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Hello, my dear friends!
It’s time for the Gorilla Zkittlez from Barney’s Farm. I became a fan of this seed company after a solid Blueberry OG.
The setup:
Substrate: Mineral wool cube + Uni-Slab from Grodan.
Watering: Drip with automatic drain for waste removal system
Nutrients:
Terra Aquatica TriPart, Root Booster for initial stage, Fulvic, CalMag, Bloom Booster (maybe), Ripen, FlashClean
Feeding till Day 4:
240 ppm, pH 5.5
2 waterings per 60 ml a day
Day 5:
350 ppm, pH 5.5
2 waterings per 60 ml a day
It seems, the solution is too low ppm. Will increase a bit.
I think she’s stunted due to low ppm or overwatering:( brown tips and edges.
Upd: Put dripping sticks underneath the cube for a night to dry the wool a bit. Raised ppm to 410. Removed the sticks and put the cube back on the surface because the first root coming out of the wool dried out immediately.
Day6:
Raising ppm and light intensity (till 15 DLI) was a bad idea, the leaves were pointing upwards at 45 degrees angle in the morning. Dimmed light back to 12 DLI, diluted solution till 330 ppm. Leaves got back to normal state in few hours. The tissue right near the block helps drainage. Increased amount of solution per watering from 60 to 100 ml two times a day to speed up solution exchange in the wool. Need it a bit lower.
Runoff 350 ppm, pH 6.4
VPD 1.3 day / 0.8 night
Day7:
She became a bit bigger overnight. New fresh roots coming out of the wool. The second pair of leaves is developing. I will not exceed the 350 ppm point until runoff will be the same. Keeping solution pH at 5.5.
Runoff 375 ppm is higher than yesterday possibly due to salt residue on the tissue. Will check next time with a clean tissue.
Overall this week was very exciting. This is my first experience with mineral wool in 15 years or so. It was tricky to prepare, a lot of adjustments needed. Im currently using magnetic stirrer to mix solution 24/7. It prevents layering of particular components overnight.
It was difficult to decide which ppm to start with. Although a lot of sources provide such info, I can’t trust all of them. Should just get back to Jorge’s Bible and reread “Hydroponics” chapter. Probably I would avoid the issue on day 6.
What happened on Day 6?
As far as I remember, I changed solution on Day 3, and noticed slow growth on Day 4. For solution I used 1 ml/l CalMag this time, which made up to 500 ppm in combination with a normal NPK dosage. Then I diluted till 350 ppm, but NPK part was just almost the same as Day 3. So basically I corrupted K/Ca/Mg ratio which should ideally be 4:2:1 (article: Balancing the Nutrient Equation - Cannabis Business Times).
Additionally, I was struggling with pH balancing in low ppm solution. When I made it 5.5, a few hours later it went 6.0, and I had to add pH-down again. And so on. I think at some point she could also receive pH 6.0 on Day 3.
From now on, I adjust pH very slowly by adding pH-down till pH 5.2, then few drops of pH-up till 5.7, and again pH-down till 5.5. Surprisingly, pH stayed the same during the whole night after that trick. No more drifting. I really hope it will help me in future. I realised it’s a bad idea to pH-balance solution right before watering. It should rest for at least few hours to stabilise. Only after that the final adjustment with pH-down and -up needed.
I noticed that my pH meter shows readings very slowly changing in 6.0-5.0 range. That happens exactly when the solution is not stable yet. When pH is stable, the meter gives the proper reading instantly.
Day 11:
I’m worried about white fuzz growing on mineral wool. Hopefully it’s not pathogenic. Black sporangiums are visible today. The plant looks okay, growth continues although a bit slow. Roots are white. More of them coming out right through the withe fuzz on the bottom of the cube🤔
Started applying recipe for Veg today.
Preparing Uni-slab.
Day 12:
Inflow EC 0.8, 400 ppm, pH 5.5-5.8
Day 13:
Inflow EC 0.85, 425 ppm, pH 5.5-5.8
I can’t keep pH at 5.5 point all the time. It always goes up overnight for 0.3-0.5 points.
Day 14:
She’s doing really well. Maybe I don’t have to worry about fuzz on the wool. I remember Voodoo Juice and Piranha were applied on Day 9 as a preventative measure against possible mould. As a result, on Day 14 all surface touching air is covered with mycelium, which I assume is beneficial. The bottom surface of the grooves is clean, and I hope there will no problem with water distribution when I place the cube on the slab soon.
