Soulful Southeastern Exhibit version 3.0 launched

[sunnyside]

This is going to be the future home for all of my posts and pictures relating to my medical grow.

I have a new setup and new strains and wanted to start a new thread to document the changes.

I have switched to all fluro's for mom/veg/flower. From seed to weed, my plants never see the glow of an HID.

I have my mom and cloning station setup in a homebox xs that is 2'x2'x4'. I decided that I didn't need the 4' vertical space, so what I did was I turned the box on it's side. So now I have a grow box that is 2' deep, 2' tall, and 4' wide It works perfectly. I have two 4' t5's lining the box, so I have roughly 110 watts of fluro powering my moms and propagation, which is perfect for me. (pics soon)

For my flower room, I am using satellites. Each one puts off roughly 200 watts and 20,000 lumens a piece. I just upgraded from 2 units to 3... Still no heat issues.

I've been growing dank for the last five years without a break under HID's. I just got done with my first start to finish, seed to weed run under t5's exclusively and I couldn't be happier with the results. I had some east coast heads that were larger and weightier than I have ever achieved under my 600 hortilux. I ended up with a hair under 10 ounces using 400 watts of t5 flower power. No air cooling, no heat, no worries. Just nice cool, even distribution of light.

I recently broke out the light meter...and was pleasantly surprised to see that the 8 tube t5 is just as powerful as my 400 is at 3 feet from the bulb. Obviously there is a hot spot directly under the bulb that spikes the light meter, but when I pull it just off center the reading starts to plummet. Just a foot off center at 3 feet away from the bulb, the t5 killed the 400 with the daystar.

I believe that we see this because there is light coming at the plant from a 4x2 source instead of just a 6 inch arc tube. The T5's just seem to achieve more even coverage without the hot spot directly under the arc tube and without shading on the edges associated with HID fixtures.

If you have a t5 and a hid next to each other you can do a neat trick... Under each light place your right hand about 6 inches over left hand and notice the shadows. With the hid you have major shadowing. Whether you are directly under the bulb or out on the edges, you always get major shadowing. When you try it with the t5, you get nothing. No shadows at all, anywhere under the fixture and up to 3 feet away. There are no shadows because you have good light coverage.

It's like the big stadiums and the lighting for night games. The better the light coverage...the fewer the shadows. Notice you don't see shadows during the world series...but a little league game, now that is a different story.

Just my observations on the light.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=5966&highlight=satellite


Ill get pics for you guys soon Until then...check out the first two versions of the exhibit.

v1 http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=13739
v2 http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=42890&highlight=soulful

 

[sunnyside]

Ok here we go, here is the new garden...


On the bottom we have the flower garden under fluro power...


Up top we have the small tent turned on it's side for our moms and propagation...


The irrigation systems...there are a total of 3 systems, each with their own 10 gallon reservoir...


This is the left system using a mixture of happy frog and perlite, feeding the recipe for success from Technaflora


The middle system is setup as an ebb n flow using a bed of hydroton and feeding the recipe


The system on the right is same soil formula as the one on the left using the same recipe


Here are my milf's...


Here we have my newest set of mommies...


This is my domina mommy...she is several years old at this point, and has never seen the light of an HID lol Fluro's all the way.


He is the grandmother, next to the next generation mom. Ah as the generations pass...


Well thats the garden...hope you all stick around to see how the fluro's kick major ass. All the plants pictured are about 5 days into the 12/12 cycle. I want to keep them small and tight without using any PGR's. Hopefully flipping them this early will work. It's works great with sativa's, not so good with indica's. I have a mixture of hybrids...

AK47 from serious
WW from DP
blueberry from DP
sativa something or another from chimera's newest batch of strains.
I think there is an ecsd or two in the hydro system...I didn't label them

It will be nice to see whether or not the sugar daddy has the effects that it is supposed to have. I have never really done a true side by side, so this will ease alot of my curiosities.

Any of those out there that know me...know that I have always been organically minded in all things gardening. Well, I have a new theory that the environment and living media have more to do with aroma and taste than the actual source of the nutrition used. That is why I am trying hydro and soil next to each other using refined mineral nutrition with hints of organics as suppliments.

The reason I think this is true is that I have grown beautiful tasting herbs using maxibloom the dry powdered nutes from GH in soil. I have also grown bland buds using organics and hydroton. That is why I think that the environment, the media and proper use of nutrition is what is key.

