ZeroDay's 2019 Holiday Grow: North Thunderfuck, 4 Assed Monkey, Skywalker OG & Chemdogging, Traditional Soil & HighBrix, Photos & Autos

[zeroday]

Once again, Welcome to another one of my Grow Journals!!! This time around I'll be mixing things up somewhat. I'll be growing four different strains, in two different types of medium, 3 different types of lights, two different nute systems, and finally, I'll be throwing the bud washing technique in for good measure. Lots of new things to try, which is all part of the fun and learning. I'm very excited to get this grow established and moving along. I'll also need help from all of you experts! So grab a chair, and sub in. It should be a fun ride through the holiday season bearing down on us, now that summer is coming to an end.

Here is a quick overview of the grow. This table should give you a decent idea of the setup specs, medium used, nutrients, and other seemingly useless and random information.

19-HM-20190819-1046-1: Schedule and Specs.

On strain selection, originally the plan was to clear out some of my seed stash. I have over 100 seeds at this point, I wanted to start reducing the numbers. I wound up going with the Reserva Privada Skywalker OG, because its in my top 5 favorite of all time, and the RQS North Thunderfucks because I have been wanting to try it for a while now, but haven't had the space. Both strains are from my seed stash.

As I was planning this grow, the "Who Let the Dogs Out" thread started up, and I instantly became interested in participating. I selected Mephisto Genetics Chemdogging as the strain to participate in that thread. As I was looking for a ChemDawg (wait for it) strain, I came across 4 Assed Monkey, also by Mephisto Genetics. I've seen this strain around in the past, but It's usually out of stock. I am a huge fan of anything with Gorilla Glue in it, so when I saw that these were in stock, I grabbed them as well. I'll be dropping 4x Chemdogging and 4x 4 Assed Monkey.

I'll be using the same three tents that I have been using for past grows. I'll be starting the 2x Skywalker OG and 2x North Thunderfuck in 4x4, and then moving them to the 5x5 under a ViparSpectre 1200 once the tent frees up. The 4x Chemdoggings and the 4x Thunderfucks will start and finish in the 4x8 under 2x 485w Quantum Board LEDs (1000w equiv on both). Fans, exhaust and filters are all the same, nothing new there, a mix of VivoSun fans and Filter.

As you can see from the chart, things are already underway. Its been a very hectic month in my world, so I've at least been able to snap a few pictures with the iPhone here and there. I'll get those together and catch the journal up.

As always, thank you for taking the time to pitch in and offer and input or advice along the way. It is very much appreciated, so please drop a line if you see me going off the path, too far.

Hope everyone's week is starting out chill!

 

[zeroday]

In preparation for the grow, I started by mixing the soil back in mid July. I had seen Doc Bud's HighBrix Method in several posts and grow journals in these forums, but didn't really pay any attention. However, one evening I decided to see what all the fuss was about. The method became more and more interesting the more I read about it on Doc's website, but also the threads and grow journals here. I decided I wanted try the system, which required the soil to be "cooked" for a month. I love the idea of growing in Living Soil, and the rest of the theory behind the growing method in general is logical and I sort of can connect with it.

Given this idea is very new to me, I wanted to add at least a bit of comfort. As Doc states in the instructions, and on his website, he recommends either Promix HP or Sunshine #12. I have used Promix in the past with great success, so I used that as the base soil in the mix. My local grow store carries the recommended Unco Earth Worm Castings (1-0-0), I picked up a bag.

I put some thought into how I was going to go about mixing that much dirt together, and do a good job getting it thoroughly mixed while also making sure any large chunks of dirt were broken up. You see, amongst my other issues, my back and neck are shot. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get that much dirt mixed. In the end, I used the method that Doc has on his site. Quick shout out, my buddy "TheTrimagrant" assisted, as usually does in my times of manual labor need. We laid a tarp out on the basement floor, placed the 3.8 cu. Ft. bail of Promix HP in the center. We spread it out at first, breaking up as much of the chunks as we could. Then I poured the 30lb. bag of EWC in the center along with the bag of First Run from Doc's kit. We continued to mix it with a couple of shovels, until it was well mixed, with no chucks of dirt or other goodies present (bark and twigs go). Once done, we filled the two 20 gallon trash cans up. We did have more than what would fit, so I left it in the center of the tarp, and tied it off for now. After we poured about 2.5 gallons of water into each trash can, we covered them and set them on a base, which keeps the containers off the ground.

