This round, we're going for Black Sugar and Peyote Zkittlez from Seedsman, Lava Freeze from SSSC, and Royal Amnesia Gold (Kera Seeds). Technically, it's not going to be a very spectacular round; I don't currently have the means available for that.
Lighting: 4x 240W Aliepaneel (LM301H)
Substrate: Plagron Cocos Premium
Nutrients: Ata Awa Leaves and Ata Awa Max, Ata Calmag, AtaZyme, and Silic Boost from BAC
Extraction: AC Infinity T6
3x Superroot Airpot and 3x Gronest 55L Fabric Pot (well, I still like to compare a bit)
Watering: 6 x Blumat Maxi behind a 208-liter nutrient tank. Nutrient tank equipped with a 12000LPH flow pump, BlueLab Guardian for pH and EC monitoring.
8 seeds per strain laid out for germination with the aim of keeping 6 per strain (Black Sugar & Peyote Zkittlez), 5x Lava Freeze, and 4x Royal Amnesia Gold. That finally exhausts all the seeds. Then 2-4 per pot due to the large surface area of the pots; if not everything germinates, some pots will receive 3.
Schedule: 3 weeks of pre-growth, 8-9 weeks of flowering (possibly 10 if the transition to real flowering takes a long time, as I've experienced before with hydro setups, and the Amnesia will definitely take a bit longer).
Unfortunately, the space is not prepared at all, no reflective walls, no extra insulation, etc. However, there's a very consistent temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius when the lights are out, which is expected to increase slightly. With only 480W per m2, I don't expect to need CO2. Will I use boosters? I hardly think so. I don't really want to do much this round. I will have to install a sort of scrog net due to the limited height, but that's really just to guide the plant in the right direction at the beginning.
The report is for my own records; I tend to forget what I've done when, so it's nice to be able to read back. If all goes well, I'll finish the round just before my current supply runs out.
Next week, once everything is set up, photos will follow. At the moment, it's mostly just waiting for the seeds to sprout.
Any tips for coconut cultivation? What should I watch out for?
My feeding schedule will be as follows.. (pH regulated by ATA nutrients)
Seedling phase: ATA Rootfast (net EC 1.0) watering coconut
Growth phase: ATA ATAZYME & ATA Leaves (EC 1.1 increasing to EC 1.5), with ATA MAX added in the final week
Pre-flowering: ATA ATAZYME and ATA MAX (Water change, then EC 1.7)
Flowering: ATA ATAZYME and ATA MAX (EC 2.1)
Ripening: ATA ATAZYME and ATA MAX (EC 0.5)
Throughout the schedule, I'll probably make some adjustments, and CalMag and Silic Boost are not included in the schedule; I'll add them as needed.
From previous experiences with these nutrients, I've learned that the pH tends to be a bit on the low side. I've also found that it's not a problem as long as I occasionally rinse the pots with fresh tap water.
My biggest concern: Will it work with the Blumats on coconut.. According to All4Plants, it should work perfectly.. but well, they're the ones selling me the equipment.
Has anyone worked with a leaf temperature camera before? I am considering purchasing one to regulate based on Daily Light Integral (DLI). My lights support daisy chaining, allowing me to simulate sunrise and sunset. One of the benefits should be reduced condensation due to more gradual warming. Additionally, by controlling based on DLI, it is possible to achieve optimal lighting durations (my targets are a DLI of 35 for growth and DLI 30 for flowering). Using a CO2 sensor, I can also determine the CO2 deficit for each cycle.
I see some root tips on a few Black Sugar plants, but not all. Peyote Zkittlez... not much to see. Lava Freeze, also a few root tips. Royal Amnesia... nothing at all... I think they might be too old by now. All lamps are still working, unfortunately one dimmer is out; I'll order a new one tomorrow. Currently running at 50W except for the last one, which is running at 240W.
Extractor fan naturally not installed yet; unnecessary noise and a high humidity level are appreciated in the beginning (basement from 1930s). Water EC is 0.3, water pH is 7.6. EC is now at 1.4 (250-liter tank, 250ml rootfast, 125ml CalMag, 125ml AtaZyme, 125ml ATA Awa Leaves A+B) pH 6.5, Temp. 21˚C.
I took 30 liters of this mix to water the coconut and this served as the reference value for the Blumats. Now hoping it works directly from the tank through the Blumats. If so, a very cost-effective hydro setup.
Yes, it says 250 liters. Unfortunately, the nutrient tank ended up being slightly larger. It just doesn't fit under the boiler. If I'm doing something completely wrong, please let me know. I've been out of the loop for a while and only have experience with Blumats combined with a Blumat tensio. Unfortunately, I've sold all that stuff and don't plan on buying it again until I make a definitive decision about the house."
Raised front row plants by about 30cm so they match the rear row. This night they will be dark for 10 hours. Tomorrow it will be 12 hours. So this is probably the las update for this week.
As you have probably noticed my RH is on the high side.. Not too bad during vegetation but I believe they can transpire a lot more with a Leaf VPD around 1.00. So I have ordered a dehumidifier to control that. My aim RH is around 58%.. Let's see if that is possible with this device and see if my VPD will be around 1.00