I’ve enjoyed cannabis since that fateful Santana concert in spring 1971, Montreux, CH and now on a bucket list mission to grow what I’ve been smoking all these years. Scary part: Google knew before I did and sent me ILGM via a Sacramento Bee news feed on seed banks. I wasted my first quality seed on “it’s weed” attitude and the typical summer heat dome that now extends well into October in these parts. I’ve since gone all in to try to make success out of the rest and save myself a 600 mile trip to the nearest dispensary.
I sprouted 2 seeds in Solo cups the week of October 8, transplanted to 5 gal fabric pots on October 31 and have now made it to mid-flower. I started feeding on November 30 when the EC dropped to 1000 S/cm from the prior watering. I’ve fed 3 times raising the input EC from 700 to 900 with the latest. My runoff numbers: pH 6.5, EC 1300-1800. My light is currently 18/6 on 60% at 16”, a PPFD of 700 and DLI 45 based on lux measurements with a UT383 meter and HLG calculators. I’ve been able to maintain reasonable tent temperatures, predominantly in the 70s, with relative humidities around 50%. There have been stresses along the way: seedling droop I suspect from overwatering although I tried to be a good disciple of Hellraiser, a too heavy hit of CaMg early on, a couple of episodes of depleted power reserves during extended cloud, maybe a too watchful eye but I’m still in the game and would very much appreciate some expert help with my current crisis.
These twins couldn’t be more different. One is a squatty early bloomer, the other a tall late bloomer. The tall one looks very much like other Runtz autos I’ve seen in photos here, with its long narrow leaves and general structure, and outside some minor CaMg and N deficiencies I’ve tried to address, it seems to be in good shape.
My bigger concerns are with the short mature one. It has been in flower since the week of November 12. The sugar leaves took on this dark hue that I first thought was a phosphorous deficiency but feeding had no effect. I came to believe it was genetics because, otherwise, the leaves seem very healthy, early trichome development is strong, and it is pleasing to the eye. But now I’m not so sure. Would like some input on its apparent state of health.
A massive thanks to all you experts, regulars, and successful newbs that have contributed to my education.
They both look good to me
The one purpley seems to be ahead of the other in terms of flowering. I assume purple went into flower a week or more before the other one.
Beautiful fall colors
Yes, the purpley one started to flower 2 full weeks ahead of the other. The late bloomer, while still in its Solo cup, got way too big a dose of some B-52 and CaMg when I got envious of some huge seedlings of far more seasoned growers here. It went into a sustained, stunted droop and didn’t come out of it until I transplanted. Guess I put it in suspension for 2 weeks. Thank you for taking a look and the good news all is well.
One more thing. I have some yellowing in newer growth on the sativa-leaning progeny (in week 7 of flower) that has me on the fence as to how, or even if, I should address it.
Of all the yellowing leaves posts that I reviewed, the closest visual comparison was one submitted by @Growzen55 . I believe this turned out to be a pH issue. I don’t think mine is related to pH but here is the recent history.
Date
IN: pH
IN: EC
OUT: pH
OUT: EC
Note
11/09
6.2
Rainwater, 15
6.55
3560
First water after transplant in FFOF
11/17
6.4
CaMg: 360
6.45
3030
To address brown spots
11/22
6.2
Rainwater, 15
none
none
2 cups
11/28
6.55
B-52: 160
6.64
1170
Start of flower
11/30
5.85
CaMg, Base, Big Bud (BB), Bud Candy (BC): 733
none
none
2 cups to address yellowing and brown patches, good response
12/04
5.9
CaMg, Base, BB, BC: 800
6.49
1897
Increase PPFD to 663, DLI to 43
12/09
5.9
Base, BB, BC, B-52: 874
6.55
1310
12/14
5.74
CaMg, Base, BB, BC: 1042
6.44
1965
Tent temps 70s, RH 50-60%
12/18
5.84
CaMg, Base, BB, BC, B-52: 1214
6.48
1813
Cloudy for days-battery conservation required, cut PPFD to 571, DLI to 40
12/22
5.86
Base: 549
6.48
1658
Upper leaves curling, raised light, DLI to 37.
12/26
5.85
Base, BC: 580
6.5
1719
12/31
5.86
Base, BB, BC: 520
6.53
865
Tent temps in 60s
01/05
5.77
Base, BB, BC: 700
6.46
943
Yellowing in upper growth
So I am coming up on a water event and the current plan is to feed it more since I have the runoff EC back in check. Not totally convinced that is a good idea since I have overfed at times. Also thinking the lower temps may be in play. @Lostgirl and @Cap_Ron, your exchange on Happy Frog runoff was the first post I latched onto to try and figure out what to do with my first mailbox seeds. Thank you. I know you like Advanced Nutrients and numbers, any thoughts here?
For flavor, some pictures of her indica sister, a 1-foot beauty in week 9 of flower. Hope to get more of these in the pack (and grow her a bit taller).
From what I see you’re 7 weeks into flower looking at the results of your daily numbers you posted above the only thing I can see is that 700 EC is kind of low to be feeding her. I’d say get it up to 1,000 if you could. Unless you backed off preparing for a final flush.
This late in the flowering stage your plant is using a lot of phosphorus and potassium to fatten your buds. I noticed that you’re using big buds which is a fantastic source of phosphorus and potassium so I think you’re okay there.
I don’t know how much calcium magnesium you’re using that would be the only thing that I could think of from your numbers.
Your pH is just fine. I would up her feed some, depending on how much calcium magnesium you’re using you might want to up it just slightly. Other than that you’re 7 weeks into flower all she’s doing right now is ripening. Personally I would not be alarmed at the yellowing that you’re seeing on a 7-week-old in flower.
Unless somebody else see something that I don’t I think you’re in good shape.
When you get into week 8 I would eliminate cal mag
Much appreciated. The branch buds on the right side of the plant seem to have a long way to go and good to get confirmation I’m not likely to choke it at this point.
@Pelageo
I just noticed this, you say you’re 7 weeks into flowering yet your sheet that you posted says you’re only 60 days from popping the dirt. That’s a huge difference.
Also looking at your dates, you started feeding big buds in early veg. Not a good idea. You should start that about the third week of flower (80 days old). Not sure what kind of nutrients you’re using but your base nutrients should have more than a sufficient amount of phosphorus and potassium and that’s the same thing as big buds. Too much too soon it’s not good
Maybe I was reading this wrong. But looking at your dates they caught my eye and I figured I would post this.
I began my history above kind of mid-stream, with its first watering after transplant to its 5 gal home. It actually sprouted from its Happy Frog solo cup beginnings on Oct 12. I marked the beginning of flower on Nov 28 with the first observed gathering of pistils. Sorry for the confusion. I gave it a good feeding yesterday and have left it to fend for itself for a couple of days. I expect it will have its color back when I return, just in time for the first arctic blast (2 days continuously below freezing is a major arctic blast in these parts). Being off grid, I don’t have resources to fully compensate for outdoor weather extremes. I expect tent temps to bottom out in the low 50s, maybe 40s, so she will get cold. Even so, late fall-early winter is the closest we get to ideal temps for growing.
Amazing this crop ever gets to market. More amazing this plant survived the rigors of nature on its own before human intervention.
In my search for the answers I sought for this problem, I’ve concluded 2 things:
I probably won’t die right away if I choose to smoke the unaffected portions.
A peroxide wash probably doesn’t significantly reduce exposure to mold spores.
I’m not sure if this type of mold leads to bud rot but an inspection of my affected bud showed no internal damage. So I extracted the main cola, cut out the affected parts, and hung the rest of it to dry. If (“when” according to popular opinion) it turns out to be crap, I can chunk it then. For me, it is either this or a major road trip dodging the Department of Public Safety. Pick your poison someone said.
It does have better color after feeding, the uppermost reaches suffering from light stress I think, and I’m still hopeful of getting something to the end. I’m going to add a second circulation fan in my 2x2 (overkill but who in the south can’t use another fan) and a bottle of Crop Defender to my spring effort.
Good numbers to know. Thanks. Relative humidity is a parameter that I have little control over. It commonly hangs out around 50% in this region but when it gets high this time of year, that means cloud/rain which translates to no power (I’m 100% solar) to run things like dehumidifiers.
I’m getting ready to chop the other twin that is completing week 10 of flower.
I’ve fashioned a dry space above the tent and routed the exhaust fan discharge to circulate the air. On the surface seems like a bad idea given the prior mold detection but the humidity levels in this space are below those specified in the chart, temps a bit higher than ideal for drying. Even with these challenges, I’ve made great progress from past outdoor efforts burning up in 100+ degree post veg/summer solstice heat. And having sampled, I have 1 less item on my bucket list.
