LED grow (2x Money Maker) (2x Pineapple Chunk) (1x Incredible Bulk)

[MissingCow]

Tonight I will be starting a grow journal from seed, 1st day of germination. I have designed and tested my grown room, but it is different from any previous grows I have attempted, so there are many variables that are new to me. Rather than repost everything about the grow space, the link below is for my deign and build thread which covers everything. Not sure how to link, so copy paste I guess.

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=289820

Here's a brief overview for anyone who doesn't want to read the whole thread to catch the drift:
-SolarStorm880
-CO2 supplementation
-Sealed Environment with various environmental and air controls
-Soil based media (Canna Professional)
-Organic nutrients (Canna bio line)
-Will be using SCROG, topping, defoliation techniques
-10 gal Smart Pots are ultimate potting environment
-Drain to waste system

Nutrient line feeding schedule for this grow


Tonight my genetics arrived, so for this grow I will be using:

Money Maker, Pineapple Chunk, Incredible Bulk - All Feminized



Germination on 8/11
(2 x Pineapple Chunk)
(2 x Money Maker)
(1 x Dr Krippling's Incredible Bulk)

Strain notes below for my reference and other growers who may pursue these: (including sales pitch from breeder)
Pineapple Chunk
Breeder: Barney's Farm
Type: Indica Dominant
Feminized: yes
Yield: 650 gm/m2
Height: 60-70cm
Flower Time: 60-65 days
THC: 25%
CBD: 1.1%
Genetics: Pineapple x Skunk #1 x Cheese
Breeder notes:
- Vigorous, stable, mould and disease resistant
- Watch out for stretch - 1' -> 4' in 4 weeks
Effect Characteristics:
- Couchlock
- Relaxing
- Thought provoking
- Spacey/psychedelic
- Calming

Money Maker
Breeder: Strain Hunters
Type: 70% indica, 30% sativa
Feminized: yes
Yield: 1.0 gpw/m2 under 1000w hps
Height: Short, 5-7cm between internodes
Flower time: 8 weeks (56 days)
THC and CBD unlisted... it is however listed as a "Medical" strain
Genetics: Original Master Kush x Hindu Kush x Skunk
Breeder notes:
- Vigorous, fast grow
- Low leaf:calyx ratio
- Can take high nutrient levels
- Short and Bushy stature
- Foxtailing likely
Effect Characteristics:
- Fast hitting
- good for insomnia
- narcotic effect, pain relief
- physical effects and tranquility

Incredible Bulk
Breeder: Dr. Krippling
Type: 80% Indica, 20% Sativa
Feminized: yes
Yield and Height are not measured... except in the sales pitch below
Flower time: 7-8 weeks
THC: 20-24%
CBD unlisted
Genetics: Big Bud x SuperSkunk x Green Spirit
Breeder notes:
- Almost impossible to hurt (hopefully I won't have to test that)
- Accepts a huge range of pH and nutrient fluctuations
- Withstands heat and moisture well
- flip before 2' tall
- "boxing glove sized" buds (when supplementing with CO2 in a hydro system) - hopefully I WILL get to test that

Next post to contain germination methods and photos.

 

[MissingCow]

As mentioned above, tonight I am germinating (2 x Pineapple Chunk), (2 x Money Maker), (1 x Dr Krippling's Incredible Bulk) with the intention of culling 1 of them before flowering. My desire is to grow the Incredible Bulk, as well as 2 pineapple chunks and 1 money maker, but we will see how the phenotypes look. If I have any sickly plants or colossal screw-ups, I have 3 seeds remaining for each PC, and MM.

I started by preparing a seed propagation tray with perlite at the bottom to prevent the rockwool cubes from becoming water logged.

Rockwool cubes were submersed in 5.5 pH water per the manufacturer instructions, and all seeds were direct sown, tap root opening side down. The cubes were gently pinched shut, and a small piece of rockwool placed over the top of all seeds.


The humidity dome was added. Temperature measurements are being taken from the center of the tray, as well as from the center of the rockwool cube using a cheap underwater thermometer I picked up at a pet supply store, by the aquariums. I am aiming for a germination temperature of 78 deg F. In the last 5 hours of germination, the temperature has spiked over 80, so I now have the propagation tray sitting on ballpoint pens above the mat. Hopefully this will help regulate the temperature overnight.

Humidity has been steadily 85-95%. I misted the cubes when I covered them with the dome, and I will continue to monitor the cubes to make sure they do not dry completely out.


I've got high hopes for the next 24-72 hour. Hopefully germination will occur soon.

Thank you for stopping by. Comments, feedback or tips are always appreciated.

