# Any advice welcome **URL:** \ **Category:** Grow Support\ **Created:** [November 25, 2023, 2:32pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041 "2023-11-25T14:32:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daves\_not\_here](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/daves_not_here/32/941677_2.png) [@Daves\_not\_here](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Daves_not_here)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:32pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/1 "2023-11-25T14:32:26Z")
![IMG_20231125_083749](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/9/c/e/9ce9e521a5285022bb0ca5a1cba2e1354c00c8d2.jpeg) ![IMG_20231124_193759](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/7/0/f/70f711e7f24206647335b193e6b7d47b6e52f3bc.jpeg) Hi everyone, nice to meet you. This is my first grow. I attempted one before this and tried to lower the ph and killed them with too much vinegar 1:10 with water. Live and learn. I got these babies mixed up. Should be auto badazz cheese, og kush, white og, and honey og. Is there any way to tell which is which? I started growing them on 11-5. Does anyone have any growing advice? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Spiney\_norman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/spiney_norman/32/240878_2.png) [@Spiney\_norman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Spiney_norman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/2 "2023-11-25T14:36:37Z")
Hey @Daves_not_here , Great old reference in your name. Welcome to the forum. Sadly there is no way to tell a particular strain from looks. Even if one is indica and the other a sativa, genetics being what they are the plants can look similar or have characteristics of each other. Grow them up and enjoy the results. At that point you can take note of the effects and maybe, just maybe tell what it might be. ---
**Author:** ![MidwestGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/midwestguy/32/914277_2.png) [@MidwestGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/MidwestGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:36pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/3 "2023-11-25T14:36:38Z")
> [@Daves\_not\_here](#): > > any way to tell which is which? The closest you can get is to learn the terpine profiles of the various strains and compare them against taste and smell. It is the terpines that are responsible for taste and smell. Each strain has its own unique terpine profile. ---
**Author:** ![Spiney\_norman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/spiney_norman/32/240878_2.png) [@Spiney\_norman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Spiney_norman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/4 "2023-11-25T14:41:12Z")
Advice? Buy a small bottle of pH down instead of vinegar. The pH down is phosphoric acid which is a plant food. You typically only need a few drops to adjust the water to whatever range you need. In soil you want 6.5 to 6.8. Do you have a pH meter? Test strips are not accurate enough. ---
**Author:** ![Daves\_not\_here](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/daves_not_here/32/941677_2.png) [@Daves\_not\_here](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Daves_not_here)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/5 "2023-11-25T14:41:40Z")
Thanks guys, how do they look? It seems they started slowing growing the last two days. I switched them to a 18:6 light schedule from a 20:4 last night. Also used an app to figure best lighting distance for my supposed 1000 watt wizdragon full spectrum led. I also have a reptile light for a bit more warmth and a small led grow bulb that I already had. ---
**Author:** ![Daves\_not\_here](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/daves_not_here/32/941677_2.png) [@Daves\_not\_here](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Daves_not_here)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/6 "2023-11-25T14:42:54Z")
I have one of the cheap 3 way meters. It’s showing 7, maybe a little less ---
**Author:** ![MidwestGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/midwestguy/32/914277_2.png) [@MidwestGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/MidwestGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/7 "2023-11-25T14:46:06Z")
> [@Daves\_not\_here](#): > > cheap 3 way meters These are notoriously inaccurate. Bluelab and Apera both make great meters. > [@Daves\_not\_here](#): > > 1000 watt wizdragon Your light is likely only 200 to 300 watts. You are going to want a better light for flowering 4 plants. Suggest buying lighting manufactured with Samsung LM301 diodes. Mars Hydro, HLG, and Spider Farmer all make decent lights. ---
**Author:** ![Spiney\_norman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/spiney_norman/32/240878_2.png) [@Spiney\_norman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Spiney_norman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/8 "2023-11-25T14:46:12Z")
> [@Daves\_not\_here](#): > > cheap 3 way meters Do you have a pic? These are worthless… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/a/2/a/a2a976cb1f02294a07254bad45e7ca2572856a2a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Ickey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/43a26b/32.png) [@Ickey](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Ickey)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/9 "2023-11-25T14:48:35Z")
