Australian and New Zealander Smoker's Lounge

[Rumblefish]

I went to Vivid Sydney on the weekend Freaking fucken awesome

The animated projections (+ music) on the Museum of Contemporary Art were mind blowing, all night I was looking around saying Oh Wow check that out,so much to look at the picture's hardly do it any justice

Coustoms House

I could see the Opera House from my hotel room

 

[Rumblefish]

And off course the bridge

I only had 2 days 3 would have been better I didn't get to see the stuff going on at Darling Harbour, there were installations all over the CBD

 

[Donald Mallard]

this was a bit of fun i thought ...

 

[b00m]

Great posts there Rumble and Don
puff puff pass

 

[Sat X RB]

Damn, my REP button isn't working! So for all above ... REP to Mr Mallard and REP to dear old Rumbles.

 

[Goldust]

Time for a new strain I think suggestions and you can send me seeds if you like

 

[MadFlavour]

Hi Growers and Smokers

I have been looking to get my indoor tent soil grow happening for quite a while now; been researching as much as possible, reading forums, watching videos... it is getting to the point of making equipment purchases. I think I know what I want but would love to post my current plan and equipment list and see if there are any things the experienced folks can advise or fill in the blanks.

Firstly a bit of info about me and the intentions for the grow:
I have no experience with growing, not just cannabis but any plants! But I have confidence and think I understand the fundamentals from what I have studied about indoor tent growing. And am prepared for 1st attempts to have “results that may vary”.
I have been smoking cannabis every day for over 20 years. I like "fruity" tasting buds with a happy head stone (honestly, have never known what strain I smoke, but I guess I prefer Sativa)
I live in Australia so sourcing equipment / soil / seeds are a little tricker / more expensive. (and not legal)
I will have a partner (my brother, also a daily toker) helping with the grow.
OUR IDEAL YIELD would provide us with personal smoke, and if a cycle of growing is about around 3-4 months, that would be approx 300 grams.

After reading a lot of reviews and suggestions about what kind of reflector, I have decided a Cool Vented Hood is best, as some people report the cool "tubes" have hotspots and poor light distribution, and the circular glass can actually act as a magnifier of heat. I would save some money if going cool tubes but not a lot so figure I will go for a Vented Hood. I would really save money if I went with a non air cooled reflector like a "bat wing" but I can't help but think the heat will become an issue in a tent with a 600W bulb. I read a lot about how 600W is the best bang for the buck, some have said a 400W would be fine but others say just pony up for the 600.

So with these points in mind, I have sourced the following setup for the tent, lights and ventilation:

1. tent 1x1x2mm
2. carbon filter 6 inch x50cm
3. ducting 6 inch x6m
4. duct fan 6 inch
5. clamps pair of 6"
6. Cool vent shade 6 inch flanges
7. hps lamp 600w 2100k
8. silver duct tape 50m roll
9. HPS Mag ballast 600w
10. 10A timer universal plug
11. reflector Yoyo 1 pair of 2 pcs

That list of gear is going to be around $600 AUD delivered. I am trying to figure out if there is another address apart from where I will have the grow to deliver this to. I might be over paranoid but I think that it is probably safer to be extra paranoid about this whole process.

The kit does not include a MH lamp for veg. I am deciding between getting some cheap CFL’s for this stage or just source a MH lamp from a local store or eBay (the actual lamps by themselves do not seem to expensive). Most things I read say yields will be better if veg’ing with a MH lamp.

I am also going to get a pH tester, seem pretty cheap on eBay.

SEEDS
I think I have settled on a place to mail order a few seeds. I am not sure what strain to get, but I really do not know what the differences are so am just going with the most common recommendations for a 1st tent grow which seem to be mazar or a superhaze.

