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It's been a few since I've posted. I've had some foibles along the way. The pictures above are one of those foibles. Those are Humboldt County - Vanilla Latte autoflowers on day 99 from seed when I chopped them. They got wrecked by broad mites. I never really thought I was going to have a serious bug problem, and then I got the worst kind. Broad mites are satan spawn. I started using Nuke Em, and it knocked them back, but the damage was already done and they never really recovered (also, I don't believe I completely eradicated the mites either). I definitely wasn't using the Nuke Em proactively...only after I realized what was going on. I started the Vanilla Latte grow on 10/11/2023 and 99 days was 2/17/2024. I did get approximately 40ml of FECO oil off of them, so it wasn't a total loss (It certainly wasn't smoke quality).
So then, I tried starting two O.K.C. seeds on 3/31/2024. For some reason I got the hairbrained idea to soak them in water and then paper towels and I couldn't make it happen. The seeds popped, but never grew.
So that is what has transpired between my last harvest and the beginning of this grow.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
To start, after my last few harvests with autoflowers, I decided I wanted to go back to trying a photoperiod. I felt like a photo would be easier to plan and manage compared to an auto. I was also hoping that the photo would have more genetic stability than the autoflowers so both plants would basically grow the same way and be ready for harvest at the same time. I was also hoping nutrient management may be easier since photo's have a higher nutrient demand than autoflowers generally.
I chose this strain because the dude at my local grow store recommended them to me. I told him I was looking for a good recommendation of a photo, and he recommended this one because it was crossed with Jilly Bean, a strain he said he really liked.
It looks like I put my seed info in wrong, but I started the remaining 3 of 5 seeds I had purchased. This time I used paper towels only. 2 of the 3 seeds germinated.
Regarding my nutrient values for Jack's 3-2-1, I'm entering in my Grams/Gallon measurements, since they don't have that option.
Also, I completely re-designed my reservoir. I really tried to making it fancy, which bit me in the ass not much later in this grow. Pictures are attached. The lid really is awesome, minus my water gauge. It's very sturdy and no light penetration. I used an very old boat building technique to make the template to cut that linoleum flooring (wished I would have saved pictures of that). I also removed the crossbars I was using to support the lid for lowering the reservoir. I'm now using paracord and carabiners strapped to the trellis to support the lid. Lastly, I used some PVC tubing in the lid so I haven't had to puncture a single hole in the reservoir itself. The lid turned into an epic project, but overall it was worth it.
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Used method
Paper Towel
Germination Method
1
Week 1. Vegetation
5 months ago
2.54 cm
18 hrs
5.8
No Smell
0.4 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 0.33 mll
Notes from 6/8/2024:
The third seedling never popped, and I tossed it on Thursday 6/6. The two seedlings, as of 1030, both have tap roots at ~ 2" long coming out the bottom of the cubes.
I am starting the system today. My two primary concerns:
The water spells perfume. I have left that water in the container since mid-April (~ 2 months give or take). I hope it doesn't cause any problems
My water level indicator is a stainless steel rod. Supposedly it's pretty hardcore, but it will be submersed in a salty solution for several months at a time. I hope it wasn't a bad idea. One thought I had was to coat the metal with a silicone of some kind, but right now it's a bit too late for that. (Checked on the net, and it looks like sprays intended for things like high-heat are silicone based spray-paints. This is most likely the best option for me to maintain the rod. Maybe I should buy an new rod, paint it, and swap it out based on how this one performs.) From what I've read it shouldn't rust, but get pitted instead.
Installed carbon filter
removed humidifier due to lack of receptacles
Jack's 321 quarter strength
HydroGuard 30ml
Started at 6.2 ph
oAdded 7 drops down
Brought it down to 6.0 ph
oAdded 7 more drops of down
Still stayed at 6.0 ph
oAdded 15 more drops of down
Got it to 5.8 ph
EC @ 0.4/0.5
Finished up everything by 1200
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2
Week 2. Vegetation
5 months ago
5.08 cm
18 hrs
5.8
No Smell
0.4 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 0.33 mll
Notes from 6/9/2024:
ph was @ 6.4. It took over 2ml to get it to 5.8 ph. EC @ 0.5.
