Should I remove these lower buds...

So this is my 3rd grow and the first one to not be a complete fuck up (please be nice ).

I'm 5 weeks into flowering using a 500w CFL and a LED side light. I've used Happy Frog for soil in a 3 gallon pot and followed the FF feeding schedule to the letter. She may not be much to you pros, but I am proud as hell.


Anyway, I have read that it's better to remove a lot of the lower bud sites as they never amount to much and take energy away from the main colas. As you can see, I topped her with some LSTing to maximize my light penetration. Looking at these photos, should I remove some of the lower sites to allow the tops to really take off?

Photo from above:

Photo from the front to get a size perspective:



I'd also like to know what you experts think about my first real grow. How I am doing? Is she looking good for her age and light source?


Thanks
RF

Randall Flagg said:

So this is my 3rd grow and the first one to not be a complete fuck up (please be nice ).

I'm 5 weeks into flowering using a 500w CFL and a LED side light. I've used Happy Frog for soil in a 3 gallon pot and followed the FF feeding schedule to the letter. She may not be much to you pros, but I am proud as hell.


Anyway, I have read that it's better to remove a lot of the lower bud sites as they never amount to much and take energy away from the main colas. As you can see, I topped her with some LSTing to maximize my light penetration. Looking at these photos, should I remove some of the lower sites to allow the tops to really take off?

Photo from above:

Photo from the front to get a size perspective:

I'd also like to know what you experts think about my first real grow. How I am doing? Is she looking good for her age and light source?


Thanks
RF

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Looking good man. Kinda small for 5 weeks flower but its a pretty plant. Shouldn't be no shame in your game.

I wpuld leave the bottoms alone unless you wanna VAPE them or something.

Just leave them alone. I keep them on the plants for butter and tinctures regardless.

id not bother removing anything now, i normally dont with mine anyway, but im sure ive read that if you do its better to do it in the first few weeks of flower, id imagine that its to save stressing in mid flower or something, and adding time

lol 500w cfl

Dont do it in flower

I'm no expert but @GrowUrOwnDank is (cough )looks good mate congrats and all the best

Plant is too small to be removing anything. It will all be good in the end. You won't get larf. Healthy looking plant. q

jb4TWENTY said:

lol 500w cfl

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I don't see the need for the snark. I'm an admitted new grower, so obviously I don't have a setup based on years of experience and acquisitions. Yes, I'm aware the CFL isn't actually 500W, it's 105W actual, but I assumed that the informed growers like you would read between the lines. I have 2 more bulbs I could add, but in my grow cabinet that would put temperatures well over 100. I already have a hard enough time keeping the temp good. So buying a HPS or HID isn't a solution either as temp would be even a bigger problem. And before I blow $350 on a decent LED setup for my grow size, I want to get a couple grows under my belt.

This is the newbie area, so maybe consider that before you laugh at someone who is humble enough to admit they don't have a clue and are trying to learn.

But thanks to everyone who was kind enough to respond to my post with more than a "lol".

Randall Flagg said:

I don't see the need for the snark. I'm an admitted new grower, so obviously I don't have a setup based on years of experience and acquisitions. Yes, I'm aware the CFL isn't actually 500W, it's 105W actual, but I assumed that the informed growers like you would read between the lines. I have 2 more bulbs I could add, but in my grow cabinet that would put temperatures well over 100. I already have a hard enough time keeping the temp good. So buying a HPS or HID isn't a solution either as temp would be even a bigger problem. And before I blow $350 on a decent LED setup for my grow size, I want to get a couple grows under my belt.

This is the newbie area, so maybe consider that before you laugh at someone who is humble enough to admit they don't have a clue and are trying to learn.

But thanks to everyone who was kind enough to respond to my post with more than a "lol".

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Yeah man don't worry about those guys. Everybody thinks their light is the best, their grow method is the best and there is no other way to do it right except their way. I wouldn't sweat any of that. CFL and LED will work fine. I agree about the temps. CFL and HID cause a problem even for a micro grower. I think your plant looks healthy. What strain?

To help newbs out, I always suggest taking a look at Hempy Bucket and Lucas Formula. It's like almost a fool proof method of growing. And I also suggest a good hardy auto strain.

Why? Because it makes it so cheap and easy it's pathetic even with minimal effort. It's also very fast.

^ Thanks dude. The strain is a feminized White Widow I got from MJSeedBankCanada. I smoked some White Widow in Amsterdam over new year and knew I had to get some for myself. They have a 63 day flowering time, so she still has 4 more weeks to go.

I'll definitely look into Hempy Bucket and Lucas Formula. Thanks for the info.

