Pheno hunting, strain choice SOG

So, I’m starting out by growing 20 plants (soil) in a 4x8 tent to pick the best pheno. Questions:
#1: I am thinking about doing 2 different strains so I have a variety? Is this a bad idea for my first pheno hunt? Should I do just one strain?
#2: Any strain suggestions that work well with a sea of green?
#3: I am planning on taking clones from the mother plant(s) and running 32 plants in 2 aero systems in the tent. I find hydroponics easier than soil. Should I stick to RDWC, or give aero a try?

1. if your doing 20 plants you can certainly run 10 of 2 different strains.
2. Anything with Purple Punch crossed in it seems to do great in scrog, that or breath strains.
3. I have no good experience with RDWC but if you already have an RDWC system I wouldn't switch to aero. If you haven't already invested then still I'd probably get a proper RDWC setup going. If you do it though, chiller, pH doser, 50 gallon primary reservoir. This is just what I've been told by someone who runs RDWC "fallponics" style system exclusively. He uses Athena pro line in it with zero issues, he's making me wanna switch from coco to it but I'm not rich enough for all the necessary provisional equipment (chiller, ph doser )

I assume you meant SOG and not ScrOG when you mentioned those strains? My ultimate goal is to have a 32 plant SOG in my 4x8. (And yes I know that’s not a traditional SOG and will require veg time before flip). Unfortunately I don’t currently have my RDWC (waterfall) system. I would much rather build something new and thankfully money is no object. Maybe I’ll build one Rdwc and one Aero. That way, if I don’t prefer the aero over the Rdwc, then I could convert the Aero to RDWC or vice versa.

ddeck96 said:

I assume you meant SOG and not ScrOG when you mentioned those strains? My ultimate goal is to have a 32 plant SOG in my 4x8. (And yes I know that’s not a traditional SOG and will require veg time before flip). Unfortunately I don’t currently have my RDWC (waterfall) system. I would much rather build something new and thankfully money is no object. Maybe I’ll build one Rdwc and one Aero. That way, if I don’t prefer the aero over the Rdwc, then I could convert the Aero to RDWC or vice versa.

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I do a SOG not SCROG but imo they're the same thing just one you don't train plants as much into the nets and more just grow them up into the nets. I do SOG personally 4 plants per light 2 tier netting and let em rip with minor adjustments here n there through stretch.

Try Aero & RDWC and let us know how it goes. That is adding a lot of variables to your grow though. One thing enticing about Aero is your using a pH adjusted solution at all times so there will be a lot less pH swing & dance.

If money isn't an object: https://shop.pahydroponics.com/niagara-special-edition-fallponic-extended-13-gallon-12-plant-fallponic-with-30-inch-stalk-to-stalk-spacing-not-for-grow-tents-shipping-and-handling-included/

The best systems you can get and why build it yourself if money isn't a problem? You'd save days of time ordering prebuilt systems at that scale.

Running SOG myself with 2 phenos of the same plant. I do flood and drain in rockwool cubes, it's stupid easy. Best of luck.

Oh yeah, master kush is my suggestion.

ddeck96 said:

I assume you meant SOG and not ScrOG when you mentioned those strains? My ultimate goal is to have a 32 plant SOG in my 4x8. (And yes I know that’s not a traditional SOG and will require veg time before flip). Unfortunately I don’t currently have my RDWC (waterfall) system. I would much rather build something new and thankfully money is no object. Maybe I’ll build one Rdwc and one Aero. That way, if I don’t prefer the aero over the Rdwc, then I could convert the Aero to RDWC or vice versa.

Click to expand...

I am about to run a similar setup in 2 4x4 tents. each one has 6 Earthbox Jrs with 2 plants per. I have done a single tent this way a few times.

If you are going for 1 plant per sf, i'd say keep veg to a minimum. They will fill in the space quickly. rule of thumb is they will double in size during stretch so u dont want them touching when u flip or it will be a jungle and u have to defoliate the whole run (learned the hard way).

Ideally you want a cut with very little side branching so that you get a single cola. I have seen this trait in lots of different strains, you just need to pop a pack and hunt for the one with the structure you want along with whatever other taste/smell/funk/punch you are looking for.

ilovereggae said:

If you are going for 1 plant per sf, i'd say keep veg to a minimum. They will fill in the space quickly. rule of thumb is they will double in size during stretch so u dont want them touching when u flip or it will be a jungle and u have to defoliate the whole run (learned the hard way).

Ideally you want a cut with very little side branching so that you get a single cola. I have seen this trait in lots of different strains, you just need to pop a pack and hunt for the one with the structure you want along with whatever other taste/smell/funk/punch you are looking for.

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So 1 plant per sq ft is enough for a good SOG? And the strain doesn’t particularly matter, it’s just finding the right pheno that has the structure that will work well with SOG?

calvin.m16 said:

I do a SOG not SCROG but imo they're the same thing just one you don't train plants as much into the nets and more just grow them up into the nets. I do SOG personally 4 plants per light 2 tier netting and let em rip with minor adjustments here n there through stretch.

Try Aero & RDWC and let us know how it goes. That is adding a lot of variables to your grow though. One thing enticing about Aero is your using a pH adjusted solution at all times so there will be a lot less pH swing & dance.

If money isn't an object: https://shop.pahydroponics.com/niagara-special-edition-fallponic-extended-13-gallon-12-plant-fallponic-with-30-inch-stalk-to-stalk-spacing-not-for-grow-tents-shipping-and-handling-included/

https://hydrobuilder.com/hydroponics/water-chillers-and-water-heaters/active-aqua-chiller-with-power-boost.html

https://hydrobuilder.com/bluelab-ph-controller-connect.html

The best systems you can get and why build it yourself if money isn't a problem? You'd save days of time ordering prebuilt systems at that scale.

Click to expand...

My mom is an engineer, so I’m kind of following in her footsteps. I guess that’s why I chose to build them cuz I like to learn knew things and work with my hands. I’ll def consider those systems tho!

I like that idea of kind of a SOG SCROG combo. I feel like with 1 plant per sq ft I’ll need to do a little bit of training so my canopy is nice and full. Do you top yours at all or is that a no-go?