Been a while since I’ve had a grow journal on here so figured I’d start one up for my current project. 2 Sativas, 2 strains, 2 plants.
I want to get really in depth on my methods this grow…..not just for all of you but for me when I need a reference down the road for future grows (I hate taking notes lol). I plan on switching up some of my methods this time slightly and maybe do some upgrades to my tent along the way. Really want to get over a QP this harvest!!
One last thing, and bear with me….im about a week behind in posts from when I wanted to start. I plan on getting you all caught up first and once we are we’ll go from there.
First, I’d like to talk about the strains I decided to grow this run. Two sativa dominant hybrids….Maui Wowie [Squared] from Dirty Bird Genetics and Tangie Queen from Crocket Family Farms only available through ILGM.
As some of you may know, I was part of a 3 way tie for the December Bud of The Month competition. I ended up placing 3rd overall with my Lemon Fresh. ILGM was cool enough to still recognize me and send some seeds my way. Tangie Queen was the strain that was sent to me and I’m super excited to grow them out to see what she’s made of.
Why did I pick these seeds? Mostly for the terps/flavor profiles and effects. I like having sativa in the summer and Indica in the winter.
Logistically, I had to do research this time around as I’m hoping both strains would grow in harmony…ie stretch and harvest day in flower. I usually grow the same strain so this isn’t a worry for me but I want some variety this run.
Hope everyone enjoys the grow and we can learn some things together.
Next post we’ll dive into how I prep my tent for each run before any seeds are popped. Keeping things clean, sanitized, and having everything running properly is super important!!
How big is your grow space and what lights are you working with?
Nothing wrong with hoping for the best but I would be prepared for them to be a little different. Sometimes even when growing multiple plants from same pack you’ll get different phenotypical expressions.
I grow in an AC Infinity 2x4 tent with a 220w Ionboard S24. When I spoke of upgrades a new light is in consideration…not so much in power or spectrum but in coverage.
And regarding phenotypes, I’ve come across variations even in the most stable of genetics….but I did my best to try and link these two up. I use my tent as a controlled drying room and don’t have space atm to turn another space into a drying room. I’m just hoping they will both hit the trichome amber to cloudiness variation that I prefer with in the same week.
I take fans and exhaust apart and sanitize/dust with Clorox wipes. Also clean and change out charcoal filter cover. This time around I took apart my heater…it was pretty clogged (going to start cleaning this each round from here on out). Oh and don’t forget the humidifier, broke her down and gave it a good scrub as well. After reassembling the grow equipment I sanitize the walls, floor, and wires with Clorox wipes.
Once everything is clean and reassembled bringing the grow equipment back in the tent starts. I turn the power on and make sure everything is working.
If everything is working properly and I like how everything is tied down and set up I set my settings and let my tent acclimate to the proper humidity/temp. I like to give my tent 48hrs of acclimation before putting anything in it to grow. This allows me to be certain everything is working and set to my liking…check it below>>
A few things I like to make sure are ready to rock before I pop seeds is making sure I have solo cups and enough soil ready once my seeds germinate. I know this sounds obvious but life happens and if you haven’t looked at the amount of dirt you have since the last transplant you did 4 months ago you may get caught with your pants down.
And that wraps up my pre grow tent set up rituals. By day I’m a chef and we use the phrase “ Mise En Place” often. In French this translates to “Everything in place”. In other words, have all your prep ready and make sure you’re ready to kick ass and not get caught in the sh@ts once service starts. I like to apply this mentality to growing as well….control what you can…keep your grow space clean, make sure you have everything to succeed from the start and most likely you’ll succeed or at least have a better chance to succeed. Hope this helps!
Next post, the seeds have been germinated and things start to pop!!
What’s up growmies? Hope everyone’s week/grows have been solid.
Last post I dove into my pre grow rituals and set up. Today I’ll be diving into the fun stuff…germination, sprouting, seedlings and how I get through the first week of the seedling stage.
As I’ve explained in my first post, I chose to grow Maui Wowie [Squared] by Dirty Bird Genetics and Tangie Queen by Crockett Family Farms.
Decided to pop these baby’s on 2/10 using the paper towel method (luke warm damp paper towel inside sealed sandwich bag placed in a warm/dark area)
With that being said the girls are 2 days apart which I don’t think will make a difference deep into veg.
During the first week I keep my temp at 79f and humidity at 68% with a light breeze. I know some people like to dome them but I don’t. Each day or so I give them 300ml of bottled water and mist the dirt 2-3 times a day to keep the top soil damp. The trick is to keep them just damp enough….like Goldilocks….not to hot not to cold. This is something I have learned from experience and repetition. I’ve realized over time growing isn’t just a science it’s an art…sometimes you have to listen and feel what the plants want or need.
Today marks the completion of week 1 for TQ, I’ll post some pictures later on tonight showing the progress!!
Well, we’re finally up to date. Today marks week 1 for Tangie Queen and day 9 for Maui Wowie [Squared]. You can really see the difference 2 days makes at this stage. Posting some pictures of MW2’s root development. Planted both seeds into clear solo cups then placed them into red solo cups to keep things dark…I wanted to see the roots and show that just because sometimes it doesn’t seem like much is going on above the dirt, it doesn’t mean things aren’t happening under it. Check it>>>
14 days for Tangie Queen/16 days for Maui Wowie [Squared] and things are looking good. TQ is obviously a little behind MW2 but is extremely healthy and staying slightly more compact while MW2 is just crushing…lots of vigor and she loves to spread out her leaves to catch the rays.
Plan on transplanting within the week into 5 gallon grow bags with a 1:1 Happy Frog to Ocean Forest soil mixture. After transplant I think I’ll top MW2 so TQ can catch up and create a more even canopy.
Plan to start cranking my light power up slowly tomorrow till it’s at 80%, 18in above the canopy….ill leave it at this intensity/height for the remainder of veg. We’ll start by bumping it up to 50% and slowly over the next week or so I’ll get it up to 80% power.
Also plan on lowering the humidity slightly to 60% over the next two weeks (want to keep it at at least 65% for transplant and the initial stress).
Besides that, not much else to report….excited to transplant and really see what these cultivars can do. See ya’ll next Monday!! Check it>>>
The girls had a busy week, both Maui Wowie [Squared] and Tangie Queen have been transplants into 5 gallon fabric pots.
Transplanted MW2 late Thursday night and TQ today. When transplanting I like to sprinkling some Mycorrhizae on the roots and in the hole I transplant into. Once the girls are in the dirt successfully I water with Recharge.
MW2 bounced back quick Friday and has been crushing it still….she’s already a stinker(skunky!!). Decided to top MW2 as well today to even out the canopy and to try to get both plants to grow more cohesively.
Once the girls are over the stress I’ll be bumping up my light to 70% then eventually to 80% power and slowly lowering my humidity down from 65% to 60%. Check it>>>
@ScottsBuds thanks buddy….been smooth sailing so far. Trying to go all organic this round….plan on top dressing with Gaia Green dry amendments and worm castings. I’m excited to try it out and see what happens.
Everything with your grow looks great so far…keep killing it!!
