New, need advice

[Rattman]

Howdy all,
Newly retired and looking to grow my own supply. Looking for good recommendations on getting started indoors.
need advice on tents, lights and other equipment from experienced growers. Thanks in advance for any response.

[Orggrwr]

A great place to start is to hit the 3 lines in the green bar at the top of this page and go to growing basics and start reading. Lots of good info for beginners there.

[golfnrl]

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[golfnrl]

Welcome aboard Rattman Orggrwr is spot on. You're at the right place. Nebula and Sirius have recommendations on everything you need to start out and grow great weed. I've been growing my own since about 2019. I'm on a fixed income as well.

I'd add this. Determine what kind of grow method you want to use and what grow medium you are interested in. Your budget and how you want to grow will help you decide what equipment to purchase. Will you be growing indoors? Consider your grow space options. How will you control the climate in the grow room? Don't buy anything until you have decided which route to take. You don't want to buy equipment you won't use or need.

The KISS principle will help you.

With all of that said, I started with Gorilla Grow tents and have stuck with them. I chose Gorilla because of their reviews. I currently use a 4x4x7'11" and a 2x4 at the same height. Their advertising is spot on. These tents are tough. I started off using HLG lamps because I wanted to support USA workers. I've stuck with them. Currently I use a Scorpion Rspec in the 4x4 and a 350 Rspec in the 2x4. HLG lamps will grow great weed and are one of Nebula's recommendations. But they are spendy. After a few experiments with other brands I have settled on AC Infinity for vent and circ fans, tent humidifiers and controller. Their C/S is outstanding. I grow in a 5050 blend of coco/perlite in 5 gallon cloth pots. I use the autopot system. I switched from soil to coco when I found the autopot system. Also switched nutrients to the current CX Horticuture. Autopots are a bottom feed wicking type of watering system that operates off of gravity. The system uses a rez and the plants feed themselves. You can be away from your plants for several days at a time if necessary. I needed that when I discovered autopots, but not anymore. I've stuck with them because they grow great weed. I use Bluelab PH and EC pens. Also a Bluelab PH controller for the rez.

[Rattman]

Thanks man, this is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. Being on a fixed income I really want to limit do overs or unnecessary spending. Do you have favorite seed vendors or strains?

[golfnrl]

Actually, yes I do. I tried Ace Seeds after watching a forum member grow out Nepal Jam. I really like their Killer A5 Haze and Zamaldelica Auto. Ace Seeds doesn't ship to the USA. I get their seeds from NASC, Mandala, and Multiverse Beans. I like ILGM as well. Anything I have bought from them has been good. Just harvested White Truffles. An auto Indica. I'll be growing it again.
Ckbrew makes a critical point about the light being the most important part of your setup.

[Ckbrew]

Check out the main GWE site for information on all types of grows. golfnrl says most or what I would say. Plan ahead then be prepared to deviate from those plans. Imo if the budget is tight a cheap tent from fleabay will work. Rule of thumb about 50% of budget should be in your light, it is the most important part of the setup. I use SF 4000 and they work well. haven't used others.