First off, I'd like to say that there is a bunch of really smart peeps here when it comes to growing.

Too bad I didn't read the posts and stick to what I read.

It looks like my first attempt for a full blown Hydro grow is not going to be as good as I expected, but there is alot of lessons to be learned from that. For the first time growers here, I can't stress enough ,read and stick to it.

DO NOT: give seedlings nutes until they have at least the second set of leaves, and then only 1/4 strength if that. If you nute them... It will stunt the growth at the least or kill them... don't ask how I know!!
DO: just give seedlings only water with a couple of drops per 10 gals or so of micro nute while starting from seeds.
DO NOT: think that the only way to start seeds is from the paper towel method, they can and do germinate well and quickly right in the rockwool.
DO NOT: touch seedlings with anything or disturb them, it can and does damage them, then you end up wiith garbage and wasted time.
DO: go slow on going up on the nutes after they are seedlings.
DO: make sure you check the PH and keep it steady.
DO NOT: make drastic changes to the water ph or fert wise.
DO: make sure you have an EC meter and use it. Yes you can easily burn even adult plants by not measuring the PPM concentration of nutes.
DO NOT: mix seedlings with more mature plants, they require different nute needs, and will surely screw up either one of them.
DO: check your water levels and make sure to change the water every 1-2 weeks, and make sure the PH and nutes are the same after the water change.
DO NOT: think that your first grow will be a huge success. Plan for the worst, and hope for the best.
DO NOT: flower your plants too early to rush them along. You'll lose the time in veg state to less yeild and it still will take time for them to be mature enough to flower anyways, so wait till they are ready to flower first.
DO NOT: think just cause you invested in few hundred bucks in stuff that you'll pull it off. You have to take care to use what you've got the right way. Money doesn't buy a green thumb!!
DO: listen to others and learn from their mistakes first, it will pay off in the end.
DO: wait until you are completely sure that your male is a male before cutting it down.
DO NOT: wait to long to make sure your male is a male before cutting it down either.
DO NOT: feel bad about cutting down a perfectly health MALE plant, it's hard to have that pit in your stomach feeling that you've just wasted time on growing it, but that's the way it goes.
DO: use only clean water. RO, rain water, really good filtered tap, or bottled water only. Never water straight from the tap.
DO NOT: panic just cause you see a spot on your leaves.
DO: make sure the spot on your leaves is what it looks like.
DO NOT: just trim fan leaves and other leaves nilly-willy.
DO NOT: Tell anyone that your growing tomatoe (quialism) plants. No brothers sisters girlfriends (expecially). No one can keep a secret better than you.
DO: make sure that you learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them.
DO: plan on your second grow after going to flower if you have the room.

And Most Importantly: Support the movement to leagalize what God himself gave to us to enjoy.

Out of 10 plants I ended up with 2 females, a bit of stretch, but doing very well with nice wiskers coming out of the flowers. Not good odds, but it was mostly swag seed, and ALL my fault. I Saved the White Widows for the second grow. There is a bunch more do and don'ts but I made so many mistakes that I don't think that I will repeat any of them on my second attempt. 10 more tomatoe plants just starting, and going to finish my 2 females in the next 5-6 weeks. Just in time to start thinking about flowering the second grow.

:thumbsup:
HydroDynamics Reviewed by HydroDynamics on . Oh the Mistakes I've made.... First off, I'd like to say that there is a bunch of really smart peeps here when it comes to growing. Too bad I didn't read the posts and stick to what I read. It looks like my first attempt for a full blown Hydro grow is not going to be as good as I expected, but there is alot of lessons to be learned from that. For the first time growers here, I can't stress enough ,read and stick to it. DO NOT: give seedlings nutes until they have at least the second set of leaves, and then Rating: 5