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OFFICIAL SET UP
Tent 2 ft X 4 ft X 5 ft
(2) G8 Led grow lights 140 actual watts each
(1) G8 Led bloom lights 245 actual watts
(1) G8 Led Red bloom booster 90 actual watts
Hydrofarm PPF/PAR meter
3 Gallon Maxi pots
(4) 1020 reinforced drainage trays
(1) Exhale Co2 bags
Autopilot Temperature/Humidity/Co2 monitor
(2) 6 inch 2-speed circulation fans
4 inch 190 cfm variable speed exhaust fan with carbon filter
H&M tds meter (0.5 ppm scale)
Hanna ph meter
Customized Air innovations 2 gallon cool mist ultrasonic humidifier
Precision hand held watering device (Turkey baster)
SOIL COMPONENTS
Biobizz Light mix
Canna Coco Coir mix
Fox Farm Ocean Forest mix
Perlite
Azos nitrogen fixing bacteria
Great White beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizae
Bulk mix proportions
32% Ocean Forest
32% Biobizz light
32% Canna Coco Coir
4% Perlite
Seedling mix proportions
7 parts Biobizz light
1 part Canna Coco Coir
1 part Perlite
SEEDLING / VEG. NUTRIENTS
Canna Bio Rhizotonic
Canna Bio Vega
BLOOM NUTRIENTS
Undecided
SUPPLEMENTS
Cal/Mag
Cannazyme
General Hydroponics Armor Si
Organic Blackstrap Molasses
Epsom Salt
FLUSHING SOLUTION
General Hydroponics Flora-kleen
LED Light Intensities
Recommended LED PPF/PAR Values / DLI Based on 20 hrs of light.
Seedlings 150 - 200 umoles / DLI 10.80 - 14.4 moles per day
Veg up to 9" 450 umoles / DLI 32.40 moles per day
Early bloom 500 umoles / DLI 36.00 moles per day
Mid bloom 650 umoles / DLI 46.80 moles per day
Late bloom 750 umoles / DLI 54.00 moles per day
Ripen 400 umoles / DLI 28.80 moles per day
*** Use extreme caution going 700 umoles or higher @ 20hrs/day this could cause leaf burn***
PPF measures the total amount of PAR emitted from the lighting system per second.
PAR is the amount of light in the 400 - 700 nm color spectrum that can actually be used by the plant.
PAR does not measure the amount of UV and Infrared that plays a part in trichome formation and cell quality.
DLI is the total amount of PAR the plant has received per day
Our goal is to have a minimum DLI in the 38-40 mole range when it bloom.
https://www.waveformlighting.com/horticulture/daily-light-integral-dli-calculator
https://horticulturelightinggroup.com/blogs/news/horticulture-metrics-par-ppf-ppfd-dli
Having your plants in the optimum LVPD(Leaf Vapor Pressure Deficit) ranges helps them absorb Co2 to properly conduct photosynthesis and allows the root system to adequately utilize water and nutrients. Using average leaf temperature is the best way to calculate LVPD. Measure this temperature using an infrared thermometer.
LED lights tend to have leaf temperatures lower than atmospheric temperatures in the grow room. Growers using HID, Fluorescent bulbs typically will have temperatures higher than room temperature. With HPS leaf temperature can be 8 - 10 F higher than room temperatures due to the amount of infrared emitted by the bulb.
Recommended LVPD
Seedlings/Early Veg 0.4 - 0.8 kPa
Late Veg/Early Bloom 0.8 - 1.2 kPa
Mid/Late Bloom 1.2 - 1.6 kPa
*** Danger Zone*** Below 0.4 kPa / Over 1.6 kPa
https://www.dimluxlighting.com/knowledge/vapor-pressure-deficit-vpd-calculator/
https://vpdcalculator.com/vpd-calculator
https://www.blackdogled.com/lst
Week 1 Update
Popped 5 FBCC into a shot glass of distilled water and placed them in a dark place.
After 24 hours transferred seeds to moist paper towel in Tupperware container with a loose fitting top.
