Uncle Ben's Gardening Tweeks and Pointers

[HeartlandHank]

UB, do you use stakes or string to hold up your colas indoor? Or do your plants just grow strong enough branches to stay straight? Im coming up to the last week of harvest and my colas have been falling over. I am using a few stakes to keep things manageable, but I HATE sticking stakes in the soil and into the roots. What can I do for my next grow to keep sturdy branches/colas?

UB might have better, but...
I take 42 inch tomato cages, 3 rings, then cut the bottom 8 inches off of each of the 3 legs. (keeps the reflector/light closer to the plant)
Put it in the media upon transplant or day 1 of flower... its not gonna kill your plant. If you do it upon transplant to flower pot and use a little caution it doesn't even touch the roots.
Tom cages and garden twist from HD. Easy as pie.

Don't get those little thin puny cages. Get the thick wide ones... They are an investment. If you grow many plants, it will cost you, but they last forever, literally.
Between grows,, i wipe them down with a rag and alcohol. Keeps mold and buggers from hitching a ride.

If you wanna see what it looks like, click one of my journals in my sig.

 

[HeartlandHank]

An overage of one element over another will create an antagonistic affect. For example, too much K tends to create a deficiency of N, Ca, and Mg.

Going back to the very first post..
This would explain why so many hydro growers (even with tap water) swear by CalMag+... The excess K in mj specific foods... CalMag+ is N, Ca and Mg.
Good bit of info.

 

[Uncle Ben]

UB, do you use stakes or string to hold up your colas indoor? Or do your plants just grow strong enough branches to stay straight? Im coming up to the last week of harvest and my colas have been falling over. I am using a few stakes to keep things manageable, but I HATE sticking stakes in the soil and into the roots. What can I do for my next grow to keep sturdy branches/colas?

I often use stakes and then wrap the plant's perimeter in a long strip of women's hosiery. You won't hurt the roots and I always whittle a point on a bamboo stake. For more stability, using an ice pick or knife punch 1 small holes on each side of the stake at the top of the pot, worm a wire tie through one hole around the stake, back thru the pot and tie it together.

Cages are fine too.

UB... how does the guaranteed analysis thing work? That is a requirement/regulation?
I had thought that if a company claimed it had something (NPK and micros) then it has to be on the GA. But, if it isn't NPK and micros, they can make the claim without it on the label..
Is that about right? Anything else?
I'm thinking a better understanding of the labels in the US would be helpful to many growers... myself included.

You've probably seen my posts as to how the cannabis specific folks get around the law (if in the states) by placing the product into an additive or supplement category. One reason why I refuse to buy anything related to cannabis is the misrepresentation, deception and fraud. Hell, most times you can't even get the ingredients and when you do, the NPK values or additives are stated differently from one vendor to another. They can't get it right.

IOW, it's a matter of trust. I trust guys like Scott's, Peters, Plantex, Harrell's, etc. but wouldn't piss on a box of Fox Farms, Advanced Shyster, Humboldt, etc. if they were on fire.

UB

 

[HeartlandHank]

I often use stakes and then wrap the plant's perimeter in a long strip of women's hosiery. You won't hurt the roots and I always whittle a point on a bamboo stake. For more stability, using an ice pick or knife punch 1 small holes on each side of the stake at the top of the pot, worm a wire tie through one hole around the stake, back thru the pot and tie it together.

Cages are fine too.



You've probably seen my posts as to how the cannabis specific folks get around the law (if in the states) by placing the product into an additive or supplement category. One reason why I refuse to buy anything related to cannabis is the misrepresentation, deception and fraud. Hell, most times you can't even get the ingredients and when you do, the NPK values or additives are stated differently from one vendor to another. They can't get it right.

IOW, it's a matter of trust. I trust guys like Scott's, Peters, Plantex, Harrell's, etc. but wouldn't piss on a box of Fox Farms, Advanced Shyster, Humboldt, etc. if they were on fire.

