Introduction - Week 09 Summary -
Ensign's log, stardate 100906.68,
Overall a pretty good grow week!
Started the week off by increasing the light's intensity. Also raised it up a bit.
Most of the week was basic growth checkups and humidifier refilling.
Mid week, increased the light's intensity a bit more. Also did a top soil drench of organic fertilizer along with a simple defoliation.
Towards the end of the week, decided to give both girls a large bottom watering. Also did a mini defoliation again.
Now that both reservoirs are full with about 2 gallons, shouldn't need to water for a while.
Next week will be the big 12/12 flip!
Steady as she grows Ensign. Engage! 🖖
[START OF WEEK 09]
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WEEK 09 - Full Veg Wk4
04/17/23 → 04/23/23
This Week's Estimated Goals
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DLI: 39 mol/m2/d
PPFD: 600 μmol/m2/s
VPD: 0.5-1.0 kPa
This Week's Meter Readings & Averages
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DLI: 40.05 mol/m2/d
PPFD: 618 μmol/m2/s
VPD: 1.04 kPa
Soil %: [25.9, 37.3, 32.0, 34.7]
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Day 01 - Monday - 04/17/23 - Total Days: 063
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 77.8°F [25.4°C]
- Humidity: 68.6%
- VPD: 1.00 kPa
- Soil %: [19, 28, 30, 28]
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- [09:23]: Quick morning checkup!
--- Looking great my ladies!
--- EB1 is continuing to explode with growth!
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
- [22:25]: Evening my girls!
--- Growing along nicely!
--- The top of the canopy is clearly filling in with top sites.
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Looking at the lower leaves, plan to do another fertilizer feeding soon.
Day 02 - Tuesday - 04/18/23 - Total Days: 064
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 78.4°F [25.8°C]
- Humidity: 67.4%
- VPD: 1.05 kPa
- Soil %: [31, 34, 33, 35]
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- [09:17]: Good morning my ladies!
--- Growing along very nicely!
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Getting a bit droopy, so plan to top water (or better known as soil drenching) tonight!
- [16:03]: Good evening my queens!
--- Wow! Looking great ladies!
--- Top growth is looking very nice!
--- Hmm. A bit of yellowing is still developing on the lower leaves.
--- Regardless, canopy growth is still spreading out quite nicely!
--- With this being the last week of 18/6 veg, these girls are bushing out quite nicely!
--- After flipping the light schedule from 18/6 to 12/12, some cannabis plants will double in size.
--- Starting to get a bit nervous (well more stoked than nervous) about the growth spurt these ladies may undergo (also known as the 'stretch phase').
- [16:19]: Took PPFD readings.
--- EB1 was around 476 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 30.84 mol/m2/d
--- EB2 was around 449 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 29.1 mol/m2/d
--- Decided to increase the intensity of the grow light. Going for a PPFD goal of 500.
--- Will also most likely need to raise it up a bit.
- [16:27]: Within the AC Infinity App,
--- Adjusted the 'Vegetative [18/6]' Schedule for the grow light.
--- Increased the MAX from 3 to 4
--- The FC-6500 is now utilizing around 327.3W from 261.9W (at intensity 4 out of 10)
- [16:33]: Raised the grow light up a bit.
--- Took new PPFD readings.
--- EB1 was around 528 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 34.21 mol/m2/d
--- EB2 was around 499 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 32.34 mol/m2/d
--- Great!
- [16:48]: Took a general light distance reading for EB1.
--- She's now about 16.25" from the grow light.
--- Plan to do final height and distance readings at the end of the week.
--- Okay! Now for the soil!
- [16:53]: Checked the Ecowitt soil moisture sensor data:
--- 20% - [CH01 EB1 - grow bag]
--- 28% - [CH02 EB1]
--- 30% - [CH03 EB2 - grow bag]
--- 28% - [CH04 EB2]
--- Soil moisture is drying around EB1.
--- EB2 soil seems to be 10% more hydrated.
