Dawg days

So the end of week 1 and where are we? Well I’ve learned that I love coming back and seeing the progress in the ‘nursery’ day by day, it feels very satisfying. That being said I think that school is now in session. Whilst the OG dawg looks in fine fettle so far I’m not so sure about her little sister. I guess the difference in germinations and her being under the light from the beginning has made her look a bit different. She seems to be stretching so I wonder if the lights may be too far away. I think I’ll give it a day or two as have to be mindful of the first one as well. My main uncertainty at the moment is with watering. My first endeavour was to correct the PH, it being slightly high at 7.2 from the water butt. Juggling chainsaws would have been easier than my first experiment with the ‘up’ and ‘down’ but finally managed to get one to 6.2. Decanted into a spray bottle ready to go. Now I’ve read a lot about how much and often and the general rule I’ve found is that less is more so all I’m doing is giving the soil a good spray, maybe 15 mists for the bigger one, once every 3-4 days. Keeping everything crossed!

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So where have we got up to? As you can see the plants have changed a lot, the first seems to be thriving over the last 10 days or so and the second is surprising me as she comes along as well. I wasn’t feeling too hopeful about her, she just kind of looked a bit weak. As her stem was bending I build up around the base a little, maybe an inch of height and it seems to have sorted her out somewhat. Had some humidity problems where it was diving a little too low for my liking so bit the bullet and picked up a cheap little humidifier, dehumidifier and an Inkbird to control them. I’ve got to say if you can wrap your head around the pigeon English instructions (thanks as always YouTube) it’s taken a lot of the worry about environments. Now I can also run my extractor full time to help with air replenishment without effecting humidity thankfully removing a few chainsaws! For all the videos I’ve watched and articles I’ve read I’m still getting to grips with the whole watering thing. Put a question out and got some great replies (thanks @gottagrowsometime and @HansGoat) which have helped a lot; cool community. Holding back on temptation and watering every 3 days at the moment and I think the plants like it. Just trusting that as they look ok and are growing well that I’m doing the right thing. PH’d water only still at a steady 6.2 (getting better with the Down/Up at least!)

Into week 4 from first sprouting and I think things are still looking healthy. Both are making noticeable changes day by day and I really look forward to my first ‘visit’ each day to see what they’ve been up to. Took some deep breaths and instigated a couple of changes, firstly I gave them their first nutrient feed; a three way mix of GH products (micro, gro and bloom) but mixed to 30% of recommended strength, mixed one at a time and then PH’d. Looks like the nutes have an effect on reducing the PH meaning less other additives. Planning on feed, water, feed and maybe upping the concentration as we go as long as they don’t start to show and signs of stress. Also started some gentle LST, eek! Was a bit worried about this as didn’t want to damage them but I figure I’m not going to learn without taking some chances so out came the soft wrap wire and the drill. Felt a bit sad initially as the plants are pleasing to the eye and I knew this was going to affect that but the whole idea is self sufficiency so want to try and increase potential yield where I can. Started with an anchor wire but found I was a little ham fisted when starting the main bend, caused some damage to a few leaves and one smaller branch looked decidedly dejected. Next day however was a different story, everything had reoriented and even the droopy branch looked like it had some more lead in the pencil! A few days later the smaller of the 2 had her first introduction as well. Have found with some gentle manipulation the stems can be quite pliable, just need a little patience which makes the wiring much easier. Coming towards the end of week 4 now and the ladies are growing like……well weeds! Multiple tops now emerging from No.1 and No.2 is looking fuller and stronger. I really need to consider removing some fan leaves as they’re proving to be an excellent ‘sun shade’ but have found I can bend and tuck them underneath as reticent at the moment to get rid of anything that helps her grow. This rearrangement only helps for so long before they find their way to the light so think it’s inevitable. Any-hoo, till next time.

Started this week feeling quite content with proceedings until I noticed the edges of some of the leaves. The points around the edges have started to turn upwards although the plants themselves look fairly healthy from what my novice eye can tell. Had a look around some other diaries/questions and wonder if I might be overdoing the light. Decided to raise it slightly to 24” from the canopy, dropped the intensity to around 70% to see what, if any, difference this makes and turned the extractor and tent fans up a notch. Also made my first cut today and removed a big fan leaf to open up No1 and placed a 2nd wire onto No2. Forgot to say, last week raised No2 about 4-5” on some old polystyrene to try and match heights to her big sister due to her being started later. End of week update. Well it looks like the leaf curl is improving. Raised the lights to the recommended max height from manufacturer and completely unplugged the heater. Will need to keep an eye on it but hoping both of these might help reduce stress. Also removed a few yellowing leaves from the bottom of No1, not sure If that means something or just lack of light reaching through the canopy, again will just keep the Mark 1 eyeball on it.

