Uncledoug's 2nd Grow, Northern Lights Autoflower.

[uncledoug]

So my 1st grow is winding down, another 3 weeks or so. I learned a lot from from all of you so I'm feeling a bit more confident going into this 2nd grow, so a big thank you for all the help so far. I started this grow on April 28th, soaked seeds in glass of tap water overnight, April 29th put seeds in moist paper towel, seeds germinated on May 1st, planted them is solo cups using coco coir buffered twice in Cal mag water. Sprouted on May 4th.Began week 1 nutes at 1/2 strength. On day 11 I transplanted to 1 gal fabric pots, then transplanted again to 5 gal. fabric pots on day 16. I was planning on leaving them in the 1 gal. pots longer but was a bit nervous if I waited longer I may have a harder time transplanting with all the roots. Next grow think I'll go from solo to 5gal, less chance of shocking them that way.
This morning I topped one plant above 5th node, will top the other tomorrow or the next day, 5th node needs a little more growth. So I'm thinking of Lst only once on these two and then let them fly. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[Campesino]

Excited for the possibilities of this second grow!
Everything so far sounds great!
I think you did the correct transplanting and would encourage you to continue a three step process in the future.

 

[uncledoug]

I'm curious what the benefit is of a 3 step process over 2 step?

 

[Campesino]

Several! Especially:
1. Root development is best in appropriate sized containers. If the container is too big roots spread out more rather than developing a strong root ball mass
2. Ability to fertigate frequently. Smaller pots are almost always better in Coco because they allow more frequent fertigation. This allows better control over EC and nutrition.

Plants grown in appropriately sized containers will out-grow plants in larger containers even if they suffer minor transplant shock. With a little practice you can eliminate transplant shock altogether.

 

[uncledoug]

Makes sense, That may be what slowed the growth in the beginning of my 1st grow, that and under watering. lol

 

[Campesino]

Yes, being in too big of a container will slow plants down in early growth.

You did the right thing on this grow! Just keep it up

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Morning UncleDoug, your NLautos, are going to be larger plants than your first grow, I start my autos in their final pots, I don't transplant, and if it's any slower, I sure can't tell the difference, once they get growing, there is no slow growth that I can tell. Been doing it this way forever, except when I tried transplanting, but I couldn't tell any difference in how fast they grew.
I love growing NLautos, they grow fast and strong. Good Luck with yours,

 

[uncledoug]

Morning DAAS, Good to hear from you.Do you have any suggestions for this grow? Both are topped now, was thinking of LST and the best approach.? If these will be bigger than the B.M. it will be tight after the stretch,

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Hello uncledoug, yours look nice, yes my NLAUTO came from Nirvana, But all NLs, can get huge , I had to constantly keep tying, my plant down the whole grow.
But she produced a few grams short of 7ozs, of some fine tasting, smoking mj..
Your gonna do a great job I know, HappyGrowing

 

[uncledoug]

Weekly Update, End of week 3, LST on main trunk. These 2 are growing much better than my 1st grow, no problems so far.

 

[uncledoug]

Update end of week 4. The girls are growing, no problems so far. These girls are compact thus far, nodes are very close to each other, Good/Bad?

 

[Campesino]

Very Good!
Tight nodes lead to dense buds!

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Morning UncleDoug, yes, like Camp says, tight nodes, is what you want.

 

[uncledoug]

Is that a genetic thing or something else, I mean it isn't like I planned on tight nodes?

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Hey UncleDoug, yeah, some have tight nodes, and some dont. I know I like those tight node plants.lol

 

[uncledoug]

Thanks DAAS, and the size of these leaves are huge, bigger than my hand.

 

[Campesino]

All signs of a beautiful healthy plant. You’re doing great

 

[D.A.A.S.69]

Those big ,huge indica, NLights leaves.
Mine were huge too.
You are gonna have some nice size plants, with big buds UncleDoug, HappyGrowing

 

[Firsttimernate123]

That's funny that's what two of them are my friend

 

[uncledoug]

Hey 123, Sorry but I don't get what you're saying?