beachbumch
New Member
Hi Everyone!
This is my first grow journal as a medical marijuana patient in Michigan. My major goal is to balance all aspects of the grow, getting the most bang for the buck while not having to spend a great deal of time maintaining and/or building a complex system.
I will be using this journal to plan, maintain, and document my personal supply of medical marijuana while staying within the 12 plant, 2.5oz legal limit here in Michigan. This will be accomplished by having a steady rotation of 3 plants in vegetative state, 3 plants in flowering, and 3 plants drying. This leaves me room for 3 more plants, which could be extra clones, a new strain I want to try, or a male plant to gather pollen without exceeding the 12 plant limit.
I am also looking for any feedback, help, or suggestions on any part of this grow journal that I can get. Im always looking to improve!
GROW ROOM: ($35)
25' roll 2mil Mylar ($25)
Black Plastic ($10)
8'X8'X7’ room sectioned into 2 areas. Vegetative and flower.
Vegetative area is 4'X3'X7'
Flower area is 4'X4'X7'
All areas are lined with mylar. The flowering area has black plastic to keep light out during the dark periods. The entire room is insulated, and lined with plastic to keep odors and temp under control. I run a small heater in here to control the temperature during the winter. During the summer, the fresh air circulation from the outside keeps the temp down. There are fans running in various places and an in-line vent fan that runs directly outside under my deck. There is also fresh outside air brought in from the back of the room.
LIGHTING: ($170)
Vegetative is 4 4' Florescent ballast's. 2 warm and 2 cool bulbs ($30 ballast with bulbs)
Flower is 400 watt HPS with remote ballast. (HTG Supply - $140 shipped with 2 year warranty)
Vegetative areas runs florescent lighting 24 hours a day Flowering area runs 400watt HPS 12 hours on 12 hours off.
DWC BUBBLE BUCKETS: ($142.50)
1 16”x24”x6” (or similar) plastic container with lid - Seed/Clone Bucket ($5)
7 5gallon buckets with lids ($3.50 each, $31.50 total)
1 10’ 3/4” PVC ($2.50) 1 Drinking Straws ($1.50)
1 4 outlet General Hydroponics Dual Diaphragm 395gph air pump ($65)
6 6” Air Stones ($1.5 each, $12 total)
1/2” Tubing (50‘ roll is about $20)
Aluminum Duct Tape ($15 for two 50’ rolls)
I will be using 7 buckets total. 3 for vegetative stage, 3 for flowering stage and 1 to have ready for water changes. The 7th bucket is prepared with fresh water and nutrients and a plant is moved to it. Then I clean and refill that bucket the same way and put the next plant in. I just repeat until all the plants have had a water change.
The 5 gallon buckets are wrapped in aluminum tape. It does a great job at keeping light out of the bucket and provides a little reflection. I cut a hole in the center of the lid that fits a 5” net pot and 2 other 3/4” holes for the water level gauge and fill hose. I will be using 1 6” airstone in each bucket with the tubing ran through a small hole above the water line in the side of the bucket. The second 3/4” hole is for adding water through a funnel and hose. I just cover the hole when not in use with a square I made out of aluminum tape.
The level gauge is constructed with one 12” section of 3/4” PVC, a straw, and a small piece of foam. Wrap electrical tape around one end of the 3/4” PVC and put in one of the 3/4” holes. Cut down a small piece of scrap foam until it fits in the 3/4” PVC. Tape the foam to the bottom of the straw and put the straw inside the 3/4” PVC. Mark the straw at the top of the 3/4” PVC with 3 gallons of water in the bucket. This level will change as roots grow and take up more space, so I need to check the gauge for accuracy every water change. I just make a new mark on the straw when needed. I also trim the straw down a bit so that plant dont get in the way.
I use the 16”x24”x6” container for seedlings and clones. I can put up to 6 plants in it and it holds 3 gallons of water. This is way easier than individual buckets when they are that young/new. I make sure I dont leave them in there to long and let their roots get tangled up. When they have a good root system going, I transfer them to their own buckets.
