Danny Danko's Get Growing Now
A Beginners Guide
Fri, Feb 13, 2009 2:56 pm
Are you itching to convert your passion for pot into a trade that pays? Are you sick of paying top dollar for mediocre and light bags of buds? Does the economic downturn mean it's time to finally put into action those cannabis cultivation cravings?
Then you've come to the right place!
Longtime HIGH TIMES Senior Cultivation Editor, Danny Danko has compiled some of his favorite beginner articles along with killer growroom pics and juicy bud shots, in our ultimate guide to getting started. From popping seeds and determining plant sex, to choosing systems, harvesting and drying, every aspect of ganja growing is exposed to all.
Click here to make the plunge and get started on your way to being dealer-free.










» add a comment
bishop420536
Nov 20 2009, 7:55 pm
bishop420536
Nov 20 2009, 3:53 pm
I am using floro's as well. I bought two different type of bulbs, one for 2 for veg and 2 for flower. I have 2 4' fixtures T-8's 4 small hanging shop type lights with spiral bulbs. (Im not sure what the temp color on those are) I will use my 400w hps with MH bulb to flower, with floro's, except I will change the bulbs over to a color temp of 3000k
Hope this helps, and BC is the Best!!!! you rock bro!
bishop420536
Nov 20 2009, 3:47 pm
bishop420536
Nov 20 2009, 3:45 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Nov 17 2009, 12:25 pm
BuddhaSeedBank: thanks bro, Ill send an email your way, and thanks so much for the great service...too bad all seed distributors can't have such a positive, customer-friendly attitude such as yours. Thank you,
grow the seeds of freedom and overgrow your governments...
BuddhaSeedBank
Nov 17 2009, 10:39 am
Ac20003
Nov 16 2009, 9:31 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Nov 16 2009, 1:50 am
ben
Nov 15 2009, 6:59 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Nov 14 2009, 12:33 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Nov 14 2009, 12:30 pm
greenlighting: From everything Ive read (except for one article on a pro grower that insists MH are the best for budding) HPS is the key for budding since it does mimic more of a fall spectrum. As for how close your put your lights to you plants, I've only used 400W and around 3 feet is a good distance. I suppose you'll want to hang it a bit higher with all that heat coming from the larger bulb, so maybe start at 4 feet or so and slowly inch it closer. If you start to see the tops getting dried out too much, then pull back but the closer means more intensity means more plant growth...hope this helps and hit me back if you have any more questions,
plant the seeds of freedom and overgrow your government!!
BC
BuddhaSeedBank
Nov 13 2009, 6:27 am
greenlighting
Nov 12 2009, 9:15 pm
greenlighting
Nov 12 2009, 1:07 pm
thanks greenlighting
determined
Nov 12 2009, 12:45 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Nov 12 2009, 2:28 am
GrowingInTheDark: I did the same thing, and forgot to label a few plants so I guess I'm gonna have to look at pics and try compare to figure out what is what. I'm first-timer at growing diff. strains as we speak, so I'm gonna just wing it and try grow them all with the same nutes. Just check the grow life in the seed distributors' info and you I guess ya can figure out how long to flower it, or at least a rough estimate. I start pruning when lower branches get 2-3 sets of leaves then ya can clone them (after you've put the plant into flowering 12 on/12 off light schedules to determine it's female). Check out cloning techniques on youtube if you havent yet..
greenlighting: It depends how big your plants are and how big of a space you're lighting. I just use a 400W and it works well for my 2 by 4 foot space, with flouros in the top shelf for seeds/clones. If you wanna light up a 6 by 8 foot space, then go ahead and give 'em the max W's. How big are your plants? How far along are they in flowering? is it a metal halide or high pressure sodium light?
Hope this helps guys, it's great to see first timers. I love it. Anyone interested in WHY you should grow, check out 'The Union' on google videos. Watch the entire hour and 44 min movie...WELL WORTH THE WATCH!!
