i suggest ionic for newbies.use ionic grow during veg,and bloom/boost for flowering. you determine when its time to harvest by the color of the trichs.thrichomes are the fuzz that forms on the leaves and buds.you need to use a jewelers loupe or a handheld microscope to determine the color of em.it depends on what type of buzz your goin for.if you harvest when most ofthe trich are amber in color,youll have more of a couch lock high,if you havest when 50% are cloudy and 50% amber you'll have a high that is a mix between a head,energentic high and a couch lock high...depends on what kinda high you like. hope this helps ya better understand.i'd definitly do a few hours of reading/learning through the forum.this forum is loaded w/ info..expecially for newbies.(no offense) we answer the same ?'s for newbies every week it seems.not that we hate helpin out newbies,we just wish more people would spend more time reading/learning. our boy timmy is a big help around the forum,he loves to help someone in need of advise.hes taught me alot,but i never asked him anything without trying to find out the answer myself first. anyways,good luck bud-peace