DentedCan

Hi all,
I'm new here and started my first garden (for personal use) about 2 days ago. I bought the seeds from worldwideseeds.com (ak47 strain) and germinated them using wet paper towel. Of the 10 I tried germinating, 8 of them have sprouting a tap root with the first 24 hours.

Space is very limited, so this is a closet grow. I put each strong seed into its own 6" pot with a potting soil mix high in NPK and added a little more vermucilite to make it a bit fluffier mix. Each pot is elevated on a drip tray and after sowing the seed about 1/2-3/4" i gave the pots a good soaking until it started running through to the drip tray.

I built an enclosure in a closet, lined with aluminum foil (dull side facing the plants so it doesn't forcus the light). I have 3 circular tri-phosphorescent bulbs about 2" from the tops of the pots right now on 24/0. Temperature remains between 65-75F and humidity is average for a bedroom closet.

My goal is to veg the plants to about 2' and then force them into flowering, pick the buds as they mature and then start cycling the plants into and out of flowering for as long as they remain productive. From what I read, I will probably plan to force branching of the main stem after the 3rd and 6th set of leaves appear. I'm playing with the idea of training them to maximize space usage also... but the jury is still out.

So I have two questions for the more knowlegable here:

1) Is their anything else I should be doing right now?
2) From 10 plants at 2' (ak47 strain), what is the ballpark I should aspire to harvest with the conditions described above?

I'm a first time grower, so any constructive input would be awesome! Thanks!

Kurlan

Sounds like you have some great genetics. Are you going to get some High intensity lighting? You want to give it as many lumens as possible. At this stage what you have might keep them alive, but we want the plant to thrive.

The buds will mature at around the same time. The rolling harvest thing might be a little off... You can reveg the plant however...

__________________
-Kurlan

My first yield: {Almost 6 ounces}
My second grow show: {Attic grow with local chronic}
Third Grow (currently in flower - coming soon)

My cherished pic of the week

When to harvest

DentedCan

I've been reading Ed Rosenthal's growing guide. He suggests flourescents can yield a moderate grow on their own. I haven't ruled out MH or HPS lighting yet though. If I notice the little guys starting to stretch for sun, I'll take action. The space is pretty tight and I'm pretty concerned about heat/fire when I'm not home. Having no experience with these high output lights, it just makes me a little nervous.

As for the re-veg'ing... do you think yield turnovers would be quicker trying to reveg them or would I do better to start clones early and cycle plants through (harvesting the whole plant upon maturity)?

I'm so new to this that I really appreciate your input. Thanks again!

Specs

Clones and cycling are much quicker don't you think? Although I reveg and my plants if repotted grow twice the size in half the time, but remember yo have to wait for the harvest to finish and then wait for reveg and flower again. I would reveg after first time around if I didn't take clones and then when I need to prune(which you will if you reveg) take clones at that time. Floros will give you personal stash, but the efficincy of them are not that great, unless you practice professional training techs. Good luck and everyone starts somewhere.

bobbooty

how big is your space? we could help if we had a better idea of what you have available to work with. sounds like your commited, and willing, just need to work out the specs.

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DentedCan

hi bobbooty. i'll fire up the digital cam tonight and take a bunch of pics so everyone can see what i have to work with. i'll take some measurements too, for reference.

right now my patience is wearing thin. i planted the germinated seeds a little over 24 hours ago and this morning i ran to the closet to see if i had seedlings yet and nothing has broken out from the soil. i was like that kid ralphie in the movie 'a christmas story' when he thinks he didn't get his red rider bb gun for christmas. hopefully i'll see some sprouts soon.

i was able to verify that the tap root is still growing and starting to branch now. should be any time.... patience.... patience.... i keep tellin myself. hehe

someone here said that growing was more addictive than smoking... and i definately agree. i'm obssessed with my little garden!

DentedCan

the first little guy popped his head out this morning! i also invested in a 500W HPS light also. i started a few more seeds too. more info to come.

Specs

Can't help without specs and pics.


i also invested in a 500W HPS light


Good choice, hps will make a huge difference in bud. 1lb off of a 400w hps and 1 plant.
http://www.hempcultivation.com/420/s...threadid=33550