FEMINIZED STRAINS:
AK47
ICE COOL
DR. GRINSPOON
AK47 -
Ice Cool -
Dr. Grinspoon -
SEEDLING/CLOANING: ($52)
Rapid Rooter 50 Count Tray &Plugs Free CloneX ($23)
Humidity Dome ($5)
10 pack - 5" Net Pots ($12)
Hydroton 10 Liter Bag ($12)
Seedlings:
To start my seeds, I put them in a light prof container with fresh distilled water in a warm dark place. They usually crack open after 2 or 3 days. I then put them into Rapid Rooter plugs with the little root facing down. Once in the plug, I put them into a tray, mist them lightly, place a humidity dome over the tray and return them to a warm dark place. Once the seedlings pops out the top of the plugs, I put them under the florescent lights 24 hours a day. I mist them daily and wait until they stand up straight. They are now ready to be put into net baskets and then in the Seedling/Clone Bucket. The cloning bucket has 3 gallons of PH balanced water in it, but I only use enough nutrients for 1 gallon. They dont need much at this stage.
Cloning:
2 clones are taken from each plant after final fresh water flush of vegetative stage is complete. After clones are taken, the mother plant goes into flowering stage and 1 of its 2 clones will become the new mother plant to clone and flower again. The one that proves the strongest gets the job and the other is destroyed (or given to a fellow grower) to stay within the 12 plant maximum limit. This will continue on each strain until im ready to try a new strain. I will be adding a detailed section with pictures on cloning when these plants make it to that point
WATER/WATER CHANGES: ($15 a month)
Each bucket has 3 gallons of water in it. I will be doing water changes once every 2 weeks while maintaining the original water level in between.
I live on a well system and the water is pretty hard. Most grocery stores have reverse osmosis water available for refilling your own containers. Each bucket runs on 3 gallons of water and costs $.30 a gallon. If this system is running at full capacity, 6 buckets, then each water change requires 18 gallons. Thats ruffly $6 per water change. Not to bad to have good water.
NUTRIENTS / PH: ($77)
Europonic 2 part Grow ($15 each, $30 total) 2 gallons
Europonic 2 part Bloom ($15 each, $30 total) 2 gallons
General Hydroponics PH Kit - Including PH Up, PH Down and PH Tests ($17)
pH will be kept as close to 6 as possible. I will be checking and adjusting it once a week.
Nutrients will be given at each water change. A full dose is 3 tbsp per gallon.
I will be slowly working the plants into the 3 tbsp per gallon to avoid burning or stressing them. Start out with 1 tbsp per gallon and by the end of the first month, be at 3 tbsp per gallon. Use 3 tbsp per gallon for every water change after the 3rd. Flush with fresh water for 1 week after vegetative and flowering cycles.
Vegetative/Flowering Cycle Nutrient Feeding:
Initial setup - 1 tbsp per gallon
1st water change - 2 tbsp per gallon
2nd water change - 3 tbsp per gallon
3 tbsp for each additional water change until cycle if over.
Flush with fresh water (no nutrients) for 1 week.
I spent $60 on these nutrients and I got 4 gallons total, which will last me a long time. I have used it on 3 grows now with very good results! I cant say its great or the best because I haven't used anything else to compare it with, but I can say I haven't had any problems with it.
MAINTENANCE:
This is the schedule I will follow. After initial setup, the maintenance is pretty simple. The most time consuming times will be water changes every 2 weeks.
Daily: Check Water Level and add fresh distilled, PH balanced water as needed. Look for and correct plant deficiencies. Adjust lighting
Weekly: Check and adjust PH level in each bucket.
Bi-Weekly: Water change with distilled PH balanced water and fresh nutrients.
START OF GROW JOURNAL
03/30/2010 - AK47 and Ice Cool put into germination
04/01/2010 - Dr. Grinspoon put into germination
04/07/2010 - AK47 and Ice Cool put into vegetative mode.
04/09/2010 - Dr. Grinspoon put into vegetative mode.
04/12/2010 - Started grow Journal
Dr. Grinspoon -
Ice Cool -
AK47 -
This is my first grow journal as a medical marijuana patient in Michigan. My major goal is to balance all aspects of the grow, getting the most bang for the buck while not having to spend a great deal of time maintaining and/or building a complex system.
