Decided after my first journal that I'd do one for every grow or try to anyway. Since the Auto White LSD grow I've made many mistakes but my goal this time around is to learn from those and improve my green thumb a little bit more. I had a few seeds before this that grew but are extremely stunted and that's because I got a little water happy with nutes. But you live and you learn π€·. The main reason for this grow is to see which soil I like better
Happy Frog or Ocean Forest. Same strain but different type of soil. Thanks for following along!
Pre Birthday (PB) Days
PB Day 1-
Placed two seeds in a glass of warm water around 9pm and placed plastic lid on top of glass to try and keep it warmer for longer.
PB Day 3-
Seeds still haven't germinated fully. Placed the cup behind my PS4 to keep it closer to room temp. Since I made those pots earlier for the seeds that didn't germinate, they were now dry so I watered them each with a 1/2 gallon till runoff.
PB Day 4-
Seeds look germinated to me. So I went ahead and placed each seed in their final pots and put makeshift humidity domes (milk jugs cut in half) over each seed and will check every so often to make sure they haven't popped surface. This was around 11pm.
PB Day 5-
Checked around 10am and seeds still haven't surfaced yet, will check this evening. Misted the humidity domes and placed them back down. Still nothing before lights out. If these seeds are like every other plant I've grown, should pop tomorrow sometime. Just a matter of when tomorrow. If after tomorrow they don't pop I will give them a week. These are the only seeds this far that I've had issues germinating. Both Bubblegum and White LSD were 3 for 3 for germinating.
PB Day 6-
Misted top soil around seeds and where seed is. No seed has popped soil as of 11pm (48hrs). One seed does look like it is going to pop. Will check tomorrow before I go to work. Will be taking humidity domes off tomorrow before I go to work and then place them back on after I get home if they still haven't popped up.
Day 0-
Checked around 10am and both seeds were poking their heads out, so I removed the humidity domes. I'm curious to use these in the future to see if I still have success. Or maybe those other two seeds were duds? Anyways...forgot to mention. Green Marker is 11 parts Ocean Forest to 10 parts perlite with 5tbs of Dolomite Lime. The White Marker is 11 parts Happy Frog to 10 parts perlite with 5tbs of Dolomite Lime.
Day 1-
The ocean forest seedling has been doing really well. Can't really say that about the Happy Frog. I may also have issues with fungus gnats which could have dampened off that seedling. If she hasn't done anything in 3 or 4 days I'll re germ another seed. If this one fails that makes 3 out of the 5 auto amnesia that I've had fail on me π.
Day 2-
Gave each seedling a cup of PH adjusted water. The happy frog seedling still doesn't look like it's not doing anything π€· few more days...and she'll be replaced if nothing changes.
Day 3-
Each seedling is doing great especially Green Marker "Ocean Forest". White Marker "Happy Frog" has actually opened up and looks like she'll make it. She's just a late bloomer. I placed sticky traps in each pot. But havent seen any? So I may be having issues with my other plants elsewhere.
Day 4-
Plants are starting to look better and better. I still have hopes for White Marker!
Day 5-
No adjustments.
Day 6-
Gave each plant around 1/4 gallon around the seedling. Seedlings look healthy but White Marker is definitely behind the Green Marker.
Day 7-
End of week 1!
That is definitely a size difference between the two so far. Could be the soil, could be the genetics, can't really say at this point. I think that they are off to a good start though either way. The end will tell us what we need to know.
@KCChiefers, I understand what you are saying about the pots. And you are correct about the reusing purpose being defeated. I'm still curious to know your thoughts though once you are done with them. Nug on a stick, that is what will now call weed with huge stems from a dispensary. What did you buy? Some nug on a stick. Then we can leave a scathing review about the awful quality and demand a refund we can't get.
@NeedsMoreFans, ya my two Bubblicious that I grew before the one that is day 33. One was literally a nug on a stick π I fucked her up badly. Maybe get 2g dry off her and get maybe 7gs off her sister this Sunday when I harvest her. But this Bubblicious now...she's been preflowering for a week now after fighting a mag/cal deficiency (sinse I'm checking runoff more now) she's looking pretty! Not as tall as the LSDs, but these were supposed to be shorter anyhow.
I'll have to be sure to check out your new journal for sure! So far I like the Root Pouches, normally I don't water seedlings till day 3, but I may have to water more frequently with them. Which isn't a bad thing if they dry out quicker since it promotes the wet and dry cycle. Having to buy a new container everytime, kinda defeats my reusing of things...but hey they were free π
I'm not sure if we can message pictures to each other...but they are just as tall as my fabric pots that are 5 gallon as well. But not as wide around if that makes sense.
