Xlr8's "Flo N Gro" Hydro Multiple Strains 2011

[Xlr8]

If anybody is interested, I put together a review of the Titan Flo N Gro system, my custom configuration of it, and my initial thoughts, which can be found here:


Titan Flo N Gro review

 

[Xlr8]

Hey XL, if you want, sign this petition in the We The People section on whitehouse.gov...there are 6 pro cannabis related petitions that can be signed.

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitio...ate-marijuana-manner-similar-alcohol/y8l45gb1

hope all is well!
kind regards,

for sending this Naph - and I will do. I must apologize as I missed this post of yours a couple of days ago somehow.

I encourage everyone to check this out and make yourself heard.

 

[Xlr8]

There are no subscribed threads to display in this folder for this time period.

Been a while since I've seen that. Whew! I was feeling really behind on some journals, but it gets so hard to keep up.


Things looked good tonight. Chocolope is looking a little better, but underdeveloped. The plants in the Flo N Gro are insanely healthy looking and so fun to watch. I really wish I wouldn't have messed with the Chocolope this time, but hindsight is 20/20, and I can't kill her, at least yet.

I mixed up a batch of "root zone" conditioner from Blue Planet Nutrients today, and will be testing it out next reservoir change. I will also be using the Liquid Blue bloom booster that I purchased, and will share thoughts on these as I have them.



Oh, and I'm still using MH lighting for now as I'm trying to limit stretch a bit. I'll switch to HPS in another 5-7 days. Nice trick for indoor HID growers if you haven't tried it... Keeps node spacing tighter and vertical height a bit less aggressive if you use MH during bulk of "stretch" period. Plants stretch more with HPS as it's not as efficient of energy source as MH, (but plants like reds in the HPS for flowering so much). I've done this a few times now, and it seems to help.

 

[Xlr8]

Grow Update Sept 29 - Day 6 Bloom:


Chocolope update:
Bumped the nutrients back up on the Chocolope after a couple of days flushing. Might be overthinking this all a bit. I'm not sure the roots are really that "sick" on her, but discolored from (accidental) light exposure, and she's a slow vegger in general. I'm going to try the new Root Zone formulation from Blue Planet going forward and hopefully things will be fine.

Since shedding her seed casing, she's been slooooooow. I even thought she was dead a several days after shedding her casing because her second set of "true" leaves took days to come in. I'm going to just try to keep a space open for her for now, and hope she gets a boost going eventually. Several people have told me they've had similar challenges with Chocolope initially, so hopefully it gets better.


Plants in the Flo N Gro:
My indica heavy hybrids in the Flo N Gro are doing phenomenal. I've grown some healthy looking plants, but these are the healthiest, happiest looking plants I've ever grown. I think the system works great, and the nutrients clearly rock so far. Blue Planet!

Group photo - view from above:

Magic Bud:

Lavender:

Lucy #1

Lucy #2

Skywalker #1

Skywalker #2

Closeup of Skywalker #2 - really hard to see but there are tiny pistils on her:

View from the side:

Last but not least, the Chocolope:

 

[Since1970]

Outstanding. You've got this.

Post Script;

"Oh, and I'm still using MH lighting for now as I'm trying to limit stretch a bit. I'll switch to HPS in another 5-7 days. Nice trick for indoor HID growers if you haven't tried it... Keeps node spacing tighter and vertical height a bit less aggressive if you use MH during bulk of "stretch" period. Plants stretch more with HPS as it's not as efficient of energy source as MH, (but plants like reds in the HPS for flowering so much). I've done this a few times now, and it seems to help. "

This is interesting. Do you use any supplemental HPS lighting in there too?

 

[Magic beans]

Hey X! Lookin good those ladies. Thanks alot for the tip on MH and HPS lighting when making the switch to 12/12. Ill have to try that this round.

 

[Xlr8]

Outstanding. You've got this.

