re: Xlr8's Psychedelic Bloom Party Extravaganza
Hello there my friend
I have a couple of general questions that are not related to this specific grow for you. Your input is of great value to me. Please know that I won't take advice per-word, so feel free to completely express your opinion. I realize there's numerous ways to do it right so don't worry about that.
1- I noticed you exclusively run Hortilux bulbs. How come? Is there a story/comparison/experiment behind this decision? or are you just the type of guy to go for the proven best and stick with it? I'm curious and planning to purchase a new 600 soon.
2- I love your strain selections in general. Most of the stuff you grew are top on my "wish list" if you may. Have you noticed any strains that prefer growing single colas? Any pheno-stable strains you noticed grew with minimal branching? I understand how general this question is, but if it rings any bells please do share the strain name with me
.
3- I'm currently growing a super lemon haze babe. I'm fixing to take a few cuttings before I flower her. Have you cloned this strain before? I know you grew it and it remains to be one of your favorites so I thought I'd ask. I heard she could be a little b*itchy to clone. Would you recommend any special treatment for SLH cuttings? Or is the difference only in rooting time?
I hope these questions are not too noob'sh
I noticed your current pre98 bubba is a good answer to question #2, any others
?
Cheers
Hi iSmokes!
(1) Well, I don't actually run Hortilux bulbs
exclusively, per se'. My HPS bulbs are indeed Hortilux. Here's why: I've spent a lot of time trying to find the best bulb for flowering, and time after time - this seems like the one (though pricey). Perhaps the biggest reasons I like their HPS bulbs, are the added blue spectrum (not sure how much it matters though), but more importantly, I have a friend who did some tests with a meter, and he swears that the Hortilux remains remarkably bright long after most other bulbs start to dim (I believe he measured the lux/lumens. In other words, a longer effective life. There are still some unknowns and honestly plants don't care much about lumens, they care about PAR, but perhaps the lux readings hint at PAR... If I were to try any other bulb for HPS, "Ushio" is the other brand I might try. I'm sure there are other good ones too, this is just where I landed. My understanding, is the big difference between cheaper bulbs and good bulbs like the Hortilux, is the longevity, and effective life. But, again, that's just the gist I've gotten, mostly from others I trust. I've also never had a Horti bulb go bad, yet, personally.
This round I'm experimenting a little, and running a MH bulb by
Sunmaster (Warm Deluxe) in one hood, and a
Hortilux Super HPS in the other. I want to see how they respond to a broader spectrum, and the effect the MH has on the plants.
(2) The Pre-98 Bubba I'm growing didn't really side branch much at all. It's quite remarkable actually. I forced it into 4 tops, by topping it low in veg, but those 4 tops have almost zero side branching. If I'd have left it "as is", it'd probably be one big cola with hardly any side-branching. If I had the goal you do - I might start with the "Pre-98 Bubba Kush" from Cali Connection. I don't know how stable it is, though, as this is my first time growing it. Most indica or indica leaning hybrids would work well for a single cola grow, but I'd stay clear of most strains by Subcool, as they tend to be pretty sativa in their stature. (I love his strains, just not good for single cola grows typically). The other one I'd recommend would be "Snow White" from Nirvana. Really nice strain, and 420fied has mapped out the perfect way to grow it "single cola style" so you'd have a roadmap right there. I've grown several of it too, and it's stable, vigorous, consistent, easy, potent - very nice strain, perfect for that style grow. Pineapple Express by G13 Labs might be good for this, too. I've seen this plant grown that way, too.
(3) Super Lemon Haze is a SLOW cloner (for me). When I take cuttings, I'll have others root in 6-7 days, and she'll take 12. But, she doesn't get any special treatment. I just have to be more patient with her. I really don't like her as a plant, but I love her amazingly delicious flowers. She's a bit scraggly, with goofy looking fan leaves that don't always look happy (the secret to her happiness, btw, is aeration/oxygen). She doesn't like soggy feet (roots). If you let her media dry a little more than you might otherwise while she grows, she'll be happier. But, it's a fine line so be careful not to let her get too dry. This info is also what Greenhouse would/do say about her, too, so it's not just my cut - it's a strain thing somewhat. Even their SLH plants have the ugly fans and scraggly look a bit in their videos (it's a clawing thing with the fans) - they also recommend more aeration/dryer media for her. They have a great grow video for the SLH you should check out - I found it helpful, and agree with their assessments on how to grow her from my own experience.
Hope this helps!
wow x so glorious and amazing you be 1 good grower
