What took your grow from a 5 to a 10?

[jamesmessenger1]

I’m just curious what the community might say when asked what they feel was the one thing (or few things) that really stepped up their quality from a 5 to a 10?

I just feel like I’ve been growing for awhile now, and have most things dialed in, but still feel like I’m missing that last 10 or 15% lol.

I’m trying an all organic run this time just to see what happens, but…

What do you guys think?

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

For me, using the correct watering practices. Learning that it's beneficial to let your soil dry out a bit between waterings because the roots need air as much as water. Great question

 

[757Botanist]

I’m just curious what the community might say when asked what they feel was the one thing (or few things) that really stepped up their quality from a 5 to a 10?

I just feel like I’ve been growing for awhile now, and have most things dialed in, but still feel like I’m missing that last 10 or 15% lol.

I’m trying an all organic run this time just to see what happens, but…

What do you guys think?

For me, what took my grow to a 10
would be proper nutrition during flowering (which gave me larger buds) and changing my drying method from hanging in a tent to drying for 14 days in my fridge (this really preserved the trichomes). I’d err on the latter probably being the main reason my last harvest was gold.

 

[Graham.Bagg]

Not sure as I am nowhere near level 10. That’s pro level, best around type status. I am a solid 5 at best. I have got lucky a few times though.

If you are asking what is the most solid advice you can offer, that would definitely be watering. Overwatering can present symptoms that mimic so many different toxicities/deficiencies that it can be hard to make a proper diagnosis, and the symptoms that overwatering doesn’t mimic, under watering covers.

A close second would be proper nutritional ratios to match your light and CO2 capabilities.

 

[jamesmessenger1]

For me, what took my grow to a 10
would be proper nutrition during flowering (which gave me larger buds) and changing my drying method from hanging in a tent to drying for 14 days in my fridge (this really preserved the trichomes). I’d err on the latter probably being the main reason my last harvest was gold.

Do you think that the lower temps and constant humidity was the factor?

 

[jamesmessenger1]

Not sure as I am nowhere near level 10. That’s pro level, best around type status. I am a solid 5 at best. I have got lucky a few times though.

If you are asking what is the most solid advice you can offer, that would definitely be watering. Overwatering can present symptoms that mimic so many different toxicities/deficiencies that it can be hard to make a proper diagnosis, and the symptoms that overwatering doesn’t mimic, under watering covers.

A close second would be proper nutritional ratios to match your light and CO2 capabilities.

So would you say that in your experience that it’s best practice to potentially underwater rather than overwater?

 

[jamesmessenger1]

For me, using the correct watering practices. Learning that it's beneficial to let your soil dry out a bit between waterings because the roots need air as much as water. Great question

So.
Do you think that the amount of water used has just as much of an effect as the frequency?
Like full saturation vs no run off…
And…
Would you say it’s best practice to almost underwater rather than overwater?
I’ve seen many times where underwatering was the culprit when LEDs were causing light burn!!
I say this because I had trouble over and over again with burning leaf tips really bad during flower, and knew it wasn’t nute burn, but had my light high and at like 75%. Then someone mentioned underwatering causing the light to burn easier! This was the case since I was sooo afraid of overwatering lol.

I just got a new Mars Hydro SP3000, and I’m still gun shy about cranking it up hahaha. Just finished week one of flower under 50% at like 23”.

 

[757Botanist]

Do you think that the lower temps and constant humidity was the factor?

Hey buddy, yes. Here in Va it gets very humid which has been affecting the humidity of the inside. So the cooler temps and constant humidity worked wonders.

 

[Sunin]

I would asses myself at solid 4 now.
Close to 5 when I have good times.
And closer to 3 when I get distracted or something happens or I make a mistake.
Life is life.
Another 20 years and it might be 8
so I am unable to answer this question

 

[Graham.Bagg]

So would you say that in your experience that it’s best practice to potentially underwater rather than overwater?

Far and away. I will take a little wilt over damp roots every time. Always having their feet wet promotes anaerobic growth which is all around bad for soil and plant health.

 

[Kegdas216]

For organic gardening, definitely try Real Growers Recharge mycorrhizae compost tea. That stuff is like crack cocaine for plants. I also like using seaweed extract during bloom to boost potassium.

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

So.
Do you think that the amount of water used has just as much of an effect as the frequency?
Like full saturation vs no run off…
And…
Would you say it’s best practice to almost underwater rather than overwater?
I’ve seen many times where underwatering was the culprit when LEDs were causing light burn!!
I say this because I had trouble over and over again with burning leaf tips really bad during flower, and knew it wasn’t nute burn, but had my light high and at like 75%. Then someone mentioned underwatering causing the light to burn easier! This was the case since I was sooo afraid of overwatering lol.

I just got a new Mars Hydro SP3000, and I’m still gun shy about cranking it up hahaha. Just finished week one of flower under 50% at like 23”.

I water to slight run off from each side of the container. Under-watering can cause problems just like over-watering can so with that being said, I do not believe that underwatering is a best practice. If you put your finger to the first digit in the soil, if it feels moist, don't water. If it feels dry or almost dry, it's time to water. The type of medium you use will dictate the frequency of waterings.

