RE: Backyard Cannabis Farming 2019: Episode 8 - Final Topping, Leaf Removal, & Safely Sacrificing a Male Plant
ok so first thing I am wondering is if those 5 gal buckets have holes in the bottom for drainage, bc they need those holes. You typically put a water tray underneath the buckets to catch the drainage. This is not necessary for fabric pots since they drain naturally without holes.
The soil being too compact is most likely a result of there being no perlite or hummus in the mix. A proper amount of perlite will allow proper aeration for the soil, and avoid nasty things like "root-rot". Its too late for the soil in there now but make sure your new mix has components for aeration when you transplant. I recommend Happy Frog by Fox Farms (already contains perlite in this mix). You will need about 3 bags per 45 gal pot so that will be 9 bags for 3 plants. They are about $10 a bag.
Based on your grow space, I would transplant those into 45 gallon pots (which is what I currently use outside) whether they be plastic or fabric is up to you, but either way make sure to pick up water plates for underneath the pots. You may be able to find some used on Craigslist or OfferUp since you are on a budget, just make sure you clean them thoroughly if you do.
You are also going to need at least one more light for when those get bigger... Another T5 could work but I would recommend going with LED lights since they are much more energy efficient and also provide a better spectrum. @JonYouDyer may have a product tip for the LED's. Also maybe something to look for used which may result in another T5 for now.
Ideally, you want to plant from your 1 gal pot into your final grow container with no intermediary, something to keep in mind for best results in the future.
As far as nutrients, stick with Botanicare or Nectar of the Gods. Both these companies keep it organic and natural - especially important for personal consumption, just follow the amounts on the label to a T, do a little math and make it right to avoid burn. I will always use Botanicare's Liquid Karma no matter what though... its just an amazing, unmatched additive.
I would go get all your materials, transplant them, water them (no feed), and then immediately top them and do any manicuring you think may be necessary right after the transplant so you do not have to shock the plant more than once. Then feed them a few days later when the soil drys up and it is out of shock. 24 hr light cycle is fine for now, and you can grow them out completely in those 45's since you control the light cycle indoors. Once you change the cycle to flower, make sure you give the plants two solid water flushings before you change to bloom nutrients.
Your plants have likely stopped growing bc they are root bound in those containers as the roots have no where else to grow. They need to be transplanted asap. Make sure you keep that grow space the right temp too, maybe get a thermostat to keep an eye on it. I think the fan is fine, and you will honestly need a little bigger one when your plants are bigger. Follow these steps and you should have some nice big juicy melons upon completion, as long as your roots do not get sick. If you spend the $250 or so necessary to do all this you will not regret it, and you will want to keep doing it.
Oh i see the water pans now, they are super transparent.. still wondering about holes on the bucket sides though...
Yep, got holes drilled in the bottom for drainage and using miracle grow potting mix. I poked holes in the dirt with a pointed pencil to aerate and it did help some. The T5 lights I already had from starting gardens from seeds so no expense there yet.
A 45 gal pot is about 2 ft wide, don't think I'll get 3 of them under that 4 ft light.
I've watched a bunch of vids etc to try to get up to speed and LED does seem to be the way to go.
That space is about 5 x 6, may need to use the whole space. Have some mylar to put on the walls...
Okay.. the pots and the medium I'll get ordered right away. The led light, yeah, could use some advice. 1 light for the whole space would be ideal as in simple like me. lol
BTW... I have keep forgetting to mention about those vampire plants. Kinda watching for them to walk off... don't turn your back on them. LOL
Thanks so much for taking the time to lessen the learning curve for me.
The reason I hesitate going whole hog is that I'm not sure the issues of heat, humidity, and air circulation can be solved in my garage located in the freakin desert.. yeah it's hotter than the inside of a cow (old saying of mine)
what do you use to shoot your videos.. tia
Just use both the T5 and whatever else you get and you will have plenty of light for those 3. You may want to look into getting some kind of small AC unit for that little space you are growing in. If you section it off with a white blanket or sheet, you will not have to cool down the whole garage if you are worried about it getting too hot. You will also need an additional fan which should be able to find used easy (keep them clean). Just pop open your grow area every once and a while so the humidity can escape somewhat.
