My First Grow Journal

[MidnightToker54]

This is my first grow journal - indoors, soil, natural sunlight. I started taking photos about a month into growing. If this first plant is a male, I have 9 other seedlings already started I can continue the journal with.

MidnightToker54 Reviewed by MidnightToker54 on 07-30-2006. My First Grow Journal This is my first grow journal - indoors, soil, natural sunlight. I started taking photos about a month into growing. If this first plant is a male, I have 9 other seedlings already started I can continue the journal with. :) Rating: 5

[MidnightToker54]

By the way - I know people will say "why don't you get a grow light" but this journal is intended for beginners who might not have the space/time/money for a closet setup. This is for people who may just have 1 or 2 plants next to a window or in their back porch and so everyone can see what to expect from a indoor plant under natural light.

It's kind of an experiment for me because I've never had success growing before. Either my cats ate the plants or they died from some other reason.

Also, could someone tell me why I only have 3 leaves so far. I thought 5 was the minumum and plants I've grown in the past had 5 leaves. One of the branches only has 2! Look at the picture on the right, and the big leaf on the right side - it's deformed and only has 2 leaves. And some of the other smaller leaves are deformed too - some don't have serrated edges.

[slowthestone]

Typically, a plant will develop the more classic fan leaf up around the 5th node on up. 3-5-7-9 is usually what can be found as the plant matures.

I've no real conclussion about leaf development yet. All I can theorize to date is that a plant makes what it needs as it needs it.

And then theres the roll of genetics. Not all plants are fit to go the distance while others can't be killed if ya pour gas on them and set'm on fire.

[MidnightToker54]

Thanks for the info - I was afraid that 3 leaves meant it was a male.

Even if it is a male, the seedlings are only about 2 weeks behind the older plant. I'm limiting myself to 3 plants for final growing because of space and a busy schedule. Eventually, I'll have to trim the plants or stunt their growth somehow because they only have a few feet to grow. But I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Each plant will have it's own little skylight so it's almost like an artificial growroom. Soon I'll be painting the area around the skylights white so they will be nice and bright even during the fall. There's ventilation coming from 3 directions and fresh air right under the plants.

Right now they're getting weak doses of MiracleGro for Tomatoes but I need to start giving them some real stuff soon. Could someone suggest a good veg nutrient for a soil/sunlight indoor plant?

[slowthestone]

http://www.foxfarmfertilizer.com/buy...sumer_map.html

[MidnightToker54]

Cool - There's a place right near my house to get it. Is that the best natural fertilizer?

As you can tell, I prefer to grow natural even if it takes longer.

[slowthestone]

I can't say if it's the best or not...but for sure it's a damn good line of nutrients that won't break a person's wallet in half.

Lotsa bang for the buck. Or as I like to say it...lotsa bud for the buck! :rasta:

[MidnightToker54]

OK, I'm back

I got a bottle of FoxFarm GrowBig. The garden center was even closer than I thought - only 5 minutes away. And the first thing I see when I walk in - FoxFarm liquid nutrients! And to make things even better, there's a cute chick who works there and she was very nice - something to look forward to when I go back. :thumbsup:

Is it ok to give my plant some GrowBig right away even though I gave it a spray of MracleGro this morning?

[MidnightToker54]

My plant seems to be slowing down a little - is that normal at this stage of vegetation? It was growing very fast the past week or so, but the past 2 days I haven't seen much change.

The plant looks healthy (see pictures).....soil is moist, cool, and a little spongy, good drainage, smells clean.....started on small doses of FoxFarm alternated with plain water.....sufficient natural light but not too hot, cool gentle ventilation breeze, and I mist the leaves lightly with plain spring water every few days - not too much because it's been very humid in my area lately.

I put the plant outside for a few hours today in direct sunlight with a nice breeze. I started way too late this season, so I want to get as much direct sunlight as possible.

Also, how long do I have to wait until I can sex her/him?

[MidnightToker54]

7th set of leaves and still only 3 on each set.....