Diary White Rhino & Friends. Fall 2021 Grow.

[aliceklar]

Saw a few bananas on the BSGxJohaar, decided it was time. Chopped and hanging at 85 days of 12/12. Very productive plant. Hands covered with shiny oil. Lemony putty. Interested to see how it cures.

 

[aliceklar]

Chopped a couple of plants earlier than planned as I spotted some mould Unfortunately inc the MMxWR#3, chopped at 66 days flower. It was starting to go mouldy where some plant training I'd done previously had left two clumps of bud pressing against each other. More ventilation needed... have ramped up both fans (extraction is on continuously during the nightcycle, and overall c75% of the time now, up from c60% previously, internal circulation fan now on about 50%, up from c30%) Also the Green Gelato, chopped at 50 days. Could really have done with another week... but mould. Both plants produced big-ass buds. Have managed to cut out the bad bits, and am drying the remainder of bud v carefully. Both were good yielders. I think both would respond well to multiple topping to produce a less mould-prone crop with a decent yield of slightly smaller (but still hefty) colas - I have both backed up on grafts

I think the mould is partly due to variety (the BSG x Johaar was in flower for almost 3 months and didnt get mouldy, but its a beast of a plant with airier buds). But ventilation must make a difference. yet again, I've been trying to cram too many plants in. Might need increased airflow too. *fewer plants in flower next time* Will need to make more use of grafting.

Lots harvesting and lots of new stuff to smoke right now. Happy Springtime, all Will do smoke reports at some point.

 

[flylowgethigh]

Some very nice work!

 

[.............]

Yo ak. What is the humidity in the garden?

 

[aliceklar]

Thanks flylowgethigh

Yo ak. What is the humidity in the garden?

Yo dots Dude, I have no idea of the %RH. Not something that I have kit to measure, nor much idea on what the optimal levels are, other than that its better to have high humidity for germination and cuttings, and lower humidity for flowering... It feels "muggy" in there sometimes. I keep the extraction fan on constantly during the nightcycle, and intermittently during the daycycle. I've recently been keeping the growroom door open as much as poss during the daycycle, figuring air circulation more important than consistently higher temps. Also I like the glow Temps range from 18c minimum to 28-29c maximum. Normally 20-25c. I think I need more air circulation, and probably lower humidity. So... yeah, I guess thats the next lesson for Alice . What do you recommend as a system for measuring humidity? I've seen little button sensors...

I'd also been trying to flower too many plants in too small a space... Not used to having this volume of large colas, or such rapidly growing plants. Good job I'd had practice with Johaar (5m tall landrace sativa...). Using coco + bottled nutes with controlled pH & ppm has made the plants explode this grow, compared to the results I was getting in previous grows. Last grow used the same sized pots, but with emended organic compost with mostly plain hard tapwater and guesstimates of tomato feed as a supplement in flower. This grow I've just had to start buying a lot more mason jars

I repainted the growroom at the start of the season using some very old white emulsion, which has shown some mould spots where its got damp, so that needs to be repainted with something more resistant after this lot is done. Also need to figure in some kind of drainage system - runnoff is a pain in the ass to deal with every day, and must be contributing to the humidity.

 

[aliceklar]

Got a Pax 3 vape. Very nice. Can taste a lot more, and lots less tar, than with a bong. It just toasts the bud, instead of burning it. Well made piece of kit.

 

[.............]

Yo dots Dude, I have no idea of the %RH. Not something that I have kit to measure, nor much idea on what the optimal levels are, other than that its better to have high humidity for germination and cuttings, and lower humidity for flowering... It feels "muggy" in there sometimes.

I keep the extraction fan on constantly during the nightcycle, and intermittently during the daycycle. I've recently been keeping the growroom door open as much as poss during the daycycle, figuring air circulation more important than consistently higher temps

Do you have a dedicated intake?
is the extraction necessary or would it get too hot?

Also I like the glow

So true.. I like the hum

Temps range from 18c minimum to 28-29c maximum. Normally 20-25c.

