Buds lacking density

[papa canna]

How do you get denser buds? I'm On my third harvest but I'm still lacking the density that I would like. Buds look pretty decent on harvest day (until I get to the bottom of the plant, I need to do more pruning next time) but after about a 4 day hang dry, they look a lot less dense

Specs:

600w mh/hps
Adjust a wing open reflector
Gh maxi series
Botanicaire call at
Gh root enhancer
4x4-5x5 space pending spacing
70-77 degrees
9 plants in fabric pots

 

[budman111]

How do you get denser buds?

With better airflow.

 

[astronautrob]

Specs:

600w mh/hps
Adjust a wing open reflector
Gh maxi series
Botanicaire call at
Gh root enhancer
4x4-5x5 space pending spacing
70-77 degrees
9 plants in fabric pots

What does that mean? Airflow would be good like budman mentioned, and I'd also consider your lighting/plant count situation. If it is a 5x5 you're a under what you want on your watts per sqft, even 4x4 is pushing it, and you're growing 9 plants under the one light. How big are the plants? Scorg? I'd consider less plants or a bigger light imo

 

[chea.pet]

Yeah I would suggest a bigger light as well I grow 6 plants under each 1,000 watt sodium. Not saying that's perfect but even after defoliation I still have smaller buds on the bottom canopy

 

[papa canna]

Yeah I would suggest a bigger light as well I grow 6 plants under each 1,000 watt sodium. Not saying that's perfect but even after defoliation I still have smaller buds on the bottom canopy

I was considering 6 plants as well. I think its partly because I did very little training so they pretty much grow straight up.

What does that mean? Airflow would be good like budman mentioned, and I'd also consider your lighting/plant count situation. If it is a 5x5 you're a under what you want on your watts per sqft, even 4x4 is pushing it, and you're growing 9 plants under the one light. How big are the plants? Scorg? I'd consider less plants or a bigger light imo

I have a couple shortys on top of crates at about 3 ft. A few average 5 footers. And a haze that stretched higher that I did a late super crop on.

 

[ToneOZ]

What kind of bulb?

 

[Bdoggg]

Better genetics and more light!!

 

[cat of curiosity]

more potassium

 

[papa canna]

What kind of bulb?

Hortilux 600 watt my and hps

Better genetics and more light!!

Genetics are top quality. I have a friend who clones and his finished product is the best I've seen. I often read that 600w users should be able to pull a pound without issue. I may get a half pound after this is said and done

more potassium

Are you saying the maxi series is lacking k?

 

[Chunky Stool]

I run a 5x5 with 9 plants under a 600 watt HPS + 3 side panels & 4 lizard lights. Colas turn out big & firm.
How close do you keep the HPS to the canopy? I've got a clip fan mounted on the adjust-a-wing that blows heat off the bulb. Because of this, I am never farther than 18" from bud tips.

 

[cat of curiosity]

Hortilux 600 watt my and hps



Genetics are top quality. I have a friend who clones and his finished product is the best I've seen. I often read that 600w users should be able to pull a pound without issue. I may get a half pound after this is said and done



Are you saying the maxi series is lacking k?

yes. use a high k bloom booster in addition to nutes.

 

[astronautrob]

I have a couple shortys on top of crates at about 3 ft. A few average 5 footers. And a haze that stretched higher that I did a late super crop on.

Gotcha, I bet if you just decreased your plant count to 6 you'd see a good boost in your bud density imo

 

[astronautrob]

Also, I'd say your dry is a little quick at only 4 days. I'd try to up the RH and push that to 6-7 day dry if I could

 

[GroErr]

Setup seems alright, how often are you changing bulbs, that can make a difference. I've had phenos from same batch of seeds where one is super dense and other are fluffy, grown under the same lights and conditions side-by-side. You may need to do some more pheno hunting and clone the better plants?

 

[papa canna]

I run a 5x5 with 9 plants under a 600 watt HPS + 3 side panels & 4 lizard lights. Colas turn out big & firm.
How close do you keep the HPS to the canopy? I've got a clip fan mounted on the adjust-a-wing that blows heat off the bulb. Because of this, I am never farther than 18" from bud tips.

About 18"

Gotcha, I bet if you just decreased your plant count to 6 you'd see a good boost in your bud density imo

But will that make up for having 3 less plants of bud?

Also, I'd say your dry is a little quick at only 4 days. I'd try to up the RH and push that to 6-7 day dry if I could

I could try. But too much humidity could cause mold. Remember these buds are fairly airy so they will dry quicker

Setup seems alright, how often are you changing bulbs, that can make a difference. I've had phenos from same batch of seeds where one is super dense and other are fluffy, grown under the same lights and conditions side-by-side. You may need to do some more phenol hunting and clone the better plants?

I do need to change the bulb. Mine is about a year old. On its last leg

 

[astronautrob]

But will that make up for having 3 less plants of bud?

No one can answer that question really as your yield is not solely dependent on one factor or the other as it is a whole spectrum of factors. imo you have two choices, decrease plant count or buy/supply more light. one option entails spending $$, one doesn't

 

[astronautrob]

I could try. But too much humidity could cause mold. Remember these buds are fairly airy so they will dry quicker

If you're hang drying with the buds not touching each other it's very doubtful you will get mold at that point. ime I've never had a problem with hang drying 6-7 days while maintaining an RH of 50-60% in the space but just my experience

 

[bryan oconner]

you can not make those fluffy loose disappointing buds are tighter . if your using mh or hps they are as tight as they get . the genetics plays the role in this . I have experience with a shit load of different strands . some just grow loose . and keep in mind you must hand trim loose and just because its loose does not mean it is not a good smoke .

 

[Chunky Stool]

you can not make those fluffy loose disappointing buds are tighter . if your using mh or hps they are as tight as they get . the genetics plays the role in this . I have experience with a shit load of different strands . some just grow loose . and keep in mind you must hand trim loose and just because its loose does not mean it is not a good smoke .

Fluffy buds cure better if they're left on the plant. I only trim colas & chunks. "Butter bud" stays put & I just hang what's left of the carcass.

 

[papa canna]

you can not make those fluffy loose disappointing buds are tighter . if your using mh or hps they are as tight as they get . the genetics plays the role in this . I have experience with a shit load of different strands . some just grow loose . and keep in mind you must hand trim loose and just because its loose does not mean it is not a good smoke .

It is decent smoke. But the guy I get my clones from brings over his finished stuff of the exact same strain from clone, and its just so different. Tighter, denser, like small rocks.