Grow 2 - Germinating

[buz]

I have a question I can't seem to find the answer to and a question whether anyone has seen this anomaly before. The answer I can't find refers to my light and seedlings. Does my LED stay at 16" even while seedlings stretch toward it? The anomaly I mentioned refers to the second photo. It is one seed and two plants - I have twins. Wondering if I should separate them for two honest plants or leave them to grow together.

[Tika]

I veg under 4' T5s in veg and keep the light (comfortably warm to my hand)..about 3" above maybe. If your veg light is too high you will generate a whole bunch of stem which you don't want.
twins?...never had one. You might search GWE for that problem. If it were me I would either wack one or reseed. Too close to grow together.
could also slice upen the rooter and do a separation.
always something new to explore

[buz]

Yeah Tika, that stretching of the stem bothered me. I think I can safely lower my LEDs to within a few inches without harm. There's relatively 'no' heat generating from them (some heat but very little).

The twins are, or could be, a problem as you described. I may go the 'surgery' route to separate them and if it's a fail then just reseed. I'll have a couple extra White Widow seeds when they arrive. Have been notified the order is processed so maybe on their way. Always something grabbing my attention whenever I enter my grow room.

[Tika]

One reason I like coco growing is that if/ when I get a seedling stretch I can fix by transplanting the root riot plug deeper into the coco. That said I will be adding lights much sooner to germ process BUT will still leave room for more coco on top to cover stem.
Always a Tango

[buz]

Always a Tango (in Paris - hehe) indeed. I see your reasoning for the coco. I guess I'll just have to struggle along here, blazing new trails. (hehe - just kidding).

[buz]

Weekly update to "Grow 2". Air Temps ~60^o+, Humidity ~45%, ppm 350 (at full strength nutes), pH ~6.0.
Of the 5 seeds I had to plant, I still have 5 despite one died. How can that be?, well, my Sour Crack seed sprouted twins which I was able to separate and I got them both to grow. They are a little on the sickly side, meaning their growth is sluggish, but I think that will change once they establish fully. I want to change my reflection material ( for the open side of the grow) to mylar that has a texture to it - I'm still trying to make space blankets work, but they're just not up to it. They lose way too much light. Maybe I can get the mylar this week.

Did my first water change yesterday and it went without a hitch, just seemed to take forever. Forever was about an hour and a half, I think I can get that reduced to 30 minutes in the future. Adding nutrients to this system is different from a single tote self-contained system. I'm using GH Flora Trio + CalMag (1/2 dose). I add the nutrients directly to the main tote figuring as it's pumped to the growing totes it gets diluted till the system balances. Here in the neighborhood we're having a bit of a cold snap which most often also brings very dry air, the humidity has been ~40 - 50%. At what humidity level should I start misting my plants?

I worry about the two struggling plants (Caramel 2 and Sour Crack Twin), but as long as they appear to have a chance it's hard to yank them out. I see this grow becoming a 'staged' grow where I will probably be harvesting one or two plants at a time since they are growing at different rates AND I have 3 that are not even planted yet (come on postman). I marked up one of the photos showing what's what.

I took a few minutes one day and put a 'Journal' together, it's on 4x6 card and I fill one out daily noting the current stats, comments on each plant and general comments for things like water change, training, or issues that pop up. For instance, my water change was a surprise, I had white mold already and algae. The mold was on my Rapid Rooters which I had left over from Grow 1 (6 months ago). I used a paper cup to shield the plants and treated the mold to a dose of H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide). The algae was treated by a thorough draining of the water, dried the totes inside, then wiped down with Clorox wipes. Hopefully, that will take care of things for now.

I've bitten off a chunk here going from my one tote grow to this, but it keeps my on my toes.

[Karlee]

Hi Buz

I'm thinking lower the lights you want the tight nodes . And if not using hydroguard get it and res change you don't want to fight mold and ickies right off the bat!

[buz]

Hello Karlee,

Thanks for the reply. When you say lower the lights, how close do you suggest? I recall in my first grow it was noticed I had the lights just inches (~4-6") from the seedlings and the gurus at GWE suggested raising them to the 16" mark. I like your reasoning, to make tighter nodes, I just want to get it right. These LEDs don't produce appreciable heat so being nearer can't hurt from that stand point.

I think your suggestion for Hydroguard is a very good one. It's now on the 'list'.

[Tika]

GEORGEOUS Environment!!! The nice thing about being a neat freak (although it can annoy others) is that it supplies economy of movement/ saves time & energy. I am a neat freak because I sleep too close to chaos.
anyway...I wonder about lowering the lights: in reading my documentation from Platinum LED-p600s ...the general concept is to raise or lower the light as you view the condition of the plant is if leaves curl or appear stressed raise them. Some strains want more. Others less. But that's no help if the plant is stretching like crazy. Also you do not have a reflective surrounding right? Yes with LEDs you don't have heat burn but can have intensity issues. Soooo: bring them down an inch maybe.
altho my LEDs do both veg and flower with both switches I still prefer to veg under T5s because I can bring them down nice and close while also maintaining leaf temps and environmental temps.
not much help but I am with ya!

[buz]

Yes indeed Tika, sometimes the 'neat freak' in me gets in the way, but as you say it pays dividends like economy of movement and searching for stuff later on. I too sleep in close proximity to general chaos, all I can do is turn a blind eye.

I suppose I could lower my lights little by little watching for adverse effects. These LEDs also grow from veg to flower and beyond (smiling) - mine are GalaxyHydro, one of which was responsible for my first grow. I usually do not buy according to price although I did with these, only $89 a piece. The first was $129, then the price dropped. Cheap always sets me on edge, I just can't afford $500+ lights atm - soon tho.

I do have my reflective wrap, same as I had for my first grow, but am no longer enthused with it. I'm intending to get a roll of Mylar (textured) to replace what I have. I have set up a 'clothesline' of sorts that my reflective mats hang from, just had them drawn back for photo purposes.

[Karlee]

Hi Buz

It's that stalk on the babies it's long the reason I said lower lights. Tika uses your type light so I'd trust her word . I have a baby that shows what I mean you want the tight nodes close together and it makes tight buds.

this was t5 light and you can get real close they love it.