Do not use one of those cheap meters to check ph, as they are a POS. They do pretty well reading soil moisture, but that is all it is good for. Get a good ph meter that is made for reading in liquid. Use this to ph you water/nutrient, and check the ph of your run off. ---
**Author:** ![Spiney\_norman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/spiney_norman/32/240878_2.png) [@Spiney\_norman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Spiney_norman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/10 "2023-11-25T14:48:37Z")
Hey @MidwestGuy , You been doing ok? ---
**Author:** ![MidwestGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/midwestguy/32/914277_2.png) [@MidwestGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/MidwestGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/11 "2023-11-25T14:53:10Z")
Doing great and hope that you are as well. Thanks for asking. ---
**Author:** ![Daves\_not\_here](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/daves_not_here/32/941677_2.png) [@Daves\_not\_here](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Daves_not_here)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/12 "2023-11-25T14:54:29Z")
It’s stuck in the top left plant bag, will get a better pic in a bit ---
**Author:** ![Daves\_not\_here](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/daves_not_here/32/941677_2.png) [@Daves\_not\_here](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Daves_not_here)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/13 "2023-11-25T14:55:24Z")
What about test strips? I have some coming in ---
**Author:** ![Dirtydabber](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/dirtydabber/32/946089_2.png) [@Dirtydabber](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Dirtydabber)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/14 "2023-11-25T14:57:36Z")
![20231123_124420](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/9/0/6/9064781344383a40c22b4d3340ffb1dfbdf84e14.jpeg) I recently bought this one from Amazon. Pretty accurate also gives you the nutrients measurements ---
**Author:** ![Dirtydabber](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/dirtydabber/32/946089_2.png) [@Dirtydabber](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Dirtydabber)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/15 "2023-11-25T14:58:30Z")
Head also tilts, so its easier to get light readings and to read itself ---
**Author:** ![MidwestGuy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/midwestguy/32/914277_2.png) [@MidwestGuy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/MidwestGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 2:58pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/16 "2023-11-25T14:58:40Z")
Any meter with prongs of any kind aren’t worth the plastic it is made of. ---
**Author:** ![Dirtydabber](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/dirtydabber/32/946089_2.png) [@Dirtydabber](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Dirtydabber)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 3:01pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/17 "2023-11-25T15:01:30Z")
I have Vivosun. Recently purchased their new setup too. I’ve used them for a couple of years. I do like the new automated hub, doing my first grow with it. ---
**Author:** ![Ickey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/43a26b/32.png) [@Ickey](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Ickey)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/18 "2023-11-25T15:04:08Z")
I would prefer the the cheap drop type test kit from GH to the strips. The problem with both is in the color of what you test, as it will influence the test. If it is not clear it is hard to tell what the color is. ![IMG_0475](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/9/0/9/90980a1d5f509e6ecee52cd8d31c4fd5ef015009.jpeg) You can pick up this kit for $53 from growgreenMi dot com, with free shipping. By the time you try strips and other cheap ways you will end spending more than this. This meter is very good for the price. ---
**Author:** ![Daves\_not\_here](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/daves_not_here/32/941677_2.png) [@Daves\_not\_here](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Daves_not_here)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/19 "2023-11-25T15:05:10Z")
There, I like this profile pic better😁 ---
**Author:** ![Spiney\_norman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/spiney_norman/32/240878_2.png) [@Spiney\_norman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Spiney_norman)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041/20 "2023-11-25T15:08:56Z")
If you are serious about growing in the long term then you need decent equipment. I tried for a year without and did ok, but once I invested in the right tools I grew so much better. Cannabis likes certain parameters to thrive. We call it a weed and yes it will grow no matter what, but it will only thrive under certain conditions. This meter is great. 50 bucks on Amazon right now. Aphera PH20, Comes with a kit of calibration solutions. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/0/d/6/0d6347b3c4dd7046dc7bd629094850fb44be56a9.jpeg) A PPM meter is important but you can go cheap and do well with that one. I have one of these and its lasted 5 years. Its close enough for what we need. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/8/7/a/87a4ae7aa7600d2242698a9d777bf9e9591a1b8a.jpeg) Lots of other choices like this one out there. [Next page](https://ilgmforum.com/t/any-advice-welcome/107041.md?page=2)