Back in action! Spring '09 Grow - GreenPassion.org - Dedicated to Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Education

DieAbetic · #1 (**permalink**) 12-22-2008, 05:02 PM

Hello again my friends, it is a wonderful day to start another grow. To catch up some of the new users, this is my fifth grow (3rd seen by GP). My last grows were bagseed, Neville's Haze, and Chocolate Thai. Last operation was shut down 3 weeks into flowering because of security issues and paranoia. I have a Veg cabinet with 6 sockets for CFLs (as you can see only 3 in there working atm). My flowering cab is a grow tent with a 250w HPS/MH (5 feet tall, 4 wide, 2.5 deep approx.). I have all the supplies for both soil and hydro grows (including nutrients), since I was in the process of changing over to hydro in my last grow.

This grow I put seeds in cups of water for 24 hours (yesterday), and planted them in Jiffy cubes today. Starting on the left we have 2 Chocolate Thai (leftover from last batch), 5 Hannibal (a strain I found around here.... no information online but its a very crystally headies), and 5 random seeds that I saved from good dank/headies bags I've had recently.

Now here is the tricky part. I am going overseas for 2 weeks starting December 27th through about January 11th. I have a rommate that will watch over the plants every other day, probably ever 3 days or so. That being said, I still want to have them do the least as possible (not have to water every day/check up on plants 24/7) since they dont know too much about the plant and problems that can arise. Once sprouted, I think I'm going to transplant into Solo cups or soda bottles. I want to make Hempy-bucket cups to help hold water not dry out too fast. I was thinking vermiculite and perilite mix perhaps? I'm not sure if I want to transplant to soil or hydro when I get back, probably hydro since I have all the stuff. So here are my options:

1) Should I instead plant them in soil with some worm castings? This will provide adequate nitrogen for the first few weeks while my partner waters and I am away (again, I dont want them to be mixing nutes alot....maybe a drop of superthrive and a drop of FoxFarm Grow Big when watering).

2) Or should I mix a soiless media (perlite, vermiculite, I also have Hydroton pellets), and as my partner to put a small amount of GH Flora Grow in when watering? This may also work better with the hempy-style grow?

3) Do one of the above, but also include a wick system made of cotton string or old shirt? This could work with the hempy style to ensure the roots get the nutes from the bottom reservoir...

Veg plants will be under the CFLs under they get some growth, then under the 250w MH. Temperature and air flow should be fine. My water straight out of the tap has a pH around 7.8, and a PPM around 115. Let me know what you think I should do....its hard to decide.

-The Friendly DieAbetic

jangel · #2 (**permalink**) 12-22-2008, 05:48 PM

Having dirt feet, I would plant in soil, Die. I would replant and water well the day before you go and then you will most likely have that 3 day window between waterings. I wish you well, matie. It is a big chance you take there and I hope it works for you buddy.

Peace

digix · #3 (**permalink**) 12-22-2008, 07:11 PM

I would tend to agree with jangel, go soil (or soil-less mix) and you can usually get a 3 day watering window depending on how thirsty the strain(s) is. You also mention that you also have all the stuff for hydro... if this includes pumps, etc. you might consider a drip system for the soil setup. Done right, this could last the entire length of your trip and your roommate would just need to check the reservoir periodically and make sure everything is kosher.

Either way, good luck with the grow. Sounds like you have everything handled aside from the trip.

-D

DieAbetic · #4 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 09:03 PM

Hello everyone, and happy new year! I'm back from my travels in South America (lots of fun!), and some of my girls have actually survived!

Let me go over what I finally decided to do: I took 1 Liter water bottle. The bottom layer of about 1 inch is perilite (~.75 inch is a drainage hole) - this is like the hempy bucket method. Above that layer is a small layer of large sized vermiculite to keep the soil from draining out the hole. I cut up a cotton t-shirt to make a wick that goes from the bottom of the perlite to the top of the soil winding around. This worked very well for maintaining moisture, in fact there was a little too much watering I think (watered every 3 days). We will see how it does as the plants get bigger.

The soil is 35% Hyponex, 35% perilite, 10% vermiculite, 10% MG Organic, 10% Worm Castings/Dolomite Lime/Peat Moss/Rooting Powder. The soil was wet with distilled water with Seaweed extract and a drop of SuperThrive per gallon.

