DIY Stealth Cab, Hydro, LED & Multiple Strains in Small Space - Oh Boy!

[Mr. Krip]

QUICK VEG UPDATE

I wanted to do a quick update on a few of the girls in veg...

First, I mentioned that I started some LST on the one surviving PE clone yesterday. I bent her way over using paper clips to secure the ties to the solo cups. Today, she's already reaching back towards the light with a clear S-formation in her main stalk:

The Power Skunk seedling that had the UBT is looking great, and she definately is developing four colas, but the two top colas are developing much quicker than the two lower colas, at this point. Hopefully, the lower ones catch up and I don't just end up with two colas, but two are still better than one! :

Finally, the real reason for the update....

When I took a look at Lucy today, for the first time she really looked like a "normal" MJ plant based on her stage of development. Based on length of time, I would expect she'd be much more developed, but considering she was growing the wrong way into the cube, maybe she just had to re-adjust her sense of direction and her growth got delayed by a week or so?

The last PE was definately stunted in that it looked like a "miniature" plant, but this one does not look that way. It appears fairly normal for only having her first couple of nodes.

I'm hoping that she's got her bearings now and, once she gets some roots in the res, she really starts taking off. I'm really considering the possibility of moving her to one of the waterfarms once I do the next harvest to make sure I can get some viable clones.

I still have hope for her yet!

Here she is:

Happy Harvests!

K

 

[Goldengoose7]

Looking good K!

Definitely cause for optimism!

 

[Mr. Krip]

UPDATE TO LAST POST:

Just for comparison purposes, I found a pic of the last Lucy seedling that was a "miniature". When this pic was taken, she had FOUR nodes:

And, here's the current Lucy with TWO nodes:

I almost forgot to mention it, but when I went to the hydro store yesterday for the Cal-Mag, the "dude" gave me a free sample of some spider mite killer, and also a free sample of some ProTekt Dynagrow Silica additive. I was pretty happy to get the Silica and I'm hoping it will help strengthen some of the weeker plants!

 

[OldMedMan]

Hi Mr. Krip. The girl are looking great.....I am really glad that Lucy has decided to be a beautiful Lucy. Nice LST too.

 

[Mr. Krip]

TIME TO REVEAL THE NEW PLANS!

Bro's, I feel horrible for keeping it from you for so long, and was going to try to wait to reveal it for a couple of weeks, but it's time to let everyone know what's in store for the next grow & journal.

Many of you know, I have had limited space and really been searching for the best way to optimize it. When I built my cab, the goal was to get 2-4 oz. of dried meds per harvest, for personal use only.

Although it sure looks like I can get that yield, I also anticipated time between harvests being much shorter. This was before I learned of the agressive flowering times given by seed companies and understood the difference between starting 12/12 vs. starting flower.

So, I've been finding it a little difficult to get by in between harvests. It seems like I just haven't had quite enough to get me through.

Discovering Bonsais was a big breakthrough in being able to maintain a perpetual grow in my limited space. And, most of you had heard me discussing the possibility of doing a SOG grow soon when I was aksing about the HydroHeart.

Well, having read, now, numerous SOG journals (MANY thanks to 420fied, Xare, and others!), I've decided to go with a SOG for my next grow.

In fact, If you remember, after I took those last couple of PE clones I had mentioned that the Bonsai looked like it still could have given up another six or so...Well, about a week later, I actually took another six clones I didn't mention here, which were to be the first six clones of the new SOG.

Unfortunately, due to my being out of town earler this week, this is what happened to the clones I was preparing:

That made me really concerned since I'm about 2 1/2 weeks from harvest, and don't think I'll have any clones rooted in time. And I had just taken the six clones from the PE Bonsai mom which I'm trying to grow out to increase the number of clones I can take.

Why do I need to increase the number of clones I can take from the Bonsai?

Because, a few weeks ago, I started putting this together:

It's a 2'x4'x5' GroMedics tent! Grow creep has definately set in and stealth has gone right out the window!

