First Grow Attempt Need Help Please

[nakedgunner]

Me and my friend are going to try to grow for the first time. It will be in my closet with plenty of space. We are getting some black dominia seeds shortly. We would appreciate any comments/help with this(i.e. pots,soil/fertilizer,lights). I was thinking 4 lights, one fluro and 3 HPS. Looking to start off with about 5 plants. Thanks. :stoned:

nakedgunner Reviewed by nakedgunner on 11-10-2005. First Grow Attempt Need Help Please Me and my friend are going to try to grow for the first time. It will be in my closet with plenty of space. We are getting some black dominia seeds shortly. We would appreciate any comments/help with this(i.e. pots,soil/fertilizer,lights). I was thinking 4 lights, one fluro and 3 HPS. Looking to start off with about 5 plants. Thanks. :stoned: Rating: 5

[JohnnyPotGrower]

I recieved a free packet of black domina seeds from nirvana when i ordered the northern lights i am growing now. As I remember the seeds were extremely hard to germinate for some reason. This could be because nirvana just sent me some duds which is why they are free, but i distinctly remember being frustrated with trying to germinate them. I also read up on that strain a little bit in anticipation of growing them and remember it saying that it can be a more difficult strain to grow. Im sorry if all this is discouraging news, but i dont think that black domina is suggested for new growers.

That being said i would say definitly try to grow them because i hear they yield some amazing bud. As far as the lights go i dont think you need to have that many. I dont know what your budget looks like but if you want to grow 5 plants I would suggest 500W of CFLs (compact floro's) for the veg. period. This would probably mean five 100W CFLs or if you can spare some room, ten 50W CFLs (or i guess any combination of the two that will give you approx 500W). Another option for the veg period would be to buy a 400W MH (metal halide) lamp. This will cost more that the CFLs but it has a more optimal color spectrum. As for veg I would suggest a 400W HPS. It is unlikely that all 5 of your plants will be female so you will probably be left with only 2-3 plants, and the 400W HPS will give them PLENTY of light. If you decide to go with the MH for veg and HPS for flower then I would suggest looking into converter systems which basically consists of one ballast for both the MH and HPS bulb, all you have to do is switch when you go to 12/12. This will save you alot of $$$.

goodluck, id like to hear how it goes.

JPG

[DaubeWeTrust]

Johnny,
Thank you for the post. We just ordered the seeds today. I will probably go with the 500w CFL's for veg and the 400w HPS for flower. Could I find these for sale at any stores? or would I have to order them. Also, I would appreciate your opinion on soil, fertilizer, and nutrients. Thanks. I'll be checking and updating several times a day.

[DaubeWeTrust]

By the way I am nakedgunner, don't know why I'm on this user name.

[JohnnyPotGrower]

The Compact Floros you can buy at a Home Depot or any store like that. The HPS will be a little harder to find. I have heard that you can buy them on Ebay for around $100, but I got mine from a hydroponics site for around $250 (including balast and reflector). If I were you I would search around some sites and find the best deal since $$$ doesnt seem to be too much of an issue with you. I would recomend getting one the "kits" or "systems" they offer for the HPS lights (this basically just means they include the balast and reflector and anything else you may want or need).

Im not much much of an expert on soil, but you should make sure that whatever soil you buy has perilite in it. Also avoid soil that looks like it has bark or any kind of wood in it as those tend to have higher acidity levels which will make your plant unhappy. I have heard Scotts potting soil is the best so I would go with that if you want a safe bet.

Fertilizer and nutrients fall under the same category. Most people suggest using a fertilizer that has this ratio of nutrients: 15-30-15 (Those numbers correspond to the main nutrients Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium which the plant needs). Just look on the side of the fertilizer and it will have a three digit ratio like that one. Again, 15-30-15 seems to be the most popular. **DO NOT USE MIRACLE GROW FERTILIZER** I honostly don't know why this is a rule, but just about everyone I have talked to has stressed that you should not use Miracle Grow, so any other fert. with the proper ration should be fine.

You probably dont want to even think about giving your plants any fertilizer for at least the first two weeks. Young plants cant handle the high concentration of nutrients and will suffer what is called nutrient burn if given them too soon or too often. Follow the instructions on the box as the will apply to your plant as well. Do not over fertilize. This, along with over watering, is probably one of the biggest mistakes new growers make. More fert. does not mean more growth.

Thats all I got for ya now, i'd be happy to help you with any more questions you got.

-JPG