Hello Folks,
Looking for some guidance from you experienced growers. I read through a few grow journals and contributors were extremely helpful and the information exchange was very entertaining.
Setup currently:
Mars Hydro 2.3x2.3x62 kit in a closet
TS1000W light, 20/4
Topped or FIM’d (not sure which)
Bagged seed starting mix (90% peat, 10% perlite, mycorrhizae, ground limestone), with a little worm castings and Azomite thrown in
FoxFarms Grow, Micro, Bloom, Open Sesame, Bestie Bloomz, ChaChing; Hoss Tools Micro-Boost
Plant unknown, sprouted Mar 28
Currently growing at 75-85F, 40-55 RH daytime, 50-70 RH night
Using rain water
My first grow is basically unplanned. A seed plinked out of a bud last winter (surprise!). On a whim, I planted it with peppers I was starting indoors for the garden on Mar 26. I was fortunate it sprouted and I believe it is a female plant.
She grew with the peppers, tomatoes, and assorted flowers under a T5 high output fluorescent (16/8), entirely in the medium used for all the other seedlings. I was using the FoxFarms Grow Big, Big Bloom, and Tiger Bloom, and Micro-Boost for all the plants.
About Jun 6, after all the transplants were out, she moved from a 4” pot to a 5 gallon bag and continued living under the T5.
I started noticing the smell occasionally, so I went with the grow tent kit (stealth required), which arrived Jun 22.
The first week with the light and tent I think she doubled in bulk.
Only in the last couple weeks have I seriously monitored ph, which is a real pain. I am not sure my VivoSun pen is accurate. It says my nutrient mix is usually around 5.5. I also have one of those stick in the soil moisture/ph/lux testers, and it says my soil is about ph 7.2.
My VivoSun EC meter (came with the ph meter) was lying big time. For example, the FoxFarms mix should read about 1100ppm, but the meter says about 120. Spent a few more dollars for an EC pen upgrade and ordered ph Up/Down. Should be here tomorrow.
Hoping for input from the experts. I think she is small for her age, but I am thinking she wants to become a woman now, doesn’t want to wait. I am trying to fill the net with foliage. Should I switch to 12/12 now? Can I harm her by keeping her in veg?
Is the ph Up/Down tester accurate?
All comments and suggestions are welcome on any and all aspects.
You’re going to want to switch to flower soon. The plant can double/triple in size after the light flip depending on strain. The three way probe is useless for ph and lux. It can be a good training tool to learn when the soil is dry. Are you sure you tds meter doesn’t have a x10 on it? That would put your mixture at 1200.
Thank you Bobby for your reply.
I was thinking she wants to go. Really straining the net. I was thinking maybe not fill the net in veg, as is it possible she may continue to bush out for a week or two after switching?
The VivoSun appears ok at low EC. For example, my tap water reads 76 and 80 on the two.
I think I am pushing her hard with light. Does she show any signs of too much?
Thanks for that. Beautiful plant. Would you please post some additional flowering photos of that plant?
I have been reading volumes of information in the last few weeks. Playing catch-up. Lots to learn, but like every new learning endeavor, eventually it will all click. But I’m definitely not there now. Much more to learn.
So there is a growth spurt when you flip them? It will take experience for me to fully understand the timing of it all. Thank you for sharing your experience.
@oldmarine Thank you for the input. Wow, looks like she is struggling to break free.
Few questions:
Photoperiod plant?
How old was she when you put her into flower?
What was your determining factor(s) for when to flip the lights?
Still lots to learn…
@BobbyDigital Thank you. That was an amazing plant! In flower for well over two months? How old was she when you switched the lights?
I see what you guys mean about plant volume. Switching tonight. Don’t want her to get too big for her britches (or the closet).
Super Skunk photo.
10 weeks veg.
9 weeks flower.
I was going to top her 3 more times but I made a mistake. I gave her a few weeks to recover and put her into flower.
Next mainline is in the works. Going with SS again and shooting for 164 colas (a guy can dream, right?)
@oldmarine@BobbyDigital Thanks for the input. So, sounds like 6 - 10 weeks or so in veg? Wasn’t sure about that. My girl sprouted about 10.5 weeks ago. I can only imagine what size she would be if she had better light early on. But, i am not complaining, just musing.
In addition to learning what I am doing now, I am also imagining my next grow. You mentioned mainlining, a term of which I was unfamiliar, so I read the ILGM tutorial on it. Possibility for next time. I like the flat canopy, but I do not like the net tied to the tent. This looks like a good alternative to netting. Perhaps use a net later as the colas develop to help support them. @oldmarine Are you going to post a journal? I would like to follow your mainlining progress if possible.
I also need a good solution for water overflow. Since I can’t move the plant, I am using a small irrigation pump to empty the drainage. Need some type of short, strong platform to support the plant and allow drainage into a removable pan underneath. @BobbyDigital Is your net designed to move with the plant?
No, it’s set at the max height I want the plant to get. I used the metal shelves to set the plants on. When I water I just slide a large Tupperware container under them to collect the runoff. You can see the shelves in the pic below
@BobbyDigital Those racks look great. Very nice setup.
Did a bit of searching and cannot locate something like those. Would you mind letting us know where you got them?
@oldmarine I started reading your blog the other day. Really good stuff, but it’s gonna take me a while. Lots of other studying going on and I read slow on top of it.
Overnight Wed she had her first 12 hours of darkness. I understand now @BobbyDigital. She is growing rapidly I think. Or perhaps it is my optimistic hope.
The last week she has been going through buku water. Seems like a lot more, anyway. (Side note: hopefully with this blog I can track the details and understand this better).
Today I added Cal Mag to the mix, as most everyone uses it (so it has to be correct, right)? The calcium part makes sense. Would it have been a good idea to mix into the growing medium powdered egg shells? All our tomato and pepper transplants get a small handful. But then I read somewhere there is an optimum ratio of calcium to magnesium (2 or 3 to 1).
Lots of information and differing opinions on every step and point in this process…
Fed with the FF Trio, Open Sesame, Micro Boost, and CM
2G in at 6.1/2020
2.3C out at 5.8/2630
Does that look ok?
Should I continue LST?
Seems I have read a goal is to have as many tops coming out of veg as possible. Then, I believe some others limit the number. Is that correct? Is it a matter of more tops equal more, only smaller colas? But more overall weight with more tops, just not as large? Any effect on potency? Do I have too many tops growing?
Her underside was trimmed about 3 weeks ago. I think she is badly in need of another. What do you folks think?
All inputs are greatly appreciated.
You are DEFINITELY gonna get some quality buds, pending on if you flush them properly, cut, trim, and last but not least, the MOST important thing, curing them…You don’t want mess things up by having them not cured right…I have ALOT of experience smoking weed!!!