--- Now for the basic meter.
- [16:58]: Using the soil moisture probe, took readings for each EarthBox.
--- Soil moisture levels for EB1 was at 5.5 out of 10
--- Top soil both looked and felt dry.
--- Soil moisture levels for EB2 was at 3 out of 10
--- Top soil looks hydrated but felt dry.
--- Fascinating. 🖖
--- A huge contrast in moisture data.
--- Based on the basic meter, both girls have drank quite a bit. Yet the Ecowitt sensors have not really changed much at all.
- [17:09]: Rotated both EarthBoxes 180 degrees.
--- Checked the fill tube for each EarthBox.
--- Both fill tubes are now pretty dry!
--- With the current soil moisture levels, decided to continue on with the top soil drenching.
--- Don't frack this up Ensign!
- [17:21]: Filled a pitcher with 5 cups of distilled water.
--- Then filled a measuring cup with 2 cups of distilled water.
--- Added 1/32tsp + 1/64tsp + Half 1/64tsp of Quillaja Saponaria Extract
--- Added 1/16tsp + 1/32tsp + 1/64tsp of:
------ Horticultural Aloe
------ Big 6 Micronutrients [+ Humic Acid]
--- Added 1/8tsp + 1/16tsp + 1/32tsp of:
------ Mycrobe Complete
------ Recharge
--- Added 1/4tsp + 1/8tsp + 1/16tsp of:
------ Pure Protein Dry [Organic Fish Aminos]
--- Added 2mL of Bio-Catalyst Enzyme Elixer
--- Added 5.25mL of Yah-Whey
--- Mixed the solution and poured everything straight into the pitcher to mix with the 5 cups of distilled water from earlier (now 7 cups).
--- Poured 3.5 cups of the mixed solution into a spray bottle.
- [17:54]: Rotated the EarthBoxes 90 degrees. EB2 is now facing the front.
--- Before watering, going to defoliate a bit.
- [17:58]: Using a pair of trimmers, I gently clipped away lower yellowing leaves.
--- Removed a few of the larger fan leaves which were covering top sites.
--- To help to further promote top growth, also removed more lower nodes.
--- Time to top soil drench!
--- Also going to top dress a bit of gnarly barley!
- [18:27]: Gently removed the rear moisture meter before pealing back the plastic much cover.
--- Now for the top dressing.
- [18:30]: Sprinkled 1/4cup of Gnarly Barley onto the top soil.
--- Tried to stay towards the back.
--- Using my fingers, I gently tilled the topdressing into the top soil.
--- Also tried to work in all of the trimmings from the defoliation.
- [18:42]: Misted the top soil for EB2.
--- Made sure to spray the area with the Grow Dots, but did not spray the grow bag.
--- Sprayed the whole top soil, but focused more on the back area.
--- Placed the mulch cover back along with the rear moisture sensor.
- [18:59]: Rotated the EarthBoxes 180 degrees.
--- Now for EB1,
--- Using a pair of trimmers, I gently clipped away yellowing leaves.
--- Also removed the larger fan leaves covering top sites.
- [19:20]: Gently removed the rear moisture meter.
--- Then pealed back the plastic much cover.
- [19:24]: Sprinkled 1/4cup of Gnarly Barley onto the top soil.
--- Again, tried to stay towards the back. Also sprinkled a bit around the grow bag.
--- Using my fingers, I gently tilled the topdressing into the top soil.
--- Also tilled in the trimmings from the defoliation.
- [19:45]: Using the rest of the solution (~3.5cups), misted the top soil for EB1.
--- Made sure to spray the Grow Dots, but did not spray the grow bag.
--- Tried to spray the solution evenly.
- [19:47]: Placed the mulch cover back along with the rear moisture sensor.
--- Rotated the EarthBoxes back to the default configuration.
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
- [20:12]: Misted the top growth with a bit of distilled water.
--- Really hope I didn't over-water.
--- Going to let the water soak in a bit before checking the moisture levels.
