Baywatcher's Basement Blowout

[Cannabidude]

Cannabidude: The friend I have locally who, hands down, produces the most weight per plant (minimum 8 oz, up to a pound on some), uses 100% Promix for a base, and Hydrogro (http://www.cropking.com/HydroponicSupplies/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=264_265) at 800 ppm (roughly 1 teaspoon of A and B per 5 gallons). No dirt mixing.

He has spent some time helping me tweak my operation (tl;dr - grow solid genetics and much bigger plants, 3 per 1K HPS light). I'm going to see if I can get my yield up near his sticking with supersoil, but if I can't, I can totally see switching to his system for anything that isn't personal headstash. There is no difference in taste, smell, etc., it's just not organic...

Yeah i want to switch to organics because its ALL headstash. I dont sell my crop just give out samples. I have my second kid on the way and i really dont want to keep the chem nutes around. (not that they would have access to them anyhow, but still.....) Its really more about how my time is spent. Its easier for me to get a weekend to make a huge soil batch then it is to make time 2x a week to make up nutes for the veg/flower rooms. PLUS my flavor has been hugely lacking. I get large fat buds from my setup but the smell and flavor are only meh. Ive tried several drying techniques and hanging the plant whole (minus large fans only) seems to improve the flavor a bit, but still not nearly as good as the bud from my genetics supplier. He uses botanicare mainly but in conjunction with like 4 other brands suppliments over the course and i really dont want to get that complicated. im only pulling about 2.5 oz per plant right now, but i keep them at about 25-30 inch tall in #3 pots. This is in a very small room. I can do 4 plants in the room if i keep them the size noted. and that gives me ~10oz every 10 weeks from a 2.5 x 3.5 x 5.5 room. Not huge but ive seen plenty of people do less with more space. Im using a 600w hps and 2 2ft t5s for side lighting.

 

[Baywatcher]

The first big batch of plants I put in flower have now been harvest over the past week. Three small POW plants that I was sexing, an OG13 and three Cotton Candy plants (with another CC due on Monday). I basically get one plant trimmed per playoff game The POW is at the lab getting tested right now, and the CC will go in when it has cured a little. I'll get some pics up when I have results.

 

[Thundercat]

Thats awesome man. I love having a staggered/perpetual harvest. It really helps make it easier to trim it all, and have room to dry it. I don't have tons of drying space.

 

[Cannabidude]

I don't have tons of drying space.

Im in the same boat. But unfortunately im using it all atm. the mites invaded and i lost the battle for this crop, but not the war! i had to harvest early. Bleach and beer, its always worked before......

 

[Baywatcher]

Yeah, I have had to juggle my drying space around the house. I've almost got everything jarred up now though. I need to find a couple of patients around here who need a good caregiver now...

 

[Baywatcher]

Just to prove I'm not dead... The one plant four pictures down is a Purple Haze that still has three weeks to go. #hugebuds. Most of my flower room gets harvested in the next 4-5 weeks, the replacements are being prepped in the veg tent. I'm arguing with fungus gnats in some pots, the white stuff is diatomaceous earth.

 

[Cannabidude]

that purple haze looks amazeballs sir. Good job!

 

[Baywatcher]

I *reaaaaaallllly* hope it test 18%+. It is a gorgeous, great-smelling plant putting out huge buds.

An update on strains:

Ended up with 3 POW females, ranging from 15.5% to 18.66%. The 18.66% one is the prettiest and purplest, but not the biggest yielder of the bunch. It's the only one I'm keeping though.

One Cotton Candy came in at 14.15%, the other at 16.8%. I'm keeping the 16.8% one, it is a good yielder and smells great.

Also, I got a vacuum pump and a 3 gallon vacuum chamber. I'm experimenting with analog controls to start with, but will eventually PID it. I want to start doing my own BHO for cooking and capsules.

 

[Cannabidude]

18.66% one is the prettiest and purplest....Also, I got a vacuum pump and a 3 gallon vacuum chamber. I'm experimenting with analog controls to start with, but will eventually PID it. I want to start doing my own BHO for cooking and capsules.

BHO is the way to go. ive been doing some QWISO since its so quick and easy, but then again i have access to 99.9% ipa, can't beat analytical grade it leaves absolutely no residue. only problem is the shatter I get from it also gets a bit more chlorophyll than with Butane or ice water bags.

on a side note i put the special ed outdoors this year. the stalks are getting huge! plants only about 3' tall mind you, maybe only 2.5'.

 

[Baywatcher]

I want to see a picture of that sucker when it's closer to harvest!

 

[Cannabidude]

oh i will. there will be bud!

 

[Thundercat]

I figured you were still around, just been busy. I guess I was right, plants are looking great. I really need to step up my game to multiple lights.

 

[Baywatcher]

Yeah, doubling the wattage from 2K to 4K is definitely showing in my yields. I'm still scheming on two 5K rooms on a flipbox with a 2k veg room, but it's going to take another 6-8 months of grinding to make that happen.

Trichome check on a Purple Haze, day 74, time to chop.

 

[Cannabidude]

excellent photo as always.

 

[Cannabidude]

BTW the plant that stalk belongs to is the one closest to me. This is the green house 10x12x8 in the back 10x12x6 in the front. not huge but its working great so far.

 

[Baywatcher]

Those are going to be monsters come the fall!

My first BHO run is in my ghetto vacuum oven, turning into some lovely amber shatter. I just flipped the patty and will let it purge another 12 hours today while we're heading out of town.

Pics of the whole setup when I get back.

 

[Cannabidude]

yay! im assuming your purge is so long due to low vac? Vacuum is generally measured in "in/Hg" (inches/mercury).

 

[Baywatcher]

No, the vac is fine. it's pulling over 30 (as far as my gauge goes). A long, slow, not very hot purge makes beautiful clear shatter, which is what I want. Fast, high-heat purges make wax. I know there are some folks on here who love wax, and think purging should be done at 140-180. To them I say "Godspeed" but I think it's a damn ugly thing to do to good material -- all the lovely strain-specific terpenes are fried off. I never want to go over 115 F during my purges. Some of my friends do 72-hour purges @ 95 F, which is a little more time than I want to spend on one batch, but their results are gorgeous.

 

[Thundercat]

You know I'm all about low temp purging Baywatcher .

I don't know if you saw it but I posted a pic of my first dabber I made the other day. I just finished another yesterday but I still gotta go pick it up. that is if it survived the kiln....

 

[Cannabidude]

I never looked into that much I guess. My strain guy does his at room temp but really high vac. Something like 70 in/hg. I'll have to ask him make sure I'm not just dumb and mistaken on how he does it. But I believe his purge only takes around an hour.