BOSS'S UNKNOWN WATERFARM GROW

[boss30349]

A short briefing: I started off with two unknown beans from a good batch I recieved. I planted the beans inside of the rockwool cubes, first. Afterwards, when the roots came out the bottom of the cubes, I then put them inside of the Waterfarm. I'm using a 400 MH and 400 HPS system for lighting. I vegetated for a short period, because of time (flowering limitations). I forgot to keep up with the dates of the pictures, so I have no information on the age of the plant at the time of the picture.

PICTURES
1. When I had two babies growing.
2. Plant showing male tendencies.
3. I'm left with only one female.
4. Nice veg growth.
5. Starting to get taller.

[boss30349]

The plant started to do very well going into the flowering stage. I used Fox Farm's Tri-Set Nutrients (Grow Big, Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom) during the grow. Alot of people says that a plant usually only get twice the size from when it was set to flower. I flowered early at about 2 1/2 weeks, and I measured it at about 4 inches tall. A couple of weeks into Flower, it started to get above 20 inches tall. I made sure that the light was close enough to give the plant plenty of light, so it wouldn't have to stretch. But it still got bigger and taller no matter what I did.

PICTURES
1. Early pics of flowering.
2. Some more pics of early flowering.
3. Getting taller and bushier.
4. More flower pics.
5. Starting to bud-up!

[boss30349]

I'm probably going to have to harvest kind of early (around Day 58-59) because of time limits.

PICTURES
1. Some dead leaves I trimmed from the plant.
2. Another bud shot.
3. A nice bud shot.
4. Pic of the plant.
5. Bottom portion of the plant.

[boss30349]

I starting to have trouble with the plant. The older leaves are starting to turn yellow and develop rusty-looking spots on them. The stem, for some reason, is starting to look as if it is growing roots from the side of the stem. I'm not sure what's exactly wrong with the stem, but it looks very bad. All of the leaf tips are burnt and the top of the main cola is light-burnt. I couldn't raise the lights any higher, so I knew I would have to take a small loss.

QUESTIONS
1. Could someone tell me what is wrong with the bottom of the stem?
2. I tried flushing with plain (pH adjusted) water but it doesn't seem to be getting any healthier. What should I try to do next?
3. Does anyone know what kind of defect the plant has, judging from the look of the leaves with the spots? If so, how do I fix the problem?

PICTURES
1. Picture of the bad-looking stem.
2. Yellow-spotted leaves.
3. I'm guessing its a nutrient burn??
4. Top of the main cola (light burn).
5. Another pic of the sick plant. Help me PLEASE!!!

[bobbygreenbear]

i'm not an expert by any means, but that looks like mold or fungus on your stalk

[LOC NAR on probation]

Yes it could be mould or fungus. I it were still green it would be trying to grow more roots. Water temps are most likely too high,very important. Larger leaves turning yellow at maturity is normal. Burning on top may be light or too much nutrients. Looks like over nutes

Very nice though just tune in your grow and maybe higher ceiling. They look like sativa, maybe indica next time ,it won't get too tall. It's all about learning and tuning in.
Enjoy the bud and next time start a mother and have all females.

[latewood]

too late to do much...but after flushing...you should apply fresh batch of nutes.

a note. A plant always grow 2-3 times it's size after flowering.

[boss30349]

Thanks to bobbygreenbear, LOC NAR on probation, and latewood for your input!!


Originally Posted by LOC NAR on probation
Yes it could be mould or fungus. I it were still green it would be trying to grow more roots. Water temps are most likely too high,very important. Larger leaves turning yellow at maturity is normal. Burning on top may be light or too much nutrients. Looks like over nutes

Very nice though just tune in your grow and maybe higher ceiling. They look like sativa, maybe indica next time ,it won't get too tall. It's all about learning and tuning in.
Enjoy the bud and next time start a mother and have all females.
It seems as if the stem is trying to grow roots from the bottom (the fuzzy white stuff). It seems as if the water temps are cooler than they should be. I don't have a thermometer at the moment, but judging from touch I would say that the bottom container holding the water is about 70 degrees. I'm just about 100% sure that the reason for the top cola being burnt, is because of the lights. When I couldn't move the lights up any further, I had to sit there and watch. I'm using the pre-built rack in the closet to hang my light from. Its frustrating because I NEVER use the dosage that FoxFarm recommends from the feeding schedule. If anything, I only use a half of that amount the schedule says. I always check the pH, too.

