Formal Grow Journal: Bagseed + More! Flo + 400W HPS indoors!

[Ekras]

Well I FINALLY got permission to post -- took like 3 days....

Anyway I'm putting a copy of my grow journal here for those of you who don't use the other forum I'm on. If you see any references to people etc. who aren't on this board thats why

PLEASE feel free to post comments, questions, answers to questions etc.

OK well I've posted several threads around the board regarding my grow -- needed help deciding all sorts of stuff. Someone suggested I start a formal grow journal to keep people up to date, and so you guys can watch the magic happen.

I'm going to skip the story about where the seeds come from -- they are unknown origin bagseed - not the greatest high but decent.

I am also going to be ordering seeds of several types. The only type I have decided on is PPP from here (will order next week) - I will likely grow another type later on as well, and will update this main thread, as well as put a post about it later on.

I started the grow with floresents (2 40 watt bulbs) but have as of today upgraded to a 400 Watt HPS system.

 

[bagseed77]

i love bagseed,anticipation of whats to come,any free weed is good weed.
i hear people say their bagseed sucked,ive yet to have any that wouldnt
get me high, some just better than others.
WELCOME

 

[Ekras]

Soil

Soil

Before I get into the plants themselves this is the soil I'm going to be using:

I have:

6-12-0 Bone Meal
Enriched Potting Soil
Peat Moss
12-0-0 Blood Meal
1 Bucket of Beach Sand

The mixture I used is as follows:

Approximately 1 handful beach sand (filtered so only sand is getting in)
1 half handful of Blood Meal and Bone Meal
1 handful Peat Moss
the rest is all soil

I mixed them all together than put 1 more handful peat moss and 1 more handful of soil on top.

 

[Ekras]

Seeds

Seeds

I started the grow about 2 weeks ago (from the time period I put the first seeds in the ground) and have been planting new seeds continously.

2 have died so far, and will be ommitted from this report since they died so young.

I will use a numbering system to identify them -- each plant will be numbered in the order they come up from the ground.

 

[Ekras]

Lights

Lights

I started the grow using 2 40 watt floresent bulbs. I have purchased (but not yet set up) a 400 Watt HPS setup.

OK Here is what I have so far.

2 Floresent Bulbs on a "work-bench" type of lamp.... -- each are 4 feet long and have 40 watt bulbs.

----------------

I just purchased my HPS system:

Here is what I got

1 Reflector:

1 Ballast:

1 Socket:

1 Bulb:

 

[Ekras]

It begins!

It begins!

On Monday, June 4th the first of my plants broke through their peat trays.

 

[Ekras]

On June 5th a second one sprouted from the ground.

On June 6th I posted the following pictures:

This is the one I pictured earlier, now with 2 pronounced baby leaves

This is the second one to sprout -- see how it has its almost entire entact seed shell on it still?

This is the latest one to sprout -- this one also has his seed stuck on him still..well less of it than the earlier one....but still

 

[Ekras]

The following was posted on June 7th:

Well yesterday I put the first one in soil - a mix of soil, bloodmeal, bonemeal, sand, and peatmoss.

So far it seems to be adjusting well -- the two leaves are now horizontal and I can see what is prolly gonna become its first real leaves sprouting from the center. I'm prolly going to put it to soil soon- once the leaves open.

The second plant now has fully developed leaves - but they havent opened yet. The second one also has a much longer stem than the first one did - but it doesn't look unhealthy.

The third one is still only showing a stem.

Also a fourth sprouted today - it seems I get one new one a day!

I'll have pictures just as soon as something interesting happens!


Farf responded:

What are your plants in if not soil? If you have them in straight peatmoss get them out and put them in soil. Don't even bother with the peat step that your taking. Your plants will get a better start in life with the soil joint

My response to Farf:

Yeah they are in little peat things right now -- i tried putting them straight in soil and nothing was growing - i still have a few i planted a week or so before i started the peat -- absolutely no change.

I guess if it works for me - i'll keep doing it - I plan on going with clones once i get an ok mother anyway so shouldn't be a long-term problem.

 

[Ekras]

The following was Posted Friday June 8th.