Plant the seeds of freedom and overgrow your governments..
RED DRAGONS!!
greenlighting
Nov 11 2009, 11:33 pm
thanks greenlighting
Growing in the dark
Nov 10 2009, 2:17 pm
I got 10 seeds from a vist to Amsterdam 5 Purple haze and 5 super skunk, on the ride home they got mixed and when I planted them some have huge leaves and are growing big and the others are small and short. should I treat them diffrent with nutrients? and will it be okay when I flower? also when do I start pruning?
Thanks for the help
growing in the dark
determined
Nov 10 2009, 1:57 pm
I am a first time grower and my Plants have been growing for 2 weeks. Some are growing real good and others are small what should I give them for nutrients and when should I start?
Thanks
determined from Dallas
BC OrganicMechanic
Nov 6 2009, 7:57 pm
jekyler: You can start your plants budding at whatever height you want, just remember the earlier you do, the less bud you will crop out with. I usually start my plants budding around 18 inches or higher just so they stay at a maneagable height. You don't want to give too much water, just enough to keep them moist. I usually water every 3-4 days in soil (a moisture meter for $5 from walmart is a great investment). Also, you might run into problems with one plant since they share the same container and will 'fight' over nutrients and water so watch out. If you can seperate them now, it could save you problems later. How long have your plants been growing for?
plant the seeds of freedom, overgrow your government!
stnkydnkguy
Nov 6 2009, 7:01 pm
jekyler
Nov 6 2009, 12:31 am
BC OrganicMechanic
Nov 4 2009, 1:19 pm
plant the seeds of freedom and overgrow your government...
Amaya
Nov 2 2009, 11:29 pm
Also I have them on a 16 hour light, 8 hour dark lighting schedule because I read in the high time magazine I have, that's the best way to produce more females.
They get watered every time the light comes on, and are misted with a spray bottle ever so often when needed.
BC OrganicMechanic
Oct 27 2009, 2:06 am
kaineenable
Oct 24 2009, 11:46 pm
thegreenman
Oct 24 2009, 4:11 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Oct 23 2009, 7:08 pm
Anyone interested in seeds, try bcseeds.com. From what I've read, they ship to the US, just don't ask. I ordered 20 BC Big Buds, 10 Purple Sativa, and 10 Sweet Diesel seeds, and today I got ALL those in the mail plus 40 free (20 Kali Skunk and 20 White Elephant) seeds! My order was updated to me through email, letting me know they got the order and that my order had been shipped. 9 days later, VOILA! I got them, in a very discreet package. Go bcseeds.com now I just have to pray they germinate....
anonymous
Oct 22 2009, 6:40 pm
thegreenman
Oct 22 2009, 12:42 pm
k420everyday
Oct 21 2009, 6:59 pm
you talkin to me?
Oct 21 2009, 12:21 pm
thegreenman
Oct 19 2009, 12:00 pm
thegreenman
Oct 19 2009, 11:59 am
GoGreen420
Oct 15 2009, 10:52 pm
kaineenable
Oct 11 2009, 6:08 pm
dangerous b
Oct 9 2009, 2:36 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Oct 7 2009, 6:56 pm
dangerous b
Oct 7 2009, 5:12 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Oct 7 2009, 12:13 pm
dangerous b
Oct 6 2009, 5:58 pm
catman
Oct 6 2009, 2:47 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Oct 5 2009, 6:44 pm
DANGEROUS B: is your nutrient/water reservoir light-tight? Meaning, when closed, can light be seen through the reservoir? If so, then the light is causing algae to buildup in your solution which is BAD for your plants. Wrap that container in a couple rolls of duct tape, spray paint it with flat black paint, do whatever you need to make that container so the solution is DARK and algae-free. A dark rubbermaid container would do the trick. Also, go to a pet store and get an air pump and air stone to keep water (oxygen AWESOME for roots) constantly moving to discourage algae build-up.
keep the earth green, grow yer own
dangerous b
Oct 5 2009, 5:52 pm
catman
Oct 5 2009, 3:01 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Oct 5 2009, 2:06 pm
catman
Oct 5 2009, 1:49 pm
catman
Oct 5 2009, 1:46 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Oct 3 2009, 10:41 am
Yourdaddy
Oct 2 2009, 10:32 pm
Questions:
2 ladies, 1 plump 1 tall.
soil in greenhouse. hot weather, well loved.