SOIL
This is a subject I am struggling a bit to understand, there seem to be many “recipes” and differing opinions. I am not sure if I need to make different soils for different growth stages; or if there is a soil I can use from start to finish? I am also unsure if I use a soil if I need to use extra nutrients or fertilizers, or simply water. Any tips or links to guides are appreciated.
Most things I read on soil suggest “Fox farms” but that is not readily available in Australia. So trying to find info about what Australian growers use, I found this tip (Bunnings is a chain of building and gardening suppliers):
“I had pretty good results from Yates Potting Mix (with dynamic lifter)...it was about $10 a bag from bunnings. I add about 20% perlite to make it drain a bit better (also available from bunnings). Stay away from the cheap brand name potting mixes, they are crap and it's difficult to get seedlings started in them in my experience.”
This sounds great, but I am not sure if (a) this is meant just for seedlings or if it can be used for the whole grow and (b) will this need extra nutrients and fertilizer, and if so what types and how much?

POTS
I am not sure if I need to start seedlings in small pots then transfer for larger pots or “grow bags” after they reach a certain size? Or can I plant directly into the larger pots and stay there? Also, I am unsure if I need to have trays at the bottom of the pots – some things I read say you do otherwise you are just wasting water and nutrients when it comes out the bottom of the pot, others say let that water drain away as it will cause root rot.

I hope to place orders for equipment later this week.. does this look like an OK plan? I have a couple of other questions I cannot seem to find info on:
When you are in a 12/12 light cycle for flowering, do people have the light on udring the day or night? My thinking is it would be at night as it would be cooler then and the light would maintain a better temp, but during the day it is hotter so keep light off then? Also, when you have the light off during flowering and this was during the night, do you need to keep the fan running ie never turn off ventilation?

Thanks in advance for any information or tips. I plan on uploading a grow diary once it starts.

MadFlavour

 

[Sat X RB]

hello Madflavour

here's how I think of the difference between Sativa and Indica ... Sativa speeds me up. for example, Mr Luvaduck, a contributor to these Forums, describes Sativa "Mango Haze" as "Cannaspeed". and the legendary Rick Simson tells us that too much Sativa will have you "... up painting the barn at midnight"! (Mr Simpson is a simple country fella.)

at the other end of the spectrum Indica spp cause "... couchlock". that is yr frozen to the chair and it's very easy to lie down for a while. not much gets done around the place but you are happy with that ...

for myself ... a toker of some accellerated age ... Indica with a bit of Sativa in it is just fine for sitting on the verandah in the sun ... altho I do appreciate that the Sativa part allows me to shovel dirt in a way that no sane ageing person should ...

so if you look for a blend of these spp you can choose Sativa dominant or Indica dominant to suit yr tastes (and age).

now, I 'm an outdoor grower so I can't give ANY advice to you at all except that DRAINAGE IS PARAMOUNT. leaving plants sitting in saucers of water/nutrient is not for beginners and belongs as far as I know to outdoor pots when the weather is extremely hot and evaporation is extreme.

I 've got a sore typing finger now and a short attention span but may comment more in the future ... Cheers!

 

[Elmer Bud]

KISS

KISS

G`day MF .

Hi Growers and Smokers

I have been looking to get my indoor tent soil grow happening for quite a while now; been researching as much as possible, reading forums, watching videos... it is getting to the point of making equipment purchases. I think I know what I want but would love to post my current plan and equipment list and see if there are any things the experienced folks can advise or fill in the blanks.

Firstly a bit of info about me and the intentions for the grow:
I have no experience with growing, not just cannabis but any plants! But I have confidence and think I understand the fundamentals from what I have studied about indoor tent growing. And am prepared for 1st attempts to have “results that may vary”.
I have been smoking cannabis every day for over 20 years. I like "fruity" tasting buds with a happy head stone (honestly, have never known what strain I smoke, but I guess I prefer Sativa)
I live in Australia so sourcing equipment / soil / seeds are a little tricker / more expensive. (and not legal)
I will have a partner (my brother, also a daily toker) helping with the grow.
OUR IDEAL YIELD would provide us with personal smoke, and if a cycle of growing is about around 3-4 months, that would be approx 300 grams.

Plant at least 20 plants . Half would be expected to be males . Leaves 10 females .Prolly 8/9 is a good fit in the tent . If they all produce well you may have a cpl of pounds . If things are shitty . An ounce per plant will keep you happy .

