patient grow 2nd time around

[halfassedjedi]

So last time I grew was appx. 10 yrs ago, hah. This time I have an awesome setup, pics comin' soon. My plant is in soil, 2.5 or 3 gallon bucket with good drainage. 7' tall storebought growroom type thing, hps with reflector hood, fans, all the goodies. Plant appx. 8'' tall, 6 or 7 internodes, no visible alternating yet. Plant appx. 5 or 6 weeks old, and I am now using fert for vegging with a npk of 12-6-6. Not much else to say, oh.. strain unknown. So ill post pics soon.

[GetThisOrDie]

Sounds cool... So is it like a tent?

[bigsby]

Repot it into a 1 gallon container for MUCH better results. See my signature for details.

[halfassedjedi]

Imagine a 7' tall rectangle with a metal frame to support it. Its kinda hard to describe Iguess, but its awesome. It has several circular vents, reflective on the inside, and even came with some overhanging frame for lighting. Youll see when Isnap pics.

I would repot, but its really looking to be going well, but ill consider it. Some prefer smaller pots, and some like a bit bigger. Is it just preference? I think Iread in the mariguana growers bible that containers 1 to 3 gallons are suitable.

[bigsby]

Put a small plant in a big pot and the roots stretch. You get growth underground at the expense of the canopy above ground. It isn't a preference. You can leave them in the big pots but you will get better results if you down size them.

[John Doe]

He means down size them then when the time is right upsize them.
But wouldny transplanting with the roots everywhere be a bitch and maybe put more stress on the plant.. when going from small to big u have the shape of the smaller pot to hold the roots together kinda.. the roots hold the dirt together when u remove the dirt from the 1st pot

[bigsby]

Depends how long they have been in those pots. Didn't he say they were seedlings? If they've been in there 10 days or less it could easily be done.

[halfassedjedi]

In the first post, I stated the age of the plant was about 6 weeks old, so I think it may be too late to transplant to a smaller container. Its growing well, about 10" tall now with no apparent stretching. Good foliage and growth..im assuming the first fert feeding helped out with vegging.

The one thing I did notice today is a couple leaves have some yellow spots, and the tips of a couple leaves are drooping a bit. I have the med marijuana horticultural growers bible, but I cant find anything in the nute deficiency section or any other disease section, so im not sure what kind of problem im looking at. If the leaves get 50% unhealthy, I may remove those afflicted.

Sorry I havnt gotten any pics yet..I wanna refrain from using the iphone for pics that might not be good enough to look at, but I cant find my digi camera. Ill try to post something soon so you all can get a look.

Thanks for reading!

[halfassedjedi]

PS..

Im going to fill out the troubleshooting form in a bit so you all have a little more info.

[bigsby]

Yeah, six weeks is too late for transplanting. Let them go at this point. The stretch is not above ground but below ground. In a bigger pot the roots just grow and grow (stretch). If the roots are constrained the plant will redirect energy from root growth to the canopy. At some point the roots utilize all of the usable space at which point they are no longer able to supply the canopy with enough water and nutrients. Of course, you repot on schedule to avoid these issues. If you read the link in my signature you'll be in good shape to benefit on your next grow. Look forward to pictures.

[halfassedjedi]

So an overall increase in net root growth in excess could stunt vegetative and/or flowering growth is what youre saying I take it. That makes sense. Could using this size container contribute to any other problems I should know about? Thanks a lot for the advice, I appreciate it!

[halfassedjedi]

Heres some pics of everything I got going right now. Feel free to critique, scrutinize and give constructive criticism. I was going to take more pics but my cameras batteries ran out.

[halfassedjedi]

I know one thing I did wrong was to not have the soil up high enough in the container. noob mistake.

Forgot to say, it measures 9.5" tall from the soil. Hypothetically speaking, if I end up with a fem that I want to be about 3 feet tall, should I change the photoperiod to 12/12 when its about 12" tall? I read somewhere either in a book or on the forum that during flowering they grow about 3x the size they are when changing the light cycle. Am I right or is my memory off?

[bigsby]

I know one thing I did wrong was to not have the soil up high enough in the container. noob mistake.

Forgot to say, it measures 9.5" tall from the soil. Hypothetically speaking, if I end up with a fem that I want to be about 3 feet tall, should I change the photoperiod to 12/12 when its about 12" tall? I read somewhere either in a book or on the forum that during flowering they grow about 3x the size they are when changing the light cycle. Am I right or is my memory off?

