Grow 2 - So much better this time!

[WickedMichelle]

Hi all..... I haven't posted for a while, life has been a little crazy, but wanted to stop in say hello.

I harvested my 2nd grow last week and what an improvement. Thanks to everyone who has helped me on my journey to achieve my goals. Now that I have the basics down, the next step is good grooming. I am wasting too much energy on the little things that end up getting tossed.

So, a basic run down of the changes I have made this round.

1. Different strains. This grow I used Punch Pie and Fat Banana from Royal Queen seeds. (I highly recommend!)​

2. Different nutrients. The 1st grow I used Advanced Nutrients and a few of their additives. Spent over 160.00 for one grow. This time I used General Hydroponics, just the base 3. I used the aggressive grow formula from their chart. Nothing more.​

3. I was not as aggressive on the trimming as the first grow. I was afraid of getting seeds again.​

4. Lower light power and no additive lights. I just ran the basic lights that came with my tent. I maxed at 80% and not the 100% as in the first grow. Someone mentioned that light stress can cause seeding.​

5. I grew only 2 plants and not 4 hoping that they would have more room to grow. They did, and they did. LOL. Two plants filled my 3x3 tent almost as full as 4 plants did.​

6. Different season. My first grow was in the summer months. Keeping down the heat was an issue. This grow was in the fall winter months. Heat was easier to control. I also moved the power unit for the light outside of the tent. I actually moved everything out of the tent except the lights. I wanted maximum growing space.​

​

The drying process seemed to go very fast. I started trimming the Punch Pie before the 7 days. The stems were still bendy but the buds were dry. The Fat Banana had to wait a few more days due to my work schedule. It was much dryer but the thin stems were still bendy and not snapping. Much drier buds as well. I had to re-hydrate the buds in the jar. I hope I didn't wait too long for this as they are in their 1st week of curing.

The taste of this grow is incredible! I like to sample when I harvest so I take a small stem and just set it out till dry enough to smoke. Just off the plant and no curing, both the punch pie and fat banana had incredible taste. Yes, a little bit of the fresh off the plant after taste but very minimal. Once they were chopped and trimmed and put into jars.... the taste was even better. I cannot wait until they are totally cured.

This is right before cutting and hanging. The Punch Pie is on the left and Fat Banana on the right.

Punch Pie close up

Fat Banana close up

I have been watching some videos on lollipopping. I need to learn this as I am losing too much energy on the lower areas that are not producing anything of real value. ( On a side note, some of the little buds were quite good.... more sampling while trimming LOL.)

Where this grow did not seed. I did find a few of these. I was not happy with this as they look like seeds. However they pop right off the plant and they are really soft and almost powdery. I am not sure what is causing this.... Maybe I trimmed too much? Maybe I trimmed too late? Maybe this just happens. UG!

Where my yield was not as much as with 4 plants..... the difference was minimal. I now have a better understanding of what "per metric meter" is. I used all 12 jars on my 1st grow, this grow I only used 9 jars.

Waiting on new seeds to start the 3rd grow. They should be here today. 4 plants seemed to be too much (at least for the 1st grow).... Two plants seemed too little. I am going to try 3 plants in this 3x3 and attempt to lollipop. I want to try to get them taller and thinner and not the short bushes I have been getting.

I am going to try, Gelato 44, White Widow and ICE on this next grow. The flowering cycle is a little different so timing will be a bit tricky for me LOL. This should be fun. Or maybe a combo from the 3 new strains and the couple I have left over..... maybe get 3 that have closer flowering cycles. Eh.... I like a challenge.... I really like White Widow and want to try the Gelato 44 and ICE. I also ordered Haze Berry but not sure I want to do 4 again. But who knows. Might be good to have back ups in case I totally screw up the lollipopping.

Anyway..... my little hello got a bit lengthy, LOL. Been smoking the Fat Banana with my coffee. (Don't go there ) Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great day!

 

[Gmix]

Hi all..... I haven't posted for a while, life has been a little crazy, but wanted to stop in say hello.

