In The Lab

[Doc Bud]

Hello, Doc and High Brix family, I am in need of a little help. Although I am not new to growing, I am somewhat new to High Brix growing with the kit. This is my third grow using the kit and I have run into a problem that has stumped me. Would it be okay if I posted a couple of pics and got some feed back from some experienced kit growers eyes in diagnosing my situation. My babies are almost two weeks old. A little history, rh is holding steady between 58.7% and 60%, temperature holds between 78 and 80 with lights on, and 71 and 72 when lights off. I have been running LEDS for the last couple of years a little over 900 true watts, and ppm holding at about 1000. My last two grows have been pretty stellar in my book, nothing compared to some of the guys here, but working on it. The only thing done differently with the previous grows was I opted not to use worm castings, and this time I did, I also switched strains as well just trying to expand and try something new. Plants are very droopy, the only thing I have given them is water and a little energy and tea. I don't want to impose on your thread by just posting pics without asking. I have no problem culling and starting over if they cant be salvaged just looking for honest opinions, and feed back. If I get the okay I will post the pics shortly. I Thank all of you guys especially Doc for opening my eyes to a better way of growing, and being great mentors. Sorry for the long post.

Well, if the only thing you did was give water, Energy and Tea, you're not following instructions. The first thing they should have gotten was Transplant water.

You left out the worm castings on the kit grow? If that's the case, and you didn't use transplant water as instructed, your soil life is dead. Top dress with Roots, covered up by worm castings and water that it with Transplant water.....( 1oz of Transplant per gallon)

That will help revive the soil.

 

[ChemistryUniv]

Doc, I apologize for not being a bit more in depth with my explanation, I left worm castings out when I was using the old kit directions on the two previous grows, when it was posted as optional. In the new soil, under the new directions, the worm castings were added, as well as me watering with transplant water and adding roots when I planted the seeds. After those things were done, the only thing I have given them is water, energy and tea for the next two feedings. Plants just don't seem happy. So by doing process of elimination, environment is good, your kit is perfect, the only thing left is that I must be doing something wrong, which I cant figure out, if you still think my soil life is dead I will follow your suggestions, but to reiterate I did follow the directions, and everything that was supposed to be done was. Sorry for the prior post being poorly explained.

 

[Doc Bud]

Doc, I apologize for not being a bit more in depth with my explanation, I left worm castings out when I was using the old kit directions on the two previous grows, when it was posted as optional. In the new soil, under the new directions, the worm castings were added, as well as me watering with transplant water and adding roots when I planted the seeds. After those things were done, the only thing I have given them is water, energy and tea for the next two feedings. Plants just don't seem happy. So by doing process of elimination, environment is good, your kit is perfect, the only thing left is that I must be doing something wrong, which I cant figure out, if you still think my soil life is dead I will follow your suggestions, but to reiterate I did follow the directions, and everything that was supposed to be done was. Sorry for the prior post being poorly explained.

OK. Gotcha now.

So is the soil you're currently in new, cooked soil?

1.) Let 'em get dry....not droopy, but get the pots good and light.

2.)Mix up 5 or 6 gallons of Transplant water with 5 mils of Tea.

3.)Scratch some Roots and EWC into the top layer of soil, being careful not to injure feeder roots.

4.)Slowly pour about 2 gallons of RO water into the pot, getting it good and soaked. Wait about 10 minutes and then slowly pour a gallon of the Tranplant/Tea mixture into the pots.

Use only water and 1/4 ounce Transplant on the next watering then get back on the Energy.

That should revive 'em!

 

[trichomes]

i love your thread doc, i just stated reading at your KIT link, start page, has the KIT been used in the ground yet? thank you

im eager to some more, I just want to know if will have to use pots using this outside.

 

[Doc Bud]

i love your thread doc, i just stated reading at your KIT link, start page, has the KIT been used in the ground yet? thank you

im eager to some more, I just want to know if will have to use pots using this outside.

You should use pots with the kit, unless you want to grow in your own dirt, which will have to be tested. Then, after getting the test I can formulate an amendment for YOUR soil. That is the ultimate way to grow.

But if you just want to see what it can do, get your promix as talked about and either dig a 30 gallon hole and fill it, or use a 30 gallon pot.

 

[trichomes]

THANKS DOC, I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED

 

[KingJohnC]

I am curious if you have ever had a N-P-K analysis of your amendments? I would be curious to know the N-P-K of your foliar sprays.

 

[Doc Bud]

I am curious if you have ever had a N-P-K analysis of your amendments? I would be curious to know the N-P-K of your foliar sprays.

