Completely new, need lots of advice

[Fwish]

Ok, I am completely new to growing The one thing i'm sure of is i'm growing indoors. I have read so many different things from different types and wattage of growing lights to what type of growing system wethere or not to use soil, hydroponic or bubble ponics and to the amount of light it gets and even germinating them. Those of you who are brave enough to read my incoming wall of text and answer the questions from a newbie, I thank you. Ok here goes.

Number one : Grow lights.

I have my eye set on a 400W Hps / MH System or even a 150 W system. for growing 2 plants ( yes i know a small amount of plants my first try) as my grow light. Below are 3 different links to them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1XNO5WXRONZJZ

Amazon.com: 400w Hps/mh High Pressure Sodium Metal Halide Electronic Digital Grow Lights System with Timer (120v/240v): Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: Sun System® HPS 150 Grow Light Fixture: Home Improvement < 150 watt one.

Of these 3 which would get my plants from seedling to harvest or would I need to up the ammount of wattage or would the 150W be large enough for just 2 plants ( I can buy 2 if these). Also the distant that which wattage of light should be hanging from the top of the plant from seedling to harvest. Also i will be building a reflective enviroment around the plants so all sides are hit.


Second : Growing system.

I feel as though a hydroponic or bubbleponic system would be the easiest to try the very first time doing this although i would like any and all thoughts on what method would be the easiest and perhaps links to a website that shows me how to build it. The most i've researched into was the hydroponic and it seemed easy enough.

Third : Germinating

I've debated wether or not to use the paper towel method, I think it seems fairly reliable although i am open to any other methods that you've used. Also, When the taproot is showing, how far down should i plant it and should the taproot be facing up or down. I already know it shouldn't poke out of the soil.

fourth : Heat

I'm planning on beginning this early march, I've read that the germination process should be kept around 65 - 85 degrees with high humidity around 40 - 65% and the plants after beginning to grow should be kept in 75 - 85 degree temps throughout it's life. my home is roughly 67 degrees at the momen and at the beginning of march it will be maybe 70 on a good day,but will drop down to 40 or less at night. Will the heat from the grow lights I listed above be enough to keep the plants warm or could I even used a space heater to heat the air around the plants, not pointed directly at them of course allowing the heat from that to circulate, Also should i use a humidifier for the room or even a water heater if i'm going to hydroponicly grow them and if i can used a space heater can i use it to keep them warm at night when the lights are off?

Fifth : L/PD - Light per day

I've read that you should begin them at 16 - 20 per day during the vegetation stage and 12 / 12 after 2 months or so of veg to begin their flowering process the only thing i'm unsure of is how much light to give them at the seedling stage, I have this wacky knock off growlight that is 33Watts it's an LED i think, will that be enough to start them out under and then move them to the larger light.
( The low watt grow light is called General electric Gro and sho bright stik.

These are all the questions i can come up with at the moment If any of the information i posted in here is false please let me know.

I thank you for your time reading all of this. Happy growing my friends.

Fwish Reviewed by Fwish on 02-13-2012. Completely new, need lots of advice Ok, I am completely new to growing The one thing i'm sure of is i'm growing indoors. I have read so many different things from different types and wattage of growing lights to what type of growing system wethere or not to use soil, hydroponic or bubble ponics and to the amount of light it gets and even germinating them. Those of you who are brave enough to read my incoming wall of text and answer the questions from a newbie, I thank you. Ok here goes. Number one : Grow lights. I have my Rating: 5

[Weezard]

Attachment 282673Attachment 282674

Tap root up.

The rest of your questions, I will leave to the resident tutors.

While you wait, I suggest you click the first link in my sig. and browse.
And the mythbuster link will save you much grief in the future.

Aloha,
Wee 'zard

[Weezard]

Hmmm,
Lotsa reading.
No other replies?

Ah well, I got a minute.

I'll take a whack at it.

Ok, I am completely new to growing The one thing i'm sure of is i'm growing indoors. I have read so many different things from different types and wattage of growing lights to what type of growing system wethere or not to use soil, hydroponic or bubble ponics and to the amount of light it gets and even germinating them. Those of you who are brave enough to read my incoming wall of text and answer the questions from a newbie, I thank you. Ok here goes.

Number one : Grow lights.

