EarthBox [LOS] - Seedsman - Black Sugar

Introduction - Week 17 Summary - Ensign's log, stardate 100239.1, Wow what a journey it has been so far! On stardate 98189.83 (08/03/20) I logged my first entry and started my grow adventure. Well after just over 2 years with 44 separate germination attempts across 8 different strains, I finally hit an important milestone! It finally happened.. HARVEST TIME! Wow! Just wow! Better late than never I suppose (damnit Ensign), my very first seed to harvest! Whether it's a successful harvest, I dunno yet, but wow! Finally made it through my first grow! Over the next week or two (or three), going to be drying and curing for the first time! Woohoo! Then there's trimming! Apparently bud trimming can be done either wet or dry. Since I plan to slow dry in the tent (around 14 to 16 days), I'm opting for a dry trim. As like most beginners (I assume), I'm excited for my first trim! Although I'm certain this excitement will soon fade. But not now! Hyped! Going to be hand trimming each bud and will cure in multiple mason jars. As for the curing, probably going to cure for at least a week or so before trying the first jar. Plan to open and 'burp' the jars daily. Using multiple jars will help to stagger the curing process and as I go through each jar, each one should get better. Also, since I already have them, going to be using hydrometers (humidity meters) and (Boveda) humidity packs to keep the jars at around 62% RH. So drying is the process of removing moisture from the buds whereas curing is the process of redistributing the moisture evenly throughout the dried buds. Anyways... As expected, the beginning of this week went pretty smoothly. Also installed another passive intake for the tent. Mid-week feeding is when things got interesting! After checking the trichomes (which were ambering nicely), I decided to expedite the harvest day to the end of this week! The DLI was also not lowered due to the unexpected early harvest time. Thus this is the last log entry for flower. The next and final log entry for this grow will be in a few weeks which should cover the entire drying and curing process along with a possible preliminary smoke test! As for the next grow attempt, changing the strain and flowering type! Still going with organics and am planning to re-amend the EarthBox (outside the tent while drying this current grow). But switching it up and trying autoflowers! Gonna attempt to grow some 'NYC Diesel' from 'ILGM!' Being a Diesel strain (Afghani x (Hawaiian/Mexican) x Ruderalis), I'm pretty stoked for the terpenes and the smoke! This will also give me time to get the tent's VPD and DLI properly dialed in. I can save my choice photoperiod genetics until I gain more experience and can provide better growing conditions. So until the next grow update! 'Peace & Long Life.' 🖖 [START OF WEEK 17] ========================================================== Bloom Ripen Wk2 → Wk3/HARVEST [Flower] 08/22/22 → 08/28/22 This Week's Mid-Week Estimated Goal Ranges [for elevated CO2] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DLI: 32-40 mol/m2/d PPFD: 741-926 μmol/m2/s VPD: 1.5-1.7 kPa This Week's Meter Readings & Averages ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DLI: ~41.17 mol/m2/d PPFD: ~953 μmol/m2/s VPD: ~1.35 kPa ========================================================== Day 01 - Monday - 08/22/22 - Total Days: 103 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 81.4°F [27.4°C] - Humidity: 63.8% - VPD: 1.30 kPa ----------------------------------- - [09:16]: Growing along! --- Going to be another simple week of growing! --- Buds are just frosting up! - [22:05]: Night check! --- Looking good girl! --- Yea there are yellow leaves, but I'm pretty sure this is due to the low VPD. I can't do anything about this at the moment so just going to continue on. - [22:11]: Watering time! --- Reservoir was dry so going to increase the watering a bit. --- Filled a pitcher with 5 cups of distilled water and poured it straight into the EarthBox's fill tube. --- Done! Not much left to do but wait. --- These down time times over the past few weeks make me wish I had the capability to support 2 tents. Then I'd be able to flower in one tent while vegging in the other. --- Meh! Oh well. [*smokes a bowl] Day 02 - Tuesday - 08/23/22 - Total Days: 104 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 82.8°F [28.2°C] - Humidity: 62.2% - VPD: 1.41 kPa ----------------------------------- - [06:37]: Early morning check! --- Growth seems pretty steady. - [22:02]: Aye why hello there beautiful! --- Terpene profile has stayed about the same. She still has a sweet grape citrus profile! --- The top growth of the bud colas has started to thicken up now. - [22:05]: Watering time! --- Reservoir was dry so going to increase the watering. Also