First timer soil!

[Waterlab420]

Hello everyone! I usualy hang out in the hydro section. But! I'm gonna attempt soil lol.

I'm gonna be using sunshine soil, starting them out with cfl lights. Until my LEDs arrive. Height is an issue here with me, kind of. I have 48" of height. But can go plenty wide/long for the scrogs.

Going two different strains one of each. X1 kush-n-cheese, X1 grape kush.

Plan on doing 3x3 scrog for each, maybe little bigger, 10" above pot. I will post pictures of grow area later be nice! It's def custom prob not many out there like it!!!

My questions for soil is: do you germinate right into the soil? Or use paper towl method??? And should I cover the pots with Saran wrap if do go rihht in soil?

 

[MattandBritnee]

First time doing soil here as well. Was able to get cuttings though. Have you tried rapid rooters? Or even the peat pots with the little clear dome always seem to sprout our garden veggies very well. I've also always had good luck with the paper towel method. I don't see any need to use the clear wrap with you using CFL's. Just keep the soil moist. Hope that helps.

 

[Waterlab420]

First time doing soil here as well. Was able to get cuttings though. Have you tried rapid rooters? Or even the peat pots with the little clear dome always seem to sprout our garden veggies very well. I've also always had good luck with the paper towel method. I don't see any need to use the clear wrap with you using CFL's. Just keep the soil moist. Hope that helps.

Arnt the rapid rooters for hydro? I really don't know anything about soil lol. Just what I've been reading but everyone has there own way. I'll prob just do paper towel method. And then plant them in! What I feel confident with!

People are not trust worthy around here for clones, everyone I've heard got them has had mites issues. So I rsther go seed! Don't mind waiting lol. I have two different grows going so

 

[MattandBritnee]

That's understandable. You can use them in either application.

 

[mr bub]

Soil is easy and forgiving, all you need to do is water it, but if you fertilize you can get great results.
I start my seeds in paper towels, then transfer into 6oz. plastic cups (with holes in the bottom). A seed starting mix or soil mixed with lots of perlite is good for the seedlings. Once they get rootbound in the cups I move them to 4x4 pots to veg until they get big enough for their final pot to veg a bit before flowering. They seem to like transplanting. Once you can see female preflowers, you can take cuttings. I like rockwool cubes for cuttings, then into the cups as soon as roots show.

 

[Siskiyou]

I soak my seeds overnight in water, then plant directly into soil-less mix. Keep damp but not too wet. No plastic needed.

Seedling heat mats can help keep the soil slightly warm if you have a cold room, but be careful because some are too hot and will cook your beans if you're not careful.

Once the seedlings are established I water in a little EWC as a top dressing.

After 10 to 14 days the seedlings will be ready to transplant into your regular soil mix.

 

[Riding Dirty]

The great thing about rooting cubes is its good to transplant in just about anything.

 

[gizmo]

i've always grown in soil and use the paper towel method to germinate
then put them into the soil
wait a couple of days and your off

 

[Waterlab420]

Ya I've used the paper towl every time. I've only had one that didnt. I am prob thinking about growing the 5 autos I have in soil. Not sure yet!!!! Any input on autos in soil vs hydro?

 

[hicksticky]

Ya I've used the paper towl every time. I've only had one that didnt. I am prob thinking about growing the 5 autos I have in soil. Not sure yet!!!! Any input on autos in soil vs hydro?

Hey there Waterlab, hows it growing?!

With autos in soil the best advise I could give is start your seeds with your preferred method then when ready put them in the pot size you plan on finishing in, autos are normally finicky when it comes to stresses so try to by pass as many as possible. Autos have a shorter life than photo's and you want them to be happy and healthy for as much of their life as possible for the best results.
As for soil vs. hydro, with a good soil mix like a "just add water" mix would also elevate some stresses like ph flux and nute problems. NOT SAYING SOIL IS BETTER lol, I am sure with a dialed hydro set up the same can be accomplished.

Good luck and karma, Hick

 

[Waterlab420]

Hey there Waterlab, hows it growing?!