Inflow EC 0.85, 425 ppm, pH 5.5-5.8
Runoff EC 0.82, 410 ppm, pH 5.9
She (and fungus) consumed about 30 ml in 12 hours.
Day 15:
Cut off the burnt tips on the first true leaves. New foliage looks green and healthy.
Recalibrated pH meter. It seems readings were inaccurate the last few days. After calibration the solution appeared to be 5.2, while I was adjusting to 5.5 before.
Had to flush the Uni-slab again with proper solution. Runoff EC 0.86, 430 ppm, pH 6.2. Going to place the rooted cube onto the slab tomorrow when it drains enough.
Day 16:
Put the cube in the slab. No watering for at least one day to promote root growth.
Day 20:
Some edges on old leaves burnt, little Mg deficiency signs. Not sure if it’s actually a deficiency or pH fluctuations. pH in solution is drifting up from 5.5 to 6.2 overnight. About 30 ml of 110 ml dose is always left in the pipe which also impacts the rapid pH change when solution is applied. Runoff pH is 6.2-6.6.
According to manufacturers recommendations I’m giving too little CalMag to my 40 ppm tap water. Increased dosage from 0.5 ml to 0.8 ml, and diluted solution to get the same solution ppm as yesterday. Thinking about increasing EC to 1.0 to maintain the same NPK ppm. Just waiting till runoff ppm lowers a bit.
Day 22:
Inflow EC 1.0 (500 ppm), pH 5.5
Runoff EC 0.9->0.84 (450->420 ppm), pH 6.5
Day 23:
Inflow EC 1.0 (500 ppm), pH 5.5
Runoff EC 0.87->0.84 (434->420), pH 6.4->6.5
Day 24:
Inflow EC 1.1 (550 ppm), pH 5.5->5.7->5.5
Runoff EC 0.82->0.8 (412->395), pH 6.5
Day 25:
Inflow EC 1.13->1.18 (565->590 ppm), pH 5.5->5.6->5.5
Runoff EC 0.74->0.63 (370->315 ppm), pH 6.4->6.2
Day 26:
Inflow EC 1.2->1.24 (600->620 ppm), pH 5.5
Runoff EC 0.6 (300 ppm), pH 6.2->5.8
This week is problematic. Runoff ppm was holding at 450 ppm for a few days, then started to rapidly decrease. I tried to maintain runoff EC but it’s not easy. Today I’m giving EC 1.2 (600 ppm) and runoff EC is 0.6 (300 ppm). Gonna apply some extra solution. If ppm goes lower, will flush with 3L of 650 ppm solution.
Solution pH drifting up from 5.5 to 6.0 in 5 hours. Probably will switch to distilled water. These fluctuations make me worry, I’m afraid of salt buildup.
Day 27:
Inflow EC 1.24 (620 ppm), pH 5.6->5.7
Runoff EC 0.7->0.74 (355->370 ppm), pH 6.0
Day 28:
Inflow EC 1.28->1.44 (640->720 ppm), pH 5.6
Runoff EC 0.73->0.7 (365->350 ppm), pH 6.1->6.0
The plant is a bit small (in comparison with all the rest I posted here) for this stage.
Side shoots are growing rapidly, starting from node 2, the lower one trying to match the top. The second node shoots are the oldest, thus thick and strong.
The first node shoots are very small, should be removed soon.
Day 29:
DLI 22->25. Added more light.
Inflow EC 1.44->1.56 (720->780 ppm), pH 5.8->5.7
Runoff EC 0.69->0.66 (345->330 ppm), pH 6.0->6.1
Two days ago I noticed some bronzing on young central leaves. I don’t know the reason. Can be even such a pheno. I guess that’s a bit of inflow pH drifting with light underfeeding.
Had the same issue with clones of Blueberry OG, when they were asking for more. At the moment the delta between inflow and runoff is 0.7-0.8 mS (350-400 ppm).
Growth is rapid. The plant is drinking more every day. Currently, 0.5L per 24 hrs.
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Day 30:
DLI 27
Inflow EC 1.62->1.65 (810->825 ppm), pH 5.7
Runoff EC 0.66->0.67 (330->335 ppm), pH 5.8->6.1
Incredible how much faster she’s getting with more light and ppm! Most of the young side shoots are pointing almost vertically and I can’t reach them to bend outside.
I can’t LST at the moment due to the slab is just wrapped in plastic, and there’s no anchor point for the LST wires lol. Probably will attach them to the plate itself for a while, then install the ScrOG net.
