HowtoGrowOrganicPlantsIndoorswithLEDLights-ForBeginnersandAdvancedGardeners-AdvicefromaProfessionalGrowerByThePurpleOrganicLEDGuru

Copyright©2015ThePurpleOrganicLEDGuru–RyanMajorCrippen–ParallelTreeBooks-Allrightsreserved.

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Disclaimer:ThePurpleOrganicLEDGuru,RyanMajorCrippen,&ParallelTreeBooks,willinnowaybeheldresponsibleforanythingthereaderdoesfromreadingthisbook.Thisinformationisforgeneralinformationpurposes.Itisintendedtoexpandyourunderstandingofgardening.ThePurpleOrganicLEDGurudoesthebestjobpossibletogiveaccurateandtrustworthyinformation.Proceedatyourownrisk.Gardeningcanbefunandsafeifdonecorrectly.Pleasebesmartwhengardeningandtaketheproperprecautions.ThePurpleOrganicLEDGuruencouragestheuseofglovesandsafetygoggleswhengardeningdotounexpectedevents.Youasthereaderassumefullresponsibilityforyourownactions.

Firstedition-2015

Thisbookisdedicatedtoeveryorganicgrowerandnatureloveroftheworld.

Contents:

Introduction……………………………Chapter1:Indoorsvs.OutdoorsChapter2:Organicvs.Non-OrganicChapter4:NutrientsChapter5:LEDsvs.OtherLightsChapter6:ElectricityChapter7:HowtoGrowChapter9:ClonesChapter10:RandomInformationandTipsChapter11:RecipesChapter12:StepbyStepGrowingExamples

Conclusion……………………………

Introduction

Welcometothewonderfulworldofgardening!Ihaveaccumulatedknowledgeovertheyearsthathasleadmetowritethisbook.Thisisreallifeexperienceknowledge.Notsomecouchgardenertypeofknowledge.Mygoalistogetrighttothepointandhelpyougrowlikeaprofessionalrightfromdayone!Thisbooksisintendedtoanswersomeofthequestionsthatalotofbooksdonotaddress.Iwilltrytoexplaininawaythatanyonecanunderstandwhattodo.Iwillsaveyouallthegriefofabeginninggardener.Youwon’thavetoexperiencethedisappointmentofamateurmistakes.Youwon’thavetospendyourhardearnedmoneyandthenhavefailuresdiscouragingyoufrombeingthegardeneryoualwayswantedtobe!Youwillbeabletogetrighttothefunandexcitementofgrowing!Ifyoufollowtheseinstructionsyouwillhaveagreenthumb!Thesearetimeprovenmethods.Thesearegeneralguidelinesthatwillworkwithmostplants.Thisbookdoesnotfocusonanyparticularplant.Itjustfocusesonthingsthatmostplantscareabout.Iwilltrynottowasteyourtimewithinformationthatdoesn’treallymatter.

Solet’sbegin!

Chapter1:Indoorsvs.OutdoorsGrowingindoorsispossiblebecauseaperfectenvironmentcanbecreatedindoors.Itispossibletocreatethisenvironmentinanydecenthouse,apartment,oreventrailer.Youcanhaveagrowtentinyourbedroomwithyou,ifyoudonothaveanywhereelsetogrow.Closetsholdgrowtentsnicelytoo.

Basementsareidealgrowlocationsbecausetheyareeasytokeepaconstantenvironment.Outbuildings(sheds)thatarenotattachedtohousesaresomeoftheleastidealplacestogrowindoors.Itisdifficulttokeeptheenvironmentconstant.Withtheavailabletechnologythesedaysandsomeknowledgeyoucaneasilycreatewhateverenvironmentyouneedforyouparticularplant.Airconditioners,dehumidifiers,humidifiers,heaters,fans,etc.,allowcompletecontrol.

Thebestwaytothinkaboutitisthatindoorsyouhavetocreatetheenvironment,soyouhaveallthecontrol,outdoors,MotherNaturehasthecontrol.Youcanusethistoyouradvantagetogrowawesomeplantsthathavebetterqualitytothemalotoftimesthanthesameexactplantgrownoutdoors.Thisisbecauseyoucanbeexactingwhenitcomestoalltheperimetersaplantcaresabout.Youcandialintheexactspecs.

OutsideMotherNatureisnotalwaysthesame,soyougetmuchmorerandomresults.Youcanbabyyourplantsindoors,andkeepthemfrombeingweathered.Thismakesfordifferentresultsthenyouwouldgetoutdoors.

Youcanmanipulatethesettingoutdoorstoyouradvantageaswell,byamendingthedirtwithbetterdirtandnutrients,aeration,etc.Thusimprovingtheresults,ofanoutdoorgrow.

Ifyourlocationisnotideal,youcandoyourbesttomakeitideal.Themoremoneyyouhavethebetteryoucanmakethings.Gardeningdoesgetexpensiveifyouwanttheabsolutebest.Howevergardeningcanbedoneverycheapaswell.Justdependsonyourneeds,andsizeofgarden.

Indoorsyouwillnevergetastormtoworryabout,andyoudon’thavetomonitortheweatherconstantly,likeyouhavetodoforanoutdoorcrop.

Indoorsyouwon’tgetcrittersmessingwithyourplantsasmuchoraseasy.

Indoorsyouwon’thaveasmuchair.Soeverythinghastobethoughtofbeforeyouactuallygrowindoors.

Itisbettertoplanthewholegrowfirst,thentohavetoredoanyofit.Especiallywhenyouareinvestingalotofyourtimeandmoneyintoit.

Growingindoorsislimitedbythepowercompany.Ifthereisafailurethenthegrowwillsuffer.

Growingoutsidecanbeeasierattimesthengrowingindoors,dependingontheareaoftheworld.Someplacesjustgrowbetterthanothers.Someplacestheplantsvirtuallygrowthemselves.Otherplaceslikethedesert,youhavetogrowwaydifferently.Andyesyoucangrowflowersinthedesert,youjusthavetoknowhow!

LEDscanbeusedingreenhousestosupplementthenaturallightcycle.SotechnicallyyoucanevengrowwithLEDsoutdoors.Buttheydonotofferwaterproofledlightsyet.Onlywaterresistant.LEDsarenotmeanttogetwet.

Chapter2:Organicvs.Non-OrganicThereismuchdebateoverorganicgrowingvsnon-organicgrowing.Therearethreecampswhenitcomestothis.Thefirstcamplikestheirnon-organicmethodsofgardening.

Thisiswhenyouusenon-organicnutrientstofeedyourplants.Youkeepcrittersawaywithnon-organicmethods,whicharenotgoodforpeopleoranimals.Yougetmydrift.Thenextcamplikestousebothorganicandnon-organicmethodstogrow.Theydothisbecausetheylikeorganicandnon-organicwaysofgrowingalike.Theyreallydon’tcareeitherway,ortheyhaveacustomgrowingrecipethatrequiresbothkindsofproducts.Thenthereisthelastcampofthought.Thestrictlyorganicgrowers.Thesepeoplehavefoundwaystodoeverythingtheycanorganically.Theyareunwillingtocompromiseonanythingtheyusetogrowwith,evenifitmakesthingseasier.Theyfeelthiswaybecausetheywanteverythingtobeassafeandnaturalaspossible.Theydon’twantanythingthatisnotnaturalintheirfoodtheyeat.

Iaminthelastcamp,theorganiccamp.Ihavedevelopedastyleoforganicgrowingovertheyearsthatworksreallywellforme.Whynotbenaturalifyoucanachievethesameresultsasnon-organicmethods.Especiallywhenorganicfoodsforexamplearetheverybesttasting!Youarewhatyoueat!Andlastlyorganicmethodsusuallycostaboutthesameasanyothermethod.

Chapter3:Dirtvs.HydroponicsTherearetwodifferentmajorcategoriesofmediumsforgrowingplants.ThesetwocategoriesareDirtandHydroponics.Amediumisthematerialthatholdstherootsoftheplant.Hydroponicsisthemethodofgrowingtherootsinaeratedwaterforthemedium.Dirtisthealternativetohydroponics.Therearetwocampsofpeoplehere.Mostpeopledon’tdoboth.Mostpeoplegojustdirtorjusthydroponics.Thisisbecausethenatureofthetwoarequitedifferent.Theyhavesimilarities,buthavedifferentrules.

