Newbie...No practice run options....

[Mr Twister]

Hello All,
This will be my first grow and the thing is I don't have access to bag seed for a trial run. I have 7 seed bank seeds on the way in super stealth mode due to my location. 3 Reg. kush and 4 fem different strains picked for their pain management properties.

I'm a R&D engineer by trade and have poured over enough posts from several locations and will be setting up micro-grow using 20 liter (5 gal) bucket type grow, improved lighting, PC fans and so on. Temps w/light on is 80F/26C. I also have a larger version at 75 liters (20gal). PC fans, CFL's and coco coir. Building a cabinet model as well to hold mothers once things get going.

I trust my little set up will get me going but like I said no practice runs.

My worry is getting them sprouted right. I've read enough on the hows; nutes, coco additives and so on.

I have coco seed starter mix, this is a fine grade with added nutes; NPK 16-3-12.5/ plus other trace minerals. It's a brick type from a well known brand here Down Under.

Question is should I go plain coco or use the seeds started mix. I don't/can't stuff this up. Seeds cost me more than the whole set up.
I can get the coco or other type little seed starters block w/o the added nutes.

Any help would be great.
I'll start a grow log and post pics on the improvements to the bucket-micro grow once I get going.

Thanks to ALL out there for your posts and info you share. Being in R&D I have put in a few hundred hours reading up on this.

Cheers,

Mr Twister

 

[Small time]

Hello All,
This will be my first grow and the thing is I don't have access to bag seed for a trial run.

Mr Twister

If I were you, I'd find some bag seed and practice on that. You don't have to grow it out, but I'd practice a bit before I wasted your trophy stock. Common problems are over watering when starting out. Just about all new growers waste their first seeds. Damp isn't wet. Probably the most fool proof methods are soil and/or Hempy Pots. Next important is a PH meter. You can get digital gauges for under $10. Should order it asap. Lack of knowing your PH, sets you up for many problems down the road.

As an engineer, will probably like messing with Hydroponics. I started with soil, then switched to DWC (deep water culture), and never looked back. The growth is explosive.

I reread your post and you say, "No access t bag seed." In that case, I'd pop 2-3 seeds at a time so if you do over water, you won't lose everything as you learn.

 

[Warped1]

I believe..and this is only my honest opinion..if you want the easiest first time grow, expecting fair or better results, then go with hempy's and the K.I.S.S. method. Check them both out in my sig.

 

[sahdgrower]

As a beginner as well I can tell you that all the mistakes I have made along the way would have been mitigated or eliminated by following Warped1's advice. I am doing ok but I am stressing and chasing my tail. In so doing I have done shit ton of research all of which comes back to hempy and KISS as the simplest/most effective combo.

 

[Mr Twister]

Thanks Guys,
I'll start going through what you have pointed me to.

I was a little more concerned about the coco seedling nutes mix ratio. Does this look OK to sprout in? Going to mix pearlite in with it as well.


Ph will be done. I'll be using rain water, (Aussies have good rainwater) and Ph'ing. I don't have a EC meter and plan on using organic type soluble nutes, very little once seedling has well established. More details on what later. OH and Cal-Mag as well, from my research it's needed.

I'll be able to keep a close eye on it all and if I had the room I'd go full on hydro but have to do micro in coco to get me started. Stealth is a must! I have the grow equipment ready, just waiting on the seed.

Thanks again!!!!!!

 

[Mr Twister]

I'm using the "Space Buckets" design I found on:
http://www.growweedeasy.com/marijuana-space-buckets#materials-needed-for-space-buckets

I only added my own personal touches on this design and also up-scaled the size for bucket #2 which is a garbage bin, (new one)

I took the bottom of one of the buckets that gets cut to be used as the spacer and left a good 4" lip from the bottom and put 4 CFL's hanging down and cut a hole so I can look through to see how close the bulbs are to the plant. I suspend this down, as the bottom of the buckets are smaller than the top opening. I will be able to raise the lights as needed with wire. Guess I really need to get some pics but no green to show yet just a "ready to go" grow room.

I only used 1 whole bucket and cut 1 bucket for the spacer and hanging light system. Plan calls for more which I may do if needed. Was going to move to the bigger bin when it out-grows the smaller one.