Can you grow in an Apartment?

[the_camel]

I strongly advise against this for your personal safety. I'm not sure how law enforcement operate in your area, but in my area, there has been quite a few home grow ops busted in apartments. Sometimes because of neighbors might smell it, sometimes police walk around and smell it, sometimes the police are going to do a raid and bring the dogs, but instead of going to the raid, they go straight to the persons door that's doing the grow op, in that case, the police might split up and search both apartments. There's a number of things that can go wrong. But if you are still willing to risk it, I'll give you some advise = )


Yes, it certainly IS possible. With a 400-Watt lamp or two, and maybe a couple lowryder plants to keep the size down. But I've never grown in an apartment, or even grown lowryder myself, so I'm not sure how bad it would smell (I have seen many of these plants though, they are pretty small plants, so I can verify that much.) Just make sure that when those lights are on, everything else in the apartment is off, as apartments typically don't have that much power going to different rooms. If you put those lights on and everything else in the apartment is on, you'll likely blow the fuse, and it may cause electrical damage. Just make sure that when you go to sleep, those lights are on, and everything else is off. (Not neccassarily EVERYTHING, just check the fuse box to see which fuse belongs to your grow area. Everything in that fuse must be your lights only, or any ventilation you wish to place in there. Everything else belonging to different fuses is ok to turn on.) Another reason I advise you to turn everything off while the lights are on is power consumption. I see you are in the United States, so this applies to you AND me. Many law enforcement agencies are using abnormal power consumption rates to spot home grows across large cities AND small towns. A spike upwards can alert police, and they might try to obtain a warrant to go inside the apartment (or, they might just need the landlords permission. Depends. Note if they just need the landlords permission, he/she will agree to let the police go inside.) And it's no fun when the police have shown up at your door, with a warrant, and you have a near-mature marijuana plant in your possession. That's happened to a few growers I knew (past tense, not sure if they are still alive. and I only knew they grew because they asked me what they should grow. I feel partially guilty for their capture.)


As you can see, you must be extra-careful. Don't do anything dumb, I'm sure you won't, but stil. Yes, it is possible to grow in your apartment. Just make it a mild-smelling strain.

Woah! Fuck me!.. Thats one long post!

If i was you i'd listen to this guy, he seems to know the score!
Kudos to you mate!

Peace

[TheHerbalist]

I grow in an apt. I have a split closet with 5 plants currently in bloom on the flower side and I'll be starting about 10-12 more plants for my veg side.2 lights...1 400w MH & 1 400w Hps.

I think the apts you live in has alot to do with things. My complex doesnt do inspections. They give 24-48 hours notice if they need to do some work something (which has never happened).

Nosey neighbors are the biggest problem. I grow in soil so I move plenty big bags of the stuff into my place every so often. I grow flowers/plants on the porch so that offers some cover.

I would say if you're careful, keep to yourself, pay your bills on time, dont tell anyone, make sure you have no smell or light leaks...you'll be fine.

As far as plant size and how many....I figure if you're going to take the risk...maximize the grow. if you can fit 5 plants in there....do it. If more...do it. When it comes to getting popped....3 small plants are just as bad as 6 big ones.

[jamstigator]

Build a custom cabinet, then put fake drawer fronts on it so it looks like a dresser. Build it so you have more than one compartment, so the whole growing process is contained within that one unit. Use casters on the bottom so it's easy to move. Don't build it so big it won't fit through doorways. Use a duct muffler and a decent-quality carbon filter, along with a low-smell strain. Keep some house plants around, the stinkier the better. Don't tell anyone and *never* leave anything incriminating in your trash.

That said, I still wouldn't do it in an apartment; just too many things out of your control. Dude next door falls asleep with a cigarette and next thing you know, you're in prison, even though you did nothing to draw attention to yourself in any way. But if you do try it, best of luck!

[blizzam]

Is a 400w HPS or mH equivilent to leaving 4 100w light bulbs on in your aprtment or house? i ask cuz im worried about power consumption as my electric bill is included in my rent

[twitch]

i live in an apartment and one problem with the big lights is ur bill depending on how ur electricity is done ur land lord might be able to tell
i use cfls and my bill never goes over 60 a month

[Immolation]

My electricity is included in the Rent as well.I'm not growing but I would be curious if my Apt. has individual meters or one or more meters for the Whole complex.If your apt. doesn't have an individual meter, I don't know how extra power consumption could be traced to your Apt.

[blizzam]

My electricity is included in the Rent as well.I'm not growing but I would be curious if my Apt. has individual meters or one or more meters for the Whole complex.If your apt. doesn't have an individual meter, I don't know how extra power consumption could be traced to your Apt.

hmmm, i doubt they have individual meters if they dont charge us rent seperatly. cuz im in the same boat as you where rent is included. why would they waste the time/money checking power consumption for each individual place. or even rigging it up like that if they wernt going to charge.

[soobie05]

the apts that i live in use a community electric bill, just moved into the place and so far everything is just gravy, But the bad thing about my grow once you walk into the bedroom theres a big ikea cab with light beaming out of it. =[ so i need to fix some sort of cab to fix that paranoya i have.

[Storm Crow]

I used to have a C-99 that smelled exactly like pink grapefruit. I'd look into the fruity smelling strains. Then there are the little fan type air fresheners- I don't like them, but they work. I run a "stealth" cabinet for my clones and seedlings and a closet for 12/12, so I always have plants at all stages.

If you are still worried about power consumption, just go through your house and replace all the conventional light bulbs with CFLs! It adds up pretty fast! I even grow with CFLs and get reasonable harvests. My closet only uses about 400 watts, but it is BRIGHT in there!- Granny:hippy: