Mr. Cooper's 2024 Grow Journal In RDWC Under L.E.D.

[Retireegrower]

Strains: 1 AcaiBerry Gelato, 1 Jamaican Lion X Maui Wowie, and 2 Mango Kush
Genetic Makeup: Hybrids (2 Sativa dominant and Mango Kush Indica dominant)
Pot/Bucket size: 13 gallon hydro buckets filled up to around the 10 gallon level with an additional 10 gallon reservoir outside tent
Tent size: 4' X 4'
Grow space 10 X 10 room
How many plants: 4
Environment: Indoor
Stage: Early Veg
Medium: Water (RDWC)
Lights: 1-600 watt HLG
Nutrients: General Hydroponics
Room/tent Temperature: 75-80*
Relative Humidity: 50%
Media/Res: PH 6.0
Pest: None
Watering: Continuously

 

[Retireegrower]

The first pics were taken June 29th. That was the first day inside the tent inside the hydro buckets. The last 2 were taken July 15. I will attach recent photos taken last night after topping and taking off a few leaves at the bottom. Plants are barely over 2 weeks old.
Hoping all you experienced growers will cut me some slack. Last time I grew was in 1980. Moved to Arizona where it was extremely illegal so no grow. In 87 had to quit consuming altogether. Hated it.
Been a dream of mine for all these long years to someday be able to grow and wanted to do it hydroponically. Going to be a steep learning curve, so please bear with me.
I'm trying real hard.

 

[Bill284]

I'm in.


Stay safe
Bill284

 

[Retireegrower]

I'm in.


Stay safe
Bill284

Awesome. Glad to have some more experienced growers putting their eyes on my grow. I'm trying hard, but so much more to learn.

 

[Retireegrower]

More pics from day 19 in the tent. The girls have been topped once and I am planning to do some low stress training this weekend.

 

[Zeefarmer]

Sorry you saying GH Nutrients tell me little to nothing ..
I like 5.7 Ph better and check PH everyday Use the droplet's or the Blue Lab PH pen and my as well buy the E?C TDS PPM stick with PH pen as save a couple bucks.
You failed to mention reservoir temps and not sure if you mentioned reservoir capacity or not ?
No issues for one plant to use 3 to 4 gallon a day in water .....
Now you know why I use big reservoirs is so I can not wory for a couple days considering i have 7 RDWC systems in operation at this moment.

This is important
I use silica gold . better read up silica in hydroponics, You can get PH spikes and I experience these spikes in my RDWC systems.
Your Hydroponic system has to supply everything in it the plant would get from growing in soil .
Top soil is 50% silica 5% nutrients and made up of a of bunch minerals which is called micronutrients THAT CAN ONLY BE ASORBED AT CERTAIN PH's
Silica there is two kinds super strong plants ,, makes your plants resistant to powdery mildew and insects and from breaking and bending over and with the uptake of macro and micronutrient.

Safe nutrient

---

Generally, silica is a safe nutrient to use in hydroponic gardening. Contrary to what many believe, silica improves the immunity of hydroponically grown plants by forming a barrier in the plant’s cell walls. Thus, it protects vegetables from plant diseases, environmental stressors like drought and salt, and pests.

And you need something like Hydroguard and you need it right away .

Amazon.com

 

[JiggiLotus]

Sorry you saying GH Nutrients tell me little to nothing ..
I like 5.7 Ph better and check PH everyday Use the droplet's or the Blue Lab PH pen and my as well buy the E?C TDS PPM stick with PH pen as save a couple bucks.
You failed to mention reservoir temps and not sure if you mentioned reservoir capacity or not ?
No issues for one plant to use 3 to 4 gallon a day in water .....
Now you know why I use big reservoirs is so I can not wory for a couple days considering i have 7 RDWC systems in operation at this moment.

This is important
I use silica gold . better read up silica in hydroponics, You can get PH spikes and I experience these spikes in my RDWC systems.
Your Hydroponic system has to supply everything in it the plant would get from growing in soil .
Top soil is 50% silica 5% nutrients and made up of a of bunch minerals which is called micronutrients THAT CAN ONLY BE ASORBED AT CERTAIN PH's
Silica there is two kinds super strong plants ,, makes your plants resistant to powdery mildew and insects and from breaking and bending over and with the uptake of macro and micronutrient.

Safe nutrient

---

Generally, silica is a safe nutrient to use in hydroponic gardening. Contrary to what many believe, silica improves the immunity of hydroponically grown plants by forming a barrier in the plant’s cell walls. Thus, it protects vegetables from plant diseases, environmental stressors like drought and salt, and pests.

And you need something like Hydroguard and you need it right away .

Amazon.com

Holy Roots Batman!!!

 

[Retireegrower]

Sorry you saying GH Nutrients tell me little to nothing ..
I like 5.7 Ph better and check PH everyday Use the droplet's or the Blue Lab PH pen and my as well buy the E?C TDS PPM stick with PH pen as save a couple bucks.
You failed to mention reservoir temps and not sure if you mentioned reservoir capacity or not ?
No issues for one plant to use 3 to 4 gallon a day in water .....
Now you know why I use big reservoirs is so I can not wory for a couple days considering i have 7 RDWC systems in operation at this moment.

This is important
I use silica gold . better read up silica in hydroponics, You can get PH spikes and I experience these spikes in my RDWC systems.
Your Hydroponic system has to supply everything in it the plant would get from growing in soil .
Top soil is 50% silica 5% nutrients and made up of a of bunch minerals which is called micronutrients THAT CAN ONLY BE ASORBED AT CERTAIN PH's
Silica there is two kinds super strong plants ,, makes your plants resistant to powdery mildew and insects and from breaking and bending over and with the uptake of macro and micronutrient.

