Roto-Grow Journal

aficionado

Active Member
Notes:
Week 8 - beginning of Week 6 in flowering (May 14 - May 21) notes

Preparation:
I have prepared the following nutrient solution for Week 8 -
750 ml of Aqua Flakes A
750 ml of Aqua Flakes B
350 ml Bud Xl
225 ml of H2O2 (29% strength)
40ml of Drip Clean
4 sachets Shooting Powder

Ph: 5.8; DO: 8.9; Temp: 74 degrees; RH: 50%; PPM: 1040

Light cycle - 12/12, water cycle 1.2hrs, every 12 hours (-1 hour shift from light cycle)

Notes:
Trichome development substantially increased over last week, with most plants showing high concentrations near the cola and extending completely to the secondary fan leaves. Initial swelling of the calyxes along with the small areas of coloring was observed (with strains that contain that phenotype). Notable leaf dropping at lower internodes continue as the plant begins its final life cycle phase. Anticipating 2-3 weeks remaining before harvest.

Avg height - 13"
Avg width - 10"

Spider mite infestation has resurged, requiring a complete removal of of the trays and a thorough application of Azatrol. Removed dropped leaf pairs to allow better air flow to the inner branches and buds. No indication of molds or mildew were present. Continuing with active moisture removal from grow area to sustain low relative humidity.

Observation under microscope confirm healthy elongation of the trichome cuticle and engorged disc cell walls. Coloration remains predominately clear with sporadic opaque samples.

Substantial oil production was observed with most specimens, with notable airborne particles present in the immediate grow area and distinct aroma.

Increased H2O2 to 225 ml to promote higher DO levels within the reservoir. The water level in the reservoir dropped to with 10% of capacity on the last day of the weekly cycle. Possible < week water changes may be required if trend continues.

PPM readings remain within 10% of original value throughout the week, indicating that water evaporation is not substantially altering concentration of ions from the nutrient salts in the reservoir. Also providing a strong indication that plant absorption of reservoir mix is increasing. No fresh water was added as dilution was not required.
 

aficionado

Active Member
I have a question to the group: Anybody experienced in using House and Garden for hydro have a comment or opinion regarding what is typically referred to as a flushing period? The Drip Clean additive I use on a weekly basis is designed to bind to active salts (leftover), which is the premise and rationale for the need to flush the plant. My planned regiment calls for essentially repeating the last regiment for the next couple weeks w/o anything additional. Any real world experience would be great - would hate to make a decision purely on the science on what I believe "should" occur and end up ruining the final product.

Thanks!
 

aficionado

Active Member
Mini update -

The Shooting Powder enzyme mix is severely alkaline. I have had to do rather large adjustments to pH the last couple days. I took a measurement earlier and it was at 7.2 and the daily feeding had already been completed! Ack! I wish my testing was finished on the auto-pH adjuster I built - it could really come in handy about now.
 

kpw555

Well-Known Member
I have a question to the group: Anybody experienced in using House and Garden for hydro have a comment or opinion regarding what is typically referred to as a flushing period?
I have tried flush and no flush grows and honestly I can tell no difference in the finished product. Now I will be flamed by a thousand guys that swear they can taste hydro chemicals, I do not. It seems that the same minerals and whatnot that the nutes provide is what the plant takes out of the ground if that is where it grows.

Mmm... tasty!
Truly tasty looking nug.:joint:

I wish my testing was finished on the auto-pH adjuster I built - it could really come in handy about now.
I would like to see your work on Ph adjustment, as I am working on automating my place as well.

Currently working on ducting system using BASIC stamp, where scrubbed light cooling air is ducted outside if outside temp is over 70, or into my furnace return plenum if under 70. A really big energy saver.:mrgreen:

That project will be finished in a few weeks and then the Ph adjustment will be next.

I already have a nice probe to use and the circuits are not very difficult, however metering pumps are very expensive :-?.
 

aficionado

Active Member
I will open another thread regarding how I built the auto-pH. In essence I took a programmable power switch and controller and added a pH probe. I then programmed the circuit to activate power to a aqua-lifter pump attached to a container of diluted reagent (pH Down) when the pH reading on the probe drops below a certain threshold. The programming logic then enforces a cool down period to allow equilibrium, then it re-enables the probe. It will keep doing this until the reservoir is within programmed target range. I could also add another aqua-lifter pump with pH Up to raise the pH and run them in tandem, although I don't seem to have a need to raise the pH. The use of the aqualifter is not precise as a metering pump (although I do have a couple of those), but it is much cheaper and as long as the pH is slowly adjusted using a diluted reagent, I think it will work.