--- Okay!
- [21:31]: Checked the Ecowitt soil moisture sensor data:
--- 31% - [CH01 EB1 - grow bag]
--- 44% - [CH02 EB1]
--- 33% - [CH03 EB2 - grow bag]
--- 35% - [CH04 EB2]
--- As expected, soil moisture overall is higher.
--- Will continue to check moisture levels as the soil dries out.
Day 03 - Wednesday - 04/19/23 - Total Days: 065
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 77.8°F [25.4°C]
- Humidity: 67.7%
- VPD: 1.02 kPa
- Soil %: [28, 41, 33, 36]
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- [09:25]: Morning my ladies!
--- Quick humidifier refill and growth check!
--- Nice! Growth is continuing to bush out!
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
- [+02:40]: Late night checkup!
--- Looking good girls!
--- Ladies are looking nice and perky!
--- The top canopy is already filling in quite nicely!
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Oh yea,
--- Happy 420!
--- [*smokes a bowl]
Day 04 - Thursday - 04/20/23 - Total Days: 066
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 79.1°F [26.2°C]
- Humidity: 68.5%
- VPD: 1.04 kPa
- Soil %: [27, 40, 32, 36]
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- [09:37]: Morning my beauties!
--- Quick checkup and refill!
--- Growing along and looking great!
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- HAPPY 420!
--- [*smokes a few bowls]
--- Recently been considering how I bottom water my EarthBoxes.
--- Usually I never fill the reservoir more than 8-9 cups of water at a time.
--- But now planning on doing a larger bottom watering (2-3 gallons or 32-48 cups).
--- My main concern of course is over-watering.
--- Since all I have is distilled water, will most likely add a bit of CalMag and Agisil along with a bit of Yah-Whey.
--- For now gonna wait a bit for the top soil to dry up a bit more.
- [20:46]: Evening checkup!
--- Wow looking good girls!
--- Both are bushing out nicely!
- [21:39]: Took PPFD readings.
--- EB1 was around 527 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 34.15 mol/m2/d
--- EB2 was around 509 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 32.98 mol/m2/d
--- Since the 12/12 flip is starting next week, plan to increase the PPFD even more closer to 600 μmol/m2/s.
--- Going to further increase the light's intensity.
- [21:48]: Within the AC Infinity App,
--- Adjusted the 'Vegetative [18/6]' Schedule for the grow light.
--- Increased the MAX from 4 to 5
--- The FC-6500 is now drawing around 386.2W from 327.3W (at intensity 5 out of 10)
--- Took new PPFD readings.
--- EB1 was around 618 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 40.05 mol/m2/d
--- EB2 was around 595 μmol/m2/s which gives a DLI of 38.56 mol/m2/d
- [10:07]: Took a light distance reading for EB1.
--- She's now about 16" from the grow light.
- [22:16]: Checked the Ecowitt soil moisture sensor data:
--- 27% - [CH01 EB1 - grow bag]
--- 40% - [CH02 EB1]
--- 32% - [CH03 EB2 - grow bag]
--- 36% - [CH04 EB2]
--- Soil moisture is drier around EB1's grow bag. EB2 seems to be at a higher level than the back.
--- Now for the basic meter.
- [22:21]: Using the soil moisture probe, took readings for each EarthBox.
--- Soil moisture levels for EB1 was at 7.5 out of 10
--- Top soil looked pretty hydrated.
--- Soil moisture levels for EB2 was at 5.8 out of 10
--- Top soil was also looking pretty hydrated.
- [22:33]: Rotated both EarthBoxes 180 degrees.
--- Checked the fill tube for each EarthBox.
--- Both fill tubes were pretty dry.
--- With the current soil moisture levels, decided to not water anything.
--- Plan to do a large bottom watering soon. Probably tomorrow or Saturday.
- [22:43]: Rotated the EarthBoxes back to the default configuration.
--- Misted the top growth of both plants with distilled water.