I harvested my 2nd grow last week and what an improvement. Thanks to everyone who has helped me on my journey to achieve my goals. Now that I have the basics down, the next step is good grooming. I am wasting too much energy on the little things that end up getting tossed.

So, a basic run down of the changes I have made this round.

1. Different strains. This grow I used Punch Pie and Fat Banana from Royal Queen seeds. (I highly recommend!)​

2. Different nutrients. The 1st grow I used Advanced Nutrients and a few of their additives. Spent over 160.00 for one grow. This time I used General Hydroponics, just the base 3. I used the aggressive grow formula from their chart. Nothing more.​

3. I was not as aggressive on the trimming as the first grow. I was afraid of getting seeds again.​

4. Lower light power and no additive lights. I just ran the basic lights that came with my tent. I maxed at 80% and not the 100% as in the first grow. Someone mentioned that light stress can cause seeding.​

5. I grew only 2 plants and not 4 hoping that they would have more room to grow. They did, and they did. LOL. Two plants filled my 3x3 tent almost as full as 4 plants did.​

6. Different season. My first grow was in the summer months. Keeping down the heat was an issue. This grow was in the fall winter months. Heat was easier to control. I also moved the power unit for the light outside of the tent. I actually moved everything out of the tent except the lights. I wanted maximum growing space.​

​

The drying process seemed to go very fast. I started trimming the Punch Pie before the 7 days. The stems were still bendy but the buds were dry. The Fat Banana had to wait a few more days due to my work schedule. It was much dryer but the thin stems were still bendy and not snapping. Much drier buds as well. I had to re-hydrate the buds in the jar. I hope I didn't wait too long for this as they are in their 1st week of curing.

The taste of this grow is incredible! I like to sample when I harvest so I take a small stem and just set it out till dry enough to smoke. Just off the plant and no curing, both the punch pie and fat banana had incredible taste. Yes, a little bit of the fresh off the plant after taste but very minimal. Once they were chopped and trimmed and put into jars.... the taste was even better. I cannot wait until they are totally cured.

This is right before cutting and hanging. The Punch Pie is on the left and Fat Banana on the right.

View attachment 2380972


Punch Pie close up
View attachment 2380973

Fat Banana close up
View attachment 2380974

I have been watching some videos on lollipopping. I need to learn this as I am losing too much energy on the lower areas that are not producing anything of real value. ( On a side note, some of the little buds were quite good.... more sampling while trimming LOL.)

Where this grow did not seed. I did find a few of these. I was not happy with this as they look like seeds. However they pop right off the plant and they are really soft and almost powdery. I am not sure what is causing this.... Maybe I trimmed too much? Maybe I trimmed too late? Maybe this just happens. UG!

View attachment 2380975

Where my yield was not as much as with 4 plants..... the difference was minimal. I now have a better understanding of what "per metric meter" is. I used all 12 jars on my 1st grow, this grow I only used 9 jars.

Waiting on new seeds to start the 3rd grow. They should be here today. 4 plants seemed to be too much (at least for the 1st grow).... Two plants seemed too little. I am going to try 3 plants in this 3x3 and attempt to lollipop. I want to try to get them taller and thinner and not the short bushes I have been getting.

I am going to try, Gelato 44, White Widow and ICE on this next grow. The flowering cycle is a little different so timing will be a bit tricky for me LOL. This should be fun. Or maybe a combo from the 3 new strains and the couple I have left over..... maybe get 3 that have closer flowering cycles. Eh.... I like a challenge.... I really like White Widow and want to try the Gelato 44 and ICE. I also ordered Haze Berry but not sure I want to do 4 again. But who knows. Might be good to have back ups in case I totally screw up the lollipopping.

Anyway..... my little hello got a bit lengthy, LOL. Been smoking the Fat Banana with my coffee. (Don't go there ) Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great day!

Does the fat banana taste like bananas
I can’t stand bananas they give me paralysis because of the high potassium content

So the name freaks me out lol

They look really nice I always just wondered since it came about if it actually tasted like bananas

Loving looking grow either way

 

[WickedMichelle]

Does the fat banana taste like bananas
I can’t stand bananas they give me paralysis because of the high potassium content

So the name freaks me out lol

They look really nice I always just wondered since it came about if it actually tasted like bananas

Loving looking grow either way

It's on the fruity side. I cannot say it tastes like actual banana but I am sure it does not have the same potassium content so no worries there.


