First grow strain suggestions.

[Nefar]

Looking for some advice. While I have outdoor vegetable and flower gardening experience I'm getting itchy to do my first attempt at herb in a small infinity tent. I typically like organic over chemical & I have a few aquariums with varying levels of nitrates & organics that I thought would be good mixed with rain water. Flowers and vegetables love it. I just have to drop the ph. I've done all types of soil mixes over the years, vermicomposting etc.

Being a first grow, new to indoor, and the insane amount of tech in this tent I'm looking for 'entry level' strain(s) suggestions while I learn. I would assume autoflowering seeds & I'm partial to sativa or heavy sativa hybrids that are great for clarity/work. There are so many strains these days it's stupidly overwhelming. If anyone has any suggestions on strain(s) / brand(s) would be appreciated.

 

[RookieBuds]

Gona burst your bubble regarding autoflowers, they're NOT easier-----generally speaking. There's little to no leeway if you have a nutrient or watering problem, and you're going to, it's a certainty.. literally nobody in the existence of anything excelled at it right away 😉

I personally suggest anything from Humboldt Seed Co in feminized form, specifically short-flower time strains like Blueberry Muffin or Hella Jelly. They have really accurate descriptions of their plants, they're decently uniform unless the description says otherwise & it might.

 

[HBZ]

Looking for some advice. While I have outdoor vegetable and flower gardening experience I'm getting itchy to do my first attempt at herb in a small infinity tent. I typically like organic over chemical & I have a few aquariums with varying levels of nitrates & organics that I thought would be good mixed with rain water. Flowers and vegetables love it. I just have to drop the ph. I've done all types of soil mixes over the years, vermicomposting etc.

Being a first grow, new to indoor, and the insane amount of tech in this tent I'm looking for 'entry level' strain(s) suggestions while I learn. I would assume autoflowering seeds & I'm partial to sativa or heavy sativa hybrids that are great for clarity/work. There are so many strains these days it's stupidly overwhelming. If anyone has any suggestions on strain(s) / brand(s) would be appreciated.

I'm not a super big fan of Barneys but the Cookies Kush would be a great first time plant.. extremely easy grow Nothing could kill that plant Cookies Kush Weed Strain | BARNEYS FARM USA

 

[Bullfrog]

I was going to say exactly what rookiebuds said. Auto's are a challenge to do well. One of my first indoor grows was autoflowers and it didn't go well. But I did learn a lot. They're way more finicky. Can't mess with the roots. Ph has to be in order and they're sensitive to high light and heavy handed nutes. And don't overwater them either. Any mistakes can stunt them, once stunted you'll see minimal growth going forward.

I'd start with a tried and true photo strain. Something more forgiving. I haven't personally grown enough strains to feel comfortable recommending one, but I am comfortable steering you away from autos, unless you think you can keep all your inputs optimal. A photo if you stunt it, most likely it'll come back around and still produce.

 

[Psychobilly]

*to the shock of no one*

I recommend Cheese. Blue Cheese was the first strain I ever ran, and it's easy, hardy and good stuff. No finicky nature, and takes abuse pretty well too. I can go into more detail if you'd like, and more recommendations, as I've ran a lot of them, and they're all pretty easy growing, with huge productivity to boot.

 

[RookieBuds]

*to the shock of no one*

I recommend Cheese. Blue Cheese was the first strain I ever ran, and it's easy, hardy and good stuff. No finicky nature, and takes abuse pretty well too. I can go into more detail if you'd like, and more recommendations, as I've ran a lot of them, and they're all pretty easy growing, with huge productivity to boot.

That's crazy talk. I mean, nothing wrong was said but this is so "jump in the deep end" territory 😂

Tryna get the person caught on their first grow?? 😂😂💨💨💨

 

[JL2G]

Photo period fems for a newbie. Imho helps alot knowing they should all be girls.
I've had pretty much all easy growing plants from 3thirteen aka hydrored here.
Have grown a number of them, and he offers lots of fem choices.
Bobsbitchin beans are a good choice imho as well, have had some pretty dang nice plants from him that gave me no issues.

 

[Gatorbackbob]

I foresee bugs being a problem indoors, the only reason I stuck with salts I don't even like gnats. Like previously stated, go into this expecting failure a few times, you will need to learn when to top dress and amend at the proper times to get a decent pull.

I suggest fantasmo express from mephisto genetics for a mainly sativa and nice yields. I pulled about 5oz dry from one a few years ago in about 78 days from seed.

 

[Jewels]

While I have outdoor vegetable and flower gardening experience ,,,,, in a small infinity tent.