At 48 hours all seeds showed a decent tail and were planted in 3 gallon Maxi pots in my pre- moistened seedling/soil mixture. Added several drops of r.o. water to settle the seeds into the mixture. Covered them with clear solo cups with (5) 1/2 inch holes drilled into them to allow higher humidity and some air circulation.
They all emerged within two days. First set of serrated leaves appeared within the next few days this is my "Day 1".
Day 4 removed humidity domes. Continuing to maintain 65% humidity using 2 gallon cool mist humidifier.
Minimal watering using BioRhizotonic and R.O. water ph corrected to 6.4 adding just enough (25 ml) to keep seedling mixture slightly moist every 3rd to 4th day if needed.
Day 7 lowered my light to 20 inches average PAR meter reading of 250 umoles. DLI (Daily light integral) 20 hrs@ 250 umoles = DLI of 18.00 moles per day
Tent temperature average 78 F with a humidity of 65% leaf temperature of 73 F giving me a LVPD (Leaf vapor pressure deficit) of 0.65 kPa
Week 2 Update
Nice growth over the last week. They are showing signs of wanting to take off in growth soon.
I'm not pleased with this but I'm keeping an eye on 2 plants leaves are showing signs of mottling but with no deformities my concern is this could once again be TMV (Tobacco Mosaic virus) or some type of virus. I follow strict cleaning procedures after every grow using 10% bleach and water soaking solution on everything. Seeds and soil never touched my hands. Not sure where the contamination is occurring. I will have to start performing a more extensive sterilizing procedures for future grows. I'm debating if I will spring $$ for TMV spectrum test kit to confirm infection. Using care not to cross contaminate other plants by touch. Will decide soon whether to trash them or not if new growth isn't normal this could cost me $$$$ in losses. WTF.
They received their first light feeding on day 10 with a second feeding on day 14 supplemented with Great White, Azospirillum brasilense and organic black strap molasses for extra carbohydrates to feed the microbial herd. I've been mixing up a 1 gallon mixture and divided it between the 5 cream cookies and 3 other plants in my tent. Primarily feeding an area about 6 inches in diameter around each plant then lightly saturating the rest of the surface of the pot to keep microbial life happy. I am not watering to runoff yet. Moisture levels are good and holding deeper in the pots according to my digital moisture meter. Expect to see the first roots coming out of the bottom of the pots by the end of week 3.
Tent conditions are the same.
PAR meter reading of 250 umoles. DLI (Daily light integral) 20 hrs@ 250 umoles = DLI of 18.00 moles per day
Tent temperature average 78 F with a humidity of 65% leaf temperature of 73 F giving me a LVPD (Leaf vapor pressure deficit) of 0.65 kPa
Week 3 Update
The stretch is officially on.
Had to do some LST work bending over the main stems about 5 to 6 inch up. They were all pretty flexible except for one with a fairly thick stem which I bent over in two stages about 4 days apart didn't want to push her too far and snap her. Started maneuvering the smaller branches to their final places.
They are all showing some preflower growth.Continuing to use veg nutes and veg lights until stretch is almost finished in a week or so. They are taking about a liter of water/nutes every 2nd to 3rd day as needed.
The two plants with the mottled leaves seem to be growing at the same rate as the rest. They look fine with no leaf deformities so I will grow them out.👍
Tent conditions.
Average PAR meter reading of 450 umoles. DLI (Daily light integral) 20 hrs@ 450 umoles = DLI of 32.40 moles per day
Tent temperature average 78 F with a humidity of 60% leaf temperature of 73 F giving me a LVPD (Leaf vapor pressure deficit) of 0.81 kPa
WEEK 4 UPDATE
Running my FB Cream Cookies along side FB Gelato both strains are still stretching. Nice pre-flowers are forming on the CC the Gelato is a bit further ahead in flower development. I'm going to continue using my veg lights and nutrients until they are both almost done stretching. They look like they are going to be fairly tall I have trained the main cola to the rear or front outside edges of the tent where the light intensity is less intense. Keeping the lower branch tops more directly under the lights.
