Quote Originally Posted by grey1223
HANDS ON experience isthe answer and why many long time growers state "It took me about 5 years to get a handle on all the facets of growing".
That's exactly it. Before I started growing, I did plenty of research into the different stages of growth, nutrients, lighting, and all that jazz. Of course, I only started with the bare essentials, and wrote most of what I read off as 'niceties' - nice to have, but not essential. I had to make numerous mistakes before I finally realized that many of those things they say in grow books aren't just novelty items... they're ESSENTIAL if you want to harvest a good crop. A lot of people hear growers say that it's cheaper to grow your own medicine than to buy it off the streets, but they don't realize that it's only cheaper AFTER you've made the initial investment to get started. Even then, with all the new gadgets/fertilizers/lights on the market, it can still get pricey trying to keep up with new trends. Hell, just buying soil and fertilizers every couple of grows can take its toll on a checkbook in no time flat. I don't sell anything I grow, so I just have to bite the bullet and spend the money necessary to keep things growing. On the other hand, I haven't had to buy a bag in several years... which has saved me a TON of money in the long run.

Moral # 524.3 - If you plan on growing with just the bare essentials, don't be disappointed when your results are mediocre, at best.

Thanks Grey! :jointsmile: