Phase 3: Vegatative (7-10 days)
The vegetative phase is essentially a repeat of the pre-veg phase with the addition of a third part. Preveged plants are placed at the bottom of the UC baskets, on top of about 1.5 inches of hydroton, and then the basket is filled the rest of the way with it as well. It is important to remember that if the water level in the UC drops below the bottom of the basket, there is the risk of root death which initiate the onset of rot in the system.
Once the plants are in place we turn on the dripper system until the roots have grown significantly into the baskets. If you have not added a dripper/recirculator to your UC you have the option of hand watering the baskets no less then 3 times per day and can be watered as often as every 2 hours.
Part I: (2-4 days)
The initial veg profile again is Dynabloom @4-5 ml/gal and 29% H2o2 @1 ml/gal, pHed to 5.3. This profile is ran until root growth extends into the UC buckets AND encircle the entire basket.
Part II: (2-4 days)
After the baskets are fully encircled with roots the profile is modified with the addition of
Cal-mag @3 ml/gal and pH over 5.7. Again focus is shifted from root growth to shoot growth and when “explosive” growth onsets its time for a rezz change.
Part III (2-4 days)
New rezz means a new profile, and it looks something like this:
Cal-mag @ 3-4 ml/gal
H&G A @ 4-5 ml/gal
H&G B @ 4-5 ml/gal
Epsom @ 1 g/gal
H2o2 @ 2 ml/gal
pH to 5.4
This profile and the rezz its contained in can be ran right up to, and throughout the first part of flower. It is very important not to over veg these plants, as the UC can easily triple the size of them during the flower period. Management of the pH and EC will be posted in a few days.
Pics are at 7 days in the UC/phase 3 (they will be flowered at day 10):
Also on day 7 the plants were topped and defoliated (pruned) which, other then profiles will be the most important technique used for the rest of these plants life cycles. More info on pruning can be found here:
If you wish to see the plants in the pics all the way through to harvest you can find them here: