Guide for Beginners (Kind of)

Ok i am on my 1st grow and so far i have made a few mistakes.If it was not for the people on this forum i would have no plant.

I am not experienced far from it.My 1st grow is only a month old.Im not trying to be a know it all.

I just want to let new growers know the common mistakes that are made and try and help them not to make the same mistakes.

This forum has some amazing members.They have gone out of there way to help me so much and i would like to give something back.

Research
Sounds boring really but if you read through the forums you will find a wealth of information.
If you are serious about growing your own weed you will find all this information a pleasure to read.

Design and Planning
Think of where you are going to grow and ask yourselves a few questions

Will there be enough room?
Can i control the environment(Light,Heat,Air Circulation)?
Is it secure?Cats and dogs love to get at MJ plants?
Can other see the grow and report it to the Police?

Its also best to get everything BEFORE you start.
Have your lights,Mylar,Ferts,Fans,Water Source,Thermometer etc..

The internet is great to buy stuff but if you need something today your plant wont like waiting for the item in the mail.

LIGHTS
Put a lot of taught in to your lights.CFLs are great for beginners and very cheap they also give off very little heat.

Just make sure you get the wright spectrum.6500k for veg and 2300K for flower.

If you look around on the internet you can get great deals on CFLs

WATER
Its something a lot of people over look.I certainly did.I just bought some Bottled Mineral Water and taught it would be fine.

When my plants started having problems i checked the PH of my water and found out it was 7.5 which was way to high.It also had a high sodium content.

Tap water can be used but leave it at air for 24 hours to remove the chlorine.ALWAYS check the PH.


PH LEVELS
Your plant need to have a soil Ph of 6 to 7.Remember adding ferts will change the PH of your soil.You can but PH testers in Pet Shops and Hydro stores.Dont use aquarium PH up PH down.Its bad for your plant.

In the short term you can use lemon juice or vinegar to lower Ph and Baking soda to increase Ph.I dont know what there long term effects will be.

CO2
It easy to add CO2 to your plant.
You can use Sugar,Yeast and Luke warm water.

Or you can use Vinegar and baking soda.REMEMBER in a sealed environment they will explode as they are producing CO2.If you can have a few drips of Vinegar every min landing on your Baking Soda it will create CO2


Overwatering
It happens i did it.I worried about my plants and kept watering them.

MJ doesnt need to be watered every day.Its best to let the soil dry out between waterings. This will allow the roots to absorb oxygen.

Over watering can also cause stem rot.Which will cause your plant to fall over and not be able to support them sleves.

Its best to wait until your leaves just start to wilther and then water.

It also helps promote a healthy root system as the roots will go and look for water.

Nutrients Fertilizer
A young plant does not need any Nuts.If it is given to the plant it will only cause nute burn.
This is not good for your plants.
MJ does not need food for the first 3,4 weeks of its life.Strain dependent.

When you do start to feed start with a 1/4 strength solution then1/2 3/4 and then full strength.
Going straight to full strenght can cause nute burn even if the plant needs ferts.


Strains
Pick your strain 1st time that is easy to grow.There is not much point getting a strain that is difficult to grow,Your plant may die and put you off growing.

Norther Lights is an easy strain to start with.

Some strains stay small and bushy others grow tall.Make sure you have the room to grow.

POTS
Make sure you have the correct size pots.Start with a small pot and finish with a big pot,
If the pot you are using is too small the roots will start to grow out of the pot and be exposed to light this is bad for roots.
They have to be able to stretch themselves.

ASkING THE PROS
The time will come when most people have to ask a question to get help.There are a few things to do to get a better respones.
(1)Check the forums and see if the question is all ready asked.If the same basic question is being asked over and over growers will not bother to answer.

(2)Include as much information as possible.
Pics if possible
Strain
Age of plant
Soil,Hydro
Lights used
Temp
Humidity
Ferts used
How often watered.

The more information you can add the better.

(3)
Phrase the question properly.Dont just say "Help Needed" say something like.
4 weeks in to flowering and no sign of flowers.

(4)
Be patient
If you ask a queation dont come along a half hour later and "Bump" the thread or demanding an answer this will get you nowhere.



Well like i said i am not trying to be a know it all.Im just trying to give something back to this community.
If anyone wants to add feel free and correct me in anything i have said

I hope this help

sticky wannabe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dodohead

sticky wannabe

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Well in my book its not right to join a forum ask a load of questions,get your harvest and not return.

What i have really done is answered some of the most common questions

Nice

Quote:

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Originally Posted by privatepile

Well in my book its not right to join a forum ask a load of questions,get your harvest and not return.

What i have really done is answered some of the most common questions

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Good basic information! :thumbsup:

...and rep to ya for being thoughtful.

PC :smokin:

Tomorrow i will add germination and light cycles

Not to be rude, but i think that we just simply dont need this. Stinky has it covered in her sig (and other stickies), and the FAQs need to be read, as well as the many posts of questions that are already infinitely useful.

This is a cool and brief summary. Your pH numbers are a little rounded (6.5-6.9 is more precise). But generally I'd say it's nice and concise! Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dodohead

Not to be rude, but i think that we just simply dont need this. Stinky has it covered in her sig (and other stickies), and the FAQs need to be read, as well as the many posts of questions that are already infinitely useful.

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Yeah i was thinking that but i am doing it myself on Microsoft word for a few friends that dont have internet access.

So i taught i would add it here also.

good idea, I actually have a version of my sticky one that I re-formatted in OpenOffice to lay out as a tri-fold 2-sided pamphlet that I give out when I give people plants to take home!

Aye and generally when people are researching they look at as many guides as possible.

Im really bust now so i will do light cycles and germination later.I can edit my post so if i put them here could a mod copy and paste them to the original.

If they had the time i konw how busy you are all