Wassup GIN.

Nice, healthy looking plants you got there.

I'm on my first grow too, and I'm also using miracle grow soil. I wish I wasn't. MG soil has slow release nutrients, so it's impossible to control exaclty what nutrients your plants are recieving, and it's easy to over-feed your plants. Also, MG soil has poor drainage. I can only water my plants once a week because it takes so long for the soil to dry after I soak them.

So, when you transplant your girls into 3 gallon pots or whatever you're going to use, I suggest making your own "soilless mixture". People use peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and some other things. You can do some research to figure out exactly what to use and what percentages. But I highly suggest not using miracle grow soil when you transplant.

You got the right idea on saving up to buy an HPS system. If not for this grow, for your next one.

Sorry to tell you, but if you think the plants smell now... just wait. They smell 10 times worse during flowering.

Like you said, first time grows are a learning experience. I've learned SO much from my grow and from this forum, and it sounds like you are too. Best of luck to you!

joe.