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Day 31:
Inflow EC 1.7->1.77 (850->885 ppm), pH 5.9->5.7->6.0, 3x300 ml
Runoff EC 0.69 (345 ppm), pH 5.9, 250 ml
Amount of runoff is decreasing. She consumes 650 ml per day, with 250 ml runoff.
Preflowering is about to begin as the oldest shoots are changing branching from symmetrical to asymmetrical.
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Day 32:
Inflow EC 1.77-> 1.97 (887->988 ppm), pH 5.8->5.7, 2х300+350 ml
Runoff EC 0.67 (335 ppm), pH 5.8
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Day 33:
Inflow EC 1.98->2.01 (990->1008 ppm), pH 6.1->5.9, 3x370 ml
Runoff EC 0.67->0.79 (335->395 ppm), pH 5.8->5.7
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Day 34:
Inflow EC 2.0 (995 ppm), pH 6.1->6.2, 4x370 ml
Runoff EC 0.84->0.9 (420->450 ppm), pH 5.4->5.5
Diluted concentrated fertilizer till 25% to avoid any risk of salt build up when mixing nutes.
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Day 35:
Inflow EC 2.01 (1007 ppm), pH 6.3->6.5, 4x375 ml
Runoff EC 0.92->1.1 (460->550 ppm), pH 5.4->5.53
Day 43:
Inflow EC 2.1 (1050 ppm), pH 6.3, 460+400+300+4x200 ml (1960 ml)
Runoff EC 1.57->1.51->1.8 (786->757->903 ppm), pH 5.2->5.4->5.2, 630 ml (32%)
The last day of veg. The lights will go off 4 hours earlier today and turn on 4 hours later tomorrow. The midnight point will be the same.
Defoliation.
Installed ScrOG net.
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Day 44/01:
Inflow EC 2.14->1.9->1.72 (1070->955->860 ppm), pH 6.4->6.2, 320+2x300+3x200 ml (1520 ml)
Runoff EC 1.85->2.18->2.55 (923->1088->1274 ppm), pH 5.4->5.2->5.2, 440 ml (29%)
Noticeable spike of ppm in runoff. More than 0.2 mS (100 ppm) in less than 24 hours.
It can be caused by a rapid change of light schedule (reduced DLI 25->16) and too early implementation of preflowering NPK with a higher CalMag dosage.
Reduced inflow EC from 2.14 to 1.72 until she starts eating again. Hopefully pH in runoff will also rise up a bit and reach 6.0 soon.
I'm pretty sure my previous calculations of Ca/Mg ppm in solution were wrong.
Ca and Mg tests from Salifert showed that 1 ml/L of T.A. Calcium Magnesium adds about 40 ppm of Ca, and about 15 ppm of Mg, while overall ppm is 150.
I don't know what is the rest 95 of 150 ppm, although NO3-test also showed about 12 ppm of N.
If the test was correct, that means I misinterpreted the signs of Ca/Mg deficiency. From now I will add 1.5-2 ml/L CalMag. But still I can't rely on this data as a fact.
Such kind of tests are not accurate enough for such purpose. They were designed for sea/ocean water, so other ions in specific concentrations can interfere the readings.
Hope I'm not wrong this time.
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Day 45/02:
Inflow EC 1.72 (860 ppm), pH 6.2->6.5->6.4, 320+3x300+200+2x300 ml (2020 ml)
Runoff EC 2.4->2.6 (1200->1305 ppm), pH 5.3->5.0, 450 ml (22%)
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Day 46/03:
Inflow EC 1.6 (800 ppm), pH 6.3, 320+300+2x350+250+2x325 ml (2220 ml)
Runoff EC 2.5->2.37->2.4 (1254->1185->1200 ppm), pH 5.2->5.4->4.9, 505 ml (23%)
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Day 47/04:
Inflow EC 1.6->1.68 (800-840 ppm), pH 6.3->6.5, 360+3x375+275+2x325 ml (2410 ml)
Runoff EC 2.24->2.03 (1118->1015 ppm), pH 5.3->4.9, 595 ml (24%)
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Day 48/05:
Inflow EC 1.75->1.8 (875-900 ppm), pH 6.3, 360+375+2x400+300+2x325 ml (2485 ml)
Runoff EC 1.98->1.7->1.72 (990->850->862 ppm), pH 5.1->5.3->4.9, 600 ml (24%)
Delicious smell in the tent. Sweet and soft. Loving it!
Slab maintenance: removed dead tips of roots that came out of the slab cover through the drain cuts.
Cleaned the surface of the tray with hydrogen peroxide. Some algae were presenting, but very few.
