This is my first grow ever. I’ve got black thumbs, but I like projects and I have the interest in growing this particular herb. My main goal is to have fun and attempt to grow the best I can. I like experimenting and playing with new toys. I would love to have a second tent and build a DWC system as well. I’m not going to go overboard, but I am not shy at throwing money in the right directions (hopefully). I aim to grow lots of different strains, especially some of the classics.
I need a setup that will allow me to step away for a week+ at a time. My wife has been quiet wonderful and supportive, I cannot cancel a family vacation simply because of my grow. I need something that does not interfere with our family life. My local hydro store guy recommended AutoPots to me 6 months ago. I read the journals of a few growers using it and it seems like the a good first start for me. It should allow me to step away for 7+ days and its supposed to be fairly simple for newbies. I don’t have any travel plans till the new year so this will be a good test run.
Today is Day 7 from seed. I transplanted them in their root cubes into these small cups. I was instructed that they will grow better in the AP system if I get them to fill out these cups first.
I also had them under florescence until today where there are in my tent under my lights for the first time. I was also told to get them under these lights sooner than later to help them adjust. Anyways, I think its going ok. all 8 spouted and appear healthy.
I know its overkill, but I was told this had the best chance of sprouting. Sure enough, within a few days all were sprouting. I’m growing 8 sprouts right now and plan to only grow the 4 strongest in my APs.
At day 6, I transplanted the sprouts in the root cubes into small cups. And I prepped the AutoPots. I chose the smaller autopots. My understanding is that the the XLs would take longer for the roots to fill up, and that it would be oversized for a 4x4 tent.
I added hydroton clay balls (cleaned well before hand) on my new air dome
And filled with a 50/50 mix of the coco/perlite mix and the groundswell soil. My hydro guy said not to flush this coco and soil like many people recommend. It supposedly supercharged and ready for the plant and first watering.
At this time I also setup my lights for the first time. Since they had a 10hr burn in, I decided to throw my new seedlings under them but far away. I had not hooked up the exhaust yet and the tent climbed to 98F. I caught it pretty quick but my young girls wilted a little.
I removed them from the tent and started their nutrients. I used a 1/4 strength of the Veg A/B, Fire, Prime, and Finish as instructed by Heavy 16. My local hydro guy only sold me the Veg A/B and Finish. He did not push anything else at all. Good guy, happy to support him. I was struggling yesterday whether to use supplementary nutrients. I’m not sure they do anything except drain my wallet, but I saw enough testimony to lead me to think its better to try. If I am going through the effort, i want to do it as best I can.
@stale Welcome to the form you have a beautiful set up looks like you have everything under control please feel free to tag anyone you need for help just use @ in front of the name @peachfuzz@Hogmaster
I want to give a shout out to ILGM about the seeds. I ordered the KO Pack and the Gold Leaf. It took quiet awhile till I received a notice that they were confiscated. That freaked me out a little, but everyone said it was no big deal. ILGM sent new seeds tout-suite and within 4 days or so I had… the wrong seeds. They sent me the Cash Crop Mix by accident. They quickly corrected it and the seeds all spouted.
I’m pretty happy customer so far. And I’ve got extra Chocolope, Big Bud and Amnesia Haze now. That Chocolope sounds mighty tasty… But I really want to grow that Cherry Pie next.
It all looks great @stale
Tag me into your grow anytime.
I have no experience mixing soiless media and precharged soil but it sounds like your hydro guy does so I am eager to watch your progress.
I would caution to go easy on the nutrients , gradually introducing them to the seedlings (25%, 50%, on up to the level you want to be at). Easy to burn plants with nutes in autopots so less is more until you see the plants can take it.
You have a great set up and a great mind set so I suspect success is just around the corner.
PS I love my autopots and yes, I have left them for up to 5 days w/o issues.
Thanks @Screwauger. I reviewed yours and @Blasting’s journals to help me start. Do your APs leak at all? I was testing them a couple days and if the value isn’t fixed to the bottom, it will overfill. Doesn’t stick to the bottom very well - pretty loose and jiggly
Did you insert it into the thing coming out the tray? I have had my tray overfill once because i installed one valve wrong, otherwise no leaks. (Touching wood)
Yeah make sure it’s seated on the plastic “T” in the corner. I’ve not had any overfill problems ever though it’s inevitable that a valve will stick and has been known to empty the res into the tent so I rarely have more than 5 gallons in my res, maybe 7 (it holds about 12) during peak growth
It is a very nice set up you have there! I wish I had that height to play! I will be following closely! One thing I can say about nutrients is that less is more… these burnt tips are freaking me out. Start low and correct defficiencie if needed, also different strains = different needs so that might be a problem in the future being on the same reservoir. Im trying very hard to keep my ladies healthy but its hard to catch defficiencies on time when you are away every time so I tend to go a lil too high on the ppms every time. Once I figure that what strains I wanna keep and what they need it prob will be much easier! Once you figure it out autopots are the best
Day 8 for me. I’m still building out my tent. I bought a Vivosun 6" duct fan with a filter. It claimed to be quiet… junk. Just upgraded to AC Infinity fan and it is way quieter. Can barely hear it on two lowest settings. Now I’m testing to see how well that works for cooling.
I also bought a tower fan. But my girls are very floppy now. Not sure if I should turn it on yet
Its day 13 since I planted the seed. So maybe day 10-11 since sprouting for all.
One plant I found yesterday was flopped over. Stem is white, where the day before it was green. But the stem is firm. I planted some dirt around it to support it - but I am not sure why it just lost the will to grow straight up. I have a fan but its on very lightly and indirectly. This girl will likely be a discard since I only need 4.
My other girls look healthy, but maybe growing slowly?. I lowered the lights so they are about 3’ above. Before they were at the top of the tent. I also gave them a healthy watering yesterday since one was dried out.
Day 14. My girls look good. I’ve been trying to water only when the pots feel light. Not sure if that is right or not
I’m not sure when to transplant from these 4x4 pots to my APs. I thought I read its when the leaves reach the outside of the container, which is starting about now. But I don’t think the roots are to the edge of the pot yet
I think sooner they get into the big pot the less time they will take to establish imo. At that point i would want them to be pushing roots down my APs so I can get them on reservoir feed where things get serious what do you think @screwauger
I would get them transplanted (as gently as possible) into autopot pots sooner rather than later. AP’s will not work well until the tap root is down far enough to make use of the wicked nutrients.
Personally I sow germed seeds into autopots directly and use the water (or feed in my case) every five days. Period. By the fourth feed or day 20 you should be close to going on autovalve control.
That said, many sow into smaller pots and transplant, just use good transplant practice to minimize shock and you’ll be good to go…
I thought it would be another 20 years till I would be allowed to grow and vape this herb. So jazzed.