I figured that it was mostly sativa with a few bit of indica, but I couldn't tell before I grew, because it came from an unknown batch. This is just my practice run, before I go into cloning a mother Blue Moon Rocks. Still haven't decided on what system I'm going to use next for cloning. Thanks for the help!


Originally Posted by latewood
too late to do much...but after flushing...you should apply fresh batch of nutes.

a note. A plant always grow 2-3 times it's size after flowering.
What is the exact term for flushing?? Is it pouring pH adjusted water onto the surface, and then draining the WaterFarm, repeatedly, and then do the same procedure? I guess what I am trying to say is, how do you know it is flushed, before I apply a fresh batch of nutes. I don't want to THINK I flushed the roots, and then make the mistake of adding more nutes, causing nutrient-burn.

PICTURES
1. Picture of some buds with burnt leaf tips.

[LOC NAR on probation]

Flushing is just about what you said. Run PH water through the system once for 2 or 3 days. Then fresh nutes. PH water for a week to flush at end.
Bud looks nice for maturing plant. Get a little scope to check trichomes. Ratshack has one for 10 bucks. Look in the faq's section on tric's, you want mostly cloudy. A few amber a few clear.
OH trichomes are the crystal looking sticky stuff that you want alot of. Close up looks like a golf ball on a golf tee.
You got it going on, just keep asking questions and tuning in. Get a little fish tank thermometer. 68 to 70 is great for your water temps.
Glad to help, just trying to pay it forward till I can get back in on it. I learned alot from latewood.

[latewood]

temps should be 65-70 degrees. 68 optimum

[Markass]

I starting to have trouble with the plant. The older leaves are starting to turn yellow and develop rusty-looking spots on them. The stem, for some reason, is starting to look as if it is growing roots from the side of the stem. I'm not sure what's exactly wrong with the stem, but it looks very bad. All of the leaf tips are burnt and the top of the main cola is light-burnt. I couldn't raise the lights any higher, so I knew I would have to take a small loss.

QUESTIONS
1. Could someone tell me what is wrong with the bottom of the stem?
2. I tried flushing with plain (pH adjusted) water but it doesn't seem to be getting any healthier. What should I try to do next?
3. Does anyone know what kind of defect the plant has, judging from the look of the leaves with the spots? If so, how do I fix the problem?

PICTURES
1. Picture of the bad-looking stem.
2. Yellow-spotted leaves.
3. I'm guessing its a nutrient burn??
4. Top of the main cola (light burn).
5. Another pic of the sick plant. Help me PLEASE!!!

pic 3 honestly looks like a leaf I removed from one of my girls earlier that was dying off...it had mold forming on spots and yours looks quite similar to that..do your buds have a musty odor to them? no way to tie it down some to keep it from getting close to your lamp?

[boss30349]

Originally Posted by LOC NAR on probation
Flushing is just about what you said. Run PH water through the system once for 2 or 3 days. Then fresh nutes. PH water for a week to flush at end.
Bud looks nice for maturing plant. Get a little scope to check trichomes. Ratshack has one for 10 bucks. Look in the faq's section on tric's, you want mostly cloudy. A few amber a few clear.
OH trichomes are the crystal looking sticky stuff that you want alot of. Close up looks like a golf ball on a golf tee.
You got it going on, just keep asking questions and tuning in. Get a little fish tank thermometer. 68 to 70 is great for your water temps.
Glad to help, just trying to pay it forward till I can get back in on it. I learned alot from latewood.
Is Ratshack.com the online store you're talking about? I went to that website and it says the domain is down right now. Do you know any other recommendations that I could look at? Point me out to a specific scope if possible. I noticed that it is getting close to the end, beginning of harvest. Do the pistils turn amber after the chop (harvest) or before the the chop? I'm going to get a fish tank thermometer as soon as possible. Thanks for the help.


Originally Posted by latewood
temps should be 65-70 degrees. 68 optimum
When I purchase a fish tank thermometer, how do I adjust the temps to the exact degree of 68? I currently have the plant flushing with pH adjusted water as of now, out of the FoxFarm Trio (Grow Big, Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom), which combination would you recommend and what dosage? Can I also add Sweet by Botanicare at the same feeding of FoxFarm? Thanks for the help!