I will be using this journal to plan, maintain, and document my personal supply of medical marijuana while staying within the 12 plant, 2.5oz legal limit here in Michigan. This will be accomplished by having a steady rotation of 3 plants in vegetative state, 3 plants in flowering, and 3 plants drying. This leaves me room for 3 more plants, which could be extra clones, a new strain I want to try, or a male plant to gather pollen without exceeding the 12 plant limit.
I am also looking for any feedback, help, or suggestions on any part of this grow journal that I can get. Im always looking to improve!
GROW ROOM: ($35)
25' roll 2mil Mylar ($25)
Black Plastic ($10)
8'X8'X7’ room sectioned into 2 areas. Vegetative and flower.
Vegetative area is 4'X3'X7'
Flower area is 4'X4'X7'
All areas are lined with mylar. The flowering area has black plastic to keep light out during the dark periods. The entire room is insulated, and lined with plastic to keep odors and temp under control. I run a small heater in here to control the temperature during the winter. During the summer, the fresh air circulation from the outside keeps the temp down. There are fans running in various places and an in-line vent fan that runs directly outside under my deck. There is also fresh outside air brought in from the back of the room.
LIGHTING: ($170)
Vegetative is 4 4' Florescent ballast's. 2 warm and 2 cool bulbs ($30 ballast with bulbs)
Flower is 400 watt HPS with remote ballast. (HTG Supply - $140 shipped with 2 year warranty)
Vegetative areas runs florescent lighting 24 hours a day Flowering area runs 400watt HPS 12 hours on 12 hours off.
DWC BUBBLE BUCKETS: ($142.50)
1 16”x24”x6” (or similar) plastic container with lid - Seed/Clone Bucket ($5)
7 5gallon buckets with lids ($3.50 each, $31.50 total)
1 10’ 3/4” PVC ($2.50) 1 Drinking Straws ($1.50)
1 4 outlet General Hydroponics Dual Diaphragm 395gph air pump ($65)
6 6” Air Stones ($1.5 each, $12 total)
1/2” Tubing (50‘ roll is about $20)
Aluminum Duct Tape ($15 for two 50’ rolls)
I will be using 7 buckets total. 3 for vegetative stage, 3 for flowering stage and 1 to have ready for water changes. The 7th bucket is prepared with fresh water and nutrients and a plant is moved to it. Then I clean and refill that bucket the same way and put the next plant in. I just repeat until all the plants have had a water change.
The 5 gallon buckets are wrapped in aluminum tape. It does a great job at keeping light out of the bucket and provides a little reflection. I cut a hole in the center of the lid that fits a 5” net pot and 2 other 3/4” holes for the water level gauge and fill hose. I will be using 1 6” airstone in each bucket with the tubing ran through a small hole above the water line in the side of the bucket. The second 3/4” hole is for adding water through a funnel and hose. I just cover the hole when not in use with a square I made out of aluminum tape.
The level gauge is constructed with one 12” section of 3/4” PVC, a straw, and a small piece of foam. Wrap electrical tape around one end of the 3/4” PVC and put in one of the 3/4” holes. Cut down a small piece of scrap foam until it fits in the 3/4” PVC. Tape the foam to the bottom of the straw and put the straw inside the 3/4” PVC. Mark the straw at the top of the 3/4” PVC with 3 gallons of water in the bucket. This level will change as roots grow and take up more space, so I need to check the gauge for accuracy every water change. I just make a new mark on the straw when needed. I also trim the straw down a bit so that plant dont get in the way.
I use the 16”x24”x6” container for seedlings and clones. I can put up to 6 plants in it and it holds 3 gallons of water. This is way easier than individual buckets when they are that young/new. I make sure I dont leave them in there to long and let their roots get tangled up. When they have a good root system going, I transfer them to their own buckets.