 

[MissingCow]

After 36 hours none of the seeds have sprouted. I'm not concerned as I know it can take some time, however since I've only germinated tomatoes, peppers and other low value plants in rockwool, so I'm a little more anxious this time.

I am resisting the temptation to even briefly remove the small flap of rockwool I used to cover the slight pinch I put in the rockwool. I am, however very tempted.

Temperatures have been between 72-81 F, with RH around 80-95%. I've dipped the rockwool cubes in pH 5.5 water several times when they've felt dry. I think the perlite may be allowing these things to dry out faster than using the plastic base alone.

Hopefully I'm keeping a good balance of moisture and temperature. I'll find out in the next several days I guess.

 

[MissingCow]

Germination results and transplant

Germination results and transplant

Things have really progressed since my last post. All 5 of the seeds popped after 36 hours, and were left in the humidity dome for an additional 24 hours before moving next to the tent, sitting in indirect light from the Solar Storm. At this point however, the stems were quite stretched out of the rockwool cubes and searching for light.

Fans were applied, however Money Maker #1's stem was not strong enough to stand up to the very light breeze, and she folded over.


As you can see, her above ground growth is still quite vibrant. I propped her up with a plastic twist-tie, and left them alone for an additional 24 hours.

After 24 hours in the indirect light and under the fan, I decided to transplant into 1 gallon root maker pots. I will be using the final media in these pots, Canna terra professional plus.

 

[MissingCow]

All of the seedlings look like they are doing pretty well. See my notes on each picture for my observations.



- Temperatures have been 75-80 degrees, RH has been 45-55%. I have a humidifier running in the tent to try and raise this, but it's proving to be difficult.
- I am not injecting CO2 at this point, but will start in a week or so. Photoperiod is 24/0.
- Feeding Mild nutrient solution using Canna Bio line. 1 gal tap water (130 ppm typical) : 6ml Bio-Vega/16ml Bio-rhizotonic. Agitated to provide O2 to solution, applied by hand to containers after transplant.

 

[MissingCow]

Another 24 hours without killing anything, so I'll count that as a win.

Here's some pictures of the seedlings:


Observations:
- Money Maker with damaged stem continues to dominate growth
- Money Maker #2 looks 2nd best of all
- Pineapple Chunk #1 looking great, straightened right up from yesterday
- Pineapple Chunk #2 has developed very slightly browned leaf tips
- incredible Bulk is still smaller than everyone else, and the leaves are very very curled.

-Temp has been 77-78
-Humidity has been 40-45% - trying to raise that with humidifier
-Watered last night with tap water only, pH adjusted to 6.3
-Medium still moist

Thanks for stopping by! I'd appreciate any tips or recommendations.

 

[MissingCow]

My TDS meter arrived yesterday, so I set about having a fun evening testing the TDS of everything except bathwater. Here's my results:

Tap Water: 86 PPM
Filtered Water in grow room: 86 PPM
Tap Water at other sinks in house: 85-95 PPM
Filtered water in refrigerator dispenser: 74 PPM (woot!)

I've been fiddling around with an aeration bucket in the hopes that I could filter my water, aerate it, and off gas any chlorine all at once. The tests above prove that the filter does essentially nothing to the TDS in the water. It may filter out chlorine, but I'm not sure.

Here is a photo of water from the aeration bucket versus from the faucet:


Given the above information, I've decided to scrap the bucket altogether, complete with float valves, spigot, really-inflexible tubing, and enough silicone to seal 4 showers. I will however be saving the two air stones, and using them to keep pre-mixed nutrient solution aerated. This will not require any sealant, nozzles, hoses or float valves. So it's not a total loss.

Here are the girls. I'm starting to see the 2nd and 3rd leaf fingers coming out of that second set of leaves on Money Maker #1.


The next two are Money Maker #2. She is displaying slight leaf cupping downward which I believe looks like overwatering. Perhaps I saturated the soil too much at the last water? If you believe I'm right or wrong, or have a suggestion I'd love to hear it.





I believe the yellowing may have been a slight overdoes of nutrients due to foliar feedings and perhaps too strong nutrient solution for the starter soil. I have backed off for 1 feeding to regular 6.0 water @ 86 PPM. Next feeding I will continue with the mild nutrient solution.

The Incredible Bulk is looking quite a bit better, especially in the new growth areas. She does have some leaf damage at the tips where they were curled when she sprouted. I just had a brilliant/bizarre theory about why this happened:

• She was the closest seedling to my remote thermo/humidistat. This unit has a blinking red light every minute or so. I'd bet money that during her dark cycle upon first emerging (she was under a humidity dome in my kitchen - so she had a dark cycle for the first few days) her night cycle was interrupted by the blinking light right next to/reflecting on her.