Originally Posted by Markass
pic 3 honestly looks like a leaf I removed from one of my girls earlier that was dying off...it had mold forming on spots and yours looks quite similar to that..do your buds have a musty odor to them? no way to tie it down some to keep it from getting close to your lamp?
Thanks for the reply! I'm not sure if its a musty odor or the "musty" odor of the strain (LOL). Since this is my first grow, I have no comparison. By the time I realized I was going to have a height issue, it was too late. By the time it shot up in the air, it was in deep flower, so I didn't want to risk me breaking any limbs trying to tie down the main cola. I understand LST and FIM, but I honestly didn't think that I would have a height issue, because I vegged for only two weeks (four weeks from seed), and the plant was standing at only about 4 inches tall when I switched to 12/12. Now the plant is almost as tall as me!

PICTURES
1. The pH meter stick I'm using.
2. The air-stones that I'm using to supply the roots with oxygen.
3. The pH Up and pH Down I have to adjust the pH of the water.
4. The FoxFarm Trio.
5. A couple of other nutrients I have.

[LOC NAR on probation]

If you don't have a radioshack near by a 30 times magnifier. wally world or some where like that. Even my good digital camera could take some awsome pictures of trichomes. If your in side turn down the AC to get water temps down. Chillers are way expensive. Some freeze a soda bottle and put in the rez but I have never done that. I always had a small AC unit in my room.
Hope it ain't mold, not good for the lungs.
GH 3 part is good too. But if you can get it local do what you have been doing. If you have to order and can't wait I heard shultz catus nutes are a good choice. Maybe late for the sweet and superthive. Not sure though.
Good luck let us know what happens.

[latewood]

generally...You don't have to worry about *temps...Just check often to make sure you are with +/-5degrees. Peace

*unless outside or if you use a recycling submersible pump in rez...You won't need to worry about rez temps.:)

[boss30349]

I've just noticed some seeds forming along the bottom portion of the plant. I can't believe that my plant is a herm! I took out the male plant a long time ago. What caused this horrible incident? What should I do now? The seeds aren't that many. Can I just pop out the seeds from the bud. Posting pictures soon. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!!!:(

[Racerx]

I dont know if you caught it, but that is your stem trying to grow roots in that picture, not a mold or fungus. I expect that this might be because you are overwatering or your water is not oxygenated enough, so the roots are not recieving the oxygen they need. This is causing the plant to try to obtain the oxygen elsewhere, so above the hydroton your stem is trying to grow roots to get more oxygen since it is not saturated up there. The bad part about that, is that your stem shouldn't be able to grow roots outside the bucket because it shouldn't be that moist and humid (which is needed for growing roots). I would would consider putting a piece of plastic over the hydroton and isolated the bottom of the plant from this moisture or you may run into mildew, etc.

On the whole, the plants look droopy, which in my experience with a bucket like that, is being overwatered or not enough oxygen from not enough bubbles OR to high of reservoir temperatures. Almost no one runs into the problem of water temps that are too cold. 68 degree water doesnt feel that cool on your hand. Honestly your hand is not a good indicator, as your water wont feel "cold" until its about 55 degrees and it wont feel warm until it is over 75 degrees. Thats a big ass spread in between. Your pH meter should have a temp on it. Whats the temp say for the water? Whats the pH at? A fluctuating pH can cause those rust color spots you have and also can cause your drooping leaves as the plant is not able to absorb the correct amount of nutrients and too high or too low of pH can lock things out.

sorry if that was repeated already.

PS. As far as the seeds, how can it happen? you started with seeds from a bag. That means the plant was probably pregnant with a hermie pollen (unless it was riddled with seeds, in which case its probably not from a hermie). If a female plant goes hermie, and releases pollen, it will impregnate your other females. However, since there is absolutely no male chromosomes, there is no way that the seeds produced from this plant love can be male. Ferminized seeds!!!!! Course, while that sounds wonderful, it means the hermaphrodite gene is going to be far more likely to show its head compared to normal male and female seeds. So while you know your going to get a female, you also have a good chance of a hermie. This is why people buy regular good seeds (not feminized) or clones. Even then, you still have a chance of going hermie if the plant is stressed enough. it seems very obviuos but your plant has been stressed plenty with the burning, overwatering, etc etc. This is more then enough to cause the plant to go hermie.

Good luck. If you want to continue the grow, try to remove the pollen sacks.

