New Grower Another AK Newbie Here: First Grow Ever

[akreso]

Well, I feel like I have searched and read, read and searched for hours a day for the past few days. In the end I decided on the Mars Hydro Reflector Series 144X3 LED. The space I am growing in is about 3 ft x 3 ft and given the tent I have put together and shelving, I am pretty flexible on height. I am pretty stoked about this purchase for sure.

As for the girls, we're on grow day 9. I'll get a picture up tomorrow but they're looking nice with leaves starting to peek out for sure.

As the state motto says - "North to the future" (with some LED!)

 

[Fishman]

Congratulations on the purchase- I think Mars is a great company and just got a few of their MARS II 1200's myself. The units are well built and run quite cool. I had some issues with heat initially but it was due to my inadequate removal of hot air that builds up under any light. LED's are the future... HPS have their place but in my opinion it was in the 20th century.

 

[DarshAK]

Their? Lol. Good work on the LED purchase .[emoji106]

 

[akreso]

It's about to get real, now! Just received my Mars Hydro 144 x 3 LED. I'll get set up this evening and post some pictures, along with update pics of the ladies who are now 2 weeks from sprout and looking nice and healthy. In addition to LED, I am also starting nutes this evening. More soon!

 

[akreso]

OK. So, we're in business. Here are a few pictures. The plants are looking good and healthy. I have hung the light, though I plan to make some more improvements on the set up, including closing this in more like a closet (3x4). Right now the set up is simply a shelf in the corner of my garage. . . which will be fine for now (I suspect).

Light is hung about 18 inches from plants

I also gave the first round of nutes tonight. I admittedly erred on the cautious side. I mixed around 1/4 strength and gave each plant a little over a 1/4 gallon. Leading up til now, I have been watering about every 3 days (about 1/4 gallon). Grow medium seems good and damp, but not too wet. Anyway, trying not to over think it.

In the pics, the Polar Express is on the left and the Cash Crop (Northern Lights/Big Bud) is on the right.

Any advice welcome as I transition to LED on the first grow.

Happy Growing!

 

[DarshAK]

Looks like you're off to a great start. Those girls are going to love all that new light!

 

[hairyman]

Hi pal, now you have changed to LED you will want to look into adding a cal/mag supplement at some point

 

[akreso]

Thanks hairyman, I added cal/mag last night with first watering with nutes. I am assuming I add with each feeding, right? Cheers

 

[hairyman]

well thats depends on the product and feeding regime you are using , some feed cal/mag on the days they give water only,some everyday - i would find a successful grow thread that uses the same nutes you are using and follow what they did, hopefully a more experienced grower will chip in , i just finding my feet like yourself, when i changed to led i have been troubled with cal/mag issues and it is generally considered a must thats why i mentioned it, since you are already using it things should be fine, nice grow box by the way and good luck.

 

[akreso]

Thanks Hairyman. I am using the General Organics cal/mag, which has a regular feeding schedule. I have a GO thread bookmarked, I need to read back on that one some more.