Make me better

[nomoreschwag]

I've been growing for a couple years now, and I think I've got it down pretty good at this point. I grow organically (i think), and have done this from day one I live in an apartment so I'm a little restricted to what I can utilize for my grow...ie no compost pile, no worm bin, don't have the space or plants to use/need a 5 gal bucket to mix up a batch of tea...etc
Here's how I grow, I'm really hopeing you guys can give me some advice to give my plants a more well rounded life, meaning better smoke for me...
Up until this point my grow medium had been peat, perlite, worm castings, and dolomite lime. My rotation of clones that are just getting started now are being grown in reused soil per the 3LB's reserected thread instructions. (i'm excited to see how this goes)
Plants are grown until 8-13" depending on strain and then put to 12/12. The first time water is needed I give them a full strength dose (per back of bottle) of PBP grow along with full shot of LK to make sure there is enough N to get them through the stretch and not have to worry about yellow plants three weeks later... I grow clones, so I know where the ppm level of burn is for each of my strains. After that initial grow fert its PBP bloom for soil, LK, and blackstrap molasses right under the burn point two waterings in a row, then plain water on the third and reapeat... After the first 30ish days of flower I start to add Indo bat guano into the mix. Slowly increasing the strength of the guano while cutting back on the PBP all others the same. At about 10 days before harvest its a flush and then plain water till the end.

I'll be out of LK and guano within the next 4 weeks, so I'm about to do an order. I figured it would be a good time to get some new goodies if needed. I was thinking about adding, Paranha & Tarantula to get all the bacteria and fungus going strong, and sweet to give a larger variety of sugars. If any of you have suggestions about some new ferts I should try (or not try), or other suppliments you feel would benefit my grow please share your thoughts. Also, if anyone has any suggestions for a different feeding regiment etc, let me hear about that too.

Sorry for the long thread, I've enjoyed to much of the fruits of my labor for this time of morning Here what I'm getting done as is...


NL 25 days flower


AK 52 days flower

 

[3BM]

Hey NoMore:

Why change when things are going so well? Getting plants like those pictured requires proficiency. Your skill has more to do with their success than any specific nutrient. Keep it simple. Stick with what you know. Tune with slow moves, unless you feel like your mix is a dead end?

On the more practical side of things ... try blackstrap molasses instead of sweet. It has a complex range of sugars, high P, N, Fe, Mg, and Ca. It is highly concentrated and 1tsp/gal is the standard dosage I use. A 3$ container lasts me an entire season, and look at the ingredient list of sweet it says "derived from: molasses ... ". As for the AN products, try compost tea instead. Even if you cant create your own compost, you can likely purchase good commercial compost nearby (also try EW casts). You dont need any specific tools to make a tea, just add it at 1c/gal to any amount of water. Stir the mix as often as you think of it and use it after 24-48 hours. I feed exclusively with compost teas to great effect, it will provide a great range of baterial and fungal life as well as chelated major and minor nutrients. Employing remixed soil (essentially creating a compost bin in your grow room) and compost teas will do wonders for the depth and quality of your smoke.

You also mention LK. It contains compost, molasses, and kelp if you follow the add copy. This product contains a diverse range of microorganisms, sugars, enzymes, amino acids and growth stimulants. It covers the micro base pretty well. If you want to buy an expensive micro supplement, this one works well. Good compost gets better results (in my experience) and is cheaper if not free.

But really, your plants look great. Changing directions drastically will add uncertainty to a proven method. If anything, stick with the products you use as a whole and get small quantities of new products to experiment. Simple is better. Hope that helps.

3BM

 

[nomoreschwag]

3BM - Thank you for the kind words. It means alot to hear that from an accomplished grower, much I was very happy when I saw that you were resurecting the original threads from the 3LB

I already use Blackstrap molases in my feeding program and really like what it does for my girls. I seem to remember reading something about using sweet along with blackstrap...giving the plant a wider variety of sugars or something to that nature. Also a huge fan of Liquid Karma, I don't grow with out it.

I'll give the compost tea a shot. Right now I have 25lbs of three different kinds sitting around from the recent soil reconditioning. Might as well get some more use out of it. Not gonna be needing to make any more soil for quite a while...

Thanks for the pointers. I'm very pleased with the quality of the smoke that I'm producing, but I feel there is always room for improvement. And in a less that friendly pot law state, I want the absolute best personal that I can get.

 

[guineapig]

Looking great nomoreschwag!!!

Yes the thing about this hobby is that there is no limit to the knowledge and learning...
If you have access to advanced nutrients, I have a friend who swears by "Scorpion Juice".....along with Piranha and Tarantula......these products somehow super-charge the microbial ecosystem and give amazing results.....



I am not trying to sell you on AN products, nor have i ever used them.....but
all i am saying is that if you want to take the resin to the limit, it would be
wise to experiment with Piranha, Tarantula, and Scorpion Juice.....these 3
to start with, and then perhaps more AN products if things go well.....

Another way to take the buds to the limit is to get a CO2 regulator and buy
lots of extra CO2 tubing.....loop the tubing throughout the canopy and even
tie the primary meristems to the tubing.....you will be amazed to see huge
buds develop, even buds on top of buds which envelop the tubing!!

There are a few organic additives out there (you want to keep it all-organic
i assume) which will boost plant immune systems, provide more oxygen to
the rhizosphere (root zone), and elevate the population of beneficial bacteria
and mycorrhizal fungi.....silicate minerals, paramagnetic crushed lava, and
greensand are but a few of these exotic organic amendments (minerals!!! it's
all about minerals.....)

You are doing so well right now and should be proud of your nuggitude!!!!

pm me anytime if you wish....

your friend guineapig

 

[nomoreschwag]

guineapig - Thanks!! I am very proud of my nuggage I think I'll get a couple of those AN products and see how they go...
I've considered using co2 before, but I grow in a small cab when heat is always an issue. I don't think I would get much benefit from using co2 with exhaust fans running all the time.