Harvest a Pound Every Three Weeks!

[shinedog55]

This is by far the best thread I've read on the board to this point. I grew for a few years but circumstances caused me to have to put it aside for several. I believe I stopped around the time this thread was started from the looks of the dates. Anyway, I've made it through about the first 200 pages so far and to that point it seems fairly redundant in the questions. I really don't want to be the guy to ask the same questions already posed after years and years of a continued thread. I'm really looking for some thoughts on my next setup. So let's get started.

1) Being 200 pages into the thread and not wanting to take another week to finish it out, I'm curious if there have been any significant changes or improvements to the flowering, fence post system that instructions were created for originally? If there have been I don't mind going to look for those changes, but if it's still fundamentally the same I've got the information I need then.

I'm beginning to plan and build out my space for veg and flower. I've grown in soil in the past and had pretty good luck with it. However, keeping multiple plants in veg for mothers and then allowing roots space to grow, etc. really took up a great deal of floor space. It looks like with the system I can allocate more space to square footage in the flowering area and not so much in veg. In my space I have a few limitations to consider and that's why I need opinions in my planning. 1. Temps and 2. Power and both actually relate to one another. I don't know how much power I will have to work with at this point and with that I don't know what environmental controls I will have the ability to run. Anyway let's get started with the other questions I would like opinions on.

I guess I'm trying to pack as much punch as possible while keeping heat down in order to avoid additional power requirements of a cooling unit.

2) LIGHT - I have a space of around 12' x 8' to 10' x 8' to work with in my flower room. I'd like to run three of the fence post units. As stated above power and heat will be a potential issue. I've considered running 3 600w HPS lamps (one for each unit). I've had 1000w lamps before and they just put off too much heat in my opinion for my current situation. However, if money were no object would 3 LED lamps work better? I don't know much about LED's and I've read a little on the CREE DIY stuff but honestly I'm not much of a DIY guy. Building the units will be about as much DIY as I need in this situation. So what are your thoughts on flowering under LED opposed to HPS in terms of power vs. output and does anyone have any recommendations on lights? Brands? Models? Etc.

2) CO2 - It looks like CO2 is a critical component of a successful grow. I don't know how difficult it's going to be to get a tank filled around where I live. I'm curious about the burners using propane, but will they generate too much heat?

3) CONTROLS - I tried the DWC bubble buckets at one time. I saw success in plants growing quickly and large, but I just couldn't control water temp enough to avoid root rot setting in. That being said I've been looking at controls for PH, PPM, Temp etc. for the reservoirs of each unit. I've seen systems that basically just report stats, to systems that actually control the variables by lower and increasing ph. I guess automation is the term I'm looking for. Anyone have an opinion on these systems? Again money not being an object are they worth it? What brands would you recommend?

4) My last question relates to clones. I will most likely have to start from seeds due to my lack of a connection for a clone in my area. I get the idea behind popping the seed and adding it to a neoprene sleeve once the tap root sets, etc. No problems there. What I am concerned about is the plants maturity in the veg system before taking clones. Having started from a seed before I know it can take a while for a plant to really mature to a point clones can be taken. Or at least mature clones. Also, extended time in the veg unit could lead to some root issues it seems based on the roots extending beyond the depth of the unit. Thoughts? Also, once clones have been taken from the grown up seedlings, rooted, vegged and placed in flower that initial process is going to require sexing if you want to maintain a lesbian colony. How difficult is it to remove male plants from the flowering system without disrupting the other plants or at least the roots. If they are tangled I don't imagine you're going to want to cut the roots and risk the potential of leaving dying rotting roots in the misting tube. Again thoughts on this?

I know it's a long post, but any and all hope is greatly appreciated.

 

[MouseE]

So I'm running a few good strains right now.

I have some plants in soil, one Aero/NFT rack and a shit load of coco tables. It should be an interesting Winter!

Do you have a favorite medium to grow in? If so why

 

[MouseE]

Shinedo, u don't have much experience per say but I'm in a similar situation on lights and Ive done a bit of research.

HPS seem rather mandatory when it come down to it, if your gonna use led or mh its best to combine the two. Apparently this is the best according to some. If you running on a budget of power like me you might wanna look at 2 600 hps supplemented by an led. I have a 1000 hps/mh but I'm afraid if I run it with a 600, an led, my veg t5s, the heater/ac, and other appliences *sprayers, fans, etc.
I'm running a 325 lumigrow and I've seen really good results from it. Although led tech is advancing quickly and it's one from about 3-5 years ago so you could find better. They make 5 watt diodes now that actually produce more than a 1000 but there's problems that come with it. 3 diodes is what you want. LEDS aren't cheap though.

