Hello from the S. CA Desert!

Hi all, I am *very* new to all of this growing stuff, but I just got my MMJ card 2 or 3 wks ago and I've been to a dispensary, but am on SSDI, so $$ is a problem. I am attempting to grow "something" in my bedroom on my dresser in the corner of the room (with a fan to circulate the air), what we aren't sure as we had some seeds given to us by a friend who assures it is "good" (isn't it all?? :smokin:) Anyway, we started the seeds in January and they didn't do well at first, but we are learning; so now we know not to use regular potting soil and I need to buy (or do I??) better lighting - we have 2 grow lights we purchased from the local Lowe's, I believe, and we only have 2 plants in a 35 lb. cat litter bucket which = about 5 gal. liquid container. We have some problems with little gnats, but I read somewhere about dryer sheets and although they are still flying about, they are somewhat fewer in #. I am reading all over the place, here and the internet and I've d/l'd some books on the subject, but there are **SO** many differing opinions that I am getting confused!!
Any help to the newbie would be so appreciated! I am 55 yrs. young and I have Lupus and degenerative arthritis, so this has been a godsend from the stupid pills the pain clinic kept poking at me, lol! I'd love to learn how to cook with it, but it seems that the recipes require a *lot* of pot to make a little edible. Is it cheaper to buy it already made if you can't afford a half pound of stuff to cook with? I also bought a small vaporizer as I was told it would be easier on my lungs as opposed to smoking (I have asthma and emphysema as well) it from a pipe or joint. It is a "Top Vapor VP500" and it appears that it uses heat? I am not sure if I heat it to burn it or just to warm it - help!! I am totally ignorant on this subject, lol! Like I said, any help would be VERY appreciated!!
Thanks so much for providing this forum for us poor old people who know nothing ;)

Hello Growin'Granny, and welcome to the cancom boards.:)

I think you'll find some "older" folks here and some young ones.
Let me try to hit a couple of points for you.

You need to start your seeds in something smaller like 16oz beer cups, and only one plant per cup. House plant potting soil is fine and it's better that it has no nutrients in it. Fertilizer for small seedlings is death.

You are not going to be able to grow plants on your dresser, when they are young you could grow there, but you'll need the light on 24/0, which might make sleeping a pain. In order to use a more reasonable 18/6 you want to grow in some sort of light proof box or small closet or ....? This light proof area is very critical when it comes time to flower the plants at a light schedule of 12/12. You do not want to disturb that 12hrs of dark with any type of light intrusion.

As to using a vaporizer, you are looking to heat up the mj not burn it. I provide mmj to cancer and hospice patients and it is much better for you and your lungs then any form of smoking. I am not familar with that perticular vape, you are going to have to experiment a little.

You can post questions in the sections that are pertinent to the subject.
Again welome and good luck growing.:thumbsup:

OM

Thanks so much, oldmac! I appreciate the information :) I am going to have to go out and find me a large box to keep the little darlings in, then, as there is no closet space whatsoever! I am beginning to wonder if it is just easier all around to save up and buy it when I can...decisions, decisions....

Hey 'Granny,

Please don't give up the idea of growing! Not only can you get your med mj cheaper but it can also be fun. Let me make a suggestion for you to consider.

Look into getting some auto-flowering strain seeds. Auto-flowering plants do not need a light change (typically 12/12) to start flowering. They are also very tolerent of a light schedule when growing and if you use the short compact type of auto-flower, you can grow them just like house plants (tho they have a distinct flower aroma).

Something like DJ Shorts (seed co) AK47xlowryder produces a plant abt 2' tall. When grown under optimum conditions, 20 hrs of good strong light a day, it will produce abt 1 oz of finished dried bud. Grown casually with a little less light you can expect 1/2 of that, but like I said you can grow it like a houseplant. Place it in a window, or on a porch or terrace when you have good sunlight and put it on your dresser to add daylenght with your grow lights. From the start of seed to finish takes about 10 weeks +/-.

Auto-flowering plants are ideal for someone just starting out and for small (not enough space) hobbyists.

OM