I'm a reverse-summersaulting motha fucka

[LostInEthereal]

Another small update featuring.. no pictures.... Sorry, it just takes too much time when hand-watering coco after working ~12 hours!

Anyway, back to the substance. I, in an act of desperation, topped the one remaining trifoliate Des*Tar (24hrs later and doing great). I hate to do-so to a plant in the second week of flowering but she's about growing into the fan and totally above the optimum height for light distribution. I also moved the DNA Kosher Tangie from the LED tent back to HPS tent and swapped her for the singular BOG Sour Boggle. The SB has stopped stretching and is now at an optimum height for spread on the COBs. In actuality the LED tent was only meant to be dry-run before setting up for next seedling in a month (staggered harvest). I will some pictures this weekend. The plants are all starting to set budding and look decent (some nute related problems), so at least it's about time.

 

[wdk420]

Another small update featuring.. no pictures.... Sorry, it just takes too much time when hand-watering coco after working ~12 hours!

Anyway, back to the substance. I, in an act of desperation, topped the one remaining trifoliate Des*Tar (24hrs later and doing great). I hate to do-so to a plant in the second week of flowering but she's about growing into the fan and totally above the optimum height for light distribution. I also moved the DNA Kosher Tangie from the LED tent back to HPS tent and swapped her for the singular BOG Sour Boggle. The SB has stopped stretching and is now at an optimum height for spread on the COBs. In actuality the LED tent was only meant to be dry-run before setting up for next seedling in a month (staggered harvest). I will some pictures this weekend. The plants are all starting to set budding and look decent (some nute related problems), so at least it's about time.

I just started budding my little tent and about 9 days in it looks like I'm running into cal mag problems. Never had cal mag issues until using led. Maybe it's a coincidence but I don't know. What kind of nute problems have you noticed.

 

[LostInEthereal]

Alright, now all of these plants are on day 14. That count starts from the first 12 hour dark period. I think now is also the day 2 months ago that the first set of seeds (BOG Sour Boggle and Dynasty Des*Tar Bx1) were dropped into tap to start soaking for 24 hours. The following set (Delicious Critical Sensi Star and DNA Kosher Tangie) on the 29th of that same month (July). Anyway enough with the lame backstory and on to the pictures. This will span a few posts so bear with me.

I do apologize in advance for the weird angle of the photos. I have raised up my cheap fold up table to a more appropriate level for my height to spare my back but when watering over these buckets it makes the plants well above my height in some cases. The Des*Tar below in this post basically touches my ceiling in the grow room during this situation, and my clumsy ass usually bangs some of the gals into the ceiling or ducting in the grow tent (Blumat should prevent me from needing to remove the plants though).



First up is the sole BOG Sour Boggle. All plants have been fed the same and I think this one is wanting a bit more (I'm thinking phosphorus and magnesium). I also haven't been able to water but once daily and the pots are usually quite dry, which I'm sure is contributing to the problem.



Second up is the tallest of the Dynasty Des*Tar Bx1. She's also a trifoliate plant, and here are some pictures to better illustrate that. In the final example she's been clearly topped but you can see the trifoliate is going on prior to and not as a tertiary shoot from the FIM technique.

 

[qwizoking]

WAter more than once a day?

 

[LostInEthereal]

Third up is the other of the extremely tall Des*Tar Bx1. She was untopped. The last photo is some small lower buds growing together as a trio.



Fourth is another of the Des*Tar Bx1. This gal was also untopped.



DNA Kosher Tangie (now called 24k Gold I believe).

 

[LostInEthereal]

First of the Delicious Critical Sensi Stars. This gal was a feminized freebie and I couldn't be happier.



Second of the CSS. I was able to get a close up of a lower bud starting to get frosty.

 

[LostInEthereal]

Finally the last Des*Tar Bx1. She was the only of them topped that ended up as female. I tried to show how thick her stem is getting as well.

 

[LostInEthereal]

WAter more than once a day?

Unfortunately no, bro. The Blumat should have been running for a week plus now and would basically water 24 hours a day, a drip at a time as required. However now I'm resolved to water immediately at lights on (or home from work should that be later), right before bed, and once before work when I get up because that all happens within a 12 hour period. So on that note, now that all these posts are made, I need to mix up tomorrows batch of nutrients for lights on and feed get ready to feed once again before I call it a night!

 

[LostInEthereal]

I just started budding my little tent and about 9 days in it looks like I'm running into cal mag problems. Never had cal mag issues until using led. Maybe it's a coincidence but I don't know. What kind of nute problems have you noticed.

Well bud to be honest, I'm still a novice and somewhere in the learning curve (and with forums like this it's never ending). I only have one moderately successful grow under my belt, utilizing the same equipment and philosophy though. The logic behind the decision to add a second tent fitted with an LED is beyond me, other than straight up impulse I can't justify it. However the learning will prove invaluable so here goes. I'm actually having a much greater difficulty controlling temps in the LED tent because it's not air cooled and I'm relying on the HPS tent to draw in warm/humid and stagnant air. I should swap the fans orientation on the LED tent and just try to control that one on it's own, I imagine this would prove much easier. Currently I busted out the old 4" fan to push air into the LED tent as a quick ghetto attempt at cooling, and it does certainly help, but reversing it and treating that tent on it's own it would be better.

