Hyena's Never-Ending Adventures In Growing
- Thread starter Hyena Merica
- Start date
Verbal Kint
New Member
Thanks. I'm already a master debater.
Wait, what did you think I meant?
Peace, Hyena
Hahahahaha. Excellent.
- Thread starter
- #83
THANK YOU to 420 Magazine for the photography award. I am extremely grateful you like my photography that much and it's very exciting.
On that subject,
Since we are all here to help each other,
This seems like a good time to say some things about photography. I'm reposting this that I left on the contest thread.
Here goes. I was a professional photographer for over 20 years. I did a dozen years as a skydiving photographer and nearly 500 weddings so I've done the, shall we say, difficult stuff.
But you don't need pro experience to do great cannabis portraits! Cannabis portraits are pretty basic and if you want to make interesting ones here are a few important tips I will pass along, hopefully they will make it easier for you and others to create the kind of photographs your beautiful plants deserve.
1) Creating a great portrait is about giving the illusion of depth. You will notice I always shoot my subjects against a deep, visually interesting background (never a wall) and with the right light on the background (usually around half as much as the main subject) a sense of depth is achieved. This isolates and emphasizes your subject.
2) The focus (on the subject) of a great portrait must be razor sharp. If you don't get the subject perfectly sharp you missed. Especially important when the subject has intricate detail...like a big fat cola.
3) The number one reason for out-of-focus pictures isn't the camera...it's caused by slight movement of the camera as you press the shutter button. Finding a way you can brace or steady your camera is crucial. Over many years I have learned to lock down a hand-held shot almost like a tripod but the easy way for everyone is just brace your camera against something solid every time or for very best results get a tripod. A basic one is super cheap but pays big dividends.
4) Flash can really add detail but must be used gently. A little fill helps put the emphasis on your subject. Too bright blows out details. Mainly you just move a little further away or a little closer until you find the sweet spot.
5) Finally, it's not the camera but the technique that matters. SIT DOWN...I own some of the best cameras on Earth but I swear to you every picture I have ever published on 420Mag.com was taken with my Samsung PHONE.
Now you know. The abundant lighting in a grow room is plenty to work with and our subjects practically pose and again, if you have a camera that will focus and you hold it completely still, it's really all about the lighting and having an eye for composition. (And maybe a little practice too).
I appreciate you allowing me to opine.
Thanks again for the award 420 Mag.
Peace, Hyena
On that subject,
Since we are all here to help each other,
This seems like a good time to say some things about photography. I'm reposting this that I left on the contest thread.
Here goes. I was a professional photographer for over 20 years. I did a dozen years as a skydiving photographer and nearly 500 weddings so I've done the, shall we say, difficult stuff.
But you don't need pro experience to do great cannabis portraits! Cannabis portraits are pretty basic and if you want to make interesting ones here are a few important tips I will pass along, hopefully they will make it easier for you and others to create the kind of photographs your beautiful plants deserve. 1) Creating a great portrait is about giving the illusion of depth. You will notice I always shoot my subjects against a deep, visually interesting background (never a wall) and with the right light on the background (usually around half as much as the main subject) a sense of depth is achieved. This isolates and emphasizes your subject.
2) The focus (on the subject) of a great portrait must be razor sharp. If you don't get the subject perfectly sharp you missed. Especially important when the subject has intricate detail...like a big fat cola.
3) The number one reason for out-of-focus pictures isn't the camera...it's caused by slight movement of the camera as you press the shutter button. Finding a way you can brace or steady your camera is crucial. Over many years I have learned to lock down a hand-held shot almost like a tripod but the easy way for everyone is just brace your camera against something solid every time or for very best results get a tripod. A basic one is super cheap but pays big dividends.
4) Flash can really add detail but must be used gently. A little fill helps put the emphasis on your subject. Too bright blows out details. Mainly you just move a little further away or a little closer until you find the sweet spot.
5) Finally, it's not the camera but the technique that matters. SIT DOWN...I own some of the best cameras on Earth but I swear to you every picture I have ever published on 420Mag.com was taken with my Samsung PHONE.