UB

I see. I had not seen those posts.
I do notice though that with more expensive nutrients (mj specific) less info is given.
I'm not sure if they don't want to give up their "recipe", or if there just isn't much of anything in their nutes.

Specifically, I was chatting Bud Factor X Additive with Situation 420.
AN says it contains forms of N. Any other contents in their ads are vague.. The garunteed Analysis shows nothing but Magnesium .5% derived from Mag Nitrate.
He said it's like $260 for 4 L.... jesus.

But yeah, clearly labeled contents would be so helpful. I'm thinking AN can grab more money out of your pocket if you have little idea of what you're getting. Lame..
I would think the label would be the #1 tool a grower uses to judge what they are getting and what it can do for them. For most, it appears as though labels are replaced with claims made by the company selling them. ie: 35% increase in essential oils!

So, are saying that if it is an "additive" it requires less description of contents than if it is what they call "base nutes"?

 

[Comacus]

I am excited to say I have read through the entire post, and have had a revolutionary change in mindset. Picked up a bottle of Dyna-Gro a couple weekends ago, and moved all my cana specific nutrients and unlabeled snake oil products to a corner in the garage. I am tired of the yellowing leaves, stunted plants, and l look forward to maintaining green healthy leaves to the end of this grow.[HR][/HR] Now I need some help though. The seedlings in the photo are stunted, yellowing, and I am hoping for some advice to save them and get them turned around. They are almost 30 days old, and only 1-1/2" tall![HR][/HR] They were planted in Empire Builder soil. It is supposed to have enough nutrients to carry them through their life (ie blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, alfalfa, etc.). At two weeks old, I noticed they were yellowing so gave them a foliar spray of 1/2 tsp/gallon Dyna-gro, and followed up again at week 3. At two weeks, I also gave them some "Plant Success" to try to establish some mycorrhizae on the roots hoping it would help with their nutrient uptake. I am sure you are probably familiar with Plant Success it contains mycorrhizae, trichoderma, beneficial bacteria, humic acids, and seaweed. After not seeing any improvement in the yellowing last night at week 4, I gave them a 1/2 strength watering of Dyna-Gro (1/2 tsp/gallon). It is hard to say for sure but I may be seeing a little greening up of the new growth. A note on lighting. I am trying a 12/12 cycle from seed on these, and inadvertently left the lights on 24/7 for a 3 day stretch. They may have seen some overdrying, and heat stress on those three days. I would really appreciate any help and guidance you would suggest to get these back on track. I want them to look like all the nice plants I see you all have using the Dyna-gro!

 

[HeartlandHank]

I am excited to say I have read through the entire post, and have had a revolutionary change in mindset. Picked up a bottle of Dyna-Gro a couple weekends ago, and moved all my cana specific nutrients and unlabeled snake oil products to a corner in the garage. I am tired of the yellowing leaves, stunted plants, and l look forward to maintaining green healthy leaves to the end of this grow.[HR][/HR] Now I need some help though. The seedlings in the photo are stunted, yellowing, and I am hoping for some advice to save them and get them turned around. They are almost 30 days old, and only 1-1/2" tall![HR][/HR] They were planted in Empire Builder soil. It is supposed to have enough nutrients to carry them through their life (ie blood meal, bone meal, feather meal, alfalfa, etc.). At two weeks old, I noticed they were yellowing so gave them a foliar spray of 1/2 tsp/gallon Dyna-gro, and followed up again at week 3. At two weeks, I also gave them some "Plant Success" to try to establish some mycorrhizae on the roots hoping it would help with their nutrient uptake. I am sure you are probably familiar with Plant Success it contains mycorrhizae, trichoderma, beneficial bacteria, humic acids, and seaweed. After not seeing any improvement in the yellowing last night at week 4, I gave them a 1/2 strength watering of Dyna-Gro (1/2 tsp/gallon). It is hard to say for sure but I may be seeing a little greening up of the new growth. A note on lighting. I am trying a 12/12 cycle from seed on these, and inadvertently left the lights on 24/7 for a 3 day stretch. They may have seen some overdrying, and heat stress on those three days. I would really appreciate any help and guidance you would suggest to get these back on track. I want them to look like all the nice plants I see you all have using the Dyna-gro! View attachment 2743453View attachment 2743454