19-HM-20190819-1643-1: Mixing Dirt!

19-HM-20190716-2012-6: Doc Bud's High Brix Blend - First Run soil amendment label

19-HM-20190719-1909-1: Cooking Soil!

As suggested by Doc, I let the dirt sit there in the trash cans for 30 days. The room that the cans are in stays between 68 and 76 degrees, with 45-55% RH. Also, note that they are somewhat off the ground. I'm not positive why this is. My wild ass guess is it was to keep geothermal transfer from happening between the earth and the dirt in the trash cans. That might just be my imagination getting away from the however. If anyone knows the answer to this, please share!

 

[zeroday]

After 30 or so days sitting in the trash cans, my soil was ready. I went ahead and dropped my seeds. I'm starting the Photoperiod seeds ahead of the Autos, because I'd like to get everything harvested prior to the New Year. My germination method is pretty standard/basic. Just the same, here is how I like to do it. I've done it this way from the start. There are probably better ways, but this has been solid for me, so I haven't found a reason to change it.
I start out by gathering the rudimentary items. I use bottled water, paper towels (with no print on them), ziplock sandwich bags, a plate and a Sharpie to label my bags.

19-HM-20190819-1643-1: Items needed to germinate seeds.

Unless I am germinating more than 4 or 5 seeds, I tear a paper towel in half. Granted, there are the full sheet paper towels and half sheet paper towels these days. I tear a half sheet paper towel in half and place it in the center of my plate.

19-HM-20190819-1643-2: Place the half paper towel in the center of the plate.

I always seem to have Poland Springs bottled water laying around, but I would imagine you can use just about any brand. I've found poland springs to be right at 7.0pH and 0ppm. I make sure the water is roughly at room temperature. I carefully pour the water in the center of the paper towel.

19-HM-20190819-1643-3: Pour the water over the paper towel

Next, get my seeds ready. As discussed, I am dropping the Skywalker OG and the North Thunderfucks here. I'll be doing the others on August 27th or there abouts.

19-HM-20190819-1643-4: The Beanz!

19-HM-20190819-1643-7: Place the seeds on the paper towel, spacing them out so the tap root has room to grow.

19-HM-20190819-1643-8: Fold the paper towel over, and fold over two of the sides.

19-HM-20190819-1643-9: Using the other half of the paper towel to draw off extra water, if you poured too much, as I did in this case.

19-HM-20190819-1643-10: Label the sandwich bag, and then place the paper towel with seeds inside.

19-HM-20190819-1643-13: Separate bags for different strains! I went with 1 extra North Thunderfuck, just in case of a failure.

19-HM-20190819-1643-15: The dark (and portable) place I put my seeds. Again, I've done this since the beginning and it works. No reason to change a good thing!

I then put the box in the room my tents are in. The space stays at a fairly steady 72F. In the winter, I tend to put it right next to my PC, which is always on and blowing warm air out of its side. Its much colder in my space during the winter. Summer time now, so I don't have to worry this time around.

 

[Greenlizard]

Hey Zeroday. Looks like a ton of preparation and though has gone into this grow. You have your hands full with two different growing methods going at once. Looking forward to the progress.
Cheers!

 

[zeroday]

Hey Zeroday. Looks like a ton of preparation and though has gone into this grow. You have your hands full with two different growing methods going at once. Looking forward to the progress.
Cheers!

Thanks for stoppin' by! Yeah, I have asked myself a few times already "What the hell did your get yourself into this time?" I seem to have that question pop up frequently. Ha Ha!!!

