Greensome's closet grow #2

Hey there folks! This is my second grow, the previous being in a tent. For this run, I have the following;

1x 400w MH/HPS, 1x 600w MH/HPS
6'x5'x6' of total space available
Hurricane 4" fan with Phresh filter
1x Deathstar F1
1x Acapulco Gold (unknown origin)
2x Tahoe Alien #5
2x Blueberry (DJ Flo)
1x Ghost Train Haze #8 (from seed)
Using a mix of FFOF and Sunshine #4, AN Sensi Grow, AN Connoisseur, Great White, and a dash of standalone CalMag.

First and foremost, these lights were purchased with a different arrangement in place. I was using two tents (veg and flower), and had the appropriate light for each.

My space has changed however, and I'll likely be using both lights for flowering. I do not have an additional veg space, but can work that out later.

Each plant undergoes fairly heavy LST. I have height restrictions, and scrogging is not the best option here, so fimming and LST keep the plants low while I try to canopy over the floor space.

Each of these strains I've picked for a particular reason. I will be cloning the ones I favor the most as both a consumer and producer.

There will be other plants added along the way, but I'd like the journal to focus on these particular plants in question. We must have an end time for this project

Toward the final stages of this blog, I'd like to give wet and dry weight, and a review of each of the strains.

So, a few pictures, and an intro to the ladies.



2 gallon pots, will likely repot to 3 gallon bags.






This is Blueberry. So far so good. She is a very strong and healthy, fast grower. Spacing is about average but nodes are healthy and strong.




Here is another Blueberry clone that is one week younger.




1/2

This is the Acapulco Gold. I was told that it is AG, but I don't 100% trust the source. I have looked around and it does appear similar to images I see of others claiming to be AG.


I will say that this is the slowest growing plant I have ever had. I have been very disappointed thus far, however, I have noticed that the spacing is ultra tight. I've never seen node spacing like this before.
I did have a problem with this and the Deathstar in the past (see below)

Here are the Tahoe Alien #5. They come from a trusted source and a great mother.


Here is the Ghost Train Haze #8. It came from bagseed. However, careful inspection of the flower revealed a tiny hermie flower behind the seed, so I'm fairly certain it self-pollinated. There were no other seeds in the 1/2 ounce. I have fimmed the top and will soon transplant and lightly LST.



Last but not least is the Deathstar F1. It does display hybrid vigor. The AG and Deathstar were the same size at one time. However, the comparison may be extreme as the AG has stunted growth next to an F1.
It has 25 tops that get unobstructed light.




I had a problem with the Deathstar and AG early on. I used a shot of Sensi Grow at half strength, and the plants soon began to display stunted growth and some yellowing. I soon found that the nutes were rather old and had been stored improperly. This upset the PH resulting in a lockout.

Before I had figured this out however, I had redosed the plants a week later at full strength. I was growing in Sunshine Mix #4 only, and reasoned that there could be an actual deficiency. Once I began to suspect the nutes, I did heavy flushing.

At this point however, the plants continued to get worse, appearing to have both a Cal and Mag deficiency. I made a foliar spray to put on the leaves with just a touch of Cal Mag, but the problem persisted.

I then reasoned that I had added bad nutes, to which I flushed and completely removed nutes causing a deficiency. The hail mary pass at this point was to once again, dose at full strength. I did, and the plants have recovered and growth returned to previous levels.

I will say however that the AG seems to have something wrong. I have been taking it out into the sun for about 4 hours a day and in the light 20/4 the rest of the time.

I'll update as the plants progress.

2/2

Ooooh much fun. That Deathstar is crazy. I'm in for the long run, good luck.

Got up this morning to check on a couple of things.

I saw a couple of fliers in the room, go directly toward the light. I couldn't find other bugs anywhere.

Dug around in the soil and inspected roots - no movement, nothing out of place. Leaves on all plants are free of infestation of any kind. I did notice however, that there are large swarms of gnats outside, and sometimes one or two get in. I reasoned that this might be the issue, but after reading online it seems that the Acapulco Gold could possibly be dealing with root aphids, though I kind of doubt it.

I mean look at this fucker; 7 weeks at veg. The leaves and stems are scrawny and tiny.


I did a bit of foliar feed, but I really have to clone this thing, and start in a new pot or something.

Now onto the Deathstar. Looking good. Oh wait...


Looks like the start of some kind of lockout or burn. I did feed full strength recently, but this is the only leaf on the plant newly affected by any discoloration.

In any case, fingers crossed!

Alright folks! Decided to be a bit more proactive with the minor problems facing a couple of plants.

First we have the Deathstar. I went ahead and ran her through a flush as I could see a lockout beginning (see previous post). She's a bit unhappy right now because of the over-watering. However, I have started once again with some light lst on this plant.



Now on to the Acapulco Gold. This plant has just no cooperated at all. Nute, flush, resoil; it doesn't matter. This plant insists upon slow growth and tiny nodes.

So, I took four cuttings from it to retry in new medium, and removed all of the wires and ties I had in place to lst the plant. Today, I was surprised when I went into the grow room.



This thing just doesn't want to be held back. I never thought that some strains would slow down and maybe even die off if trained. Anyone else have experience with AG and lst? In any case, her color is coming back and she's growing. I think this time I will just do a mini SoG configuration with the cuttings, if I decide to keep this girl around.

Oh, and Blueberry says, "hi!"

More Deathstar LST. Under 400w MH.

Well, some surprises here both good and bad.

First I've left the deathstar pretty much alone. Today I was looking it over and noticed spots of powdery mildew, I'm fairly certain in no small part attributed to the overwatering.

