2nd grow questions

[clayboy]

Ok, I'm about to attempt my 2nd grow, this time around I'm going with a new system, the 4 gallon waterfarm. (http://www.generalhydroponics.com/genhydro_US/waterfarm.html)

I have some NL seeds on the way. My question is, how many plants should I attempt to grow at once? 1, 2, more?

Also, should I pick up an airstone to go along with this system?

Finally, how long from seed to flower can I expect NL to typically take? I'm going to be using a 125w CFL for lighting.

[rhizome]

Waterfarms are cool. Good choice.

Waterfarm works by pumping air into a lift tube- the bubbles entrap water as they rise, pushing it up into the drip ring. Quite elegant really- the air entrapment oxygenates the nute on the way up, and then it drips down in a thin film over the hydroton. Plenty of o2.

I'd only do one plant per unit- but that's just rule of thumb. I like to do everything in individual cells, so that I don't have to deal with root systems intertwining. Doubly so if you're starting seed, as you're bound to see a boy. If you want to do more, you'll need to use a 'zyme product to deal w/ whatever's in there.
While it is possible to pull a plant out of hydroton roots and all, it does a lot of mechanical damage to the roots of plants left behind. There's no real physical resistance, it's not like soil- so it's real tempting... but man, what a mistake...
All those little abrasive balls, with a little bit of weight on them, spinning and grinding-

Ouch.

NL oughtta go bout 8 for most folk, but at that light level, maybe a little long?

[Mr.Blue]

well i know there one plant per each pail...... remember you only have a 50/50 rate for females so you might wanna try at least four...

I am not 100% sure but am pretty sure you should put an air stone in the water.

[Mr.Blue]

i see someone posted while i was typing god i hate being high when i type everything take so long

[clayboy]

if I start some seeds in rock wool, can the seedling be transplanted to the waterfarm rock wool and all?

[Weedhound]

Yes it can. The moment the seedling has a tap root of some kind you can put the entire thing into your medium. I use rapid rooters for mine instead of rw and once I see a small root on the bottom I move them over, rr and all.

[clayboy]

I've got a bit of a dilemma. My plants are doing great... almost too great. I started 3 in my waterfarm figuring I'd probably end up with at least 1 male that I would have to get rid of, well it's looking like I've got 3 ladies on my hands now. They're probably a good 7-8 inches high now and very nice and bushy because I'm using a lot of CFLs around their perimeter to get a lot of light on them from the sides. I'm starting 12/12 tomorrow.

What should I do? Let all 3 grow? Sacrifice one of the lovely ladies to give the other 2 more room?? I have a small grow area so I don't have any room to transplant one to another medium, and I think it's too late in the game anyway for that since the roots could be tangled. Could I just chop one off at the base?

[The House]

Try to bend the plants any way you can to get more light to lower parts of the plant. I've flowered four plants in one waterfarm (with dividers) and got a great yeild. I dont think you need to chop one.

[bongerstonerd00d]

Clay, do yourself a favor. Save ya money and get ya a H.P.S. You'll love yourself for it, and so will yer plants. Trying to flower under 125 watt C.F.L. is going to be rough. Its almost imperative you use H.I.D. lighting with hydro to take full advantage. At least thats my :twocents: worth. Best of luck.


b0nger

[clayboy]

Actually I have a total of 295w going right now with all the additional CFLs I've added

[clayboy]

Try to bend the plants any way you can to get more light to lower parts of the plant. I've flowered four plants in one waterfarm (with dividers) and got a great yeild. I dont think you need to chop one.

ok cool, I was just worried cause I always heard the rule of thumb was one plant per waterfarm

[clayboy]

I guess I spoke too soon. My plants are about 10 days into flowering and it looks like I have 3 males. I'm soooo disappointed right now.

I wish I had a good enough camera to share some pics to make sure, but I'm pretty damn sure they are males. Where the branches meet the stem, on each plant it looks like a little cluster of seeds. I'm seeing no pistils at all, just clusters of little seed looking things.

I found a pic online that looks like mine. I guess my current grow is sunk huh?

http://www.weedfarmer.com/g2.2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3162&g2_serialNumber=2

[clayboy]

I have to add that my one saving grace here is I have a female that's flowering in my garden right now. I'm going to bring her inside and put her under my 295 watts of CFL's. I'm thinking she'll really explode under the inside lights because she doesn't get quite enough direct sunlight outdoors.

So, all is not lost, but I'm still really bummed about the 3 males. :(

[sweetgreenbuds]

ultimate burn manbut at least you got a back up

[clayboy]

Just wanted to check back in with my progress. I harvested my lovely lady last weekend and she's drying out right now. I pinched off a small nugget the week before and toked it and man, this is some serious stuff. I'm guessing I'll have over 2 ounces dried. The main cola alone is over a 1/2 ounce. As soon as she's done drying it's on to the next grow!!

[The House]

Good job man! I'm happy to hear that you got a good yield aside from the males. :thumbsup: