Jon’s 3 Autoflower - 3 Pounds Attempt Grow

[dynamohum]

Melissa and Medusa
Training

As you see them here represents an attempt at improving in the training style I tried on the last Watermelon WeddingCake. That plant, Titan, had two main colas, a lower ring, and a bunch of colas that made a half accidental middle ring of sorts. But largely that was as much lucky as it was good training. However, I realized the yield potential in this style and also realized what needs to change to max this style out (I think, lol).

So both of these plants are trained per this style, you can clearly see the similarity now. These will have four mains instead of two. That is going to mean the upper colas forming the top “ring” will end up around twice as wide (circumference) as on Titan with two colas. This means much of what is directly beneath it, ie, around the center stem of the plant, will not get adequate light. So this time, rather than create flarf in those spots, I am keeping the middle of the plants as clean as possible. The idea is that the outer, lower ring ends up wider than the center stack of colas to a decent degree. That way, the light hogging/blocking factor is eliminated, and relative to light, both sets get what they need and almost operate independently if that makes sense. This training style is much more likely to succeed under a bar light vs. a center mounted light, for obvious reasons. I have light everywhere all the time.

One of the things I learned last time is that the ppfd difference between the upper colas and the lower ring is going to be in the neighborhood of 200 points difference, due to their relative heights. I adjust as required, but basically go hot up top as much as I dare to keep that 200 points from negatively impacting the lower ring.

I hope that makes sense. Just trying to share what I’m trying. Comments, criticism, suggestions and questions are all quite welcome. Thanks guys!

I have a Fruity Pebbles it's growing right now and it looks very similar to that

 

[Jon]

I have a Fruity Pebbles it's growing right now and it looks very similar to that

Hi @dynamohum - the Fruity Pebbles OG right? Yeah that’s basically the parent that provided the flavor profile in mine. The Girl Scout Cookies adds a touch of gas and a ton of yield. But another friend also grew that, @Braddah Waiheesohai maybe? and did very well with it. Good luck! I have a bud of mine in the NOTM contest.

 

[Jon]

White Widow
Day 29

 

[Rexer]

Hi @Rexer Let’s talk plants.

Sounds good with me.

As of today the res is full and the air stone is on and it’s working, I can see the water around in the res is moving and had bubbles on it that have seeped out in clusters.

Fresh nute water.

Awesome, what's your PPM at? I'm assuming the PH is at 5.8.

I also know there are plenty of roots getting wet as we speak. So my question for you is about watering.

Now that they are constantly feeding from the bottom, today I only watered the top once, and tried not to do it to the same 10-15% runoff, but barely any.

I see, so your trying to encourage more bottom root growth. Just be sure to not let the top dry out too much, otherwise those roots (on top) might suffer.

Does that sound about right?

It doesn't sound wrong to me. I think you'll get the root growth that your looking for.

For the beginning? And then as I see them take res water more quickly I just make sure to top it off until I feel it needs or test it and it needs changed?

Thanks Rexer.

No worries brother! Personally I'd treat it as you suggested. Continue with the top feed to run off, make use of those roots above.
To check on your res- get in the habit of taking a Dixie cup, and reach in and fill it. Dump some into another cup (1 inch or so in each cup is what your after). Drop your ph pen in one, TDS in the other. Snap a photo or write your ph and ppm to track changes.

 

[Jon]

Melissa and Medusa

The stretch is on.

 

[Jon]

Sounds good with me.



Awesome, what's your PPM at? I'm assuming the PH is at 5.8.

I see, so your trying to encourage more bottom root growth. Just be sure to not let the top dry out too much, otherwise those roots (on top) might suffer.

It doesn't sound wrong to me. I think you'll get the root growth that your looking for.

No worries brother! Personally I'd treat it as you suggested. Continue with the top feed to run off, make use of those roots above.
To check on your res- get in the habit of taking a Dixie cup, and reach in and fill it. Dump some into another cup (1 inch or so in each cup is what your after). Drop your ph pen in one, TDS in the other. Snap a photo or write your ph and ppm to track changes.