Dirtisamuchmoreforgivingmediumthanwater.Dirtbuffersthenutrientsthattheplantgets.Waterdoesnot.Phisathingthatisveryimportantingrowingplants.DirtbuffersthePhmorethanwater.SoitisimportanttogetthePhrightandkeepitthatwayatalltimesinwater.DirtismuchlessfussythanPh.Phisimportantbecauseitdirectlyrelatestowhetherornottheplantcanaccessnutrientsornot.Phinfluencestheavailabilityofnutrients.Don’tworrytoomuchaboutwhatPhis,justkeepthePhcorrectasmuchaspossiblebyusingaPhmeter.AdjustthePhuntilthemeterdisplaysthecorrectPhforyourkindofplant.Useeitheradirtmeterorwatermeter.UseanaturalPhUporDowntoadjustPh.FollowinstructionsforthatbrandofUporDown.RememberthateveryplanthasanidealPh.

Plantscangrowinalotofdifferentmediums.Forexampletheycangrowincococoir,peatmoss,claypebbles,perlite,sand,aeratedwater,etc.Therearealotofchoicesof

mediums.

Youjustneedtodosomeresearchonyourplant’sspecificneeds,whenitcomestothe

idealmediumtouse.Everyplanthasanidealmedium.Sinceeveryplantsoriginatesinsomecertainareaoftheworld.Everylocationoftheworldiseitheralittledifferent,ora

lot.Soinotherwordsyouneedtocatertoyourkindofplant.Someplantswantreallywetdirtallthetime,otherswilldieifyougivethemthatkindofmedium.Cactusisaplantthatbarelywantsanywater,comparedtootherplants.Toomuchwateranditwilldie.Justtherightamountanditwillflourish

Plantslikeoxygenintherootarea.Notenoughairandyourplantwillnotgrowright.Loose,airydirtisusuallygoodformostplants.Thisallowsrootstoexpandandbreatheeasy.Usecoirchipsorcoarseperlitetoaerateamedium.Iliketouse2/3coirchipsand1/3finecoirasasoillessmedium.Soillessmediumsarewhenyoubeginwithamediumthathasabsolutelynonutrientsinit.Itislikeafreshslatethatyouknowexactlywhatyouaredealingwith.Itisthenuptoyoutoprovideeverynutrientthatyouwillneedforyourkindofplant.Dosomeresearchtoknowwhatyourplantwantstoeat.Differentplantswanttoeatdifferentamountsofdifferentkindsoffoods.Sogetfamiliarwithyourplant.Anotherhugethingisdonotoverwater.Overwateringisthebiggestmistakebeginnersmake.Theydon’twanttheirplanttodryoutanddiesotheyoverwaterit.Thisisjustasbadasunderwateringaplant.Itwillmaketheplantwaterloggedanddie.Wateringtoooften,andnotallowingafulldryoutperiodiswhatusuallymakesthishappen.Unlessaplantisawaterkindofplantlikeawaterlilythenyoudonotwanttooverwateraplant.Thekeytoahappyplantistoknowyourplantandthendonotoverorunderfeedwithnutrients,orover/underwater.

Therearedifferentkindsofpotsyoucanuse.Thereareplasticgrowbags,fabricbags,stiffpots,coirpots,etc.Iprefertallpotsoverwidepots.Thetallerthepotthelongerittakesfortheplanttogetpotbound.Iusefabricorstiffplasticpotsusually.Ilikefabricpotsbecausetherootscangetmoreairthanstiffpots.Ilikestiffpotsformomplantsbecausetheyareeasiertopulltherootballoutof.Thisisnecessarymoreoftenwithmotherplantsthanotherplantsbecauseyoukeepmotherplantsforlongperiodsoftime.Theywillgetpotboundquiteoften.Itisdifficulttogroomtherootballfromfabricpot.Itiseasiertosetapotboundfabricpotontopofanotherfreshpotofdirt.Thenthepotboundplantcangrowintomoredirtandflourishagain.Plasticgrowbagsarethecheapestoptionofthemall.Theyworkwellandallowforaneasywaytoremovethepotwhenneeded.Greatforbiggrows.Finallyyoucanalwaysusethebagofdirtitselfasabigpot.Justmakesurethereisawayforwatertorunoutthebottomofthebag,viasomeholes.

Hydroponicsdoesnotoverwaterbecauseyoumustsupplyatonofairtothewaterwithanairpump.

Hydroponicsisalotlikeafishaquarium.

Itmustbefreshandoxygenated.Theremustbetherightamountofnutrients,Ph,andairinthewater.Itmustalsohavetheperfecttemperature.Donotevenbotherattemptinghydroponicsunlessyouplantoperfectthesethings.

Chapter4:NutrientsAsfarasfeedinggoes,youcanfeedwitheitherdryorwetnutrients.Wetnutrientsaremixedwithwaterandfedtotheplant’sdirt.Drynutrientsaremixedwithwaterlikewetnutes,butcanalsobetopdressedontothedirt’ssurface.Youcanalsoamend(mix)itintothecocomediumandthenjustwater.Useameasuringcuptomakesureyoualwaysfeedthesameway.Iliketofeedmydirtcropwithaconstantfeedingamountthatalwaysstaysthesame.Thenwhentheplantslookgreenenoughandnothungry,Igivethemjustwater.Idoacompletefeeding,thenusewateronlyuntiltheyarebeginningtolightenincolor.Thiskeepsthemfromgettingoverfed.

Itrytomaintainaconstantmediumgreencolor:

Notyellowgreenandnotdarkgreen.(Plantslightenincolorwhentheyarehungryanddarkenwhentheyarenothungry.)

Irecommendbeginningwith1/3oftherecommendeddoseofnutrientsthatthemanufacturersuggests.Thengraduallyincreaseamountofnutrientsiftheplantseemslikeitcouldusemore.Thiswayyouwillnotoverfeedtheplant.Rememberthemoreproductsyouuseatonce,thelessofeveryproductyoushoulduse.

Plantsforthemostpart,allwantthefollowingnutrientstolive:

-Nitrogen,Phosphorus,Potassium,Calcium,Magnesium,Sulfur,Zinc,Manganese,Iron,Boron,Chlorine,Cobalt,Copper,Molybdenum,Silicon,Nickel,FluorideandevenalittleSodium.Thesearemandatorynutrientsforaplanttogrowright.

PlantsalsoneedHumus,Sugars,Vitamins,BeneficialBacteriaandFungus,andEnzymestodotheirverybest.

IngredientsIuseformyorganicgardening:

EarthwormCastings,BirdandBatGuano,Kelp,OrganicVitamins,Humus(FulvicandHumic),DolomiteLime,OysterFlour,AlfalfaMeal,YuccaMeal,FishBoneMeal,FishMeal,BlackStrapMolasses,CrabMeal,FishManure,FeatherMeal,DiatomaceousEarth,BeneficialBacteriaandFungusandAzomite.Theseingredientswillprovideabuffetoffoodforyourplantsandgivethemthebestpossibleflavortheycanproduce.Bygivingtheplantsthismanychoicesoffood,theywillthrive!Youcanusedryorwetformsoftheseorganicplantfoodsources.Mixwithwaterandfeedtoplants,oramendcococoirmediumwiththedryformofthesenutrients,andthenjustapplywateronly.

Plantsneedeitheravegetativefoodorflowerfooddependingonthegrowthstagetheyarein.TheingredientsaboveallhavedifferentamountsofNitrogen,Phosphorus,etc.Somakesureyougivethemtheproperamountsofthesedependingonthegrowstage.

Forexampleatomatoplantwantsmorephosphorusduringfloweringthenitdoesduringvegetative.

Masterthecorrectamountsofthesenutrientsforyourkindofplantandwatchhowamazingitwillgrowforyou!

Chapter5:LEDsvs.OtherLightsThereisalotofdebateaboutLEDsvs.otherlights.Thereareagainthreecampsofthoughthereaswell.Thefirstcampistheoriginalindoorgrowers.Thesearethegrowersthatbeganitall.InthebeginninggrowersonlyusedHIDandMHlights.HIDmeansHigh-IntensityDischargeandMHmeansMetalHalide.Thesearethekindoflightsthatmostpeopleusetothisday.Theyarethemostpopular.Theyusealotofelectricityandcreateatonofheat.Theyareverybrightbutareinefficientbecauseoftheirlimitedspectrumoutput.Whenitcomestoplants,spectrumisveryimportant.