Trying to find time to get this journal going, in between harvesting/trimming/curing the other 3 grows. I guess that why I combined all of the strains into one journal this time, instead of having separate ones. Hope that's groovy with everyone!

Hope your day is going chill! Day off here. Birthday, so I get to spend doing whatever the hell I want, a.k.a. Growin the Weeds!

 

[zeroday]

While germinating my seeds, I used to be a total spaz and check them every 8 hours. I remember when I first started, I actually set my alarm to check them, even if I had to get out of bed to do so. These days, I wait about 36 hours or so. I'm not going to lie, I still set an alarm, because I have actually forgotten to check and when I did, the tap roots were super long and the micro roots that come off of the tap roots were stuck to the paper towel (not good). Anyway, I prepped my 1 gallon GeoPots by adding the "Cooked" Doc Bud's HighBrix soil into them. I like to fill my pots up, leaving an inch or so at the top. I usually prep the pots hours ahead of putting the germinated seeds into them. I like to allow the soil to get to temperature under the lights.

19-HM-20190821-1544-1: The "Cooked" Soil!

19-HM-20190821-1909-2: Cooked for 32 days.

19-HM-20190821-1909-5: Pots ready for seeds.

At the 36 hour mark, I went ahead and checked the seeds. Both of the Skywalkers had a decent 1/4 inch tap root, 2 of the 3 North Thunderfucks were also ready to go.

19-HM-20190821-1909-10: Skywalker OG tapped and ready to go!

19-HM-20190821-1909-12: North Thunderfuck, one of them ready to roll in a big way! One, not so much.

I use my pinky, or a pen, and put a 1/4 - 1/2 hole in the center of each pot.

19-HM-20190821-1909-14: Been using the same pen for years! I don't think it works for its intended purpose any longer.

Once I have the seeds in the holes, I sprinkle dirt into and over the hole. I don't pat it down like some folks do. I make sure there is adequate foil covering the hole, but don't pack the soil down. I feel that this makes it harder for the new seed to break through the soil and get to the light. Lastly, I spray the center of the pot with a couple hits of pH water out of a spray bottle.


19-HM-20190821-1909-15: 2 or 3 hits from a spray bottle with pH water, no nutes.

Unfortunately, I wasn't coordinated enough to hold my phone to take a picture while I was placing the seed in the hole, and the picture isn't nearly as important as getting the seed placed properly. I'll get a future pic when I have an assistant present.

 

[Greenlizard]

Nice tap roots ya got there.
Happy Birthday!

 

[zeroday]

Nice tap roots ya got there.
Happy Birthday!

Thanks Man!

 

[zeroday]

Every 12 hours or so, or whenever I happened to be around the grow room, I check to see if top of the soil is dried out,. If so, I spray the center of the pot, just one trigger, to keep it moist enough. I then mist the rest of the top. After 1.8 days, they busted through ground level.

19-HM-20190823-1423-1: North Thunderfuck, NTF-1 out of the gate and leading the pack. It can't be seen from this angle, but she still has the shell attached to the far cotyledon.

19-HM-20190823-1423-2: Skywalker, SKW-1 thinking that hat looks good, NOT!!!

19-HM-20190823-1423-3: Skywalker, SKW-2 taking a peak, deciding if she wants to come out and play.

At this point, there still is no sign of life for that last North Thunderfuck that is still in the ziplock bag. I decided to let it keep going. It still has a pot ready for it, just in case.

 

[zeroday]

Girls are coming up nicely. Also, the underdog North Thunderfuck decided to pop at day 5.1! I popped it into the pot that was sitting there waiting for it. We'll see if it keeps going, or calls it quits.

19-HM-20190824-1911-1: Group picture of the girls.

19-HM-20190824-1911-2: The two Skywalkers.

19-HM-20190824-1911-3: The two North Thunderfucks. Still has the hat on!

19-HM-20190825-1221-1: The underdog! NTF-3!

Grow well my friends.