I also used the white squares and covered most of the lid because the water temps are really getting high. Right now it's at almost 77 degrees. I may need to consider using iced water bottles to resolve this issue
Notes from 6/13/2024:
Jacked up light to full blast. At the height they are now, it's only about 460 mols.
PH has been steady for the last two days between 5.8 / 5.9. Steady EC @ 0.5. Plants look surprisingly healthy so far even though humidity is not ideal and water temps have been creeping up into the 78 degree range. I need to figure out something for the ice bottles but I haven't had time to figure something else out (I had used a metal "S" hook that rusted within the first day of usage).
Installed a power stick so I could add the humidifier back in. Humidity was dipping below 45% and temps were close to 80 degrees.
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3
Week 3. Vegetation
5 months ago
7.62 cm
18 hrs
5.8
No Smell
0.4 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 0.33 mll
Notes from 6/21/2024:
Plants not doing good. Noticed much earlier last week. Thought it was initially a PH problem, which was contributing, but now I suspect it's the metal rod. Both plants have lots of browning on the leaves and such.
Did a water change 1/4" Jacks and a new bottle of Hydroguard.
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4
Week 4. Vegetation
5 months ago
10.16 cm
18 hrs
5.8
No Smell
0.9 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 0.65 mll
Notes from 6/24/2024:
Removed metal water level gauge due to suspected cause of leave browning.
Super-cropped both plants.
Also dumped close to 20ml more of Hydroguard as I noticed more root rot.
Notes from 6/29/2024:
Did a water change. Tried earlier in the day but I mistook the Part C (Magnesium salt) for Part B and wasted a whole rez of water. Because we were going to a retirement party, I picked up distilled water on the way and did a water change late in the evening.
1/2 Strength Jacks
5.8ph
1.0 EC
40+ml of Hydroguard (root rot issues)
I kinda feel like the plants are having a difficult time when water temp gets close or above 80 degrees. When it's that hot the water starts smelling like lake water where you can smell the bad bacteria growing. I've been using 2x frozen water bottle's at a time to cool it off and that works enough. I've also been leaving the door cracked during the day which has helped a lot. Not sure what I'm going to do when they go to bloom.
Probably never want to grow in the summer again unless I get a water chiller, and even then that sounds bad. Maybe I need to consider a different grow method if I want to grow in the summer.
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5
Week 5. Flowering
5 months ago
30.48 cm
12 hrs
21 °C
5.8
No Smell
1 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 0.65 mll
Notes from 7/3/2024:
Installed Trellis and swapped light to 12/12
Also removed dimmer switch (I think it was this day). It wasn't putting out enough lumens with it installed even though at one point it was. It seems to fluctuate. Driver in light probably needs replaced, but at that point I'll just need to replace the entire light.
Notes from 7/7/2024:
Water Change Day
Plants have been behaving by lower EC and PH going from 5.8 6.1/2 in a 24 hour period. They are drinking 1 gallon of water every 48 hours. The damage that I thought was solely due to root rot may actually be nutrient deficiencies. One other possibility is too much Hydroguard. I determined this after coming across George Cervantes website (a treasure mine of info).
I'm going now from 1/2 3/4 strength Jack's. I may even need to go to full, but I don't want to push it.
I will take some pictures today.
I am making a goal of taking leaves off the plant every day for the next three weeks at least. that is the recommendation I've seen in several places for stripping leaves (i.e., don't remove leaves after 3rd week of Bloom).
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Used techniques
ScrOG
Technique
Topping
Technique
Defoliation
Technique
6
Week 6. Flowering
5 months ago
30.48 cm
12 hrs
21 °C
5.8
No Smell
1.3 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 0.96 mll
Notes from 7/8/2024:
I treated the plants with half strength Nukem after lights out in the evening.
Notes from 7/9/2024:
The plants seem to have completely recovered and look very healthy. Growth is not necessarily explosive, but from the description from the breeder they are medium-size plants. I'm going to assume the following moving forward:
The metal rod was probably a problem. Anyways, my tape measure is so easy-peasy it's not worth all the extra elements for the "coolness" factor.
