zandor...its on pal!

[slowthestone]

Finally found a real grow shop. Screw making due with bits and pieces of the things I was crafting together from hardware stores!

600 watt electronic ballast...ck
600 watt Agro sun red reflector lamp...ck
15' remote socket...ck
Botanicare Salt leaching solution...ck
Foxfarm Open Sesme, beastie bloomz and cha ching.
Dutch Master penetrator and folitech foliar sprays


oh yea...its soooo on pal! :thumbsup:

[Zandor]

Ok I'm ready for you!

[Garden Knowm]

SWEET!!!!!!!! NICE STONE

BTW.. my panties are untwisted and in the washer

[Zandor]

BTW.. my panties are untwisted and in the washer

T.M.I. dude :eek:

[slowthestone]

I've recently used a laser temperature reader (glorified thermometer, but awfully awfully precise, handy, and fast) to determine where my grow space is hot, and where its cool. Less than 2'' above the optimal temp of 76-78, the temp jumps up to 86 °F. I'll be countering that with this handy little gadget as soon as the holiday weekend is done.

http://store.portableairshop.com/supoaircowii.html

While I was at it, I went ahead and pointed the laser at any and everything in the grow area.

The 600 watt Galaxy electronic ballast's temperature is consistent at 110 °F on all 6 sides.

The light discharge of the AgroRedSun Lamp, a whomping 335 °F , but the back, or, the reflector side...a cool (comparitively) 95 °F.

Every CFL ballast I took a reading of, regardless of wattage or lumens, 120 °F.



I hope that helps someone! :smokin:

[Garden Knowm]

thanks stone...
very cool information...

how much is that thermometer?

a temperature of 86 is ok at the top of the canopy where direct light is hitting the thermometer... as long as there is adequate air flow (ideally blowing up towards the light through the canopy)...

Often the temperature below the canopy (at soil level) will be 10 degrees cooler...

I look forward to pictures!

cheers

[slowthestone]

Yo KnOwM,

Interestingly, in my flowering area, the surface temp of the soil is consistent with the air temp surrounding it. In my veg area, where theres essentailly no canopy and the lights are close to the plants...the temp of the surface of the soil is approximately 10 degrees warmer than the temp of the leaves.

A correction from earlier, when measuring the temps of the CFL ballasts, I took the reading from center mass, however, the area directly closest to where bulb meets ballast is 10+ degrees warmer.

Also, I failed to realize earlier that the ballast, while all sides stay consistent, the temp has gone up a smidge during the warmer part of the day. Hovering around 115 °F now. That or it just steady gets warmer throughout the day on it's own. Not much of a concern being as its 15' away on the other side of the room.

As well it should be noted, there's bound to be differences from one manufacturer to another regarding the temps of ballasts, lamps, and CFLs.

I'm using... http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MAS-52224-A.html

But only because http://www.tradervar.com/images/cp7875.jpg wasn't in stock.

[slowthestone]

Totally worth mentioning that being able to stand directly behind the reflector lamp is seriously cool. Literally.

Looking directly at the back of the bulb is not at all uncomfortable on the blind eye. Makes for a damn good line of of sight too.The shadow cast by the deflective coating causes its own horizon.

So yeah...this thing has it's own built in hood, without the weight. I'll prolly add a cool tube asap.

[slowthestone]

[attachment=o73830] [attachment=o73831]

[attachment=o73832] [attachment=o73833]

[Garden Knowm]

I"LL SHOW YOU A TOOL!!!!


LOL

hey nice info.. very nice..

Zandor.. what do you think about that thermometer.. I want one!!!

[Login Failed]

You can find them at most racing shops and sometimes regular auto shops (I got mine at napa) think like $89.....but it is AMAZING!!! instant temperature reading on anything!

[Zandor]

I got mine from Harbor freight depot when they sold them on sale a few months ago. I paid 10 bucks for the cheap one but the better one cost 60 bucks. The cheap one did not go high enough and had a larger error range.

