Big Buddha Cheese

[gr865]

Day 30 of veg.

In full Vertical mode now, had one vertical lamp and one horizontal lamp for the past 17 days.
Pic taken on 9/25

Both lamps vertical. 10/10

I like the 3 gallons Smart pots but I think I will go back to the 2 gallon. Not really that much room in the tent for bigger plants, though these are not growing that tall so they should be alright. The main problem with the 3 gallon is the weight when wet, I cannot get in the tent so lifting and moving the plants is very difficult. It is tough n this ol' man!

We are at three irrigation cycles per day, 8 hours between cycles and the lights are on 24/7 now. Loving these new spray heads, good even spray pattern, very even watering. Running the 3:15 minutes per cycle and getting a good 30% runoff. Thinking I can reduce the times, can do seconds so will reduce 5 seconds at a time till we get closer to 30% runoff we are looking for.
Have done only tucking of the fans behind the screen so far but will do a fan defo later this week, only remove fans from well established branches. Will do a major defo in a few weeks, a week to 10 days prior to flipping to flower. This has worked well for me in the past. From what I am seeing by tucking the leaves behind the screen is the plant fills in with fans very rapidly, so I expect them to recover well from defoliation with the good root system we have established.
You can see what I mean, at this point the fans have only been tucked and the fans on the front of the plant are ready to go behind the screen. When we do that in a few day we will remove the fans behind the screen. Pic taken on 10/8.

GR

 

[waknbak88]

Looking great, imma tag along if ya don't mind to see what this vertical growing is about. I have had my eye on some 315s and was thinking of using 9 of them in my tent but I went with the cheaper upfront option of 4 1ks buy after this harvest I should be able to afford the 9 cmhs. Plants look great bro!

 

[gr865]

OK, last Sunday I made a change to the irrigation system. Day 25 of veg. Increased the rez from a two rez system with a capacity of 15 to 20 gallons to a single 35 gallon rez, running around 25 gallons in the tank.
Went with a 12V, 1 gallon per minute, @ 80 psi, 120V to 12V reducer and a 30 psi pressure reducer.

A bit cleaner setup, no more drip ring, using adjustable stream heads.

This manifold is from my original setup from years ago when I was growing in my DIY cabinet, I kept it and glad I did.

Got roots? Just love my Smart Pots, Canna Coco and Great White!

Did a test run, this new system seems to wet the medium more even than past methods.
The plants are, as stated previously, very Indica dominate. One is 21 inches, two more of the 5 are just under that and the last two are around 16 inches. As fast as they took off after germination I expect them to be growing more.
If you have grown Big Buddha Cheese what are your experiences?

GR

 

[gr865]

Since installation of the new system I have had two issues.
First was not really an issue just too much time set on the timer, since this is new it will take a bit to get it dialed in.
Second, I had three start times of 3:30 each which was too much DTW, so we reset yesterday to three 2:45 minute times set on the system, 12 AM, 8 AM and 4 PM. I wanted to check it so i stayed up till midnight to watch it. It did not shut down after 2:45 min so manually shut it down. Then at around 3 AM my GF wakes me up and ask it the system should be running, she said it sound like it had been on awhile. Well sure enough when I checked it, I immediately shut it down as it had dumped about 4/5's of the 25 gallon rez. I began to panic as I was expecting to open the tent and find that the catch tray has overflowed and flooded the tent. I rushed to open the tent to find that the catch tray was within 1/4 inch from overflowing. Got out the shop vac and sucked up most of it from the tray.
The only thing I can figure that happened, this was the 5th day of operation and it had been running fairly smoothly. When I checked the 12 AM time and it ran longer than I had time set I shut it down manually and I guess I must of hit another start time which defaulted to 3 AM with not shut off time.
Well the plants got a very good flush but damn I hate wasting 20 plus gallon of solution.
Pulled the timer and went through it completely and reset all times and double checked them. Will be watching this closely till it get it tuned.

