Phototropic
Well-Known Member
Hey folks. Here's a quick breakdown of my setup. I'm finishing week 4 now so I'll just drop a bunch of info here and some pretty pictures to catch you all up.
Strain:
Pure Power Plant - feminized indica dominant hybrid from Nirvana Seeds
Soil:
Fox Farm - Happy Frog
Distilled water for first 2-3 weeks.
Nutrients:
"Dyna-Grow: Foliage-Pro 9-3-6"
Started at 1/8 strength (0.3 per 1/2 gallon water) during third week. I had planned for starting on the fourth week but now i know what a nitrogen deficiency looks like. I think if i had transplanted earlier then maybe the healthy soil would have carried me through but being in the tiny 4" pots, i think the ladies sucked the soil clean and needed nutes.
pH of water after nutes mixed in tested to be around 6.8-7.0
Using simple drops and color chart. Will invest in electronic tester for next grow but my water is pretty neutral out of the tap. Second mixing i did add a few drops of pH Down to get around 6.5 (yellow that is...)
I usually water twice a day. I have always had bad luck overwatering house plants so i am opting to water often rather than a lot.
Germination:
Scarified seeds in a match box with emery board glued in per the classic Growers Handbook by
Left overnight in water.
Used jiffy pods. Soaked to puff up, placed seed in 1/8" or so. Took one seeds 3 days the second about 4-5 to break the soil and stand up. Went into my box under one 6800k light at 16/8 right away. Green came in fast.
Temperature:
This has been my biggest fear and anxiety. I am in a warm space with low ventilation. The area outside the box is large but closed. Temperatures only get as low at 75 in the summer and can go as high as 115 on a hot day. Usually I'm around 88-95. The girls seem to be handling it well, i have a lot of air movement inside the box and across the leaves.
Lights:
CFLs - running (x4) 6800k and (x2) 2700k in 3 scoop lights with splitters. Built up to this; they shared 2 6800k for the beginning, then i added 2 more, then shortly after i added the 2 2700k to round out the spectrum a little. I keep them close, though doing this with comfort took some time. I was very worried about burning but they really don't get hot unless you're touching them.
Calling the seedling stage from cotyledons opening to last night when i topped.
Considering myself in the vegetative stage now. At this point I'm looking at 5-7 fingers, fresh undergrowth at the lowest leaves. Snipped away oldest leaves to open new low growth to light. Using nutes daily now. Plan to start LST once the new chutes come up from the topping. Ladies are sitting in 6" terra-cotta pots right now. Will transplant to 5gallon smart pots (felt bag pots) after a couple more weeks.
I check on my girls every morning before work, every evening after work before lights out and my wife usually peeks in for some pictures and to check the soil midday. I'll do a post on my box next, nothing too fancy but i put a lot of work into it so I'll definitely be sharing. Looking to upgrade to a larger "room" style space eventually.
I do run a wattage meter so i can post energy and costs later if there's any interest.
I hope people read/enjoy the journey. It's pretty exciting for someone who has enjoyed other peoples grow labors for half his life, to finally be taking it into his own hands.
Picture time!!
Feel free to ask timeline questions and details. I have many more pics, close-ups etc. The nutrient deficiency should be pretty obvious, especially in Ethel.
Lucy:
Ethel:
Strain:
Pure Power Plant - feminized indica dominant hybrid from Nirvana Seeds
Soil:
Fox Farm - Happy Frog
Distilled water for first 2-3 weeks.
Nutrients:
"Dyna-Grow: Foliage-Pro 9-3-6"
Started at 1/8 strength (0.3 per 1/2 gallon water) during third week. I had planned for starting on the fourth week but now i know what a nitrogen deficiency looks like. I think if i had transplanted earlier then maybe the healthy soil would have carried me through but being in the tiny 4" pots, i think the ladies sucked the soil clean and needed nutes.
pH of water after nutes mixed in tested to be around 6.8-7.0
Using simple drops and color chart. Will invest in electronic tester for next grow but my water is pretty neutral out of the tap. Second mixing i did add a few drops of pH Down to get around 6.5 (yellow that is...)
I usually water twice a day. I have always had bad luck overwatering house plants so i am opting to water often rather than a lot.
Germination:
Scarified seeds in a match box with emery board glued in per the classic Growers Handbook by
Left overnight in water.
Used jiffy pods. Soaked to puff up, placed seed in 1/8" or so. Took one seeds 3 days the second about 4-5 to break the soil and stand up. Went into my box under one 6800k light at 16/8 right away. Green came in fast.
Temperature:
This has been my biggest fear and anxiety. I am in a warm space with low ventilation. The area outside the box is large but closed. Temperatures only get as low at 75 in the summer and can go as high as 115 on a hot day. Usually I'm around 88-95. The girls seem to be handling it well, i have a lot of air movement inside the box and across the leaves.
Lights:
CFLs - running (x4) 6800k and (x2) 2700k in 3 scoop lights with splitters. Built up to this; they shared 2 6800k for the beginning, then i added 2 more, then shortly after i added the 2 2700k to round out the spectrum a little. I keep them close, though doing this with comfort took some time. I was very worried about burning but they really don't get hot unless you're touching them.
Calling the seedling stage from cotyledons opening to last night when i topped.
Considering myself in the vegetative stage now. At this point I'm looking at 5-7 fingers, fresh undergrowth at the lowest leaves. Snipped away oldest leaves to open new low growth to light. Using nutes daily now. Plan to start LST once the new chutes come up from the topping. Ladies are sitting in 6" terra-cotta pots right now. Will transplant to 5gallon smart pots (felt bag pots) after a couple more weeks.
I check on my girls every morning before work, every evening after work before lights out and my wife usually peeks in for some pictures and to check the soil midday. I'll do a post on my box next, nothing too fancy but i put a lot of work into it so I'll definitely be sharing. Looking to upgrade to a larger "room" style space eventually.
I do run a wattage meter so i can post energy and costs later if there's any interest.
I hope people read/enjoy the journey. It's pretty exciting for someone who has enjoyed other peoples grow labors for half his life, to finally be taking it into his own hands.
Picture time!!
Feel free to ask timeline questions and details. I have many more pics, close-ups etc. The nutrient deficiency should be pretty obvious, especially in Ethel.
Lucy:
Ethel: