Junk's Growing Log

SmithsJunk · Sep 3, 2018

I was trying to figure out why my leaves continued to wilt after I checked them and found no living mites. After some research I found out the the phytotoxins released by the mites stay after the mites are dead. I can't find anything that says how long it takes for the toxins to dissipate. I hope sooner than later because I'm tired of losing leaves and buds to these toxins and wonder if there is a way to speed the process along. I think that may be why the hydro store guy had me crush aspirin into my watering/feeding buckets.

SmithsJunk · Sep 3, 2018

WhtChocolate said:
Looking great SJ! Glad the mites are controlled. Have a great holiday.

Thanks, you too.

Wishbone · Sep 3, 2018

Loving the jungle shots! Glad things are on the up turn with the vermin.

justiceman · Sep 3, 2018

Man having to crawl under them to get inside hahaha! That's how monstrous they are. This is awesome.

This one is my favorite. :cool:

SmithsJunk said:
I feel moderately confident I can take clones without running much risk of having an outbreak in the tent. Between the fogger my neighbor gave me and the Nuke Em I'm ordering I think the tent will be pest free or close to it. The hydro store guy said he'd give me cuttings from his Lemon Tree strain when I'm ready and I don't want to get them infected, or my last Royal Nepal bean. The thing is I can be all worried about it, or... Just accept the fact that with growing around here mites ARE going to happen and start running pesticides early. Even if the plants are showing no symptoms. If I do another outside grow I'll use the fogger and a wetting agent the first couple times. That way the Nuke Em will coat everything and stick around the whole grow cycle and part of the flower cycle. Except on the new growth of course.

I think you'll be okay with them inside as long as you take it nice and safe. If it were me after the clones root up and get transplanted I would treat them with azamax or nuke em one more time and then monitor them during a quarantine period to determine there are no pests. After they pass the test I'd introduce the lemon trees. A few mites outside no problem but a few mites inside can become HUGE if left unchecked.

SmithsJunk · Sep 3, 2018

justiceman said:
Man having to crawl under them to get inside hahaha! That's how monstrous they are. This is awesome.

This one is my favorite. :cool:

I think you'll be okay with them inside as long as you take it nice and safe. If it were me after the clones root up and get transplanted I would treat them with azamax or nuke em one more time and then monitor them during a quarantine period to determine there are no pests. After they pass the test I'd introduce the lemon trees. A few mites outside no problem but a few mites inside can become HUGE if left unchecked.

Thanks

I know!, hahaha... Doesn't that pic remind you of like the beginning of a Rasin Bran commercial?, rofl.

Yup, I've really been on the fence about this all day. Actually, all night. Since I learned more about phytotoxins. I don't want to deal with putting predatory nematodes in the soil to prevent a reoccurence and I've heard the Broad and Russet mites can be transferred in, or on, the seeds. It's just... there are two Banana Ice Cream with beautimus genetics and it's such a f^ckin waste to lose em. I have one more BIC bean left but their phenos are so varied. Then, is it really worth it? I mean, there's beans everywhere in my state and I can probably order 3 day delivery from a dozen or more distributers. The BIC weren't my first pick last year. They were supposed to just be a back up but the other beans were sh*t, and I wasn't good enough at starting them to recover sh*t beans, plus it was cold as f^ck when I sprouted them. Either way, maybe I should just start my last BIC and RNK, and do the Lemon Trees. Four is a cozy #, and would fit perfectly in the tent. <<<--- I think I'm gonna go this way and I'll still fog em with the Nuke. Just to let you know, Azamax is pretty much useless against Broad & Russet mites (even with a wetting agent). I'm telling you so you don't lose time if you ever get them. The faster you can kill them, the less phytotoxins, and a higher % of a full recovery vs death( - the already damaged leaves that DO NOT recover). That's why they wreck whole crops. By the time the damage is linked to them it's too late. The plants can even look great still. That's why I'm watching mine like a hawk. My Creamsicle is definitely on the verge and it's buds were severely stunted.