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
Day 05 - Friday - 04/21/23 - Total Days: 067
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 78.8°F [26.0°C]
- Humidity: 68.4%
- VPD: 1.04 kPa
- Soil %: [26, 40, 32, 36]
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- [09:20]: Quick morning checkup and refill!
--- Growth looks
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Not much to do today. Gonna be a simple grow day!
- [23:36]: Evening my girls!
--- Growth is looking great!
--- EB1 continues to dominate the tent! EB2 is also filling in nicely!
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
Day 06 - Saturday - 04/22/23 - Total Days: 068
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 79.9°F [26.6°C]
- Humidity: 69.7%
- VPD: 1.04 kPa
- Soil %: [25, 39, 32, 36]
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- [07:02]: Early morning checkup!
--- Girls are looking pretty good!
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Plan to bottom water tonight!
- [21:16]: Evening checkup!
--- Nice! Looking great ladies!
--- There are a few leaves on EB1, but overall growth is healthy and perky.
- [21:26]: Checked the Ecowitt soil moisture sensor data:
--- 25% - [CH01 EB1 - grow bag]
--- 39% - [CH02 EB1]
--- 32% - [CH03 EB2 - grow bag]
--- 36% - [CH04 EB2]
--- Soil moisture is drier around EB1's grow bag. EB2 seems to be at a higher level than the back.
--- Now for the basic meter.
- [21:30]: Using the soil moisture probe, took readings for each EarthBox.
--- Soil moisture levels for EB1 was at 6.5 out of 10
--- Top soil looked pretty hydrated. There was even a bit of bokashi fuzz growth. Nice!
--- Soil moisture levels for EB2 was at 4.1 out of 10
--- Top soil was also looking hydrated, but with no bokashi growth.
--- Okay! Going to attempt a large bottom watering.
--- Before I water, going to defoliate a bit more.
- [21:38]: Using a pair of trimmers, I defoliated both girls.
--- Clipped off a few of the larger fan leaves that were covering tops.
--- Overall, did not defoliate much. Less than a solo cup of leaves.
--- Mainly focused on yellowing or damaged growth.
--- Tucked the trimmings under the mulch covers.
- [22:03]: Rotated the EarthBoxes 180 degrees.
--- Okay! Time to give this a go!
--- Going to give each EarthBox a full 2 gallons of distilled water.
--- Going to also add some probiotics and beneficial anaerobic microbes.
--- Don't frack this up Ensign.
--- Okay! Starting with EB2,
- [22:15]: Poured 2 cups out of one of the gallons into a measuring cup.
--- Added 60mL (2oz) of Yah-Whey.
--- Mixed and poured the solution straight into the fill tube.
--- Then poured the rest of the gallon along with another full gallon of distilled water into the fill tube.
- [22:27]: Repeated the exact same process with EB1.
--- Poured 2 gallons of distilled water along with 60mL of Yah-Whey into the reservoir.
--- Great! Now both EarthBoxes are the fullest they have ever been.
- [22:36]: Rotated the EarthBoxes back to the default configuration.
--- Oops. Some water did spill out while rotating the EarthBoxes.
--- Next time, will wait a bit longer for the water to soak in first.
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
Day 07 - Sunday - 04/23/23 - Total Days: 069
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Daily Averages
- Temps: 80.2°F [26.8°C]
- Humidity: 69.9%
- VPD: 1.04 kPa
- Soil %: [25, 39, 32, 36]
-----------------------------------
- [07:19]: Morning my ladies!
--- Growing along nicely!
--- Although some of the growth is looking a bit droopy.
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
- [21:24]: Night checkup and refill!
--- Looking good girls!
--- Growth has started perking up again. Nice!
- [21:27]: Took end of week height readings.
--- EB1 is about 18.5" tall.
--- EB2 is about 16.5" tall.
--- EB1 was about 16" away from the grow light.
--- EB2 was about 18" away from the grow light.
--- Growth is taller for both, but overall still about the same height.
