LED newbie cabinet grow w/ hydro

[luckyskindaguy]

I don't think it did any major damage and I acted pretty quickly. She should pull through just fine. It's still early in the grow too. Maybe if this happened at week 5 or 6 it would set back more.

I have never grow with HID, but I think the avg. LED doesn't penetrate as much into the buds. I never had any monster long buds, but then again I am not growing tall plants either. Last grow, Jade had a dense hard nug on top that was only a couple inches tall, but it was FAT! They will be smaller on average than HID i think, but like I stated, this grow could only use a low heat light source. It is MUCH better than NO bud. My GF is quite happy with the quality. Clean taste, gray ash, and good high. She actually likes it better than buying because of pride that it was home grown! I don't smoke, so I can't say which is "better". I'm happy we have two different bagseed sources to work with.

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Here's a few more pics!

This one is the biggest of the 3 cameo plants. She is looking pretty tasty and the smells have begun!


Here is a close pic of the cameo in the front left of the cabinet:

You can see how tight these bud sites are in this one! I think I am going to be happy with this strain when she isn't stressed like she has been in the past.

Are there any angles you guys would like to see of any of the plants? Let me know

Once these things get to about 6 weeks I will start to use items in the pic for scale.

 

[luckyskindaguy]

So I have been monitoring the ph, for the last week or so, very carefully. What I am finding is that the ph is creeping up a little bit each day. Has anyone else had this issue with hydro?

There are a few ideas I have, but they are just educated guesses.
1) The Plant is using nutes and that causes the ph to rise normally (possible)
2) The older water that was absorbed into the hydroton is still at the higher ph (not as likely)
3) The plant is changing the ph in some other way as a byproduct of it's growth (unsure)
4) My ph meter is busted and I am going to give them all acid baths!!!! (pretty sure that isn't it)

LEt me know what you guys have come across or what your EDUCATED guesses might be. Feel free to add possibilities!

 

[MJ Crescendo]

I want to see the family setup! haha but I have never grown with hydro, but carefully considering your choices, I believe it has something to do with a byproduct. Something is producing hydroxide and that is raising the pH ever so slightly. I'm sure there is a slight buffer to it and that is why it is slight, but be careful. I think you'll be fine if you keep everything going smoothly and best of luck monitoring the pH. I am liking the bud site growth so far! Really crystallized and tight, looking forward to see them fill out.

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Week 4 Update:

Girls are doing well! Peachez is bouncing back from her curled leaves very well. I have been keeping a close eye on the ph and keeping it adjusted. I made an adjustment to the nutes last night. I downloaded the GH Flora Series simple recirculating feeding schedule from their website since they have a more detailed chart on there than on the jug of nutes. I started the feeding the on the aggressive bloom last night, so I hope to see an explosion of buds here in the next couple weeks. I don't have the Floralicious Plus nute, but I do have the other 4 in the series. I may go get it next grow.

http://www.generalhydroponics.com/genhydro_US/feeding_schedule.html?PHPSESSID=e4497c276a1341452dfbc92c8d5225a4


I also wanted to show the full setup I have. It isn't too fancy, just tried to apply siple priciples without spending TOO much money.


On the left we have my vegging area on the left with a shoplight hanging on the back level and 4 (100w equiv.) CFL bulbs on another fixture that I made from a 2x6 and basic bulb bases. I have both lights on their own chains hanging from the ceiling so they can be adusted independantly. On the right, That is what my Flowering cabinet looks like. I took an old TV console that someone was throwing away and mounted the top half of a china cabinet on top that I found for $20 at a thrift store. I use Sterlite tubs for my nute res. and you can see there is a gallon jug in the flowering water......I punched the drain hose from my ebb and flow through that and I fill it half way with the nute water. This ensures that I have a gravity feed to recirculate coming from the feeding level in the cabinet. The "proper" way is to install a fitting on the bottom of your res. and hook tubing to it, but I didn't want to run the risk of leaking with this thin plastic tub. If you have the real hydro plastic, which is much thicker, it will more rigid. Pretty simple setup overall I think!

Now to the plants....

Here are a couple pics of Cameo:



Here is a pic of the twin buds growing on the top of Jade:

If you recall, this was the only plant that I topped.


Let me know what you guys think!!

 

[jimbizzzale67123]

Looking nice and crystaly. Keep it up nice node spacing should produce some monster buds.

 

[falls]

I'm following along with this also, im just about to purchase an LED to grow in a 2x2 area. I'm glad to see you're in a bigger area with one so mine should do fine! keep the pics up im digggin

 

[crunkyeah]

Subscribed, nice to see someone having success with a lot wattage LED/CFL grow gives me hope for my new 100% LED grow. I see that UFO isn't penetrating too well. Might be beneficial to look into scrogging your next batch of clones. Keeps the canopy completely uniform and you won't lose any good buds to low light penetration. Those lower branches look really dark to be honest, maybe it's not this way in person. But that's just how it looks.

