SlowToke Mystery Bean Grow Journal - 1st Grow - Soil - HID/LED - 2016

[SlowToke]

It's never too soon for bud porn ;-)

Nice grow ST. I'll be following this as well as your other. First grow journals are of the greatest value to noobs like me; we identify with the whole process and learn the most.

Great journal.

Hi, Max! Glad to see you over here as well! Hopefully it will be of some value for you, as it has been for me. I learned a lot from the mistakes, and also from what I did right in overcoming the mistakes. It hasn't always been pretty, but a great experience nonetheless! I'm already a better grower for it.

And as per my last post, LOL, in this case it actually was too early for bud porn!

 

[SlowToke]

good job... and congratulations... you have had your first true hermaphrodite. I have had only one in my 6 years of doing this.

An honor I can hopefully avoid as well as you in the future!

 

[SlowToke]

Day 54

Just a quick update, now that all the plants are in 7 gallon containers. I also added Osmocote Plus to all the plants to the suggested levels for the large pots, and they all seem to adjusting well to the new digs! We already discussed the issues with MB-8. Lesson learned... if you don't see pistils, it ain't female!!

I also gave the plants a pruning to open them up, allowing better penetration of light. Trying to replicate the process Doc Bud uses when he transplants to final pots and moves to the flowering stage. I'm not sure I did it as well as he does, but I opened up the canopy for sure, while trying to maintain as many of the potential bud sites as possible. You can see this in the following pictures.

As you can see, I put MB-3 in a fabric pot. I ran out of the plastic nursery pots, and rather then buy another, I thought it would be an interesting comparison to have a fabric pot in the mix. We'll see if we can tell any difference in growth or yield. I know, it would have been better to have used two plants of the same strain and phenotype to get any really meaningful results from this comparison. But this grow is all about trying different techniques so I can see for my self what works best and doesn't, even if not done strictly scientifically.

I've also been trying my hand propagating clones from the cuttings I took in the pruning process. I'm using Rapid Root cubes in a heated tray with a dome cover, and made a number of mistakes right from the start. First I put too much water in the tray to the point that the cubes release a bunch of water when squeezed, which isn't good. Then I missed an afternoon misting and just about killed the clones. They turned all yellow and brown and didn't look long for this world! So I gave them a good watering, cut off all the brown, dead foliage and kept at it. Sure enough I checked a few days later and I now have roots, and new green growth is peaking out from the yellow and brown leaves. I'd say these two are ready for a transplant!

The third (center) clone in the last picture above is a more recent cutting I added to the tray after I was sure I had killed the first two clones. So we'll see in a few days if this one roots as well. I really want to have this art perfected by the time my new grow is ready for pruning, as the repeatability of using clones vs. seeds to keep a good strain phenotype going will be important for the cancer fighting grow. Plus seeds are just too darn expensive to keep using all the time!

And finally a bonus shot, just for artistic license! A study in intersecting angles and geometric forms, centering on two neon pink glowing lines. Glad I don't have to worry about who sees my grow room door. Discrete and LED don't really go together!

I'll report back in a few days with another update when we have some changes with the girls. In the meantime, everyone take care and keep it green!

 

[CajunCelt]

Looking great SlowToke!
Sorry to see the sausage fest. Looks like ya got on top of it pretty quick though.

 

[SlowToke]

Thanks, Cajun! Yeah, it was a close call with that last male, but the good news is I still have 5 confirmed ladies left in the garden! The buds are starting to develop nicely. And with some interesting different growth patterns to the buds. This is getting fun!

Other good news, I pulled a report from my local water provider here, and the water looks good to use (with a slight PH adjustment for this grow, and after sitting for a day to reduce chlorine). I'll keep using distilled water for seedlings, but am pleased I don't need to install an RO system, or keep buying gallon after gallon of the distilled stuff from the grocery store. That would add up with these 7 gallon pots!

 

[Emilya Green]

are you sure that your water company uses chlorine and not chloramine? The later does not evaporate, hence the modern tendency for water companies to use it. Because of this, I have no choice but to use RO in my garden, the chloramine in my tap water would quickly kill off the microherd in my organic grow.

 

[SlowToke]

Emmie, chloramine wasn't listed on the report so I was thinking I'm good. But I called them up just now to confirm, and sure enough, they use chloramine! I guess another case of wishful thinking about to cause doom to my plants...

My water is just about ideal in every other way, with the exception of being slightly high in nitrates which I can manage. So I would really like to use it. What about using a de-chlorinator? Googling around, a product was suggested that is used to condition water for aquariums that does specifically say it neutralizes chloramines.

What do you think? Good or bad idea? Even though I've spent a bundle on my grow room setup, I guess I could swing an RO system if it is the only reasonable option. But I would sure prefer to do that a little down the road. Kind of spread out the costs a little. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[Emilya Green]

Emmie, chloramine wasn't listed on the report so I was thinking I'm good. But I called them up just now to confirm, and sure enough, they use chloramine! I guess another case of wishful thinking about to cause doom to my plants...

My water is just about ideal in every other way, with the exception of being slightly high in nitrates which I can manage. So I would really like to use it. What about using a de-chlorinator? Googling around, a product was suggested that is used to condition water for aquariums that does specifically say it neutralizes chloramines.

What do you think? Good or bad idea? Even though I've spent a bundle on my grow room setup, I guess I could swing an RO system if it is the only reasonable option. But I would sure prefer to do that a little down the road. Kind of spread out the costs a little. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

I don't know what is in the dechlorinator or whether it even works. We have all sorts of rumors out there, sitting buckets out, adding a handful of soil, boiling... and I have always been very skeptical of them all. If it were that easy, wouldn't it be common knowledge by now, or have all the RO companies conspired together to keep this information from us??? If it were that easy, to my logical mind there were would not be RO companies.
So yes, if pure water is a need for you (and if you are going organic it is) then you need to buy or have jugs delivered, or install your own RO system. Your own under sink system seems to be over time the cheapest and stealthiest option, and is what I would recommend to you.

Time to pull out another adage from my signature lines:
If you go cheap you grow cheap-Zandor

 

[SlowToke]

Emmie, I certainly can't fault you logic. Being skeptical and conservative here makes good sense. I should do it right or keep schlepping jugs of distilled water until I can do the RO System.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Much appreciated!

Time to pull out another adage from my signature lines:
If you go cheap you grow cheap-Zandor

LOL! No one's going to accuse me of going cheap with this grow room!

 

[STIHL LOGGER]

Another stellar journal ST. Awesome grow room!

 

[SlowToke]

Hey, Logger! Great to see you drop by my island of misfit beans! They were a motley crew early on, but they seem to be gaining some traction coming into flower.

And thanks for the kind words! I'm really happy with the grow room. A gift from Mrs. Toke when we bought our new house. She gave up her office so I could have a dedicated room for the grow. Is that awesome, or what!

 

[SlowToke]

Day 62

It's been about a week, so time for another update.

Well, the girls are looking good, and have grown a good bit ever the last week. They have all stretched a fair amount, and are filling in with new foliage and buds.

They've stretched enough that I have had to raise the lights again. The tallest were within 6 or 7 inches of the lights, and I was worried about the lights being so close they would bleach the plants. Hopefully the stretch is about over, as I don't have much more room to raise the lights. The hanging cables that came with the lights seem to require quite a bit of space.

I may need to find something shorter to replace the cables before the next batch of plants move to the flowering tray. I'll probably lower the tray as well. It's on 5 gallon buckets right now, and I can probably gain 6 or 7 inches by using something more like a 1 to 2 gallon bucket. Really, I'm just trying to keep the tray off the floor and get a little air flow under it.

Most the plants are growing into each other to the point of looking like one large mass, but MB-2 stands out with a different leaf structure, and some lovely button-like buds.

Some miscellaneous bud shots. I know, they've got a ways to go, but they're looking gorgeous to me!

And finally, a shot of the MB-2 apical bud along with a 100% enlargement to show more detail.

Trichome production already! Ya' gotta' love that!

