Vote Now 🏆 for the Grow Awards 2025!
Chat

El Chapo drip hydro

3
15
14
274
6 months ago
Follow
3
0
Germination
Nutrients 9
Miicrobial Mass 0.264 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 1.057 mll
pH Perfect Grow - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Grow 1.057 mll
Comments 5
VitaMan
And we begin System reassembled. Ran system with peroxide 1 hour. Seemed to solve the noisy pump somewhat. Lots of gunk was released from pump. Wetted hydroton at level of roots and sprinkled Mycos around there. Placed plants on that level and filled in the sides w hydroton. Gave them each a cup of nutes to start. Sprayed with Overgrow. I have a 4th clone. I am sterilizing some coir that has been in the yard a long time. This, in a small pot will be it's temporary medium. If the 3 in hydro survive then this one will find a home outside, but honestly I doubt it will do well as it is mostly shade. For now it will be in the tent at least until the 3 hydro plants are well established.
Used method
Directly In Substrate
Germination Method
1
Week 1. Vegetation
10.16 cm
18 hrs
29 °C
6.2
Normal
560 PPM
78 %
20 °C
19 l
113.56 l
91.44 cm
Nutrients 7
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 1.057 mll
pH Perfect Bloom - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Bloom 1.057 mll
B-52 - Advanced Nutrients
B-52 0.528 mll
Comments 2
VitaMan
😀 Impressive growth. They look like they might become bushy, we'llsee. Haven't decided on training approaches yet. The plants will tell me. Had a lot of pH fluctuations. I wonder if it's the beneficial fungi? Algae has been showing up so HOCL was needed. Had to suck out 2 emitters. The nursery had given me a 4th clone "just in case". It was planted in coco. You can see a dramatic difference in growth rate compared to the hydroton drip plants. As usual the diary will be at the end of the week
2
Week 2. Vegetation
16 cm
18 hrs
28 °C
6.1
Normal
1226 PPM
70 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
80 cm
Nutrients 7
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 2.113 mll
pH Perfect Bloom - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Bloom 2.113 mll
B-52 - Advanced Nutrients
B-52 1.057 mll
Comments 1
VitaMan
Amazing vigour especially compared to the coco plant Applied supercropping to the main stems. That, and a screen, will likely be the only training methods as I am again facing time constraints and can not afford the extra recovery times.
Used techniques
HST
Technique
3
Week 3. Vegetation
40.64 cm
22 hrs
28 °C
5.8
Normal
1510 PPM
55 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
43.18 cm
Nutrients 9
Chitosal 2 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
pH Perfect Bloom - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Bloom 4.227 mll
Comments 1
VitaMan
Wow. Thirsty girls used about 6 gal of nutrients. It has been hotter than normal for May but ppm dropped. They look healthy. Res change at full dose. Little coco plant got nutes today. She will pot up soon. While supercropping I snapped 2 smaller branches on plant №1. One came off as I taped it. They got light defoliation of lower and inner growth. I am going to try focusing on fewer but denser colas more effectively than before. Just replaced all 9 emitters. My plan this time is to have emitters on short lines already ready to go, so the last emitters are now soaking in peroxide.
Used techniques
Defoliation
Technique
4
Week 4. Vegetation
45.72 cm
18 hrs
28 °C
5.8
Strong
1510 PPM
55 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
43.18 cm
Nutrients 10
Chitosal 2 mll
Miicrobial 0.264 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
Comments 3
VitaMan
Replaced emitters and lines. Plants look heathy and happy. Did some defoliation in preparation for the flip on the 21st. Had a mini battle with low pH, don't know why, and I can't figure out why it took so much to get it back in the zone. Raised lights
Used techniques
Defoliation
Technique
LST
Technique
HST
Technique
5
Week 5. Flowering
50.8 cm
12 hrs
27 °C
6.2
Strong
1600 PPM
52 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
43.18 cm
Nutrients 10
Chitosal 2 mll
Miicrobial 0.264 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
Comments 1
VitaMan
Full on stretch. Already a few pistils. I have had to continue removing leafs as the plants insist on bushing. All in all healthy looking plants. There was a plug in the irrigation lines but i was addressed within a few hours. The one in a tiny pot of coco is happy too albeit small.itwollbe interesting to see what it does.
