Side Bud

[Xs121]

I'm trying to research this part of the flower but there's not much info out there in regards to how to grow better side buds.

I have no problem with the top buds (those at the apical shoot of the branch), my plants are healthy, short internodes, and the top nugs are tight, fat and dense.

But my side buds, 3 or 4 nodes below, are not developing or not growing as robust as my top nugs. They look healthy just not budding up as to my expectation. I'm into 6 weeks of 12/12 and from the look of it, my side buds are not gonna fill up the cola even though I have very short internodes (about an inch).

This is my second grow of the same strain (bagseed) and like the last time, the side buds are pathetic. I thought it was my internodes being longer at that time.

I dont think light is the issue, nugs below it from the shoot of other branch are fat and dense. Its just the side nugs that I cant figure it out.

So, any experienced grower would be kind enough to share your technique/theory/opinion in growing better side buds...would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[chemphlegm]

what is your light source?

 

[Xs121]

1000 watts equivalent LED with 400 true watts at 12 inches above the tallest cola.

Only 2 compact plants that covers about 3 square feet (4 sq ft to make it even). I figured 100 true watts per sq ft or 250 watts led per sq ft is more than sufficient to provide the light they need.

 

[Xs121]

Pics

Bottom left corner, you can see the top nug of a lower branch and it is big and dense, so the light is doing its job. The cola in the middle and and the background cola at the right side of the pic has big top nugs but their side buds are looking pathetic.

6th weeks of 12/12 and the side buds are not bulking up

 

[Dudemankidson]

I'm no expert but I feel like all of those buds look lacking. Could it be the led? I feel like they should be filled out more.

 

[Dudemankidson]

As a reference my profile pic is 35 days into flower.

 

[Xs121]

I'm no expert but I feel like all of those buds look lacking. Could it be the led? I feel like they should be filled out more.

Agree lol

Its just the top nugs that's doing well, the rest....I dont know. Could be the shitty genetics? Any opinion why it's like that or is there anything I could do to avoid the same mistake in the future grow? In the veg stage or flowering stage?

Btw, nice looking plants.

 

[Bareback]

Pics

Bottom left corner, you can see the top nug of a lower branch and it is big and dense, so the light is doing its job. The cola in the middle and and the background cola at the right side of the pic has big top nugs but their side buds are looking pathetic.

6th weeks of 12/12 and the side buds are not bulking up

I agree with the other post , your light is lacking .

Couple of things to try next time.
Side lighting
Topping , for even canopy , think scrog

 

[Dudemankidson]

Thanks man. I feel like although your tops don't neccisarily look bad, you'd be shocked at how much better they'd look grown under an HID. If you want a better result, I'd recommend upgrading to a 600w HID. My plants are under 1000w HID on a mover. They look healthy aside from them not being filled out. What brand LED are you using?

 

[Xs121]

I agree with the other post , your light is lacking .

Couple of things to try next time.
Side lighting
Topping , for even canopy , think scrog

I would like to try scrog that is if I have a better grow room, as it is, I'm stuck with 2x4 closet for now.

As to light is lacking, what would you guys suggest? Should I lower the light more for now? The manufacturer suggestion was 18-24 above the canopy.

I'll take a look at side lighting in the next run. I'm keeping my eye on my wattage usage, don't want to make the electric company wonder why my usage is high. lol

 

[Xs121]

Thanks man. I feel like although your tops don't neccisarily look bad, you'd be shocked at how much better they'd look grown under an HID. If you want a better result, I'd recommend upgrading to a 600w HID. My plants are under 1000w HID on a mover. They look healthy aside from them not being filled out. What brand LED are you using?

It's a no name brand, it's one of those Chinese products with 5 watts epistar led. 12 band (or was that 8, cant remember to be honest). I figured its better compared to the other chinese led out there that says 1000 watts equivalent and only draw 200 true watts. This one draws 400 watts, so it should be more brighter.

 

[Xs121]

Topping , for even canopy

Can you elaborate on this? You mean top/prune all those tall branches in the veg stage so that everything has even canopy?

Thanks

 

[Bareback]

I would like to try scrog that is if I have a better grow room, as it is, I'm stuck with 2x4 closet for now.

As to light is lacking, what would you guys suggest? Should I lower the light more for now? The manufacturer suggestion was 18-24 above the canopy.

I'll take a look at side lighting in the next run. I'm keeping my eye on my wattage usage, don't want to make the electric company wonder why my usage is high. lol

You should run this plant out to the finish , you could add a few CFLs , you could add a t5 vertically. Be careful
Lowering your light bc you might bleach your colas.

On your next grow

While you're still in veg , top it twice , and tie back . That way you get the effect of a scrog , but you actually have a net . And then the light you have will do a little better. But if you don't top it will continue to have a large single cola .

Can you elaborate on this? You mean top/prune all those tall branches in the veg stage so that everything has even canopy?

Thanks

Yes

It's all about the auxins , the plant knows what is the tallest point ,

 

[Xs121]

It's all about the auxins , the plant knows what is the tallest point ,

That make sense.

How about during the stretch period? The canopy were pretty much even before the flip but during the stretch period a few of these branches stretched out above the rest of the canopy. Would it be wise to cut them off after the stretch?

 

[Dudemankidson]

I'd say not to cut anything off more than a week after you've flipped your lights. If you have a shoot that's out growing another during your transitional period I'd suggest attempting to supercrop.

 

[Bareback]

That make sense.

How about during the stretch period? The canopy were pretty much even before the flip but during the stretch period a few of these branches stretched out above the rest of the canopy. Would it be wise to cut them off after the stretch?

No

If you were using CFLs to veg you could shorten the node spacing,then change to the cheap led after stretch.

I recommend using multiple CFLs in y-spliters.

For veg ( per plant ) 3 6500k and 1 2700k

For flower 3 2700k and 1 6500k

If your doing just two plants then a total of 6 bulbs with the odd spectrum in the middle.

This would be minimal , more would be better . But my point is to show mixed spectrum.

And then add the led after stretch.

 

[Xs121]

I'd say not to cut anything off more than a week after you've flipped your lights. If you have a shoot that's out growing another during your transitional period I'd suggest attempting to supercrop.

Good point. I didnt think of that, I thought it would be fine just to leave them alone. Oh well, another mistake learned.

 

[Xs121]

No

If you were using CFLs to veg you could shorten the node spacing,then change to the cheap led after stretch.

I recommend using multiple CFLs in y-spliters.

For veg ( per plant ) 3 6500k and 1 2700k

For flower 3 2700k and 1 6500k

If your doing just two plants then a total of 6 bulbs with the odd spectrum in the middle.

This would be minimal , more would be better . But my point is to show mixed spectrum.

And then add the led after stretch.

Dont mean to be a nag but what wattage are those cfl? Thanks

 

[Bareback]

Good point. I didnt think of that, I thought it would be fine just to leave them alone. Oh well, another mistake learned.

So you need to have a grow plan before you start. Based on the limits of your situation, try to be proactive and not reactive . Don't change course mid grow unless you absolutely have to.

Good luck and happy growing

 

[Bareback]

Dont mean to be a nag but what wattage are those cfl? Thanks

I was referring to 23w

But the more the merrier , heat is a major concern.