Spectrumisthecolorofthelight.Plantsonlycareaboutcertaincolorsoflight.Moresomethanothers.Forexampleplantslikeblueandredmostly.Thenothercolorsless.SoHIDandMHlightsarenotveryefficientfortheelectricitytheyuse.Theexcessiveheatisalsoveryinefficientbecauseithastobedealtwithsomehow.Thiscostsextramoneytodo.Eitherwithexhaustingitoutsidethegrowroom,orcoolingthehotairwithanairconditionerinsidethegrowroom.HIDsdoseemtoproduceniceresultsthough.AndlastlyHIDandMHbulbshavetobereplacedquiteoftenanddustedwhichisahassleandexpensive.Theycostalotofmoneyapiece.Andiftheyhaveafailuretheywillreleasemercurywhichisunsafe.

Fluorescentsaregettingmorepopularaswell.Theywereneverreallyusedbytoomanypeopleforfloweringbecausepeoplefeeltheydonotputoutenoughlightforgreatgrowth.Mostpeoplefeeltheyareonlygoodenoughforvegetativegrowthonly.Theyfeeltheyarenotgoodenoughforfloweringgrowth.Butthereareenoughvideosontheinternetthatproveyoucangetsomegoodflowerresultswithfluorescentsifyouhaveenoughintheareayouaregrowingin.Ihaveneverfloweredwiththem,onlyveggedwiththem.Justdon’texpectthebestresultscomparedtootherlights.Fluorescentsusepowerefficiently,butnotasefficientasLEDs.

TherearepeoplethatliketouseLEDsandotherkindsoflightstogether,butIdonotthinkthatthisworksasgoodasjustLEDsbythemselves.

LEDsarethenewestkindoflightstothemarket.Theyarestillbeingjudgedbypeopleastowhattheyarecapableof.Thereisatrendthatpeopledonotwanttotrustthem.TheyhavereadreviewsandsuchthatsayLEDsarenotgoodenoughyet.

Thatthetechnologyneedstogetbetterfirst.ButIwasalwaysaskepticofthismentality.IhadafeelingthatLEDscouldbeusedtogrowagreatcropandsureenough,Iwasright.Myoutoftheboxthinkingpaidoff.IwasoneofthefirstgrowerstobuyanduseLEDs.IalwaysreallylikedLEDsanywayssoitwasmeanttobe.IconcurrednewgroundinthebeginningandprovedtomyselfthatLEDswereeverybitasgoodasHIDlights.Youjusthavetoknowsomekeythings,togetsuccess.ThereisdefinitelyalearningcurveforHIDgrowers.IbeganasaHIDgrower,soIknowwhatitislike.IwillgettothepointandsaveyoualotofheadacheswonderinghowtobestuseLEDs.HerearesomewaysIgrowwithLEDs.

Ihavetriedtonsofdifferentledcombinationsovertheyears.Ihavespentcountlessgrowhourstestingthesespectrumsandintensities.Tryingdifferentlensandledwattages.SofarIprefer1wattLEDs.Ialsolikethesecondarydiamondshapedlensthatmagnifiesthelight,butthisisusuallyonlyavailablefor3wattLEDs.Ihavelearnedthatthebluespectrumseemstobethemostusefulcoloroflightforplantgrowth.Itseemstobeprettymuchuniversal,fromwhatIhaveseensofar.Ihaveyettoseeaplantspeciesthatdoesnotlikejustbluelight.Itseemsstrangeatfirstglance,thataplantcangrowinonlybluelight.Butmyplantsthrivewithjusta450-460nmbluecoloredledufolight.Thenmstandsfornanometer.Ananometerisawayofmeasuringtheexactcoloroflight.

Everycolorhasaspecificnanometernumberonaparchart.Aparchartisachartthatshowsthephotosyntheticallyactiveradiationofthelightspectrumthatplantscareabout.

Itisaneasywaytoseewhatcolorsplantslikebest.Myplantslikethis450-460nmcolorLEDlightforvegetativegrowthandfloweringgrowth.ItsurprisedmethatIdidn’tevenneedanyothercolorstogrowperfectplants!Ihavealsotriedothersinglecolorsoflight

withplants.Ifoundthattheallredspectrumissosoforgrowing.Itdidnotdosogreat.Thedeeppurplespectrumisalsoagreatspectrum.YoucangetthiscolorbyhavingaLEDlightwithaspectrumratioof32redto18blue.630nmredcolorLEDsand460nmblueLEDs.PurplecoloredlightsseemtoworkalmostasgoodastheallblueLEDslights.Youwillnoticetighterandfastergrowthwiththeallbluelights.AlsoalotofLEDcompaniesliketoofferthelightswithred,blue,andwhiteforexample.Ifeelthatthelightswiththesecolorsdonotgrowverygoodatallforsomereason.IthinkthewhiteLEDsmixedwithcolorLEDsthrowoffthefinalspectrum.Resultingininefficientgrowth.HoweverjustwhiteonlyLEDlightsseemtobepromisingoncethetechnologyadvancesalittle.Theplantslikethem.ButallwhiteLEDlightsarenotmuchmoreefficientrightnowthenafluorescent.ThisisbecausewhiteLEDlightsarenotasefficientasacoloredledlights.WhiteLEDlightsareconvenientsinceyoucanseethetruecoloroftheplanteasy,unlikecoloredLEDlights.TogetacustomspectrumLEDlightyoucanlookonlineforcustomLEDlightoffersfromLEDlightsuppliersinChina.TheyareusuallyalittlebitmoreexpensivethanstandardstockLEDlights.Buttheyworksomuchbetter.MostsellersdonotoffertheallblueLEDlightssoyouhavetocustomorderthem.Justgetallblue,withnowhiteLEDsorothercolors.Lightswith1wattLEDsareusuallyasgoodaslightswith3wattLEDs.Theactualwattagedrawofthelightisall

thatmattersintheend.Donotbefooledbyotherwattamounts.Sellersliketolistotherwattsthentheactualwattstotryandmakethelightseembetterthanitreallyis.UseawattmeterforyourwalloutlettoseetheexactpowerusageoftheLEDlight.

Outofallthechoices,LEDsarethebestlightsinmyopinion.Afterextensivereallifetesting,Ihavecometothisconclusion.IfeelthiswaybecauseLEDscandefinitelyproduceawesomeresults.YoucanpackmoreuseablelightintoanareawithLEDs,thenyoucanwithHIDs.LEDsdogetwarm,butnotcrazyhotlikeHIDsdo.LEDsdonotrequirenewexpensivebulbseveryfewgrowslikeHIDsdo.LEDsonlyputofftheperfectspectrumwithnowastedlightcolors.Soyougetthemostforyourelectricitymoney.DependingonthemodelLEDlight,youcangetlightsthataresoeffectivethatyoucangrowthesameamountofplantswithlesslightsandelectricitythenifyougowithHIDs.LEDTechnologyisonlyimprovingastimegoeson.Providingmorelightforthesameamountofelectricity.LEDscostmoretobuythenHIDsdo.Buteventuallypayforthemselveswithelectricitysavings.

Chapter6:ElectricityElectricityisveryimportantforindoorgrowing.Itshouldbethoughtofasthebiggestlimitingfactorinanindoorgrow.

Theamountofavailableampsthatyourmainpowerpanelonyourhousehas,decideshowmanylightsandairconditioners,etc.thatyoucanusetogrow.Themorelightsyouwant,themoreampsyouneedavailableonyourhouse.Theamountofpoweryouhavetoworkwithisfiguredoutbylookingatyourpowerpanelonyourhouseandseeingwhatthemaincircuitbreakersaysonit.Ifthemaincircuitbreakersays100athenyouhave100ampstouseatthemost.Thatmeansyoucouldhavealmost(10)1000wattlightsgoingtotalatyourhouse.Thenyouwouldbeatyourlimitandcouldnotuseanyotherappliancesinyourhome.Ofcourseyouneedmorethanjustlightstogrow.Ifyouneedmorepowerinacertainpartofyourhousetoaccommodatethegrowarea,youcanrunasubpaneltothatlocationandhavemorepoweravailabletoworkwith.Butnomatterwhatyouarelimitedbythemaincircuitbreaker.Ifyouneedmorepowerthanyoucurrentlyhave,thenyouwillneedtohaveawholenewpanelinstalledbytheelectriccompany.Thisishowyoucangofroma100apaneltoa200apanel.Furthermoreeveryroominthehousehasalimitoftheamountofappliancesyoucanbeusingatthesametime.Mosthouseshavea15amplimitperroom.Somenewerhouseshavea20amplimitperroom.Justdothesimplemathandaddupeverythingyouplanonusingatonceandsubtractthetotalfromthetotalwattsyourroomcanhandle.Whateverwalloutletsacircuitbreakerturnsoff,aretheoutletsitcontrols.Usearadioorlightpluggedintodifferentoutletsinaroom,tomapthecircuitbreakersinahouse.Ifthatcircuitbreakerswitchturnsoffanoutletthanmarkthecircuitbreakerwithaspecificnumberanddothesamewiththatwalloutletthatturnedoff.Labeleverywalloutletwiththecorrespondingnumberthatgoeswiththatcircuitbreakerswitch.Thisisahandytip,becausealotofhousesarenotwiredtohaveonecircuitperroom.Thisisbecausesomeelectriciansareprobablylazy,anditsavesthemmoneyonwire.