Now you know. The abundant lighting in a grow room is plenty to work with and our subjects practically pose and again, if you have a camera that will focus and you hold it completely still, it's really all about the lighting and having an eye for composition. (And maybe a little practice too).I appreciate you allowing me to opine.
Thanks again for the award 420 Mag.
Peace, Hyena
- Thread starter
- #84
Heading up north for high-speed snowmobile adventures this weekend. If you have never done it you should, it's a blast.
No worries leaving the girls alone for 4-5 days. In fact I know they will be happy and warm, well-fed and safe.
The beauty of a solid hydro setup. Just sayin'. :
:
Also thought I'd mention I made my first batch of vape juice. I don't vape yet but I guess I will now. Report soon.
Have a great weekend all.
Peace, Hyena
No worries leaving the girls alone for 4-5 days. In fact I know they will be happy and warm, well-fed and safe.
The beauty of a solid hydro setup. Just sayin'. :
:Also thought I'd mention I made my first batch of vape juice. I don't vape yet but I guess I will now. Report soon.
Have a great weekend all.
Peace, Hyena
Blighty Buds
Well-Known Member
Wow...what a grow Hyena 
I love how it's all a secret in the loft. Subbed !
I love how it's all a secret in the loft. Subbed !
Dennise
Well-Known Member
...
Dennise
Well-Known Member
Hello,
I am going to the Cannabis Cup in Las Vegas March 4-5.
Would love to meet any of you who are there, too.
Peace, Hyena
I got this trip for a Christmas present and then we had the wreck but I go Thursday to have some test and will know pretty quick after that if I'm going to be able to go ... If I could find someone from this end of the country that wanted to go I would just drive but that's not an easy thing to do... Most everyone I know has to work but hopefully I will be there and I will be wearing a black t shirt with purple writing on it that say Light Addict...
....- Thread starter
- #88
I got this trip for a Christmas present and then we had the wreck but I go Thursday to have some test and will know pretty quick after that if I'm going to be able to go ... If I could find someone from this end of the country that wanted to go I would just drive but that's not an easy thing to do... Most everyone I know has to work but hopefully I will be there and I will be wearing a black t shirt with purple writing on it that say Light Addict...
THANKS for all the likes Dennise, glad you are enjoying my ramblings.
Stay in touch and check with me the week of the event and maybe we can hook up and burn one in honor of all the fine 420 Mag folks! The first fatty is on me!Peace, Hyena
- Thread starter
- #89
Hello All:
Just back from five days in the great white north and climbed up into the secret lab at 5 a.m. to check on the darlings. I knew everybody would look fantastic and they do.
A good six inches of vertical growth since last I was here. The only difference in this grow from the last one is this hedge is twice as dense. SO many more branches thanks to the regular defoliation over the past 3 weeks. Sweet.
The very first few tiny flowers are appearing, diminutive pistils peeking out as if to say, whas up?
Getting a grow to this juncture is success. Unless a meteor hits the Earth we are eight weeks away from pounds of frosty wonderfulness.
Density beyond my expectations.
It's a jungle down there!
This perfectly-shaped canopy is rising about an inch a day. Just what I wanted. With very few adjustments it should go another 12-18 inches. I will begin raising the lights a few inches every few days.
Get ready to see the show. The hard work is all done. Every plant is as sassy as it can be. Now for the payoff. The finish of a grow is always the fun part.
Peace, Hyena
Just back from five days in the great white north and climbed up into the secret lab at 5 a.m. to check on the darlings. I knew everybody would look fantastic and they do.
A good six inches of vertical growth since last I was here. The only difference in this grow from the last one is this hedge is twice as dense. SO many more branches thanks to the regular defoliation over the past 3 weeks. Sweet.
The very first few tiny flowers are appearing, diminutive pistils peeking out as if to say, whas up?
Getting a grow to this juncture is success. Unless a meteor hits the Earth we are eight weeks away from pounds of frosty wonderfulness.
Density beyond my expectations.
It's a jungle down there!
