SweetSue's Perpetual 2.0 - The Transition To Doc Bud's HBB Kit

[SweetSue]

Weekly Update: Friday, March 31, 2017

We've already covered the harvests, so let's take a peek in on the rest of the brood.

The tiny closet is happily clicking along. The CBD Critical Cure 2.1 (Day 41) is on the right and is definately ready to go into flower. She just had an Energy drench yesterday.

In the middle is DDA6 (Day 36), adapting to her training. Early signs of flowering are beginning to show.

On the left we have CBD Critical Cure 2.2 (Day 19). Tomorrow I'll begin her training, before she gets any taller.

When I get the bigger clone moved I can shift DDA7 into the tiny closet and move the smaller clone into this space.

Carnival 3 (Day 28) got a double Trans drench Wednesday, but I overdid it, so now she's drying out. Looking healthy as hell as she does it too, working on her fifth node. It's a bit early to tell, but this one has the feel of a sativa pheno. Maybe it's just me, wishful thinking.

DDA7 (Day 36) is ready to enjoy that new lighting. From this point on the DDAs will all start in the tiny closet, a new one following the harvest. That leaves this shelf to accommodate early veg for the tents. Hash Hound brought me another reflector and some 5000 K CFLs to fill out the light needs for this space.

I started to open her up a bit. She'll fill the pot nicely when I'm done with her.

Around the corner we have CBD Critical Cure 2 (Day 109, flip + 34, CAT2 + 17).

Remember how I freaked out when my first one grew hash tips? I swear, you guys must really love me. LOL! Turned out to be a genetic trait of the strain. She started popping the upper blossoms about two or three days ago.

The CBD strains don't frost up as thickly as THC-dominant ones will. I'll be interested in seeing how she performs in the end. We're 17 days after her second CAT, and I'm wondering if it'd be worth considering another one before harvest. She looks to have a few more weeks to go, and she's drinking about every four or five days, so it may be possible, depending on how she goes.

Beautiful structure, eh? This is a lovely strain to grow. So undemanding.

Tomorrow I'll decide which strain to plant for the hempy. I'm switching nutrient lines.

That's the nickle tour. Thank you so much for devoting the time to gawk and support. They're all doing so well, it makes my life feel incredibly blessed. It's been a long day and I'm bushed. I've been at it nonstop since 8:30 this morning. We call this a hobby, right? : laugh2: Time to stop and relax with some Carnival. Hmmmmmm...... Been a while since I had any DDA. Sounds like a plan.

Have a wonderful evening. Maybe I'll see you around the yards. It's been a while since I got ripped and went wandering. This might be the time for just such an adventure.

 

[Scottay]

Hiya Sueeee!!! Great harvest! Looks delicious hun! I sooo wanna sit down and vape out with you and pick your brain!! The plants comin up from behind lookin lovely too!!! Kickin ass as always!!

 

[SweetSue]

Hempy Thoughts

This round went much smoother than the first, although it got off to a rocky start. After running a DDA in the first hempy experiment we decided a photo would be a better fit for the hempy, so I went with a clone of Carnival. I culled her twice during the early stages of her journey. I started off using the Lucas Formula for hempy, a disaster from the beginning, which led to her first culling. After a couple days of being unable to chop her I snuck her back in under the light.

I can't remember why I pulled her the second time. She tugged at my heartstrings throughout this stage.

Thankfully, lexort stepped in and talked me through the rough spots. His guidance made my use of the nutrients something I finally felt more comfortable with. Next time out I'll be using a better nutrient line, which should translate into increased yield as well as increased potency.

Hmmmm........ This suddenly became a good argument for starting another Carnival to stay consistent. If I keep running Carnivals in the hempy pot and tweak each run I'll probably gain more from the experience.

OK, I convinced myself. It'll be another Carnival. Between the two that'll be running I'll get clones for the next batch.

She started out with such hope.

It didn't take me very long to lose confidence. She faded quickly without a decent source of CalMag. As soon as I started adding it she perked right up.