Also... please do me a favor. Get rid of that miracle grow and never use it again. I mean that in the nicest way possible, but look up the ingredients and tell me if you want to smoke the products of those cheaply produced synthetic chemicals. Please STRONGLY consider purchasing Botanicare nutrients for you grow. You can get them in very small, affordable sizes too if you are on a budget.
Much love, and keep me updated with what you have going on here. I want to see you succeed now, and in all future grows. Bless & blaze up.
This is a process. There's going to be trial and error but I'm leaning heavily on your advice, my friend.
I have 9 bags of happy frog waiting for the 45 gal pots, saucers, and liquid karma to arrive on Sat.
First thing Sunday morning... can hardly wait. First thing I've really gotten to grow since we moved here 5 years ago. Used to have an organic garden
Even came with a caretaker. har I've been trying to stay as natural as possible ever since I discovered the depth to which we're being lied to. 2001
The person who brought the plants was a friend of a friend and offered to transplant them for me and said to buy 5 home depot buckets and miracle grow and he was like coming over the next day. When he came he was in an extreme hurry for some reason but he kind of hurried it I thought. I lost control of the situation, only myself to blame but looking back now I ask myself, "What the hell were you thinking!" lol Yeah, I'll get rid of the Miracle Grow, thank you kindly.
So then where do I put the plants.. moved them all around the yard trying to find a spot they wouldn't be seen and there was no place. Then I put them on the balcony off our bedroom and bought a privacy screen to go around the deck and thought I had it solved. But the wind and the hail and no direct sun till almost 11am looked like it was going to kill them. They gotta go inside somewhere.
I settled on the garage but now I had to move racks and rearrange quite a bit after I had just finished a year long makeover.
It would be fairly simple to frame that wall and I have all these 2x4s left over from taking the ridiculously huge shelf I built when we first moved here.
So much to think about, will have to address things as I run into them bam.
Really want to see this strain succeed. Old time smoke. I smoke weed because it makes me happy, kinder, the person I would've been if this world hadn't kicked me in the ass so many times.
Thanks for letting me share this experience with you, makes it all the more fun. Much love back at ya, my brother.
Awesome and it sounds like you are on the right track. The only thing I can add is to make sure you also get some veg nutrients to go with your liquid karma. LK is a nutrient formula additive, not the base grow nutrients. You still need the grow stuff. LK's natural counterpart is Botanicare's Pro-Grow formula. You can use the LK additive with both your veg AND later also your bloom nutes. Throwing some worm castings at the base of your hole and in the back-fill dirt when you are transplanting can also assist initial root development as well if you can get a hold of any. Bless up.
We'll see what happens now but 3 of the plants should have room to grow and now I don't have to worry about over watering.
Now we're talking! Make sure you keep a fan on them. Did you remember to top them when you transplanted? What have you done for pest control so far?
hehe :) progress then.. I've got the big fan on them about 15 ft away at the moment. I did top them, first time out it's almost a given that I made "some" mistakes. I have some spray that says it's for organic gardening but thinking about it now, I never read the fine print. I think it has neem oil in it if memory serves. Anyway, I applied it once so far. directions say to start it out on a 7 day basis but it never got a second treatment.
Maybe I can take a close up video... the one in the middle especially but seems really thick in the middle... not sure if it needs something.
still need to transplant the other two... I can't throw them away.. they'll get what light they can until I figure which way to go there.
those fabric pots got me thinking about vegetables now.... I miss fresh herbs, tomatoes, etc.. that dirt is sweet, nice and loose and rich.
brought the garden hose in and soaked them good till water came out the bottom.. that should provide a little humidity if I close it off..
"life is for learning" Woodstock song lyric
You are doing the right things, just dont forget to acquire those grow nutrients to go with your Liquid Karma. HMU on Discord if you have any further questions or concerns about your grow.