420's Sherlock Holmes' FFOF Soil, Bakerstreet C.R.E.A.M. Cheese Autoflower, Grow Journal 2019

[SQl2kGuy]

Yep I actually lost all of my lower growth from wind burn . I closed off the room the tent was in and started fighting humidity so I kept adding fans thinking the new led was running hot , turned out i’m Just dumb . When I opened the room all was well and I still haven’t removed the fans . All fans except 1 run 24 hours .
I have a 4 in fresh air intake
2 fans blowing on the buckets to keep the water cool ( it’s been damn hot lately)
And another fan pointed at the back of the light as per manufacturers suggestion
Also 4 inch carbon filter exhausted out
Humidity sitting solid at %62 temp 23.5
Thanks for your input !! I definitely value it . Rookie here

Back at ya ... Rookie here too ... can't wait to have my first mega plant!

 

[oopssteptinit]

Hiya SQL, of course everything is looking good for your gals. Again, been out of pocket for a few days, had to catch up again. Wish I could give you some advise on lighting. I've been using a 1500w "blurple" light, and since I had nothing in the way of definite instructions on how to use the light, ended up moving it up or down almost daily to see how the leaves responded. I will use the same one again, and possibly get another one if the missus is happy with the final cured product. Had a grower stop over on Wednesday, and he was impressed with the light, said it easily out did his 600w HID which he has been using for years. But, he like the missus, is going to hold judgement till he can taste the outcome...
I think it is so cool that more folks are finding your journal(s). Loved your statement about doing this for yourself, your children, grandchildren and your right as a free Canadian to be able to grow your own meds. Very well stated, my friend. Please continue your research and experimenting, you are a Blessing to us all.

 

[SQl2kGuy]

August 09 2019 - Update​

Images:

Bakerstreet #1 - Hanna Hemp - Looks healthy so far - growth nodes are exposed to light and air.

Bakerstreet #2 - Henna Hemp - Looks healthy so far - growth nodes are exposed to light and air.

C.R.E.A.M. #1 - Cowgirl Hemp - Looks healthy so far - budlets are exposed to light and air.

Cheese #1 - Gouda Hemp - Looks healthy so far - budlets are exposed to light and air.



Growth Stage:

2 Bakerstreets: Day 5/ Week 11 ... Day 75 ... week 3 flower.

*** They got their pistels on August 05, 2019.
*** They were transplanted July 20, 2019 and due for the 4 week flush/feed(CGRSFS, RME) on August 18, 2019.
*** They should be ready to harvest between September 16, 2019 and September 23, 2019.

*** Photoperiod Stages: 5 days Germination, 1 week seedling, 2-8 weeks veg, 6-12 weeks flower, 4-12 weeks cure
*** Allow 1 day to 3 days of dark before switching to 12-12
*** Pistels show up about 14 days (2 weeks) after switching to 12-12


1 C.R.E.A.M.: Day 5/ Week 10 ... Day 68 ... late flower.
1 Cheese: Day 5/ Week 10 ... Day 68 ... late flower.

*** They are due for the final flush on August 11, 2019 and then it's full-on bloom nutes!
*** They should be ready to harvest between August 18, 2019 and August 25, 2019.
*** I need to check the pistels and trichomes to verify the harvest date.

*** Autoflower Stages: 5 days Germination, 1 week seedling, 3 weeks veg, 3 weeks pre-flower, 3-6 weeks flower, 4-12 weeks cure
*** Pistels show up about 35 days (5 weeks) after Germination
*** Flowering takes about 42 days to 56 days (6 weeks to 8 weeks) after pistels show up


Environment #1 - Autoflower Veg/Flower:

*** The Inkbird IBS-TH1 I ordered got here today, so I will start tracking RH, canopy temperature and VPD again.

*** Environment # 1 is mutually exclusive from Environment # 2.

*** I am running the exhaust fan 24-0 to prevent a rise in RH and to prevent smells in the house.

*** The humidifier is set to 50% RH.

*** I may not need the Temperature Controller anymore.

*** The VPD Values I am Using For This Grow (Version 1)

CO2 is refreshed frequently when the exhaust fan turns on.

