joe-grow's first grow

[CCIE]

"As for this time, I really don't have anyone to assist with making the changes you suggest. "

The wife!

Earlier you mentioned having to talk the missus into agreeing to the expenditure. Shanghai her into assistant gardener duty and bend those willful watusis into submission.

...And I'm not too sure about your encouragement plan - whenever I've done it, snapping a latex glove has caused females to flee, not appear. :angelsmiley:

[joe-grow]

You caught me, CCIE, there is a Mrs. Grow at home. However, she's not fond of the whole grow thing. In fact, she's not Mrs. Grow at all ... she kept her maiden name, Mrs. Legal Equals Moral. That's a whole other story. If I really needed the help, I think she would. However, I'm worried that given her lack of knowledge or interest, her efforts might hinder operations. In any event - with the T5 now shining upon the sides of my plants, do you think it's necessary for this grow?

Now that there are only three, there seems to be a whole lot more room. And with the some of the leaves frying, there's a lot smaller canopy overall.

I'm now in day 13 of flowering, and the emerging flowers aren't looking very healthy. Last night I did a full water change and switched to the full strength flowering nutrients, according to the GH bottle. I also added half strength Kool Bloom, and a little SUPERthrive. There are some leaves that appear to be returning to life. Perhaps they were scared into production after what I did with their brother. I probably should have waited for some pre-flowers. However, they were getting way too tall. From what I had read, right up until after I went to flowering, I thought you could go into flowering any time you damn well pleased. Then, I read that you need to wait for these 'pre-flowers'. Oh, well, it's just practice, I keep telling myself. Meanwhile, I search for a new dealer to hook me up while I learn how not to kill cannabis plants.

Yeah, CCIE, I had not thought about other implications of snapping a latex glove in front of females. Perhaps that's why my wife always disappears when I get ready to tend to my plants.

So, I've attached some more photos before I fry them all completely. The first is a family photo of the bunch. The really tall one in the far right corner is the one who's been frying under the new lamp. You might note some things hanging from stems that used to be leaves. That's the one I first suspected was a male. When I pulled the other one out, perhaps he dropped his sacs in hopes I would not come after it next. The other two have not shown any signs of maleness yet. Starting from the tall one in the far right, and working counter-clockwise, I've included close ups of each of the plants. I tried touching these up a bit, by reducing the temperature and increasing the clarity. So, if the colors look a bit off, that was me. My eyes haven't yet adjusted from being under the HPS, so everything looks funky right now.

I'm off to catch up on your thread CCIE. I've read parts, when I get a free moment. It's nice to follow someone else that's almost as lost as I am. Fortunately, I don't have the feline issues you do. If I did, fear of owner or not, I believe they would be pushing up daisies.

[joe-grow]

Three weeks now, and now there's some flowers showing in several spots. I suppose the example I made of their brother has left an impression on the rest. The rest of my plants appear to be turned females. I'm very excited, having out done my goal of two plants to harvest. Hopefully, I can manage to see these girls to harvest.

I've managed to tied down some of the girls. One didn't get into the whole bondage thing very much. She got all bent over the idea. Yep, I creased the main stem on my tallest plant. So, I've learned that these things should be taken slowly, and bending should be done gradually.

Currently, I'm on the GH 3 part Flora (plus Kool Bloom), using the 'Blooming and Ripening' mixture recipe. It appears that the plants are taking up the nutrients pretty quick. After the last reservoir change, ppm was around 1350. Now it's around 1050. I'm not sure about adding nutrients mid-reservoir change, but should I just add the recipe to a gallon jug and add that along with my daily water adds?

My schedule right now is 12/12. The light period runs from 6PM to 6AM. I generally check on them between 6PM and 8PM. During my check up, I'll add water (about 3/4 gallon now), check the ppm and pH, and try to tie them apart. I keep 3 - 1 gallon jugs on standby for filling. Tonight, I think I will mix one of them with the nutrient mixture and add that in with the next water add.

Attached are updated photos. Similar fashion as the last post - one overall, and three close-ups, starting with the one in the far right of the overall photo, and working clockwise in the photo (I must be dyslexic - I've mentioned the opposite direction last couple times, I think).

[CCIE]

Seems like things are looking up for both of us.

After eyeballing those flowers, I think you might be cutting stems before even my skunk is done. :jointsmile:
Weird idea: could the HPS fixture be hung ~20 degrees lower on the T5-fixture-side to allow light to reach the tall plant's top buds?

[joe-grow]

Hi CCIE ... thanks for the suggestion. I tried the angle, but it appeared to be a little too dangerous (heat) for more of the plant, than just keeping the light as high as possible. Instead, I've added some string, leaning the stems a little better under the HPS lamp. I believe I have all bud sights under the lamp now. Next set of photos should depict that.

Not sure when to expect to be cutting down my crop. It would be schweet to be trimming for the holidays. I think it will be more like late January or early February. How soon do you think you'll be harvesting?

[invision]

hey joe you want to flower atleast 7 weeks from the start of flower you have 4 weeks left and it takes about 5-6 weeks to really see bud formation, most of the final wieght is done in weeks 7 and 8 so at the moment you would have just wasted your time.

she got to tall it happens next time LST from the start and you will get better results.

[StoneyMike]

Joe,

This is also a first time grow for me and ironically enough we started at the same time. As of today I am on day 21 of flowering, so close to the same day anyway. I dont seem to be getting the same bud formation as you, but close. These are 8 White Widow females from under a 400W HPS lamp. Hydroponic system in all rockwool medium, water 3 times a day for 30 mins. So far have not really had any problems with yellowing, wilting, bugs, or browning of leaves-lucky so far I guess. They were flowered at 5 weeks or about 12" in height. I am using Vita Link A&B bloom formula as well as Vita Link "buddy" at the moment. Light is currently set to 11/13. Temp in bud chamber ranges from low 60's to low 70's (I am in a cold climate, plants are in outdoor shed-this is basically the best I can do as far as heat). As you can see from the pics the plants are quite bushy, in fact I think growing eigft right out of the gate may have been a bit ambitious. The density and closeness of the plants are blocking most light from reaching lower nodes. I have purchase two additional 105W HPS lights which I paln to hang down on each side of the tubs. This I hope will rectify my light situation.

Anyway, again a first time grower and just don't know, if anyone can see these pictures well enough please let know if you think these plants are where they should be at 21 days flowering. Any comments would be greatly appreciated ( I am like a father with a first born here)!!

[Perp]

Stoneymike: Your plants look real healthy and all, but there is no way they are at 21 days of flowering. You should be seeing developing buds by now and I just don't see any sign of it. Are you sure they are getting at least 12 hours of darkness?

[StoneyMike]

Couple more pics

[StoneyMike]

Perp,

That is exactly what I was thinking. I them set at the moment to 11 light on and 13 light off. If you get up real close they have pistils and very small buds, but they seem to be very slow here. I agree they look very healy but am at a bit of a loss