GrapevineGrower2

Well, a lot has changed since my post two months ago. Physical limitations and a slow rehab has made it clear - I need to scale back my summer grow. I have a number of photos and a few autos that have been in veg for a couple of weeks. These are all started from seed. I'll need to decide which six are going into the 15 gallons for fall harvest. The autos will be done in July, so I let them run while the photos are in veg. The others I can gift to growers I know. Pay it forward that's the only way to go ;) As I stated below, I picked up a 26 gallon water reservoir and will automate the watering process so it can water early morning and early evening during the extremely hot days we experience around her during the summer. The reservoir is great. I was able to connect an auto-fill float at top of tank, so that it refill after every use. Chlorine, etc., will evaporate which is good. I'll mostly hand water because it allows me to control the ph. Using a soil mixture of coco, perlite, worm castings, compost, and potting soil for the grow. I will supplement w/top dressings and Recharge. Lastly, adding a 6x8 greenhouse to the existing 2x4. Nothing fancy, but looks study. I'll McGyver it. I'll anchor it down, so it's well grounded due to high summer time winds that pass through. Doing the high summer heat, I'm going to DIY a cooling system using ice chest, fan, and pipe elbow. Youtube has some great video re these DIY coolers that keep tent and greenhouse temperatures down during really hot days. Temps can soar under these conditions. I'll also put up the sun sail shade when it gets up over 100 degrees plus.

Well, it's that time. What time? Time to get started on springtime seed selection and germination for this summer's outside crop. That's a departure from last year when I tried growing indoors during the summer. Yeah, the So Cal summer heat made the process too difficult to maintain proper environmental conditions indoors. So, this year I'm strictly outdoor growing. I'm also going to run the Sativa dominant girls in larger containers. Most likely 10, but maybe 15 gallon fabric pots, I haven't quite made up my mind yet (bigger roots, bigger fruits?). I'll also provide a sun shade over them during the dog days when temps start running 90+ degrees. Because the grow area is an upstairs balcony, I'll need to think lower profile, so combination of topping, LST, and some form of support structure for later in flower. I'm limited to six plants, so here is the summer's line up: Blueberry Cupcake and Pineapple Upside Down Cake (Humboldt Seeds Co.), Vanilla Sundae and Wy-KiKi (TH Seeds), Acapulco Gold (Growers Seed Co.), and a Cannatonic (1:1 from Original Kush). I'll probably only feature 2 diaries, so I can focus on other areas of the garden too. Have a tower garden that I'll run for the first time as well as continuing to maintain our flowers, fruit trees, and the side garden. I've automated watering, so that makes things a bit easier so I can focus on inspections, feedings and trimmings.

The spring 2023 season is here and set up preparations are under way. As mentioned in previous comment, I will be transitioning to hydroponic grows this spring. In addition to the two bubble buckets running in the 2x4, a third plant grown in coco coir will join them. In the 3x3 tent, I will be running two 5 gallon WIFI 43 Autos in addition to the variety of clones. Those clones have been topped and the cuttings are presently in the 2x2 tent under a SF-1000 (Spider Farmer) LED light set at roughly 30". Two of those clones will be grown in the 2x4 buckets. I'm using a 10"x10" seedling starter tray w/dome to clone cuttings. Under the dome, I have a 8 ounce glass filled with RO and a small air stone connected to a small air pump. This way I'm providing humidity without having to continually spray down cuttings. Have my Fox Farm nutrients trio of Bloom, Grow Big, and Tiger stocked and ready to go. I'll supplement with Open Sesame, Beastie Bloomz, and Chi Ching. Grow journal, feeding chart, and tools ready to go for tracking ph, ppm, water temps, etc. Just waiting to finish up Fall 2022 grow as we're entering the harvest window. Until next time, keep it smokin...

So, it's been roughly 10 months since my last comment. As I am finishing up my second full grow season, and as much as I've learned, I still feel (no, I know) I'm a relatively inexperienced grower. To date, I've only grown in soil. Moving from using Fox Farm nutrients to more living soil growing mediums in various size pots with its varying challenges. I've grown in fabric as well as plastic. I started outside and giving the Southern California heat, I quickly transitioned to indoors. I've primarily sourced my seeds and have learned a lot about that process. I harvested my first clone grow, took cuttings from those, and successfully cloned (took two attempts as first failed miserably). Even after all this, there is still so much more to learn. That's the great part. So, as I finish out this second grow season, I'm looking forward to next season which I'm already in preparation. I've been researching hydroponics and purchased a system from PA Hydroponics. The owner put's out youtube videos of his builds along with other related content and IMHO is great. So, long story short, I purchased a starter system. Being in California, I didn't give a second thought to paying the shipping charges. You get what you pay for and I couldn't see me buying something off on Amazon, so I purchased from a reliable hydro company. When it comes to support, nothing but good reviews. If I enjoy growing and the results of hydro, I plan to build my own flood and drain system. Still in the planning stages, so will update later once I determine size and location. Still figure out garage configuration to accommodate. Wishing everyone out there a Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year filled with many fine grows and outstanding buds. Till next time, keep it smoking...

Summary from my diary dated 2/15/22 re experience growing with GCS Tangerine Dream: Environment continues to be stable (70% F w/40% ROH). Just water as remaining fan leaves beginning to turn. A lot of purple going on with this cultivar/strain. Tight nugs. The girl is strong! Really enjoying growing GCS Tangerine Dream. A lot leafy at first, so had to stay on top of defoliation. Well worth it. By all accounts, should be some fine cannabis should she be lucky enough to drag me across the finish line. Seriously, I'm a second season grower mostly focused on autos and growing as organically as possible. GCS has been one of a few reliable source of genetics for me and I have had fine success germinating all the way up to harvest. I would definitely grow this sister again without a doubt. In the meanwhile, I have a few more of their autos (indoor) and fems (outdoors) I plan to grow this season. Heading into spring, adding to my 2x2x4 (spider farmer SF-1000) and 2x4x5 (AC Infinity tent and SF-2000) indoor set ups, I will be adding a 3x3 indoor (AC Infinity tent and fan) with Mars Hydro FC-E3000 as well as an outdoor 2x4x6 greenhouse where I'll be growing Acapulco Gold and Island Sweet Skunk. Both sativa dominant b/c I'm located in the So Cal. Hot, dry, but sometimes humid and can be tricky maintaining environment up on the balcony. So, future grow dairies in the works.