Yet another n00b grow: Spontanica & Power Skunk

First timer here, and here we go. I'm learning as I go; have already made mistakes and know I'll make more. Just looking to improve when possible, so any advice is welcome.

We'll start with the stats:

Room stats:
60"L x 23"W x 74"H (Floor to top light, additional 24” freespace above the light)
Floor and 1 sidewall concrete, consistent 60ish degrees F
Two walls 1/2" drywall, entry door is white tarp
Space is narrow, long, tall, and will be cool year round. Heat from lights will not be a problem.
Room is isolated, building is isolated, smell and noise are not an issue.


Lighting stats:
400W Metal Halide for entire grow/bloom and
3ea: T5 46" Fixtures, each with 4 bulbs
For 18/6 seedlings: (6) 3500K bulbs, (6) 6500K bulbs, no MH
For 18/6 grow period: (12) 6500K bulbs + 400W MH
For 12/12 flower period: (12) 3500K bulbs + 400W MH
Digital power strip/timer for the lights
It is bright as SHIT in here when all lights are pumping and the room is sealed up. Might have to wear sunscreen when watering the girls.


Grow stats etc:
Soil: Scotts
Nutes: Hesi Soil
Seeds: (10) KC Brains Spontanica, (5) G13 Power Skunk
Homemade adjustable shelf unit to adjust for plant height, keeping plants at ~20" from lights
Vornado 10” fan for air circulation
800W ceramic heater to keep temps above 70 degrees F, 1.5 gal humidifier

Pics: growroom, germed seeds, and fancy nutes mixing container (aka whiskey bottle)

Day 4:
Moved seeds to rockwool on day 2. Pics are of day 4 with first leaves showing on a few plants. And it is at this very early stage that I made my first mistake: using nutes. Being my overzealous, impatient self I went ahead and hit these babes with a blast of nutes; full strength no less. The plants went into shock, growing randomly, some not growing at all. Of the 15 seeds, I killed all but eight with this dumbass move. Oh well, lesson learned.

Pics: rockwool sprouts

Day 14:
Ugh, dammit. These pics are depressing. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I nearly killed these lil ladies. Hey newbie: stay the fuck away from using nutes!
These are now 14 days from seed. You can see the inconsistent growth and leaf damage.

Pics: slow growing, nute burnt plants

Day 16:
Seedlings moved to soil pots. Soil is Scotts brand garden soil, mixed with 1 part peat. Each 1/2gal plastic pot has 1” of pea-gravel rocks to aid in drainage. Realized the err of my ways and stopped with the nutes. I apologized to the lil girls, we made up and all is good again.
Pics: 1/2gal pots

Day 21:
Not much to report. Plants are looking better every day, I think they are coming out of the shock. The Spontanica is easily out growing the Power Skunk right now, by 2-to-1 or better. The plants are getting water every other day, no nutes yet.
Pics: seedlings

Day 24:
Again, nothing real exciting. The largest of the Spontanicas is about 4” tall, and 6” wide. The Spons dwarf the PSs right now.
Another interesting note: one of the Spons is noticeably pungent in smell. Thus, I have lovingly named her Stinky.
Pics: seedlings

Dang one thing I noticed is that your soil looks like it clumps together when it absorbs water, you should consider getting foxfarm soil or miracle grow organic will do just fine. I add about 15 percent perlite into the soil mixture as well to help with water drainage, and put a layer of perlite beneath the soil as well.

Day 25:
Now, NOW, we are getting somewhere. It is amazing how much growth these things can put on overnight. Still water only, next watering will be done with nutes.
Pics: veg growth

Thanks for the message, and I completely agree. I didn't use enough peat and perlite when I mixed the soil. When I repotted to 3gal containers I used a much more mixed soil. Thanks again-

Day 31:
Have begun feeding nutes again. Started at ¼ strength on day 27, watered day 29, fed day 31 at ½ strength. Largest Spon is at 8”, average height of Spons is 6”. Power Skunk is still behind, but catching up quickly.

For one month old, how do they look?


Pics: veg plants

Cool detailed grow subbing this one . They look really good for 1 month into veg! Btw we all make mistakes but what counts is if you learn from them, and you certainly have proven you learn from your mistakes (Day 14). They are really exploding with growth at the one month mark, may I recommend that you stretch the times you water them for longer, so the roots stretch and search for the water. The plant itself can last for a while in dry conditions so don't be afraid of parching out for a while.

Me and you must've started growing around the same time, your plants look a bit bigger than mine (I think its because mine were stunted from excessive root damage) Will be interested to see the rest of this grow, please keep it updated and I will try to leave my 2 cents when I can. Best of luck.
<3 Skybike.

PS: Stop my by journal located in my sig, if you want

skybike said:

Cool detailed grow subbing this one . They look really good for 1 month into veg! Btw we all make mistakes but what counts is if you learn from them, and you certainly have proven you learn from your mistakes (Day 14). They are really exploding with growth at the one month mark, may I recommend that you stretch the times you water them for longer, so the roots stretch and search for the water. The plant itself can last for a while in dry conditions so don't be afraid of parching out for a while.

Me and you must've started growing around the same time, your plants look a bit bigger than mine (I think its because mine were stunted from excessive root damage) Will be interested to see the rest of this grow, please keep it updated and I will try to leave my 2 cents when I can. Best of luck.
<3 Skybike.

PS: Stop my by journal located in my sig, if you want

Click to expand...

Thanks for the message, I checked out your journal earlier tonight. I was cracking up when I saw the Aqua Globes: I got a set of those from my gf for a gift as well! I've been using mine to water some damn houseplant, so stickin' with the ole watercan for the ladies.

When do you plan to put your plants into flower?

Day 35:
Well, probably a week or two late, but I’m repotting half the ladies. The Spons, the bigger of the two breeds, are being put into 3.1 gal Maxipot containers. The new soil is lighter, mixed with more peat and perlite than the original, which as gRimR33FER pointed out was a bit too heavy.
Pics: repotted plants

Second part of photos...

Day 38:

Just more growing. Spontanicas have slowed in vertical growth and are getting bushier by the day. Power Skunk is exploding upward, and not filling out in the middle much.

Pics: veg growth

Day 43:

Same as before, just more growing. Misted for the first time, using Dark Energy and regular nutes.

Pics: veg growth

Day 45:


Tallest Spon is nearing 22”, the rest are still lacking tho. Getting closer to flowering by the day.


Pics: veg growth

Day 46:

We’re officially in pre-flower. Spons are all showing pre-flower, Power Skunks are half pre-flowered. Going with two more feedings and then the flowering stage.

Pics: pre-flower

Just stopping in, I have three powerskunks g13 growing beside my almost done lowryder. Just wondering if you think I should grow them out or toss em. (they were free from attitude) IE do they take over a room?

Day 49:

Beginning 36 hours of uninterrupted darkness to jumpstart flowering. See ya in a few days girls…

Pics: darkness