Post Script;

"Oh, and I'm still using MH lighting for now as I'm trying to limit stretch a bit. I'll switch to HPS in another 5-7 days. Nice trick for indoor HID growers if you haven't tried it... Keeps node spacing tighter and vertical height a bit less aggressive if you use MH during bulk of "stretch" period. Plants stretch more with HPS as it's not as efficient of energy source as MH, (but plants like reds in the HPS for flowering so much). I've done this a few times now, and it seems to help. "

This is interesting. Do you use any supplemental HPS lighting in there too?

Hi Since1970 -

I actually mis-spoke a bit (damn stoner moment). HPS is the more efficient light source lumen-wise, but it's lack of blues in the spectrum supposedly promote stretch. That's the correct theory behind this, sorry. The blue light in MH promotes a more compact plant.

I don't use supplemental HPS lighting, but I think I'll try to switch to HPS sooner than originally planned - I did this last time and I liked the results. I've been playing with this for about 4 grows now, as well as the timing of it, and I do think it makes a difference in stretch overall. I'm starting to think 7-10 days into flowering is sweet spot for switch to HPS, but nothing scientific to back that up, just personal observation and trial and error.

It's not an original trick per se' - this is something a number of growers do or have done. It would be fun to see a side by side test - maybe I'll eventually do this with a common strain selection and a divider between my lights or something. Hmm....

Side note: I've read that natural light for outdoor growing is usually not throwing heavy amounts of red/orange spectrum until later in the plants life - typically September I believe.

 

[Xlr8]

Hey X! Lookin good those ladies. Thanks alot for the tip on MH and HPS lighting when making the switch to 12/12. Ill have to try that this round.

Yes, I believe it makes a difference. See my post to Since1970 though, as I mis-spoke as to the "why" of how this works.

Still, functionally correct and I do believe it helps limit stretch.

 

[Magic beans]

Yes, I believe it makes a difference. See my post to Since1970 though, as I mis-spoke as to the "why" of how this works.

Still, functionally correct and I do believe it helps limit stretch.

Thats pretty much what i was understanding. I had a discussion with the guy at my hydro shop about the blue spectrum and how the plants will reach for it when lacking. Its such a simple yet theoretically effective approach, but these days its just common for indoor growers using hps for flower to switch from whatever light source theyre using for veg to hps on the first day of 12/12. Its almost standard. But the plants dont really need the higher intensity during the first week or two while theyre transitioning. It makes great sense. Its the little tweaks like these that improve grows considerably after careful experimentation.

 

[Crower619]

My girl Choco is a slow starter but she'll pull through bro ladies are looking nice and bushy keep up the good work XL

 

[Xlr8]

My girl Choco is a slow starter but she'll pull through bro ladies are looking nice and bushy keep up the good work XL

Crower!

 

[Since1970]

Cool. If the plant still needs MH (blue spectrum) during beginning of flower, and, needs HPS at the same time, give 'em both. Maybe a dimmable MH (blue) light that gradually decreases with the need. I veg with both, and the HPS is dimmable.

Here are some 420mag resources along these same lines;




"Use blue-spectrum light

Using MH light exclusively during vegetative and early flower phases will help keep internodal length shorter.

From: What do all of those lighting terms mean?
“The light produced by metal halide lamps is in the white-blue spectrum, which encourages vegetative growth and "bushiness" while discouraging upward growth. This is the bulb to use in the first, vegetative phase of plant growth.”

HPS bulbs are the preferred lighting source for flowering. However, most HPS bulbs have a harsh and limited light spectrum concentrated in the far red and IR that encourages stretching.

Growers have a variety of bulb options to increase blue light during the vegetative and early flowering phase:

# Supplemental fluorescents
# MH bulbs, or a mix of HPS to MH (3:1 recommended)
# Conversion bulbs (MH bulbs that work with HPS ballasts)
# Enhanced HPS

Minimize night/day temperature fluctuations

According to Cannabis Culture :
"Plant internodal length is directly related to the difference between day and night temperatures – the warmer your day cycle is as compared to your night cycle, the greater your internode length will be. The opposite also holds true; the closer your day and night temperatures, the shorter your internodes will be." (END)

AND;

How do I Manipulate the Photoperiod for Larger Yields

This last "manipulation" looks very interesting. I wonder if it would affect internode length? Like I said, you got it goin' on here! Keep up the good work!

