Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures & Photos From The Garden - 2012

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

I use home defense around the house perimeter inside and out. I also spray the perimeter of the grow room, inside and out. SNS products should help with thrips.
There is no fast way to kill all pests without using pythion sprays and that won't kill all the eggs. It takes 2 weeks to a month to truly kill pests weather its mites or even the simple fungus gnats. You need that amount of time to kill off the next generation of pests and the next gen that survives after that. That means a good spraying every 4 to 10 days for 2 weeks or more.
The dunks only attack egg and larvae in the medium and in the water. Thats stuff you can't spray but its where most of the next generation comes from. Any standing water should be removed along with any dead organic material. Gnats can breed in a thimble of water. The rest of the plant can be sprayed with neem oil, sns products or stuff made for fruit trees that you can get at the hardware store. Remember to spray plants again with water to reduce residue.
HotShot pest strips is more like a second defense, it can only control a pest issue but won't make it go away.
Wiping down the walls and floor of your grow area with water and bleach will help isolate your plants from the rest of the world from pests that like to roam about.
The sticky strips only kill flying mature pests and do nothing else but give you the satisfaction of seeing them dead and stuck on them. It does nothing for the next generation of pests thats going to dine on your garden.
Never dismiss a bug issue, small infestations can turn into big infestation in a very short time, you see them, then its time to start doing something about it. Gnats are not that bad but should be destroyed anyways. Any other pests should be dealt with immediately. If you find them in late flower, thats OH SHIT Mode and you have to make a decision to pull the plug early or try to finish them. the people who run perpetual always has the hardest time getting rid of pests, sometimes its best to stop, clean, then restart the grow game. I had a mite problem that would not go away. I did everything and the problem would come back a couple months later. I closed shop, threw away mums and restarted the grow operation. Never had a mite problem again. But I am alot more careful of pest issues and stay deligent on my preventive measures.
Good luck Xlr8, I am pretty sure you aint gonna let a lil bug become a big problem.

PS It might be a good ideal to treat the lawn with 3 to 4 month pest control that looks like lawn fertilizer. Reduces flea problems if you have pets.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts on this. I'm a freak about neatness, so there's not a scrap of dead material or standing water. That home defense is a good idea - hell they all are. I think I just need to attack it both ways by doing the dunks, and spraying with the SNS product or the Azamax. Hell, maybe throw a pest strip in there, too. Make sure nothing that crawls, lives. I'm too much of a perfectionist to take this lightly, but I really wish I didn't have to deal with this.

I know one thing, there will be ongoing preventative measures taken. SNS has a systemic product that can be used as a regular additive, and I have a bottle of that I can use as a future preventative measure - or like you said, mosquito dunks. How many mosquito dunks per gallon in a hydro set-up like mine -- any suggestions? Thanks again my friend - I owe you one!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

I understand that for sure. You'll get it figured out in no time I'm sure. Somebody out there or in here has your answers you need. Stay positive and lifted.

XLR8,

May I suggest when you go shopping for your cure, you also go buy some Home Defense. I buy the 1gal jug with sprayer. I spray the entryway 10 feet back and the floor of the room my tent is in once per month. Before my first grow I totally cleaned the room and sprayed it 3-4 times over a weeks period. I live in an area know for pest problems for growers and have been very fortunate to not have any.

I also never go into the room with street clothes on.

Best wishes on getting rid of them bastards.

Bug............I hate bugs! I know your pain X, If I could run to the store for ya I would. Unless you live in western wa that probably isn't going to happen though. I'm sure you'll be able to fight this off as your an excellent grower and as you can see you have plenty of help and support

Thanks guys, I appreciate the support a ton. Bassman, great tip on the home defense, and your processes for avoiding bugs.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

+rep all around for you guys weighing in - even if just to offer support. Really appreciate the help/love. You guys rock!

