4'x'4 Gorilla Grow Tent || Blue Dream ScROG || First Grow

[CCCmints]

I'm speaking for the clone but there's definitely S1 phenos capable of hitting the yield. There's one that looks more indica dominant that I think might out yield the clone but wasn't as good.
I'd want to be running hydro but if I was going with soilless I would go with fast draining 50/50 mix of peat and growstones (they're like better hydroton). I'd put rooted clones into 1qt pots lined with something like microkote or spinout (or just mix copper (II) hydroxide n latex pain and make your own, all pots will be lined with this) and let them stay in there for about 3 weeks to get a truly dense root ball, you could probably do it at 2 weeks. Then go to 1-1.5 gal for another 2-3 weeks, then to a 3-4 gal, then two final container about a week before flower. They can be held pretty much indefinitely in the 3 gals if you need to wait for room to be opening up in bloom for the new plants.
For nutes I'd go with Either Jack's Citrus FeED or Dyna Gro's Foliage Pro as my base along with DG's Protekt. After the stretch give a bump in Ca and Mg and S (usually Mg supplements have a lot of S). Feed enough to keep the leaves green and productive but no more and feed at every watering. Plants are not like people, feeding them too much will not make them fat. Flush your medium out with 2-3x the volume of the pot of pH'd water and then feed as normal every 7-14 days. Salt build up will fuck your plants up.
The big trick is getting your tent filled with an evenly illuminated canopy and finding the environment the plants like. I find running negative pressure fucks things up. Make sure your intake can keep up with your exhaust.
Do you have a light mover in there? They help provide more even coverage. They don't really expand the area a light can cover but they help them cover it better.

One day I want to try to get a pound off a single plant under a 400W with the clone when I have space. I think she could do it.

i honestly need to setup a little box so i can take clones or even keep a mother plant or two. it's really going to suck if i get a killer pheno out of this run and don't get to keep it...

am i supposed to be feeding every 7-14 days? i thought when i start nutrients i was supposed to do water < feed < water < feed etc. yeah i didn't think negative pressure was good so i plugged my exhaust fan into a speed controller. i have another booster fan though so i'm going to attach that to the one i've got running in the tent now. then i'll be able to crank the exhaust up a bit more (hopefully all the way but we'll see). for this first run i'm really gonna try to make my tent as optimal of an environment as possible. that will be the first step to increasing yield.

and thanks for the transplanting advice. i was under the impression that you didn't want to transplant too often because it stresses the plants out. but after thinking about it a bit i don't see where all that stress would be coming from..you've got me on a new way of thinking now. what i'm gathering from your transplant advice is you want the plant in a pot that fits the plant's size to establish a good rootball, then transplant to a bigger pot and right before flower put her in her final home. so i think in a few weeks i'm going to transplant to the 3 gallon pots i have and then order a couple 7 gallon smart pots. i hope 3 gallon to 7 gallon isn't too big of a jump.

Yea ccc,you can easily pull 2lbs with some patience..id def have to side with duck on the larger pots..more roots equal more fruits...and vegging that long isn't gonna help itll hurt,if you leave em in a smaller pot..3gal pots were not meant for 5months of growth...3 months of veg and 2 flowering and it'll be a block of roots coated in salt...I got mothers that have been in the same pot for over a year,but I take special care of them and only veg(obviously)...if I were you id get an aluminum horse trough and line it with landscapefabric and use it for both plants..it'll be sturdy enough to move with all that weight(unlike a rubbermaid tote) and you can fasten screen supports all around it with the same sturdy metal...set that bad boy on a few bricks for drainage into a pan and you're set.

the trough idea is a good one. i don't see why i would have to move the plants though? maybe if i were dealing with a lot of plants (like yourself) then i would put them in a trough.

 

[MrEDuck]

i honestly need to setup a little box so i can take clones or even keep a mother plant or two. it's really going to suck if i get a killer pheno out of this run and don't get to keep it...

