My First Grow Journal...EVER! 600W MH/HPS Bubbleponics Cabinet Grow

[Daskahn]

Ok so this may be a very crude and ugly solution but can you take a board or other peice or wood and prop them up?

[ellz]

I tried to hold them up but it causes the plants touching it to die. That is why a lot of the new growth in parts is dead I think...from leaning against the wall.

[JohnC]

ellz - You have lots of places at the top of your cabinet where you can attach string / twine. Use that to "pull" your branches upright / suspend them from above.

I've of read many cases where people had put their plants into flowering and then didn't know what to do when the weight of the buds pulled their branches over. Tying branches up from above has always been a common practice.

[ellz]

But in doing that I limit being able to open the lid to my reservoir for nutrient changes.

[ellz]

So update...I turned the reservoir around 180º so that the plants weren't leaning into the door but instead leaning against the back of the cabinet. I tied up one stalk with the thick plant ties I have so I will see how long that lasts. And like I mentioned earlier, the latest problem is that new growth is dying off. I imagine the stress from trying to save it has likely harmed it more. I think I may just pull this grow and start over when my new seeds arrive. I will definitely be doing everything different next time...that is for sure! Here is how it looks after doing that...

[alltatup]

Don't give up on this grow; you will harvest some bud for sure. And ellz: try to avoid taking negative energy/anger into the grow room with you; it's bad for you and for the plants. Find the solution; don't stew in the problem.

[ellz]

alltatup Thanks. I am not giving up on it. I have made my mind up to stick it out through the end and I have also decided to just calm down and not get too stressed over this. It's my first DWC grow so I have to stop being so hard on myself for things I didn't know. Again, thanks for helping me regain my composure.

[alltatup]

You're welcome!! Most of us have been there and done that. I would have chucked my second grow but everyone on the forum kept telling me to hang in there (with a horrific case of root rot/algae). And I think so many of us have the kind of personality where we expect perfection.

It's happened to me on various occasions But I just accepted my (sometimes expensive) lessons and kept on truckin. These extraordinary plants do what they do, and we're the ones who have to learn how to serve them well according to environment, equipment, and strains. They are so generous with their rewards!!!!!! I really do worship my plants.

[Graff420]

So you take the whole lid off i only pop the lid and slide it slightly to the side but imma make a pactch to put on mine next time the holes i had to cut for the net pots imma but 4 or 5 lids so i can cut some 5" holes out of another lid then with the 5" pastic circles imma screw them over my net pot imma put some 2" holes in it for the plant to grow throw but the 5" plastice will hold my net pot sercurely to the lid without letting it lean at all this is what i mean tho use the left over plastic from cutting the 5" holes place it over the 3.75" net pots to hug the net pot between the plastic peices hope this helps but all you need is another sterilite lid cut 5" peices out cut a 2" hole in the midde then cut in half so you can get it around your net pots now and screw them in but like the pic i posted just made way better lmao sorry that is the best way i can think so you can remove your lid but also it wont allow the net pots to tilt in any direction

[ellz]

Good info, thanks!
It won't let me like your post, but I do.

[Graff420]

No problem just dont want you giveing up i w wanna see what them look like when they get to harvest

[ellz]

I am not going to give up.

[ellz]

08/31/2017:

10:30PM: Here are today's photos of how it's going...

[ellz]

Okay...I am over my frustration and will just stick this grow out through the end. I have learned a lot from it and will most likely at least have something to show at the end of the whole thing so I apologize for the negativity earlier and I hope you will all forgive me.

As for my next grow, below are a few photos of my new reservoir with the water level indicator installed. I used a bulkhead with a 1/2" threaded barbed elbow installed and a blue translucent tube. The water level will only start showing when the reservoir is around a quarter of the way full (which is about 4-5 gallons) but basically this is just a way to see when the water is getting too low and add as needed. I plan on using a Sharpie and marking the tube at each gallon interval I can and I will probably put a white zip tie around the max fill line so it's easy to spot.

Just have to finish leak testing the bulkhead and then it's on to working on the rest of it.

