Stickstones...you can come by at harvest time, and I'll put you to work clipping and cleaning. I loved that job back in the day. You always get the best buds, sticky fingers, sore scissor hands, and all the leaf matter you could take home for brownies. Good work, and you get to see some good starins too. I'll let you know bro. lol
Yep...this is a good enough thread for this topic I think. I mean there is loads of "how to make" for hash...seem logical to mention how to get there as well. After just reading this long ass post. If you don't want to grow...don't waste your time...
I got through collage on a bus boy's salary because I could set up and sell hydro systems. There is loads of great sites/forums. My personal fav is...hope this allowed to link here (please edit for me if not)...
www.rollitup.org . I'm not a member, but I've been lurking around there for months now. I don't like to sign up for forums with a lot of idiots running their mouths, and there tend to be some of that there.
vc...Sounds like you are experianced, but for hydro you do need to stay on top of it like H1414 said for your first couple of crops. With chemicals (natural or not) the ph, nutrients, heat and growth rate are too risky to leave it for a week. At most I'd leave it for a weekend, and even then I'd be worried.
Good basics from my knowledge:
Lighting
MH - great for veg growth and strong root formation.
HPS - An ABSOLUTE must for flowering. If you can only afford one...get this one. (about 200$ USD or a dual mh/hps ballast on ebay with reflectors and bulbs)
250 watt = 9 square feet or less
400 watt = 12 square feet or less
600 watt = 16 square feet or less
1000 watt = 20 square feet or less
Try not to think of number of plants when concerning light, but space needed to light with lumens. Try to get high output or better (HO or IHO lights), for the lumens are truely multiplied with these bulbs.
LED...jury's still out. Wait for a bit to see results, but heard outrageous growth times. Nutirent difficientcies as well.
High output flourecents..can get realy good results off of t5's. Seen 1.5 oz's (1plant) come off a system made of 2 rubbermaid totes stuck ontop one another, 8 flouros, and a good fan!
DONT FORGET THE LOWERING/RAISING CABLES! Got to keep the light within 10" - 12" of the top of the plant/s.
MUST HAVE CARBON SCRUBBER!!! keeps the nosey peeps and the fuzz out, and unwanted odors in. 6 x 12 with a minimum 130 speed fan for a 10 x 10 room is sufficiant.
Aeroponics is my favourite. Also called bubbleponics. Also google drip systems, for those are the easiest for noobs to start with. No pump to die out, all you need to do is to be sure your ph/nutes are dead on, and the res is always full. Be sure the resivior is dark opague plastic! light will damage root system, and cause algee. I'd suggest to tape the outside with duct tape to ensure no light gets into the resivior. Also DO NOT use the thin type black plastics that some potted plants come in from the stores. (Really thin, cheap, breakable stuff) It has lead in it and will contaminate the water. Don't forget the air pump and bubble bar for an aquarium. The air transports the nutrients, and stimulates the root system.
The enclosuer is important! Light leak proof is essential, for if light hits your babies durring flowering, then you'll have some bad results. Must have good air movement. Mianly to have a flow of O2, heat ventilation, and to strengthen the stalks of your plant. for a small system (3 x 3 x 5) 2 4.5 inch fans for intake, and the carbon scrubber should be great for out flow. Be sure to water proof the bottom of the enclosure with plast bags incase of leaks. Also be sure to not put the power strip below the water proofing. RISK OF ELEC SHOCK! Mount power strip on inside, so you only have one power cord comming out of the enclosure. This is so you dont have too many holes cut in for light to leak in. ALSO buy mylar coating sheets. Not that expensive, and you won't get ripped off through materials. Trust me some will sell you sticky white cupboard paper on EBAY! Also raise the resivior off the ground to not vairiate water temps too much 1/2 inch styrofoam works.
There is a million types of grow medium. I like hydrotron pebbles, and rockwool. Some say soil is a must. I've done both, but with hydro I like my method. Just a standard grow closet with no hydro...soil is ok, but be prepared for bug problems if you are in a humid area. Another eason to make the enclosure light leak proof. No bugs can get in. Once the plants get a certin heigth, then I begin to tie them up to eye hooks fastened to the ceiling and cotton string. I'm going to try tokinPaul's trainning method. Looks like a great way to get some side growth, and grow more horizontially if you have limited heigth like my plants will.
Testers and timers. You do need them, and the cheapos aren't the way to go here. PH, nutrient levels, water/air temp, and humidity play huge if not vital roles in your plant. Get digital testers. They can be a bit much, but they are far more acurate. Not to mention buying pool kits to test ph is a bit like eye-balling the amount of blood you need for a transfusion. PH controls nutrient absorbtion. Where a lot of the "goodness" comes from. Nutrients can be tested by digital TTD's. The measurements should be in PPM (parts per million) great way to see how safe your tap water is too. Also be sure your timer can handle the amount of amps you'll be useing. Especially if you use 1000 watts or above.
Nutrients. Once again...millions of types. Most are hype, but to be sure...miriclegrow WON'T cut it! I've made my own many of times. Without knowledge I suggest General Hydroponics floral selection. Big Bud is going to be my next experiment after hearing about it from TokinPaul. I have very good luck with the GH flora line personally.
Seeds...Your guess is as good as mine. I need some, but who knows whom to trust. I've gotten taken more than I've had success on-line. If it's your first hydro...try bag seeds first. Sux to ruin 60$ of seed first go. vc...theweedfarmer.com is awesome and in AUS. Good resources, and local soil/weather/store location knowledge. After the fist plants show sex...try to save one female, and keep her under constant light. She's the mother to clone off of. Saves about 4 weeks on crop time. Full crop in 11 - 12 weeks
I obviously love to grow, but it has been a looooong time. I think it sounds like fun, but the dangers are still weighing in my head.
Facts...
a 3 x 3 x 4 hydro system with hps light will add 10 - 15 % to your electric bill.
You tell people, you boast, you trust too many...you go to jail. SIMPLE!
LOOK UP FEILD OF GREEN METHOD!
Don't grow tall, but bushy plants. Have a low rider type grow system so it's more suited for stealth. I always got at least 30 - 45 grms per plant, and they never get more than 3 - 3.5 feet tall. At 3 plants thats 90 grms min per 3.5 - 4 months. Even I can't smoke that much that fast. My small systems run at a total cost of 40 - 50 USD per month. $200 USD for over 3 oz of premo bud...not too bad.
Mine is for personal consumption only. No selling. Best way to stay clean.
Happy growing, and good luck! Any more info (TOKINPAUL!) to be added would be greatly apprieated for the noobs, and the ones that have been out of the game for a while.
DD
I LOVE GROWING DANK!
"heat and growth rate are too risky to leave it for a week. At most I'd leave it for a weekend, and even then I'd be worried."
Not likely.