Here's where I'm at with it on the inside, so far:

First, I got a 6" fan and can filter NOT realizing how much bigger it is than the 4" that's in the cab. There isn't even any 6" duct ports in the tent, and it's too big & heavy to really mount anywhere comfortably.

So, I set it vertically in the corner, put on a 6"-4" duct reducer and just need to get some 4" ducting to complete the ventillation:

I've got the electrical run up to the top of the tent where I also put one of those 6" clip-on fans for some breeze and air circulation:

And, on the bottom, I have TWO 34L plastic trays to be used for drainage on the 2L hempys that they will be containing:

Those trays are 16"x24" and should be able to comfortably hold (12) 2L hempys each, for a total of 24 plants! After considering numerous alternatives, the 2L hempys made the most sense. And, because the tent is located in my bedroom, I won't have to deal with the sounds of pumps and dripping water. I'm sure the 6" fan will be loud enough, but I do have it on a speed controller!

I'm going to try to take 6 clones every two weeks, and if things work as expected, should be able to harvest something like 3oz. dried every two weeks once things get rolling.

Having lost the first six clones, and not having the Power Skunk ready to be a mom yet, has set my plans back some.

So, when I mentioned going to the hydro store for some Cal-Mag a few days ago, along with the Cal-Mag, I picked up one of these:

It's a TurboKlone T-24 Mini. It has 24 sites, but I'm guessing I won't have any more than 12, or so, filled at any one time.

As you can see, I did take another four clones from the Bonsai today, which is why I've decided to reveal the plans. This way, you can all see what's going on with the new TurboKlone.

I really couldn't take any more clones today, and, now that I'm in "scramble" mode, it will be more difficult to let the Bonsai grow out a little more, as I was planning, but it shouldn't take too long to get caught up!

Once the PE's are out of flower, I'll send the 180w BlackStar back for repair and use the existing veg side of the cab for the TurboKlone (which is where it is now!). And, I'll use the current flower side of the cab to veg out the clones that have already been rooted in the TurboKlone and also to maintain some Bonsai moms. I'll just switch the current bulbs in the CFL's out for 6500's.

Once they've vegged for a week or so after being transplanted from the TurboKlone, I'll move them to the tent to flower.

Although I haven't purchased it yet, my current plans are to get one of the new BlackStar 500w LED's which has the 3w chips and I can pick up for right around $500, which seems like a great price for a 500w LED, and I know the BlackStars work.

Of course, if some sponsor wants to either loan or give me a great deal on a good LED to test, I'll be happy to consider it!

I will start a new journal for this SOG grow this weekend (most likely!) and keep this journal going until the harvest and smoke report of the PE's currently in flower.

I think that just about covers it, but feel free to ask questions if there's anything I missed or to yell at me for withholding the info!

Happy Harvests!

K

 

[Magic beans]

Hey Mr. K,

I really wish you the best of luck on those clones. I really would like everything to go as smoothely as possible for you. They better fix that blackstar quick! Im diggin the new tent and im sure you will be satisfied. Take my advice and spend a couple dollars on some 1x2 boards to prevent tent suck in that. Since your doing an SOG what are you going to be using? A flood table? Because i know waterfarms wouldnt be suitable. I hope the new blackstar you get doesnt give you any problems... But hey, a grower with your determination will always come out ahead. Now, with a new grow tent, doing SOG, youll be able to keep your harvest times closer together. And you can still use the stealth cab to grow bigger plants. I dont believe youll be running out again. Who wants to go buy a quarter for $100? that, and the fact that we can grow our own plant, know where it comes from, and find our strain, is the reason we do it right? Ill definitely be tuning into your next journal when its up.

 

[mavis]

Using LED grow light maybe the best way to make your plant grow more faster, healthier, stronger.

 

[Aaron Quix]

I would really like to second what MB said

Man oh man, you are about to really have some fun now Mr. K.!! It's funny, you and I think very much alike at times....You know Im in the same boat as you with space, and I have been scouting spots in my bedroom for the tent as well. I think come X-mas or so, there will be yet another similarity between our setups .....I mean, adding a 3rd dimention such as a separate flower cab, changes the dynamic of a small op like yours or mine greatly, doesn't it!!?? I get all jittery when I think about it lol, grow-creep's a bitch!