--- But lots of lower growth so not too worried.
--- Refilled the humidifier with distilled water and Hydrogen Peroxide (~20mL).
--- Wow what a week!
--- Next week begins the flip to a 12/12 light cycle.
--- Curious to see if these girls will stretch or not.
[END OF WEEK 09]
Great diary! Love the info. I too use earthboxes and Build a Soil nutrients. I noticed your Ecowitt moisture meter data is at 19-25%. My earthbox without the reservoir filled is reading 40-42%. If you use your fingers to test the area, are you finding the soil moist one inch below the surface? Just curious! Good luck with your grow, you are using the best of the best and I followed you to watch your progress!
@Ensign420, All great questions... I would wait until the moisture drops after top drench to fill the reservoir. I look to see if the reservoir is dry and if so, will fill reservoir a few days after last top drench. I use rainwater. I found that RO and distilled water contain absolutely nothing for plants. I noticed my plants really like rainwater. So, I set up a rain barrel to harvest water. Rainwater is near neutral PH with little or no particulates. I measured it as low as 5 ppm. Much better than the wasteful RO water. I do use distilled water for my humidifiers to reduce the white calcium/sodium dust that is caused by using tap water. Tap water is fine if you have decent water without too much sodium. I usually do not add additives to the reservoir, preferring a soil drench technique if adding anything. I have added Yah Whey to the reservoir with spectacular results, but much reduced dosage, say one ounce for entire reservoir, but very infrequently. I never PH my water. Microbes take care of all that for me, for which I am profoundly grateful. I would not use a wetting agent for the reservoir at all, just for top drench when you want to add additives such as BuildABloom which I highly recommend as a bloom booster, top drench that onto the soil. Nor would I add Mycrobe complete. I worry a lot about anaerobic bacteria in the reservoir as there is little aeration that occurs in the reservoir proper, so I try to keep it clean. Hope this helps. Great questions!
@MarcGrows,
Nice! Out of all of my EarthBox grows, still have yet to fully fill the reservoir. But plan to give it a try soon.
Just finished top watering today (reservoir is currently dry):
- The larger plant is at 31% with the soil being at 44%
- The smaller plant is at 33% with the soil being at 35%
Since I just top watered today, guess I should wait a few days before filling the reservoirs right?
Also wondering, when you're filling the reservoir all the way with 2-3gal, do you use tap water or distilled water? Do you add any additives to the reservoir water (Yah-Whey, Quillaja, Mycrobe Complete, etc)? Do you pH the water?
@Ensign420, my results with the earthbox have been spectacular in the past, and I really do nothing, that's why I love using them. I top drench for the first 4-5 weeks until roots have developed long enough to drink the water in the reservoir. When I do fill the reservoir, I fill it completely until water escapes from the overflow. Usually, 2-3 gallons. I then watch the water level until it is dry from viewing the fill tube. I usually wait one or two days before refilling the empty reservoir again. After initially filling the reservoir, I then top water only for a feeding such as BuildABloom or ferments. I wait to soil drench when the reservoir is empty. I do not have to feed her a lot as I top dress shortly after she drinks the entire reservoir for pre-flower feeding. I usually cut out ferments in flower. Currently, my Ecowitt moisture is at 53% with water in the reservoir. I have not customized the MULT_CH Soil settings. No need to apologize! We use the earthbox for simplicity in our busy lives. I also re-amended my soil before the grow. One of the ingredients I have never used before to re-amend is basalt. Known for its mineralization and paramagnetic energy, it could be why my moisture meter states a higher percentage. It sure conditioned my media making it fluffy, providing a texture I never experienced before.
Ah you've got newer grows. NVRMIND my other comment on ur 1st grow..
Looks excellent mate. Lovely color and really short, tight internodes excellent structure..
Excellent detail. I just bought the Apogee MQ-610 ePar that measures up to 730nm. I should've spent the money on that a long time ago. My lights were too close last season.