The light is running 4 cycles of "5 hours lights-on and 1 hours lights-off".

The light is 30 cm (12") above the canopy centered over the 2 plants.



Environment #2 - Photoperiod Flower:

*** I will start tracking RH, canopy temperature and VPD again when Environment #1 is dialed-in again.

*** Environment # 2 is mutually exclusive from Environment # 1.

*** Environment # 2 does not have a humidifier.

*** I am running the exhaust fan 24-0 to prevent a rise in RH and to prevent smells in the house.

*** The VPD Values I am Using For This Grow (Version 1)

CO2 is refreshed frequently when the exhaust fan turns on.

The 2 lights are running 1 cycle of uninterrupted "12 hours lights-on and 12 hours lights-off".

Each light is 30 cm (12") above the canopy centered over each plant.



Watering and Feeding:

Bakerstreets' Feed:

*** Next feed ... about 6 litres (1.6 gallons) - Full Dose - Week 8 - CGRSFS , CS, BPSS, BTTE around August 12, 2019.
*** Expecting about 1% of run-off. Stop watering right at run-off.


C.R.E.A.M.'s Feed & Cheese's Feed:

*** Next feed ... about 4 litres (1.1 gallons) - Full Dose - Week 10 - CGRSFS , CS, BPSS, BTTE around August 10, 2019 .
*** Expecting about 1% of run-off. Stop watering just before run-off.


*** For details on my feeding schedule refer to here: The Different Feeds I need For This Grow (Version 4)


Activities:

My priority is to expose the growth nodes to light and air because they are going to become colas.

Refilled the humidifier with water.

*** Trying to get the Bakerstreets' growth nodes placed evenly in the ScrOG squares.


Notes:

The priority has to be to expose the growth nodes/buds to light & air, and to keep the canopy even and flat.

*** I am going to let the plants grow naturally now and stop tucking the stems into the ScrOG. For details on this decision, please refer here: How long to Veg Photoperiods? - Version 2

*** I am monitoring the heavy defoliation on the Bakerstreets and hoping it will lead to more node growth and more yield. So far, so good. They are getting some height and some secondary bud growth.

*** I checked the LUX and adjusted the light canopy height in Environment # 1 and Environment # 2. I am looking closely for light burn. So far so good, they are just sucking up the light!

*** I added a second light to Environment # 2, and the budlets love it!

*** The lights are have are not very powerful, but they sit well side-by-side in a 2'x4' tent.



Lessons Learned:

*** I am keeping this here for today again, so I can study twice and commit to memory!

1) My medium of choice is going to stay as FF Ocean Forest soil with 20% Perlite added.

2a) In general, I will water slowly using 6.3 pH tap water right up to run-off, ... then stop.

2b) I will feed(CGRSFS, RME)/feed(CGRSFS, BPSS, CS, BTTE)/water during weeks 1&2 of veg and flower.

2c) I will feed (CGRSFS, BPSS, CS, BTTE)/water during all other weeks.

2d) I will flush every 4 weeks (water-only at 3 times the pot size) to eliminate unwanted salts and debris, then immediately apply a feed(CGRSFS, RME) to replenish nutes and microlife.

3) I no longer need to track run-off pH and ppm values unless I suspect a plant issue.

4) I will perform a full final flush (water-only at 3 times the pot size) two weeks before harvest to eliminate unwanted salts and debris.

5) I will go full-on with bloom nutes during the last two weeks of flower.

6) I will use best practices to slow-cure the buds to maximize THC, taste & smoothness.



ToDo:

Learn more about ... What To Do When Your Homegrown Cannabis Won’t Flower.

Learn more about pests and nutrient deficiencies.

