I've read so much and I'm overwhelemed (newbie seeks advice)

[disco2disco]

I hope this is the right place to post this, I have tried googling but the amount of information is overwhelming and much of it is contradictory so I'm hoping someone here can help me out. I know these questions probably get asked all the time but my brain is fried from all the reading I've done

I'm just got some feminized seeds and I'm looking to grow for the first time (purely for personal use) but I have no idea what I am doing.

I want to grow a couple of plants outdoors if possible, I live in Australia so it's just coming into spring now so I'm guessing it's the best time to start.

So how do I get started, I know I should germinate the seeds but I have no idea how to do this and I've heard the if it's done incorrectly I could damage them.

What should I plant the seeds in? Would a large flower pot be sufficient?

What should I plant them in? Will potting soil be ok?

How often should I water them?

Do I need to use any plant feed?

Should I start them indoors and then move them outside?

How much sunlight do they need?

How long does it take from planting to harvest?

Thanks if you can answer these questions or provide any other advice

disco2disco Reviewed by disco2disco on 09-01-2010. I've read so much and I'm overwhelemed (newbie seeks advice) I hope this is the right place to post this, I have tried googling but the amount of information is overwhelming and much of it is contradictory so I'm hoping someone here can help me out. I know these questions probably get asked all the time but my brain is fried from all the reading I've done I'm just got some feminized seeds and I'm looking to grow for the first time (purely for personal use) but I have no idea what I am doing. I want to grow a couple of plants outdoors if possible, I Rating: 5

[bigtopsfinn]

Welcome to the boards :jointsmile:

Check out the first link in my sig, good info in there. Especially look under the titles:

-Getting started (What are common mistakes made by first time growers)
-Fertilizing & Feeding
-Watering
-Transplanting
-Seeds, Germination & Seedlings
-Harvesting & Curing (especially the trichomes link)
-Outdoor growing

Click CTRL + F, type in the keyword like "seed" or "fertilizer" to get to the sections quicker.

There is no one right way to grow, everyone does things a little differently to suit their needs. You'll find contradictory info on just about everything, so it's really up to you to try things for yourself and make your own conclusions.

For me, I place my seeds in a folded, wet (not dripping) paper towel, then placed in a ziplock bag, and put somewhere that's consistently warm (29C), like the top of the fridge. Once the tail (taproot) pops, usually in 12-36 hours, I make a 1cm hole in a small container with seedling soil. Place the seedling in, preferably without touching the taproot, and sprinkling, not pressing, some soil on top. I keep the soil moist (careful pouring water, might push the seed down too far. Mister works well) until the seedling emerges and starts to grow it's first serrated leaves (not the first round leaves, or cotyledons that appear).

From then on I water with wet/dry cycles, checking the weight of the pot to see when it's time for more water. I water the soil so it's evenly watered, with a little run-off from the bottom.

Once the seedling fills out it's initial container, I transplant into a larger container with regular potting soil. This has nutrients already, but runs out in 3-4 weeks. I will either add cannabis specific nutrients (Canna Terra Vega for vegetative state, Canna Terra Flores for flowering) or pot up to a larger container. I use several different sized containers, and transplant in larger ones as needed. The biggest is 5 gal for me, but for outdoors you might need much larger ones.

Seedlings can be started indoors or out, just make sure they have light and water. Give them as much light as possible, preferably at least 16 hours a day in veg. With 12 hours of uniterupted darkness, the plant will begin to flower. They will finish according to the strain, so you have to check the trichomes (explained in the first link in my sig) to see when they are ready.

You still have a lot of reading to do, and I recommend you read as much as you can before starting. It will save you a lot of time, money and frustration. Check out some growlogs here, look at some youtube videos (there are tons of them), and try to take in everything you can. You're bound to make mistakes, that's just how it goes.

Happy growing:jointsmile:

[disco2disco]

Thanks for the info,

I'm going to start reading through your grow log now

[bigtopsfinn]

I'm strictly an indoor grower, but if I would grow outdoors I'd do pretty much the same things. While outdoors requires less equipment, there are other things to consider like bugs, animals, neighbors, strong winds, heavy rains, just to name a few...