P
Piggie
- 11
- 3
Hey all! Brand new here, so apologies for the long post; I find that the more detailed information is provided, the easier it is to diagnose issues or address concerns.
So, this is my very first grow and I'm looking for feedback regarding how everything looks, so far.
Environment: 3x3x8 insulated grow space, currently 70° ( occasionally higher, but never above 80°) at 75% humidity (measured at the top of each seedling) during lights on. Dark period temps are 60-65°, during which I dial the humidity back to 70% to maintain VPD, which averages .62 kPa. Light is provided by a Mars Hydro FC-3000 positioned ~20" above plant tops and running at 50% giving a PPFD of 275 µMol/m2/S. The lighting schedule is 18/6, run via an AC Infinity controller 76. Air circulation/exhaust is handled by an AC Infinity Cloudline T6 with a controller 67.
Equipment: I'm currently running two 8 gallon bubble buckets, each one containing two Active Aqua medium sized air stones - connected to a 15 L/min air pump - and a submersible pond pump with air injection to move the water around and provide additional aeration. Water is currently local city tap (dechlorinated and pH adjusted) measuring at 5.7 pH, but has spiked to 7.0, most likely because of the Hydroton, despite my best efforts to clean and pH balance it before use. When changing water this coming weekend, I'll be switching to distilled water and begin small dose nutrients to better control PPM (currently ~750, as it comes from the tap). I'll be using Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect trio (grow, micro, and bloom) and have CalMag on hand, if needed - I've read conflicting accounts regarding it's need with AN, even when running in distilled/RO water, so I'll wait to see what my plants are telling me they need as they grow. I'll also be running bennies (Southern AG Garden Friendly Fungicide) to combat root rot. I will eventually upgrade my grow space with room for an external reservoir with a chiller.
Plants: Cherry Runtz photoperiod of unknown genetics (bag seeds that are confirmed photoperiod, but that's all that is known). Germinated via paper towel method on January 21 and placed in Hydroton clay pellets on January 23 with ~1" of taproot exposed from the seed. The plants broke through the surface and opened on January 25, although the seed casing got stuck on one of them, resulting in the deformation of the first set of serrated leaves (noticeable in the second picture). The taproot on each plant touched down in the water late Sunday/early Monday (January 29/30).
Pictured below are the plants as they appeared this morning, 12 days since opening up. I've been told that I should be seeing explosive growth, almost immediately following the roots touching down into the water, but they don't seem anymore active than they were previously. There is currently 3-4 inches of taproot submerged below the net pots, but don't seem to be branching out at all, although do appear to have gotten thicker. It is worth noting that the net pots are of the 8 inch variety, so there is 2.5" of stem below the Hydroton.
What's everyone's thoughts regarding the progress so far - are they right on track or is there more I could/should be doing? Insights and advice are welcome, cynicism and negativity will be ignored. Thanks everyone!
So, this is my very first grow and I'm looking for feedback regarding how everything looks, so far.
Environment: 3x3x8 insulated grow space, currently 70° ( occasionally higher, but never above 80°) at 75% humidity (measured at the top of each seedling) during lights on. Dark period temps are 60-65°, during which I dial the humidity back to 70% to maintain VPD, which averages .62 kPa. Light is provided by a Mars Hydro FC-3000 positioned ~20" above plant tops and running at 50% giving a PPFD of 275 µMol/m2/S. The lighting schedule is 18/6, run via an AC Infinity controller 76. Air circulation/exhaust is handled by an AC Infinity Cloudline T6 with a controller 67.
Equipment: I'm currently running two 8 gallon bubble buckets, each one containing two Active Aqua medium sized air stones - connected to a 15 L/min air pump - and a submersible pond pump with air injection to move the water around and provide additional aeration. Water is currently local city tap (dechlorinated and pH adjusted) measuring at 5.7 pH, but has spiked to 7.0, most likely because of the Hydroton, despite my best efforts to clean and pH balance it before use. When changing water this coming weekend, I'll be switching to distilled water and begin small dose nutrients to better control PPM (currently ~750, as it comes from the tap). I'll be using Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect trio (grow, micro, and bloom) and have CalMag on hand, if needed - I've read conflicting accounts regarding it's need with AN, even when running in distilled/RO water, so I'll wait to see what my plants are telling me they need as they grow. I'll also be running bennies (Southern AG Garden Friendly Fungicide) to combat root rot. I will eventually upgrade my grow space with room for an external reservoir with a chiller.
Plants: Cherry Runtz photoperiod of unknown genetics (bag seeds that are confirmed photoperiod, but that's all that is known). Germinated via paper towel method on January 21 and placed in Hydroton clay pellets on January 23 with ~1" of taproot exposed from the seed. The plants broke through the surface and opened on January 25, although the seed casing got stuck on one of them, resulting in the deformation of the first set of serrated leaves (noticeable in the second picture). The taproot on each plant touched down in the water late Sunday/early Monday (January 29/30).
Pictured below are the plants as they appeared this morning, 12 days since opening up. I've been told that I should be seeing explosive growth, almost immediately following the roots touching down into the water, but they don't seem anymore active than they were previously. There is currently 3-4 inches of taproot submerged below the net pots, but don't seem to be branching out at all, although do appear to have gotten thicker. It is worth noting that the net pots are of the 8 inch variety, so there is 2.5" of stem below the Hydroton.
What's everyone's thoughts regarding the progress so far - are they right on track or is there more I could/should be doing? Insights and advice are welcome, cynicism and negativity will be ignored. Thanks everyone!