Looking for Expert Advice: 2 Big Females Flowering But No Solid Buds After 7 Weeks!

Ok, so I've managed to get some results after luckily babysitting 3 grows in the last couple years. I definitely had multiple issues thruout those grows but managed to turn the crops around to leave me with something at the end.

I think I've learned how to avoid most issues with nutes/water/ph/lighting/humidity. The main issues have been with temps and humidity since I am in a hotter, DRYER climate.

But this time around I'm having this issue where my plants are looking great overall EXCEPT it seems they are flowering at a SNAIL'S pace!

I did have a couple stress related setbacks and I'm thinking that's what is causing this. But, I would like to ask you guys here that may have experienced the same thing in the past.

Main Problem & Question

I attached some pics. If it's been 7 weeks of 12/12 flowering and my plants still look like this, should I just cut loose and start over? Will these babies even be able to grow thick quality buds at this point?

History & Stats

1 - Fem Ctritical Jack Herer
Veged from seed until 10-12"
Then switched to 12/12 on Jan. 8th 2013

1 - Blue OG Fem
Veged from seed until 10-12"
Then switched to 12/12 on Jan. 8th 2013

Using Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Grow and Bloom
Also using Cal Max as supplement as well
(no other nutes)
Using ph up/down (Gen Hydroponics brand)

Both plants are in a single-bucket system with air pumps attached to air stones (one each bucket)

450 watt HP with adjust-a-wing light hood.

Intake and exhaust is set up and ran 24 hours

Possible Sources of Issue

*Had a ph imbalance problem early in veg due to faulty ph meter. Lasted a couple days. Turned them around pretty quickly when I got the new meter(s).
*I screwed up on not paying attention to the 500-700 ppm scale difference and which scale botanicare goes off of. I realized it in a day and turned them around BUT these ladies took a MAJOR nute burn stress for a day...the blue OG totally wilted over and looked like it was dieing.
*I waited for Jan to start these because I knew the cooler weather would serve my grow area due to where it is located. BUT of course it got really f'kn cold on certain nights/days (not usual) and I think the cooler temps slowed these ladies down a bit. It got down to 55-56 on certain days within my grow tent but I don't think it got colder than that.

Bottom line I just want to know if it's even worth babysitting these ladies or if I should scrap them and buy new clones to work with this time around.

Any and ALL legit feedback will be appreciated! Let me know what other info you'd like to know. Thanks!

You have a light source you are unaware of is my best guess. I would not scrap them for anything. Make sure when the lights are out that NO LIGHT is being allowed into the roo. AS little as 15 minutes of full light, or a constant low light (like the red LED lights) are enough to prevent flowering. Use a green light to go in while the lights are out. Then when inside turn the green light out and see if you see any light.

hotrodharley said:

You have a light source you are unaware of is my best guess. I would not scrap them for anything. Make sure when the lights are out that NO LIGHT is being allowed into the roo. AS little as 15 minutes of full light, or a constant low light (like the red LED lights) are enough to prevent flowering. Use a green light to go in while the lights are out. Then when inside turn the green light out and see if you see any light.

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WERD! The most likely cause is a light leak/source during dark. They look good...find the leak and flower em. Prolly gonna get big tho.

I second the light leak statement! Only reason I could think of for delayed flowering, fix the leak and u should be good to go.

I will tell you this as well to allay these thoughts - it is NOT nutrient related. Promise. Seal any and all light for 2 weeks and watch. Besides they are vegged pretty good now. You ought to have one helluva yield.

Okay so I attached pics of the only two potential light leaks.

1 is the opening of the air in-take fan and the 2nd one is the small green LED light off the surge protector.

There really isn't much light that gets thru the air intake opening because of where it is and the direction it faces. I couldn't see light coming thru there when I did the light test.

But that freakin little green light was the brightest thing in the tent. I mean it's not that bright but bright enough to see when the lights are out. Also, the light is right in-between these plants and shines right up at them.

So, could this little dumb oversight be my problem?? Man, I wish I would have took more precaution and covered that light earlier on. I just figured since it was 'Green' that it wouldn't mess with them.

Nonetheless, I covered the light and I'll make sure no light gets thru the air-intake hole.So do you guys think that is the main problem?

also check your timer to i like to be there when the lights turn on and off every once in awhile you never know when the timer will fail or maybe forgot to lift one timer segment and the green light i would use black electric tape to cover all lights i do this for my heater it has a green flasshing light when it turnes on.

