First Time Grower

[monkerz]

Few questions for you experienced people out there.

1 - What gets more of a yeild - Hydro or Soil ?

2 - Running a Hydro system. Lets say it has 8 gallons. Do I need to give the water nutrients once or do I have to keep adding to the same water new nutrients every few days? or how often?

3 - Which technique is better, Breaking her neck or Topping off the plant?

4 - Once my plant is producing buds and I start to take from it, is it better to cut down the whole plant and start new again , or can I just keep clipping off buds and keep her going on the 12/12 schedule and use the same plant over and over?

Thanks.

[hollywood52]

i run both and i think the yeild would be the same if flower them at same size but my hydro just grow huge quick

[hollywood52]

change your resvoir new water and nute bout ever 7-10day.

[Crazy Horse]

How about do a little research before jumping right in there, bud!

[snuggles]

I think IMO hydro is faster, it really depends on container size and strain.

Second question...add nutes every 7 days or so, everyday in between top off the res. with fresh Phed water. Some people will also add nutes instead of just topping but I would stay away from that as a first timer.

Third question....think it depends on strain more than anything. By breaking her neck I assume you mean pinching or super cropping. I have tried both and I notice no big difference. Topping is easier and less time consuming if that helps.

Last question....You should just cut the whole plant down, if you keep running at 12/12 thc degrades and eventually it will pop some flowers. Although you can harvest a plant, leave some green and reveg it by sitting back under a non 12/12 lighting schedule and IMO it's slow and cloning works better.

[monkerz]

How about do a little research before jumping right in there, bud!

Been reading allot for 3 weeks now. Those were the only questions I really had.

So for those that use a hydro system, after 7-10 days, do you drain and start new again , or do you just refill the water to top off and place the regular amount of nutrients again?

Also is 12" around the time to move over to flowering?

[snuggles]

Drain and clean with Clearex. Although in the last couple of weeks I just keep topping the res. with nutes and water as they become to big to mess with. What kind of hydro? How much room do you have? I can't answer honestly unless you let us know....different types of hydro and different rooms/set ups. And a strain would help? or just a type like indica or sativa if you're not sure. Some plants stretch more then others in flower. Some even triple in size believe it or not.

[monkerz]

And a strain would help? or just a type like indica or sativa if you're not sure. Some plants stretch more then others in flower. Some even triple in size believe it or not.

White Widow seeds

I am running something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/DripTote6-3-Hydroponic-System-Complete-Free-Shipping_W0QQitemZ370040313271QQihZ024QQcategoryZ4 3555QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I am using a 400w HPS. Grow box is 32"x32" and 48" high

What is the limit of plants you can use for a 400w HPS ? I read some say 75watts per plant. Does that sound right?

[snuggles]

OK first off if you are growing from seed you need to realize you might run into problems getting them out of there, the roots will tangle. Secondly it's not the amount of plants persay but the area of canopy. And four feet with a 400 watt might be tough, you'll be cutting it real close if you go a foot a plant. I would aim for 8 inches, cause those totes are not made for a lot of plants...trust me.

OK and to figure out the lights take the wattage divide by the area you want to cover and that will give you watts per foot, I believe you want 30-35 watts min,,,don't quote me as it's been a while since I had to answer this.

So you would be at roughly 9 square feet
400/9 equals 36 watts per sqaure foot

As for WW it stretches a bit but not too much, I think the bigger issues are the four foot clearance with a 400. It's totally doable but the height has to be controlled and you need a good ventilation system.

[Crazy Horse]

[QUOTE=monkerz]Been reading allot for 3 weeks now. Those were the only questions I really had.

:holysheep:

[monkerz]

OK first off if you are growing from seed you need to realize you might run into problems getting them out of there, the roots will tangle. Secondly it's not the amount of plants persay but the area of canopy. And four feet with a 400 watt might be tough, you'll be cutting it real close if you go a foot a plant. I would aim for 8 inches, cause those totes are not made for a lot of plants...trust me.

I grew them to around 2" in soil first. Then placed into the hydro.

I can go as high as 8' . I can take the top off and extend it another few feet if I need to.

I was actully going to use this as a clone grow box.

What size do you suggest me making using a 400w HPS and 2 12"x12" LED panels? Space is not an issue as I have a 10'x10' room to use.

[lyfr]

i believe you get more in the long run with hydro...its faster!