EarthBox [LOS] - Seedsman - Black Sugar

Introduction - Week 05 Summary - Ensign's log, stardate 100012.01, They say failure is always an option.. Well I learn best from my failures.. So I guess over the past 24 months, I've been doing a lot of learning. Ha! Wow a lot has happened! Furthermore a lot has NOT happened as well! This should make sense soon [*smokes a bowl]. Well anyways, I'm back! Since my last GD log entry (seed attempt #15 - 'OG Kush' by Phoenix Seeds), I decided to go organic and continued to log my grow progress and attempts offline. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly), I continued to fail, err I mean learn. After several more failures (attempt - #33), I eventually stopped making log entries, but continued to take photos. Skipping on to seed attempt #39 when life happened and had to move. So new room means new grow setup! Just before the move, I started attempt #39 which had just sprouted from the soil (BAS Light in a solo cup). During the whole move/relocation of the tent (which lasted the span of about 17 days), I continued to water and grew the seedling outside of the tent (in regular room conditions -- ~75°F / ~53% RH). To my utter surprise, she started to grow! This was when I discovered that the ENTIRE time I was growing, something was very wrong with my grow environment. But what? I immediately assumed that the lower light levels were helping her grow. So for the new tent setup, I tried to recreate the same lighting conditions. I measured the ambient room light (less than 10PPFD) along with a shaded area outside (~70PPFD). I set the tent up with the same conditions with the light levels lowered to ~100PPFD. Great! Nope. The seedling (#39) started to show signs of the familiar yellowing of the new growth. Damnit Ensign! What could it have been? It wasn't over-watering or under watering. The lower light levels also had little to no effect. So I started to check online for a solution. One search led to another (and another), but I eventually discovered an article that was discussing room ventilation and air exchange rates. Apparently, plants need CO2 (Duh), but I didn't realize how low CO2 concentrations are in the ambient air around us (~400-1000PPMs). CO2 levels in my sealed grow tent were definitely lower. Mainly because my exhaust fan (AC Infinity T6) was only on when room conditions (temperature and humidity) went above or below a set threshold range. For the most part, it remained off. This was the issue. Long story short, my entire time growing, I was suffocating my plants. [*smokes a phat bowl and takes a dab] After learning about fan CFMs and room volume air exchange, I calculated an appropriate speed setting for my particular grow setup (Thank you AC Infinity for the useful article on ventilation). Immediately after making this change, I started seeing growth again. Woohoo! Shortly afterwards, I upgraded the exhaust fan controller (AC Infinity Controller 69) which has new features and modes. Now I have the fan set to a constant speed of 3 (~120CFM). This should be more than enough ventilation for a 4x4x7 grow tent (I think). This new controller also continuously keeps detailed logs of temps, humidity, and VPD which I can easily view on my phone via the handy app. Great! Soo yea.. Because of the lack of CO2 due to no ventilation, every grow attempt was a no win scenario (sort of like the rescuing of the USS Kobayashi Maru.. LLAP). All those lost genetics (RIP). I will probably be paranoid about low CO2 for a long while and have recently considered getting a CO2 meter along with supplemental forms of CO2 like fungus culture grow bags (Exhale CO2 bags). But I'll probably hold off on that for now (or not, I dunno). Anyways, almost 2 years later, I'm still hoping to make it to my first harvest (currently on attempt #44). Due the ventilation issue, I haven't even made it to the bloom/flowering phase (12/12 light cycle). As a disclaimer to anyone who reads any of my grow logs (past, present, and future), all of this content is purely for documentary purposes. I am not an expert in any way or form. Also keep in mind that similar to my past logs, these new logs are written based off of photos taken from my phone. Sometimes I write them as I go, but usually I first take the photos as I grow and write about them later. Also note that my entire written log is still posted but, unlike my previous logs, not all of the photos taken will be uploaded. I may eventually start uploading all the images, but for now I'm picking a select few (plus it takes forever to upload). Overall, I just want you to understand that I'm simply a hobbyist grower logging my runs and having fun. Okay. So now that the ventilation paradox has been solved and my tent's environment has FINALLY been dialed in to a somewhat plant-livable condition, I can start and hopefully finish my first grow! What can go wrong? Join me as I continue on and to try to grow my own medicine while learning about this incredible plant. Engage! [START OF WEEK 05] Day 01 - Monday - 05/30/22 - Total Days: 026 ----------------------------------- --- No plant checks were logged for today. Day 02 - Tuesday - 05/31/22 - Total Days: 027 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 76.7°F - Humidity: 63.8% - VPD: 1.10kPa ----------------------------------- - [09:55]: Back to grow logging again! --- Going to try grow some 'Black Sugar' by Seedsman! --- These 'freebie' seeds I received from my last order are mainly for learning and I got them as part of a deal. Since she is a indica dominant strain, I am actually a bit curious about the terpene profile. --- Once I achieve my first successful grow, first, I'll get extremely stoned (of course!), then I'll