My fem has seeds... now what?

[steeltownstoner]

So this is my second grow attempt outdoors, my first being a small balcony op that was fairly success. Growing outdoors in a small garden, a friend and I planted 4 plants in total, 3 of which end up being male.

Needless to say, i wasn't able to cut back the males before the seed pods opened, which fully impregnated my 1 remaining fem (you're kidding me right!)

I'm trying to remain optimistic:thumbsup:, as there are characteristics from the males (both Juicy Fruit) that will cross with my female (a g-17). My hope is to take these seeds as well as some store bought and attempt my first hydro grow this winter.

Being only my second grow, i have never gone to seed before. Does having seedy weed change my harvest time, or am i suppose to let them mature on the plant?
What signs should indicate its time to harvest?
How do i get the seeds from their greeny state to hard and mottled?
Anyone!

- B:smokin:

PS- i will take some pics with my camera phone and post them on this thread. Visuals always help me.

[stinkyattic]

From the time of pollination, allow 5 weeks before the seeds are ready to harvest- that is for a typical commercial 7-9 week strain.
When the seeds turn fat and brown and striped, and the calyxes look tan and papery, you can cut your plants and hang them to dry. Put a white sheet on the floor to catch seeds that fall out in case any do.
If your plant is still not ripe by the trichome ripeness standards, it is fine to let it ripen more. That won't hurt the seeds. Just give them at least 4 and preferably 5 weeks (if you care about them) on the plant before harvest.

[steeltownstoner]

Thanks for the advice Stinky. I've followed alot of your threads in preparation for my 1st hydro grow this winter and find myself doing thread searches daily now for more insight.

I especially enjoyed you thread on grower ethics. I've always enjoyed cultivating, but had a hard time getting over the 'moral conflicts' of doing something outside the law. That's in the past now... i'm just a decent guy who loves to get high with friends!

I'm looking at combining and modifying a DWC system with this DIY Tub Grow thread i read recently (see trackback), using the lower tub as the reservoir with airstone and the upper tub as the grow space. If you had any comments or insight to this method i'd be glad to hear it.

I plan to plant some of these newly harvested seeds in my next cycle... i'll let you know how it goes!

- B:jointsmile:

[steeltownstoner]

i couldn't see the trackback link after i posted, so here it is again:
http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-faqs/99373-diy-how-rubbermaid-tub-growbox.html

[stinkyattic]

I've got no personal experience with DWC; I'd look to the logs of XCrispi and Weedhound for insight.

One thing to remember is that using rubbermaid tubs for a reservoir, you may find you need to support the tub in some way, such as an exoskeleton of 2x4s bolted together, so it does not collapse under the weight of the water. Once you get into large volumes this becomes a problem.

[steeltownstoner]

One thing to remember is that using rubbermaid tubs for a reservoir, you may find you need to support the tub in some way, such as an exoskeleton of 2x4s bolted together, so it does not collapse under the weight of the water. Once you get into large volumes this becomes a problem.

I actually stopped by Zellers (canadian walmart) store yesterday to source some potential reservoirs. Rubbermaid has a RoughNeck 38.6 x 21.2 x 18.6 in container (i figured it out to be approx. 62 gal) then i was hoping feed a 3 x 2 table top of 6" net pots. Problem is, i plan to grow in my room (attic floor) and don't want to haul multiple 5 gal pails of fresh water up steep steps every week if i don't have to. Having not even though of the containers structural integrity with the weight of the water, potential leaks or ruptures really concern me.

i know dwc is not your forte, but what do you think if i tried two sets of black 18 gal containers (23 1/2" x 17 3/4" x 15 1/2") with 4 x 6inch net pots. Would water weight still be an issue in these sized containers?

[trinitybound]

The problem is the rigidity of the plastic, you really need hard plastic containers so they don't expand. With DWC if you stack the tubs you have to move the top tub to access the reservoir for adding water. I grew some lettuce and a tomato on a styrofoam raft in an plastic recycling bin lined with plastic sheeting and a couple airstones. It worked great for the lettuce but the long seasoned tomato had problems because the root mass was big and I had to remove the raft to tend to the water. Make sure it is easy access to water for ph/IC checks and to add stuff.

[stinkyattic]

Try a more modular DWC style like the waterfarms, which is a single 3 gallon pail unit- and you can fab up a DIY one that mimics it closely for cheap. Or a few of them. Look in grow logs...

I had a FIVE gallon res overflow (tube fitting came loose and leaked) and now have to completely re-plaster my living room ceiling... lol! Well, I'll be laughing after the job is done. I hate overhead work :mad:

[steeltownstoner]

I will definitely consider a modular setup for this approach, however the reason i avoided it to begin with was to simplify my reservoir and nute solution in a large, central res. I guess i could still mix my master solution in a large 5 gal and then distribute it evenly amongst each module/bucket, no? This is starting to sound like it might work better as a drip system.

On a new note, i found out today that my neighbour downstair, a fellow toking enthusiast, has offered up space in his large shed out back for me to grow in.

