Need plant training advice

[dphipps1020]

Looks like you got everything you need already. I personally do CalMag at about half strength with no issues, measurements on the bottle are what I use. Personal preference on that I think (or plant preference). I've gotten away with not using it but I also use tap water. Manifolding techniques are easy, just make sure you have something to tie them down with or they'll stand right back up. Here's a couple examples for you from some I did last night. I used the quadlining technique this time but it gives you a general idea of what you may want it to look like. My space is a bit bigger so I'm sure you'll be scaling it down a bit. I'm also working on my big top fed rdwc setup so I can separate my hydro plants a little bit, was leaking a little last time I used it. Had an unfortunate mishap with my fan and it almost took 3 of my hydro plants out completely. Still salvageable, just need a little time to heal and they'll be good as new. Including pictures of all that too.

[SoOrbudgal]

Got enough going on there dphipps1020? LOL

[dphipps1020]

Yeah I moved my flowers to the 4x4s and moved everything else into the 8x8. Needed the room for my hydro setup cause the small tub was getting overtaken by the 5 in there. May only end up keeping 3 of them though. Figured I would try doing hydro again since I seem to be doing ok with the soil. Goal this time is to fill up the tent, I'm tired of small plants and low yields. Plus I'm smoking it as fast (if not faster) as it's curing! At least I have been getting to taste the difference during curing though. Been using the bags and they work so good. Huge difference from the jars, at least for me.

[LBBandit]

Howdy everyone! I just completed my transition into the bucket. I decided to go easy on the nutes and after measuring my ppm I’m at 100 with a ph of 6.0. Are the nutes strength to low?

[RFheavy]

A little low but no big deal. Slowly ramp up ppm every day and get the ppm to 400 heading in to the next grow week. The leaves of your plant tell you a lot, so always keep an eye on them.

[RFheavy]

I'm right behind you, friend!

[LBBandit]

Nice, RF! How low is your water line from your net? It’s nice knowing your not alone! Thanks for helping me!

[RFheavy]

The water level is several inches below. As the roots get more abundant, the water levels shall rise. I also have a water chiller so things get a little "easier".

[LBBandit]

Did you top already? If so what node?

[RFheavy]

Haven't topped yet. Fourth node is coming out so I have a little ways to go. Are you familiar with topping?

[Obi-Wan]

The pictures below show the best way I’ve found to LST with 5 gal. DWC buckets. The eye hooks give you an anchor point on the top surface of the lid so you won’t run into issues when you lift the lids. Use good nickel plated eye hooks so they don’t rust. If you get slightly longer eye hooks you can use the eye and the underside as anchor points. My space is a 3x3 so you’d have about 6” more depth to fill than I do with my front 2 plants.

[LBBandit]

Hi Obi, I like the idea. Thank you! Quick question why did you untie the plants in the front?

[Obi-Wan]

They were starting to touch the tent sides, front, and plants next to them prior to defoliation. I just wanted to give them a little space and by untying them they started to pull up and in back to toward the center of the plant.

[Obi-Wan]

These are the plants before defoliation.

[LBBandit]

Wow! Crazy. So when you are defoliating is it a gradual process or something that is done at once?

[Obi-Wan]

It’s somewhat gradual, but I tend to be on the heavier side when it comes to defoliation. I’ll take a few leaves here and there for a week or two and then take 1/2-3/4 of the leaves in one shot about 2 weeks before flower. Then I’ll give them a good week to recover and take about 1/2 of what comes back when I switch to 12/12. How much I take always depends on how healthy and vigorous the plants are. The plants above were extremely healthy and well established. I pruned the lower branches for clones at the same time so it makes the defoliation look more drastic.

[LBBandit]

How tall did you grow them before flower?

[Obi-Wan]

I’d have to measure them but I think they’re 12-14” from the bucket lids.

[LBBandit]

Hi Obi, another question. When you pruned your clones I’m assuming you put them in another tent for rooting and veg?

[Obi-Wan]

I use an aeroponic cloner for rooting and then to separate tent so I can maintain the Veg light schedule.

[LBBandit]

Hi everyone, I’m back again with a tiny update as it is the 3rd day since the transition. I’be been taking RF’s advice on slowing bumping up my ppm’s and today I’m around 200, ph 6.0. I also dosed cal mag at 4 ml’s (using ro water) and I’m not sure if I need to bump it up or not. Here are some picks. Some insight would be great. Thanks in advance!