• Ever since moving her to the tent, her light cycle has been 24/0. The blinking red light hasn't hurt ANY of them under the circumstances, as they have light all the time.

• On a PREVIOUS harvest, I had the same type of remote termo/humidistat hanging in the canopy. The leaves around this area were curled and light stressed in the same way.

Check the photo:


And I just now figured this out. What a noob. So let that be a lesson to you and learn from my mistakes. I will be covering the blinking LED with duct tape right now.

Question: do you think I may have hermied her already this early in her life? I don't think so. A little assurance from a pro would ease my guilt for stressing her as a newborn.

Continued below...

 

[MissingCow]

Here is Pineapple Chunk #1, doing well although quite a bit smaller than all the others, including her droopy sister below. Her stem looks good, and I believe root growth is doing well, but her vegetative growth up top are slower than the others.


And finally, Pineapple Chunk #2. She is definitely in the running for "most likely plant to be pulled at transplant to 10 gallon bag time". Crawling along on the ground, peaking up, she is either a drama queen or still in some stress. What do you think?




Thanks for watching. I'd like to hear anyone's thoughts on my few problem seedlings.

 

[Granger2]

Post #8, Pic 2, is that a crimp in the stem? Worrysome. I'd prop it up to about 45˚. I wouldn't go any farther than that at this point. It could be Damping Off, but I'm not for sure on that. Is it growing OK other than that? Good luck. -granger

 

[MissingCow]

The Pineapple Chunk that's laying down? No, that's not a crimped stem, she's gently lowered herself into that position. Her top is tilted upwards though, and her stem is gently curved in the same way there. Do you think I should prop it up still? Seems to be growing fine, except she also has tip yellowing. In fact she's got it worse than anyone else, but still not bad. You can see that a bit in the same picture.

 

[MissingCow]

Day 15 after seed

Day 15 after seed

Another 24 hours and still nothing is dead. Crushing it here baby, ha ha!

Pineapple Chunks however still look like they may be damping off. #1 was quite dry this morning, but #2 was still quite damp. All of the others were dry and light as well, so I fed all of the plants except Pineapple Chunk #2.

Feeding was:
1 gallon water
Bio-Vega: 16ml
bio rhizotonic: 6ml
cal-mg: 1 tsp
pH: 6.0
TDS: 578

Here are some photos from this morning:
Pineapple Chunk #2 seems to be able to support herself at 45 degrees, so I raised her support a little more to get her more upright. Thanks for the suggestion Granger!


Pineapple Chunk #2


Pineapple Chunk #1

Barney, if you're reading this, what's the deal with your seeds man? (I reserve the right to redact that if it turns out this is my error somehow) I don't really know. I'd like anyone's opinions on what this may be, and if there's anything I can do about it.


Incredible Bulk


Money Maker #2


Money Maker #1

Thanks again for stopping in.
MC

 

[MissingCow]

The girls have done quite a bit of growing in the last 5 days, some more than others. The Incredible Bulk has really taken off, growing rapidly day after day and is now the largest plant I have. She is looking healthy to me in every way, and it's nice to see that she appreciates my efforts.


Money Maker #1, the plant that bent her stem in the first 2 days of life, the plant that I thought wouldn't survive the night, is still the 2nd biggest in the garden. She is growing very vigorously, 2nd only to the Incredible Bulk. She is growing taller than the IB, however, but not as wide at this point. Still, she is beautiful.


Money Maker #2 is looking just fine. She suffered slightly yellowed tips on several of her leaves, and she's not growing as fast as her sister #1, or the IB, but overall still looks very healthy.


The two Pineapple Chunks are still the weakest in the garden. They are still growing slowly, and are spindly, and overall just look to be about a week and a half behind everyone else. I don't know what happened with these two, perhaps they really didn't like the transplant shock from like day 6 of their lives. They are all 20 days old now, so I don't know if this growth is really that far off baseline.

Here is #1:


And here is #2. She is supporting herself now, and her stem is growing stronger every day:


I am posting my grow journal on LED Grow Light Forum under the same username with more detail if anyone is interested. Over there, a user suggested that they had some spindly/slow growing Pineapple Chunks as well, but that they turned out fine in the end. I'd be interested to hear if anyone over here has an opinion on this strain. I've been reading (after purchase and germination and nurture of the seeds, of course) that Pineapple Chunk can be a finicky strain with very long flower times. If you've grown this strain before, I'd love to hear what you think of my seedlings, and your experience growing PC.