try a few select strains that's I've been saving (OG Kush, Sour Diesel, Bubba Kush, Gelat-OG, Bruce Banner, etc). --- Currently am growing 4 beans of this cultivar (each were separate attempts started at different times). This log will follow my most recent attempt (mainly the front one). --- It's been about 26 days since I started this attempt (#44). The germination process was in a cup of water and she was planted straight into the living organic soil of the EarthBox. --- There was a little bit of a rough start as she popped out of the soil with the shell still on (helmet head). But she seems to be recovering just fine. --- The EarthBox also is roughly2 weeks into veg feeding. I am using primarily Build-A-Soil (BAS) products with a splash of other amendments as well (Great White, CaliMagic, etc). --- Not doing physical temp or humidity checks anymore. Instead will log in daily averages generated from the exhaust fan's controller (AC Infinity Controller 69). --- Light cycle is still 18/6 (on/off), but the time range has been adjusted from 10:00-16:00 to 11:00-17:00 - [18:00]: Watering time! --- Gave the cover crop a bit of a trimming. --- Then filled a pitcher with 4 cups of distilled water. --- Added 1/64tsp of Quillaja Saponaria Extract --- Added 1/16tsp of Mycrobe Complete --- Added 3 drops of Bio-Catalyst Enzyme Elixer --- Checked the EarthBox's reservoir and it was dry. --- Poured the mixed contents straight into the EarthBox's fill tube. --- Misted the top soil with a bit of distilled water. - [20:30]: Height Check! --- She's measuring about 5.5in! --- Wow! She's also already the healthiest and tallest I've every grown. Day 03 - Wednesday - 06/01/22 - Total Days: 028 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 76.1°F - Humidity: 65.4% - VPD: 1.04kPa ----------------------------------- - [22:10]: Wow she be getting larger (the one in the back)! --- Noticeable growth every day! --- Going to water again tonight! Going to try a bit of CaliMagic. --- Then filled a pitcher with 4.25 cups of distilled water. --- Added 1ml of CaliMagic --- EarthBox's reservoir was dry. --- Poured the solution into the EarthBox's fill tube. Day 04 - Thursday - 06/02/22 - Total Days: 029 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 75.9°F - Humidity: 66.9% - VPD: 0.98kPa ----------------------------------- - [09:40]: Wow looking good! --- The one in the back is growing along very nicely! Growing in a larger container really does make a difference. --- The smaller ones in the cup are stunted, but seem to be recovering. - [1914]: Great! More growth! --- Going to water. - [20:03]: Watering time! --- Filled a pitcher with 5 cups of distilled water. --- Added 1/32tsp of Quillaja Saponaria Extract --- Added 1/32tsp of Horticultural Aloe --- Added 1/32tsp of Big 6 Micronutrients --- Added 1/16tsp of Mycrobe Complete --- Added 1/8tsp of Pure Protein Dry --- Added 2 drops of Bio-Catalyst Enzyme Elixer - [20:40]: Mixed the solution and began to water. --- I watered by misting the top of the EarthBox. I watered about 2 cups of the solution for each plant (4 cups total). --- The remaining cup of solution I split amongst the smaller ones in the half gallon pots. - [21:23]: Time to foliar some EM5! --- Filled a measuring cup with a cup of distilled water. --- Added 3.5mL of Formula EM-5 --- Poured the solution into a spray bottle and foliar sprayed the top growth of all the plants. Day 05 - Friday - 06/03/22 - Total Days: 030 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 75.5°F - Humidity: 66.7% - VPD: 0.98kPa ----------------------------------- - [10:15]: Just doing a quick check up for the day. --- Growth looks great! Wow getting larger! --- The front girl is really starting to catch up with the one in the back. - [+01:08]: Late night feeding! Going to try a bit of CaliMagic. --- Filled a pitcher with 4.25 cups of distilled water. --- Added 1mL of CaliMagic - [+01:15]: Mixed the solution and poured the contents straight into the fill tube! --- Going to check tomorrow to see if the extra CalMag makes any difference. - [+01:41]: Nice! Got my BAS order. --- For this order I received: ----- BAS Living Organic Soil (LOS) Oly Mountain Compost - Artisan Soil (1/2 ft3) ----- Premium Insect Frass - Black Soldier (4lbs) ----- Kelp Meal (3lb) ----- Alfalfa Meal (1.5lb) ----- Epsom Salt (3lb) ----- Garden Plant Ties (16ft) ----- EarthBox Wheels (4 pieces) Day 06 - Saturday - 06/04/22 - Total Days: 031 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 76°F - Humidity: 66.9% - VPD: 0.98kPa ----------------------------------- - [08:31]: Wow! The front one is really starting to catch up with the one in the rear. --- The one in the rear is looking a bit lime yellow. --- The ones in the 1/2gal cups seem okay. But the bottom leaves look deficient. - [10:13]: Installed the EarthBox wheels! --- Started with the front 2 wheels (relative front) before carefully rotating the whole unit around to install the back ones. - [10:43]: Time to water! --- Filled a pitcher with 5 cups of distilled water. --- Added 1mL of CaliMagic --- Mixed the solution and poured 4 cups into the fill tube! --- I split the remaining cup on the side plants. Day 07 - Sunday - 06/05/22 - Total Days: 032 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 75.8°F - Humidity: 66.6% - VPD: 0.99kPa ----------------------------------- - [08:31]: Just a quick check! --- Nice! She is looking nice and perky! - [21:07]: Both plants are looking quite nice! Stoked to FINALLY start seeing actual vegetative growth! Ventilation is extremely important (Damnit Ensign). - [12:10]: Time to water! --- Filled a pitcher with 4 cups of distilled water. --- Poured the 4 cups into the fill tube! [END OF WEEK 05]