After reading a lot of reviews and suggestions about what kind of reflector, I have decided a Cool Vented Hood is best, as some people report the cool "tubes" have hotspots and poor light distribution, and the circular glass can actually act as a magnifier of heat. I would save some money if going cool tubes but not a lot so figure I will go for a Vented Hood. I would really save money if I went with a non air cooled reflector like a "bat wing" but I can't help but think the heat will become an issue in a tent with a 600W bulb. I read a lot about how 600W is the best bang for the buck, some have said a 400W would be fine but others say just pony up for the 600.

1m x 1m tent with a 600 will need extraction fan to keep cool and another oscilating fan to strengthen stems and move fresh air amongst your plants .

So with these points in mind, I have sourced the following setup for the tent, lights and ventilation:

1. tent 1x1x2mm
2. carbon filter 6 inch x50cm
3. ducting 6 inch x6m
4. duct fan 6 inch
5. clamps pair of 6"
6. Cool vent shade 6 inch flanges
7. hps lamp 600w 2100k
8. silver duct tape 50m roll
9. HPS Mag ballast 600w
10. 10A timer universal plug
11. reflector Yoyo 1 pair of 2 pcs

That list of gear is going to be around $600 AUD delivered. I am trying to figure out if there is another address apart from where I will have the grow to deliver this to. I might be over paranoid but I think that it is probably safer to be extra paranoid about this whole process.

The kit does not include a MH lamp for veg. I am deciding between getting some cheap CFL’s for this stage or just source a MH lamp from a local store or eBay (the actual lamps by themselves do not seem to expensive). Most things I read say yields will be better if veg’ing with a MH lamp.

Shorter , stockier growth with the blue spectrum MH . HPS is much more golden / red spectrum . Encourages more stretch and longer internodes .

I am also going to get a pH tester, seem pretty cheap on eBay.

In soil no need for PH meters . The soil if healthy takes care of it for us .

SEEDS
I think I have settled on a place to mail order a few seeds. I am not sure what strain to get, but I really do not know what the differences are so am just going with the most common recommendations for a 1st tent grow which seem to be mazar or a superhaze.

Mazar I is a hash plant type . Mellow stone. Shorter stocky plants .
Super Haze is a hybrid with Sativa [ think Thai stick or bush weed ] .
Higher high . Better for gettin shit done .

SOIL
This is a subject I am struggling a bit to understand, there seem to be many “recipes” and differing opinions. I am not sure if I need to make different soils for different growth stages; or if there is a soil I can use from start to finish? I am also unsure if I use a soil if I need to use extra nutrients or fertilizers, or simply water. Any tips or links to guides are appreciated.
Most things I read on soil suggest “Fox farms” but that is not readily available in Australia. So trying to find info about what Australian growers use, I found this tip (Bunnings is a chain of building and gardening suppliers):
“I had pretty good results from Yates Potting Mix (with dynamic lifter)...it was about $10 a bag from bunnings. I add about 20% perlite to make it drain a bit better (also available from bunnings). Stay away from the cheap brand name potting mixes, they are crap and it's difficult to get seedlings started in them in my experience.”
This sounds great, but I am not sure if (a) this is meant just for seedlings or if it can be used for the whole grow and (b) will this need extra nutrients and fertilizer, and if so what types and how much?

Searles premium potting mix .$ 15 50 litres .Searles Power Feed and Seasol . Will be sufficient for whoppers . Water the plants thoroughly 1st time . Pick up the pot and feel the weight . When it feels substantially lighter and the finger poke test in the top cpl of inches of soil are dry . Time to water . If you lift and its still heavy . No water required .

POTS
I am not sure if I need to start seedlings in small pots then transfer for larger pots or “grow bags” after they reach a certain size? Or can I plant directly into the larger pots and stay there? Also, I am unsure if I need to have trays at the bottom of the pots – some things I read say you do otherwise you are just wasting water and nutrients when it comes out the bottom of the pot, others say let that water drain away as it will cause root rot.

Smaller pots early on . We want them to dry out over about 3-4 days . Encourages roots to seek out water and makes better root systems . Over watered plants become pampered and don`t make as extensive root systems . And feel the pinch when under stress a lot more .

