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Final Fantasy XI Discussion Board	Discussion Boards -> Crafting, Chocobo Digging, and Fishing
Gardening 101

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From: Vegetas_pride
Registered User
Posted: 2006-07-28 04:16:02

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Hi some of u have been asking me about gardening so i figured i'd post a small guide aimed at the meat of the topic
I wanna start off by saying that if u plan on making this your main money maker, dont.
Simply because the Cerberus economy has deflated to the point where its more profitable to sell stacks of sapling than the actual elemental ore.
BUT...this is an excellent support to your gil efforts, if u have any crafts such as cooking and clothcraft, this in actuality is your bread and butter.
First thing is first, you wanna know about growing ore....you may hear many people say it's not worth it, and to a degree it's not, but not for the same reasons they say. For example, they claim that because ore takes anywheres from 21-24 RL days that the effort is too much. Yes and no.
When you first start out, you need to have at least 3 mules created for the sole purpose of gardening. I recommend ice ore simply because it has the best results for failures in the game. For example, if you grow ice ore and come harvest time you get failures and a few ores, your failures are Platinum Leaves, which are the best "sell to vendor" item in the entire game, I kid you not. You can with 3 mules, in theory, harvest up to 1 million gil untouched by the economy to sell to vendor. This is a failed result of platinum leaves instead of ice ore. Although this will never happen, you will always get at least a few ores due to the games RANDOM modifier. I recommend the mules to all be from Sandoria ( fire element city), because you will have better chances to H.Q. your harvesting results. This will be explained later.
With your 3 mules you will need to purchase at least 10 Maple Tables, or Oak Tables, this furniture will give your moghouse overwhelming earth energy. When you have purchesed these tables or whatever gives you earth bang for your buck, purchase 10 Porcelain pots and a set of worker gear for the mule. (body and legs are what u need, hands are for mining, ignore those)
So for the sake of examples; You have chosen ice ore as your target harvest, you have the necessary furniture to prevent your plants from dying, and you have your mules wearing worker gear to speed up time. Now if your lucky and u have thf leveled, off to Zhi Tah you go, if not then Pashhow Marshland is your best bet to farm Tree cuttings. DO NOT BUY CUTTINGS! DO NOT BUY CUTTINGS! I'm serious, u want all profit rt? DO NOT BUY CUTTINGS! The main reason for this is because if u farm your cutting and grow saplings, u will on average harvest 1-3 saplings per pot, if you do the math, you will see that between 3 mules, that is alot of saplings, most people just do the sapling recipe and sell the stacks for nice gils, THIS IS why its not worth gardening ore at this time in the economy, NOT because it "takes too long " or "it takes to much time", it's because the economy is at an all time deflated low. ice ore used to sell for 800k each and ice beads(the crafted version) used to sell for 1m+ each. Now its ore for 250k and beads for 360k.
But for the sake of continuing our example; You've farmed several stacks of cuttings, u plant those and wait up to 15 days, or less if u check your plants with worker gear on,(btw it can be field gear as well, HQ version is not necessary), these dont require feeding crystals to. I recommend checking plants every 24 hours, yeah that is so time consuming
come darksday and preferably on a full moon harvest away. Now u have probably close to 4-6 stacks of Tree Saplings, and all u did was check those mules once every 24 hours, really hard work huh...oh and u can sell those stacks for about a minimum of 840k-1m total, and mind you i'm rounding down...
OK say u need to keep leveling woodworking or goldsmithing, lets grow some ore..
You will need to place a stack of ten sapling at each mule, 20 ice crystals at each mule, and then and MOST IMPORTANTLY, download a FFXI Timer, i use http://ffxi.lokyst.net/timer/crafttimer.html as my timer to plan a 21 day harvest. Ice ore takes longer than other ore but not by much.
Simply use the timer to plan a full moon and count back words 21 days, i'm sure u can figure it out. Now u have a Harvest date. Plant your saplings on ice day or darksday, check every 24 hours and feed on ice day when prompted, try not to check plants with field gear on unless you need to speed up time. Whatever you do Do not harvest plants with field/worker gear on! Don't do it. Using your furniture to keep a steady pace or field/worker gear to speed up growth is on you, its all about practice. Full moon is here, those suckers are glowing, and here is where EVERYONE screws up.
Saplings that are ready to harvest have whats called a glow rate, this actually took me the longest to figure out. Until i get new pics to post, all i can say is you must not harvest if glowrate is wrong, this takes priority over the moonphase. When your saplings glow the fruits have sparklies on them but u will notice one big fat sparkle on the the top/stem of the fruit, usually just one, this means its not ready, when there is no one big fat sparkle and it in fact truly sparkling all over evenly, and i mean TONS of sparkles then its ready. If you harvest on the correct day, on full moon, and correct glowrate u may get an outstanding result of 5 ores for that 1 mule!
Noteworthy Recipies:
Ice Ore: Plant sapling on Iceday or Darkday, Feed Ice crystalsx2 when prompted on Iceday, harvest on Firesday.
{note; this formula works the same for all ores, if u need to grow water ore then plant sapling on Darksday or Watersday, feed water crystalsx2 when prompted on Watersday, harvest on Lightningday.}
Rice: Plant Grainseeds on Darksday, feed Fire or dark crystal x1 on Firsday or Darksday, harvest on Light or Watersday.
SarutaCotton: Plant vegetable seeds on Darksday or Iceday, feed Icecrystal x1 on Firesday or Lightningday, harvest on Firesday.
(yes i know elements dont match here, but it works)
Wild Onions:Vegetable seeds plant on lightningsday, feed Lightning crystal on Iceday, harvest on Earthday
CoralFungus: plant fruit seeds on Darksday or Lightningsday, feed Lightning crystals x2 on Lightningsday, harvest on Earthday.
Saplings: just check them, this is too easy Dont feed them.

Thats it folks, just remember these rules and all will go well:1.Saplings take 20.5 days and those that are ice oriented take 21-23 days, 2.Use your FFXI timer to time full moons, 3.Do not harvest with Field/Worker Gear on, 4.Glowrate is everything, one fat sparkle means no go, 5.Farm your cuttings, 6.Gardening works on H.Q. results by opposing elements just like synths do.

On a final note, while this may be a pain to set up, you will make your money back, you will have permanent income to supplement your cash flow, and once we start heading towards the Christmas season, when the economy will go to hell, you will absolutely LOVE that u have all this already set up and practice to boot. Believe me when i say that when those ores jump to 800k each you will be set, set, set! Good Luck ^^

From: Vunibe Guest Posted: 2006-09-11 05:43:25	Reply Quote
Nice info.. gonna try them out.. thanks ^^

From: Penweaver Registered User Posted: 2006-09-12 18:55:44	Reply Quote
Just a reminder that a recent update has changed gardening a bit. Cuttings --> Saplings no longer guaruntee a Sappling. You can now get Rock Salt and Shell Bugs. Also, arcane pots are no longer exclusive. Pen

From: Dorr Registered User Posted: 2006-09-12 22:36:43	Reply Quote
ok i get most of what you said just one question you state to plan a full moon then count back 21 days im lost on that part 21 rl days or game days and are you talking about dates like say full moon today on sep 12 then count what backwards please expand on this for me thanks a bunch and your post is good advice seeing i have 20 pots full of cuttings at the moment thanks Dorr

From: Penweaver Registered User Posted: 2006-09-14 17:08:59	Reply Quote
When counting back days, it RL days. Pen

From: Dalille
Registered User
Posted: 2007-01-29 03:19:22

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Great Guide ^^ I tried it out and it worked.
I do have 1 question though: You said that Platinum Leaf is the best "sell to vendor" item, now the question is if that's still so or if it has been changed?

I know I might not have the vendor that you were talking about so if thats the case could you please post which vendor it is?

Thank you

P.S. max I got for a Leaf was 1750 gil and that can't be the best "sell to vendor" item, even Green Ribbon is 2000+ gil

From: VegetasPride Guest Posted: 2007-02-28 12:27:29	Reply Quote
i was talking about items u get from harvesting, in which case Platinum leaves remain the best sell to vendor item. U cant harvest green ribbons..

From: Daven Guest Posted: 2007-03-08 12:09:19	Reply Quote
I don't get it, why would you use porcelain pots when you want earth energy, shouldn't you use earthen pots

From: Penweaver Registered User Posted: 2007-03-08 21:07:54	Reply Quote
As a general rule, Porcelain pots tend to work better when working with cuttings, saplings, and cactus stems. There is no known reason why that I am aware of. When using other seeds, I will use the appropriate pot. Pen

From: Penweaver Registered User Posted: 2007-03-09 00:15:03	Reply Quote
Sorry, I meant to say when using other seeds, I will use the pot that is either the same, or opposite element. Pen

From: Neolink Guest Posted: 2007-03-09 11:54:49	Reply Quote
False: Need 3 mules 1 million gil from 1 harvest (10 pots) Buying Tree saplings is bad All of these are rediculous to assume.

From: Penweaver Registered User Posted: 2007-03-09 19:02:24	Reply Quote
I'm sorry, could you rephrase that post? I am not real sure what you are saying here, other than you disagree with one or more posts. Could you be a little more specific please? btw - keep in mind that some of these posts go back almost a year. Thanks, Pen

From: Vegetas_Pride
Guest
Posted: 2007-03-11 05:22:42

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Whether u need 3 mules or u rather buy your saplings is certainly a matter of taste and approach, that in no doubt is opinion, but me harvesting 5 ores off 1 mule (10 pots) is definitely not false, i can only assume u don't have a set up in which u can test your opinions. During that time ice ore was 400k each, so in actuality it was more like 2 million.

My credibility can be vouched for on Cerberus server.

As for why porcelain pots? Well for ice ore these seem to be the best choice, your wooden furniture gives u overwhelming earth energy which in turn gives u mog enhancement gardening, so these pots even if they dint give earth energy, which they do, would be useful, and besides they seem to go reeeaaally well with the ice ore approach. I know the guide is pretty old
and i should update it some, but really nothing has changed other than shellbugs nerf, and server based economy deflation. But yeah, on the pots, their sorta like +1's for harvesting results, and porc pots are the best, i have never really messed with wooden but if u use them any feedback would be appreciated.
Finally, the glowrate seems to have been changed some, and its harder to tell now if its ready, your best bet is; for example ice ore...under your proper day and moon conditions, check 1 pot, if say its only 9 platinum leaves, or a lousy wind-cluster, wait 1 day, but if its like 11+ p.leaves, or an ore then go nuts. the only other thing ive discovered is that each set of hours of each vanadiel day has elemental affinities, these are as follows:

0:00-0:30 Dark 4:00-4:30 Thunder 8:00-8:30 Dark

0:30-1:00 Fire 4:30-5:00 Ice 8:30-9:00 Fire

1:00-1:30 Earth 5:00-5:30 Wind 9:00-9:30 Earth

1:30-2:00 Water 5:30-6:00 Water 9:30-10:00 Water

2:00-2:30 Wind 6:00-6:30 Earth 10:00-10:30 Wind

2:30-3:00 Ice 6:30-7:00 Fire 10:30-11:00 Ice

3:00-3:30 Thunder 7:00-7:30 Dark 11:00-11:30 Thunder

3:30-4:00 (Light) 7:30-8:00 (Light) 11:30-12:00 (Light)

12:00-12:30 Thunder 16:00-16:30 Dark 20:00-20:30 Thunder

12:30-13:00 Ice 16:30-17:00 Fire 20:30-21:00 Ice

13:00-13:30 Wind 17:00-17:30 Earth 21:00-21:30 Wind

13:30-14:00 Water 17:30-18:00 Water 21:30-22:00 Water

14:00-14:30 Earth 18:00-18:30 Wind 22:00-22:30 Earth

14:30-15:00 Fire 18:30-19:00 Ice 22:30-23:00 Fire

15:00-15:30 Dark 19:00-19:30 Thunder 23:00-23:30 Dark

15:30-16:00 (Light) 19:30-20:00 (Light) 23:30-24:00 (Light)

:These are borrowed of another source and are stilled considered experimental.
I'm still testing this with a friend. TY^^ for responding and comments.

From: Penweaver
Registered User
Posted: 2007-03-11 16:09:27

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Hi Vegeta,

I have used a couple of Wooden pots. Unfortunately, I havent acquired enough of them to get any real experimenting done. I have found that an arcane pot CAN produce 3 saplings though. With them no longer Ra/Ex I have been tempted to go with 10 and see what I get.

Also, I can easily see you getting those results. My personal record was 4 fire ore off of 10 pots, and I know of people that regularly get between 3 - 5 ore per run of 10. So yes, your results are easily attainable.

Later,

Pen

From: Vegetas_Pride Guest Posted: 2007-03-12 07:53:20	Reply Quote
TY Pen, ur kinda making me wanna go blow some gil >

From: Daven Guest Posted: 2007-03-14 15:47:36	Reply Quote
Hello Pen, I've just started gardening and have aquired some platinum leaves. Which NPC is the best to sell them to? Also, how many real life days does it take to grow tree cuttings into saplings and how many real life days for saplings to grow into ore?

From: Daven Guest Posted: 2007-03-20 15:48:14	Reply Quote
Hello Pen, Does it matter what phase of the moon it is when you plant? Or is it just the day that is important?

From: Duhkha
Registered User
Posted: 2007-03-29 14:55:17

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First results
Info:
Moon percentages will not be 100% accurate, but they are close...I am doing this from memory at work.

Seed: Tree Saplings
Pot: Porceline
20 pots, 10 per mule
Aeryn in Windy
Caprica in Bastock

Harvested 3/22/07

AERYN - Windhurst
CHECKING: Checked plants on ice day EXCEPT every third day I check on Windsday
I found a chart of elemental properties which related to the time of the vadeil day and always picked an ICE or Wind time. I tried to use the opposite of the day I was checking on ie wind time on ice day, but can say I was always perfect on that. I don't think these practices matter that much, BUT they cost nothing, and force me to pay attention to detail. I am convinced that paying attention to the detail DOES make a note worthy differance if only by making you stay aware of all the relative specifics.
Planted on New Moon (80%)
Fed Crystal 1: Ice Day (moon not available)
Fed Crystal 2: Windsday (new moon 20%)
Harvested: Full Moon 98%

There were several sparkles eminating from the large one at the top of the bud.
I made sure the Moogle said "It's Grown so big!" ranther than "this plant is ready"

Yeild
2 Ice Ore
6 3/12 stacks of Plat Leaves
4 Wind Clusters

Caprica - Bastock
CHECKING: Used identical method to AERYN
The other stats are the same as well. Figured on first try use consistancy.
Planted on New Moon (80%)
Fed Crystal 1: Ice Day (moon not available)
Fed Crystal 2: Windsday (new moon 20%)
HERE IS WHERE I F"D UP AND DID SOMETHING WRONG
Harvested: 5 plants on Full Moon 98%
1 Ice Ore
3 Stacks Platinum Leaves
4 Wind Clusters
Harvested 5 plants on 28% First quarter Moon.
There was ONLY the big sparkle at the top of the bud with no little sparkles falling from it
3 7/12 Stacks of platium leaves
4 Wind Clusters

Personally, I think my f up cost me a Ice Ore...Ouch! However, my initial investment was 135K for 36 pots (I have another 20 un harvested due to later planting time (these are another 45k investment)).

