The plants finally seem like they're picking up steam, with more noticeable growth every day.
We're really surprised by the variation between Plant #3 and the others. All plants have been receiving the same light levels and watering but Plant #3 is super leggy! The space between 2 nodes is almost as much as the entire height of Plant #2.
Day 22
- light levels have been slowly increased throughout week 3. We're now averaging 27k LUX across the canopy.
- More LST on Plants #1 and #3, started some very minor LST on Plant #2.
- We plan to do another magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) foliar feed, although we think that our last foliar feed did have some positive effect and the yellowing of the leaves has improved some.
- These girls are also finally starting to become thirsty and i expect that we'll be increasing our watering frequency this week.
- We've noticed that these plants tend to respond better to daytime temps between 78-83F. Under 78F and they seem to look and grow rather sluggish.
We wonder if that has to do with the fact that LED lights do not provide any UV, therefore, in order to maintain optimal leaf surface temperature, the air temp perhaps needs to be slightly higher than if using CMH or HPS bulbs. It's just a theory but regardless of the science, we're aiming for 80-82F during veg.
- We trimmed the lowest set of branch shoots off of Plant #2. It is so compact in there... 6 nodes in less than 2 inches of growth! The branches are all tiny so we're going to experiment a little and focus the growth on the main stem, leaving a few of the more robust looking branches.
Day 23
- Watered with dechlorinated, aerated tap water, with approximately 1ml/gal of GHE's "CALiMAGic". pH adjusted to 6.5
- Continued LST on plants #1 & #3. We got a little too carried away with Plant #1 and ended up ever so slightly breaking the main stem! Luckily, it was just a small "gash" and we're confident it'll heal up quickly (see "Day 23" photo above).
- As part of our LST treatment, we do leaf tucking as well, which seems to be having a positive effect on the development of some of those branches that are covered by the larger fan leaves.
- Day 23 really was a day of mishaps... our air conditioner timer did not turn on again and for about 6 hrs the temperature inside the tent reached 87F.
- Our HLG Elite 360 light fixture is now running at approximately 40-45% intensity, at about 32" above the canopy. Combined with the Sunblaster strip lights, we're getting approximately 28-30,000 LUX across the canopy.
- I expect that we'll start seeing some pre-flowers/pistils within this next week, at which time we'll be looking at swapping the three 6400K Sunblasters with two 2700K Sunblasters, to supplement our main light.
- Lastly, we did another magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) foliar feed at lights-out. We went a bit stronger than anticipated, with a 700ppm solution of dechlorinated, aerated tap water and approximately 1 teaspoon of epsom salts per gallon. We were aiming for about 400ppm, so hopefully 700 isn't too high! pH adjusted to 6.6 and applied with a fine mist spray bottle.
Day 24
- Started LST on Plant #2, tied down main top, some leaf tucking.
- Temp: 73-82F
- RH: 45-60%
- Lowered HLG Elite 360 light fixture by 1-2 inches, to approximately 30 inches above canopy.
- Lowered the center Sunblaster LED strip by 1-2 inches.
- LUX: 27-30,000+
- Our "light meter" app maxes out at 30,000 LUX, so we're unable to read anything above that... A proper light meter is on our wishlist! 👌
Day 25
- LST on Plant #2
- Lowered Elite 360 fixture to 28" above canopy. Increased intensity to approx. 50%.
- LUX estimated at 29-32,000 across canopy.
Day 26
- Plant #2 showing some light/heat stress.
- Raised Elite 360 fixture up 2-3 inches.
- Aiming for slightly lower temperatures of 78-80F, instead of 80-82F
Day 27
- Watered with a 315ppm nutrient solution. Watered to approximately 10% runoff.
Day 28
- Defoliation of a few fan leaves and small branches from Plant #1 & #2.
- Plant #2 really seems to have some dwarf genetics showing up or something... very small branches and leaves... looking under-developed. We're a bit concerned that she won't have what it takes to put on weight.
- Temperatures have been swinging a bit further than we'd like, reaching down to 73F during lights off and occasionally getting up to 84F during lights on.
Most of the time the temp sits between 79-80F.
- Pistils are definitely showing on Plants # 1 & #2, with Plant #3 the furthest behind in pre-flower (but also the largest plant!).
- Week 4 to week 5 is typically where we've run into nutrient deficiency and excess issues, so we're really hoping this coming week goes smoothly.