New Grower's First Journal

[Clockwork007]

Update time again guys and gals. Just about ready to go around here. I finally have my seeds, my lights, and the ducting necessary. I've attached pics of some of my equipment, as well as where the table has been relocated. As you can see I have a plain, white walled room for reflective purposes. I also plan on coating the pan area in some basic mylar sheets I picked up for cheap here in town to get the max effect from my lighting.

Speaking of lighting, you can see I have both metal halide bulbs for vegetative growth and some good old fashioned 1000W High Pressure Sodium for when it's flowering time. The MH are the fat bulbs with a wide diameter, and the HPS are much more slim. I've got pics of both for comparison.

So this brings me to my last question. As you can see I've also attached a pic of my seeds, including my Carmalicious strain and a mixed bag of 20 "surprise" seeds. Now, keeping in mind that I have 1000w of lighting to work with, do you think I should throw caution to the wind and grow 4 plants instead of 3 initially? Like I said, which I have done a ton of reading this is still my first attempt so I don't want to waste seeds until I have a solid method, but at the same time 4 is a nice even number and I like increasing my female odds.

Comments welcome guys and gals, and thanks again!

[DreadedHermie]

You may want to remove the fingerprint oil you're getting on that HPS bulb with some non-residue volatile solvent. Not supposed to handle them like that.

And unless you're using a tempered glass enclosed reflector/hood, I'd wear eye protection if you're even thinking about working with water, nutrients, etc. around an energized bulb. That'd be an unfortunate 911 call; blinded and busted in one fell swoop.

The drain pan's a fine idea, as long as you don't use it as a drain pan. There shouldn't be any standing water anywhere, and you don't want your plants to easily share contaminants/infections.

Stay safe,
Hermie.

[DreadedHermie]

You can always add it later as a top dressing or "tea." If it's mixed into your growing medium you are going to be stuck with it. Too much of it and your soil we be like slippery, wet clay. Drainage and proper aeration are critical, and worm poo can be problematic if you're over-zealous. Note that carinia offsets 10% worm poo with 3x as much perlite. :thumbsup:

And if you're staying in dirt, use Rapid Rooters like Shake suggested. Almost foolproof. Unless you're growing hydroponically, starting in rockwool makes very little sense.

Bossy, ain't I?
DH

[Clockwork007]

You may want to remove the fingerprint oil you're getting on that HPS bulb with some non-residue volatile solvent. Not supposed to handle them like that.

And unless you're using a tempered glass enclosed reflector/hood, I'd wear eye protection if you're even thinking about working with water, nutrients, etc. around an energized bulb. That'd be an unfortunate 911 call; blinded and busted in one fell swoop.

The drain pan's a fine idea, as long as you don't use it as a drain pan. There shouldn't be any standing water anywhere, and you don't want your plants to easily share contaminants/infections.

Stay safe,
Hermie.

Not to worry friend, I had her cleaned up as soon as I handled the bulb. Although this is my first grow attempt, it's not my first handling of high intensity discharge lighting systems. Even a bit of oil from a person's fingertips can have bad results for the bulb (and given the expense of the bulbs why take a risk?).

And thanks for the personal health concerns. I already have my "nerd goggles" hanging from a post in my grow room for when it comes to water handling and nutrients and so on. Better safe than sorry.

Also, the drain pan was an improvised idea, mostly for germination and vegetative growth. After that they go on the floor on large sheets of isolated plastic and mylar, but not to worry, they will be spaced as to avoid sharing water conditions as you stipulated.

You can always add it later as a top dressing or "tea." If it's mixed into your growing medium you are going to be stuck with it. Too much of it and your soil we be like slippery, wet clay. Drainage and proper aeration are critical, and worm poo can be problematic if you're over-zealous. Note that carinia offsets 10% worm poo with 3x as much perlite. :thumbsup:

And if you're staying in dirt, use Rapid Rooters like Shake suggested. Almost foolproof. Unless you're growing hydroponically, starting in rockwool makes very little sense.

Bossy, ain't I?
DH

Not to worry friend, I like hearing different input on my methods and so on. So feel free to be as bossy as you'd like.

To address the rockwool, honestly I was going that route just based on reading I had done indicating it was the safest method for germinating without risking "transfer shock" when it was time to go to their homes. Of course I'm open to new ideas, and based on reactions here I may be inclined to go with rapid rooters per your suggestions.

OK, OK, all of you win. I won't go with a mixture of worm castings, but I'd still like to use them once they've taken root and are taking off. You guys have managed to scare me out of it. LOL. besides, better be safe than sorry anyway.

Keep all the feedback coming guys, I love getting different views on my methods BEFORE I get started.

[smello]

:smokin:clock-any updates?-smello