Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
- Thread starter Xlr8
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #302
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Update Dec 29 (Day 10 bloom period)
Well, things are settling down at home a bit - was swamped during the holidays. Had everything pretty much on auto-pilot during this last week, so I'm happy that things are still looking good as I've had very little time to interact with them.
Mid-grow flushing... Clearing excess nutrient salts from the medium periodically
Last night I did a 1/4 strength nutrient flush, top down, to ensure that salts weren't building up. These netpots are pretty large and hold a lot of media, so there is always a possibility of salts building up. I find that a top-down flush every couple of weeks with a weakened nutrient solution helps minimize salt build-up issues. I do them right before a nutrient change, which allows the water poured into the top of the pots drain back into the soon-to-be-discarded reservoir. First, I make sure that there is enough room in the reservoir for the water I'm adding to the system. The system will keep about an inch of solution in the bottoms of the pots, but any excess is immediately pumped back to the reservoir. Makes top-down flushing of the pots pretty slick as long as you have room in your reservoir for it all.
Flushing with a diluted, 1/4 to 1/3 strength nutrient solution is more effective than flushing with straight water, and less shocking to the plants. "Like" molecules bond to "like" molecules, so that the weaker nutrients will bond to the excess salts when flushing. I first picked this tip up from a nutrient company, but have since seen this recommended by Cervantes as well:
"When you flush with a very mild nutrient solution, more mineral salts (fertilizer) are washed from the container than if plain water is used. The chemistry is a bit complex, but this is the long and short of it. DWC uses only water and there is nowhere (soil or growing medium) for nutrients to accumulate."
This is how I flush during my grow. Once the nutrient levels are ramped up to higher levels, I do this every couple of weeks just prior to my nutrient change.
For pre-harvest flushing, I typically use a clearing product for 3-4 days prior to harvest. I've found that flushing/clearing agents can cause problems mid-grow with a system like this as it's difficult to fully drain the system. If flushing agents are added and not drained fully, deficiencies seem to pop up soon after, I believe as a result of lingering flushing product in the system. Perhaps this isn't with all flushing products, but this has been my experience.
Excess nutrient salts can cause all kinds of problems including burning the roots/leaves, and lock-outs, making the plant unable to uptake certain nutrients it needs for healthy development. Periodic "flushing" will clear out these excess salts, minimizing the risk for problems. Healthy plants are less susceptible to molds and pests, too. Prior to this system, I grew in DWC, which uses less medium and flushing is less critical. I was "burned" a couple of times prior to coming up with a good flush routine.
We have... girls! The Vortex and Jilly Bean plants from Subcool are from regular seed, but both turned out to be female. The Pineapple Express is known female (it's starting to flower, too). The Humboldt from CH9 appears to be a male, despite it's "feminized" branding/packaging. Which, is okay because I have more seed and not enough space. I'm still unsure on the Pre-98 Bubba, but it's supposed to be female. Looks like I'll have 4 females to work with, and I'll need to clear out the Humboldt and possibly the Bubba if it can't keep up (I'll clone it and keep if for future if needed). I'm especially thrilled that the Jilly Bean is a female as I've really been itching to grow her out!
All of the plants are exceptionally healthy and happy right now. The Pineapple Express already smells so tropical and exotic... and she has fan leaves that are GINORMOUS. The stems on the leaves are as thick as some branches on other plants. I snapped one off that was covering (seemingly half!) the Bubba plant, and the leaf stem was like a mini celery stalk - crazy!
Top: Humboldt, Pre-98 Bubba, Pineapple Express. Bottom: Vortex, Jilly Bean
Update Dec 29 (Day 10 bloom period)
Well, things are settling down at home a bit - was swamped during the holidays. Had everything pretty much on auto-pilot during this last week, so I'm happy that things are still looking good as I've had very little time to interact with them.
Mid-grow flushing... Clearing excess nutrient salts from the medium periodically
Last night I did a 1/4 strength nutrient flush, top down, to ensure that salts weren't building up. These netpots are pretty large and hold a lot of media, so there is always a possibility of salts building up. I find that a top-down flush every couple of weeks with a weakened nutrient solution helps minimize salt build-up issues. I do them right before a nutrient change, which allows the water poured into the top of the pots drain back into the soon-to-be-discarded reservoir. First, I make sure that there is enough room in the reservoir for the water I'm adding to the system. The system will keep about an inch of solution in the bottoms of the pots, but any excess is immediately pumped back to the reservoir. Makes top-down flushing of the pots pretty slick as long as you have room in your reservoir for it all.
Flushing with a diluted, 1/4 to 1/3 strength nutrient solution is more effective than flushing with straight water, and less shocking to the plants. "Like" molecules bond to "like" molecules, so that the weaker nutrients will bond to the excess salts when flushing. I first picked this tip up from a nutrient company, but have since seen this recommended by Cervantes as well:
"When you flush with a very mild nutrient solution, more mineral salts (fertilizer) are washed from the container than if plain water is used. The chemistry is a bit complex, but this is the long and short of it. DWC uses only water and there is nowhere (soil or growing medium) for nutrients to accumulate."
