So, another grower and I were briefly discussing that this year has had a lot of topics with some pretty big hiccups. From new growers to veterans, it seems like a good portion of us are or have been going through some real struggles as of recent. My experience???
Well, the year started rockin. Even with ultra dry winter conditions after harvest, I was getting great, tasty buds. Then throughout the months, my own neglect and poor decisions caused some stunted growth. Don’t do coco outside. Just don’t. Still got some nice little solo cups grows going that started looking great after deciding to bring them inside. Then pH fluctuations start happening with my Jacks. Get some new bags, and another brand, Mega Crop just to try, and things line back up.
I had some autos in my closet and a nice photo right at the finish line. Then, 2 months ago, the hurricane came and knocked out power. I lost 75% of the harvest. So, after a couple weeks, 8 days of it no power, I get everything atarted back up. Beans cracked, made tails, were planted, then nothing. Lost 7/7. I’m wondering if the high heat and humidity did something without the power on, but they were sealed plenty tight, and have sat in my mailbox with the sun blasting so that can’t be it.
Regroup, tried again. Some lovely growers here send me some fresh beans in the chance that mine had all gone bad. All sprout this time, but almost immediately burn to snot. 3/7 gone. So, now what is going on?
My pH is landing might high also. Well over 6.1 when it should be at least .3 less. My nutes are good, freshly calibrated meters. Wait, maybe I should check my source water??
I have changed nothing in my methods and have gone from about 85% down to 5% success. What. The. Heck?
Well, it never dawned on me to check the water, before use, after the storm. I use my portable AC drain water as it normally came out at about 13ppm, give or take. Well, sitting in the heat and humidity for over a week allowed for some kind of buildup. I check the ppm’s and they’re almost 40ppm. Whatever that extra 20 is, is nasty.
Bought a couple gallons of distilled, mixed a gallon each of Jacks and Mega Crop, and pH falls perfectly. No adjusting necessary.
Good lord willing, this has been my only problem for over a month. And it’s been my own lack of attentiveness. I haven’t wasted only time, but many seeds, my own and gifts, and seriously stressed and beat myself up.
This is slightly more than a hobby, but also my therapy. My thing outside of my family ya know? Some have cars, some distill, I got this.
So, if you read all of that, how has YOUR 2024 gone so far???
