Magnus’ Bubblegum Specs:
Seed bank - ILGM seeds
Method: Organic soil PH 6.5
Vessels: 12" grow bags
PH of Water, Solution: 5.8 to 6.5
PPM/TDS or EC of nutrient solution if applicable: 609PPM. EC = 1214 uc/cm
Indoor - 5’ x 5’ grow tent
Light system - 2x 100W LED Spider Farmer
Temps; Day, Night 72F 24/7
Humidity; Day, Night. 80% 24/7
Ventilation system: Yes - active charcoal filter; Size: 4" exhaust regulated at speed 3 on AC Infinity controller
AC, Humidifier - medium setting 24/7
Co2: Ventilation
Those look nice so far and welcome @Magnus. I’m not the expert that others are, but I’m thinking 200W covering 6 or so plants and 25 sq.ft is a big part of it. At 8W per foot you are a fair bit lower than a more recommended target of like 35w/ft to get the daily light your plants need. You should get the photone app or a light meter and see where your PPFD and DLI numbers are. You can use the search tool above for the charts you need, just pop in the acronym.
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Thank you for everything you do! You’re good people!!!
Ah! Good catch… Didn’t know about the target of 35watts/sqft. I need about 4 more lights! Thanks so much!
I’m definitely no help where it comes to expanding a lighting setup. It’s also not just the watts, the type of light output is important too. @MidwestGuy started the thread and will not only have an expert opinion, but also know who best to tap for more good lighting ideas. Before buying more, I’d take input from the community on whether it’s best to add on to the lights you have or maybe use the two you have for veg and then get two bigger lights that cover the 5x5 completely. Or some blend. You’ll get food for thought and then can make a decision. Just a thought.
So, I got the photone app and the PPFD readings around the perimeter of the tent at the plant height ranged from 250 to 550. At the top of the plant (they’re growing at different heights) range between 500 and 975. What is the target PPFD?
300-600-900 seedling veg flower PAR values…but I am currently going by DLI and I must admit my girls seem happier
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This is my first try at a grow tent, so I’m working things out as I go. But, I’m thinking I need to add more light… The plants seem healthy - although 3 aren’t growing at the same rate as the other 5. Color of leaves is consistent across the board - which seems like a good thing. Not sure about DLI - is that a measurement from a light meter?
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if you have the Photon app this is on there but you may have to pay a fee to unlock the feature…here is the chart I use for DLI for Photo plants
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@Magnus the DLI setting is a swipe on the photone app (and worth getting) and make sure to set the hours of your current light cycle for proper calculation. Also, you want to try to have it as evenly spread across the canopy as possible. You’d want to try to avoid having the plant over there getting 1/2 what the plant over here gets unless you’ve got the tent set up for different stages. IMO anyway and learning too 
Quick edit: I’ve also been more reliant on DLI as @Retiredoldguy says. The only thing I’ve found is that you can get the DLI right, but if the lights need to be too low to achieve that, the PPFD values could be too high and then scorch the ladies. If the lights don’t have the horsepower that’s something to think about. If others have different experience on that, I’d stand corrected. I did make that mistake (or something like it) though.
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Thanks for clarifying the DLI from the app - just took this reading from one of the lower plants (which I’ll need to raise up a bit)… But the DLI readings from the taller plants are around 51-58… too high? I’m thinking I’ll need to equal-out the heights of the plants for sure.
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You’ll be happy about that in the long run. Looks like a couple could get on a 5-gallon bucket to even out then take stock of where everyone is at. Supercropping will make you pucker for a minute, but dividends will follow. A combo of bringing a couple up and laying a couple down a little may be indicated to really fill out your space.
A few questions for @SandyC and the group:
- I’ve planted them in 10-12" grow bags - will the 5-gallon buckets be better? May not have enough room for 8 buckets, I’ll have to check.
- Any thoughts about moving them outside after it warms up enough? Or should they stay forever in the grow tent?
- Is it ever too late to prune their bottoms? These girls are very bushy, I haven’t noticed any yellow or dying lower leaves yet…
- Can Supercropping still be done at Week-11?
Thanks in advance for y’all’s feedback and apologies for all the noobie questions - first time at this effort…ha!
Thanks @Magnus. I meant using the 5 gal buckets as risers for the smaller plants to raise them up and help get the canopy even. Then with supercropping the taller ones you can even up the whole canopy. If 5-gallon buckets are too high, whatever works to get them up a bit will work fine.
Re 2: I’m not the one with the best advice. Folks start inside and move to outdoors all the time for sure, there are a slew of additional considerations. I wouldn’t want to steer you wrong.
Re 3: Notwithstanding topping, in veg I trim lightly to improve airflow below if needed and/or open the top so light doesn’t block bud sites then go a little further in flower. Based on your pics, I’d probably take a couple of the fan leaves that appear to be starting to block light. But not too many, they look nice. My guidance came from the experts here, many of whom like to target around day 21 and 42 of flower to defoliate a bit more. It also seems like every plant is a little different so there’s certain feel to timing based on what you see. I would take advantage of asking for opinions here to form your decision at any time.
Re 4: As long as you’re in veg, supercropping should be fine. Once they start to fully flower you likely don’t want to fool with it.
I’ll look forward to what others think too. It’s hard not to learn something from almost every post in here….
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@Growmoredank wanted to ask you again about drying and curing. I measured my buds with wood moisture meter. All were between 10 and 12%. I but them with paper bags to sweat. The hygrometer in bag was at 54% in the sweat bag after 12 hours. I put them in grove bag and the readings are at 65%.
I feel like i might be missing something. Are they too wet still ?
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Had same happen… I usually do put it back in paper bag with hygrometers in it… One under buds one on top… To get an average…
When down to 62 I grovebags them… But have grovebagged at 65% before…it gradually came down over a month cure.
@Audiofreak what do you think?
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At 65% id leave them in the grove bags. Dont forget the accuracy of the hydrometers (±). Just dont over fill the bags and give them a day or two to do thier thing.
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