I've been watering my soil with 6.0 water, thinking back to my Hydro days of 6.0 being optimal. It was pointed out to me that 6.5 is actually the optimal pH for soil, therefore I will be watering the plants tonight with distilled water + CalMg to stabilize the pH. I haven't tested the runoff pH, but I'll do that tonight. That may explain some of the leaf-tip yellowing I've sen in Pineapple Chunk #2 and Money Maker #2.

Environment:
Light height: 24" above canopy
Temperature: 80-81 degrees at canopy level
Photoperiod: 24/0
RH: 40-45%
CO2: 300ppm (std environment)
Nutrients and water as needed when soil is dry

Currently the tent is open, only to mitigate the temperature at this point. Once the seedlings reach vegetative growth, and can consume extra CO2, I will be able to close the tent. This will raise the temperature to 90-94 degrees, bump the CO2 to 1250-1500 ppm, and allow the humidity to raise to 60-65%.

As the flaps are open, I can not do anything further to raise the humidity beyond spraying them a few times a day. I have 2 cold vape humidifiers in there running 24/7.

Any thoughts, observations, or comments are appreciated! Thanks!
MC

 

[MissingCow]

About a day and a half ago, I started supplementing the environment with CO2. This might be early, especially as I would only really classify 2 plants as being in vegetative growth, the other 3 are still at the tail end of seedling stage.

The change in CO2 also necessitated a raise in ambient temperature, which was accomplished by closing the tent (obviously, keeping the CO2 in as an added benefit). The humidity, which I was unable to raise previously, is easily maintaing 60-65%.

I measured them before and after 24 hours of CO2, higher heat and humidity. I should note that all of the leaves have perked up noticeably since supplementing with CO2 and raising the temperature, which have skewed my readings somewhat, but I tried to be at least half-way accurate.

Here are my results, and photos:

Incredible Bulk
2.875" -> 3.25" = 11.54% taller


Money Maker #1
3.8125" -> 4.125" = 7.58% taller


Money Maker #2
2.25" -> 3.125" = 28% taller


Pineapple Chunk #1
1.625" -> 2.0" = 18.75% taller


Pineapple Chunk #2
2.25" -> 2.5" = 10% taller



After 36 hours I'd say they look pretty good still. They're reaching up, and I know from reading others journals that heat will do that to the plants. I am fairly sure that the CO2 has not been detrimental to growth, but I don't have a benchmark before introducing CO2 so it's tough to say.

I will say though that when I peaked my head in there for the first time today, I thought woah, they are way bigger than yesterday. In most cases they're over 10% larger, which I guess would be a noticeable difference.

MC

 

[Gloomshade]

Subscribed to follow along. Just had 4 incredible bulk beans pop up out of their coco pots. Definately interested in how she goes.

 

[ISM2]

Update? Would love to see how your Incredible Bulk turned out.
I ordered a couple Incredible Bulk beans. The first one didn't sprout, so I'm on my second one. It's been in the seed starter tray (covered Petri dish filled with vermiculite) going on 2 days now.

 

[Organikz]

Looking good

 

[oc_grower]

Nutrient line feeding schedule for this grow
[URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=55702&pictureid=1300585&thumb=1]View Image[/url]

Tonight my genetics arrived, so for this grow I will be using:

Money Maker, Pineapple Chunk, Incredible Bulk - All Feminized



Strain notes below for my reference and other growers who may pursue these: (including sales pitch from breeder)


Incredible Bulk
Breeder: Dr. Krippling
Type: 80% Indica, 20% Sativa
Feminized: yes
Yield and Height are not measured... except in the sales pitch below
Flower time: 7-8 weeks
THC: 20-24%
CBD unlisted
Genetics: Big Bud x SuperSkunk x Green Spirit
Breeder notes:
- Almost impossible to hurt (hopefully I won't have to test that)
- Accepts a huge range of pH and nutrient fluctuations
- Withstands heat and moisture well
- flip before 2' tall
- "boxing glove sized" buds (when supplementing with CO2 in a hydro system) - hopefully I WILL get to test that

Next post to contain germination methods and photos.

I have an Incredible Bulk coming this week. I look forward to the rest of this thread and I will share my grow log here so that you can compare. I will be using LEDs and HPS. In general, I am going to pop them, put them under CFL for the first 1 or 2 weeks, then under LEDs for veg, and for the first 2 weeks they will be under LED in bloom, then HPS, then LED, then HPS until finished. Or I may keep them in hps for 4 weeks and then put them under LEDs. I have not decided that, yet. I have 4 "600w" LEDs coming... They use 285w so to me they are 285w LEDs.

 

[Epod]

I like to see how well this does

 

[spearwarrior]

Thanks for the info, I'm ordering seeds and this convinced me to give the incredible bulk a try.