Then this will be a lot like taking a Koi from the pond, and putting it in a fishbowl.

In a giant aquarium, good things happen slowly. In a small tent bad things happen quickly.
That is to say, the smaller the environment, the more time you will spend actively managing the parameters.

I can observe many parallels between aquariums and indoor growing.
I do don't want to ruin all the surprises but I will offer one tidbit.
You have probably found that 90% of the products offered at the fish store don't really apply to you, or your situation. You may find the same ratio at the 'green plant' store.
Just because a product appears on a retail shelf, does not mean it was born of scientific necessity.

Flowers and vegetables love it.

Your Canna-babies are going to love it too. Do you grow duckweed? Makes some of the best activator.

partial to sativa or heavy sativa hybrids that are great for clarity/work.

Sounds like Sour Tangie, to me.
It may be wise to avoid choosing something that flowers for more than 9 weeks, for your first couple rounds. Those long winded sativas add an extra layer of difficulty, in the grand scheme of things.

I've done all types of soil mixes over the years, vermicomposting etc.

Organic humus is very effective at retaining its nutrients.
I like mixing it with lots and lots of coco, as I can water the hell out of it, and still get the benefits.

 

[Psychobilly]

That's crazy talk. I mean, nothing wrong was said but this is so "jump in the deep end" territory 😂

Tryna get the person caught on their first grow?? 😂😂💨💨💨

Maybe they live in Michigan, or are willing to move unlike SOME people remember; I don't own a Carbon Filter. Lol, can you imagine trying to find one to cover MY garden?

Photo period fems for a newbie. Imho helps alot knowing they should all be girls.
I've had pretty much all easy growing plants from 3thirteen aka hydrored here.
Have grown a number of them, and he offers lots of fem choices.
Bobsbitchin beans are a good choice imho as well, have had some pretty dang nice plants from him that gave me no issues.

Red has Sin City Juice, which I've had a plant that was snapped in half by a wind and rain storm, yet still got a pound off what was left. I can easily recommend it. Potent too. That plant took horrible abuse and was still just stunning! Black and purple from the cold weather, great bud production, and super sticky!

It may be wise to avoid choosing something that flowers for more than 9 weeks, for your first couple rounds.

Dead Whabbits was ready by the second week of September here in Michigan. I've personally not seen a quicker finish, and my Seedling lead to about a pound, even with the terrible humidity those plants saw this season. It's Cheese too so not super shocking. I like the Koi part; I keep Catfish for pets, and the sheer time and money it would take to replace a pond isn't worth it.

 

[finedakine]

Good luck on the first grow! Being an experienced gardener will prove very helpful. If you'd rather save your money and try some free seeds for the first round, I have a new line and would be glad to send you a pack or two.

 

[Nefar]

Wow. A lot to read this morning. Thanks everyone for all your input!

Gona burst your bubble regarding autoflowers, they're NOT easier-----generally speaking. There's little to no leeway if you have a nutrient or watering problem, and you're going to, it's a certainty.. literally nobody in the existence of anything excelled at it right away 😉

Yeah I knew I was in for a learning curve as soon as I visted this forum the first time and when the tent arrived. I'm mentally prepared for a poor outcome but I figured asking here gives me my best chance of a good first time. What about water holding crystals for slight water retention and slow release? Same crystals that are in diapers. I use those for outdoor potted plants in the summer as they dry out quickly or for root systems that like a lot of moisture.

I foresee bugs being a problem indoors, the only reason I stuck with salts I don't even like gnats. Like previously stated, go into this expecting failure a few times, you will need to learn when to top dress and amend at the proper times to get a decent pull.

I hadn't really thought about bugs issues but using organics makes sense.

Do you grow duckweed?

Not yet. I've been running purigen and my nitrates are very low, with spring on it's way though Im starting tone that down and rely more on the sponge to get them up for the summer planting season. I've got an extra 10g I might just throw plants in but I need to stop adding more things for me to monitor. Soon as you mentioned the tank comparrision my first thought was 2' tent = 10g tank.

Maybe they live in Michigan

I'm not too far from M.I. I spent some time in Kalamazoo back in the 90's. I have to go to a convention every couple years at one of the casinos, four winds, I think. It was huge. I'm Chicago area but not in the 'city', thankfully. Dispensary prices here are very expensive and the taxes are out of control especially on edibles/concentrates. I'm not paying 55-65$ 1/8 and then throw on 30% taxes.