Well a few updates to add today. First off i've taken what is likely to be my first losses.

The third and fourth seeds to sprout do not seem to be growing any at all - i'm going to make a last ditch attempt by putting them out in the sun - they are starting to wither though and it looks like its too late for them - neither has cast aside its seed fully yet.

The first and second ones to sprout are doing really well. The second isabout to lose its first baby leaf. Both now have fully noticeable adult leaves and are both starting its second set going perpendicular to the original two (the new leaves align with the baby leaves).

Two new seeds have sprouted as well - both haver already lost their shells and turned green - very good sign!

With that said I decided to do something of an experiment. During their infancy (until I decide they are too noticeable as pot plants) I am going to take the first two and keep them out in the sun during the day (at night they are going back inside under the florescent) - I am going to compare their growth to the 2 new ones that just sprouted -- I want to see if sunlight during the early stages of growth make a difference in the overall growth of the plant.

Both sets of plants will get 24 hours of light a day - 1 will get full time florescent , while the other set gets sunlight during the day and florescent at night - should be interesting to see the effects - will the first set go hermie? will it grow faster? stronger? produce better bud? -- if there is any kind of noticeable difference I may reproduce the experiment in the future - and any of you growing might want to as well - if you do let me know for comparative reasons.

Here are some pictures so you guys can see their current stages of growth:

The numbers indicate what order they first sprouted. Plants #1 and #2 are getting the outside treatment.

Plant #1 - As you can see its not as tall as #2, very well developed leaves though

Plant #2 - Much taller than #1, and is losing its first baby leaf

[Plants 3 and 4 not pictured]

Plant #3 and #4 - i'm afraid these two are going to die - i'm giving them direct sunlight, and new water in an attempt to get them to survive. These two have been excluded from the experiment.

Plant #5 (left) - Going in the soil tonight!
Plant #6 (right)- looking strong - will likely hit the soil in the next few days


Ok now riddle me THIS - one of my peat trays that hasn't sprouted is making an odd crackling noise - as far as I know plants dont make noises when they grow. Theres no chance of pests... Anyone know why it would do this? I put it aside from the others - curious if it will be the next one to sprout....

Minor Edit: Plant #5 is now in the soil. This is the first of the "indoor only" plants so it will never see the natural sun.

 

[Ekras]

I have added HPS lighting to my plants. Information on the lighting system is in the "Lights" part of this thread. Do I have everything I need? PLEASE let me know ASAP!

I have also gotten some nutrients, the guy at the hydro store said would help any plant during vegetative growth - i doubt it but figured for $10 what the hell.... let me know what you guys think of it- How often should I use it, how should I give it to the plants, and how much should I use?

Plant #1 is starting to look kinda sick.... perhaps too much time in the sun? If I have to I'll discontinue the experiment i'm running with it.

Plant #2 is looking especially healthy

Plants #3 and #4 have died totally.

Plants #5 and #6 both look healthy

Plant #7 sprouted and is looking healthy.

Minor Update: I have put the lighting system together -- it works! Holy cow is that bright! It's like a little artificial sun!

I have no idea how i'm gonna hang it -- i'll figure something out

Minor Update #2: Light is hung and working -- will keep a close eye on it over the weekend to make sure of no fires!

 

[Ekras]

Growinman (from another board) says:

congrads to you my friend joint !! Just keep that light a good 18- 20" above your canopy--------heat stress will really slow you down. Do you also add perlite to you soil mix?? sand is good but make it airy so you can keep good eye on nutes......but you have to water them more w/good drainage.........and your going outside w/some of this?

Thinkin your fine with the hps, if you have no heat issues......

Let us see more pics when they get up a bit!

GL!!!!!!!
Proud growinman

My response to Growinman:

Thanks for the support!

Just 'cause you asked nicely i'll give you a group shot of the current plants (except #1 who i've isolated since he's sick)

Also got a picture with my cell of the grow area.

At the top you'll notice the new HPS lamp and reflector.

Down near the bottom (which is actually about a foot off the floor - everything is resting on stuff to bring it a little closer to the lights) is the old florescent light facing the plants - figure the extra light can't hurt.