GR

 

[gr865]

Since installation of the new system I have had two issues.
First was not really an issue just too much time set on the timer, since this is new it will take a bit to get it dialed in.
Second, I had three start times of 3:30 each which was too much DTW, so we reset yesterday to three 2:45 minute times set on the system, 12 AM, 8 AM and 4 PM. I wanted to check it so i stayed up till midnight to watch it. It did not shut down after 2:45 min so manually shut it down. Then at around 3 AM my GF wakes me up and ask it the system should be running, she said it sound like it had been on awhile. Well sure enough when I checked it, I immediately shut it down as it had dumped about 4/5's of the 25 gallon rez. I began to panic as I was expecting to open the tent and find that the catch tray has overflowed and flooded the tent. I rushed to open the tent to find that the catch tray was within 1/4 inch from overflowing. Got out the shop vac and sucked up most of it from the tray.
The only thing I can figure that happened, this was the 5th day of operation and it had been running fairly smoothly. When I checked the 12 AM time and it ran longer than I had time set I shut it down manually and I guess I must of hit another start time which defaulted to 3 AM with not shut off time.
Well the plants got a very good flush but damn I hate wasting 20 plus gallon of solution.
Pulled the timer and went through it completely and reset all times and double checked them. Will be watching this closely till it get it tuned.

GR

I was wrong, later this morning while cleaning the remainder from the solution out of the catch tray I notice some liquid in the catch basin in the tent, turned out to be about 1.5 gallons. Still in the cleaning mode.

 

[gr865]

Day 32 Veg

These pic's were taken on Friday the 12th.
Side of one of the Smart Pots.

This is the bottom of the same 3 gallon Smart Pot.

Coco, Smart Pots, proper watering w/proper nutes and Great White.

Shots of the ladies showing the back first and how they are bound to the screens (my version of a Scrog, but I don't weave. The plant is on the outside of the screens and tied back to the screen).

To be con't in the following post!

 

[gr865]

Con't from previous post!
10/12 tie back pics.

This next week we will be doing a major defo setting up the start of flower within the next two weeks.
Going to collect two clones from each plant to set up the next grow, which will be a multi plant horizontal grow, not sure how many plants yet.
Being different pheno's the heights are a bit different but will raise the shorter plants as needed.
Numbers 4, 3, 2, 1, and 5 in order of tallest to shortest. Number 4 is 26" and the shortest is #5 @ 14".

Till next time!

 

[gr865]

We, my son and I, are loading up to head to the Panhandle of Florida to cook and serve hot meals to anyone in need of one.
This was my son's idea, he did the same during Harvey and when he said he was headed to Florida I said I am in, let's rock this place. I have found us a location that we can serve two towns only miles apart separated by the Apalachicola River, in an area with very little services.
We have been told that there are very scattered hot meals, mostly cold sandwiches. We want to bring warmth and love to those folks who are in dire need!

I contacted a friend who will attend to my garden while I am away, not sure how long, till we run out of food or money.

So today I did a major defo and a hand watering with some Great White added. My rez was fairly empty so I ran is as a flush to empty the tank and refill the rez and made up another 40 gallons for my friend to add as needed. He will come once a day to check and adjust the pH as needed.

Got pic's but no time to post so I will do so when I return.
Will be checking in to give update on our adventure.

GR

 

[NOOOBIENOT]

hello great plants what brand of nudes are you using with the great white ,do they have to be organic to use great white ?

 

[gr865]

hello great plants what brand of nudes are you using with the great white ,do they have to be organic to use great white ?

Canna A&B, Rhizotonic, Cannazym, Cal Magic, Epsom andDrip Clean
I run A&B @ 300 ppm in veg and in flower 400 to 450 ppm.

 

[gr865]

As previously posted, my son and I just spent the past two weeks in the panhandle of Florida feeding as many people as we possible could. We started a GoFundMe page for donation and served over 125 gallons of chicken noodle, beef noodle, taco and veggie soups along with 25 gallons of deer chili and 20 gallons of a goulash. We also served over 1500 hot/chili dogs.

