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Planted about 8 unknown African sativa strain seeds alongside my 2 feminised autos.
I realise these photoperiod plants will create headaches come flowing time alongside the autos, but it is really just to spread the risk and see how the different plants react as I learn. I will likely discard or isolate the photoperiods when their light needs change. I have loads of unknown sativa seeds so plan on using these as cannon fodder.
Middle of winter here in Western Cape, South Africa, my plan is to move from inside cupboard to grow tent in the garage, once the weather warms up in the next few weeks.
After some initial problems with seed medium, I got a good batch to sprout.
Currently watering about twice a week, temp relatively low with the LED so evaporation is low. 2 days ago I added a small fan to make the leaves gently vibrate, which seems to increase evaporation.
I have started using CANNABIZ LiquiCompost, a local organic product alternative to BioGrow. Using it at 1/4 of the recommended rate for first 2 waterings. Soil/coco/perlite growing medium does have some nutrients already do don't want to overdo it.
Noticed one auto plant getting a little wrinkle on the leaves after the most recent water 24 hours before, the rest of the plants are fine. I have read autos dont need as much nutrients so will try next watering without nutrients on that plant. Currently can only measure PH and not EC so will just need to monitor - any feedback / opinions on what might be causing the wrinkle are welcome.
For those wondering - I started adding Vermiculite to the top layer of grow medium in the pots - as small flies were buzzing about. This seems to have helped a lot.
Starting to grow nicely at start of week 3 after initial overzealous fertilising in week 2.
In general the weather is colder than what is ideal, even while indoors. Having a colder than normal winter in South Africa, with days barely above 10 Celsius. Moved young plants into grow tent in the garage for a day, but could not keep temp above 15 degrees without a heater. Thus had move back to bedroom cupboard for a few weeks, as I can keep it above 20 degrees without too much trouble.
Finally moved into the grow tent, in less insulated garage. Spring nearly here. Deficiency developing on the Bubblegum+Pro auto. Fungus gnats becoming a problem despite infrequent watering.. Just not warm enough to dry out fast enough, and got a lot going on besides cannabis - so the gnats are going crazy. I have added plain perlite to the tops of containers to kill off the cycle which has helped a lot
More defoliation to make sure all bud sites getting enough light.
Finally invested in an extractor fan and carbon filter, so humidity and smell both in check :)
This auto had no nutrient issues and finished flowing a quicker than the other auto growing alongside. For my first auto grow - big, well developed buds, potent smell and very sticky, can't complain with the result.
After harvesting the Orange Bud auto, there is a lot more room for the remaining 3 plants in the tent. The Bubblegum Pro auto has some leaves and buds starting to turn purple! Cold nights in our early spring perhaps? Plant seems happy enough and close to harvest time
Bubblegum + Pro auto in late flower - a week ago some purpling of the buds but not many of the leaves, maybe 2 or 3. Plant healthy all through flowering, regular waterings with BioPhos https://hydroherbafrica.co.za/product/cannabiz-range/. Nights down to 10 C. Any concerns?
Thanks for the feedback guys.. Helps bring the anxiety levels down during these final stages!
In the past week I have since stopped nutrients (past 2 waterings) to get a flush going. More purpling all over on buds, sugar leaves seem fine - more purpling on the bottom fan leaves so seems more late flowering / phosphorus related. The buds have swollen up massively in the past couple of weeks so not too worried.
I plan to harvest in 2 days or so. Looks and smells fantastic, can consider this resolved.
Hello johntyroads,
It seems like your plants are doing well. Purpling may occur during cold nights and heavy temperature fluctuations, nothing to worry about.
Good luck with your project, I wish you all the best! 👽
No worries. Looks very healthy, probably caused from low phosphorus. So much gets used in flowering.
But if its just showing this late in flowering, you are fine, lots of people flush the last 2 weeks anyways. It'll just drain your fan leaves to start.
Cold can also turn them purple but unless its below 5 degrees I never noticed much purple before. A few light frosts outside could do that too though.
johntyroads