1) is it better to water the plants with fish tank water.
2) the lower leaf ends are yellow will fish tank water stop this.
I water my ladies twice a day once in the morning and once at night. Very warm days and warm nights, it is getting colder as the season progresses.
BC OrganicMechanic
Sep 28 2009, 6:52 pm
greenguy420
Sep 28 2009, 5:44 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Sep 25 2009, 1:08 am
NEWBUDS: First of all, if your're growing in soil, you're not gonna want to water everyday. Spend $5 and get a moisture meter from walmart and it will keep you from overwatering. If you overwater, you 'drown' the roots of oxygen and kill your plants with too much care.
After you switch to 12 hours light/12 hours dark, you'll see buds within 2 or 3 weeks. Make sure you weed out the male plants for seedless bud. Size won't really affect how much it smells so obviously the bigger the plants, the better the bud. A 12" plant could give you nearly an ounce if you 'top' it at 2-3 weeks into veg. I grow a closet of tomatos and my garden of 18-30" plants gives me a good .75 to 1.5 oz per plant. Just get good nutrients and keep it dark when it should be dark.
Keep the earth green, grow yer own
newbuds
Sep 24 2009, 7:08 pm
jmurda
Sep 24 2009, 4:37 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Sep 22 2009, 2:56 pm
lily
Sep 22 2009, 2:32 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Sep 22 2009, 2:10 pm
GodBlessAmerica
Sep 20 2009, 11:59 pm
bishop420536
Sep 13 2009, 8:45 pm
BC OrganicMechanic
Sep 13 2009, 4:04 pm
Info on GROWING.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APdmVNFXeaM&feature=PlayList&p=2C991ABD2EE09FFB&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=11
How to indentify MALE and FEMALE PLANTS!!! Good video....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T07--heDYHc
How to CLONE PLANTS!!! ANother good video, excuse the nerd doing it though...
http://growguide.tripod.com/guide1.htm
Good beginner guide to growing, although bottled water isnt what you want to use for germination since it contains most of the same alkalines/minerals as tap water. Use DISTILLED water...
Keep the earth green, grow your own bud...
bishop420536
Sep 12 2009, 12:14 pm
bishop420536
Sep 12 2009, 10:28 am
BIOrganic: Did you get my e-mail?
BC Organic Mechanic
Sep 11 2009, 6:00 pm
ZAPPA, put an email address where I could reach ya and then ya could send me any questions you might have. If it's just about seedlings, there's alot of info you can find right here online.
Keep the earth green and grow.
frank Zappa
Sep 10 2009, 7:52 pm
bishop420536
Sep 10 2009, 4:13 pm
bishop420536
Sep 10 2009, 3:54 pm
RE: Bio
Sep 10 2009, 3:52 pm
BCOrganicMechanic
Sep 9 2009, 5:35 pm
Sexing and cloning can be looked up on YouTube, good vids on there,
Keep the earth green and grow,
bcorganicmechanic
bishop420536
Sep 4 2009, 4:30 am
third coast
Sep 2 2009, 2:44 am
anonymous
Aug 30 2009, 4:34 pm
BCOrganicMechanic
Aug 28 2009, 3:06 pm
BCOrganicMechanic
Aug 28 2009, 3:04 pm
Here's my beef: For my second crop, I decided to try some well-known strains by ordering my seeds internationally through a certain company that rhymes with 'Shingle Marijuana Sheeds'. I ordered 10 regular aurora indica seeds, and 5 white dwarf feminized autoflowering seeds for a total cost of $125 Canadian. The seeds that they sent me could have easily been confused with black pepper seeds. They were grey, dry, NO dark stripes, and when it came to germination, completely useless. Only TWO of the auto-flower seeds even showed a root, and within 3 weeks in rockwool (kept moist and checked on several times a day) they were dead. I sent an email to this company just to ask why their 'top quality seeds' were so weak and that bagseed I had sitting in a drawer for nearly FIVE YEARS showed vigorous growth. They simply said 'Our seeds are for collection only and that I probably contaminated their seeds because they turn them every 2 weeks.' Well, so much for a company standing behind their product.
