i am really hesitant to recommend my top watering procedure as it is very new and i haven't seen the results yet, but after reading about salts accumulating in the upper part of the medium with sub-irrigated plants i've started to give the tops about a liter+ of ro water only every 4 days. i'm trying to figure out a way of getting some kind of reading without having to take a core sample of the medium.
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Darth Fader's 1st Grow - DR100L/400watt CMH/wick/coco
- Thread starter Darth Fader
- Start date
Darth Fader
Member
Day 25 veg - Jan 26
no feeding, just a bit of training
Day 26 veg - Jan 27
nada
Here's some pics from day 26 veg. I noticed some mixed coloring on the Chem4. Not sure what this is, but I'll probably start a bit of top-watering w/ straight water every 3rd day or so. Not enough to add to the res, but just to get a bit of run-off.
Here's 3 shots of the Ch4 leaf shot w/ a variety of lighting. The missing leaf bits are b/c one of the cats just LOVES eating plants. He keeps chompin the fan leafs.
MK
CJ
Group shot
no feeding, just a bit of training
Day 26 veg - Jan 27
nada
Here's some pics from day 26 veg. I noticed some mixed coloring on the Chem4. Not sure what this is, but I'll probably start a bit of top-watering w/ straight water every 3rd day or so. Not enough to add to the res, but just to get a bit of run-off.
Here's 3 shots of the Ch4 leaf shot w/ a variety of lighting. The missing leaf bits are b/c one of the cats just LOVES eating plants. He keeps chompin the fan leafs.
MK
CJ
Group shot
Darth Fader
Member
yep, just the Chem 4.
i've got bottles of flora micro and flora bloom in front of me right now. the magnesium is in the bloom part at 1.5%. the nitrogen and calcium are in the micro at 5% each. by using the 6/9 formula which can be expressed as 2/3 you are cutting magnesium at the same time you are boosting ca and n. this is compared to the "lucas formula" of 8/16 or 1/2. supposed to be an adjustment coco needs. what strength are you feeding? if your dose is too light some plants might show a deficiency. i like at least 750 ppm or ec 1.5. i would suspect mg because of the increased n and ca.
while this may be your first weed grow you obviously have extensive gardening experience. although i have become a decent vegetable gardener when i first grew pot it was my first grow period and i murdered some plants.
while this may be your first weed grow you obviously have extensive gardening experience. although i have become a decent vegetable gardener when i first grew pot it was my first grow period and i murdered some plants.
Darth Fader
Member
Day 27 veg - Jan 28
no feeding
Day 28 veg - Jan 29
flushed w/ 2 gal H20 @ 6.2pH (over 3 plants =.67 gal ea)
Day 29 veg - Jan 30
flushed w/ 2 gal H20 & 10ml CalMag @ 6.0pH (over 3 plants: 1 gal to the Ch4, 1/2 gal to the other 2 )
After taking notice of each plants reservoir level, I added an extra gal distilled H20 + 7ml CalMag to Casey Jones as her res was pretty low. She's a thirsty girl.
Made a trip to Lowes for a scrog screen. Picked up 2"x2 5/8" green vinyl fencing (3'x3') & (4) 3-ft lengths of PVC to lash it up to the corners of the tent. Drilled out holes along the PVC & zip tied them to the corner poles. Used a little twisty wire thru the PVC holes to tie up the screen.
FINALLY, veg is done! I put these bad boys (girls) into darkness tonight. 12/12 has begun!
D9, firstly, thanks for your help. Probably half of the first 2 week's feedings were at half strength. After that I was at 6/9 every time. The only caveat to that it that I'm eyeballing the water level in a 5-gal bucket. So while my notes may read "fed 2 gal mixed nutes", it's not exact; it may be 1.9 gal, 2.15 gal, etc. I just got a 1-gal jug so I can measure precisely. My real concern w/ this system is everything sitting in the rez, nutes settling unevenly, & breeding who knows what kind of bacteria. The whole idea for me was KISS in order to reduce my odds of failure. I think it's going ok, but w/ a res full of run-off & settled nute-mix, it's a bit how shall I say ... "In the hands of the gods". Top watering is a one-shot chance to make an immediate impact on (read: correction to) any deficiencies.
I did pick up some CalMag yesterday & did some more flushing - Mostly to the Chem 4, but also a bit to the others. I think straight water must've helped b/c they didn't look as bad as I thought they did before.