It kills me to give these bracts up... and the other one is even better. If I wasnt getting the Lemon Tree cuts I'd do it but I'm not passing up pseudo-Tangie that can grow here. If they don't have high THCv then I can cross them with Durban or GSC to keep the flavor while trying for it.

justiceman · Sep 3, 2018

SmithsJunk said:
Just to let you know, Azamax is pretty much useless against Broad & Russet mites (even with a wetting agent). I'm telling you so you don't lose time if you ever get them. The faster you can kill them, the less phytotoxins, and a higher % of a full recovery vs death( - the already damaged leaves that DO NOT recover). That's why they wreck whole crops. By the time the damage is linked to them it's too late. The plants can even look great still.

I will definitely keep that in mind about azamax and broad + russet mites. That's good information to remember.

SmithsJunk · Sep 3, 2018

justiceman said:
I will definitely keep that in mind about azamax and broad + russet mites. That's good information to remember.

Also check the young leaftips at the first sign of clawing. I think you said before that my girls made it because of their sise. That and they were in good health. All facts point to the phytotoxins being mobile systemic. So it would be like us with arsenic or lead poisoning. Up to a point it would only make us sick if anything at all, but at the point of critical mass the plants suffer a cascade failure and there's no saving them. These bugs are some little bastards.

SmithsJunk · Sep 4, 2018

Grow Log 9/3/18

I spend hours chillin around my garden just communing with the girls. These are pics I took while I was doin that yesterday. I contemplate their structure and how it changes as they grow and enter new cycles. We often talk about veg and flower cycles as if the plants only acted a single way in each but I've found this to be a major oversimplification. I've seen several shifts in growth patters within each of the bigger cycles. I wish I could study them without interference from pests. The whole mite problem is really starting to bum me out. Part of the reason I grow is to chillax and enjoy the fruits of my labor but these mites are really interfering with that. The spider mites sucked last year and it was a steep learning curve trying to figure out how to control them. After sifting through a lot of bad advice and misleading pesticide mislabeling I though I finally had a grasp on it. Now its Broad Mites as well as Spider Mites. What's next year going to be Like? Spider mites, Broad Mites, and Bud Worms? Maybe some root rot or powdery mildew? Sh*t, it's really hard to get an understanding of my girls needs when I'm constantly fending off mite attacks.

OK, I've vented enough, hehe. I am truly wondering if my proximity to the greenhouse is causing many of the pest problems. Maybe I'll abandon that location for somplace down by my trailer. I'll see how this season works out with the new pesticide spray. It appears to be killing both types of mites. With something that effective and inexpensive next year might not be so bad.

WhtChocolate · Sep 4, 2018

SmithsJunk said:
Grow Log 9/3/18

I spend hours chillin around my garden just communing with the girls. These are pics I took while I was doin that yesterday. I contemplate their structure and how it changes as they grow and enter new cycles. We often talk about veg and flower cycles as if the plants only acted a single way in each but I've found this to be a major oversimplification. I've seen several shifts in growth patters within each of the bigger cycles. I wish I could study them without interference from pests. The whole mite problem is really starting to bum me out. Part of the reason I grow is to chillax and enjoy the fruits of my labor but these mites are really interfering with that. The spider mites sucked last year and it was a steep learning curve trying to figure out how to control them. After sifting through a lot of bad advice and misleading pesticide mislabeling I though I finally had a grasp on it. Now its Broad Mites as well as Spider Mites. What's next year going to be Like? Spider mites, Broad Mites, and Bud Worms? Maybe some root rot or powdery mildew? Sh*t, it's really hard to get an understanding of my girls needs when I'm constantly fending off mite attacks.

OK, I've vented enough, hehe. I am truly wondering if my proximity to the greenhouse is causing many of the pest problems. Maybe I'll abandon that location for somplace down by my trailer. I'll see how this season works out with the new pesticide spray. It appears to be killing both types of mites. With something that effective and inexpensive next year might not be so bad.
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I hear ya SJ. I love the way the plants respond to the outdoors and the power of the sun but constant worry of pests is consuming. This has made me seriously consider indoor....year round, controlled environment etc. just can’t get the same yield with the confined space. I’m intrigued.
Keep plugging along, you’ll get rid of those critters. Is it only on the BIC and cream sickle? What are the chances of them jumping to your other plants?