As for cutting off fan leaves, don't do it unless you HAVE to. Just move them or something. You shouldn't cut leaves off EVER. 'Cept when trimming Reason being the fan leaves are what makes the buds bigger. The buds will get bigger even if they're in the shade from the fan leaves. Light on the buds doesn't make them grow. It's the leaves that creates all the energy for the plant. Leaves are like little plant engines. Take them away and the buds won't flourish like they normally would. There isn't any photosynthetic chemicals in the buds from what I've heard. So it doesn't matter if they're partly shaded from the fan leaves.

A question I have for you, before adding those CFLs what kind of ambient temperature increase did you notice from the UFO?

Having all that said, you've definitely raised a good batch of ladies Hats off to you sir! I will definitely be keeping tabs on this grow.

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Subscribed, nice to see someone having success with a lot wattage LED/CFL grow gives me hope for my new 100% LED grow. I see that UFO isn't penetrating too well. Might be beneficial to look into scrogging your next batch of clones. Keeps the canopy completely uniform and you won't lose any good buds to low light penetration. Those lower branches look really dark to be honest, maybe it's not this way in person. But that's just how it looks.

As for cutting off fan leaves, don't do it unless you HAVE to. Just move them or something. You shouldn't cut leaves off EVER. 'Cept when trimming Reason being the fan leaves are what makes the buds bigger. The buds will get bigger even if they're in the shade from the fan leaves. Light on the buds doesn't make them grow. It's the leaves that creates all the energy for the plant. Leaves are like little plant engines. Take them away and the buds won't flourish like they normally would. There isn't any photosynthetic chemicals in the buds from what I've heard. So it doesn't matter if they're partly shaded from the fan leaves.

A question I have for you, before adding those CFLs what kind of ambient temperature increase did you notice from the UFO?

Having all that said, you've definitely raised a good batch of ladies Hats off to you sir! I will definitely be keeping tabs on this grow.

Thanks for stopping in!

The temp usually was about 78-80 when I had just the LED. I haven't seen much change in temp since adding the CFL's. I peak out at 82 now. As far as trimming, I do that mostly for airflow, but also so I can view the plant better. I only trim 5-6 leaves at a time and the buds actually seem to flourish a day after I do it. As you can see there are still plenty of leaves on these plants.

As far as being dark on bottom, the lighting is not as good when I have the cabinet open. I have the veg lights right behind and not sure how that might have effected the picture, but the doors have reflective material that helps bounce the light aroundwhen they are closed. I also have reflective panels under the plants to help bounce light back UP too!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[crunkyeah]

Sounds like you've got everything under control

One thing I might like to add, looking at your pictures from the most recent update is that your pump is working extra hard to defy gravity with the reservoir so far down from the cabinet itself. It looks like a pretty heavy duty pump but if it ever goes out you might be in trouble! If you could somehow raise the pump up to the bottom of the cupboard and maybe put something underneath the res with wheels then your pump wouldn't be working so hard to pump the water up to your ladies. It should increase the life of your pump a bit, but it's likely fine just the way it is. Just givin ya tips for optimization

Have you gave any thought on scrogging? Personally, I think it's the best way to go about using LEDs. Either scrog or sog. Just creates a nice even canopy and all of the light from your lights goes where you want it. Do you have a fan bringing air into the grow area? They really like fresh air so the more air you give them the better they will do.

Also, any plans to add more lighting in there? More light = more bud in the end

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Sounds like you've got everything under control

One thing I might like to add, looking at your pictures from the most recent update is that your pump is working extra hard to defy gravity with the reservoir so far down from the cabinet itself. It looks like a pretty heavy duty pump but if it ever goes out you might be in trouble! If you could somehow raise the pump up to the bottom of the cupboard and maybe put something underneath the res with wheels then your pump wouldn't be working so hard to pump the water up to your ladies. It should increase the life of your pump a bit, but it's likely fine just the way it is. Just givin ya tips for optimization

Have you gave any thought on scrogging? Personally, I think it's the best way to go about using LEDs. Either scrog or sog. Just creates a nice even canopy and all of the light from your lights goes where you want it. Do you have a fan bringing air into the grow area? They really like fresh air so the more air you give them the better they will do.

Also, any plans to add more lighting in there? More light = more bud in the end

Not gonna do any more light with this setup. Pump works perfectly and I check it 3 times a day to make sure the water is still being delivered. I have two fans setup in the cab. One for circulating, and one for forcing out. I have openings in the cab on the back that draws air in. It is not sealed. I have thought about scrogging, but am working on getting my feeding schedule and growing techniques down a little more before I try other stuff.