"Remember light must be maximized before co2 comes into play"
-Stinkbud

Mouse_E

 

[StinkBud]

This is by far the best thread I've read on the board to this point. I grew for a few years but circumstances caused me to have to put it aside for several. I believe I stopped around the time this thread was started from the looks of the dates. Anyway, I've made it through about the first 200 pages so far and to that point it seems fairly redundant in the questions. I really don't want to be the guy to ask the same questions already posed after years and years of a continued thread. I'm really looking for some thoughts on my next setup. So let's get started.

1) Being 200 pages into the thread and not wanting to take another week to finish it out, I'm curious if there have been any significant changes or improvements to the flowering, fence post system that instructions were created for originally? If there have been I don't mind going to look for those changes, but if it's still fundamentally the same I've got the information I need then.

I'm beginning to plan and build out my space for veg and flower. I've grown in soil in the past and had pretty good luck with it. However, keeping multiple plants in veg for mothers and then allowing roots space to grow, etc. really took up a great deal of floor space. It looks like with the system I can allocate more space to square footage in the flowering area and not so much in veg. In my space I have a few limitations to consider and that's why I need opinions in my planning. 1. Temps and 2. Power and both actually relate to one another. I don't know how much power I will have to work with at this point and with that I don't know what environmental controls I will have the ability to run. Anyway let's get started with the other questions I would like opinions on.

I guess I'm trying to pack as much punch as possible while keeping heat down in order to avoid additional power requirements of a cooling unit.

2) LIGHT - I have a space of around 12' x 8' to 10' x 8' to work with in my flower room. I'd like to run three of the fence post units. As stated above power and heat will be a potential issue. I've considered running 3 600w HPS lamps (one for each unit). I've had 1000w lamps before and they just put off too much heat in my opinion for my current situation. However, if money were no object would 3 LED lamps work better? I don't know much about LED's and I've read a little on the CREE DIY stuff but honestly I'm not much of a DIY guy. Building the units will be about as much DIY as I need in this situation. So what are your thoughts on flowering under LED opposed to HPS in terms of power vs. output and does anyone have any recommendations on lights? Brands? Models? Etc.

2) CO2 - It looks like CO2 is a critical component of a successful grow. I don't know how difficult it's going to be to get a tank filled around where I live. I'm curious about the burners using propane, but will they generate too much heat?

3) CONTROLS - I tried the DWC bubble buckets at one time. I saw success in plants growing quickly and large, but I just couldn't control water temp enough to avoid root rot setting in. That being said I've been looking at controls for PH, PPM, Temp etc. for the reservoirs of each unit. I've seen systems that basically just report stats, to systems that actually control the variables by lower and increasing ph. I guess automation is the term I'm looking for. Anyone have an opinion on these systems? Again money not being an object are they worth it? What brands would you recommend?

4) My last question relates to clones. I will most likely have to start from seeds due to my lack of a connection for a clone in my area. I get the idea behind popping the seed and adding it to a neoprene sleeve once the tap root sets, etc. No problems there. What I am concerned about is the plants maturity in the veg system before taking clones. Having started from a seed before I know it can take a while for a plant to really mature to a point clones can be taken. Or at least mature clones. Also, extended time in the veg unit could lead to some root issues it seems based on the roots extending beyond the depth of the unit. Thoughts? Also, once clones have been taken from the grown up seedlings, rooted, vegged and placed in flower that initial process is going to require sexing if you want to maintain a lesbian colony. How difficult is it to remove male plants from the flowering system without disrupting the other plants or at least the roots. If they are tangled I don't imagine you're going to want to cut the roots and risk the potential of leaving dying rotting roots in the misting tube. Again thoughts on this?

I know it's a long post, but any and all hope is greatly appreciated.

1) My basic system is the same although the dimensions have changed somewhat. You can build it to whatever size you want though. Don't be afraid to freestyle. Biggest difference is the netting I use to train the plants vs. just having post to support the plant. I went to 5" fence posts a few years back. I also use a 27 Gallon strong box for the res.