I'll be going into the warehouse later today. I'll get those numbers later today. I can tell you one is very high in phosphorus and calclium and has a pH of 2.2 and the other is full of naturally occuring PGR's in addition to some other stuff.

 

[sir grow alot]

I'll be going into the warehouse later today. I'll get those numbers later today. I can tell you one is very high in phosphorus and calclium and has a pH of 2.2 and the other is full of naturally occuring PGR's in addition to some other stuff.

!!! hell yea !!!

i too am very interested in these figures!

thanks in advance Doc!!!

 

[Doc Bud]

I'll be going into the warehouse later today. I'll get those numbers later today. I can tell you one is very high in phosphorus and calclium and has a pH of 2.2 and the other is full of naturally occuring PGR's in addition to some other stuff.

Forgot about this:

DeStress: 0-0-1
Brix: 4-12-0-6 calcium

 

[Blackcoffee]

Doc,
This is my very first post so I can't pm you. I would like to order one of your kits. I have been reading your journals and others for several months and I am ready to take my growing to the next level. I have my pro mix hp and worm castings already. I just need your kit. I will respond to your pm. Thanks

 

[medmanmike]

Re: "In the Lab" with Doc Bud

Taking clones:

I'm into teen moms....I don't keep mother plants, I take cuttings from plants when I prune them. Sometimes it's just a topping, other times it's topping and taking the lower 2 or 3 branches.

I look for woody, stiff stemmed cuttings, not soft ones. The High Brix creates very strong stems, so this isn't really an issue, but the more woody and stiff, the better....so to speak.

I cut them from the plant, place them into a cup of water with GH rooting formula and then further trim them up before sticking them into the Rapid Rooters.

I trim all fan leaves except the top most fan leaf, which I usually trim off about halfway. This leaves the young, new growth at the apical meristem, and one hacked up fan leaf, which I pinch off in a day or two. The leaves you're seeing on these clones grew while they were rooting!

This never happened before I went High Brix. I think it's 100% due to the health of the cuttings when they're taken, and the spraying with "Stress," which has plant growth regulators (natural) and a broad spectrum of trace minerals.

I put them under the dome, and pour the water the clones were soaking in into the tray. I ignore it after that...except for spraying. I don't bother looking for roots. After a couple days the plant starts growing and when it really starts pumping out leaves, I know I'll find nice, white roots sticking out of the cubes.

If I have room for them under the T5....I'll transplant. If I don't have a place for them, I nip off the roots and put 'em back under the dome.

Doc, I'm following your process (above quote and other references on cloning ) to the best of my ability. I used Clonex and Root Riot cubes. There was an initial droop, but then they picked up ( day 2). After 48 hours of darkness I added a 23w/100w cfl 24" or more above the plants (12" to the top of the dome + 12" or so above the dome). After a few hours of having this light on, most of the clones have drooped to where they're pointing straight down, ie a "goose neck". Personally, I don't think the light is an issue, but... I haven't watered them at all except for a spray of highly filtered water a couple/three times a day (including keeping the cubes moist) The inside of the dome is constantly wet and dripping. I remove the dome for an hour or so twice a day. They have a heat pad, so I know they're warm and wet. I did spray them once with 50% destress on day three. Lots of comments on the web that they'll "bounce back", but I'm not sure. If I didn't know better, I'd say they're overwater, but they haven't been. Out of nine, two look good and another looks like it might make it. Suggestions oh wise one? Pic included. Also wondered if I left too much "leaf" on the cutting.

 

[Doc Bud]

Re: "In the Lab" with Doc Bud

Doc, I'm following your process (above quote and other references on cloning ) to the best of my ability. I used Clonex and Root Riot cubes. There was an initial droop, but then they picked up ( day 2). After 48 hours of darkness I added a 23w/100w cfl 24" or more above the plants (12" to the top of the dome + 12" or so above the dome). After a few hours of having this light on, most of the clones have drooped to where they're pointing straight down, ie a "goose neck". Personally, I don't think the light is an issue, but... I haven't watered them at all except for a spray of highly filtered water a couple/three times a day (including keeping the cubes moist) The inside of the dome is constantly wet and dripping. I remove the dome for an hour or so twice a day. They have a heat pad, so I know they're warm and wet. I did spray them once with 50% destress on day three. Lots of comments on the web that they'll "bounce back", but I'm not sure. If I didn't know better, I'd say they're overwater, but they haven't been. Out of nine, two look good and another looks like it might make it. Suggestions oh wise one? Pic included. Also wondered if I left too much "leaf" on the cutting.

