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Just getting my autos started today so that I can ensure two crops of this strain through this growing season and remain compliant with the restrictions and limits in Vermont. This is my second grow ever... my first was last year.
These autoflowers will be just one part of a multiple strain grow for this season which also include some Granddaddy Purple (photoperiod, feminized) and some CBD Blueberry (photoperiod, feminized).
Germinating my seeds in a self-watering peat pellet dome. I plan to start the inside the house and move them to my grow tent once the germinate. I’ll keep them in the tent until weather permits me to move the. Outdoors (likely the last week of May/first week of June.
Grow medium will be soil: likely a blend of FoxFarm Ocean Forest and Happy Frog. I’m amending some organic compost and mixing up my own soil, but it won’t be ready before these autos get potted... soil will definitely be ready if I get the opportunity for a second auto grow this season.
No nutrients yet, but I’m a fan of the FoxFarm Liquid Plant Food system (three part) - which I’ll use later on.
This is my first time growing autoflowers. While both seeds popped, one opened up “normal” the other has remained partially closed. I am starting to see hints if green. Is this normal? Do I just need to remain patient?
It’s been less than a week since they popped
yes, this is normal and patients is key. What happened was the one wasn't planted deep enough so didn't get to shed its shell. Normally after a week, the seedling will shed it by itself, but if it doesn't you'll have to gently remove it so it doesn't hurt or kill the seedling.
Moved my girls to the grow tent for a few days to get more regular, consistent light... just starting to see warmer & longe days here in Vermont... still freezing at night. My tent is in my garage - which I don’t normally heat/condition - so I’m having to make some adjustments to maintain proper temp and humidity, but think I’m getting it dialed in pretty well. First time I’ve used my tent for growing... got it late last season and only used it for drying last year.
Still in the peat pellets for a few more days... I may transplant into 5-gal pots by this weekend or so. The Jiffy Greenhouse I’m using for the peat pellets is self-watering, so I haven’t had to water yet and haven’t had to be concerned with pH, TDS, etc.
One of the seedlings didn’t shed its’ shell when it germinated, so it looked a little funky until today. I was advised to be patient and let it do it’s thing naturally; as you can see from todays’ photos, she shed her shell without me having to assist.
The girls were just beginning to show roots through the peat pellet - time to transplant into an intermediary pot before graduating to their final pot. I’m planning to transplant them into 5-gallon pots when the move outdoors (late May).
Used 100% Happy Frog soil for now... misted them with a spray bottle immediately after transplanting and gave them each about a 1/2 cup water a couple hours later.
Not much growth this past week only gained about 1/4-1/2”... but the roots developed... which is great. Lights are at about 19” (Mars Hydro recommends 18-24” at this stage.)
Struggling with maintaining an optimal humidity in the tent. Temperature isn’t a problem, but I don’t have a humidifier yet... maybe a future purchase... but I don’t plan to use my tent fir the entire grow do it hasn’t really been a priority.
Prepping for growing other plants this week as well which will begin in a couple weeks. I’ll tell more about my preparations when I get those seeds germinating.
Girls are doing well this week... leaves are fanning out and beginning to look like actual cannabis leaves. A bit of vertical growth and some noticeable growth horizontally.
Watering about every 2-3 days... I’m only adding 250-300 mls of water when I water them. I began adding Big Bloom at the seedling concentration 6 tsp/gal... but only mixing up a liter as I need it. Will wait at least another week before adding Grow Big.
Using my germination greenhouse as a makeshift humidifier in an attempt to keep the humidity as high as I can without an actual humidifier. Not ideal, I know... but the best I can do for now.
Decided to add Grow Big (2 tsp/gal) since the plants were filling out nicely and are in their 2nd week of veg growth.
I have a question about the FoxFarm Soil Feeding Schedule. I have the three-part system: Big Bloom, Grow Big, & Tiger Bloom. But the feeding schedule lists a bunch of othe products as well are those supposed to be used in conjunction with the basic system or separately?
Girls are continuing to grow. Planning to transplant into 5-gal pots soon (week or so?) as their leave are almost to the edges of the pot. Don’t want to do so too early as I will be space-limited in the tent once I transplant due to other strains growing as well.