 

[Mr Smith]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

One is good for 30 gallons plus. I put them in a old sock with a few rocks. They are a seasonal product at the hardware store like depot or lowes. The cool part about dunks is if you have a gnat problem, just using dunks clears them away in under 2 weeks if conditions are met. Sometimes you need to thin the plants. Water builds up when leaf overlaps leaf because of plant asperation. If there is a sink in the room pour a lil bleach down the drain.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

One is good for 30 gallons plus. I put them in a old sock with a few rocks. They are a seasonal product at the hardware store like depot or lowes. The cool part about dunks is if you have a gnat problem, just using dunks clears them away in under 2 weeks if conditions are met. Sometimes you need to thin the plants. Water builds up when leaf overlaps leaf because of plant asperation. If there is a sink in the room pour a lil bleach down the drain.

Thanks again Mr Smith. I've taken your advice to heart, and have been attacking the issue head on. The evidence is so sparce that I'm questioning the issue somewhat. There were a few leaves (since removed) that had a few shiny metallic spots, and a couple with chunks missing that look like the result of bugs or something. Everything else looks really healthy, and the questionable leaves have been removed.

Last night I shut down the HID lamps and ran T5's for a bit, after spraying SNS foliar treatment. Once they dried a bit, HID's were re-ignited. Mosquito dunks have been purchased, and I've put half of one in each of my reservoirs. (20 gallon reservoirs) inside a nylon stocking. The rocks were a great idea.

I also bought a Hot Shot strip today, and Home Defense has been sprayed around perimeter, entrance to grow room, etc. Bleach has been poured in the sink. Everything I could clean with bleach, has been cleaned, rinsed and thoroughly dried, including the reservoirs... I'm going thermonuclear on these mofos.

When you mention leaves touching, is there specific danger to that due to the dunks? Or are you just referring to it more generally to avoid moisture build up on leaves?

Thanks again for the insight!

 

[Propa Gator]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

"I'm going thermonuclear on these mofos."

Erase every trace of their disgusting race. Annihilate them, muahahahahahahaha

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Well, if there indeed is a bug problem, they'll be toast eventually. Hitting it head on (see previous post to Mr Smith).

All is looking really well, actually. And, some good news. I originally failed with my first Jack the Ripper female cutting/topping, but took a second one a few days into flower in case this is the keeper "pink lemonade" JTR pheno that I think it might be. This time, I took a sucker shoot that I trimmed from the bottom and I have healthy roots popping through the rapid rooters 7 days later. I'm pretty stoked, as this is much quicker than I expected.

I think I have a good handle on cloning already in these rooters, as I've had success with 6 of my first 8 (some I've culled already as they were male). The 2 that failed, I expected to fail as they were toppings that were awfully small. I have my tray with clones on a wire rack, suspended about 2-3" above a seedling heat mat, and the small amount of extra warmth on the bottom seems to be the ticket, along with keeping the rooters moist, and the dome misted. So far, so good. Of note, the last 2 clones I scraped the stem slightly, and they did show roots faster than previous attempts...

So, for now, I'll hang onto a few strains as temporary moms in my little veg area: Deadhead OG, Jack the Ripper, and Super Lemon Haze (mom from seed).

I did also save a male Pandora's Box clone, which is in the separate male bloom room with the Jack the Ripper male. I'm still undecided whether I'll use any pollen from the Pandora's Box male, but it's there for back-up/future consideration while I decide.

I've been picking leaves off here or there that are particularly in the way of budsites. Tonight I defoliated a few leaves on stems that were reaching above the others, to help keep things even. Overall, they are low and bushy. In 7-10 days, I'll do much heavier defoliation. For now, here and there. I'm also tucking a lot.


Deadhead OG clone in coir:

Left to Right -- OG Kush, Deadhead OG, Jack the Ripper -- day 12 bloom:

Jack the Ripper female in flower:

Jack the Ripper male -- day 12 bloom -- isn't he handsome? Check out his junk:

 

[Propa Gator]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Yo, you got me checking out junk?
If there's one thing I know about inseminators: they ain't particular. Caution!
Your boy looks hardcore
Hear about that fertility doctor, some time back? He used his own in hundreds of women.
Beaucoups of half-sibs all over the countryside
I wonder how much they paid him, for service?

