Jon's Sneak It In Auto Grow
- Thread starter Jon
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- #223
Oh I see @Kanno26, I misinterpreted your question or what you were trying to tell me. Lol! Sorry my friend.Hi @Jon, I sent you this as a tip for your XS1500 PRO sidelights for your project on how to easily hang it so it can grow with the plant and sow in just two eyes in the light. But I'll think about taking the controller out of the tent
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- #224
I’m being forced to rethink my strategy. I’m looking at five plants that will all be absolute beasts. And the Apple Fritter is supposed to be a beast. Even if the Gorilla Zkittlez and Pink Rozay stay smallish, those six plants alone is a ton. And I’m beginning to think that if I canopy them out as I had intended, I’m simply not going to have enough floor space (canopy space). They’ll be jammed together like crazy. These growth rates, I admit, have exceeded expectations and thrown me for a bit of a rethink. I’m considering just putting them all on the floor and letting them grow up and let the chips fall where they may. At least then I would have a better chance of having space between them. All would be topped however many times and branches I can get away with and just see what happens.
Opinions are more than welcome. Thanks.
Opinions are more than welcome. Thanks.
A fan after mine & Co’s own hearts!
Be sure to get the supports in pots early - although today I saw & Co’s finishing method for late sativas. Which was scary! Basically lower the light right down that was above the already chopped and let them rest on the drainage stands horizontally
I can’t seem to attach photos right now. Looks like a server or my login session issue.
But yeah go a bit messy. Yields just fine. But individual supports early as you can.
Nick
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- #226
Thanks @NickHardy - had a feeling you’d favor that idea. Your input is officially registered. Lol!A fan after mine & Co’s own hearts!
Be sure to get the supports in pots early - although today I saw & Co’s finishing method for late sativas. Which was scary! Basically lower the light right down that was above the already chopped and let them rest on the drainage stands horizontally
I can’t seem to attach photos right now. Looks like a server or my login session issue.
But yeah go a bit messy. Yields just fine. But individual supports early as you can.
Nick
The picture I took earlier - oh the shame! Still just 24 hours to navigate. The only one showing any damage is the biggest cola we’ve ever grown due to its own fatness but we are getting a load of light to lower regions. Minimal damage - just please let it be over!
Nick
Nick
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- #228
Does Nick and Co. keep gigantic colas intact ever? I try once in a while but they won’t fit in any jar to cure if they’re giant like that. Lol
You don't really have much choice, no?
Oh right, I remember someone suggesting you break out another set-up from your already packed area. That'd work as well (well, probably better but, you know......)
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- #230
I know @Azimuth. I know. I know. Damnit. I had almost talked myself back out of it too. Yeah that idea is on the list.You don't really have much choice, no?
Oh right, I remember someone suggesting you break out another set-up from your already packed area. That'd work as well (well, probably better but, you know......)
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- #231
Tips for Running Ambient with an AC Unit in Hot Climates
Often with autos I’ll run ambient for as long as I can. Down here it’s hot enough every day that the AC unit is necessary both to keep temps down and keep RH down, especially when the plants get bigger and start putting off more heat, water, etc. So even running ambient (some may prefer the word passive - no extraction fan and using the doors of the tent to control the environment), I still need to use the AC. Otherwise it gets to 90+ and 85% RH pretty quickly.
So the tricks are a couple.
1. Learn the simplistic AC unit. Even the cheapest have a hot/cold rotating switch and a low and high fan and cool. You have a lot of latitude in there to tweak as required. Here’s the unit I use on a 5x5. It’s a standard sized window unit, 5000 btu. The setup couldn’t be simpler.
2. Judicious use of the doors if the tent is key to environmental control. Here is the front door at this time of day. This lets the outside ambient environment in.
And here is the other door. It’s tucked up in from the bottom to let cold air out, so the AC doesn’t blast them too much. (Cold air low, warm air high)
It’s a balancing act that changes as the day changes. Usually before I go to bed I turn off the AC til the morning so they wake up around 72 degrees. I can also affect the system by opening or closing the garage door.
The idea is to save as much on AC as possible. It adds more to my bill than the lights by far.
Edit: BONUS TIP: Keep the unit on the dark side of your space. Light will get in through the back of the unit. This obviously is relevant to photos, not autos. But you need to keep the light off the unit in sleep time. I was shocked the first time I saw just how much light it lets in.
Often with autos I’ll run ambient for as long as I can. Down here it’s hot enough every day that the AC unit is necessary both to keep temps down and keep RH down, especially when the plants get bigger and start putting off more heat, water, etc. So even running ambient (some may prefer the word passive - no extraction fan and using the doors of the tent to control the environment), I still need to use the AC. Otherwise it gets to 90+ and 85% RH pretty quickly.
So the tricks are a couple.
1. Learn the simplistic AC unit. Even the cheapest have a hot/cold rotating switch and a low and high fan and cool. You have a lot of latitude in there to tweak as required. Here’s the unit I use on a 5x5. It’s a standard sized window unit, 5000 btu. The setup couldn’t be simpler.
2. Judicious use of the doors if the tent is key to environmental control. Here is the front door at this time of day. This lets the outside ambient environment in.
It’s a balancing act that changes as the day changes. Usually before I go to bed I turn off the AC til the morning so they wake up around 72 degrees. I can also affect the system by opening or closing the garage door.
The idea is to save as much on AC as possible. It adds more to my bill than the lights by far.
Edit: BONUS TIP: Keep the unit on the dark side of your space. Light will get in through the back of the unit. This obviously is relevant to photos, not autos. But you need to keep the light off the unit in sleep time. I was shocked the first time I saw just how much light it lets in.
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- #232
@Azimuth - I have a more interesting idea that costs me way less work, lol. I think once I determine (already have) which are going to end up as the smallest two plants (likely the Gorilla Zkittlez and the Pink Rozay), I may just toss them outside to finish. Never grew outside autos as I believe it’s a waste. Then, just by hooking up one other light, maybe one of my blurples, in the guest room closet, I can bring them in there at sundown and let them feast on crappy 10-watt LEDs so as to not compromise their 20/4.
That would leave the 2x WWC, 2x PMC, Apple Fritter, and Dos Si Dos in the tent. More space for all. More options how to train. And more space for the side lights coming in soon. I could then let them all just grow as is (continue topping side branching and pull branches outwards) cuz they’d all get huge and with the side lights I’m betting I get plenty of light top to bottom regardless of how I train them.
What do you think of that plan? So far it’s in the lead. It combines my best idea with the @NickHardy concept.
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- #233
I am inspired by @Virgin Ground (‘s) Wookie auto, particularly the part about “minimal training.” I never do that. These would be the plants to develop the way I need them to if I employed minimal training. I see others who do minimal training and also get huge, beautiful plants. So why not give it a shot? I have a huge advantage in that I know exactly what the 2 WWCs and 2 PMCs are going to do.
Just a note about side lighting. I have used, and posted about, side lighting during the entire grow, including during veg. What I ended up with was a "domed" canopy that yielded colas all the way down to within six inches of the reservoir surface.
The 22" tall plant yielded 287 grams of dried and cured bud.
I addressed the "heat issue" by installing two 200 cfm speed controllable exhaust fans. This allows me to change the air in the cabinet 10 times/minute. I am growing indoors.
I am currently using the side lighting to grow two levels of hot peppers. Let me know if you would like to see some photos. They grow incredibly well.
I hope this helps.
I’m going to try some side lighting tomorrow- its a long standing thing. I even measured up to fit them once but no way would they fit,
But have a couple of ways I can experiment with solos now the room is empty of the main grow.
ah chillies! Add them to the list of seedlings I’ve killed
Nick
But have a couple of ways I can experiment with solos now the room is empty of the main grow.
ah chillies! Add them to the list of seedlings I’ve killed
Nick
Jon, this grow is getting less and less "sneaky."
Hi @Hafta, looks amazing and a great crop, how long has it been in the veg?Just a note about side lighting. I have used, and posted about, side lighting during the entire grow, including during veg. What I ended up with was a "domed" canopy that yielded colas all the way down to within six inches of the reservoir surface.
The 22" tall plant yielded 287 grams of dried and cured bud.
I addressed the "heat issue" by installing two 200 cfm speed controllable exhaust fans. This allows me to change the air in the cabinet 10 times/minute. I am growing indoors.
I am currently using the side lighting to grow two levels of hot peppers. Let me know if you would like to see some photos. They grow incredibly well.
I hope this helps.
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- #238
Yup. Gorgeous plant. We talked about it a little before my first attempt. You’re my go to guy for side lighting questions.Just a note about side lighting. I have used, and posted about, side lighting during the entire grow, including during veg. What I ended up with was a "domed" canopy that yielded colas all the way down to within six inches of the reservoir surface.
The 22" tall plant yielded 287 grams of dried and cured bud.
I addressed the "heat issue" by installing two 200 cfm speed controllable exhaust fans. This allows me to change the air in the cabinet 10 times/minute. I am growing indoors.
I am currently using the side lighting to grow two levels of hot peppers. Let me know if you would like to see some photos. They grow incredibly well.
I hope this helps.
Makes sense. Not as much fun (for us
) as you putting up another tent, lights, and fans/filters only to have to pack them up again after trim.But, you do you.
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- #240
My Yoda in Oregon is installing the plastic and dark drop system on his newest greenhouse today and sent me these shots. It gives you a good idea about the scale.
Note in the second picture you see the front and back end supports for yet ANOTHER one. He has four already working.
Note in the second picture you see the front and back end supports for yet ANOTHER one. He has four already working.