Recently I decided to finally try my first grow. I’ve done a lot of reading and searching through forums for additional information on growing. I already have an idea of what my setup is going to look like to start and gain some experience.
Set up:
MarsHydro 2x2 grow tent kit that includes
TS 600 LED 100W Full Spectrum Light
4” inline duct fan, 200CFM
4” Carbon filter
32’ flex ducting
Humidity/Temperature thermometer
4pcs 5-gallon grow bags
ILGM Autoflower Classics Mix that includes
AK-47 Auto
Sour Diesel Auto
Super Skunk Auto
Coast of Maine Stonington Blend Growers Mix
Coast of Maine Sprout Island Organic Seed Starter
Coast of Maine Fish Bone Meal
I plan on growing 1 plant first in the 5 gallon grow bag. I’ve read that autos don’t like transplanting, so I plan to germinate and immediately put in the final pot. In doing so, i will add the Seed Starter Soil in the middle of the pot for the seedling to grow in and let it stretch out into the Blend Grower mix as it grows. Is this a good idea?
Coast of Maine states that a 5 gallon pot with their soil will provide 30 days of nutrients. Since I’ve also read that autos tend to flower around the 30 day mark, I would just add some Fish Bone Meal during flowering every other week based on their recommended usage.
I will be using tap water. I’ve yet tested the PH but I will let the water sit to dechlorinate.
Is 5 gallon overkill for an auto? Should I use 3 gallon instead?
Would love to get some feedback and recommendations! I don’t plan on starting my grow till about mid December so I have time to make some adjustments.
Something to consider is what you read about not transplanting autos. I started many autos in their final pots because of the “don’t transplant autos” myth. I never felt like my plants reached their full potential that way. No matter how you cut it, tiny seedlings don’t like being in giant pots of soil. The first two weeks go WAY better in a solo cup than a big pot, and there’s no way to replace lost growth with an auto. I did more reading and searched through the forum. Sure enough I found plenty of people who said they transplant their autos and have awesome results. The trick is to be as gentle as possible when removing the rootball from the solo cup, and to do it at the proper time. The best way is to peel the solo cup like a banana. You will find plenty to read here on the forum if you search transplanting autos. Here’s a pic of the way I cut and peel the solo cups. I’m so careful and gentle that they never show a single sign of transplant shock or any other issues. Using some sort of Mycho or other microbe and fungi product will also help make the transplants successful.
I use 5 gallon fabric pots. I’ve also tried 3’s and 7’s, but for me, the 5’s are perfect. I prefer the taller ones. If you search on Amazon, most of them show the dimensions in one of the photos. I’ll look for a link to the ones I use.
would this also apply to photos? Like @noob_grower I was planning on planting straight into the 5g fabric pots. I already planted 2 seeds into them already and still have 1 in the paper towel. I am guessing with photos I can keep them in veg longer so they can recover from being transplanted, correct? After reading your post I will be putting my 3rd seed into a solo cup to see which sprouts faster. The first two got some mycorrhiza when planted, so will the 3rd
@ThatsNotMineOfficer, yes, it applies to photos as well. No seedling wants to be in a big pot. With autos, I only transplant the one time from the solo cup into a 5 gallon fabric pot. With photos, I’d go from the solo cups into 3 gallon fabric pots, then transplant again into a 7 gallon two weeks or so before flipping to flower.
Be sure to make proper drainage holes in the solo cups. I use a cigarette lighter and melt 4 small holes around the bottom edge.
Alright welcome to the forum. All advice given above is spot on, with auto flowers Disregard the 30 days or 8-10 weeks tell harvest. That is flowering time. Newbie just finished first grow, harvest 2 GSCX Autos in 12 weeks have 1 one still going. They are on there own time line. Also get a PH meter. AND PPM meter. Also download photone app. Learn DLI it will help. Good luck and ask any questions
