I've seen calibration/storage solution go bad, too. Some seem to go bad and become unreliable pretty quickly. I've had bad luck with the General Hydroponics Reference 7.0 solution - (and yes I know not to re-use it or contaminate it). This was news to me! I had assumed it lasted for a while, and didn't think of how it was throwing off my auto-calibrating pen...
Lessons Learned from a first time grower
- Thread starter SteveHman
- Start date
I've seen calibration/storage solution go bad, too. Some seem to go bad and become unreliable pretty quickly. I've had bad luck with the General Hydroponics Reference 7.0 solution - (and yes I know not to re-use it or contaminate it). This was news to me! I had assumed it lasted for a while, and didn't think of how it was throwing off my auto-calibrating pen...
Magic beans
New Member
@Xlr8
Had no clue about the calibration shelf life. Thanks really great info there. Bout to bring my bottles to the basement to stay cool
Had no clue about the calibration shelf life. Thanks really great info there. Bout to bring my bottles to the basement to stay cool
Magic beans
New Member
I found a great post on nutrient management in hydro systems:
What levels should I maintain for my hydroponic nutrient, temperature, pH and TDS/EC?
I would like to add a good read: Advanced Nutrient Management for hydroponic growers, by Lawrence Brooke. Anyone confused or not fully understanding hydroponics, or anyone who knows hydro, but wants the key to nutrient solution management read that.
What levels should I maintain for my hydroponic nutrient, temperature, pH and TDS/EC?
I would like to add a good read: Advanced Nutrient Management for hydroponic growers, by Lawrence Brooke. Anyone confused or not fully understanding hydroponics, or anyone who knows hydro, but wants the key to nutrient solution management read that.
surf420
New Member
most important lesson i learned in my first grow is
MOLD SUCKS!
keep a close eye on that humidity while late in flowering and even after harvesting, lost me a good chunk of herb cause i was lazy
MOLD SUCKS!
keep a close eye on that humidity while late in flowering and even after harvesting, lost me a good chunk of herb cause i was lazy
Truth Seeker
New Member
excellent post my friend!!!
+reps!!!
+reps!!!
- Thread starter
- #27
Zackroman,
Welcome to 420, even after I read everything I still had questions about growing. What I've found out is, if you ask a question and show you've already done your homework, the experienced growers are more than happy to help. If someone is lazy and just asks a half-assed question and expects responses they will get frustrated because "this isn't a friendly site". I love the "what, 57 views and not a single reply" comments from these people.
Best of luck on your grow and don't hesitate to ask for help.
Welcome to 420, even after I read everything I still had questions about growing. What I've found out is, if you ask a question and show you've already done your homework, the experienced growers are more than happy to help. If someone is lazy and just asks a half-assed question and expects responses they will get frustrated because "this isn't a friendly site". I love the "what, 57 views and not a single reply" comments from these people.
Best of luck on your grow and don't hesitate to ask for help.
Will do man!
it's good to see people helping the new guys such as me haha.
And tell me about it, I hate when some kid posts a pic of a plant and says what does it need and what strain is it haha. You need allot more info then that Pics smell feel ext. so anyways thanks again and I will definitly turn to your posts and you for advice in the future!
HAPPY GROWING
Since1970
New Member
Good stuff. 
"Know Cannabis; Know Peace".
"Know Cannabis; Know Peace".
- Thread starter
- #30
17. Don't Over-think and then Over-react:
It's easy to try to over-analyze things and find the exact reason why something looks the way it does. Often times it's the easiest solution to the problem that is the fix. If you aren't 005 sure what the issue is, don't be afraid to ask for help, what you though was a severe nutrient burn, def, pest problem may have been a simple abrasion form the fan blowing the leaves around. Once the problem is identified decide if immediate and drastic action is required. There's a term in marksmanship called "chasing the bull", you're so determined to hit the bulls-eye, you keep missing because you are over-correcting. The same is true for MOST problems in growing. A little change can make a big difference. Start incrementally and resolve one issue at a time--unless of course the plants are at risk of dying. An example would be a Mg def and High pH. Correct the pH first and then see if the Mg def is still an issue (instead of dumping a ton of epsom salt and pH down in at the same time.
Every day for me is a learning experience. I try to pick up as much as I can from reading as many journals as time permits.
It's easy to try to over-analyze things and find the exact reason why something looks the way it does. Often times it's the easiest solution to the problem that is the fix. If you aren't 005 sure what the issue is, don't be afraid to ask for help, what you though was a severe nutrient burn, def, pest problem may have been a simple abrasion form the fan blowing the leaves around. Once the problem is identified decide if immediate and drastic action is required. There's a term in marksmanship called "chasing the bull", you're so determined to hit the bulls-eye, you keep missing because you are over-correcting. The same is true for MOST problems in growing. A little change can make a big difference. Start incrementally and resolve one issue at a time--unless of course the plants are at risk of dying. An example would be a Mg def and High pH. Correct the pH first and then see if the Mg def is still an issue (instead of dumping a ton of epsom salt and pH down in at the same time.
Every day for me is a learning experience. I try to pick up as much as I can from reading as many journals as time permits.
OG13
New Member
17. Don't Over-think and then Over-react:
It's easy to try to over-analyze things and find the exact reason why something looks the way it does.
Every day for me is a learning experience. I try to pick up as much as I can from reading as many journals as time permits.
plus reps, good thread. Keep the focus.
Hello everyone,
I also have done a great deal of reading from many sources, just had to say thanks for your work. Your comment on seeing bud mold early was very timely here in NorCal with the rain and wind. But I think that your eyes are the most important tool in the garden. Learning to see the difference between what mites and thrips look like on the leaves, seeing that very early bit of bud that is drying out because a catapillar has chomped through it's stem and getting that worm before it eats it's fill. A little catapillar poop inside a bud.....mold for sure. Made some mistakes too, surprised how easy it is to overwater and truly stunt a great plant. But all in all, best stuff I've ever grown.