Sorry to drag on and on but I have a moral to this story. If you are trying to grow for yourself, DO NOT ORDER SEEDS. There are zero guarantees for over-priced seeds that will probably not grow at all. Thankfully, I was saved by a friend who has a larger operation and needed to move some of his smaller plants (3 weeks into flower) so I was able to restock my garden with 14 high-quality white rhino plants, and only 5 to 6 weeks from harvest. Remember people, avoid seed banks and if you do have to use seed banks, look into cloning and keeping mother plants. It will save you a fortune in the long run, and you will always have a garden stocked full of beautiful, female plants. Love you here in BC, High Times, I couldn't have done it without you. Keep the earth green, grow your own bud, buds.
anonymous
Aug 23 2009, 6:42 pm
zombified420
Aug 21 2009, 11:38 am
afgani goo goo
Aug 20 2009, 11:14 pm
fish83
Aug 14 2009, 2:01 am
totenheavy
Aug 13 2009, 5:18 am
Gaunji
Aug 12 2009, 4:06 pm
hahaha
Aug 8 2009, 10:48 pm
magilla
Aug 5 2009, 8:30 pm
D~R~S~M~OK~E~W~E~E~D
Aug 3 2009, 5:41 pm
danko
Aug 3 2009, 3:01 pm
You can call me a sellout all you like but I have a feeling you'd take my job in a heartbeat, if it was offered to you, which it ain't. Stay High! -Danny
SELL OUT
Aug 2 2009, 10:59 pm
Steveweed
Jul 27 2009, 10:10 am
it sounds like you definitely got a hermie in there. The only thing you can do is keep a close eye on them and pull any with little pods on them (while buds starting too) I have one idea , which I'm doing - I have my lights on at night and off in the day to keep the temps down. Other than that you're doing good - peace out
TINYYYY
Jul 26 2009, 3:16 am
ar
Jul 23 2009, 9:23 pm
orenishi
Jul 22 2009, 9:45 pm
dwolf49
Jul 21 2009, 11:08 pm
ending up with the same weak-seedy buds. Anybody got any ideas?
Chunky Monkey
Jul 20 2009, 12:57 am
I hate to re-"hash" the past, I'm sure this subject has been beat to death. But, I'm new again, and alot has changed.
Back in 1984, just before the Rush concert started at the Leominster, MA Colliseum, I par-took of several pipes full of Lebanese Blonde Hash, What a great concert! I'm looking for that stone again, now that I have my medical card.
I have a couple of questions tho:
Why is "blonde" hash blonde? Dried and cured weed is green. Is it a certain strain or is the plant left to die out completely like they do with corn. OR...is it just the tri-chrome color after sifting.
What is the strain, do they have a modern day version of it with even a higher Tri-chrome content. Not only do I want it to taste the same but I also want it too look the same.
Why does Lebanese hash have such a spicy tone too it, Is it a filler (sandlewood, maybe) If so, what is the percentage of filler vs weed.
Does anyone know of a book or internet search where I can find the exact process.
I think I can figure out the sieve process (like bubble hash?) and the pressing part (stick it between two pieces of wood, and jack up my car, ha!)
I appreciate the help and guidance, I wish everyone the very best of health and happiness.
