Advice???My 1 st grow

[M.B.A.]

Ok I am almost at 1 month and 1 week w/my 1st 3 plants. I was wondering if there was anything special I should be doing for my plants? I check the moisture of the dirt everyday and my timer is running 18-6 should I give more or less light? or leave it how it is? I have a half gallon spray bottle that I have water w/a fish emultion in that i keep the soil moist with. Any advice at this stage would be great!!!!

[stinkyattic]

A real grow fert is important. Fish emulsion is good for addin N and a small amount of P and Ca but does not provide all the other stuff you need.

[klondike_bar]

water every other day and change the lighting to 24h

[PharmaCan]

water every other day and change the lighting to 24h

This is absolutely not true. You water soil when it needs it and you can't say water every other day like it applies to all soils and all plants. DO NOT change your light to 24/7. Stick with 18/6 until you flip to 12/12 for flower.

PC :smokin:

[spongebobsmokepants]

I'm with Pharmacann on this one!
:jointsmile:

[Mr. Clandestine]

I'm with Pharmacann on this one!
:jointsmile:

And with good reason. Under 24 hours of light, the plant will spend too much time trying to photosynthesize and not enough time establishing a good root system. Root growth is much more vigorous during dark periods, when the plant isn't focusing so much on producing foliage.

M.B.A. - I use fish emulsion regularly when vegging, but I also keep other balanced fertilizers around for when I need them. If you're going to use the emulsion regularly, then you should probably flush the soil with clean water at least once a month. That stuff has a tendency to build up in the soil, and can get smelling pretty nasty after prolonged periods of use.

Besides that, just enjoy the process and learn from your mistakes. Don't love your plants to death, and remember the 'KISS' principle.

KISS = Keep It Simple, Stupid. :jointsmile:

[M.B.A.]

ok, well Im watering with Earth Juice Brand Grow food when watering now...is that what I need?should I just show pix?

[HighFlier420]

I'm always surprised at how many people here use soil. Just an observation.

I don't want to agree or disagree with 24/0 v. 18/6. Although I use 18/6 as a rule of thumb it's only because I feel it's more of a replication of what mother nature would do in a plants real life outdoors. However, I've never heard of anyone going 24/0 with truely negative results. To each thier own.

I agree that water should only be given when necessary in a soil enviroment... overwatering=REALLY BAD.

[stinkyattic]

My personal reasons for using 24/0 in veg are simple:
-Easier temperature control
-I like to pop in on the young'uns at all hours, so I might as well just leave a light on. You can call me Tom Bodette. :D

[klondike_bar]

ah. for me, soil is dried sufficiently every other day. i gues 24 may be much, i always used 2h for safety sake to let bulbs cool (i also have a 15min cool-down period midday)

[M.B.A.]

ok well I have taped black plastic bags over my windows for 100% Darkness when lights are off. So my room is good for flower too now when Im ready. I started this grow on 10-19-07 and I was thinkin bout starting flower in january. any objections?

[TheGanjaKing420]

ok well I have taped black plastic bags over my windows for 100% Darkness when lights are off. So my room is good for flower too now when Im ready. I started this grow on 10-19-07 and I was thinkin bout starting flower in january. any objections?

I'd see nothing wrong with that. Depending on how much vertical space you have you need to remember; Plants will double, sometimes triple in size in the first few weeks of flowering. Veg accordingly.

[M.B.A.]

.... you need to remember; Plants will double, sometimes triple in size in the first few weeks of flowering....

I didnt know that, I am a first timer, what signs should I look for to put them in bloom?

[stinkyattic]

I didnt know that, I am a first timer, what signs should I look for to put them in bloom?
When the nodes go alternating, the main stem will take on a zigzag appearance, and they are ready. Don't pinch for the last 3 weeks before initiating flower.

[klondike_bar]

Ok I am almost at 1 month and 1 week

did none notice this? in my experience, i begin flowering at 3-4 weeks. Id suggest you can start anytime you want, keeping in mind that flowering will take 8-10 weeks

[stinkyattic]

For least stress (risk of herms), wait for proof of sexual maturity before flowering.
Indoor strains (indicas and hybrids) range from 6-9 weeks.

[klondike_bar]

hm. i started flower on my current girls at about 3.5 weeks, about 3 days after i saw the preflowers.

my one before never preflowered even by 3 months veg, but showed female w/i a week of light change

[M.B.A.]

ok well I am going to wait until the 9th week and then put them in bloom....want a haul