RealHard's 490W Defoliated AK48 Closet Grow

[RealHard]

What's up, IC? MY name's RealHard and I grow DWC. I have 2 AK48 in 5 gal. buckets going. I'm on the 28th day of 12/12 today. I'll run you some picks to get you up to speed starting with the end of veg. I vegged for about 5 weeks under a 90W quad band LED. I got a 400w hps and put that in and turned the lights off that night. One was topped for 4 main colas cause she was much taller than the other and she caught up by the time the lights were switched. More pics coming in the next post in a minute.

 

[RealHard]

Starting 12/12

Starting 12/12

Oh ya. They were 8 inches at the time I switched the lights. This bring us to Day 13 12/12. The on topped for 4 main colas is having some spacing problems. The lower node never grew upwards and was shaded so, I removed it. Then I still had spacing problems so I removed about half of the branching on her. I was going to kick her out. The one on the left is a total rockstar. It's one to clone but, I don't have the setup really.

 

[RealHard]

Super Cropped

Super Cropped

This brings us to Day 16 12/12. They stretched so much. The top is well over 30 inches now and I can't move my light up any more, so I super cropped.

 

[RealHard]

Defoliated

Defoliated

On day 24 I read about defoliating on this site and I had already removed a couple fan leaves and had my eye on others. My light doesn't penetrate to the lower stuff and it was dying off and my middle wasn't looking good either. Very controversial technique. I'm very pleased with it.:

 

[CheeseBerryHaze]

Looking good, what nutes you using?

 

[RealHard]

Hi, CheeseBerry. Thanks for checking out my grow. I'm using Jack's Pro Hydroponics and Calcium Nitrate. 1/2 teaspoon of each per gallon. It works really well for me and stays stable. I don't even have to check my PH. I make the solution and it comes to 6.0 and I bring it down to 5.6. Later that day it will be back to 6.0 and I bring it to 5.8 and it stays there. My friends that use it tell me they don't even do that and that I don't have to adjust. Theirs stay at 6.0.

 

[RealHard]

3 Days after Defoliating

3 Days after Defoliating

Here are some pics from today.

 

[RealHard]

Day 42 12/12

Day 42 12/12

Everything is looking good. Maybe 2 more weeks.

 

[killerweed31]

oh shit bro ..awesome plant..put out many nuggets, should be a serious yield but also nice quality too!!

 

[RealHard]

Thanks killer. I'm hoping for a very nice yield. I want em fatter!!!!

 

[RealHard]

Day 51 12/12

Day 51 12/12

Trichs are still clear.

 

[RealHard]

Day 59 12/12

Day 59 12/12

The main cola is fully the size of the can in the one pic. The pic doesn't do it justice. Almost done. Maybe another week.

 

[CheeseBerryHaze]

looking very nice indeed now, is there any particular stage in flowering that the growth rate is higher?

 

[RealHard]

Hey, CheeseBerry. I don't know about what stage packs on the most. I'm gonna harvest the upper half tomorrow. I'll keep you posted with some pics tomorrow.

 

[RealHard]

Harvest

Harvest

I harvested the top half of one of the girls. I boosted the bucket to keep things even.

 

[Ny2CaFuse]

RealHard great job, man. I'm planning on starting my new grow as hydro soon and debated ebb and flow vs DWC. After seeing your grow diary I'm convinced DWC is right for me this time around. What is the size of your grow area? Any weigh-in on the first cut?

 

[RealHard]

Hi, Fuse. DWC is very easy if you pay attention. Big yields are likely in DWC as well. Not to say ebb and flow doesn't just that DWC is beginner friendly. My closet is like 4x2 ft. I don't have any ventilation so I ran with the door open and lost lots of light. I need to get a small tent. I haven't got a total yet on the first half. It's been 5 days drying now. I'll keep you posted on the total. Peace.

 

[Ny2CaFuse]

Sweet, my box is about 4x2 also. It's nice when you could visualize what can be done in the size space you're working with. Keep us updated on the numbers.

Edit: RealHard, are you happy with that 400 in that space, or did you have distribution issues? I was thinking 2 150s or even 250s so I could adjust each light over its own plant, but if you were happy with the 400 (and the results don't give me any reason you shouldn't be) than maybe I'll go with a 400.

 

[RealHard]

What's up, Fuse? I liked the 400w. I wouldn't recommend using a lower watt bulb because they won't penetrate as well and I want more penetration as it is. I harvested a little over 4 oz. off of the first harvest and now I've harvested the rest. I have to delete pics to post more. I'm gonna post pics in a minute. I did have a little bit of trouble with my light spread. I wanted a little more but everything worked out well. The nutes I use are kick ass. Jack's Pro Hydroponic with Calcium Nitrate from Jack's as well. I don't check ph or ppm's at all during bloom.

 

[RealHard]

Harvest

Harvest

I got over 4 zips on the first harvest and have the rest drying now. We'll see what I get in the end.