Vancouver Island 2022 Organic Grow

[scottreid1966]

This plant is genetically wired to produce a single tall node as it's wind pollinated and that gives it the best chances to catch some on the breeze. So, when one branch manages to get taller than the others the hormones switch over to it and it produces suppressing hormones to the other branches on the plant. That gives that one branch the best chance of getting as tall as possible. Apical dominance like you said.

By doing your training you are trying to break that chemical process and spread the hormones equally to all branches.

Great pics, btw!

Good to know, Azi!
Again, nice training Danish. I have a few branches outside that are over-dominant. They got their 1st dose of dandelion tea last week so I think that they can handle it now.

 

[Azimuth]

What Im always looking for is;
-How the plant makes this decision? My only thought would be this is the shoot that is closest to the source of light on that branch.

I think it is the shoot closest to the light on the plant. individual shoots from all over the plant will try to become dominant after the main is either topped or bent. Once one of them does it becomes the dominant cola and will get more than its share of hormones and will express other hormones to retard the other competing shoots. They may still continue to be taller than their counterparts but will still not get the share that the apical stem gets. That is until it too is compromised. By keeping at it and keeping the branches as even as possible, the hormones get spread around more evenly as well.

And this continues into flower. Left untopped , you'll get one dominant bud and a bunch of smaller ones. But train it by topping or LST or something and you can get several more reasonably sized buds. Each not as big a main cola, but also each bigger than all the secondary buds on an untrained plant.

Could this be a great way to choose a clone for example? since the bulk of the hormone is dumped all on one shoot, this one has far more chance of survival than the rest on that branch.

Clones from lower on the plant are supposed to be easier to clone. I think it's because they don't have as much of the 'grow tall' hormones and sometimes less of nutrients like nitrogen that are supposed to make cloning more difficult. Some growers purposely withhold fertilizers just before cloning to help it root easier. That my be a bit of 'bro science', don't know.

Whats the difference from bending at the node rather than higher on the stem? got no idea...

Me neither but you've got a good experiment going to see. Will be interesting to follow your progress.

Is the distance in elongation the equal to the distance from that elongated node to the tip of the branch? and if they are it would by a golden ratio. I would have to messure next time.

Don't follow what you're asking here.

This is me trying to decide for the plant which shoot I want as leader. I guess the plant has the last word.

But you can help by choosing which one to let be higher if you're so inclined. But the whole point of all the crimping you're doing is to avoid this so don't let your guard down now!

 

[Danishoes21]

Good to know, Azi!
Again, nice training Danish. I have a few branches outside that are over-dominant. They got their 1st dose of dandelion tea last week so I think that they can handle it now.

Thanks Scott, I gotta be on the ball with training every other day otherwise they shoot up like rockets. If you are feeling confident you should try to pinch them bend the shooting colas. Dandelion tea I like that

 

[Danishoes21]

Is the distance in elongation the equal to the distance from that elongated node to the tip of the branch? and if they are it would by a golden ratio. I would have to messure next time.

Sorry about that, very poorly structured question...

Looking at that photo it seems like the new shoot has the same distance in height as the distance from the bent point to the top of that branch. It makes a triangle. It could be logic if the signal is to position the "new dominant shoot" at the point where the now bent top was. Main top is down then quick the new one shoots up and matches the old in height (ideal place for pollination like you said), that could explain the slim to none growth of the other nodes in between.

Elongated shoot "new apical dominant"
^
I
I
I
I
I
I______________________________>top of the branch "original apical dominant".
Node where is bent.

My other observation is when the top of the branch starts to go up and regain the top spot every other node under it grows with it and that elongated shoot stops going up until the rest catches up.



Elongated shoot "new apical dominant"
^
I
I
I
I
I......^ node...^node ....^node....^
I____I________I_________I________I top of the branch "original apical dominant".
Node where is bent.