 

[SQl2kGuy]

Hiya SQL, of course everything is looking good for your gals. Again, been out of pocket for a few days, had to catch up again. Wish I could give you some advise on lighting. I've been using a 1500w "blurple" light, and since I had nothing in the way of definite instructions on how to use the light, ended up moving it up or down almost daily to see how the leaves responded. I will use the same one again, and possibly get another one if the missus is happy with the final cured product. Had a grower stop over on Wednesday, and he was impressed with the light, said it easily out did his 600w HID which he has been using for years. But, he like the missus, is going to hold judgement till he can taste the outcome...
I think it is so cool that more folks are finding your journal(s). Loved your statement about doing this for yourself, your children, grandchildren and your right as a free Canadian to be able to grow your own meds. Very well stated, my friend. Please continue your research and experimenting, you are a Blessing to us all.

Hi @oopssteptinit ... I love it when you poke your head in and say hi.

I found out about my light when I got the LUX meter to follow along with @Emilya 's new grow.

I was blown away sir! I had my light at 21" and had to move it down to 12" ... and the flowers are soaking up the light!

Then I tried the clones in the sun on the windowsill ... again ... boom! Like bloom! No action for weeks, then instant growth!

Make sure you cure well ... that is critical ... all your work is ruined if don't cure properly!

Thanks for the kudos on my speech about being a proud Canadian ... it is important to have perspective.

Okay ... ttyl amigo!

 

[SQl2kGuy]

Hi @Heavenly Hybrid ... I recognize your avatar ... but I don't think I've met you yet.

I saw you liked one of my posts and just wanted to say ... please pop in anytime!

ttyl

 

[GeOMaTTiC]

I will certainly share my dry weights, but I had unfortunately misplaced my scales in time for a wet weighing. I have found them since, but after it was all down.

 

[SQl2kGuy]

Here is a conversation and some feedback I am tracking with @Asesino85 to help improve my quadlining:

Hi @Asesino85 ... excellent looking plants ... and I wish mine had turned out the way yours did!

I tried quadlining and did not get anywhere near the results you did ... but I really put a lot of effort into it!

I did find out this week that the spectrum, light intensity and light height was a big oversight on my part.

I am also noticing that I didn't let my plants spread out as much as yours.

Oh and going from quadlining to a ScrOG was a nightmare for the Bakerstreets! Ugh!

When you have some time ... I know you are really busy, but would you please pop in and check out my C.R.E.A.M. and Cheese plants ... and give me some constructive feedback so I can improve my results in my next grow!

I am going to get a better light ... but I know there are things I can improve on and I really need some help

Sherlock Holmes - FFOF Soil - Bakerstreet C.R.E.A.M. Cheese - Autoflower - Grow Journal - 2019 (01) ... page 12

Thanks in advance.

First off you are growing in soil and I am growing in hydro. In hydro plants just grow faster if done right (watering every day, etc.). Hydro plants bounce back faster from training and defoliation. Couple that with the fact that you are growing autoflowers which will flower on their own, the window for aggressive vegetative growth is small. I'm not saying you can't quadline autoflowers in soil but it is pretty difficult to get plants like mine since I do coco growing. You pretty much have to have zero errors in veg/early on.

Second I am not sure what the light problem was but light is a big factor in growing. If it was too close it can dwarf growing while at the same time if it's too far away then they probably aren't getting enough light/energy. I also have ran my lights 18/6 the whole time with Auto's.

Lastly, I noticed you did a lot of tying down trying to keep everything even. At some point with autos you just have to let them go vertical. When you see them start to stretch and get that really fresh looking green in all the nodes then it's probably time to loosen up the ties a little and let them really get going vertically. I try to not get the branches too horizontal with autos either and leave a slight incline. I also only top once with autoflowers and that's it. Honestly I only top once doing photoperiods too. Topping is hard on the plants and can really slow them down. Once again not saying it can't be done but if the plants aren't in perfect health things could really get slow moving.

I can definitely pay attention in detail to your next grow and try and help. Will you be trying autos again or photoperiods? I also wouldn't worry about the scrog next time, you won't need it. It just makes things messy in my opinion.