I'm not trying to grow tons of bud. Just trying to get enough to keep my gf happy. I realize everyone has their reasons for growing. This size seems to fit us pretty perfectly. It will be interesting to see if we start yielding "too much". May have to start giving some away, LOL.

 

[crunkyeah]

Ahh well you 2 must not need that much then. Which is perfectly ok. All I know is it's soo soo satisfying to smoke some homegrown herb that you put the time and dedication in and all the tender loving care.

Can never be 'too much' by the way haha. Just put it in the curing jars and it will get better with time Just curious what are the dimensions of that cab? I don't think it was mentioned before, if it was I missed it sorry! My reason for growing is to experiment with cooking to be perfectly honest. I don't care how much I yield as long as it's enough to make some cannabutter out of. Don't really wanna spend 350+ on a zip when I can grow it for practically free!

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Ahh well you 2 must not need that much then. Which is perfectly ok. All I know is it's soo soo satisfying to smoke some homegrown herb that you put the time and dedication in and all the tender loving care.

Can never be 'too much' by the way haha. Just put it in the curing jars and it will get better with time Just curious what are the dimensions of that cab? I don't think it was mentioned before, if it was I missed it sorry! My reason for growing is to experiment with cooking to be perfectly honest. I don't care how much I yield as long as it's enough to make some cannabutter out of. Don't really wanna spend 350+ on a zip when I can grow it for practically free!

Yeah, I don't smoke though and I don't want my gf smoking ALL the time. The cabinet is 22" front to back and about 40" wide. With the lights that are mounted, I only have about 32" from top of the rockwool to touching the light. My tallest plant is now 26" tall. I have 5 plants in there this time. Since I had nearly 2 ounces last grow with less than ideal conditions, I think I should get close to 3.5-4 this time. We shall see!

 

[crunkyeah]

Oh wow, I think you might be the first person I've ever met that doesn't use what he grows! I think that's very cool that you're doing this for your lady, that's very honorable to take care of her like that

I sure hope you get what you desire out of this little operation, I'm looking forward to your progress as well!

May your plants thrive and be pest free for all eternity

 

[luckyskindaguy]

I was looking at the feeding schedule again and decided I was going to try and grow to the FULLEST! I went to my local grow store and picked up some FloraNectar and FloraKleen. I added the Nectar to my res. when I got home. I intend to use the Kleen to help get salts off between Veg and Flower stages. I also plan to use it during the final flush stage prior to harvest.

The reason I got the Nectar is to get a sweeter taste for a more enjoyable smoke for my GF. She liked the idea!

I will keep you guys posted on the progress. Anyone ever use the FloraNectar before???

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Took some more pics today! They seem to be getting bigger each time I look in there!

Here is the top of Jade. The right side is growing a little faster than the left. Hopefully I get two nice buds here.


Here are some pics of Cameo:


Above shot of the plants in the front left of the cab.





Top shot of Cameo in the back right

 

[crunkyeah]

Wow lookin good!!! You look like you might be at or maybe even a little ahead of me in terms of how many weeks are left. How far along are these btw? Looks like the same stage in flowering as my ladies, cept you have more crystals! That's why I think you may be ahead Or it could be that I'm using bag seed genetics too. Either or man nice work!

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Wow lookin good!!! You look like you might be at or maybe even a little ahead of me in terms of how many weeks are left. How far along are these btw? Looks like the same stage in flowering as my ladies, cept you have more crystals! That's why I think you may be ahead Or it could be that I'm using bag seed genetics too. Either or man nice work!

All of mine are bagseed as well, one is just very crystally! I am at day 30 right now. I am planning on flowering for 70 days total, but will cut it short if the plants are done.

 

[crunkyeah]

Hahaha I just noticed the ironic part about this..We likely will be harvesting at the same time! I started mine 4/5 lol I am jealous, mine haven't crystallized up that much yet. Those are some pretty well taken care of ladies

 

[luckyskindaguy]

Hahaha I just noticed the ironic part about this..We likely will be harvesting at the same time! I started mine 4/5 lol I am jealous, mine haven't crystallized up that much yet. Those are some pretty well taken care of ladies

Cameo is the strain that is showing all those crystals. I have 3 plants of her in the cab now. The other two, though they have some crystals, don't have as much trich production. They still have plenty of potency though! It's mostly in the genetics, though I am glad I didn't burn Cameo this time because she is the best looking strain. She stays bushier and more bud sights too. Jade is in her last grow. I have no clones of her since she isn't what I am looking for in a plant. Peachez is postent, but if she has the challange of keeping her trained and not stretching. If the smoke is as good/better with Cameo than Peachez, I will most likely just keep the Cameo strain. If that happens, I might just sprout a few more seeds and see what else grows!