With autos in soil the best advise I could give is start your seeds with your preferred method then when ready put them in the pot size you plan on finishing in, autos are normally finicky when it comes to stresses so try to by pass as many as possible. Autos have a shorter life than photo's and you want them to be happy and healthy for as much of their life as possible for the best results.
As for soil vs. hydro, with a good soil mix like a "just add water" mix would also elevate some stresses like ph flux and nute problems. NOT SAYING SOIL IS BETTER lol, I am sure with a dialed hydro set up the same can be accomplished.

Good luck and karma, Hick

Not bad hick! Except for I have no power right now. With my hydro set up.

Lots of useful info there! I am def leaning more torwards soil. Although have never grown soil, I feel like it would def be more forgiving as this is first auto grow to. Least amount of stress possible! I have some SUNSHINE soil, heard its a pretty good mix. So I'll be running that. Doing 5 cash crop autos. Hopefully they don't get to big, gonna be running 5 of them so!

 

[Borderliner]

Just finished my first soil grow, actually first grow of any kind and got good results just from reading posts like this.
b

 

[Waterlab420]

Just finished my first soil grow, actually first grow of any kind and got good results just from reading posts like this.
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Congrats!! I might be starting my first soil grow sooner than possible. Depending on if I get power back soon lol.

How much light should I be running with 5 autos???

 

[aridbud]

Ya I've used the paper towl every time. I've only had one that didnt. I am prob thinking about growing the 5 autos I have in soil. Not sure yet!!!! Any input on autos in soil vs hydro?

Autos respond well to whatever stable medium you use. We use organic soil mix but have seen some nice hydro set ups for autoflowers.

Since you are starting out with good soil, there's really little need to use VEG nutz. And when it comes time to bloom, water well (if using Veg amendments), before bloom additives...and 1/2 strength. Theeafter every 3-4th watering use bloom nutrients.

Most AF newbies over feed causing problems.

Good luck!!

 

[Waterlab420]

Autos respond well to whatever stable medium you use. We use organic soil mix but have seen some nice hydro set ups for autoflowers.

Since you are starting out with good soil, there's really little need to use VEG nutz. And when it comes time to bloom, water well (if using Veg amendments), before bloom additives...and 1/2 strength. Theeafter every 3-4th watering use bloom nutrients.

Most AF newbies over feed causing problems.

Good luck!!

Thank you!! How quick is the veg to bloom stage? I'm using AN nutes 2 part. How much nutes do I know to add to the water and do I add nutes every time I water them?

 

[GreenLiberty]

Just finished my first soil grow, actually first grow of any kind and got good results just from reading posts like this.
b

You give me hope. This is my first time growing anything! Thanks for the inspiration! Got any pics?

Good luck, OP. I will keep an eye on your thread in hopes that we can learn together as we grow.

 

[Borderliner]

going to have to figure out how to upload pics. good luck with your grow.
b

 

[GreenLiberty]

going to have to figure out how to upload pics. good luck with your grow.
b

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=109704:headbange

 

[aridbud]

Thank you!! How quick is the veg to bloom stage? I'm using AN nutes 2 part. How much nutes do I know to add to the water and do I add nutes every time I water them?

If it's 2 part, use HALF strength, and every few waterings....meaning every 3-4th watering you use amendments. Water (if municipal water, allow to stand for chlorine to evaporate) 3 of the four times. In about 2-3 weeks, work up to full strength, butstill use plain water (or aerated water) in between. Allow soil to dry on top about 1.5- 2".

You'll see sex, male/female within17-20 days if true autoflower. That's when you either water well (if you used any veg nutes), or introduce bloom slowly.

 

[Waterlab420]

If it's 2 part, use HALF strength, and every few waterings....meaning every 3-4th watering you use amendments. Water (if municipal water, allow to stand for chlorine to evaporate) 3 of the four times. In about 2-3 weeks, work up to full strength, butstill use plain water (or aerated water) in between. Allow soil to dry on top about 1.5- 2".

You'll see sex, male/female within17-20 days if true autoflower. That's when you either water well (if you used any veg nutes), or introduce bloom slowly.

Very helpful!! I have very soft water that runs through a filtration system. Do I water the plants until I start to see run off?

I got the seeds from attitude so don't think I'll have a problem. I'm running 97*3 LED light. Is that gonna be under powered for 5 autos??? There supposed to be some of the shortest ones.