 

[Heavenly Hybrid]

You caught me! Still catching up, but it’s nice to meet you!

 

[SQl2kGuy]

You caught me! Still catching up, but it’s nice to meet you!

Oh ... I see you did a ScrOG ... I need to research that a bit more. I went from quadline to ScrOG ... it is working ... but it is an ugly duckling!

See what happens when you say hi ... I get to peek at your journal

ttyl

 

[Heavenly Hybrid]

Lol, be my guest! I did a quadline with the blackberry Kush too.

 

[Northern Hydro]

I've recently discovered my grow has suffered from my poor quality lighting ... and from my hanging the light too high over the canopy so I am going to ask around for suggestions before I run out and purchase one.

I really want to do my reasearch right this time!

Basically I need a nice light ... not too expensive ... for a 4x4 grow tent. In my tent, I run the exhaust fan 24-0 so heat won't be an issue.

Thanks in advance!

That is sooo tough! Of course Mars has options ..when I was looking I chose electric sky because it was affordable and not purple! The electric sky300 might work
I also considered solar system 550 ..although you might need 2 ?
DISCLAIMER ..I AM A ROOKIE . Just a research nerd

 

[irie lion]

Hey SQ, still looking great in there! Proper lighting is vital. What are the options you have been considering?

 

[GeOMaTTiC]

So far I have strictly been using cheap Phlizon lights off amazon. They work fine, but I will be going to buy an Optic 1 XL for my next LED, and a CMH for the tent in my garage. With proper care, even the cheap LED's give me 4 oz from two plants (pending on strain and pheno of course, but so far so good).

 

[Heavenly Hybrid]

I’ve had good results from my viparspectra LEDs. Fairly cheap as lights go and they recently became sponsors here. The mars SP250s that were mentioned earlier are on my wish list.

 

[WankirA]

2d) I will flush every 4 weeks (water-only at 3 times the pot size) to eliminate unwanted salts and debris, then immediately apply a feed(CGRSFS, RME) to replenish nutes and microlife.

Hey there SQL, quick note regarding your flushing quandry...

I get where the confusion lies for a lot of people regarding the practice and following a few conversations here and elsewhere it appears a very hot topic.

For some, they believe flushing is somehow altering or minimizing any nutrient build up in the bud.

While i kinda get the disjointed logic, that still made little sense to me.
Even after runing through a number of websites 'help pages' it seemed to focus on flushing what was 'in' the plant.

With Emilyas words though, the penny fully dropped, it is simply about wellbeing for the plant. You are clearing the envirinment of obstacles allowing a potential increase in nutrient uptake after a flush. A notion that appears to be largely forgotten on almost ALL conversations about the practice everywhere.

Assume from your journal, you are going to follow a 'monthly' flush cycle give or take, but remember Emilya's words re: after the three times pots flush, a recharge of nutrients is only in order 'IF the plant isnt healthy'.

Not saying don't add nutes after flush but meant only as a gentle reminder, you could potentially introduce nutrient burn issues to the girls if they dont need them after the flush.

At least, that's how I understood it.

Btw, ask a few questions to start and work back is my suggestion on your light issue
E.g.
What is the flower footprint you want to cover?
Does that require one or more lights?
Do you want low power options?
Are diy kits a thing you may be happy with?
What colour light do you want?
Are you wanting uv/ir in the light?
Do you require longer warranty than a year?
What sort of budget bracket are you looking at for your lights?!
Etc

This should start reducing the pool to fewer models and then it'll be about personal choice.

Appreciate you mentioned your air filter is on 24/7 so heat isnt going to be an issue so a possible other direction is a hps bulb, certainly cheaper but comes with its own pros n cons...

Btw, I currently have 3 LEDs equating to 900 (true) watts in my 4x4 but not very happy with my set up at moment and was tempted by the sp250 unit from MH. (Think you stopped by the chat in MrKrips n JWicks threads)
Unfortunately it doesn't have features I need but for you, maybe @SmokeSara can hook you up because that one feature aside, they are cracking lights.

