Ill_Evan Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 To celebrate 420 this year I've decided to get nicely lit up and start another grow diary To stick to the pattern of my grow diaries over the years here on the forum, I begin yet again with an absolute shitshow. The first harvest of the year was a disaster and a hard lesson on attentiveness, consequences and the use of autopots. The big tent (2.4x1.2) netted about only 160g compared to the 827g I managed to rock last year. Right? Bruh I know. The problem began early on. I had left the plants to the care of a friend that may have let the early veg plants suffer from underwatering and therefore also underfed. This caused some plants to stagnate behind which initially caused a lack of consistency in height when transferred over to the big tent and autopots. Some plants were able to settle and get nicely rooted in time for the switch over to the reservoir, some on the other hand, unbeknownst to me, did not develop sufficient roots to be able to feed effectively from the bottom of the autopots. Due to this, they were also unable to regulate themselves and suffered badly from the heat. The problem here is that after a while you can't water from the top anymore after switching to the reservoir system as it will first overflow the trays and secondly, once the top layer dries it begins to buildup salt, which if flushed through the pot could shock the plant. I eventually just culled half the plants as they were just so deficient the bud would have been awful. Might as well just smoke garden grass. Out of the 8 plants that went in, I had 2 that were jarred and cured at harvest. This result was also why I had decided to pull out of the last Cannabis Cup. I could never enter using bud I do not think is a representation of my capabilities. I've got a fire to bring it to the next one, if they will have me next year. Observe the ass-end of this grow: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted April 20, 2023 Author Share Posted April 20, 2023 So after that mess, I decided to go back to basics and do a few new strains in one tent (1.2x1.2) using fabric pots and Organics Matter Living Soil along with the bunch of BioBizz nutes I still have lying around and another tent (1.2x1.2) of ZxP with fabric pots, coco perlite and TA salt nutes. Hand watered throughout the grow. The new strains are Radical Juice and Zombie Bride, both by Ripper Seeds. They are well into flower and maybe have just a few more weeks left to finish up. I've made some cuttings of two of the new phenos for the immediate next run just based on how they grew and the terpenes they are promoting. I will select the next on how these smoke after cure. Immortal ZxP - 1.2x1.2 - coco/perlite - fabric pots - TA salt nutes Classic, the standard. Too many fans to switch this one out. Radical Juice #1 - 1.2x1.2 - living soil - fabric pots - BioBizz nutes The colours are amazing. Smells of earthy diesel. I wonder how the terpenes will be after cure. Radical Juice #2 - 1.2x1.2 - living soil - fabric pots - BioBizz nutes Bushy and a yielder. Will probably harvest a good amount from this plant. Zombie Bride #1 - 1.2x1.2 - living soil - fabric pots - BioBizz nutes Nice bulbous buds. Keen to see the last push on this. Going to give this one another run. Zombie Bride #2 - 1.2x1.2 - living soil - fabric pots - BioBizz nutes Slight light burn on the top corner. Moved it a away from the light as soon as I saw it. Otherwise good looking pheno. Zombie Bride #3 - 1.2x1.2 - living soil - fabric pots - BioBizz nutes The shortest of the plants, but damn the terpenes are amazing. Very sweet desert gelato terpenes. Decided to try give this one another run. 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted April 20, 2023 Author Share Posted April 20, 2023 And because mama didn't raise a quitter, I reset the big tent with the autopots for another round of ZxP as my redemption arc. 800g+ babay let's go! This time I have all the plants at a similar height and stage of growth. I've also already started LST on any branches trying to take the lead. I am also going to water from the top a bit longer to allow the roots to truly establish before switching to the reservoir. I have also set the pots on top of the trays instead of sitting directly in the trays for the duration of watering from the top. This gives me a way better indication of when runoff occurs which shows that the pot is watered enough and also doesn't let the bottom of the pot sit in excessive moisture. I find the pots dry a bit more consistently this way. I had a bit of a scare with some possible septoria or just early blight. I initially thought it were a deficiency but after some consulting amongst the Wizards of Bud it was singled out as a possible pathogen. I treated the plants with a systemic fungicide and so far all is alright again. Quite keen to get this tent bushy and into flower. 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LitItGrown Posted April 20, 2023 Share Posted April 20, 2023 Maybe this would be of some aid; Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora cannabis) symptoms Mycosphaerellaceae Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Subphylum: Pezizomycotina Class: Dothideomycetes Subclass: Dothideomycetidae Order: Capnodiales Family: Mycosphaerellaceae Cercospora leaf spot is a fungal disease caused by the pathogen Cercospora cannabis that affects cannabis plants. It is characterized by the appearance of small, circular, grayish spots on the leaves, which later turn brown and develop a yellow halo. Over time, the spots coalesce and cause extensive damage to the foliage, reducing the plant's photosynthetic capacity and affecting its overall health and productivity. Cercospora leaf spot is a common disease in cannabis plants and can occur in both indoor and outdoor cultivation environments. The fungus can spread rapidly under warm and humid conditions and can be transmitted through spores that are dispersed by wind or water. The disease is more common in crowded and humid growing conditions, as it can quickly