Thank you, I like that this grow actually changed colors on me. My first grow there was barely any color difference in the plants. Not from each other and not at their end stage. There was some discoloration from the lack of nutrients during flush but that was it. This grow you can see the punch pie is darker and the fat banana lighter and more on the yellowish-green side.

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

Been smoking the Fat Banana with my coffee. (Don't go there )

I nearly choked and spit my coffee out!

Your lessons learned are all great info for the rest of us! I love to see the progress in a grow and the grower. I may have missed it, but were these autos or fem seeds?

 

[WickedMichelle]

I may have missed it, but were these autos or fem seeds?

No, didn't miss it. I faild to mention that. They are fem. I have not tried an auto yet. Little FYI....the punch pie (all the tyson strains) on sale atm, 20% off. I purchased another Tyson strain while there is a sale and they gave me 3 free punch pie seeds. I do like that strain LOL. As of 3:14am CST, the 20% off is still good. Not sure about the 3 free. Trying the Gelato44 in the next grow. I also picked up dynamite diesel.

 

[HerbalEdu]

but were these autos or fem seeds?

.... automatics feminized or photoperiods feminized...

They are fem.

they are photoperiod feminized , but most auto you'll find on the market are also feminized , feminized as opposed to regular seeds
you can have:

photo reg
photo fem
auto reg
auto fem

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

.... automatics feminized or photoperiods feminized...


they are photoperiod feminized , but most auto you'll find on the market are also feminized , feminized as opposed to regular seeds
you can have:

photo reg
photo fem
auto reg
auto fem

I deduced she had either autos (further deduction was fem autos) or photo fem seeds. Buying a few at a time and getting all females sort of makes my question obvious, no? Or was I being too vague? I'm pretty sure she understood my question given her answer. Your reply bears out my obvious question...

but most auto you'll find on the market are also feminized

I apologize if my vagueness caused you confusion, but my intended communique was successful.

 

[HerbalEdu]

3. I was not as aggressive on the trimming as the first grow. I was afraid of getting seeds again.

if you got some few balls and or bananas that's usually because the genetic is predisposed to it, wich is normal for some strain, and some lit environnemental stress locally on the plant triggered it. that often happen bottom of the canopy with low light penetration and airflow the first few weeks of flowering stretch.

Just watch for balls and banana more carefully next grow.

5. I grew only 2 plants and not 4 hoping that they would have more room to grow. They did, and they did. LOL. Two plants filled my 3x3 tent almost as full as 4 plants did.

i would instead grow 4 plants with slighty shorter veg to fill that tent fully faster and achieve shorter turn around in between grows.

I apologize if my vagueness caused you confusion, but my intended communique was successful.

i m less confused than potential new grower reading this thread and not calling thing properly.

i often see new grower asking for help messing thing up a little. that's why i clarified it a little

 

[WickedMichelle]

they are photoperiod feminized

Yes, photo fem seeds. :)

if you got some few balls and or bananas that's usually because the genetic is predisposed to it, wich is normal for some strain, and some lit environnemental stress locally on the plant triggered it. that often happen bottom of the canopy with low light penetration and airflow the first few weeks of flowering stretch.

Just watch for balls and banana more carefully next grow.

I'm just glad they didn't seed. I tried to keep the stress down. I tried not to cut too much off of the plant. But I have to say I am confused. I watched some videos on youtube where, it looked, as if they were taking most of the plant away. One by Kyle Kushman even suggested taking all the nodes off except the very top. (I think I remembered that correctly).

I tried to trim off what I thought would be enough. I have a fan running constantly to keep good air flow. Humidity was a steady 55% and the temp never above 80. Average was around 76 degrees F. I believe I had a couple of cooler nights at around 45 degrees F. Nothing too major or for longer than a day, or light cycle.

i would instead grow 4 plants with slighty shorter veg to fill that tent fully faster and achieve shorter turn around in between grows.