So the start of week 6 (for No1 at least) and I think things are going ok. Still alternating water and feeds but am now up to 50% concentration of nutes. Watering every other day now not every 3 as trying to listen to the plant and they looked …. Well, not just as vibrant as they have done previously so don’t know if it’s just my untrained eye but will see if this helps. Still no heater action as the tent seems to be maintaining a lovely 24 - 25 during the day and lowering to 21ish during lights out so happier with that and again the ladies seem to have responded. The humidity however is twisting my melon as always seems to be high even with a little dehumidifier, circulating and extractor fans going. Ideally now want to start lowering it incrementally so the next task will be improving air exchange. As based in an outbuilding some hole making diy will be in order to plumb in some of the fresh stuff; that’s got to help right? To be continued….. Have holesaw, will travel! One 4” hole now allowing outside air to be circulated. Did it help? To be honest, not to start with. Started thinking what else have I changed to cause this and then it hit me. I turned the tube heater back on and the effect was almost immediate, humidity started to drop! Go figure, every day is a school day! No1 is starting to turn frosty, can now see the trichomes glistening and No2 not far behind. Think they’re looking ok, thoughts?

So it’s been a fairly stable week so far. Still fine tuning the mix between fan, heater and light distance to help lowering the humidity slightly as the flowers on No1 are really starting to go it. Had an issue with some leaf discolouration and damage so decided to remove them but wasn’t sure what might be causing it and if I needed to worry. Again the community stepped in, (thanks to @Grow_for_Happiness and @Sators) and after getting advice was able to breath a bit easier (is it normal to worry about them like you would your own kids? 😉) Thought I’d take it a bit further and defoliate to help clear the decks and let the ladies redirect some energy and probably ended up with 20 leaves of various sizes off both plants together. The plan now is maintenance for this week, alternating water and nutes (still at 50% concentration) every other day or so and hopefully raising the light as they gain some elevation. Stretch m’beauties, stretch!

Starting to get a bit excited now, reckon there may be a couple of weeks left on the first one. She’s looking a little bit bigger each day, that or it’s just me wishful thinking! Over the last few days I have taken to watering them every day albeit with a reduced amount. Couple of reasons for this; as you can probably see I noticed the tips of some of the leaves have become very light in colour which I think is down to some nute burn. Have been super cautious using them, only every other feed and never over 50% concentration but maybe this is still too much? Had previously PH’d the run off which with hindsight could have been a bit low at 5.9. I figured by watering a smaller amount more often with just PH’d water (@ 6.5) I’ll be able to see what if any difference this makes fairly shortly. Failing this I’ll have to try a flush which as a complete neophyte worries me somewhat. I promise it’s not all stress though. I do smile when I see how much she sparkles and had a little microscope thingy arrive today to attach to the phone so took my first pic of some trichomes (crappy shots I know, still learning how to take the better ones, don’t judge). I swear I actually chuckled earlier when I walked up to the enclosure because, Christ on a bike, she’s one stanky girl!

So where are we at? Have been a bit delayed updating diary, lots of stuff going on but back to it now. Little by little I can see the trics on No1 getting cloudier and cloudier as the buds are getting beefier. Getting some leaf discolouration now but hoping that’s just because she’s getting close. No2 on the other hand started to show some leaf yellowing which as best as I can work out is down to a nitrogen def and/or lights too close. Made a mistake here though by not dealing with it sooner as you’ll soon see, getting progressively worse. Just have to keep remembering this is a first effort and not get too down on myself.

Consider my head thoroughly done in. No1 seems to be doing ok apart from her leaves continue to change colours and as have no real experience to draw on can only hope this is normal and not going to effect the end of her grow. No2 however just seems to be getting worse. I have read so much and even asked a few questions but always seem to get some margin of contradictory advice. Over a couple of days even started to feel quite down about it so thought bollocks to it and went full McGyver. Had already raised the lights so put the house on it being a nitrogen/cal def and after consulting Professor YouTube decided on a foliar spray made from coffee grounds and egg shell extract. Was actually doing some kitchen chemistry! Anyway after I calmed down have tried a few regular liberal applications and we’ll see one way or another.

Holy Smokes, I only think it’s working! Certainly seeing a bit more colour back into the leaves of No2 and after taking a few of the worst effected ones off she looks markedly better. Still a large number of white pistils though but think we’re down to a few weeks to go on her. No1 is close, very close. Now taking daily pics of her trichomes and developing an idea of how they evolve. Just need some patience, worked this long on them already so I will be good, I will be good! Now thinking about changing her to plain pH’d water as advised by about a million YouTubers!

As granpappy used to say, I can feel it in m’water! My No1 lady is going through the change; her leaves are turning some beautiful hues and she seems stacked with trichomes. Speaking of which there is a definite glow of amber, albeit sparse so the itch to chop is strong. Not going to be a dickhead about it though so have set a date for a week at least during which she’ll get a last drink of h2o before being left for a couple dry days in situ pre-cull as hoping this might help extend the drying phase. Feeling quite chuffed to have got her this far first time of asking but understand we’re not there yet so the next chapter of ‘The Knowledge’ will involve a lot of self directed study around all things harvesting and curing, jars at the ready girls! No2 is recovering quite well I think to my novices eye. Her leaves are greening up and she looks, well just happier. Jeez, listen to me sounding like some kind of weed whisperer. Have to say even though she’s about 10 days behind the first (due to a necessary re-sow because of my Olympic standard ability to drown seeds if you remember) she’s already looking bigger than her older sister. All in all feeling good, going to be an exciting week!

