First timer, looking for insight.

[enjoimangos]

Hi All,

First time grower about 6.5 days in from sprouting and the plants (dosidos Autos) look relatively good, but I'm curious about something I noticed when I got back home from being away 2 days.

My neighbor volunteered to water and fill my humidifier, but he used the tap water instead of my distilled jug for the humidifier. When I got home to inspect my tent I noticed a white powder all over the tent walls and cables to all my devices, so I immediately moved the plants onto the deck and did a deep cleaning of the tent and equipment inside. Curious if I should be worried about the plants?

I'm running an AC infinity 3x3 kit at 78f with 55-60% rH during the day and the night phase gets to 68f with the same rH. The light is 240w LED set to 100% 3' above the pots.

3.5gal air pots filled with happy frog soil mixed with perlite, 2tbsp of Gaia green 4-4-4, 2-8-4, worm castings and some mykos.

Water is from the tap but I let it sit for 48 hours with a air pump and stone running the whole time. pH balanced to 6.5 and ppm of 110 prior to giving them a drink.

Any insight is appreciated, pumped for this new hobby.

 

[DJK12]

Those grow bags/pots are badass lol! But love the setup, definitely off to a great start with the ac infinity stuff. As far as that white almost powder like substance you mentioned, how well ventilated was it while you were away? I would assume it would be the same as you would have it if you were home, but seeing how to the neighbor already did tap in a humidifier I just have to ask.
For just 2 days seems super super quick for powdery mildew to form especially if you've had it ventilated and me being pretty familiar with ac infinity products, they are very good at keeping everything regulated. You can even go back on your ac infinity app and double check exactly what the environment was for em while you were away.
I wonder if the white stuff you see may be evaporated calcium buildup due to using tap water? Not sure but I felt scientific as fuck when i typed it

 

[DJK12]

Also noticed your humidity was around 52% if I saw right? Since they are so young maybe up it up to 60%ish? All up to you man cause if they are loving life the way they are then "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I think the biggest thing for first time growers is Don't try to make your first grow your best grow.
Definitely try your best but I think it being the first initial runs people stress so much about trying to do it the best and it almost ruins the fun due to stressing so much and causes people to "overcare" for the plant is my best way of putting it.

 

[enjoimangos]

Those grow bags/pots are badass lol! But love the setup, definitely off to a great start with the ac infinity stuff. As far as that white almost powder like substance you mentioned, how well ventilated was it while you were away? I would assume it would be the same as you would have it if you were home, but seeing how to the neighbor already did tap in a humidifier I just have to ask.
For just 2 days seems super super quick for powdery mildew to form especially if you've had it ventilated and me being pretty familiar with ac infinity products, they are very good at keeping everything regulated. You can even go back on your ac infinity app and double check exactly what the environment was for em while you were away.
I wonder if the white stuff you see may be evaporated calcium buildup due to using tap water? Not sure but I felt scientific as fuck when i typed it

Lol thanks, the hydroshop guy sold me on the air pots.

The second night I was away I had messed up the auto settings on my exhaust and humidifier and it got up to 82% rH, I got an alerted and fixed it ASAP. I had completely misread how the settings worked and my exhaust was only running at lvl 1 while the humidifier was running between lvl 6-8.

I did a bunch of googling when I discovered the powder and believe you're correct about it being calcium or other minerals in the tap water, but I wanted to check with the minds here since I'm a noob and shouldnt just trust what I read on the Internet.

I just don't want my girls getting sick or dying :)

Appreciate the response!

 

[Tyrant]

For seedlings humidy is recommended ended 65 to 70as the absorb moisture threw there leaves at that age.

 

[enjoimangos]

For seedlings humidy is recommended ended 70 to 90 as the absorb moisture threw there leaves at that age.

Ok I'll crank it up a bit, they had been in domes, but I was told to remove those after a few days and shoot for 65ish.

Cheers!

 

[Harpua88]

White powder.......all over the tent walls and cables??

Your friend had a cocaine party in your tent?? And where are the plants?? Did your friend spray the tent and steal your plants??

The pots are definitely badass. ;)

 

[DJK12]

White powder.......all over the tent walls and cables??

Your friend had a cocaine party in your tent?? And where are the plants?? Did your friend spray the tent and steal your plants??

The pots are definitely badass. ;)

Or even worse that fetanyl shit stuff seems to be fricken everywhere man, scary!

 

[enjoimangos]

Also noticed your humidity was around 52% if I saw right? Since they are so young maybe up it up to 60%ish? All up to you man cause if they are loving life the way they are then "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I think the biggest thing for first time growers is Don't try to make your first grow your best grow.
Definitely try your best but I think it being the first initial runs people stress so much about trying to do it the best and it almost ruins the fun due to stressing so much and causes people to "overcare" for the plant is my best way of putting it.

Yeah, I had just installed those, so they weren't even close to accurate for the tents environment. Plus I had opened the door for a while and the tent is in my basement which is usually 65-68 degrees and around 50% humidity, so it'll crash real fast if I don't keep it enclosed. I have a zipper door kit coming later this week and I'm going to enclose the 5x4 nook I have my tent setup in that way I have better control of the lung room. I currently have a small space heater hooked up to a power adapter with a thermostat near my intake so I don't fall into the low 60s when the light turns off.