 

[Mr. Krip]

Hey Mr. K,

I really wish you the best of luck on those clones. I really would like everything to go as smoothely as possible for you.

Thanks, Beans, but I don't think those clones are gonna make it. I already took them out of the cab now that I have the TurboKlone going with another four clones. It just sets me back a couple of weeks, but forced me to invest the the cloner sooner than I planned, so hopefully the clones will all root quicker and I'll make up for the lost time.

Hey Mr. K,

They better fix that blackstar quick! Im diggin the new tent and im sure you will be satisfied. Take my advice and spend a couple dollars on some 1x2 boards to prevent tent suck in that.

I don't think I'll be using that Blackstar for a while. It's really meant for flowering and I'll have the new LED in the tent. I may put the 180w in their also, when it's repaired, but most likely it will stay boxed until I decide to flower in the cabinet again.

Since your doing an SOG what are you going to be using? A flood table? Because i know waterfarms wouldnt be suitable.

I'll be using 2 liter soda bottles as hempy containers with a 75%/25% perlite/vermiculite mix, a la 420fied.

I dont believe youll be running out again. Who wants to go buy a quarter for $100? that, and the fact that we can grow our own plant, know where it comes from, and find our strain, is the reason we do it right? Ill definitely be tuning into your next journal when its up.

You got that right!

I appreciate the support and the "suck prevention" tip!

 

[Mr. Krip]

Using LED grow light maybe the best way to make your plant grow more faster, healthier, stronger.

I'm not sure about faster/healthier/stronger but I am very sure about cooler & cheaper!

 

[Mr. Krip]

I would really like to second what MB said

Man oh man, you are about to really have some fun now Mr. K.!! It's funny, you and I think very much alike at times....You know Im in the same boat as you with space, and I have been scouting spots in my bedroom for the tent as well. I think come X-mas or so, there will be yet another similarity between our setups .....I mean, adding a 3rd dimention such as a separate flower cab, changes the dynamic of a small op like yours or mine greatly, doesn't it!!?? I get all jittery when I think about it lol, grow-creep's a bitch!

Hey, Thanks, Quix!

Yeah, I am about to have a lot of fun and you don't know how hard it was not to tell you what I had planned, especially when you were "egging me on" about getting a cloner going!

It really does change the dynamic since, essentially, I just doubled my grow space. Plus, they're in two seperate areas and the cabinet is already divided. It now really makes for a perfect perpetual setup.

Plus, after a couple of rounds of doing a SOG, I should have plenty of meds stored, so things will be a little more "relaxed" and I can play around a little...maybe grow some bigger plants in the cab again, or maybe get into some breeding, etc.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide to do with your bedroom!

BTW...best wishes going out again for your Mom!

 

[OG13]

Plus, after a couple of rounds of doing a SOG, I should have plenty of meds stored, so things will be a little more "relaxed" and I can play around a little...maybe grow some bigger plants in the cab again, or maybe get into some breeding, etc.

get some inventory built up, then relax for a while.....I like it. Geez Krip, you almost killed me. I've "looked in" from time to time, but just went thru the whole journal over the past two days.....glad it doesn't go as fast as OMMs or XLR8's or I would have gone wacko. Good to see you going SOG--it is the best option for you most likely, excellent for small spaces using smaller lights. I understand stealth too....the name of the game for SOG.....Nice filter for the tent.

Glad to see the UBT Power Skunk seedling, way to go. That's how it's done. Will be an excellent mother (or producer). I am convinced your Lucy's got "messed up" on the trip over the pond....a little too much of themselves. Can't even find up any more....wtf

 

[Goldengoose7]

YEEHAW!!!

WELCOME TO THE TURBO KLONE FAMILY!

I didn't realize that they had released the "MINI" yet! They were still working on the production details when I bought my T-48. If the Mini had been in production back then I would have probably gotten one myself since I have rarely used more than 20 or so sites in one cloning session.