adding in a bit of Great White for a microbial boost. --- Filled a pitcher with 5 cups of distilled water --- Added 1/16tsp of Great White --- Mixed and poured the solution straight into the EarthBox's fill tube. - [22:11]: Screw it! Added another passive intake. --- I doubt that adding another vent will help, but going to do it anyways (why not). --- Using a bit of extra 6in ducting, a couple sheets of spare carbon filter material (cut to ~8x10in), and rubber bands, I made a passive filter. --- Installing the filter into the tent was pretty straight forward. Just undid the vent straps, slid the filter in, and tighten the straps (also wrapped the edges of the filter with a bit of aluminum tape). Done! Day 03 - Wednesday - 08/24/22 - Total Days: 105 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 82.3°F [27.9°C] - Humidity: 63.7% - VPD: 1.34 kPa ----------------------------------- - [09:20]: Growing along! --- Going to be another simple week of growing! --- Buds are just frosting up! - [22:07]: Night check! --- Looking good girl! --- Yea there are yellow leaves, but I'm pretty sure this is due to the low VPD. I can't do anything about this at the moment so just going to continue on. - [22:11]: Watering time! --- Reservoir was dry. No microbes tonight. but going keep the watering the same at 5 cups. --- Filled a pitcher with 5 cups of distilled water and poured it straight into the EarthBox's fill tube. --- Let it ride girl and grow strong! Day 04 - Thursday - 08/25/22 - Total Days: 106 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 84.0°F [28.9°C] - Humidity: 64.2% - VPD: 1.39 kPa ----------------------------------- - [09:45]: Wow she looking beautiful! --- The cola that was snipped sort of just stopped growing upwards and is looking a bit thicker than the rest. I think. --- But all bud colas are just frosty with trichomes! --- Plan to check the buds under the microscope tonight. Hoping for signs of amber, but still plan to go another week or 2 before harvest. --- [*smokes a bowl] --- Based on my current VPD conditions, I'm not sure if I want to grow the planned 'Sour Diesel' seeds from RQS ('Royal Queen Seeds'). I sort of want to master VPD and DLI a bit more before moving on to a choice strain. --- The next run will also most likely be an autoflower grow. I have 10 beans of 'NYC Diesel' from 'ILGM' which I think is a fitting alternative (it's still a Diesel cultivar). I can't clone right now so preserving the genetics is not an issue so autoflowers might be an easier route. --- The biggest advantage is I can reduced the wattage of the light. Running at 18/6 the whole way at a reduced wattage should save on electricity (or at the very least will help reduce strain on the circuit breaker). --- It's just insane how much electricity costs is in SoCal. Currently paying around $280 a month on electricity (at $0.34/kWh). --- Yea I think an autoflower Diesel will be the next run! --- This will give me more time to master the environmental conditions before attempting to grow the better genetics. - [22:01]: Evening checkup along with the mid-week feeding! --- Yellowing aside, looking pretty damn good! --- Definitely room for improvement, but buds are nice and frosty! - [22:11]: Time for the mid-week feed! --- This will be Week 3 of Bloom Ripen. --- Going to reduce the cups from 7 to 6. --- Filled a pitcher with 6 cups of distilled water. --- Added 1/32tsp of Quillaja Saponaria Extract --- Added 1/2tsp of Horticultural Coconut --- Mixed the solution, and poured it straight into the EarthBox's fill tube. - [22:19]: Snipped a few buds! --- Using a pair of trimmers, I snipped a few buds. --- Started from top to bottom, took 3 different samples from each canopy height. --- Oops! --- When snipping the 3rd lowest bud, I accidentally snipped too much and took the whole branch (Ha! Damnit Ensign). Oh well. Gonna have a 'slightly larger' sample for the lowest bud (Ha!). Setting the rest aside for now, may end up mulching the branch later. --- Anyways, - [22:28]: Time to check the trichomes! --- Checked each of the snipped buds from highest canopy level to the lowest (left to right). --- Ooowee! Wow! --- Amber Trichomes! --- Um.. --- HARVEST TIME!? --- Wow! Uh wow. --- Not sure but there are amber trichomes found on all 3 buds (upper, middle, and lower canopy levels)! --- Of course the top bud had the most amber heads! --- But there were a decent amount found on the middle bud as well! --- The bottom bud, although having the least amount, also had a few amber trichome heads along with areas that look like they were turning amber. --- Should I wait another week? --- Probably not. --- May end up harvesting in a couple days! --- HYPED! --- Okay, - [23:22]: Checked the DLI. --- This week's target DLI range is the same as last which was 32-40 mol/m2/d (or 741-926 μmol/m2/s) --- The PPFD was at 953 μmol/m2/s --- This gives a DLI of 41.17 mol/m2/d --- A bit high, but since I'll probably be harvesting soon, going to keep the DLI as is. --- Wow! Almost harvest time! - [23:28]: Took general height readings. --- She is now at 34.75in tall! --- The distance between the top canopy and the light was about 10.25in. - [23:37]: Why not!? Instead of mulching the accidentally snipped lower bud branch, gonna hang it! --- Hung the branch in the tent to dry (lights on and all). --- Gonna be boof, but hey, until I perfect the VPD, gonna go with what I have. --- Based on the percentage of amber trichomes found today, may be harvesting in a day or two anyways so the branch won't be drying in the light for long anyways. --- At least the RH in the tent is pretty high (around 61% RH right now) so the branch should dry slowly. --- Surprisingly with the lights on, the branch is only getting around 4-5 μmol/m2/s --- Not sure, but since this is a lower branch, drying in the light may help to help turn a few more cloudy heads amber as well? I dunno. Will check the dried bud under the microscope to see if the heads have changed more amber (if any at all). --- Wow! --- So based on the trichomes, harvest day has been officially been expedited from a week or two to a day or two! --- Already have to start planning for the drying and curing process! --- Stoked! Day 05 - Friday - 08/26/22 - Total Days: 107 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 82.8°F [28.2°C] - Humidity: 64.0% - VPD: 1.34 kPa ----------------------------------- --- [Skipped the morning checkup] - [Supplementary Entry]: Wow! Well time to plan for HARVEST! --- Decided to harvest on the last day of the week on Sunday, 08/28/22! --- For my first full harvest, dry and cure, been trying to plan out the best method for my particular grow setup. --- Plan to harvest the whole plant at the base. May do minor defoliation but planning on hanging the entire plant up to dry. --- The added biomass should help to slow down the drying. --- For drying, I understand that a good general guideline is 60°F at 60% RH for 14-16 days in complete darkness. Low and slow. --- The slower the dry the smoother the smoke. From what I understand, slow drying helps the breakdown of chlorophyll and non-essential sugars and starches. --- Tent lights won't be in use during this time so it will be pitch black. But similar to VPD, I'm pretty sure I'm going to be struggling with the RH and temps. --- Also will be harvesting the 3 smaller ones as well! --- After harvest, but before the drying begins, plan to remove the light and EarthBox. While the tent is being used for drying, to help prep the next grow run, plan to amend the EarthBox outside the tent. --- For added assurance that the RH does not drop below 60%, I'll be adding the humidifier back in the tent with the controller set to 59% RH. --- Wet or dry trimming? --- Been contemplating between dry or wet trimming and have decided to give dry trimming a go. --- Once fully dried, plan to hand trim each bud (also using a Trim Bin for kief collecting). --- Will cure in multiple jars for at least a week before smoking the first jar. --- I hope this first harvest won't be boofy hay, but won't be surprised if it is. --- Still hyped! Quality will (hopefully) get better with each attempt. - [22:04]: Why hello there my amber beauty! --- Two more days until harvest! --- Buds are just coated with trichomes! --- Hyped! - [22:08]: Okay! Water time! --- Reservoir was dry so going to increase the water a bit. --- Filled a pitcher with 6 cups of distilled water and poured it straight into the EarthBox's fill tube. --- Wow, nothing left to do but wait until harvest! Day 06 - Saturday - 08/27/22 - Total Days: 108 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 82.1°F [27.8°C] - Humidity: 61.5% - VPD: 1.41 kPa ----------------------------------- - [07:27]: Good morning beautiful! --- One more day until harvest! --- Wow! --- Both excited and nervous. But more excited! --- Don't frack this up Ensign. - [22:00]: Good evening beautiful! --- Buds are looking very frosty! --- There was a bit of water in the reservoir so going to lower her final watering down to 4 cups. I also want to make sure the reservoir is dry for harvest. - [22:07]: Okay! Final water time! --- Filled a pitcher with 4 cups of distilled water and poured it straight into the EarthBox's fill tube. --- Done! --- Well, --- Tomorrow is Harvest Day!!! Day 07 - Sunday - 08/28/22 - Total Days: 109 ----------------------------------- Daily Averages - Temps: 79.9°F [26.6°C] - Humidity: 63.2% - VPD: 1.25 kPa ----------------------------------- - [07:10]: HARVEST DAY! --- Wow! Bud colas are looking nice and frosty! --- Harvesting tonight! --- Based on what I've researched online, I'm