@KCChiefers, humidity is something I used to fight with, all the time. I eventually said screw it because plants were still growing. I'll eventually get around to getting another one now that we have a tent. That is a funny story though, made me laugh π. I'll be posting our next grow here soon. Nirvana Bubblicious Auto. I couldn't find the last RQS Northern Lights seed, bummed me out. I've tried the Bubblicious before, but with less than stellar results, so I'll see how this one goes. Let me know how you like the Root Pouch after you use it.
@KCChiefers, you have some nice looking stacks there. What is that, 4 yo-yos? Must be a lot of weight if you took that many to hold it all up. Both of them are turning out nicely.
@NeedsMoreFans, I think the yoyos would be better as in hanging them from higher up like the tent. I just can't get them high enough to make it worthwhile hence using multiple ones for the same branch. And I have used that technique on a few branches currently. Well...tying them up to the bamboo stakes.
@KCChiefers, we've had similar problems in the past, but didn't have any yo-yos. So we used some plant wire attached to a tomato cage or from one branch to another on the opposite side to pull them towards each other. Branches from below can have some wimpy branches depending on how late to the game they are. It's all looking good though man, the improvements from your last season are obvious.π
@NeedsMoreFans, thanks man! I wish it was super heavy with all on one branch. They're just a pain in the ass. Lol but they work!
Two are holding up one and the other two are holding up individual branches. Mainly it's the ones that grew up from below. They're heavy on they're little wimpy branches lol
@NeedsMoreFans, thanks! Yeah I'll definitely be sticking to Ocean Forest from now on, the difference is pretty crazy. I really like how your plant bushed out kind of like my Ocean Forest Amnesia. She looks so good π. I'm excited to see what this season brings for you!
Happy new year's!
@KCChiefers, you are welcome. I'm glad to hear that you are feeling more confident. That is what this is all about, growing some nice plants and learning how to get the best results out of each plant by taking what you know works and doesn't. Now I would say that if you are breaking many branches unintentionally, then yeah, you might be a little too comfortable π. It's all good though, you have identified a behavior and can now change that to keep improving.
That FFOF is crazy, compared to that FFHF. I wouldn't even mess with the FFHF anymore unless you do come across a strain that really doesn't like FFOF. Yoyos are something that I don't have in my tool kit. I haven't had any branches that heavy yet, maybe one day. Keep up the good work on all the grows. π
@NeedsMoreFans, thanks man! You definitely helped me get more comfortable bending the plant to how I want to form the LST. And may I say yours doesn't look too shabby neither! Only thing is I may be a little too comfortable as I've been snapped a few branches π
Since Ocean Forest is growing outside her pot, I ordered some plant yoyos and will be placing those on branches as they get heavy. I'll still use bamboo stakes, but won't really help me on the outside lol.
@KCChiefers, pull it down again and try to keep it down for a while. It won't mind being bent 90ish degrees for several days. Right now it looks like you are keeping it down for maybe a day, and not getting much horizontal growth to allow for hidden branches to get more vertical growth.
@KCChiefers, Lol. I would suggest metal stakes or a plant tie that can be secured and has a metal spine. So the twist tie one that is like the stuff used for groceries, or the bigger gauge ones that look they are made of clay or putty. If they are anchored properly, they won't go and she'll stay.
@NeedsMoreFans, yeah maybe a day if not. She keeps breaking my restraints. I just want her to be a bad girl and let me tie her down π either that or I can't set a time to save my life. Could be both lol
@KCChiefers, that size difference is crazy. If you are curious to know if it is the FFOF making the difference compared to the FFHF, you could either run the same set up again. Or do one seed in each again, while growing other stuff, and compare the results from this grow so far. If you find the FFHF is around just as small, then I would avoid it for how much it impacts the growth rate. However, that is only based off how things appear right now. That plant could come through in the end and be a beast.
@NeedsMoreFans, that's a good idea too. I never thought about it that way, do you use a humidty dome on top of them since they're not in the germinating tray? And I've heard that about autos hence why I've never done anything besides the seed in the water method. But I'm hoping as soon as I see it sprout I can pop it in my medium, before I see roots coming out of the pellet like many sites seem to suggest lol.
@KCChiefers, I would guess genetics to since I've seen people do well with FFHF even this early in their grows. Time will be the ultimate judge on that one. Sucks about the two Blueberries, but at least you have a backup plan in place.
We use peat pellets for our grows. We prep the soil, since that is the medium we use, and while prepping the soil we start the peat pellet expansion process. After we are done with the soil, squeeze some of the excess water out of the pellet and place it in the soil. Make a small hole in the pellet for the seed and insert, cover with seed with the peat you moved, then a tiny bit of soil. 3-4 days later we have spouts. This has worked for us every season. With autos it is suggested to have as little transferring/transplanting as possible.
