1st Grow, Organic, Ceramic Metal Halide, Mandala Safari Mix

[dalkeith]

Hey,

Thought I'd post pics of my first grow for feedback. Keeping it simple. So I'm using Pro-Mix organic soil in a 3.5 gallon smart pot. Ferts are blood meal for veg, and bone meal for flower (and 1Tbs/gallon of blackstap molasses every other watering) . Currently at 5th day of 12/12 flowering stage that started when the plant was 8 inches since I don't have a lot of space. I'm using a 400W Ceramic Metal Halide lamp that was on 18/6 for Veg. I made a dumb mistake of topping after only the 2nd node, but it seems to be doing ok. I have some leaves curling down in the middle, thinking because of over watering, or maybe PH is off, not sure. I know I should have a PH meter, but I don't, plan to soon. I'm also manually putting in a cabinet within a closet for 12/12. Cover the cabinet with a thick sheet, and exhaust air out using a portable fan. Not the best setup but I'm doing it for fun to see what happens.
I've viewed all the pics around the forum, but I just can't convince myself, this thing look female?

 

[ISP_SmokeTrain]

Are you using steamed / finely ground bone meal ? If not, it takes awhile to breakdown, and release all it's goodness. What are the NPK numbers on the bone meal ? Does it have some Nitrogen in it ? Also, do you use compost tea, worm castings or are you adding any beneficial microlife in any way ? If not, those organic nutrients are just sitting there waiting for microlife to help break them down. This frees up the energy being used by the plants, obtaining nutrients, and allows them to put that energy into making more buddage. Just a few thoughts.

 

[dalkeith]

I'm using Bonide Bone Meal (4-12-0). It seems finely ground but it doesn't say steamed (says cooked on the back). I mixed 4 tablespoons into the soil a week before 12/12 so it would start breaking down. I'm not adding any microlife, so I'll have to look into that now (assuming it's female). Thanks.

Are you using steamed / finely ground bone meal ? If not, it takes awhile to breakdown, and release all it's goodness. What are the NPK numbers on the bone meal ? Does it have some Nitrogen in it ? Also, do you use compost tea, worm castings or are you adding any beneficial microlife in any way ? If not, those organic nutrients are just sitting there waiting for microlife to help break them down. This frees up the energy being used by the plants, obtaining nutrients, and allows them to put that energy into making more buddage. Just a few thoughts.

 

[CANNATOPIA]

Looking Good! Ill be watching this Grow! I am very curious to see the Sarfi Gals in action as I myself have a pack I have not started yet. Peace & Good Luck Friend.

 

[ISP_SmokeTrain]

Bonide brand is (cooked or steamed) and that does help in the efficent release of the NPK in it. For microlife on the cheap, a few come to mind. Root's Oregonism XL can be had in small 1 oz zips, Plant Success also has a small ziplock, and Super Plant Tonic by BMO (ebay) are all reasonably priced. Also, if a local nursery carries worm castings, or well aged mushroom compost, or well aged compost, these can be cheap sources of good microlife. The introduction of microlife into your medium, is a must have in true organic gardening, and truly is worth adding.

 

[dalkeith]

I've done some research, and what I am reading is that Budswel works well for microlife. Would the liquid version make sense? Appears the dry version requires a tea be made (maybe next one).

 

[ISP_SmokeTrain]

Budswel is microlife friendly, since it contains only natural (non-harsh-chemical) ingredients. In the past, I've bought the dry, because it was cheaper to ship. It can be topdressed or made into a tea and watered into your soil. I've never used the liquid, so I'll not offer an opinion on that. The thing about bloom guanos is they are fosilized, so the microlife in them faded long ago. A grow guano with higher nitrogen, is full of microlife. Since, you're already into flowering, I'd let my source of microlife be from worm castings, well aged compost, or one of the products I mentioned above. It's money well spent.

 

[dalkeith]

Feel much more knowledgeable already, thanks, you rock.

Budswel is microlife friendly, since it contains only natural (non-harsh-chemical) ingredients. In the past, I've bought the dry, because it was cheaper to ship. It can be topdressed or made into a tea and watered into your soil. I've never used the liquid, so I'll not offer an opinion on that. The thing about bloom guanos is they are fosilized, so the microlife in them faded long ago. A grow guano with higher nitrogen, is full of microlife. Since, you're already into flowering, I'd let my source of microlife be from worm castings, well aged compost, or one of the products I mentioned above. It's money well spent.

 

[darwinsbulldog]

nice stuff mate!

 

[CANNATOPIA]

Stopping back in ta see if there are Any new pix.

 

[dalkeith]

Still going strong, will post some pics in the next couple days. Waiting for some goodies in the mail as per feedback. I've ordered a PH meter as well. I never knew how much fun this could be!

 

[CANNATOPIA]

Right on Friend! Cant wait ta see the new Pictures. I'm Making a few orders myself. Siked out about the Free bees coming out lately. NG & IC Rock!

 

[dalkeith]

Some updated pics, 11 days into flowering. The plant is now 13 inches, meaning it has grown 5 inches during this time. I am watering with a ratio of 1 Tbl/gallon of Organic unsulphured blackstrap molasses. I don't see any evidence of it being male yet - so far so good I gather.

 

[dalkeith]

I think I'm just over two weeks flowering now. Plant is definitely showing pistols, and almost 17 inches. It's been fed some liquid Budswel, liquid karma, kelp, and botanicare pure blend flower formula.

 

[osoloco69]

Did you get those seeds as a freebie from the boo?

 

[dalkeith]

Some new pics @ 21" now, and I discovered that leaves curling up were a result of the small space she is kept in at night and leaves touching the side which should be corrected soon. One thing I am not good as is keeping track of dates, but I figure the first pistol was showing April 26th, so from reading that would now make it two weeks flowering. The hot pepper plants keep her company

 

[dalkeith]

Think we're 47 days since 12/12 now.

 

[BrainWave]

the girls are lookin' good.
keep up the good work

 

[dalkeith]

Day 62 of 12/12, which is the start of flowering time on the mandala web site. They also base it on start of 12/12 (I was confused there).
Flowering time: 62-75 days
I read most of the organic flushing thread, but I decided to go ahead and do it. Seems like it needs another week or two, so I'll just keep going. Here are the latest pics.

 

[dalkeith]

Thank for pointing me in the right direction guys. I am proof that all the resources on this web site/forums is what you need to complete a grow. To all the "new growers", keep it simple, get reputable seeds, use common sense, and respect mother nature Tks.