K & G's new LEGAL CAVE!!!

Greetings!!

With the passage of Issue 2 in Ohio, I can go back to doing what I love...growing cannabis!!

I've decided to keep most of my older gear (1000W HPS, California Lightworks SolarStorm 880) in reserve. All the old nutrients (General Organics) are OUT...too old! When it comes time to clone, I still have my Clone King, so we're good there!

I've decided to start with a 5 x 5 tent from Spider Farmer, and their SE1000W light. I purchased a waterproof canvas spill tray from Gorilla Grow Tents to put in it, so I don't need saucers. I'll put the fabric pots on top of a layer of hydroton, and use my wet vac to pull out the runoff. The cool part about using downstairs is that I have an RO system in the other room, so I can run a 1" hose up out of the barrel, through the wall, and into the cave, where I'll have another pump. I can run the switch for that in there, so that I don't have to haul water!!

I'll be using Humboldt Secret nutrients, and 70/30 Coco + Perlite.

I had some old seeds - Purple Kush and Kona Sunset. They're not feminized. I put about 6 of each in water, but they're more than 2 years old (I've had them in cool dark, but I don't know if they're still viable), so we'll see. Pictures are forthcoming

Welcome to RIU

I know...mouth-watering, innit? I just checked the cups, and all the seeds are sinkers...still doesn't mean they'll sprout, but it's a start. My Coco should be here within 48 hours, so I can start them in that

And it's GAME ON!! I won't try to sprout any of these lovelies yet - but I got the order in from Supreme Seeds:

Gorilla Glue #4
Granddaddy Purps
Grape Ape

They sent me for free:
White Widow
OG Kush

Can hardly wait

Morning report...no pics yet (nothing that visible), but...exciting news! One of each of the Purple Kush and Kona Sunset have cracked! I'm going to start them in FFOFS, for two reasons. First, the soil has nutrients the seedlings can use, and second - I still have some (I hate throwing things away, when they're usable!) I'll look in on them again, in the morning.

As for the room, I have a full trash bin out front (today is garbage day) to show for my progress. I threw out some old QST (ham radio) and hunting magazines - none of which I've looked at in years! Anyway, there will be more to haul up, more than the regular waste cycle can bear. That said, I'll be filling the utility trailer, and making a run to the dump. Anyone around the Dayton, Ohio area? I only have 1.7 working arms/hands (two fingers in my left hand are held together with internal pins, and can't flex). Helpers shall be richly rewarded

And the packages are starting to roll in, as the trash is getting packed out!



The items on the left are for the multiple-meter (not here yet)...granted, the wi-fi thing is for when I can do RDWC - should be able to check everything in the solution from anywhere in the house! The humidifier I had to get from Amazon, because the SF site said they were out. It was an extra $30, but that's about 1% of my investment, so I'm not too ticked. Later today, should get the Coco + perlite, and grow bags (I found some I already had, but they have no handles!!

lol...bad me - the coco-perlite I ordered wasn't in the larger bags I'm used to. I have 4 bags of FFOFS, but a friend pointed out that, after 3 years, the mycorrhizae in those bags might actually be bad and hurt the seedlings! So, going to plant in the stuff that came in, I have 4 bags of 70/30 (Fox Farms) on order, should be here in plenty of time

Forgive the stupid question, but...my previous experience is all with soil...well, the soil is NOT reusable...if you clean out the root ball really well, is the 70/30 recyclable at all? post a reply, let me know...Thanks in advance

I reuse my soil all the time. But I add all my leftover plant parts, root balls, branches, trimmed leaves and other food scraps from fruits and veggies. Soil is always reusable, but get a testing kit to see what nutrients need rebuffering. Found out recently that my soil has low phosphorus levels so I amend the soil as needed with dry nutrients. Hope this helps.

These plants are in soil that ranges from 2-4 years old with between 5-7 grows worth of use. Granted I amend the soil whenever I can.

