Back in the Saddle

I've never done a grow journal of any kind on this forum but while looking through my cel phone pics the other day i realized that i had enough of them saved to document the grow i am currently on from the beginning.

For the first time in years i took a small break from growing, part of the reason for the break was simply just to catch my breath and relax for a few weeks and then the break was extended due to getting screwed over on some clones i'd been long searching for...

During the first part of my break i didn't really take much of a break at all, instead i decided to tear down my old grow room and replace it with a tent nearly double the size.

- Room size: 9.5' x 4.5' x 6.5' tall
- Hydroponics: Deep Water Culture, separate 5 gallon buckets
- 8 Plants: Four AK-47 and Four Cheesequake
- Nutrients: General Hydroponics Flora Line
- Lighting: Two 1000 watt HID lights (MH for veg and HPS for flower) and Four 26 watt 6500K CFL bulbs (2,104 watts total)

My first few updates will come quickly until i am all caught up to the present day in my grow, after that i will try to provide new updates with pics at least once a week.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have as well as post any comments you want, enjoy.

This grow began on 9/29 when i cut a new batch of clones, they look almost identical at this point but the Cheesequake is on the left and the AK-47 is on the right. The cloner i use is a small 12 site areoponics cloner. I just use tap water, Clonex Gel and a heating pad underneath to keep the reservoir about 85 degrees as well as 24 hour CFL lighting.

10/5 The cutting have been in the cloner for about a week now, and just starting to show the first signs of stems swelling up and little root nubs popping out.

10/9 Just a few days later, nothing too special to report but the root growth a starting to pick up momentum.

ride on the saddle is a good thing

10/14 This is where things start to get cool... Many people identify different cannabis strains by the size and shape of their leaves or buds but its not often we get to see the difference between two strains by their root structure. Notice how much thicker / bulkier the Cheesequake roots on the left are compared to the thinner / hairier AK-47 roots on the right.

Those roots look incredible Huel. looks like you have two serious strains as well.

I'd like to add to my last update, i added 50% strength veg nutes to the reservoir when i took thatlast pic.

abe supercro said:

Those roots look incredible Huel. looks like you have two serious strains as well.

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Thanks, wait until you see the next root pics!

Those look like some healthy babies to me You don't find cuts like those in a dispensary

Huel Perkins said:

10/14 This is where things start to get cool... Many people identify different cannabis strains by the size and shape of their leaves or buds but its not often we get to see the difference between two strains by their root structure. Notice how much thicker / bulkier the Cheesequake roots on the left are compared to the thinner / hairier AK-47 roots on the right.

View attachment 2403277

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will the roots shape and size transfer to the top?...never seen root comparison like that.. interestin. just took ak 47 rooted cuttings out of cloner and transplanted.. kept water temp at about 75 and roots werent as big as yours. what was yer ambient temp?

dwight smokum said:

will the roots shape and size transfer to the top?...never seen root comparison like that.. interestin. just took ak 47 rooted cuttings out of cloner and transplanted.. kept water temp at about 75 and roots werent as big as yours. what was yer ambient temp?

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The two strains grow fairly similar but the AK-47 grows wider and bushier, I don't believe there is any direct relationship between the shape of the roots and the shape of the top of the plant. I attempt to keep ambient air temps as close to 75 degrees as possible for cloning and growing but when it comes to reservoir or root zone temps they need to be much warmer for cloning compared to growing.

I've still got one more root pic that I'll upload later today after work. For some reason this site will not let me load them directly from my phone...

I've found depending on aero cloner size, the pump alone does a good job keeping the water temp up. unless the room is air-conditioned water can get too hot in summer.

abe supercro said:

I've found depending on aero cloner size, the pump alone does a good job keeping the water temp up. unless the room is air-conditioned water can get too hot in summer.

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This is very true but its still a very good idea to buy a cheap aquarium thermometer and monitor the temps. The very first time I used my aero cloner was during the summer months but I had it sitting directly on the concrete floor in my basement, after 3 full weeks I had no roots at all because the reservoir temps were too low. Now I use it upstairs with a heating pad underneath with great success.

I have great root growth in my cloner. Huel, not that fucking good!
I didn't know to keep water litter warmer. I thought it would be better cool, like growing.
Very nice.

gladstoned said:

I have great root growth in my cloner. Huel, not that fucking good!
I didn't know to keep water litter warmer. I thought it would be better cool, like growing.
Very nice.

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The warmer temps definitely help speed up root production. I recommend using a heating pad even if you clone in dirt, rock wool or rapid rooter plugs. If you look on the EZ-Clone website in the FAQ section they recommen maintaining the reservoir between 70-85 degrees, I personally try to keep it between 80-85 degrees.

I have a few heat mats. Thermostat, all that shit. Rolling a joint, brewing another cup of coffee and I am on it. I will peak in on my 2 dieseltonics while I am at it.

10/20 I like to leave the plants in the cloner until i start to see significant new growth starting, this ensures that they are fully ready for transplant and to begin the veg cycle without risk of much shock. In the pics you can see the new growth on the clones, the final money shot of the roots and then finally into the grow room in their DWC buckets under the HID lighting.

Just wanted to add before anyone asks... The white stuff on the bucket tops is just pieces of Orca film from my old grow room that i had laying around. I like to cover the bucket tops with if for the first week of veg to make the bucket tops extra light proof until the canopy fills in and shades the bucket tops. Anyone who grows hydro knows that even the smallest light leaks lead to algae and slim. Also, there are a few clones missing from the cloner pics on the previous page because i gave a few away.

Very nice and healthy...had no idea that 80-85 was ideal...

heat mats under clones dirt or areo, makes sense. now they have thermostats that will auto shut-off (heat mat, light, or pump) if the temp raises to say... 86. a backup to protect from hi temps. depending on your gear, enviro and season, temps can become delicate to balance.. in aero or dome.