 

[zeroday]

Still catching up, but this post or the next should do it. The 2 Skywalkers and the 2 North Thunderfucks are coming along. Also, the third NTF that I didn't think was going to make it, has broken soil and is sprouting up. It already looks much smaller than the others, when they came above ground. I'll probably let it go and decide what to do with it when its time to transplant.

19-HM-20190826-2309-1: Skywalker OG plants coming are along!

19-HM-20190826-2309-2: The 2 North Tunderfucks that were planted with the Skywalkers.

19-HM-20190826-2309-3: The underdog! The third "extra" North Thunderfuck that germinated late.

I also dropped the Chemdogging and 4 Assed Monkey auto seeds yesterday. I did take pics, I'll post them shortly.

Hope all is going well with everyone.

 

[zeroday]

The Chemdogging and 4 Assed Monkeys have been put in the bag for germination. I won't go through the entire process again. I used the same process I did for the Skywalkers and the North Thunderfucks. It seems my wife has switched paper towels, the ones I had to use have print on them. I've read that we shouldn't use paper towels that have print on them due to the ink. However, I've used them before and didn't have a problem, so I'm not going to stress about it too much. Its all I had available.

Hoping these babies are ready to go in soil this evening, which should be right around the 36 hour mark.

I really do like the packaging that some breeders use. However, I wonder how much less the seeds would cost if they went with the cheap mini ziplock bags like they used to, like the Skywalkers came in. Anyway, I guess it ensures authenticity. Note the Authenticity sticker with the unique code. I'm assuming this helps guarantee the seeds are legit. It would be impossible to open the package without the purchaser noticing it. The little packets are sealed, and then have a ziplock so that they can be re-sealed. Inside the pouch, the seeds are in a small plastic vial. Anyway, nice packaging, but I'd prefer to have cheaper seeds in shittier packaging!

19-HM-20190827-1130-2: Mephisto Genetics packaging, front.

19-HM-20190827-1130-3: Mephisto Genetics packaging, back

19-HM-20190827-1130-4: Chemdoggings and 4 Assed Monkeys germinating.

Grow well my friends!

 

[zeroday]

Lots going on in the grow room! Because the other grows I have going on are running late, I kind of got backed up on this new grow. There is a fair amount of moving gear from one tent to another, as well as prepping the pots for the germinated seeds. It all came to a head last night, so I grabbed a case of bear, fired up the bong, and got a friend to help me out.

We started by assembling the new light. I came across a QB550V2 RSPEC. It’s the same as my existing QB550v2. Both have 4x Samsung lm301b LED boards, but the RSPEC version includes Epistar 660nm LEDs to add additional red light to the spectrum. Not sure how this will work out, but we shall see!

The new light came as a DIY kit. The panels and wiring were all mounted on the heat sink, I just needed to connect the power cord and the dimmer to the driver. I also needed to connect the quantum boards to the driver. It wasn't difficult. The kit comes with quick connectors, so there is no need for electrical tape or soldering. Here are a few pics of the assembly and placement of the lights in the 4x8 tent that will grow the Chemdogging and 4 Asssed Monkeys. I'll say, it looks sloppy as all hell once put together, not anything like the clean look of the lights one would get from Mars Hydro or Viparspectra. I'll likely get some heat shrink and clean up the wires. I'm also wondering if I shoulkd put the dirvers outside to get rid of some of the heat inside the tents. That would certainly require soldering. I'm comfortable doing so, maybe if I have extra time in the coming weeks.

Here are some pictures of the assembly.

19-HM-20190829-1915-2: Picture of QB550v2 RSPEC fresh out of the box. U.S. power cord at the top right, accessory bag bottom left, HLG-480H-488 Meanwell LED Driver bottom center.

19-HM-20190829-1915-4: The instructions have been filed, for future reference.

19-HM-20190829-1915-5: Close of of 1 of the 4 Samsung lm301b Quantum Boards.

19-HM-20190829-1915-8: Back of the heatsink, with wiring for the Quantum Boards.

19-HM-20190829-1915-9: This isn't actually a real dimmer. It’s a called a Potentiometer.

19-HM-20190829-1915-10: Connecting the U.S. power dongle to the LED Driver using a quick connector.

19-HM-20190829-1915-14: Quick connectors make connecting the wiring a simple 10 minute task. No soldering or splicing required.

19-HM-20190829-1915-15: Both QB550v2 LED lights installed and ready to go!

 

[zeroday]

I checked the seeds last night. The seeds that did have the root popping out weren't long enough to plant. Between the two strains, it looks like the Chemdoggings are out ahead of the 4 Assed Monkey. I decided to give them more time. I checked them again, first thing this morning, and the Chemdoggings are just right for planting. The 4 Assed Monkey only has 2 of the 5 with a tap root out. However, even those 2 aren't long enough to be planted. I put them back in the ziplock bag for another 6 -8 hours of germinating. I haven't had the opportunity to check them again today.

I was planning for 4 of each strain, but germinated 5 of each just in case. I'll figure out what to do with the extra Chemdogging once I see how many of the 4 Assed Monkeys pop and take to the soil.

19-HM-20190829-0515-1: 4 Assed Monkey seeds. Not done yet!

19-HM-20190829-0515-2: Chemdogging seeds. All 5 ready to go

19-HM-20190829-0515-3: 5 pots seeded, 3 waiting. Depending on the germination rate on the 4 Assed Monkey, I may need to get more pots ready.

Hoping to get a chance to get down into the room this evening to straighten things up. With all the activity, things are somewhat a mess.

 

[zeroday]

Well, I didn't get to do any cleaning last night, for sure tonight. I did check in on the 4 Assed Monkeys that are still germinating, as swell as the Skywalkers and North Thunderfuck that are just getting their leaves going.

Both of the Skywalkers and the three Noirth Thunderfucks look great. It can't be seen in the pics I have below, but they are a nice dark emerald green. Usually my plants are a lighter shade of green. I'm happy to see them the way they look this grow. I'm thinking it’s the soil (HighBrix). That’s the only thing that is different at this point.

19-HM-20190829-2018-1: North Thunderfuck growing their first set of leaves.

19-HM-20190829-2018-2: Skywalker OG on their way.

Four of the 4 Assed Monkeys have their tap root out, but only 3 of them look ready to go in dirt, or at least I'm not comfortable with one of them yet. I went ahead and stuck three in soil (Happy Frog). I decided to let the other two go for another 12 hours or so. I plan to check them once they are at the 3 day mark, which will be right around 1130 ET. Hopefully we have at least 1 of them ready, as the goal is to have 4 of this strain in the grow.

19-HM-20190829-2018-3: Three of the five 4 Assed Monkeys ready to go in soil.

19-HM-20190829-2018-4: The three 4AM in the pots. I'll need to add another pot to the mix, given I used one of the pots meant for the 4 Assed Monkey, for the extra (fifth) Chemdogging.

As for the Chemdoggings, no sign of life yet. I've been keeping the top layer of soil moist with my spray bottle. I have it loaded with PH'ed water, nothing in it. Looking at the data from previous grows, I would expect them to start popping up through the soil at some point today or overnight into tomorrow. I'm hopping they all pop up, but you never know!
I'm still wondering if I should keep the fifth (extra) plant in the tent, or If I should give it away. I think I'll see if anyone local has any room to take an extra plant on. I'm trying not to stuff the tent this time. I'd like the plants to have room to grow out to the side as well as vertically. I feel like 4 plants on each side of the 4x8 tent is about right. I'm not sure how many plants others fit in the same space. If anyone cares to comment, please do!

19-HM-20190829-2018-6: Chemdoggings, no sign of life.

Hope everyone is Groovy! its Friday afterall!

 

[zeroday]

Just checked the last two seeds in germination for this run. One of the has a beautifully straight tap root, the other one is beginning to look like a dud. I'm not going to complain. I germinated 17 seeds for this grow, only 1 of them didn't germinate.