I don't like a cold room.. plants grow slowly. 25-28 is good.. strain dependant.
I assume 18c is your lights off low? This combined with humid air being pulled in is mould paradise.. if this is the case get your night temps up to counter it.
Another option is to run lights at night and pull through warmer less humid air during the day in the 'nightcycle'

I think I need more air circulation,

By this you mean air movement aka fans/pedestal fans.. yes I agree.. although it won't make too much difference if you are pulling in cold wet air..

So... yeah, I guess thats the next lesson for Alice . What do you recommend as a system for measuring humidity? I've seen little button sensors..

I use this cheap from the hardware store thermometer hygrometer combo

I'd also been trying to flower too many plants in too small a space... Not used to having this volume of large colas, or such rapidly growing plants

Defoliation helps.. and selective pruning/shaping and staking

Good job I'd had practice with Johaar (5m tall landrace sativa...). Using coco + bottled nutes with controlled pH & ppm has made the plants explode this grow, compared to the results I was getting in previous grows. Last grow used the same sized pots, but with emended organic compost with mostly plain hard tapwater and guesstimates of tomato feed as a supplement in flower. This grow I've just had to start buying a lot more mason jars

Woot.. how do you feel about the product compared to your soil grown?

I repainted the growroom at the start of the season using some very old white emulsion, which has shown some mould spots where its got damp, so that needs to be repainted with something more resistant after this lot is done.

Fo'sho necessary.

Also need to figure in some kind of drainage system - runnoff is a pain in the ass to deal with every day, and must be contributing to the humidity.

I just installed a drain today! So happy..

Without environmental controls you're pretty much at the mercy of whatever the humidity is in your neck of the woods at any given moment.. when it's dry the garden will be drier.. and when it's damp and rainy the humidity will also spike in the garden.. so Google your local weather forecast and check out humidity and temps, that will give you an idea.
Counter humidity with higher temps and more air movement. Warm air holds more water. LEDs make it trickier to get enough heat up.. plus more susceptible to mold without the hot drying effect you get directly under HIDs.

Size your garden square footage appropriately per the amount of LEDs.. like don't have a single led in a big room/space.. makes it easier to control the environment.. and avoid mold.
I don't like using heaters id rather the lights create the heat, It would be preferable to have your extraction fan connected to a thermostat set to turn on @ 27-28c and to shut off at 25-26c.. or something like that.

inkbird itc308

 

[PCBuds]

,.. What do you recommend as a system for measuring humidity? I've seen little button sensors...

I've got a few button sensors and they work pretty good.

I do get different readings around the grow space though.
If they are close to the lights, they warm up and the RH changes, and if they are close to damp media or sweating leaves the RH changes as well.
Lots of air circulation helps to get stable readings.

 

[aliceklar]

 

[aliceklar]

Thanks dots!

Do you have a dedicated intake?
is the extraction necessary or would it get too hot?

I don't like a cold room.. plants grow slowly. 25-28 is good.. strain dependant.
I assume 18c is your lights off low? This combined with humid air being pulled in is mould paradise.. if this is the case get your night temps up to counter it.
Another option is to run lights at night and pull through warmer less humid air during the day in the 'nightcycle'

By this you mean air movement aka fans/pedestal fans.. yes I agree.. although it won't make too much difference if you are pulling in cold wet air..

No dedicated intake, but the door is not totally sealed around the edges. It's blacked out with a curtain on the inside. The extraction has the carbon filter integrated, and is more needed for air exchange than temperature moderation. I run the lights at night, so the air being drawn in during the "nightcycle" is drier air from inside the house. Ambient temp is 18c.

Definitely, more fans needed.

Woot.. how do you feel about the product compared to your soil grown?

i can't tell any difference in the quality of the buds. I've grown Purple Bud before and this latest batch looks and smells identical to the last batch - just with much more produced this time.

Without environmental controls you're pretty much at the mercy of whatever the humidity is in your neck of the woods at any given moment.. when it's dry the garden will be drier.. and when it's damp and rainy the humidity will also spike in the garden.. so Google your local weather forecast and check out humidity and temps, that will give you an idea.
Counter humidity with higher temps and more air movement. Warm air holds more water. LEDs make it trickier to get enough heat up.. plus more susceptible to mold without the hot drying effect you get directly under HIDs.

