Need advice for my first grow.

[inthedryer]

I've been planing my first grow for months now, have done a good bit of research (much on this website, thanks everyone) and think i'm ready to embark on it, but id like a critique of my setup before I start. Its a little weird because im trying to hide it from my roomates (parents :P) but i think it will still work.

I plan on germinating and veging in a cardboard box in an empty cabnet in my desk, I haven't found the right size box yet but im working on it.

The space is 11" wide, 22" deep, and 17" high
I will start 15 or so seeds in dixie cups just using plain old miracle grow potting soil (i know its not the greatest but its what I have) and place them on trays directly below the lights (about 1" clearance)
I plan on using two 15W 22" fluorescent shop lights to carry me through germination
Once vigorous growing starts, I will add another shop light and move the plants into party cups
I hope this will be enough to carry me through to sexing
Also I will use one of those gel car sent thingymabobs to reduce odor (will that be enough?)

Once the plants are sexed and the males are removed I plan on moving the three best females to my flowering area, which is above an unheated garage (one of my biggest concerns is temperature)

I haven't built the grow box yet but it will be based off of an 11" deep 22" wide 28" high kitchen cabinet.

It will be vented with a computer fan placed in the side and the intake will just be the gap between the door and the cabinet itself.

im hoping the three shop lights will be enough to finish the bud but I have a funny feeling ima need two or three more.

Also if the lights don't put off enough heat to get me through the dark cycle, I have the option of hooking up a thermostat and placing a heating pad at the bottom of the box.

What do you all think, good plan for a first grow?

inthedryer Reviewed by inthedryer on 11-21-2007. Need advice for my first grow. I've been planing my first grow for months now, have done a good bit of research (much on this website, thanks everyone) and think i'm ready to embark on it, but id like a critique of my setup before I start. Its a little weird because im trying to hide it from my roomates (parents :P) but i think it will still work. I plan on germinating and veging in a cardboard box in an empty cabnet in my desk, I haven't found the right size box yet but im working on it. The space is 11" wide, 22" Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

Its a little weird because im trying to hide it from my roomates (parents :P)
......
What do you all think, good plan for a first grow?

Nope. Not a good plan. Not only will you get caught (you WILL), but it's just plain wrong. Study now, do an outdoor in spring, and then when you have your own place, you will be ready to grow.

[inthedryer]

You're right, thanks for being the voice of reason. I cant do that to my parents, too much risk to them and their property. im just desperate to get away from the black market and all of its bs, I guess ill deal with it a little longer, hopefully ill find a decent dealer (my good one got arrested for possession).

Do you think I should convert the cabinet in the attic above the garage into a germination chamber to get a head start on my outdoor grow? Its in a low risk area behind a bunch of junk, yet it can be checked daily, plus its subject to outside temps (no heat) so the plants can be conditioned.

Once again thanks for keeping me from acting on a very stupid idea.

[klondike_bar]

i dont know your family, but chances are theyd stuble across your grow during the 3 or more moths it exists....

either tell them and hope theyll like it, or dont do it in the house....

btw, a 1 by 2 foot space would only support 2-3 plants at most and would be a waste of energy to watch over most likely.

[inthedryer]

Alright thanks, ill just do a massive outdoor grow, we have like 60 acres, it abuts state property on one side, and there are only a couple neighbors (although they're very nosy). Now a new question, there are deer all over the place, and nobody hunts in my neighborhood, what should I do to keep the fiends away from my crop. Im thinking a physical barrier would be best, but i don't want it to be too obvious. BTW the garage is separate from the house and has two levels, the top is used to store junk, so it would be relatively safe to start the delicate plants up there, then i can transfer them to my planting places when they are strong enough to fight the elements.