Getting them all to pop through the soil seems to be the next milestone that has me worried. I'm thinking I should see activity right about now. I'll be checking throughout this evening and in the morning. Between now and 8am Satruday morning is the typical window I'd expect them to pop up.

19-HM-20190830-0542-1: Love when the Tap Roots are nice and straight!

 

[zeroday]

Hello folks (that would be just me at this point). Hope all is well.

Just to review:

I dropped 2x Skywalker, both of them germinated successfully, and both have popped above the soil after being planted. They are moving along. I only had 2 seeds and need both, so it was good that they sprouted and are moving along. I didn't have backup seeds and I really do enjoy the Skywalker. Here is a pic of how they look like currently.

19-HM-20190901-1356-1: Skywalker OG doing its thing!

I also planted 3 North Thunderfucks. I had more than the two I needed, so I planted and extra one just in case one didn't germinate. Two of them quickly, one took a few more days. I put the first two in the 1 gallon GeoPots I am using as the starting pot for the Photos in this batch. Once the third one germinated, I threw that into a 4" shallow started pot. Not really sure what I am going to do with the extra yet.

19-HM-20190901-1356-2: All three North Thunderfucks growin!

As for the Autos, I planted five each, Chemdoggings and 4 Assed Monkeys. I got all 5 of the Chemdoggings to germinate. Four out of the five 4 Assed Monkeys also germinated pretty quickly. I put the fifth one back in the back to germinate, just to see what happens. Remember, I'm only shooting for 4 of each on the autos in this grow.

So far, 3 of the Chemdoggings have sprouted above the dirt, 2 of the 4 assed Monkeys also have broken ground. Just barely, but still. I'm very happy with the success on the germination and planting. Here is a pic, they all are similar, just barely above the dirt.

19-HM-20190901-1356-3: Chemdoggings breaking the soil, similar to the others also breaking ground today.

Lastly, this f'ing hurricane has been a totally distraction. Yes, I have much further North. However, I have plenty of family in south florida, and just dropped my daughter off not 2 weeks ago for her first year of college. I love the models.

 

[zeroday]

We now have 4 of the 5 Chemdoggings just above soil. 3 of the 5 Monkeys are also above soil now.

I checked in on the last 4 Assed Monkey that was still in the ziplock bag germinating. It had a decent tap root, so I tossed it into a 4" shallow pot just to see what happens. It had been germinating for about 6 days, so its probably going to be a little tiny thing. I might not keep it going, but I might, not sure yet.

 

[zeroday]

It was time for the North Thunderfucks and the Skywalkers to be fed. I went ahead with the Week 1 "Transplant Drench with Tea" recommended in the @Doc Bud's HighBrix instructions. I mixed 2 gallons of water with 25ml of Transplant Drench and 3ml of Tea. I think this is on the low side of what is recommended on the bottle. With this mix, after pH balance, the water came in at 694ppm. Given their size, I figured this was about right. The next time I feed it this same mix, it will be week 3, so I'll probable move towards the middle of what is recommended, which is going to bring the ppm up.

I'm not sure if this is what other people see, but I needed to add 11ml of pH up in order to get the mix to be at 6.41pH, at 71.8F. This seems to be a consistent amount for when I use the General Organics nute system, so I am going to assume this is about right.

I did take pics, but have not been able to get them off of my phone and and to here. I'll do so in the next couple of hours.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing end of their weekend.

 

[zeroday]

For plant counts, it went well, but not perfect. I planted 15 seeds for this batch, all 15 germinated, all but 1 sprouted above the soil. That puts me at 14 plants (2x Skywalkers, 3x North ThunderFuck, 4x 4 assed Monkey and 5x Chemdogging). I now have 2 more than the man (a.k.a. the law) allows, and I'm pretty groovy with that. I've already found a home for the 2 extras. I'm thinking of getting rid of 1 of the Chemdoggings and 1 of the 4 Assed Monkeys. Should be gone by the end of this coming week.

Pictures will be posted a bit later today.