avidly learning to grow

[avid_grow]

Checked on the beans today - so far 3 of six have tails!!! Yaaaaaaa!!!
Those Khem Kardashian beans are some vigorous little ladies - so stoked!! Khem Kardashian

The Strawberry Cough had one tail so far and nothing going for the Putang yet. Still - pretty excited to have 3 of 6 after 24 hours in a paper towel and 18 in a glass before that. Have a feeling I'll have the next 3 in the next day or two.

 

[avid_grow]

I also wanted to pop up some pictures of the Pre-98 Bubba, meant to a while back but forgot...here tis

This is from Feb 5, 2021


Feb 13, 2021 - forgive the blurry pic, couldn't find a better one from the day


Feb 23, 2021 - The day before Chop


Feb 24, 2021 chop day

Here are some pictures from today - 15 days into cure

no flash

flash





The Pre-98 Bubba:
Smell: In the tent for almost the whole process it smelt of straight ethanol/diesel. Really an amazing scent, the last week of flower it mellowed a lot and brought on a lemon pepper scent mixed with a lesser ethanol smell. The #1 plant gained a mixture of oregano/seaweed smell to it after the first week of curing?? Not sure if its something I have screwed up or not...its rH is between 61% and 64% for the last week. I inspect for mold several times a day and have seen nothing but the scent is intense. The # 2 plant is a lot more of the lemon pepper smell up front and then a fermented pu erh tea on the back end. It really smells amazing - if you leave it open for a minute and give it another whiff you get some of the seaweed scent but not much.
Taste: I did not taste either jar until after the second week of cure. I tried plant #2 today and have not tried plant #1 yet. The inhale is a slight taste of lemon pepper and some sort of herbal tea. The exhale is definitely an awesome fermented pu erh tea and the taste left on your tongue is definitely a mix of the pu erh and dried crispy seaweed with a little salt. As you get further down the J you start getting some hashy notes with a back end of lemon pepper on the inhale and the exhale stays the same through the whole J. Feels like I just ate a sushi dinner and finished it off with a shot of gin with a lemon twist and some black pepper on top and then a shot of fermented tea.
Smoke: The smoke is super smooth and mellow. Not harsh at all - really allows for massive hits. Now, I've only smoked it in a J so I haven't confirmed that with bong hits or anything else yet. I used to smoke a lot of pipe tabacco and this hits very much like that - it almost covered the throat in smoke, but just ephemeral whispers of smoke were felt...I dunno - I just know that I only coughed a little bit while smoking it and that is unusual for me as I like to take big rips. This allows for that in the best way possible.
High: I would say that this is a bit of a creeper. I didn't notice all that much until about half way through the J. More of a body high situation - I felt some really wonderful sensations running down my arms at that point. Once I was finished with the J I felt really contemplative and felt lighter in my body. It felt like all aches had eased or at the very least I just stopped noticing them. About an hour after the J I had played some music and then found myself wandering around my house, muffin in hand, contemplating paint or wallpaper? All in all a really pleasant experience and would recommend waiting till after working for the day to partake. Not really a bedtime smoke but definitely distracts you.

- I did want to note that the resin build up on the J was really amazing - it trailed down almost a full inch from the burn point and was nice and bubbly. Pretty Rad!!

 

[GthaEnigma]

Nice, sounds like you got full enjoyment for your efforts. Beautiful flowers and from the sounds of it a great high. Well done.

 

[Jewels]

. Live and learn I suppose - but I do think that it had a negative impact on my yields. So far, from the tastes, the quality is great - just without the quantity I wanted. But, first time and I know better for next time...

Lots to unpack there,,,

There's enough data here to make some general generic observations:

Looking first at sustainability:
after 8 (ish?) weeks of flowering, you ended up with 300grm of smokable.
It could be said that your flower room is turning out an ounce a week.
Will that do ?

