In March I started a grow with half the seeds B gave me, but just as 2 of them sprouted I had to leave town on emergency family business which lasted on-and-off for about 3 months. So, there you go. I guess this is really my second grow.
At the beginning of July, I germinate the rest of the seeds I got from B. I put them in a glass of warm water for close to 24 hours to see which sink, which float. This step may not be necessary when purchasing seeds from a reputable source, but I’m pretty sure these random seeds have been laying around for a couple years even.
Next day about 4 of the seeds sunk to the bottom of the glass and I plant them in plastic disposable cups filled loosely with a soil mix. For the soil mix I went with what was available in my town rather than order special stuff on-line. I may need to change this approach in the future. I purchased top-soil with peat moss, and organic potting soil with fertilizer. I didn’t want potting soil that contained fertilizer, but there is no such thing here in this town! I guess we’re too small for anything fancier than an under stocked Lowe's and a Wally World.
I filled each cup as follows: Mix of potting soil and top soil in the bottom 2/3rds of the cup. Mixed it to try and reduce the nutrients in the potting soil. Filled the rest of the cups up with just the top soil. One seed per cup covered loosely and watered.
Now, during this time I made my
FIRST BIG MISTAKE:
I made the decision to put some money into this first experimental grow by getting an LED lighting set up since I’m committed to growing no matter how many mistakes I make while learning. Now, choosing LED lighting is NOT the mistake. I’ve been following a lot of grow journals here that use LEDs successfully as well as positive LED feedback from other sources. The mistake I made was: TRYING TO SAVE MONEY by purchasing a Diamond Series from some damn scammer. This guy uses the company name ‘East Coast Hydroponics.’ When I see on the Fed Ex tracking site that the light shipped from China I understand what I've done. I'm an idiot who ordered a Chinese knock-off.
I refused shipment and got my money back and am paying the extra money [“extra money”? LOLOL] to now buy direct from Advanced Lighting.
In the mean time I placed the cups on top the dryer as a heat source if needed [it was needed a few days] and under my SAD [seasonal affective disorder] lamp without the UV diffuser: 2 x 55 watt 4000 kelvin - 10,000 LUX CFL
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One seed sprouted. One. Here we go. The sprout looked good and I moved it and the light to the spare room closet. Again, for warmth, I put a heating pad under the drip pan i have the sprout on.
I ordered 110w Diamond series from Advanced now that that other company refunded my money. Have been taking sprout outside in the mid-afternoon sun for a couple hours to get some real light, heat and air.
Investing the money in this light for one sprout from unknown origins seem ridiculous, but I'm going to go through this first grow all the way (as long as this plant lasts!) before I invest in buying seeds. I wonder what my next mistake will be...
__________________________________________________________
At the beginning of July, I germinate the rest of the seeds I got from B. I put them in a glass of warm water for close to 24 hours to see which sink, which float. This step may not be necessary when purchasing seeds from a reputable source, but I’m pretty sure these random seeds have been laying around for a couple years even.
Next day about 4 of the seeds sunk to the bottom of the glass and I plant them in plastic disposable cups filled loosely with a soil mix. For the soil mix I went with what was available in my town rather than order special stuff on-line. I may need to change this approach in the future. I purchased top-soil with peat moss, and organic potting soil with fertilizer. I didn’t want potting soil that contained fertilizer, but there is no such thing here in this town! I guess we’re too small for anything fancier than an under stocked Lowe's and a Wally World.
I filled each cup as follows: Mix of potting soil and top soil in the bottom 2/3rds of the cup. Mixed it to try and reduce the nutrients in the potting soil. Filled the rest of the cups up with just the top soil. One seed per cup covered loosely and watered.
Now, during this time I made my
FIRST BIG MISTAKE:
I made the decision to put some money into this first experimental grow by getting an LED lighting set up since I’m committed to growing no matter how many mistakes I make while learning. Now, choosing LED lighting is NOT the mistake. I’ve been following a lot of grow journals here that use LEDs successfully as well as positive LED feedback from other sources. The mistake I made was: TRYING TO SAVE MONEY by purchasing a Diamond Series from some damn scammer. This guy uses the company name ‘East Coast Hydroponics.’ When I see on the Fed Ex tracking site that the light shipped from China I understand what I've done. I'm an idiot who ordered a Chinese knock-off.
I refused shipment and got my money back and am paying the extra money [“extra money”? LOLOL] to now buy direct from Advanced Lighting.
In the mean time I placed the cups on top the dryer as a heat source if needed [it was needed a few days] and under my SAD [seasonal affective disorder] lamp without the UV diffuser: 2 x 55 watt 4000 kelvin - 10,000 LUX CFL
___________________________________________________________
One seed sprouted. One. Here we go. The sprout looked good and I moved it and the light to the spare room closet. Again, for warmth, I put a heating pad under the drip pan i have the sprout on.
I ordered 110w Diamond series from Advanced now that that other company refunded my money. Have been taking sprout outside in the mid-afternoon sun for a couple hours to get some real light, heat and air.
Investing the money in this light for one sprout from unknown origins seem ridiculous, but I'm going to go through this first grow all the way (as long as this plant lasts!) before I invest in buying seeds. I wonder what my next mistake will be...
__________________________________________________________
