Winter 2022/23 Gro & Flo (Ebb and Flow) Run

Just a few days into 12/12 so not much happening in the growth/stretch department.
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So on the 21st I put a number of clones in the cloning machine and in Solo coco/perlite cups and put them under low light.

Those are in the same room as the tent was not able to get the room totally dark for the start of flowering. Built a rack to put them in at the far end of my shop.

We then put dark landscape fabric around the rack to reduce the light in the room.

I will be adding a second layer of fabric on the rack to further shield the light, not sure it is needed but better safe than sorry.

The plants are drinking well,, about 5 to 6 gallons every two days. My spreadsheets since beginning flower.

11 days since start of 12/12, beginning to stretch, drinking and eating a lot, about 1.5 to 2 gallons/day and the EC drops 0.1 to 0.2/three days.

The clones from the cloning machine and the ones I had in coco plus about 24 more clones that I took on day 6 of 12/12, the plants were just to damn thick when I was tying them down.

I know I will be doing a lot more thinning on day 21 of 12/12 as the insides of the plants or growing like they were monster crop clones.

Looks like you're building a hedge

Day 15 of 12/12, bud forming.
Did a rez change yesterday, it had been 23 days since last change. I am using the Torus XpH Capsule model which stabilizes the pH and helps extend reservoir time, this is the first time I have let it go this long but the solution was still stable after 3 plus weeks. The pH of the reservoir has stayed fairly stable, w/out adding any pH up or down, at 5.9 tp 6.1.
I just raised the solution EC from 0.9 to 1.1, a little late but not seeing any bad effects of waiting a could of weeks to raise the EC.
Just a few pics,

Day 19 of 12/12, stretch is on but mainly the plants are getting thicker.


So ready for the 21st day trim, going to take at least a couple of days to thin them out.
Can't remember where I saw the post but was impressed with the trimming, very similar to my method. Trim up from the bottom, lollipop, remove all leaves with 1 inch petiole. Don't think I will be as aggressive as I was with this Monster Crop plant.
One week prior to start of 12/12.

One week after initial trim.

Days before harvest.

Got 19 plus zips off this plant.

Yesterday was a busy day, removed the plants, one at a time, and did the 21 day defoliation and Lollipop.
These plants aren't tall but damn they were thick, took a packed 5 gallon bucket off the 6 plants and added it to my compost bin.




My EC monitor probe died on me yesterday, ordered new one, so this afternoon when I add back the 6 gallons they have drank since Thursday I will be adding very lite nutrients and not chance overfeeding them. They have been drinking just under 3 gallons per day. That should drank a bit less due to the defoliation but should kick back in after they recover from the defo.
I put a new XPH REFILL POD in the reservoir yesterday and it is working perfect, pH this morning was 6.01. It had been fluctuation the past few days and I called Torus and they told me to replace the pod, I had only one and he said he was sending me a 3 pack of pods on Torus, nice folks and they have English speaking tech support. I was skeptical when I first heard about Torus XPH from a friend, but I have been using them now since my last grow and they do what they say they will do, keeping the pH within the zone, 5.5 to 6.5, mainly around 6 with no need to add pH Up or Down.

This is the current setup, 6 plant, Active Aqua Grow Flow (Ebb and Flow).



Just purchased another 6 pot expansion kit and after this grow is finished will be setting this up in the 5 X 5.
At present the control pot sits inside the tent but going to move it outside of the tent, see drawing below. Have to add extra nutrient solution, at present adding 30 gallons for the six plants and will increase that to 39 to 42 gallons. Also looking into adding another reservoir as a refill rez to keep the primary rez filled, just that to figure out how to set it up. So all you smart guys out there, HELP! :19:
I will also have to split a port using a 1/4 inch Tee on the Orbit 8 port manifold. Don't think that will be a problem as long as I keep the hoses the same length, the pump I am using should handle the extra pot with no problems.
Here is the proposed setup! Adding three 5 gallon buckets and will need extra 3/4 inch hose but not problem as it comes with the kit. Only thing that is still needed is two 3/4 inch tees but next time I go to the city will pick them up at Lowes.