SmithsJunk · Sep 4, 2018

WhtChocolate said:
I hear ya SJ. I love the way the plants respond to the outdoors and the power of the sun but constant worry of pests is consuming. This has made me seriously consider indoor....year round, controlled environment etc. just can’t get the same yield with the confined space. I’m intrigued.
Keep plugging along, you’ll get rid of those critters. Is it only on the BIC and cream sickle? What are the chances of them jumping to your other plants?

Pretty sure I killed the mites but all of them were infected and some were hit worse. The Creamsicle were already getting jacked up by spider mites when the broad mites hit so they have the worst damage. I never spray individual plants, always the whole garden and may touch up individuals between whole garden sprays.

Right now the girls are trying to recover from the phytotoxins that linger even after the broad mites are dead.

WhtChocolate · Sep 4, 2018

They will turn around. Plants are so resilient.
Been treating my spider mites as you recommended. This helps me too!!

justiceman · Sep 4, 2018

Keep that head up Junk! It's common for a grower to be down on themselves when things aren't going perfectly. I know it all too well. It's even harder to avoid pests outside. We do what we can. I know you see the details better than us since you are there, but from an outsiders view the plants are generally in very good health right now. Be proud of these monsters you have grown:party1: . They are so monstrous and powerful that those mites don't stand a chance. They are gorgeous girls no doubt about it.

SmithsJunk · Sep 4, 2018

WhtChocolate said:
They will turn around. Plants are so resilient.
Been treating my spider mites as you recommended. This helps me too!!

justiceman said:
Keep that head up Junk! It's common for a grower to be down on themselves when things aren't going perfectly. I know it all too well. It's even harder to avoid pests outside. We do what we can. I know you see the details better than us since you are there, but from an outsiders view the plants are generally in very good health right now. Be proud of these monsters you have grown:party1: . They are so monstrous and powerful that those mites don't stand a chance. They are gorgeous girls no doubt about it.

Thank you guys for your inspiring words. My girls actually began the turn around today (I'll post pics probably tonight, but the contrast from the CT scan has me feeling funky. Might wait till morning). They are looking great. In the same way that the toxins can reach critical mass, so can the health of the plants. It's like the difference between fighting a cold and recovering from one. The point at which you you've beaten it and start to get stronger. I am amazed and feel very blessed. This is my thread so I'm going to say "Praise God!!!" because I owe Him the honor for protecting and healing my crop.

I've started 45 clones and will make it 50 tomorrow when I take 5 more cuttings from my favorite BIC#1. They are looking good so far...

...and @WhtChocolate , that is a beautiful plant and pic.

SmithsJunk · Sep 5, 2018

Grow Log 9/4/18 #1

My girls are making a fierce comeback from Broad Mite (phytotoxin) poisoning. Literally overnight many of the colas have gained 50%+ in mass and flowers. Man, those tiny little suckers are poisonous. I was afraid I was going to lose 75-90% of my expected yield. I consoled myself by saying "At least I'll have enough for personal smoke this next year", but I was really bummed none the less. So, yippee! They are lookin goooood! I expect a full recovery and negligable loss in yield. If anything, the stress from the infestation caused an huge upswing in THC production.

Bought 32' of soft wire to stabilise a couple of the plants that were more susceptible to breakage. May pick up a few more 16' spools since the first two worked out so well.

Total growth explosion!

Group photos...

SmithsJunk · Sep 5, 2018

Grow Log 9/4/18 #2

Lost two big branches yesterday. Decided not to let them go to waste and used them for clone propagation. Another check in the plus column is the amount of light that is reaching into the core of each plant. The perfect placement of the broken branches has increased the amount of quality surface buds getting full sun by probably 25-35% (including the buds lost to the broken branches).

The Orange Creamsicle has recovered the least of the six plants, and still, she's bulking up and frosting oh sooo nice.

My girls have gotten so big there's barely room to turn around while in the middle. These pics are from me backing up as far as possible for a wide shot. Luckily my claustrophobia doesn't cause me problems in there but it's a real b*tch to spray pesticides from the center without drenching myself.