This is all the kind of stuff going thru my head when I smoke in front of the plants and start training them, and all the pictures too...

Thanks for your interest and comments @Azimuth

 

[Azimuth]

Interesting observations @danishoes21. Now that you've made them it will be interesting if you find it consistently across other plants you train. I don't train this way but will file it away and try to be more aware when working on my plants to see if I can notice the same things you do.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[scottreid1966]

Thanks Scott, I gotta be on the ball with training every other day otherwise they shoot up like rockets. If you are feeling confident you should try to pinch them bend the shooting colas. Dandelion tea I like that

Went out last night to try it but the two by the fence where thick, yet fibrous when I pinched and it couln't handle even a slight bend without going over. I had to brace it with those black metal paper clips I had handy. Cold nights, maybe and def. put them out too early.

Cheers

 

[Danishoes21]

So much happens in two days. Went to see the plants today so watered twice with same teas as before, light defol not to crazy and some got training, no neem spray its been dry and sunny.

The Clones
These ladies are doing great despite being on a completly different microclimate than the moms, they are getting more sun but also more humidity since they are close to the pond.

This pheno I islotated weeks ago because it was showing poor structure and was looking sick, anyway she or he still going. Its got a bunch of critters on it. I still neem spray this one a lot and also gets same watering.

 

[Danishoes21]

Sweet Zombie (shaded)
She is doing great, I did have to defol here lots of yellow bottom leaves, she is changing not a lot of height but lots of horizontal growth, she might be a low yield from the looks comparing with the others around.
Did some training at the end Im feeling she can still take some more before full flower.

Elongated shoot "new apical dominant"
^
I
I
I
I
I......^ node...^node ....^node....^
I____I________I_________I________I top of the branch "original apical dominant".
Node where is bent.

I bent again the top after the 5th node from my last bent, hoping to get everything in between gorwing faster and bigger because I know the main top is gonna reclaim the spot. I will go back to this branch again next time.

I try to point everything torwards more sun exposure, to the right of the pant there is lots of shade.

This is the main top cola bent again, to favor all the shoots below it.

 

[Regrowth]

Its got a bunch of critters on it. I still neem spray this one a lot and also gets same watering.

Those are lady bug larva and they're beneficial to keep around for pest control.
Freaked me out the first time I seen one lol. Your garden is looking good. I dig all the training.

 

[Danishoes21]

Sativa pheno (layered pot and shaded)
She is quite an exciting experiment and looking good thats also rewarding to see. The training is managing to even the canopy a lot and Im looking at all the side shoots how they grow and what direction they take. Im traning the plant to the outside of the pot more sun exposure.

She is got a really nice green color to it.

Thats the apical dominant top.

Personal Sat. (still in veg)
She is getting there, I really enjoy this plant she is going to be one hell of a trim job. Hopefully she can take on filling all the buds.

Incredible vigor shown by the main top on this pheno, Just taking one hit after another and still pulling the weight.

Elongated shoot "new apical dominant"
^
I
I
I
I
I......^ node...^node ....^node....^
I____I________I_________I________I top of the branch "original apical dominant".
Node where is bent. @Azimuth Same response, different pheno. I've been seen it every time I bend just never actually gave it attention.

 

[Danishoes21]

Xenomorph Aka Durban Poison

She is really going now, She demanded lots and lots of work since the moment I put her outside seems like she has decided to start giving back.

didnt touch her at all, looking forward to the next 3 weeks.

Upper canopy.

Lower canopy.

Lets go, time to flower girl.

 

[Danishoes21]

Chunky Skunk (still on veg)

Not the most even canopy, I tried... I still managed to create space in the bottom for the air to flow. She is 3rd biggest in horizontal growth.

What a bounce back up. Lots of vigor on this branch. She is one of the first nodes of the plant.

Thats the main cola also showing some force, several bent marks but she still shoots up.

