GuardianRager's First Grow RQS Autos LED Soil Grow Journal 2024

Sorry about your boy :Namaste:
I love mine so much. :love:
Hope your ok my friend.
I agree with Azi.:ciao: though.
Never harvest white pistils.
You have the second half of flower to enjoy before you start checking trics.
Your patience will be rewarded here.:thumb:




Stay safe
Bill284 😎
 
Update: Lessons Learned and Growing Pains

Howdy Buds :ciao:

Back with another update! Since my last post, the Northern Lights Auto has matured quite a bit, and I finally replaced the kiddie pool setup with AC Infinity’s SIP system. I made the switch mainly because, being a noob, I didn’t fully prepare before those seeds started sprouting. Lesson learned!
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If you’re considering using Fox Farms Ocean Forest, here’s a tip: start your seeds in Happy Frog soil. If you’re up-potting, layer Happy Frog on top and Ocean Forest on the bottom. From what I’ve gathered, Happy Frog works wonders for seeds and veg, while Ocean Forest really shines during the flowering stage.
Northern Lights Auto
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The Northern Lights was getting super bushy thanks to the LST I did, and now the Hulkberry is catching up! I started them about a week or two apart due to some initial hiccups—definitely my fault. When the Hulkberry hit about five nodes, I topped her and tied down the six main branches. But here’s where things got interesting: I pulled a bit too hard on one of the wires and ended up splitting one of the top mains right down the middle. Heart attack moment! I said a prayer, played her some music, and seriously considered giving up. But she didn’t even flinch! No significant delay in growth—she just kept on going.
Hulkberry Auto 11/22
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11/1
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Switching from the comfy perlite kiddie pool setup was stressful, especially since the pots had massive roots growing out the bottom. If you’re thinking about changing your watering system mid-grow, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you absolutely have to.
Northern
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My main challenge now is figuring out this nute lockout, pH issue, or potential deficiency. I’ve mainly been using microbes and shellfish additives, but I didn’t fully grasp the nutrient needs of these plants from an organic perspective. There’s definitely room for improvement! Honestly, I’m thinking about switching to salt-based nutrients in future grows for consistency and ease. From my research, the molecular structure of the nutrients ends up the same in the plant, whether organic or synthetic. Plus, if General Hydroponics is good enough for a spaceship, it’s gotta be safe, right?

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The pistils on the Northern are maturing nicely, and it looks like the Hulkberry is just finishing her stretch. Oh, and side note: I’ve never seen onions and basil grow this big before!

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More updates soon—peace!:ganjamon:
 
Recovery and Late-Flower Pre-Harvest


Howdy Buds! :ciao:

Back with an update! It’s been an exciting few weeks as I close in on harvest. Both the Northern Lights Auto and Hulkberry Auto from @Royal Queen Seeds are progressing nicely, and I’ve learned a lot as they’ve reached the final stages of flowering. Here’s what’s been going on:

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Northern Lights Auto - Week 9 of Flowering

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This plant has been a solid performer from the start, and now it’s putting on the final touches.

• Buds: Dense, frosty, and sticky—everything you’d want in a Northern Lights. I’ve noticed something interesting: new growth on older buds, which I suspect is from correcting the pH and nutrient balance. It’s been a pleasant surprise.
IMG_6534.jpeg

• Trichomes: Mostly clear to cloudy, with no amber yet. I’m keeping a close eye on them daily, waiting for the right mix of cloudy and amber to pull the trigger.

• Leaves: Older fan leaves are fading fast, which is expected at this stage. There’s been some browning and spotting, likely from potassium or magnesium deficiencies earlier, but nothing alarming.

• Next Steps: This plant looks like it’s on track for harvest within the next 7–10 days, depending on trichome development. I’m aiming for a balanced effect with about 10–20% amber trichomes.

Hulkberry Auto - Week 8 of Flowering

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This one was germinated a couple of weeks after the Northern Lights, and the Sativa-dominant genetics are really showing in its slower maturation.

• Buds: The colas are long and packed with trichomes. They’re swelling nicely, but they need a bit more time to fully ripen.

• Trichomes: Still mostly clear with some cloudy starting to appear. I’m guessing this plant will need at least another 1–2 weeks to hit its stride.

• Leaves: Similar to the Northern Lights, there’s yellowing on the lower fan leaves as the plant focuses its energy on bud production.

• Next Steps: Keep monitoring trichomes and maintain feeding for another week before starting the flush. I’ll wait for these buds to bulk up a bit more before thinking about harvest.


Adjustments and Observations

• Switching Nutrients: I transitioned from Growganica King Crustacean to Incredible Bulk based on the manufacturer’s guidance, and the results have been promising. Buds are swelling, and the plants seem happy.

• Trichome Monitoring: The loupe has been my best friend lately. It’s been fascinating to track how the trichomes change daily as the plants mature.

