My First Hempy Bucket Grow

if cfls more than one and keep 4 inches away or make sure no heat comes off the to the plants,closer the lights faster the growth.

Well No New Sprouts today, so I am still sitting at only 50% germination rate (not great for my first time).. I am gonna keep em in the propagator for a while longer and see if they pull through.

Other than that, I needed to me the 3 that made it out of the propagator cause they were getting ready to outgrow it, so I fashioned together a makeshift box and hung one of the CFLs in there just to give them some room to move.

When I lifted up the cups to separate them, one of the sprouts had a 1/2" tap root coming out the bottom of the cup and into the moist perlite bed. After cutting the cups apart, I set this one to the side while I prepped the new area, and when I turn around, she had tipped over and hit the wall, completely bending in half (see pic) You can imagine my disappointment! I figured her for a goner and then decided to make up some solo hempy cups that I can use to hold each rooting cup, and keep them from falling over, plus the perlite bed will be just how they left the propagator. Even after rubbing her little root all over perlite beds and bending in half, she had turned up to the light, and grew another 1/2" or so, and also showing her first True Leaf Set along with the others.

I went ahead and gave them a little mist with some PH adjusted water

So to Wrap up this morning -> I have a Gimp, a 1 Armed bandit, and a Regular Joe... Not a great start to this grow.

My temps are a little high in the veg box I made, so I am keeping it open as much as possible. The CFL was putting off some heat, so I have it about 8" above them at this point, and will dial everything in next Wed., when the new tent gets here, and I can get it properly ventilated.

Those plants were hurting for light from the get go. I would get the light a little closer.

Gyroscope said:

Those plants were hurting for light from the get go. I would get the light a little closer.

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Yea, I moved the light much closer yesterday morning so its now about 4", and the first set of Real Leaves are forming nicely. I also added a little bit of air flow to help start strengthening.

We were talking about vermiculite the other day I and was going to give you the other reasons I stopped using it. I have read that depending on where it is mined it can have asbestos in it. Also some of it can cause the ph to drift. I have read this more than once and decided to quit using it. I love the way perlite drains, but it does hold some moisture. The way hempies have the big reservoir, it is a perfect match.

You can germ seeds using the paper towel method and put them straight into mini hempies without any cubes or plugs. The thing is you have to be careful when watering them the first week or so. It is best to use a trigger type sprayer so you don't disturb them. If you have a lot it is easier to buy a pump up sprayer set on the fine mist setting.

Glad to hear you moved that light closer. I think they do best when you have the light on before they pop so it is there as soon as they come up. Also I think they stay stockier when given light 24/0. Good luck.

Gyroscope said:

We were talking about vermiculite the other day I and was going to give you the other reasons I stopped using it. I have read that depending on where it is mined it can have asbestos in it. Also some of it can cause the ph to drift. I have read this more than once and decided to quit using it. I love the way perlite drains, but it does hold some moisture. The way hempies have the big reservoir, it is a perfect match.

You can germ seeds using the paper towel method and put them straight into mini hempies without any cubes or plugs. The thing is you have to be careful when watering them the first week or so. It is best to use a trigger type sprayer so you don't disturb them. If you have a lot it is easier to buy a pump up sprayer set on the fine mist setting.

Glad to hear you moved that light closer. I think they do best when you have the light on before they pop so it is there as soon as they come up. Also I think they stay stockier when given light 24/0. Good luck.

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You know, I think I read something like that also,, Not sure if it was Vermiculite or Perlite.. But I live in California, and if you even speak the word Asbestos, you will be drug through the streets, tarred and feathered, so I would imagine its fairly safe stuff to use . I am going to see how the little hempy's do with the vermiculite, and decide whether to use it in the 3 gallons when the time comes. Probably wont need it when the plants are bigger, although I hear it helps cut down watering frequency.

Okay I guess its time for a bit of an update.

The Gimp was getting Top Heavy, so I carefully remove her from the cup and she had a bunch roots poking out of the plug. I went ahead and transplanted into the Hempy Cup, then went ahead and transplanted the other two. Other than the Two being a bit top heavy, it looks like the second set of True Leaves are just starting to take shape. I have stopped watering them, cause I think I was overdoing it, and I need to let mix start to dry up a bit.

Updated Pics Attached.

New Veg/Clone tent is supposed to arrive today, so I am excited about that -- I really want to get that set up, so I can give my seedlings more light. Right now the light is keeping the Box Temps about 81 degrees. With the tent and proper ventilation, I should be able to set up all 4 CFLs and keep the temps in check.

I also contacted Attitude Seeds about the 3 out of 5 Northern Lights x Big Bud seeds that I was unhappy/not satisfied with. I was careful not to mention anything about germination or planting, cause we all know what the scoop is,, And I got a reply the next morning. I was reminded about their Seeds are only for Souvenir or Storage purposes, then was told they would contact the Breeder on my behalf. Since I need to order more seeds soon, I just let them know, if we could get a resolution to this, then they could simply add the replacement seeds to my next order and they wont need to waste the Shipping cost, or just give me a credit on my next order and we can call it a day. So I will be curious to see what happens with this.

Sounds like you've had some minor trauma recently. I wish I'd seen your bending and stretching issue a couple of days ago, I would have had some recommendations. But it looks like your on the right track, and when growing we have to deal with the conditions we have at the time, and conditions will get better with the arrival of the tent.

Now I'm going to offer an idea on helping out your Gimp, and you can take it or leave it but I've done and am currently doing this. At this seedling stage you can bury the stem right up to the bottom of the baby leaves, and this stem will grow roots without any hormone or any help. I see you have buried some of the stem in perlite this works the same but only below the light level, soil or promix is better for this because of no light penetration.

