In Search for Nectar - Indoor, DWC, Scrog, CFL & LED, Green Crack & GG#4 - 1st Grow Journal

DatNectar

Member
Hey everyone – can’t wait to share my first grow journal with you!

I’m growing for my mom who’s just gone through her second treatment for Ovarian Cancer. Now that it’s legal in CA, she’s open to using it (the reefer madness brainwashing is real).

Back in grad school I got really interested in hydroponics/aquaponics and immersed myself in the readings. Eventually, I tried growing cannabis and had pretty good success using DWC with a Scrog and 400W HPS.

I don’t have a lot of space to grow at my new location, so I’m switching up a few variables to make it more convenient.

Current setup:

*My Agrobrite light has been delayed, lost, or other BS since late November. It should come in today and I'll add a new picture of the complete setup later.
**My handmade scrog might have to be switched out for plastic chicken wire if it proves to be too flimsy.

Nutrient Schedule:

  • I'm using General Hydroponics Flora series. After reading the Cannabis Grow Bible and a few posts from old-time growers, I've opted to venture into the lower threshold of nutrient PPMs per phase. What are your thoughts on this?
  • Below is a screen shot of how I'm keeping track of my weekly progress in Google Sheets.


Strains Growing:
  • Green Crack
  • Gorilla Glue #4
Side Notes:
  • Clones came in Rockwool and soil, so I had to de-soil them prior to putting them in the DWC system. I used a big bowl with water to get the bigger soil pieces off then ran it through slow water from the faucet.


I can't wait to share this journey with you all.

Thanks in advance for all the wisdom and thought-provoking discussions.
 

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DatNectar

Member
Quick update:

Yesterday I did the first reservoir change and bumped up the ppms to 950 with a ph around 6 (I really need a digital ph meter, the colors are high enough resolution). Unfortunately, when I looked at my girls this morning the GG#4 looked like it had some leaf tacoing (curling):



I went and checked the ph and it rose up to 8. I've adjusted it back down to 6, but this is a lesson for me to be more diligent. Hopefully, it fixes the problem.

Here's a look at the Greek Crack below the Scrog:


Side notes:
  • GG#4 roots are coming in very nicely.
  • GC roots are less dense but have longer shoots.
  • Added the T5 setup over the top and have a side LED, both running at 24/0. Should I drop it down to 18/6?
  • Temp range is 81 high, 72 low and between 30-60% humidity.
  • Bubbles running at full blast.
Anything I should be thinking of? Thanks!
 

DatNectar

Member
A day after my last reservoir change I noticed that both plants weren't looking too great. The pH was way too high so I fixed it. I've been diligently checking the pH on a daily basis and seem to have things under control.

The roots that were in the high pH water seemed to have turned brown and stunted growth. Luckily it looks like new roots are blowing through and the plant seems to be growing at a decent pace now.

GG#4:


GC:


I'm not sure if the original roots got the brown stain from the nutrients or if they got some root rot from the night in high pH solution? They don't seem to be growing as nicely as the new roots, but maybe that's just how things go.

Hope you like my makeshift light blocking reservoir devices...aka towels.

Lastly, I topped both plants the other day. Can't wait to start working on this scrog!
 

cordongreen

Member
You will probably see those older roots die off / become less of a factor and the new ones absolutely explode and take over. I notice it a lot when transplanting from cuttings :)
 

DatNectar

Member
Quick status update:

Plants are looking solid after fixing the pH. My buddy recommended tying down the top to help spread out the light while I wait for the girls to start populating the scrog. I think they are liking the low-stress kick in the pants.

GG:


GC:


Some of the leaves from the GC that were yellow or had some damage I've been snipping off to allow more light for the new growth. I hope that's the right call. Roots are blowing up too, so I'm happy about that.

I'll update next with the next res change.

Cheers!
 

DatNectar

Member
It's the hydroponic's sabbath day: Res Change Day!



Here's me draining the reservoir before giving the girls a fresh batch of nutes. My water was 308ppm and I have them using late bloom nute mixture coming out around 890ppm. pH is 5.8.

I cut the string for the low-stress bend and will now focus on scrogging.

I'd say they are looking quite happy right now :)



The GC leans a bit to the left and looks a lot more compacted than the GG#4 on the left. The roots of both plants are massive now and looking super happy.

Anything I need to be thinking about now? Next week is transition nutes.

Cheers!
 

DatNectar

Member
Ladies are growing nicely!



Nice color I'd say.



I think I need about another week to fill out the Scrog. I'm supposed to res change and have my transition nute mixture starting tomorrow. Do you recommend filling out the scrog during the first week of flower or wait until it's fully filled before switching to flower?

Happy Holidays!
 

DatNectar

Member
Hey Friends,

I need your help with my GG roots, not sure what caused this:



The area exposed was not submerged in water since the plant is starting to suck up quite a bit each day. I thought this might be a problem but the same amount of roots were exposed on my GC and they look like this:



Not exactly sure what would be causing this, but your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

I did another res change a few days ago (delayed posting this), and the ladies are growing nicely:



I have them on transition nutes of 20ml of each Micro/Bloom/Veg. 900ppm and 5.8pH. Still on 18/6 light schedule, but will flip them to flower once they get a little more full on the scrog.

Hope you had a great Christmas!
 

DatNectar

Member
Today I switched out the 6500K T5s for the 2700K T5s. Timer set to 12/12. Flower time!



I went out of town for a few days for the holidays and came back to this nice growth. After tucking everything down it filled up 85% of the scrog so I figured it was time to flip to flower.

I did notice a few large leaves having some brown spots, which I think is either calcium or magnesium deficiency. Any thoughts?

 

DatNectar

Member
Res change day. We are now entering early flower week. PPM still just below 900, pH is just below 6. Temps and humidity is solid...makes me want to climb in the tent and enjoy the perfect weather myself.



The GG is drinking about 1.5-2X as much water as the GC. I'll probably have to start making a fresh batch of nutes mixture to refill halfway through the week. Is it bad if the roots are out of the water for multiple days if the bottom of the root ball is still submerged? Just curious...will keep things more topped off if you think it's a problem.

Have a happy and safe New Years Eve! See you in 2017.
 

DatNectar

Member
How are the roots that you mentioned earlier?
Pretty much the same. Doesn't seem to be hindering any growth. The GG still has that dark ring at the top and both look a bit brown compared to the roots at the base of the bucket.

Hoping it's nothing major. Everything is submerged now with the res change.
 

DatNectar

Member
The weather here is humid as hell. I'm doing everything in my power to keep my temp range between 61-72F, but the humidity has been between 50-85%. Not much I can do when outside is above 75%.

I haven't done much pruning and figured it'd help with air circulation (have a Vornado blowing pretty hard all the time).

This morning's little manicure:


GG:


GC:


Overall things are looking well. Huge growth now that we're almost two weeks into flower. Going to a res change on the 6th.

I've been reading quite a bit about light leakage leading to hermies and other problems. I try my best to keep things as dark as possible, but it's not always perfectly black in there. How much does it matter if no direct light is in the tent, but rather a 60W light 15 feet away that might bounce a few times to barely peek through the closet?

I haven't taken any clones but was planning to soon. Is this an ok time to do so?
 

DatNectar

Member
Yesterday was res change day. Overall GG grows a bunch every night. GC still looks a bit stunted even with the addition of the LED light.



Close up of the GC:



GG drinks way more water than GC. Both plants have solid pistil growth forming. Can't wait to see some real production from them over the next month!
 
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