That statement not much light!!!! there's your issue you have to have "NO" light. You need to cut it to light PROOF, no green led, put tape over it. Had a green led alarm clock years ago it sat on the other side of the room behind a mylar emergency blanket, it inhibited my bloom, but.... when I figured what was causing it, and removed it, Pow. huge buds your bloom will go very long because of this, but big yield. Watch for hermi condition however. And your target date, now is dependent on trichome deteriation, so watch those with your loop, or 420 scope. To rectify your vent issue, use black lined ducting like Ideal air Ducting , www.Ideal-Air.com most grow shops sell this pretty cheap," kinda" about a $ a foot. for 6 in . peace

melungeonman said:

That statement not much light!!!! there's your issue you have to have "NO" light. You need to cut it to light PROOF, no green led, put tape over it. Had a green led alarm clock years ago it sat on the other side of the room behind a mylar emergency blanket, it inhibited my bloom, but.... when I figured what was causing it, and removed it, Pow. huge buds your bloom will go very long because of this, but big yield. Watch for hermi condition however. And your target date, now is dependent on trichome deteriation, so watch those with your loop, or 420 scope. To rectify your vent issue, use black lined ducting like Ideal air Ducting , www.Ideal-Air.com most grow shops sell this pretty cheap," kinda" about a $ a foot. for 6 in . peace

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Once again....WERD! ZERO loght is the goal. Also, sometimes the leak can change according to time of day/angle of sun.....always a good idea to check that!

My guess is they are fine and are gonna be monsters. I bet it happens very fast as well.......

Hey Guys...thanks alot for your expertise! I really appreciate it! Man, I was VERY close to chopping them and starting over...I'm glad I posted my concern on here first. I would have been PISSED if I did that.

@hotrodharley... thx man I think you called it right away. I SWEAR the light leak was the LAST thing on my mind for what was going on. I think you're right...if I turn them to straight flower (and not veg-flower) the buds will be pretty chunky.

@Gk1... thx for the encouragement. I got all butt-hurt the other day thinking I screwed these up somehow. lol

@melungeonman... It's crazy how such a small light source can make a big difference. On that last grow, when you realized the issue, how long did it take for you to notice the buds fillin in the way their supposed to? If they turn hermie would they totally be worthless? Good idea on the black-lined ducting.

I taped everything that showed any kind of light. I tightened the openings on the tent. I covered the area where the intake fan is at. But I'll probably add that ducting to make sure no light makes it inside the tent. Hopefully I'll start seeing a change within the next couple days. I'll post some new pics in the future.

H R Puff N Stuff said:

also check your timer to i like to be there when the lights turn on and off every once in awhile you never know when the timer will fail or maybe forgot to lift one timer segment and the green light i would use black electric tape to cover all lights i do this for my heater it has a green flasshing light when it turnes on.

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Yeah I def try to check that every couple days. I actually had to change humidifiers due to those "nightlights" attached. I hope I start seeing some fat buds soon.

H R Puff N Stuff said:

also check your timer to i like to be there when the lights turn on and off every once in awhile you never know when the timer will fail or maybe forgot to lift one timer segment and the green light i would use black electric tape to cover all lights i do this for my heater it has a green flasshing light when it turnes on.

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Its funny i went stumbling around in my room last night bumping into things to do this exact thing. The modem, the furnace, all the flippin LED lights!

mabey you could light proof the room that the tent is in, this would probably be easiest, that way when the lights are out there is no light coming into the ROOM itself.

put a light trap around the fan.

Man if you are that far along into flower and you did have a light leakage you will almost assuredly have nuts. Better watch em close. Contrary to popular belief they can take some light in flower without detriment. Think outdoors, the moon is full once a month and it is bright as fuk. Now I am not saying go in there at night with a maglite and start fucking around but I have two ventless propane wall heaters for heat in my flower room one 30k btu, one 10k btu, you can deff. see the flame from them I experience no probs from them and I've used em for years.

joe macclennan said:

Man if you are that far along into flower and you did have a light leakage you will almost assuredly have nuts. Better watch em close. Contrary to popular belief they can take some light in flower without detriment. Think outdoors, the moon is full once a month and it is bright as fuk. Now I am not saying go in there at night with a maglite and start fucking around but I have two ventless propane wall heaters for heat in my flower room one 30k btu, one 10k btu, you can deff. see the flame from them I experience no probs from them and I've used em for years.

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I hope I don't see balls. I'm hoping the low light intensity didn't stress them too much.

If male sacks start to show is there anything I can do? Like can I just snip them off before they shoot pollen?

Im sorry there is no way they have not gone into flowering from a small light leak. Either there is a major source of light or the timers are off. Id bet on the timers. Sure you want to have no light coming in but littler led lights from surge protectors are not going to cause the plants to stay in veg.

Hydreezie said:

I hope I don't see balls. I'm hoping the low light intensity didn't stress them too much.

If male sacks start to show is there anything I can do? Like can I just snip them off before they shoot pollen?

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With that big of plants? I wouldn't even try. You'd have to have an army of migrant workers to inspect em every day.

deeppowder420 said:

Im sorry there is no way they have not gone into flowering from a small light leak. Either there is a major source of light or the timers are off. Id bet on the timers. Sure you want to have no light coming in but littler led lights from surge protectors are not going to cause the plants to stay in veg.

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Damn You beat me to it. I was gonna say the same thing. Check your timers.

What color spectrum is your builb? is it the same one you Vegged with?