First time questions

[onetouch]

Hello all. I am experimenting a little bit and have a few questions. I am trying out one seed to get my feet wet so to speak. I am about 2 weeks in and just barely 2" tall. I am using for the experimental stage a 3 liter container with an air disc (5") floating an aeropod in styrofoam. Eventually once I decide if I like the hobby, I plan to use 3" sure to grow storm series, but that's down the road. I bought a technaflora kit off amazon for nutrients. I have 3 100w equivalent cfl and a fluorescent 18" grow light from, dare I say, wal mart. I have superthrive as well, and have read other people talking about using it as well.

Ultimately once I have a couple random seeds handled I will want to purchase seeds. Where is a good place? There are lots of places to choose from online.

how big of a container is needed if I want to keep fairly short (height) growth? I intend to have plants all in individual pots for portability and the possibility of males, dont want to disturb roots.

I do want to lst down the road as well,

Let me know what you guys think.

[GetThisOrDie]

Whats up...

Glad to see you decided to grow your own! Was the best decision I ever made.

As for your question about seeds... I started a thread that might help you. Check it out. The Attitude Seed Bank is where I finally ordered from. Didnt regret it at all...

http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-growing/177798-need-help-ordering-beans.html

I just started using Superthrive and it works great... Had major growth of roots in the first 24 hours after applying to my DWC setup.

[onetouch]

Ok so some updates. I started training on the 18th, it is growing nicely even though I am likely torturing it LOL. I have 6 main sets of leaves right now with the bundle of growth tied down every time a couple more show up. I am getting growth at the nodes deeper in. I found a very nice rack that I am growing on now that is wire with shelves that adjust in 1 in increments. I am using technaflora nutrients, PH keeps creeping up on me (have yet to use phup, always using phdown) I realize sexing may be out of the question at this time (not home at the right times to do 12/12 on a branch) I moved it to a taller skinnier container, and screwed eye hooks around the edge for tie down spots. Have some pics to show as well.

[fred666777]

I don't think your going to be able to tell the sex for a while from what I remember you can't tell until your ready to bud your plant.
I know what you mean about only using ph down when I was growing I don't think i ever used ph up
if I were you I would move your lights closer I think cfls are supposed to be 3"-5" away from the plant and I would have mylar covered walls around the plant too keeps more of the light in.

[onetouch]

Thanks for the input, the lights are quite literally right on top. I also have the rack wrapped in one of those sun shades so only the end is open. The top is open with 3cfl's for now 100w equivalent. Ive gotten quite a root explosion in the last few days. The plant is officially one month old right now. I have read about people going 12/12 after a month, but I think I will let it go longer. Just hope I dont end up with a male for my trouble LOL. Has anyone tried the repti sun bulbs from the petstore?

[onetouch]

Couple pics to illustrate the root growth between the last pics. This is between the 30th and the 2nd.The second set is the top for the same time frame. I am still aggressively tying down. Between the top of the container to the clearance of the plant is less than 3 inches, the overall length of the plant is closer to 6. Its drinking quite a bit right now, and I am alternating between nutrient solution and plain water.

[onetouch]

Just taking pics in macro mode, maximum magnification....

[LOC NAR on probation]

Sorry it's not a preflower. You will know when you see the white hair.

Looking good.

[onetouch]

Started a second plant out of curiosity. I can see some nutrient issues in my leaves, have a PH and TDS meters coming this week. Moved to a taller container, expanded the shelves (the 1 inch adjustments are nice) Took off my lst ties because of how dense the inside was getting. I like clear containers because I am fascinated watching the roots LOL (I keep them covered when not watching them) Still no clear signs of sex that I can tell

[tinytoon]

Root zone needs to be dark!!! get some different containers or at a min duck tape the hell outa them so light doesnt enter root zone.

[onetouch]

Thanks, I do keep them in the dark unless I am ogling them. How long should I let it grow before I switch the lights back. Today is right about 40 days old.

[tinytoon]

ok I am confused, how do you keep roots in dark if they are in a clear container and light is on for plant to grow??

as far as turning lights to 12/12 for flower that is up to you. big thing is depends how big of a plant you want. Good rule of thumb is plant will double in size after switch and during flower.

[onetouch]

The roots are kept in the dark by an aluminum foil shroud I keep wrapped around the container and taped up when I am not looking at the roots to see how big they are getting (being my first time, I am extremely nosy lol) As I have not had any algae issues, I am guessing the occasional peek is ok. I guess I am curious as to how soon is too soon to flower. The 2 plants are 2 weeks apart and I think I may flower when the second is at a minimum time, and this one will be 2 weeks ahead of that

[Surfnbird]

what did you put ur plants in to hold them in place above the water

[onetouch]

Originally started in aerogarden pods. Moved them both to 3 inch pots because of space issues in the big one, see how it goes. As this is experimental for me, working out the kinks, I am trying to learn everything I can before I move on to bought seeds. Got my meters in today, the PH goes a LOT better with a meter. TDS is in the low 900's in each plant. Where should I be at almost 6 and 4 weeks?