The soil is innoculated with all sorts of goodies, we will see what happens.

 

[sunnyside]

BD...

here is a picture of the same mom over 13 months ago..in the same pot no less.

 

[D Rock]

This is a spectacular grow and I will definately be watching this awesome looking grow.

 

[D Rock]

here is a picture of the same mom over 13 months ago..in the same pot no less.

Im going to have to try revegging my plants after harvesting bud.

 

[sunnyside]

drock..we've got very similiar setups. Same soil, same nutes, same lights. So, how are you feeding your girls now that they are maturing? Are you doing the feed, water, water, feed?

I am using the recipe but I have changed the mix a bit. Their recipe seems a little hot for my liking. I like to feed slow and steady. I would rather feed 1/3 strength every time instead of full strength once every third water. It gives you more control, more flexibility, and the most important part for me is that it affords me the opportunity to automate my watering with my soil. I've got the soil gardens set up to water once a day. I can hand water anytime I want, and I can shut off the timers any time I want. It is just nice to have the option of leaving the garden for 3,4,5 if I absolutely had to.

I played with the canna nutrient profile calculator with the technaflora line. I found the mix that was closest to mel frank/lucas/pH imbalance recommendations came out to be 5 mils of each except no thrive red...drop that to zero. So a teaspoon each of boost, bloom, magic, sugar, ab.

It comes out to...

112-93-226-54-93
N-P-K-Mg-Ca

...and it really doesn't get any easier than a teaspoon per gallon. And if you want to throw a bit of red in there it doesn't mess the ratio up too much.

pH has been real stable. Extremely stable compared to previous grows. Especially with the hydroton. In past grows the first 2 or 3 weeks I was always fighting to keep the pH down. Not so far with this line...I adjusted all my systems when I added the nutes. And haven't had to adjust one of them since.

I'm hoping they fill out nicely. Last run I let them veg too long, this time I think I over compensated and flipped a bit too early. We will see in the next few weeks...

The girls are just now starting to chill out from the transplants and all the other stresses that come with moving and maturing. They are starting to get their nice color back and really starting to perk up. We should be on autopilot in no time. The next 7 weeks are the easiest and the most fun of the whole process.

 

[guineapig]

Hi sunnyside!!!!

Can i ask you about the Satellite bulbs (listed as "TT-105" type) vs. the Pioneer-type bulbs (listed as "T5")...?

Have you had a chance to compare these 2 types of bulbs? Are they pretty much the same thing, or do you think the Satellite bulbs are better than the Pioneer bulbs? This is something i have always wondered about, and maybe you could be so kind as to shed some light on the subject.....

Do satellite bulbs come in both grow and bloom types like pioneer bulbs? If so, are you planning on using a mixture of grow and bloom bulb types?

Thanks for setting up the new thread!!!!

kind regards from guineapig

 

[sunnyside]

whats up gp?

With T5, T8 and T12 tubes for example, the numbers signify the diameter of the tube, represented in eighths of an inch. So a T5 has a diameter of 5/8”; T8s have a one-inch diameter (8/8”) and so on. Keep in mind that a smaller diameter does not mean the tube is less powerful (T5s are producing some of the most impressive growing results of all tubes on the market). The “T” that precedes the number simply references the shape, in this case, a linear tube shape.

There are also TT96, TT105 and other similarly-named tube types. These
have the same linear shape but are comprised of two tubes joined together
at one end for increased output while maintaining a single connection point
to the fixture. With these tubes, the numbers that follow indicate wattage
rather than diameter. This means a dual TT96 tube is a 96-watt tube and a TT105 is a 105-watt tube.

The satellites that I am using use the tt105 bulb, simliar in shape to the tt96 shown above. The tt105 is the high output version of the tt96.

yes there are bloom tubes available. I have a total of 6 tubes shining in my garden and only one is bloom. Thats what I had in there...I am just going to let it be...no messing with the spectrums. I ran the whole last flower run under the grow spectrum and the plants filled out beautifully.

 

[sunnyside]

the big difference in the performance of the two units is raw power. The 2 bulb satellite can emit as much usable light as a 4 tube t5 fixture. So twice as much power in a smaller frame.