This perfectly-shaped canopy is rising about an inch a day. Just what I wanted. With very few adjustments it should go another 12-18 inches. I will begin raising the lights a few inches every few days.
Get ready to see the show. The hard work is all done. Every plant is as sassy as it can be. Now for the payoff. The finish of a grow is always the fun part.
Peace, Hyena
Yes it is but time goes so slow when hit flower stage. .
StarKiller OG - Rockwool - Ebb & Flow - 1200W LED - 2016
New Member Start Links
How do I top my plants?
Auto Growers Unite - A Community Thread
StarKiller OG - Rockwool - Ebb & Flow - 1200W LED - 2016
New Member Start Links
How do I top my plants?
Auto Growers Unite - A Community Thread
CT420Ben
420 Member
Hey Hyena, Big Reps to you!
I got your PM, but sadly due to my low post count I can not reply... 420Mag trying to teach me to speak up and not just be a lurker on here. I have much to learn still, so I'll pull up a chair and continue to soak up as much information as I can from you and the lovely 420Mag comunity!
I got your PM, but sadly due to my low post count I can not reply... 420Mag trying to teach me to speak up and not just be a lurker on here. I have much to learn still, so I'll pull up a chair and continue to soak up as much information as I can from you and the lovely 420Mag comunity!
- Thread starter
- #92
Happy Friday!!
Here's how we look today. Whoa.
Two weeks or so into flower. Replenished the reservoir this morning and pulled over a hundred fan leaves, almost can't even tell. But the flowers are appearing right on schedule. Tiny little blossom clusters all just starting to peek. In a week it will be on like Donkey Kong.
Hard to see but here come the pistils!
It's a beautiful day.
Gave a rare nute shot, lots of micro and bloom, just a shot of grow, some cal/mag and PH set at 6.2. As I mentioned previously that will drop as the reservoir level drops, so by replenishment time we are down to 5.7 where we were this morning before I refilled. Gives the best across-the-board absorption...check out those leaves baby!
Still amazing that not a single lower leaf has yellowed and dropped off even way down under where it's perpetually dark. Only two variables I see from the two previous grows is more favorable (lower) average grow room temps, and carefully allowing a regular PH swing from 6.2 gradually down to 5.7 on a weekly schedule, then refill and start with 6.2 once more. This is accomplished with very little PH down or PH up solution since the de-chlorinated tap water I use has a PH of 8, and I let the reservoir drop 50% before a refill. That way I have a good idea how much cal/mag to add and the blended PH is usually right back around 6.2 usually only requiring a tweak.
Just how I do it, everybody has their methods, but I've never seen the very lowest leaves stay perfectly green even close to this long, really never. Not saying I have figured this out, temps might be 95% of it, or maybe the PH swing thing is the key. I'll know more next grow which will gradually get hotter and finish around June into the beginning of summer. Then we have isolated one variable and can compare the results. I call my outfit a grow lab because I try to take a semi-scientific approach to most of this but hey it's just a grow and I'm no scientist, just a stoner who likes playing botanist.
Fun though!
Side note: This one's for you, Sue.
Have fun in Jamaica mon!
Peace, Hyena
Here's how we look today. Whoa.
Two weeks or so into flower. Replenished the reservoir this morning and pulled over a hundred fan leaves, almost can't even tell. But the flowers are appearing right on schedule. Tiny little blossom clusters all just starting to peek. In a week it will be on like Donkey Kong.
Hard to see but here come the pistils!
It's a beautiful day.
Gave a rare nute shot, lots of micro and bloom, just a shot of grow, some cal/mag and PH set at 6.2. As I mentioned previously that will drop as the reservoir level drops, so by replenishment time we are down to 5.7 where we were this morning before I refilled. Gives the best across-the-board absorption...check out those leaves baby!