Several things:

1. Those clones are way too large and have way too many leaves on them. Trim the lower two fans off and cut the top leaf in half.
2. Putting them in darkness for 48 hours got the flowering hormones going, which is going to really freak them out.
3. They need 18 hours of low level light, just enough for roots to form and to keep them from blooming.

They could easily be overwatered, based on what you're saying. Stem rot is likely.

Stop spraying them, trim off the leaves as I mentioned and see what happens if you like. I think you'll have a mess of single bladed, freaky looking leaves. If that happens, toss 'em and start over and you'll be fine!

 

[PakaloloHawaii]

I'd ditch the hour with the dome off as well.

And the stems are too long

 

[medmanmike]

Well, Doc, it seems I made a Rookies's mistake! Long story short, the clones were underwatered! My first seeds/seedlings were over watered and I killed all but one. So, determined not to do likewise with the clones, I was only watering the cubes from above with a couple of tbsp per day. Thinking the water would seep down and moisten the entire cube, I didn't notice for a couple of days that the bottom of the roots riot cubes were bone - as in hard- dry! A good soaking and every single plant came back! (See pics) What a hellava plant we have! What a hellava method we have for growing them. Thanks again for your devotion to share your knowledge and deal with us newbies. PS - I trimmed them up as suggested. I'm already seeing new growth.

 

[Doc Bud]

Well, Doc, it seems I made a Rookies's mistake! Long story short, the clones were underwatered! My first seeds/seedlings were over watered and I killed all but one. So, determined not to do likewise with the clones, I was only watering the cubes from above with a couple of tbsp per day. Thinking the water would seep down and moisten the entire cube, I didn't notice for a couple of days that the bottom of the roots riot cubes were bone - as in hard- dry! A good soaking and every single plant came back! (See pics) What a hellava plant we have! What a hellava method we have for growing them. Thanks again for your devotion to share your knowledge and deal with us newbies. PS - I trimmed them up as suggested. I'm already seeing new growth.

Nice job sorting that out!

Here's what I do with those cubes:

1. After taking cuttings as low on the plant as possible, only using stiff stems, not soft ones.....
2. Trim off all leaves execpt the apical meristem of the cutting. Cut the top most leaves in half if they are large
3. Take a cube, compress it gently in your fingers, dip it in water, let go with your fingers and take it out.
4. Dip stem in Clonex (or other rooting hormone)
5. Place it it plug
6. Water the tray, not the cubes! If the bottom of those cubes get a bit wet from below, they'll wick up about the right amount of moisture.

Wait patiently! Always water the tray, not the cube.

 

[Hash Hound]

Doc I'd like to pass on a tip I stumbled on.

I planted a 2 1/2 month old root bound clone and wasn't thinking and forgot to cut the sides, but I did loosen up the bottom a bit.

After a few days the plant was looking sad and yellowing, even after a feeding.

I decided to try opening up the roots while it was still planted instead of re potting it, so I took a short piece of strong wire and poked it in close to the stem and pulled outward and I could feel the roots breaking. I spun the pot and did it 2 more times.

For a few days it still looked sad and I thought I messed up. Then in a few more days the plant turned a lush green and made a great recovery.

 

[budnoob2]

What page are the most recent kit instructions on Doc? Had some computer problems and lost my notes

Think I found em - are the March 2014 Instructions most recent?

 

[Bchris22]

Hey Budnoob,

The last set of instructions are on pg 29.. Doc bud has a link in his signature "How To Use The Hi-Brix Kit" which will take you directly to the last set of instructions.

 

[Doc Bud]

What page are the most recent kit instructions on Doc? Had some computer problems and lost my notes

Think I found em - are the March 2014 Instructions most recent?

You've got 'em. See below.....

Hey Budnoob,

The last set of instructions are on pg 29.. Doc bud has a link in his signature "How To Use The Hi-Brix Kit" which will take you directly to the last set of instructions.

Yep. Linked to in my sig. Someday in the not too distant future there will be a website with EVERYTHING easily accessible. I need to upgrade my shipping/receiving infrastructure before I do that.

Also, there is a change that will require new directions: The new Roots formulation no longer requires Transplant Water. Straight water or a light dose of transplant is all that's required now.

The new Roots is also solving some of the magnesium issues that some of the "heavy feeders" run into from time to time.

My helper just harvested some of the best product I've ever seen. Grown with the new Roots:

Landrace Afghan