Thx for the compliments sir, you are too kind. But in all honesty I've never grown anything successfully in my life. Only tried a couple houseplants 20 yrs ago & they didn't last long LOL. If anything, I do a lot of reading & owe a shit-ton to these forums and all the posters. The individuals are too many to name; THANK YOU ALL. Other than that any credit may go to using this great organic/coco medium. I'll probably run the entire Roots organics nutes line next run for a full comparison b/w basic HG vs completely organic. It would be nice to pull weight, but ultimately quality is far more important than quantity. I'd like to see the difference in flavor & quality.
This was about having a fun project, filling up a few nice personal jars of green, & testing the market to see if it's feasible to make a few bucks. It's all changed now as I've gotten more interested in activism. I just found the "Run form the Cure" video on youtube and the whole Rick Simpson story. I now plan on keeping an ounce of each strain and making oil from the rest. I'd like to find a couple local cancer patients & see if I can help change the status quo. It's pretty exciting too even think about and will no doubt be extremely rewarding.
Edit note: edited for better grammar & spelling
no feeding
Day 28 veg - Jan 29
flushed w/ 2 gal H20 @ 6.2pH (over 3 plants =.67 gal ea)
Day 29 veg - Jan 30
flushed w/ 2 gal H20 & 10ml CalMag @ 6.0pH (over 3 plants: 1 gal to the Ch4, 1/2 gal to the other 2 )
After taking notice of each plants reservoir level, I added an extra gal distilled H20 + 7ml CalMag to Casey Jones as her res was pretty low. She's a thirsty girl.
Made a trip to Lowes for a scrog screen. Picked up 2"x2 5/8" green vinyl fencing (3'x3') & (4) 3-ft lengths of PVC to lash it up to the corners of the tent. Drilled out holes along the PVC & zip tied them to the corner poles. Used a little twisty wire thru the PVC holes to tie up the screen.
FINALLY, veg is done! I put these bad boys (girls) into darkness tonight. 12/12 has begun!
D9, firstly, thanks for your help. Probably half of the first 2 week's feedings were at half strength. After that I was at 6/9 every time. The only caveat to that it that I'm eyeballing the water level in a 5-gal bucket. So while my notes may read "fed 2 gal mixed nutes", it's not exact; it may be 1.9 gal, 2.15 gal, etc. I just got a 1-gal jug so I can measure precisely. My real concern w/ this system is everything sitting in the rez, nutes settling unevenly, & breeding who knows what kind of bacteria. The whole idea for me was KISS in order to reduce my odds of failure. I think it's going ok, but w/ a res full of run-off & settled nute-mix, it's a bit how shall I say ... "In the hands of the gods". Top watering is a one-shot chance to make an immediate impact on (read: correction to) any deficiencies.
I did pick up some CalMag yesterday & did some more flushing - Mostly to the Chem 4, but also a bit to the others. I think straight water must've helped b/c they didn't look as bad as I thought they did before.
Thx for the compliments sir, you are too kind. But in all honesty I've never grown anything successfully in my life. Only tried a couple houseplants 20 yrs ago & they didn't last long LOL. If anything, I do a lot of reading & owe a shit-ton to these forums and all the posters. The individuals are too many to name; THANK YOU ALL. Other than that any credit may go to using this great organic/coco medium. I'll probably run the entire Roots organics nutes line next run for a full comparison b/w basic HG vs completely organic. It would be nice to pull weight, but ultimately quality is far more important than quantity. I'd like to see the difference in flavor & quality.
This was about having a fun project, filling up a few nice personal jars of green, & testing the market to see if it's feasible to make a few bucks. It's all changed now as I've gotten more interested in activism. I just found the "Run form the Cure" video on youtube and the whole Rick Simpson story. I now plan on keeping an ounce of each strain and making oil from the rest. I'd like to find a couple local cancer patients & see if I can help change the status quo. It's pretty exciting too even think about and will no doubt be extremely rewarding.
Edit note: edited for better grammar & spelling
Darth Fader
Member
Group shots
Casey Jones
Master Kush
Chem 4
Apparently I am out of space in my album(s). Can't upload the scrog screen pics. There must be something I don't know. I created a 2nd album for flowering to no avail If anyone could wise-me-up on a solution, I'd appreciate it.