SomberEnigma said:

I reuse my soil all the time. But I add all my leftover plant parts, root balls, branches, trimmed leaves and other food scraps from fruits and veggies. Soil is always reusable, but get a testing kit to see what nutrients need rebuffering. Found out recently that my soil has low phosphorus levels so I amend the soil as needed with dry nutrients. Hope this helps.

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Thank you!! You just saved me more money than I would have gotten if I'd switched my insurance to GEICO!

Anytime. I grow all organic in soil. Only liquids I use are molasses and Super Thrive in the beginning. This testing kit will save you a lot of leg work overtime. Just test between grows and see where your levels are.
I compost in aerated solid totes and let them decompose for 2-3 months and remove any big sticks and stumps into fresher compost. This has saved me thousands in soil costs over the years. Helps you have a place to throw all your leftovers after harvest/defoliations.

SomberEnigma said:

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Anytime. I grow all organic in soil. Only liquids I use are molasses and Super Thrive in the beginning. This testing kit will save you a lot of leg work overtime. Just test between grows and see where your levels are.
I compost in aerated solid totes and let them decompose for 2-3 months and remove any big sticks and stumps into fresher compost. This has saved me thousands in soil costs over the years. Helps you have a place to throw all your leftovers after harvest/defoliations.

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So, if you had five sacks of FFOFS that had sat for about 4 years, would you still use it as-is?

Fox farm soil sucks!

big bud man 413 said:

Fox farm soil sucks!

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agreed I did coots mix from BAS and never looked back

I’d check the older bags before using them. Open them up and if it smells sour or anything other than fresh soil I wouldn’t use it. Your friend is right that it could have bad bacteria in it if it has sat that long. Any beneficial microbes are probably long gone.
I will also agree there are better alternatives for Fox Farm soil. Just remember though, it’s what works for YOU. Every gardener has their methods and opinions, just go with your gut and reach out if things don’t look the way you want them to. That being said, never grow cannabis in anything miracle grow. Your body and mind will thank you at harvest time.

SomberEnigma said:

I’d check the older bags before using them. Open them up and if it smells sour or anything other than fresh soil I wouldn’t use it. Your friend is right that it could have bad bacteria in it if it has sat that long. Any beneficial microbes are probably long gone.
I will also agree there are better alternatives for Fox Farm soil. Just remember though, it’s what works for YOU. Every gardener has their methods and opinions, just go with your gut and reach out if things don’t look the way you want them to. That being said, never grow cannabis in anything miracle grow. Your body and mind will thank you at harvest time.

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Last time I was doing this, I used nothing but FFOFS, and it worked fine...except now I know I can recycle soil

Still wayyyy into preparation stage. The 70/30 mix showed up today (yes, the big bags ), and the nutrients will be here this afternoon. Still no tent. No pics today, I've had some huge personal issues going on that don't bear sharing here. Suffice it to say, it'll get better

All the gear is here...and OHIO IS LEGAL NOW!!! I have beans in the water...

Purple Kush
Kona Sunset
White Widow
Gorilla Glue #4
Grape Ape
Granddaddy Purps
OG Kush

I actually called an HVAC contractor this morning, and asked for an estimate to run a vent from upstairs, so that I can get fresh air from upstairs, but make sure that it's not "outside" (too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer) air.

I'll update some photos when it looks less like a demolition zone

Ohio here as well. Awesome to see an old grower come to life. Welcome to RIU.

I started gathering items last month. Amazon has made a few dollars off me recently..lol. Loving it so far. Haven't grown in almost two decades indoors. It feels good.

I'ma follow along here n see how ya get things rolling. It's just as exciting for me to watch ya setup n grow. This shit never gets old..lol

Oh - almost forgot - scratch the Kona Sunset and Purple Kush seeds I had in the water before...mitigating circumstances forced me to dump them.

Anyway, here are the first views of "the cave". Yes, it's full of junk! I have to clear out those two file cabinets, and get all of my crafting printed material (books, etc.), and "rustable" tools (leathercraft) out.