Thanks for having a look! I started the diary with freshly germinated seeds and I was away for 12 days with the light way too far away, so these plants are catching up a bit. For my LEDs, 12-14” from the tops of the plants is a MUCH BETTER distance! Thanks @DabCrab & Wolfpack for the help. This is really more like week 2 or 3 in terms of development Check out my combined grow: Kongzilla on ICE!!! for more baby pics and history.
Please note this is my second grow!
Pots: Transplanted from solo cups and into 1 gal fabric pots. I wish they were a bit deeper and larger. I intend to move them into 5 gal equivalent air pots before bloom.Some minor root spiraling occurred in the solo cups. I'm happy to have transplanted now as much later may have created a root ball. I'm curious about the fabric pots and chose them out of economy.
Soil: I used 4 gallons EB Stone Emerald Triangle Recipe 420 soil augmented with 1 gallon perlite, 1/2 gallon organic worm castings, 1/2 gallon rinsed coco coir, 1/2 cups greensand and 1/2 cup of diatomaceous earth. I top dressed the pots with Growstone Gnatnix as fungus gnats are pervasive here even though I don't over water. (postedit:I would avoid the greensand in future grows during veg because of potassium OD.
Nutrients and such: adding mycorrhizae, humic acids, and root microbes have definitely helped rapidly develop the plants and roots. I'm seeing some purple stems which is magnesium deficiency from using bottled spring water. Using CalMag to correct.
Light: I added my second Viparspectra 300 as the space is filling out. 2 VIPARSPECTRA 300 @ 136 W each. These are well reviewed full spectrum LEDs.
Training:I FIM'd the apical top leaves after the 3rd node and when the stems seemed solid to encourage branching.
Environment: 2 fans and a homemade swamp cooler to keep temperatures and humidity in range. I keep the space open.
ABOUT WOLFPACK: Until @GrowDiaries adds a chat feature, this is an inclusive kik chat group where you can go to get realtime help and support with your grow from other growers on GrowDiaries. PM me or anyone from the pack if you’re interested! I especially encourage more women growers to join us as it’s just me and @GardenofAutos holding up the girl power!
ABOUT ICE BOMB:
"Ice Bomb is an indica dominant hybrid strain created through a potent three-way cross of Vanilla Kush X White Rhino X Bomb #1. This powerhouse bud packs a THC level of 17-22% on average and a myriad of indica heavy effects that are perfect for the night. The Ice Bomb high starts with an immediate cerebral rush that leaves you feeling uplifted yet calm in a state of hazy bliss that numbs your mind and body. As this full body high builds and builds, you’ll fall into a heavy stone that leaves you hopelessly immovable for hours on end. Because of these heavy narcotic effects, Ice Bomb is often chosen by patients who suffer from conditions such as chronic pain, insomnia, chronic stress or anxiety, and tension or muscle spasms. Ice Bomb buds have a sweet creamy flavor with rich hints of chocolate and vanilla and a super smooth exhale. The smell is just as sweet and chocolately, although it has a fragrant floral aroma that accents it beautifully. Ice Bomb buds are insanely frosty and sticky, completely coated with light lavender colored crystal trichomes coating the entirety of each spade-shaped dark purple nug." -Allbud review
Happy growing!
Hey bud, I have enjoyed reading your diary. Your girls are looking lovely and shaping up to deliver you some nice buds. Also, by the looks of it, your lighting levels are coming into range. Your plants are looking their best late in the grow. Congrats.
You asked for commentary so I have some thoughts to share on how to improve your grow next time round.. Hope you don't mind. Its a topic close to my heart, ha ha. because I have had to deal with this issue in the past. Have you ever wondered why they are so small and the nodes are stacked so closely together? They have miniaturized in response to receiving too much light early on in the grow. Contrary to what someone told you, 52" is the right height for LEDs at seedling and early veg time. 12" between light and canopy is in the kill-your-shit zone even with a full canopy. I am using a PAR meter this round and I am finding it helpful to correctly gauge lighting levels. LED's can be difficult like this. Good luck bro and keep up the great work. I will enjoy watching those buds swell and mature.
@TheFairyBudMother, Check out my comments about LED growing on my latest diary. The trick with LEDs is to avoid the limitations of their limited light spread. You have managed to overcome this to some degree by having 2 fixtures. Excellent move on your part.
I am using at Hydrofarm Quantum PAR meter. These things are not cheap but this would seem to be the best value meter on the market and from my perspective, a worthwhile investment.
The PAR reading for seedlings is 80 - 100 micro moles. As a frame of reference, my fixture is dimmed to 50% and located 55" from canopy to achieve this. So far, this strategy is working for me. But this is early days for my grow so we'll see. Hope this info helps and good luck with the remainder of your grow, your girls are shaping up nicely. :-)
@Mr_Positivo, It’s my second grow—thanks. It’s definitely a learning curve here because everyone has a different setup, environment, nutes, plus the plants are all so individual. Apparently the platinum cookies I grew on my first grow are bitchy even for the breeder I got the clone from.
Are you saying 52” is right for veg and 12” for bloom or something else? Thanks for stopping in and for sharing your experiences. Bear in mind I only have 136 W per LED. Can you recommend a par meter? Really any help is appreciated! I have an open mind and like to research but info on LED and growing weed is pretty unreliable.
good job not just on the grow but on the diary as a whole...good info and details as well as photos...this is a good start and ill follow along on this...
I’ll be watching this one!! I have used that EB stone recipie 420, good organic soil but it has a tendency to drop its pH towards the end of the Bloom cycle. I had to add a few tablespoons of sweet lime into the soil and it corrected.