I see some of your plants gave 50 gram , some were 10.
Very typical, I say.
Some will be stars, and somebody has to blow the curve, eh?
There will always be small yielders and outliers on the fringe. This is okay with me. The alternative is bare floor and that yields 0 - every time.

Looking forward,,, what do you figure allowed those top yielders to get so big? What can you do to encourage more biggies , like that ?

,,, just rambling out loud here. I like to imagine that there are always limiters to growth. If you remove the limitations the growth explodes. I always try to deduce what is holding me back.
It all plays in.
The rate of transpiration can limit growth.
Soil structure and saturation can limit growth.
Light intensity can limit growth.

Remove the growth limiting factors and the growth becomes Unlimited.

Just keep pulling out those stops, and the train can only run away.

I see good things ahead.

 

[avid_grow]

It could be said that your flower room is turning out an ounce a week.
Will that do ?

That should do me for the next year or so...right now its just personal use but I'd like to go the caregiver route in the next couple of years when I really figure out the beginning of a method that works for me.

I should be able to keep myself set for the next year going at this rate - but I do know some of my missteps and what kept the yields down.
Easily rectifiable things - pot size - light burn and not enough light at different times - not enough defoliation - not enough training

what do you figure allowed those top yielders to get so big?

I think genetics played a very minor part in it - from the breeders descriptions all 3 stayed true to course for me.
I will say the lower yielders were definitely the ones I had the most trouble with early on.
The soil I popped them into after seedling stage was way to hot for them.

They seemed to do okay with the environment over all
averaged
83 F day / 75 F night, and 59%rH day / 56%rH night during Veg
79 F day / 69 F night ,and 54% rH day / 49% rH night during Flower

Early on I had some pH problems with the two lowest yielders -
discovered they really needed to be in the 6.4 to 6.9 range. anything else seemed to impact it negatively (i.e. yellow spots and some curl on the lower leaves).
The others loved all the nutrients and boomed immediately but these two pled with me that it was too much.

I also topped all six and the 2 lowest yielders took at least a week longer to spring back after it than the others did.

From the very beginning they were smaller - I angled the light to try and get them - but should have raised the pots onto something - again my fault (just too excited to grow and didn't think it all through...but that's why I take copious notes I suppose, for the future and to do better next time).

They also were the shaggiest of all my ladies - needed some serious defoliation and training and I didn't give them any of that.
I think I could have trained them early on and upped the yield significantly. Would also avoid topping these again (or plan for more veg time)

I only did any training with one of the plants (ended up being my biggest yielder)
wanted to see if it actually worked for my own eyes and wanted the rest to go as natural as possible.
That way I have a baseline to work from for the future.

Also - need to utilize my floor space better - I need to up pot to at least a 5 gal for each girl, maybe a 7 gal before flowering.
I'm certain that would have helped yields across all plants - but especially the 2 low yielders.

Some will be stars, and somebody has to blow the curve, eh

This is okay with me. The alternative is bare floor and that yields 0 - every time

very much agreed...truly just nice to smoke my own and not have to keep paying for it.
Now I have the equipment and just maintenance and some more nutes but that's small taters in comparison to what I was paying monthly.

I see good things ahead.

Thank you.. I appreciate it! Love everything about this and am super excited to get going again.
I've got the six germinating right now and have been talking to some folks in my area about some clones

it'll be my first time with clones but I've tried some of each and they are amazing so I'm excited to get those in the next couple of weeks and see how that goes.
Looking at a Black Widow, Blackberry Kush, Sour D, and maybe a C99. Don't know breeders
Think they went through Ilovegrowingmarijuana

 

[Jewels]

I think you have it well in hand. Every garden is unique, every new crop brings some knowledge. Keep trying stuff out, see what performs for you.

 

[avid_grow]

Thanks, I appreciate it! Definitely gonna keep watching others on here and try some of their methods out along with my own thoughts and musings.

