New Grower Newbies first grow. Heavyweight Strawberry cheesecake

[pigman]

Ok guys and gals total newbie here hoping for some good advice and good luck! I have been wanting to grow for some time now but wasn't sure I was ready for the challenge. I have spent a lot of time this past week really reading and studying the other newbies first grow threads and trying to get my ducks in a row to set myself up for a successful first grow. From what I've been reading, it seems to me that everyone is so excited and anxious to get their seeds in the dirt that they forget to properly prepare themselves for success. I don't want to make those same mistakes. Looks like to me, most had problems to start with PH levels being wrong from the get go. With me being a newbie, I want to eliminate all variables and start with something that is pretty consistent. So to start with, I'm going to wait to germ my ladies until after I have PH tested my OF and get it to the proper 6.5. Do I seem to be on the right track so far?I really would appreciate any and all advice you have to offer. Many Thanks!

 

[BRICH999]

Welcome to AFN pigman! Sounds like you have done your homework, id definitely fall into your first category of throwing beans in the dirt and learning along the way but i still ended up with decent plants(too many) and have learned a ton along the way. And i couldnt have done it without the help from the afn community.

 

[pigman]

do you think that the OF is a good soil for someone like me? what would you suggest?

 

[Woolly]

do you think that the OF is a good soil for someone like me? what would you suggest?

I would suggest using it and adding either their fox farm light warrior or another seedling starter. The OF can be a little hot for seedlings especially autos.

Whats your set up ?

 

[pigman]

I have 5ea 3 gallon pots I will be using for final transport of the ladies when I get ready to germ them. I will be using 6ea 26w CFLs for lighting in the beginning until they start growing a little further down the line. I have a osculating fan that will be gently blowing across them to have a steady stream of fresh air moving. since space isn't an issue, (I have an extra 10'x12' room in my house that never gets used anyway lol) I have room for suggestions and improvements. I want to get everything set up and ready for my ladies so please by all means let me hear you thoughts and suggestions! Many Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[pigman]

quick question for ya, from what ive been reading, distilled water causes mad ph fluctuations, so is it best to use tap water that has been sitting out for a day or 2 to allow the chlorine to evaporate the best water to use?