It was a very sad but uplifting experience, met so many good people that have lost everything but held their heads high. We did the best we could to bring them a little love from Texas.
My apprentice whom I have been teaching growing took care of my plants while I was away. My ladies are ready to go into flower, actually they should have gone into 12/12 last week, they are overgrown now. Looks like a lots of Super Cropping is about to happen today.
Will post some pics soon.

 

[gr865]

Update
Day 42 of veg.

Been awhile since last update due to our journey to Florida, so this will be a multi post so as to get the pics here.
Well on the 15th I did a major defo with plans to begin 12/12 on 20th. With our trip to Florida I got set back by well over a week, the plants have grown considerably and so this past Saturday I had to do a minor defo and total retie an re-positing of the plants.
So now I plan on going into 12/12 this Thursday the 1st of Nov.
My mentor took care of my plant while I was in Florida and he did a fairly good job. A few issues when I returned, I had about 30 gallons of solution made up for him where all he had to do was pH once added to the rez. He did a great job on that. We ended up being gone much longer than expected so he had to gather rain water from my cisterns. add the nutes and additives then pH. I had left him total instructions for adding nutes to have the solution at 1.0 to 1.2 EC, but when I checked upon my return the EC was 1.8. So Saturday I had about 10 gallon of 1.8 EC in the rez, added 3 gallons to the rez along with 4 ml of Cal/Magic which brought the EC down to 0.95, pH'ed the solution and did a major flush. I then added 12 gallons to the rez, nutes to 1.0 EC and pH of 5.8.
This morning I had around 3 gallons in the rez so I added Great White, pH'ed and ran the rest of the solution through the plants. I will be cleaning the rez, with a lite Clorox solution, rinse well and refill with rain water an add nutes to 1.1 EC, give it about 8 hours to stabilize then pH it before the next cycle @ 4:00 PM.
This has set me back about 10 day behind my original schedule, the plant may end up being a pain as they are really overgrown so after stretch I feel I will be needing to do more Super Cropping and LST to keep them manageable, wish me luck,

10/12

After defo on the 15th

12 days later

Just love Great White

The ladies after 10/15 defo

For you defoliation haters please do not comment, just move on to someone else's post. Thank you!

Con't in the next post.

 

[gr865]

Con't from previous post.

The ladies 12 days later on 10/27, the pale looking leave are not a problem just the overhead light reflecting on them.

They recovered well from the defo, happy with them at this point.

A little nute burn from the 1.8 EC and some early Cal/Mag damage to some fans, they have been removed.

GR

 

[gr865]

BOO! Happy Halloween

First cycle of 12/12 starts at 9 PM tonight, so let's see what happen's over the next 8 to 9 weeks.

A little Super Cropping

Inside the tent.

GR

 

[gr865]

Update: Day 5 of 12/12

Here is a shot taken when I returned home yesterday, 11/4, from my river trip. The plant had a couple of burned leaves but no major damage.

Here they are this morning, 11/5, after removing them from the tent and doing some tie back. Got room now to grow, I think next week I will be attaching a net over them to hold the back from the light. I usually wait till flowers are showing more but damn the growth is overwhelming.

Got roots, most all pots look like this, a mix of fresh roots penetrating the pots and a few that are beginning to die of, and the process continues.

Here's the lineup, after tieback. Feeling there will be a major defo at day 21, so thick.

Cont. next post!

 

[gr865]

Con't from last post!

Update day 5 of 12/12

One last picture from this morning, just a mass of leaves and the plant is just beginning to stretch.

Got this yesterday from my Bud in NM, he sent this with a bud of his latest outdoor grow. 70% Indica dominate hybrid.


Cute, back in the day, say 45 plus years ago he was my VW mechanic, two bugs, two buses and a Type 3.
Has since become a very successful geologist, oil and environmental property mitigation, but he does remember the day,

GR

 

[TheFertilizer]

Dang man it's looking pretty good. I gotta go back and really study these pics. the vertical scrog is the coolest training I've seen so far.

Do you just get all that PVC pipe and the end caps and such at the hardware store or do you bulk order it online somewhere? I really need to get a good tray setup like yours too, that's pretty sweet. I just noticed the little run-off bin under it. Major cool. Not to mention the cool new emitters.