Only three plants popped up because of lack of care I think (I found some small sprouts that had died quickly for some reason - maybe too much or too little water). The taller plant with one zip tie in it is Chocolate Thai, the plant with two zip ties is Hannibal, and I just planted a new seed in the front (with 3 zip ties) that is Afghan X Malawi Gold that I recieved from a fellow grower. The rest of the cups I have put a bunch of bagseed (sometimes 2-3 seeds per cup just to make sure something grows ;-D) one is growing atm in the top right corner.

I am thinking of transplanting one or two of the plants into a hydro system. What is the best way to do this, and when is the best time? Can I wait until I sex them, or will that cause too much stress going into flowering? I can easily set up a DWC or Drip system, and I have all the nutrients and pH Up/Down and TDS meter.

Let me know what you think, and enjoy the pictures!

RadioJock420 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 11:45 AM

Pretty Plants....But WoW

....What a view. That must have been most excellent.

DieAbetic · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2009, 06:48 PM

Well, as you can see from the pics i've been busy. i planted alot more seeds (3-4 per cup), and ALOT have sprouted. I decided to keep my Chocolate Thai and Hannibal in the dirt (just in case my hydro transplant dies), and put the first bagseed grown into the 5 Gallong DWC/Drip system. The pH is 6.1, the PPM is 77 (tap water that has been bubbling for awhile).

I currently have the drip going 24/7 until the plant gets over the shock and the rocks pop down into the water, should I put it on a timer then or keep the drip 24/7?

Enjoy!

Oh yeah, and I have a CoolTube coming sometime next week so I can hopefully control my temps better (house heat + light = 80+ degrees

)

DrChronic11579 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 11:41 AM

Rock on man ill come along for the ride if thats ok.Grow those babys

IceIceBaBy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-18-2009, 03:52 PM

strapped in and ready for action....im with the Dr. on this one. hope you have smooth sailin on this one. keep us posted.

Ice

theonetrueace · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 01:15 AM

nice babies

Hatch · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2009, 01:49 AM

Nice Little Babies, Best Of Luck With Them.

Awesome View!!!

DieAbetic · #11 (**permalink**) 01-24-2009, 05:56 PM

Hey everyone. As you can see, there is some new growth and transplanting in my room. We have 9 bagseed plants in the liter selzer bottles that are a little over a week old. The Chocolate Thai (in the right container that has been topped) and the Hannibal (in the left) are just over 3 weeks old now and looking very good. I took a few close ups of these plants to show how the Chocolate Thai was topped early and now has 2 branches growing out, while the Hannibal was shorter and has been allowed to grow at a normal rate. The bagseed in the hydro has finally gotten over the shock and has started to grow a little. Still not roots in the bucket since I planted it high in the hydroton, but the pump is running water in 24/7.

The pH in the hydro is 5.8-6.0 with a ppm around 400.

The pH in the soil is 6.3-6.5 with a ppm around 600 (for the Chocolate Thai and Hannibal), ppm of 100 for the new seedlings.

My Cooltube did come in from HTG, unfortunately it came cracked. I emailed the service there and they already mailed the new one which I hope will be in early next week. High Tech Garden Supply you are my hero. More updates later.

ileso · #12 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 09:18 AM

al right!! looking good there diabetic

Hatch · #13 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieAbetic

Hey everyone. As you can see, there is some new growth and transplanting in my room. We have 9 bagseed plants in the liter selzer bottles that are a little over a week old. The Chocolate Thai (in the right container that has been topped) and the Hannibal (in the left) are just over 3 weeks old now and looking very good. I took a few close ups of these plants to show how the Chocolate Thai was topped early and now has 2 branches growing out, while the Hannibal was shorter and has been allowed to grow at a normal rate. The bagseed in the hydro has finally gotten over the shock and has started to grow a little. Still not roots in the bucket since I planted it high in the hydroton, but the pump is running water in 24/7.

The pH in the hydro is 5.8-6.0 with a ppm around 400.

The pH in the soil is 6.3-6.5 with a ppm around 600 (for the Chocolate Thai and Hannibal), ppm of 100 for the new seedlings.

My Cooltube did come in from HTG, unfortunately it came cracked. I emailed the service there and they already mailed the new one which I hope will be in early next week. High Tech Garden Supply you are my hero. More updates later.

Ya The New Growth Is Looking Nice & Vigorously Healthy!!!!EH!!!

Love To Here A Good Thing Coming Out Of A Unfortunate Mishap That Is Out Of Our Control!!!!Way To Go HTG!!!

Well, You Are Most Def. Under Way,,Kicking Ass & Making Hay!!!

