Diary:31/05/07: Flood & Drain 1st Try

I'm making a mess of these dates I think. Too much pukka smoking going on, I can't seem to get the chronology right.

Ok, so yesterday was the 15th of june and it was day 16 of bloom. But as today is a new day, the 16th, and I didn't do my update lastnight, then the title should read..' 16/06/07: day late update 16 for 15/06/07.....'

I think it's sorted. Must be just me getting confused.

So I visited the garden late lastnight. All is well. Growth is quite quick and every day is a revelation.

I checked the pH which required a little attention as it was above 6.2. The EC was a little off too, but I anticipated it even though I diluted the reservoir solution on the previous day. I had to dilute the solution again by removing 10L and topping off with pH balanced water.

I think I'm on the edge of over feeding. The leaf colour is almost perfect green. But I'm seeing a very light green tinge on some of the leaf tips. Whenever I've over fed in the past, the leaf tips have been the first parts of the plant that indicate a problem to me. I'm hoping that I can stick to what I believe is the edge of over fert, as the plants won't then lock down but will be doing their best to produce fruit and won't be lacking. In all honesty I don't really know what I'm babbling on about, but I like to think it works and my successes are my proof that I'm doing something right.

I changed my feeding pattern also on day 16. I've switched from once every four hours to once every 3 hours. I will monitor overall changes very closely. I think they will all cope with more access to food, I must ensure that the pH and EC values Do Not go out of range though as I have been. Whatelse?

hmmmmmm! Time for a bifta :stoned:

All is well. They're looking good. Everything seems to be a repetition. pH and EC adjustments when required. Topping off with balanced water. Keeping the balance of nute right. Not much else. Nothing is dying. I will try and add progress pics by the begining of week 4. I love this hydro!!! I'm reaching halfway through the bloom cycle. I'm hoping for 1Kilo or more from this little setup. Then I will be able to get 5-6Kg after a garden makeover.

Stay tuned and thanks for dropping by :)

looking good, party on. keep us up.

Peace man.

Thanks for dropping in LOC NAR on probation. & thanks for the encouragement!!

Most Recently taken... hottt of the press...

Most Recent pix...

They are tall and lean - is that a trait of the strain, or a cultivation technique?

Thanks for dropping by Goat.

I've recently been told by my supplier that the strains I asked for are not the strains I received. I should have got 16 AK47 and 16 of something else, but I looks like I have around 20 G13 which tend to grow quite tall in the garden. The remainding strains might consist of Sensi Star,AK, and maybe something else.. who knows..

As for them being lean, I'm unsure if you are talking about them leaning over.. or you maybe talking about them looking good?

On the technique side of things, I'm not doing anything relatively special apart from daily maintenance of pH and EC readings. I've tried to include as much special information as possible. Any tasks that I might do out of the ordinary I will mention. So far, all has been like clockwork (in a sense)!

Thanks for dropping by :)

The ladies are still asleep but I disturbed them for a couple of minutes to check the pH and EC.

The pH is fine, but the EC is 1.6 which I think is a tiny bit too high for this moment. I've noticed a slight appearance of tip burn on a few leaves. So as we're into the beginning of week 4 I think I will apply a propper pH balanced flush for a short period before applying a new mix of nutes.

I'm likely to bring the EC to 1.4 and raise it in a couple of days if it hasn't raised itself to 1.5.

A trip to the suppliers for another L of Big Bud is also on the cards I think.

I might not have mentioned, but I'm keeping the light between 13" and 18" from the tops of the plants which has helped keep them relatively short (4"-13").

Stay tuned for updates and progress.

High! and welcome back folks.

The update is as follows:

Nutrients reading was EC1.6-1.8 say EC 1.7

pH reading was 6.4 (ish)

So I've emptied 15-20L from the rez and refilled and balanced the readings. I added Mother Earth Super Tea Bloom to bring the EC back up to the desired level.

Readings upon leaving were EC 1.5 pH 5.7.

Tune in again, I'm stoned off my face.

You are doing great,I would look into covering the top of the trays with something to stop light getting to the roots.Some plastic strips with slits cut in so you can slip them around the stems to cover the roots from light getting in.But everything looking good.Happy growing, PEACE

Thanks for dropping a comment crazywill.