2x you can count on. 3x with some stavia strains. That plant looks very nice. Fat indica leaves. Your nOOb mistake may work in your favor. At some point your plant is going to want more soil. Now it's best for that soil to encase the root ball on all sides. But to give your girl a bit more root grow room you can simply slip her out of that pot, add 3" of soil to the bottom, and pop her back in. At the same time you can add 1" on the top. It will work wonders. Wait until 1 week into flower.

[halfassedjedi]

2x you can count on. 3x with some stavia strains. That plant looks very nice. Fat indica leaves. Your nOOb mistake may work in your favor. At some point your plant is going to want more soil. Now it's best for that soil to encase the root ball on all sides. But to give your girl a bit more root grow room you can simply slip her out of that pot, add 3" of soil to the bottom, and pop her back in. At the same time you can add 1" on the top. It will work wonders. Wait until 1 week into flower.

Yeah the leaves look good to me too, nice and big and everything. Theres only a couple with some yellow spots that im worried about, but im not too worried. This plants been easy to grow so far, its showing nice results. I get about a half to a full inch of upward growth a day, and the internode spacing isnt too much, so its a squat, bushy plant, and I like that. I like dense growth.

So wait a week after I change the photoperiod to 12/12 before the soil adding process you mention here?

Also, if im using a 12-6-6 fert right now thats working good for me, what should I use for flowering food? 6-12-12 or somethin around that? I know you want more p and k for flowering, and less n, but then again I know ill have to fiddle with it to get the ratio just right.

[halfassedjedi]

Just went in and watered the plant and noticed that my other germinated seed finally sprouted. any ideas on what to do when that plant is in veg and the other is in flower? I only have one grow room. Maybe during the time the light is on but the flowering plant needs darkness, just cover it with a big cardboard box? Or just take the new plant outside to get daylight while the flower room is dark?

Also I have noticed some leaves are looking nasty. Some are getting sickly and curling down and in, and some look fine. overall, the plant looks healthy. Im not sure what this is from...maybe ph? I just started ferts (12-6-6) once a week, so im not sure whats up. More pics soon, I need batteries.

[halfassedjedi]

So im up late, and since my lights turn on at midnight, I figured id go into the room right now and snap some shots. Its saturday night, and im up late, so yeah. Good timing for pics I guess. I got to give my plants some h2o too, and its the best time since the lights just turned on, and the plants are waking up. So, heres some pics.

Plants now about 12-13" tall, so its grown a few inches since the last pics I posted. Some leaf tips are drooping a bit, but not enough to worry I think. I got some yellow spots here and there, and some iffy looking leaves, but overall, the plants growing quite well. I think im going to wait until s/he gets about 20" tall until I switch to 12/12 photoperiod for flowering. Whatcha think?

[bigsby]

Looking very nice! Flower them all at the same time. The little one will just be little. A box might work but any light leak will create issues. Just keep it simple.

[halfassedjedi]

Looking very nice! Flower them all at the same time. The little one will just be little. A box might work but any light leak will create issues. Just keep it simple.

kiss! gotcha. Ive been trying to keep it that way. my room mate said we should clone for sex and let these plants grow some more before flowering..what do you all think about that? Im not really experienced with cloning, but I got some rockwool cubes and I can get some rooting hormone if I wanna clone.

[GetThisOrDie]

You could get away with letting them get a little bit bigger.

Also I suggest using Rapid Rooters instead of rockwool for your clones. Rooters are so much better. Plus ive read alot of people have issues with the rockwool going into soil. Like it causing issues with the stem later on.


Looking good so far keep it up

[halfassedjedi]

Cool, alrighty..ill look into the rapid rooters. can they be found at any basic hydroponics shop?

My room mates wife bought me some molasses today also! I may use that a bit later on..I dont know what black strap molasses is, and im not sure if thats what she got me..but the only ingredient in this is unsulfured molasses. Is that safe to use?

Thanks again for all the advice and everything, I really appreciate it! :D

[halfassedjedi]

This is the molasses I got from my cousins wife. Anyone familiar with this brand? I tried to snap a shot of the nutrition facts, but it didnt turn out as sharp as I thought it would. The only real ingredient, like I said earlier, is unsulfured molasses. I think it should be alright to use, but I wanted some second opinions.

[MadSativa]

never used molasses but that is the kind they use. what kind of nutes are you using again? a base nutrient is usually important. molasses and other sugars are usually added about 2 weeks into flowering. or when bud sites are showing. I'm not sure if that is what you were asking but looks good in their.

