Only my 2nd grow and first time growing photoperiods. Goldleaf chart says typically 4-8 weeks in Veg. I’m only at 4 weeks.
Looking for advise and suggestions on when to flip these photoperiods to Flower given current height, condition of plants right now, height of my tent, etc. Plants are currently 20" tall from base of soil to top of plant.
From base of soil to top of tent is 67", figure I need around 12" of space for the lights. So if I were to flip to flower now, at most plants would be 40" tall, leaving only 15" from top of plant to base of light 67"-12" = 55"-plant height of 40"). I would like at least 18". That is my concern.
2. RE feeding nutes. Run off on Gold Leaf (large plants) are between 1,200 - 1,500 so shouldn’t I wait to feed until PPMs come down? Or should I start feeding Fox Farms nutes maybe ¼ dose of recommended now based on how they look?
GROW INFORMATION
-Tent is 4x4x6
-Strain- ILGM gold leaf feminized (4 large plants) I also have 3 small wedding cake photoperiods which are 2.5 weeks in veg.
-4 weeks into veg // NO NUTES yet just FFOF soil.
-Soil = FF ocean forest in 5 gallon pots. Started in solo cups, then 1 gallon pots.
-RH is around 60% and temps around 65-70F
-PPM during run off test was 1,200 to 1,500 for all plants. PH was around 5 on all plans (TRYING TO BRING IT UP to 6.5)
-Water = RO PH’d to 7. JUST STARTED adding calmag a few days ago. I water when lots feel light.
-Lights - 2 electric sky ES300 LEDS in 4x4x6 tent. They are around 20" from plants. PAR is around 450-500.
-AC Infinity 6" fan constantly runs at level 2 or 3
-Small 6" fan mounted on tent pole oscillates on low
-No pests I can see.
two of the plants have yellow veins pretty bad and I think it’s because PH measured at runoff is only 5 (s/b 6-7). I would like the plants to be in better health before I flip to Flower but worried about running out of height in my tent if they do double in size.
I would top let them go 1 or 2 weeks depending on growth and flip. That is how i do it in my 54 inch tall tent when they are between 18 to 20 inches tall and more often than not they get touch my light.
Have you followed the recommended flush schedule for fox farms soil. Sounds like its time if you are getting a pH of 5 on your runoff. It will lock your girls out of nutrients. You should be watering to get approximately 20% runoff each time and even then you still have to flush your soil. Do you have the sledgehammer flush agent? If not, it takes 3 times the amount of water per gallon of soil. 5 gal = 15 gallon of water. I would make sure you’re dialed in before i would flip to flower. Best of luck growmie.
No I haven’t. No flushes or added any nutes. However I have been watering to about 20% runoff each time. Ordering the sledgehammer flush and FF nutes tomorrow. I feel like I’m running out of time to get them dialed in before flipping so that’s why I did this post
It’s been kind of a battle this grow as I didn’t realize RO water needs some nutrients (or Calmag) in order to properly PH it.
Thinking I should top them, do the sledgehammer flush and see where I’m at with PH.
Not necessary Grow Bro, their soils are organically amended, the recommended flush is for their synthetic nutrients once those are introduced to the soil a 30 day flush is recommended due to high salt content. Liberal run off on feed days can mitigate the flush
Are you testing the PH and PPMs in the run off? This will let you know when to start a nutrient regiment and I would recommend starting nutrients once the run off PPMs are around 800ish
Thx for your advice. Yes just tested runoff on two plants after watering. PH is coming up, now at 6.2 and PPM 1,260. Other plant was similar #’s.
I was searching this forum last night, seems people suggest feeding once the PPMs get to 1,000 you mentioned 800 so it seems like I still have to get the PPM down before I start feeding.
I ordered some Dolomite lime. Never used but read that is good for bringing up PH. That in conjunction with PH’ng incoming water around 7 is good approach?
Applied in the same manner as calcitic lime, dolomitic lime takes at least a year before achieving measurable results unless the soil pH is extremely low
pH up would work immediatley as you add it to your water/feeding last right before you feed/water.
Looks like wood ash from hardwoods are one of the best sources to raise pH quickly if not using pH up. Just top dress and massage into your soil and water it in.
I would top them now and maybe try some lst to the higher branches. I haven’t grown a tall strain yet but i imagine id want to start lst as soon as possible when i do try a sativa.
Yep top dress some pot ash (potashium) will help raise PH
Sweet lime can help just not as fast
@NorCal
I’ve grown many gold leaf mostly from clones after first 2 seeds and they get big. I would recommend starting to tie those mothers down now as you get things sorted out it can result in more big buds and keep em lower.
This looks like maybe a magnesium deficiency if someone else can confirm I would use a quart of RO water and a teaspoon of epsom salt and mix up…make sure it is as it takes 20 min or so for epsom to completely dissolve and spray the plants with it.
May be due to ph being too low and plant isn’t able to eat magnesium.
@Skydiver
My runoff PH still down at 6.2 even though water going in is at 7.2. I am using RO water but add 5ml cal mag and 1 tsp epsom salt. I’ve been using cal mag and over 7 Ph water for 9 days now. Should I be watering with like 7.5 PH?
I can’t find any pot ash air sale online. Searched for potashium but only comes up with potassium lol.
Would this work?
Any other thoughts on how to get my PH up quickly? I’m getting nervous about lack of room in my tent and want to flip them soon. But still seeing magnesium deficiency.
