Critical Jack Photoperiod DWC

@jjmed88, yeah I might just throw 4 plants in here next time and try SOG. So much open space to utilize... Gotta try to learn!

@@Chi_Town_White_Boy, no problem. Each grow is a learning experience. I think the scrog net will only help yields with lower plant counts. Stay safe homie.

@jjmed88, thanks for your insight, brother! I was thinking the same - wished I had let her fill out more before switching. She does seem to be putting some height on, so that’s good - but let’s she how she goes!! I really was wondering if I should even bother with the SCROG because I mainlined, but the lower growth does seem to have benefited from the net. Thanks for your ideas! I appreciate it!

@CommanderCannabis, I just added a photo of my current "top" feed setup. Look at my Green Crack diary, week 4, picture titled "Day 26 Roots". I should clarify that I did not switch to this location until about week 2. As soon as I did, though, I saw an explosion in the roots the next day. So the roots you see there would probably be more substantial if I did this from day 1. On that note, I did start my Zkittlez Auto on day 1, and the roots appeared by day 3. That is the fastest I've ever had -- my previous fastest was 6 days. So this method of "top" feeding lower in the net pot cut my root appearance by 50%. I'm going to keep my eye on the effect over the next few weeks, but there's no doubt that this has been a way better improvement over my previous method -- which was doing a top feed from the very top. It seems that was drenching the RapidRooter and suffocating/overwatering the plant. By moving the "top" feed to below the RapidRooter, I'm able to pump oxygenated water directly over the roots and avoid the RapidRooter getting over-saturated. We're both gonna find out how this method works over the next few weeks, as both my Green Crack and Blue Dream have been using it from day 1.

@CommanderCannabis, I just looked at your photos again to help answer your question. My guess is that it’s not your air pump - your roots looked pretty healthy before you cut them, at least in the first pic. That slime occurs in my experience because (a) the hydroton can stain them in their way down and (b) they should have steady nutrients flowing through them. That’s where the top feeding under the RR/rw comes in. Recirculating constantly, but avoiding making the top soaked, will deliver Hydroguard to your root zone within the hydroton and will take care of this slime.

@CommanderCannabis, hey brother! Yep, I’m on the quest for kickass roots, too. There’s two approaches to help boost root growth in hydro: 1. Plant it really close to the bottom of the net pot. Maybe a couple layers of hydroton on the bottom and then plant the RapidRooter/rockwool. This will let the roots pop out quick, and they don’t have to travel as far to get to the water. 2. The best approach I’ve found is by top feeding. But not “top” top feeding. I have a $8 fish tank pump that sits at the bottom of my bucket and runs 24/7. The crucial part is the placement of the 1/4” tube (water line, like the kind for ice makers). The tube should not be at the top of the bucket, but rather it should be just below where the RapidRooter/rockwool ends. Essentially, you’re just delivering the nutrients to the roots - but it’s not making the RR/rw wet. This has been the absolute best method I’ve found to date. It practically eliminates that slime you’re seeing because Hydroguard and everything else is constantly circulated. Keep in mind though that if you use something like B52 that your roots will likely not be perfectly white due to staining. Let me know if you have any other questions! Good luck brother!! 🤘🏻

@Chaos85, I just started using it because apparently Bud Factor X is now a banned substance. Not too thrilled to find that out after a few grows (I’m looking at you, Advanced Nutrients!). I was looking for something to increase potency or trichomes. Terpinator doesn’t claim to do that, but it was the closest thing I could find. I haven’t had a harvest yet, so I can’t say much about the buds produced. However, there is absolutely no question that when I opened my tent the next morning the smell was at least 3-4 times as noticeable. Every plant that I’ve added this to has given off a much stronger smell. So, I’m pleased so far. I’d like to see this translate into tastier buds!

@Chaos85, I hear ya! This will be my first try with SCROG. I’m hoping for some vertical stretching so I can start putting the branches under the net...she’s exploding in roots so I’m thinking I’ll see some major growth soon. She’s been super healthy and a pleasure to grow so far!!! Are you using Terpinator or something for aromas?

@Chaos85, hey brother! Thanks for looking her over! It’s definitely been a learning experience! Your Critical Jack pulled through nicely! Great job getting her back to full health!!! Your cheese looks great too! You’re getting some great root development. Are you too feeding?

@CommanderCannabis, I topped when she got to 5 nodes. Took the top two off and then the bottom two as well. Since then, I topped those (3rd) nodes twice - basically as soon as I could access the bud site without damaging the two growth sites besides it. This is my first try with a manifold. Seems like I could have left the previous sets of fan leaves on. I’m seeing about a day or two before recovery, though, with the new bud sites putting on significant growth each day. I’m thinking the SCROG net will likely be pointless here, though. I’m wondering if just growing this manifold out to 8 full stems I should get a good yield. Might save SCROGing for when I don’t manifold. Any thoughts?

@CommanderCannabis, I haven't done a SCROG yet but it seems like horizontally growing would allow for a lot better light penetration for what would otherwise be low, larfy buds. That is, of course, if the SCROG is done correctly. It seems a lot of people just throw a net over their plant and seem to think it's a magic process without the training part. I'll find out soon! I agree topping is fun! That's why I went with a photoperiod for this grow/tent (I have two tents right now). Give me a little experiment with them. I've had mixed success with topping autos, and I'm going to stop doing that for a bit and see if I can improve yields through other means. We'll see! I'll check out the Grow Chamber, it sounds super cool! Hope your girls do good this week! 💪

@Chaos85, we’ll see about that! I have a series of successful toppings to pull off over the coming weeks 🧐 there’s still plenty of room for error! 😂

@Chaos85, this will be my first time with this strain - but I’ve grown a couple Critical strains from Dinafem. I really liked their earthy taste. Looking forward to trying a cross with Jack Herer! I’ll follow your grow, too!

@Dahoola, thanks so much! I’ll likely need your input!! This is my first SCROG.

@DinafemSeeds, yes, she looks awesome! I'm excited to see what she does over the next 3 to 4 weeks! Thanks for all of your input!

@@Chi_Town_White_Boy, We can see that the main focus now is on big fat bud production and trichome development is going crazy 👌 Looking fantastic in here 👍 All the best ✌️ Mark..

@DinafemSeeds, thanks for popping in Mark! She's definitely putting on some buds now! 😎 She smells wonderful and looks to be pretty happy! I'm excited to see what she does over the next couple of weeks! I'll keep you posted! 👊

Great to hear that, Mark (@DinafemSeeds)! She's been an interesting grow so far for me. I'm really looking forward to a week or so from now when I can finally let her grow and focus only on training. I want to do one more series of tops so I can have a total of 8 branches. Really looking forward to trying this strain, too! I love the Critical series, so this will be fun! 😀