Technicallyyoushouldnotusemorethan80percentofthetotalavailableampsofthecircuit.Lookatyourapplianceforasticker,tagorengraving.Lookforsomethinglike65w.Ifitsays65w,thenthismeans65wattsofpowerthattheappliancewillconsume,fromthecircuit.A15ampcircuitcanuseabout1800wattsbeforeitwillturnoff.Butyouareonlysupposedtouseabout1440wattsoutof1800watts.Afinalruleofelectricityinagrowroom,isalwayskeepalloftheelectricityandappliancesabovewastelevelandthatwaynowatercancomeintocontactwithelectricity.Rememberwaterandelectricityareadeadlycombination.Alwayshireaprofessionalelectriciantowireyourhouse.

Chapter7:HowtoGrowThewayIgrowisingrowtents.Ihaveablowerfanconnectedtothetentspullingairoutofthetentsatalltimes24/7.Thiskeepsstaleairoutandfreshairinthetent.

Youcandoeitherdirtorhydroponicsinatent.Settinguptentsiseasy.IliketoreinforcethecheaperweaktentframeswiththecurtainrodsthatlookkindoflikeaUshape.Iuseahoseclamptosecureittotheframe.Thisensuresthatthecheapertentwillsupportmylights.ThenIhangmylightswithlighthangersforconvenience.Ikeepmylightsabout6”abovethetopsofmyplantsatalltimes,iftheplantgrows,Iliftthelight.Ikeepmytent’sairatatemperatureofabout75Fatalltimes,dayandnight.Ipreferahumiditylevelofabout30-40percent.PlantsusuallyseemtolikethishumidityanditpreventsmoldandoverwateringfromhappeningIneverhavemoldissueswhenthehumidityisthislow.Butremembereveryplanthasacertaintemperatureandhumiditythatitwants.Iliketofeedmyplantseveryotherday.ThiswayIgetalittlerestperiodifwateringbyhand.Italsogivesmetimetogetcaughtupwithlifeorextragrowingchores.Itsoundskindofdepressing,butitistrue.Everygrowerhasaballandchainoncetheybeginaseriousgrow.Imeasureacertainamountofnutrientwaterorplainwaterandalwaysgivethemthesameamountofwatervolume.Unlesstheplanthasgrownalotbigger,thenIkeepthewateringthesame.Thesmallertheplantthelesswateritwillneedoverthetwodayperiod.Itisimportanttoallowyourplantsdirttodryoutenoughsothatitishappyandry

butnotwilting.

Theremustbeadryoutperiodinbetweenfeedingsortheplantsrootswillnotgetenoughairandtheplantsrootswillsuffocateandrot.Thisisachallengingpartofgrowing,achievingthehappyplacewhereyouarefeedingandwateringjustright.Itisaperfectbalancethatyouaretryingfor.Youmustpracticetemperanceandmoderation.Whichmeansnevertoomuchandnevertoolittle.Thisisoneofthemostimportantconceptsofgrowingperiod.Tryingtoachievetherightbalanceoflight,air,nutrients,water,temperature,co2andlove.Dothisrightandyouwillbeanawesomegrower!Everyplanthasacertainamountoflightandcertainfooditwants,etc.Sojustcatertotheirneeds.Thehappieryourplantisthebetteritwillgrow.Yourgrowisonlyasgoodastheweakestlink.

Chapter8:LightCycles

Lightisoneofthemostdeterminingfactorsofwhataplantwilldo.Itdecideswhetheraplantcanevenusethenutrientsyouarefeedingitornot.Notenoughlightandyourplantwillnotgrow.Toomuchlightanditwilldieorbestunted.Plantsdifferonceagainonwhattheywant.

Somewantfullsunalldaylong,somewantonlyshadedlightatthemost.Studyyourplanttypetofindout.Forthemostpartalotofvegetablesandfruitswantfullsunoralmostfullsun.Sousuallyplanonmorelight,thenless.Ifyoudonotprovideenoughlightthenyourplantwillnoteverbewhatitcould.Itwillusuallybegintowitheranddie,sinceitcannotmakeuseofthefoodithas.Lightalsodeterminesmorethananythingelsewhethertheplantwillbegrowinginvegetativemodeorflowermode.Mostplantswant24hourlightforinfinityinordertobekeptinthevegetativemode.Thevegetativemodeisforwhenyouwanttokeepamotherplantgoing.Motherplantsarehowyoukeepaspeciesaliveandavailabletoreproduce.Inordertogrowanyplant,youneedeitheralivingplantofitatalltimes,oraseedstockoftheplant.Amotherisaplantthatyoukeepsuspendedinthevegetativestateforeveraslongasyoukeeptheplantunder24/7nonstoplight.

Theflowermodeisinitiatedwhenyouputaplantunderalightscheduleof12hoursonand12hoursoffforevery24hoursofadaythatgoesby.

Thistellstheplanttoflowerandproducefruit/flowersinsteadofjuststayinthevegetativestate.Aplanthastoflowerinordertoproducethefruitthatyouwant.Nutrientsdonotdecidewhetheraplantflowers,thelightcycledoes.Butaplantwon’treallyflowerthatmuchwithoutflowernutes.Aplantwillflowerforsureifyouswitchthelightcycle,butitwillnotflowerjustbecauseyoufeeditflowerfood.Outdoorsinnature,thetimeoftheseasondictateswhetheraplantgrowsinsizeorproducesthefruit.Thisiscontrolledbythedifferentlightcyclesthroughouttheyear.Lightisveryimportantsodonotletanylightshineonyourplantswhentheyaresleeping.Itwillconfusethem,andtheywillnotgrowright.Justthinkofitasapersonthatdoesnotwanttobeinterruptedwhilesleeping.

Interruptingthesleepcyclewilllessenyouryieldandvigor.Eventuallytheplantwillbe

warpedandconfused.

Chapter9:ClonesCloningisessentialtogrowing.Ifyoudonotuseseedseverytimethen,youneedtomastertheartofcloning.Don’tevenbothergrowingifyoudon’tknowhowtoclone.Unlessyouwanttohavevariablesinyourgrow,thendonotgrowfromseed.Thereasonthatclonesaresoimportantisthattheyensureaperfectcopyofthepreviousplanteverytime.Whenyouhavealotoftimeandmoneyinvestedingrowingyoudonotwantanyvariablestocomealongandmessyouup.Whenyougrowfromseedanythingcanhappen.Everyseedisuniqueandresultswillvaryfromseedtoseed.Oneseedrepresentsaninfiniteamountofplants,notjustoneplantlikemostpeoplethink.Onceyougrowaplantfromseedandhaveaspecimenyoureallylike,youneedtokeepaplantofitgrowingatalltimesasamother.Amotherisaplantthatyoukeepgrowinginthebackgroundforever.Itsuppliesyouwithcuttings(clones)thatyoucantakefromit.Thesecuttingscanbeturnedintoseparateindividualplants.Onceyourootaclone,itisnowanewplant.Youcreateasmanyclonesasyouneedtogrow.Noclones,nothingtogrow.Evenifyouhaveaseedstockofthesamekindofplant,theseedswillneverbeexactlyliketheseedyoucreatedthemotherplantoutof.

Sotocloneyoufirstneedahappy,healthymotherplant.Whateverthemotherplantis,iswhatthecloneis.Beginwithahappymotherandyouwillhaveahappyclone.Whenitcomestocloningithastobeprecise.Cloningisthemostchallengingpartofgrowinginmyopinion.InthebeginningIcouldgrowplantsouttoadultsnoproblem,butalwaysstruggledwithcloning.

Somepeoplehaveaneasytimecloning,othersfeelcursed.Itriedcountlesscloningmethods,relentlesslyfailingover,andoveragain.Itriedeverytemperature,everylightheight,everymedium,etc.Youknowwhattheysay,try,tryagain.Itriedsomanytimes,thatIalmostgaveupongrowingforgoodafewtimes.LuckyIamaverystubbornperson.

