Grandpa's Second Try - Come Join Us!

[Tead]

What an intriguing grow. Growing without any visual clues. I couldn't begin to imagine such things. Fun! Tead likes anything new and different.... I think you've landed in that arena in a big way.

I could read all those pages, but I'm way too lazy for that so I'll just fire off some, no doubt, already well answered questions like an idiot.
Do you have a friend that helps you on occasions when you need visual info? Have you ever dealt with a bug invasion of any sort?

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

WOW that is surreal in similarity, I love it.

See Grandpa, all this stuff you already know by instinct. It's just a matter of linking your instinct with growth stage techniques. That is crazy how we can relate so closely like that.

I haven't coached you from the soil stage, so now I get to think ahead for you.

Keep up the good work. It will get easier. Setting the stage is the hardest part for everyone, when it comes to one...little...seed.

Much luv to you and yours. This is our year Grandpa, I can feel it.

Well... Don't ask me where that came from. I'm willing to bet that it came from right here on the thread, somebody advise me as to an easy way to do it. Or, I may have seen it in another thread. Regardless, I've learned that I have to be more careful to find the Centerpoint of the pot. You're right though... It is rather surreal, isn't it? you think as far ahead as much as you want,, Lady G. when you put those thoughts into words, I understand completely. You put the words together into a way that makes the picture of what you are talking about go right into my mind's eye. Bravo to you! Very few people have that Talent. I have a good feeling about 2018 as well. :young-plant:

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

What an intriguing grow. Growing without any visual clues. I couldn't begin to imagine such things. Fun! Tead likes anything new and different.... I think you've landed in that arena in a big way.

I could read all those pages, but I'm way too lazy for that so I'll just fire off some, no doubt, already well answered questions like an idiot.
Do you have a friend that helps you on occasions when you need visual info? Have you ever dealt with a bug invasion of any sort?

Greetings Ted! Welcome to my journal and all the wonderful information that all my family has put up here. Pull up a comfy chair and help yourself to the cold Cokes and cheesy poofs. It is quite challenging to be doing this, but it keeps my mind busy and boredom stays away for awhile when I'm working with my girls. I have had pitiful results so far, but this will get dialed in with the help of all of my family here on this thread. To answer your questions...

1. My wife Kelley does the things that need eyesight. Things like pH, PPM, what the girls look like, things like that. We tried to figure out how I could take a good picture, but that couldn't be done so she takes the pictures as well.
2. On my very first grow, which is documented in another Journal now located in the finished journals area, we had to deal with fungus gnats. They didn't help a situation that I set up rather badly. We dealt with them as best we could without the availability of neem oil.
Please feel free to advise and ask any questions that you need to. Knowing that you haven't read the entire thread makes no question idiotic. So if you need to know something, please ask. If I don't have the answer, someone here for sure will.

 

[KingJoe83]

WOW that is surreal in similarity, I love it.

See Grandpa, all this stuff you already know by instinct. It's just a matter of linking your instinct with growth stage techniques. That is crazy how we can relate so closely like that.

I haven't coached you from the soil stage, so now I get to think ahead for you.

Keep up the good work. It will get easier. Setting the stage is the hardest part for everyone, when it comes to one...little...seed.

Much luv to you and yours. This is our year Grandpa, I can feel it.

Awesome success story .

Love hearing this grow you do a lot chicky .

Good on ya

Happy news years and all on here

Gramps lots of good things coming your way in 18 .

Cher's pal

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

Awesome success story .

Love hearing this grow you do a lot chicky .

Good on ya

Happy news years and all on here

Gramps lots of good things coming your way in 18 .

Cher's pal

Thanks a lot, Joe. These small successes along the way are kind of like when you hit a good golf shot. It keeps you coming back for more. LOL! I won't consider anything a full success until I got curing harvests in my jars.

Thank you for the wishes!

 

[Tead]

Greetings Ted! Welcome to my journal and all the wonderful information that all my family has put up here. Pull up a comfy chair and help yourself to the cold Cokes and cheesy poofs. It is quite challenging to be doing this, but it keeps my mind busy and boredom stays away for awhile when I'm working with my girls. I have had pitiful results so far, but this will get dialed in with the help of all of my family here on this thread. To answer your questions...

1. My wife Kelley does the things that need eyesight. Things like pH, PPM, what the girls look like, things like that. We tried to figure out how I could take a good picture, but that couldn't be done so she takes the pictures as well.
2. On my very first grow, which is documented in another Journal now located in the finished journals area, we had to deal with fungus gnats. They didn't help a situation that I set up rather badly. We dealt with them as best we could without the availability of neem oil.
Please feel free to advise and ask any questions that you need to. Knowing that you haven't read the entire thread makes no question idiotic. So if you need to know something, please ask. If I don't have the answer, someone here for sure will.

Oh this is gonna be fun!
A guy growing blind with the bonus of photos from the Missus. That's just awesome.

I'm gonna point out an oddity in your world that I'm way certain you're familiar with. I'll keep it in mind moving forward. You're getting a computer-read audio version of things. Abbreviations or slang may not come across as intended. I'll point to my personal moniker... phonetically I'd spell it as Teed tho technically it's spelled T - e - a - d. Not that I really care at all.... just more fun for me really.
While I'm sure the challenges are many, there are probably many sources of humor to the person with a touch of a whimsical nature.

And a nod to Mrs. Kelly of course... a fine woman no doubt.

I've recently found what appears to be a really effective all around bug chasing product. It's called Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew (please pardon the ridiculous name). It's really been working well for me. I used to use different products for different issues... mostly stemming from problems with caterpillars. Now I address it all with one spray. Lovin it.

I use pure perlite as my medium. Really, without soil, bugs activity falls way off. Obviously many bugs have a life cycle component that includes soil.

 

[ginganinja30]

All the best for 2018 Grandpa
...

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

Oh this is gonna be fun!
A guy growing blind with the bonus of photos from the Missus. That's just awesome.

I'm gonna point out an oddity in your world that I'm way certain you're familiar with. I'll keep it in mind moving forward. You're getting a computer-read audio version of things. Abbreviations or slang may not come across as intended. I'll point to my personal moniker... phonetically I'd spell it as Teed tho technically it's spelled T - e - a - d. Not that I really care at all.... just more fun for me really.
While I'm sure the challenges are many, there are probably many sources of humor to the person with a touch of a whimsical nature.

And a nod to Mrs. Kelly of course... a fine woman no doubt.

I've recently found what appears to be a really effective all around bug chasing product. It's called Captain Jacks Dead Bug Brew (please pardon the ridiculous name). It's really been working well for me. I used to use different products for different issues... mostly stemming from problems with caterpillars. Now I address it all with one spray. Lovin it.

I use pure perlite as my medium. Really, without soil, bugs activity falls way off. Obviously many bugs have a life cycle component that includes soil.

Thanks for bringing your moniker to my attention. When I used the spelling function on my screen reader, it's spelled it for me. I just didn't do it this time. If you don't mind, I'll just call you T.
Kelley is a good woman indeed! In all truth and honesty, I truly believe that God made her from the rib he took from me. And almost 8 years, we have never fought. Disagreed, yes. But never ever raised our voices and fought. There has been no need.
Thanks for that info on the bug juice. If I ever have another issue, I'll look that stuff up, and give it a shot. Since we open our bags of soil and cocoa in the backyard, the bugs that may be in that bag, have a chance to come to the surface and we see if there are any. Or, at least she does.
After loading up the pots and cups, we close up the bags and place them in an old chest freezer that we used to store our growing equipment. The tent itself is actually inside the house, and very little if any chance for bugs to get in. If we have any problems, it came from being carelous in handling the soil outside while placing it inside the containers. When we had the problem, it was because we had to use an emergency soil which we kept outside for the garden. The emergency was that we came up with twins in one of the pots, and we had to transplant. The fungus gnats rode in on that outside soil I'm sure. So I know that we will have little or no problems any longer. Again, thanks for the heads up on that product!

 

[Tead]

T works great E4G..... yes.... I'm that lazy.

There can really be some persistent bugs. I had huge problems with leaf miners and various caterpillars growing in dirt outside. Never really shook the leaf miners when I moved the soil grows indoors. Indoor growing carries the added threat of spider mites which can be hugely devastating in a quick way.
While I've not dabbled in all the bug fighting techniques... who could... but I sure have tried many. Neem is a great thing always... but keep in mind it's more of a preventative layer. Neem works by disrupting the bug's electrical systems and works well, but must be ingested by the bug by munching a bit of your plant first. Technically, it's main function is a prophylactic protection rather than a quick knockdown agent.

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

All the best for 2018 Grandpa
...

Right back at you, GN.

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

T works great E4G..... yes.... I'm that lazy.

There can really be some persistent bugs. I had huge problems with leaf miners and various caterpillars growing in dirt outside. Never really shook the leaf miners when I moved the soil grows indoors. Indoor growing carries the added threat of spider mites which can be hugely devastating in a quick way.
While I've not dabbled in all the bug fighting techniques... who could... but I sure have tried many. Neem is a great thing always... but keep in mind it's more of a preventative layer. Neem works by disrupting the bug's electrical systems and works well, but must be ingested by the bug by munching a bit of your plant first. Technically, it's main function is a prophylactic protection rather than a quick knockdown agent.

All we've ever had to deal with is the fungus gnats. They were bad enough, and fortunately we haven't had to deal with any other of the Little Critters. What you say makes perfect sense. Especially to someone who spent 15 years in the structural pest control industry.

 

[Lady G2HM]

Happy New Year Grandpa!

You give me food for thought, spiritual air to breathe and a home that keeps on giving. Being able to work with another grower with disabilities is quite exciting because we overcome challenges everyday. I can relate to you in so many ways, it feels like I've found my kin.

This growing project has really reminded me where and how I started. I went through all of these factors when growing and I'm only finishing off my 2nd successful harvest. After all the knowledge we gain, I promise you will have a harvest that will rival your imagination. Plus after my 3rd attempt I was successful.

This is the year that Grandpa Grows Grand!

--------------------

Thanks for the kudos KJ!

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

Happy New Year Grandpa!

You give me food for thought, spiritual air to breathe and a home that keeps on giving. Being able to work with another grower with disabilities is quite exciting because we overcome challenges everyday. I can relate to you in so many ways, it feels like I've found my kin.

This growing project has really reminded me where and how I started. I went through all of these factors when growing and I'm only finishing off my 2nd successful harvest. After all the knowledge we gain, I promise you will have a harvest that will rival your imagination. Plus after my 3rd attempt I was successful.

This is the year that Grandpa Grows Grand!

--------------------

Thanks for the kudos KJ!

You know the feeling is mutual, Lady G! Who knows... You just might be kin. I am adopted, and I have no clue who my blood family really is. I know it's a serious long shop, but you just never know how God works. .

 

[Van Stank]

As Lady G says, I think you found it! Thanks for taking the time to research and post all of that great info, Toasty. I'm going to call the Build-A-Soil people and see what they have to say about it. Since Jane is now pretty much done, and I'm getting ready to just pull her, if they recommend or encourage using CL like you would with the Kind soil, I think that will be what we need.
After thinking long and hard, I do believe I will be using vmc and Fox Farms for a photo, and the CL and the water only soil that I now have 4 an auto plant. Plan is to drop the seeds a little after the holiday season in the first week of January. We will Mount the Growant light and use them both. Hopefully the build us soil people will agreed with that mixture. What do y'all think?

p.S. just talked to the soil people. Imagine my surprise when I found out that this is not water only soil. It was basically misrepresented by the person I talk to initially. Apparently you use some kind of top dressing, and a bottom layer of compost or humus. No wonder she just shriveled up. We were operating on this soil being as initially described and didn't even think to consider anything about any feedinng. Damn! We definitely cannot afford any of the Kind soil, and I do not want any of you spending that much money for it. So, we will use the soil we have, with the CL and see what happens. Worst case scenario, we lose an auto plant. Is that going to be close to what you are recommending, Toasty and Lady G?

Gramps, I had a feeling that was the case based off the pictures I have seen of your plants. I offered my recommendations early on here and I still stand by it now. If you really want to go with a legit water only soil, where you truly only have to water every 3-5 days, then you need to get some KindSoil. I kid you not, I grew just under a pound of high quality bud on my very first grow in KindSoil and I didn't add a single thing to the soil other than water pH'd down to 6.5 using Earth Juice Crystals. You can't use pH Up or pH down with KindSoil so you would need some Earth Juice crystal. Iamtoasted is currently growing in KindSoil and he is killing it. I moved away from the KindSoil in order to make my own soil and save money in the long run but if I didn't do this, I would still be using the KindSoil. Based off of how much fluctuation in your and Kelley's health, I would definitely think a water only grow would be the way to go and I would probably recommend avoiding growing in Coco (solely due to the watering requirements). I would be happy to put you in contact with Phil from KindSoil if you are interested.

I just see the frustration in your words on not being successful and I really feel the KindSoil is absolutely perfect for you. I won't pimp their stuff too much to you if you aren't interested, I just want to see you succeed with the least amount of effort on your part. I know that the KindSoil isn't cheap, but I have to ask the question.......how much have you invested in your grow attempts? I think for about 35 bucks, you could be up and running with 5 lbs of KindSoil (enough to grow 2 plants in 3 gallon pots or 1 in a 5 gallon pot) with no other financial requirements. I am even willing to try to send Phil an email and see if he can work a deal for your that might be able to save you some additional money.

On a side note Gramps, I hope you and Kelley had a fantastic Christmas and I hope you have a Happy New Years!

 

[Van Stank]

100% agreed. I've already started in. Vaped some Nitro Cookies about 10 minutes ago. Got some chocolate pie left over from my birthday yesterday, so I'm going to munch, and head to the bed. Talk to you all in the morning. Hope you all sleep well! God bless!

Happy belated birthday as well Gramps, hope you had an awesome day buddy!!