• New Growth: The Northern Lights threw me for a loop with its late-stage bud growth. I wasn’t expecting it to push out fresh pistils, but it’s been great to see how the plant has responded to the adjustments I’ve made.
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• Environment: Temps are steady at 70–78°F with humidity at 40–50%. I’ve kept the airflow strong to avoid mold, especially with these dense colas.

Final Countdown

• Northern Lights: Should be ready to harvest within the next week or so, depending on when I see those amber trichomes.

• Hulkberry Auto: Needs a little more time, but I expect to start flushing soon and look toward harvest in about 10–14 days.

• Flush Prep: I’ll be starting the flush with pH-balanced water on both plants soon to ensure clean, flavorful buds.

It’s been an incredible learning experience watching these plants mature, especially with all the surprises along the way. I’m really happy with how things are shaping up, and I can’t wait to see how the final harvest turns out. Thanks for following along, and as always, I’m open to any advice or tips as I wrap up this grow.

Let me know what you think, Happy Growing! Peace:ganjamon:

P.S.: After I completely screwed things up by using water from an untested source, everything turned yellow practically overnight. I quickly switched back to my original water and used Dakota Rev Organic Growth Stimulant to stabilize pH and revive the plants. It worked like a charm, and they bounced back beautifully! Lesson learned: don’t mess with a good thing.
 
Recovery and Late-Flower Pre-Harvest


Howdy Buds! :ciao:

Back with an update! It’s been an exciting few weeks as I close in on harvest. Both the Northern Lights Auto and Hulkberry Auto from @Royal Queen Seeds are progressing nicely, and I’ve learned a lot as they’ve reached the final stages of flowering. Here’s what’s been going on:

IMG_6527.jpeg




Northern Lights Auto - Week 9 of Flowering

IMG_6528.jpeg

IMG_6529.jpeg


This plant has been a solid performer from the start, and now it’s putting on the final touches.

• Buds: Dense, frosty, and sticky—everything you’d want in a Northern Lights. I’ve noticed something interesting: new growth on older buds, which I suspect is from correcting the pH and nutrient balance. It’s been a pleasant surprise.
IMG_6534.jpeg

• Trichomes: Mostly clear to cloudy, with no amber yet. I’m keeping a close eye on them daily, waiting for the right mix of cloudy and amber to pull the trigger.

• Leaves: Older fan leaves are fading fast, which is expected at this stage. There’s been some browning and spotting, likely from potassium or magnesium deficiencies earlier, but nothing alarming.

• Next Steps: This plant looks like it’s on track for harvest within the next 7–10 days, depending on trichome development. I’m aiming for a balanced effect with about 10–20% amber trichomes.

Hulkberry Auto - Week 8 of Flowering

IMG_6530.jpeg


IMG_6531.jpeg


This one was germinated a couple of weeks after the Northern Lights, and the Sativa-dominant genetics are really showing in its slower maturation.

• Buds: The colas are long and packed with trichomes. They’re swelling nicely, but they need a bit more time to fully ripen.

• Trichomes: Still mostly clear with some cloudy starting to appear. I’m guessing this plant will need at least another 1–2 weeks to hit its stride.

• Leaves: Similar to the Northern Lights, there’s yellowing on the lower fan leaves as the plant focuses its energy on bud production.

• Next Steps: Keep monitoring trichomes and maintain feeding for another week before starting the flush. I’ll wait for these buds to bulk up a bit more before thinking about harvest.


Adjustments and Observations

• Switching Nutrients: I transitioned from Growganica King Crustacean to Incredible Bulk based on the manufacturer’s guidance, and the results have been promising. Buds are swelling, and the plants seem happy.

• Trichome Monitoring: The loupe has been my best friend lately. It’s been fascinating to track how the trichomes change daily as the plants mature.

• New Growth: The Northern Lights threw me for a loop with its late-stage bud growth. I wasn’t expecting it to push out fresh pistils, but it’s been great to see how the plant has responded to the adjustments I’ve made.
IMG_6532.jpeg


• Environment: Temps are steady at 70–78°F with humidity at 40–50%. I’ve kept the airflow strong to avoid mold, especially with these dense colas.

Final Countdown

• Northern Lights: Should be ready to harvest within the next week or so, depending on when I see those amber trichomes.

• Hulkberry Auto: Needs a little more time, but I expect to start flushing soon and look toward harvest in about 10–14 days.

• Flush Prep: I’ll be starting the flush with pH-balanced water on both plants soon to ensure clean, flavorful buds.

It’s been an incredible learning experience watching these plants mature, especially with all the surprises along the way. I’m really happy with how things are shaping up, and I can’t wait to see how the final harvest turns out. Thanks for following along, and as always, I’m open to any advice or tips as I wrap up this grow.

Let me know what you think, Happy Growing! Peace:ganjamon:

P.S.: After I completely screwed things up by using water from an untested source, everything turned yellow practically overnight. I quickly switched back to my original water and used Dakota Rev Organic Growth Stimulant to stabilize pH and revive the plants. It worked like a charm, and they bounced back beautifully! Lesson learned: don’t mess with a good thing.
Looking awesome buddy! Congrats on the great work 🥳
 
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