First-time grower needs advice...

First things first; I live in Upstate New York. About 45 minutes to an hour away from the Canadian border, to be exact. We had a late Spring this time around due to global warming, but we are now reaching temperatures in the low- to mid-70s in the month of May. I don't know exactly when people that grow and/or smoke marijuana plant their germinated seeds in my area, but of course everybody's different. I'd like to grow outside, in an isolated area. I've already decided where I'm going to plant my seeds, however, I don't know when exactly to plant them.

What I'm thinking about doing is putting some plant soil into a few containers, whether they're plastic cups or tupperware containers, and planting the germinated seeds into them. But how long should I germinate the seeds for and what is the best method to use? Once planting the germinated seeds and once the recommended waiting period is over with, then when should I plant the seeds into earthly soil? How often should I water the soil? Are there any substances/solutions I can add to the soil to help retain water, fight off pests, increase potency, etc.? I have about 22 seeds and I'm guessing that about half of the seeds will end up growing male plants and the other half female plants. Also, does anybody have any recommendations as to how I can secure the area where I'll be planting my seeds just in case curious and nosey hikers decide to mess around with my work in progress? Most importantly, when should I harvest my plants for skuffing? Once harvested and skuffed, what method should I use for curing my buds and how long shall I let the curing process go on for?

I'm a first-time grower so please try to bear with me. I do not want to risk trying to grow marijuana indoors just yet seeing as how I still live with family and I also live in an apartment complex. I've figured I'd try growing outdoors for my first time to see how well the process works out for me and also because I've heard that growing outdoors is quite simple and produces some very good smelling/tasty bud.

I'll be checking here daily for any pointers from fellow smokers/growers and I will also be updating all of you on my progress, possibly with pictures.

Thanks in advance!!!

Also, any recommendations on what kind of soils, nutrients, plant food, vitamins, etc. to add to the soil/plants, would be greatly appreciated!

Yesterday exactly at 3:01PM, I placed about 20+ Cannabis seeds into a small glass of water. This is what I read as activating the growth. I'm already seeing several seeds that look as if they're sprouting, with little white roots popping out of the shell.

It is now 9:34AM. At 10AM, I plan on removing the seeds from the water using tweezers. I will then place a couple small dinner plates either under my desk or in my closet, with moistened paper towels. I'll try my best to lean the paper towels up vertically so that the roots grow downward. The seeds will obviously be placed, with tweezers, between two moistened sheets of paper towel.

From what I've read, it takes about 2-7 days for germination to come into full play. I'm guessing the root tips will just grow bigger and longer over the next few days if I understand correctly. Over the next few days, I will carefully be "watering" a little bit of water on top of the paper towels, but not a lot seeing as how the paper towel will retain the water for a couple of days.

If anybody has any tips for me so far, then I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thanks!

I live in an apartment complex, more like condos. We live right on the lake almost. We're the second, almost third floor up and we have a decent sized balcony on the back overlooking the look.

An individual I'm living with grows a lot of plants out on our balcony, including vegetables/fruits and spices. By the looks of some of the plants out there, it shouldn't be all that hard to make Cannabis plants blend in. If the odor became a problem, then I'm sure there'd be a way around that.

Now, I'm stuck; I was thinking about placing some nice quality potting soil into some plastic cups to begin with. After germination was complete, I was going to place the rooted Cannabis seeds, using tweezers, about 0.5-1.5 inches into the potting soil, which would be inside the plastic cup. I'd place the cups on my windowsill or out on my balcony for 5-6 hours for about 2 weeks. Once I see impressive growing progress, I'd eventually transplant the plants into bigger pots out on the balcony. I'd use a spoon or something to reach the soil at the bottom of the cup, slowly and carefully lift up the soil, plant, and all, and then just place it into a dug hole in on of the pots out there already with a plant and soil in it. It sounds pretty simple and okay to me.

On the bright side, I don't really have to worry about any pests, especially since we're up on a balcony. The individual I live with never seems to have any problems with her plants being overwhelmed with bugs. I guess all I'll really have to worry about is mold.

By the way; If I notice any mold on my germinating seeds during the next few days, I've read that using a mild 2% bleach or fungicide dilute will help fight off any mold, present or future. Does this mean I could take a little bit of bleach or fungicide, mix it with a little water, and pour on the paper towels?

Come to find out, an individual I live with has grown Cannabis on more than one occassion. That must account for the camouflaged and well-hidden Cannabis plant I once spotted on our balcony, surrounded by tomato plants and whatnot.

The seeds have obviously already started germination. I mixed some filtered tap water with some new MiracleGro brand nutrient/plant food. I wet some paper towels, layed them across a large dinner plate, carefully placed the seeds onto the paper towels and then pour just a little bit of the nutrient solution onto the plate. I also have a sheet of plastic food wrap over the plate to help preserve the moisture. The plate is actually on my bedroom floor, and my windows are open and the sun's illuminating most of the room.

This is how she's prepared her seeds and grown her plants in the past. I've seen the beauties she's grown, towering at a nice 6-feet or so. With great big leaves and nice buds also, however, I got no share of the buds. Her daughters did.

Any pointers, anyone?

How long should I let my seeds germinate until placing them into soil? Some seeds have already sprouted a root.