I put together a list of everything my buddy needs to get off the ground with his grow. Is there anything you would add or remove from this?
Seeds!
https://northatlanticseed.com/
https://mephistogenetics.com/
https://seedstockersusa.com/
So you can buy from breeders, or you can buy from a seedbank. A seedbank allows you to buy from more than one breeder in one order. Its really nice that you can order from North Atlantic and its $6.95 flat rate shipping and shows up in 3 days.
So if you are going to have one tent, I would suggest you grow autoflowers because you can have 4 plants all in various stages of growth. Autos don't give a fuck about the lights, photoperiods need the light to go from 18/6 to 12/12 in order to start flowering. But if you do that, your plants that aren't big enough will start flowering too
This way you can start 2 plants, then the next month a plant, then the next month a plant. They are ready to harvest in 80-90 days. That way you have a continuous grow going, with plants in various stages, all under one light.
A mid-tier breeder would be like FastBuds.
https://northatlanticseed.com/product/grapefruit-auto/ Thats where that grapefruit came from.
The 2 companies to absolutely never order from is Growers Choice and ILGM (I Love Growing Marijuana). Both of them are shady AF and they just relabel whatever shit they can buy from spain
A grow tent, light, filter, etc
https://www.mars-hydro.com/fc-e3000-3x3-grow-tent-kits
A 3’x3’ grow tent will easily handle 4 plants in full flower.
https://www.spider-farmer.com/products/spider-farmer-3-x-3-complete-grow-tent-kits/
Mars Hydro and Spider Farmer are both excellent choices. In this case the Spider Farmer kit comes with a speed controller. I don’t feel these are necessary, all it does it speed up or slow down your exhaust fan based on humidity and heat. I just run my 24/7 because you are exhausting into a conditioned space, meaning the air coming back in will be conditioned. Some guys think these are super important, but I don’t see the need, but maybe that sort of control interests you?
If you want to go even higher end, AC Infinity is really nice too.
Amazon product
Avoid weird brands on amazon like “New Tech” and “Costway” and other shit like that. Vivosun is….ok, I have one of their tents and the zipper is constantly jamming up. I have no experience with their lights. I have a Mars Hydro light I am very happy with.
Pruners / Trimming scissors
Amazon product
Amazon product
I prefer the ones without the non stick coating on them, they gum up more but are easier to clean when they do.
PH Up and Down kit, to adjust your water.
Amazon product
Once you buy it once and have the drops, and the little vial, you can make more ph down (which is likely what you are going to need) with battery acid from autozone.
Soft wire, for training your plants branches where you want them to grow.
Amazon product
Do you want to grow hydroponics or in soil? Lets cover what you need for both options.
Beneficial Bacteria.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VXQG23O
This is a beneficial bacteria that helps whether you are in soil or hydro, 8 ounces will last you years. If you mix it with water and spray it on the leaves and flowers it helps prevent bud rot and other fungal issues as well.
A cheap shop vac
Go to walmart, its like $25 for a 3 gallon shop vac. Its handy for keeping the tent clean, sweeping up dead leaves, dirt, etc.
EC Pen
https://www.amazon.com/Accurate-HoneForest-Temperature-0-9990ppm-Aquariums/dp/B073713G5F
For measuring how strong your nutrients solution is, water hardness, and other stuff you need to measure total dissolved solids for. Remind me, I have one I can give you.
Pipette
https://www.amazon.com/Pipettes-Graduated-Cleaning-Transfer-Essential/dp/B0BYSX15NH/
For measuring liquids.
Soil
The grow tent kids come with 4, 5 gallon sized grow bags. Those are better than plastic buckets because they allow the roots to access more oxygen.
The General Hydroponics 3 part series is a really easy place to start for fertilizer.
https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-FloraSeries-Hydroponic-Fertilizer/dp/B0B2C22L3G/
https://www.amazon.com/Botanicare-CAL-MAG-Plant-Supplement-Formula/dp/B004JKBMRW
Cal-Mag, it adds calcium and magnesium back into your water if its lacking. Generally if you are using tap water, this isn’t a big deal, your tap water will already have plenty of both.
I suggest Coco Coir over Peat Moss. Coco is a renewable resource, Peat moss takes thousands of years to form. I also like working with it more.
https://www.amazon.com/Coco-Natural-Compressed-Nutrition-Planting/dp/B0BZHTRW1K
You want your soil to drain really well, but also hold moisture. I mix my soil with some coco, it comes in a compressed brick. You just add water and it rehydrates. You want about 50% soil / 40% Coco / 10% perlite.
https://www.amazon.com/Horticultural-Soil-Additive-Enhanced-Drainage/dp/B0CNF2VY6V
Perlite is similar to lava rock, its little pieces of porous rock that hold moisture, and help aerate the soil.
As far as your actual soil, if you can find it locally, Fox Farms is really good. But I’ve done well with just the Miracle Grow Organic stuff in the black bag at Lowes.
Hydroponics
Net pots
https://www.amazon.com/AQSXO-Plastic-Containers-Hydroponics-Aquaponics/dp/B091BS62FV
Buy your 5 gallon buckets local. I like Harbor Freight buckets, the lids are very very sturdy compared to Lowes or Home Depot. Cut a 4” hole in the slides that the net pot will fit down inside.
Masterblend nutrient - this is what I use. I can’t recommend it enough. Its cheap. This is enough to make thousands of gallons of nutrient solution.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071HFDVB2
An air Pump
https://www.amazon.com/Air-Pump-55W-1427GPH-90L/dp/B0CMQ6ML6R/
Air stones
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WH5RSGD