Size your garden square footage appropriately per the amount of LEDs.. like don't have a single led in a big room/space.. makes it easier to control the environment.. and avoid mold.
I don't like using heaters id rather the lights create the heat, It would be preferable to have your extraction fan connected to a thermostat set to turn on @ 27-28c and to shut off at 25-26c.. or something like that.

Yeah, I've been winging it with humidity up to this point. will factor this in for the next grow. Thermostatic control would be ideal. I did try a little passive heater, but its thermometer was not calibrated, and it broke (glass cracked) quickly - so I gave up on that - but might try another heater if I could get it accurately controlled by temp, to keep things warmer.

 

[aliceklar]

Lots of harvesting to process. Am a little overwhelmed with the amount of bud - another reason to do coco + bottled nutes! At least double the quantity compared to my last grow.

The grafts I tried on 25th March both failed. Dried and died very rapidly. I reckon insufficient humidity in the room where the mother plants are kept. Will try again and bag the grafts next time. Want to get the F1 BSG x Afghan and the F1 BSG x Johaar backed up on a grafted mum.

Smoke report for F2 MMWR#5.
Very little scent - just a subtle lemon nutty hash smell. Smooth smoke (using the Pax3 vape) - bit of lingering liquorice/treacle in the mouth. Was surprised at how potent this is. The buds were not very frosty, but a strong couchlock to this one. Not a brain-numbing narcotic smoke, as the mind still feels clear and positive, but super relaxing physically. Good evening smoke. The MMWR#3 is also nearly ready to try - am interested to see the difference.

 

[aliceklar]

This is the SQxA that went into flower on 7th Jan, so day 80 of flower.

And in the upper space, a Medical Mass (pretty) and a last purple bud hiding at the back. Also the last of the C6 (AK47x(MMWR)) cuttings, went into flower 12th March. Getting its buds going. This cut flowers rapidly, even tho not auto. Funny that a half auto clones so well.

 

[.............]

Absolutely superb and yummy looking..

 

[aliceklar]

Chopped the 2nd Purple Bud cutting at 61 days / 8 weeks.

C6 (cutting #2) is for the chop tomorrow. Very nice purple - almost black - on the sugar leaves. Pretty plant. The first one was a good smoke in spite of only flowering for 46 days (chopped early due to mould). Looking forward to see what difference the extra weeks make.

The first F1 Sherbet Queen x Afghan is also ready (12 weeks), and the Blueberry (8 weeks) is not far behind. The difference in the two Blueberry phenos is more evident now as the flowers mature. #10 is taller and has slightly denser buds, with yellower pistils. I prefer the smell of #7, though, which has a bit of actual berry alongside the funk.

In other news, loving the Pax3 vape. Have not touched my bong since I started using this.

 

[goingrey]

Love the look of those Blueberries. Always been curious to grow it but have been wary because many people have reported all kinds of runts and mutants in the line. That doesn't seem to be the case for you.

 

[.............]

They all look like keepers ak.. your purple is making me a little green.. with envy

cheers to discreet consumption

 

[PCBuds]

In other news, loving the Pax3 vape. Have not touched my bong since I started using this.

I hear that,..

I'm loving my Arizer Air vape pipe.

The first couple of puffs are all the terpines.
The next puffs are the things that gets you high.
The last puffs are the things that get carboxilated and get you really stoned,..

 

[aliceklar]

Love the look of those Blueberries. Always been curious to grow it but have been wary because many people have reported all kinds of runts and mutants in the line. That doesn't seem to be the case for you.

Thanks gg

I'm not sure what the lineage is - its MSNL "Blueberry" from 2019 - but no idea how many generations down the line or how inbred. There was some variation in size, vigor and leaf shape. 100% germination from 10 regular seeds, 4 surviving females (I managed to kill some during their childhood). The two I've smoked so far were strong and euphoric, herbal rather than berry. #10 and #7 should be fun.

 

[aliceklar]

They all look like keepers ak.. your purple is making me a little green.. with envy

cheers to discreet consumption

Cheers dots! Nice vape!

 

[PCBuds]

I'm having a hard time scaling that picture.

It looks to be the size of a dehumidifier?

Is it 2 inches or two feet tall?

Is that a tabletop unit with hoses or something?


My vape pipe is 7 inches tall,..