Casey Jones
Master Kush
Chem 4
Apparently I am out of space in my album(s). Can't upload the scrog screen pics. There must be something I don't know. I created a 2nd album for flowering to no avail If anyone could wise-me-up on a solution, I'd appreciate it.
i too am politically motivated. i want to see as many people as possible producing their own medicine. large numbers for us is the only way, we have to out vote them.
i really messed this post up, hope you can make sense of it. i don't know what i did wrong.
Darth Fader
Member
Darth Fader
Member
Day 1 flower - Jan 31
no feeding
Day 2 flower - Feb 1
no feeding
Day 3 flower - Feb2
1 gal mixed nutes 6/9 + 10ml Hygrozyme + 10ml CalMag pH'd to 5.65
Q1: Should I be mixing all the nutes & additives together (Micro + Bloom + Hygrozyme +CalMag) and then pH the whole mix? This IS what I've been doing.
Q2: I'm a bit lacking in equip. No fan, no humidity meter. I'm venting w/ a cooltube & cheapo inline fan. Is this enough? Is humidity a big deal for a lil 3x3 tent in the apt?
Q3: temps in the tent go from 65F @ night/morning to 77 in the day. Is this fine?
no feeding
Day 2 flower - Feb 1
no feeding
Day 3 flower - Feb2
1 gal mixed nutes 6/9 + 10ml Hygrozyme + 10ml CalMag pH'd to 5.65
Q1: Should I be mixing all the nutes & additives together (Micro + Bloom + Hygrozyme +CalMag) and then pH the whole mix? This IS what I've been doing.
Q2: I'm a bit lacking in equip. No fan, no humidity meter. I'm venting w/ a cooltube & cheapo inline fan. Is this enough? Is humidity a big deal for a lil 3x3 tent in the apt?
Q3: temps in the tent go from 65F @ night/morning to 77 in the day. Is this fine?
hey!
q1: yes
q2: you need enough air movement to make the plants move slightly.
no dead spots. humidity can be a problem but in so cal if your apartment feels good to you it's probably ok for the plants. if you do get a meter try to keep it under 60%.
q3: temps are good.
Darth Fader
Member
Day 4 flower - Feb3
-nada
Day 5 flower - Feb4
-top layer was dryed out on the Ch4 & MK
-added 1/2 gal to ea - 6/9 + 5ml CalMag + 5ml Hygrozyme per gal
-over ph'ed (down ) & had to add some filtered H20 to bring it back up to 5.56
Day 6 flowerr - Feb5
Overall they're looking pretty good & have 3-4 inches since flipping. There are a few small issues. They'll be a good education if I can learn what the problem is.
First off, the Casey has had zero issues; it's resilience makes it very easy. The Chem4 seems to be the touchiest. The MK will have a few off leaves while looking great overall.
Here's a link for the 13 Day 6 Flower photos.
pale yellow tip:
You can see on the Chem 4 a couple leaves w/ bright pale yellow tips. Looks like this is the very beginning - I'm catching it early. But recall it was the Chem 4 w/ the Mg problem as well. Her needs are just a bit different, though I can tell exactly what she wants.
-nada
Day 5 flower - Feb4
-top layer was dryed out on the Ch4 & MK
-added 1/2 gal to ea - 6/9 + 5ml CalMag + 5ml Hygrozyme per gal
-over ph'ed (down ) & had to add some filtered H20 to bring it back up to 5.56
Day 6 flowerr - Feb5
Overall they're looking pretty good & have 3-4 inches since flipping. There are a few small issues. They'll be a good education if I can learn what the problem is.
First off, the Casey has had zero issues; it's resilience makes it very easy. The Chem4 seems to be the touchiest. The MK will have a few off leaves while looking great overall.
Here's a link for the 13 Day 6 Flower photos.
pale yellow tip:
You can see on the Chem 4 a couple leaves w/ bright pale yellow tips. Looks like this is the very beginning - I'm catching it early. But recall it was the Chem 4 w/ the Mg problem as well. Her needs are just a bit different, though I can tell exactly what she wants.
Hey DF
I never thought of C4 as finicky. Mine's always the best looking plant in the garden.
Looking pretty good. I'm curious what your res is going to look like at the end of the run. I thought about the wick thing, and didn't because I didn't like the bucket in a bucket idea, and having to hassle with the wicks at planting time, and then if I repot up, then what?
Nice big plants, I'd like to see you drill a bunch of holes in those 5 gallon buckets and run in those next time
You said next time you'll use the Roots Organic nute line. Probably a good idea. I suppose they're made special for the Roots Organic coco medium. Maybe using hydro nutes with a medium that has some nutes in it would cause some nutrient antagonisms that may be the cause of your spots?
I never thought of C4 as finicky. Mine's always the best looking plant in the garden.
Looking pretty good. I'm curious what your res is going to look like at the end of the run. I thought about the wick thing, and didn't because I didn't like the bucket in a bucket idea, and having to hassle with the wicks at planting time, and then if I repot up, then what?
Nice big plants, I'd like to see you drill a bunch of holes in those 5 gallon buckets and run in those next time
You said next time you'll use the Roots Organic nute line. Probably a good idea. I suppose they're made special for the Roots Organic coco medium. Maybe using hydro nutes with a medium that has some nutes in it would cause some nutrient antagonisms that may be the cause of your spots?
Darth Fader
Member
Hi Hazy, I appreciate your input. Standing back it looks pretty healthy - it's really just on the very tips except for one leaf. It's just that up close the color diff is pretty stark. I figured it was an initial showing of what was to come, but today it doesn't seem like a big deal.
You & me both. Who know's what's going on down there. Now that the scrog is up, I realize I painted myself in a corner in one way, I can see the res level (never put in the float) and I can't change it out. I suppose if push came to shove I could cut the scrog into 4 equal sections & wire it back together when I'm done. Since I can't see the H20 level, I'm reduced to getting on hands & knees & feeling the "topsoil" for dryness.
I guess everthing is a compromise at some level. I like it since I only have to water every 3rd day. But, yeah, I think it requires that you commit to a certain sized pot from the start.
One big-ass tree!?! Sounds like fun, but considering my small tent, it would be putting all my eggs in one basket. I was thinking of trying 3.7 gal Air pots. I think they'll still sit in/on the 5-gal/res and still leave space for air movement. I'm very curious how the roots are going to look when it's all over.Nice big plants, I'd like to see you drill a bunch of holes in those 5 gallon buckets and run in those next time
Thanks for all the great comments. Yep, it's like the Pepsi challenge. As far as I'm concerned the H3ad recipe is just round 1. I'm really happy w/ the Roots mix, and there is very little out there in terms of grow journals w/ their products. They deserve the chance to have it done their way if I'm going to rep their products. I Just wish I had more room to grow. I'm already planning on re-vegging the Casey to make sure I get a true clone & a fair comparison. I've got some sick OG Kush bean that I'm dying to pop though too. Decisions, decisions.
Darth Fader
Member
Day 7 flowerr - Feb 6
Split the leftover 1-gal mix from last feeding b/w MK & CJ. The Ch4 was still moist.
So here we are at the end of wk 1 flower. Looking at the early canopy, it is starting to take on a bowl shape. This is probably due the vertical light's output being the weakest directly underneath it. I was going to vscrog, which probably would've worked great, but at this point my best bet is probably to get a reflector & hang the light in the normal horizontal position. Live & learn.
Split the leftover 1-gal mix from last feeding b/w MK & CJ. The Ch4 was still moist.
So here we are at the end of wk 1 flower. Looking at the early canopy, it is starting to take on a bowl shape. This is probably due the vertical light's output being the weakest directly underneath it. I was going to vscrog, which probably would've worked great, but at this point my best bet is probably to get a reflector & hang the light in the normal horizontal position. Live & learn.
hi, one solution to the res buildup would be to drill a single hole at whatever level you would like in the sidewall of the bucket. this would allow a slight overflow.
tip burn is typically associated with over ferting, but it can also be caused by calcium. letting the medium dry out temporarily raises the medium tds. this can also cause tip burn. i checked the tds of the 6/9 for you and it came to 708 with ro water so i don't believe you are over ferting.
the fact that only one plant is showing any problems means that you are real close to being correct.
tip burn is typically associated with over ferting, but it can also be caused by calcium. letting the medium dry out temporarily raises the medium tds. this can also cause tip burn. i checked the tds of the 6/9 for you and it came to 708 with ro water so i don't believe you are over ferting.
the fact that only one plant is showing any problems means that you are real close to being correct.
