The Grow Journal of the UNknown...

[ISO2BWELL]

Seems appropriate...as I don't know anything of the history, lineage, or what to do with these clones that were given to me a few days ago. Since my other ones are doing fine under the big lights, these 4 kids can make a nice journal.

Hopefully, in a couple months they will all be healthy, thriving plants. (With Y'all's help, of course!)

Here is what we are starting out with as of today:



Individually, and since I am clueless as to strain, sex (or anything) we will designate them as Jane Doe #'s 1-4, from left to right.

Here are links to all 4, individually and numbered:

http://www.greenpassion.org/photoplog/index.php?n=22
http://www.greenpassion.org/photoplog/index.php?n=23
http://www.greenpassion.org/photoplog/index.php?n=24
http://www.greenpassion.org/photoplog/index.php?n=25


Today they are getting replanted from the clone box to their first soil home. Still waiting to hear on another thread, but I believe it is best to just use straight soil for this?

For stock I've got:

FoxFarm Ocean Forest soil (plenty)
Vermiculite
Perlite
Bat Guano

For Fert's I've got Big Bloom, Grow Big and Tiger Bloom. Beyond that, nada!

These will be going into small pots that are 4" across, and 3" (dirt depth).

Will post some more pics after potting them up this afternoon.

TM

[ISO2BWELL]

To continue the above...

Had to go out for awhile, got home and found the replacement timer I bought did the trick, and the MH fired off right on schedule along with the related fans, etc. (that's in the veg room).

Named them the Doe Janes (with one denying the moniker choosing Jane Doe instead), #'s 1-4.

Here is where we started this evening:



I took GreenPassion's advice and mixed the soil:

60% Fox Farm Ocean Forest
35% Perlite
5% Vermiculite and a dash of Bat Guano tossed in.

I PH'd the soil with the inexpensive, single probe PH meter I bought at the local hydro store. It showed a level of approx. 6.2. (best guess as it isn't digital)

I also looked over several tutorials in the meantime, and read up on trimming the dead waste to let the rest of the plant have a chance a life, instead of trying to revive those huge wilted leaves that would have likely croaked anyway (methinks).



Set them back under the light.

Next pic shows the homemade CFL fixture I fabricated. It's a 10 lamp fixture that can be expanded with bulbs along the top/center, if needed. Wiring looks like crap right now, but it is safe and I'll get it re-done and cleaned up this weekend. Interior is fully laminated with Mylar, lamps sit about 1/2" from inner ceiling which reflects well. It's a prototype that I think I can do a hellofa lot of improvement on, but when yer startin from scratch ya gotta drive the first screw somewhere!

Lamps can be on or off individually, and the whole fixture can be adjusted at about a dozen spots along the vertical side rail supports. It can be set an inch off the plants at their level now, or 24" above them. Right now it is running 2 ea. 120W 3500k end lamps over my clones in their first real soil. I need some "Cool Blue's", I guess, that are higher in rating (over 5000k), but hopefully these will do no harm, but help in the meantime.



Took a WAG and thought it best that the lights were backed off the plants about 18" for a "day", to let them acclimate to their new soil home. Have been running them on 18/6, but didn't want to light-shock them again and really mess up.

I'll post some progress pics in a day or two and hopefully we'll have some nice rebirth!

TM

[ISO2BWELL]

By the way, all, comments and suggestions (even if I'm doing something wrong :Embarrassment are ALWAYS welcome.

Menarian

[ISO2BWELL]

Spent tonight moving a veg room wall out another 16", giving us a full 5' X 5' Vegging area, now. The 4X5 was just not wide enough and I didn't feel there would be sufficient room once we got other plants (peppers) in the same room. Now, there should be plenty of space, and I can proceed with plumbing the wiring and the 240, install a control panel area where I can mount all the ballasts, timers and multi-plug outlets. All wiring (except lamp cord to ballast) will be in-wall, but easily accessible for replacement, if needed.

Finally finished up tonight after midnight, got the kids back under the 600W Conversion bulb. Tried something a bit different, as I felt I could do better on light reflection. I took a 4' wide section of mylar about 12' long and hung it across the middle section on 3 connecting walls; kind of a "band of mylar" approach. Seems to be giving a better reflection than the Panda, and can be replaced easy enough, if needed.

The Janes really perked up overnight, now that they are trimmed, lean and ready to kick ass. All remaining leaves that appeared wilted slightly have rolled over, opened up and greened up...what is there looks like it will survive just fine. Got them back under the CFL's tonight, and am running 4 of the 120W CFL which are 3500k. Best I got for now.

Replanting my veg room clones tomorrow, and will get some updated pics of the Janes.

Time to go have some medicine...I'm done today.

TM

[ISO2BWELL]

The Janes are improving, but have a long way to go yet, me thinks.

They got their first soil home last night, and so far have perked up very well. I watered these tonight (1/8 cup ea.) and gave them a small amt. of Grow Big (1/2 tsp. per gal mixed) and set them back under the lights.

They were not very close, so I moved them a little closer to the 5 120W, 3500k CFL's. I can find (hopefully) some "cool white" CFL's on Monday.

If anyone can suggest a department or home store (I don't shop at Walmart anymore, but Kmart, Fred Meyer or Lowes?) that would have these Cool White lamps I would appreciate a lead.

Here they were on Wed.



I had them sitting about 5" from the lamps last night (also was running only 4 last night), but tonight they seemed stronger, so I moved them to within 2 1/2" of the lamps. Not too hot, but should really get them rockin' (I hope!)

Is the 2 1/2" too close for now? I know they are young yet...is it too much?

Here are shots of them, # 1-4, plus the plants under the light before being moved higher.

As mentioned previously, if you have comments, suggestion, etc. they are most welcome!

