I just inherited some dirt girlies.
I have read mixed reports about converting to hydro.
I use DWC Bubbleponic, 5-gallon buckets w/baskets, etc, etc.
These girls were heading south fast and they came with a touch of mites to boot. However, I think this will give me a little something to experiment with and I'm positive I can nurse these ladies back to health.
Added to the mix are 3 LED fixtures that are *supposed* to put out as many lumens as a 600w. I have NEVER used an LED so this should be fun. I'm already sold on the lower power draw. Let's see if these girls live and then I will have something to compare with on the back end.
I took the pots of dirt and removed the plants from the pots. The dirt ball went straight into a container with cold water in it. I figured this would shock them but I was OK with this since leafy greens are placed in Iced water to preserve the cells. I'm no expert on this but I figure this would shock them less then a full night of cold. Once again, the only direction these girls can go is up. These soaked with the very gentle assistance of my nimble fingers. The roots looked very healthy. The dirt was washed off of the roots...mostly. There is a touch of grit here and there but I figured if the roots are clinging to it, then it won't go anywhere soon.
After the dirt was removed we held the little ladies upside down by their stalks and sprayed them with neem oil to take care of the mites. This sat for a few minutes and then we q-tipped the undersides to remove any possible eggs. Meticulous work here but better than watching my clone roots grow......
We then very gently threaded some of the larger (read, more girth) root strands down into the net basket's holes. These hanged down to below the level where the water would be. Most roots were mostly intact.
At this point, I clipped (with my cloning razor) anything the plants had growing that was below the top of the net baskets. The best and hearty of these were made into clones and placed in the aeroponic clone box.
Insert expanded clay pellets...
I mixed a solution of GH flora micro and flora grow to about 400 ppms combined strength. A dash of mychorrizial additive, a pinch of superthrive (we all have our little mixes) and a pinch of rooting hormone.
Girlies tubed up and and air is blowing. Placed under 3 of the LED fixtures.
Fan adjusted lights left on all night. Left the ladies looking soggy, pathetic and like I had just hurt their feelings. No noticeable bugs though and I'll see how this all comes together. Lots of good energy and love is all these girls from a very neglectful situation needed.
So far this A.M. they look fucking beautiful. They look vigerous, spritely and spunky. They aren't taking this beating lightly nor lying down! Good leave texture, firm and pliable. Still no sign of bugs or eggs on any of the leaves. Hit them with penetrator foliar spray.
Getting some pictures taken and will post to show how they all look and perform.
I have read mixed reports about converting to hydro.
I use DWC Bubbleponic, 5-gallon buckets w/baskets, etc, etc.
These girls were heading south fast and they came with a touch of mites to boot. However, I think this will give me a little something to experiment with and I'm positive I can nurse these ladies back to health.
Added to the mix are 3 LED fixtures that are *supposed* to put out as many lumens as a 600w. I have NEVER used an LED so this should be fun. I'm already sold on the lower power draw. Let's see if these girls live and then I will have something to compare with on the back end.
I took the pots of dirt and removed the plants from the pots. The dirt ball went straight into a container with cold water in it. I figured this would shock them but I was OK with this since leafy greens are placed in Iced water to preserve the cells. I'm no expert on this but I figure this would shock them less then a full night of cold. Once again, the only direction these girls can go is up. These soaked with the very gentle assistance of my nimble fingers. The roots looked very healthy. The dirt was washed off of the roots...mostly. There is a touch of grit here and there but I figured if the roots are clinging to it, then it won't go anywhere soon.
After the dirt was removed we held the little ladies upside down by their stalks and sprayed them with neem oil to take care of the mites. This sat for a few minutes and then we q-tipped the undersides to remove any possible eggs. Meticulous work here but better than watching my clone roots grow......
We then very gently threaded some of the larger (read, more girth) root strands down into the net basket's holes. These hanged down to below the level where the water would be. Most roots were mostly intact.
At this point, I clipped (with my cloning razor) anything the plants had growing that was below the top of the net baskets. The best and hearty of these were made into clones and placed in the aeroponic clone box.
Insert expanded clay pellets...
I mixed a solution of GH flora micro and flora grow to about 400 ppms combined strength. A dash of mychorrizial additive, a pinch of superthrive (we all have our little mixes) and a pinch of rooting hormone.
Girlies tubed up and and air is blowing. Placed under 3 of the LED fixtures.
Fan adjusted lights left on all night. Left the ladies looking soggy, pathetic and like I had just hurt their feelings. No noticeable bugs though and I'll see how this all comes together. Lots of good energy and love is all these girls from a very neglectful situation needed.
So far this A.M. they look fucking beautiful. They look vigerous, spritely and spunky. They aren't taking this beating lightly nor lying down! Good leave texture, firm and pliable. Still no sign of bugs or eggs on any of the leaves. Hit them with penetrator foliar spray.
Getting some pictures taken and will post to show how they all look and perform.