FEMINIZED STRAINS:
AK47
ICE COOL
DR. GRINSPOON
AK47 -
Ice Cool -
Dr. Grinspoon -
SEEDLING/CLOANING: ($52)
Rapid Rooter 50 Count Tray &Plugs Free CloneX ($23)
Humidity Dome ($5)
10 pack - 5" Net Pots ($12)
Hydroton 10 Liter Bag ($12)
Seedlings:
To start my seeds, I put them in a light prof container with fresh distilled water in a warm dark place. They usually crack open after 2 or 3 days. I then put them into Rapid Rooter plugs with the little root facing down. Once in the plug, I put them into a tray, mist them lightly, place a humidity dome over the tray and return them to a warm dark place. Once the seedlings pops out the top of the plugs, I put them under the florescent lights 24 hours a day. I mist them daily and wait until they stand up straight. They are now ready to be put into net baskets and then in the Seedling/Clone Bucket. The cloning bucket has 3 gallons of PH balanced water in it, but I only use enough nutrients for 1 gallon. They dont need much at this stage.
Cloning:
2 clones are taken from each plant after final fresh water flush of vegetative stage is complete. After clones are taken, the mother plant goes into flowering stage and 1 of its 2 clones will become the new mother plant to clone and flower again. The one that proves the strongest gets the job and the other is destroyed (or given to a fellow grower) to stay within the 12 plant maximum limit. This will continue on each strain until im ready to try a new strain. I will be adding a detailed section with pictures on cloning when these plants make it to that point
WATER/WATER CHANGES: ($15 a month)
Each bucket has 3 gallons of water in it. I will be doing water changes once every 2 weeks while maintaining the original water level in between.
I live on a well system and the water is pretty hard. Most grocery stores have reverse osmosis water available for refilling your own containers. Each bucket runs on 3 gallons of water and costs $.30 a gallon. If this system is running at full capacity, 6 buckets, then each water change requires 18 gallons. Thats ruffly $6 per water change. Not to bad to have good water.
NUTRIENTS / PH: ($77)
Europonic 2 part Grow ($15 each, $30 total) 2 gallons
Europonic 2 part Bloom ($15 each, $30 total) 2 gallons
General Hydroponics PH Kit - Including PH Up, PH Down and PH Tests ($17)
pH will be kept as close to 6 as possible. I will be checking and adjusting it once a week.
Nutrients will be given at each water change. A full dose is 3 tbsp per gallon.
I will be slowly working the plants into the 3 tbsp per gallon to avoid burning or stressing them. Start out with 1 tbsp per gallon and by the end of the first month, be at 3 tbsp per gallon. Use 3 tbsp per gallon for every water change after the 3rd. Flush with fresh water for 1 week after vegetative and flowering cycles.
Vegetative/Flowering Cycle Nutrient Feeding:
Initial setup - 1 tbsp per gallon
1st water change - 2 tbsp per gallon
2nd water change - 3 tbsp per gallon
3 tbsp for each additional water change until cycle if over.
Flush with fresh water (no nutrients) for 1 week.
I spent $60 on these nutrients and I got 4 gallons total, which will last me a long time. I have used it on 3 grows now with very good results! I cant say its great or the best because I haven't used anything else to compare it with, but I can say I haven't had any problems with it.
MAINTENANCE:
This is the schedule I will follow. After initial setup, the maintenance is pretty simple. The most time consuming times will be water changes every 2 weeks.
Daily: Check Water Level and add fresh distilled, PH balanced water as needed. Look for and correct plant deficiencies. Adjust lighting
Weekly: Check and adjust PH level in each bucket.
Bi-Weekly: Water change with distilled PH balanced water and fresh nutrients.
START OF GROW JOURNAL
03/30/2010 - AK47 and Ice Cool put into germination
04/01/2010 - Dr. Grinspoon put into germination
04/07/2010 - AK47 and Ice Cool put into vegetative mode.
04/09/2010 - Dr. Grinspoon put into vegetative mode.
04/12/2010 - Started grow Journal
Dr. Grinspoon -
Ice Cool -
AK47 -
The major change I will be making is maintaining mother plants and flowering from their clones. I was not maintaining mothers above because I had a 12 plant limit and it just wasnt worth it. Now with 24 plants it is and should make the whole process smoother. This means 3 mothers, 6 clones, 6 flowering, and 6 drying. This leaves me with a little wiggle room for 3 more plants. It is more work, but not much more.
peace
good growing may you always have.
