Expert Seeds "Sweet Zombie" under 2 Gavita Pro 1700e LED's..............

[DistyDemon]

I thought dolomite lime was a ph buffer? I've been adding 1cup per 1.5cu' of ffof for 8 years now.

 

[sshz]

The point is, there is plenty of lime already in the Pro-mix for a 3+ month grow, and adding more just throws the Cal/Mag ratio off more. I was adding about the same as you are, and found most of my strains show an Mg deficiency in flowering. I’m thinking by cutting back, it keeps everything aligned......... and yes, lime is a buffer for pH but more is not necessary better.

When I was in the garden store/home lawncare business, we always told customers they never put enough lime down- as the soils were clay based and very hard and compact. Now days, they are recommending adding lime far less over the season, as it leads to other issues.

 

[MIMedGrower]

I have never needed to add lime to ocean forest or pro mix hp. Both have always come back proper to the end.

And ocean forest uses oyster shell for calcium buffer not lime. And pro mix professional bales use calcitic and dolomitic lime for short and long term buffering and additional mag from the dolomite.

Adding extra lime was a tip in jorje cervantes old grow book.

Reality is Premier Horticulture (pro mix) suggests checking for over-liming before use by filling a cup of soil with water and checking the ph after about a week to see if it is in range. They say sometimes clumps of lime get through the screen when mixing.

 

[Milson]

I have never needed to add lime to ocean forest or pro mix hp. Both have always come back proper to the end.

And ocean forest uses oyster shell for calcium buffer not lime. And pro mix professional bales use calcitic and dolomitic lime for short and long term buffering and additional mag from the dolomite.

Adding extra lime was a tip in jorje cervantes old grow book.

Reality is Premier Horticulture (pro mix) suggests checking for over-liming before use by filling a cup of soil with water and checking the ph after about a week to see if it is in range. They say sometimes clumps of lime get through the screen when mixing.

This stuff has been really good info.

 

[MIMedGrower]

This stuff has been really good info.

The premier horticulture site has tons of great info in the training center link. And the reps are good at answering questions. Had excellent service from dyna grow reps too. Even the president Dave Neal answered my questions about his video.

Here is the pthorticulture page.


https://www.pthorticulture.com/en/training-center/


And here is an example of info from pro mix

10 Must-Know Growing Media Facts | PRO-MIX

10 must-know growing media facts by Troy Buechel & Ed Bloodnick

www.pthorticulture.com

 

[Cracken]

I think the difference is mostly spectrum tbh. Especially far red and uv. No proof, just hunches. But everyone I have talked to about my weed has been wondering what's weird about the high across three strains. Totally anecdotal I know. But I am running an extra 15w of far red and UV. I'm trying to use decent organic-derived bottles too, but I know my watering and nute usage was awful last grow and it's not the dry either because I messed that up a bit too.

So idk, but I think adding that to the spectrum makes a difference. I could totally delusional too of course. Guess if it's my subjective experience then why would I care.....

Most research shows that uvb make most of its effects known during budding phase which is why running a terranium light during the first 4 weeks of budding will increase trichome production due to it being a defense to protect the bud sites. Why only the first half of budding is because the constant exposure to the uvb will lower the THC. It will be interesting to see if it has any affects on the plant during earlier stages of growth

 

[MIMedGrower]

Most research shows that uvb make most of its effects known during budding phase which is why running a terranium light during the first 4 weeks of budding will increase trichome production due to it being a defense to protect the bud sites. Why only the first half of budding is because the constant exposure to the uvb will lower the THC. It will be interesting to see if it has any affects on the plant during earlier stages of growth

There have been many tests that show uvb is only needed the last 2-3 weeks to get the full thc increase possible. Thats why solis tech made the 10k metal halide finishing bulb with the low iron glass. More uvb. Meant to replace the hps bulbs the last weeks.

 

[Cracken]

ok so I have been doing it wrong. guess its always better to keep learning and looking at new improved methods. evolution is like education, it never stops. but honestly I was always told uvb decreases thc, converting it to cbn or something like that. I am not a scientist nor do I have higher levels of education on this topic. I make plants grow and so far have always had descent results. learning new techniques and trick is always good. it would be awesome if someone perfected the growing system so everyone had all the same information and could just follow the set out grow guide. But everyone has all their own answers and does things how it works for them, I will try the uvb at the end of my crop this time and see if there is any difference for me. thanks for the tip

 

[sshz]

I believe it's also dangerous to the eyes and skin and you should be protected when in the room with the UVB bulbs are on........ or so I'm told.

 

[Cracken]

I believe it's also dangerous to the eyes and skin and you should be protected when in the room with the UVB bulbs are on........ or so I'm told.

that is very correct. switches for uvb should be outside the room. UVA is more dangerous though. that is whats used in air filters and water filters to kill bacteria.

 

[Milson]

Yeah I use uvb four hours a day from week 5 of flower and don't mess with the tent at all while the uv is on.

