About to start some Mephisto Autos, advice needed on first grow!

[Glizzy2x]

Hey everyone, I'm about to start my first grow & I
wanted to get a bit of advice before I start. I'm going to be growing two strains from Mephisto - Mango Smile & CDLC - in 5 gallon fabric pots.

I plan on using a 70/30 or a 60/40 medium of Roots Organics & DNC Great Lakes, with the latter on the bottom, on top of clay pebbles for more air flow to the root system. From what I've been researching DNC alone tends to run a bit hot for seedlings, which is why I'm mixing in Roots.

Since this is my first run, my goal is to have a medium that'll just be water only for most of the run (the whole run would be great). I want to keep my first grow as simple as possible while I learn. I do plan on pH'n my water between 6.2-6.5 (I’ve heard with organics that’s not needed, but I rather be safe than sorry). Being that I'm running with an organic mix, I do have CoM Stonington Blend Organic Plant Food coming for veg & I’m thinking about ordering their Buds & Bloom for flowering (using both as a top dress), unless the Organic Plant Food will be enough for both.. I’m not sure, some advice here would be great.

I also have Gold Shield Silica to help build stronger stems/branches, increase overall vitality, & to help endure external environmental stressors (will be using it sparingly around weeks 2 & 3, & as needed once flowering starts - I've read it can throw ph levels off).

I'm looking into getting Mammoth P, as I've recently read that organic mediums can lead to microbial & phosphorus deficiency's when flowering starts. Although if I get the Buds & Bloom, I shouldn’t have that problem correct?

Is there anything else I should look into getting as far as nutes go? Any suggestions on the medium/mix? Am I overthinking this? Lol any insight on my grow is extremely appreciated!
Thanks y'all!

 

[Bill.de.Cat]

Good air flow.....Some Mephisto can run real tight on internodal spacing making for fat colas but that could lead to bud rot..

 

[Hashsloth]

To answer one of your last questions. I think you are overthinking your first grow,keep things simple and don't overthink and you will have a better chance of success.

 

[Glizzy2x]

Good air flow.....Some Mephisto can run real tight on internodal spacing making for fat colas but that could lead to bud rot..

Gotcha! Thank you.

 

[Glizzy2x]

To answer one of your last questions. I think you are overthinking your first grow,keep things simple and don't overthink and you will have a better chance of success.

This is sound advice. I appreciate it

 

[Slater]

You have definitely done your research, like others have said keep it simple don't over think it and you will have success.

Get a journal going, tag me @Slater then we can all help you as grow. Plenty of soil growrs on here to help you out.

My best tip for a newbie at autos is start your seed I the final pot. Don't transplant, it's the biggest cause of stunted plants I see among beginners.

 

[Glizzy2x]

You have definitely done your research, like others have said keep it simple don't over think it and you will have success.

Get a journal going, tag me @Slater then we can all help you as grow. Plenty of soil growrs on here to help you out.

My best tip for a newbie at autos is start your seed I the final pot. Don't transplant, it's the biggest cause of stunted plants I see among beginners.

Appreciate you Slater! Yeah I spent sometime researching before committing to grow. I wanted to make sure my first grow would be successful as possible, plus it was fun learning so much. Yes I will be starting my seed in the final pot after germing & I definitely will start a grow journal.

 

[Original Lowryder #12]

Hey there! Welcome to AFN Ive been growing for about a year and have recently switched over to organics so I might be able to help out with some of the questions you had on the specifics.

You're definitely on the right track and have done your research. One thing I noticed is you were going to layer your soil. I would recommend against that as it can cause a range of issues with your plants roots. It's better to just mix it all in together.
I pH my water each time to 6.3-6.5. I use RO water with about 100ppms of calimagic, some hydroguard and some yucca. I found that input water can cause a lot of issues and my local water is terrible which is why I do that. My plants get recharge once a week and then a dose of bud candy in the last 2 weeks of flower. Other than that just pH'd water.
As far as nutrients go the CoM should be good, I have never used it but I have heard of others using it and having good luck. I use Down to Earth personally but either should work great. My plants get a weekly top dress after my fox farm ocean forest runs out at about day 25.

If you're worried about any deficiencies you can pick up a few things to have just in case. Bone meal in particular is great for P deficiencies. I ran into that with nearly all of my original plants and was the one thing I wish I had gotten earlier. I also had issues later on with calcium deficiencies, some Dolomite lime or calmag will handle that. Blood meal for FAST doses of N, kelp meal for K, lime and Epsom salts or Cal/Mag for calcium and magnesium. It's not a bad idea to have some worm castings to mix in with your dry top dress. You can just use some extra soil as well.

Here is a link to my current grow if you wanted some more specific information. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/dankersons-grow-show.87720/page-52

 

[MIAutomatic]

I would reconsider putting those CLDC and Mango Smile in the same grow, they are VERY different plants, about as different as two auto flower plants can be. I suppose you didn’t mention if you were growing these indoors or outdoors, but indoor having these two plants sharing the same space is going to present additional challenges, and for your first grow you really want to keep it simple and not add additional variables into the equation.

CLDC is a pretty short plant (2-3ft) and mango smile is a very tall plant, maybe the tallest in the Mephisto catalog (5ft+ If not topped or trained) CLDC does well with very little training and MS really needs significant training indoors to get the most out of her. CLDC being heavily indica tends to like a little more nitrogen. MS being heavily sativa may prefer less nitrogen and do best without getting any veg specific nutrients at all. Keeping the canopy even for good light placement will be more difficult. They have much different flowering times. It could be done of course, I am just trying to make the case that mixing these two strains is going to give you a lot of added complexity, something you don’t want on your first grow. I have been growing a long time and I wouldn’t put these two plants in the same space just because keeping the canopy even would be a huge pain.

I would do just the CLDC. It‘s a pretty fast plant, easy to grow, not too tall and she is hardy and has good yields. I think she is the perfect plant for your first grow.

Be careful with the dry amendments, they are stronger than you think and it’s easy to overdo it. They take about two weeks to take full effect and I would only use them at half strength, especially because the soil you are using has quite a bit in the tank.

Good luck!

 

[MIAutomatic]

I'm looking into getting Mammoth P, as I've recently read that organic mediums can lead to microbial & phosphorus deficiency's when flowering starts. Although if I get the Buds & Bloom, I shouldn’t have that problem correct?

I wouldn’t get this stuff, just stick with the dry amendments and silica you have already selected and you will be golden. Adding PK boosters gets new growers into all sorts of trouble. Overfeeding happens 10x more often than getting an actual deficiency and this is especially true for new growers.

Like others have said, keep it simple and less is more.