What do you folks think?

gr865 said:

This is the current setup, 6 plant, Active Aqua Grow Flow (Ebb and Flow).

Just purchased another 6 pot expansion kit and after this grow is finished will be setting this up in the 5 X 5.
At present the control pot sits inside the tent but going to move it outside of the tent, see drawing below. Have to add extra nutrient solution, at present adding 30 gallons for the six plants and will increase that to 39 to 42 gallons. Also looking into adding another reservoir as a refill rez to keep the primary rez filled, just that to figure out how to set it up. So all you smart guys out there, HELP! :19:
I will also have to split a port using a 1/4 inch Tee on the Orbit 8 port manifold. Don't think that will be a problem as long as I keep the hoses the same length, the pump I am using should handle the extra pot with no problems.
Here is the proposed setup! Adding three 5 gallon buckets and will need extra 3/4 inch hose but not problem as it comes with the kit. Only thing that is still needed is two 3/4 inch tees but next time I go to the city will pick them up at Lowes.

What do you folks think?

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Looks good Mr rainbird. I see you with them emiters lol.

JiMBeANER said:

Looks good Mr rainbird. I see you with them emiters lol.

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Yes I have been using the Rainbird Emitters for years in my Coco/Perlite grows, and when my friend Rocky recomended I use a waterfall system in my buckets I knew these would work well.

gr865 said:

Yes I have been using the Rainbird Emitters for years in my Coco/Perlite grows, and when my friend Rocky recomended I use a waterfall system in my buckets I knew these would work well.

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Very nice

Been three days since the 21st day defoliation and they are responding well.



I do like the way the buds are forming, and going to spread them a bit to get more light to them.
I topped off the reservoir with 6 gallons on Saturday, they are drinking well, and today will need to top off with 6 gallons. Will be adding only very light nutrients to the solution because the replacement probe for my EC meter won't be delivered till Tuesday. When I get the new probe I will be stepping up my nutrient program.
The new XPH pod is working in the rez and maintaining the pH at a good number, this morning it was 6.09. Have not added any pH up or down since I change the rez on the 3rd of Feb. I do like the Torus system.

Been a week since the last update, things have been good. One issue arose last weekend, my EC meter probe crashed, got a new one shipped and am questioning the accuracy of the readings. The plants have been drinking about 3 gallons of nutrient solution every two days, But according to my new probe I am not seeing any drop in the EC reading. Contacting them today to try and resolve the issue.

So here we are at day 31 of 12/12. Buds are thickening but it at the point in the grow where looking at them every day, just don't see that growth.







Sorry of the poor quality of my photos, phone is not good camera. Going to look for a better quality digital camera,

I am thinking I got the EC meter working again, we will see.
Had another issue this weekend, one of my new AC Infinity 6 inch Oscillating fan.

The fan started acting erratic, making noise and trying to stick when trying to reverse it course.
I sent them and email and got an immediate response, not wanting to wait for another email I called them this morning and they ask for the order number, my address and phone number. They said they are sending me a replacement today.
What great customer service!

gr865 said:

I am thinking I got the EC meter working again, we will see.
Had another issue this weekend, one of my new AC Infinity 6 inch Oscillating fan.

The fan started acting erratic, making noise and trying to stick when trying to reverse it course.
I sent them and email and got an immediate response, not wanting to wait for another email I called them this morning and they ask for the order number, my address and phone number. They said they are sending me a replacement today.
What great customer service!