More pics of the Idunnoes. Still only beginning to flower. Starting to have doubts that she's gonna produce anything tangible. I really don't care though because I've enjoyed growing a plant that's so very different. I bet she'll have potent flowers cause she's stinkier than a $5 hooker.

WhtChocolate · Sep 5, 2018

SmithsJunk said:
Grow Log 9/4/18 #2

Lost two big branches yesterday. Decided not to let them go to waste and used them for clone propagation. Another check in the plus column is the amount of light that is reaching into the core of each plant. The perfect placement of the broken branches has increased the amount of quality surface buds getting full sun by probably 25-35% (including the buds lost to the broken branches).
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The Orange Creamsicle has recovered the least of the six plants, and still, she's bulking up and frosting oh sooo nice.
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My girls have gotten so big there's barely room to turn around while in the middle. These pics are from me backing up as far as possible for a wide shot. Luckily my claustrophobia doesn't cause me problems in there but it's a real b*tch to spray pesticides from the center without drenching myself.
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More pics of the Idunnoes. Still only beginning to flower. Starting to have doubts that she's gonna produce anything tangible. I really don't care though because I've enjoyed growing a plant that's so very different. I bet she'll have potent flowers cause she's stinkier than a $5 hooker.
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SJ, those colas are really filling out. Wow!! Looking fantastic.

SmithsJunk · Sep 5, 2018

After doing more research I've found that the pesticide I'm using is not being used in an off label way. It is an acceptable pesticide to use on cannabis for the extermination of Broad Mites however I would not recommend it as harvest nears.

Trazicide is inexpensive and extremely effective. I bought mine at the hydro store for $12 a bottle (good for around 3 fully saturated applications on a small garden, ie; my garden, 6 10'-12' plants). When I bought it my only other option was Nuke Em at around $45 a quart. Which I was about to buy until the hydro shop guy talked me out of it and into the cheaper Triazacide. I'm glad he did.

(Mine has a black top and nozzle is slightly different. This one is currently selling on Amazon for $9.)

(((THIS IS NOT FOR INDOOR USE)))
(Though I don't see why most growers couldn't just take their girls outside, hose them down with it, then bring them back in. After reading all the sh*t indoor growers are doing to get rid of Broad Mites, at extreme costs $$$, it's what I would do instead.)

I'll be looking into an organic option that Cervantes talked about called AACT Active Aerated Compost Tea. I live less than 10mi from the business he plugged as carrying it.

SmithsJunk · Sep 5, 2018

Finished filling the last five spots with my favorite, BIC#1.

I started this Jiffy auto-watered peat dome before I went by the hydro store and decided to go with 50 rock wool cubes that fit my Nano Dome.

Thinking of cloning the Idunnoes and Orange Creamsicle, cause why not? I didn't want to clone the Orange Creamsicle because it attracts Spider Mites but since the products I'll be using to control Broad Mites control Spider Mites as well, there's no reason to avoid the Borg ridden OC. (I think I might have to break out my 67w COB to do it. Which means setting up some sort of framework to hold the light and a place to put it.)

I also looked further into the US Forestry services use of mites to control Scotch Broom and I think my very zealous hydro shop guy might be mistaken as to the type of mite being dusted, or maybe not. There is a specific mite that attacks Scotch Broom called the Scotch Broom Gall Mite. I don't know why they would use any other species unless their intention IS to destroy cannabis crops. After all, why shouldn't we trust the Feds? All they want to do is help us. Like when they gave my ancestors those nice warm blankets as they walked the Trail of Tears.

I have a new buddy to ride my truck's dash. Wouldn't it be so cool to have your own little garden Minions? Hehe

SmithsJunk · Sep 5, 2018

Still jammin, and due for a big feeding tomorrow.

Banana Crack, she's gotta be 8'-9' across.

WhtChocolate · Sep 5, 2018

SmithsJunk said:
Still jammin, and due for a big feeding tomorrow.

Banana Crack, she's gotta be 8'-9' across.
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I want to know the weight of that cola when finished. Holy F^ck!

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