@NeedsMoreFans, it is crazy! I'm thinking it's mostly just a genetic difference but I'm interested to see as well! I'm a little behind on planting new seeds. My other two Blueberry Kush seeds didn't make it. So now I'm trying to get two Northern Lights Auto from Nirvana going.
Previously I had been using water to germ seeds but a buddy of mine suggested to go the peat pellet route then transfer that into my grow medium instead. Curious to see if I have better luck with that method since it's cooler around this time of year in the house!
@KCChiefers, you are welcome. The size difference is still crazy between your FFOF and FFHF. Testing the limits is what is all about to find out what you can and can't do.
I agree on with you on the improvement in my LST technique between last season and now. She has taken off and is looking better each day. I'm still trying to find the method I like the most for LST. I think next time I may try to use the ponytail technique ( https://www.autoflower.net/forums/threads/the-pony-tail-technique-just-leaf-tucking.63939/ ) as well prior to LST. I'm also trying to decide when I want to start the LST. Maybe I could do it at the 4th node and be okay. But that is for another season to decide.
@NeedsMoreFans, thanks man! Definitely happy with my LST on the Ocean Forest plant. Where as my northern lights I'm growing that's about 3 weeks old, is the worst LST I've ever done lol. I've just been kind of "testing" my limits that way I know when it's too early etc.
Your bubblicious LST is at least 5x better than your last grow. She really took off and you will sure reap the benefits come harvest πͺ
@KCCHiefers, I think you are trying to have a shorter plant on purpose! πΊ Last time you had a runt and this time you have another runt. I know your secrets. Besides just using the pipe cleaners, use the three-finger technique. It will allow you to gently and safely bend the branches before using something to hold them down. It may help you open her up even more than she currently is. As long as the branches and stalk are soft they can be bent and moved. Using the three-finger technique can also help reduce worry of breaking anything. Not guaranteed, but helpful.
@NeedsMoreFans, I'm hoping it's genetics and not my brown thumb! π I feel like I'm getting more comfortable with my setup though which helps a bunch!
So you're saying along with the pipe cleaners I can kind of use three fingers to force bend the plant? Until it's bigger to use the pipe cleaner? If I'm understanding correctly
You are growing some nice plants. You are chopping them down way to early though. All I can advise is. let one grow way past what you do now to see the difference. They may seem like nothing is happening. But when they hit the last 2 weeks. They do bulk up. And for your question for the BG. Every thing I am growing now are taking about 4 weeks longer than what the breeder says. It also looked like you were checking trichomes on the leaves. They will mature much faster than on the buds. That is where they should be checked.
I am enjoying your grows. You are doing great ππ
@justright, thanks for stopping by and giving me some insight! I'm doing a perpetual setup so I can harvest every 30 days. I'm thinking most plants should go to 90 days from now on so I can see them fatten up! I'm definitely getting bigger yields but I'd love for a bumper crop like you get!
Thanks man! π
@KCChiefers, the ladies are looking good man. No color issues to indicate nutrient problems, nice stacking and formation. I think you are going to be happy this grow. π
@NeedsMoreFans, thanks! I had a little bit of a n toxicity problem with the bigger one oddly enough. But it seemed to work itself out after a few days after watering. They're stacking very nicely! I just harvested my Bubblegum due to trichomes aging. I will have updated pics here soon. They main cola nug was almost as round as my wrist π€€
Happy growing mate and good luck with your growπ, good luck in your coming days and weeks with this wicked plant lol π, enjoy and all the best to youπ
@KCCHiefers, now keep her tied down like that! Don't remove her tie-downs for some time. Keep them kind of "loose" so she can grow and stretch, but don't let her go.
@NeedsMoreFans, im getting more comfortable bending the plants. Once you know they're not completely fragile, it makes doing it a lot easier. Thanks for the technique by the way! Going back on previous journal, these plants even at this age are bigger than my LSD so it has me excited! π
@KCCHiefers, this is the right attitude, "Since the Auto White LSD grow I've made many mistakes but my goal this time around is to learn from those and improve my green thumb a little bit more". Keep that up and you will improve every time. I know for me, I'm going to now measure ppm's and improve my nutrient ratios/watering schedules. I feel like I definitely have room to grow in those areas. I want to minimize nutrient lockout as much as possible while helping the roots take up the entire pot. Like I said, I have room to grow and that will be my area of focus.
@NeedsMoreFans, not a problem man! Life has been throwing me curve balls left and right! The Bubblegums I started didn't do so well. Started nutes to early and the other bubblegum I have now looks good but starting to yellow. Ph checks out but I think I have a case of fungus gnats in my tent π is why I'm showing issues.
Ordered some sticky traps that'll be here Thursday and then if they are covered then top dressing of DE. Just frustrating lol. I think I have it down pat and then something else comes up! Unfortunately I think it killed one of my new babies π’