[boss30349]

Originally Posted by Racerx
I dont know if you caught it, but that is your stem trying to grow roots in that picture, not a mold or fungus. I expect that this might be because you are overwatering or your water is not oxygenated enough, so the roots are not recieving the oxygen they need. This is causing the plant to try to obtain the oxygen elsewhere, so above the hydroton your stem is trying to grow roots to get more oxygen since it is not saturated up there. The bad part about that, is that your stem shouldn't be able to grow roots outside the bucket because it shouldn't be that moist and humid (which is needed for growing roots). I would would consider putting a piece of plastic over the hydroton and isolated the bottom of the plant from this moisture or you may run into mildew, etc.
Thanks alot for your help!! I figured that my stem was growing roots. You say it could be that my water isn't oxygenated enough, but I have a 8 inch airstone at the bottom of my rez. Do I need to another airstone? Then you say that it could be overwatering. I have my Waterfarm pump running 24/7, so do you think that is the problem. If so, what schedule should I have my WaterFarm running?


Originally Posted by Racerx
On the whole, the plants look droopy, which in my experience with a bucket like that, is being overwatered or not enough oxygen from not enough bubbles OR to high of reservoir temperatures. Almost no one runs into the problem of water temps that are too cold. 68 degree water doesnt feel that cool on your hand. Honestly your hand is not a good indicator, as your water wont feel "cold" until its about 55 degrees and it wont feel warm until it is over 75 degrees. Thats a big ass spread in between. Your pH meter should have a temp on it. Whats the temp say for the water? Whats the pH at? A fluctuating pH can cause those rust color spots you have and also can cause your drooping leaves as the plant is not able to absorb the correct amount of nutrients and too high or too low of pH can lock things out.
Unfortunately my cheap pH meter doesn't have a temp on it. I'm going to have to go buy one really soon. I usually adjust the pH in the rez to 5.8-6.0. QUESTIONS: Should I add all the nutes and adjust the pH inside of my gallon water container, first, then pour it onto the surface of the WaterFarm? Or should I not pour it over the surface and just add to the rez? I'm not too sure if it makes a difference or not. I tried to flush out as much nutes as possible, but it still doesn't seem as if it is getting any healthier. I currently have the plant flushing with pH adjusted water as of now, out of the FoxFarm Trio (Grow Big, Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom), which combination would you recommend and what dosage? Can I also add Sweet by Botanicare at the same feeding of FoxFarm?


Originally Posted by Racerx
PS. As far as the seeds, how can it happen? you started with seeds from a bag. That means the plant was probably pregnant with a hermie pollen (unless it was riddled with seeds, in which case its probably not from a hermie). If a female plant goes hermie, and releases pollen, it will impregnate your other females. However, since there is absolutely no male chromosomes, there is no way that the seeds produced from this plant love can be male. Ferminized seeds!!!!! Course, while that sounds wonderful, it means the hermaphrodite gene is going to be far more likely to show its head compared to normal male and female seeds. So while you know your going to get a female, you also have a good chance of a hermie. This is why people buy regular good seeds (not feminized) or clones. Even then, you still have a chance of going hermie if the plant is stressed enough. it seems very obviuos but your plant has been stressed plenty with the burning, overwatering, etc etc. This is more then enough to cause the plant to go hermie.

Good luck. If you want to continue the grow, try to remove the pollen sacks.
I never expected this to come this way. I take very good care of my plant. So whats next???? Should I try and remove each seed pod or the entire bud site? Or should I go ahead and harvest the whole plant now, before the whole plant gets pollenated??

PICTURES
1. Some stupid seeds forming inside of my buds.
2. Some more seed pods.
3. My sick plant.
4. The top of my cola.
5. Very badly spotted leaves.

[latewood]

shouldn't be running during dark photoperiod. during lights on...I like giving mine a break every once in a while. your choice.

[boss30349]

I know that I'm suppose to get a microscope and look at the trichomes, but should I go ahead and harvest it now, due to all of the problems and stress that its going through??

[bobbygreenbear]

that plant looks like it's on the way out; maybe think of harvesting early

also, don't confuse seeds with male pollen sacks


edit: you read my mind; if i were you i'd be flushing with just water, thinking about harvesting soon and thiking about your next grow.

[bobbygreenbear]

also: maybe an air embolism from the plant trying to grow roots in the air?

[boss30349]

Originally Posted by bobbygreenbear
that plant looks like it's on the way out; maybe think of harvesting early

also, don't confuse seeds with male pollen sacks


edit: you read my mind; if i were you i'd be flushing with just water, thinking about harvesting soon and thiking about your next grow.
Thanks for the help! Harvesting early??? Meaning tommorrow or a couple of more days? I've been flushing with water for a about five days. If those are male pollen sacs, what should I do with them? Should I cut them off or just don't mess with them at all? Even if I harvest now and I'm careless with the sacs, could seeds develop after harvest?