Lesson #1: In a hempy pot, under LEDs, make certain the plant has an adequate source of calcium and magnesium.

Once lexort intervened I began to gain more confidence in mixing the nutes. I've since learned to mix the batch up a quart at a time. I'd be better with about three cups. Applied slowly, this is about what the plant will suck up when it's in full flower. In veg the nutrient batch for this pot can be mixed up in two cup volumes.

I mix it up in such small batches because the Terpinator drops the pH level too far once it sits overnight.

Lesson #2: Determine the volume you'll need and learn to mix it consistently. Keep the formulas written down. I always expect to remember the measurements. That's not always the case.

I typically flushed her out about once a week. When I was mixing the nutes by the half gallon it was every time I mixed a new batch. This practice likely contributes to the smooth smoke I've gotten from the hempy-grown Dark Devil Auto.

Emerald didn't get get the standard pre-harvest flush. Another experimental move. I'll let you know if I note any difference. I'll set aside a small amount for testing. Hmmm...... I could take some and toss it in the refrigerator for a low and slow cure. Let me do that right now.

This is a technique Dr. Ziggy's been suggesting for a couple years now, and I'm finally remembering to try it. Low temperature and low humidity, an atmosphere most commonly found in the refrigerator.

It'll stay here for two weeks before I give it a try.

You gotta love a plant that'll take the abuse she took and still come in with a decent harvest. Even the mites didn't slow her down much.

Working with hempy gives me something to play with, a little variety in the grow. As of now, this is the only pot in my grow that isn't filled with soil being assisted by Doc Bud's HBB kit. Without this diversion I'd likely be bored by the grow. Lol! The kit works its magic without much intervention from me. Regular drenches and regular foliars. Nothing exciting except the superlative harvests of the best damn cannabis you can grow.

The hempy didn't do too bad. It looks like around two ounces dry, although we'll never know for sure, since I'll be processing her into infused oil tomorrow. Chopping up the branches for the cold cure there was a strong smell of limonene, an indicator of quality. Her smell at this stage is as strong as any soil-grown Carnival I've raised.

This is the second hempy in a row that's impressed me with yeild and quality. I'm enjoying this game.

The hempy pot lets me play, and that's a good thing. As I play I'm learning more about the art of cultivation and the nutritional needs of cannabis sativa.

Yep..... SweetSue playing is a very good thing. I'll be planting the next seed on Sunday.

 

[Radogast]

"She's been playing with vaping lately and discovered that she can get a mild buzz going and she enjoys it"
"

Your patience and research is bearing fruit. Nicely done.

 

[Tead]

A warm thank you to one of my favorite mods Teddy Edwards, for working so diligently to restore my journal to current status and the banner with my awards. I know how busy he is, making the speed of his handiwork all the more heartwarming.

Thank you, dear friend.

I feel whole again. Lol! I know that's silly, but it seems to have made a difference to me.

Ya know... poor Teddy. I can't sing his praises enough. Deals with all my little issues with ease, eloquence, and professionalism.... and he's been doing exactly that for many years.
An unsung hero in my humble opinion.

 

[Tead]

First... I gotta give a nod to you and HH. Great job! Luvin the touch of Jackleg engineering.... I've always been a fan.
In my garden, I like to use electrical wire. It maintains a curve or adjustment. I use the individual cores of your standard Romex home electrical wiring.

Second... lemme dig into the hempy words....

I started off using the Lucas Formula for hempy, a disaster from the beginning

Gotcha. Thanks! I'll cross Lucas off the list. You should try and Osmo grow... so damn easy.

Thankfully, lexort stepped in and talked me through the rough spots.

He's been a constant source of knowledge in my world for many years. Gotta toss him some luv. Plus, he's got the craziest lights in his little grow box.

This suddenly became a good argument for starting another Carnival to stay consistent.

I don't think folks give enough credit to the concepts of consistency in any growing situation. Over the years, this has really become apparent to me. I really didn't or couldn't get my head wrapped fully around it for a long time.

Lesson #1: In a hempy pot, under LEDs, make certain the plant has an adequate source of calcium and magnesium.