Chunky Monkey
boots
Jul 15 2009, 9:40 pm
BLUEEYESTOKER
Jul 15 2009, 12:45 pm
BLUEEYESTOKER
Jul 15 2009, 12:42 pm
BLUEEYESTOKER
Jul 15 2009, 12:38 pm
ROCK ON BUDS XO
bongrippa
Jul 13 2009, 6:33 am
bongrippa
Jul 13 2009, 6:28 am
doser
Jul 11 2009, 1:59 pm
god bless marc emery an the whole c.c. crew..... united well stand
TINYYYY
Jul 10 2009, 9:28 pm
I'm a 2nd timer grower & have a question.My bushes are about 1.5-2.0 mos.old & 12"tall and half of the leaves on 1 are starting too turn brown,curl at the edges and dry out. they get "miracle grow" every 2-3 weeks and water the rest of the time. PLEASE-OH-PLEASE!!!!
THANKS A MILLION,Ken
boots
Jul 9 2009, 8:14 pm
bongripper
Jul 6 2009, 6:56 am
treehugger
Jul 3 2009, 4:00 am
treehugger
Jul 1 2009, 4:14 pm
treehugger
Jun 28 2009, 7:43 am
Anyway, bend the plant 90 degrees left and right 4 or 5 times, repeat daily for a week or so, and you should see a noticeable bulge, strengthening for them 22 footers I hope?
umm
Jun 26 2009, 3:27 am
2mike7
Jun 26 2009, 3:23 am
JerseyDevil
Jun 21 2009, 8:17 pm
MJsmokey
Jun 17 2009, 9:12 pm
Bongwater
Jun 12 2009, 4:32 am
question
Jun 9 2009, 11:25 am
weedy
Jun 7 2009, 3:40 am
smokabowla
Jun 6 2009, 11:09 pm
smoke Dog
Jun 6 2009, 10:19 pm
weedy
Jun 4 2009, 4:30 am
shizzle
Jun 1 2009, 10:09 pm
TJFREEBIRD08
Jun 1 2009, 9:30 pm
SO FREZH
May 28 2009, 3:38 am
ryan
May 25 2009, 9:57 pm
rayjay
May 25 2009, 8:46 pm
boots
May 21 2009, 8:20 pm
blackg
May 21 2009, 3:44 pm
Cod1
May 21 2009, 9:45 am
shane
May 18 2009, 7:31 pm
drlobux
May 16 2009, 8:42 pm
boots
May 15 2009, 8:49 pm
CrazyHaze
May 15 2009, 8:35 pm
P.S. To future growers don't order from dutch-seeds.com. They are a bunch of fuckin liars.
BOOTS
May 11 2009, 10:16 pm
wa`hash
May 8 2009, 9:35 pm
you should find some great pics. of fems and males.
goodluck
swed420
May 8 2009, 9:27 am
wa`hash
May 6 2009, 10:55 pm
its fucking awsome
DO
May 4 2009, 6:09 pm
I've been burning down forests for years. Never have i had any awnsers to why mary's multiple personalities effected me in such a myrid of ways. Reading yr tips to grow on was not only inlightening but completely enjoyable reading,.. Thanks for the insight, and the laugh, i'll be naming my fisrt growing spurt after you and will never look @ the lovely maid mary with the same eyes! By the way, for those of you smoking dry harsh buds, try a nickle size piece of grapefruit peal per 1/4. You can use apple, pear, orange or whatever, i've used them all but for me GF does the best job and provides the best tasting results.
d low
May 3 2009, 10:45 pm
high guy
Apr 29 2009, 9:59 am
missy420
Apr 26 2009, 12:49 am
shakur kenya
Apr 25 2009, 12:22 pm
weeden
Apr 23 2009, 3:12 am
weeden
Apr 23 2009, 3:09 am
billybobthorton
Apr 22 2009, 8:38 pm
dizzle
Apr 22 2009, 11:34 am
uhhhhh
Apr 14 2009, 1:08 pm
bla
Apr 11 2009, 1:27 pm
Discount Hydroponic Systems
Apr 9 2009, 2:34 pm
http://www.Dealzer.com
illterrcrons
Apr 9 2009, 8:32 am
EZE
Apr 6 2009, 1:26 pm
EZE
Apr 6 2009, 1:23 pm
new way to grow
Apr 3 2009, 1:45 pm
midnight toker
Apr 2 2009, 8:16 am
midnight toker
Apr 2 2009, 8:13 am
desertbilly
Apr 2 2009, 5:49 am
a tried and true method or pointers would be great!