SoeventuallyafterlotsoffailureIfinallyfoundamethodthatworkseverytime!

Theimportantthingistogetacertainfeelforwhatcloneswant.Theywantamoist,notwetmediumwhenusingdomes.Wetisalrightaslongasdonehydroponicallywithtonsofaircontent.Theywant100percenthumidityintheairfortheleaves.Unlessyouarecloninghydroponically.Theyhavetobekeptsterilewithperoxidewater.(Atleast1tablespoonof3%peroxidetoagallonofwater).Oryoucanyouusebeneficialwormteatopreventbadbacteriaandfungusfromforming.Enzymesworkprettywelltoo.Usetheperoxidewaterforyourmediumorhydroponicwater.Cloneswanttobewarmatalltimes,notcoolorhot.Constanttemperatureisimportant.Fluctuationsoftheenvironmentwillstresstheclonesanddelayrooting.Useaprecisedigitalthermostatcontrollertocontrolyourroom’stemperature.Cloneswantcertainnutrientsalso.TheywantPhosphorus,butverylittleNitrogen.TheywantsomePotassium,Calcium,Magnesium,Vitamins,Humus,Sugar,andMinerals.Onlyfeediftheyseemhungrylooking(yellowingleaves.)Onceagaintemperanceandmoderationareneeded.Theybasicallywanttobepamperedlikeababy.Dothisandyoushouldhaveanear100percentsuccessrateeverytime.Clonescanbedoneineitherahumiditydomeorahydroponicunit.Clonedomesarecheapandaffordable.Theycanproducealotofclonesperdome.Youcanuseanymediumofyourchoice.Anythingfrompureperlite,toclaypebbles,coco,peatmoss,etc.Youcanuselittleplasticcupsforeachcloneoruseinsertsthathaveabunchoflittlesectionsforclones.YoucanuseRockwool,butsomepeoplecompareittoasbestos.Fordomeskeepthehumidityat100percentontheinsideandkeepitthatwayforthefirstweek.Thengraduallyopentheairvents,justahairatatime.Openthemalittlebitmoreeverydayfromthenon.Youshouldseerootsbeforeyouopentheairventsandreducethehumidityfrom100percent.

Oncerootsareshowingreducehumiditydownalittletoabout80percenthumidity.Eventuallygettingto65percenthumidityatthelowest.Keepwatcheverydaytomakesureclonesarehappy.Donotmisttheclonesifyoudonotneedto.Onlyiftheyarewilting.Mistthemwithalightnutrientwater1/3strengththatyouwouldusuallyfeedthemwith,iftheyarelookingyellow.

Youarebasicallyjustwatchingoverthemandkeepingthemhappyandgreen,liketheybeganbeforeyoucutthem.Keepthemhappyuntiltheyrootandthenplantthemintoabiggermedium.Useahighlyaeratedmedium,richinperliteorcocochipstomakesuretheclonesdonotgetoverwatered.Thisisimportanttotheirsuccess.Clonesonlyneedalittlewateruntiltheygrowbiggerinsize.Itiseasytooverwaterthem.

Waterthemwithperoxidewaterinthebeginningtomakesuretheystayhealthyandfresh.Clonesareverysensitiveandcanmoldeasyifnotproperlytakencareof.

ForhydroponiccloningyoucanuseeitheraclonebubblerwhichislikeDWC(DeepWaterCulture),oranaeroponicclonemachine.Aeroponicclonersuseairasthegrowmedium.Thisairisverywetfromtheconstantwaterfrommisterheadsinthecloner.Thestemsaresuspendedinairandmisted24/7.Somepeopleuseatimertoturnonandoffthemisters.Iprefertokeepthemrunning24/7.

Thebubblercanbecreatedeasilyfromsomecheapitems.Thebonusisthatyoucanuseafreshoneeasilyeverytime,insteadofsterilizingaclonemachinewhichtakeshours.ForexampleIusea10ozplasticcupwitha3”neoprenedisktomakeabubbler.Ithenuseanairstoneandaquariumairpumptosupplytheoxygentotheclonestems.Iuseaqualityairstonewithmicrobubblesandplentyofair.Thekeyistouseplentyofair,neverskimponair.Youcanuseperoxidewaterwithnutrientsinittokeepclonesfedandsterile.Clonesinabubblersystemdonotneedadome.Thestemissubmergedintheaeratedwaterthewholetime.Itusuallytakesbetween7to21daysformostplantstoroot.Dependingonhowhappythecloneisandwhatspeciesitis.Usingaclonemachineissimilartoabubbler,exceptclonemachinesareveryexpensiveandtheyusemisterheadsinsteadofanaquariumairpump.

Bothsystemsneedtobekeptsterilewithperoxidewaterorwormteawater.Ifnot,theybuildupwithalgae,fungusandbadbacteria.Usingthegoodbacteriainthewormteakeepstheclonerfreshandsterile.(RefertotheWormTeaRecipe).Usetheperoxidetorefreshtheclonerinbetweeneverybatchofclones.

Onelastthingwhenitcomestocloning.Ifyouhaveastubbornplantthatwillnotroot,thenyoumightneedhormone.Hormonehelpsthestubbornvarietyofplantsrootwhentheabovemethodsarenotgoodenough.Hormonecanbeusedtoencouragerootsfasterandmorereliably.Organicgrowersusekelp,willowtreewater,aloevera,coconutwater,etc.toencouragerooting.Non-organicgrowersuseproductswithmanmadehormonesinthem,whicharenotidealtouse.Theyworkwell,buttheyarenotgoodforpeople.

Clonespreferatemperatureofabout72Fto82F,withabout75Fto80Fbeingperfect.Somepeoplelikecoolreservoirtemperaturesfortheirclonemachines.Somepeoplelikewarmtemperatures.Thewarmerthetemperaturethefasterthecloneswillroot.Thewarmerthetemperaturethelessoxygeninthewater.Thewarmertheclones,themorelikelythatfungus,algae,orbacteriawillforminthecloner,bubbler,ordome.Alwayshavetheattitudethatalgaeorfungusisdefinitelygoingtotryandform.That’swhyitissoimportanttobesterile.Somepeopleusewaterchillerstokeepthewatertemperatureperfect.Theseusealotofelectricity.Somepeopleneedheatmatstoraisethetemperature.Useathermostatcontrollerwiththeheatmat.

Whentakingaclone,clipthestemunderwatersonoairbubblescangetinthestemandkeepitfromrooting.Takeabouta5”longclone,fromabottombranch.Keepclonessittinginacupofwateruntilyouarereadytoputtheminclonerordome.Alwaysusesterilescissorswhen

clippingclones.Misttheleaveswithwaterduringthetimeittakestoprepareallclones.Misteveryfiveminutestokeepthemmoistandhappy.Bepatientandcaringandyouwill

succeed!

Chapter10:RandomInformationandTipsThisiswhereIlistsomerandomtipsandtechniquesIuseforgardening.

-Useatrashbagoveryourclonetrayofyourclonedomes,sothatthetrayiseasytoreuseandalreadysterile.

-Mistdirtthathasfungusgrowthwithperoxidewatertoquarantine.

-UseLadybirds/Ladybugstokeepmostinsectcrittersawayfromyourprizedplants.Ladybugsareanaturalpredatorofmostgrowroomcritters.APrayingMantisisgreatalso.APrayingMantiscanactuallyhuntahummingbird!Soitwillguardyourgrowforyou.Thereareactuallyalotofdifferentbeneficialinsectstocombattheunwantedkindofinsects.Thatwayyoucankeepitnaturalandsafe.Releasethebeneficialsonaregularmonthlybasis.

-Usefishandsesameseedoilwatertomistplantsandridthemofspidermitesnaturally.Thisreallyworks!Lookforagrowshopproductthatcontainsthesetwoingredientsonly.

-Useplentyofcoirchips,perlite,etc.fordirt,sothereisplentyofair.

-Neverleavestalewaterinclonedomeorclonemachine.Alwaysaerate.

-Plantscareaboutenvironment,keepitconstanttohelpthemdotheirverybest.

-Plantsandhumanshavealotincommon,forexamplewearebothmostlywater.

-YouneedaLEDlightwithatleast1wattperledonit.Itwillnotbebrightenoughifitisn’t.SmdtypeLEDsarethebrightenoughkind.The5mmand10mmkindofLEDsareonlygoodforverydimsupplementallightingapplications.Theydonotputoffmuchlightcomparedtosurfacemountdiodes.LEDsarelightemittingdiodes.