I will also replace my recirculating pump with two pumps (SEIO powerheads) attached to the circuit, programmed to alternate every couple mins - each pointed in the opposite direction to suspend the nutrient particles that would otherwise settle to the bottom. Yeah, probably all overkill, but I do it because I can - and its cool in a geeky sort of way. Just add water - and presto! InstaWeed! :D
 

aficionado

Active Member
Mmm... tasty!
In full disclosure - that is not a bud from anything growing in this journal. I found it on the ground lying there with the trimmed leaves. Likely came from a small soil grow I just completed (testing out a new organic soil mix). Ground nugs are the best! If you want to see some stuff that will really knock your socks off, I might be persuaded to take some shots of my personal faves. Truly a work of art if I do say so myself.
 

WeSmkDro

Well-Known Member
Affic do you have any literature you would recommend? I just read greg greens cannabis grow bible. Time for the next one : D
 

aficionado

Active Member
Affic do you have any literature you would recommend? I just read greg greens cannabis grow bible. Time for the next one : D
Well lets see... I like Green's book, but found it rather simplistic and although I think he has some great advice, it was more practical application than educational. I really enjoyed Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible by Jorge Cervantes. Very informative and lots of detail. Read it, then read it again! I also would recommend Grow Great Marijuana by Logan Edwards - great book and a good source of reference to reinforce some common ideas.

I also would recommend the entire volume set of the Big Book of Buds by Ed Rosenthal for some eye candy and some great info on strain phenotypes and growing conditions. I use the latter more for identification and strain reference than a book to read from cover to cover. Oh, and one of personal faves for weed porn - The Cannabible set by Jason King for more of a connoisseur's perspective on various strains and their uses.

I read all of those, and lots more before even picking up my first clone. This is of course in addition to anything that would lay a good foundation for plant biology, cellular makeup, lifecycles, etc.
 

WeSmkDro

Well-Known Member
Just downloaded Jorge cervantes book. Sorry jorge ...

is biology the same with all? All plants dont go by photoperiod right? im going to check out ALL of these books you recommended. Thank you!

Dro
 

aficionado

Active Member
Just downloaded Jorge cervantes book. Sorry jorge ...

is biology the same with all? All plants dont go by photoperiod right? im going to check out ALL of these books you recommended. Thank you!

Dro
Oh absolutely not the same. Sure they are related, but strains have very different heritages, indigenous growing conditions, reactions to certain stimuli, etc. The fun part is learning as much as you can and then attempting to unlock her secrets to grow the best MJ you can. That my friend is the art and passion for the grow. I know most folks just want to skip to the end and see how much this weighs, and thats perfectly ok, just not my personal style. I love the grow and am always learning and improving on new techniques and testing old ideas.
 

WeSmkDro

Well-Known Member
Oh absolutely not the same. Sure they are related, but strains have very different heritages, indigenous growing conditions, reactions to certain stimuli, etc. The fun part is learning as much as you can and then attempting to unlock her secrets to grow the best MJ you can. That my friend is the art and passion for the grow. I know most folks just want to skip to the end and see how much this weighs, and thats perfectly ok, just not my personal style. I love the grow and am always learning and improving on new techniques and testing old ideas.
thats awsome though! thats what i want! i want to know about the plant im growing. I want to know EVERYTHING about the plant im growing. I dont just like bud either ... i like all plants. Its kinda weird. I never knew what i wanted to do with myself but my whole life ive loved planting stuff and growing anything i could. As a kid i asked my mom if i could start a flower garden and went and got the seeds and all and grew em. As gay as it sounds ... i think my future is in plants and i wanna find out how i can make the most out of that future! Thanks again afic!

Dro
 

isthislegal

Well-Known Member
Man your journal is wonderful...very detailed...I appreciate and respect the time you took to put this together, because you surely didn't have to. Looking good and thanks again.:eyesmoke::eyesmoke::eyesmoke::eyesmoke:
 

aficionado

Active Member
This just finished curing from my last organic grow. This bud was the top of a side branch off the center stalk. She had about 4 of these and a center cola that was a couple inches longer, along with some nice little gems down below.


I am fine tuning a custom organic soil blend and this came from my last test. I think I just about got it... ;)


Wow, this stuff is strong. :eyesmoke: Took me 5 mins to attach these pics. HA!
 

Attachments

aficionado

Active Member
You likey? Me too! :D

I might be persuaded to start another thread detailing this blend - its not exactly where I want it, but as you can see, I think I am getting very close. A couple more rounds...
 
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