Murphy’s Hydro 1

Murphski2 Went camping for 5 days. Came back and all was well.

Murphski2 Cleaned and flushed the system to remove crud building up and clogging water lines to pots. Placed plants in a tub while changing; took about two hours. Then they seemed to be dying, some dead and dry leaves, but I left them to see how they’d recover (If they would). Day by day improvement. I wonder…While cleaning the system, the plants, in their net pots and clean water, were placed in shallow tubs, and I think they may have pressed down onto their young roots. Maybe the problem?

Murphski2 Hydro plants are recovering, and growing well. Not as tall, considering the cleaning problem from before. Started defoliating, and supercropping. After pinching the branches of the Sour Diesel in soil, they are being held down with hanger wire I bent to shape (See photos above). The hydro plants will be bent and held in place with flex wires held to the pots.

Murphski2 —

Murphski2 —

Murphski2 Stretch is in full swing — eight inches in three days. Buds are forming on each plant; started first with the Sour Diesel in soil in the front right. At end of week it was smallest of the four, and not growing as fast as the hydro plants. The major defoliating helped greatly to open each for more light penetration and air flow. Original feed tubes were too small and easily blocked up the flow. Traded out those with larger tubes plus valves so I can control flow. Working great now.

Murphski2 Everything going well, although The pH is hovering at 5.5, and I’d like to raise it periodically. I like the pH to fluctuate within the optimum range of 5.5 to 6.5 for complete nutrient uptake over the growing period. The Sour Diesel in the right foreground is growing well, but since it’s in soil it doesn’t grow as tall or as fast as the hydro Sour Diesel behind it. In fact, the hydro plant has much stronger trunk and branch structure, as well as being about 6” taller. And that’s after being stunted and almost killed at week 2. The soil plant is propped up on blocks to provide a flat and even canopy under the lights equal to the hydro plants.

Murphski2 Just maintenance at this point. Never had such healthy plants — the hydro system (Tetraponics) has been a real learning curve, but I’ve never seen other growers systems, so I’m learning on my own. The system is making all the difference, though. The manual could be dumbed down a little bit getting started, but no real complaints. Learn by doing… Three 5 gallon buckets, fed from a 17 gallon reservoir. Fourth year growing. This will be the largest and highest quality harvest yet, barring any screwups. Photo 2 above shows a Sour D in soil. Just for comparison to hydro Sour D behind it. Big difference although can’t see it much in the photos.

Murphski2 pH went down daily, eventually ending at 4.5. So I switched out the pH Down with pH Up. Added CalMag because of a few leaves showing edge yellowing and brown spots, which was by adding pH Up a couple of weeks ago. Trimmed a few fan leaves that were blocking light. Buds are slowly getting bigger. The controls on the Tetraponics unit ( essentially a “Dutch Bucket” type system )made switching out the pH bottles easy and precise, which was a relief. This is my first hydro grow and it made an enormous difference from the very beginning. I haven’t had other growers to learn from, other than forums, which I guess is the case with many people on this site.

Murphski2 Nothing much has changed. Tetraponics system has been consistent, adding to my confidence and comfort level with hydroponics. Hydroponics is definitely a superior method of growing cannabis. Buds are getting larger, and starting to fill in. First time growing a sativa—dominant strain (Sour Diesel is 70% sativa, although Gorilla Glue is 50/50). Height was never a problem with LST and fimming. They say sativas have lower yields, but these plants are larger than I’ve I’ve grown before, and there are many more full colas, so I’m not complaining!!

Murphski2 Tetraponics hydro system is humming along very well. I like its “Dutch Bucket” design. Each plant has its own pot, all sharing a main reservoir (17 gal. In my case). If something happens to one plant it doesn’t affect the others necessarily. Depends upon the issue. I’ll be away from the system for about ten days—makes me nervous, but I’ll attach a float-refill unit, which attaches to the Tetraponics module in the reservoir. That’ll keep the water at the right level at all times. Also, there won’t be any nutrient adjustments, just a flush. Harvest should be right about when I return. I’m not happy about leaving at this time, but it can’t be helped. All three plants look healthy, not very tall, but lots of buds. Taller than anything I’ve grown in soil. But with that said: * I would have extended veg for at least one or two extra weeks for more branch length and bud site development. * Nebula Haze’s “Flowering Stage Defoliation” worked pretty well as a first time technique, but I should’ve started earlier, and done more of it.

Murphski2 Everything going well. Just waiting for buds to fill out. Very cold temps have arrived. Colder winter than normal.

Murphski2 Thinned a bit. Plain pH’d water, running up to harvest.

Murphski2 Spread out several colas. I may harvest several upper branches, but leave the lower parts for more Trichomes to mature. I’ve never done that. We’ll see if it works.

Murphski2 Harvested the top 1/3 of the plants. 3.15 oz. Remaining canopy is now flat, which helps for even lighting, but it could be another two weeks for final harvest. I should’ve defoliated more. Lowest buds are pale, small. I’ve changed out the resevoir, and switched the Tetraponics controller to cycle plain pH’d water for the final flush. Tetraponics system has worked very well. Photos are the new top buds after harvesting top third. They aren’t the harvested buds.

Murphski2 Just waiting for newly exposed colas to ripen.

Murphski2 Longer than expected flowering, but I did have die-back in week 2 (See those photos). The plants rebounded very well, nevertheless. I attempted a staggered harvest, which did help, but for my next grow I’ll use Nebula Haze’s flowering defoliation more aggressively. Yield was better than I’ve ever had, but should be better next time. A little over 3.00 oz. dry harvest, per plant.