Brightlight's Strain Fest: Organics & LED

[brightlight]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Mr. T....penetration for LEDs to me means how deep/distance from light down into the canopy where light is still effectively strong. 1st grow I learned that I had at least ~30" penetration. Current light to canopy distance is 12"-15" so I figure I should have good penetration down 15"-18" down.

 

[brightlight]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Veg period was 8 wks. Plants had 10-12 nodes. (1st LED grow I vegged for 6 wks. & plants had ~9 nodes). Chem 91's grew like crazy during transition, 1 White Master also grew a lot. The others stayed mostly short & squat...Indica type plants.

Pests
Fungus Gnats again. Less severe but I used about every gnat weapon available. Here is what I experienced.
SnS 203 - seems popular on 420 but I never thought it was worth the $. Fairly pricy for temporary, light to average suppression only.
Beneficial Nematodes - worked very well on earlier 2014 grow but this batch may have been weak/old. Refrigerated when I bought pkg. but who knows what happened in transit or how long in hydro store. I'm still high on this gnat weapon.
Gnat Nix - given a 9L sample at Max Yield. Ground up recycled glass to cut up emerging adult gnats. Hesitated to use as I like to be able to see/work with media. Must use a thicker layer than recommended 1/2 - 3/4" layer. Works ok, but I expected more. If you'd like to see this in planter, the Bella Donna defol. pics above show it.
Yellow Sticky Traps - darn good for the low cost.
BT - best results yet, not too expensive. Like it a lot, used 4 applications. Put in a new sticky trap to gauge post BT gnat count....good test as gnats down to just a few after BT.

Nutrient Problems
Just before 12/12 I noticed slight yellowing on younger leaves...like an FE deficiency. Checked pH & a couple were a little high at 7.0. Rest ~6.8. So I thought let's lower it a little to see if the problem. For an organic guy this was strange & foreign turf for me. A little lemon juice didn't do much. Since I've regularly used enzymes outdoors in the period from late veg through transition, I thought "why not?" Outdoors I brew enzymes w/ veg. protein teas in 5 gal. batches, but indoors I tried a sample bottle of Hygrozyme that had been sitting around. I added a good dose of Fulvic Acid. The ph didn't really go down very much...a little, but the problem went away! Luckily this & the gnats were the only problems so far.

4 wks. after 12/12

White Master - 5+ wks.

Chem 91 - 5+ wks.

Bella Donna - 5+ wks.
Smallish buds but nice frost. Tried the Quick Stix (green plastic)....helpful product.

Em-Dog 5+ wks.

To wind up...take a look at this picture. My yard looking west. The 2 neighboring redwoods had grown so thick & dense, my afternoon sun had decreased in recent years. One day I hear this chopping & grinding....never expected that those 2 trees were ever going to be thinned/trimmed. From middle of trees down to fence was totally blocked by redwood branches before being cut. Will have to wait until next summer to see how much sun I will regain. A good thing to offset the sudden loss of the enshrouded privacy I had. The strange joys of a weed grower.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[drcannabi]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Hello Brightlight,

Looking great my friend! I just finished reading your journal. I guess you do like organic, LED growing. Did I miss the Kali Mist report?

I see you've tried and love the CSG genetics. I have to pop some of those next cycle. I have a crap load of their seeds. How many of their strains have you grown out?

I have a 5 pack of the sage and sour I'm going to pop too based on your report.

Thanks for coming back to finish your thread!

 

[Teddy Edwards]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Some bright light for you outside. Beautiful.

Thanks everso (and to SG) for the defol / penetration info. I shall be putting it to use in the nest few weeks.

Absolutely cracking update. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

 

[brightlight]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Hello Brightlight,

Looking great my friend! I just finished reading your journal. I guess you do like organic, LED growing. Did I miss the Kali Mist report?

I see you've tried and love the CSG genetics. I have to pop some of those next cycle. I have a crap load of their seeds. How many of their strains have you grown out?

I have a 5 pack of the sage and sour I'm going to pop too based on your report.

Thanks for coming back to finish your thread!

Welcome doc! Glad to have you visit. KM is high on seed wish list, but I've never grown it. The few times that I was able to try it put it on the must grow sometime list. Almost bought the seeds last month when Serious was offering promo of its new Happiness, but missed the opportunity.

I first got into Connoisseur Genetics with SSSDH. I'd read about the strain but never tried it until growing it. Man..it went right onto the favorites' list & stayed there. Well, I ran out of my orig. regular seed pack & went back to buy more. Never having tried any form of cookies, I got tempted & went for the SSSDH-Cookies cross, which I grew this summer. Quite good but I think I'd been happier with the straight SSSDH & will eventually buy again. The Cheesedog were promo seeds that I first tried outdoors this summer. Germinated 2 hoping for a female but got lucky & both were females. Still testing it out after some cure as they were last to finish. Pretty good so far. I had read somewhere that CGS are able/connected to obtain top level cuts of what they breed to their own strains.

I think you will like the Sage n Sour. I like it well enough to grow again. Not just a happy, upbeat saliva....some psychedelic notes in there.

Some bright light for you outside. Beautiful.

Thanks everso (and to SG) for the defol / penetration info. I shall be putting it to use in the nest few weeks.

Absolutely cracking update. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Thanks Mr. T. My fans are gradually yellowing & dropping so that will help the overall defol process too. Light is closer to canopy this run & seem fine....but I've been wondering if too close might impact bud size? You know how that goes....always wondering if buds are large/fat enough for stage they're at.

 

[drcannabi]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Thanks for the info brightlight. The Tude has been running a CSG promo for a while now where you get 9 free seeds for every pack purchased. I took advantage of that but still haven't grown any out.

Your plants look so darn healthy. Makes me wish I lived in California.

 

[brightlight]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Thanks for the info brightlight. The Tude has been running a CSG promo for a while now where you get 9 free seeds for every pack purchased. I took advantage of that but still haven't grown any out.

Your plants look so darn healthy. Makes me wish I lived in California.

Thank you dr. The weather here is definitely an ally to outdoor growing. Maybe a little rain at the beginning & sometimes a good storm towards the end, but generally sunny everyday through the entire growing season. Sometimes some morning coastal fog drifts in, especially in June.

Which Connoisseur seeds did you buy? Just curious.

 

[CareStaker]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Wow, those ladies are gorgeous. Looking greasy too. Nice stuff Brightlight!

 

[drcannabi]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Thank you dr. The weather here is definitely an ally to outdoor growing. Maybe a little rain at the beginning & sometimes a good storm towards the end, but generally sunny everyday through the entire growing season. Sometimes some morning coastal fog drifts in, especially in June.

Which Connoisseur seeds did you buy? Just curious.

Hi Brightlight,

I'm kind of a seed collector. I've bought a few of their packs. I've got some freebies too. I've got The White S1, OG Chem, Strawberries & Cream, and Secret Recipe. I've got some freebies from the attitude Promo as well. Chemmy Jones, OJ's Haze, and SSSDH.

Any recommendations for the next grow?

 

[brightlight]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Wow, those ladies are gorgeous. Looking greasy too. Nice stuff Brightlight!

Thank you CareStaker. They are an oily, greasy bunch, but don't seem as fat as last run. Trichomes good except the Chems are on the lighter side. I'm close to 7 wks. & plan to stop all nutrients very soon so I hope they get fatten up. Thinking 1 more feeding only. How long do you like to have between last feed & the end?

Hi Brightlight,

I'm kind of a seed collector. I've bought a few of their packs. I've got some freebies too. I've got The White S1, OG Chem, Strawberries & Cream, and Secret Recipe. I've got some freebies from the attitude Promo as well. Chemmy Jones, OJ's Haze, and SSSDH.

Any recommendations for the next grow?

Ahh dr., another seed collector! That's a nice way to put it...I think I've become a seed fiend. Some promos on the Tude can be hard to resist. The big Christmas one is up later this wk. Are you in? I think I'm going to get some RP Strawberry Banana & grow it for a special friend. She loves Bubblegum, & SB seems like a great modern update on a classic strain.

