X Marks the Spot - XLR8's Big Bang Auto Hydro Grow 2011

[Xlr8]

Yep, soon get the old microscope out and check her for real, to me the only real way to check.

No, Buddy mine looked dry. Since I'm in the jump now, I can't tell if it's helping.....but they sure are green. Happy 4th.

I like that kids microscope - Eyeclops I think it's called. I can look at trichomes on my plasma. Works great! I suppose I should start looking 'em over soon.

Don't know what's up with my exhale, but the bag is bloated now - still looks a bit "sweaty" inside, but maybe that's a good thing.

Hope your 4th was a good one!

 

[Xlr8]

Hey X! Lookin great buddy! Its good for me that your doing an auto and doing all the work to find out what works best for them so that way when i start mine i dont have to figure it all out lol. Sounds like your at about the same schedule as me for harvest, just a couple more weeks, which seem to be the longest! That was a cool video of the big bang but i found myself watching in horror at how roughly they were handling her! Hahaha im sure the plants can handle it no problem but i treat mine like they're made of glass and those guys were assaulting that poor girl!

Jango. They rough her up pretty good, huh? Did you notice how quickly they defoliated her at harvest? Crazy!

Last few weeks are the funnest... and the longest.

We'll be enjoying the fruits of our labor soon, though!

 

[OldMedMan]

I like that kids microscope - Eyeclops I think it's called. I can look at trichomes on my plasma. Works great! I suppose I should start looking 'em over soon.

Don't know what's up with my exhale, but the bag is bloated now - still looks a bit "sweaty" inside, but maybe that's a good thing.

Hope your 4th was a good one!

Hi xlr8.

I had one of those things. It was too sensitive for my old hands. Finally gave it away. I have seen some really great pictures made with one though. We just stayed at home. We can see the fireworks show down on the beach from our back porch.

You might be right about your Exhale....since it's swollen it probably puts a lot of CO2 out. Hope you had a good 4th.

 

[Mr. Krip]

Hey XLR8! Hope you had a great holiday weekend! I just got caught up on the last couple days of your journals and wanted to throw in some comments/requests:

First, your girls look awesome! Great job!!!

Regarding the "bloating" on the exhale, I would think at least some amount of bloating is necessary (and a sign it's working!) to create enough pressure to distribute the CO2, but I'm not familliar with the product at all and watching this with interest. Got any pics of the bloating you're experiencing? Also, have you noticed any difference since adding it?

Finally, regarding checking the trichs with a scope...I have to agree that this is one of the best ways to tell the maturity of the plant and when to harvest BUT, I've come to believe that the best way to tell optimum harvest time is by taking samples AND examining the trichs. When you get the sample where you want it, the mix of trichs will tell you what the optimum harvest time would be for the strain/pheno. But, I believe the optimum harvest times for each strain/pheno may, in fact, be with different ratios of clear/cloudy/amber. I saw a video of Jorge Cervantes who was judging a Cannibis Cup competition comment on this. He said he used to look for the amber trichs, but after experiencing so many great "samples" he acknowledges that the trich color does not indicate the plant has reached its potential. So, one more request, if I may, is that you also take some sample along the way and let us know the trich mix when you think it's at its peak.

Well done, my friend!

 

[Xlr8]

Hey XLR8! Hope you had a great holiday weekend! I just got caught up on the last couple days of your journals and wanted to throw in some comments/requests:

First, your girls look awesome! Great job!!!

Regarding the "bloating" on the exhale, I would think at least some amount of bloating is necessary (and a sign it's working!) to create enough pressure to distribute the CO2, but I'm not familliar with the product at all and watching this with interest. Got any pics of the bloating you're experiencing? Also, have you noticed any difference since adding it?

Finally, regarding checking the trichs with a scope...I have to agree that this is one of the best ways to tell the maturity of the plant and when to harvest BUT, I've come to believe that the best way to tell optimum harvest time is by taking samples AND examining the trichs. When you get the sample where you want it, the mix of trichs will tell you what the optimum harvest time would be for the strain/pheno. But, I believe the optimum harvest times for each strain/pheno may, in fact, be with different ratios of clear/cloudy/amber. I saw a video of Jorge Cervantes who was judging a Cannibis Cup competition comment on this. He said he used to look for the amber trichs, but after experiencing so many great "samples" he acknowledges that the trich color does not indicate the plant has reached its potential. So, one more request, if I may, is that you also take some sample along the way and let us know the trich mix when you think it's at its peak.

Well done, my friend!

Thanks Mr. Krip, and good advice for sure.

I look at the amber trichs as a guide, but personally, I feel like you can also just tell when they're ready based on swelling of the buds and pistils, etc.



I don't like to sample too much, but I will sample at some point when I think they're a little closer to done. Just gonna stay close to it - the curve ball is the faster finish time with autos and I've not got a feel for it yet.

I'll weigh in with my findings on amber when I feel like it's ready to my liking. (If I forget to mention it - remind me cuz I'll note the detail even if I forget to put it here). Really appreciate the advice and thoughts on this, Mr. K!

 

[Spike69]

Great looking folage ther Xl way to keep her green Bro.

 

[Xlr8]

Great looking folage ther Xl way to keep her green Bro.

Spike! I'm happy if I can get mine looking anywhere close to as nice as what you grow my friend!

 

[Mr. Krip]

Thanks Mr. Krip, and good advice for sure.

I look at the amber trichs as a guide, but personally, I feel like you can also just tell when they're ready based on swelling of the buds and pistils, etc.



I don't like to sample too much, but I will sample at some point when I think they're a little closer to done. Just gonna stay close to it - the curve ball is the faster finish time with autos and I've not got a feel for it yet.

I'll weigh in with my findings on amber when I feel like it's ready to my liking. (If I forget to mention it - remind me cuz I'll note the detail even if I forget to put it here). Really appreciate the advice and thoughts on this, Mr. K!

No problem, Bro! I'm the same way - I don't like taking samples, either, cuz' regardless of how good it is, I always feel like I'm taking a bud too early!

I actually found that video where Cervantes judges the top 3 Indicas in the Cannibis Medical Cup. The whole video is worth watching, but starting right around 5:20 in the video he talks about the trich color not being the best indicator:

YouTube - ‪Jorge Cervantes: High Times Medical Cup - Indica‬‏

 

[endive]

Damn! So, that's what an auto is supposed to look like! I guess my Blue Mystery is a recessive freak.

Just beautiful!

 

[endive]

...but starting right around 5:20 in the video he talks about the trich color not being the best indicator:

YouTube - ‪Jorge Cervantes: High Times Medical Cup - Indica‬‏

I recently read a study where they extracted the contents of individual trichomes at 3 stages; clear just beginning to turn milky, mostly milky, and partial amber. It's no surprise that at partial amber, THC is at its lowest. I was surprised though, the study consistently showed that THC levels were at peak, just prior to the milky phase, when most trichomes were still clear.

Of course there is more to meds than just THC, and a well balanced intake of cannabinoids is my personal fave.

 

[Mr. Krip]

I recently read a study where they extracted the contents of individual trichomes at 3 stages; clear just beginning to turn milky, mostly milky, and partial amber. It's no surprise that at partial amber, THC is at its lowest. I was surprised though, the study consistently showed that THC levels were at peak, just prior to the milky phase, when most trichomes were still clear.

Of course there is more to meds than just THC, and a well balanced intake of cannabinoids is my personal fave.

Wow! That is interesting. And, I agree...A good mix of CBN's, CBD's, Terpenoids, and all those other goodies WITH the THC is what make the meds!

 

[Xlr8]

Damn! So, that's what an auto is supposed to look like! I guess my Blue Mystery is a recessive freak.

Just beautiful!

Endive - She has turned out to be a pretty nice plant so far, no doubt. My first auto, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I really like it as a plant so far.

I was just wondering how your Blue Mystery was doing - you didn't have a picture of it in your last update did you? I really like your Jock Horror's -- they really are beautiful.

 

[Xlr8]

No problem, Bro! I'm the same way - I don't like taking samples, either, cuz' regardless of how good it is, I always feel like I'm taking a bud too early!

I actually found that video where Cervantes judges the top 3 Indicas in the Cannibis Medical Cup. The whole video is worth watching, but starting right around 5:20 in the video he talks about the trich color not being the best indicator:

YouTube - ‪Jorge Cervantes: High Times Medical Cup - Indica‬‏

Good video Mr. Krip! I went ahead and watched the Sativa one, too (God's Pussy was the winner - what a name!). I've seen some other grows and have had a couple myself where there wasn't much amber, but they were clearly ready. Thanks again for sharing that... good info and I really wanted to be a judge!