As I can't grow right now it's not getting much of a work out.

I think STS is right about having one. To monitor the leaf temp is as important as Ph to me. Most people don't give it enough respect. I hope that will change soon those will be in everyone's grow rooms soon enough. There was even an ad in HT for a company that sold them to growers.

STS - It's looking good, I'm keeping and eye on you :)

[slowthestone]

Not an easy pic to get...combo of the cam on an upclose setting, moderately zoomed...looking through a magnifying lense.

[attachment=o74811]

[Mnoutdoorz]

Looks nice. Seems like you have everything you need for a nice set-up. i'm definetly gonna have to look into one of those thermometers. Also about that A/C unit this one http://store.portableairshop.com/supoaircowii.html

I read it has an ionizer and i've heard mixed reviews about having stuff like that near plants. I'm looking at either buying that and saving a little money to get my temps back to low-mid 70's or getting a vented hood. Hood=no extra electricity but and extra $60-$75 or get the a/c and use a little extra power but save some cash.

[slowthestone]

I'm now on the record...etched in stone even, as saying...

The first thing on any would be serious grower's list of things to get...I'm talking top of the list here folks...

A pH meter!

OMGosh to the nowhere near what I thought it was pH of the nutrient solution. Every liquid nute, or soluable nute additive that is mixed together, changes the pH.

Here I was, trying to pinpoint the pH with a frig'n rapitest and the most sensitive and exact pH test kit I could find...waste of time. Well, not a pure waste...just for sure not at all effective. Especially once something is added that changes the color of the water!

So yes yes! If ya don't have a pH meter to start out with....your visions of the best bud ever will need a hella fat stroke of good luck to maintain the comfort zone that the plants do best in.

The good news is....when ya test your run-off and it reads 6.3...there is cause for breathing a huge sigh of relief!

[jamstigator]

I have a ph meter and I'm actually sorry I bought it, and wish I had that money back. I've used it twice, and it neither helped me nor hindered me, as the ph wasn't a problem. I use tapwater, with soil, and it's all been smooth as glass. For hydro people, sure, you probably MUST have a ph meter. For soil people, it might be something you can live without.

[slowthestone]

Going the way of liquid nutes and the matching addititives, be it hydro or soil, its a sound thing to monitor, as well as damn handy to be able to tweak the pH to a specific reading.

[Aaron385]

yes for hydro a digital ph pen is a GODSEND!! Cant believe i lived so long without.. just make sure you get cal solution and the storage fluid.. keep the probe moist at all times.. learn the hang of it.. and damn its nice!

i can check ph to the 100th of a point in 3 reseviours in under a min.. oh and make sure you use a good (read GH) ph adjuster (up/down).. otherwise it will take a while for the meter to respond and could cause damage.

[Zandor]

You may want to add a TDS/EC pen to your list too that is just as important as the Ph pen for a good quality grow. It will provide you important and needed information not only when you mix your nutrients but even when you have problems too. Checking the run off water is vary valuable to determine if your have a nutrient or root problem before they show by smell or effect on the plant.

[KHAN]

spend a little extra get a good one, I bought a EC and PHP pen for £25 each and they both broke within a month. Bought 2 more £49 each that u can feel the quality.

[Aaron385]

You def wont regret spending money on good meters.. I got a cheapo TDS meter in the beginning and luckily it works fine.. but as far as ph goes I went with a nice hanna meter.. eventually when this tds pen breaks i will buy a nicer one.. but its stood the test of time so far..

also on the "damn i wish i got one of these a long time ago" list.. R.O. system.. now let me explain.. I picked up the cheapest.. and i mean THE cheapest RO system off of the re'bay for $45 brand new... says its for "travel" and screws onto a standard sink with no perminant modifications like normal RO systems.. drain line is simply a hose I zip tied to the sink aimed at the drain..

