Indoor My First Grow - 5 ShortStuff Onyx

[Ackmo]

This is my very first grow. I have 5 Fem Onyx germinating in a paper towel. I'm going to plant straight into 2.5 gal buckets with Roots Organic Potting Soil. Will be feeding with RO Buddah Bloom, after the first 3 weeks. I built a 2.5x2.5x5 foot tent and a fixture with 12 23w cfls. So, thats what I'm working with any and all advise will be much appreciated. Lets get this thread rollin.

 

[Ackmo]

I do have one question already. How much water do I feed 2.5 gal of soil? I filled my buckets and watered them to try and get an idea, I put 2 quarts of water on them and it left part of the medium dry while still flooding out of the drain wholes. Am I doing something wrong? Or do I need less water?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Add the water slowly until it starts to drain from the bottom. This should give you a pretty good idea.

 

[TshirtNinja]

i suggest around a gallon for 3 3gallon ladies per feeding so just start from there. Make sure to water with something of a spout. I used to get dry spots too. I seriously made things super simple once I switched to an actual watering can I ended up with no dry spots and ended up using less water overall with little runoff. I like to run my plants a bit on the thirsty side though so try that and gauge what they want. It is easier to diagnose too little water then too much water.

 

[TshirtNinja]

also didnt see anything in your post about circulating air or odor control. Believe me I neglected these areas and it was a lot to recover from. You might want to plan that out now.

 

[Ackmo]

Odor controll is not a problem, its a legal grow and no close neighbors. As far as ventilation, I keep the door open with a fan blowing while the lights are on. Not ideal I know but it keeps the temp where it needs to be. I just need to get the best out of what I have at the moment.

 

[riz]

Water slowly and evenly until you get about a pint coming out of the bottom, let it sit for 2 minutes in the water. The water will be soaked back up. repeat. if it soaks up a second time, repeat a third until no more is getting soaked up. Now soak up or pour off any leftoever and you have a nicely watered plant with no dry spots. Do not let the plant sit for any long period of time in the water or you will see signs of overwatering (heavy droopy leaves). Before ye put the plant back, try and get used to the weight of it fully watered compared to one you have not watered yet. You will be amazed at the diference in weight, don't water again until the plant is near the weight of the unwatered one.

e2a: the only problems with keeping the door open are you screw up the flow of air, the air won't come from low down intakes, it will come straight int he top of the door and out the extraction. You also lose reflected light that shines out the door that could be bounced back in lighting up lower buds.

 

[Ackmo]

Thanx for the heads up RIZ. I built a light trap for intake and exhuast but I cant afford even a computer fan at this time. But I plan on getting one a.s.a.p.

 

[riz]

The stems might not get very thick if theres no real air movement blowing them about, so later on ye might have to tie the stems to the roof to keep them from falling over. I know a guy who does the same as you and gets a decent smoke, he swears by creating mini storms when watering, he'll put his plants into the bath, water them first then spray all over the plant, the then grabs the main stems and starts shaking the shit out of them to get all the water off. He's compared 2 plants, one with mini storms done to it and one just watered in the cupboard, the one that had the storms doubled the end weight of the one that was left alone, thicker stems and healthier looking.

If your going to do that, don't put yer plants back under the lights until the leaves and buds have dried off, and stop doing it once they are a few weeks away from the end.

 

[gearbear]

lol, mini storms. That's a good idea and thought. I might start just shaking my plant from time to time. Can't really make it to the bathroom with them currently. I really like the concept though.