-Iuseabout600wattsofLedlightper5footby2footarea-(10sq.ft.).Thisgrowsbigrobustplants.

-GardensusuallyuselesswaterwhengrowingwithLEDs.

-Measuretheairtemperatureatthetopoftheplantstoseewhatthetemperatureis.Thisismostaccurate.

-Beneficialbacteriaandfungusmakebetterplants.Itkeepsthemhealthyandvigorous.Itkeepsthedirthealthy.

-Bigrootball=Bigplant

-Sinceplantsoriginateindifferentclimates,theyneeddifferentenvironmentsindoors.Studyyourplant.

-Differentnutrientswillcreatedifferenttastingvegetablesandfruit.Justlikedifferentdirtwilltoo.

-Thesameplantwillturnoutdifferentifgrowninadifferentstyle.

-Differentgrowerscreatedifferentresultswiththesameplant.

-Therearealotofvariablesingrowing.Trytoeliminatetheweakestpointsinyourgrow.

-Ifoneelementofyourgrowisoffthewholegrowwillnotcooperate.

-Ifyouchangeoneparameter,thenthewholegrowhastobereevaluated.Forexampleifyouincreasetheairflow,thenyouneedtowatermore.

-Potboundplantsareoneofthemajorreasonsthatplantsgetunhappyanddie.Ifaplantthinksitcannotgrowdownanymoreitwillshrivelupanddie.Evenifyouaredoingeverythingelsewell.Thisisoneofthereasonsplantsgetsomuchbiggeroutdoors.Thatisalsowhyunhappyplantsindoors,whichgetputoutdoorsusuallygetsohappy.

-Wormcastingswillmakeanunhappyplantgethappyrealfast.Justalittlegoesalongway.

-WormcastingsarethereasonthatEnglandissogreenandlush.

-Wormcastingshavebeneficialbacteriathatcombatsbadbacteria.

-Wormteawillmakeyourplantsgrowlikecrazy!Andmakethemveryhealthy!

-Ifyouhaveatallenoughpot(soplentyofnutrientsareavailableanddoesnotgetpotbound),youcanusedirtthatalreadyhasenoughnutrientsinitforthewholegrowtime.Thenyouonlyhavetogivewatertoplants.Nonutrientmixingrequired.Savestimeandmoney.Youcanautomateitalsoandthengrowmorethanyouusuallycould.

-Ifyouaregrowingautomatedwithjustwater,youcantopfeedwithdrynutrientstofeed,insteadofmixingnutrients.

-Usecarbonfilterswithblowerfansifyoudonotlikethesmelloftheorganicnutrientsbeingused.Youcanalsousethepersonalsmallsizecarbonfiltersthattheysellforbedroomsandplacearoundtheroom.Sheetsofcarbonclothcanbebought.Theycanbeusedtomakehomemadecarbonfilters.Covertheendofaductandtapetight.Airpassing

throughthefilterintotheductwillhaveodorsremoved.Somefishemulsionfertilizersareveryfragrantandthisisahandytiptoknow.

-Keepgrowtent/roomairconstantlymovingandbeingreplaced.Blowoldairtooutdoorsandpullfreshairinfromdoorwaycrevicesoroutside.Donotletroomairgetstale.Donotletroomairgettoohotorhumideither.Thenyouwillnothavemoldissuesfromgrowingindoors.

-Growintentsorlineroomwithplasticsheeting.Thiswillprotecthouse.

-Airconditioners,heatersanddehumidifiersaresomeofthemostneededitemstogrowindoors.Theyusethemostamountsofpowerbesideslights.

-Growingindoorsuseslotsofelectricity.LEDscanhelpcostsstaydown.

-GrowingindoorsiscopyingMotherNature.

-Ifyoudon’tsucceedatfirst,don’tgiveup.Ittakesalittlewhiletogetthefeelofgardening.

-Thereisnosuchthingasacompletelyautomatedagrow.Nomatterwhatiteventuallytakessomehumaninteractiontogrowplants.Evenifyoujusthavetogroomleavesormonitortheplants.

-Notsureifrobotscoulddoeverythingasgoodasahumancan,whenitcomestogrowing.

-Plantscanbebredtocreatenewvarieties.

-Therearealotofdifferentnutrientmanufacturersoutthere.Mostareofferingthesamekindofstuff,butsomehavebetterproductsthenothers.

-Alwaysfeedlessratherthanmore,youcanalwaysaddmore,butyoucannotaddless.

-Observeyourplantsbodylanguage,theywilleitherlookhappylikeatextbookexample.Ortheywilllooksadandwithered.

-Trydifferentgardeningtechniquesforyourselftoseewhatyouthinkaboutthem.Don’talwaystakesomeoneelse’swordforit.

-Therearealotofdifferentgrowstyles.Thatiswhytherearesomanydifferentgrowproducts.

-Rememberplantsarelivingthings.

-Thequalityofthewateryouusewilldefinitelyhaveaneffectuponthegrowthoftheplant.Microwavedwaterwillnotgrowgoodplants.

-Usepurifiedwaterforplants.Especiallyfoodplants.

-Ifyoutakecareofyourplantstheywilltakecareofyou!

-EveryplanthasacertainPhitprefersforthemedium.Studyyourplant.

-Phisveryimportantinbothdirtandhydroponics.

-HavinganincorrectPh,islikenotfeedingcertainnutrientstoyourplant.

-Therearelotsofdifferenthydroponicmethodstochoosefrom.Theyallprettymuchdoingthesamethingintheend.Buttheygoaboutitindifferentways.Justchoosewhatyoufeelcomfortablewith.

-Growshopemployeesareusuallyfriendlyandenjoyexplainingthedifferencesbetween

thedifferenthydroponicstylestheyoffer.

-Hydroponicscanbedialedinsoefficientlythatyoucangetamazingyieldscomparedtodirtgrowing.

-Butdirtgrowingwithorganicnutrientsusuallyproducesthebesttastingfruitsandvegetables.Thisischallengingtoduplicatewithhydroponics.

-OrganicHydroponicscanbedoneorganicallybyjustusingorganichydroponicnutrients.Youcanusetheseinmostofthehydroponicgrowstyles.

-Plantsleavesusuallydroopwhenunderwatered.Howeverplantscandroopwhenoverwateredaswell.Ifthemediumistoowetandtheplantisdroopingthenitisoverwatered.Ifthemediumisdryandthepotislightweight,andtheplantisdroopingthenitisunderwatered.

-Alotofplantsleaveswillcurlupwardwhentoohungry.Mostplantsleaveswillcurldownwardlikeclaw,whenoverfed.

-Ifyoudonotwateryourplantintimeanditgetsunderwatered,thenyoucanreviveitifyouactintime.Justmistitwithsomewateranditwillgetwaterimmediatelythatway.Thenjustwaterthemediumreallygood.

-Plantsleaveswilldroopinhydroponicsiftheydonotgetenoughairinthewater.Becausetherootsaredrowning.

-Thermostatcontrollersareusedtooverridethebuiltinthermostatsofairconditioners.Plugtheairconditionerorheaterintothethermostatcontroller.Thensettheairconditionertothelowestpossiblesetting.Setaheatertothehighestpossiblesetting.Thensetthethermostatcontrollertothetemperatureyouwantittobesetto.Theseexternalthermostatcontrollersarewaymoreaccuratethanthecheapbuiltinthermostatsthatcomewithairconditioners.Seriousgrowersusetheseforbetterresults.Alsodonotskimponthecostofthethermostat.Youneedtospendatleast$200minimumonanicequalitydigitalthermostatcontroller.Temperatureisoneofthemostimportantthingswhenitcomestogrowinganything.

-Regularfansarenotnecessarytouseintents/roomsthathaveenoughairflowfromablowerfan,pullingairthroughtent/room.Theyjustuseextraelectricity.

-Ifyoudonothavefreshaircomingintoyourgrowroomthenyouwillnothavehappyplants.Plantsneedconstantfreshair.Themorethebetter.Aslongasyouhaveaconstantsmallamountofaircominginyouwillbegood.

-Mostwindowairconditionersdonotbringinanyfreshairfromoutdoors.Mostpeoplethinktheydo.Buttheyonlyrecycletheairthatisalreadyintheroom.Theykeeponrecyclingthehot,staleairintheroomuntilitcoolsdown.Onlyveryfewa/c’shaveanoptiontobringinfreshairfromoutdoors.Unlessyouseethisoption,assumeitdoesnotbringinair.Thismeansyouneedtohavegoodairflowfromablower.