[Daskahn]

Good to hear we didn't lose you.

[ellz]

Nope...I am still here.

[ellz]

09/01/2017:

06:20PM: The plant has straightened up a bit since yesterday. I moved it more to the center of the cabinet now that it is a little better. I did notice a big dead patch on the back side (see photo below) but that was the part that was hanging on the ground so it's probably dead from that. I will likely try to go through and cut all that off later this evening. The top of the plant looks good. The bud sites are fattening up a bit so that is good. I have to add some water to the reservoir tonight so I plan on checking the pH and making sure that is okay (since I didn't even check it after making my nutrient mix this last time). I am hoping that I can yield at least some buds off of this grow but I definitely won't get what I should have if I would have been more prepared. Oh well...we live and we learn and I have learned a lot! Thanks for reading and for sticking with me through my earlier fit of anger! Photos below of today's status and the dead patch (sorry about the angle...it's on the back side and I couldn't see it when I snapped it).

11:55PM: Added 3 gallons of pHed, HydroGuard water to the reservoir. I didn't cut off any of the dead plant. I don't want to risk damaging the rest of the plant so I will leave it.

[D.A.A.S.69]

Your gonna do all right.

[ellz]

Thanks

[Graff420]

They are still gorgeous tho lol i remember you starting them like 30 days after i planted mine and she looks 100 times better im just more busy dealing with my daughter everyday so i lose track of mine and ended up causeing her to grow slow but its all good cant wait to see how them buds fill out

[ellz]

09/02/2017:

06:30PM: My father-in-law is in town for a few days so I have to be low-key with my plant checks. I doubt he really would care all that much but I really don't want any more drama right now so it's just easier to say I am growing tomatoes! LOL. Anyway, I managed to check on the two White Poison plants tonight and they are looking pretty good all things considered. I snapped a couple of photos of the bud sites along with the day's progress. In the mean time, I have been plugging away on my new reservoir so it is perfect for my next grow. I will make a separate post for that information after this one. Thanks for reading!

[ellz]

Notes on my next reservoir:

I tested my original design idea for the self-drain feature on the reservoir. The design was:

I didn't install the radiator for first test. Instead, I just placed a t-fitting at the top where the radiator outlet would be. Even with plugging one of the two open ports on the fitting, the drain feature didn't work well. Only when I held the drain tube in just the right position did it start to drain but only a small amount compared to the other t-fitting.



Then I tried my second design, which looks like this:

Again on this test, I omitted the radiator. On the side that would go to the radiator I just put the 6-port drip manifold with no on/off valve in between. The other side was just like the picture shows. When I turned on the flow valve, the water flowed out of the drain tube MUCH BETTER! I imagine with the on/off valve installed on the opposite side of the drain tube, and with that valve turned off, this self drain option will work like a charm to remove most of the water from the reservoir with a simple turn of two valves. The only thing I would want to install that is not shown is an inline on/off switch for the water pump so that I could turn it off when the water level drops below the intake tube to prevent burning up the pump. I also ordered a battery powered water pump that can be inserted in the fill port to drain any left-over water that is not flushed out with the pump. I plan on doing a few more tests and getting it perfect before growing in it this time. I will be doing several mock drains and fills to see how it goes.

I may end up starting a new topic on GWE here just for this reservoir build. Do you all think that would be helpful or no?

[Daskahn]

Man your grow and plans seems amazing.. lovely read

[ellz]

Thanks

[ellz]

09/03/2017:

06:10PM: Went and checked on the girls briefly today. They are looking awesome other than the dead spots down low! The top of the plant is now touching the bottom of the light! I had to move it to the side so it didn't curve! The bud sites are starting to frost up! I will likely need to go add some pHed, HydroGuard water later this evening. I am very excited again...can you tell?! Here are a couple of pictures from today.

11:55PM: Added 4 gallons of pHed, HydroGuard water. These girls were thirsty!!

[ellz]

New reservoir drawing that will be getting tested soon...

[Daskahn]

Very nice I like the water level indicator

[ellz]

Thanks.