Giving them DG is headed in the right direction... what sort of lighting do you have for them?
Are these seeds important to you? Did you spend much?
I would personally start over. Prbly with a soilless mix. Light warrior or a cleaned coco.. I like H&G or Canna.

I've been jacking all of UB's threads lately. I'm gonna lay off. haha.

 

[Impman]

I often use stakes and then wrap the plant's perimeter in a long strip of women's hosiery. You won't hurt the roots and I always whittle a point on a bamboo stake. For more stability, using an ice pick or knife punch 1 small holes on each side of the stake at the top of the pot, worm a wire tie through one hole around the stake, back thru the pot and tie it together.

Cages are fine too.



You've probably seen my posts as to how the cannabis specific folks get around the law (if in the states) by placing the product into an additive or supplement category. One reason why I refuse to buy anything related to cannabis is the misrepresentation, deception and fraud. Hell, most times you can't even get the ingredients and when you do, the NPK values or additives are stated differently from one vendor to another. They can't get it right.

IOW, it's a matter of trust. I trust guys like Scott's, Peters, Plantex, Harrell's, etc. but wouldn't piss on a box of Fox Farms, Advanced Shyster, Humboldt, etc. if they were on fire.

UB

Music to my ears! Nothing short of my salvation as a new grower!! I was blind but now I see!

 

[Comacus]

Giving them DG is headed in the right direction... what sort of lighting do you have for them?
Are these seeds important to you? Did you spend much?
I would personally start over. Prbly with a soilless mix. Light warrior or a cleaned coco.. I like H&G or Canna.

I've been jacking all of UB's threads lately. I'm gonna lay off. haha.

I use a T5 ( bulb fixture currently with 4 bulbs on with a 50/50 mix of red/blue bulbs. Yes, I would like to save these if possible. Have the following, and have been looking forward to them for a while: Golden Kush, Goji OG, Bubble Gum, Pure Gooey, Berry Mania x Dark Cross, and Molokai Kush.

 

[HeartlandHank]

I use a T5 ( bulb fixture currently with 4 bulbs on with a 50/50 mix of red/blue bulbs. Yes, I would like to save these if possible. Have the following, and have been looking forward to them for a while: Golden Kush, Goji OG, Bubble Gum, Pure Gooey, Berry Mania x Dark Cross, and Molokai Kush.

how close are the tops of the seedlings to the T5 bulbs?

 

[Comacus]

how close are the tops of the seedlings to the T5 bulbs?

8-10" away from bulbs.

 

[HeartlandHank]

I trust guys like Scott's, Peters, Plantex, Harrell's, etc. but wouldn't piss on a box of Fox Farms, Advanced Shyster, Humboldt, etc. if they were on fire.

UB

I recently started playing House and Garden again...
I was looking at their page and read a long "apology" letter.
Apparently, in the US they were labeling their NPK incorrectly. The AFPC (US standards) measured the contents and found them to be not accurate. They were forced to quarantine their US product and stop selling until the problem was fixed.

They said that they were going by the AOAC (EU standards). By AOAC standards they were accurate.

Either way, clearly these mj specific companies are not making it easy for me to read labels and feel confident about them.

I've had some success with H&G in the past. I'm going to give them a full unbiased shot at a spot on my nutrient shelf. Supposedly by the AFPC standards the label is now accurate.

 

[Impman]

In most all other products for your home, or food, or even your car there is going to be government regulations. If there is not a stiff standard ou must obide by, there is always a angry customer that will write letters to local government and the BBB. If that doesnt get through they will write letters to congress and even get local media involved.