Wow thanks so much @Rexer. So I understand everything you said, and yes I’m trying to encourage lower root growth, and it looks like I’m in good shape then. One thing - I have never once measured TDS nor do I have a pen for it or any knowledge about it. I know what it is, but all I’ve ever used is my ph pen. Of course I’m at 5.8 to start. Can’t I simply replace the water when it gets too far off or adjust with PH Up and Down if it’s close? Or do I have to learn TDS for this?

 

[LKABudMan]

TDS tells you the total dissolved salts in solution. For hydro, it helps to know the if the nutrient concentration in your res is going up or down. You can tell when you're feeding too much or little, when they slow down, when you need to change your res, etc. You probably don't NEED one, but they're pretty cheap and give you more information about how your plants are using the nutrients.

 

[Jon]

TDS tells you the total dissolved salts in solution. For hydro, it helps to know the if the nutrient concentration in your res is going up or down. You can tell when you're feeding too much or little, when they slow down, when you need to change your res, etc. You probably don't NEED one, but they're pretty cheap and give you more information about how your plants are using the nutrients.

Thank you @LKABudMan, appreciate it. I knew that much, and it sounds like a plus to go ahead and get a TDS pen. I hear you. Thanks.

 

[Jon]

So this scrog…..I don’t even know what to say or do. All I can do at this point is feed them and try to keep them from foxtailing too much. I have the light relatively low for me, around 30-40%. No idea of the ppfd, as at this point it seems an irrelevant measurement. I can tell by looking for the most part. I defoliate a bit here and there but really they are finished putting out new leaves and all that’s left is buds for the most part. Big auto, exceeds my expectations by a mile.

 

[Jon]

Thought you guys might get a chuckle from this. I left my stepdad this instructions manual for watering the scrog while I was away on vacation. I said once in the morning, once at dinner time. He added the OCD record keeping but I loved it.

 

[Jon]

Autos in the 5x5

A few shots of the White Widow advanced training, and a shot to show you scale between Melissa and Medusa. The res usage has coincided exactly with the stretch, and this Watermelon WeddingCake is taking off like a crazy woman. I feel very confident the WWC, and at this point the Banana Sherbet scrog, will both will be a pound or close to it. The Forbidden Runtz….well, I can’t get any length out of her, she’s simply a short, stout indica bush. But she has many bud sites, and the top four mains have been trimmed of all growth up to the top. We will see how she stretches, but the buds will have to be huge for this plant to make a pound. I don’t see that happening. The FR was the one I almost replaced with a second Banana Sherbet for exactly this reason but decided to go with these three. So we’ll see!

 

[Rexer]

Wow thanks so much @Rexer. So I understand everything you said, and yes I’m trying to encourage lower root growth, and it looks like I’m in good shape then. One thing - I have never once measured TDS nor do I have a pen for it or any knowledge about it. I know what it is, but all I’ve ever used is my ph pen. Of course I’m at 5.8 to start. Can’t I simply replace the water when it gets too far off or adjust with PH Up and Down if it’s close? Or do I have to learn TDS for this?

You could get away without it. But, in all honesty, having it is a good thing.

It's as easy as measuring PH. HM makes a decent one that is cheap. I've had mine since my first grow, and never needed calibration (despite my checking using a calibration solution).

Even when you're mixing nutes for soil and coco its a nice to have tool.

just make sure that whichever one you buy, does EC and or (x5) measuremets. Forget the (x7) one. The HM one does all three.
Handy to have, i even use mine to adjust the swimming pool salts!

Thank you @LKABudMan, appreciate it. I knew that much, and it sounds like a plus to go ahead and get a TDS pen. I hear you. Thanks.

Well look at it this way, this is indeed the perfect time for you to play with one. And then you may even do a DWC - monitoring EC/TDS is the last skill you have to aquire for a DWC grow...you seem to have everything else down!

So this scrog…..I don’t even know what to say or do. All I can do at this point is feed them and try to keep them from foxtailing too much. I have the light relatively low for me, around 30-40%. No idea of the ppfd, as at this point it seems an irrelevant measurement. I can tell by looking for the most part. I defoliate a bit here and there but really they are finished putting out new leaves and all that’s left is buds for the most part. Big auto, exceeds my expectations by a mile.

