[JOURNAL] My first grow: 24"x24"x64" tent + 250W HPS + 3 Autos in 3gal pots

[Cocho]

Yeah, look at that!

The first one looks like it has had some kind of mutation. If you look at my grow, you'll see that the first pairs of leaves have kind of a similar look to them.
I believe it's just some kind "flaw" when they're developing their first leaves. But that will get fixed on its own eventually

 

[theblues88]

How are they looking? I think only one is growing okay, the others two are too slow??

What do you think?

 

[BlueBudz]

They all look great! I love the three leafed one!!

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Morning 88, I would think it's because they are getting their roots established growing down, in a day or two they are gonna surprise you just how fast autos can grow, sometimes if the conditions are right, they can grow 2-3 inches a day easily. Good Luck with yours 88.

 

[theblues88]

The top layer of the soil was kinda of dry and the pot's weights felt lighter, so I decided to water them for the first time.

I'm not sure where I read about this strategy but decided to use 1L of water for each pot instead of waiting for the runoff at the bottom. The reason is that, since this is a big container (3 gal) for such small plants, the deeper layers were probably not dry.

Added BioGrow at 1/4 strength then adjusted the ph to 6.5

Let's see how they go. I'll add photos as soon as I can.

Edit: Read about sharing 1 gal of water between 4 plants (so roughly 1L per plant) here: http://www.growweedeasy.com/250w-hps-beginner-tutorial

 

[theblues88]

Here are the pictures

 

[theblues88]

Quick update on how they are looking after 19 days from seed.

Bottom left: 70% Sativa
Bottom right: 80% indica
Top: 60% Indica

 

[theblues88]

Help! Two plants are growing very thin/skinny new leaves. Is this some kind of deficiency??

 

[Jibblerjoe]

I don't think that's a diffeicincy. Those are sad leaves, too much water maybe? I'm in coco though.

 

[Jibblerjoe]

Sorry not much help here.

 

[theblues88]

Thanks! I'm not sure about overwatering... The pot is already starting to feel light... I noticed they look kinda droopy depending on the time of the day. These pictures were taken an hour before lights off period. Is that makes any sense...

 

[Jibblerjoe]

Before lights out, and as the light comes on, some of mine got droopy leaves.

 

[Jibblerjoe]

In fact that maybe a sign they need a drink

 

[theblues88]

So, since temperature has been a bit high (summer here) I decided to give them algamic (seaweed extract) as foliar supplement. (1ml/L).

Let's see how it goes.

 

[theblues88]

New pictures a couple of hours after lights were turned on.

 

[theblues88]

Quick question: Are they ready for some LST?

 

[BlueBudz]

I’d say so! Are you going to be topping them?

 

[theblues88]

BlueBudz, I don't think so. If they were from some well known genetics maybe I would.

 

[BlueBudz]

All the more reason to hone your skills!

 

[Cocho]

I would suggest topping them. The reason why you would do that is so that your canopy gets a more even and flat surface.
In a tent like yours, with a light source right above the plants, a even canopy will make a difference in yield. The reason for that is the fact that you will not have one main cola that absorbs most of the light and energy, but multiple colas on an even "canvas", getting equal amounts of light and energy. Resulting in more bud that will "ripen" at the same time. That way you won't have to harvest multiple rounds. And with some more training you can make sure your plants don't spend a lot of energy growing popcorn buds at the bottom (small buds growing lower on the plant, with little to no light due to the shadow of the bigger branches). Which also will result in bigger yields.

May I suggest that you take a look at these guides? They have really helped me stepping up my game after years away form this hobby.

Low Stress Training (LST) Tutorial - http://www.growweedeasy.com/low-stress-training-lst
Topping vs FIMing Cannabis Tutorial - http://www.growweedeasy.com/topping-fiming#topping
Nebula's Flowering Stage Defoliation Tutorial - http://www.growweedeasy.com/nebula-flowering-stage-defoliation-tutorial

It's quite an easy read, and everything is explained really good, so that you can do it even tho it's your first time.

I had never done anything else than LST before this grow, and I believe it has been a success this far.

Good luck!