Questions for experts

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:37 am
Post subject: Questions for experts

Questions are at the end, hereâ??s a brief synopsis of what has occurred so far . . .
I am using 400W MH and 400W HPS
Ultrasonic fogger for roots and later I added Nute Ice cubes 4 times a day for dripping.
2 2'X4' Rubbermaid type boxes with 20 3" net cups with puffed clay.
Feeding with Liquid Earth (futuregarden) 3 part formula (Vigor,Grow,Bloom.

I started my seeds with "fastStarts" plugs from futuregareden.

I got off to a rough start with these as the Ultrasonic humidifier raises the Ph of the solution as well as the temperature.
We had unwanted bacteria and/or fungus.
After some time I made adjustments that compensated for that. But I generally had poor results.

For a while I placed a small O3 generator at the intake fan of the Humidifier, figuring it would make its on hydrogen peroxide (which it probably did) but the reactions were adverse I do believe.
After a month I was looking at what appeared to be 40 5 inch tall palm trees. 4 sets of minitiature leaves with almost no internodal space.
I tried other adjustments for 4 more weeks and no discernable differences.
By that time my biggest plant was 9 inches and had left the others far behind.
This particular plant's roots were in the direct stream of the fog hose. Although the root chamber could be, and often would be filled with fog so thick you coudn't see the bottom of the box, that one plant that was directly in the stream took off.

Based in that I tried more direct piping of the fog to the plants using PVC pipe with holes drilled in the sides.
The backpressure from the pipe slowed the flow and thus allowed temperature to rise and cut the rate of nutrients delivered. No real help there.

At this point I said screw it. I decided to flower them to see if I could at least get a smoke or two for my efforts. So I added the HPS to the MH for 800watts total. I switched from Vigor/Grow to Vigor/Bloom.
As root zone temperature had always been a problem, it was then I decided to start using nutrient ice cubes on each plant to help cool the chamber and provide a drip feed to it.

I did not change the photoperiod (16-18 hours daily).

Well the next day I saw new growth (yahoo!) There had been steady growth for a week since then. That's when my MegaGrow (giberellic acid solution) arrived. I Sprayed some on my still vegetative plants and really saw an increase in growth rate. Then I did some reading up on this stuff and fear that I have made yet another blunder. This leads me to my questions.

Will use of the GA cause hermies if used in the veg stage? If not, how long should I wait to start flowering after I use it.

I hear "superbud" will get your flowering started almost overnight (instead of the 2 weeks of power growth that normally takes place after changing to 12/12 photoperiod) and gives you real tight buds. Does anyone feel that there is higher resin production using this? Does it then shorten the flowering time by two weeks? Anyone know the active ingredient that causes the change? I know it begins with a P.

UVB lighting: a big plus or no?
Is it better to use lizard lights or a MV exterior light ($22.00 at walmart).

Is it possible that part of my initial growth problem the lack of potash in the "grow" product.

Or were the plants responding more to the cooler drip nutes from the ice cubes or the extra light. I realize its a combo of all but your best guess will help.

I have not started flowering yet but my plants are getting leggy All but one have at least doubled in size. . .and I'm anxious to start.
I just heard about Humic acid, fulvic acid and mycorrhizal fungus At this point would I be benefiting my bud strength and yield by adding (or inoculating).

The roots, for the most part dangle in the fog, will a fungus innoculation even take hold in that situation?
And if I did add these or anything else you might suggest should I delay changing my photoperiod?
Thanks all for your advice and comments

If your new I suggest going basic and not adding any stimulants as of yet. After a few grows you should start to add stimulants one at a time to notice the differences it does for your buds

Geesus! Leave it to people to turn what is simple,basic and easy into a technological nightmare!!
Soil is natural, easy and forgiving. Less expensive,less maintenance.
BUT, monitor the HPS and metal halide to see which one gives you more compact BUDS (NOT flowers).