Added some cal mag and silica into the nutrient regime this week. Girls where watered/fed to the point of about a 5% runoff for the first time this week.
Checking my lights every couple of days to make sure the lights not too intense.
Tent conditions.
Average PAR meter reading of 500 umoles. DLI (Daily light integral) 20 hrs@ 500 umoles = DLI of 36.00 moles per day
Tent temperature average 78 F with a humidity of 60% leaf temperature of 73 F giving me a LVPD (Leaf vapor pressure deficit) of 0.81 kPa
WEEK 5 UPDATE
I'm calling them definately in bloom. Started the week off with a nice flush until my run off was in the 850-900 ppm range. Added bloom nutrients to the last quart of flush water. 2nd watering of the week used 1 teaspoon Great White mixed with 2- teaspoons organic black strap molasses.
Cream Cookies bloom development seems to be a bit slower than the FB Gelato in the same tent. Expecting they will take longer than my typical 70-75 harvest day at this point.
Swapped out veg/bloom light for 240 watt bloom light on the left side of tent.
PPF/PAR meter average reading 600 umol @ 20 hours a day giving me a DLI of 43.20 moles per day
Temperature 78 F with 55% humidity leaf temperatures 73 F giving me LVPD 0.97 kPa
WEEK 6 UPDATE
Modest progress in bud development, but not as much as I'm used to seeing. Still think they will go at least 12 weeks till harvest. Debating whether or not to switch back to Advanced Nutrients while they are still in the bulking up stages over the next few weeks. Buds are continuing to put out new calyx/pistils. Started to add in some pk 13/14 to feed their need. All tent conditions are the same as the previous week.
WEEK 7 UPDATE
Apologies for not taking as many photos as I usually do it's been kind of tough to make time around the holidays.
Switched back to using a mostly Advanced Nutrients line up. Not very pleased with Canna Flores expected to see more bud development by week 7. Still have a few weeks to fill these buds in a bit more. Doing a feed,feed then water type schedule to keep my run off under 1000 ppm (2.0 E.C.). Each pot is taking about 3/4 gallon of nutes/water every 2nd or 3rd day.
Slowly removing some fan leaves to allow as much light to hit the bud sites.
Showing a touch of light burn on a few of the upper most leaves. I'm maxed out on my light height since the plants are over 34 inches tall. I've managed to swing the tallest colas to the sides of the tent where the light is less intense. They are holding up well considering the light stress they are under.
Week 8 Update
The girls are showing some nice bud development after switching back to using Advanced Nutrients and kicking up the PK 13-14 a bit more. Looks like 3 possible phenotype out of the 5 plants. One looks like it is closer to flushing than the rest pistils are starting to dry/curl trichome colors are changing. Another one that is still throwing out some crazy amount of pistils with a bit of fox tailing may take the longest to ripen/harvest. The other 3 seem to be fairly typical in bud size and density for week 8. Still feel like they still have a few more weeks to go because I see a lot of white pistils. A few of the tallest plants upper leaves are showing a bit of light stress/burn but the buds themselves seem to be handling the intensity well.
WEEK 9 UPDATE
Finally back in action! Advanced Nutrients came through 👍👍.Buds have filled in nicely and are starting to plump up. I have a bit of fox tailing on a couple of plants nothing a good trim job won't fix when their time comes. I associate this fox tailing cause is from light stress since they are fairly close to the light. This is my maximum feeding rate hoping to get a few more feeding in over week 10. They are on a feed,feed, water type cycle checking runoff ppm and ph weekly. Potential harvest week 12 or 13 time will tell. See a few older fan leaves starting to fade. They're ready when they're ready! Smell is starting to pick up but it is well overpowered by the FB Gelato growing in the same tent.
WEEK 10 UPDATE
Buds are bulking up nicely with some great colors starting to come out. They received their last feeding day 69. The fan leaves are starting to fade telling me she's getting close to flush day.