6
Week 6. Flowering
71.12 cm
12 hrs
27 °C
6
Strong
1450 PPM
52 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
25.4 cm
Nutrients 10
Chitosal 0.1 mll
Miicrobial 0.264 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
Comments 2
VitaMan
Minor defoliation of shade leaves and puny shoots. Attempting to steer the growth. Pruning and defoliating are pretty new to me. I can already see room for improvement. Nice little yellow flowers forming. Happy with the vigor of the strain. Still stretching. Even the little plant in the tiny coco pot looks pretty happy. I think I will leave it in the tent rather than put it outside as originally planned curious to see what it does. I have to say that despite the technical problems here and there, I like the continuous drip style of growing over the other methods.
Used techniques
Defoliation
Technique
7
Week 7. Flowering
76.2 cm
12 hrs
29 °C
6
Strong
1750 PPM
48 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
22.86 cm
Nutrients 11
Chitosal 2 mll
Miicrobial 0.264 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
Comments 2
VitaMan
First grow using extreme defoliation. Scary. Unfortunately I snapped 5? budding tips. Tape didn't rescue them so I took those branches off. Still plenty though. 2 days later they seem fine. From here on I will only take away shade. As days get warmer heat is a bit of an issue with temps in tent getting up to 30°. They get plenty of fresh air. There is an oscillating fan. Lots of airflow with so much foliage gone.
Used techniques
Defoliation
Technique
LST
Technique
8
Week 8. Flowering
86.36 cm
12 hrs
27 °C
5.7
Strong
1800 PPM
48 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
22.86 cm
Nutrients 12
Chitosal 0.1 mll
Miicrobial 0.026 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
Comments 1
VitaMan
Defoliation is not so scary anymore. I am already seeing the benefits. A little bit of burn after adding a small amount of Epsom salts. Res change is tomorrow. They will get a thorough flush with HOCL followed by plain water. I will add Miicrobial Mass to that res change.
9
Week 9. Flowering
91.44 cm
12 hrs
29 °C
5.7
Strong
1800 PPM
48 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
58.06 cm
Nutrients 12
Chitosal 3 mll
Miicrobial 0.026 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
Comments 2
VitaMan
Definitely a sativa leaning hybrid. They went a hot night without enough water. Turned out the pump filter was full of algae so I took it apart and gave a good cleaning and res change. They must have been thirsty. It was another warm day and they almost emptied the reservoir. The remaining liquid had 3000 ppm so I immediately added 3 gal of water. Next morning they got another fresh res change. There is a bit of burn, I'm thinking its from when their thirst concentrated the nutes. They are getting frostier each day. And the smell... intoxicating.
10
Week 10. Flowering
96.52 cm
12 hrs
29 °C
5.7
Strong
1650 PPM
49 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
20.32 cm
Nutrients 11
Miicrobial 0.003 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
pH Perfect Bloom - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Bloom 4.227 mll
Comments 1
VitaMan
Heat is creeping up. Expecting a heat wave. Plants are drinking furiously and need frequent top up of water. Other than heat they seem to be doing OK. Added a 30 watt Samsung led light to cover the darker side of the tent. This light did not raise temps at all.
11
Week 11. Flowering
96.52 cm
12 hrs
33 °C
5.7
Strong
1650 PPM
45 %
22 °C
19 l
113.56 l
20.32 cm
Nutrients 11
Miicrobial 0.003 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
pH Perfect Bloom - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Bloom 4.227 mll
Comments 1
VitaMan
Heat wave. Fans all on high. Air con feeding the tent. Big fan exhausting the room. Still got up to 33° but got it down to 30.5°. Nothing more I can do about it this time but pray. Plants are quite stressed. Adding 2 gal H2O to the res per day. Switched from BigBud to Overdrive. Everything else the same.
12
Week 12. Flowering
96.52 cm
12 hrs
33 °C
5.7
Normal
1650 PPM
50 %
24 °C
19 l
113.56 l
20.32 cm
Nutrients 11
Miicrobial 0.003 mll
pH Perfect Micro - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Micro 4.227 mll
pH Perfect Bloom - Advanced Nutrients
pH Perfect Bloom 4.227 mll
Comments 3
VitaMan
Still heatwave but a little better than last week. Still over 31° in the tent and as you can see in the photos damage was done. Praying for 2 weeks of better weather. They are alive but I am certain that quality has decreased as the smell is far milder.