I hope to place orders for equipment later this week.. does this look like an OK plan? I have a couple of other questions I cannot seem to find info on:
When you are in a 12/12 light cycle for flowering, do people have the light on udring the day or night? My thinking is it would be at night as it would be cooler then and the light would maintain a better temp, but during the day it is hotter so keep light off then? Also, when you have the light off during flowering and this was during the night, do you need to keep the fan running ie never turn off ventilation?

Winter light day or night , no biggie . Summer nights only .

Thanks in advance for any information or tips. I plan on uploading a grow diary once it starts.

MadFlavour

Thanks for sharin

EB .

 

[Rumblefish]

I'd like to chime in about a few thing to consider, I bought a tent last year 1mtr, I wish I got the 1.2mtr makes a lot of difference, re a magnetic ballast..why ? sure a mag save a few $ but the digital is more efficient + has the benefit of variable output 50,75, or 100% + more bulb types both mh and hps ,veging your plants up from seed you can start at 50%. I paid $300 for a 1000wt digital ballast and bulb,shop around prices can vary a lot! also I got my tent to use as a veg room so I'm not to worried about light leeks but during 12/12 photo period you don't want any light leaking into your tent so I would suspect anyone using tents would still have them set up in a light proof room to start with. Ive found that adding 300 ml off dynamic lifter and 300 ml of blood and bone to a 30lt bag of premium potting mix and mixed well works great ,no other feeding required, as for adding perlite I think that it creates a problem of recycling your potting mix into the garden,it never break's down ,after rain its clean and white and I can spot it a mile away if I saw perlite in someone's! garden I would assume that they were a grower! I think good potting mix drains well enough! now we get to controlling spider mite , use Mite Rid

simple it works! now as to your seed selection newbies should give anything with haze in it a wide berth,haze and its crosses have got to be one of the hardest things to grow indoor ,I have some 1/4 haze crosses that have hit 1.5 metres after heading them of at 2 week veg,they have been going for 5 weeks and are just starting to sex them self s another 8 weeks left in them before they are likely to finish and the yields will be small
as for Mazar if your talking what Dutch Passion has to offer from experience dont ! nice looking plants but a mediocre smoke at best,I'm reluctant to tell peeps what they should be growing but Ill tell you that BOG seed on seedbay are a delight for newbies and seasoned growers alike, quality and tested for stability, really hard to fuck em up and you get quality and good yields,now the last thing I want to say to you is that if you ever get the urge to show your grow to a friend DON'T everyone that knows is a potential for disaster,you might know that they are cool but down the pub after a few ale's ..yadda yadda ,its not so much them but who do they talk too .Loose lips sink ships my friend. Growing your owe is so fucken rewarding but not if the cops kick your door in.Always use a safe address for your seed orders .Stay safe Rf

 

[Elmer Bud]

G`day RF

In agreeance on all points .
My addition to your list . Partners are not required . They just complicate things ...

Thanks for sharin

EB .

 

[MadFlavour]

Hey guys thanks for your posts and advice. Great stuff I am taking note of.

In regard to the digital ballast; apart from being able to use different bulbs is there any benefit to running the light at lower than 100%? It seems to be a fair bit more expensive to get a digital ballast, but I do see some 2nd hand ones around.

Thanks Elmer Bud for the soil suggestions, I think I have found somewhere to get "Searles" potting mix.. is the premium potting mix a good soil to use from start to finish?

 

[MadFlavour]

On the website I found for the SEARLES potting mix it says
• Contains 8 months feeding.
• Certified Premium Grade AS 3743.
• Excellent general purpose premium potting mix (indoor, outdoor and semi-shade).
• Contains Searles Penetraide® Re-Wetting Granules and Water Crystals.
• Contains Robust® Controlled Release Fertiliser.
• Contains Zeolite plus added Trace Elements and Minerals.
• Contains Peat Moss plus Real Organic Compost.
• Also ideal for self watering pots.

Is the time release stuff OK for cannabis?