[halfassedjedi]

never used molasses but that is the kind they use. what kind of nutes are you using again? a base nutrient is usually important. molasses and other sugars are usually added about 2 weeks into flowering. or when bud sites are showing. I'm not sure if that is what you were asking but looks good in their.

Yep, thats basically what I was wondering, if this was a good molasses to use for flowering..im using a 12-6-6 fert right now that seems to be working well. Ive used it before with good results. I think the brand is Age Old, but I could be mistaken. Im trying to find a good fert for flowering, something like 6-12-6 or something maybe? Im not too sure yet. I might have to fiddle with a few different npk ratios before I find one that works well for my plant when flowering.

Thanks for the advice!

[halfassedjedi]

So I was thinking about maybe trying to promote more vegetative growth by topping or bending, lst or whatever I think. Anyone have any suggestions on what route I should take with that? Or should I just let her be?

[MadSativa]

looks good I have herd of age old but never used them, how ever I suggest using a bloom nute as a base too not just a npk additive. but their looking great as far as I can see. I see ago old has some good stuff I would go with them since you are already going with them, but personally what ever is available to you locally is best, unless you have advanced nutrients in your area then that is best (my opinion).

Age Old Organic Liquid Fertilizers for Hyroponic Gardening » Age Old Organics offers Organic Fertilizers, Organic Nutrients for hydroponic and soil applications (http://www.ageoldorganics.com/products/liquid-fertilizers/)

[MadSativa]

toping them would do good, toping usually starts very early on, to those trying to make a bush type of plant. but if you top now you could get better results, then if not topped. by topping your getting more cola and bud sites, so i say always top especially if you have the room. just remember to stop toping about a week or 2 before 12/12. here is a vid on toping, from a skilled grower.

YouTube - KoMA TOPS EM AGAIN! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ5NIbCym5M)

[halfassedjedi]

thanks for the links mad, im checkin em out right now!

[MadSativa]

yeah this guy knows whats up, I am watching some of his vids now too lol. one to watch out for this guys knows his stuff, if you look at his stalks or the base of the plant this guys stalks are massive by conparsion to most. I like this cause if the stalk is big the roots are big which means in harvest the buds will be big.

[JohnnyZ]

This Koma dude is quite the character.. listening to death metal while calmly talking about nodes.

Nice plant by the way jedi man. Best of luck with it!

[MadSativa]

haha, thats why I watch him, death metal is soothing lol, and plants love it lots of bass and a constant beat change. besides the drama he is somewhat entertaining, but he definitely knows his grow.

[halfassedjedi]

that video of him topping looked like there were alternating branches..does it matter if I dont have those yet? can I pinch/top like he did, even if they arent alternating yet?

This might sound pretty funny, maybe weird..but I was wondering, do you guys think using earthworms in your substrate would help to aerate the soil? I was wondering if they would help out as kind of a living chelating agent, or wetting agent or whatever. haha.

Thanks again guys!

[pushit]

You can top anytime after the third node. Just remember different strains react differently to being topped.

As for the earth worms, I googled it and i saw nothing negative. It might actually help considering they will aerate the soil and fertilize it. My only concern was to whether or not they would eat or destroy the roots but everything ive read said they only feed on decomposing matter. Ive actually thought about it before but havent got around to trying it yet haha:thumbsup:

[bigsby]

Add any nutes and you'll fry the worms...

[pushit]

I didnt even think of that. Good point

[MadSativa]

yeah worms work but the nutes Will kill em especially some of the enzyme additives, most soil on the market is mostly worm castings so it kinda is not needed, but for out door a old trick is when you dig and find allot of worms thats usually a good place to plant.

[halfassedjedi]

I didnt think they would survive, but I tossed a couple in anyways. This plant thats growing right now is sour diesel. Not sure how pure the strain is..there are a lot of sour diesel impostor strains, but whatev.

Checked on the plant this morning and its now about 15" tall. Ill take some pics in a bit, but im sure theyll look really similar to the last few. Plants starting to get some real good growth out the sides, looking bushy and good. Ive noticed more n more yellow spots on the older leaves..not sure if thats normal or what. Checked the ph and everything yesterday with some test strips (ph pen aint workin for some reason) and the ph is fine, somewhere around 6-6.5. Im starting to think maybe some micronutrient shopping is in order..?

[halfassedjedi]

I took some new pics for you all, even though I just posted some the other day. Im about to go cover up those clear cups in a second. This camera sucks the batteries down real fast, and I only got three shots today before it died.