Yup... I even calmag my clone water. I don't think it has anything to do with the lights tho... I was vegging mainly with flouros and had the same experience.

Keep the formulas written down. I always expect to remember the measurements. That's not always the case.

I keep a log with feeding amounts. Simple text doc on my desktop. It's getting very sparse now that the Osmos are populating my garden... but yea, if you're doing liquid nutes, keep a log.

Working with hempy gives me something to play with, a little variety in the grow. As of now, this is the only pot in my grow that isn't filled with soil being assisted by Doc Bud's HBB kit. Without this diversion I'd likely be bored by the grow.

Nice. We all need some entertainment in our world. It's how we actually play while doing what we love.
Hempy forms a nice side-dance....very easy. Easier if you try Osmo......


Shouldn't you be growing Osmos???

 

[SweetSue]

First... I gotta give a nod to you and HH. Great job! Luvin the touch of Jackleg engineering.... I've always been a fan.
In my garden, I like to use electrical wire. It maintains a curve or adjustment. I use the individual cores of your standard Romex home electrical wiring.

We actually considered this. Then I spotted this clothes line and something sparked in me. I'm looking forward to playing with it.

Second... lemme dig into the hempy words....



Gotcha. Thanks! I'll cross Lucas off the list. You should try and Osmo grow... so damn easy.

Yes I should. I may pick up a bottle and try it out before starting with the liquid line.


He's been a constant source of knowledge in my world for many years. Gotta toss him some luv. Plus, he's got the craziest lights in his little grow box.

I was just sharing a wake-n-bake with him over at Pigeon's.

I don't think folks give enough credit to the concepts of consistency in any growing situation. Over the years, this has really become apparent to me. I really didn't or couldn't get my head wrapped fully around it for a long time.

Took me over two years of listening to better growers than me suggest it before I caught on. There's hope for us Tead.

Yup... I even calmag my clone water. I don't think it has anything to do with the lights tho... I was vegging mainly with flouros and had the same experience.

So it's a hempy thing?

I keep a log with feeding amounts. Simple text doc on my desktop. It's getting very sparse now that the Osmos are populating my garden... but yea, if you're doing liquid nutes, keep a log.

The simple tricks of the hobby that I keep overlooking. Documentation and control of the data still escapes mastery. I'm nothing if not joyfully persistent, so eventually I'll get there.

Nice. We all need some entertainment in our world. It's how we actually play while doing what we love.
Hempy forms a nice side-dance....very easy. Easier if you try Osmo......


Shouldn't you be growing Osmos???

Yes...... I should be growing Osmos. Thank you for reminding me that part of the process is ease. I've done two runs with bottled liquid nutrients. It's time to give the Osmo grow a try. I'll pick up some when I'm out later.

Any highlights to the successful implementation of an Osmo grow would be greatly appreciated. You've been playing with this for a while now. I know you've found some tricks you'd love to share.

Good morning everyone

I started the morning by clipping the buds off the branches to prepare for this afternoon's oil runs. I'll be processing the fresh material into a concentrated infused coconut oil that'll be used for brownies. I figured the weight from this morning would be comparable to what they were before the bud wash. I realize it's not exact, but then I eliminated all of the branch weight when I clipped the flowers all off too.

In the end I have 8 grams of the Candy Cane in the refrigerator curing

and another 140 grams awaiting processing, along with 105 grams of Carnival (Emerald). I didn't weigh the Carnival that I put into the fridge to dry and cure.

I use a standard of 20% of wet weight for the dry weight estimate. This means I got just over an ounce of Candy Cane and around 3/4 of an ounce of Carnival. Just a rough guess, and considering the onslaught of mites they endured I feel blessed to have pulled that much from them.

Man, that Candy Cane is fragrant! Fills the entire apartment. The Candy Cane will produce enough oil for four pans of brownies. The Carnival will give me three. The big payoff is not having to think about any mite eggs hatching. By tonight the tent will have been scrubbed out twice. All I can do is my best effort and remember that things always work out for me.