I have been following the recommended grow chart from General Hydroponics for an aggressive grow with only two plants. They bushed up quickly and fill it up quite well. Not as well as the 4 I grew on the 1st but I think I could have filled up the entire 3x3 with just the punch pie. I could not keep it out of the Fat Banana even with a net on them. That plant grows like a beast.

I did spread out the branches with wire to get them wider and more of a canopy since there were only 2. I would not be able to do that with 4 I do not think. But maybe if I trim it properly and at the correct time, maybe I can get them taller with lollipop and not the bushes I have been getting.

I am not 100% sure on the timing though. So if I am understanding the videos I have been watching.... I start the lollipop in week 3 of veg. and give it that week to de-stress before flipping. Or was it 3-4 days before flip? I do not remember. I still have some time, still waiting on the seeds LOL.

Been delayed because of weather. I hope that our bitter cold does not kill the seeds. We have had many days below zero degrees F, some down to -34 with the wind. One day riding into work one sign was reading -14. Brrrrrr. LOL

 

[HerbalEdu]

I did spread out the branches with wire to get them wider and more of a canopy since there were only 2. I would not be able to do that with 4 I do not think.

with 4 plant's you'll switch sooner to 12/12, you'll remove a few more secondary weaker branches than with 2 plants so each plant focus only on the main colas and a few stronger secondary branches.

but don't pay too much attention i have sort of an ocd with optimizing filling space with colas and time spent in veg because i m often close to run out of weed between each harvest ; ) if you're confortable with your weed stock don't bother ; )

 

[Grownsince95]

GH trio for the win! Beautiful plants, great post!

 

[Spliffy.Twojoints]

Nicely written post and congratulations on big improvements so early on!

It’s hard to say 100% for sure from that picture but that appears to be a bract (or calyx, depending who you ask) and not a pollen sack. Is that a little hair I see sticking out of it or is that something on the page in the background? If it’s a hair it’s definitely a female.

Keep in mind, you can do everything right and still have a female plant throw pollen.
All cannabis females have the ability to produce pollen when stressed enough. For some plants it takes very little stress and others really have to be forced with excessive stress. Good breeders will test their plants against stress and don’t release plants that are easily turned, not unless the flower is phenomenally exceptional. In that case good breeders will advise people that grow room conditions must be optimal because of the tendency to hermie.
Many famous strains hermie fairly easily, such as Sour Diesel, Runtz, and Cookies strains. Just do a little research before your selections, but unfortunately you have to take everything with a grain of salt too. Some people will provide far less than optimal grow conditions and when the plants hermie they will go on a rant and try to destroy the strain and breeder’s credibility.

Your room doesn’t have to be perfect but it should be within certain ranges for most plants. Some plants will need very specific ranges to avoid turning but most strains are very flexible and resilient.

Over the years I have had some plants turn on me because of a combination of too much stress and unstable genetics. It happens with feminized, regulars and auto flowers and is simply the result of bad breeding when they turn easily on most people. Do not let people convince you that feminized are far more likely to turn, it’s all down to good breeding practises.

Unfortunately, the only real defence is that every new seed or clone being grown for the first time in your grow space should be inspected for pollen sacks or nanners at least every other day during flower. It’s very tedious and time-consuming but it will go a long way to preventing plants full of seeds. You can still use the seeded bud but it will be slightly less potent and far less yield.

Best of luck in your next grow!

 

[holditnowHIT.IT]

My first grow was in the summer months. Keeping down the heat was an issue

did you get them temps under control or did you just ride high the whole bloom
I'm thinking about this for season changing soon .and wonder how I'm going to combat this

like someone above mentions and you
go with four next time and start dialing in that lollipopping you want work on

 

[WickedMichelle]

did you get them temps under control or did you just ride high the whole bloom
I'm thinking about this for season changing soon .and wonder how I'm going to combat this

I took two intake hoses and taped them to the vents of an air conditioner. I forced in the cooler air. It helped but not totally cured it. But again, I was running 100% power on the lights and had the power unit in the tent. I have since removed that and reduced the power. I still worry about the summer months. My next grow will run into summer.

