Hello,
My name is Kaitlyn. I am very interested in starting my own plants. I was given seeds but not sure what type they are. I have at least 20 seeds. I only want to start small as I have no idea what I am doing. I think I’ve read too much information and now I’m feeling very confused on what type of soil to use and nutrients. I want to start them indoors and bring them outside once the temperature is right. Usually around the end of May. I am in Ontario. I have a light that was also given to me, it is a LED Grow Light, 27W Plant Grow. I’ve read some people start them in solo cups, how long would you leave them in before transplanting them into bigger pots? I think I’d like to do a 10 gallon for the final pots. I also have been thinking which would be better to use, a plastic container or the cloth bags. I was thinking I may bring them inside at night as I have a pretty open backyard but I also have started growing sunflowers and some vegetables as well. Also do I need to purchase a grow dome? My house is usually set at 70°c. Do I need to purchase a heating pad? I have so many questions, so please be patient with me as I’m just learning. Any information you are willing to share would be very appreciated.
That light won’t cut it. You’ll need a tent or light proof closet. A 2x2 is only big enough for one plant. LEDs do a lot of false advertising. If heat is no concern, get a cmh. I grow in coco coir, you have to add your own nutrients but it’s easy. You want at least a 5 gallon pot. And female seeds are better so you don’t waste time just to find out you have a Male
If you are planning to move the plants outside, the 2x2 should be fine for just veg. They will get very tight but you should be OK. The light though is too small and the plants will stretch too much to find light making them very “leggy” before you get them outside. Most people prefer to use the cloth pots. You should go with 5 gallon or larger. The larger the pot the larger the plant because of more root space. Soil wise I will tag @garrigan62 he’s the master super soil maker and can give you great recommendations.
Welcome to the forum. I use cloth pots and like them alot and they have handles which will be easier to move if needed. I usually transplant when the outer leaves reach the edges of the pot your in, until you get to your final pot. Ii would also recomend getting a better light. There are many great people here with all sorts of different grow lights from t-5, cfl, hid, led etc, mostly depends on how much you want to spend.
When starting in solo cups like you are asking about what ever medium you use will go into a clear solo cup with holes drilled into the bottom and then it’s placed in a red solo cup. Then you check out the roots by lifting the clear one up when you see good roots all the way around the clear solo cup it’s time to transplant.
Cloth bag do promote alot of good things just make sure they are off the ground so they can drain if they sit in water with your nutrients solution you can get a salt build up in the bottom of the pots and have to flush a couple times.I learned that lesson twice but also will depend on your nutrients to for build up.
If mainly going to get their light from the sun you will need a decent light for starting them check Craigslist and offer up lots of people bought top dollar equipment and burned up the crops and get mad and sell It for half price or less.
Above all else don’t be cheap on the ph meter and get some calibration solution to calibrate and check your meter this alone helps you from getting alot of problems and have a good grow.
Hope this helps you
Hey; welcome to the forum! You’ve found some good growers to help out with your first grow.
What is your budget? That can help determine the direction you go with this too. A decent light is key to getting a good start for your girls. I just started some autos and plan to put them out in June. Your region will have a sweet spot for when to plant and you can Google that information: usually around Memorial Day (in the States). There are some issues you should consider now for your outdoor grow: high humidity and late flower don’t work together. Bud rot is very common and will ruin an entire crop in hours. Timing your grow around conditions like that and temperature are critical to you actually making it to harvest.
When you plant in soil you are better off with a product designed for cannabis like the Fox Farms products. Roots Organics is another. Stay away from any soil that says: ‘needs no fertilizer for 3 months!’ or ‘moisture control’ as they contain harsh chemical fertilizers that can (not necessarily) contribute a bitter harsh taste to the smoke.
You should order a decent PH meter and TDS meter along with PH up and down and some calibration solution. Proper PH is critical to your plants’ health.
I would also suggest selecting someone to mentor you as you can get pulled in a hundred different directions by well meaning growers.
Thank you to everyone who has responded so far! I appreciate all of your information. I am going to gather some equipment together once I have read up a bit more. I can’t wait to begin growing You all are so helpful!
Do you have a sunny window you can start your plants in with the LED light you have for aux lighting?
If you are transplanting in May, you only have to get your plants past the seedling stage, so in my opinion not worth it to invest too much in lighting. Unless of course you are going to do more indoor growing going forward.
For starters, read the ILGM germination guide.
I would start at least double the amount of seeds than plants you want and probably more like 3 times to make up for males that you will kill, dud seeds, and lagging plants.
After that you will need a very basic seed starting organic soil mix that has mild nutrients. Babies don’t need strong nutrients. The supersoil mix linked is to strong for seedlings.
I love cloth pots.
When starting there are 3 things to remember:
1- don’t overwater your plants
2- if you are planning to water your plants, stick your finger as far down as possible, if you feel moisture, don’t water them yet.
3- before you water, make sure the soil is bone dry.
Good luck Kaitlyn! Start a grow journal, everyone will help. And go completely organic!
I think you’d be fine with the light you have, they’ll only be under it for a short period. At this point by the time you got a new light in the mail it be time to take them outside. If they happen to stretch too much, just bury the stem almost to the codyledons, it’ll help build roots too. Like @AAA said, put it near a window too😋. You can also put them outside for a bit maybe in the afternoon if it’s warm enough.
I don’t know if I should keep growing her or start all over…
The soil I used was Jiffy premium seed starting Jiffy - Mix and I had it in the little tiny jiffy pots until it sprouted up. Then I transferred her to the bigger pot and now the soil in there is the Jiffy mixed with Schultz potting soil plus. But as I’ve been reading this it says to stay away from feeds up to… the Schultz bag says feeds up to 6 months… so should I grab some new soil now or keep it in this until I transplant to a bigger pot? Also, I keep the light that I mentioned earlier on for 16hrs a day. I also have a basking light for my bearded dragon and have extras laying around… 100w… should I use that light instead?
You all are so helpful!