This is how I flush during my grow. Once the nutrient levels are ramped up to higher levels, I do this every couple of weeks just prior to my nutrient change.
For pre-harvest flushing, I typically use a clearing product for 3-4 days prior to harvest. I've found that flushing/clearing agents can cause problems mid-grow with a system like this as it's difficult to fully drain the system. If flushing agents are added and not drained fully, deficiencies seem to pop up soon after, I believe as a result of lingering flushing product in the system. Perhaps this isn't with all flushing products, but this has been my experience.
Excess nutrient salts can cause all kinds of problems including burning the roots/leaves, and lock-outs, making the plant unable to uptake certain nutrients it needs for healthy development. Periodic "flushing" will clear out these excess salts, minimizing the risk for problems. Healthy plants are less susceptible to molds and pests, too. Prior to this system, I grew in DWC, which uses less medium and flushing is less critical. I was "burned" a couple of times prior to coming up with a good flush routine.
We have... girls! The Vortex and Jilly Bean plants from Subcool are from regular seed, but both turned out to be female. The Pineapple Express is known female (it's starting to flower, too). The Humboldt from CH9 appears to be a male, despite it's "feminized" branding/packaging. Which, is okay because I have more seed and not enough space. I'm still unsure on the Pre-98 Bubba, but it's supposed to be female. Looks like I'll have 4 females to work with, and I'll need to clear out the Humboldt and possibly the Bubba if it can't keep up (I'll clone it and keep if for future if needed). I'm especially thrilled that the Jilly Bean is a female as I've really been itching to grow her out!
All of the plants are exceptionally healthy and happy right now. The Pineapple Express already smells so tropical and exotic... and she has fan leaves that are GINORMOUS. The stems on the leaves are as thick as some branches on other plants. I snapped one off that was covering (seemingly half!) the Bubba plant, and the leaf stem was like a mini celery stalk - crazy!
Top: Humboldt, Pre-98 Bubba, Pineapple Express. Bottom: Vortex, Jilly Bean
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
reps my friend on the flushing tips.your girls look awesome as usual bro
reps my friend on the flushing tips.your girls look awesome as usual bro
Mrgivemethat
New Member
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Man X your at it again looking great my gdp and la affie and white urkle are coming along nicely and at about four inches with 4-5 leaf sets won't be long till their in my flower tent but looking good and keep your eyes open for my affie,gdp,WU,mighty grape and lemon skunk grow coming soon
+Rep
Man X your at it again looking great my gdp and la affie and white urkle are coming along nicely and at about four inches with 4-5 leaf sets won't be long till their in my flower tent but looking good and keep your eyes open for my affie,gdp,WU,mighty grape and lemon skunk grow coming soon
+Rep
Hozona
Well-Known Member
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Reps X! Looks to be a full tent!
Reps X! Looks to be a full tent!
iSmokes
New Member
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Looking great man Congrats on Jilly being a girl
The flushing tips make a lot of sense
thanks for sharing.
Looking great man
Congrats on Jilly being a girl The flushing tips make a lot of sense
thanks for sharing.BigIrishDoode
Fallen Cannabis Warrior
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
wow it looks so very lush in there you do good work brother
wow it looks so very lush in there you do good work brother
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Great information about flushing X.
I think many people on here can benefit from this, and should take flushing a little more seriously in their grows.
And great way of breaking it down to make perfect sense too. "Like" molecules bond to "like" molecules
Congratulations on the females!!
Your plants are always the epitome of healthy, just watching your grows, is like watching a master paint a masterpiece.
Thanks again for the inspiration and professionalism you exude..
Hope you had a relaxing holiday brother, and your back wasn't too much of a party killer..
Great information about flushing X.
I think many people on here can benefit from this, and should take flushing a little more seriously in their grows.
And great way of breaking it down to make perfect sense too. "Like" molecules bond to "like" molecules
Congratulations on the females!!
Your plants are always the epitome of healthy, just watching your grows, is like watching a master paint a masterpiece.
Thanks again for the inspiration and professionalism you exude..
Hope you had a relaxing holiday brother, and your back wasn't too much of a party killer..
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
OK! I see different leaves....I'll take your word all those strains are in there.
They all look great Buddy!
OK! I see different leaves....I'll take your word all those strains are in there.
They all look great Buddy!
Propa Gator
New Member
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
I see two NPSs in there, and hope you're not breathing that air.
Gas attacks work, but maybe too well? I care
I see two NPSs in there, and hope you're not breathing that air.
