👉The plant was 11" tall. it probably would have been 12 or more if not FIM'd. It almost doubled in its overall size and total vegetation. The FIM has all the secondary branches poking out from under the large fan leaves. I do a little tucking to help them soak up the rays. I may not have FIM'd low enough or something because the leaves that were the outside of the growth node I snipped have gotten big. They just look like they have no tips. I think I ended up with the desired FIM goal of 4 new growth tips that will be cola's.
👉I will assist the branches get maximum access to light by rotating the pot frequently, I will also either support or direct them with bamboo steaks that I will attach to the metal spikes that are attached to the hoop ground the base of the pot. Its just the top of a tomato cage turned upside down with the top hoop around the base of the pot. It fits it snugly and doesn't slip. This allows me to attach the support steaks to the outside of the pot instead of inside in the media. I didn't like having the plant inside a cage or with sticks in the way when its small. It allows me easy access to the plant, and an easy way to add the support when the plant needs it as it get bigger.
👉I switched to week 4 nutrients this week and will probably be a week behind the timeline of the nutrient chart from GH because the plant had a slow start. The pH is always targeted to 5.9, the EC for a batch is 1.54. I have learned enough in the short time Im growing to understand what each nutrient week batch can do for the plant and am fairly confident I can judge the plants growing stage to match it. The 4th week is called transition and I believe thats accurate for my plant. it hasn't declared as of today, but I am anticipating that this coming week some time.
👉The runoff has been very consistent and I only added the low EC rinse of 1.5 liter one time. I always immediately follow a low ec feeding with a regular batch of nutrient. The last two days the run-off volume has started to lessen and the EC staying only 20EC above the inflow. Ive been averaging .75l for total run-off volume following a 1.5l fertigation. Tonight's run-off was .5l and 1.74EC. The lower run-off is due to the plant having more roots and being able to drink more of the moisture. when the run-off drops below 20% of the inflow volume I will increase the total volume in 1/4l increments.