Newbie - Too Many Bud Sites?

[GrowBabiesGrow]

Hi There

So, after my apparent mission to commit as many newbie mistakes as possible, I've managed to bring Strawberry (Cough) into Flower. My attempts at training & scrogging have yielded a good number of bud sites. Even the lower/smaller sites are starting to pick up a bit of density, but the overall growth seems very slow.

~ At this late stage, is it best to remove the lower/smaller bud sites or go ahead or focus on adjustments to speed up the overall growth? ~

Background bits

The slow growth could also be due to a potassium deficiency that I've since (hopefully) recently corrected. I don't think it is due to the light intensity, ventilation or circulation - they seem to be in good place.

I adjusted my nutes upward for the last two waterings (but still not quite up to the Advanced Nutrients recommended base/supplement dosing) and this has seemed to help so far. Density-wise, I'd put her larger sites at around WK 4 of Flower. Time-wise, it's more like WK 6 or WK 7.

The temperatures are consistently 24-25° Day / 21-20° Night and aside from some annoying fluctuations these past 3-4 days, I've have tightend the humidity to around 44-46%.

All experienced advice is greatly appreciated!! ; )

M.

[Bluey]

Your environment is pretty good but I'd be aiming for 55%RH at that stage.

Your canopy needs leveling a bit better but that will come with practice.

I can see the nute deficiency on the leaves and great your'e onto it.

You've removed far more leaves than what I would. That will slow growth down a bit I'd think but you are on track for a good harvest. Remove anything that you can't get into the light including buds.

You don't have too many bud sites.

What sort of light are you using and how many watts? Looking at that plant it may not be getting as much light as it wants but not sure.

[GrowBabiesGrow]

Thanks so much Bluey!

I’ll be sure to bump the humidity back up for the time being. And yep, I really need to work on my defoliation & pruning skills; they’re more akin to butchery right now.

I’m using a Spider Farmer SF1000, so 100 watts max. for a 60 x 60 cm tent. The board dial is now at 90% and has been gradually raised from 70% 10 days ago. I’ve been keeping the distance quite high while undergoing the % increase. The board is approx. 50 cm from the mid-height/center buds. I plan on lowering them by around 10 cm when I hit 95% in couple days.

M.

[Bluey]

Download one of those PPFD apps to measure light using your phone.

Then calibrate it with a trusted reference source such as MIGRO or another trusted reviewer and then you'll know where you are at light wise. That light is fine for that space just a matter of getting the distance nailed.

[Rootsruler]

I agree with Bluey. You really need to download a light meter app so that you have an approximation of how much light your plants are receiving. I have an android phone so I use Tent Buddy.

I would actually go slightly higher on the humidity to around 60% and temperature to around 26C - 27C. Raising the temp should increase the plant metabolism which should help in filling out the flowers but you are a right at the edge time wise. I would have raised temp a few weeks earlier but you are where you are. You may want to look into buying a laser thermometer. This way you can measure leaf temps which, IMO, is actually more important than air temps. Optimal leaf temps are 75º - 79º.

BTW I wouldn't gauge flower density by the week they are in. I've grown cultivars that were lacking all the way up to week 8 only to have them bulk out after that.

I assume you'll download the light meter app but you can also use this chart to get close.



When you get more experience under your belt look into Vapor Pressure Deficit and Daily Light Integral. This will help you dial in your environment and light intensity.

What you are doing isn't really scrogging so much as you are trellising your plants. I see some bent branches from LST but scrogging is where you essentially LST using the net to keep your canopy level so that as many bud sites get the same amount of light energy..

The ScrOG I'm currently running in my 5 x 5.

[GrowBabiesGrow]

Thanks so much Rootsruler!

I'm looking at the LUX-525 Pro app for iPhone, which can measure in LUX or PPFD. EDITED: I'm trying the Photone app first.

One of my sensor/app setups measures VPN, so I'm starting to grasp its importance.

Gorgeous Setup, by the waxy!!! Very inspiring!

M.

[Bluey]

Use this to calculate VPD for stage of growth

https://vpdchart.com/#F,61,75.2,74.3,3

[Rootsruler]

Yes to Bluey and the VPD charts he posted. BTW Thanks Bluey! These charts have helped me better pinpoint the correct VPD for my plants.

GrowBabiesGrow - To really take advantage of VPD you need to be able to measure leaf temperature. A decent laser thermometer is around $20.

[GrowBabiesGrow]

Hey There Again,

Quick update on Strawberry. The bud sites are picking up in heft, albeit a little slower for the lower sites that are sitting approx. 36 cm below after dropping the board to 30 cm below the tallest site right of red string in pic and am up to 1.5 liters every other day w/ alternating nutes. Enviro conditions good.

[Rootsruler]

Some choice fatties I see there!!!! Good Job!!

[GrowBabiesGrow]

Thanks! I'll try to post some pics from just before harvest. ; )