Darth Fader
Member
Day 8 flowerr - Feb 7
*pH 5.8: 6/9 micro/bloom + 5ml Hygrozyme + 5 ml CalMag
Beginning week 2. I like having a extra gallon of mixed nutes on hand for a convenient & quick feeding so I usually mix an extra gallon now. I Mixed 2 gal. total & ended up using 1.
Well .. hard to see the water level in 2 of those buckets, so I went by feeling for topsoil moisture. Felt dry on all three. Not bone dry, but little moisture. I fed all three a total of 1.2 gal mixed nutes* & noticed that I had overwatered all three. There was an inch of standing nute mix. The wife ran out & got a cheap turkey baster & it made quick work of removing the 0.2 gal excess. Odd, the topsoil was always moist to the touch thru veg.
After removing the excess res mix, I measured it @ pH 6.8. That makes me think I can safely go as low as 5.5 & the plants should get a shot at uptaking all the diff elements as the ph passes thru ea parts "available range".
D9, thx for the ppm check; good to know.
Yep, I think you're right about drilling the hole. I'll just have to get a litter box for run-off. Next run I may cut off the top of the bucket. Serves little purpose & would let the the smart post breathe much better.Same problem
Same problem
Hey Fader... Thanks for sharing your grow! Things are lookin good bro. You're feeding the same formula as me, in the same medium, and having the same paleness between the veins on the new growth. You are about 1 week ahead of me in your cycle and I am watching you to see how it goes.
I originally thought it was a magnesium deficiency and added epsom salt 4 days ago. I thought it was helping, but now, 4 days later, the problem is still there (sorry no pics but it looks just like yours). I'm thinking this is related to one of the following: chlorine in my water, ph is off, zinc def, or iron def.
I'm buying a ph meter today because dripping drops and comparing colors isn't cutting it. I'm also going to start letting the chlorine evaporate before I use the water. I'll give it a couple days and see if the stable ph and lack of chlorine helps. If not, I'm thinking of adding (or spraying) something for zinc, then onto iron.
I am very interested to know if you figure it out on your end. I'll come back and let you know what I come up with.
Thanks again!
Same problem
Hey Fader... Thanks for sharing your grow! Things are lookin good bro. You're feeding the same formula as me, in the same medium, and having the same paleness between the veins on the new growth. You are about 1 week ahead of me in your cycle and I am watching you to see how it goes.
I originally thought it was a magnesium deficiency and added epsom salt 4 days ago. I thought it was helping, but now, 4 days later, the problem is still there (sorry no pics but it looks just like yours). I'm thinking this is related to one of the following: chlorine in my water, ph is off, zinc def, or iron def.
I'm buying a ph meter today because dripping drops and comparing colors isn't cutting it. I'm also going to start letting the chlorine evaporate before I use the water. I'll give it a couple days and see if the stable ph and lack of chlorine helps. If not, I'm thinking of adding (or spraying) something for zinc, then onto iron.
I am very interested to know if you figure it out on your end. I'll come back and let you know what I come up with.
Thanks again!
Darth Fader
Member
Gonz,
I let my H20 sit overnight to gas off the chlorine & I top feed b/w 5.5 - 5.8. I've only added straight 6.0 H20 twice, last time right before I started the CalMag. The run-off stays in the res which I recently measured @ 6.8, so the coco is pulling it up a bit.
I'm pretty happy w/ the grow, no yellowing as of last night (yellow tips gone), but check out Thundurkel's last photos. He switched to another nute line & his plants look amazing: dark, shiny leaves (I think this is good, right?)
Isn't the big issue w/ coco that the P or K is too high which causes Ca buildup, which then causes the Mg lockout? I'm not too sharp on that stuff, but that's what I gathered.
P.S. I'll get some new pics up tonight.
I let my H20 sit overnight to gas off the chlorine & I top feed b/w 5.5 - 5.8. I've only added straight 6.0 H20 twice, last time right before I started the CalMag. The run-off stays in the res which I recently measured @ 6.8, so the coco is pulling it up a bit.
I'm pretty happy w/ the grow, no yellowing as of last night (yellow tips gone), but check out Thundurkel's last photos. He switched to another nute line & his plants look amazing: dark, shiny leaves (I think this is good, right?)
Isn't the big issue w/ coco that the P or K is too high which causes Ca buildup, which then causes the Mg lockout? I'm not too sharp on that stuff, but that's what I gathered.
P.S. I'll get some new pics up tonight.
