TJ.Ontario's Grow Journal 01 - Jealousy, London Pound Cake, Star Killer (+ comparing synth vs organic)

TJ.Ontario · Jan 17, 2024

Here's something else I've never seen.

One of the tops on the organic fed Star Killer has developed into a thick crown of tops. multiple fans leaves and multiple tops all growing together on a thick stalk.

I've also noticed in the last few days that the organic Starkiller is growing noticeably thicker stalks than the Synthetic fed one

TJ.Ontario · Jan 19, 2024

Week Seven Update

Major changes this week. The new trellis net I ordered finally has been put in place. It came a week later than I wanted, but that's what I get for choosing expired payment options lol

So I started the SCROG process. This is the first part where I felt like I had no clue what I was doing, but it's pretty straightforward. Other than making watering and pruning awkward, it's been very easy. It has worked out pretty well, since I've pretty much filled out the areas I wanted by the end of this week. My plan is to now let the plants grow vertically for 2 or 3 weeks then switch to flower. Hopefully they all grow at the same rate

I went ham on the defoliation this week. Removed any unwanted growth lower than a couple inches below the net. I did leave a couple growths on the London Pound Cake to get more cuts for cloning.

Feeding has stayed the same. Nutrient feed for synthetic plants once per week (has been every Saturday or Sunday generally). Since the Gaia Green calls for monthly feeding, I've only been giving the organic Star Killer a tiny pinch of 4-4-4 in between it's monthly feedings (probably not necessary)

I did add a tiny bit (4ml) of Garden Juice to each plant's watering this week, which is an organic food that adds a boost of carbs and feeds microbes in the soil.

London Pound Cake

Growing strong. Not much to report

Star Killer (organic fed)

This week I have noticed the first real difference between the organic and synthetic fed Star Killers. The organic fed plant has noticeably thicker and stronger stems. It also has a tendancy to put out tight clusters of nodes. One of it's top's actually has grown into a thick crown with many fan leaves and multiple new growths in a tight cluster (see first picture and also previous post). Not sure if this is a genetic trait or what.. look nifty though

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Growing strong and healthy looking. I have noticed it's nodes aren't as close together as the organic plant, and it's stems are thinner. Which is nice since they are easier to bend/tuck

Jealousy

Great looking plant. I'm just hoping it doesn't grow taller/faster than the others over the next few weeks :/

TJ.Ontario · Jan 26, 2024

Week Eight Update

My target of 9-10 weeks before switching to flower is approaching fast. The plants are growing strong but a few things have come up that I need to address this weekend.

London Pound Cake's highest top is currently about 25 inches tall

The 2 Star Killers are still a little shorter than Jealousy and London Pound Cake but I don't think the height difference is enough to be an issue. Their highest tops are growing as about the same rate. I have a second light I can use if height becomes an issue during the stretch period. I have also considered topping the highest tops on Jealousy and LPC to give the lower points and Star Killers time to catch up in height

The 'organic' fed Star Killer is doing some odd things. The one top that grew a dense cluster of fan leaves has just continued doing that. It hasn't put out any more vertical shoots but just more and more leaves. There is another top on the plant that has stopped growing vertically and is growing tight nodes bending sideways/downwards. I have learned that these tendencies are know as fasciation and have been discussed in another thread HERE. Possibly a genetic trait since I don't think I otherwise stressed the plant.

Fasciation on the organic fed Star Killer

Other than a couple strange tops, the organic fed Star Killer is growing well and keeping up with it's 'synthetic' fed sister. My plan is to top off the fasciated tops and hope new growths below come up normally (if they don't I will just remove the effected branches)
Otherwise everything looks good.

London Pound Cake

Star Killer (organic fed)

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Jealousy

TJ.Ontario · Jan 27, 2024

-I cut off the two Fasciated Tops. Hopefully the nodes below will produce normal growth

Before

After

TJ.Ontario · Feb 2, 2024

Week Nine Update

Not much news to report. Plants are growing steady. I have had to top the highest tops on Jealousy and London Pound Cake a couple times as the Star Killers are growing slower. I might add an extra week to veg to let them grow as they are still 6 inches short of where I want them to be. All plants have many tops and many new growths coming up so it looks promising.