pretty sure that temps are going to be an issue. So the best thing I can do is maintain a dark drying environment with decent RH. --- After harvesting and cleaning of the tent, plan to turn the exhaust fan off with an auto environmental trigger set to 60% RH. This way, once the relative humidity goes above 60%, the fan will exhaust the air until the RH drops back down to the set humidity. --- Also definitely adding in the humidifier which will be set to just under 60% RH. --- For drying, plan to set the oscillating fan on the floor pointed downwards. Since the tent won't be constantly exhausting air, this oscillating fan will (hopefully) keep the RH even by preventing stagnant pockets of air. --- Most online sources give about a 7-10 day drying time, but I'm going to try to slow dry for 14-16 days before dry trimming. --- Not sure how this is going to go but stoked none the less! - [20:00]: Decided to end the dark cycle a bit early! --- Wow she's looking absolutely beautiful! --- Buds are just frosty with trichomes! Too hyped!! --- The reservoir was nice and dry. Perfect! --- Okay, --- HARVEST TIME! --- Ooowee!!! - [20:08]: Before harvesting the whole plant, had to remove all 10 garden yo-yos. --- Incredible how sticky the colas were! --- And wow that sweet grape terpene profile got pretty loud! - [20:13]: Using a mini hacksaw, I easily cut the base of the plant for a quick and clean harvest! --- Flipped the freshly harvested plant upside-down and... --- Oops.. I didn't consider how I was going to remove the grow light while holding a harvested plant in one hand. --- Before removing the grow light, I had to hang the plant outside the tent. --- Ended up attaching a garden yo-yo and hung the plant upside-down from my ceiling lamp (Damnit Ensign, next time, have a better way to hang the plant outside the tent). --- Also harvest the smaller plant (at the back of the EarthBox) as well! I was actually surprised on the terpene odor (like a raunchy skunky almost garlic like funk). Very curious on how this one will smoke! --- Okay! --- At this time I unhooked the grow light but kept one of the panels on. --- For tent illumination, going to lean the light on the front side of tent pointing to the back of the tent. --- The grow light will be kept out of the tent during drying and will only be used for checkups. I may later add some form of supplemental tent lighting (or may just use a flashlight), but this will have to do for now. Another thing to consider for next time. - [20:31]: Took the EarthBox out of the tent! --- Going to re-amend later. --- But until then, the top of the EarthBox will be covered with the plastic mulch cover. --- The reservoir is dry but the soil still has a decent amount of water. The mulch cover should help to redistribute the moisture to the top soil. - [20:34]: Time to clean and rearrange the tent a bit! --- Removed the smaller plants and vacuumed the tent. --- Temporarily removed the Exhale bag. --- Also lowered the oscillating fan to the floor and placed the humidifier back into the tent (filling with distilled water and a splash of Hydrogen Peroxide before sealing the tent). - [20:59]: Finally hung the plant inside the tent. --- Hmm. Don't have a way to weigh the harvested plant (damnit Ensign, will have a luggage scale for next time). Oh well. - [21:05]: Harvested the smaller plants! --- Ha! An entirety of both plants is smaller than the small lower branch I accidentally cut off a few days ago. --- Terpenes for the smaller plants had the same two distinct odors. The one which had a single cola smelled similar to the smaller EarthBox plant, while the other more bushier plant was similar to the main plant with a sweet grape profile. - [21:13]: Placed the remaining smaller plants into the tent. --- Have more than enough room to dry in the tent (extra medicine). --- Removed the grow light and placed the Exhale bag back into the tent. --- Filled the humidifier with distilled water. To keep the tank sterile, added a bit of Hydrogen Peroxide to the water. --- Connected the humidifier's controller. - [21:22]: Set the initial temps and humidity. --- The humidifier's controller was set to 59% RH. --- The exhaust fan's MAX and MIN values were changed from 10/3 to 10/0 --- Exhaust fan's temp HIGH and LOW trigger values were set to 72°F/65°F --- Exhaust fan's humidity HIGH and LOW trigger values were set to 63%/50% --- Over the next few days, going to dial in these values in a bit more. --- Can't really do anything about the high temps, but will try to keep the RH from dipping too low. --- Wow! --- Ending this week with a harvest! --- The next entry will end this grow log and will cover both the drying and initial curing. Also will try to have a final dry weight and smoke flavor profile. --- Now onto drying! Engage! [🖖] [END OF WEEK 17]