Footsteps In Becoming an Expert Grower

[Biosystem]

You are heading to the complete opposite end of commercial cannabis with those Event Horizon. They sound very much like the modern American West Coast cookies style. Should be quite the contrast to Zamaldelica.

Exactly! I am going to be pushing very hard into the more "heirloom/landraces" varieties for lack of a better term in the future - strains like original pure Thai, Congolese, Malawi Gold, afghans, hashplants, etc. But I do want to have something on hand to compare these things to the more "American poly-hybrid conglomerations of the same genes knocking around the west coast for the past 20 years." This strain is selected almost entirely for its aesthetic qualities from a "grower's enjoyment" perspective. I have always wanted to grow a cannabis strain so dark it was pitch black. This strain seems like the first one available in seed form that I could purchase and that didn't require additional prep work for full color expression.

If the yield, potency, effect and olfactory expressions are good as well, then I will be very very satisfied with this strain and keep it in my library - even if it isn't as unique as the more regional landraces strains I will be growing otherwise.

Strains like this may prove useful down in the coming years as I might want to make some crosses that feature more color or raw THC boost irrespective to unique effect. It will be another tool in the genetic toolbox. Maybe I'll like it and use it, maybe I'll like it and only keep it pure, maybe I'll dislike it and never cross it to anything again (even itself). Who knows?
But the plant in the ad was one of the most beautiful plants of ANY species I have ever seen, and as a plant nerd I think I would be a fool not to try to grow it if only to behold its beautiful flowers with my own two eyes - to say little of its psychoactive effects.

Man, one way or another we're about to find out what the deal is with this strain! It's gonna be a ton of fun!

 

[Biosystem]

EVENT HORIZON SEED SOW

I screwed up a little and germed these seeds on Tuesday, knowing I wouldn't have pucks for sprouting (a new method for me) until Friday. These gals were, uh, eager. I wasn't expecting that.

Check out these little trays though! PERFECT for 12 seeds, and they have the little humidity valve at the top.

 

[Biosystem]

POLLEN TENT

I'm so happy to finally have a little tent to flower pollen males in for breeding!

I have two plants currently on week 5 or so of flower with STS treatments once a week.
One is the Zamaldelica African Pheno and the other is a Zamaldelica Thai Pheno.

The next plant to go in here will be a reversed clone of my favorite Event Horizon pheno!

 

[Biosystem]

WEEK 2 OF FLOWER
Zamaldelica by ACE Seeds

Things are going okay. I am noticing some rust on the leaves of some of the ones of to the side, and some of the ones in the kiddie pool. I am unsure what it is, and I am worried. Perhaps it is a Cal or Mag deficiency? Any input welcome. No pests seen yet.

Also some photos of some clones going. They are weak, but they are coming along I suppose.

 

[gedLang]

WEEK 2 OF FLOWER
Zamaldelica by ACE Seeds

Things are going okay. I am noticing some rust on the leaves of some of the ones of to the side, and some of the ones in the kiddie pool. I am unsure what it is, and I am worried. Perhaps it is a Cal or Mag deficiency? Any input welcome. No pests seen yet.

Also some photos of some clones going. They are weak, but they are coming along I suppose.

Kinda looks like phosphorus/calcium deficiency to me. I would check pH of the soil.

 

[Biosystem]

I appreciate that. Unfortunately I trust my pH test kit about as much as I trust a shady man trying to sell me magic beans for my cow.

Perhaps I'll make a slurry, sample water, strain it and run a more accurate aquarium pH test.

I suspect this is a Cal/mag/phosphorus thing. I don't see pests, but boy am I going to be sad if I have to terminate this run due to buuugs.

 

[Biosystem]

Hey, @gedLang, I think we are right. I don't think the indicators for Cal deficiency are exclusive to the possibility phosphorus and/or Mg are deficient, but I'm definitely seeing leaf progression like this.
I'll need to find a quick fix for calcium in the meantime until I can get some more egg shell/ bone break down in the soil.

We have an identified enemy. We can make a plan. We can win.

 

[gedLang]

Hey, @gedLang, I think we are right. I don't think the indicators for Cal deficiency are exclusive to the possibility phosphorus and/or Mg are deficient, but I'm definitely seeing leaf progression like this.
I'll need to find a quick fix for calcium in the meantime until I can get some more egg shell/ bone break down in the soil.

We have an identified enemy. We can make a plan. We can win.

I'd say think about your inputs to determine whether an actual deficiency is likely. I use a lot of worm castings in my amended soil, which should cover basic calcium and magnesium needs. My water is around 8.4 pH coming out of the tap, and it is very stable, so I may have more pH issues than others. When I see signs that look like cal mag deficiencies, especially early in the grow when I think my soil should not yet be depleted, I'm looking at pH as a more likely culprit. Some folks say don't worry about pH in organic soil, but I do think it can cause problems if it gets too far out of range.

On the other hand, if your input pH is reasonable and you have not added new sources of P, cal, and mag since your previous grow, a plain deficiency seems more likely.

 

[Biosystem]

You're right on the money, gedLang. I have not added much in the way of amendments lately as I experienced a bit of nitrogen burn for a little bit last cycle - it's time to reammend, and in a hurry.
The soil with the worst of it has actually not been amended in a loooong time, and it is an "extra bin" with low priority. I guess it needs some love after all. The plants of most concern are in the kiddie pool, and those seem to be doing better overall.

pH is an important variable here and is worth checking even if I know the soil is probably running light on nutrients.

After a soil pH test (to determine how much to buffer), I intend to dissolve eggshells in vinegar and then rebuffer the acidity with potassium bicarbonate (adds useful potassium) instead of baking soda (adds unnecessary sodium). Adding that in combination with more blood, bones and perhaps a touch of inexpensive dissolvable phosphorus to bandaid them for a few weeks - at least to get them out of the danger zone of deficiency.