Ok I guess I can get my happy ass up and go take a pic of it.. I just refilled my res so its up and cookin now...

Ok pic 1- the system that has saved me $$$ and pain in the ASS lugging bottles back and forth to the grocery store..

Pic 2- This isnt even as good as it gets.. sometimes i get single digit ppm! and thats with NO DI FILTER!!

Pic 3- Why I own a RO system :) Can you say "really F'n hard water"??


This system impressed the heck out of me so I figured I would share it with yall.. It damn near pays for itself every res change day! Its made in china but.. damn.. so is everything i ever bought from harbour freight. The best part is no more filling dozens of gallons of water bottles and lugging them home..

I have only been using this system for about a month but i have made 100s of gallons of near single digit ppm water.. i cant complain!

[slowthestone]

TDS is next in line. I'm all about establishing and maintaining standards anymore.

I've begun not tending the plants as much as the environment around them.

Soon now eh

[attachment=o75700]

[slowthestone]

[attachment=o75711]

[Zandor]

:thumbsup: Well done....well done. :dance:

[slowthestone]

[attachment=o75902] Talk about a closet grow!

[attachment=o75903] View from the top of the shelf

[attachment=o75904] Looking up from the floor

[slowthestone]

I'm thinking I should switch to lighting at night. The heat of the day time has me working the hell out of the AC to keep the room at a good temperature.

[m.g.]

that's a no-brainer!

[Aaron385]

Zandor - what temp should the leafs be at?

[slowthestone]

Yes m.g. (marijuana grower?), it is indeed a no brainer. But back when I began this venture, it hadn't occured to me that there might be a heat wave during the summer months. 103F in Bismark ND...wtf right!

Anyways, its lights out during the day time from now on.

[jamstigator]

Yeah, lights on at night, gotta do the same thing here. Next week is supposed to be close to 100 degrees here every single day. Ugh. I do lights on from 10 PM to 10 AM. I tried 7 PM to 7 AM, but it hasn't cooled down enough by 7 PM, so had to bump it up 3 more hours. I feel sorry for outdoor plants, suffering in this heat while my ladies enjoy a much more comfortable habitat. :)

[slowthestone]

I'll be doing 7-7...

With the added perk of being able to have day time guests again!

I had a bed delivered a couple days ago...I had a anxious moment opening the door letting the fellas in...I've long since desensitized to the fragrant aroma here. So my means of masking the smell either worked...or they had no idea what it was they noticed in the air!

I've been postponing a dinner here with my girlfriend's parents...her mom is her boss, and her dad is a homicide detective...that will be the real test!

[slowthestone]

Did I mention the part where I've sometimes felt like I'm a captive in my own home on account of just HAVING to keep an eye on the plants?

It'll be damn nice to overcome the needless worry!

[slowthestone]

Well...I wasn't going to do this...

but being as today is me b-day and all...

I'm snipping a bud and heading for the oven! :D

[HARDDON]

Yes summer temps like in a garage are hard to deal with.

Massive air exchange will help. Ideal temp is 78 for most indica...sativa can take much higher temps.

Fans leaves will get HUGE.

Dont turn you oven up too hot. THC vaporizes at 180.

I always used to use a hair dryer gently on a snipped bud I wished to partake of. Low heat, about 10 minutes.

[HARDDON]

Did I mention the part where I've sometimes felt like I'm a captive in my own home on account of just HAVING to keep an eye on the plants?

It'll be damn nice to overcome the needless worry!

Like having little kids.

Soon, you may learn to water every 5 - 7 days and never ever have to bother them other than that.

You will want to sit and watch, but literally, you can water and leave the country for 5 - 7 days and not worry.:dance:

Thats when the real fun in growing begins.

[slowthestone]

So now...I am good and high. On weed I grew. A first for me. :thumbsup:

Ok so...I'm off to be high. :cool:

[slowthestone]

[attachment=o76496]

[attachment=o76497]

[slowthestone]

A loupe is a must have!

Carson LumiLoupe 10x Stand Magnifier

[attachment=o76599]


Found that one at a photo store for $9. Waiting on a 30x to show up in the mail, ebay'd it.

[slowthestone]

A couple of me latest endeavors.

[attachment=o76976] This is one bad ass lady. I started her outside, in the ground, under a tree...after two weeks of lack luster growth, got'r transplanted...10 days of vegging, and another 10 of flowering...shes set to explode!

[attachment=o76980] Here I'm furthering my belief in the advantage of using transparent containers so that visual soil and root inspection can be done.

[attachment=o76977] The top

[attachment=o76978] A clone in a 4' length of pvc...notice the bend in the stalk!

[attachment=o76979] This is me learning LST, with a mind toward duplicating SCROG, in theory anyways, without a screen/mesh/whatever. This clone, thus far, is way ahead in development compared to 3 others I did from the same mother. I hope the visual example of how I've tied her down is self-explanatory. More to come on this plant later!

[slowthestone]

This is me learning LST, with a mind toward duplicating SCROG, in theory anyways, without a screen/mesh/whatever. This clone, thus far, is way ahead in development compared to 3 others I did from the same mother. I hope the visual example of how I've tied her down is self-explanatory. More to come on this plant later!


Should have noted, the other 3 clones have had no LST applied to them. Their stalks are not as thick, they've less nodes...and nowhere near as bushed out either.

[slowthestone]

I'm liking the assurity of me being able to grow from bag seed, and in turn, produce something nicer than how it was when it came my way.

I mainly used to get a bag and look for color and smell, white fuzzies etc...but now...with a working knowledge of what is what on the plant...I'm no longer looking at local bud the same anymore. To the point of, and I say this humbly...the person that got me turned on to venturing into growing is now, essentially, an understudy of mine.

I'm at a point now of wanting more space and resources committed to seeing what all can be done, application-wise, in order to achieve bigger, better, faster...quality results. ie....instead of taking 4 clones and giving them all the same what, where, and when...I leave one as a control, and the others to differentiate tween one additive or another for sake of localising a result that is either positive, negative, or neutral.

I'm anxious to delve into hydroponics...which I'd like to be able to get going before the varying soil grows begin bearing fruit...a small-time eternal harvest is a goal I'm totally down for having available to me.

All in all, I'm feeling as if patience and ambition have become a synergy of sorts here. An equilibrium if you will.

I've taken to updating my log here on a weekly basis. So come 3 days from now, I'm hoping some folks will see what happened in a week's time and drool at the results.

Now if only I had that warehouse and all the hardware and nutrients I'd want for chasing the ultimate grow as I perceive it! :cool:

[Jdog7000]

Experience gives you the right to say that.
Nothing compares to doing.As opposed to studying.

About your transparent pots.
Make sure no light is hitting the soil or it will screw it up.
If you want to do it with clear containers. Use tinfoil on them and look under it to see what you want to see.
Good job on the grow bro.

[slowthestone]

Ya J...got'm covered.


The handles make for easy lifting...the lid can go underneath for minor drainage...with the added perks of being able to monitor the conditions of your plant's roots as well as being able to see moisture content of your soil. Keep in mind though, just because you may not see any root, or moisture, between the soil and the container wall doesn't mean that neither is NOT present laterally deeper into the soil. Gotta keep it covered though! Or else, risk the chance of algae in your soil!


Just for shit'z n giggles...I have left one uncovered...no signs of anything growing that I don't want. Not yet anyways.

[slowthestone]

[attachment=o78290]
Curious about how soon flowering can be forced? So was I.

[attachment=o78291]
Going into last week, I gave her a 180° and watched the bottom of the plant begin its canopy. This coming week, another 180° more training for the top. I'm intending, to 'snake' the top along the length of the tube as the growth does its thing.

[attachment=o78292]
This one really gets me looking fwd to the timer bringing me around to see what happened while the lights are out.

[attachment=o78293] :o

[Garden Knowm]

I always used to use a hair dryer gently on a snipped bud I wished to partake of. Low heat, about 10 minutes.

I always knew that you were a HAIR DRYER kind of GUY...

LOL

ilovyou

[Fade]

Very inspiring - nice work! :thumbsup:

[Jdog7000]

Looks good bro.
Thats a huge plant.
I thought my 3 footers where big for indoors.

[slowthestone]

I appreciate the comments up there folks.



Weird week in the grow room.

Unusual amount of notable events anyway.


That and my focus in and around the plants has been a wee bit off this last week. Which I believe might have something to do with momentarily being a part of the electrical circuit to the HPS. I was making a slight adjustment to the light when, suddenly...one of my fingers jumped off the platform and down onto the tracks.~~~~~bizzzzoww!!~~~~~


Maybe I'll do pics later. For now...


The 'how soon can it flower' plant...after being transplanted during flower....grew bananas!


So what to do with a full blown hermaphrodite?


Yea yea...I know the typical route is too yank them. Me though...I like to take advantage of the opportunity to study things some. And to do a thing like...pollenate! I isolated the hermi and a branch from another plant together under a bag. This morning I woke to the sight of swollen calyxes!


Yea yea....another typically undesired thing...but now I'll have the chance to plant fresh seeds...that I helped happen!


I dunno...maybe I'm just a geek type grower.

Anyhoo...


The 'back in the nam' dou...they've finally stopped growing up. They bushed out...and bushed out some more...but flowering is happening at a snails pace relative to other plants. Do I cut them back? (crazy potential for cloning) Leave them alone and up the nutrients? Add another light?
They're in the way at this point. Changes I'd like to make to the space won't be happening till they are out of the way. I'm wanting to do a hydro grow, need room though. OK...so I grew a couple huge trees indoors. And managed to train them along so that 10' or so of linear growth fits under an 8' ceiling...with room to spare at that..yay...fat lot of good it does if they continue to flower so slowly. Which again has me thinking they simply need more nute and or light. I pulled a fan leave last night...it oozed that nice, clear, gel type fluid. So for sure they're hydrated and likely have ample stores of energy and nutri---. Bah!


A different plant...I watered early in the week...soon as the water hit the soil...dozens of lil white, maybe silverish, bugs poured out of the soil. Nothing on the plant itself...just down in the soil. I went and picked up a pest strip for this. I cut off the top of the package, left the strip in it, and just placed it on the soil...and covered the soil with a shirt. Its been a couple days now, hoping them to be gone when next I water.


I ordered 'bush master' a few days ago. I'm anxious to see if it works as advertised...gotta find some info on the dosage per liter though. Maybe I should just write the people I purchased it from. "dear stranger. I want to grow fat buds, whats the right amount of bush master to use? :confused:

[slowthestone]

Yikes...

I unfurled those two huge trees...they're outta control.

10' tall is one thing...5' long branches is another! One of them, just seems entirely reluctant to do anything with its dozens of bud sights. The other one is further along, but still crawling a snail's pace towards being budded. :(

I'm wanting some sort of fast forward machine!

[slowthestone]

The plant further behind in developed flowers...it's clones are showing that same slow to bloom trait.

Bag seed beginnings...perhaps I've been nursing a couple plants that just won't bud. They've grown like mad ffs. I've little doubt about their health. I mean come the hell on...they occupy the inside, AND outside of a closet. I started them outdoors...60 days of sunshine before I had to bring them indoors.

They've been on 12/12 for 61 days. Maintaining a week 12 feeding schedule per foxfarm-- big bloom, tiger bloom, and cha-ching + GH's diamond nectar. Nutes every other watering. I water them on the light side...1 gallon every 4 days x2-- on the 12th day, 3 gallons till theres some run off, then back to 4days x2.