Get out there and have some fun. Let the joy I know you're feeling right about now bubble over and brighten someone else's life too. It's a gloriously abundant and generous universe when you let it be.

Go ahead.....let it be amazing. I dare you.

On with the day. I'll catch up later.

 

[Amadeus Forzin]

 

[SweetSue]

Beautiful structure, eh?

It was this glancing shot that caught my eye and haunted me until I went to confirm my suspicions. See the tiny white dots scattered across the leaf on the lower left?

Appreciate her beauty as it is. She's sticky as hell.......such lovely leaves on this one, eh?

She has mites. Minor at this point, but we've watched this before haven't we? *sigh* I know there's a way to get ahead of this in my garden. I will stumble upon it eventually. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about this yet, if anything. Hauling that 10 gallons around for spraying purposes isn't really a doable action. There's another way. I'll feel my way into it and let you know. My hands are shiny and sticky. Ohh.... Time to go.

 

[HashGirl]

Two questions:

1. What exactly is a hempy grow?
2. And, what is an Osmo grow?

First... I gotta give a nod to you and HH. Great job! Luvin the touch of Jackleg engineering.... I've always been a fan.
In my garden, I like to use electrical wire. It maintains a curve or adjustment. I use the individual cores of your standard Romex home electrical wiring.

Second... lemme dig into the hempy words....



Gotcha. Thanks! I'll cross Lucas off the list. You should try and Osmo grow... so damn easy.



He's been a constant source of knowledge in my world for many years. Gotta toss him some luv. Plus, he's got the craziest lights in his little grow box.



I don't think folks give enough credit to the concepts of consistency in any growing situation. Over the years, this has really become apparent to me. I really didn't or couldn't get my head wrapped fully around it for a long time.



Yup... I even calmag my clone water. I don't think it has anything to do with the lights tho... I was vegging mainly with flouros and had the same experience.



I keep a log with feeding amounts. Simple text doc on my desktop. It's getting very sparse now that the Osmos are populating my garden... but yea, if you're doing liquid nutes, keep a log.



Nice. We all need some entertainment in our world. It's how we actually play while doing what we love.
Hempy forms a nice side-dance....very easy. Easier if you try Osmo......


Shouldn't you be growing Osmos???

 

[SweetSue]

Two questions:

1. What exactly is a hempy grow?
2. And, what is an Osmo grow?

The hempy pot is the one filled with perlite. It has a small reservoir and that makes if a type of hydro growing. I have no idea why they named it "hempy."

Osmocote type of nutrients in a pellet form. We shortened it to "Osmo."

 

[Hash Hound]

Sue & HashGirl

if using the Osmocote, remember to use the Osmocote Plus which contains micro nutrients the regular doesn't.

Sue I also sent you an email re the Timber light rack requesting a few more measurements.

here is the prototype made from ceiling tile L shaped wall bracket. Easy to work with and inexpensive.

this is one piece snipped and bent and pop riveted together including hangers.
I may add a cross brace, but it seems pretty sturdy as is.

 

[Tead]

Lemme get a few bowls of OGK in me and I'll take a swing at all this....

Ok... bettah.

Yup... I even calmag my clone water. I don't think it has anything to do with the lights tho... I was vegging mainly with flouros and had the same experience.

So it's a hempy thing?

I wouldn't call it a hempy thing. It's really a hydro thing... and really it's ph related.
The "center mass" target for PHing hydro is 5.8. I do a bit lower to allow for res drift over my 2 day feeding/watering cycle. I shoot for 5.4 of 5.5, but alas, I digress. The 5.8 target exists because that's the point where the ph range allows for the uptake of the most nutrients. We could shoot for a lower ph center mass that would allow for better CA uptake, but then we'd have to adjust a larger amount of nutrients to adjust for the drop in the top end of the uptake range.
Check the chart....

So, the CalMag addition is the price we pay for having to provide a good supply of every nutrient in a nutrient free medium.
Make sense?