Question: on #3, should I remove that big fan leaf hanging there? It doesn't seem to be helping anything, and will it draw too much strength from teh rest of the healthy plant if it is trying to revive the monster (Ok, monster leaf to such a little gal!)

This, being my first grow from clones so small (last ones were 4X the size of these now when I got them), is needed as I believe the strain these are from is a strain I have had, and it was very good for me (nice buzz too!)

TM

[ISO2BWELL]

Here's that update...

Since the last update I have changed out the lamps for 3 CFL's that run at 6500k, and also got them on a nice 20/4 schedule under the lights.

Also learned about Ph, and set myself up with test gear for the water. Was able to get about a 6.8 rating on a blend of rain water with Ph reducer and without. Also added 1/2 tsp. per gallon of Grow Big (1/2 strength). They seem to like it now.

Here is what we started with, not so long ago...



Here they are today: (see first thumbnail)

Also did individual shots, and was amazed at the difference a few days of good light, a little water and mucho care. (see other thumbnails)

My plants out in the grow room are doing well too, as I finally figured out that I needed to repot 3 of them asap. Once that was done and they got into proper Ph soil and got some good old NW rainwater (balanced Ph to 6.6 to 6.8) plus a teaspoon of Grow Big per gallon (full strength). The plants have perked up and gotten color back to near normal (the 2 Sweet Willies needed the water and nitrogen, badly).

Shots of them are thumbnailed below, too.

Look forward to seeing some comments here. These are my first grows ever, so if you see something that doesn't look right, holler!

ISO

[KermitDFrog]

Good job! I too am a first timer and have yet to gain any hands on experience with clones so all I can offer is my opinion,so here it is... just keep giving those babies that TLC that brought them this far. I think that when learning how to grow,some people get it and some people dont. Guess which category you fall into. I love to see first timers handling their business right from the start. Not everyone feels this way, trust me. Most people ruined a couple of crops and wasted some money when they first started so when they see someone like you come along doing it right first time out they (for whatever childish reasons) start hating and will not help you. Sure, some will drop one liners saying "nice work" or something like that but even that is done for selfish reasons. So to you my friend I say just keep on keepin' on. I am pleased to see how you brought the Doe's back from the brink of death...AMAZING! Also, you might get more responses if you post in the Newcomers Questions being that this site is in its early stages I would think thats where most people browse first. Happy gardening. Peace.

[btdt]

Do something for me, bro....

check the undersides of the leaves on plants 1 & 3. I hate to say it, but it apppears to me from all of the stippling (dots) on the leaves in those photos that you may have MITES.

take a look....flip the leaf over and use a magnifier. If you don't have that...put the leaf near the light til it gets warm/hot...then look at the leaf again...are there dots there that are MOVING?

Spray plain water on the plant. are there any webs showing?

DON'T wanna freak ya if it isn't goin on...but I've seen it enough times to be worried for ya....and you needd to THOROUGHLY check those ladies all over ***pronto***.

lemme know if I'm f*cked in the head here...I hope I am...but....

[ISO2BWELL]

Originally Posted by btdt

Do something for me, bro....

check the undersides of the leaves on plants 1 & 3. I hate to say it, but it apppears to me from all of the stippling (dots) on the leaves in those photos that you may have MITES.

take a look....flip the leaf over and use a magnifier. If you don't have that...put the leaf near the light til it gets warm/hot...then look at the leaf again...are there dots there that are MOVING?

Spray plain water on the plant. are there any webs showing?

DON'T wanna freak ya if it isn't goin on...but I've seen it enough times to be worried for ya....and you needd to THOROUGHLY check those ladies all over ***pronto***.

lemme know if I'm f*cked in the head here...I hope I am...but....

Uh-Oh...I went and looked and BT, as much as I hate to say it, there were some little black dots under a leaf on #3 and they moved...

OK, now what do I do? (am I FUBAR'ed?)

ISO

[ISO2BWELL]

This journal has ended...the plants are fish fodder in a big river now.

RIP Doe Janes!

ISO

[BloodShotI'z]

Wow...dude you didnt have to merk the plants!

There were steps you could have taken. BTDT was about to show you the way.

Im pissed FOR you right now. :shoot::shoot:

[ISO2BWELL]

""""Wow...dude you didnt have to merk the plants!

There were steps you could have taken. BTDT was about to show you the way.

Im pissed FOR you right now. :shoot::shoot: """"



I know I didn't HAVE to do it, but considering that these were 4 clones of unknown origin that were given to me, mites and all, I thought it best to remove them from the gene pool and take -0- chances with the mites. I pretty much got the idea thaqt they were absolute anathema after reading all the comments.

And, I learned a TON from this short time grow:
learning how to recognize in the plant if it is too dry of soil or too wet,
Ph - what's good, and what's bad.
how to watch for spider mites,
how to blend good soil mixtures,
CFL light bubs and what kelvin rating is best for which application.
Did I mention recognizing spider mites?

The list goes on, but these little ones were most beneficial.

Believe me, I hated to lose them too, but when I get fears that the clones in my grow room might get infested (those I must have as medicine as it is a good strain for my illness) then I figured it was not worth keeping the infested plants around any longer.

Once I totally sanatize that room tomorrow along with some cautious spraying around the outside grow room area, I'll be moving in a couple more clones (these are readily available to me, and since I have no seeds yet it's about my only option. I don't mind it really...and the cost is very low.

Yeah...it still hurt to toss em, but I thought it would be for the best in the long run since we don't have spider mites problems with any of our other plants around the house or in the grow room.

ISO

[g0t420ndacivic]

well at least you got some other ones goin nice try though i am sure you will get it next time i have yet to clone myself that will be next for me.good luck next time peace