[rrog]

This answer may be buried in the 200+ post thread kindly started by our own DrunkenMessiah, and if it is, I apologize for missing it there.

I will be starting from seed. That's a requirement since I have no access to female clones. What I've read deals with inserting seedings in the OBBT. My problem is that they have not yet shown their sex. In my last grow, I raised 6 plants (NL#5) for 2 months in veg and then put them all under 12/12 to force them to show sex. I have scopes, etc for micro-sexing, but was not confident enough in my micro-sexing abilities.

So I'm trying to figure out what to do here. I'd rather not start seedlings in chem ferts for veg, and then switch to OBBT for flower.

Obviously I'm inexperienced, but I learn through endless annoying questions. Thanks for any help from the experienced here.

[pray4pistils]

Originally Posted by rrog

So I'm trying to figure out what to do here. I'd rather not start seedlings in chem ferts for veg, and then switch to OBBT for flower.

Why NOT start them in chem ferts and then switch to organic? The plants aren't going to end up any different. I say that this is the most practical way to get started. There aren't any compromises other than your inability to impress the pure organic snobs around here.

[rrog]

Well, I appreciate your thoughts. The whole reason I'm going organic is to reduce the man-made chemicals in the plant fiber that I'll eventually be smoking (vaping). So potentially loading unwanted chemicals into the young plants is something I'm looking to avoid.

I had a huge yield with my chem fert grow. I highly recommend it. I'm just personally going in a different direction. Not looking to be a snob or appeal to snobs.

[OrganicMeds]

I would just start my plants in normal pot's (smaller that your OBBT size) with a organic soil with abit of Blood & Bone, EWC, Perlite & lime. Then when you have sexed plants transplant them into your OBBT system.

I would also start up your OBBT system at the same time and let it bubble away letting all those micro's get established with no plants in them, so when you transplant there will be heaps of ready available food for your flowering girls....

[rrog]

I know I'm whining. I just hate to start / learn an organic regimen for veg, only to convert completely to another organic system.

I fear I don't have many options.

I sure appreciate your idea. I really do. Thanks

[DrunkenMessiah]

I would stick them straight in the tubs from seedlings. Even from mixed bagseed I've never had a problem getting all females. Run a high nitrogen ratio in veg (3/1/1) don't have any airflow directly blowing on the plants, keep a dark night, and most important of all treat with cytokinin foliar sprays. Growing like this I've never had a male when I didn't want one. Good luck and happy gardening!

-DM

[pray4pistils]

Originally Posted by rrog

The whole reason I'm going organic is to reduce the man-made chemicals in the plant fiber that I'll eventually be smoking (vaping). So potentially loading unwanted chemicals into the young plants is something I'm looking to avoid.

The reason for my casual attitude towards using chemicals in veg is because the end product won't be any different. It's only the *end product* that's important, right?

Consider this... Let's say that you get some plants established and they're say... 1 foot tall before you flip to 12/12. Then you start flowering with completely organic nutes. The plants double or triple in size. (I'm talking about overall foliage + buds -not just height.) How much of the original plant is left? -VERY little. Secondly, if a 14-day pre-harvest flush is enough time to rid a completely salt-fed plant, then the 9 weeks (etc.) that you grow organically is waaaaay more than sufficient to rid the plants of any/all synthetic compounds.

Putting cool points and snobbery aside, I say go with what's most *practical*. For perspective, I'm enthusiastic about organic growing. I think it's darned cool to more closely emulate nature. I eat organically when I can, etc. If I can get the same result with organics as with salts, then I'm 100% for doing it God's way. And, that's just the point. To me it's all about the *end product* vs. the means to get there.

Carry on.

P.S. DM, I've got my own OBBT results to report soon (two full harvests since I posted in your thread). Most of it will directly support your grow theories and philosophy. Some points will stir controversy among the organic purists.

[rrog]

DM:

I'm nervous about depending on the technique to push 100% female through environmental manipulation. I'm not saying I doubt you, but you don't see / hear about this much. Seems that if that technique worked with near absoluteness, we'd all be doing it. But people are still agonizing over sexing the plants, feminized seeds, etc. Again. makes me nervous. And hard to have a grow room with no fan on plants. I'm still whining, obviously.

I'm not running nutes with your OBBT, so I wouldn't be running high Nitrogen? You threw me with that comment.

Pray4Pistils:

I hear you. If I thought that all of the chemicals were removed with a pre-harvest flush, then I wouldn't be looking at Organic at all. I agree with you 100% that it's all about the finished product.

The fact is I am (personally) not at all convinced that chemicals are completely removed during flush. I have found very little research on this, so it's all peoples personal opinions I'm reading.

The scientist side of me says that odd chemicals, trace elements, etc could be harmful to me. These same elements could be incorporated into plant tissue and be un-flush-able. No proof or data, though I'd love to see some.

So I'm hoping to take the conservative approach and eliminate man-made items from the grow altogether if possible / practical.

[rrog]

Originally Posted by OrganicMeds

I would just start my plants in normal pot's (smaller that your OBBT size) with a organic soil with abit of Blood & Bone, EWC, Perlite & lime. Then when you have sexed plants transplant them into your OBBT system.

I think that's about as good as I'm gonna get. And let's face it, like Pray4 said, it's all good.

I'm thinking now about a 4 week veg period. I did 8 weeks last time in chem fert, but I have too much harvested bud, frankly. I'm only looking at quality in this next grow.

So maybe I'll start 6 seedlings in 24/0 for 4 weeks. Switch all into 12/12 for a week and see who's female. Take the 3 best females and put each in their own 5 gallon OBBT. 5 weeks from start to finish.

Insert them into a saved hole in the big 5 gallon OBBT, like RVW did.


I wonder if a quart size would work for the 5 weeks of veg?

Not sure soil or compost could last that long without chem nutes?

Any comments on this? Thanks

rrog mate you need to look at growing in a basic way sexing is part of it dont let people tell you any diffrent the sex of a plant will show when they sex full stop.