Safe nutrient

---

Generally, silica is a safe nutrient to use in hydroponic gardening. Contrary to what many believe, silica improves the immunity of hydroponically grown plants by forming a barrier in the plant’s cell walls. Thus, it protects vegetables from plant diseases, environmental stressors like drought and salt, and pests.

And you need something like Hydroguard and you need it right away .

Amazon.com

Jiggylotus,
Thanks for the input. I will study on it. I am adding some silica and hydroguard. Probably not in the right amounts. i have the Ph and EC/PPM blue lab pens and am trying to understand and use them as intended.
Last time I grew it was in the dirt, fed water from the garden hose that was laying on the ground. As far as nutrients we added a little "Miracle Grow" now and then. And as for training, we topped the plant about every time it got 3 nodes or sets of leaves. That was the extent of my knowledge at the time. Crop turned out pretty good, but nothing to what you all are growing nowadays. By the way, your plant looks AMAZING.
So, bear with me. I'm old, but Trying to learn.
(I've probably watched 150 or more hours of videos trying to figure out what to do, not trying to sort thru and put it in practice)

 

[Retireegrower]

Sorry,
I meant to reply with last reply to Zeefarmer

 

[JiggiLotus]

Jiggylotus,
Thanks for the input. I will study on it. I am adding some silica and hydroguard. Probably not in the right amounts. i have the Ph and EC/PPM blue lab pens and am trying to understand and use them as intended.
Last time I grew it was in the dirt, fed water from the garden hose that was laying on the ground. As far as nutrients we added a little "Miracle Grow" now and then. And as for training, we topped the plant about every time it got 3 nodes or sets of leaves. That was the extent of my knowledge at the time. Crop turned out pretty good, but nothing to what you all are growing nowadays. By the way, your plant looks AMAZING.
So, bear with me. I'm old, but Trying to learn.
(I've probably watched 150 or more hours of videos trying to figure out what to do, not trying to sort thru and put it in practice)

You mean @Zeefarmer

 

[Retireegrower]

Sorry you saying GH Nutrients tell me little to nothing ..
I like 5.7 Ph better and check PH everyday Use the droplet's or the Blue Lab PH pen and my as well buy the E?C TDS PPM stick with PH pen as save a couple bucks.
You failed to mention reservoir temps and not sure if you mentioned reservoir capacity or not ?
No issues for one plant to use 3 to 4 gallon a day in water .....
Now you know why I use big reservoirs is so I can not wory for a couple days considering i have 7 RDWC systems in operation at this moment.

This is important
I use silica gold . better read up silica in hydroponics, You can get PH spikes and I experience these spikes in my RDWC systems.
Your Hydroponic system has to supply everything in it the plant would get from growing in soil .
Top soil is 50% silica 5% nutrients and made up of a of bunch minerals which is called micronutrients THAT CAN ONLY BE ASORBED AT CERTAIN PH's
Silica there is two kinds super strong plants ,, makes your plants resistant to powdery mildew and insects and from breaking and bending over and with the uptake of macro and micronutrient.

Safe nutrient

---

Generally, silica is a safe nutrient to use in hydroponic gardening. Contrary to what many believe, silica improves the immunity of hydroponically grown plants by forming a barrier in the plant’s cell walls. Thus, it protects vegetables from plant diseases, environmental stressors like drought and salt, and pests.

And you need something like Hydroguard and you need it right away .

Amazon.com

 

[Retireegrower]

Please see reply below accidentally sent to Jiggylotus.

 

[LKABudMan]

I have that same RDWC system and love it. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Retireegrower]

You mean @Zeefarmer

Ok. The signature just says "Zeefarmer". Do you add the @ sign for every signature to contact that person? Trying to sore my way into this forum. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Retireegrower]

I have that same RDWC system and love it. Let me know if you have any questions.

Right on. I think the system is awesome. But, steep learning curve is just getting started for me. I have questions. Mostly based on trying to survive growing in July, middle of the desert in Phoenix Arizona, poor in line water cooler running constantly (I'll be testing the 3 year warranty I'm sure), no R.O. water do ppm starts out around 800. WTF. I'm in the pool, in the deep end, dog paddling, so far, so good.

 

[Zeefarmer]

Right on. I think the system is awesome. But, steep learning curve is just getting started for me. I have questions. Mostly based on trying to survive growing in July, middle of the desert in Phoenix Arizona, poor in line water cooler running constantly (I'll be testing the 3 year warranty I'm sure), no R.O. water do ppm starts out around 800. WTF. I'm in the pool, in the deep end, dog paddling, so far, so good.

800 PPM's tap water is bad .

 

[Retireegrower]

Been wanting to start training my plants but was unsure of how to get the branches to lay our without the ability to poke a rod into soil or drill holes into the top of my buckets (light leaks). So I bought some 1/8" aluminum rods & attached them to the branches with velcro straps. The straps are not tight to the branches just there to direct the branches to follow. They also give the ability to twist so that every other branch isn't exactly above each other. Hopefully it all works out is reality as well as it did inside my brain. I should know by end of the day tomorrow I guess.

 

[Retireegrower]

Few more pics

 

[Retireegrower]

Less than 12 hours later & the girls are looking much better as expected. Now I figure to let em stretch up a out a foot or so then put up first scrog net.

 

[Tokin Roll]

Nice start to your Grow journal @Retireegrower

I will be around, if you don't mine.

Stay safe and grow well my friend,
Tok..