Planning my first grow

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for basic advice on starting my first grow. I’ll have a million questions for you all to enjoy, take the mick out of and hopefully answer but for now I’ll keep it simple.

I’m going to be growing in soil under led’s, I’ve read somewhere that I don’t have to PH my water and that the soil will do it. Is that true ?

Next question is, is there a natural/organic way of giving the plants nutrients rather than buying bottled.

I’m growing for quality not quantity.

 

[Lordhonkyconcord]

I’ve got John innes no1 compost.

I’ve just ordered a ph pen and have got some ph up/down.

Am I right in thinking I should be looking for a ph reading of 6.5 and give plain water (no nutes) for the first 2-3 weeks.

I’m trying to write an idiots step by step guide in my own words that will walk me through the grow

 

[Dichoti]

I’ve got John innes no1 compost.

I’ve just ordered a ph pen and have got some ph up/down.

Am I right in thinking I should be looking for a ph reading of 6.5 and give plain water (no nutes) for the first 2-3 weeks.

I’m trying to write an idiots step by step guide in my own words that will walk me through the grow

From what I've seen (had to look it up) it seems like good stuff. What's the npk ratio of it? I can't find that info.
You may want to find some of the soil growers on here, or hop into live stoners and ask a few questions there. I'm a coco grower, So there's only so much I can answer when it comes to soil. I can give you info on basics, and stuff about deficiencies/toxicity I've picked up, and that's about it.

 

[Lordhonkyconcord]

I can’t find an npk ratio, I’ve had a look and it doesn’t say anything about that on the bag.

I’ll look for soil growers. Thank you for the advice you’ve given me so far I appreciate it

 

[MickJ]

Sounds like you are in UK? John innes is fine, I use B&q verve seed and seedling. I mix in about 20 to 30% Coco coir and vermiculite, aids in drainage, aeration and water retention. I get this from Poundland.
Look up your local water company pH for tap water on line. Mine is 7.5.
You will struggle to go a whole grow without nutrients unless you have larger pots and you will still need to supplement that.
I use old timer nutrients or biobizz are good. I bought pH test strips until I got used to what my nutes do to the water pH and now don't bother testing. Old timer adjusts my tap water to 6.5 by default so that's a winner.
I find mixing, hand watering and studying each girl therapeutic so it really doesn't bother me. I have 7 plants on a rotating basis and you get to know them and what they need. When they say cannabis is not addictive, they obviously weren't talking about growing it!
Ask away on anything else?

Sent from my comfy chair
[emoji41][emoji2956][emoji848][emoji12][emoji42]

 

[Lordhonkyconcord]

Sounds like you are in UK? John innes is fine, I use B&q verve seed and seedling. I mix in about 20 to 30% Coco coir and vermiculite, aids in drainage, aeration and water retention. I get this from Poundland.
Look up your local water company pH for tap water on line. Mine is 7.5.
You will struggle to go a whole grow without nutrients unless you have larger pots and you will still need to supplement that.
I use old timer nutrients or biobizz are good. I bought pH test strips until I got used to what my nutes do to the water pH and now don't bother testing. Old timer adjusts my tap water to 6.5 by default so that's a winner.
I find mixing, hand watering and studying each girl therapeutic so it really doesn't bother me. I have 7 plants on a rotating basis and you get to know them and what they need. When they say cannabis is not addictive, they obviously weren't talking about growing it!
Ask away on anything else?

Sent from my comfy chair
[emoji41][emoji2956][emoji848][emoji12][emoji42]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I’m in the uk, Ive had a quick look online and it says the water is between 7 and 9.

I’ve ordered a ph pen and will have a little play around with testing the ph levels in my tap water and adjusting with ph up/down to get myself used to it.

You’re right about it being addictive I’ve spent a lot of hours reading and even though I’m getting confused I’m still interested.

 

[MickJ]

Thanks for the reply.

Yes I’m in the uk, Ive had a quick look online and it says the water is between 7 and 9.

I’ve ordered a ph pen and will have a little play around with testing the ph levels in my tap water and adjusting with ph up/down to get myself used to it.

You’re right about it being addictive I’ve spent a lot of hours reading and even though I’m getting confused I’m still interested.

Measure your pH up or down in ml. Then you will know how much per litre to add and won't need a pH pen to get the right pH. Which in turn saves calibrating all the time and the liquids are expensive.

Sent from my comfy chair
[emoji41][emoji2956][emoji848][emoji12][emoji42]

 

[Lordhonkyconcord]

Measure your pH up or down in ml. Then you will know how much per litre to add and won't need a pH pen to get the right pH. Which in turn saves calibrating all the time and the liquids are expensive.

Sent from my comfy chair

Ok, I’ll need to get myself a measuring syringe then. Do I just use ph adjusted water until the plant is ready for nutes ?

 

[MickJ]

Ok, I’ll need to get myself a measuring syringe then. Do I just use ph adjusted water until the plant is ready for nutes ?

Yes

Sent from my comfy chair
[emoji41][emoji2956][emoji848][emoji12][emoji42]

 

[Lordhonkyconcord]

Ok, Thanks again