Ok Fam! After multiple recommendations from folks here, I'm going to start my first grow journal! Nervously excited. I have wanted to grow for quite some time but never was in a position to start. Last year we purchased our home so now I have MUCH more freedom to do what I want! I love gardening in general. I find peace and tranquility in the garden. I grow organic fruit and veggies for my family. It is only right to also grow my meds right?! Well it is finally that moment in my life to start this adventure. Last Friday (7/26/19), I was fortunate enough to find a local grower. We met up and thankfully hit it off. He trusted me enough to invite me into his backyard garden and pick out some plants! I purchased these Strawberry Diesel x Critical + ladies (16 & 12 weeks old). One plant is very short and bushy whereas the other is stretching out and much taller. Same genetics! The shorter gal just looked so pretty and thick. I had to have her for some reason! I know it sounds weird but it's like she was calling my name. I'll be picking up 1 or 2 more (same strain) from him soon to improve my odds. He's giving me a killer deal so why not right?! Since it is late in the growing season I thought getting older plants would give me a good head start instead of getting clones. I grow in a great zone (9B) so we typically have a long season. I would greatly appreciate your insights and advice as I progress through this grow though. I love learning and this new adventure is certainly a deep rabbit hole to jump into!
Strain:
Strawberry Diesel x Critical +
Container Size: 25 gallon & 15 gallon Smart Pots
DIY Soil Mix
#5 Plastic Pot = 1 part
2 parts - Peat
1 part - coco coir
1 part - perlite
1/2-3/4 part - play sand
24 cups - Worm Gold Plus (worm castings)
1 TB per gallon container - Azomite (mixed in container)
1/2 - 1 cup per 5 gallon container - Kellogg organic plus 4-5-4 (fruit tree) granular fertilizer
Extreme Mykos - as listed (mixed in container and a little extra in the hole)
Additional Nutrients:
Kellogg's Organic Plus Fish & Kelp Liquid
Fertilizer 2-2-2 ( for foliar and soil feeding)
I have not yet tested the soil pH, N, P, or K. I have soil sample tests that I perform on my fruit trees and veggie garden. I will likely run soil tests this week on the ladies and adjust accordingly. I grow blueberries and various other fruits that require some finicky soil so I am comfortable with making the changes as needed.
Currently watering with a 2 gallon watering can filled with tap. Already an in-line filter for the hose. Will remove chlorine and various other things. Watering schedule will probably be every 3-4 days. Still learning the smart pots evaporation rates inside the greenhouse. I may do a light daily or every other day watering instead of heavy cycles and waiting for the pot to drain and dry out too much. Would like insight from others about how they approach watering cycles with the fabric pots.
Location:
Outdoor in 6x6 Harbor Freight greenhouse (opened up in afternoon to get full sun and some extra air)
I have a 4 ft 5000K shop light that turns on for 4 hours at dusk giving me 18 total light hours. I also have a 65W "grow light" directly over each plant.
Any Pests ?
I have seen a couple ear wigs crawling around the base of the pots in the dirt. They are now in hell. I have also spotted a couple white flies (also in hell). I gave the girls a single neem oil treatment the first afternoon after transplanting as a precaution because I am dealing with cabbage moths and a few other pests in my veggie garden. I do plan on continuing the neem oil throughout the grow.
I will post the pics I captured during the first day I had them and after transplanting. I have a few other pics since then that also include some unknown damage to a couple branches.
Checked on the girls today and the one with the split branches is definitely not happy. Droopy and sad. I'm sure she'll rebound...at least I hope she will.
The last pic is my other beautiful girl gently smelling and enjoying the aroma. She's too cute. She does this with the many veggie and fruit blooms throughout the garden.
Strain:
Strawberry Diesel x Critical +
Container Size: 25 gallon & 15 gallon Smart Pots
DIY Soil Mix
#5 Plastic Pot = 1 part
2 parts - Peat
1 part - coco coir
1 part - perlite
1/2-3/4 part - play sand
24 cups - Worm Gold Plus (worm castings)
1 TB per gallon container - Azomite (mixed in container)
1/2 - 1 cup per 5 gallon container - Kellogg organic plus 4-5-4 (fruit tree) granular fertilizer
Extreme Mykos - as listed (mixed in container and a little extra in the hole)
Additional Nutrients:
Kellogg's Organic Plus Fish & Kelp Liquid
Fertilizer 2-2-2 ( for foliar and soil feeding)
I have not yet tested the soil pH, N, P, or K. I have soil sample tests that I perform on my fruit trees and veggie garden. I will likely run soil tests this week on the ladies and adjust accordingly. I grow blueberries and various other fruits that require some finicky soil so I am comfortable with making the changes as needed.
Currently watering with a 2 gallon watering can filled with tap. Already an in-line filter for the hose. Will remove chlorine and various other things. Watering schedule will probably be every 3-4 days. Still learning the smart pots evaporation rates inside the greenhouse. I may do a light daily or every other day watering instead of heavy cycles and waiting for the pot to drain and dry out too much. Would like insight from others about how they approach watering cycles with the fabric pots.
Location:
Outdoor in 6x6 Harbor Freight greenhouse (opened up in afternoon to get full sun and some extra air)
I have a 4 ft 5000K shop light that turns on for 4 hours at dusk giving me 18 total light hours. I also have a 65W "grow light" directly over each plant.
Any Pests ?
I have seen a couple ear wigs crawling around the base of the pots in the dirt. They are now in hell. I have also spotted a couple white flies (also in hell). I gave the girls a single neem oil treatment the first afternoon after transplanting as a precaution because I am dealing with cabbage moths and a few other pests in my veggie garden. I do plan on continuing the neem oil throughout the grow.
I will post the pics I captured during the first day I had them and after transplanting. I have a few other pics since then that also include some unknown damage to a couple branches.
Checked on the girls today and the one with the split branches is definitely not happy. Droopy and sad. I'm sure she'll rebound...at least I hope she will.
The last pic is my other beautiful girl gently smelling and enjoying the aroma. She's too cute. She does this with the many veggie and fruit blooms throughout the garden.
20190726_153451.jpg
Strawberry Diesel x Critical Plus
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Strawberry Diesel x Critical Plus
20190726_153500.jpg
Strawberry Diesel x Critical Plus