hi, first time grower and trying to use a hempy bucket but i have a few Q's.

1. do i need to use perlite/vermiculite, or can i just use any tiny pebbles from the garden??
2. what nutes should i use for each phase of the grow? i have read that stuff like biobizz, being organic, needs to have compost/soil to break down in or something.?? [preferably from B&Q? or atleast very available in the uk]
3. can i just add a bit of vinegar to tap water to correct the pH? (if i work out the correct ratios from their stated pH)
4. is rock wool required?
5. what stage are they meant to have lights? straight after germination? for what time length? (ie how many hours of light a day)

thanks!

thanks. very useful reply. i have a couple of follow-up questions;

1. are there any non-cannabis specific nutes that would also be good, would rather not buy something so obvious.. would it make a great difference? and which ones will i need at which stages (would like to keep to a minimum of nutes)?

2. i was hoping to not have to buy a ph meter but do it scientific way (maths way?).. vinegar is a pretty strong acid is it not?? (not that i doubt you just seems suprising). is there any cheap ph meter that anyone could reccomend?

3. and pearlite and verimiculite are sold everywhere i guess??

For a hempy bucket 3 parts perlite 1 part vermiculite. you can get both at a garden center.

Hello again trial,

On the pH issue.
Vinegar is not really a strong acid at all. It's difficult to explain without getting a bit scientific.
I would go with phospohric acid personally....but like I said, you may not need it depending on the nute you use and what the quality of your water is like.
A pH meter would be best trial..........certain auction sites do them

A lot of folk over the years have got good results using tomato fertiliser, but I am no expert in this.
I have always used cannabis specific nutes........I wouldn't worry too much about them being canna specific tbh.

I've also heard good things about chempack hydroponic nutrients, but again; I know very little about them.
I've seen them in the garden centre and they are much cheaper than canna specific nutes.......might be worth doing a search of the site or asking a question about them.

HTH

thanks again,
i have started a new thread about nutes - http://www.uk420.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=130714

is phospohric acid available at most garden centres??

trial,

I doubt you will get phosphoric acid at the garden centre.

I understand your reluctance to buy canna specific nutes, but IMO that is a small worry.
If anyone asks you, just say you are growing chillis or something and you'd heard these were the best type of nutes for them.......(best get a chilli plant from garden centre though )

As I said earlier, I think the chempack hydro nutes may be the way to go.......but I couldn't give you any solid advice about this. Hopefully someone who is a bit more clued up in this area will post here on on your other thread.

ATB

Quick trip to the local growshop and you'll be sorted. Maybe even mail order.

Actually, mail order is probably safer than a personal visit. You can legally buy any hydro kit or nutrient no problem, so if anyone is nosey enough to ask (which in my experience, they dont) just smile and tell them its for orchids or something. They may ask about your setup, but thats like walking into a car parts shop and discussing your ride. In my experience, they dont go beyond discussing the physical setup - the choice of herbs in that setup is up to you.

There are no special nutes for growing weed by the way. All plants require nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous as well as lots of trace elements in order to grow. Grow shop nutes will make normal plants bloom beautifully - You should see my neighbour's front yard when he's disposing of his soil - beautiful!

The benefit of grow shops is that you can ask questions to knowledgable people about roots, temps, nutes - just dont tell them what you are growing.