Word for the word of greatness!

To be honest I haven't considered the light and the roots combination.

I was originally going to use a sheet of Correx with circles cut, then drop the net pots in the holes with the lip of the pots sitting on the sheet of Correx. I can't remember why I didn't... probably laziness or something to do with being intoxicated at the time.

Is it important to cover the roots?

Ok, so if replicating nature is what one should aim for then I can understand that roots do grow in the dark and under ground in 85% of cases. I wonder if I just answered that query?

Cheers for giving me something to think about, and feel free to offer other suggestions.

Good Afternoon mari_jane associates...

I need to grow more pot. I'm bored of this single hydro life. I desire seeing to the needs of more than one hydro grow. I won't go on as I'll be seen to be common.

I've not had to do a lot. The joy of growing in soil and having to constantly shuffle those 15L pots about during watering and seeing to dead leaf routines are out the door. This method is so less demanding on the physical front. It's boring lol. Multiple hydro systems spread a week apart would be more interesting as there would always be varied work to be done. I'm not trying to make it my job, just hold the element of interaction I so desire :)

I'm currently sitting outside the garden listening to the humm of all the extractor and series of pumps. I've just ammended the mix in the reservoir. The pH was a little high as was the EC which was around 6.5/2.2.

I partially flushed again, emptying around 15L-20L then topping off with tap water. I only had to pH the solution because the resultant EC was 1.5, adequate for this stage. So upon leaving the reservoir the readings were EC1.5 and pH 5.7. As soon as the solution was corrected, as if timed, the pump kicked in and flooded the top trays. All good.

The leaves on the plants appear to be quite dark green. I understand this to mean that they are feeding very well. I compare dark green leaves to a podgy belly after eating. The leaf tips are now showing subtle signs of over fert. I guess it is over fert any way, I'll take a few pix shortly. The tinge in the tips and the 2.2 EC reading kind of make sense to me as well as considering the dark green leaf colour.

I'll have to pay more attention to the feeding sched.

I am now able to see nice amounts of resin forming on the leaves. I've had to be a devil and scratch and sniff... Well rub and sniff, and the aromas are beautiful. The pistils are quite long and very erect. The formation of the buds, imo, are almost as good as I can expect without veg time as such.

I'm not too impressed with the main stem structure. Maybe because there are only 2 fans in the room and there are other plants requiring wind might add to the reason why my stalks haven't built up. To put it simply, the fans have probably spent most of their time blowing on the soil potted crop as oppose to the hydro sys.

Now to bugs. I've just spotted an infestation of spider mite on one leaf, so I've mixed some SpiderMite Control, as purchased earlier, and I'm goint to apply a nice dose in no matter of time. Bugs are such a problem at this time of year. I won't use the bomb as there aren't any flying insects around and I would wanna waste it by not killing the mites.

What else? Not much else really! I'll get on with the last few tasks and get those images online. Stay Tuned!!

I've taken a few pix for all our enjoyment.

1. The current leaf condition which appears on all plants
2. Took one out from near the front from modelling purposes. Might be G13 strain?
3. View from the top, just a plant near the front of the tray,
4. Another top view.
5. Side on

Next!!!

A few for, because I'm happy...

1. Baby Bud
2. Random Roots after a flood
3. Buddd
4. More Baby Budddd

I should also have noted that my reservoir temperature seemed to be pretty low when I put my hand in it earlier. I've decided to put an aquarium heater in there to keep the nute temperature at a level more appreciative to the plants.

I've sprayed the girls with a 500mL diluted mix of SpiderMite Control. I may have to do this more than once before the end of the week, but this just adds interest to the hobby. I don't think there is any more info that I can add at this time as I've covered everything. Tune in soon for the DL on my 1st propper hydro attempt.

Here we go again.... This time however there are newer events to report.

I forgot to turn on the flood pump again!!! This time I left it for 48hours before realising what was happening. The reason so much time passed was because I was so busy yesterday I lost track of time and didn't manage to look in on the girls.