2) You don't have to have CO2 to be successful. In fact, CO2 adds a whole bunch of headaches that you are better off not dealing with on the first grow. Light is way more important than CO2!

3) If your PH is shifting you probably have other problems to worry about besides PH. Your PH should stay fairly stable. Change your res every week and you should be good to go.

4) If you can't get clones buy feminized seeds. If you do want to use normal seeds start the plant in soil first. Take some cuttings and flower the original plant. If it's a girl, you're stoked, if it's a boy go put it under a shop fluorescent light in another room. Collect the pollen and save it for later. You can paint it on a bud and only that bud will produce seeds. BAM you're a fucking seed baron!

I've been using the Botanicare Kind line of nutrients lately. It's a two part formula. I just follow the directions on the back of the jug. It has every week mapped out for you already. Don't mix the nutes together ahead of time!! Just pour in part A and mix, then pour in part B. How fucking easy is that! I also run Botanicare Hydroguard. It's a beneficial bacteria that helps keep your roots healthy and free from root rot.

Roots tangling in your veg unit? Don't be a pussy! Cut those little bitches off at the hips. They'll get over it. The only thing you don't want is dead roots floating around, rotting and then fucking everything up.

Good luck bro!
SB

Tips? Don't fuck with LEDs right now. 600s are a good choice but 1000W lights are better. The only reason I'd run 600s is if power was really expensive like Cali.

 

[TeNa]

Great thread! Can you elaborate more on the LED lights please. Thanks!

 

[shinedog55]

I'd also like to get an idea of spacing. I'll probably freestyle a bit on the setup, but I'd like your thoughts on ideal plant spacing between each plant or essentially spacing between net pots.

 

[letdown shifty]

I'd also like to get an idea of spacing. I'll probably freestyle a bit on the setup, but I'd like your thoughts on ideal plant spacing between each plant or essentially spacing between net pots.

Are you talking clone, veg, or flower? How many plants are you looking to have? What style of grow? Just some basic info can go a long way. Sorry if you've previously mentioned.
-Shifty

 

[joey green]

Hello all, ive got a few issues im hoping to get help with..

1st) my roots are getting a bit brown and im no sure if its ok and just the nutes or if its rot. i only fed them once so far, i mixed 27ml advanced nutes a/b with 15L of water, im using 2x 60L totes stacked as my veg unit.

2nd) After first feed i noticed the leaf tips curled up about 2 days later, they are about 5 weeks old, took 3-4 weeks for the kush to pop roots. my ph meter broke so im not sure of ppm, just following instructions on the bottle for now...

3rd) im having trouble with the environment in my flower room. im running 2x 600w blowing air thru the hoods with vortex fan in a sealed room. the temps got too hot so i started pulling in air from outside which is nice and cool now, but i noticed my humidity now drops below 25%. ive been running a humidifier but it doesnt get up past 30-40%...

oh and i just read one of the last post about cutting roots, if mine are hanging down in the second tote sitting in the water should i cut them back?

thanks guys, hope the pics help.

 

[letdown shifty]

@joey green
With diagnosing cannabis issues, I've always consulted this website.
http://www.growweedeasy.com/marijuana-symptoms-pictures
It has helped me multiple times. From the pictures I'd say you probably have some heat stress going on, possible light burn, or nutrient burn. How far off canopy are lights? When you put hand right on canopy is the light uncomfortable on your skin? I'm assuming you have good air circulation on plants. You could always adjust lights, adjust nutrients to half strength & work up to full strength. My opinion is your roots look good though. Do you have your outside air on continuous or timer/temp probe plug?
-Shifty

 

[shinedog55]

Shifty, I'm mainly talking about flowering. I'm in the process of setting up my systems and rooms. I'm just in the planning phase so spacing kind of determines build out of both the room and the flowering units. Appropriate spacing kind of determines the rest in terms of room dimensions, # of units, etc.

 

[letdown shifty]

Shifty, I'm mainly talking about flowering. I'm in the process of setting up my systems and rooms. I'm just in the planning phase so spacing kind of determines build out of both the room and the flowering units. Appropriate spacing kind of determines the rest in terms of room dimensions, # of units, etc.