 

[Mr. Krip]

Great post, Since! +REPS!!!

 

[Xlr8]

Thats pretty much what i was understanding. I had a discussion with the guy at my hydro shop about the blue spectrum and how the plants will reach for it when lacking. Its such a simple yet theoretically effective approach, but these days its just common for indoor growers using hps for flower to switch from whatever light source theyre using for veg to hps on the first day of 12/12. Its almost standard. But the plants dont really need the higher intensity during the first week or two while theyre transitioning. It makes great sense. Its the little tweaks like these that improve grows considerably after careful experimentation.

I used to grow all my plants in a 2'x2'x3' tall grow box, and you need every trick you can get managing the height! This tent seems so roomy compared to that.

I agree. It does all make sense, and you're always solid if you can mimic nature to some degree.

 

[Xlr8]

Great post, Since! +REPS!!!

Agreed, and... agreed! Thanks for posting that, Since. Great info.

 

[Goldengoose7]

Yes, I believe it makes a difference. See my post to Since1970 though, as I mis-spoke as to the "why" of how this works.

Still, functionally correct and I do believe it helps limit stretch.

Even with fluorescents it can make a difference.

I've found that if I MIX 3000k and 6400k CFLs and/or T5 bulbs one to one in my flower room for the first week or two it seems to cut down on stretching a bit.

They still do it, but not nearly as wildly as if I just stick them in there under all 2700 and 3000k bulbs.

 

[RickyW]

Clean

 

[Xlr8]

Clean

Hey Ricky - and

I have to say - Trailer Park Boys is one of my favorite shows ever. Ricky rules. I've seen every episode and movie. But then, I've got my grade 11 so...

Randy Randy Bo Bandy. Love that show! Think I might go take a couple of vape hits, and watch season 1 again...

Anybody who hasn't seen this show, it's the best stoner tv show ever. The character Ricky is always "one big grow" from getting his life back on track, for example.

Here's a little bit of Ricky from Trailer Park Boys at his finest - "Ricky'isms" :

Trailer Park Boys - Rickyisms - YouTube

 

[Xlr8]

All of the lighting talk got me thinking about my current lighting a little more, and I had a few epiphanies last night as a result:

• I had two different MH bulbs going in my tent. When you looked at them one was clearly "bluer" than the other (I got one of them in a giveaway and I don't think it's as good of bulb). Next round I am going to make sure I have 2 bulbs that match better, and are heavier toward blue for vegging.
  
  
• As a result of that thinking it dawned on me that the plants that have spent the most time under the "bluer" bulb were the shorter plants of the bunch.
  
  
• Prior to flowering I did some shuffling to mostly even the canopy, but not since switching to 12/12 a week or so ago. Since the flip, the plants on the side of the bluer bulb have stretched less. One of those plants, the Lavender, is supposed to be a notorious stretcher. Hmmm....

So, now I'm thinking I've learned something - or more accurately confirmed something I already believed, but now was staring me in the face in a way that I hadn't noticed. What do I do with this knowledge now?



I took out the "bluer" MH bulb last night, and put a good Hortilux Eye HPS in it, while the taller-side, the side under the "redder" MH stays as is. I'll be curious to see over the next few days if the plants nearer the HPS start stretching more and evening the canopy a bit.

Muah ah ah.

 

[RickyW]

Ive watched all 7 seasons at least a dozen times, it only gets better each time. Best show of all time next to Entourage and Breaking Bad, Im going to see their live show soon, cant reveal when as my location would be revealed lol

Nice video - sums him I mean me up good.