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

Gramps, I had a feeling that was the case based off the pictures I have seen of your plants. I offered my recommendations early on here and I still stand by it now. If you really want to go with a legit water only soil, where you truly only have to water every 3-5 days, then you need to get some KindSoil. I kid you not, I grew just under a pound of high quality bud on my very first grow in KindSoil and I didn't add a single thing to the soil other than water pH'd down to 6.5 using Earth Juice Crystals. You can't use pH Up or pH down with KindSoil so you would need some Earth Juice crystal. Iamtoasted is currently growing in KindSoil and he is killing it. I moved away from the KindSoil in order to make my own soil and save money in the long run but if I didn't do this, I would still be using the KindSoil. Based off of how much fluctuation in your and Kelley's health, I would definitely think a water only grow would be the way to go and I would probably recommend avoiding growing in Coco (solely due to the watering requirements). I would be happy to put you in contact with Phil from KindSoil if you are interested.

I just see the frustration in your words on not being successful and I really feel the KindSoil is absolutely perfect for you. I won't pimp their stuff too much to you if you aren't interested, I just want to see you succeed with the least amount of effort on your part. I know that the KindSoil isn't cheap, but I have to ask the question.......how much have you invested in your grow attempts? I think for about 35 bucks, you could be up and running with 5 lbs of KindSoil (enough to grow 2 plants in 3 gallon pots or 1 in a 5 gallon pot) with no other financial requirements. I am even willing to try to send Phil an email and see if he can work a deal for your that might be able to save you some additional money.

On a side note Gramps, I hope you and Kelley had a fantastic Christmas and I hope you have a Happy New Years!

Thanks for all of those great reminders and information, VS. I was not aware that the ph up and down would have such a negative effect. I didn't even think about mixing organic and chemical. As Toasty says, they don't mix. I would love to talk to Phil about the situation. I have already committed to the CL for this time out, but if I could get some of the Kind, I would be happy to add another photo to the grow. We'll see what Phil has to say. Thank you for that offer, and just let me know how to contact him, or have him contact me. Thanks again, my friend.
I appreciate the birthday wishes, and we sincerely thank you for the Christmas and New Year wishes. Ours was blessed, and we had wonderful, quiet times with family. I hope yours was full of peace, love and a whole lot of good food and fun.

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

Good morning to everyone! Hope you all had a great night and good sleep. We have a change of plans...
Toasty has stepped up to the plate... Again! He has offered to send us some of the Kind soil! So, we will be using that for the photo(s). The Autos will be put into CL with a layer of the old build of soil that we have left. Should make some interesting comparisons. Everything else will remain the same.

 

[Tead]

If you really want to go with a legit water only soil, where you truly only have to water every 3-5 days, then you need to get some KindSoil

... or get some perlite, osmocote+ and grow some pretty ladies without dealing with soil and nutrients.

Ha.... I was gonna put a photo here. This is just SO fun!


Tead's been growing for many, many years using Hempy pots. This is a very simple drain to waste hydro method. It avoids all the normal hydro dances with tanks and pumps... just a simple pot with a hole about 2" up from the bottom, filled with an Osmocote+ and perlite mix. Watered every few days with plain water... tho I use 1/8tsp PH down and 10 milliliters of CalMag (calcium and magnesium supplement).
Pretty easy... easy as soil in my humble opinion. Give you the speed of growth seen in hydro growing coupled with the ease of a soil grow.

2 cents straight outta The Big Easy for ya to chew on this morning.

 

[Eyes4grandpa]

... or get some perlite, osmocote+ and grow some pretty ladies without dealing with soil and nutrients.

Ha.... I was gonna put a photo here. This is just SO fun!


Tead's been growing for many, many years using Hempy pots. This is a very simple drain to waste hydro method. It avoids all the normal hydro dances with tanks and pumps... just a simple pot with a hole about 2" up from the bottom, filled with an Osmocote+ and perlite mix. Watered every few days with plain water... tho I use 1/8tsp PH down and 10 milliliters of CalMag (calcium and magnesium supplement).
Pretty easy... easy as soil in my humble opinion. Give you the speed of growth seen in hydro growing coupled with the ease of a soil grow.

2 cents straight outta The Big Easy for ya to chew on this morning.

Once I learn a little more about what you recommend, I just might start asking some questions about it. It does sound easy, but I can't picture how perlite and osmocote would work. It seems to me that as a seedling, or young vegetating plant, all the water and nutrients would be at the bottom of the pot, below the roots. That's the first thing that came into my head. Obviously, the system works. I just cannot understand how. Thanks for that suggestion, T.

 

[Pennywise]

A hempy using perlite and Osmacote + would be the simplest grow I could think of.