* Enyanka - Sandoria
Harvested 3/27/07 7:15 am RL time from 230-3 Van'd Time (5) or 4-430 (5)
Checking: Same as others
Planted on New Moon (10%)
Fed Crystal 1: Ice Day (moon not available)
Fed Crystal 2: Windsday (Moon not available)
Harvested: New Moon 10%

Yeild:
2 Ice Ore
4 Stacks Platinum Leaves
8 Wind Clusters

On 30 pots, my return was ruffly:
560k in Ice ore (5) (may all RMT have rats eat their genitals)
330k in platinum leaves (sell to vendor in Jeuno 1750-2200 ea)
14-20k in Wind Clusters
Total 900k and 20 more harvests to come.

My mog houses have OVERWHELMING EARTH ENERGY created mostly with Pots and Maple Table. A maple table cost about 500gil on my server if you can synth it at level 16 WW. A Porceline Pot runs about 5k.(now is at 6k) If anyone can't synth the Maple Tables, I sell them for 800 gil if asked in /tell. I will add a couple to my Mule Bender (Cerberus) who is usually in Wind Woods near mog house.

1 mule =
about 15 tables 7.5k - 8k
10 proceline pots = 50k

Including non-perishables each mule's initial investment was...
58K in furniture
45k in cuttings (12)
2k in Ice Crystals
Total 105K

Therefore, my six mules cost 630k, which leaves my net profit @ 230k NOW and I still have 2 mules with Saplings going. One with Cuttings going. and a left over stack of saplings I haven't got around to planting.

I suggest farming cuttings b/c RMT are the only reason they sell so cheap. Also, RMT are obviously into growing their own Ore and crafting it at all levels of the process. They are the ones screwing the Ore economy. As far as letting them in...that cat got out a long time b4 pikko started helping us out with the process. I have a friend who is farming cuttings for me for nothing ONLY b/c he hates the idea of me giving gil to RMT in anyway. Helps that he is also a very good RL friend. I try to repay him by doing free synthing of food which he needs. Honestly, my services are not = to the value of his time 4 the cuttings...but better that RMT not benefit from my gil according to him;-)

I believe my total gross return will be 1 - 2 million gil on just a 630k investment.

WOW that was/is worth the month and a half...and all that research.

From: Duhkha
Registered User
Posted: 2007-03-30 10:07:25

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Some thoughts:

1. Moon Phase...Does it matter?
- I try to plant on New Moon and Harvest on either New moon or Full moon. I think this does matter since I harvested on another moon (Quarter moon I think) and the results were more crystals and lower yeilds of Plat leaves...
- I want to believe it matters on feeding your plant. I am currently going to try and feed on either new or full...I will post results ASAP.

2. What about Weak against?
- should we try harvesting/planting/feeding on Firesday which is universally agreed to be weak against ICE? There seems to be a school of thought that you don't want to "OVER POWER" your saplings. However, I have seen NO evidence of this being true. A lot of info out there seems to be disinformation.

3. Do these things matter at all? (moon, day of week, elemental energy)
- well, in scientific method, we must try to control as many possible factors as possible. The more we satandardize, the more affective our experiments should become.
- it's free and helps us to focus more attention on our expensive plants. Therefore, why not?

From: Duhkha
Registered User
Posted: 2007-04-06 11:58:30

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*EXPERIMENT*

Mule: Fallingsnow
Where: Sandy
Pot: Porceline

Planting Info:
Moon: New 10%
Day Of Week: Ice
Time Of Day: 230-3 Van'd Time

First Feed:

Moon: ? (I think First Quarter but may have been full)
Day of Week: Ice
TOD: 2-230 (Wind)

Second Feed:

Moon: Full %10
Day of Week: FIRESDAY (EXERIMENTAL CHOICE)
TOD: 2-230 (wind)

Harvest:

Moon: New 0%
Day of Week: Ice
TOD: Hopefully 2-230(Wind) or 230-3(ice)

Results: TBA (I harvest at 1pm today)

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Gardening 101