I'm sure you are going to LOVE that thing! Darin Allison and the team over at the TK factory are great people so if you have any questions on operation etc. don't hesitate to drop them an email.

Twelve will be excited to hear about your new toy! I told him that they were working on the Mini back when I got my 48 and he sounded very interested in picking one up too!

Once again... CONGRATS on a wise purchase! I think the Turbo Klone line is the best production cloner on the market, hands down!

Sent from my iPod touch using Forum Runner

 

[Mr. Krip]

YEEHAW!!!

WELCOME TO THE TURBO KLONE FAMILY!

I didn't realize that they had released the "MINI" yet! They were still working on the production details when I bought my T-48. If the Mini had been in production back then I would have probably gotten one myself since I have rarely used more than 20 or so sites in one cloning session.

I'm sure you are going to LOVE that thing! Darin Allison and the team over at the TK factory are great people so if you have any questions on operation etc. don't hesitate to drop them an email.

Twelve will be excited to hear about your new toy! I told him that they were working on the Mini back when I got my 48 and he sounded very interested in picking one up too!

Once again... CONGRATS on a wise purchase! I think the Turbo Klone line is the best production cloner on the market, hands down!

Sent from my iPod touch using Forum Runner

Thanks, Bro!

Yeah, I've looked at a bunch of cloners and the TurboKlone seems the best. It looks like EZ Clone has larger market share, but the TK is cheaper, you get more plant sites, and it has the cooling fan to help keep the res cool.

In fact, I've referred back to your TK Cloning tutorial a few times!

I just saw the mini and was able to get one from my hydro store for $128, which seemed like a great deal compared to other prices I had seen. I had been planning on making a "manifold" type of cloner, but I have not been able to find any containers that would work well in my cab. This unit is something like 15"x18" and has 24 plant sites. It seemed perfect, especially since I'm gonna have a 24 plant SOG!

The TK-mini holds just about exactly two gallons of water (depending on how your read the fill line!). I mixed in a couple of ml's of H2O2, with a few drops of SuperThrive and 2ml's of DM Zone and PH'd to 5.8 (although, with no roots, I'm not sure PH is a big factor, yet!).

When I took the clones, I did NOT use any rooting hormone. I only had the powder, which I figured would clog the sprayers, and the hydro store dude told me not to use anything when I went to buy some Clonex solution.

On his advice, I'm gonna run the TK full time for the first couple of days, then I'm gonna cut back to 15 minutes on / 45 minutes off cycles.

What's been working best for you???

 

[Mr. Krip]

get some inventory built up, then relax for a while.....I like it. Geez Krip, you almost killed me. I've "looked in" from time to time, but just went thru the whole journal over the past two days.....glad it doesn't go as fast as OMMs or XLR8's or I would have gone wacko. Good to see you going SOG--it is the best option for you most likely, excellent for small spaces using smaller lights. I understand stealth too....the name of the game for SOG.....Nice filter for the tent.

Glad to see the UBT Power Skunk seedling, way to go. That's how it's done. Will be an excellent mother (or producer). I am convinced your Lucy's got "messed up" on the trip over the pond....a little too much of themselves. Can't even find up any more....wtf

Thanks, OG - That's the plan! Get some inventory then relax!

Sorry, Bro! Didn't meant to make life tough, but I know this journal has gotten pretty long which is another reason why I'm starting another on the new grow.

The UBT on the Power Skunk was to make her another bonsai mom, but I do have the top in some rockwool hoping it'll root and I'll get an early PS clone to add to the SOG! And, hopefully, Lucy will pull through and either make a good mother, or give me some clones that will make good mothers (which is less likely if she's not a good mother, herself)!.

Thanks for the good words!

 

[Goldengoose7]

Thanks, Bro!

Yeah, I've looked at a bunch of cloners and the TurboKlone seems the best. It looks like EZ Clone has larger market share, but the TK is cheaper, you get more plant sites, and it has the cooling fan to help keep the res cool.

In fact, I've referred back to your TK Cloning tutorial a few times!