 

[avid_grow]

Just curious how long others wait to actually plant their germed seeds? I have 5 of 6 germed, but i've only got one that for sure looks ready to go - the strawberry cough.

The Khem Kardashian look ready to go to my eyes, maybe another 10 to 12 hours...

khem kardashian

The top strawberry cough looks like it could use another 12 hours to me. The other looks good to go.

stawberry cough

The Putang has one germed and the other not quite there yet...but even the germed one still looks a little early to be popping it into soil of any kind?

putang

 

[Jewels]

There are folks that sow directly to soil.
There is no wrong way to do it.

Once the casing is blown right open ( like yours are), I have planted them flush on the soil horizon with the hull remaining visible.

Paper or soil, providing it's not oversaturated, it looks like you have won.

 

[Frosty78]

Well done

 

[DavidDellaRocco]

Just curious how long others wait to actually plant their germed seeds? I have 5 of 6 germed, but i've only got one that for sure looks ready to go - the strawberry cough.

The Khem Kardashian look ready to go to my eyes, maybe another 10 to 12 hours...

View attachment 58563 khem kardashian

The top strawberry cough looks like it could use another 12 hours to me. The other looks good to go.

View attachment 58564 stawberry cough

The Putang has one germed and the other not quite there yet...but even the germed one still looks a little early to be popping it into soil of any kind?

View attachment 58565 putang

I plant as soon as I see the shell cracked and the tongue is starting to come out, even if it's only just 'licking it's lips'

The 2 Lemon OG Kush I put onto paper towel at about 6pm last night were already cracked by about 1pm and planted by 4pm tonight into Rapid Rooters sitting in perlite Hempy cups. The tongue was barely peeking out on each of them.

 

[avid_grow]

Thanks everyone...I went ahead and planted all 6. The one putang still had not cracked yet, but I figure everything else I've planted in life has been sown directly into the soil so why not this.



I know its ridiculous to have just 6 in this tray - but the tray was on a discount earlier this year and I know I'll use it in the future and its useful either way.
Wet them down a little, ph'd to 6.5 and popped the humidity dome on top with a couple spritzes on the inner side of the lid.



So tiny...but soon will fill the whole tent. So excited to see all the little seedlings start reaching!!

even if it's only just 'licking it's lips'

Made me laugh and will definitely be thinking that every time I crack new beans...Awesome!!

Well done

Thanks man, I appreciate it!!

There is no wrong way to do it.

That was my initial thought - and then in the process of research I found so many opinionated people that said only one way way worked.
paper towel method...vs...glass of water...vs...direct sow...vs...whatever

One of the reasons I am here is I was tired of the stress and anxiety that caused
This is supposed to help take care of my headspace...not worsen it!!
Screw that...there are no right or wrong ways - as long as you get plants and the product at the end I'm happy

Thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts

 

[avid_grow]

Not really certain but it looks like the casing dragged the seedling down...hoping if I give it another 12 hours or so it'll shrug it off and perk back up.
Looks like its on course...




Got one other that's popping their head out but I expect nothing will really show proper until tomorrow morning or tomorrow evening.

 

[avid_grow]

So...got some clones from a friend in town for the first time ever.
They were in this...



Having no idea and little time to learn how to run this system I've transplanted all 8 into soil
I am aware that there will most likely be some shock from the transplant but hope they turn out well.
Friend had to get these out today and I was available to take them.
They looked a little rough but I trimmed them a bit and hopefully that helps.



They all had solid root systems and it was a minor frustration to sort that out but I got everything separated with as little agitation as possible.
I've seen it done with other plants (non-cannabis) and it worked...a little shock but nothing catastrophic so hoping for the best.

