Some questions, growing, nutes, flowing... Need advice

How's it going all?

I have a few questions about my current grow... This would be my 3rd or so over the years and have some questions about maximizing my yield... or at least not to jeopardize it ;) (Sorry no pics at this time)

Quick overview...

Strain(s):
-No idea... bag seeds, but of good quality (from the look of the plants so far, some are a sativa dominate strain and just the opposite for the rest, indica dominate)

Soil:
-Experimenting with 2 types:
1. 5-1-5 normal potting soil mix (soil has lighter/airy texture) - I used this for all of my germinated seeds. After 1st transplant, I only used with half of the plants
2. 10-5-5 (completely organic, has a heavier texture) - I used this on the other half of the transplanted plants

Lighting (24hr veg - 12hr/12hr flower):
Three sets of 4-Tube (4ft long w/ veg or flower lights) T5 54w lights maxing at 20k lumens each set

Nutes:
Vegging:
-All natural 9-4-4 (w/ micro nutes Ca,S,Fe) made from hydrolyzed fish, bone/blood meal, sulfate of potash
-Standard 20-20-20 fertilizer

Flowing:
-Super Bloom 12-55-6 (w/ Fe)
-Schultz Plant food 10-15-10 (w/ micro nutes Fe,Mn,Zn) liquid feed

Current Stage: Vegging (w/ some having signs of pre-flowers). Most plants seem very healthy. The oldest plants are a little over 4 weeks old (from germination)

Before the questions start I want to point out a few things... When transplanting for the first time (from a ~3 cup(~700ml) to 3quart (2.8L), I used a teaspoon or so of the natural vegging nutes and thoroughly mixed into the soil. Also, I only watered with 20-20-20 ferts once at about half strength. The rest of the time only tap water was used (let it sit out for 1+ days, water is perfect - ph, Hardness, NO2, Chlorine, KH)

Question #1 (easy one):
-What are some signs that i may need to add some Magnesium? Epson salt? and how much should i add?


Question #2:
-Some of my plants are showing their 1st signs of pre-flowing. At this time i can not completely tell sex. They are just very small nubs at the nodes. The plants are about 10in tall and have a lot of foliage but not too disproportional (probably due to massive availability of N). My planting pots are 3 quarts(2.8L) and I cannot transplant into larger pots due to some restraints.
Considering the size of the planting pots should i start to flower the plants at the 1st sign of pre-flowers?


Question #3-4-5 (This is where I cannot find a precise answer or a "how-to"):
-If i do decide to start the flowering stage, how should I start this process? I have found many different ways. Please tell me the best way (or your way) to initiate this process: (give your opinion of the following list on a scale of "good" or "bad" or "yes" or "no")
A. Keep plants in complete darkness for 24hours then move to 12/12?
B. Immediate use of one or both of the flowering nutes (stated above) to start the flower stage? which?
C. Do i add full strength on the 1st day of flowering? (Please add comments of flowering nutes and how much(%) and/or when to administer.)


Question #6
-How do i build a time machine to skip 2 months into the future to sample my hard work and dedication? ... Haha do not answer this one :)


Thanks to anyone in advance...


P.S. I cannot find a good soil PH tester...

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Originally Posted by iamm420

How's it going all?

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It's going good :jointsmile:

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Originally Posted by iamm420

Question #2: Considering the size of the planting pots should i start to flower the plants at the 1st sign of pre-flowers?

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Since available grow space is a major factor in finishing indoor plants... make sure you will have room for stretching at the beginning of the flowering stage. Certain strains can grow 2-3x larger during budding. But you can always tie them up if you need to. How big is your grow space? What are your lights also?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iamm420

Question #3-4-5 (This is where I cannot find a precise answer or a "how-to"):
-If i do decide to start the flowering stage, how should I start this process? I have found many different ways. Please tell me the best way (or your way) to initiate this process: (give your opinion of the following list on a scale of "good" or "bad" or "yes" or "no")
A. Keep plants in complete darkness for 24hours then move to 12/12?
B. Immediate use of one or both of the flowering nutes (stated above) to start the flower stage? which?
C. Do i add full strength on the 1st day of flowering? (Please add comments of flowering nutes and how much(%) and/or when to administer.)

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That is going to be a preference thing I'd imagine. Certain strains will probably fair better with different ratios, schedules, etc. Especially dependant on the climate and weather of its origin.

Warning: Seems like a jack, but just trying to give personal experience. :stoned:
I had some "possible" M39 seeds and they were showing lots of preflowers during 24/0. I flushed and then threw them on 12/12. Within about 2 days I had first signs of bud growth without having given any bloom nutes. Once the soil was dry enough to feed... I started full strength FF Big Bloom and Tiger Bloom. SHIT REALLY TOOK OFF!!! Again it will mainly be strain specific as to how much and what to use. I think I can get away with loading the full dose of nutrients to these because they came from some Beasters. Pretty notorious for getting the chems slammed to them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iamm420

Question #6
-How do i build a time machine to skip 2 months into the future to sample my hard work and dedication?

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I saw a Saturday Night Live skit where they had some cold medicine that would make you hibernate for like 5 months until you weren't sick anymore. Hahaha. Maybe they have invented it by now? :hippy:

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I have a few questions about my current grow...
Question #1 (easy one):
-What are some signs that i may need to add some Magnesium? Epson salt? and how much should i add?

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the green veins in the plant will start to turn yellow and pale, sometimes the leaf tips will curl upwards. you shouldnt have problem with it with the 9-4-4 and micronutes. the sulfate of potash should help with mag too.

if you do decide to add something for mag watch out for the epsom salt...it can be easy to overdo it....you can also use dolomite lime or garden lime.

Thanks for the advice keeko!

The Metal1:

Lighting:
Three sets of 4-Tube (4ft long w/ veg or flower lights) T5 54w lights maxing at 20k lumens each set

No restraints on grow room size.. just do not want to use a planting pot bigger than 3 quart

Temperature is not a factor... durring veg temp ~74F to 80F

Humidity i would like to have more control over... but I think i am fine there.

Anyone else on the "start" of blooming?

Thanks

I have a 400 watt hps light and was just wondering how big of a grow room it should be in please reply a.s.a.p!!!:rasta::jointsmile:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iamm420

Question #3-4-5 (This is where I cannot find a precise answer or a "how-to"):
-If i do decide to start the flowering stage, how should I start this process? I have found many different ways. Please tell me the best way (or your way) to initiate this process: (give your opinion of the following list on a scale of "good" or "bad" or "yes" or "no")
A. Keep plants in complete darkness for 24hours then move to 12/12?
B. Immediate use of one or both of the flowering nutes (stated above) to start the flower stage? which?
C. Do i add full strength on the 1st day of flowering? (Please add comments of flowering nutes and how much(%) and/or when to administer.)

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i have never noticed a difference in giving 24 hours of dark before starting the flowering phase.....the faster i flower the faster i can get my bud.:thumbsup:
I will use my veg fert for about the first two weeks of flowering to help cut down on the stretch in conjuction with adding bloom ferts at 1/4 the recommended dose.......then over the weeks i will add more bloom until i see the very tips of the plant about to burn....then i back off a bit.

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Originally Posted by rob420

I have a 400 watt hps light and was just wondering how big of a grow room it should be in please reply a.s.a.p!!!:rasta::jointsmile:

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a 400watter is good for a 3x3 space. read around abit and you wont have to ask your personal questions in others thread. take care