New Grower First Grow ?'s

[1995420kid]

Hey everybody!
So I'm about to start my first grow and I have a few questions, I'll go over my grow setup first. I'm growing in a grow box I made that's 36x32 I'll be using 8 CFL Lights and be growing 2 plants. I've chosen a white widow and northern lights auto from the ministry of cannabis. I'll be growing in soil and using foxfarm as my nutrient supplement, I plan on using LST since I've heard it's not difficult for first time growers and any plant training that involves cutting the plant should be avoided for autos. So my question is really about my soil composition, I currently plan on growing in 2 gallon buckets since I want the plants to be between 2-2 1/2 feet. I bought some organic potting mix called Ecoscraps from my local Lowe's along with some perlite, I also have some bumper crop organic potting soil but have read that you don't want your soil to be "hot" for autos and that autos grow well with soil that's airy. I just want to know in my situation what's best if I should use all potting mix with 20-30% perlite or mix some of the organic soil in with perlite as well. Also whats the best nutrient schedule for autos as I have read different answers for that. Thanks for any replies in advance people!

 

[Ripped In Oregon]

Hi and welcome to AFN. Happy Frog is a good soil and it is not too hot. I don't add any perlite but many do. I am not saying you should not think or research LST but for a first grow you are better off just learning the basics. LST is stressful in it's self just a lower degree of it and some are ok with it and some are not,if anything research the methods and ask questions your first grow is usually such a learning process the goal is making it to harvest for most the first time around. As far as nutrients go advanced nutrients nutes are good but costly. There is botanicare,flora nova grow and bloom and Green planet nutrients and fox farms just to name few. I don't add perlite but it wouldn't be a bad idea at all.

 

[Creature]

My educated but inexperienced 2 cents should be taken with a grain of salt as I take chances. For science. :smoking:

Assuming both soils are easily acquired locally, I'd do a bucket of each for comparison. 2 different strains could make it difficult to tell which is better though. I've seen all the "Too hot" threads and I also know a few who use said "too hot" soil for every auto grow. My soil's too hot, but there's pockets of it and it hasn't been too bad.

Added perlite depends on the soil. I'd likely just throw an inch or 2 of in the bottom of the buckets.

When you LST, secure the base of the stem from the opposite direction you intend to bend first. Trust me. Don't just yank her over unless you want a midget. ( No offense meant to anyone below average height)

Nutes are going to have to be a "seat of your pants" thing. You have to read the plants. Auto's do what they want. So, Grow schedule through stretch (you'll know when it stops, it's very obvious) then switch to bloom for the duration.

Good luck!

Actually, being at AFN, you should do just fine!