I did have root rot induced by high temps
High temps, in addition to causing root rot, were negatively impacting the plants
I was starving the plants because I've been conditioned to growing auto-flowers. These plants are very hungry, and my next water change I need to go full strength Jack's
One final note, no more autoflowers indoors. I think the remaining seeds I will try growing outdoors just for shits. Photo's are just easier to manage in my small grow space, and using the trellis. Also, I was able to recover from the previous issues before going into bloom, which saved this grow (for now...don't want to get too cocky).
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Used techniques
ScrOG
Technique
Topping
Technique
Defoliation
Technique
7
Week 7. Flowering
5 months ago
30.48 cm
12 hrs
21 °C
5.8
No Smell
1.3 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 0.96 mll
Notes from 7/19/2024:
Suspected bug infestation. Most likely spider mites. Used a full 11 oz. bottle of normal strength nukem. Emptied the whole bottle. Per instructions, I need to do another application of normal strength Monday 7/22, and one more time on Thursday 7/25.
Notes from 7/20/2024:
Water Change:
Full strength Jack's @ 5.5ph no adjustment done.
Used new water pump and it has sped up the process significantly.
I did a moderate defoliation today. I also did a lot of LST. This will be my final stressing of the plants I think. I broke a good branch _
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8
Week 8. Flowering
5 months ago
More photos +1
30.48 cm
12 hrs
21 °C
5.8
No Smell
1.9 PPM
55 %
21 °C
21 °C
21 °C
57 L
Nutrients 4
J.R. Peters, Inc. Magnesium Sulfate - Epsom Salt 1.29 mll
Notes from 7/22/2024:
Applied medium strength Nuke Em this evening. I think I did a more thorough job because I emptied about half a bottle from underneath. I then used the remaining bottle on the top, but I lifted as much of the top leaves as possible so I could spray underneath them. This process seemed to work well, and I think I did a much better job overall with coverage.
From my research, it seems likely that I have thrips from the damage, and strange things I'm seeing in the loupe.
ph yesterday was 5.8. Today it was 5.7. I meant to test this evening and didn't. Not a good sign so soon after a water change. Hopefully things will turn around. I added my first gallon of water today, so that might help.
Notes from 7/23/2024:
PH is back at 5.8. I could probably add 1 gallon of water, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow.
Notes from 7/25/2024:
Applied 3ml shy of full strength nuke em. I shook off one flea beetle in the process. I also killed two the first time I did a spray. This means all the leaf damage I've been seeing is flea beetles. I wouldn't say I've got a full blown outbreak, but I think there are still some around. I don't think the nuke em is affecting them very much, if at all. I set up two sticky traps to see if I can monitor bug levels. My other option is to vigorously shake the plants to see if they hop off onto sticky traps I position under the plant.
Also, still seeing some lower leaves dying off with dark wilty lesions. I will try and take a picture of the next one I find. I have no idea what it is. The PH and water has all seemed very normal, so I don't think it's anything with the water/nutes.
Notes from 7/27/2024:
Regarding the last nuke em application: It burned several pistoles, moreso on the smaller plant. I can now confirm that the bug damage has been flea beetles. I think the last application (with me agitating the plant) killed the last of the flea beetles. One last one I saw fell to the ground and I killed it.
Regarding the leaf damage I've been seeing, I'm convinced is Phosphorus deficiency. After much research, I decided to change my Jacks ratio to the following:
A: 3.79g - 15gal - 56.9g
B: 2.52g - 15gal - 37.8g
C: 0g
The new ratio came out with:
5.7 PH
1.8 EC
I took some more pictures.
Notes from 7/29/2024:
Did a pretty heavy defoliation
Notes from 7/30/2024:
Dropped the ph down to 5.6 to improve Phosphorus uptake. I did some research and saw in Hydro that 5.8 is the high end for Phosphorus uptake. I'm going to try and keep the ph between 5.5 -5.7 for the remainder of the grow unless things get worse.
Notes from 8/3/2024:
did the water change around 1800.
