Indoor A newbies Grow Journal ... from it's Genesis to it's Rapture

[Yozhik]

OK ... first an explanation.
This public journal was wholly inspired by this:

One tip, friend, is to start your journal now. That will keep all the info and feedback you receive in one central, easy to access location, and will also help the new growers to follow and learn from your journey.

I thought about it, and at first, dismissed the idea of a Grow Journal being started BEFORE I was actually growing.
It's not really a grow journal without growing ... right?

Then thought some more ... and realised that the decision making PRIOR to a first grow is probably the most difficult periods any newbie/novice goes through before actually cracking some beans and starting the growing journey.

Comfort and solice comes from empathy and shared experiences, right?
So, embracing the 'community' ethos ... I'm running with @Renaissance Redneck 's suggestion.

A warts and all Grow Journal from Genesis to Rapture.

Please be patient and tolerant.

If it becomes self-indulgent, or pedestrian ... find it in your heart to forgive me.

 

[blue]

Hey Yozhik!

Great idea! Post up your equipment and ideas when they come up and hopefully we can get you off to a flying start!

Sending you some good luck for the first setup and grow!!

Good luck!!
(4 leafed clover for luck!)

 

[Yozhik]

DEAR DIARY:

I have plenty of grow space available.
An entire basement/wine cellar with zero use.
It's divided into separate rooms, but still 100% usable.
Smell of damp is a little off putting.
Will need to consider ventilation and dehumidification options carefully.
Mold is not a good look.

Odor control?
Fuck it.
I have no neighbours - I'm in the countryside.
The stray dogs, local birdlife and cats are not going to care.

Loving TaNg's consistency in his grows.
Why reinvent the wheel?
Plagron Light in air pots is a MUCH cheaper option than my secret fantasty - RDWC.
MEMO TO SELF: baby steps ... learn to walk before you challenge Usain Bolt.

Dutch Passion ... I've used outside before ... they're proven in numerous journals ... TICK
Think Different and AutoXtreme ... tried and proven ... TICK
No brainer.

Mephisto ... I've never used, but fuck me ... they look and sound delicious ... TICK
Walter White, White Train, S.O.D.K ... and who could resist a name like Hubbabubbasmelloscope?
Ordered ... Paid for ... On their way.

Hmmm ... 1 x 150x300x200 tent ... OR ... 2 x 150x150x220 grow tents. [See. here ]
Liking the flexibility of opting for two smaller ones.
Can use them as one big one if I stick them together.
Can also separate and run two side-by-side trials.
Will decide soon.
Strong preference for white over silver though.
That might be the decider.

Lights ... [sigh]
The battle inside me head is starting to hurt.
Grow Northern's HS1 is #1 choice ... LOVING the feedback and also the power usage.

GroGlo's switchable 600W COB option also intrigues me.

Maybe a side by side trial in those 2 tents?
Hmmm ... good thought ... expensive trial though.
Procrastinate until tomorrow ...

Meters ... controls ... accessories ...
No fucking idea.
never grown inside.
Not a clue what I need.


REASON FOR EDIT:

adding images

 

[Yozhik]

Hey Yozhik!

Great idea! Post up your equipment and ideas when they come up and hopefully we can get you off to a flying start!

Sending you some good luck for the first setup and grow!!

Good luck!!

Thank you ...thank you.

Maybe a big shout out to @Renaissance Redneck too for the idea and gentle shove to do it.
Intent is for other newbies/novices to be comforted by the fact they're not alone in the confusion and fear of the PRE-GROW process that goes on between the ears.

 

[stepside]

Man, you are definitely on your way to some awesome grows. I skipped all the preplanning and jumped into it both feet.. And when I say jumped in I mean I said I'm gonna do it ordered some seeds and they were cracked and growing before I even had a tent or a light. It really hampered my first auto grow. After alot of reading on AFN and more investing I'm starting to do a little better. I hope it works for you and I wish I did more preplanning it saves alot of oh shit!! What do I do?

 

[Yozhik]

DEAR DIARY:

Hoping like hell these are still relevant...

Matching the outdoor Rapture would be a nice start...

I know tap water pH is about 7.8
It's also hard water, if the calcium deposit around the kettle's element is anything to go by.
Don't want/need the expense of RO water though.

 

[blue]

not alone in the confusion and fear of the PRE-GROW process that goes on between the ears.

It's one of my favourite bits and something we can all help with as we've all been there - and some of us have gone through multiple "systems" trying to get it right or improve on the last.

I'm sure you'll get some golden nuggets that will steer you right for indoor growing!

I'd get a dehumidifier in that damp smelling room and get cleaning - get it as dry as you can and clean any mold away before the grow - no point in starting at a disadvantage as mold spores spread easily.

As for meters - seems like you wanna do it right rather than do it cheap - so i'd say Bluelabs meters are about as good as they come. I think you can get a combined PH and EC "truncheon" that is supposed to be the business. On a soil grow an EC meter isn't so important so is more for curiousity and helping to "dial it in" if you keep notes and run the same strains.

You'll need extraction for airflow so for the sake of another $100, you may aswell get yourself a good carbon filter to match the fan. Even with no neighbors - a "surprize" visit or even a visit from someone you like, but would prefer not to know, - you just dont have to worry about it.
My area isn't very humid - but my decent carbon filter lasted about4 years before i thought about replacing it (and a friend is still using it)

Lights Depends on the temps really. If they're already good - (75-85f) LED will definately work - and the brand you mention looks appealing

There's my (early) 2 cents!

Hope some of it's useful!

Blue ^_^

edit: We're Fiskar twins!! We got the same trimmers! :woop:

 

[Yozhik]

DEAR DIARY:

"Get a light timer with a surge protector", they said.

S ... may as well have asked me to source a rainbow coloured unicorn with a penchant for fried chicken's teeth.
Yep ... light timer with surge protector ... coming right up.

Is that in the Haven't Got A Fucking Clue or the Thingy Ma Jiggy aisle?

 

[stepside]

Pretty sure its on the end of the isle between the two. EBay as much as I hate to say it

 

[blue]

This is one for me!

That's the baby!

Maxigrow surge relay timer! Sweet! Just like mine

(stops the plugs melthing and house burning down)