So...they're consuming...but not producing. And trying my patience at that.

[attachment=o79935]

[slowthestone]

I'm trying to talk myself out of cutting them down...122 days is enough though. Something either with the plants or the grower is wrong.

Next time the lights come on...*poof*....they'll be gone...I'll be able to more properly utilize the space, nutrients, and electricity by yanking them out.

I just dont want to give up on the effort is all.

[slowthestone]

And now I'm wondering if I can manage getting them outside...obscured somehow by whats growing in and around the yard. Then I can reclaim that space, avoid ditching the grow...as well as having the sun's light available to help push these two toward finishing.

What a chore that would be though...but seems to me to be far better than just scraping the grow.

[slowthestone]

They'll be going from 12 hours of light indoors to 13.5 hours outdoors. I can prolly buffer that some by placing them in a spot that gets direct sunlight in the morning, transtitioned to visible light by early afternoon ya?

Yea.

I'm gathering that there won't be too much of a shock going from indoors to outdoors...being as their first 60 days were under the sky and all...I expect that going outdoors again might very well be a stress reducer instead of a stress enducer.

If I do this at sundown, they'll have had 22 hours of dark...which I believe would be another buffer in their favour. Nothing doing though till I manage getting the closet shelf they're grown in and around snipped out of the way. And then somehow, back the upper 4' of growth out of there without wrecking them in the process.

That and scouting a spot so I can get them outside soon as the day time ends.

[slowthestone]

They're porch bound soon after dusk tonight. Likely to leave them there for a couple days while I figure where to go from there.

[slowthestone]

Did I mention the part about thinking I might shit myself any minute now?

[slowthestone]

[attachment=o80188]
Today is a good example for having my head examined
[attachment=o80187]

:rolleyes:

[slowthestone]

I'm loving having the space to work with that the monsters were previously using up. The light is more focused instead of having to be spread around....the room is cooler....having the light fully in the closet means being able to cool a smaller area...naturally the rest of the room isn't getting as warm making the current ventilation all the more efficient.

All in all...a very + + day

[Garden Knowm]

TIMBERrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!


nice TREE!


http://an-inconvenient-truth.com/

[HARDDON]

Do you have more than one plant in the same container?

I cannot tell from the pics...

[slowthestone]

5 beans went in...5 sprouts came out---two of them are fat...swollen even.

small plastic container...damp paper towel...top secret lid...placed under the pc monitor for good mojo on account of having pics of nice budz showing for them to aspire to...tween 18-32 hours, all 5 went into dirt...the earliest has already emerged, still carrying the husk...I like coffee. Thank you, drive though.

[slowthestone]

Forgot to mention....

This veg cycle is going to kick ass. For sure it will be my best effort to date.

[HARDDON]

I am referring to the tree that will not flower.

Is there more than one in that container?

[slowthestone]

I am referring to the tree that will not flower.

Is there more than one in that container?


Ya ya....sadly...there is more than one.

Its a 2fer.

[HARDDON]

Have you learned anything about multiple plants in the same container?

[slowthestone]

hahahahahaaaaa

[slowthestone]

On the + + side....


The Bush Master I ordered 11 days arrived at the door a bit ago. I called after 8 days, asking if the order would arrive any time soon. Dude fessed up to a brain fart on their end and included a enough samples of Bush Master to make up 15 gallons of the stuff mixed with water.

Cool eh.

[slowthestone]

The grow is officially UVB'd.

[Garden Knowm]

???

[slowthestone]

http://www.exo-terra.com/EN/products/repti_glo_80_i.html


http://www.esuweb.com/cardfile.asp?ItemNumber=55172&IDProductRelationship=144


The exo-terra emits 8% UBV, the esu CFL is 3%. I placed one high, the other low.

[slowthestone]

Forgot to mention this...

The lights kill bugs!