 

[Xlr8]

I recently read a study where they extracted the contents of individual trichomes at 3 stages; clear just beginning to turn milky, mostly milky, and partial amber. It's no surprise that at partial amber, THC is at its lowest. I was surprised though, the study consistently showed that THC levels were at peak, just prior to the milky phase, when most trichomes were still clear.

Of course there is more to meds than just THC, and a well balanced intake of cannabinoids is my personal fave.

Great info Endive. I had no idea, actually. Thanks for sharing that!

I agree on the balance of cbd's/thc - it's why I still like to use the bong sometimes - you sometimes don't get as much of the cannabinoids with the vaporizer, and it's a different experience. (I still prefer the vape overall, but it's nice to switch it up).

 

[420GodsTrichome]

Wow my friend, everything is looking grrrreeeeeaaaaatt!! Soory it's been a while, internet problems. Can't wait to see this finish, took a little while to catch up, stay green and God bless my friend!!!

 

[Xlr8]

Wow my friend, everything is looking grrrreeeeeaaaaatt!! Soory it's been a while, internet problems. Can't wait to see this finish, took a little while to catch up, stay green and God bless my friend!!!

Thanks GT - Nice to have you back!

You are a positive and supportive member here, and I enjoy it when you are around.

What do you think - should I have pruned her some? I keep reading you want to really minimize stress on autos as they are on a fixed timer with no extra time for recovery... So I've left her "au naturel" so to speak. Just wondering if you think I should have pruned her. I did remove leaves that died or became less than healthy, but that's about it.

 

[420GodsTrichome]

Thanks GT - Nice to have you back!

You are a positive and supportive member here, and I enjoy it when you are around.

What do you think - should I have pruned her some? I keep reading you want to really minimize stress on autos as they are on a fixed timer with no extra time for recovery... So I've left her "au naturel" so to speak. Just wondering if you think I should have pruned her. I did remove leaves that died or became less than healthy, but that's about it.

Thank you for the kind words my friend. Contrary to what most say about autos, whenever you can get more light to lower parts of the plant, the better, in my opinion and experience. And there is less energy waisted on this foliation, so it can be re-directed to the fruit. I like to take the fan leaves and remove all the side "fingers", leaving the middle one. This will reduce the stress factor, while allowing light and air penetration.

 

[Xlr8]

Grow Update - Big Bang Auto - Day 71 from seed, Day 36 since HPS switch. (18/6 light cycle start to finish)

I'm really pleased with how much the buds are still swelling. This has been a nice little plant -- hopefully she'll be a good one to vape/smoke. Supposed to be a really great medical strain from Holland. We'll see with a little more luck!

Here she is:

Now - time for a really big vaporizer hit - going with a mix of Magic Bud, Blueberry and Missy (bagseed from last grow). Been vaping this combo tonight and have permagrin going on...

 

[Xlr8]

Thank you for the kind words my friend. Contrary to what most say about autos, whenever you can get more light to lower parts of the plant, the better, in my opinion and experience. And there is less energy waisted on this foliation, so it can be re-directed to the fruit. I like to take the fan leaves and remove all the side "fingers", leaving the middle one. This will reduce the stress factor, while allowing light and air penetration.

Thanks GT - would you still bother this late in the grow? I'm only a week or two away according to the seed company's info. Having said that I must be at least 2 weeks by the looks of it. (Any thoughts on that by looking at them?) I'm just not sure how fast these autos finish at the end. Seems like a ways away still, but... ? And I'm thinking this is not the time to cause any stress with them perhaps? Just curious as to your thoughts. I'm leaning towards leaving it at this point, but not certain.

 

[Aaron Quix]

Man this is ridiculous X Those are getting HUGE, FAST!!
I would leave them be brother. You can always try one later, and compare the results. There's supposedly a science to the whole defoliation thing, and you've missed the window for the first pruning (21/45 days of flower)
You and I have always been "non-defoliators"!
Although I think I'll try 2 of the clones that way, I'm not completely sold on it though, and not prepaired to try it on my main supply this run, the moms.
I'm sure you'll do the right thing either way brother