-Windowa/c’sarethemostefficienttypeofairconditionersbesidesthesealedwallmountedkind.Portableairconditionersareveryinefficient.Yougetabout1000BTUsofcoolingpowerper100wattsofpowerconsumption.Anythinglessthanthisisnotacceptableinthisdayandage.Everyyeartheyaremakinga/c’smoreefficient.

-Exhauststaleairoutsidethegrowarea.Usingablowerfantodothisalsopullsinfreshairatthesametime,becauseofavacuumeffectonthepressureintheroom.Itpullsfreshairinthroughlittlecrevicesaroundthebedroomdoor.Useacompletelysealedroominsteadwithfilteredairintakesifcrittersareaprobleminyourarea.Alwaysfilteryourairintakethatcomesfromoutdoors.

-Usenylonpantyhoseoverductendstofiltertheairintakeifyouaretoopoortobuyarealairintakeforaduct.

-Dippingplantstoquarantineiseasierthanmistingaplanttoquarantine.

-Donotflowerplantsuntilyouaresurethereisnomoldorcrittersonyourcrop.Itiseasiertotakecareofwhileinvegetativemodetheninfloweringmode.

-Ifcrittersormoldattackyourfloweringcropitmightbetoolate.Sobeginwithhealthyplants.

-Everyplantisdifferent.Evendifferentvarietiesofthesamekindofplantaredifferentfromoneanother.

-Ifyouliketobrewbeerorwine,youcanusetheco2thatitputsofftoenhanceyourgrow.Plantslovesupplementedco2.Itmakesthemgrowbetter,andyieldhigher.Oryoucanuseco2tanks,ordryice.

-Youcanuseatrellistospreadyourplantsapart.Thiswayyoucancovermoresurfaceareawithlessnumbersofplants.Youcaneithergrowabunchofsmallplants.Oryoucangrowafewlargeplants.

-Itisusuallyeasierandfastertowateracouplebigplants,thenalotofsmallplants.Itisaheadachetowaterabunchofsmallpots.

-Toautomateadirtgrowyoucanuseareservoirandatimer.

Usealargeruggedplastictrashcantoholdthewater.Useawaterpumpinittomovethewater.Awaterpumpisattachedtoahosetogetwatertoeveryplant.Useamanifoldtomakemultiplelinesoutofoneline.Thenroutealinetoeveryplantandputawaterringattachmentontheendofit.Useaonoffvalveoneveryplant’slinetodialinjusttherightamountofwaterflowtoeveryplant.Figureouthowmuchwateryourplantusesforthestageofgrowththatitisin.Youcanmeasurehowmuchwateryouusuallygivetotheplant.Thenjusttakeabucketandholdtheirrigationlineoverit.Turnontheirrigationtimer.Timehowlongittakesforyourautomatedirrigationlinetofillupameasuringcup.Nowadjustyourtimertostayonforthislong.Itisjustlikeyouaretherewateringiteveryday.Youcanalwayswateralittletoomuchandthenbackoffontheamountyouwaterfromthere,untiljustright.Observehowyourplantsrespondtotheautomatedwateringschedule.Eitherkeepanaeratedreservoirofnutrientwatergoing.Oruseawateronlyreservoirandusedrynutrientsmixedinthemediumortopdressedtofeedyourplants.Theymakedigitaltimersthatcanbeprogrammedanywayyouwant.Fromsecondstohoursatatime.Thiswillallowaperfectschedule.

-Plantslikesugars(carbohydrates)justlikehumans.Itmakesthemgrowbetter.Sugaralsofeedsthebeneficialbacteriainthewormtea,andyourgrowingmedium.

-TosproutaseedIrecommendusingacupofpurewater.Thensittheseedlightlyonthesurfaceofthewater,andwait24to48hours.Mostseedswillbegintosproutbythistime.Letalittlebitofthetaprootpokeoutoftheseedshellbeforetransplantingtodirtoranothermedium.Makeatinyindentabouta1/4”deepinmedium.Pourseedoutofcupintothelittleindent.Thiswayyoudon’thandletheseedandhurtit.Alwayshavetaprootpointingdown.Looselycoverseedwithdirt.Seedshouldbebarelycovered.Justenoughtokeepitdark.Ifyouburytoodeeportight,itwillnotsproutproperly.Nowkeepmediummoistwithamister.Donotoverwater.Keepwarmandmoist.Feedlightclonestrengthnutrientwateronceseedlinghasgrownabout4setsofleavesandbeginstogetalightergreen.

Chapter11:Recipes

WormTeaRecipe:

-1gallonofpurewater

-1/5cupofwormcastings,humusorcompost,orallthreetogether,butnomorethan1/5cupofanyofthosecombinedtotal.

-1tablespoonofblackstrapmolasses-sulfurfreekind

-1mlofliquidKelp-optionalbonus

Combineingredientsandletbrewfor24to36hoursbeforeyouuseit.Brewinaroomthathasaboutan80Ftemperature.Donotuseifolderthan48hourssinceyoubeganbrewing.Staleteaiscounterproductive.Useanairstonewithplentyofairvolumetoreallyaerateitgood.Thenuseitlikewater,sinceitdoesnotcontainmuchnutrientcontent,justbeneficialbacteriacontent.Donotuseperoxidewithbeneficialstheyarenotcompatible.Justchooseoneortheother.

MyCustomMediumRecipe:

-1/3CocoCoir(fine)

-2/3CocoChips(coarse)

Usethismediumtobeginwithafreshpalate.Thiswayyouknowexactlywhatamountofnutrientsisinyourmediumfromtheverybeginning.Thenyoucangraduallyincreasetheamountofnutrientsinyourirrigationwater.ThismixismyowncustomrecipethatIuseanditgivesmebigplants,duetotheaerationintherootarea.Greatformostvegetablesandfruits.Coirisalsogreatforoutdoorgrowing!Itbufferstheweathernicely.Useanenzymeattheendofeverybatchandsterilizeandreuseyourcocothisway.Cocoisthehuskofthecoconut.

PeroxideWaterRecipe:

-1tablespoonof3%peroxide

-1Gallonofwater

Iusethisforfeedingorkeepingreservoirsfresh.

Itisbesttousepure3%peroxidethatismoreexpensiveonline.Itdoesnothaveanyadditives,likethebrownpharmacyperoxidedoes.Eitherkindwilltechnicallyworkthough.

Chapter12:StepbyStepGrowingExamples

Cloning:

Growaseedintoabigenoughplanttotakesomecuttingsfrom.Dothisbykeepingseedunder24/7light.Onceplantislargeenoughtoclone,takeafew5”clonesfromthebottombranchesoftheplant.Immediatelyplacecutsteminaplasticpartycupofwater.Thiskeepsclonehappywhileyoufinishtakingmoreclones.Makesureyoulabeleverycupwiththespeciesofplant.Useapermanentmarkerforthis.Nextassembleyourhumiditydome.Takeandwipedowndomewithababywipeorperoxidewatertosterilize.Placeatrashbagovertheclonetray.Thiswillkeepitlikenewsoyoucaneasilyreplacebagforeverybatchandreuse.Wipedomedowninbetweenbatches.Nexttakeaplasticpartycupandfillwithperlite.Takeastickandmakealittleholefortheclonesstemtobeplacedinperlite.Itisnicetouseaclearplasticcupforthis.Thatwayyoucanseewhenitrootsandseehowmuchwaterisinthecup.Putjustabouta1/2inchofperoxidewaterinbottomofcupofperlite.Bydoingthisyoumaketherootsearnthewateratthebottomofthecup.Cutthestemofyourcloneunderwaterwithscissorsata45degreeangle.Placethestemofcloneinahormonesolutionforabout1minute,thenplaceincupofperliteandlightlypackperlitearoundstemofclone.Dothisforeveryclone.Mistcloneswithwateruntilyouarereadytoplaceindome.Thiskeepsclones

moistandhappy,sincetheyhavenorootstosupplywateryet.

Finallyplaceclonecupsindomeandcoverwithdome.Makesuredomeispusheddowngoodonallsidesandairventsareshutalltheway.Leaveoneairventbarelyopenjustaslivertoletsomeairin.Domeshouldgetveryhumidanddevelophumidityontheinsidesofthedome.Ifnot,thereisnotenoughhumidityinthedome.Youwant100percenthumiditytokeeptheclonesalive.Itisbesttobeginwithnicedeepgreencoloredclones,orwhateverhealthycoloryourplantshouldnormallybe.Themorenutrientstheclonehasintheleavesthesloweritwillturnyellowafterbeingcut.Itisbesttobeginwithclonesthataredeepgreensothatyoudonothavetofoliarfeedthem.Thishelpsavoidhavingtomistyourclones.Iprefernottomisttheclonesthemselves,justthemediumandthedome.Thishelpsavoidoverwateringtheclonesanddelayingrooting.Clonesdonotwanttorootwhenyoukeepthemtoomoist.Rememberkeepmediummoistatalltimesbutneverwet.Keephighhumidityinthedometokeeptheclonesmoistenough.Thatwayyoudonothavetomistclone.