 

[Goldust]

mag vs electronic ballast video
http://youtu.be/jHLvW3iDeVA

 

[J.V]

I would be more inclined to roll with Canna Terra.....or as a cheap alternative, that's great value.....Amgrow Pot and Peat Black Label...comes in a red bag.....Available at Masters or possibly Big W....I like to add 30 percent vermiculite or perlite....Works well and you can use Chemical Nutes.....For example....Advanced Nutrients Sensi grow A...B. or House and Garden Soil Nutrient, part A and B.

 

[Rumblefish]

@ Goldust that a good little vid thanks for that!
@MadFlavour Here is a shitty phone snap pic off some Medicine Man I have coming along to show you what can be done with that soil recipe I mention in my first post,they are growing in a ten Lt pot, been going for 6 weeks and haven't been feed any thing other than what I put in the soil in the first place, also all potting mixes have time release ferts in them, just make sure its organic and add what I mentioned, just straight potting mix runs out of juice a few weeks after you flip them cannabis is a gross feeder and will suck the mix dry in no time

 

[noyd666]

looks some fine medicine there rumble, filling in very nice.

 

[rexamus616]

On the website I found for the SEARLES potting mix it says
• Contains 8 months feeding.
• Certified Premium Grade AS 3743.
• Excellent general purpose premium potting mix (indoor, outdoor and semi-shade).
• Contains Searles Penetraide® Re-Wetting Granules and Water Crystals.
• Contains Robust® Controlled Release Fertiliser.
• Contains Zeolite plus added Trace Elements and Minerals.
• Contains Peat Moss plus Real Organic Compost.
• Also ideal for self watering pots.

Is the time release stuff OK for cannabis?

NO! You should only use organics on cannabis or anything else you would smoke or eat (herbs veggies fruit)


The 'Robust' and 'Penetraide' in the mix are inorganic chemicals. (or at least artificially manufactured)

The 'controlled release' fert will harm the soil life in your soil/potting media and affect your plants ability to feed itself naturally. Also if you were to use a Mycorrhizal innoculant (root mushrooms) they would be killed by the fertilizer. (high nitrogen and phosphorus are the main killers) as would be any other 'microflora/fauna' (good bugs in the soil)

Depending on the length of your season, the 8 months of feeding may be too long (I assume it would be a higher nitrogen fert) resulting in harsh buds or even stretchy, spindly buds....


Pot grown organically will taste, smell, look and feel better than chemically grown buds.




Find a nursery nearby (not bunnings as they know FA) and ask the nurseryman which potting mix has either no fertilizer, or is BFA certified (one of the organic certification bodies in Aust.)

I personally don't use bagged composts because I can get a better quality product from my local landscaping suppliers, in quantity (half to a full cubic metre) And they'd even deliver it if needed.



Organics = More nutrients, healthier plants, better end product. Not to mention it BUILDS soil, rather than harming and depleting it.


Before the 1800s (the introduction of chemical fertilizers) the only fertilizers used were barnyard manures (straw bedding mixed with fresh manure and urine from the animals) which was taken out of the barn/stable/yard each day and composted then spread back on the fields.

Some places would have used Seaweed (coastal regions) and other sources, but all were naturally derived.

And this was the way it was for millenia, without the need for chemical fertilizers....

And yields were not small either.... There are historical accounts of giant vegetables (and animals) which would compare with many present records.... And from reputable sources too. (kings queens, nobles etc.) all from organic fertilizers. (and basically only manures and straw/hay.... no blood & bone, pelletized chicken manure etc.)

The recycling of nutrients on these farms meant the fertility only grew.....


But the ammounts that could be grown with chemical fertilizers seduced the many into giving away the old ways.... (and so began the steady decline of health in humans and animals.....)




So............ GROW ORGANIC!!!!


or else!!!

 

[ozza]

if he had a plant under lights for 8 months it would be a monster?

 

[Elmer Bud]

G`day Rex

I thought recommending Searles premium which I know works was better than Aldi or going out asking for a suitable potting mix . If the guy was an organix guru then send him lookin . This guy wants basics .
I`ve used Searles for years . Tried and true .


Thanks for sharin

EB .