So here's my advice, take some good soil and top the hempy cup to the top, don't try to remove it later, let it be part of the next transplant. You will be amazed at the amount of fine root growth that will occur during the next 2 weeks in the soil. It will be the most stable section during your next move into the big bucket.

WattSaver said:

Sounds like you've had some minor trauma recently. I wish I'd seen your bending and stretching issue a couple of days ago, I would have had some recommendations. But it looks like your on the right track, and when growing we have to deal with the conditions we have at the time, and conditions will get better with the arrival of the tent.

Now I'm going to offer an idea on helping out your Gimp, and you can take it or leave it but I've done and am currently doing this. At this seedling stage you can bury the stem right up to the bottom of the baby leaves, and this stem will grow roots without any hormone or any help. I see you have buried some of the stem in perlite this works the same but only below the light level, soil or promix is better for this because of no light penetration.

So here's my advice, take some good soil and top the hempy cup to the top, don't try to remove it later, let it be part of the next transplant. You will be amazed at the amount of fine root growth that will occur during the next 2 weeks in the soil. It will be the most stable section during your next move into the big bucket.

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That is interesting advice, and sounds reasonable! Yes, I did try to bury the bend a bit in the perlite to stabilize the bend and keep it from continual trauma, but I may have to grab a little soils and bury it a little more

Thanks for Chiming in on this one, REP!!

Last Friday I decided to throw my Freebee Auto Northern Lights Blue into a Rooter cause I was bored. I had not planned on growing it, cause its an Auto, but I have never done one before and thought I would give it a shot.

She started to bust through yesterday afternoon, so I immediately put her directly under a CFL and will see her progress in about 20min when lights come on.

My tent did arrive yesterday and Its a good fit for my room. I have everyone move in with (3) 23watt CFLs running now. I still have to put the 4th one in, and am wondering how much wattage I should have on them

Oh and whats up with the Email notifications for Rollitup? I am getting notifications for this thread from a week ago, but nothing new.

Here is a Pic of the Auto Northern Lights Blue this morning. Much more compact with a bigger light source provided as soon as it busted through.

The others are just starting to grow show their second set of TRUE leaves. I am wondering when I should start nutes ??

The sprouts you have in the mini hempys, need to get food now, there are no nutes in the perlite. Feed at 25% or less. Once you get 4 sets of leaves you can feed them like real plants.

Yea, I had heard they don't need nutes for at least the first couple of weeks, then they don't needs nutes until the second set of True Leaves come in, so I am a bit confused as to when to actually start.

I did not water them for the last couple of days in order to let the medium dry up a little and get the roots on the move. I think I was keeping them a little too wet

I need to check the little reservoir and I guess I will go ahead and start a light feeding. I am going to just use GH Lucas mix for CFL.

I just checked the Little Hempy's and they were pretty dry , so I mixed up a Gallon of 1/4 Strength and each hempy took 120ml until the water started coming out of the overflow.

My current grow should be finishing up in another 2 weeks

Sounds good Rusty, keep em' growin'. 1 comment on watering, try to get at least 20% run off, in most cases the static pressure in the bucket/cup before it releases will equal this %. But if it looks light,,,, pour a little more through. And the best way to check hempy water is by lifting.

All is good today, so I took some pics.

The gimp no longer needs her support. Her stem is straightening out and getting strong enough to hold herself up (go figure, I was going to dump her after the accident)

Even the new girl is looking good.

I did happen to notice some very slight possible damage on one of the Fruity Chronic Juice leaves, but is soooo small, i cant get a picture of it.

I agree with watts that you need a little fertilizer right away when using perlite/verm.

Also I am curious as to what you said to Attitude, if it was not in regards to germination ? Good luck with them. I hope they give you more.

I did not water them today, even though the res is dry already, but the vermiculite/perlite seems to be still a bit damp, so I am letting them dry up a bit and will water again tomorrow morning.

The Auto just got some more water today, I lifted her up but saw no roots out the bottom of the cup yet, but she looks great up top.. I will probably transplant in another day or so, then begin nutes with her.

Regarding Attitude, I just basically told them that I Thank you for filling my order, but I am unhappy/unsatisfied with 3 of my 5 NLxBB seeds and would like to see what we can do about either a Credit on my Next order or a Replacement included in my next order. I would like it included in my next order so they will be included in my delivery costs, and they would not have to waste money on delivery. Win, Win as far as I can see. Unfortunately I have not heard back from them yet, so I thought about checking in with them on Monday, and either place an order soon, or wait for the Beginning of the Month SPECIAL!!

Everyone looks good today. The gimp is outshining all of the others. Apparently if you want a strong plant, bend it in half

I fed them this morning and allowed a bit of runoff out the hole.. I used the 1/4 strength I mixed up a couple of days ago, and will dump it after today. I dont know how long the stuff can sit, so best to mix fresh.

I also transplanted the Auto. She had quite a bit of roots poking out the cube, so into her hempy she went, along with a feeding.

I don't really like the CFL's I am using cause they are kind of a Pain in the Ass and In-The-Way, so I am looking into a small hood that will hold a 200w CFL that they can all hang out under, and I will position the CFL's I have now along the sides.

Pics from this morning. See the First Pic -> You will be able to see the little bit of damage on her leaf. I checked with a microscope and its a rusty brown color. I am thinking she may have gotten a little Calcium Deficiency waiting to be fed for the first time, but I dont know