This camera is a 6 pixel camera, but for some reason I cant get good close up shots. Ill have to fiddle with it and figure it out later.

Oh yeah, I moved the light to about 2 ft. from the big plant the other day. Its now about 15" tall, and appx. 21-22" away from the light. What do you all think about that distance?

[medmike1]

theres better out there but that will work. 1tbl per gal is the norm but you have to tinker to see what works best for you

[medmike1]

topping works ,pinching works ,it depends on how much room you have .i have gotten mine too bushy doing this, caused too much shade on the outer edges

[medmike1]

i use jiffy peat pellets . ph nuetral very inexpensive walmart and riteaid carry them 100% success rate every time

[halfassedjedi]

im waiting for bigsby to rap my knuckles for having that little seedling in a big pot... lol.

I didnt plant that one! roomie did.

[bigsby]

You do your homework and you are learning more by the day. My work is done here... ;)

[MadSativa]

looks good, strain looks more indica than sativa, I think NYC diesel is a sativa dom but I could be wrong, I have like the diesel in the past, hasn't been around much lately.

[halfassedjedi]

You do your homework and you are learning more by the day. My work is done here... ;)

I sure do! Read the forums and grow books everyday. Ive learned so much just by learning to grow in soil... Im excited to see what ill learn when I setup my hydro system...thats an entirely different animal!

[halfassedjedi]

Im taking a few clones off this plant today. Im probably gonna clone for sex with one or two of them. Im headed to the hydro store today to get a buncha stuff. Gonna get rooting hormone gell stuff, probably look at flowering nutes, micronutrient stuff, etc. :D

[halfassedjedi]

when should clones get veg nutrients? after they show roots and are ready for a new medium? for some reason im having a hard time finding that info from the search. :sorry1:

[bigsby]

From MJ Grow Basics by Jorge Cervantes:

Clones root fastest and strongest with 18- 24 hours of fluorescent light.

Keep the lamps two to six inches (5- 15 cm) above clones.

Growing medium at 80°F(2rC) and ambient-air temperature 5°F( n ) cooler.

Set clones on a heating mat or cables to control the rooting medium temperature.

Humidity levels of 95 to 100 percent the first two days and gradually reduced to 85 percent over the next seven days.

Cover clones with a humidity dome.

Mist cuttings with water to slow moisture loss through leaves and cool foliage.

A fogger in the cloning room will ensure humidity stays above 95 percent.

No tugging on clones to see if they are rooted. Roots should be visible through rooting cubes in one to three weeks.

No fertilizer on clones or seedlings the first week or two of growth.

[halfassedjedi]

I watched a jorge cervantes vid on taking clones but he didn't mention nutes. thanks for bringing the knowledge as usual!

[halfassedjedi]

man, I need to take some pics soon. the main plant I got goin up to about 2 feet now, and starting to grow pistils at nodes. no alternating branching yet, though. Im getting anxious about flowering now, but I think if flowering goes as easy as vegging this plant, I know its gonna be a fun time blooming this plant. Thanks again everyone for the feedback, you all helped me out a lot so far!

[halfassedjedi]

I just uploaded about 25 new pics, check my 2nd link in my sig if you wanna scope em out. Im also filling out the troubleshooting form right now. Hope it helps you help me. Thanks again for all the input and advice guys!

[halfassedjedi]

What is your experience level? Not my first time, but I wouldnt say im very experienced..probably my 2nd or 3rd grow.

Your Equipment:
.1) Type and wattage of lights. I think its a 400w HPS with a hydrofarm reflector hood.
.2) Distance from tops? About a foot-2 feet.
.3) Reflector type? I think its an enclosed reflector with circulation input/output holes for fans n air ducts.
.4) Is there a consistent fresh air supply? yep.
.5) Do you have an exhaust fan and a circulation fan? I have a huge box fan.
.6) What are the bulb wattages, kelvin ratings, and schedule? I think its a 400w HPS, not sure on the kelvin rating..photoperiod right now is 18/6.