Today I was disappointed to see the after effects of no water for such a long time. The leaves were of an even deeper green than I'd like to see. I decided to flush the system as it was around that time again. I drained the reservoir and refilled it with 70L of pH balanced water.

As soon as I switched the system back on with just the water the drooping plants sprung back to life within 15minutes. All was not lost. I decided to leave the system flooded constantly for 4-5 hours with pH balanced water. I then returned and switched the pump back to timed intervals. All looked much better.

I will continue with pH balanced water for a couple of days. I'd be happy to see the shade of the leaves to lighten up. I may flush for longer if necessary before commencing Overdrive.

Tune in again!!

Your roots look very dark brown. They do not look healthy to me. Are you using anything like hygrozyme or anything to help your roots stay healthy?

High Chabnoc, thanks for dropping a comment.

Yeah the roots are a little brown. I think they could be becoming melanated?

As someone else commented earlier raising the point about the top trays not being covered and the roots being exposed to high intensity light for extended periods. A side effect of not covering the roots could well be a colour change... Not sure what other visuals would surface..

Another reason why the roots are brown could be due to the fact that that pic was taken immediately after a flood. If you look close you can see a film of water and nute solution on the surface of the roots. The reservoir solution is very dark in colour because of the additives. I'm sure that the H2 Humic Acid is almost black liquid in its container. The roots might be stained? My 60L mixing bucket is stained from H2 Humic.

I'm not using hygrozyme. I used Voodoo Juice once per week for the first 3 weeks. I've been told that plant root development stops near on 3 weeks into bloom.

Hope my answer provides adequate info.

They are doing good and you are on top of thinks as well.If you cover those trays so the roots are in the dark they will be more white in color and healthier.Dark brown roots is not only stain from nutrs but root rot.They should have a little more root mass growing out the sides of the pots.How big of a airstone do you have in the res?more o2 in the water and covered trays and thoses grils will faten up real fast.Keep up the good work.Peace

I have root appearance problems I think... Here are the latest images.:

You do not want your root`s in the sun just get some black plastic and place over you tray
smell your root`s if it smell`s bad (rotten egg`s or dead fish ) you have a problem

the roots don't look bad it looks like it was just drained and the dust build up off the hydroton is all it looks like to me

did u wash ur clay good b4 u used them ??

Don't worry about your roots. They're fine. If you're really worried about it, try some canna/hygro/sensizyme to peel off the brown. But really, they're fine. You're killing these in 2-3 weeks anyway.

Looks like
A) Long term overfeeding
B) A Ca issue, possibly caused by longterm overfeeding.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stoneinks

You do not want your root`s in the sun just get some black plastic and place over you tray
smell your root`s if it smell`s bad (rotten egg`s or dead fish ) you have a problem

---

I will do the inspection and proceed to cut a few strips of correx to cover the few light gaps, (I won't cover them totally, but as much as I can)

Thanks stoneinks!!! :thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by palerider7777

the roots don't look bad it looks like it was just drained and the dust build up off the hydroton is all it looks like to me

---

There should not be any dust build up from the clay pebbles as I spent copius amounts of time washing them in un-pH'd water (which had an effect on pH stability). But I'm not going to rule anything out totally as I understand that the clay begins to breakdown after a period of time.

So you think the roots are OK?
Thanks for dropping a comment!! :thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rhizome

Don't worry about your roots. They're fine. If you're really worried about it, try some canna/hygro/sensizyme to peel off the brown. But really, they're fine. You're killing these in 2-3 weeks anyway.

Looks like
A) Long term overfeeding
B) A Ca issue, possibly caused by longterm overfeeding.

---

I will go visit the Dr @ the practice and see if she reccommends SensiZyme... I've used hygrozyme and it isn't half as good as voodoo. Part way through this week, after covering the top trays slightly, I will enquire further about the addatives u mentioned. But as you say, in around 3 weeks time the ladies are due to end.

I should be feeding with overdrive for 2 weeks atm, but I'm paused on pH balanced water for quite a while. All was well untill:

1. I forgot to turn the rez pump on and it remained off for 48hours
2. The EC hit 2.2 one day, I think it was because I missed a visit

Before the above two instances occured, all seemed pretty good.