 

[LostInEthereal]

So I attended this "Interpening" course through the Trichome Institute in Denver tonight. I first heard about this place through a couple videos on YouTube (420ScienceClub, StrainCentral and another grow based [LED likely]), and was pretty intrigued. The idea behind it is Cannabis should be no different in regards to field experts like a wine sommelier or cheese monger. The course itself had some new and interesting information dotted with stuff I had heard and read already but some of the other attendees run the gamut from non-user and novice to veteran, so it was cool. Speaking on that note, some of other students were lawyers and medical professionals for the state (Colorado), entrepreneurs from South Africa poised to take advantage of legalization once it inevitably passes back in their home, and of course budtenders and the like to non-industry people like myself.

I did not get the full experience with the hand-on training and exam through level 2, but I will attend again probably in January and go through both course levels (there's also a 3rd and 4th level, but I don't think those are necessarily something that can be 'taught' in the same manor as it's just basically proficiency at that point). Anyway, just thought I'd share, I'll take some time (2 hours at this point) to sleep and process/remember more of it and peruse through the materials and my primitive notes and post a little more of my experience. In all I thought it was pretty cool and I like what Max is doing at the Trichome Institute. It's time for broad legalization and stringent legal standards that come with it, serving only to elevate the product and better serve the end customer. Definitely check it out if you have some extra cash to burn or are in the area and can swing a couple hundred bucks.

EDIT:

Sorry no updates. Due to being working and then out of town all afternoon I barely had time to hand-water a splash (hardly adequate) of feed on each plant. The Sour Boggle in the LED tent was massively wilted, I think she'll be fine but lesson learned! I have to get that Blumat pump system running else religiously hand-water for the next 6-8 weeks.

 

[MrTwist1]

I feel your pain having to hand water those 1 gallon pots of coco!! The high pressure Blumat system always worried me a bit... that's a lot of water! Anyway keep up the good work dude. peace

 

[LostInEthereal]

I feel your pain having to had water those 1 gallon pots of coco!! The high pressure Blumat system always worried me a bit... that's a lot of water! Anyway keep up the good work dude. peace

Yeah that's part of the reason I'm dragging my feet. I had a line pop off when I first turned it on, but I think that was actually due to the leak sprung and my panicked yanking to power down more than anything. There's also a cheap(er than water damage repair) option of a leak sensor for each tent that electronically cut's off the res from the pump. I don't recall the price but certainly cheaper than water damage repair, I also tried to mitigate this with only a 10 gallon reservoir.

---

I'll be back with an update today, everything is on day 21 or 12/12. I have also segregated the two tents, and now each tent is cooled and filtered for odor on their own. I was having much difficulty with temps and humidity pulling air through the 2x2 into the 4x4 and finally exhausting. The 4x4 air cooled HPS tent has great climate, 72/84 day/night and humidity ranging high 40s to low 60s. 2x2 was upwards of 92 degrees and sometimes mid/upper 70% RH! Just felt sticky and gross each time I opened it up.

 

[MrTwist1]

Yeah that's part of the reason I'm dragging my feet. I had a line pop off when I first turned it on, but I think that was actually due to the leak sprung and my panicked yanking to power down more than anything. There's also a cheap(er than water damage repair) option of a leak sensor for each tent that electronically cut's off the res from the pump. I don't recall the price but certainly cheaper than water damage repair, I also tried to mitigate this with only a 10 gallon reservoir.

---

I'll be back with an update today, everything is on day 21 or 12/12. I have also segregated the two tents, and now each tent is cooled and filtered for odor on their own. I was having much difficulty with temps and humidity pulling air through the 2x2 into the 4x4 and finally exhausting. The 4x4 air cooled HPS tent has great climate, 72/84 day/night and humidity ranging high 40s to low 60s. 2x2 was upwards of 92 degrees and sometimes mid/upper 70% RH! Just felt sticky and gross each time I opened it up.

So you're using a Res with the gravity system and then filling it automatically with the pump? Sorry i got confused lol

 

[LostInEthereal]

So you're using a Res with the gravity system and then filling it automatically with the pump? Sorry i got confused lol

No no, not at all. I'm just hand-watering until I get the blumat setup on a pressurized system. The blumat at gravity pressure gain I think 1.44 lb of pressure per foot of elevation, so the higher the elevation the higher the constant pressure. Say you're at 10ft at the height of the water/nutrient solution in the reservoir to the elevation of the blumats, that's 14.4 PSI on the feed line. The pressure reducer is designed to limit the maximum pressure to 15 PSI, so it can be used in conjunction with a standard faucet indoor or out and work just fine. The pump and accumulator are meant to pressurize the blumat feed line to 15 PSI from the reservoir, so the blumats aren't subject to pressure variations and are less likely to run-off. At 15 PSI my adjustment on the knob is significantly higher (tighter) than at say ~3 PSI from a couple foot elevation from gravity. This makes the blumats more responsive and less likely to run-off with variations in fill in the reservoir. This also allows me to use several drip emitters per pot for a more uniform moisture gradient.