Your medium:
.7) Specific brand and type of soil. Regular old potting soil with about 1/3 perlite, maybe less.
.8) Size of container. 3 gal I believe.
.9) Did you use peat pucks (or similar) to root clones or germinate seedlings? No

Your nutrients and water:
10) Source of water? (tap, bottled or filtered) What's it's ph before adjusting? I have been using distilled H2O, storebought..ive had to use some tap water the past couple weeks, though. Ph about 7.0 going in.
11) Method of checking water ph. (ph pen, test strips, aquarium test kit...) Test strips, since I cant get my ph pen to give me an accurate reading.
12) Method of adjusting water ph. (phosphoric acid, white vinegar, hydrated lime, PH Up...) Have not had to as of yet.
13) Specific brand and N-P-K ratio for each bottle. List dosages (quantity per gallon) and current feeding schedule. Age Old, 12-6-6. I feed about once a week, and diluted at less than 1/2 tbsp per gal.
14) How often are you watering between feedings, and how much per watering? I water about 2-3 times in between feedings with plain h2o. I cant say how much per watering, because I never water with the same amount.
15) Any additives or tea's? (Superthrive, CalMag, molasses, Mother's Earth...)No.
16) Are your ph levels stable, or do they fluctuate? Stable.
17) What is your ingoing water's ph? ...your runoff ph? Ingoing appx. 7.0, dont check runoff much because I never get very much runoff.
18) Do you foliar feed? If so, with what, how often, and at what time do you spray? The only thing remotely close to foliar feeding that I do is, ill must the underside of leaves now and then to stimulate the stomata.

Your growroom:
19) Indoors or outdoors? Indoors
20) What size of closet, room or hut? Imagine a 7 ft tall by 4 ft. wide rectangle. Storebought growroom tent type thing...check the pics.
21) What are the temps and humidity levels while lights are on? ...With lights off? On...about 70-80 degrees f with normal humidity, off..about 65-70 degrees with normal humidity.
22) Have you seen signs of insects in the growroom? No.

Your strain: Sour Diesel
23) What strain are you growing? (Indica dominate or Sativa dom?) I dunno..ive heard SD is sativa dominate, but my leaves are fat and indica looking..so im not sure.
24) From seeds or clones? Seed.
25) Is this an autoflower strain? I dont think so. Its too tall to be, IMO. Plant is appx. 2 ft. tall. 22" to be more exact.

[halfassedjedi]

hey doc, look at this BUMP

[halfassedjedi]

man problem I have is fan leaves are a bit droopy and yellowish, and leaf tips are curling. maybe transplant shock...?

[halfassedjedi]

Hope someone can read the TS form I filled out and gimme some advice. From what ive read, it could be numerous problems, and its getting hard for me to pinpoint the one thats afflicting the plant. I held off on feeding for more than a week and flushed to make sure it wasnt nutrient related, that didnt seem to do much. Since I havnt fed it since transplanting because I wanted to avoid TS shock, I waited until yesterday to feed it, and made sure to do it slow so it didnt just flush straight through and drain.

The only concern I really have right now is the lack of growth. I think I read that you will see a lack of growth for the week or two after transplanting but I think its been a bit and I was expecting to see at least a quarter inch of growth or something, but I havnt seen any at all in a while now. New growth on top still looks healthy, though. And im noticing more and more alternating. Preflowers still look fine, little white Vs.

Just wanted to give you guys as much info as possible. If theres anything else you need to know, tell me and ill post asap. Thanks so much guys!

[blowsterke]

I hope the picture I post can help you

[gypski]

I hope the picture I post can help you

Thanks. Great visual aid. If anyone wants to save the chart, double click it to its largest size then save it. If you don't you can't read it!! :D

[halfassedjedi]

awesome pic. I got something similar from the medical marijuana growers bible by jorge cervantes.

[xsnoder]

awesome pic. I got something similar from the medical marijuana growers bible by jorge cervantes.

I just picked that Bible up by jorge cervantes and it is by far one of the better books out there.:thumbsup:
Also picked up Jason Kings three volume canna Bible.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[halfassedjedi]

Sorry guys, havnt posted in a long long while. Im getting settled into my new place still, and school just started as well.

My sour diesel plant is now starting to flower, looking awesome! Except its starting to really yellow. I know that the less N will do that, but this is kinda ridiculous. Will post pics soon.

[halfassedjedi]

im starting not to mind the yellow, cus the buds are lookin pretty nice. the pistils look rad.

[halfassedjedi]

gotta wait for the lights to turn on again. buds look good, but leaves are yellowing and dropping like flies. nutes npk ratio right now are 2-6-10, theyre the general hydroponics floragro and florabloom stuff. 1 tsp/gallon of distilled h20.

Ill take pics soon. I regret taking clones now, because the plant woulda been nice and bushy. I think it looks alright, though.. besides most of the leaves haha. I anticipated yellowing during flowering, but I didnt think it would start this soon and be this bad. Ive been flowering now for about 2 weeks.