Weather was really nice out on Day 36 - out you go to do some sunbathing, girls!
On Day 40, I noticed that buds were just beginning to form. I had been planning to wait another week or so to transplant into 5-gal pits, but figured I better do it immediately if we were entering the flowering stage.
Using Vivosun 5-gal fabric pots, added 3-gal of Ocean Forest and dropped in the plant (1-gal Happy Frog) then topped off the pot with Ocean Forest mixed with Happy Frog. Fed & watered the girls and tucked them back in the tent with my other grow.
Gave the girls a quick trim on Day 42 followed by some LST.
Everything is looking pretty good.
Been a huge week for growth, both of the girls doubled in height over the last 7 days or so if I have been keeping track of all the details.
Added molasses into their regular watering (1 TBS/gal).
Did a bit of LST and lite defoliation to ensure they get plenty of light and airflow.
Balancing the distance to light between what these need and the other plants I currently gave in the tent. Come on warmer weather!
Flowering continues - girls are growing rapidly.
Adding molasses (1 tsp/liter) with regular watering. Following the Fox Farm nutrients schedule for feedings.
Getting the girls outside as weather permits.
Starting to get more smell... but still pretty minimal.
Continued growth this week. Buds are beginning to fill out.
Treated the girls with Neem this week... just preventative.
Watering with 2 TBS/gal molasses.
Just about three weeks until harvest now! Just about the time these girls could go outside (warm enough, little chance of frost) and these girls will be just about ready to harvest.
Continuing with the Fox Farm nutrients (1x per week); using molasses (1 TBS/gal for watering.
Removing a few leaves about once per week (as needed).
Not much growth in height this week, but the buds are starting to plump up some.
Took advantage of some warm weather and put the girls outside to get some natural sun.
Flushed the girls this week.
Since they’re outside now, I’m monitoring for pests s bit more.
Looking like harvest is just a week or so away!
Back to regular feedings and molasses/water as needed.
The girls did really well outdoors while the weather allowed.
Buds are getting dense & fat - especially on one of them. Trichomes are starting to turn, everything is looking good for a harvest in a week or so.
92nd Day, 8th Week of flowering.
Trying to keep the girls outdoors as much as possible and allowing the big flaming ball in the sky do all the work.
Buds are looking really good, just waiting for a little amber in the trichomes.
Beginning final flush this week.
Harvest arrive on the final day of this week: day 98 of this grow.
Once I could see some amber in the trichomes, I kept the girls in the tent for 48 hours in total darkness before stripping them of all fan leaves, cut them down, & hung them in the tent for initial drying & curing.
Harvest report to follow in a week or so.
So to be clear and provide full disclosure: this was only my second grow and my first experience with autoflowers. I started these girls early for our normal growing season because I wanted to get two grows in of this strain: one (mostly) indoor, one outdoor.
I learned quite a bot along the way: I was doing the typical 18/6 light cycle, later learned that a lot of people recommend 20/4 instead. I germinated in peat pellets, then went to 1-gal fabric pots... then to 5-gals fabric pots. (Next grow will grow straight from peat pellets to 5-gal fabric pots. I think I may have added some stress by transplanting twice.)
I didn't realize how fast autos go from germination through veg, to flowering. I did very little LST and absolutely no topping/fimming. Next grow I'll try to FIM them at least once.
I got these girls outside as much as possible. While my TSL 2000 is a great light, I still prefer the natural light from that great big ball of fire in the sky. "The big yellow one is the sun!" (For those of you who will pick up on that reference.)
I'm a bit disappointed in my yield. ILGM indicates 4-6 oz per m2; I got far less... but my grow conditions aren't perfect. I don't have a humidifier in my tent and I have an oversized exhaust fan - and it's all set up in a detached garage, which makes controlling temperature and humidity problematic. (I'll take any advice there!)
But over all, it was a good grow and a great learning experience for me.
BTW - I'm not much of a smoker, so the taste and effects come from ILGM. I started growing to make tinctures and edibles to help me, my family, and friends get some better sleep.
I want to wrap this up by saying how much I appreciate the support from the GrowDiaries community. From answering questions to providing encouragement and advice, you all are the best!
SurlyMahn