 

[SQl2kGuy]

Hey SQ, still looking great in there! Proper lighting is vital. What are the options you have been considering?

I picked this from the other thread ... but basically I'm looking for these qualities:

- uniformity of light distribution over a 4x4 area
- dimmable without the need of an external controller, or needing to wire one up
- spectrum
- hanging height (doesn't need to be 36" above the canopy)
- quality of parts/diodes

 

[SQl2kGuy]

So far I have strictly been using cheap Phlizon lights off amazon. They work fine, but I will be going to buy an Optic 1 XL for my next LED, and a CMH for the tent in my garage. With proper care, even the cheap LED's give me 4 oz from two plants (pending on strain and pheno of course, but so far so good).

Hi @GeOMaTTiC ... good point ... when used properly the cheap small lights work great. My oversight was in thinking my 16"x8" light would veg and flower a 3'x3' tent.

Nope ... for uniform light distribution, I would need 2 of them side-by-side ... and for intensity for flower I needed to drop down from 21" to 12"

The cheaper lights were working, but for full effect, I needed more of them.

Also, the cheap ones eat electricity and lack full spectrum.

Overall I like the cheap ones for beginners, but as I become a better indoor grower, I need a better quality light.

Thanks for the input ... I appreciate it.

 

[SQl2kGuy]

I’ve had good results from my viparspectra LEDs. Fairly cheap as lights go and they recently became sponsors here. The mars SP250s that were mentioned earlier are on my wish list.

I am going to take another look at Mars today and see if I can't pick one to fit in my 2'x4' tent or cover half of the 4'x4' tent.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Heavenly Hybrid]

I am going to take another look at Mars today and see if I can't pick one to fit in my 2'x4' tent or cover half of the 4'x4' tent.

Thanks for the input.

For Marshydro lights, the SP 150s would fit the 2x4 and the SP 250 would fit the 4x4. I want to get the 250s for myself one of these days. After my viparspectra give out, lol.

 

[SQl2kGuy]

Some more notes to help me with feeding, watering and flushing:

I will try just watering sometimes ... and let the plant get its nutrients the organic way ... from microlife.

actually no... your grow is not going to have a whole lot of microlife... yes there is some, but nothing like a true organic grow where the microlife supplies everything. You are just using leftovers out of the bottle on that water only pass... sloppy seconds.

Oh ... thanks ... another big surprise!

I thought I could have the best of both worlds ... strong microlife in soil and supplement with synthetic nutes.

Quick question, when we flush the FF Ocean Forest soil with 3xpot size of water, are we stripping the soil of a lot its health?

Is it really beneficial to do these flushes with soil?

I mean, why should I buy top notch soil if I am going to flush the soil's healthy minerals down the drain every 4 weeks.

The ability to hold minerals in the soil is why we use soil and not sand... you do not wash the minerals away with a flush. You do not wash away the big organic stuff or even the little organic stuff... just the little tiny broken down stuff that tends to compact the soil anyway. The good stuff in the soil are clumped in the humus in a tight enough bond that a little bit of water is not going to wash them away, and since most of these elements do not dissolve into the water, they just stay there. A flush does not strip a soil of its health or crops would die every time there was a heavy rain.
As far as the microlife goes, that is exactly what the FF Trio is all about. Big Bloom is pretty much all organic teeming with microbes. Every time you water you bring more of them in. Since it is not a mineralized soil however, the microlife lacking an abundant food source, does not thrive in a non mineralized soil. You can have microlife and synthetics together, but your microlife in such a grow is on life support from day one. You can make it stronger by adding other microlife products if you want, and this is what URB, Voodoo Juice and RealGrower's recharge are all about. You can have the best of both worlds, but you have to work at it.
So yes... it is extremely beneficial to do flushes periodically in a synthetic grow because all it takes out of the soil is the water soluble junk, mostly the salts that are harming your grow.