 

[Guest]

Wow, great to stop by. I was in the neighborhood, so I decided to stop in and I'm glad what I found was this. Those ecsd should do you pretty nice in the hydro system... I am a big fan of Rez's genetics, they are much better in mixes than all the Arjan bs. Everything I have with rez's genetics stinks like fish emulsion mixed with a tiny hint of cotton candy, stinks very clearly. I can even tell in other chem crosses with which ones the chem smell is coming out of. It helps to have about 7 sd crosses in your garden, hahah.

 

[brookie]

What do you think about this light. It is called a highbay, made for warehouses I think ? I am assuming it will hold whatever t5 bulbs i choose to buy ? Any suggestions on where to buy bulbs, I haven't had much luck other than 17 each locally, and online they want you to order a case which is too much dollars !
Hanging Light 47x18.5 with 6 T5 (no lamp) - OLC007ITEM NO.OLC007 Our price: $117.60
View similar products

HIGHBAY Hanging Kit, No Lamp

Size - 47”L x 18-1/2”W x 4-1/4?
Wattage - 6*T5/54W HO
Universal Electronic Ballast with T5 120- 254HO Sunpark 2pc, White, Steel & 320G miro reflector & wire guard
Lamp is not included

 

[sunnyside]

Rezdog didn't make the ecsd...he paid for it, or traded for it, or whatever, I wasn't there. Rez crossed the ecsd clone that he acquired to other plants to get sour diesel brand of seeds. I have no problems with rez seeds, I love his seeds. He didn't invent the wheel, he didn't get the wheel turning, he just added glitter and sparkly sequins to the wheel to make it sparkle. Then he made a thread just to let us know about the upcoming release of the new and improved wheel....and to argue semantics with the trolls lol

I don't know arjan or arjan's beans...I try to avoid talking about things I don't know anything about.

thanks for stopping by excel

 

[sunnyside]

lighting fixtures are one of, if not the most expensive and important pieces in your garden . I don't like buying electronics over the internet. There is just too much that can go wrong. I would prefer to buy locally and have the support that comes along with that purchase. You will pay more, no doubt. But you will have peace of mind. And when something goes wrong...its a much easier fix.

T5's are T5's are T5's...for the most part. The ones you posted about look like they would work fine. But for an extra $50 or so ( i didn't do the math) you can buy locally.

 

[brookie]

I didn't find anything locally under 300 for 4 lamp fixture which did include the bulbs, this is a 6 lamp fixture which even if I pay 20 bucks a bulb, will still save me some cash and give me more lumens. Replacing a ballast or something like that is a peice of cake, no worries about the warranty. This light will also fit into the cabinet sold at home depot perfectly, and the 8 light fixture will not because of its 24 inch width.Just my 2 cents

 

[sunnyside]

wow your local shop is gouging you...you should be paying 300 for an 8 tube unit, with the bulbs. sorry...

in such cases...i suppose you are forced to shop online.

 

[sunnyside]

Why the switch from organics to minerals?
I want to learn.
I want to be the best grower that I can possibly be.
I want to smoke the best herb on the face of the earth.
I want to test theories and push boundaries.
I want to get the best of both worlds.
I want a feeding system that is easy to use and easy to teach others to use.
I want less mess.
I want less stress.
I want less shit (guano’s, castings, meals, blood, bones, feathers, dust, etc…) basically, I would like to eliminate feces and other undesirables from the process if at all possible.
I would like to be able to dial in my nutrient profile for my plants.
I would like to be able to accurately read my ec.
I would like a stable pH.
I want it all.

The funny thing is…I think I can get it all.

I am a big fan of organics and organically grown herb, but I want to try a salt based fert for a few runs to see what the fuss is about. I feel that I am a good enough grower to be able to test this out for myself. I know that everyone is going to have their own personal preferences…I’ll just tell you what I think. But it really doesn’t matter what you all think. Lol I am doing this for me and my knowledge, I am just letting you tag along for the ride. I’ll grow these girls out the best I can and smoke the results. If everything goes well then I might just stick with the salt based diet…if the quality is affected negatively, I will go back to organics all the way. I’ll give it a few runs, with multiple strains to see what I prefer in the long run. I figure that I am going to be supplying myself for the foreseeable future...I want to have the best and the only way to know what is best is to try everything you can.