 

[SlowToke]

Day 69

Time for the weekly update. It's been 7 days since the last update, and the plants are definitely showing more bud formation than last week. The plants have also grown so close to the lights that I had to redo the tray support to lower it. I built a 2x4 base for the plywood platform the tray is on, so now the tray is only 4 inches above the floor. Now I have about 16 inches of clear between the plants and the lights. I'm hopeful the plant's stretch is about over.

Like I said, the buds are showing more development on all the plants, but the sativa dominant plants look a long way off from being anywhere near ready to harvest. Maybe that makes sense, as I have read about flowing durations up to 120 days or longer for some sativa strains. And something tells me Nirvana isn't going to send me the A-team of fast finishers for the freebie extras. The good news is that MB-2 looks to be an indica strain, and the buds on her are definitely developing quicker. So maybe in a month are so I can be enjoying some of the fruits of this first grow labor.

Here are some pictures, taken this morning:

Thanks for looking, and here's to good fortune in your gardens!

 

[arteekay]

Great pics and update SlowToke, always enjoy your posts.

 

[SlowToke]

Great pics and update SlowToke, always enjoy your posts.

Thanks RTK! I appreciate it.

You know, going in to this grow, I figured, how hard could it be? Well, it turns out to be really hard when you have no idea what the strains are going to do. It has kept me on my toes tying to keep the grow between the lines. Always something new to deal with every time I turn around. At least MB-2 looks like she might at least get me high, you know, for the effort! And they all do photograph well. That's cool, too!

 

[SlowToke]

Day 75

Good morning, everyone, and happy Easter!

Time for another update on the mysterious quintet. Six days from the last update (the pictures were taken yesterday), and the buds are looking a little more formed than last week. Maybe... sure wish the sativas would get a move on. On the positive side, the indica is looking good. Getting nice and frosty, with a lot of tasty young buds forming alone the stem and major side branches. I may have to put a lock on the grow room door. Mrs. Toke keeps licking her lips every time she looks at her!

Anyone have any thoughts on when she may be ready to harvest? Under the scope, the trichs look cloudy with a few going amber, but the pistils haven't started to dry up much at all. I'm thinking we wait for the pistils do darken up.

Anyway, let's watch the snail pace sisters of sativa make their move, and see the frosty splendor of MB-2!

See you next week! :icon_cool

 

[SlowToke]

Day 82

Time for another weekly update on the mystery beans. Everything has been going well in the flowering tray. Not much difference that last week, particularly with the sativas. It's a week of incremental change, with buds a bit thicker, foliage a little denser, a few more sugar leaf trichomes on the indica plant, etc.. Nothing to dramatic, but you can see the development if you look closely.

The plants are now on a three day watering schedule, with the plants getting about a gallon of water each. Fan leaves are starting to crap out on the indica plant. That seems pretty common from other folks journals at this mid flower phase. I've been feeding with Osmocote Plus, so I just let the time-release nutes do their thing. I wouldn't know how to intervene anyway. Plus the trichome are starting to look pretty cloudy with the occasional amber one. The pistils have just barely started to dry up. This one should be ready to harvest in two to three weeks, I bet.

Here's some pics. First the sativas:

Here's the Indica plant:

See you next week!

 

[SweetSue]

The sativas are looking stately and like you're going to be very happy with the harvest. The Indica reminded me of my first grow.

 

[SlowToke]

The sativas are looking stately and like you're going to be very happy with the harvest. The Indica reminded me of my first grow.

I am enjoying the sativa, but the sad reality is that I may have to cull them before they can finish flowering, if my current vegging plants are ready to flip before then. That's the main event, and will take the priority going forward. But we shall see. I estimate I have two to thee weeks for the vegging plants. Maybe that will be enough.

The indica plant is a beauty, isn't she? And she is starting to pack on the trichomes! I pulled a couple of popcorn buds low on the plant, and after a quick dry in the oven, Mrs. Toke agreed to give them a test, and gave the indica plant two thumbs up! She said it was some of the best she's had in a long time. Of course being immature buds, it gave her that zippy/racy high, and she proceeded to clean all the bathrooms, vacuum the carpet and unpack about 6 boxes we still hadn't gotten to after the move. I should give her these young buds more often!

 

[arteekay]

I've got some young buds if she gets bored.