Originally Posted by HashGirl

Two questions:

1. What exactly is a hempy grow?
2. And, what is an Osmo grow?

The hempy pot is the one filled with perlite or other neutral medium. It has a small reservoir and that makes it a type of hydro growing technically referred to as "passive hydro". I have no idea why they named it "hempy"... oh wait.... yes I do... it was the username on a previous forum of a dude that really popularized the technique.... I'm such an cute little thing... I just plain forgot that for a moment...teehee!

Osmocote type of nutrients in a pellet form. We shortened it to "Osmo."

I just have to fill in some words here.... sorry.

Any highlights to the successful implementation of an Osmo grow would be greatly appreciated. You've been playing with this for a while now. I know you've found some tricks you'd love to share.

My current rates are 5 and 6 grams/2L... 5 for light feeders, and 6 for bigger eaters. These rates may be slightly higher in a temp controlled environment... like 6-7g/2L. I spread the osmo pretty evenly thru the medium with an extra touch in the 1st layer that I start right below the hempy hole level.
You can always supplement... but you can't reduce nutrient feeding levels... so try not to go over the line.
Osmocote is temp sensitive and the ppms go up with temps. I hear Dynamite doesn't suffer the same issues... but have no first hand experience. The temp thing can be a bother.
Clones and seeds have to be started elsewhere and moved into their final home with the full osmo load. I've been using liquid nutes until the move, but I've been pondering a 1g load in the top 1/3 of a 2L bottle as a clone or seed starting home.
I've been PHing water at 5.5-5.3 ish.
I add 5ml calmag/gal... and 4 drops of SuperThrive.
You can't flush... not really. You can try to run a bunch of water thru for a few days, and I do. I've pondered yanking the plant from the pot and suspending it in clean water for a flush, but that seems mighty anti-lazy.

What else? Probably more. I'll go suck down some bowls and see if an epiphany occurs.

 

[maineiac]

hi SweetSue,

This journal moves fast!! I missed a couple days, and 4 pages to read. But all contributions to your journal are pleasing to read. Like the balm of Gilead. If I ever develop a strain, I'll call it "Sweet Sue"!

Love those lights! Hashhound has and is doing a great job. So practical to put 2 units on a frame. I know you will like them.

We're getting more snow today. Mother Nature is having her April Fool's joke at our expense. Gotta warm up sometime!

Happy growing to you!

 

[kelticBlue]

Sue & HashGirl

if using the Osmocote, remember to use the Osmocote Plus which contains micro nutrients the regular doesn't.

Sue I also sent you an email re the Timber light rack requesting a few more measurements.

here is the prototype made from ceiling tile L shaped wall bracket. Easy to work with and inexpensive.

this is one piece snipped and bent and pop riveted together including hangers.
I may add a cross brace, but it seems pretty sturdy as is.

hey that looks great. Nice work.

 

[SweetSue]

Sue & HashGirl

if using the Osmocote, remember to use the Osmocote Plus which contains micro nutrients the regular doesn't.

Sue I also sent you an email re the Timber light rack requesting a few more measurements.

here is the prototype made from ceiling tile L shaped wall bracket. Easy to work with and inexpensive.

this is one piece snipped and bent and pop riveted together including hangers.
I may add a cross brace, but it seems pretty sturdy as is.

Looks beautiful Hash Hound. I can't wait to see them installed. You're such a dear for making them for me.

 

[SweetSue]

Lemme get a few bowls of OGK in me and I'll take a swing at all this....

Ok... bettah.



I wouldn't call it a hempy thing. It's really a hydro thing... and really it's ph related.
The "center mass" target for PHing hydro is 5.8. I do a bit lower to allow for res drift over my 2 day feeding/watering cycle. I shoot for 5.4 of 5.5, but alas, I digress. The 5.8 target exists because that's the point where the ph range allows for the uptake of the most nutrients. We could shoot for a lower ph center mass that would allow for better CA uptake, but then we'd have to adjust a larger amount of nutrients to adjust for the drop in the top end of the uptake range.
Check the chart....

So, the CalMag addition is the price we pay for having to provide a good supply of every nutrient in a nutrient free medium.
Make sense?