The cube surface is covered with mostly trichoderma and some other fungus.
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Day 49/06:
Inflow EC 1.83->2.0 (915->1006 ppm), pH 6.3, 360+375+2x410+320+2x360 ml (2595 ml)
Runoff EC 1.74->1.6->1.63 (872->801->814 ppm), pH 5.2->5.2->4.8, 600 ml (18%)
Day 57/14:
Inflow EC 2.06 (1032 ppm), pH 6.3, 3330 ml
Runoff EC 2.3->1.97->2.47 (1152->986->1237 ppm), pH 5.1->5.0, 360 ml (11%)
Switched to 9 waterings/24h (6/3, day/night).
Started transition into flowering recipe. GBM: 0.8-2.4-1.6. Recipe for today: 3:1, preflowering:flowering.
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Day 58/15:
Inflow EC 2.06 (1030 ppm), pH 6.3, 3400 ml
Runoff EC 2.4->2.0->2.57 (1200->995->1284 ppm), pH 5.3->5.5->5.3, 240 ml (7%)
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Day 59/16:
Inflow EC 2.03->2.1 (1015->1050 ppm), pH 6.2->6.3, 4000 ml
Runoff EC 2.82->1.96->3.04->2.56 (1410->981->1520->1283 ppm), pH 5.2->4.7->5.0, 445 ml (11%)
Recipe for today: 2:1, preflowering:flowering.
Started to apply T.A. Silicate 4g/10L.
Had a ppm spike in the morning from yesterday's low drainage, then again during dark period (1520 ppm).
Applied extra 200 ml 665 ppm to dulite salty solution inside the slab. Worked well.
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Day 60/17:
Inflow EC 2.09->1.9 (1043->940 ppm), pH 6.2->6.3, 3850 ml
Runoff EC 2.28->1.96->1.8->2.6 (1138->891->1292 ppm), pH 4.9->5.3->4.6, 550 ml (14%)
Recipe for today: 1:1, preflowering:flowering.
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Day 61/18:
Inflow EC 2.01->1.66 (1006->830 ppm), pH 6.2->6.3, 3820 ml
Runoff EC 2.6->1.96->1.87->2.5 (1307->934->1248 ppm), pH 4.8->4.5, 515 ml (13%)
Defoliation
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Day 62/19:
Inflow EC 2.17->1.42 (1084->711 ppm), pH 6.2->6.3, 4140 ml
Runoff EC 2.8->1.96->2.2->2.8 (1410->1112->1410 ppm), pH 4.7->5.2->4.9, 825 ml (20%)
Stopped using Silicate, switching to Rhino. Silicate was not dissolving as I expected.
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Day 63/20:
Inflow EC 2.08->1.6 (1040->810 ppm), pH 6.2->6.3, 4700 ml
Runoff EC 2.3->2.03->2.9 (1168->1017->1445 ppm), pH 5.2->5.5->5.3, 825 ml (20%)
Recipe for today: 1:3, preflowering:flowering.
Day 64/21:
Inflow EC 2.1->1.6 (1050->810 ppm), pH 6.1->6.4->6.2, 5120 ml
Runoff EC 2.66->2.21->3.03 (1330->1105->1515 ppm), pH 5.4->5.7, 1100 ml (21%)
Recipe for today: 1:3, preflowering:flowering.
I started to worry at this point if I'm doing everything correctly. Maybe watering at night is not a good idea at all.
Also it seems NPK is not right, probably should implement full bloom NPK earlier.
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Day 65/22:
Inflow EC 1.94->1.6 (970->800 ppm), pH 6.0->6.1, 5050 ml
Runoff EC 2.62->2.36->3.4 (1310->1182->1700 (!) ppm), pH 5.6->5.4->5.8, 1045 ml (20%)
Recipe for today: full bloom GBM 0.8-2.4-1.6. Started using Nirvana, because I think there's not enough K in the recommended recipe (just imo).
Added FlashClean 2.5 ml/l immediately after rapid ppm spike. There was 2L of solution left in tank at that moment.
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Day 66/23:
Inflow EC 1.9 (950 ppm), pH 6.0->6.1, 5050 ml
Runoff EC 2.6->2.2->2.9 (1300->1104->1444 ppm), pH 5.7->5.6, 1315 ml (26%)
Replaced emitters from the cube directly to the slab, because the algae and fungi formation made surface so tight that water can't penetrate into the substrate quickly. It was spilling above, missing the slab.
