New Grower Farmers 1st Grow.

[Farmer]

Hey everyone. New member, long time reader.

Finally Started my first grow. Growing AutoPounder.
Setup is Radiant 6" hood, quantum 600w ballast, SunMaster 600w conversion MH for veg, 600w Hortilux HPS for flower.

Used Paper towel method to to germ. It took a little over 48hrs. Started to get worried but ended up going 5/5. Useing the tierd party cup for seedling stage. (At what point can I introduce them to their 5gallon buckets and OF soil?)

I have heard mixed methods on which way to plant the tap root. Some people say bottom down others say up. So I did a combo of 3 down 2 up. They all broke soil over the course of the next 3-4 days. (might have planted too deep?)

I also have read mixed methods on when to issue light. Started out with a 20/4 cycle as soon as they were planted. Nothing was happening(again could contribute to being too deep?), so after Day 2 I went 24hrs no light. They suddenly started to emerg from the soil.

I might have had a bit of stretching because I was worried my 600w would be too intense at such an early stage I kept the light round 3-4.5ft away? I have since moved the light closer after 1st pair of true leaves came through and added more soil to support them better.

I had a lot of compaction during my first watering. Maybe around 1-1.5". Is this normal? Do you just add fresh soil on top?

I have my 2nd set of true leaves coming in nicely. Looks like there are some more coming in below them. I'm worried they aren't getting enough light though, because I haven't had time to buy my panda paper. I think the 1st set of True leaves is shading them?

Any time frame on when I can expect the to show sex? I had pictures of everything along the way, but accidentally deleted them.

Also I noticed yesterday that the perlite started turning a yellowish color. This made me very worried? But haven't been able to find significant reason on why this happens. Or if it's a bad thing? I covered it up with fresh soil.

I'm going to try and post some pics ASAP. I looking forward to any and all feedback/wisdom from y'all. Hope I can get a good thread going with some subscribers.

Farmer

 

[TaNg]

Sound like a great setup and everything is text book so far,you might wanna try topping up your soil with horticultural sand it helps keep the gnats at bay.

 

[greenthumper]

Hey farmer sounds like a great grow your starting up bro, it will be easier to answer your questions once you got some pictures up :thumbs: :smokebuds:

 

[auto-p]

Welcome farmer!!


Honestly, this is a very very easy plant to grow. A lot of people over complicate it.

If you have a little gardening experience, it will go a long way.

It's pretty hard to get too much light, but lamps too close will burn up (dessicate) the leaves.

My best advice? Water when the pots feel light. Make sure you have a gentle breeze to get airflow around the leaves. Fertilize weakly weekly. And don't sweat it too much.

 

[Muddy]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're off to a good start on your grow. At this point, with 2 sets of true leaves, you should be able to lower your light some more. Try and set to a level that will keep your node spacing at about 1". Just don't get it too close. I would think about 2 - 2.5' should be good at this point.

Perlite always does that and it's nothing to be concerned about. You water gets discolored, either from nutrients or the soil itself, and since perlite holds water, it's only reflecting the color of the water.

Regarding the soil compaction, that's pretty normal. I wouldn't be concerned about that. Adding more soil was the correct thing to do.

Take a look at this thread. It will give you an idea of what to expect from your autos. https://www.autoflower.org/f44/life-cycle-auto-flowering-cannabis-5113.html

 

[BigJohnny]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you're off to a good start on your grow. At this point, with 2 sets of true leaves, you should be able to lower your light some more. Try and set to a level that will keep your node spacing at about 1". Just don't get it too close. I would think about 2 - 2.5' should be good at this point.

Perlite always does that and it's nothing to be concerned about. You water gets discolored, either from nutrients or the soil itself, and since perlite holds water, it's only reflecting the color of the water.

Regarding the soil compaction, that's pretty normal. I wouldn't be concerned about that. Adding more soil was the correct thing to do.

Take a look at this thread. It will give you an idea of what to expect from your autos. http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/phat-12x4-200-cfm-carbon-filter-p-3016.html

Hmm, did you mean to post this thread, Muddy? https://www.autoflower.org/f44/life-cycle-auto-flowering-cannabis-5113.html We'll forgive you seeing as you're new here...

 

[Muddy]

Good catch. LOL, just trying to do to many things at once.

Hmm, did you mean to post this thread, Muddy? https://www.autoflower.org/f44/life-cycle-auto-flowering-cannabis-5113.html We'll forgive you seeing as you're new here...

 

[Farmer]

Thanks for all the replys. Def feeling the love, still working on getting pics for everyone.

 

[PLANET X]

Hi Farmer.

You're set up sounds great, and i'm happy to see someone else whose gonna use sunmaster.
You can't really go / grow wrong on AFN. Like you i'm new to AFN but should be starting my 1st grow in a month from now.
Have read up loads on auto-grow theory and i got kinda thrown with all the sometimes conflicting camps on different approaches on set-ups and tips, ( the MH / HPS / CFLS debates etc) but most of what i read on AFN is great, and although sometimes opinions can get a bit heated, it's clear we all love the same plant and there is a load of support and love for each other. For me i think growing is like being a musician, sure, it's great to see and hear other musicians playing, but if you wanna write n play great songs yourself then sooner or later you're gonna have to play ! And in this context one has to sooner or later. . . grow ! ha ha.
So take in all the knowledge thats available on AFN, follow a few grows and then just grow and be happy doing it. Thats what i'm gonna do anyway.
I will follow your grow with great interest and i wish you and your ladiez the very best of luck!

 

[Farmer]