I just have to fill in some words here.... sorry.





My current rates are 5 and 6 grams/2L... 5 for light feeders, and 6 for bigger eaters. These rates may be slightly higher in a temp controlled environment... like 6-7g/2L. I spread the osmo pretty evenly thru the medium with an extra touch in the 1st layer that I start right below the hempy hole level.
You can always supplement... but you can't reduce nutrient feeding levels... so try not to go over the line.
Osmocote is temp sensitive and the ppms go up with temps. I hear Dynamite doesn't suffer the same issues... but have no first hand experience. The temp thing can be a bother.
Clones and seeds have to be started elsewhere and moved into their final home with the full osmo load. I've been using liquid nutes until the move, but I've been pondering a 1g load in the top 1/3 of a 2L bottle as a clone or seed starting home.
I've been PHing water at 5.5-5.3 ish.
I add 5ml calmag/gal... and 4 drops of SuperThrive.
You can't flush... not really. You can try to run a bunch of water thru for a few days, and I do. I've pondered yanking the plant from the pot and suspending it in clean water for a flush, but that seems mighty anti-lazy.

What else? Probably more. I'll go suck down some bowls and see if an epiphany occurs.

This is all very helpful. Thank you Tead. I didn't get any Osmo today. The daughter had a panic attack in Wally World this afternoon and I'm beating myself up a bit for not planning the grow better and letting her run out of her meds. I realize there isn't anything to be done about it until the next CBD Critical Cure comes down, but it was really hard to watch her go through that again. If nothing else, this spell of being low will show us how much difference the protocol makes.

I have to remember that this is all still new to me too, and planning will become second nature as I go on. As it is, I have two more clones of the CBD Critical Cure coming up behind, so running out shouldn't be a concern any longer.

Today I made an infused coconut oil of the Candy Cane.

She's 80% indica with a 15-20% THC and potentially 0.30% CBD. That's much lower CBD than I'd like, but my hope is that we can make a pan of brownies for her and she can work out a small dose that will help temper the growing anxiety. She's been vaping the small amount of Med GOM 1.0 she has left, and although that will carry her for a couple hours at home it's not having the sustained effect we were getting from an edible.

Tonight the oil sits in the fridge. Tomorrow I make a pan of brownies and we hope.

 

[Radogast]

Looks beautiful Hash Hound. I can't wait to see them installed. You're such a dear for making them for me.

Hash Hound did a great job on the lighting frame.

Tead did a quality brain dump on hempy growing.

And everyone else was sweet.

What a nice thread to follow

 

[Hash Hound]

OK Sue they're all ready for delivery.

They were all made with two pieces of suspended ceiling L track. And I used Pop's old pop rivets.
If I was only making one I might have opted for the stock aluminum L.

They were made as one piece so there is only one seem. A lot of snipping, bending and drilling.
It's tough to get good corners bending that way, but less seams and sharp edges.

The real challenge was building them without one of the lights for testing fits and drilling holes for them.
the two smaller ones took an hour each and the larger ones took an hour and a half each.
The small ones are 18" and planned for lights to be 12" on center like the 2 light setup on Tinder.
The bigger ones are 20" and can accommodate the ballast, but the lights will be 13+ on center

I love doing this stuff.

 

[Tead]

OK Sue they're all ready for delivery.

They were all made with two pieces of suspended ceiling L track. And I used Pop's old pop rivets.
If I was only making one I might have opted for the stock aluminum L.

They were made as one piece so there is only one seem. A lot of snipping, bending and drilling.
It's tough to get good corners bending that way, but less seams and sharp edges.

The real challenge was building them without one of the lights for testing fits and drilling holes for them.
the two smaller ones took an hour each and the larger ones took an hour and a half each.
The small ones are 18" and planned for lights to be 12" on center like the 2 light setup on Tinder.
The bigger ones are 20" and can accommodate the ballast, but the lights will be 13+ on center

I love doing this stuff.

Beautiful work!
At the risk of calling you a swine.... you seem like a hog in slop.