Do you have a plant count limit? For instance I've got 12 limit now, but have kind of built for future with patients. This picture doesn't show the finished units. But I'm going with 2 separate rail systems in my flower tent so every 3-4 weeks I'm harvesting plants. For my 4' rail I put 4 net pots, 2 holes off the ends a bit with about 14"-16" spacing. So I can handle max 16 flowering plants at a time currently. I'll update with finished pictures, my phone was dead earlier. Just start out minimal & what works for you.
-Shifty
Edit: yes, I'm replacing the round pvc pipe after this run. I've got 4 rails that are going in.

 

[Jermb420]

Strawberry Cough took over!

 

[letdown shifty]

Strawberry Cough took over!

Made me laugh.
-Shifty

 

[joey green]

@joey green
With diagnosing cannabis issues, I've always consulted this website.
http://www.growweedeasy.com/marijuana-symptoms-pictures
It has helped me multiple times. From the pictures I'd say you probably have some heat stress going on, possible light burn, or nutrient burn. How far off canopy are lights? When you put hand right on canopy is the light uncomfortable on your skin? I'm assuming you have good air circulation on plants. You could always adjust lights, adjust nutrients to half strength & work up to full strength. My opinion is your roots look good though. Do you have your outside air on continuous or timer/temp probe plug?
-Shifty

Shifty! thanks for the link, much better then the document i was using. i think ur right about the heat stress, my tallest plant is about 7" about from a 400w MH not aircooled, and the one plant got a little nute burn but the rest are fine so im not worried, just gonna move the light up and see what happens.
the air in my flower room is a bitch, the intake fan turns on and off with the lights keeping my temps in check but my humidity drops like crazy and with the humidifier running 24/7 i still cant keep it at 50%.
any tips are much appreciated.

 

[letdown shifty]

@joey green can you give some basics on flower area? Is it a room or tent? Dimensions? Lighting used & wattage? Size & cfm of intakes/outtakes? Lights air cooled? Temperature - High/Low, average temp 4-6hr after lights on? If it is a room, are you using the house heating/cooling to control room environment?
I think once we can get your temps under control the humidity will get back to normal.
-Shifty

 

[StinkBud]

View attachment 3532823 View attachment 3532823 View attachment 3532823 View attachment 3532824 View attachment 3532825 View attachment 3532826

Hello all, ive got a few issues im hoping to get help with..

1st) my roots are getting a bit brown and im no sure if its ok and just the nutes or if its rot. i only fed them once so far, i mixed 27ml advanced nutes a/b with 15L of water, im using 2x 60L totes stacked as my veg unit.

2nd) After first feed i noticed the leaf tips curled up about 2 days later, they are about 5 weeks old, took 3-4 weeks for the kush to pop roots. my ph meter broke so im not sure of ppm, just following instructions on the bottle for now...

3rd) im having trouble with the environment in my flower room. im running 2x 600w blowing air thru the hoods with vortex fan in a sealed room. the temps got too hot so i started pulling in air from outside which is nice and cool now, but i noticed my humidity now drops below 25%. ive been running a humidifier but it doesnt get up past 30-40%...

oh and i just read one of the last post about cutting roots, if mine are hanging down in the second tote sitting in the water should i cut them back?

thanks guys, hope the pics help.

You're room is way too hot. I can tell because your leaves are curling up on the sides. The high temps has most likely caused root rot. You have to keep your room below 78 or use another grow method like coco or soil. You can try to run some Hydroguard in your res but it may be too late. If they get really bad my you may want to think about some sort of chlorine shock to kill the bad bacteria.

 

[joey green]

@joey green can you give some basics on flower area? Is it a room or tent? Dimensions? Lighting used & wattage? Size & cfm of intakes/outtakes? Lights air cooled? Temperature - High/Low, average temp 4-6hr after lights on? If it is a room, are you using the house heating/cooling to control room environment?
I think once we can get your temps under control the humidity will get back to normal.
-Shifty

ok here's some details. my setup is a bedroom separated into 2 by a wall of panda film, flower side is 9' x 10'. im running 2x 600 watt hps in air cooled hoods, pulling air from within the room using a 6" vortex fan 347cfm blowing thru the lights and into a carbon filter. im using a bathroom fan to pull air into the room from outside, this is where i believe the problems occurs, once i start pulling in outside air the humidity drops. light off my temps are about 73, lights on temps are from 80-90, lights off humidity is at 40-50, once the fan kicks on it drops to 25ish, humidifier runs non stop. i got 4 girls in dirt right now on that side.
the veg side is 9'x8' with a 400w MH not aircooled, 2 fans running blowing air around, i moved the light to 15" away from canopy, temps on that side are usually about 82 with 40-50 humidity. i have a mother in dirt and a SB veg unit with 15L of water going on that side...
Stink i really hope its not root rot, i know my temps are a little high in the veg room but i just pinched my plants the other day so they recovering from that still....

