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Noob DWC questions

N

Noobdoob

New member
1) can i place a seed directly into the gravel i am using as a medium and let nature take its course from seedling to harvest?
2) i use fox farms grow big, big bloom, and tiger bloom for nutrients and when it is time to feed them i just mix them in another 5 gallon bucket and swap tops .
3)when trimming the fan leaves i cut a straight line across all 5 blades leaving a little over half or the 2 ends for photosynthesis. has anyone ever tried this method of trimming fan leaves ?
4) how do i use pH down that is powder form and how do i measure tsp per gallon ratio?
5)how do i prevent myself turning into a master gardener when i'm asking questions on a forum that is proof enough that i know very little about gardening ? i have a tendency to become a know it all and wind up losing my crop.
6)instead of clipping the buds off the plant . wouldn't leaving the plant intact letting it die dry the plant itself quicker ?
7) i live i a climate that is hot in summer and has very mild winter seasons . if i planted seeds this time of year . what would be the latest date i could harvest ?
8) how many CFL's should i use for 1 plant ? would placing lights shinin upwards help the plant or do nothing for it?
9)i'm sure i will have several hundred more questions to ask and even if they are idiotic questions to some i would appreciate any input that will help me make the right decisions when it comes to my stupidity thinking i know it all when i don't moments
10) thanks and i will appreciate all input and criticism that will improve my skills.
pss i am just trying to start a thread so i can ask the important questions when they arise
 
Hi Noobdoob. To answer your questions:

1) You need to place your seed in a starter like Rapid Rooter or you will need to germinate them prior to placing them in the clay pebbles. I wouldn't recommend placing the sprouted seed directly in the clay pebbles however because it could cause issues with the starting roots. Even if you could make some kind of soil ball to put them in it would help.
2) I started my seeds in Rapid Rooters using plain tap water that had been pH'ed down to about 6.00 and then added nutrients the following week (so week 2 of grow) but in a very limited amount. Typically you can visit the company's website and they will have suggested feeding schedules for your nutrients. I use General Hydroponics and they have a number of feed schedules on their website.
3) I have only tried topping my plants and never tried cutting the leaves. Others likely have though.
4) You would need to follow the mixing instructions on the package for the pH powder. I have only used the liquid version and the ratio will change based on each person's pH starting point. You just have to use a small amount, re-measure and then repeat as necessary until it's down low enough.
5) Just remember that even master gardeners have problems and stay humble. Plants like when you are humble. ;)
6) The more you cut the plant down, the faster each piece will dry. Trying to dry it as a whole plant (I have done this before) takes much longer than trimming it down. Any leaves or extra stalk will have water in it and will naturally feed its way to the buds until its all used up.
7) If growing inside under lights, you will likely be able to harvest within 4 months depending on the strain.
8) For starting a plant out, I have used as little as one large CFL bulb, 23W I think, installed in a round metal reflector. However, once they come up a bit, you will need much more light. The more light you have, the more buds you will grow.
9) This form is great for that. People don't judge you for asking questions so feel free to ask away!
10) Welcome again and I hope you enjoy being here!
 
on the 1st question, i am talking about using pea gravel/aquarium gravel as the medium and i have actually started a seed itself directly into the gravel and it sprouted cotyledons within 5 days and would've been much taller and healthier if i would've left it alone. the 1st set of true leaves were 3 blades while the 2nd set is 5 blades .
i wasn't sure if the holes/slits i placed in it with a soldering iron were big enough for the roots to grow through so i transplanted it to another pot that had larger holes/slits and it almost died but is now starting to grow . i'm sure i stunted it a little bit and i have a pic of it . nothing impressive like it was.
i searched and i searched but i could never find any info about placing a seed directly into the medium without rockwool so that is why i phrased that 1st question the way i did and i had good results honestly but like i said above i wasn't sure if the roots would be able to grow through the pot it was in and transplanted it almost killing it.
i've started with soil but i was never successful because i'd overwater it and drown it or they'd just die after 4 or 5 months which could possibly be caused by insufficient lighting . i was given some bad advice from a local yokel and i wound up using KoolBloom by general hydroponics that is 2-45-28 npk not knowing that the p was way to high and i used it right at the beginning of flowering which was a mistake.
i am using a brooders lamp which is what you described with a 23w cfl at the blue end of the spectrum(6500 k) .flourescent lighting with t12's or t8's are my only other option since there are no hydroponic stores in my area . i got the nutrients at a nursery but the grow big is 6-4-4npk and not 3-2-6npk but it has the macronutrients needed for hydroponic systems.
the tiger bloom and the big bloom are the correct ones in the set for hydroponics while the grow big in that set would be the 3-2-6npk . not sure if this will be an issue or not.
when i go to a nursery in the area they seem anti-hydroponics to me and they are rude which i don't understand . i did ask for netting pots instead of net pots but that shouldn't have had anything to do with their attitude and they said the closest place was 50 miles that specialized in hydroponics.
 