spread from plant to plant. Preventing Cercospora leaf spot requires proper plant care and good hygiene practices. This includes maintaining good air circulation, avoiding overwatering, and keeping the grow environment clean and free from debris. Early detection and treatment are critical to prevent the spread of Cercospora leaf spot and limit its impact on cannabis plant health and productivity. There are several treatment options available for controlling Cercospora leaf spot in cannabis plants. These include: Fungicides: Applying a fungicide to the affected plants can help control the spread of the disease. However, it is important to select a fungicide that is labeled for use on cannabis plants, and to follow the label instructions carefully. Cultural controls: Good cultural practices can help prevent the spread of Cercospora leaf spot. This includes removing infected leaves and debris from the growing area, ensuring proper air circulation, and avoiding overwatering. Biological controls: Using beneficial microorganisms, such as Trichoderma, can help prevent the growth of Cercospora fungus and other harmful pathogens. Resistance breeding: Some cannabis strains are naturally resistant to Cercospora leaf spot. Therefore, selecting resistant strains for cultivation can be an effective long-term strategy for preventing the disease. Integrated pest management: Combining multiple control methods, such as cultural controls, biological controls, and resistance breeding. It is important to note that early detection and prevention are key to controlling Cercospora leaf spot. Below is an example of Cercospora leaf spot; 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesignatedDave Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 @Ill_Evan - Have you seen the new autopot airbases so that you don't need to use the pebbles anymore - https://hydroponic.co.za/hydroponics/autopot-airbase-square/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 Just now, DesignatedDave said: @Ill_Evan - Have you seen the new autopot airbases so that you don't need to use the pebbles anymore - https://hydroponic.co.za/hydroponics/autopot-airbase-square/ Hey man. I did see them. I mix my medium using separate coco/perlite and add leca. I like to get about a 60/40 mix in general when using salt nutes. So seeing as I usually have a bunch of leftover leca I just use it up by stacking the first layer with the airdome. I then wash the first leca layer after harvest and use that in the next mix that I make. In all honesty I've already spent a bunch on the autopots and would rather do without buying anymore stuff. If I had to sell the autopots in future I'd rather not have to try upsell the airbases as well without having to be convincing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesignatedDave Posted April 21, 2023 Share Posted April 21, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, Ill_Evan said: Hey man. I did see them. I mix my medium using separate coco/perlite and add leca. I like to get about a 60/40 mix in general when using salt nutes. So seeing as I usually have a bunch of leftover leca I just use it up by stacking the first layer with the airdome. I then wash the first leca layer after harvest and use that in the next mix that I make. In all honesty I've already spent a bunch on the autopots and would rather do without buying anymore stuff. If I had to sell the autopots in future I'd rather not have to try upsell the airbases as well without having to be convincing. I've ordered 8 to try out, I think I'll prefer them to the pebbles, I hate those pebbles and I'm convinced they fuck with the PH levels of the nutrients in trays / root zone. Are you considering selling your autopots or are you just hypothetically saying? Edited April 21, 2023 by DesignatedDave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 2 hours ago, DesignatedDave said: Are you considering selling your autopots or are you just hypothetically saying? Hypothetical. I think the system works but if I were to expand I am unsure of whether I would invest in more of them. I am becoming more and more simplistic in my train of thought; less is more kinda vibe. If the big tent with the autopots goes well again I'll setup some more autopots I have lying around in one of the smaller tents. I'll keep the tester tent/organic tent hand fed though due to the organic nutrients. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeS Posted April 22, 2023 Share Posted April 22, 2023 This is cool, your diaries are always amazing 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted April 24, 2023 Author Share Posted April 24, 2023 Think I've beaten the worst of the early blight. Here's hoping it doesn't make a comeback anytime soon. Just finished up some LST on the plants. I would like a flat canopy as much as possible. Some plants are showing more stretch than others so some additional attention will be required to keep everything gucci. I am still watering from the top for the meantime. I want no doubt that the roots are well established before switching to the reservoir and bottom feeding. At that point I will also activate the air pump for the airdomes in the pots. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted May 8, 2023 Author Share Posted May 8, 2023 I have flipped the tent and trimmed the branches in preparation for the stretch and preflower phase. I have also put the pots into the autopot trays and have activated the reservoir. I feel there is little doubt now that the roots are well established, much more so than done previously. Canopy is also looking level. I've tried my best to LST the major branches to all be on the same level. Some plants have stretched more than others already, but I think I've managed to control the most of it. From the atrocious past run this is already looking much better. I was worried big tents were just cursed. Otherwise in another tent I already have some more ZxP on the way, looking scrumptious. I have the harvest date set for 11 May. Will take some trichome pics on the day. 2 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted May 11, 2023 Author Share Posted May 11, 2023 ZxP harvest. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrE Posted May 11, 2023 Share Posted May 11, 2023 Nicccce! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bos Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 Frosty AF...very nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted May 14, 2023 Author Share Posted May 14, 2023 Got some bud pics of the organic harvest. Radical Juice - Ripper Seeds The colour speaks for itself. It looks dangerous, and slaps like a they/them. The smell is of grapefruit. Smoke is a bit harsh, a friend said it gets them right down the windpipe, but the aftertaste is great. Definitely has that bag appeal and I could imagine a grow club selling this at a premium because of the colour. It's also dense as fuck. Zombie Bride - Ripper Seeds This is a personal favourite. I have been trying for long now to find a good wedding cake cultivar. The smell is of icing. She's not much of a looker, but my god is she a smooth and sweet smoke. This is the weed I always wanted for myself. Now that I have it, I do not look forward to getting a tolerance for it. Slightly more dense than the Radical Juice. 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted May 14, 2023 Author Share Posted May 14, 2023 Put in the net and gave the bottom branches a final trim. I should be good from here until full flower. Canopy is looking real good and level. One week since flip. 3 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted May 26, 2023 Author Share Posted May 26, 2023 19 days since flip. Nice preflower development so far. Clean under the net, environment is also tops. Happy with the grow so far. 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted June 8, 2023 Author Share Posted June 8, 2023 Halfway through flower. Cleaned up the canopy and defoliated the lower to mid branches. All good in the hood. @AK-47 Gold Arabesque 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesignatedDave Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 they really look like they loving life at the moment. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-47 Gold Arabesque Posted June 12, 2023 Share Posted June 12, 2023 (edited) On 4/20/2023 at 3:28 PM, Ill_Evan said: Wanted to ask, what week are the plants at here? As it is your first picture of the new grow, I'm not sure of the age. Seems you already defoliated the whole lower part? Is that something you can get away with doing early during veg for photoperiods? I assume the plant didn't stretch that high without any lower leaves or offshoots Could be wrong through. Thanks in advance! Edited June 12, 2023 by AK-47 Gold Arabesque Sentence Structure exdee 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 12 hours ago, AK-47 Gold Arabesque said: Wanted to ask, what week are the plants at here? As it is your first picture of the new grow, I'm not sure of the age. Seems you already defoliated the whole lower part? Is that something you can get away with doing early during veg for photoperiods? I assume the plant didn't stretch that high without any lower leaves or offshoots Could be wrong through. Thanks in advance! I don't really count weeks in vegetative state, but those plants are roughly 1.5 months from cloning. I've already topped and trained them and I'm still hand watering to develop the root zone before switching on the reservoir for the autopots. I will keep at least 4-5 branches and cut away the bottom branches as I go. This strain is well suited for training and I wouldn't try this style with any strain. I've had some belly-up grows because of trying to train a new strain far too much. You just gotta find the one that will fit your grow style takes time but is well worth it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted June 21, 2023 Author Share Posted June 21, 2023 45 days since flip to flower. Getting some fade on some plants but also a colour shift on others I am starting to experience more variance from this strain. Making me suspicious. Could this be what they call genetic variance? I've been cloning the shit out of this strain now for three years and only really started keeping a mother plant recently. Up until then I just took clones before flipping the tent. I had a feeling in my bones to prepare for such an event and that's why I did the organic tent above with new strains (Radical Juice + Zombie Bride). Honestly the Radical Juice claps me too hard, like it makes me uncomfortable, especially the chosen pheno that at this point is already all gone. The people love to use it, but it isn't for me. The Zombie Bride is way more mellow and something I personally enjoy toking anytime of day. Doesn't get you too monged, can wake and bake with it, and it comes down to a chill vibe. It'd be a bleak day chopping the ZxP. 5 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrE Posted June 22, 2023 Share Posted June 22, 2023 Love to see it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ill_Evan Posted July 1, 2023 Author Share Posted July 1, 2023 Some cheeky pics. Harvest window ETA is in about a week ie. ~7 July. All the same strain, but some variance between the plants The frost is at least looking clean. It smells great! The bud is pretty leafy though. Trim time is longer but there's always plenty sugar trim for other things. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty.Psychonaut Posted July 3, 2023 Share Posted July 3, 2023 Damn man another amazing batch done, you really pumping full gear, amazing work as always! Just goes to show what the phrase "reputable breeder" really means! Never seen you posting mids or even anything close to sub par. You really don't have to do any digging at all to find a good pheno when selecting the right seeds. Did you clone them all to select a keeper or how do you plan future grows with the new genetics? If I remember correctly you ran your zurple punch pheno quite a few times? 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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