realistic harvest predictions

[topcat_121]

this is my first grow, I've had some drama with my lights, the 600w dual bulb that came with my tent pack was pushing temps around 100f. (thanks to all who took time to help a noob!) fingers crossed we've sorted that for now. However I'm left wondering how much damage I've done to the growth cycle.
My ladies are 26 days since germination..

When i started i was told to expect a harvest in 3 months!!! having searched other posts, I realise thats gonna be a real long shot.. Can anyone recommend a veg booster to give me a chance to catch up?

I'm hoping you guys can give me some idea on a real time frame, and perhaps tell me whats causing the spotting on the leaves. (apologies if I'm duplicating another thread)

big bud fems (x4)
15 cfl (100w equivalent)
1.8 x 2 m tent
miracle grow peat (just transferred from peat cups)
miracle grow feed
temp range 71f - 85f
Lights 20 - 4

topcat_121 Reviewed by topcat_121 on 06-26-2011. realistic harvest predictions this is my first grow, I've had some drama with my lights, the 600w dual bulb that came with my tent pack was pushing temps around 100f. (thanks to all who took time to help a noob!) fingers crossed we've sorted that for now. However I'm left wondering how much damage I've done to the growth cycle. My ladies are 26 days since germination.. When i started i was told to expect a harvest in 3 months!!! having searched other posts, I realise thats gonna be a real long shot.. Can anyone Rating: 5

[Douglas1]

honestly.. they look ok for 26 days.. I would veg another week, take a few clones off your best plant and make the switch to flower.. park the clones under some cfls

[CanGroIt]

So are you using a single 600w lamp or 15cfl bulbs???

They do look ok for 26 days.... Like mentioned before, ideally you want to take clones from these before you put them into flower.... Clones are soooooooo much easier to deal with, OR you can keep one of these, from seed, as a mother.... Clones genetics usually get weaker and weaker from taking a clone from a clone from a clone froma clone from a clone from a clone, so I've read and heard but done know for sure....

It's up to you when you want to start flowering them.... You've already gone 26 days, once you flip to 12/12, add a minimum of 56 days til harvest....usually....

CGI::::::

[topcat_121]

great stuff guys, i really appreciate the feedback.

I'm currently using the cfl's, can i switch my timer over to 12/12 and leave as is?
Will they start flowering with the light change?
Would i benefit from a bulb specifically for flowering? (that 600 is burning too hot)
Would you recommend an additive to get a final veg growth spurt before i change cycle?

[Douglas1]

you'll probably want to throw as much light in there as you can while still being able to manage the heat. cfls work fine for vegging, but not quite as well for flower. so you need more of them. red dominant spectrum.. 60/40 red/blue... red being low kelvin, blue being high kelvin.

CanGroIt

I don't by into that weakening genetics thing.. there are virus's that can affect dna, which would have an effect on the growth of your plants if one were infected.. but other than that, they're clones, exact replicas of the moma plant.. There's no where dna can really vanish to ya know? Plus you have to define weakening Genetics.. I'm assuming people would mean slower growth rates, less potency, that sort of thing.. but those are just genetic traits.. but it would never be that cut and dry.. cause and effect.

if there were decay, there would be all sorts of nutty things going on, clones growing 3 lobe leaves, streaking, split stems, hell.. even rapid growth or super potency..

Also, grats on post 420

[CanGroIt]

Also, grats on post 420

Thanks:thumbsup:....was hard to start this post....

I've always taken clones from clones and haven't seen any difference but if a mother can be kept from seed, I'd prefer it over a clone....but that's just me....

I meant to say that potency isn't as strong when cloned from clone from clone.... But again, I haven't noticed....


CGI::::::

[Purple Daddy]

FWIW it took my last crop almost three months just to finish flowering, 11 weeks to be exact.

I see a lot of people in a hurry to flower their plants when they could let them go a little longer and increase their yeild.

[topcat_121]

Attachment 276901Attachment 276902Attachment 276903

quick update.

i've switched to 12 - 12 as of monday (4th July)
I gave the girls Bio Bizz veg booster & they shot up and out!!

I've pegged together a CO2 bubbler & I'm trying to sort out a pump system to water them as I'm off on holiday (vacation) for 12 days.

I switched my lights as well, i pulled the cfl board (two planks slotted together & covered on one side with reflective insulation with 15 100w cfl's in a series) i was using and fitted a 400w HPS. With 2 fans running (5" inlet & 6 " exhaust) I'm running temps of 85f.

I'm hoping to harvest end of August.. however not everything has gone to plan so far....

always glad of feedback & pointers

[endive]

Looking good!

85ºF is still a little warm, but supplemental co2 will help plants turn the additional heat energy into growth.

As to the "when" of harvest, I find that it varies greatly depending on a multitude of variables, key ones being strain or variety, lighting and nutrients.

The 90 day theory works if you are able to 12/12 by week 3 into week 4, then allow another 1 - 2 weeks for the plant to transition into bloom. So in theory, you're now at the 5 - 6 week point, if you have an Indica or Indica dominant strain, you may be able to finish the bloom in the next 6 weeks, putting you at 90 days.

I'd say as soon as your plants begin to show signs of bloom (not just declaring), your flowering period will fall into the 7 - 9 week window. Hard to tell from the pics now, but if they are aggressive bloomers, the mid to end of August is quite possible.

Then again, there is a rule of harvest that goes something like... "When you think your plants are ready to harvest, wait a week."