just remember this is an illegal activity in most areas, and the number of plants is used against you in the court of law if that ever aroused.

A general rule is 1 plant per sqare foot. This is a little on the modest side though, as you may need more than that depending on if you let them grow one cola naturally, or if you bush them out with LST, topping, or other means.

If you're growing one or two plants you can pick up those 70w HPS security lights from lowes or home depot. I think you have to wire those your self, but it's cake. HPS will get you those most bang for the buck, imo. And the most energy effecient.

Compact flouros, and Flourescent tubes are another alternative. Just look at the Lumen output of the bulb. With flouro's though you need to get the bulbs within inches of your plant(s).
 
Ok Cool! I am growing only one plant for now, in a closet. So, it shouldn't be a problem.
 
good luck KITTY, i hope you get good results with your experiment. my grow cost less than 50 british pounds, dunno what that is in $$$ but thats cheap as hell, and im getting good results, of course keeping an eye on what you are doing to them everyday so that you know where you can improve next time around.

see you around, 85C
 
Being that it is illegal that also makes for the case to spend as much as you are comfortable with in order to maximize your yield potential, so then you do not have to grow all year in order to keep yoruself supplied.

Another aspect that I did not see you mention, and is almost as important as the light is scent control. There are many ways to disguise the stinky green, but none better than a carbon scrubber. In order to force air through teh scrubber you must also purchase and in-line fan. Moral of the story? Being to cheap just may get you caught.
 
Kittyfang said:
Ok Cool! I am growing only one plant for now, in a closet. So, it shouldn't be a problem.

What matters is how large (square feet) of growing space you have, number of plants really doesnt mean anything as you can grow them to any size you wish.

5000 lumens per sq/ft is what you are wanting, a 70 watt high pressure sodium light is good for a little more than 1 sq/ft

Also dont buy "grow lights" as they dont work well and are over priced.
Buy a HPS or Metal Halide either will work better than any floro. light IMO.

This is were you have to make a choice, if you skimp out on the light your plants wont do well and it will all be a waste.
 
You are going to get out of this endeavor what you put into it. While I agree with using what you have at hand or can scrounge, don't step over dollars to pick up dimes.

You are embarking on an activity that is illegal in most places. Security should probably be your number 1 concern. That entails a secure space, proper ventilation, and odor control.

Second, for the most part, your yield depends on your lighting. IMHO, there is no other consideration for flowering than an HPS--the size depends on your space. If you do not invest in a good light, you have wasted a crop. There is enough good info here that you should be able to determine what light is best for you.

Next, you need the right growing medium and fertilizer. I like hydroponics because I don't like to hassle with soil.

You get what you pay for....
 
Kittyfang said:
Or, maybe I need to get over myself and realise that planting/normal care giving will not be enough?

you tell me. :)

Hey, if you are growing bagseed (which is basically free, you paid for the weed not the seed) and with a minimal setup you end up with acceptable results in your eyes, I find it hard to say you've done something stupid :) I think you have a good approach, and your statement "I would rather improve my set up, then correct it" is right on the money IMHO.

Of course, I don't think even you will deny that when the time comes, putting more money in for a good setup is going to give you more bang for the space you have and the time it takes to grow a plant to maturity and cure it. This isn't like buying a car where either a Ford or a Ferrari is going to get you from point A to point B regardless and the rest is really only for "show", we are talking about spending money to get faster maturity, bigger plants and more potent smoke.

Bottom line is if a minimal setup gets you what you want, why spend money? If after all the effort to mature a plant you come to the realization that a few bucks could have made a huge difference, then you'll do that next time :)

Good luck man, start a grow journal and show us your progress!
 

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