 

[Danishoes21]

Those are lady bug larva and they're beneficial to keep around for pest control.
Freaked me out the first time I seen one lol. Your garden is looking good. I dig all the training.

Im happy they are visiting this plant, that could be why she is getting better. I had no hope for this plant she wasnt having a good time.

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[Danishoes21]

Went out last night to try it but the two by the fence where thick, yet fibrous when I pinched and it couln't handle even a slight bend without going over. I had to brace it with those black metal paper clips I had handy. Cold nights, maybe and def. put them out too early.

Cheers

Good to know you are out there trying but dont risk to much, I wouldnt want you to decapitate a really great cola. It does happen to me too, when I feel she doesnt wanna bend I just pinch and let the gravity do its thing. If the stem can handle the gravity then its good.

Give it a try with a smaller side shoot. Once you get the hang of it give her at the main branches that you wan to height control.

 

[EZCalyx]

@danishoes21 May I just say your garden, plants, techniques and journal are stunningly beautiful. I honestly dream of one day living off of land like your garden and never needing to go the grocery store to buy food wrapped in plastic ever again. You are doing an amazing job and I completely enjoy seeing it. Thank you for being here.

 

[Danishoes21]

@danishoes21 May I just say your garden, plants, techniques and journal are stunningly beautiful. I honestly dream of one day living off of land like your garden and never needing to go the grocery store to buy food wrapped in plastic ever again. You are doing an amazing job and I completely enjoy seeing it. Thank you for being here.

Thank you kindly for your words, they serve as a motivation to keep doing the work. Me and my partner created this space to scape from stress of every day living. This is our place to practice just BEING. Contemplating nature is by far the most relaxing and uplifting therapy there is (at least for us).
I’m glad you dream this way of life and it is achievable for everyone, the reward is invaluable. This small space is already pumping more food than we can eat ( we are 4 people sharing the space). Being organic and all we just step in to the garden and start eating raw direct from the plant. Best medicine ever.

In the times we are living creating a secure (one that you control) food supply is where it’s at, can’t let the peps running politics control what I eat.

Have yourself a great weekend

 

[Fudo Myoo]

Beautiful garden!

 

[Danishoes21]

Beautiful garden!

Thanks brother.

 

[bluter]

nice outdoor. super impressed on how you are keeping the mites and other pests at bay.

the flat broad leaves surrounding this plant are mite factories.

if they are hollyhocks they are actually considered an invasive species, noted for the ability to harbour mites, thrips and other pests. they've had to be removed where i live a few times as they keep coming back, and the city is pissed at us for it.

it looks like you're beating them back with neem, i'd be concerned about them around those plants in flower, as there is no mite preventative that doesn't destroy the bud.

 

[Danishoes21]

nice outdoor. super impressed on how you are keeping the mites and other pests at bay.

the flat broad leaves surrounding this plant are mite factories.

if they are hollyhocks they are actually considered an invasive species, noted for the ability to harbour mites, thrips and other pests. they've had to be removed where i live a few times as they keep coming back, and the city is pissed at us for it.

it looks like you're beating them back with neem, i'd be concerned about them around those plants in flower, as there is no mite preventative that doesn't destroy the bud.

Thank you kindly bluter,

It’s been hard work and lots of luck I guess. The real war will start once flower hits and the weather gets wet constantly. For now my job has been preventive rather than corrective.

Everything around this plant is screaming danger, there is mold, mites, white flies black flies bugs, spiders… everything that can go wrong is there. But the ecosystem was already there before the cannabis so I’m guessing they insects and fungus is sticking to what they have been eating before.

So far I have only one plant that was showing some weird bugs, and I sent her away from the main show. On the positive side there is lots and lots of good bugs they are also doing their share.
The plant next to it called mauve flower and it has medicinal properties. The one with the purple flowers, she seems to be taking all the hits from bugs and stuff.

It’s gonna be challenging because I won’t use neem once heavy flowering so I will see what’s the procedure when I get there.