Week 11 UPDATE
Started my flush, still removing fan leaves to allow maximum light to the buds sites. Backed off lights as much as possible while trichomes ripen.
Very nice smooth smoke. I'm split between saying slightly more of a Indica type body high with a pleasant head high to start. This is a great anytime smoke that doesn't leave you lethargic. The smell was definately creamy and reminiscent of slightly over baked cookies which was very amusing. The plants grew to 36 inches which is a bit tall for my grow set up. They would truly have appreciated having more room to spread out. I pretty much stripped a good 2/3+ of the lower leaves and bud sites over the course of the grow to ensure the upper buds bulked up nicely. These girls took everything I threw at them intense lighting, nutes, drought stress etc. my usual grow torture techniques. Oddly enough I had one plant which grew and fox tailed significantly. I though it was light or heat stress but my ultimate conclusion is it was just a phenotype variation genetic throw back. The calyx on this one were the largest I've seen before compared to her sisters and were covered in a thick layer of trichomes. Wish I could have pulled some more color out of them but my area was hit with a warm spell which meant I couldn't get a nice temperature drop/swing in my tent. Either way this was my best harvest at just over 3 ounces per plant. I feel if given larger pots and more space to spread out they could have pushed out some more weight. 👍👍
@Philindicus, bad luck with the possible TMV! The others are going great, really good to see how nicely they can come along when you treat them right. 😻 I am hoping my next grow will be more like this.
@Philindicus, this is what I am looking for. Thanks.
This explains a lot about what I see with my plants. And it is the defense response that I want. It is not so much the light reaching lower sight for outdoor grow. And yes, it is needed for Sativa for buds to mature in a more controlled manner.
Again, thank you so much. I’ll look up jasmonic acid to learn more.
@Med_in_Tropic, I think it depends on the plant and how it's growing. In my case most of the lower leaves won't get enough light my canopy is pretty dense. I usually start in week 5 or 6 with autos by removing popcorn bud sites and fan leaves from the lower 25 to 30% of the plant. The upper canopy gets slowly thinned out up to harvest. I use smaller stresses rather than big ones. My only concern with using too much stress is causing hermies especially with autos. If your growing out side light can reach the entire plant and massive defoliation may not be needed unless bud sites are being blocked. If the plant has only a few leaves with good internode spacing I wouldn't defoliate very much if at all. Using defoliation and slight damages to the plant causes it to release jasmonic acid to the injured area which actually is a defense response. This would slow down growth/ bud developement temporarily until the area heals. Jasmonic acid may have a relationship with increased resin and terpene production it can also help keep buds tighter and dense. It's key to do this early enough so it doesn't interfer with key bud building times. Seems like a bit of trial and error. I've heard Indica strains don't like to be heavily pruned and defoliated yet Sativas seem to enjoy it more.
@Philindicus, man do I love GD but have experienced so many weird glitches I'm not even surprised anymore. Usually corrects itself in a day. The other day it just on it's own would continuously scroll down. Scared me into thinking I broke my phone. But hey I still love the site and especially the community.
@JotaStoner, yes I like using Advanced Nutrients. I feel they have a great nutrients. I feel you dont need to buy their entire line up to get some nice buds.
Nice I really like your auto grows. You did everything right 👍. I also just picked up 3 strains from fastbuds I'm going to be growing in a sog in about a week or so. I'll definitely be looking through your diary to see how you grow them. I've only grown one auto Afghan skunk by advance seeds but that was 4 years ago.
@DankGardener, Fast Buds has some nice genetics. I do see a lot of auto growers using more high stress training on FB larger growing strains with great success. I'm limited when it come to plant over all height and light distance. I will be following your grows you always put on a good show.
@Med_in_Tropic, From some of the diaries I've followed CC seems to be a fairly long flowering strain. What can I say I'm spoiled from growing all these 70-75 day strains.
What an absolute beauty Phil. Great #'s for an auto and looks like some incredibly good smoke. Very happy for you, man. Great work and well deserved Chop!👍
Cheers. Happy trails and happy grows this week👌