aliasofmike
Well-Known Member
Evening rollitup! I've visited your forum for a few months now, as I've looked for seeds, as I've decided my equipment, as I've monitored my plants, and the hook is surely set. Now, as I've come to greatly appreciate the helpfulness of reading grow journals of all shades and qualities, I've decided to 'throw down'.
----
Eurekabis
The set: Budding naturalist yearning for the life-breathing spirit moves to the outskirts of the city to shorten the commute to his newish post-college job. He misses the birds trees and fresh air. However inspired, lacks motivation. But aha! friendly entheogens are doubly attractors. So the slow spiral begins, escape velocity TBD.
The setting: Somewhat crappy apartment, but with extra closet space, obliging roommate, and MIA landlord.
The cultivate(d) philosophy: Grow with love and care. Use what is available, be flexible, react quickly, read a lot, follow anxiety to proaction and/or security.
After much researching, waxing and waning, soil is the trial medium and 400w HPS with electronic ballast the trial luminousity. First is purchased ten seeds of White Rhino, an absolute favorite among the Aspiring's friends, although he does prefer the cerebral sativas (perhaps we will discover a miraculous phenotype, notions of breeding).
Germination: Four of the seeds are selected for the proverbial first basket of eggs. They are placed on a plate on top of and underneath wet brown paper towels, all inside a plastic bag (some ventilation). All the water used on this grow, unless otherwise mentioned, is tap water left uncovered for 3 days to evaporate chlorine. One seed cracked after two days, but were left near an open window and were probably 40-50 degrees f. Moved to electric blanket/top of radiator. Quickly all four seeds sprouted healthy ~1" taproots, and were placed into wet soil (Miracle Grow organic* w/ half perlite)
Seedlings: The four seedlings were placed into plastic cups with holes at the bottom, first 1/2 inch or so - clay pebbles, the soil mixture to fill. They are placed approximately 2 feet away from the light under 24, then quickly 18/6 light schedule.
Grow Room: Two stands were build for cement mixing trays purchased at Home DePot out of 1x3 and wood screws. Originally this idea was to allow placement of water resevoir underneath for pump/drainage of a hydro setup. They work well but keep plants probably too close to the light, and I have since removed the stands and aim to find a replacement for the trays (only hold two pots each). Over the course of the grow, I slowly covered the walls and doorway with mylar, affixed with thumbtacks and duct tape (it still falls down sometimes). I've used various fans but am now working with a small desk fan that is clipped to a small shelf in the back. Before entering flowering, I purchased an air purifier (ozone generation is off, but there just in case things get really stinky). As well, purchased a small heater/radiator from NewEgg, as the closet gets too cold when the light is off, and probably caused slowed growth and perhaps K lockout/red stems (comments welcome). The closet is not ideal and kind of looks like this:
<ascii diagram fail>
' / |
' / .| This dot is where a bar runs for hanging clothes
' / |
'| |
</ascii diagram fail>
The light hangs from the rod, but it was too far forward so I've now rigged it to be closer to the middle. It hangs vertically without reflector. I think this plays into my problems with lighting distance.
Vegetation: Once it was clear that the plants had taken their full of the small solo cups, I transferred them to large (5 gallon?) clay pots with the same soil mixutre and clay pebbles at the bottom. The front plants at this point were almost certianly too close to the light, and although they showed no signs of burning, might have been having problems keeping water in the leaves. All the same, they chugged away for at least a month and a half. Trimming off some lower leaves on my front right plant (Dale), I accidentally cut off a healthy branch w/ bud site. I tried to save it by putting it into soil. More on this later. The plants began to show premature sexual characteristics and asymmetrical branching. Three females with tiny white pistils (Kumar on the front left, Dale and Saul on the front and back right respectively), and one male (Harold on the back left). /Note, positions refer to the series of pictures on this post/
Clones: At this point I ordered some Olivia's Cloning Gel, and also so Orange derived pest spray and a few kinds of nutrients (I'll go over this later). I cut two clones from each female, except for the Dale whom I maimed earlier, and only spared one. I cut and immediately dipped them into Olivia's, then into moist pre-holed soil mixture. Once prepped, I put them into my makeshift cloner under a salvaged two bulb two foot fluorescent fixture (approximately 6-8 inches away), and spritzed them intermittently (3-7 times a day). As you'll see from the pictures, I left the clones with a relatively large amount of leaf matter, as I felt it a shame to waste those solar panels. However, as time went on I more recognized by experiment and comparison, that it was doing no good. Unfortunately, I had another trimming accident (I knew better) and beheaded one of my healthier clones. I witnessed its tiny little root forming, which only increased my dismay and self-loathing. I re-gelled it and stuck it back in...we'll call her Low-Rider if she survives.