I sprayed with Serenade which eliminated problem areas in about 15 minutes. Problem is, I find new spots here and there so I basically misted the entire plant. Entire house smelled like that shit.

I have also been getting these girls ready to flip. In the process, I decided to add my second MH bulb to get more coverage. I was surprised by what I found...

Check out these two pictures each with a different light running.





As I plugged in my new MH, it hit me that the one I had been using all this time was jacked up. I noticed that it didn't seem very bright to me for the wattage compared to when I had used it last, and having seen the deep blue of the properly working MH, I knew that bulb was toast. Hopefully the deathstar and AG will magically become problem free overnight

In any case, running 600w MH now to fill out the canopy and bulk up the Tahoe Alien #5
Now for you CFL junkies, a new member...

.

This is Purple Haze from ilovegrowingmarijuana.com
I won't be making a blog on this particular plant, but we will check in on it from time to time.

She's in a GH Waterfarm unit using Sensi Grow.

Went ahead and chopped the Deathstar. Checked out roots and soil for bugs. Didn't see anything. The root ball on that plant was about the size of a grapefruit. It just seems to not have put out the root growth to match the foliage. Constant problems, now a flier here or there in the room (one looked like a root aphid, the rest don't), moving the hydro (this is my last soil run), 5 gallon bucket... I was so done with it. I've never had so many problems with a plant in veg. But it's gone and the others look pretty good.

Update!

Ok, I have confirmed that all plants are infected with root aphids. There are winged root aphids that appear once in awhile.

I have identified the source of the infestation to be from the rockwool. I tore apart remaining pieces to see black dots which I assume to be root aphid larvae.

I will begin to treat all plants in a few hours with mosquito dunks. These are safe and for use in organic gardening. I have yet to hear about these failing to correct the problem after two to three applications. I will be soaking a dunk in a container for awhile, then will water the plants in soil.

LOL I meant Bayer Fruit and Veg, not mosquito dunks... stoned...

BTW, the rate of application for that stuff is .5 oz per quart per 10ft2. There is confusion about the ratio of application.

Directions are 1 quart of water for 10 square feet of soil surface with .5 fl oz mixed in. I contend that it takes more than a quart to cover the area. So I will mix .5 fl oz with each quart and use as much water as necessary to lightly cover the surface of the soil. Guessing a gallon or so.

Alright, change of plans here. Went to the hydro store and another patron brought up, "GoGnats" as a preliminary measure to address aphids in the soil.

It's only cedar oil, but figured I'd try it. I was told by the patron to use 12ml/gal and to do a light watering at the plant base, not a root drench.

Applied about 20 hours ago. Have to say, I'm impressed. No fliers, no movement in the soil whatsoever after one treatment.
Having said that, I also just treated with Bayer Fruit and Veg. (imidacloprid 0.235%) for good measure, as it not only kills off aphids but will act as an obstacle to them re-establishing.

So, trucking along...

Here are what remain from back left to right, then front left to right;

Ghost Train Haze #8
Blueberry (DJ Short)
Tahoe Alien #5
Blueberry (DJ Short)

I predict that the GTH#8 will be a huge stretch.



I did see another winged root aphid fly up from the canopy and into the light. I reapplied the GoGnats cedar oil and once again, no fliers. When I removed the MH bulb, there were about 20 aphids stuck to it. I replaced with a clean HPS bulb and will check it to see if any bugs get stuck to it.

Don't need sticky paper, the bulb is handling that job

To add: Begin flower 07-18-14

Greensome said:

Alright, change of plans here. Went to the hydro store and another patron brought up, "GoGnats" as a preliminary measure to address aphids in the soil.

It's only cedar oil, but figured I'd try it. I was told by the patron to use 12ml/gal and to do a light watering at the plant base, not a root drench.

Applied about 20 hours ago. Have to say, I'm impressed. No fliers, no movement in the soil whatsoever after one treatment.
Having said that, I also just treated with Bayer Fruit and Veg. (imidacloprid 0.235%) for good measure, as it not only kills off aphids but will act as an obstacle to them re-establishing.

So, trucking along...

Click to expand...

I have the GoGnats as well. Do you mean just water around the stem of the plant or what?

Well, with the GoGnats I do a light watering, not a root drench. I cover the top of the soil with water, at least.

With the Imidacloprid, I did a light watering around the base of the plants.

After 1 week...



Root aphids seem to be gone, at least there are no fliers or movements in the soil that I can see.

Here is the big LST Blueberry again. I transplanted this during the first week of flower as it was showing signs of being rootbound. I know that in flower roots don't really grow much, but they do a little. I transplanted and she has cleared right up from her perpetually droopy and yellowing leaves.

You go girl!


These have survived root aphids and I'm dealing now with some powdery mildew. The Serenade is keeping it in check, as it stays in small patches on the lower, dying fan leaves. I can usually eliminate all signs of it, then a few days later I'll notice it again, respray, repeat.

Today, I sprayed all plant foliage with Greencure to help with powdery mildew. Serenade does in fact work, but is tedious and less effective than other solutions. Nothing on buds, mostly lower leaves. Small spots that one has to really look for, so hopefully I've caught it early and can keep it under control.

Otherwise, all plants look very healthy. I will go out on a limb and offer than the transplant for the large Blueberry 8 days into flower was a success, and the plant looks stronger and healthier than ever. It needed it and it worked. In flower. Just sayin...

I think one application of Eagle 20 during veg works for PM.. Or am I mistaking..?