Hi all,
It’s great to find a grow forum that is filled with such helpful people! Some others I’ve tried resort to trolling and arguing over the “best” grow method instead of trying to actually be helpful. As much as I’d like to do some of the extensive monitoring and feeding that some do, I have limited time and energy due to medical issues so I’m trying to find a grow style that fits in my life and what I’m able to do physically and financially.
I’m growing autoflowers in coco coir and perlite using Gaia Green dry amendments with added worm castings (Mr. Canuck method). I’m in week 5 from sprouting and they are showing preflowers. To my untrained eye, it appears that new growth is a little lighter green than it should be, and also possibly some lower leaves now as well (lower leaves looked darker to my eye last week or so). I have read that plants entering pre flower may have lighter growth for a bit, but I am unsure if that’s what’s going on here.
I’ve looked at the nutrient deficiency pics and info on the main site and none of them seem to fix exactly, except possibly iron? I am watering with cal mag as I only found out about charging coir after I had already planted seeds. I’d appreciate input from everyone on whether this is an issue or not, and if so what you think is going on.
I did recently top dress with 2-8-4 this last week as that was the schedule for it and they were also starting to show flowers. I should also mention that I intentionally have the light at a bit higher intensity (35 DLI) and a bit closer than usual because I read that this would encourage more stocky growth and less stretching. Maybe that wasn’t a good plan?
Here is my support ticket info:
-What strain, Seed bank, or bag seed (photo or auto)
Seedsman seeds. Northern Lights and Critical + 2.0. Both are autos
-Age of plant
5 weeks as of this past week, preflowers showing.
-Method: Soil w/salt, Organic soil, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, KNF
Coco coir and perlite with Gaia Green organic amendments and worm castings at around 25%, along with mycorrhizae. Gaia green was added when making grow mix at 2 tablespoons 4-4-4 and 2-8-4 per gallon of media, worm castings around 25% of mix, perlite about 5% (I’d add some more next grow). Once they hit 5 weeks, I top dressed with 4 tablespoons worm castings and 1 tablespoon 2-8-4 per gallon of media. I also added a bit more mycorrhizae. This should take about 2 weeks to break down and be available to the plants from what I understand.
-Vessels: Type and capacity of container (fabric, plastic, etc)
5 gallon fabric pots, seeds started in final pots
-PH and TDS of Water, Solution, runoff (if Applicable)
Water with dechlorinated tap water (no chloramine is present) with ph adjusted to between 6 - 6.5, usually every 3-4 days. I use the lift the pot method to see when they need water. Cal mag is also added at 5ml per gallon since I missed needing to charge my coir until it was too late. Our tap water also has decent amounts of calcium in it. I don’t usually get runoff, if I do it is very little and plants reabsorb it within a few minutes. I’ve watered with molasses water (1 tablespoon a gallon) twice to try to get mycorrhizae some help getting established. Plants are getting between 1/2 to 3/4 gallon every watering until pots feel fairly heavy.
-PPM/TDS or EC of nutrient solution if applicable
N/A
-Method used to measure PH and TDS
Ph measured with drops, no TDS measured
-Indoor or Outdoor if indoor, size of grow space
Indoor 3ftx3ftx6ft tent
-Light system List brand and wattage/spectrum
Viparspectra KS3000 320W This is a mix of 3000k and 5000k with some 650nm leds.
-Actual wattage draw of lights
Only at 75% at the moment, around 250watts I think (max wattage of light at 100% is 320watts) Around 18” from canopy.
-Current Light Schedule
18/6
-Temps; Day, Night
Day: around 70-75F. Closer to 75F as summer gets closer
Night around 65F
-Humidity; Day, Night
Really depends day to day. I aim for around 50% when lights are on. It rises up to 10% more with lights off and I raise exhaust fan speed to try to counteract potential mold/other nastiness issues. There is also a circulating fan running 24/7. VPD is usually in acceptable range, I’m not able to control it well at night to matter what I do so I try not to chase optimal levels then. Currently 1.0 - 1.15 during the day but it really fluctuates.
-Ventilation system; Yes, No, Size
AC Infinity 6” fan and circulating fan
-AC, Humidifier, De-humidifier,
Humidifier, controlled with AC Infinity 69 Pro controller, currently set to maintain 50% during day, and 45% at night.
-Co2; Yes, No
No CO2
Watering frequency is every 3-4 days or so. Tends to be sooner (2 days) if humidity outside is really low, we’ve had humidity in low teens several times the last few weeks and a few single digit days too.
I’ve attached photos below. I’m interested in what everyone here thinks and I appreciate any thoughts and/or advice. 