What marijuana grower is going to write congress about the unfair labelling and business practice of 'The Jolly Green Grow Shop' or Foxfarm or AN?? And what congress person would care. This industry is wide open for hustlers and con men. I picture some millionare fat hick whos never smoked weed in his life starting these snake oil companies. It is like taking candy from a stoned baby.

 

[chuck estevez]

In most all other products for your home, or food, or even your car there is going to be government regulations. If there is not a stiff standard ou must obide by, there is always a angry customer that will write letters to local government and the BBB. If that doesnt get through they will write letters to congress and even get local media involved.

What marijuana grower is going to write congress about the unfair labelling and business practice of 'The Jolly Green Grow Shop' or Foxfarm or AN?? And what congress person would care. This industry is wide open for hustlers and con men. I picture some millionare fat hick whos never smoked weed in his life starting these snake oil companies. It is like taking candy from a stoned baby.

I use to laugh my ass off at people that threatened me with the BBB, I also use to tell the BBB, WHy do i need to pay you to give me a good rating, I have a good rating without paying you.The BBB are biggest crooks around.

 

[Impman]

I would work on improving customer service and my attidude if someone threatend calling the BBB. And all these small business owners wonder why Wal mart and costco is taking over the world. Why pay more and get shitty service at a small store or business?

 

[chuck estevez]

I would work on improving customer service and my attidude if someone threatend calling the BBB. And all these small business owners wonder why Wal mart and costco is taking over the world. Why pay more and get shitty service at a small store or business?

The customer is NOT always right.

 

[HeartlandHank]

I use to laugh my ass off at people that threatened me with the BBB, I also use to tell the BBB, WHy do i need to pay you to give me a good rating, I have a good rating without paying you.The BBB are biggest crooks around.

BBB is a joke.
Yelp is the BBB with muscle though. Fucking terrible thing.
My girl's business basically gives away 100s of dollars every month to keep people from ruining their name.
Essentially, extortion ...

 

[HeartlandHank]

I would work on improving customer service and my attidude if someone threatend calling the BBB. And all these small business owners wonder why Wal mart and costco is taking over the world. Why pay more and get shitty service at a small store or business?

As an American you have an altered view of a businesses obligation to the customer. It's great and all, but, it's kind of ridiculous.
You can buy stuff with the intent of returning later.. that's ridiculous.

You buy the wrong size shoe and want to return it? Why did you buy the wrong size? Did you not have your feet with you when you bought them? haha.

 

[chuck estevez]

As an American you have an altered view of a businesses obligation to the customer. It's great and all, but, it's kind of ridiculous.
You can buy stuff with the intent of returning later.. that's ridiculous.

You buy the wrong size shoe and want to return it? Why did you buy the wrong size? Did you not have your feet with you? haha.

He has a hypocritical view, he screams about AN being a greedy corp. while buying his stuff at walmart.

 

[HeartlandHank]

Wal Mart is taking over because most everyone involved in the lower level operations (manufacture workers, retail employees) don't make shit for money and live on gov't benefits (US)... allowing them to sell goods for less than the small business owner.

To make it all the sweeter. THe small business owner/self employed get taxed to death to pay for programs that the wal mart employee needs to live...

Love you Uncle Sam,,haha.

From what I understand, Costco is not a bad employer. Not sure.
I used to shop there for business purposes for a former employer, and employees seemed happy.
Costco is an excellent business model.

 

[Uncle Ben]

I am excited to say I have read through the entire post, and have had a revolutionary change in mindset. Picked up a bottle of Dyna-Gro a couple weekends ago, and moved all my cana specific nutrients and unlabeled snake oil products to a corner in the garage. I am tired of the yellowing leaves, stunted plants, and l look forward to maintaining green healthy leaves to the end of this grow.[HR][/HR] Now I need some help though. The seedlings in the photo are stunted, yellowing,

What Dyna-Gro product?

It's obvious they need N.