 

[jandre2k3]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

He promised "Healthy Embrios" He DIDN'T promise whose! lol! Guess the only fertilization I trust is the "Natural" kind. Oh, and BPN!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

If there's one thing I know about inseminators: they ain't particular. Caution!
Hear about that fertility doctor, some time back? He used his own in hundreds of women.
Beaucoups of half-sibs all over the countryside
I wonder how much they paid him, for service?

Hi Gator!

Agreed on the caution. That's why, ultimately I don't see myself using more than 1 male for experimenting. 2 pollen donors leaves question as to who did what, because no matter how careful, those guys get their junk everywhere fast. The males are in isolated area far from the ladies with no fans, btw. I visit the boys last thing before bed from here out, and will be showered with clean clothes before visiting the ladies the next time.

Originally I was only hanging onto the Pandoras Box male as a backup in case of catastrophic failure with the JTR male. But, JTR male seems so damned happy, that I don't foresee that happening. I'm not really afraid of some seeds - I almost just left him in the tent and said hell with it. But, if I can keep it more localized to a branch and leave much of my bud unseeded -- win win. The fun is in the trying, any extra seeds are a minor nuisance as it's all for me anyway.

Sensimilla, with a branch of... Semilla?

 

[OldMedMan]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Hey X,
Wasn't the plan for this journal supposed to be slow and easy going? Seems like your are busier than ever. Just saying.....

 

[Propa Gator]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

"JTR male seems so damned happy"

Like a well fed tomcat, getting his belly rubbed? Turn your back, one time.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Hi OMM - Oh, there'll be more slow times I'm sure! So far, moving along though - you are correct. Yawning, going to bed now.... sleepy... zzzzz

Sidenote, Gator - I figured out how to conjure an umlaut for real. Hold the u key down and an umlaut option pops up (amongst others). û, ü, ù, ú, ū. G'night all!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

He promised "Healthy Embrios" He DIDN'T promise whose! lol! Guess the only fertilization I trust is the "Natural" kind. Oh, and BPN!

Gotta spread your love around, no?

 

[papatater]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Plants are lookin Great im gettin the itch

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Plants are lookin Great im gettin the itch

Thanks Papa - kinda boring for most until they start flowering, but they're all beautiful to me -- flowering or not.

Really great to see you around more again, btw!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

As I'd mentioned, the first attempt to clone my Jack the Ripper female failed as the "top" I tried to clone was probably a bit small. So, a few days after 12/12 I took a cutting from one of the sucker shoots that I didn't want to keep anyway. To my surprised, it was showing healthy roots at 7 days - much quicker than I thought.

Here's what it looked like day 8 right before I transplanted it into it's new coir/smartpot home:

If you look close at the background in the image above, you can see what I've come up with for adding just a little warmth under the clone tray: a seedling heat mat under a wire basket flipped upside down - it gives a few inches of space between the two. I then place a tray with clones on top of the wire basket (clones are in rapid rooters and the humidity dome is on the tray). This time, I lightly scraped the stems on the (2) cuttings I took, and it seems like it was a good thing.

I've found that the heat mat was a little too intense when placed directly under the clone tray, and it wasn't staying warm enough with nothing. This way, the heat rises up and isn't as intense. I feel like I have it dialed in nicely and the cuttings sure seem to like the Rapid Rooter plugs.

Here's the JTR clone after transplanting to coir - I'm excited to have a cutting of her as a potential keeper (sorry the picture sucks):

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

 

[Alaskan1]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

lookin good X, then again your stuff always does

 

[Xlr8]

lookin good X, then again your stuff always does

Alaskan1!

 

[Aaron Quix]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

I was going to say the same thing as OMM, busy as hell over here for a "non-journal"!

You're totally rockin' the grow, though, despite the fact that you don't feel 100%. You've come a long way since the days of the mother ship!! Always an inspiration Brother