[boss30349]

:D Hello everyone! The time has finally come to harvest. I chopped down my plant kind of early because of sickly problems I had with the plant. I trimmed away all of the fan leaves and little leaves, to be left with big, fat, juicy buds to stare at!! Here are some of the harvest pictures that I had left over! Enjoy :thumbsup: !

PICTURES
1. Pic of some big, fat buds!
2. Another pic of some juicy buds!
3. Another plant shot after trimming.
4. Nice smelly buds!!
5. Enormous root growth down beneath!

[boss30349]

After I chopped down the plant, I hung the individual branches on binder clips up in the closet for drying. I will be drying them for about 6 more days. Afterwards, I will place the buds inside of the glass jars I just bought, for curing. I will cure the buds for about 10-14 days! Question: How do you make the buds compact and tight?? I want some sturdy little nuggets!!!

PICTURES
1. Buds hanging for drying.;)
2. The aftermath of the stalk!!:cool:

[boss30349]

I'm drying the buds inside of the closet, so how do I control humidity? I bought a therm/humidity device. I believe that the humidity reads at 58%. How can I bring down the humidity to my desired level??

[BlazeIdo]

you want the humidity higher. 60% is perfect. The closer the humidity outside the nug to the inside the slower and better the plants will dry leaving less chlorophyll taste. Patients is everything. PEACE

[latewood]

put an oscillating fan in the closet. Also, I strongly recommend putting dried stalks in paper bag before jar. The inside of the bud will still be wet, when the outside appears dry.

don't take out of closet until you can "snap" a branch off, then in a bag for a day or 2, then jars. If you put in jars too soon the interior of the bud might "mold".

dense nugs come from the way you grow. If you have airy buds, they will dry that way...If you have dense heavy buds, then they will dry that way.

[dav zap]

hey boss you got great colas man. congrats. but regarding that leaf yellowing and brown spots and leaf-curl-- That may have been a magneasium deficiency. It is common during flowering. The yellowing and spots could be other things but what made me say Mag def- was the up-curl of those leaf tips; they say that they are praying for Magnesium. It often starts shortly after showing sex. Epsom salts or a proper additive Calcium & Magnesium are usually together. Good Luck and enjoy the buddage. :rastasmoke:

[Pro-grower]

dehumidifier

[latewood]

nice concept...

[boss30349]

First, I would like to say THANK YOU to all of the people who have helped me on this thread!! I've learned alot just from reading what you all had to say. Hopefully I'll be able to input the knowledge you've taught me to someone else in need. But enough with all of the sentimental stuff....

After I cured the buds inside of the jar for about two weeks, I had a net weight of 73 grams (DRY) or should I say 2 and 1/2 ounces of some great smoke!!!:jointsmile: I continued to store the buds inside of the jars as time went on. The buds had a sort of citrus-like smell and a taste to compliment that. The high was very nice and uplifting. I would grade myself a B- because I had to harvest early and I also had problems during the growth of the plant. The only reason I think that I did good was because of the net weight. I exceeded way past my expectations off of one plant! I only expected around 1 and 1/2 ounces, but somehow managed to get an extra ounce out of it.

Unfortunately, I am a very heavy smoker and I also have a lot of friends who are heavy smokers. This bud didn't last very long, at ALL! I decided that my next try would be with a more potent strain (BOG's Blue Moon Rocks). I want to make a mother plant and clone her till she can't be cloned any more. I'm looking into getting some more supplies to help me create a continuous harvest, such as lights and another hydro system. I would like to be able to smoke as much weed as I want to. So till then, peace to everyone and I will be back for part two!!!:hippy:

PICTURES
1. Some really nice nuggets. I had to get a picture of them before I smoked it all!:S5:
2. Close up of some nice orange hairs. The pictures doesn't do the weed any justice. It looks even better in person!!
3. Another close-up with the flash on!

[doco]

Nice work Boss! They look well manicured too. Too bad you had to chop early - they really pack on weight the last couple of weeks. Like you said though, there's always next time. :jointsmile:

[Silent-Smoker]

A common issue with Waterfarms is that the drip-ring tends to splash water up onto the stalk...causing rot. A common/easy fix is to get some kitchen aluminum foil and simply form a short circular shield set on the inside of the ring, problem solved. hth

[hydrocannabis]

hell yah. thouse buds look great.