Some thoughts for novices

[sawmiller]

So.....we want to grow indoors?

Here's some things to think about, things I have learned from here - we will be responsible for a living thing, a living thing that evolved to survive outside. If we consider it's life outside first, we'll have a good idea of how much responsibility we're taking on.
I am in no way an expert, and cannot give you answers to the issues the following statements raise, but it wasn't until I started considering them that my plants became happy.

SEX - in nature our plant's main concern is to mix the genes and produce the next generation, a generation suited to living in its environment and in turn producing another generation. That needs male & female. We want females only. Choose seeds or clones with care from a reputable source.
LIGHT - Every plant on the planet has evolved to use sunlight. We have to provide the correct wavelengths of light that the plant needs. These will change as it moves into the flowering stage. Select a light source that matches as closely as possible its requirements. Naturally, daylength is a function of earth's orbit around the sun. Well need to manage that as well.
SOIL - Whether we grow in soil or hydro our plant will only thrive if its feet are somewhere comfortable. In nature, evolution has selected for a range of pH, drainage and moisture content. Wild MJ doesn't grow in acidic peat-bogs, deserts or mangrove swamps....nor will it in our closet/cupboard unless we get this right.
FOOD - Natural soil is a living environment....a mix of organic and inorganic compounds playing host to an army of life. This life breaks down the organic material releasing nutrients at a rate that avoids feast or famine. Too much will damage just as surely as too little. Indoors, everything is provided by us...not just the famous NPK, but every other micronutrient needed. Just as we need vitamin C to prevent scurvy, our plant needs all these to prevent deficiency diseases. Our plant also feeds on carbon dioxide from the air - look at a forest: almost all of that was built from air, the same goes for our plants. If the grow area is small, then the air will need to be changed continuously.
PESTS - An ecosystem is (or should be) in balance. A wild plant will almost certainly have the odd pest nibbling at its leaves or sucking its sap. The point is that these pests will, in turn be preyed upon by others, keeping their numbers in check. Providing there is no biblical plague of locusts, the wild plant will be able to cope. We have to ensure that pests and diseases are controlled; for without any natural controls, a biblical plague is what we'll get in our grow-room.
TEMPERATURE - You will not find wild hash plants in the Arctic or Death Valley....and while it is true that the warmer the environment the faster the plant will grow, too much heat will kill.
HUMIDITY - As with any other factor, too humid a grow area will promote problems...from damping-off of seedlings at the beginning to bud rot at the end. Keep the humidity in the right region, and she'll be happy.
WIND - Nature has very few completely still days and plants have evolved to cope with this. The passage of air around the plant will stimulate the stem to strengthen, stop stagnant air forming around the plant, promote transpiration and moderate the humidity. Move the air around in your growroom.

Without wishing to cause any offence....we are playing God.....God of our basement, attic or closet. It's an awesome responsibility, and while it is certainly true that Cannabis can tolerate a range of all the above factors, if any of these factors move too far from the ideal, then the plant will suffer, and perhaps even die. Conversely, the closer we can get to the ideal, the healthier and happier our plant will be....and she'll say thank you with flowers!

My first grows were a disaster; thinking that watching a couple of videos on YouTube was enough, I bought crappy seeds and promptly succeeded in killing what I'd germinated. I came to this forum to learn where I'd gone wrong. The people here are generous with their their time, skills and knowledge. (If sometimes a little sharp tongued).
This is my acknowledgement of the debt I owe them....THANK YOU ALL...and an appeal to novices to learn from my errors.

Do yourselves a favour - READ. It'll save you time and disappointment.

Thanks for listening

Sawmiller

sawmiller Reviewed by sawmiller on 11-14-2010. Some thoughts for novices So.....we want to grow indoors? Here's some things to think about, things I have learned from here - we will be responsible for a living thing, a living thing that evolved to survive outside. If we consider it's life outside first, we'll have a good idea of how much responsibility we're taking on. I am in no way an expert, and cannot give you answers to the issues the following statements raise, but it wasn't until I started considering them that my plants became happy. SEX - in Rating: 5

[WashougalWonder]

good post