Although what you mentioned several other users do. A constant large reservoir pumping on a cycle or from a float valve in to secondary higher reservoir.

 

[MrTwist1]

No no, not at all. I'm just hand-watering until I get the blumat setup on a pressurized system. The blumat at gravity pressure gain I think 1.44 lb of pressure per foot of elevation, so the higher the elevation the higher the constant pressure. Say you're at 10ft at the height of the water/nutrient solution in the reservoir to the elevation of the blumats, that's 14.4 PSI on the feed line. The pressure reducer is designed to limit the maximum pressure to 15 PSI, so it can be used in conjunction with a standard faucet indoor or out and work just fine. The pump and accumulator are meant to pressurize the blumat feed line to 15 PSI from the reservoir, so the blumats aren't subject to pressure variations and are less likely to run-off. At 15 PSI my adjustment on the knob is significantly higher (tighter) than at say ~3 PSI from a couple foot elevation from gravity. This makes the blumats more responsive and less likely to run-off with variations in fill in the reservoir. This also allows me to use several drip emitters per pot for a more uniform moisture gradient.

Although what you mentioned several other users do. A constant large reservoir pumping on a cycle or from a float valve in to secondary higher reservoir.

Ah Ok I get it now. Thanks for explaining. It sounds like a good system. So far I haven't had too many problems with the Blumats although I keep my reservoirs very small. I have had runaways, but I feel like I couldn't live without the system now. My next grow I will build something more advanced for refilling the res automatically like u describe.

 

[LostInEthereal]

Ah Ok I get it now. Thanks for explaining. It sounds like a good system. So far I haven't had too many problems with the Blumats although I keep my reservoirs very small. I have had runaways, but I feel like I couldn't live without the system now. My next grow I will build something more advanced for refilling the res automatically like u describe.

Yeah brother, I can't stand hand-watering vs the automation of the Blumats. And not only that, knowing that the plants have the ideal moisture content vs what they they get when I'm able. Head over to IC and check out the Blumat topic for inspiration if you want. Plenty of cool dual pumped reservoirs and a lot of people transitioning to the pressurized system it seems. Even for my small scale grow it seemed like a no-brainer. And thanks for stopping in man, I like having some visitors and feedback, much appreciated!

 

[MrTwist1]

Yeah brother, I can't stand hand-watering vs the automation of the Blumats. And not only that, knowing that the plants have the ideal moisture content vs what they they get when I'm able. Head over to IC and check out the Blumat topic for inspiration if you want. Plenty of cool dual pumped reservoirs and a lot of people transitioning to the pressurized system it seems. Even for my small scale grow it seemed like a no-brainer. And thanks for stopping in man, I like having some visitors and feedback, much appreciated!

Oh sweet I'll go check it out! I actually used to hang at IC a few years back before I got into the COB LED lights. Yeah I'm always looking for ways to make the system better. In the future (new project) I intend to grow in 4x4 hydro trays that can hold a ton of runoff water. I think the deeper 4x4 tray hold like 50 gallons or so. That will help me sleep easy lol

 

[LostInEthereal]

Both tents on. The COB tent is barely filled out and the HPS tent is sparse and uneven in places. That's alright for this grow, I was more concerned with getting settled and flipping the girls and getting a decent harvest ASAP. Next time (new seeds dropped in coco after 24 hour soak yesterday at this time) I'll veg longer and attempt to scrog both tents.



A few random bud shots. Critical Sensi Star, Des*Ta Bx1, Kosher Tangie, finally Sour Boggle.

I knocked up all plants a few days ago, attempted at least with online purchased pollen. I was overly cautious and watered everything down about 3 hours later, and going on ~48 hour later I don't notice a single obviously recessed/withered pistil indicting some kind of pollination. I was hoping for a few pollen chucked seeds at least, if not I have a giant tupperware full purchased seeds to go through. Still kind of a bummer, at least the extra time and tedium put into the process.

 

[LostInEthereal]

I never posted this to me thread. The next batch. In House Genetics Tahoe Star, Cannarado 20k Jack, Cool Creek Genetics GSC (Forum Cut) S1. All feminized, 2 of them were cracked with tap root after 24hrs. Should finish sprouting next couple of days and it's off to veg tent under ~96w of T5 at 20/4.

 

[LostInEthereal]

View attachment 3795684

I never posted this to me thread. The next batch. In House Genetics Tahoe Star, Cannarado 20k Jack, Cool Creek Genetics GSC (Forum Cut) S1. All feminized, 2 of them were cracked with tap root after 24hrs. Should finish sprouting next couple of days and it's off to veg tent under ~96w of T5 at 20/4.

All 3 seedlings were above ground today when I arrived home from work. On a less positive note for this update, I saw a dried up male flower in one of the Critical Sensi Star sitting atop the coco when watering. I gave her and the rest of the gals a good once over the best I could without removing from tent. I found a small second male flower on a low barren node intersection well beneath the canopy and plucked it on that same CSS. Hopefully it's not something prolific. Those plants actually look really frosty, healthy and smell funky/fruity, so I would like to take them to full harvest.