I just saw the mini and was able to get one from my hydro store for $128, which seemed like a great deal compared to other prices I had seen. I had been planning on making a "manifold" type of cloner, but I have not been able to find any containers that would work well in my cab. This unit is something like 15"x18" and has 24 plant sites. It seemed perfect, especially since I'm gonna have a 24 plant SOG!

The TK-mini holds just about exactly two gallons of water (depending on how your read the fill line!). I mixed in a couple of ml's of H2O2, with a few drops of SuperThrive and 2ml's of DM Zone and PH'd to 5.8 (although, with no roots, I'm not sure PH is a big factor, yet!).

When I took the clones, I did NOT use any rooting hormone. I only had the powder, which I figured would clog the sprayers, and the hydro store dude told me not to use anything when I went to buy some Clonex solution.

On his advice, I'm gonna run the TK full time for the first couple of days, then I'm gonna cut back to 15 minutes on / 45 minutes off cycles.

What's been working best for you???

Wow! That's a great price for a store bought cloner!

In terms of the reservoir...

I've been running with what Darin told me to use and it has served me well so far.

They recommend Clonex cloning gel on the cuttings and nothing but RO WATER adjusted to 5.7 for the first week. Keep water temp as close to 72 F as you can * and maintain a pH of 5.7 at all times. If you add more nutes than the cloning gel that washes into the water, you run the risk of black stem rot and other nasties growing in the solution that early.

Cycle timer setting...

20 minutes ON • 4 minutes OFF • for first three days, then 2 minutes ON • and 4 minutes OFF • for remainder of the session.

Did you get the humidity dome for it? I find that using the humidity dome for the first 36 hours helps keep the cuttings from wilting during the early stages of the session. I usually remove the dome by the third day, but keep the fans away from the cloner until the start of week 2.

At the end of week 1 "Day 8" add 1.25ml of "Home and Garden Roots Excellerator" per gallon and 45ml of "Clonex Cloning Solution" per gallon.

Definitely avoid any powders and such since those will clog the jets as you suspected. Clonex solution is particle free as is Roots Excelerator, but other cloning solutions are not, so I stick with factory's recommended brands if possible.

As you know from following my T48 sessions, I had 100% success rate with the first two sessions. Less success on the third session but only because it was at the end of the season and all the cuttings went into flower half way through cause their mothers had just started flowering outside!!

The fact that I still got over 50% rooting success with flowering cuttings including the hard to clone Blue Cheese strain is testament to the TK and those recommended nutes starting on Day #8

Feel free to ask me anything about the process with this machine! I've done enough of them this last season that I've got the whole thing down to a science!

* You might want to buy yourself a Polder Digital In-Oven Probe like I have and use it for monitoring your cloner water temp at all times without having to turn the pump off, lift the lid and stick a thermometer in there. I secure the probe onto the cloner's inner wall with THIS. This model has an alarm you can set to go off if the temp reaches a certain point, which is handy for an application like this!

The water temp is so crucial that it pays to be able to check it at a glance any time you are in the room with the machine. I even put a webcam on my Polder display so I can monitor it from my iPOD or one of my Macs when I am out in the house!

Sent from my iPod touch using Forum Runner

 

[Mr. Krip]

Wow! That's a great price for a store bought cloner!

In terms of the reservoir...

I've been running with what Darin told me to use and it has served me well so far.

They recommend Clonex cloning gel on the cuttings and nothing but RO WATER adjusted to 5.7 for the first week. Keep water temp as close to 72 F as you can * and maintain a pH of 5.7 at all times. If you add more nutes than the cloning gel that washes into the water, you run the risk of black stem rot and other nasties growing in the solution that early.

Cycle timer setting...

20 minutes ON • 4 minutes OFF • for first three days, then 2 minutes ON • and 4 minutes OFF • for remainder of the session.

Did you get the humidity dome for it? I find that using the humidity dome for the first 36 hours helps keep the cuttings from wilting during the early stages of the session. I usually remove the dome by the third day, but keep the fans away from the cloner until the start of week 2.