Have been practically fizzing this week knowing the end is nigh for lady No1. Ended up giving her an extra day, mainly to prove to myself I could but was up early the next morning resolved to chop. Dismantled her branch by branch but only took the big fan leaves off hoping it will help her dry slowly and ended up with a nice collection of flowers. I’m pretty chuffed to how she has turned out although I know it’s not a massive yeald. Have learned loads though and already planning on what I’m going to change for next time. Thanks to all who’ve shared the benefit of wisdom, the forum has helped immeasurably. Will be back after she’s lost some moisture with a weight check and maybe a cheeky premature smoke report. Thanks gang xx Update: I managed to leave it drying for 13 days in total before taking the scissors to it for the jar. All told weighed in at 33g and as I’m not going to start lying to you now have to admit to being a little disappointed with that. Not sure if my expectations were too high or if it’s because of my novice status ( or more likely both) but still grateful for what I did mange to produce which I have to admit seems decent quality which I believe will only get better with a decent cure. Now just need to stop carrying the jar around like a cradled infant and find somewhere dark and cool for it to rest. X

So with No1 currently drying in a separate space my attention is now focused on her slightly littler sister. Although only planted as an emergency substitute about 10 days after the first (to replace the dearly departed) I think she’s going to take a little longer again to finish judging by the looks of her, maybe another 2-3 weeks but already she’s looking bigger than the OG ever did. The main colas got some girth and don’t think it’s finished yet so it begs the question as to why she’s so different from the first? Same seeds, same growing environment etc so could it just be a genetics thing? All I know is that she’s looking sweeeeet albeit a few yellowing leaves but she’s looking far improved from where she was.

Right, buckle up! Lesson of the week, it’s never too late for things to go pear shaped. Whilst my Second Lady continues to put on weight the top of the main cola decided it was its turn to try and do my bloody head in. It’s started to look markedly discoloured almost like it’s getting too hot but my first fear was that it was the dreaded spectre of rot but the environment has been pretty dialled in and upon opening up the flower site cannot see any of the telltale signs or smell anything funky so started to wonder about the lights. Had them placed as per manufacturer’s recommendations but decided to turn them down a smidge and also raise by a couple of inches to see if this changes anything. I still think she’s got a week at least left so just hoping I can stem this potentially impending shitshow until then. Feeding her with pH’d water from now and gave her a good enough glug to get about a 20-25% run off which is now testing at 6.2 so content with that. Got to remember to not get too grumpy with myself about these tribulations, at the end of the day it’s all gravy baby. PS Just about to update the first harvest week with dried weights and some new pics.

Sorry everyone, this is a harvest week but as the second one due to a slightly later sow, I can’t list it again as such. Well feels a bit like the second coming of Christmas today as made the decision to take No2 down. She’s had just over 2 weeks longer than her sister and although looks bigger doesn’t have the same hues and colours as the first. Natural differences in pheno’s or have things I’ve done manifested some changes? I do know that she looks an overweight drag queen, all fat and sparkly (all apart from top inch of main cola) with a really potent smell so so feel really happy with the effort. Gave her a quick wet trim to get rid of the fan leaves and got the first unobstructed view of the flowers! I plan to utilise the actual tent for this dry so was able to chop the plant at the stem and hang it intact. From what I’ve learned this will help with a slower dry which improves the final act. I did have to use some aluminium shears to get through it though, bloody thing was like steel cable. Lights off now so will have to keep a close eye on the humidity but hoping the tent will allow me to keep it dialled in. No1 update. Seems to be curing ok but having to regularly burp jars as humidity still a little higher than I would like. There’s no grassy smell though so pleased about this so far.

Hey everyone, so think this is going to be the last week for my inaugural diary but before I start can I just send a huge thank you to all those that have bothered to read my ramblings and especially those who left a comment. Never under estimate the power of a few wise words to those just starting, it can mean all the difference so big props. Post chop I was able to hang the plant intact using the grow tent and a kick ass dehumidifier that I was able to pick up from a second hand shop for a song. The difference that made was mad and enabled me to dial the humidity right in! Even though she was noticeably bigger than No1 she only needed drying for 10 days, 4 shorter than the first which was dried using a mesh net contraption. After a dry trim (which I used to sift, well pleased) the end weight for her was 55g making for a grand total over 2 plants of a little over 3oz! Got to be honest, pretty chuffed with that! Had to spread over over 2 jars, both of which are holding their humidity and temps perfectly. There’s still work to do though, the buds are a little fluffy which I believe is down to inconsistent environments so that will be one of the focuses of my next effort. No1 has had about 3 weeks curing so far so yes, I’ve obviously had a snifter or two and got to report that she’s definitely a creeper! She starts by gently caressing your temples with a lovely mellow buzz before she grabs a nail infused bat and beats the shit out of you! Still a little harsh but think a few more weeks in jar solitary confinement will help sort that out. Quite a distinct flowery/sour taste and she honks like a hobo so am quite happy to chalk this up as a success! With that it just leaves me to say thanks again gang, may the Gods of Green imbue you with nothing but terpy heaven! Out.