I have three different grows going on right now. I have a Strawberry Cheesecake auto, a Bear Dance auto, and a Blue Cheese auto growing in FFOF and Happy Frog. Those were watered every third day in veg and now every day in flower. I have one remaining LSD auto that is growing in Indicanja which only gets water when the container is light as a feather (frequency depends on ambient air temperature). Lastly, I just planted a Shiskaberry photo in Mother Earth Groundswell which is watered at least every other day due to the soil being so quick to drain. It's all about reading the plant and the soil to find the "sweet spot" per se.

As far as burning tips go, I believe that it's easier to do with LEDs than it is with "parking lot lights" by far. And not every strain accepts light in the same quantities. Next run if that happens (and I hope it doesn't), I would suggest lowering your light to the proper height (roughly 12"-18" depending on your light) from the flowers and reducing the intensity.

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

So the cooler temps and constant humidity worked wonders.

And it does. Three of my autos went through smoke from the wildfires, almost 8 weeks of temps over 110° fahrenheit each day, and a massive clusterf*** of thrips and miners. They looked like statues for about a month but once hell's campfire was gone outside and the humidity registered again, the growth was full steam ahead for what was left.

 

[jamesmessenger1]

I water to slight run off from each side of the container. Under-watering can cause problems just like over-watering can so with that being said, I do not believe that underwatering is a best practice. If you put your finger to the first digit in the soil, if it feels moist, don't water. If it feels dry or almost dry, it's time to water. The type of medium you use will dictate the frequency of waterings.

I have three different grows going on right now. I have a Strawberry Cheesecake auto, a Bear Dance auto, and a Blue Cheese auto growing in FFOF and Happy Frog. Those were watered every third day in veg and now every day in flower. I have one remaining LSD auto that is growing in Indicanja which only gets water when the container is light as a feather (frequency depends on ambient air temperature). Lastly, I just planted a Shiskaberry photo in Mother Earth Groundswell which is watered at least every other day due to the soil being so quick to drain. It's all about reading the plant and the soil to find the "sweet spot" per se.

As far as burning tips go, I believe that it's easier to do with LEDs than it is with "parking lot lights" by far. And not every strain accepts light in the same quantities. Next run if that happens (and I hope it doesn't), I would suggest lowering your light to the proper height (roughly 12"-18" depending on your light) from the flowers and reducing the intensity.

Good information man!

12 to 18” sounds a little close for the light that I have though. Its recommended height is 24” from the manufacturer. Maybe because it’s a greenhouse light? Idk. But like I said…I’m gun shy now lol.

 

[jamesmessenger1]

I water to slight run off from each side of the container. Under-watering can cause problems just like over-watering can so with that being said, I do not believe that underwatering is a best practice. If you put your finger to the first digit in the soil, if it feels moist, don't water. If it feels dry or almost dry, it's time to water. The type of medium you use will dictate the frequency of waterings.

I have three different grows going on right now. I have a Strawberry Cheesecake auto, a Bear Dance auto, and a Blue Cheese auto growing in FFOF and Happy Frog. Those were watered every third day in veg and now every day in flower. I have one remaining LSD auto that is growing in Indicanja which only gets water when the container is light as a feather (frequency depends on ambient air temperature). Lastly, I just planted a Shiskaberry photo in Mother Earth Groundswell which is watered at least every other day due to the soil being so quick to drain. It's all about reading the plant and the soil to find the "sweet spot" per se.

As far as burning tips go, I believe that it's easier to do with LEDs than it is with "parking lot lights" by far. And not every strain accepts light in the same quantities. Next run if that happens (and I hope it doesn't), I would suggest lowering your light to the proper height (roughly 12"-18" depending on your light) from the flowers and reducing the intensity.

I also am in the process of an auto breeding project because I was given three wedding cake autos from a breeder friend, and reversed one and selfed another, but these things were HUGE and caaaaakkeedd up…no pun…but if you or anyone else wants in on the testing of these S1s…let me know!! Promise there’s some real winners…both parents were both huge autos…like almost 4 feet and branchy.

 

[Week4Bytch]

I’m just curious what the community might say when asked what they feel was the one thing (or few things) that really stepped up their quality from a 5 to a 10?

I just feel like I’ve been growing for awhile now, and have most things dialed in, but still feel like I’m missing that last 10 or 15% lol.

I’m trying an all organic run this time just to see what happens, but…

What do you guys think?

If your trying all organic, 20 gallon pots did it for me. And using compost and earthworm castings. Plants just turned into trees after that.

 

[Natep]

I’m just curious what the community might say when asked what they feel was the one thing (or few things) that really stepped up their quality from a 5 to a 10?

I just feel like I’ve been growing for awhile now, and have most things dialed in, but still feel like I’m missing that last 10 or 15% lol.

I’m trying an all organic run this time just to see what happens, but…

What do you guys think?

For me it was when I start growing living organic. Stepping away from bottled nutrients and trying to mimic nature made all the difference

 

[Natep]

For organic do it the build a soil way.

 

[jamesmessenger1]

For me it was when I start growing living organic. Stepping away from bottled nutrients and trying to mimic nature made all the difference

I like the idea, but I use 3 gallon pots, and I’ve heard organic living soil doesn’t really work unless you use like 10 gallon! Truth?

 

[Week4Bytch]

I like the idea, but I use 3 gallon pots, and I’ve heard organic living soil doesn’t really work unless you use like 10 gallon! Truth?

True. Hard to keep a bio living mass alive in just 3 gallons.