Leaves got a bit angry with me after getting all big and pretty
Since transplanting out of the dome tray experiment - we've been at 4gl of water for two weeks now (just beneath the rockwool cube). Considering how large the taproots were upon transferring (see least week), I'm thinking that this was entirely unnecessary - and made for a tougher acclimation to life in soilless medium (since we dunked the entire root system rather than letting a smaller taproot system grow into it). The next grow won't have all the hydroton in the dome tray and should make for a smoother transition.
Now I go down to 3gl - 2'' from the netcup
(Ended up being the result of crushed tubing - insufficient oxygen at the root zone! *Fixed) (Held off on two week bucket changes until all are fully recovered)
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Went to check PH today and noticed the clay powder started to cover the roots, added some Humic Acid to avoid a res change so soon. Not cool hydroton, not cool 😠 Will have to clean more thoroughly next grow. (This was primarily from the crushed tubing. Stagnant water = bad)
Next morning showed improvements. Lots of fresh root growth, leaves are a bit perkier - all the dust settled to the bottom. Seems that the hydroton dust + the organics I'm running made for a bad combo - might need to get stronger air pumps (I'm not quite at 1w/gl). Luckily, thanks to the issues with the first grow with recharge, I had some Humic Acid on hand. I'll use hydroton again next grow, but after a much more thorough cleaning & rinse. If the issues persist I might get some grow-stones of some kind.
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Waited a couple extra days after topping, before doing the main-line defoliation. Just in case things weren't improving. New growth looks good, finished out the main-line.
@Rock_n_Roll_Randy, Hey that sounds nice, haha! I wouldn't really know - PTSD / Attachment disorder kind of stole my chances at a care-free childhood. Always something to worry about, OOF! 😂😂😂
Hey! Good luck with your grow!
I'm a brand-new first-time grower using the exact same lights as you (XS2000). I'm wondering if you could answer a few questions for me?
1. Do you follow the XS2000 manual for light intensity % and light distance?
2. When the seeds have germinated and are sown into their first soil, what % intensity and distance do you keep them?
3. When the seeds have sprouted and are seedlings, what distance do you keep them and at what light intensity %?
4. When do you increase light intensity/distance?
Thank you so much!
@RndmGrwr, That can certainly be improved upon by the way. This is my 2nd grow and that's where I'm at currently 😃
Feel free to PM if you have any more questions!
@RndmGrwr, For seedlings I've been doing 30'' at 50% till week one, then 75%. Week 2 up it to 100%. Week 2-3 I drop down to 22'' for veg. That's technically within the recommended for these lamps. When it comes to flower however, I'm like most growers and try to push the limits - get the most I can out of them. I saw some burn my first grow around 12'' and 14'' but I still had some excess chlorine/chloramines to take care of in my tap water (week 10).
This grow I'm starting flower out at 15'' - I let them grow into it these last two weeks with no issues so far, well see it how goes! (You'll see a lot of people trying to push 6-12'' for flower, and sometimes you can get away with it, light/genetics/care depending. Best to start high and work your way down). You have one light / four plants, so keep your 4x3 spread in mind - too close and the outer edge of each plant will miss out, so I would stay around 18-20'' till the chop. Hope this helps growmie - good luck!