First Grow Ever (Northern Lights Auto)

[Doobert]

Hey everyone!

I just joined the forum recently, but over the past couple months I have been researching heavily into growing. I invested in some equipment and purchased some seeds and am now ready to start my first grow!

I had some awesome help from a couple members on the forum in my topic about Germination. @MrPeat @VTGROW @Spiney_norman @MidwestGuy
Thanks guys!

Here is the link for anyone interested: First Time Grower (Unsure about Germination/Seedling Stage) - #74 by Doobert

Here is the equipment I have for this grow:

Tent: VIVOSUN 48x48x80

Ventilation: AC Infinity S6 In-line Fan with Carbon Filter (Will be arriving on 3/4)

Lighting: Bestva 2000W DC LED (After extensive research on this forum, I want to upgrade these lights as soon as possible. Right now, the budget does not allow it, but I plan on purchasing either 2 HLG 260 XL QBs or making a PLC Photo Boost Rig for the next grow)

Pots: 5-Gal Fabric Pots

Soil: FFOF and FFHF (Bottom 2/3 of pot filled with FFOF, top 1/3 FFHF)

Seeds: Northern Lights Auto from Seedsman

Seeds began soaking on 2/26. After tails were formed, seeds were planted on 2/28 and 2/29. 2 out of 3 of the seeds germinated, the third did not. I had only planned on growing 2, but I had a feeling one of them would not pop, so I made sure to have a back up. Glad I did.

I have pictures attached of the beginning of the grow and my set up.

After reading and watching along on a couple grows, I have found that this community is one of the best for learning about growing and for support throughout the process. I’m definitely still a beginner and would appreciate any and all the help I can get!

I hope you guys don’t mind, but I am tagging a few of the members that I have seen throughout the forum that may really be able to help this brand new grower. I’ve been soaking up as much book knowledge as possible, but experience is a whole different thing and I would appreciate any advice you can give. Hope I don’t offend anyone by tagging. @Nicky @Covertgrower @MattyBear @dbrn32 @Myfriendis410

Also, feel free to tag anyone else who may be able to help out with advice!

Thank you guys so much and I hope you watch along for the grow!

[blackthumbbetty]

Looking good! Get ready to raise your humidity up to the mid-50’s, low-60’s. Watch out for that crazy condensation on your domes. Could cause leaf issues.

You’ll want to store your liquid nutes outside the tent. Inside the tent, you’re basically storing them in direct sunlight.

[MidwestGuy]

Looking good.

You will like the upgraded lights. If you get them before you get too far into flowering, then they will make a difference for you. Nothing wrong with waiting until the next grow though if that is what you have to do.

[Doobert]

Right on! Thank you for that. I didn’t even think about that one. And I have been trying to raise the humidity like crazy by trying all types of weird homes methods I know it needs to be higher, I just have not had the chance to go pick a humidifier yet. Where we live is super dry half the year, and super moist the other half, so humidity is definitely a concern for me.

[Doobert]

I really want to get the new lights before the end of flowering, but that’s only if the budget and the lady agree to it

[MidwestGuy]

I have HLGs. Two 260XLs are perfect for a 4x4. Growerslights and some other sites have them on sale occasionally. Keep an eye out.

[MrPeat]

Congrats…may your harvests be bountiful.

[blackthumbbetty]

I live in a high desert, myself. I battle low humidity during veg and high during bloom.

A humidifier is the easiest way, but futzing with your temps and ventilation is going to be your biggest chore to get it right (low temps tend to raise rh, warm temps lower it). If you have a seedling mat and a casserole dish, put that in front of a fan, til you get a humidifier.

[blackthumbbetty]

Oh, and put water in the casserole dish.

[Doobert]

Thanks for that advice! I will definitely be grabbing a humidifier ASAP.

One other small question. I posted a pic of where the seedling is at currently. Should I have my light on all the time or on an 18/6 right now?

[dbrn32]

Looks like you’re off to a good start and have the right people coming by.

[blackthumbbetty]

For autos, any light period, even 12/12 from start is OK.

Personally, I do 24/0 for germination (about 7-10 days), then 20/4 for most of grow; sometimes, I go down to 18/6. Once everyone is in bloom, I save some money and drop to 12/12, although it’s unnecessary for autos.

[Doobert]

Perfect! That was exactly what I needed to know. Thanks so much! I’ve been running 24/0 since the start for germination. Probably going to bump it down to 20/4 or 18/6 like you suggest after the 7-10 days.

How long should I keep the domes on them? Until they want to grow out of them? Or before then?

Sorry for all the questions! I’m just a very curious newbie

[blackthumbbetty]

I keep domes on until they get too big for them. Usually by the time you have the 2nd set of true leaves just starting to form (not the cotyledons or single serrated leaves), it’s time to remove the domes.

[Doobert]

Sounds good! Well, whenever more happens, I will keep posting updates. Until then, just kind of a waiting game and gathering some other minor equipment!

[AfgVet]

Looks like you’ve done your research! Good luck with the grow. Betty is definitely a great mento for growing autos!!!

[MattyBear]

Best of luck! Lot of knowledgeable folks chiming in. Holler if you need anything

[Covertgrower]

Best of luck! Happy growing! And welcome to the forum if you haven’t been welcomed yet!

[Myfriendis410]

You did just right to tag people in. Looks like you’re off to a good start and got some good growers here. We’ve (most of us) started off with blurple lights at some point and they can grow good weed.

Welcome to the forum!

[jb270]

please help!!! what is this?