curious420
Apr 1 2009, 3:23 pm
JoE
Apr 1 2009, 2:29 pm
warnerpig
Apr 1 2009, 12:56 pm
midnight toker
Mar 31 2009, 5:41 pm
midnight toker
Mar 31 2009, 5:34 pm
curious420
Mar 31 2009, 12:52 pm
domino
Mar 30 2009, 1:23 pm
c mon
Mar 30 2009, 2:32 am
Mcgrow
Mar 27 2009, 3:11 pm
az junior
Mar 26 2009, 10:43 pm
c man
Mar 26 2009, 10:53 am
az junior
Mar 24 2009, 4:47 pm
OmahasFinest
Mar 24 2009, 3:57 pm
kbfunk
Mar 23 2009, 10:12 pm
dragon61
Mar 23 2009, 4:17 am
need2know
Mar 22 2009, 11:15 pm
(mad mike)
Mar 21 2009, 9:11 pm
vain83
Mar 14 2009, 5:38 pm
Stoney Jake
Mar 12 2009, 8:01 am
Newby, it depends on how many plants you have. That should be ok for 2 but you probably want to get a few more lights for around the base of the plant. CFLs need to be with in a few inches of the plant so keep that in mind
og sexy
Mar 11 2009, 10:56 pm
rusty
Mar 10 2009, 10:14 pm
newkid
Mar 8 2009, 5:00 pm
newby
Mar 2 2009, 8:12 am
ryan
Feb 28 2009, 8:32 pm
Metalhead MAtt
Feb 25 2009, 9:47 pm
links
Feb 22 2009, 5:27 pm
http://forums.cannabisculture.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1504048#Post1504048
Check out the FAQ on 420.com to learn how...
http://420.com/users/faq
Bubba Kush
Feb 22 2009, 1:40 am
STAY HIGH
STAY SAFE
ONE LOVE
frickey
Feb 21 2009, 12:07 pm
Solesius The Stoned
Feb 20 2009, 5:19 pm
Chillin'High
Feb 20 2009, 4:26 pm
Dukie Dank
Feb 19 2009, 7:10 am
right on
Feb 18 2009, 11:57 pm
weed the 2nd
Feb 17 2009, 4:51 pm
fuckin mold
Feb 17 2009, 12:30 pm
Mad American
Feb 17 2009, 11:36 am
gstlab3
Feb 16 2009, 1:08 am
Old Skool
Feb 14 2009, 11:46 pm
weed
Feb 14 2009, 11:38 pm
Toby
Feb 14 2009, 9:10 am
m
Feb 13 2009, 11:42 pm
gun ner
Feb 13 2009, 10:52 pm
Legaljuana33
Feb 13 2009, 5:08 pm
Bennett
Feb 12 2009, 11:41 pm
gROWING TILL 2012
Feb 12 2009, 7:07 pm
ITS RISKY..
VERY RISKY..
BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AWAY WITH..
IF YOUR GONNA TRY TO GROW...
JUST REMEMBER YOUR ABC'S GUYS..
ALWAYS BE CAREFUL..
lalala
Feb 12 2009, 6:31 pm
teenther
Feb 12 2009, 12:56 pm
reefersmoke
Feb 12 2009, 12:15 pm
Rock on!
Nigtmove
Feb 12 2009, 11:36 am
........
Feb 12 2009, 11:22 am
poppa b
Feb 12 2009, 12:46 am
poppa b
Feb 12 2009, 12:42 am
JimBo
Feb 11 2009, 11:23 pm
headiesmokeonly
Feb 11 2009, 10:09 pm
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