 

[Path of Light]

ok here's some details. my setup is a bedroom separated into 2 by a wall of panda film, flower side is 9' x 10'. im running 2x 600 watt hps in air cooled hoods, pulling air from within the room using a 6" vortex fan 347cfm blowing thru the lights and into a carbon filter. im using a bathroom fan to pull air into the room from outside, this is where i believe the problems occurs, once i start pulling in outside air the humidity drops. light off my temps are about 73, lights on temps are from 80-90, lights off humidity is at 40-50, once the fan kicks on it drops to 25ish, humidifier runs non stop. i got 4 girls in dirt right now on that side.
the veg side is 9'x8' with a 400w MH not aircooled, 2 fans running blowing air around, i moved the light to 15" away from canopy, temps on that side are usually about 82 with 40-50 humidity. i have a mother in dirt and a SB veg unit with 15L of water going on that side...
Stink i really hope its not root rot, i know my temps are a little high in the veg room but i just pinched my plants the other day so they recovering from that still....View attachment 3533860 View attachment 3533861 View attachment 3533862

you say your pulling air from within the room & blowing through your lights & filter?
Your defeating the purpose of air-cooled hoods, you need an external source of COOLER air going through ur hoods. I know peeps have different approaches to venting hoods blow vs suck (yes there is threads on that subject too). Your filter isn't being used very well. It may scrub rom air but it isn't going anywhere. My preference is to have cooler air pulled through the filter (→ filter → hood(s) → fan → outside vent) It is more efficient at cooling your lights & room.Your room temps was up to 90. Your hoods are staggered & in an odd angle.Could u not straighten ur hoods & mount ur fan on the back wall & exhaust into a different area? So of u have a fan for ur lights & an exhaust fan for the room & a passive intake drawing from an interior room that has bodies now & then it would help with some extra Co2. If you have a plant count like most peeps here that 9x10 is really too big, with 2 600 a 4x8 would work better & it should be easier to maintain acceptable temps.If ur a legal grow it would make it easier setting up ventilation.
Veg room my advice cool that hood.Check this link for ur temp humidity problems. During lights out what is ur temp & humidity? If conditions are right ur gonna get mildew & mold. http://www.dpcalc.org/
Hope this helps.
Path

 

[letdown shifty]

Received my package today that holds what They say is Barneys Farm Grape Ape seeds. I'll pop a couple and see what becomes of them.
-Shifty

 

[joey green]

you say your pulling air from within the room & blowing through your lights & filter?
Your defeating the purpose of air-cooled hoods, you need an external source of COOLER air going through ur hoods. I know peeps have different approaches to venting hoods blow vs suck (yes there is threads on that subject too). Your filter isn't being used very well. It may scrub rom air but it isn't going anywhere. My preference is to have cooler air pulled through the filter (→ filter → hood(s) → fan → outside vent) It is more efficient at cooling your lights & room.Your room temps was up to 90. Your hoods are staggered & in an odd angle.Could u not straighten ur hoods & mount ur fan on the back wall & exhaust into a different area? So of u have a fan for ur lights & an exhaust fan for the room & a passive intake drawing from an interior room that has bodies now & then it would help with some extra Co2. If you have a plant count like most peeps here that 9x10 is really too big, with 2 600 a 4x8 would work better & it should be easier to maintain acceptable temps.If ur a legal grow it would make it easier setting up ventilation.
Veg room my advice cool that hood.Check this link for ur temp humidity problems. During lights out what is ur temp & humidity? If conditions are right ur gonna get mildew & mold. http://www.dpcalc.org/
Hope this helps.
Path

lights off my room is 75 and 53% today. i dont want to exhaust outside because its gonna be very cold soon and i dont want my crazy neighbor wondering why hot air comes out my basement all night every night. i was thinking to have the outside air pulled straight into the lights instead of the room but im wondering if in 2 months when outside temps drop to -22 will that break the bulb? the high heat meeting the freezing cold....
my light setup is structured for my SB system and the design i built, im just running the mother plants thru for now while i figure out my temps and finish setting up my room.