Flowering: Well this has only been a week. The plants are now on the ground and the light is better positioned with lots of headroom. More pistils are coming out, and strangely some of the older ones have turned reddish brown already. My hopes are high!
Problems: Trying to stay one step ahead of heat stress, yes, but otherwise...
1) In the beginning, my adolescent seedlings were getting what I determined to be fungus in relatively small patches. I surmised I was overwatering and drastically under-ventilating. I trimmed frugally, started ventilating, and my measures were successful.
2) Aphids? Not sure what these guys are/were. They looked like slightly large fruit flies, and were disconcerting. Strong air flow seemed to do a number, along with heat from the lamps and appropriately spaced watering. I recently discovered a pile of the dead on the transformer, and one or two flying around my clones. These will need to be dealt with, although again, no menacing vibes. Perhaps they're just feeding on the soil.
3) First it appeared to be nitrogen deficiency, generally just yellowing of the lower leaves. This encouraged me to buy some fertilizer as my soil was probably not so fertile any longer. However, the stems have always been red. Around when I switched to flowering (and note things have been getting colder especially with the light off 12 hours), I've noticed a yellow leaf tips/edges (progressing to spots) with necrosis. They curl under, then over into death. I've decided its K deficiency, perhaps exacerbated by the cold temps, but its been pointed out that it might be Mg as well. I will post close up pics soon as this interests me. For now, I've fertilized and added the heater, hopefully things are under control.
*Miracle Grow - This is a definite area for improvement. Time-release/food for two months sounds both dubious and appealing, but is really just hard to gauge and therefor BAD.
Pictures (both past and present) to be posted soon.
Updates forthcoming.
Please, comment your heart out.
Peace.
----
Eurekabis
The set: Budding naturalist yearning for the life-breathing spirit moves to the outskirts of the city to shorten the commute to his newish post-college job. He misses the birds trees and fresh air. However inspired, lacks motivation. But aha! friendly entheogens are doubly attractors. So the slow spiral begins, escape velocity TBD.
The setting: Somewhat crappy apartment, but with extra closet space, obliging roommate, and MIA landlord.
The cultivate(d) philosophy: Grow with love and care. Use what is available, be flexible, react quickly, read a lot, follow anxiety to proaction and/or security.
After much researching, waxing and waning, soil is the trial medium and 400w HPS with electronic ballast the trial luminousity. First is purchased ten seeds of White Rhino, an absolute favorite among the Aspiring's friends, although he does prefer the cerebral sativas (perhaps we will discover a miraculous phenotype, notions of breeding).
Germination: Four of the seeds are selected for the proverbial first basket of eggs. They are placed on a plate on top of and underneath wet brown paper towels, all inside a plastic bag (some ventilation). All the water used on this grow, unless otherwise mentioned, is tap water left uncovered for 3 days to evaporate chlorine. One seed cracked after two days, but were left near an open window and were probably 40-50 degrees f. Moved to electric blanket/top of radiator. Quickly all four seeds sprouted healthy ~1" taproots, and were placed into wet soil (Miracle Grow organic* w/ half perlite)
Seedlings: The four seedlings were placed into plastic cups with holes at the bottom, first 1/2 inch or so - clay pebbles, the soil mixture to fill. They are placed approximately 2 feet away from the light under 24, then quickly 18/6 light schedule.