 

[MIMedGrower]

that is very correct. switches for uvb should be outside the room. UVA is more dangerous though. that is whats used in air filters and water filters to kill bacteria.

Sorry its UVC that is deadly and filtered out by our atmosphere. Sterilization is done with uvc. Uva is the most harmless and we are not sure what it does for the plants and uvb is the kind that causes sunburn and increased thc.

just wanted correct info stated for the thread. :-)

 

[Cracken]

Sorry its UVC that is deadly and filtered out by our atmosphere. Sterilization is done with uvc. Uva is the most harmless and we are not sure what it does for the plants and uvb is the kind that causes sunburn and increased thc.

just wanted correct info stated for the thread. :-)

brain fart.... i will just read from now on. looking at this is misleading.

 

[DistyDemon]

I believe it's also dangerous to the eyes and skin and you should be protected when in the room with the UVB bulbs are on........ or so I'm told.

My cmh (t9 bulbs and aftermarket special hood glass), my panda floor dry rots from the uvb from those bulbs. Every 2 runs I replace the floor.

 

[MIMedGrower]

brain fart.... i will just read from now on. looking at this is misleading.

That is misleading. But if its true I didnt know uva caused skin aging.

 

[Aqua Man]

I wanted to comment on AquaMan's recommendation during the Orange Gasm grow regarding my adding 2 1/4 cups of dolomitic lime for each bale of 3.8 cu. ft. Pro-Mix/perlite mix for my potting soil. I've been doing that for years and years. And I found it necessary to add around 10ml per gallon of Cal/Mag to stop leaf tacoing (Mg deficiency) in most of my crops.

Well, this crop I did not add any lime to my mix, and I'm finding that 5ml is keeping the plants happy. I grew this strain before, and I made notes that said the strain is a Cal/Mag whore. So, on the Canna web site, I found this about the relationship of Calcium to Magnesium:

"This ratio is also important for the mineral balance within the plant. The Ca/Mg ratio in the leaves of some plants is about 2:1, which means that it is necessary to apply greater quantities of calcium than magnesium via the nutrient solution."

So, I'm figuring I was adding so much Calcium thru the lime addition, I was creating a Mg deficiency over time, leading to some leaves tacoing. Pro-mix does contain a short acting lime and a longer acting one, it probably didn't make sense to ever add additional lime in the first place.

So kudos to @Aquaman for the suggestion, it does appear to be working!

Awesome to hear. I was doing the same dam thing and forget where I stumbled on the info. Was some study and when I really started digging into how nutrients affect eachother.

I have a lot of catching up to do in here. Been on a bit of a room redesign and RL binge recently. I'm curious about things in here but I will read and not ask ya to repeat whats probably already answered.

 

[Aqua Man]

Some late night ramblings........listening to some music. I find it interesting that I'm struggling with how short these friggin plants are. With so many years growing, I thought I pretty much had seen it all and generally am able to counter-act issues and make things well again. I think what most people find interesting with my threads is, most everyone of my grows manages turns out well- high quality, nice yield, etc.- time and again. Many people have said something to that effect if you read thru my older threads over at RIU. I just don't have poor grows. (knock on wood).

So I find myself in an unusual place. I can't say I ever remember plants so short at this point. Some Bubba Kushes can be really short and I did a Sensi Seeds Hindu Kush that were all like "minature" plants, but I'm stumped on how to proceed. I might be a day or two away from pulling the LED's out and putting the HPS's in until flowering. The plants are very healthy, I watered tonight and did some inspection- I think they are actually healthier than the Orange Gasm plants were at this point.

So, here's a comparison of the growth with pic's:

Day 14 post #84

Day 16 post #129

Day 21 post #171


My decision in the next day depends where I think the plants will be in 2 more weeks of veg. They seem to be picking up speed, but that's like snail speed then to turtle speed now. I guess I can also add more red light to the room too, that will have to be thought out more. The only thing that's actually changed in the room is the addition of the reflective plastic on the walls (and possibly adding MORE white light to the plants than last grow).

So, what do you think and what's my next step.

Thought that came to mind. Day and night temps have a lot to with node spacing. Much like spectrum. Increase the differential and the node spacing get longer. Decrease it and it get shorter.

So I guess my question is are your day/night temos staying close together?

 

[Aqua Man]

I think I’ll do that today......raise them to 48 inches and we’ll see what happens........

That was the plan, I was just looking for confirmation!

IMO you don't want to lose intensity as it equals growth in a sense. Addition of far red for the forst 3 hrs i would say may help. Manipulate day/night temps to have 10-15f cooler at night if possible. A 0 or negative diff will almost stop a plant 9n its tracks if its already a compact grower.

 

[Aqua Man]

Another way to increase stretch is to have a wider day/ night temp differential.

The opposite effect being warmer nights than days keeps plants shorter.

Lol wish I read this before replying. Beat me to it.

 

[MIMedGrower]

Lol wish I read this before replying. Beat me to it.

You added the node spacing info. You are golden. ;-)