Tiny Edit: Just so you guys know the HPS was off for the picture -- interfeared with the camerea! [/quote]

 

[Ekras]

This post was june 10th.

The Unwashed (from another board) says:

The light seems a little far away hard to tell from the pics tho but you should be able to get a 400w hps at least 2foot from the tops of the plants without harming them ( those small pots may dry out quickly tho at that distance )

That mother earth super tea is the same stuff i use, bloom and grow will work well but you will need to get some sort of micro nutes to compliment them.

Your using a mix of potting soil ,peat , and bone meal so your soil mix will have enough nutes already present for the first 3 or so weeks id imagine.

Start your nutes at 1/4 strenght to begin with, try feeding the plants at every third watering and dont forget to check the ph of the nute solution and the run off from the bottom of the pots at least once a week.

If you can get your hands on a bottle of root stimulater do so.

Well I moved the plants a little closer to the light - hopefully this will help.

Plant #1 is all but dead. Don't know why, but I have a few suspicions. All the other plants seem to be doing quite nicely today. Nothing new sprouted, but I planted 2 new seeds last night. Really those 2 are more precautionary - I was reading this one dudes grow and he got like 10 males - I figure i'll keep throwing new ones in, just in case these all end up the same way (so I have less time needed to get them grown)

No real noticeable growth last night. Plant number 2 fell over and bent twords the light a bit, but i got it upright again and hopefully it will recover. I have a sneaky suspicion it's a male though -- so much taller than the others (not stretching for light though)

How do you determine what is quarter strength for the nutes I got?

Anyway.... thats it for today.... i'll keep you guys informed!

EDIT: Did a little more shopping today. Picked up some root stuff like you suggested- Picture below.

Also picked up two giant pots for later on (dimensions are 14" OD x 12.5" H (35cm x 32cm))

Finally I picked up some Schultz take root for when the time comes to start cloning.

Edit 2: Well OOOPS -- didnt read the directions fully on the root stimulator -- prolly killed 2 of my plants on the spot. Plant #2 actually fell over in its pot when the stuff was applied. I immediately flushed out the soil as best I could (put tons and tons of water through it) and am hoping for the best. Plant #6 isnt showing any negative signs but i'm sure they are on the way.

Make sure you guys follow all the directions when using that stuff -- it says to dilute it up at the very top THAN gives you the directions for various ways to use it....

Can you mix your nutes and the root stimulator in the same gallon of water?

 

[Ekras]

Sorry for the delay -- ICMag only allows 10 replies a day for some reason -- this was yesterdays post!

Well no responses lately....

Anyway heres my current status.

Plant #1 is offically dead.

Plant #8 sprouted this morning and has joined the others in the room

Plants 2 and 6 are both holding on still for dear life -- #2 still has a good chance of making a major recovery.

All the others are healthy and happy -- nothing worth giving you pictures for at this time.

 

[crzyrsn]

Hey Bagseed77!!!

I think there might be an explanation why most people are disappointed with their bagseed grow. Personally I am a HUGE fan of bagseed, I am especially obsessed with breeding Mexican and other imports. But, in my early/inexperienced days I preffered saving seed that only came from kind bud, now kicking myself in the ass for chucking so many great "migrade" varieties.

Anyway, I hypothesize that people mostly grow seeds that come from commercial KIND bud ( like beasters, hydro, headies, but excluding homegrown, which could have been properly seeded), thinking that the seeds will be similar to the cannabis they smoked. In fact, I remember that freshmen year of college, there was a commonly accepted myth that white seeds were hydro seeds. This astounded me, even though technically it could very well have come from a hydroponically grown plant, they were obviously underdeveloped.

Leading me to the conclusion that the majority of kind bud, especially commercially grown strains, are MOSTLY seeded with hermie produced seeds, which would almost always lead to a worthless offspring. I have grown several seeds that looked completely developed (i.e. brown, veiny, etc), came from high quality KB, even seemed good in veg and early-to-mid flow, but ended up with airy, chemy, nonpotent, worthless marijuana.

Just an opinion and proposal of the "bagseed phenomenon."

Cheers