 

[WickedMichelle]

but don't pay too much attention i have sort of an ocd with optimizing filling space with colas and time spent in veg because i m often close to run out of weed between each harvest ; ) if you're confortable with your weed stock don't bother ; )

I have heard you are the expert at getting the most out of your grows

I would like to find a video of a trimming where they show the plant after the trim as it grows. They explain what they do and the reason but seeing the results would be helpful to understand those reasons.

I have 6 or 7 different strains (I love a sale) so I can do another 4 plants for the next grow. My first grow yielded 14oz total..... smokable buds and scrap to cook with. I filled 12 mason jars. This grow I had 9 total mason jars. 5 Punch Pie, 4 Top Banana. 1 jar of small cookables each but they actually are still taste good smoking as well. I have a total weight written down but forget what it is off the top of my head. It was not 14 ounces. My first grow lasted until this harvest.... barely but it lasted. I was smoking crappy cook buds I had left over until I could snip a branch. I gave a little out to friends but do not think I can do that this grow. What a shame, this one is really good and I want to show it off LMAO.

I am a daily smoker, I mean daily... morning to bed. It takes a lot for me to get high. I have tried many strains before I started growing. I rarely got stoned. Sure, I would get a buzz... but not stoned. The affects of the Punch Pie is incredible to me. I actually feel like I have smoked weed with this strain. I may do this again as the 4th plant

I think I am babbling off topic. Ooops. I am loving this pie!

 

[HerbalEdu]

I would like to find a video of a trimming where they show the plant after the trim as it grows. They explain what they do and the reason but seeing the results would be helpful to understand those reasons.

when it comes to SOG short veg without topping and LST it's very simple you let grow the plant untouched and you just remove anything to deep below secondary branches canopy level past flowering stretch, either branches or bud sites
and well you crank many plant close to each other to reduce veg time to fill the area with colas.

 

[HerbalEdu]

that's what my 2x3 tent look like 5 weeks past germination at the time of switch to 12/12:

and this is what i could look like near the end:

or shorter plants depending strains

 

[Budman1158]

Hi all..... I haven't posted for a while, life has been a little crazy, but wanted to stop in say hello.

I harvested my 2nd grow last week and what an improvement. Thanks to everyone who has helped me on my journey to achieve my goals. Now that I have the basics down, the next step is good grooming. I am wasting too much energy on the little things that end up getting tossed.

So, a basic run down of the changes I have made this round.

1. Different strains. This grow I used Punch Pie and Fat Banana from Royal Queen seeds. (I highly recommend!)​

2. Different nutrients. The 1st grow I used Advanced Nutrients and a few of their additives. Spent over 160.00 for one grow. This time I used General Hydroponics, just the base 3. I used the aggressive grow formula from their chart. Nothing more.​

3. I was not as aggressive on the trimming as the first grow. I was afraid of getting seeds again.​

4. Lower light power and no additive lights. I just ran the basic lights that came with my tent. I maxed at 80% and not the 100% as in the first grow. Someone mentioned that light stress can cause seeding.​

5. I grew only 2 plants and not 4 hoping that they would have more room to grow. They did, and they did. LOL. Two plants filled my 3x3 tent almost as full as 4 plants did.​

6. Different season. My first grow was in the summer months. Keeping down the heat was an issue. This grow was in the fall winter months. Heat was easier to control. I also moved the power unit for the light outside of the tent. I actually moved everything out of the tent except the lights. I wanted maximum growing space.​

​

The drying process seemed to go very fast. I started trimming the Punch Pie before the 7 days. The stems were still bendy but the buds were dry. The Fat Banana had to wait a few more days due to my work schedule. It was much dryer but the thin stems were still bendy and not snapping. Much drier buds as well. I had to re-hydrate the buds in the jar. I hope I didn't wait too long for this as they are in their 1st week of curing.