 

[drcannabi]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Ahh dr., another seed collector! That's a nice way to put it...I think I've become a seed fiend. Some promos on the Tude can be hard to resist. The big Christmas one is up later this wk. Are you in? I think I'm going to get some RP Strawberry Banana & grow it for a special friend. She loves Bubblegum, & SB seems like a great modern update on a classic strain.

I've actually been eyeing the Karma straw banana cream promo at the Tude for a while now. Not sure if he used the RP version for his cross but 15% off packs and free beans sound good to me. I've heard his genetics are outstanding and I have a few of them but have never grown them out.

The other promo I've been eyeballing is the RD promo. They're giving away Scott's, 501 st, Cornbread, and Rug Burn. Lots of OG love there. I'm growing 1 moonshine Haze currently at 9 weeks of flower and its an impressive plant. I'll let you know how the smoke is in a few weeks.

What caught your eye?

I guess that's the long way of saying Yes, I'm in

 

[mrrobert420]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Your plants look soo well!! Great job + reps

 

[NorCaliwood]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Starting to frost up nicely. I get gnats ever now and then seeing I'm using a lot of worm castings, etc. I have used a product called go gnats and it works. Strange stuff but really does work. I woodn't use it in hydro tho. Might clog drippers etc. You can take a fork and turn the top couple inches every time you water too. That will cuttem back alittle. Turn the soil and water hard with clean water or even a flush. GL and Keepem Green

 

[CareStaker]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

I'm close to 7 wks. & plan to stop all nutrients very soon so I hope they get fatten up. Thinking 1 more feeding only. How long do you like to have between last feed & the end?

That sounds about right. My best overall results have been with a 2.5 week flush. Ideally if possible, I try to sharply taper down my feedings to where I'm feeding nothing but B-52 (B-complexes with Fulvic & Humic) and molasses (NPK and ATP building starches) for 10 days, and then only water for the last 7 days before chop. It's all a compromise - but I like that the plant is getting nutrition and starch till just a week before chop - and that the finished product has no undesirable tastes or burning attributes.

I also have had my battles with fungus gnats. I don't worry about them any longer, and I don't spray anything on the plants. What I changed -- my pots, what was in them, on top of them, and how I fed/watered. I switched to fabric pots (no holes to hide and breed in), and use quite a bit of perlite in my mix (top soil stays dry, air roots do better too), and I don't feed until the pot is almost dry (very light). If there are more than a half dozen of any type of pest, I add a light layer of Diamaceous Earth on top, and this will kill any hatchlings. This method has kept me free of gnats for almost 2 yrs perpetual, so hopefully there is some good info there. I wish DonP was still around, I copied his watering style - he was a great source of info. Anyway, loving your ladies - I'm betting that they fill out nicely.

Edit: I also use a clearing agent (Florikleen) when I stop feeding base nutes & supplements.

 

[B A R]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Hi Brightlight,

I'm kind of a seed collector. I've bought a few of their packs. I've got some freebies too. I've got The White S1, OG Chem, Strawberries & Cream, and Secret Recipe. I've got some freebies from the attitude Promo as well. Chemmy Jones, OJ's Haze, and SSSDH.

Any recommendations for the next grow?

I'd go with the Secret Recipe first Dr. Canna, just for name's sake.



Hello Brightlights. Things are looking good up in here.

Might want to try this Home Recipe for gnats before spending any cash.

 

[drcannabi]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

I'd go with the Secret Recipe first Dr. Canna, just for name's sake.

Thanks BAR. I was leaning that way until I came upon a few grow journals that said the potency is just not there. Wonder what the deal is?

Might want to try this Home Recipe for gnats before spending any cash.

Checked out that link BAR. Great sharing of information there. Looks like I can make my own gnat killer for 1 cent.

 

[drcannabi]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

Hey BAR,

Just thought about this. Won't the hydrogen peroxide kill the microbes along with the gnats in Living Organic Soil?

In the past I've hung those Hot Shot Pest Strips for a week to kill them. Always only for a week and never in the flower chamber. I won't do that anymore because the MSDS sheet on that stuff is pretty scary.

my current method is to let the medium go almost completely dry before watering. Allot of air movement across the top of the soil helps too. Since doing that I rarely see any gnats.

Anyways, the hydrogen peroxide and soap seem like the way to go as long as it doesn't kill the microbial life. I just don't know the answer to that.

 

[brightlight]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

I've actually been eyeing the Karma straw banana cream promo at the Tude for a while now. Not sure if he used the RP version for his cross but 15% off packs and free beans sound good to me. I've heard his genetics are outstanding and I have a few of them but have never grown them out.

The other promo I've been eyeballing is the RD promo. They're giving away Scott's, 501 st, Cornbread, and Rug Burn. Lots of OG love there. I'm growing 1 moonshine Haze currently at 9 weeks of flower and its an impressive plant. I'll let you know how the smoke is in a few weeks.

What caught your eye?

I guess that's the long way of saying Yes, I'm in

doc...I don't know much about Karma so went to take a look. Thanks for tip. What I did was do a search for "Bubblegum". RD has some interesting strains but I lately I buy mostly fems, which they don't do much. Their Ghost Train Haze seems to be getting popular.

Your plants look soo well!! Great job + reps

Hey mrrobert! Thanks for visiting. Glad you did. Your grow room upgrade is like going from a studio apt. to a mansion!

Starting to frost up nicely. I get gnats ever now and then seeing I'm using a lot of worm castings, etc. I have used a product called go gnats and it works. Strange stuff but really does work. I woodn't use it in hydro tho. Might clog drippers etc. You can take a fork and turn the top couple inches every time you water too. That will cuttem back alittle. Turn the soil and water hard with clean water or even a flush. GL and Keepem Green

Thanks NC. I do like to turn soil but giving that GnatNix a try prevented that. I'm not familiar with go gnats. Thanks for tip. BT worked well & the few left aren't a problem anymore.

That sounds about right. My best overall results have been with a 2.5 week flush. Ideally if possible, I try to sharply taper down my feedings to where I'm feeding nothing but B-52 (B-complexes with Fulvic & Humic) and molasses (NPK and ATP building starches) for 10 days, and then only water for the last 7 days before chop. It's all a compromise - but I like that the plant is getting nutrition and starch till just a week before chop - and that the finished product has no undesirable tastes or burning attributes.

I also have had my battles with fungus gnats. I don't worry about them any longer, and I don't spray anything on the plants. What I changed -- my pots, what was in them, on top of them, and how I fed/watered. I switched to fabric pots (no holes to hide and breed in), and use quite a bit of perlite in my mix (top soil stays dry, air roots do better too), and I don't feed until the pot is almost dry (very light). If there are more than a half dozen of any type of pest, I add a light layer of Diamaceous Earth on top, and this will kill any hatchlings. This method has kept me free of gnats for almost 2 yrs perpetual, so hopefully there is some good info there. I wish DonP was still around, I copied his watering style - he was a great source of info. Anyway, loving your ladies - I'm betting that they fill out nicely.

Edit: I also use a clearing agent (Florikleen) when I stop feeding base nutes & supplements.

Thank you CareStaker for detailed reply. Good for me to hear that my end regimen is similar to yours. I've seen your quality! With the cooler weather, I only water every 4th day. Pretty dry by then except at very bottom. I probably kill off some microbes through infrequent watering, but I reinoculate right up to the last feed. I (LOL right now) probably apply microbes more often than nutrients. I haven't used Florikleen. I use Humboldt's Royal Flush, which they tell me is more microbe friendly. Thanks again bud.





Hello Brightlights. Things are looking good up in here.

Might want to try this Home Recipe for gnats before spending any cash.[/QUOTE]

 

[brightlight]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

I'd go with the Secret Recipe first Dr. Canna, just for name's sake.



Hello Brightlights. Things are looking good up in here.

Might want to try this Home Recipe for gnats before spending any cash.

Good to see ya BAR. Like the dr. I've not used H2O2 for pests thinking it would kill off microbes, but your amt. of H2O2 in your recipe seems safe enough. Thanks for tip!

 

[B A R]

re: Brightlight's Strain Fest - Organics & LED

You're welcomed...