What are common mistakes made by first time growers?

[Joe Coffee]

I am also amazed they seem to love the 14.95 Home Depot Florescent Grow Light.

[MJ-SwEeTbUdZ]

Any new grower should be reading this valuble info.
An awsome read dude, weel done.

toke on all

[Joe Coffee]

The plants seem to prefer florescent versus incandescent. I am using 1 incandescent to provide extra heat. The plants seem to grow every day... unreal. I installed 2 florescents under the plants on top of the pots and it seems to be stimulating the plants to bush out.

[yankee7568]

Originally Posted by Joe Coffee

I am also amazed they seem to love the 14.95 Home Depot Florescent Grow Light.

Can you tell me the name? PM me it please..

[Joe Coffee]

The bulb in it is a F15T8/P&A and it is an 18" light with cord attached. It was on display in the local Lowe's (ooops) that we shop at. It has a pink cover on it.
My next trip to lowe's I will get the details. It seemed to be a common off the shelf item.

[marcus44]

I am using CFL's to grow.
My first plant has an Ott Light, 23 watt plant bulb and is doing well. I have a bit of an over wastering issue going on, but she's on the mend.
My other plants are under a 100 watt CFL's and one is doing exceptionally well,but I am leaning towards a good seed with good genetics. The other is just entering veg stage, so I will see how she reacts to the lamp.
Each plant is under their own bulbs with a reflector.
As they grow, I am going to add in some more bulbs to provide light to the lower/middle areas of the plants.
So far, so good.
The 100w bulbs are "daylight" spectrum, but I have heard that one can use the soft light 60w with good results.
But light is only part of the formula with Ph's, nutrients, being as vital as well.

I am very enthusiastic and happy with my growth.

[DrTentgrow]

Originally Posted by SmokeyMacPot

First time growers frequently:


Overspend on grow supplies. New growers frequently commit themselves to unrealistic and expensive first grows. It is much more efficient to learn to grow and then invest in high end equipment rather than the other way around. Most experienced growers don't have room for all of the grow paraphernalia they aren't using. As you will see throughout this FAQ: K-I-S-S.


Authors: Bush_Grower and Bongaloid

I don't think this is entirely true if a new grower was to a lot of research upfront and use soil and keep it simple he/she could still buy expensive equipment buying expensive stuff like a climate controller and electronic ph meters etc.. would only make the growers life easier. I'm on my first grow and ive spent over £2000 ($4000) so far and my grow is coming on nicely.

[ghostbud]

sorry but you should water your plants every day if you want a decent yield in soil, a cannabis plants natural habitat is by riverbanks where there is an abundance of water.

[CharlieMopps]

^^ Watering frequency depends on how well your soil drains. Just poke your finger into the soil down a couple inches and feel if its still wet.

[CharlieMopps]

I'd go inside if you can for better security. Any fluroescent light will work to start off with. Make sure you get a 4" inline duct fan to keep temperature in check.

[TorturedSoul]

Speaking of soil-drainage, I have noticed a trend among some (uneducated) soil growers where they'd spend $$$ on fancy soils and then forget to add a bunch of perlite to it and end up with soil that was WAY too heavy.

[siscokid]

Originally Posted by TorturedSoul

Speaking of soil-drainage, I have noticed a trend among some (uneducated) soil growers where they'd spend $$$ on fancy soils and then forget to add a bunch of perlite to it and end up with soil that was WAY too heavy.

I never thought of that, I didn't add any to my soil! Should I re-pot em since I am taking them out for watering tomorrow? Please take a look at my thread and give a noob a hand please. Much appreciated.

[CharlieMopps]

if you think they are gonna need repotting before they'll finish then yes remix the soil with some perlite and a little sand. It makes it easier to get a giant root system and that makes for healthy plants.

[siscokid]

Thanks CharlieMopps, I have them in what I think is the size pot that they are gonna finish in, 2.5 gallon. I am wondering what would be the best way of handling the plant for transplant. I guess there is only one way right, gently.

[ghostbud]

multi-purpose compost is fine for growing you dont need perlite or any fancy additives, and if your plant is in the right environment it WILL need watered every day, in a 1gallon pot with a good root system it will take up all the water it can hold on a daily basis providing nutrient levels and room temp and humidity are at the right levels there wont be much need for soil drainage as the plant will use it all. Water until the pot just starts to leak!