Randall Flagg said:

So buying a HPS or HID isn't a solution either

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I like to look at weed forums as misinformation central. I would like to positively inform you than an HPS, is in fact an HID. HID stands for High Intensity Discharge. It's a type of gas discharge lamp. Types of HID's are HPS(High Pressure Sodium) MV(Mercury Vapor), MH(Metal Halide) CMH(Ceramic Metal Halide). Your plant looks great. There are people on this forum that think HID is the end all to growing and if you anything else you're an idiot. Best to ignore those. I personally use CFL on a 24 hour cycle for veg and get better results than using a Metal Halide.

Don't pay attention to the advertised flower time. They are almost never right and the plant more times than not can be flowered longer. You may get luck and it'll be ready in the assumed time but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Look in the harvesting section for info on how to know when your plant is ready to be harvested. Happy growing, your plant looks GREAT btw.

Wow, thanks for the info mr2shim. I really appreciate it.

Randall Flagg said:

^ Thanks dude. The strain is a feminized White Widow I got from MJSeedBankCanada. I smoked some White Widow in Amsterdam over new year and knew I had to get some for myself. They have a 63 day flowering time, so she still has 4 more weeks to go.

I'll definitely look into Hempy Bucket and Lucas Formula. Thanks for the info.

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White widow is some fire. I think your buds will get a bit bigger too. As a matter of fact, wish I had some WW. I've got a little Lemon Skunk getting tired of it tho. BTW, I mostly only grow one or two plants like you and have used CFL, LED, I've even got a induction light i overpaid for and recently picked up a HPS. If heat is a concern I would def go with LED. But, they all do just fine.

Good luck bro! Other dude gave some solid advice on harvest!

NEWBS:
~if you're not gonna invest $150 on a carbscrub, don't grow.
~on nutes: less = more.
~on when will my grow be done?: a watched pot doesn't boil.
~recommended for professional results inexpensively: GH Floraduo A/B..you need nothing else.
~increase yield easily, like a pro..just bend over cola in mid veg while she's thirty and pliable affix with soil staple (home depot) or zip tie.
~guide used for my first grow: google>cannabis dummies+guide+v4.pdf

schuylaar said:

NEWBS:
~if you're not gonna invest $150 on a carbscrub, don't grow.
~on nutes: less = more.
~on when will my grow be done?: a watched pot doesn't boil.
~recommended for professional results inexpensively: GH Floraduo A/B..you need nothing else.
~increase yield easily, like a pro..just bend over cola in mid veg while she's thirty and pliable affix with soil staple (home depot) or zip tie.
~guide used for my first grow: google>cannabis dummies+guide+v4.pdf

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Couple of things.

I use an O3 generator. But Agree U gotta have something.
Agree
Agree
I use the GH Maxibloom but, agree.

I do things totally different now, every single time I change up something. But, I also agree that there is more than one way to be successful.

GrowUrOwnDank said:

Couple of things.

I use an O3 generator. But Agree U gotta have something.
Agree
Agree
I use the GH Maxibloom but, agree.

I do things totally different now, every single time I change up something. But, I also agree that there is more than one way to be successful.

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absolutely, i do too..the newer grower can get lost on the thing they need to concentrate: 'the plant' and getting the 'feel' of when your plant bucket needs water..how to Ph..the basics.

i like floraduo because it's cheap as hell, completely geared toward the grow and no add-ons required..it's got the sulpher, the cal mag..everything for $22! what's not to like? you don't need to spend $$$ on the boosters..some of my best plants were grown when i didn't know what i was doing (after my 2nd grow that i fried because i got cocky at flower week 7 and thought i knew it all)..hehehe..lemme just tell you how difficult that was..i was like:



there always way too much info given even when the newb says ima newb.

schuylaar said:

absolutely, i do too..the newer grower can get lost on the thing they need to concentrate: 'the plant' and getting the 'feel' of when your plant bucket needs water..how to Ph..the basics.

there always way too much info given even when the newb says ima newb.

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I totally agree! Newbs be all like DIY DWC which is cool, or over watering-feeding. My stuff it so simple it's pathetic. I personally feel most could save hundreds of dollars on trial and error if they started with a HEMPY bucket, Lucas Formula and auto genes. It's just so simple. I've done soil, DWC, LED CFL Induction lol. I just like to tinker tho. I'm pretty much going with the KISS in the future as described above. But, once they get a few grows newbs can go soil or dro or whatever. So many different options.

calm down dude. you knew it was a 105w cfl why did you claim you were growing with a 500w cfl?

brighten up newb, or your buds will be as bland as your attitude!

GrowUrOwnDank said:

White widow is some fire. I think your buds will get a bit bigger too. As a matter of fact, wish I had some WW. I've got a little Lemon Skunk getting tired of it tho. BTW, I mostly only grow one or two plants like you and have used CFL, LED, I've even got a induction light i overpaid for and recently picked up a HPS. If heat is a concern I would def go with LED. But, they all do just fine.

Good luck bro! Other dude gave some solid advice on harvest!

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keep in mind white widow is a short bush with a smaller, more delicate flower (in overall bud size) as compared to many others..so don't freak out..she'll have many sites..good yield just smaller.