Grow Room: Two stands were build for cement mixing trays purchased at Home DePot out of 1x3 and wood screws. Originally this idea was to allow placement of water resevoir underneath for pump/drainage of a hydro setup. They work well but keep plants probably too close to the light, and I have since removed the stands and aim to find a replacement for the trays (only hold two pots each). Over the course of the grow, I slowly covered the walls and doorway with mylar, affixed with thumbtacks and duct tape (it still falls down sometimes). I've used various fans but am now working with a small desk fan that is clipped to a small shelf in the back. Before entering flowering, I purchased an air purifier (ozone generation is off, but there just in case things get really stinky). As well, purchased a small heater/radiator from NewEgg, as the closet gets too cold when the light is off, and probably caused slowed growth and perhaps K lockout/red stems (comments welcome). The closet is not ideal and kind of looks like this:
<ascii diagram fail>
' / |
' / .| This dot is where a bar runs for hanging clothes
' / |
'| |
</ascii diagram fail>
The light hangs from the rod, but it was too far forward so I've now rigged it to be closer to the middle. It hangs vertically without reflector. I think this plays into my problems with lighting distance.
Vegetation: Once it was clear that the plants had taken their full of the small solo cups, I transferred them to large (5 gallon?) clay pots with the same soil mixutre and clay pebbles at the bottom. The front plants at this point were almost certianly too close to the light, and although they showed no signs of burning, might have been having problems keeping water in the leaves. All the same, they chugged away for at least a month and a half. Trimming off some lower leaves on my front right plant (Dale), I accidentally cut off a healthy branch w/ bud site. I tried to save it by putting it into soil. More on this later. The plants began to show premature sexual characteristics and asymmetrical branching. Three females with tiny white pistils (Kumar on the front left, Dale and Saul on the front and back right respectively), and one male (Harold on the back left). /Note, positions refer to the series of pictures on this post/
Clones: At this point I ordered some Olivia's Cloning Gel, and also so Orange derived pest spray and a few kinds of nutrients (I'll go over this later). I cut two clones from each female, except for the Dale whom I maimed earlier, and only spared one. I cut and immediately dipped them into Olivia's, then into moist pre-holed soil mixture. Once prepped, I put them into my makeshift cloner under a salvaged two bulb two foot fluorescent fixture (approximately 6-8 inches away), and spritzed them intermittently (3-7 times a day). As you'll see from the pictures, I left the clones with a relatively large amount of leaf matter, as I felt it a shame to waste those solar panels. However, as time went on I more recognized by experiment and comparison, that it was doing no good. Unfortunately, I had another trimming accident (I knew better) and beheaded one of my healthier clones. I witnessed its tiny little root forming, which only increased my dismay and self-loathing. I re-gelled it and stuck it back in...we'll call her Low-Rider if she survives.
Flowering: Well this has only been a week. The plants are now on the ground and the light is better positioned with lots of headroom. More pistils are coming out, and strangely some of the older ones have turned reddish brown already. My hopes are high!
Problems: Trying to stay one step ahead of heat stress, yes, but otherwise...
1) In the beginning, my adolescent seedlings were getting what I determined to be fungus in relatively small patches. I surmised I was overwatering and drastically under-ventilating. I trimmed frugally, started ventilating, and my measures were successful.
2) Aphids? Not sure what these guys are/were. They looked like slightly large fruit flies, and were disconcerting. Strong air flow seemed to do a number, along with heat from the lamps and appropriately spaced watering. I recently discovered a pile of the dead on the transformer, and one or two flying around my clones. These will need to be dealt with, although again, no menacing vibes. Perhaps they're just feeding on the soil.
3) First it appeared to be nitrogen deficiency, generally just yellowing of the lower leaves. This encouraged me to buy some fertilizer as my soil was probably not so fertile any longer. However, the stems have always been red. Around when I switched to flowering (and note things have been getting colder especially with the light off 12 hours), I've noticed a yellow leaf tips/edges (progressing to spots) with necrosis. They curl under, then over into death. I've decided its K deficiency, perhaps exacerbated by the cold temps, but its been pointed out that it might be Mg as well. I will post close up pics soon as this interests me. For now, I've fertilized and added the heater, hopefully things are under control.
*Miracle Grow - This is a definite area for improvement. Time-release/food for two months sounds both dubious and appealing, but is really just hard to gauge and therefor BAD.
Pictures (both past and present) to be posted soon.
Updates forthcoming.
Please, comment your heart out.
Peace.
joint
. The one in the back middle was from my accidental snip long ago, trying to play God here or just get practice in...actually maybe its denial. And the front right one I murdered in stoned cold blood. How often should I be watering the clones' soil?
. My FIM'ing attempt didn't quite work out like I planned. Not sure even what it was supposed to achieve, but there's plenty of buds now in prime competition for the topmost spot. No pictures today, lights are off. 