Still amazing that not a single lower leaf has yellowed and dropped off even way down under where it's perpetually dark. Only two variables I see from the two previous grows is more favorable (lower) average grow room temps, and carefully allowing a regular PH swing from 6.2 gradually down to 5.7 on a weekly schedule, then refill and start with 6.2 once more. This is accomplished with very little PH down or PH up solution since the de-chlorinated tap water I use has a PH of 8, and I let the reservoir drop 50% before a refill. That way I have a good idea how much cal/mag to add and the blended PH is usually right back around 6.2 usually only requiring a tweak.Just how I do it, everybody has their methods, but I've never seen the very lowest leaves stay perfectly green even close to this long, really never. Not saying I have figured this out, temps might be 95% of it, or maybe the PH swing thing is the key. I'll know more next grow which will gradually get hotter and finish around June into the beginning of summer. Then we have isolated one variable and can compare the results. I call my outfit a grow lab because I try to take a semi-scientific approach to most of this but hey it's just a grow and I'm no scientist, just a stoner who likes playing botanist.
Fun though!Side note: This one's for you, Sue.
Have fun in Jamaica mon! Peace, Hyena
- Thread starter
- #93
It's all good buddy chime in wherever you feel it. I believe 50 posts entitles you to PM status (which is why you couldn't reply) but I just wanted to shoot you a thank you for obviously taking in much of what I have shared and wish you good luck.
Read. Learn. Grow. In so many ways!
Peace, Hyena
- Thread starter
- #94
It's a Monday and we're growing! :icon_cool
Yeah, it's busting loose! And the minute I opened the hatch, the first flower smell of this grow hit me. Oh yeah!!
Big day, the first blooms appearing everywhere. They seem to have come in everywhere at once, all 12 plants are showing and of course the ones I crossbred are all female but it's reassuring to see all the store-bought beans are in fact girls, and they are responding on schedule.
Going to have some big fat indica budz this time around in addition to the usual yummy nuggets.
Leaves look great everywhere. Pulled another 50-60 fans and some random supercropping but you can't even tell. It's such a dense hedge I could take clippers to it and create a 420 sculpture. But I won't.
If I fall in, I might not get out, so I'm being careful. In about eight weeks I will be doing some absolutely filthy cannaporn.
Get the tissues.
Peace, Hyena
Yeah, it's busting loose! And the minute I opened the hatch, the first flower smell of this grow hit me. Oh yeah!!
Big day, the first blooms appearing everywhere. They seem to have come in everywhere at once, all 12 plants are showing and of course the ones I crossbred are all female but it's reassuring to see all the store-bought beans are in fact girls, and they are responding on schedule.
Going to have some big fat indica budz this time around in addition to the usual yummy nuggets.
Leaves look great everywhere. Pulled another 50-60 fans and some random supercropping but you can't even tell. It's such a dense hedge I could take clippers to it and create a 420 sculpture. But I won't.
If I fall in, I might not get out, so I'm being careful. In about eight weeks I will be doing some absolutely filthy cannaporn.
Get the tissues.
Peace, Hyena
The girls are looking amazing Hyena. Glorious.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Looking great man 
- Thread starter
- #98
I was just in there for a few minutes early this morning, shouldn't have gone in since there's no reason to, except to stand there and admire all the little flowers starting to appear.
This time of year, when there's no chance of introducing any mites or other bad stuff picked up in the yard, I am often tempted to just sit in there and keep them company. This flies in the face of my number-one rule, which is any unnecessary contact with your plants is to be avoided. If you want pets by all means play with your plants, heck, every day if you like. I truly understand the fun of that BUT if you want anything even close to maximum yield, leave them alone. They do far better by themselves, in a grow room, without you.
And that means without me too, which tugs at my heart this Valentines Day since I love my sweet darlings more than life itself and I just want to give every single one of them a great big hug and a kiss.
But I know from experience, these inter-species relationships never work out. Oh, we'll be happy for awhile, but it always ends with the realization we've outgrown each other, the desire to move on, then sharp objects.
The breakup in eight weeks or so will be...messy.
But until then, we are lovers in love. I say goodbye, blow a kiss, and lock the secret door. They are all in there, all sitting together having breakfast, probably talking about me.
We got a thang.
Happy Valentine's Day.Peace, Hyena
Blighty Buds
Well-Known Member
Looking really nice mate