Oh the Mistakes I've made....

[HydroDynamics]

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 11-23-2005. 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

[latewood]

You did good to save WW for second grow. :thumbsup: After you have one under your belt and get the good gentics going, you will be pleased to know where you are going with it...goodluck.lw :smokin:

[turtle420]

DO: Buy the best lights you can afford...
DON'T: ... um... tell anyone you're growing.

My $0.02

[luckydan]

Good post hydro,i would have to stress to ,,do not rush your plants into flower you always seem to end up with more males,Dont tell anyone is a real good idea and secondly just for your info the very fist funny looking leaves that the seed produces are called the cotoleedons(not shore on spelling )these little funny looking leaves have all the nutes the seedling needs for the first month at least.......Happy growing.....

[HydroDynamics]

Just to add another note on a DO NOT... for Hydro

DO NOT: Turn on your 1KW HPS BEFORE your nute tank is flooding and draining. You will stress the plants without water when the sun starts a-shine-in!!!
DO: Make sure you keep an eye on your nutes each day. Both PH and EC.
DO: Measure your nutes carefully when using a 3-part system. Some go (grow, micro, flower) 321, 222, 123... Just make sure you know what your putting in your tank.
DO: Flush your plants when changing over from Veg to Flower as well as taking down the lights for 36 hours (keep them dark for 36 hours before switching on the HPS) if you are using MH and HPS seperately. Same applies for multi-spectrum bulbs.
DO: Make sure your Carbon Scrubber is complete... before you need it. Once your plants start reeking it's a mad rush to finish it. Will post plans on another thread.
DO NOT: Think that just caus' someone posts that the plant will stay low it will not stretch!!! It will when you least think so. Top 44 stretched on me, and it's under 1KW of light!!!

Well.... will add some more as I learn the small mistakes I've made... I've also been blessed with the remainder of my plants all females. So finishing off 5 females... 3 Top 44 and 2 bag weed plants (some kind of strain that was awesome, saved the seeds). WW have been planted on 11/20 and are already showing 3rd/4th set of leaves on some/most plants.

[Psycho4Bud]

A listing of Commandments......I do believe Moses has found the mountain! :thumbsup:

[Trichome Creator]

DO: Buy the best lights you can afford...
DON'T: ... um... tell anyone you're growing.

My $0.02

Sorry Turtle I'm a name brand whore.

[turtle420]

Sorry Turtle I'm a name brand whore.

insidesun if I'm not mistaken... right? :smokin:

[Starchild]

I have been guilty of at least some of your list.I am a quick learner and have been keeping a journal to rectify making additional errors.I spent six hours here my first night reading to try to start out right.So I appreciate the help and guidance from everyone...

[orangeman]

I just wanted to state something. Most people say female plants are better than males plants but God you guys kill them (rofl, sexists). Joking, my point is around here people still sell male weed and we still get high, I smoked both sexes (if you wanna call it that), I can tell a difference but it doesnt matter the sex to me. Male or Female, I think if its your first time growing, growing either sex would just be good for practice.