It has a large padlock that only he & I would have a key to , our landlords rarely use it (or even stop by for that matter), and even if they did i plan to using boxes and such to disguise my grow space. I would have to run a heavy duty exterior extension cord to it for power (its approx 20 ft from the rear of the house) as well as insulate my space against the dropping fall & winter temps.

I realize this is off topic of my original thread, but could anyone help me troubleshoot the heating/insulation issues, or recommend a good thread to read more on this?

My initial thoughts are foam or fibre glass insulation in the walls sealed with vapour barrier, and foam/polystyrene insulation under my reservoir/ grow area (for the time being, i'm going to stick with my original DWC plan where the large rubbermaid is the res/grow area), but what other factors should i consider?

[stinkyattic]

Sounds potentially like a big mess (multiple people growing) but more important, search warrant criteria for spaces that are NOT the primary residence are very, very different... I would NEVER grow in an outbuilding, even on a property I OWNED!

[steeltownstoner]

So since my last post regarding when to harvest for seed, i have been selectively clipping lower branches with small to medium size buds. The calyx still have yet to open up exposing the seed inside (this was mentioned earlier in the thread), but i have been popping them open to examine the seed development.

Recently (like in the last two days) i've noticed the my findings are becoming darker in colour and noticing more mottling on the shell case itself. I'm waiting for a friend to return home in two weeks, at which time i think i'll fully harvest the plant and prepare it for drying.

Using some earlier advice i plan to lay a white table cloth down under the hang drying area to collect seeds if any fall.

I plan to germinate these two week later (end of October). with some Jack Herer seeds that will go into a split veg/flowering setup (drip system and ebb & flow respectively), each section with 2 x 2ft HO t5 lamps, 5600k for the veg room, and 3000k for the flowering. (okay it may sound like i've done this before, but i've just been researching my brains out over getting the best setup for my buck... i can't wait to start!)

I think this particular set up will work best for the following reasons:
- i have a window box area approx. 5' x 2' x 6' that will allow me easy access to 3rd floor window for ventilation. I have to carry water up a narrow flight of attic stairs and want to keep my water trips limited to 1 or 2 5 gal buckets once a week if possible (probably more when both area area active)
- seeds will be put in a sheet of 1" roolwool cubes soaked in pH balanced water, then when they outgrow that, put into to 3' or 4' squared cubes of rockwool (a video i saw on youtube showed the cultivator taking the well rooted cube from a veg room and burying it right into a flower room ebb & flow reservoir filled with hydroton as the larger medium for which the roots to expand into)
- By making each grow area just over 2' x 2' (allowing for a home made grow tent frame i plan to make) and covering the walls with mylar backed on cardboard (panels) with velcro mounts to the frame, to allow for easy removal/cleaning of panels
- using a 2' x 2' rubbermaid or small hydro trays (or closest size i can get that will fill each space) in each room as a common feeding tray/drain basin for all plants in that room
- each basin will have its own reservoir and water pump on a shelf just below my grow table, one specially formulated for veg and the other for flower (still researching nutes... and suggestions are be appreciated)
- each room will have its own 6" exhaust fan leading to exhausting tubing into a blackout box that will be hang over a large window with a shade infront of it (discretion is key in my neighbourhood), as well as have 6" hanging oscillating fans for air movement
- once blooming begins a homemade carbon scrubber will be introduced into the room
- bloom area with be managed as SCROG, to ensure an efficient canopy in this tight space

Aside from specific nutrients, getting a pH and EC tester i think i'm pretty prepared to finally set it all up (after i get my next paycheck that is, :smokin:). The only think i might change is putting the large cubes in to 6" plastic pots i already have with hydroton, and make the flowering area a drip system as well (again, to cut back on the amount of water i'll need to lug up those stairs, :p)

I realize i've totally turned my seed development thread into a grow plan/log, and apologize (i plan to start a new thread when the grow begins), but after reading about you wet ceiling, Stinky, i want to do as much as possible to prevent that from happening to my attic. I'm a strong beleiver in learning from other's mistake, and have even contemplated a large, secondary res to act as a drip/spill over tray for the entire grow tent so nothing leaks)

Is there anyone out there with critiques/suggestions about my proposed setup? My only real uncertainty right now is if i have enough light power to feed my babies. Not looking for massive yields, but nice sized buds, healthy flavourful buds (quality first). I realize visuals help, but even the phone on my camera has been acting up lately. Once it's fixed i'll posted shots of the seedy harvest and the proposed area (aka. my bedroom).

Enough from me (my stoner rants can go on for hours)... now i can't wait to hear from you!:D

[steeltownstoner]

Final update... so, after allowing an additional 4 weeks of maturing to my pollinated femaled, i finally decided to harvest. I chose selectively lower branches and air dryed so i had a constant stash ready every few days. I left the top half of the plant to mature and produce quality seed. These seeds have already started into a germination process and are showing tap root after 36hr of warm, damp conditions in papertowels.

You can track the growth and subsequent bud in my new grow log STS' Jack Herer and the Mystery Seed Grow! (http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/163974-stss-jack-herer-mystery-seed-grow-log.html)

Either way, here are some of the final pictures of the mother... a few more to come.

STS:jointsmile:

[steeltownstoner]

the end product... and a new generation begins.