I've about given up on mine because my one pump can't really push enough pressure to equally distribute water to 9 pots; I tried to go find some pipe fittings to rig two pumps up to one manifold, but the store didn't have the T and elbow joints I needed in any threaded configuration, just slipjoints instead. Still gotta go hit up the Home DePot to see what they have instead. For now I've just been running to one pot at a time manually with the shut-off valves.

Plants are looking awesome, can't wait to see them in flower.

 

[gr865]

@ TheFertilizer

Do you just get all that PVC pipe and the end caps and such at the hardware store or do you bulk order it online somewhere?

I buy bulk from Lowe's or Home Depot, can send you measurements and fitting requirements if you like.

I really need to get a good tray setup like yours too, that's pretty sweet. Not to mention the cool new emitters.
Active Aqua Low Rise Flood Table, Black, 4' x 4'. It is a shallow 4x4 that actually fits my Gorilla Grow Lite.

I just noticed the little run-off bin under it. Major cool.
The run-off bin is a 32 quart low storage bin.

The emitters are Rainbird

SXB360SPYK - Xeri-Bubbler - Full-Circle Pattern (360 Degree), 8 Streams, 5 in. Spike Barb

I've about given up on mine because my one pump can't really push enough pressure to equally distribute water to 9 pots; I tried to go find some pipe fittings to rig two pumps up to one manifold, but the store didn't have the T and elbow joints I needed in any threaded configuration, just slipjoints instead. Still gotta go hit up the Home DePot to see what they have instead. For now I've just been running to one pot at a time manually with the shut-off valves.

Don't give up, I had the same shit with those little, even big, aquarium pumps. No pressure to run shit. This new setup is sweet, I have the emitters shut back big time or they would spray all over the place. LOL

This is my current setup. Note the 12V DC Fresh Water Pump, 12V Diaphragm Pump, 1.2 gallons @ 80 psi.
It is powered by a AC to DC Converter, 8.5 A, 100W 110-220V to 12V.
As you can see I use a pressure reducer to 30 PSI, just don't need the 80 PSI now but may in the future.

Good luck there buddy!

GR

 

[TheFertilizer]

@ TheFertilizer

Do you just get all that PVC pipe and the end caps and such at the hardware store or do you bulk order it online somewhere?

I buy bulk from Lowe's or Home Depot, can send you measurements and fitting requirements if you like.

I really need to get a good tray setup like yours too, that's pretty sweet. Not to mention the cool new emitters.
Active Aqua Low Rise Flood Table, Black, 4' x 4'. It is a shallow 4x4 that actually fits my Gorilla Grow Lite.

I just noticed the little run-off bin under it. Major cool.
The run-off bin is a 32 quart low storage bin.

The emitters are Rainbird
SXB360SPYK - Xeri-Bubbler - Full-Circle Pattern (360 Degree), 8 Streams, 5 in. Spike Barb

I've about given up on mine because my one pump can't really push enough pressure to equally distribute water to 9 pots; I tried to go find some pipe fittings to rig two pumps up to one manifold, but the store didn't have the T and elbow joints I needed in any threaded configuration, just slipjoints instead. Still gotta go hit up the Home DePot to see what they have instead. For now I've just been running to one pot at a time manually with the shut-off valves.

Don't give up, I had the same shit with those little, even big, aquarium pumps. No pressure to run shit. This new setup is sweet, I have the emitters shut back big time or they would spray all over the place. LOL

This is my current setup. Note the 12V DC Fresh Water Pump, 12V Diaphragm Pump, 1.2 gallons @ 80 psi.
It is powered by a AC to DC Converter, 8.5 A, 100W 110-220V to 12V.
As you can see I use a pressure reducer to 30 PSI, just don't need the 80 PSI now but may in the future.

Good luck there buddy!

GR

Does that actually draw the whole 8.5 amps? That's a little stiff electrical overhead

 

[gr865]

Does that actually draw the whole 8.5 amps? That's a little stiff electrical overhead

I do not know that for sure. I read somewhere that the actual draw was around 4 A.