[PetFlora]

Seedling Update + roots from my High Performance F & D


The middle seedling on the let is a bit behind. The tap root formed an 'S', so more of it is below the starter cube. Time will tell how it responds



High Performance F & D

I harvested 2 plants Monday of last week. They were each grown in 1 liter Air Pots that were transferred into 4 liter Air Pots. As you can see, there are hardly any roots, but plants were >4ft tall. Each will likely yield > 1/3 pound dry

Due to short burst feeding ~ 30 sec every 30 minutes, little energy is expended on root development

[PetFlora]

I didn't plan on posting new pics but roots are already > 3", and one 4"

I trim them to ~ 2", which forces more roots to develop

How do they look for 4th day in the bubbler?

[med-man]

hry pet flora

i am stoked you are doing hydro man. these piggies love hydro

med-man

[PetFlora]

7th day from placing seedlings in bubbler

The runt is so far behind that it will likely get the hook, but for now it has finally started growing, so will see.

Roughly 1 .5 liter of water has evaporated

Refill nute ppm 300ppm.



Root Update

Here's what happens when roots are trimmed early on; fish bones are developing along the tap root, which provides more surface area for nutes to be taken up. I trimmed again, but maybe only once more

[budelight]

Hey pf,
Tell us (me) more about this root trimming you do
BeL

[PetFlora]

Hmm, the pics reveal why, but basically a plant sends out a single tap root (see pic 3/21), which searches for moisture.

But, as you can see in the pic there are other roots peaking out of the starter cube. By carefully trimming the dominant root (not too short), it forces the others to develop in order to protect the plant

Trimming those after a few days will force each to develop lateral roots called fish bones, which are beginning to develop

Fish Bones increase the amount of root mass exposed to the nutrients

More roots = more food = rapid growth

One more reason why hydro rules

MedMan, I just read your article in the new IC Mag. The more I find out about you, the more I like and respect you

Originally Posted by budelight

Hey pf,
Tell us (me) more about this root trimming you do
BeL

[med-man]

hey pet flora

thanks buddy

i have seen that method used with trees in buckets. guys will cut off the whole mass right before flipping the lights. encouraging lateral roots and preventing drian blockage.

i run nutirnet film, so this philosophy doesnt work for me. the larger the root matt in med-man tables the better :-)

peace

med-man

[PetFlora]

Now that they have some good leaf structure they can process more light, so, I just raised the seedlings ~ 8" closer to the leds, as these do not have lenses so light is diffused

Also, I cut light schedule back yesterday to 20/4

Here's a few pics of a proper result from root trimming

Camera has trouble auto-focusing since I dropped it, but you get the picture.

These short roots are above the water line, getting bombarded with nutes+ DO 24/7

Had I let them grow, I would have just a couple spaghetti string roots deep into the nutes

Maybe I should call the method- Speed Balling

[LyryC]

i think u got us all beat on root size

lets see the seedlings lol

LEDs have always been a laughing matter.

Radiant heat brother. Gotta have something that feels liek the sun too - not just look like it.

Great setup and nice root pruning techniques.

[PetFlora]

Scroll down to pics on 3/28

They are already considerably bigger.

New pics Tuesday/Wedsnesday

Been using leds for 5 grows, and hot5s longer

My harvests are potent, and have not missed radiant heat, BUT, where I live it is warm most of the year.

Temps inside tent with open flaps + fans is 85*s

Originally Posted by LyryC

i think u got us all beat on root size

lets see the seedlings lol

LEDs have always been a laughing matter.

Radiant heat brother. Gotta have something that feels liek the sun too - not just look like it.

Great setup and nice root pruning techniques.