Cheers`;`Hatch`;`

DieAbetic · #14 (**permalink**) 01-31-2009, 01:34 PM

Alright everyone, time for another update on my plants. The Chocolate Thai, Hannibal, and Bagseed in the hydro are all at about 33 days from seed. The little ones are about 1.5-2 weeks old, and the covered up is a clone of the Chocolate Thai. All have gotten much bigger, and were just fed prior to these shots (hydro water was also changed).

-Chocolate Thai and the Hannibal are getting FoxFarm nutes at about 700ppm (im pushing them a bit here....i want to get in a good boost so i can flush then put into bloom relatively soon). pH 6.3-6.5

-The bagseed in the bottles are starting to get small amounts of nutrients. Some Grow Big and superthrive around 200ppm. pH 6.3-6.5

-The hydro bagseed's res was getting high ppm from the pH adjusting (more and more ph down being used to keep around 5.8-6.0), so i changed the water. now we have fresh water with GH Flora nutes and superthrive around 350ppm pH 5.8. The plant is growing faster now but still not roots dropped into the bottom. i guess i planted it too high in the pot. luckily the pump keeps it wet and its showing no problems. ill crack up the ppms once we see some good root developement

Im waiting on the hydro to catch up then put those 3 into flower. As you can see both the Chocolate Thai and the Hannibal have been topped twice now to keep them short. Enjoy!

DieAbetic · #15 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 02:31 PM

The bigger Hannibal and Chocolate Thai were put into flower today (2/06). The hydro and the little ones put in my Veg cabinet (which only has like 4 cfls in there right now, other ones were used in actual house lights....lol....guess i should buy more). I also received 1 seed from a friend of Northern Lights X Romulan. that was put in water 2 days ago, popped within 24 hours, and was put in soil last night. Hopefully it survives and i see a sprout soon. I also received my CoolTube from HTG Supply. The old one that has broken plastic (or is it glass?) they let me keep. So i guess now I have two CoolTubes, one with a cracked light shield and one without. Soon Ill have to find a way to Rig my 250w light into it (uses a different cord and diff. sized socket....so ill have to using something original to fit it in). Sometime soon Ill buy a digital 400w ballast and bulbs so i can use the nice CoolTube. Updates and photos later on!

DieAbetic · #16 (**permalink**) 02-08-2009, 01:57 PM

Hello everyone. As you can see from the pics all the plants are doing well. All 8 bag seedlings + 1 Chocolate Thai clone + 1 Northern Lights X Romlulan (hasnt sprouted yet) + 1 bagseed hydro are in the Veg chamber with CFLs. The hydro is just starting to get roots dropping down into the bubbling water... there has been a nice growth spurt. The hydros pH is 5.8-6.0 with a PPM around 500-600. *edit* the seedlings pH 6.5 with 300ppm, clone and new sprout just have distilled water with superthrive and seaweed extract in it.

In the flower chamber we have the Hannibal and Chocolate Thai plants. They have been in flower for about 3 days now and are showing no signs of sex yet. Yesterday they were flushed with a couple gallons of distilled water, which is why they look a little over-watered. pH 6.3-6.5 PPM 0 (Flush). once i start nutes again ill be aiming for 800-1000 using big bloom and tiger bloom, also drop the pH closer to 6.0-6.3.

Enjoy!

Zigzagman · #17 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 07:49 AM

Looking good DieAbetic, coming along nicely.

Hatch · #18 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 02:57 PM

I'm Pulling For The NLxRmln, I Have Both Separate Strains & I Would Like To See Which Trait It Follows, Either Or It Wll Be The Bomb!!

Cheers`;`Hatch`;`

DieAbetic · #19 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 11:11 PM

The NLxRomulan sprouted! (this makes me very happy since NL is my fav strain...and when I tried the NLxRomulan....it kicked my butt!) The Hannibal in flower turned out to have some balls :-(. Oh well. The Chocolate Thai looks like a female. Not 100% sure since its showing sex a little slower than the Hannibal. *crosses fingers* The other sprouts and hydro are doing well. More updates and pics later

Hatch · #20 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 02:42 AM

Sound Great, Glad The NLxRmln Popped For Ya, Now Let's Hope It's A Female????,,Even If It Was A Male, I Would Have To Think Real Hard About Breeding It Instead Of Chopping???,, It Will Have Some Major Gen. Pool.
Best Of Luck On The Other Popping.
Cheers`;`Hatch`;`