I have my eye set on a 400W Hps / MH System or even a 150 W system. for growing 2 plants ( yes i know a small amount of plants my first try) as my grow light. Below are 3 different links to them.

Amazon.com: 400 Watt Super HPS MH Grow Light System Digital Hydroponic 400w hps mh grow light set kit. 400w ballast, Super High Pressure Sodium bulb, Metal Halide bulb, 19" Wing Reflector and pair of Ratchet Rope Hanger. Comparable to Hydrofarm and S

Amazon.com: 400w Hps/mh High Pressure Sodium Metal Halide Electronic Digital Grow Lights System with Timer (120v/240v): Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: Sun System® HPS 150 Grow Light Fixture: Home Improvement < 150 watt one.

Of these 3 which would get my plants from seedling to harvest or would I need to up the ammount of wattage or would the 150W be large enough for just 2 plants ( I can buy 2 if these). Also the distant that which wattage of light should be hanging from the top of the plant from seedling to harvest. Also i will be building a reflective enviroment around the plants so all sides are hit.

Can't help you here.
I use LEDs

Second : Growing system.

I feel as though a hydroponic or bubbleponic system would be the easiest to try the very first time doing this although i would like any and all thoughts on what method would be the easiest and perhaps links to a website that shows me how to build it. The most i've researched into was the hydroponic and it seemed easy enough.

If you are looking for easy, it's hard to beat Weeze kine, DWC.
A bucket of water, an airpump, and a skillknife is all it takes.
I cut a square hole in the bucket lid slightly larger than the bottom of a 5" square, plastic container that holds my plant.
I then wedge the pot into the square hole and measure the distance to the bottom of the bucket.
Fill the bucket with Dyna-bloom n water, 1 tsp per gallon, to an inch or so below the bottom of the container.
Hook the air-pump up to a small UPS in case of power failure, and walk away
No worry, the bubbles from the air-stone will splash the bottom of the container and draw the roots down into the water.

4 or 5 gallons worth of roots with no soil to take up space will grow monsters, so leave plenty of headroom.

Third : Germinating

I've debated wether or not to use the paper towel method, I think it seems fairly reliable although i am open to any other methods that you've used. Also, When the taproot is showing, how far down should i plant it and should the taproot be facing up or down. I already know it shouldn't poke out of the soil.


I germ directly in soil.
Less trauma at a sensitive time.
The rest, you know.

fourth : Heat

I'm planning on beginning this early march, I've read that the germination process should be kept around 65 - 85 degrees with high humidity around 40 - 65% and the plants after beginning to grow should be kept in 75 - 85 degree temps throughout it's life. my home is roughly 67 degrees at the momen and at the beginning of march it will be maybe 70 on a good day,but will drop down to 40 or less at night. Will the heat from the grow lights I listed above be enough to keep the plants warm or could I even used a space heater to heat the air around the plants, not pointed directly at them of course allowing the heat from that to circulate, Also should i use a humidifier for the room or even a water heater if i'm going to hydroponicly grow them and if i can used a space heater can i use it to keep them warm at night when the lights are off?

Run your lights at night and the heat will be a welcome addition

Fifth : L/PD - Light per day

I've read that you should begin them at 16 - 20 per day during the vegetation stage and 12 / 12 after 2 months or so of veg to begin their flowering process the only thing i'm unsure of is how much light to give them at the seedling stage, I have this wacky knock off growlight that is 33Watts it's an LED i think, will that be enough to start them out under and then move them to the larger light.
( The low watt grow light is called General electric Gro and sho bright stik.

That will work quite well if you don't have it too close.( >6" or you risk overdriving the seedlings.)
I do 18:6, for many reasons.

These are all the questions i can come up with at the moment If any of the information i posted in here is false please let me know.

I thank you for your time reading all of this. Happy growing my friends.

Happy growing right back atcha!
We are all assuming that this is a medical grow and we're happy to assist.
(Although, in my personal opinion, all grows are medical grows)

Still you have not addressed the issue of odor control.
Legal or not, it's best not to attract attention, yah?
Give it some thought.

Aloha, and best of luck,
Wee 'zard

[Fwish]

thanks, still lookin for some advice on the lights also while waiting for an answer i did a tad bit of research, Think i can get 3 42 Watt High wattage 6500k CFL bulbs surround the plants in a triangle with these and have a 150 HPS bulb hanging above from seedling to harvest?