Dude you can build one out of a storage tote. Here's my ghetto one built primarily with shit I had around the house http://imgur.com/a/Zjjgl#0
This isn't like human women where you have awhile to figure out if she's the one and to do something about it. With these ladies you need to be able to do something right then or risk losing her forever. There's always oh shit revegging but that can be a major PITA especially if you have plants in large pots and isn't 100%.
I would suggest a larger space if you want to do a few large plants. That way you can veg and flower in separate spaces and always keep the flower room full. I outlined a 10 week veg, if you're running 10 week strains that means you're cutting your number of harvests per year in half!

am i supposed to be feeding every 7-14 days? i thought when i start nutrients i was supposed to do water < feed < water < feed etc. yeah i didn't think negative pressure was good so i plugged my exhaust fan into a speed controller. i have another booster fan though so i'm going to attach that to the one i've got running in the tent now. then i'll be able to crank the exhaust up a bit more (hopefully all the way but we'll see). for this first run i'm really gonna try to make my tent as optimal of an environment as possible. that will be the first step to increasing yield.

and thanks for the transplanting advice. i was under the impression that you didn't want to transplant too often because it stresses the plants out. but after thinking about it a bit i don't see where all that stress would be coming from..you've got me on a new way of thinking now. what i'm gathering from your transplant advice is you want the plant in a pot that fits the plant's size to establish a good rootball, then transplant to a bigger pot and right before flower put her in her final home. so i think in a few weeks i'm going to transplant to the 3 gallon pots i have and then order a couple 7 gallon smart pots. i hope 3 gallon to 7 gallon isn't too big of a jump.the trough idea is a good one. i don't see why i would have to move the plants though? maybe if i were dealing with a lot of plants (like yourself) then i would put them in a trough.

I feed with every watering. Every week or two I flush the medium out prior to feeding to remove salt build up. I grow more like a hydro setup even in soil.
I don't like smart pots because I like the structure of a real pot. Line it with Cu(OH)2 or get one of those fancy air pots if you feel like spending money. As long as your container prunes the roots timing transplants is a lot easier. The trick is increasing pot size gradualy so you get an extra 3-4" in each dimension. There's a product called rootmaker containers that are commonly used by commercial nurseries growing perennials that need to be transplanted a few times before they get sold. It just adds 4" or something each time and creates an awesome root ball. The reason to do the final transplant a week before the flip is because the plant will still develop a lot of root mass in the first two to three weeks of flower so you just want her to have a little time to adjust to her new home before flipping but you still want space for a lot of root growth. 3 gal to 7 should be fine though, especially since it's the final container.
As far as an optimal environment I like to keep my RH around 40 and temps between ~75-80F (I like to aim for 77F) without supplemental CO2. Right now I'm stuck with little ability to control my environment and it fucking sucks. Once you have that make sure the air is circulating in your tent as much as possible. Unlike nutes more is better right up until the point of burn! With sufficient air movement and additional watering plants will do just fine at temps over 86F. Many of my Aussie friends run temps as high as the low 90s during the summer and they still do very well. They practically build their grows out of fans to do so but it works.

 

[rory420420]

Ccc..you'll see that you will need to move the girls a little here and there just to get around and prune,ect..not a necessity but it helps..I'm gonna go find my cloner on ebay..its the glue that holds my room together..an infalliable machine..100% sucess everytime..my clones are as big as some guys plants!! You can get an idea of the function of it and buid a small one,or ill look and see if the guy makes smaller ones..clones help speed things along,and offer a fallback 'plan b' if some stoopid shit happens,like a light falls or something..(example,I don't feel that would happen to you)..

 

[rory420420]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/171110020795?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1
The same guy made mine,but mine is the 64 sit..I seen another manufacturer with a 12 site but it had some weird disc in the center..I like mine..I put painters tape on one edge and can lable everthing I clone,and all I use is r.o. water(3 1/2 gal) and 25ml of calmag..10 days later I really have what I call 'gandolf beards' starting on the ladies..and,they will stay and grow in the cloner for a while without any attention..I leave my potroast in there for 3 weeks sometimes just to hav em ready for the next rotation and they can get to 2pin before I even stick them in the dirt!(that's the strain tho..others just grow roots instead of veg..potroast does both!)...hope this helps..other than the pump and the neoprene discs/cups,you can build this for 18$..emitters are like 50cent at my hydro shop...keep those girls alive! Never know who might wanna trade you...

 

[rory420420]

2pin = 2big..damn phone.

 

[CCCmints]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/171110020795?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1
The same guy made mine,but mine is the 64 sit..I seen another manufacturer with a 12 site but it had some weird disc in the center..I like mine..I put painters tape on one edge and can lable everthing I clone,and all I use is r.o. water(3 1/2 gal) and 25ml of calmag..10 days later I really have what I call 'gandolf beards' starting on the ladies..and,they will stay and grow in the cloner for a while without any attention..I leave my potroast in there for 3 weeks sometimes just to hav em ready for the next rotation and they can get to 2pin before I even stick them in the dirt!(that's the strain tho..others just grow roots instead of veg..potroast does both!)...hope this helps..other than the pump and the neoprene discs/cups,you can build this for 18$..emitters are like 50cent at my hydro shop...keep those girls alive! Never know who might wanna trade you...

that shit is dope as fuck! today i was thinking about building a veg chamber and picking the best blue dream to use as a mother to begin a perpetual sog. then i realized i was getting ahead of myself (i do that a lot lol). i'm gonna' stick with the plan of a 2 plant mega scrog and then take my experience into a perpetual sog.

i wonder how many plants i could comfortably fit in a 4x4 tent. i'd probably go with 7"x8" 2 gallon smart pots. i've heard when people really get their sogs dialed in they can reach upto 1 oz a plant. i don't doubt it especially if i veg for a couple weeks before throwin' em in the flower room.

 

[CCCmints]

they're really taking off! and these glasses i got for my birthday are badass! i'm really enjoying myself here lol.

 

[a mongo frog]

Dude!!! Those r 120 dollar shades... Nice job on that gift. Heard they r great!!!

 

[CCCmints]

Dude!!! Those r 120 dollar shades... Nice job on that gift. Heard they r great!!!

most expensive shades i've ever owned that's for sure! and you heard right, these are awesome.

 

[MrEDuck]

They're worth it. Zeiss makes the lenses for the them and they make some of the best lenses going. I want their HPS filter for ky camera.
No marrer what method you use the key to big yields is having a full evenly illuminated canopy. Whether you use one plant or 64 in that tent.

 

[CCCmints]

Dude you can build one out of a storage tote. Here's my ghetto one built primarily with shit I had around the house http://imgur.com/a/Zjjgl#0
This isn't like human women where you have awhile to figure out if she's the one and to do something about it. With these ladies you need to be able to do something right then or risk losing her forever. There's always oh shit revegging but that can be a major PITA especially if you have plants in large pots and isn't 100%.
I would suggest a larger space if you want to do a few large plants. That way you can veg and flower in separate spaces and always keep the flower room full. I outlined a 10 week veg, if you're running 10 week strains that means you're cutting your number of harvests per year in half!



I feed with every watering. Every week or two I flush the medium out prior to feeding to remove salt build up. I grow more like a hydro setup even in soil.
I don't like smart pots because I like the structure of a real pot. Line it with Cu(OH)2 or get one of those fancy air pots if you feel like spending money. As long as your container prunes the roots timing transplants is a lot easier. The trick is increasing pot size gradualy so you get an extra 3-4" in each dimension. There's a product called rootmaker containers that are commonly used by commercial nurseries growing perennials that need to be transplanted a few times before they get sold. It just adds 4" or something each time and creates an awesome root ball. The reason to do the final transplant a week before the flip is because the plant will still develop a lot of root mass in the first two to three weeks of flower so you just want her to have a little time to adjust to her new home before flipping but you still want space for a lot of root growth. 3 gal to 7 should be fine though, especially since it's the final container.
As far as an optimal environment I like to keep my RH around 40 and temps between ~75-80F (I like to aim for 77F) without supplemental CO2. Right now I'm stuck with little ability to control my environment and it fucking sucks. Once you have that make sure the air is circulating in your tent as much as possible. Unlike nutes more is better right up until the point of burn! With sufficient air movement and additional watering plants will do just fine at temps over 86F. Many of my Aussie friends run temps as high as the low 90s during the summer and they still do very well. They practically build their grows out of fans to do so but it works.