I continued the same modified nutes:
A: 3.79g - 15gal - 56.9g
B: 2.52g - 15gal - 37.8g
C: 0g
ph 5.7
EC 1.8
Notes from 8/9/2024:
PH has been slowly dropping by 0.1 a day all week. Finally turned around this morning. I had to PH up from 5.5 5.7 yesterday and it was 5.8 today. I do see tip burn on most leaves so I am suspecting I'm over-feeding now. I will need to step down to 3/4 strength. I've added ~ 4 gallons of R/O this week and the EC is at 1.8 1.4. So it looks like in the 1.4 range the plant is beginning to feed again. I think 3/4 strength is around 1.5 so that should be just about perfect for next week I hope.
Compared my grow to another guys grow: https://growdiaries.com/diaries/69538-ethos-genetics-orange-kush-cake-grow-journal-by-trichome-threshold/week/384176
That is from his 5th week in bloom. I'm not sure if he's taking pictures at the end or the beginning. I'm going to assume the end. I think he's a bit ahead of me overall. I did have to play around with the dimmer today, but I doubt the lumens are the issue on why I might be behind.
Notes from 8/10/2024:
Water Change Day
I went with 3/4 strength of the modified nutes after encountering tip burning symptoms worsening and ph dropping throughout the week:
A: 2.84g - 15gal - 42.6g
B: 1.89g - 15gal - 28.3g
C: 0g
ph 5.7
EC 1.3
Took pictures
Notes from 7/13/2024:
Applied 1/2 strength Nuke Em. I was torn about doing this because I believed last time it burned some calyx on a few buds. This time I tried to get an even coat without just emptying the entire bottle like I have been previously. I think there was roughly 1/4 bottle left when I finished. Basically impossible to hit the far wall side of the plant. I definitely didn't touch any of the buds this time to prevent burned calyx.
When I woke up Wednesday morning (Today, the following day) my computer had rebooted and the light show was going on. I sure hope to God I don't re-veg the plant _
Notes from 8/20/2024:
After the water change on 8/16, the ph has been slowly climbing by 0.1 a day. I've also added 1gal r/o a day. However, this morning the PH had dropped from 5.9 yesterday to 5.5/5.6 this morning. Clearly there was still a problem. EC was around 0.6 yesterday I think. This evening I pumped out 5+ gal of water and added 5 gal of r/o. PH at 5.9/6.0 and EC at 0.3. I'm hoping the PH will continue to rise from here on, but I'm not sure what else to do. I'm going to start filling water because I'm sure I'll need a water change before the weekend at this point.
The right plant leaves are really taking a nose dive. I'm not sure if it's light stress in addition to the nutrients, but this is the first thing I'm trying to see if I can get the plant to feed. I'm concerned my A/B only nute solution could also be the problem without adding the C.
Notes from 8/22/2024:
EC got down to 0.2, PH climbing heavily after nocking it down as of this morning.
Water Change (@ 1800):
After reading this entire thread: https://overgrow.com/t/jacks-321-hydro-discussion-questions-tips-etc/24078/101
I decided to go with 50% Jack's 420:
A 4g = 30g
B 2g = 15g
C 0g = 0g
PH was @ 5.9ph. I nocked it down to 5.5/5.6 (anticipating it will rise throughout the week and I don't to keep adding down so much)
EC @ 0.9 (was around 0.8 before adding down)
Notes from 8/25/2024:
Took Pictures
Notes from 8/27/2024:
For the first day after the water change on 8/22 the PH climbed, and the EC dropped along with water level. I thought things were fixed. However, by Sunday 8/25 the PH was dropping again with the EC hovering around 0.7. The water level was particularly low so I believe I added two gallons. On Monday 8/26 I added another two gallons (I can't quite remember). This got the EC to 0.5, and I bumped the ph up to around 5.7. As of that (Monday 8/26) evening, the PH had climbed to 6.0. This morning the PH was at 6.2 and I left there, adding an additional gallon of water. the water level now seems to be about where it should (I forgot to measure the exact water level after this last water change on 8/22 so I'm guestimating here).