The taste of this grow is incredible! I like to sample when I harvest so I take a small stem and just set it out till dry enough to smoke. Just off the plant and no curing, both the punch pie and fat banana had incredible taste. Yes, a little bit of the fresh off the plant after taste but very minimal. Once they were chopped and trimmed and put into jars.... the taste was even better. I cannot wait until they are totally cured.

This is right before cutting and hanging. The Punch Pie is on the left and Fat Banana on the right.

View attachment 2380972


Punch Pie close up
View attachment 2380973

Fat Banana close up
View attachment 2380974

I have been watching some videos on lollipopping. I need to learn this as I am losing too much energy on the lower areas that are not producing anything of real value. ( On a side note, some of the little buds were quite good.... more sampling while trimming LOL.)

Where this grow did not seed. I did find a few of these. I was not happy with this as they look like seeds. However they pop right off the plant and they are really soft and almost powdery. I am not sure what is causing this.... Maybe I trimmed too much? Maybe I trimmed too late? Maybe this just happens. UG!

View attachment 2380975

Where my yield was not as much as with 4 plants..... the difference was minimal. I now have a better understanding of what "per metric meter" is. I used all 12 jars on my 1st grow, this grow I only used 9 jars.

Waiting on new seeds to start the 3rd grow. They should be here today. 4 plants seemed to be too much (at least for the 1st grow).... Two plants seemed too little. I am going to try 3 plants in this 3x3 and attempt to lollipop. I want to try to get them taller and thinner and not the short bushes I have been getting.

I am going to try, Gelato 44, White Widow and ICE on this next grow. The flowering cycle is a little different so timing will be a bit tricky for me LOL. This should be fun. Or maybe a combo from the 3 new strains and the couple I have left over..... maybe get 3 that have closer flowering cycles. Eh.... I like a challenge.... I really like White Widow and want to try the Gelato 44 and ICE. I also ordered Haze Berry but not sure I want to do 4 again. But who knows. Might be good to have back ups in case I totally screw up the lollipopping.

Anyway..... my little hello got a bit lengthy, LOL. Been smoking the Fat Banana with my coffee. (Don't go there ) Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great day!

How high above canopy are your lights?

 

[Spliffy.Twojoints]

mean daily... morning to bed. It takes a lot for me to get

I have heard you are the expert at getting the most out of your grows

I would like to find a video of a trimming where they show the plant after the trim as it grows. They explain what they do and the reason but seeing the results would be helpful to understand those reasons.

I have 6 or 7 different strains (I love a sale) so I can do another 4 plants for the next grow. My first grow yielded 14oz total..... smokable buds and scrap to cook with. I filled 12 mason jars. This grow I had 9 total mason jars. 5 Punch Pie, 4 Top Banana. 1 jar of small cookables each but they actually are still taste good smoking as well. I have a total weight written down but forget what it is off the top of my head. It was not 14 ounces. My first grow lasted until this harvest.... barely but it lasted. I was smoking crappy cook buds I had left over until I could snip a branch. I gave a little out to friends but do not think I can do that this grow. What a shame, this one is really good and I want to show it off LMAO.

I am a daily smoker, I mean daily... morning to bed. It takes a lot for me to get high. I have tried many strains before I started growing. I rarely got stoned. Sure, I would get a buzz... but not stoned. The affects of the Punch Pie is incredible to me. I actually feel like I have smoked weed with this strain. I may do this again as the 4th plant

I think I am babbling off topic. Ooops. I am loving this pie!

Are you referring to defoliation? :

“I would like to find a video of a trimming where they show the plant after the trim as it grows. They explain what they do and the reason but seeing the results would be helpful to understand those reasons”

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I have heard you are the expert at getting the most out of your grows

Are you willing to accept comments from a non-expert, like me?

I would like to find a video of a trimming where they show the plant after the trim as it grows. They explain what they do and the reason but seeing the results would be helpful to understand those reasons.

It may be helpful to consider that different strains or phenotypes are likely to benefit from different pruning and defoliating strategies. In other words, there's no single correct way to do it. I've seen good crops come from my doing nothing at all. Learning by doing is best. Getting to know a strain by growing it repeatedly helps.