I also have done a great deal of reading from many sources, just had to say thanks for your work. Your comment on seeing bud mold early was very timely here in NorCal with the rain and wind. But I think that your eyes are the most important tool in the garden. Learning to see the difference between what mites and thrips look like on the leaves, seeing that very early bit of bud that is drying out because a catapillar has chomped through it's stem and getting that worm before it eats it's fill. A little catapillar poop inside a bud.....mold for sure. Made some mistakes too, surprised how easy it is to overwater and truly stunt a great plant. But all in all, best stuff I've ever grown.
Magic beans
New Member
So, what have I learned?
1. Dont get paranoid! MJ is a sturdy plant. If there is a problem, there's probably a simple cure. Relax.
2. Res temps are crucial! Keep em low and your plants will thank you and not develop problems, disease, etc. Under 68f is ideal.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide (h202) makes foamy bubbles! There's nothing wrong, it's cleaning like it should and suds will go away in time.
4. I like hygrozyme!
5. RO water NEEDS Cal-Mag. If there's mag deficiency, add epsom salts, foliar spray with a epsom salts water mix until Mag uptake is fixed. Nutrients do not add enough cal-mag to make up for the zero cal-mag in RO water. A short burst of ph at 6.1-6.5 during call-mag addition after a deficiency ensures best Mag uptake.
6. Don't worry about PH getting slightly high from optimal. It's normal and doesnt need constant adjustment of .2-.6 ph. Chances are it will fluctuate down some anyways. Wait till it gets more outta line before adjusting.
7. SH nutes in the Bubleponics (miss spelled for reason) kits do not like RO water and will be the demons of massive ph swings. I like the AN Sensi Grow A & B and B52, and Voodoo juice. PH swings were minimal with these nutrients.
8. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Every res change (once per week) clean the bejeebus out of EVERYTHING! Replace air lines. Flush well, clean again! Take filters out of water pumps and clean them well! Soak in h202 while cleaning other parts. Add an external filter bag to water pumps.
9. Preparing nutrient mix before draining means plants will be out of water for less time. Plants love the huge oxygen shot they get out of the water, but if they'll be out more than 20 mins or so have a ph correct plain water foliar spray at hand and spray the hell out of the roots. Good time to wipe down netpots exterior too.
10. Record your data. Check PH 2 times daily MINIMUM. Record PPM, PH, Res temp. Recording height is optional. Make notes of res changes and any other findings.
11. Don't over soak beans when transplanted! The cubes only need a trickle! This no doubt reduced my yield 50% from placing me two weeks behind to get new seeds and re-germinate.
12. GrowStealth LED lights rock! Dont be afraid to lower the lights a bit! I firmly believe I actually was too high to get the shorter, later plants to stretch. When I moved the light more over them and lowered that end of light they started to move more.
13. Humidty is an issue in my dry ass climate. I need to get more humidty. These plants like much more humidity than I gave them.
14. ASK FOR HELP! Probably the most important thing of all. Don't be a know it all. Do your research first, THEN ask questions. If I research my "issue" first I will be more familiar with what people are talking about. Ask those that have been there before me. Stay humble.
Ok, there may have been more that I learned, but these things are what come to mind. We're only 1/2 way through the process, and roughly 1/3rd of the grow duration. I'm sure I'll learn more. Hell I may even learn how to take close ups!
Thanks to all thus far for your guidance.
Useful info, bassman!
- Thread starter
- #34
18. Even Tiger Woods has a Coach.
No matter how smart you think you are, or how much you've read, there is someone out there smarter and better educated. It's good to find out who these people are (and not just in the world of growing. Everyone hits a wall occasionally and needs to ask for help/advice. I was recently asked about topping and fimming. I've done both successfully but am far from an expert in the area. I remembered seeing a few good graphics of it around and asked for a copy of it. Xlr8 was kind enough to post it to my Grow 5.1 journal and I am reposting it here:
And how to LST:
No matter how smart you think you are, or how much you've read, there is someone out there smarter and better educated. It's good to find out who these people are (and not just in the world of growing. Everyone hits a wall occasionally and needs to ask for help/advice. I was recently asked about topping and fimming. I've done both successfully but am far from an expert in the area. I remembered seeing a few good graphics of it around and asked for a copy of it. Xlr8 was kind enough to post it to my Grow 5.1 journal and I am reposting it here:
And how to LST:
jjames
New Member
def good advice from steve...
im a first time groweer and have been reading alot, and then when im done, reading some more. there is endless information out there... use it...
im a first time groweer and have been reading alot, and then when im done, reading some more. there is endless information out there... use it...
oakley2112
New Member
maybe, im afirst time grower and everthing steve says is true. i know ive asked some qs that have made him and abunch of other people roll their eyes and go not again. just like putting yor hand in the fire and then if your dumb enough you do it again. you soon learn not to do it anymore. bad qs aint gonna stop. but alittle sense of humor will go a long way.
no question is a stupid question...only not asking is stupid
Nice LST how-to, and great graphical references. Clear and to the point!
OT
That's a good way to do it... if someone asks "How do I grow weed?" answer "Light, Water, Growing Medium" The more detail they put into asking the question and giving visual references, the more detailed an answer it deserves- nae demands, to give a proper answer.
That's a good way to do it... if someone asks "How do I grow weed?" answer "Light, Water, Growing Medium" The more detail they put into asking the question and giving visual references, the more detailed an answer it deserves- nae demands, to give a proper answer.
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