First Dro Grow

HeisenThumb Added air bubblers to tanks and collars to bending seedlings stabilize stretching. Note1: using powder nutrients, all units are mg/L, not mL/L. Note2: using quarter-strength nutrients for nursery hydro (PowerGrow recommended: .6 mg/L Masterblend, .3 mg/L epsom, .6 mg/L calcium nitrate). At this point, adding Hydroguard at recommended strength (2 mL/Gal or .5mL/L). Each tank is ~2L, so 1 mL per tank.

HeisenThumb Roots are growing extremely quickly, most at 6-8 inches. Leaves showing some signs of deficiencies. So, time for forever home. Moved to DWC tanks in tent and all overhead lights, 18 gal (72 L)Increased nutrients to recommend levels: PowerGrow recommended: .6 mg/L Masterblend, .3 mg/L epsom, .6 mg/L calcium nitrate)

HeisenThumb At this point, leaving the plants alone to adjust to their DWC transplant. Adjusting the tent to get used to humidity level. At the end of the week, we notice some signs of Calcium deficiency (brown spot center leaf) and Magnesium deficiency (interveinal yellowing). We are slightly concerned and decide to give them a minute, because their growth is skyrocketing, so we're not sure if it's the transplant. After a few days, they plants are growing quickly but still showing deficiency signs. Decide to open up and check pH and add Hydroguard. Sure enough, they were at 5.0 pH, so adjusted to ~6.0. Reaching 5th node fast, so decide to defoliate and FIM, even though deficiencies are apparent. The ppm was low, too, so decide to drain adjust and refill, pH to 6.0 and give 2 L water with a nut. shot. Nut shot calculated via algebraic addition with ppm formula (ppm = m/V = mass solute (mL)/Volume solution (L). 10 G/40 L left in each tank, with 2 L nut shot calculated (using mass for powder nuts) to attempt to raise to 950 ppm (approximate recommended strength of PowerGrow nuts).

HeisenThumb FIM/defoliate at end Wk 3/start of Wk 4. Re-test PPM and pH, adjust pH to 6.0 again, post-nut shot. Note1: all nut levels are actually mg/L, powder, mixed as recommended by PowerGrow. At this point, however, calculating nut shots with algebra (use of the formula: [ppm = m/V]) is used more to keep nuts in check. Target is 1500 ppm, but it never seems to measure that way (12g Master + 6g Espom + 12g CaNitrate = 30g = 30,000 mg dissolved in 5 Gal ~= 20L ==> ppm=m/V = 30g/5gal = 30,000mg/20L=1500 ppm. I should probably calibrate my ppm meter, but I am working off of relative ppm for now. Light cycle increased late Wk 3, now that roots are well developed in the DWC. Increased light distance to see if the plants stretch more, as nodes are quite tight. End week 4: just kinda let everything grow to recover. Began observing for sex traits (see pics).

HeisenThumb This week I decided I had to get some LST done, post-FIM. I decided to DIY a cargo net using paracord and crown knots (Youtube it). Left some cord on the edges for LST facilitation. This took me about 6 hours of work, but it was fun doing it in front of the TV. My back and shoulders really hurt after though. Installed SCROG net. I broke a sucker on install, and decided to start cloning. Watched a YouTube and did 45 degree cut, scraped the stem, cloning hormone and then into a Rapid Rooter (it is still alive over 1 week later). I also defoliated (lolipopping) and did a nut shot.

HeisenThumb I tried sexing the plants, and only one seems to be obviously male. So, at this point, I need to make a plan. I do plan on keeping the males and going to seed, for my own personal bank. I just don't see a lot of preflowers. So, the plan is to Veg another week, take clones, and start flowering main plants. The clones will go in their own tank, and hopefully enough females will take. Then I will discard males, flower female clones and enjoy the bud.

HeisenThumb Spent this week fighting rapid growth with LST and defoliation.

HeisenThumb After a ton of rapid growth, we decide it's time to clone and flower. We will discard the male cuttings, after we are able to sex the plants.

HeisenThumb Continue LST. We were able to sex and decided to chop the male main stems off and LST the rest. Raised SCROG net before LST. Recall this batch is going to seed.

HeisenThumb Plants are using more water than nutes, so solution is getting acidic. Balanced pH. Continued cutting males and left only a few stems.

HeisenThumb Again the plants are using less nutrients and more water. So, pH is creeping up along with ppm. Noticing nutrient burn, so we dilute with water and pH balance. Buds getting larger and males are shooting up flower stalks.

HeisenThumb Lots of hairs turning red already so I'm hoping we are getting good pollination. The female colas are standing tall and fattening up. The males are shooting up flower stalks and dropping tons of pollen and flowers. Still seeing some nutrient burn, so I diluted with 1 G pH balanced water. No longer doing LST, only defoliating little sucker buds.