re: Mashikag's Soil AK-48 & Aurora Indica - First Grow & First Grow Journal - 2013
Hey buddy, just caught up.
First up, great job on your first grow, you are well on your way to a good harvest. + Reps for that!
Stretch is to be expected during veg, especially when starting from seed if you are using a hps. Even though the light intensity is good it's the wrong type of light so the plants go crazy as if searching for the correct spectrum. When using hps to veg it's highly recommended to use some form of low stress training technique.
Your wilting plants were down to exactly what you thought, under watering. Remember to adjust to the needs of the plant. You have to be ready to adapt and read your plants. Well done on sorting the problem.
As for the defoliation, a little tidy up now of the older, lower growth would be beneficial and help air flow and let you see what's going on. Could give the mid branches a top to give more tops, 4 or 5 days would give them enough time to recover. Then another round of defoliation in say week two of 12/12 to tidy it up and clip off lower growth that will not produce much bud will really help given how packed your grow tent is.
Once you enter flowering you are cruising along, just keep an eye on the little things and read what your plants are needing. Try and avoid the temptation to go heavy on the nutes to early and you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.
Once again, really well done so far my friend. Great first grow! Enjoy the flowering period