grow lights

[poker shark]

The upside is a lot of this stuff is one time purchase so other than the usual upgrades most people make as they learn it's not so bad....and I think it will all be worth it in the end.

[HAPPY GRASS]

I also have a problem understanding the N-P-K Ratios that come with feeding, if you can explain that to me that would be great.

[The Butcher]

EC indicates how much dissolved
salt is in a given sample. That is why EC is
also referred to as TDS (Total Dissolved Salts) or Salinity
(the amount of salts in a solution). All nutrients are salts, so EC is the same as measuring total nutrients in a solution.

Heres a little more info for you on maiting your rez:

1.Check the beginning water quality with your TDS meter. Tap water measuring 300 ppm or greater indicates using either bottled spring water or a reverse osmosis filter on your tap water.
2.Use a digital probe or test kit measure the strength and pH of the nutrient solution every day or every other day.one of the most common mistakes that noob's make is over doing it on the p.h sitch, sometimes they overdo it and over ajusting the p.h which can cause issues in the garden,thats why i suggest check every couple days
3.Adjust the pH of your nutrient solution using pH up or pH down accordingly. Note: An adjustment in your solution's pH will affect its strength.
4.Use a TDS or EC meter check the strength of your nutrient solution. If it is too strong, add water. If it is too weak, add a little fertilizer.
5.Change the solution in your reservoir every two weeks. In two weeks, the plants may have caused the solution to become nutritionally imbalanced(this is crucial)
6.Tap water: Tap water can contain chemicals such as chlorine which can adversely affect your plants. If unsure it is best to let your tap water stand for 24 hours prior to adding to your reservoir or use chlorine remover for aquariums. By letting your water stand, you equalize the the temperature of the water to that of the room, thereby making the water less likely to shock the plants' root system.
7.Keep your nutrient solution temperature between 70 - 78°F.
8.It is a good idea to run plain water or 1/4 strength nutrient through the system for a day in between changes, to leach out any fertilizer buildup while you have the opportunity.
9.Make sure the fertilizer you use in a hydroponics system is complete. Match the solution strength to your plants' needs

(i dont like taking credit from peeps who workhard, so just an f.y.i , all this info can be found via the internet, not to say that this is all cut n paste but somtimes i will find info, and C & P it.)

[The Butcher]

Chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers show their nutrient content with three bold numbers on the package. These numbers represent three different compounds: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potash (Potassium), which we can also describe with the letters N-P-K. The three numbers listed on fertilizer labels correspond to the percentage of these materials found in the fertilizer.

What does each nutrient do? In addition to other properties, Nitrogen helps plant foliage to grow strong. Phosphorous helps roots and flowers grow and develop. Potassium (Potash) is important for overall plant health.

Be aware that high nitrogen fertilizers will make for quick growth but weaker plants that are more susceptible to attacks by diseases and pests. Fast, showy growth is not necessarily the best thing for your plants.

[HAPPY GRASS]

Thanks Butcher you have been alot of help, I will keep you posted on my grow.

[HAPPY GRASS]

Would you happen to know where in these forums I can find an accurate guideline of the proper N-P-K ratios to use in the different stages of MJ growth.

[The Butcher]

well there is a forum thats for vegging and another for flowering(budding), oh and theres one for product reviews.
But to be honest every strain is different. as an example: indicas tend to like a heavy nute regimen, where as pure sativa strains like a lighter one.

the nute companies have feeding charts on thier websites. but just remember to start light with a quarter strength then go from there.

[HAPPY GRASS]

So I should basically start light at quarter strength untill I get to the reccomended dosage or untill I get nute burn, which ever comes first right?

[The Butcher]

yeah light then work your way up, e.c meters help alot in that area, but they can get pretty expensive. sooo, if you haven't got one yet, your going to have to watch them as you up the lil ladies dosage. As long as you start light n work your way up you'll be fine. They will tell you when thier at the right amount. The up side to this is that you'll learn a whole lot not only about your strain but about nutes n plant tolerances. just remember to flush your plants and or system every couple weeks.

[HAPPY GRASS]

Thans for the info, this will really help me take care of the plants. I just put them into the new room. Its not sealed cause I have a piece of wood I need to take to home depot and I cant fit it in the honda so I am waiting for a ride to come up. But I think I'm ok for now I just have to hurry up and get it sealed to avoid bugs.

[HAPPY GRASS]

I'm going to turn them into flower in a few days now that I have the room for them, I'm just having a problem fimming them because I don't want to make a mistake. But my room is only 6 feet tall(minus reflector) so I have to do something to keep them short and bushy.

[The Butcher]

l.s.t is great, i prefer straight colas but i love to take a few of the same strain n c how they do under dif techniques. I've come to realize some strain just dont like to be messed with to much.if you think you'll have the space u should check into SCROG'n
a room like that.Thats the best thing about a lil rrom like that it will teach you how to make the most out of what you got, with what you got.

[HAPPY GRASS]

I thought about a scrog, but ive heard of small yields with scrogging and im hoping I can get close to about a P with this one. You think I can get a P out of 5 Green Cracks and 1 Headband? I'm also thinking about throwing the Blackberry into flower but im waiting for it to stretch out. It's a short plant as it is and I had some spider mite problems and shortly after it had a growth spurt and then it stopped cause it filled its pot. So I'm thinking about letting it vegg for another 2 weeks and then flowering it. I just transplanted last night and it looks like its loving the new soil. And I know that one wont get tall but I heard this one is bomb so I want to get as much out of this one as possible. I have more than enough lateral room the vertical is the problem because I just started flower and the shortest (without counting the pot) is at about 11" while the tallest is about 1'3" and I have approximately 4'6" (without counting the pot) before they will get to a maximum of 1 foot from the reflector. The good thing is that my fan keeps my reflector cool but I do have a 1k in there and I'm afraid if it gets any coser than 1 foot they will burn.

[The Butcher]

do you have pics, to get a p outa 6 plants takes space and time, not too kill your buzz, its totally possible to get a p outa 6 but thats in the right enviorment, its hard to say pics would def help out.

A p out of six is shooting high, even with supplementing Co2.The best way to maximize is keeping your canopy even, l.s.t helps this out. Between a trellis and l.s.t that will help maximize your area.A trelis is sheap and easy to hang in small places. The down side is that they eventually force you to not move your ladies. This technique is kinda a more controlled scrog. IT WORKS, I've used it in the past.

[HAPPY GRASS]

I've never heard of a trellis but room is not an issue. I have 48 square feet and a 1000 to cover 6 plants which is more than enough. I guess I am shooting a little high especially since I don't have any C02 and it's my first grow. Hopefully I can get close though... And I'm not sure if I want to LST My plants, I think they are a little too big for that now and I have them in grow bags for another 2 weeks or so till I put them into 5 gal pots. Lights are off now so I can't take any pics, but I will be taking some tonight at 11 when they cut on.