Being this is a bit of a trial run for me I decided to try something else I have seen done...
I planted all 5 of the Sour Diesel into a 7 gal pot - in the back of the above pic
All 3 of the Black Widow into a 5 gal pot - front of the pic

I'm gonna do no training on these ladies at all and let them grow really close together. Maybe some bamboo stakes if they get heavy...
I've seen this done - it was much closer than mine.
It was about 35 plants once the males were culled in one 3 x 3 bed in a 4 x 4 tent
They started with 80 seeds sown direct into soil...no-till soil from what I read

Also, because it was kind of thrust on me I am just going to have fun with them and try things out.

So far I've got 5 of the seedlings going - the 6th just doesn't seem to want to break out
Which in total makes for 13 plants - more than double my first grow.



Curious what experiences folks have had transplanting from hydro to soil? if any at all? Did I do bad?

Also curious to see what you all have to say about planting that many in that small of a space...
I only have the one tent and no other room to use for these so its as much of a space saver as it is a trial
Good or bad I would love to hear what you all think

 

[avid_grow]

oh...should have noted - I used fox farm ocean forest with a half cup of all purpose down to earth fertilizer (4-6-2) for the whole batch
And used some mycorrhizal fungi on the roots.

 

[Umpty Candy]

Looks nice there. Curious about that multiple plants in the same pot thing, I have similar plans (yet different) for the fall.. Interesting to see how it goes..

 

[Jewels]

It was an Albertan who coined
"If you build it , they will come".
Awesome score, Dude !

Remember to contact them in a few weeks and inform them that they all died. An often overlooked important play in receiving gift plants. Cuts the umbilical cord right clean.
( Damn , that reads cold)
Just say'n. As you are the one carrying the liability and responsibility , it is you, who deserves any reward at harvest time.

The Little Red Hen Story

Read the story of The Little Red Hen in rebus form online. The story is about a little red hen who plants, cuts, grinds and bakes wheat to make bread. Her farm friends won't help her do any of the work, but they want to share her delicious bread!

www.enchantedlearning.com

Seems you just walked into a perpetual. If you were to flip those Sour beauties in 4 weeks ~ you will never want for weed again.

 

[avid_grow]

I'll be keeping an eye out for the fall plans...super excited to see how it works out.
It would be awesome if it ends up being a viable option for the future...
All the tester plants you could run along with more settled ones in their own pots...

Thanks @Jewels , that story made my morning...
Work...but that put a smile on my face.
I've had that conversation with them...
It's all mine, greedy guts that I am.

They had to move and the space they had available halved so I'm taking some gifts...
Made very clear with them that they are gifts...
Don't mind sharing and gifting a little back for thinking of me
But certainly not splitting down the middle.
My work, my rewards and all that.

If the experiment works well that is exactly the plan.
I figure about a week of possible shock...as long as I take care of them right
And then another 3 to 4 in veg and flip away...

 

[avid_grow]

It's been a minute since I've posted anything in here. Figured it's time to pop in.

Most of the ladies are doing really well right now. I've got 8 clones (3 Black Widow, and 5 Sour Diesel from a friend)




and 5 others from seed running (2 Khem Kardashian, 2 Strawberry Cough, 1 Putang)


(Putang front, Khem both middle, SC both back)

All the clones are doing really well after their shock (switch from hydro to soil)
The Khem and SC are doing really well, especially the Khem
The Putang has had some growth and some pH/nute burn issues - I think I have addressed them for the time being

All of the from seed ladies started in straight Fox Farms Ocean Forest (Ffof)
The soil composition for their final resting spot is below

reused/recycled 1.5 cubic feet of Ffof
brand new 1.5 cubic feet of Ffof
amended with:
-8.50 cups of worm castings (Worm Gold)
-0.75 cups of Granular Humic Acids (Down to Earth)
-0.20 cups of Langbeinite (Down to Earth)
-0.50 cups of Seabird Guano (Down to Earth)
-0.50 cups of Insect Frass (Down to Earth)
-0.50 cups of Kelp Meal (Down to Earth)
-3.50 cups of Bio-Live (Down to Earth)

 

[Jewels]

Sounds good enough to eat.