Gas attacks work, but maybe too well? I care
Tokeman1
New Member
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Looks awsome as usual buddy. So I do use Clearex in my flush and one thing I do to clean out the system to minimize leftovers is to completely drain the res and then I use a Fein shop vac to suck out the control box. I can fit the vac hose over the feed lines gaskets to the buckets in the control bucket and am able to vacuum out all the water in all the pots in each line. After this I add RO water, some H2O2 and cyle that once. After this I add nutes to the res and pH balance it. What I am definitely going to start doing after reading this is some top down flushing. Thanks again for all the great advice and journals!
Looks awsome as usual buddy. So I do use Clearex in my flush and one thing I do to clean out the system to minimize leftovers is to completely drain the res and then I use a Fein shop vac to suck out the control box. I can fit the vac hose over the feed lines gaskets to the buckets in the control bucket and am able to vacuum out all the water in all the pots in each line. After this I add RO water, some H2O2 and cyle that once. After this I add nutes to the res and pH balance it. What I am definitely going to start doing after reading this is some top down flushing. Thanks again for all the great advice and journals!
- Thread starter
- #313
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Good eye! I put a new strip in, and didn't take the other out, but it's several months past it's effective date. I keep meaning to discard it, but I doubt it's doing much anymore anyway. The air is being exhausted away from human habitation. I do appreciate the concern!!
I see two NPSs in there, and hope you're not breathing that air.
Gas attacks work, but maybe too well? I care
Good eye! I put a new strip in, and didn't take the other out, but it's several months past it's effective date. I keep meaning to discard it, but I doubt it's doing much anymore anyway. The air is being exhausted away from human habitation. I do appreciate the concern!!
- Thread starter
- #314
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Thanks Jon!
I'm sure it's nothing new to many, but I know that there was a time where the info would have been very valuable to me, so it's something I hope someone finds helpful. Appreciate the reps!
reps my friend on the flushing tips.your girls look awesome as usual bro
Thanks Jon!
I'm sure it's nothing new to many, but I know that there was a time where the info would have been very valuable to me, so it's something I hope someone finds helpful. Appreciate the reps!
- Thread starter
- #315
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Thanks Mrgivemethat - Will do! Sounds like some interesting strains and I'll be glad to follow along.
Man X your at it again looking great my gdp and la affie and white urkle are coming along nicely and at about four inches with 4-5 leaf sets won't be long till their in my flower tent but looking good and keep your eyes open for my affie,gdp,WU,mighty grape and lemon skunk grow coming soon
Thanks Mrgivemethat - Will do! Sounds like some interesting strains and I'll be glad to follow along.
- Thread starter
- #316
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Yeah, too full! I figured I'd have a male or two, but looks like I have a mess on my hands and too much in there. I'm still not quite sure on the Humboldt, but now I think it may be a female too. I'll definitely need to figure out what I want to do... Too full!
Reps X! Looks to be a full tent!
Yeah, too full! I figured I'd have a male or two, but looks like I have a mess on my hands and too much in there. I'm still not quite sure on the Humboldt, but now I think it may be a female too. I'll definitely need to figure out what I want to do... Too full!
- Thread starter
- #317
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
BID!
wow it looks so very lush in there you do good work brother
BID!
Hozona
Well-Known Member
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
The ONLY one I am not sure of is the Sour Diesel, but I think that it appears to be female. I hope so because I took a clone "just to be safe" and it is throwing out a LOT more roots than some of the others, so if it is that strong a plant now, what is it gonna be like as an adult???Yeah, too full! I figured I'd have a male or two, but looks like I have a mess on my hands and too much in there. I'm still not quite sure on the Humboldt, but now I think it may be a female too. I'll definitely need to figure out what I want to do... Too full!
- Thread starter
- #319
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Thank you Vick! Very kind words, and they are appreciated greatly.
Great information about flushing X.
I think many people on here can benefit from this, and should take flushing a little more seriously in their grows.
And great way of breaking it down to make perfect sense too. "Like" molecules bond to "like" molecules
Congratulations on the females!!
Your plants are always the epitome of healthy, just watching your grows, is like watching a master paint a masterpiece.
Thanks again for the inspiration and professionalism you exude..
Hope you had a relaxing holiday brother, and your back wasn't too much of a party killer..
Thank you Vick! Very kind words, and they are appreciated greatly.
- Thread starter
- #320
re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
OMM!
Yes, there's a lot in there. I planned on needing to cull at least one male, but it's starting to look like all females. Not a bad problem as far as problems go, but there isn't enough space in there for everything so I'll have to figure out a plan of some sort.
Hope you and Jo had a great X-mas and have a wonderful new year.
OK! I see different leaves....I'll take your word all those strains are in there.
They all look great Buddy!
OMM!Yes, there's a lot in there. I planned on needing to cull at least one male, but it's starting to look like all females. Not a bad problem as far as problems go, but there isn't enough space in there for everything so I'll have to figure out a plan of some sort.
Hope you and Jo had a great X-mas and have a wonderful new year.