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Thanks for clarifying that part about the medium. The gravel you put it in would be fine to plant a seed in. I was thinking larger, clay pebbles which is what I am growing in but the smaller aquarium rocks would not be an issue for the roots. To get the best result from the CFL setup, you will want to place them as close to the plant as comfortable but with that size bulb you can get pretty close without too much heat. I did an outdoor grow that I started using CFLs for the VEG state and I left them only a few inches above the plants and it worked well. Those plants in your photo appear to be stretching to seek out the light. That will make your end result have smaller, stringy buds versus the fat, dense buds you want. Don't get me wrong, you will still get something out of it but you are missing the full potential. I personally have not grown with CFLs or Floroscents for a full grow but there is a great starter tutorial found here: http://www.growweedeasy.com/cfl-coco-coir that shows you a lot of great info to help you out. As for your nutrients, you want to pick a brand and use it only. You shouldn't mix one brand nutrient with another as most are designed to work in a series. As for a nutrient guide, that can be found here: http://www.growweedeasy.com/nutrients

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I have successfully started seeds directly in my hydroton/clay pebbles! Sometimes it can be a pain in the ass but it will work as long as you can keep it from falling through into your reservoir. I find it is easier to get at least a taproot before placement and use a pair of tweezers, keep in mind that planting depth is important, too low and it could rot!
 
Howdy Noobdoob, Here is my $0.02 worth;
1. I would recommend germinating the seeds out of the grow media because if, for some reason, the seed does not grow, it could contaminate the grow medium. I use the paper towel method, because some timed the seeds sprout and then die off, or have had mold develop on them. With them buried in the grow medium, this could not have been seen and removed.
2. I use the GH Maxi series of nutrients and mix them (as per the GH recommendations) in old milk jugs and then add them to my reservoirs.
3. I do not do a lot of trimming of the leaves, but when it is necessary, I cut the stem about one inch from the main stem.
4. I use a dry pH up and down to adjust the water and nutrient mix. I just use a measuring spoon (leveled) and check the pH with dual panel test strips.
5. Years of professional counseling!!! LOL, only joking! The best thing that I can tell You is, keep accurate records. Both what was done and what were the results. Also do not change too many things at the same time. Take things gradually and deliberately.
6. I live in a warm dry climate and I trim off all of the large fan leaves and leave the buds and sugar leaves on the stalk to slow down the drying time. The large leaves will draw out the moisture quicker out of the stem. When I dried some with all of the leaf attached, the plant dried out very quickly, by removing the large leaves, it takes a little longer for the plant to dry.
7. Depends a lot on conditions, genetics, etc., I usually take 3 to 4 months from seed to harvest in my hydro DWC set up.
8. I have seen a 'rule of thumb' of 115 watts of CFL per plant. I have 220 watts for each of my reservoirs.
9. The only "stupid" question is the question that does not get asked!
10. No problem, just hope that I have helped.
 
thank you for your input DW2 .
i will be using red solo cups from now on and then place directly into the medium . i take a soldering iron and burn slits down the sides and a few holes at the bottom so the roots will be able to grow . i don't think the plastic will affect the pH .
if i germinate in a paper towel i wouldn't be able to place the germinated seed into the gravel without damaging the root and the seedling .
 
Noobdoob, I sprout mine on a towel (covered with foil) and insert them, gently, into the (enlarged) hole in a rockwool cube that was pre-soaked in pH 5.5 water. I first place a small amount of rooting gel into the hole in the cube(s), then place the sprouts.
You are most likely correct, that the cups will not effect the pH.
Good luck with Your grow.
 
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i can't upload pics and don't know if the tips are burnt because of nutrient burn or if the roots were getting drowned because of the water level. i emptied some of the reservoir and have been topping it off with plain water and it seems to be recovering.
 

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Keep up the plain water until you notice the new growth is not showing any signs of yellowing. It looks like you are very close to that point. Best of luck! The plant looks better for sure!
 
Beautiful!! Keep those nute amounts down!!! The nute companies almost always advise to feed too much, cuz they make more money that way. I look for the lowest amount I can feed my plants.
 
i am using pea gravel/aquarium gravel as my medium . the seed shouldn't be able to fall through since the gravel is smaller in size. i plan on using solo cups using a soldering iron to put slits down the side and holes at the bottom .
it is the best i can do since there aren't any hydroponic stores in my area
 
what is the best way to mix up nutes? should i fill up my bucket then add the nutes and then pH up or down?
my tap water is around 6.5 and it goes up when i add nutes.
i am asking because i accidentally added pH up instead of down when it was over 7pH and i burned the fan leaves and some of the top before i realized what had happened.
the fan leaves that were burned all fell off and there is still fresh growth that wasn't affected and looks like it will be okay as long as it doesn't go hermie on me .
i would hate to have to start over again and i now keep the pH up out of my closet so that never happens again. so far i haven't had to use pH up at all and don't think it is necessary .
help!!!!!!!
 
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