"Don't try to make your first grow your best grow"

100%, but its real hard not to give something my all. My buddy saw my setup and said "Fuck man, I just water the plant and it grows"

 

[DJK12]

Yeah, I had just installed those, so they weren't even close to accurate for the tents environment. Plus I had opened the door for a while and the tent is in my basement which is usually 65-68 degrees and around 50% humidity, so it'll crash real fast if I don't keep it enclosed. I have a zipper door kit coming later this week and I'm going to enclose the 5x4 nook I have my tent setup in that way I have better control of the lung room. I currently have a small space heater hooked up to a power adapter with a thermostat near my intake so I don't fall into the low 60s when the light turns off.

"Don't try to make your first grow your best grow"

100%, but its real hard not to give something my all. My buddy saw my setup and said "Fuck man, I just water the plant and it grows"

Dude trust me I have a hard time trying to practice what I preach lol, but your buddy sounds just like mine. Me and him are polar opposites in that he just has em in the garage and take em outside at times when not using supplemental lighting, never uses nutrients but instead makes his own compost tea (super beneficial definitely look into if you haven't already, it'll bring your soil back to life). And then there's us, we go all out as long as your having fun man! I find myself getting overly stressed at times with things that would take care of themselves if I just had a bit more patience.
Best possible hobby you could've ever chosen though man! Welcome to the family and this app is the fricken best for advice! Hell I may bounce some ideas off you cause seems like you and me got the same mindset

 

[DJK12]

Thought I'd share what I got goin on
Got a
•2×4 spiderfarmer tent (swapping to ac infinity 3×3 soon)
•AC infinity Evo6 at 80% power about 6"above on the sides then 12" above in the center (thing is made for a 5×5 tent but with the light being able to fold inwards like a triangle /\ it gives me better light penetration than a flat light would.
•6" inline smart fan leading out to 6" air filter box from ac infinity which houses my driver for the light and is air tight snd completely sucks all heat out
•5 gal grow bags with happy frog soil
•ph balanced water with Lotus Nutrients, also mixed with "real growers recharge" which is a compost tea full of microbes
•Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine on top of tent for good luck ️

3 different known strains RS-11, PB Gelato and Alien Runtz
Then an unknown seed I've had since I was 16ish

 

[Harpua88]

When using domes for seedlings, which I do, they should be removed when they're ready. The domes should also have some sort of air hole(s), you don't want to actually steam them. They also don't like their stems wet (stem rot), so while the soil should be thoroughly moist, but also light and airy, it shouldn't be soaking wet. Water outside and around the domes, and avoid watering inside and right onto the stems. Then again, one good watering should probably get them through the delicate first number of days until they anchor their tap roots straight down.

When you think this has happened and they're ready, remove the domes.......on a case by case basis if need be, but be prepared to put the domes back on if they don't respond well. In time you'll get a look and feel for this "how to get seedlings through the 1st, delicate stage".

Also, if your soil is even halfway decent, they shouldn't need any feeding for quite some time. Other than seeing them through the first number of weeks and keeping the environment right, don't over-manage.......let them be, let them grow. ;)

 

[enjoimangos]

Question about my timeline, today is day 7 since the seedling sprouted, but I started germination 10 days ago.

Should I consider it day 10 then instead of 7 in the plants life cycle for tracking?

 

[Bilber]

Question about my timeline, today is day 7 since the seedling sprouted, but I started germination 10 days ago.

Should I consider it day 10 then instead of 7 in the plants life cycle for tracking?

For your own knowledge, keep both timelines for future reference......

You'll be able to check your progress....

 

[DJK12]

Definitely keep track of both just cause! I honestly note everything down just so I could learn what I need to keep/or stop doing. You'll even learn those same techniques that work wonders for some strains don't work the same on other strains. Growing cannabis is a trip

 

[enjoimangos]

Day 35 Update:

The plants have been loving life. The plant in the back left is a few days behind from her sisters, she was the only one I topped to see what the difference would end up being. So far I really like her flat canopy, but she's super wide. The other 2 are stretching and growing buds, I only performed minor LST to them.

I would like to remove some fan leaves that are blocking bud sights, but im nervous about stressing them out. It seems to be a very debated topic, for now I just keep tucking.

Unsure about the lighting, I was slowly turning it up this week, but I noticed at 70% that the leaves were curling like taco shells, so I turned it back down. I was told I should be targeting 700-900 par once flower starts, but that seems to stress them out. Right now I'm sitting around 620-650 between the different plants canopies.

As always, I appreciate everyone's input!

 

[7munkee]

650 is spot on for flowering autos. It's on the lowish end for flowering in general, but that puts less stress on the plant and lets it go at its own pace which is exactly what you want growing autos...especially if you are new.

I'm sure you have found out by now that the powder was minerals in your tap water sprayed out by the vaporizer. It will not hurt the plants but clogs your machine with repeated use.

You did a great thing by starting them in your 5-gallon airpots...autos hate transplants and may trigger early if you do. I have used those airpots before and I have a 12 gallon one that I am growing a blueberry bush in.

When you defoliate, just do a few leaves a day. Less stress. Personally, I defoliate the entire time I'm in flower but I am strictly a photo grower as of this year. My son grows the autos.

 

[Madbud]

Nice time lapse video.