The reason I think that this might work is because I don’t think that the source of nutrition is as important as having a solid environment, a living thriving media, and providing the proper nutrition at the proper time, and getting it out of there in time for harvest. I realize that some/alot/all of my microbes are not going to be happy with the mineral nutrition, but I am going to be doing everything I can to keep the damage to a minimum. I am going to be using sugar daddy, which basically is microbe food on the hydro system and one of the soil systems. I am also going to be adding myccor and sub culture on a continuing basis in hopes of keeping the populations high. I have even considered sending my soil off for analysis when I am done from samples collected throughout the cycle. I don’t know how realistic that is though…

As far as nutrition goes, I am not going to be providing anything stronger than 1.5 ec. If I can keep the soil healthy, and I can keep the nutrition flowing. I think that I might just be able to get the best of both worlds, a tasty dense soil quality bud that yields much better than organics. Wish me luck.

 

[sunnyside]

The reason I think that this might work is because I don’t think that the source of nutrition is as important as having a solid environment, a living thriving media, and providing the proper nutrition at the proper time, and getting it out of there in time for harvest.

This thought process started to evolve a while ago, but was exacerbated from that discussion that h3ad and the rest of us had about mineral vs organic. He kept saying, and kept saying..."plants can uptake lot's of things they don't metabolize"...and that was his theory as to why organics has a different flavor/aroma. Which I know to be true. I know that plants can take in all sorts of things that they cannot metabolize...stuff that is just stuck in the plants.

This is where H3ad and I go in separate directions...he says that there is nutrition or whatever that was derived from the guano and castings and other 'unrefined' ingredients left over in the bud. While I acknowledge that the statement that 'there are elements that cannot be metabolized by plants' as true, I still do not believe that the 'enhanced' flavor and aromas that I have experienced is a result of unmetabolized guano's and castings... I just don't think that is the case.

When I think about organics, I think about microbes and the work that they do. They are the 'digesters' of the organic nutrition. Plants can't take up bone meal in its raw form...the plant doesn't have teeth. The bone meal has to be broken down into a simpler form that the plant can take up. This is where the microbes come in. (did you think the organics just broke down on their own?). The microbes break down the food at a steady rate and then deliver the raw ionic nutrition to the plants roots. The same ionic nutrition that your roots get with gh, just on a slower and much smaller scale.

It is my theory that the flavor/aroma has more to do with "unknown metabolic processes" at work in plants that scientists have not yet discovered that we just don't understand. And I believe that these process come from the microbes and the healthy living soil.

I here what your saying...isn't organics and a healthy living soil one in the same? I think so, but I don't really know, that is why I am doing this

 

[sunnyside]

Here are a few random shots from the garden at around 35-40 days. I don't keep track anymore...

I am trying all new flavors to see if I can find a new mom.

So far a few are shining and a few are not. Here is the rundown.

These are some White Widow from Dutch Passion. This one looks very promising...





This one is an AK-47 from Serious. This is my favorite out of the new generation. This is going to be some dynamite smoke. The smell reminds me alot of the the AK99's I did a few years back...nice cherryesk flavor.












This one is not one of my favorites... Sweetest Sativa from Chimera's new test batch of beans. Not in the ways she grows at least. We will she how she smokes.







The hydro system has been disapointing this run. I can only attribute this to user error. Everything has been fine with the nutrient and water...but I flipped the girls way too early. I was trying to keep them short...it looks like I succeeded. lol






The rest of the garden...



On another note.... I had to go out of town for longer than I usually like to...I had to leave the girls alone for close to 14 days!! The good news is that the new nutrient program using technaflora is a raging success. The pH and ppms were as good when I returned as when I left them. The pH was at 5.8 when I left and 5.9 when I returned. It really doesn't get any better than that.

The bad news is that I think I might have killed my black domina mother.



I have the flower garden on automated watering schedules, but I don't have anything for the mommy garden. I have a total of about 10 moms right now, but this was the only one that suffered. The silver lining is that I have her backed up with clones...but it still would suck to loose an old friend. I am going to give her some special attention to see if I can coax her back to health...wish me luck.

When I get closer to harvest time I will bring all the ladies out for a real photo shoots so that we can see them in all their glory.

 

[sunnyside]

Anyone still doubting the power of the fluro's?

 

[turbo14]

Sup brotha, i tagged this thread.. You always put on a good show. Look forward to seeing these new ones finish!, DP white widows finished product is dannnk. Im diggin the new satellite setup as well man, very interested on how these turn out. Keep on keepin on.

turbo