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When i got my tent from them it was missing a few poles.
Same experience as you. They sent the poles out to me without delay

The adventure continues!
Day 38 of 12/12
Last update was a week ago so let's see where we are today.
Got the EC cable for my MW 302 and all seems to working fine.
Got the replacement fan and it too seems to be working fine.
Noticed a little slime on the roots so after consulting with by buddy Rocky (he lives high (and I mean altitude lifestyle) in the Rocky Mountains) and he suggested Pool Shock at 0.10 to 0.50 grams per 10 gallons solution in my reservoir. I went with 0.20 grams and will give them two days and add it again.
He has been growing DWC for many years so I trust his advice. The cost of Pool Shock compared to food grade Hydrogen Peroxide was a factor in my decision.
You can see the healthy roots around the slim area. I am sure I caught it before much damage was caused.

Other than this little set back the plants are doing OK. Do to my funky camera I have enhanced the photo a little.


Did some Super Cropping to this Blueberry mainly for height control. Thinking this plant may be ready before any of the LSD plants are ready.


Buds are stacking nicely!


Trichomes are forming well.


Can see the buds begin to swell, up and down the stems.


See y'all in the funny papers! Have a good week.

Update!
Day 52 of 12/12.
Since my last update the slime on the roots progressed.

On day 42 I pulled the plants from the tent and saw that the roots had developed more slime and it some of the branches began wilting and turning brown.

I added pool shock and more Hyfroguard to no avail. Added hydrogen peroxide to no avail. Removed the plants and did a root wash. After a good cleaning, refilling the reservoir, adjusting the EC to 0.9 and pH'ing I notice that the plants were drinking well but not taking in nutrients the conclusion was Lockout! Never had this happen before. Lost more branches, and the plants are still drinking well but not taking in nutrients. I removed all the branches that had started browning and hoping to get to day 60, the day the breeder says in that is in the harvest window. May have to harvest on day 56 depending on if I lose any more branches. Since I started growing again, its been 14 years now, I have never had anything like this happen. I feel like a newbie!
Here are the plants two days ago. The Blueberry in the second pic on the far right is damage from super cropping, broke the branch.

And today!


This past week has been a bitch, I have been sicker than an old dog but still having to keep a watchful eye on the ladies.

My conclusion is that I must not be smart enough to run this type of system so my next grow in the fall I will be returning to Coco/Perlite DTW. Going to bastardize this ebb and flow and still use the buckets and control system.. More to come on this.

After drying, full branches on Stack-it drying screen for two weeks

Then finishing trim the buds are in jars curing.



Final weight going into the jars is 625 grams, 22.3 zips. Less than I expected but when the lockout started at around day 42 due to root slime and not being able to control the slime the plants just stopped taking in nutrients and only drinking water. They just stopped growth and individual branches began dying.

And after about two weeks of trying to resolve the problem I decided to begin harvest, about 10 days to two weeks early. The plants stopped stacking and putting on any weight.
The trichome's overall were probably 60 plus % cloudy, the rest were still clear.

My take away from this grow:
1. I did not cover the grow pots, next grow I will build cover made from a 4x8 foot sheet of Styrofoam insulation board.
2. I will use the waterfall method during the early part of the grow to establish the root system. I think that may have been part of the problem, the light was able to get to the clay pellet and pernitrate into the pellets. After the roots are established I will go back to filling the control buckets directly from the reservoir.
3. The temps in the tent were fine the whole grow so will make not change there. I will be moving the control bucket to the outside of the tent to keep it cooler as the AC will hit it directly.
4. I determined that I have to realize my age and physical condition so I will not be adding a third row of buckets, making it 9 buckets and stick with the 6 buckets I began with. This will be easier to move the plants around and remove them from the tent as needed.

Well until my next grow, that I will be starting mid summer and grow them in Solo cups with coco till they root well, then wash the roots to put them in the ebb and flow system, I will be taking a few months off.
Not sure if I will try and get some clones, thinking of going to NM and get some clones, or start some Dos Si Dos from seeds.

Hope you're feeling better!

bobPinfeather said:

Hope you're feeling better!

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Thanks Bob, yes much better.
I had 4 surgeries and a heart attack last year. I did start some Dos Si Dos and took clones from one plant. I am currently at 37 days into 12/12. Unless shit totally falls apart then I think I am going to have a successful grow again.