At this stage, you get to take a break. You've done amazing with her, and she'll finish off on her own.
Just keep taking care of her as you are.

Don't stress over a bit of foxtailing- yeah I said it . By keeping that light turned up, you'll have a bigger harvest, as the lower buds will get more energy. just keep reading her, and if she isn't showing light burn, your good.

 

[Costanza]

great looking plants as always Jon. I love the way you train them, I took that tip to top the side branches from you and I've never been happier

 

[Jon]

great looking plants as always Jon. I love the way you train them, I took that tip to top the side branches from you and I've never been happier

Hi @Costanza - you are one of the folks to whom I owe an apology. I’m sorry I haven’t been in your journal. I got real busy and had a series of personal problems to handle and have only been able to maintain my own. So sorry. But glad you took that tip. Not only does it multiply your colas, it increases training options a lot.

 

[Jon]

You could get away without it. But, in all honesty, having it is a good thing.

It's as easy as measuring PH. HM makes a decent one that is cheap. I've had mine since my first grow, and never needed calibration (despite my checking using a calibration solution).

Even when you're mixing nutes for soil and coco its a nice to have tool.

just make sure that whichever one you buy, does EC and or (x5) measuremets. Forget the (x7) one. The HM one does all three.
Handy to have, i even use mine to adjust the swimming pool salts!


Well look at it this way, this is indeed the perfect time for you to play with one. And then you may even do a DWC - monitoring EC/TDS is the last skill you have to aquire for a DWC grow...you seem to have everything else down!



At this stage, you get to take a break. You've done amazing with her, and she'll finish off on her own.
Just keep taking care of her as you are.

Don't stress over a bit of foxtailing- yeah I said it . By keeping that light turned up, you'll have a bigger harvest, as the lower buds will get more energy. just keep reading her, and if she isn't showing light burn, your good.

Ok thanks @Rexer. TDS on the way. I have roots in the res!!! Measured the ph at watering this morning and it was 5.72 in the res. That’s close enough that I just let todays runoff settle the issue. How far off 5.8 before I have to change would you think?

 

[Jon]

Ok thanks @Rexer. TDS on the way. I have roots in the res!!! Measured the ph at watering this morning and it was 5.72 in the res. That’s close enough that I just let todays runoff settle the issue. How far off 5.8 before I have to change would you think?

I also cranked the light on the scrog up to around 60%. That’s as high as I dare go. It’s bright as hell and the very tops are getting pummeled at around 1500. Ouch. Foxtails here we come.

 

[Costanza]

Hi @Costanza - you are one of the folks to whom I owe an apology. I’m sorry I haven’t been in your journal. I got real busy and had a series of personal problems to handle and have only been able to maintain my own. So sorry. But glad you took that tip. Not only does it multiply your colas, it increases training options a lot.

no apology needed buddy, I know how crazy life is

 

[Jon]

Scrog

So double nets, it’s only an auto, and somehow I have colas falling over that have a ton more weight to put on yet. In my wildest dreams I didn’t see that coming.

So…..how do I add support in this situation? So far I can use long stakes through the top net and down into the pot and get most of them supported (there’s about 5-6 falling over). That’s the best I got so far. Anything from above I can’t do, so yo-yos or the like are out of play.

???

 

[oldmanjj]

Get another net, go for 3 you animal!! The plants look fantastic! All you need is another black net similar to what you have, use the corner clips they come with and you should be set until you grow your next monster and have to use 4 nets!

 

[Vegan4life]

Scrog

So double nets, it’s only an auto, and somehow I have colas falling over that have a ton more weight to put on yet. In my wildest dreams I didn’t see that coming.

So…..how do I add support in this situation? So far I can use long stakes through the top net and down into the pot and get most of them supported (there’s about 5-6 falling over). That’s the best I got so far. Anything from above I can’t do, so yo-yos or the like are out of play.

???

Good morning! Looking great! I use bamboo stakes to help support, I also sometimes attach horizontal stakes to the vertical ones using twist ties.