Based on the above, 50% Jack's is still to much right now. I'm guessing due to the high respiration? It is consuming more water than any other plants I've grown, but damn....
The right plant is basically in bud stasis with a few foxtails growing still, and leaves deteriorating steadily.
The left plant is making more progress, but not what I would expect. I'm thinking after all the issues the yield has been diminished.
Still about ~ 2 to 3 weeks from harvest if I can keep it going for that long. I'm thinking next water change I'm going with maybe 35% Jack's.
Notes from 8/29/2024:
Water Change:
40% Jack's 420:
A = 24.0g @ 15gal
B = 12.0g @ 15gal
PH = 5.7
EC = 0.7
PH started to rise (after it had fallen below 5.5) after EC was at or below 0.5 in this last week. The plants don't seem to like being above 0.7 EC as far as I can tell. It just seems like such a low EC. I am trying to keep the humidity at ~50% so maybe the higher respiration is causing this scenario is the only thing I can imagine.
Notes from 9/3/2024:
Took pictures
Notes from 9/4/2024:
I measured the PH this morning and it was around 4.2 or something crazy like that. EC @ 0.2.
I went ahead and bumped the PH to around 6.1, but decided to do a water change.
Because I'm at the stage of having no fucking idea what I'm doing at this point I did the following:
50% Jack's "New" cannabis formula:
Part A = 3.79 @15gal = 28.5g
Part B = 2.52 @15gal = 18.9g
Part C = 0.99 @15gal = 7.5g
PH = 5.8 (almost 5.9)
EC = 1.2
I also used 4gal RO and the remaining 11 gallons well water. I filled the container around 1000-1100. I actually did the water change around 1600. I hope this was enough time to evaporate any chlorine from the injector. The RO / Well Water mix was at 0.1 EC before adding nutes. It took AT LEAST 12ml PH down (pretty sure closer to 15ml or more) to get the PH to 5.8.
I decided to go this path because I wasn't sure if the A/B only 420 mix was causing issues. I also went with 50% because of the acid raid scenario that occurred this morning (40% must not have been enough for 7 days). I've been trying to get these plants to feed the entire cycle, but what seems to happen is that they won't feed past 0.7EC. However, I suspect the two plants have different needs and things are just getting fucked in the same media. This last cycle at 40%, things were going as expected:
Started at ~ 5.7ph @ 40% Jack's 420
PH went up the next day
day two was relatively the same
day three it started to drop
day 4+ it just dropped hard
Notes from 9/5/2024:
the PH was @ 6.8 this morning after adding 1Gal RO. It took ~ 14ml down to get to 5.7 PH.
This evening at 1900 PH was up to 6.0 and EC still at 1.1 (was 1.1 this morning).
Notes from 9/7/2024:
After checking the trichomes, it looks like the chop will be scheduled for next weekend. I think I'm going to start the flush Monday evening. I'm going to use 11Gal well water again like I did on Wednesday 9/4, so I should do that tomorrow and let it sit for 24 hours to evaporate any possible chlorine.
Trichomes are at least 60%+ turning or already cloudy. I'm seeing some ambers here and there. I'd say by next weekend it will be mostly cloudy with up to 15% amber, but we shall see.
Notes from 9/8/2024:
PH in res. was @ 5.4. I bumped it to ~6.0.
I mixed 4Gal RO & 11Gal well water and PH'd it to 5.7 before 1100. I intend to use this tomorrow evening and start the flush. EC @ 0.2.
I took pictures.
Notes from 9/9/2024:
The reservoir I had @ 5.7 PH yesterday was above 6.5 PH. I had to add a whole lot more PH-down to get it in range, but I overshot to about 5.3 PH. EC @ 0.2. I did the water change around 1800ish.
Notes from 9/12/2024:
PH remained stable with no need for adjustments on 9/10 - 9/11. This morning it was around 5.0 PH. I added 1Gal RO and 1Gal well water. Well water alone bumped it up to around 5.5 PH.
Notes from 9/14/2024:
Right plant - 3.92 lbs
Left plant - 4.24 lbs
Total = 8.16 lbs
Took pictures.
Bertoxxulous
