Shuffledemon's Organic Soil Multistrain Indoor LED Grow Journal — 2014

[shuffledemon]

Everything doing okay. Seedling one and two are off to the races - #3 hasn't broke dirt yet which has me concerned, but it was planted two days later _because_ it was slow to germ, so it's a different strain and likely has different characteristics.

I'll follow up with pics once #3 breaks dirt. if it doesn't, well - more room to scrog I guess. Always a positive somewhere in the mix.

 

[shuffledemon]

I have to say for me the best part of growing is seeing the seed break soil and become a seedling. Congratulations on you new baby.

Yeah - it is a pretty wonderful feeling. Have some organic kale now sharing the tent that I didn't plant from seed but nonetheless - I enjoy growing an array of things.

 

[Green Closet]

Subbed. You made a excellent decision, the reflector is a good light, it's been working well for me so far in veg. I always have both the veg and bloom switches on though. I feel like they are getting max light that way. Congrats on the babies. Hopefully number three pulls through for you. Often it seems the little slow ones end up being the biggest plants in the end.

 

[Calyx Hunter]

Sweet tent and light I can't wait to see some green in there

 

[shuffledemon]

I always have both the veg and bloom switches on though. I feel like they are getting max light that way.

Did you get a user manual or anything with yours? Any drawbacks to having both on during the veg cycle?

Thanks.

 

[Mars Hydro]

 

[Green Closet]

I didn't receive a manual. I feel like the plants getting the max spectrum of light at all times can't be a bad thing... I have read other peoples journals who did the same thing with leaving both switches on the whole time. It just seems way more dim when you have the flowering switch off right?

 

[sativacat]

Are you planning on vegging with both switches on the TOPLED? My kill-a-watt showed that there was a difference in draw once you flicked the flower switch on. Is it worth the extra expense? I am thinking a small second tent for clones might be a better use of that power.

 

[MauiWauiGuy]

Shuffledemon,

Very nice setup. Damn close to what I have. I went with the Mars II 1200 for my tent. Have to wait for the girls to finish before I change lights. To close to screw it up now.

So I will be watching this closely as you have virtually mirrored my setup.

Do good and avoid evil (If you can)
Maui

 

[sativacat]

You should have some nice looking plants by now. Any updates?

 

[Mars Hydro]

 

[shuffledemon]

Yes indeed - some updates here. Growth is going very well. Due to unforseen circumstances I did not LST/scrog them. They had to spend some time out of the tent.

It's interesting how different two strains that have had the same treatment can grow. I have a PH issue with my water - hence the tips of my one plant. Otherwise all is going well.

Also just took two clones each from each plant. They are doing very well on day two :

I'll post more regular updates now that we are getting somewhat close to deciding when to flip the switch. I just topped one of the plants again, so I will likely wait another 3-4 weeks.

 

[shuffledemon]

Subbed. You made a excellent decision, the reflector is a good light, it's been working well for me so far in veg. I always have both the veg and bloom switches on though. I feel like they are getting max light that way. Congrats on the babies. Hopefully number three pulls through for you. Often it seems the little slow ones end up being the biggest plants in the end.

Hey Green - how did the reflector light treat you and the ladies through your flowering stage?

 

[shuffledemon]

Day three for the clones and they are doing very well. Here is how I prepared them:

1) Snip a small stub branch from my 3 month old plant(s) (from seed) at a 45-ish degree angle. This shouldn't be challenging since they grow upwards at an angle anyways.

2) Using a clean blade (razor preferably - fresh xacto knife will work in a pinch) slice about half an inch up the middle of what will be planted into the dirt - ie. where the roots will grow. The idea here is that you will give your plant 2x the chance to 'root' well with two chutes vs. one. Honestly not sure how necessary this is - I have always done it though.

3) Dip that same end you just split into two into some rooting gel. This gel includes hormones and nutrients to nourish and protect your cutting in it's early stages.

4) Plant your cutting down in about an inch or so of soil. You can use your full size pot right from the get-go, but I prefer to use small peat moss based pots for portability while I nurse the plants into adulthood.

5) Keep the soil moist but not wet. Create a humid environment for them. I don't use humidity domes like most folks. I take my transplants into the bathroom on the counter under 6500k 42 watt CFL bulb(s). One bulb per 4 small peat pots (as pictured above). I run the shower on hot about 4 times per day for 1-2 mins. My bathroom tends to retain the humidity very well - your mileage may very - so do some tests before you trust this environment/solution to your plants.

I tend to keep my cuttings humidified for about a week before they migrate into the tent. If they are showing signs of struggle I will treat them with care a little bit longer but they rarely do.

Remember - these things are more resilient than you think - there is a reason we call it 'weed'.

 

[NuttyProfessor]

subbed

 

[Mars Hydro]

Hi, shuffledemon. nice work,

 

[shuffledemon]

Cuttings are doing fantabulous. I will likely move them to the tent in the next 12-48 hours. I'll try to remember to snap a pic then.

 

[shuffledemon]

As promised, here are some clones in the tent. They are doing well but the very short one seems to be struggling a little more than the rest. I gave her an extra day in the humidity so hopefully that will help. So far so good!

 

[shuffledemon]

Everything on track. I like to give my plants natural sun when I can - so here are my cuttings in the sun. Junior there is still struggling a little but does have some new growth so I am optimistic.

 

[MaPilot]

I'm in. Great work so far!