At the end of week 1 "Day 8" add 1.25ml of "Home and Garden Roots Excellerator" per gallon and 45ml of "Clonex Cloning Solution" per gallon.

Definitely avoid any powders and such since those will clog the jets as you suspected. Clonex solution is particle free as is Roots Excelerator, but other cloning solutions are not, so I stick with factory's recommended brands if possible.

As you know from following my T48 sessions, I had 100% success rate with the first two sessions. Less success on the third session but only because it was at the end of the season and all the cuttings went into flower half way through cause their mothers had just started flowering outside!!

The fact that I still got over 50% rooting success with flowering cuttings including the hard to clone Blue Cheese strain is testament to the TK and those recommended nutes starting on Day #8

Feel free to ask me anything about the process with this machine! I've done enough of them this last season that I've got the whole thing down to a science!

* You might want to buy yourself a Polder oven temp probe like I have and use it for monitoring your cloner water temp at all times without having to turn the pump off, lift the lid and stick a thermometer in there. The water temp is so crucial that it pays to be able to check it at a glance any time you are in the room with the machine. I even put a webcam on my Polder display so I can monitor it from my iPOD or one of my Macs when I am out in the house!

Sent from my iPod touch using Forum Runner

Thanks, GG7! Good info!

Geez! That Root Exceleurator is over $60 for a 250ml bottle. It does look like I can get a cycle timer pretty cheap, but for now, I'm saving for the $500 LED, so I think the timer and supplements will have to wait a little! And, I saw your webcam temp monitoring system which is very cool, but again, a toy that will have to wait!

I do appreciate the help, though, and that cycle timer will be HIGH on my list!

 

[OldMedMan]

My My My Mr. Krip !

You know me.......everyone has added all the technical details and how too's.

I am more on the personal side.....YaaaHooo!

You have room now! What a relief for you personally. I'm just loving the whole idea. You can only keep a secret so long....................

I'm happy as can be Buddy......go to it!

 

[Goldengoose7]

Thanks, GG7! Good info!

Geez! That Root Exceleurator is over $60 for a 250ml bottle. It does look like I can get a cycle timer pretty cheap, but for now, I'm saving for the $500 LED, so I think the timer and supplements will have to wait a little! And, I saw your webcam temp monitoring system which is very cool, but again, a toy that will have to wait!

I do appreciate the help, though, and that cycle timer will be HIGH on my list!

I know! I was shocked when I found out how much $$ that RE stuff costs! But you can't argue with results and BOY does that stuff get results! It is truly like magic how it speeds up root development to literally overnight results! I would LOVE to know what the heck is in that stuff!

My cycle timer cost me around $60.00 on amazon. I can post the URL if you like. The temp probe really is a MUST have and at under $17.00 I would strongly advise that you add that ASAP. Being able to easily monitor the temp is very important and trust me when I say that you will be far less likely to check it as often if you have to shut the thing off, open the lid and stick a thermometer in there every time you want to know.

I understand how it goes when you are trying to save for another piece of gear! If your outside air temp is around 69-70 degrees , you might be able to get away with not running a timer and leaving the thing going 24/7. The TK folks actually expect you too do that, but it would be impossible for me to maintain 72 F in my closet without shutting the pump off a good portion of the time, even with the exhaust fan it has built in.

 

[Mr. Krip]

My My My Mr. Krip !

You know me.......everyone has added all the technical details and how too's.

I am more on the personal side.....YaaaHooo!

You have room now! What a relief for you personally. I'm just loving the whole idea. You can only keep a secret so long....................

I'm happy as can be Buddy......go to it!

OMM, Thanks, Brother! I appreciate the good thoughts!

Yeah, I'm pretty excited, too!

The extra space will make all the difference in the world as far as being "self-sufficient", regardless of whether I grow SOG or not. Plus, it really gives me room to play with multiple strains, breeding, bonsais, and a bunch of other fun stuff. And, there's now room for some error, so if I lose a plant or have some problems along the way (like the root rot on the PS that delayed its development!), it won't have as much of a negative impact on my stash!