Lot of NWI & Chicago do runs to M.I. The bud there is far better and far far cheaper than here and pretty much no tax. Quite honestly there was only one mix from Daze Off brand that made me pay attention enough to write down... somewhere

Good luck on the first grow! Being an experienced gardener will prove very helpful. If you'd rather save your money and try some free seeds for the first round, I have a new line and would be glad to send you a pack or two.

That would be great! I saw your other thread but I figured you were looking for 'experienced' testers.

 

[finedakine]

Nope I'd be honored to have you run mine for your first grow. Between the genetics and all of the talented growers on this site you'll have a great chance at success. Just shoot me a DM with what strain(s) you'd like along with a shipping address and I'll get them out tomorrow.

 

[Smoke_A_Lot]

I'd say start off with an indica or an indica dominate hybrid, they're more forgiving and easier to control. I suggest Northern Lights #5 or Afghan. I feel like you should you use salt fertilizers until you get the learning curve down than switch to organics. But if you do start off organic soil, I highly recommend looking into Dr.Earth.. It's very easy

 

[Smoke_A_Lot]

Nope I'd be honored to have you run mine for your first grow. Between the genetics and all of the talented growers on this site you'll have a great chance at success. Just shoot me a DM with what strain(s) you'd like along with a shipping address and I'll get them out tomorrow.

You can't go wrong with @finedakine genetics OP..

That's very generous of you helping a new comer btw bro.

 

[JL2G]

Wow. A lot to read this morning. Thanks everyone for all your input!


Yeah I knew I was in for a learning curve as soon as I visted this forum the first time and when the tent arrived.

Kiss all the way.

I'm mentally prepared for a poor outcome

Nah, don't think like that mang.

but I figured asking here gives me my best chance of a good first time. What about water holding crystals for slight water retention and slow release? Same crystals that are in diapers. I use those for outdoor potted plants in the summer as they dry out quickly or for root systems that like a lot of moisture.

I hadn't really thought about bugs issues but using organics makes sense.

I'm all organics, 6 yrs now, and rarely have pest issues. I'm just careful about where I've been before entering the garden, and pretreatment of any new soil etc prior to use.
Being all organics I rarely give them anything but straight tap water their entire grow.
Maybe a top dress, a compost tea, or a dose of recharge for microbes if someones looking troubled.

Not yet. I've been running purigen and my nitrates are very low, with spring on it's way though Im starting tone that down and rely more on the sponge to get them up for the summer planting season. I've got an extra 10g I might just throw plants in but I need to stop adding more things for me to monitor. Soon as you mentioned the tank comparrision my first thought was 2' tent = 10g tank.



I'm not too far from M.I. I spent some time in Kalamazoo back in the 90's. I have to go to a convention every couple years at one of the casinos, four winds, I think. It was huge. I'm Chicago area but not in the 'city', thankfully. Dispensary prices here are very expensive and the taxes are out of control especially on edibles/concentrates. I'm not paying 55-65$ 1/8 and then throw on 30% taxes.

Lot of NWI & Chicago do runs to M.I. The bud there is far better and far far cheaper than here and pretty much no tax. Quite honestly there was only one mix from Daze Off brand that made me pay attention enough to write down... somewhere



That would be great! I saw your other thread but I figured you were looking for 'experienced' testers.

Good luck mang. 👊👊👊

 

[Psychobilly]

I'm not too far from M.I. I spent some time in Kalamazoo back in the 90's. I have to go to a convention every couple years at one of the casinos, four winds, I think. It was huge. I'm Chicago area but not in the 'city', thankfully. Dispensary prices here are very expensive and the taxes are out of control especially on edibles/concentrates. I'm not paying 55-65$ 1/8 and then throw on 30% taxes.

Bro that's crazy... 65 dollars here is more than an ounce costs...

Lot of NWI & Chicago do runs to M.I. The bud there is far better and far far cheaper than here and pretty much no tax. Quite honestly there was only one mix from Daze Off brand that made me pay attention enough to write down... somewhere

Believe me, almost every person on here has had me bitch about them just moving here hahaha.

 

[Nefar]

Bro that's crazy... 65 dollars here is more than an ounce costs...

The cheapest I've got at a dispensary here is $100 for an ounce of shake + 30 on top for taxes and I would hardly call it 'shake'. More like ground up leaves and b.s. Flower at an ounce don't even want to know.
Cannabis Flower in Illinois | Windy City Cannabis any of the chicago area locations.

 

[Frimpong]

I know I'm chiming in late but any pure Michigan cross are pretty easy to grow. I would definitely reach out to some breeders here. Nothing better than free fire. 👊

 

[Nefar]

No, I don't think it's late. This is good information for anyone starting.