if i were to make a veg chamber i'd use plywood and osb sheathing. also would have caster wheels, a hinged door with a handle (maybe lockable but my room requires a code to get inside so probably not). i'd use 240cfm booster fans for exhaust and passive intake holes covered with a filter. after doing some rough research on pricing i think i could build it for $130 give or take.

good to hear 3-7 isn't too big a jump. i'm gonna work on better air circulation as i only have that one oscillating fan right now. my temps are around 75-80 with 40-45% humidity so i think i'm good with that..which i believe is the hardest part. i didn't know air circulation allowed for such high temps. very good tip thanks duck.

also, i gave my plants their first large watering today. watered them till i saw runoff in the pots. the bigger one got more water than the smaller one. anxious to see how they react. i'll make sure to post pics later tonight. they got the water about 3 hours ago and aren't drooping or anything right now.

 

[rory420420]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pcN0HzbchR0
I think of the lyrics 'look out the flames are coming through'..everytime I smoke bluedream..lol..
Congrats ccc...its gonna be magnificent I bet.

 

[MrEDuck]

Really? I think we know what song she makes me think of

 

[CCCmints]

damn! they responded well to that heavy watering. phew...i feel as if i've overcame one of the big noob obstacles. i am no longer afraid to let these bitches dry out then pour on the water. these types of lessons are the ones which can only be obtained through experience. each day these plants teach me something new or at-least spark something new for me to contemplate. also, as i had hoped, this is proving to be a very therapeutic experience for me (biggest reason i decided to grow).



i think the mixed spectrum t5 4" above the plants is the way to go..i've been comparing the size of my plants to other photos of plants similar in age, and am pretty happy about how short and bushy these girls are growing up to be. i didn't have a ruler at the time of this photo but i'm willing to be they are no bigger than an inch..probably less.

when you guys think i should dose em up with nutes? i'm thinking day 7 of veg i'll start off with 1/4th the recommended dosage and see how they react. anything specific in the reaction i should be looking for?

thanks for following my grow y'all. and a special thanks to mreduck and rory for providing so much valuable insight. you guys are really doing me solid here.

 

[Horsetooth]

Do not nute yet. There are plenty of nutes in the soil. I suggest waiting until the end of week two to start light nutes

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." -Dalai Lama

 

[CCCmints]

i've heard the seed has enough nutrients to carry the plant through 3 weeks of life. i don't think sunshine mix #4 has any nutes but i could be mistaken.

 

[MrEDuck]

That's correct Sunshine #4 has no nutes. I usually feed a dilute amount from planting in inert media, like 1/4tsp of Jack's per gallon. I'm surprised they've grown that far with no nutes.

 

[CCCmints]

That's correct Sunshine #4 has no nutes. I usually feed a dilute amount from planting in inert media, like 1/4tsp of Jack's per gallon. I'm surprised they've grown that far with no nutes.

so tomorrow should i go ahead and feed them nutes at 1/4th strength? i'm using the lucas formula. i don't think it'd kill em and doubt they'd be burned too bad if at all, so i'll probably go ahead and give it a try. i think they might really take off if they get some food in their little plant bellys.

 

[MrEDuck]

If you're doing Lucas you really need to leech your medium frequently because the plant is going to be getting a lot of unnecessary salts. Something with a ratio of like (2-3)-1-(2-3) is much closer to what the plant actually uses.

 

[rory420420]

Yea I woulda personally started out with different nutes for my first time..I started with botanicare,used a few others and went back to botanicare in the end..girls are looking good ccc!! Id wait a few more days to feed tho..not too long..when you do they will blow up the first 3 days..you'll be amazed...