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Day 67/24:
Inflow EC 1.9->1.5 (955->752 ppm), pH 5.9->6.0, 4500 ml
Runoff EC 2.44->2.24->2.3 (1220->1120->1155 ppm), pH 5.7->5.8, 820 ml (18%)
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Day 68/25:
Inflow EC 1.83->1.5 (915->750 ppm), pH 5.9->6.0, 4600 ml
Runoff EC 2.24->2.3->1.94 (1121->1162->970 ppm), pH 5.8->6.1, 465 ml (10%)
Started apllying BudCandy 1ml/l.
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Day 69/26:
Inflow EC 1.85->1.54 (925->770 ppm), pH 5.9, 4720 ml
Runoff EC 2.17->2.6->2.31 (1083->1300->1155 ppm), pH 6.0->5.8->6.0, 775 ml (16%)
Defoliation. I know it's a bit too late for this, but I really missed the right moment. Should defoliate much more last time.
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Day 70/27:
Inflow EC 1.8->1.54 (900->770 ppm), pH 5.9->5.8, 4890 ml
Runoff EC 2.17->2.6->2.31 (1083->1300->1155 ppm), pH 6.0->5.8->6.0, 665 ml (14%)
Day 71/28:
Inflow EC 1.76->1.48 (880->740 ppm), pH 5.8->5.9, 4810 ml
Runoff EC 2.16->3.24->2.82 (1080->1620->1410 ppm), pH 5.8->5.6, 1070 ml (22%)
Increased tray angle a little bit.
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Day 72/29:
Inflow EC 1.52->1.45 (760->725 ppm), pH 5.9->6.0, 4575 ml
Runoff EC 2.6->2.1 (1302->1055 ppm), pH 5.8->5.3, 2000 ml (44%)
No more watering at night! Flushing again.
Stopped using almost all supplements (Pro-bloom, Nirvana, BudCandy), except CalMag and Rhino.
Cutting Nitrogen from recipe. Micro part of TriPart contains 5% of nitrogen.
The new recipe includes Oligo Spectrum - to maintain a good level of microelements, without adding too much N.
Grow-Bloom-Micro-CalMag-Oligo: 0.6-3-1-1.7-0.8
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Day 73/30:
Inflow EC 1.52 (760 ppm), pH 6.0->6.3->6.1, 5000 ml
Runoff EC 2.17->2.3->2.18 (1084->1015->1088 ppm), pH 5.6->5.4, 1320 ml (26%)
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Day 74/31:
Inflow EC 1.48->1.4 (740->697 ppm), pH 6.0->6.1, 4900 ml
Runoff EC 2.1->2.34 (1062->1170 ppm), pH 5.6->5.5, 1270 ml (26%)
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Day 75/32:
Inflow EC 1.36->1.23 (680->615 ppm), pH 6.0->6.1, 5400 ml
Runoff EC 2.3->2.23->1.6 (1152->1114->793 ppm), pH 5.8->5.4, 1920 ml (35%)
Extra watering after noticing EC is going up. I want to see lower EC in runoff.
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Day 76/33:
Inflow EC 1.3->1.24 (653->620 ppm), pH 5.9->6.2, 4900 ml
Runoff EC 1.66->1.7->1.52 (830->854->762 ppm), pH 5.7->5.3, 1400 ml (28%)
Day 78/35:
Added a bit more of CalMag (1.35 ml/l), raised inflow EC to 1.4 (704 ppm). Signs of Calcium deficiency visible on older fan leaves. Will remove the most damaged ones tomorrow. Other leaves look pretty healthy with nice green colour. Keeping runoff at 30%.
Should be 3 weeks to go. Going to switch to Final Part (Ripen) by the end of this week or a bit earlier for at least 10 days, then flush with FlashClean for 24h, and finish with only tap water for 3 days.
Reduced humidity by adding intake fan, that has about 90% capacity of the current exhaust fan settings, to add some pressure inside. How didn’t I know that earlier. Exhaust fan with carbon filter and passive intake with dust filter reduce the pressure in the tent to a such degree, that the fan efficiency decreases and it is not able to evacuate enough volume of humid air. Humidity was building up to 65% day / 70% night. Adding intake fan helps the main fan transport higher volume of humid air through the carbon filter. And since it’s more efficient in removing odours at lower humidity levels, I’m very happy with this. Intake air temp/humidity 20C/37%. Air temp/humidity inside the box after adding intake fan: 24C/55-60% day, 20C/60-65% night.
This is the last week. Will chop her on day 55 of flowering. She’s not ready, I know that. Trichomes are mostly transparent/cloudy with few amber at the moment.
Mr_Incognito