Many thanks rhizome for dropping a comment!!! :thumbsup:

Well there's where you nute burn is coming from I think....if the problem isn't heat than it's nute burn or the result of a ph lockout...

I will keep flushing, while trying to again take control of the bugs...

I'm almost happy to say that despite the plants looking a little fried, they haven't shut down and stopped growing to my knowledge, although tha=ey could be developing slower??? I don't know really,,,

Straight ph'd water will slow them down somewhat....I've noticed that after I've flushed or if I got to straight water for some reason, it slows the growth so that doesn't surprise me.

I get the impression I'm too long winded.

Checked reservoir. pH/EC=5.7/0.6

Added Mother Earth Bloom, just a splash
Added Overdrive, Just a splash

Resultant pH/EC=5.5/1.4

Sprayed with recommended solution for bugs instead of bomb also. Will wait and see..

Covered top trays with approriate material.

That's the update..

i have used my clay pellets and when i change nutes it's still cloudy from the clay thats washed off

Hello readers

I'm not far off harvest now. Only a matter of weeks before the chop!!

I've had to pH down over the last day, and also empty 30L from the rez and top off with 40L of tap water. I pH balanced the solution but didn't add any nutes. I left the EC at 1.2.

I drained off 30L because the EC was quite high again. I fugure that its time to totally reduce the feed concentrate.

I'm seeing signs of nice bud development. The flowers are begining to swell. I will try and add pix around day 45 to show progress.

The over fert situation has subsided and I think so long as I work lower than the recomended dose then I will be ok!

EC was quite high again.....as in.....how high? And how long since you last checked it?

Hey, man. LOOKING GOOD. I just skimmed through the pics and they look top notch. I'm going to make sure I subscribe to this one and come back and read all the way through. Looks like you did your homework. Love it. Be cool.


The Fog :rastasmoke:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Weedhound

EC was quite high again.....as in.....how high? And how long since you last checked it?

---

EC1.6-2.0, I cannot remember. All I know is I felt the need to reduce it else the following day it certainly would have been through the roof. ...& I check the levels daily especially while applying full strength nutes as I've seen the levels fluctuate dramatically

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheGreenFog

Hey, man. LOOKING GOOD. I just skimmed through the pics and they look top notch. I'm going to make sure I subscribe to this one and come back and read all the way through. Looks like you did your homework. Love it. Be cool.


The Fog :rastasmoke:

---

I'm trying my best, thanks... I just been looking at your pix in your madman thread and you looks to be producing the pukka urself too!!!

I haven't had much in the way of time to keep posting my 'actions-taken' in the garden.

Yesterday I topped off the reservoir with 30L of water.

I then added a splash of Mother Earth Bloom and a splash of Overdrive. I didn't measure the pH or EC afterwards for some perculiar reason.

I went in this morning before lights-out and pinched off the decaying leaves. My fingers are still sticky with the sticky juice from the girls.

I found that the pH was through the roof @ 6.5 while the EC was at a dangerous 2.2. This has gotta be something to do with drinking beer?

I immediately drained off 30L and replenished with 40L. The new readings were pH 5.6 and EC1.5.

The growth of the buds is quite rapid. Ever since the first dose of Overdrive the ladies have been packing on weight.

There are no bugs in the room. The last spray application of some 'under-the-counter' insecticide that had no label has done the trick. I think that the decating leaves are something to do with the spray application.

I feel a photo opprotunity coming on. Watch the space below :)

Thanks for reading fellow herbalists!!

Here are some pix of current progress....

All appears ok. The next few days will display the results of the EC2.2 repeat scenario. I've plucked off the majority of the decaying leaves. I stripped one plant fully of its dangly leaves and the bud development has come on quite a lot. It didn't harm the plant so I've decided to do them all the same way.

I haven't bothered to resize or crop these images so you can enjoy the full-high res images in all their marvel.

Unfortunately not all the plants of of a uniform stature. I'd much prefer to have the same strains on one tray, not a mix!

Here you are folks, day 41 of bloom, or around a total of 60 days of growth since clones were taken.