Grow Questions
VitaMan
VitaManstarted grow question 7 months ago
I will make improvements to the bucket lids. I need to know what adhesives and metals are toxic to my cannabis plants. Is dried epoxy safe? Any other recomendations?
Open
likes
Answer
BerrySweetHigh
BerrySweetHighanswered grow question 7 months ago
Hello VitaMan, You want to use food grade materials. If it is safe for food then it is safe for a product that you grow for consuming like cannabis. I like to use food grade stainless steel for multiple reasons, it blocks the light, it never gets old and it is safe for your product. If you are searching for a 1 time cheap fix then I would recommend aluminium foil that you use in the kitchen. Happy Growing Buddy!
likes
Complain
MrSour420
MrSour420answered grow question 7 months ago
Epoxy will leach out. Will it be toxic to your plant? It will depend on the epoxy you use. I would suggest food grade silicone sealant.
likes
Complain
modmyplants
modmyplantsanswered grow question 7 months ago
once the chemical reaction is done, yes its safe. The only thing that then could happen is that your grow LEDS destroy it by time if you dont give it a solid paint. It releases the softeners from the resin, just like in cheap plastic.
likes
Complain
13
Week 13. Flowering
96.52 cm
12 hrs
33 °C
5.7
Normal
1650 PPM
50 %
24 °C
19 l
113.56 l
20.32 cm
Nutrients 2
Terpinator - Terpinator
Terpinator 6.604 mll
UC Roots - Current Culture H2O
UC Roots 5.283 mll
Comments 3
VitaMan
Thank goodness for cooler temps today, and expected for tomorrow. Time to flush with pH'd water. Only additives are HOCL and Terpinator. Gave each plant 2L of water from the top and pumped it out before filling the reservoir.
14
Week 14. Harvest
Happy Harvest Day!
El Chapo - Custom Breeder & Strain
Spent 86 days
Ger Veg Flo Har
9/10
Rated
57.17 g
Bud wet weight per plant
57.33 g
Bud dry weight per plant
3
Plants
22.86
Grow Room size
Normal
Difficulty
Sleepy
Energy
Indica
Hybrid
Sativa

Height
Day air temperature
Air humidity
PPM
PH
Light schedule
Night air temperature
Pot size
Lamp distance
Comments 1
VitaMan
Busy week. Heat has calmed down for now. Focused on system improvements.
Grow Questions
VitaMan
VitaManstarted grow question 3 months ago
Time crunch. I need to get a 2 week head start before my current crop is harvested and dried. The seeds will be started 1.5" rockwool cubes under a 45w led bar and eventually transfered to hydroton under 300w. Q: Can I keep the seedlings going 2+ weeks in the starter cubes?
Open
likes
Answer
Kenn0rphan
Kenn0rphananswered grow question 3 months ago
Yes. I would plan a strategy ahead of time to deal with the excess roots from the cube. Taking reasonable steps up in PPFD is preferable I think. I don’t know the distance your 45watt light will be vs the 300watt. But maybe you already have this process planned out?
likes
Complain
Scrubbyjimbob
Scrubbyjimbobanswered grow question 3 months ago
I've kept rooted clone cuttings in plugs placed in just net pots with hydroton for several weeks(like 5+) just irrigating them twice a day before transferring them to a reservoir. It will work for seedlings too. It helps if you keep your plugs in some type of tray that helps keep your roots covered and prevents them from drying out as fast. Just don't let the roots dry out....but don't soak them either lol....really just misting the roots a couple times a day is all they need. Honestly I would worry more about stretching keeping them that long under a 45w. I'd run it a little extra close.
likes
Complain
gottagrowsometime
gottagrowsometimeanswered grow question 3 months ago
Not ideal. You really want them out of something so small. It'll start small. Small main stem, as it can't build root arms and expand. And that's what forms bigger main stems. In turn gives stronger larger plsnt base. A better Base tends to give better finish or makes it easier imo Prep is crucial I think. And 2 weeks of week stems vs 2 weeks of even starter 2l pots. Well I know which I'd pick. Also. If you're using hydro. Or soil. You want a bigger area for roots and root arms to branch out.
likes
Complain
the end.
Enjoying this diary? Follow for more updates!
VitaManVitaMan
Follow Author
OR
El Chapo drip hydroEl Chapo drip hydro
Follow Diary
Prefer the old Diary view?
Go back to the old Diary view