Keepcloneswarmandmoistandtheywillbehappy.72Fto82Fiswhatmostpeoplerecommend.Iprefer75F.Keepthemsterilebyusingasteriledometobeginwithandthenmistinsideofdomewithperoxidewaterasneeded.Afteraboutday7,youcanbegintoslightlyopenairventsmoretoallowmoreairandlesshumidity.Thelowesthumidityyoucanhaveisabout65percent.Ifclonesbegintowiltthenmistwithperoxidewaterandcloseairventsalittlebit.Afterabout1to3weeksmostplantswillberootedandreadytoplantintoabiggercuporpot.Youwanttograduallyincreasethesizeofthepottomakesuretheplantdoesnotgetoverwatered.

Toomuchmediumforaplantwillkeepittoowet.Thiswillsloworstopgrowth.Toowetofdirtinvitesdiseasesandcritters.Growtheseclonestothesizeyouneedforthefloweringstage.Thebiggertheplantthemorefruityouwillget.

Youcouldalsouseacloningmachineorbubblerinstead.Thisisdonejustlikeaclonedome,buttheclonerorbubblerwaterisyourmedium.Justmakesurethewaterstaysfreshwithperoxidewaterorwormteawater.Youcanalsoreplacethewaterwithfreshwatereverydayorsoifyouwantinstead.Keepthewatertemperatureatabout75Fandkeepitveryaerated.Youcanusenutrientwatertokeepclonesgreenandhappyifyouwant.Butonlyuseifclonesarebeginningtoyellow.Useabout1/3to1/5oftheusualdoseofnutrientsyouwouldusuallyfeedtheplant.Clonesdonotneedverymuchnutrients.Toomanywillmakethemdie.Mistclonesonceortwiceadayiftheywilt,otherwiseyoushouldnotneedto.Youcanuseadomewithacloningmachineifyouneedto.Onlyusuallyneededifyouhaveextremelylowhumidity.Like16percentorso.Watchovercloneseverydayanddonotbelazy.Clonesareverydelicate,andcannotbeneglected.Donotusetoomuchlighteither.Clonesonlyneeda50wattledufo6inchesabovethetopofclones.Useamoderateamountofbluecoloredlight.Toomuchlightwillmakethemwiltanddie,andtoolittlelightandtheywilltakeforevertoroot.Ifthecloneslookperkedupandhappythenyouaredoingagoodjob.Itransplanttoamediumof2/3cocochipsand1/3cococoirformyclones.ThenIuseaverylightnutrientwatertofeedthem.Keepclonesunder24/7neverendinglight.

VegetativeStage:

Nextyouwilltakeyourgrownoutcloneandcontinuetogrowitbigger.Youwillgrowithoweverbigyouneedforthespaceyouhavetogrowin.Thebiggerthevegetative,thebiggertheflower.

Keepinmindsomeplantscontinuetogrowinsizewhenyouflowerthem.Somestaythesamesizeandonlyproduceflowerswhenswitchedtoflowermode.Youwillusethesamemediumrecipeforclonesforyourvegmedium.The2/3chipsand1/3finecoir.ThisiswhatIpreferifmixingnutrientwater.IfIwantedtofeedwithwateronlyeverytime,Iwouldusethesamerecipebutaddjustenoughofacompletedrynutrient(s)totherecipesotheyalwayshavesomefood.Drynutrientscreatedforvegetativegrowthareeasytouseforthis.Justdonotaddtoomuchdrynutrienttothecoco.Keepplantsunderneverending24/7lighttokeepthemstuckinthevegetativestage.Youcanpreserveaparticularplantyoulikethisway.Alwayskeepamotherofyourfavoriteplantsgrowingthisway.Thentakeclonesfromthem.Thismakessureyoualwayshaveacopyofthesameexactplant.Usingseedsforeverygrowproducestoorandomofresults.

Keepplantsgroomed.Thismeansremovingoldyellowleavesandgroomingtherootballeverysooften.Togroomthedirtballpullplantoutofpotandpinchoffthebottomhalfoftherootball.Putsomefreshdirtinbottomofpottoreplaceolddirtandthenpotplant.Thiswillallowaspacefornewrootgrowthtohappen.Theplantthinksithasunlimitedroomtogrowdownwardanditwillthrive!Plantsquitgrowinganddiewhentheysensethattheycannotgrowrootsdownwardanymore.

FloweringStage:

Mostplantsthatpeopleliketogrowindoorshaveafloweringstageofgrowth.Withouttheflowerstageyouwouldneverseearipetomato.

Thefloweringstagetakesplacewhenaplantisbigenoughinsizetoflower.Thisiswhenyouwillinitiatetheflowering.Todothischangethelightcycle.Useatimertoprogramacertainscheduleofonandofflighttime.Thissimulatesadayandnightschedulefortheplant.Theplantthinksitisoutdoorsduringacertainseason.Thelightcycleisthemostdeterminingfactorforaplanttobloom.Mostplantsareaffectedbythelightschedule.Somearenot.Fortomatoesandalotofveggiesandfruitsyouwillusethestandardfloweringschedule.Thisis12hoursonand12hoursoffper24hours,perday.Theplantcannotbeinterruptedwithlightonceitgoestosleepforthenight.Youwantacompletelypitchblacktentorroomoncethelightgoesoffforthenight.Unwantedlightduringthesleepstagewillstressouttheplantandconfuseit.Thiswillinterruptthehormonemakingprocessthattheplantusestoproduceflowers.Thiswillthenaffecttheyieldandfinalresultsofthegrow.Heatisalsoabigsourceofstressforfloweringplants.Iftheairgetstoohotinthegrowroomitwillusuallycausehermaphroditestohappen.Thisiswhenaplantflowersincorrectlyandyougetthewrongresults.Keeptheairtemperatureperfectwhileflowering.Airhumidityisalsoveryimportantwhileflowering.Alowhumidityisgoodformostplants.Unlessitisaverytropicalplant.Lowhumiditywillmakesurethatyouhavenomoldproblemsduringtheverysensitivefloweringstage.Floweringplantsareveryvulnerabletomoldwhenhumidityistoohigh.Keepfloweringplantsfreeofcrittersbyreleasingladybugseverysooften.Ladybugswillnotgetridofaninfestationthatalreadyexists.Theywillonlykeeponefromhappening.Itisanumbersgame.Alwayshaveplentyofladybugstooutnumberthebadbugs.Ifyouhaveaninfestation,useorganicwaystocontrolit.Thisisdonewiththeorganicdip.Iusealightmixtureoffishandsesameseedoilmixedinwatertogetridofspidermitesandothercritters.Thisisone

oftheonlymethodsthatevenworks.Non-organicmethodsdonotevenworkthisgoodonspidermites.Butrememberitisbettertoavoidcrittersthendealwiththem.Donotworkoutdoorsonsomethingandthengointoyourindoorgrowroom.Itwilltrackincrittersfromoutdoors.Thenyouwillhaveabighassle.Itisbettertotakeashowerandputonfreshclothesbeforeyougointoyourgrowroom.Ortendtoyourgrowroombeforeyougooutdoorsfortheday.Therearemanyotherbeneficialinsectstouseagainstpredatorsof

plants.Thisisthebestwaytohandletheseissues.Non-organicmethodsarenotgoodforanyone,ortheearth.Onceyouaredonefloweringyourplantthenyouwillofcourseharvestit.

Thisvariesperplantbutthemainthingtorememberistoneverharvestprematurely.Lettingplantsnaturallyripentotheirfinalstageishowyougettheverybestresults.Neverharvesttoosoon,whyruinallthehardworkyoudid.

ConclusionSotoconclude,Ihopeyouhavelearnedsomethingnewaboutgardening.Ihopeyouseehowpossibleitistogardenwithorganicmethods,ratherthannon-organic.Ihopethisbookhelpsyousucceedrightfromthebeginningandhelpsyouavoidlotsofwastedmoneyandtime.Benefitfrommypastmistakesandusethisknowledgetoyouradvantage.Enjoyyourdaysofgardening,Iwishyouthebest!