I will be giving the synthetic fed plants a double feeding this weekend since the directions call for more nutrients for mature plants
The organic fed Star Killer will get a small amount of Gaia Green 4-4-4 (about 5ml) this weekend and it's regular monthly feeding next week

London Pound Cake

Star Killer (organic fed)

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Jealousy

TJ.Ontario · Feb 10, 2024

Week 10 Update

I've decided to extend veg for one more week (ugh) to allow for a bit more growth. The highest tops on Jealousy and London Pound Cake are still 2 or 3 inches short of my set height limit, and I would still like to see the Star Killers especially grow another inch or two before stretch starts just to maximize the budding sites available.

So.. this weekend I will do my final defoliation all around... a few small growths on the undersides will be removed and possibly saved for more clones.. I might top a few of the highest points on Jealousy and LPC again just to keep canopy height as even as possible... then the rest of the week will be for recovery and final growth before the flowering stage starts

Feeding:
Similar to last weekend, the synthetic plants are getting a double feeding this weekend (4ml of each food in 2L water, two days in a row). For one of the feedings I am adding 2ml of Bud Candy which adds carbs to the mixture. Instructions don't call for this until flower stage but I read the plants will store extra carbs internally so I am preloading them a bit with extra food.
The organic fed Star Killer is getting it's regular monthly feeding (which I think may be more than needed tbh) and continue just getting a pinch of 4-4-4 on weeks in between.
I've been continuing to water them mid-week and including a small amount of Garden Juice to add carbs/sugars to the grow medium.

Pests?
I have found some small gnats or midges flying around which I assume may be fungus gnats. I have removed my Venus Fly trap (which has been eating things) I have replaced it with a deadly predator I got from my friend @AsheyBear. The predator's name is Ludacris and hopefully will slaughter any larvae or bugs it encounters...

Ludacris (harmonia axyridis) the pest control associate

London Pound Cake

Star Killer (organic fed)

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Jealousy

TJ.Ontario · Feb 10, 2024

Tumbleweed375 · Feb 10, 2024

TJ.Ontario said:

Great videos, even greater plants. Beautiful canopy structure

TJ.Ontario · Feb 24, 2024

Week Twelve Update
(Day Seven of Flower)

I didn't get an update done last week but I was pretty busy. Also had beer on Friday which made me too unproductive to put a video and post together. Whoops.

Plants got a heavy defoliation on the 14th then I switched the light cycle to 12-12 on the 17th. I kept the same feeding routine as previous weeks but watered extra throughout the week (with 4ml garden juice in each watering). In the first week of flower the highest tops have grown about 3 inches or more and the canopy has filled back out. I will do light sporadic defoliating every day over the next week or so while stretch continues

I have added another light to provide some underlighting. This is a spare light/starting light I got used from @AsheyBear and it seems to work great as a supplemental light. I think it's a 60W or something. It has to be manually turned on/off, so I am manually running it for 4-6 hours mid day

The extra light does increase the temperature and I noticed the tent sitting at a high 29C. I cranked up my exhaust fan and opened some ventilation (the view windows) on the cloning side of the tent - this is a great function for these 2-in-1 tent setups to bring in air without letting light into the main growing area - and temps are staying now close to 25C. Humidity is sitting around 45% inside the tent with the vents open which I am very happy with.

This weekend I will again keep same 2-day feeding I have been doing (applying nutrient feeds both today and tomorrow)
The organic Star Killer is getting the same feeding as it's had throughout the grow - but my increase it next feed

London Pound Cake

This plant is putting out the most tops and is growing the tallest now. Strong

Star Killer (organic fed)

Growing compact but it's highest tops are starting to stretch and keeping up with it's tent mates. This is the only plant I am seeing some slight fading/yellowing in the leaves and I'm considering adjusting it's feeding schedule. Maybe she just needs some cal-mag

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Growing more compact with tight nodes like it's organic sister, but it's highest tops are stretching and staying close to the Jealousy and LPC, so my concern about the Star Killers not growing tall enough is gone. This one hasn't shown any fading like the organic fed plant, but the tips of some of it's fan leafs are browning very slightly. The Star Killers seem a bit more sensitive to light and nutrient balance.

Jealousy

Growing broad and tall and filling the canopy well. Not as many tops as the London Pound Cake but it's close

photobomb by Mars Hydro power cable

AsheyBear · Feb 24, 2024

Looking good and fierce! Pumped to smoke it all on you

Choppr · Feb 24, 2024

Good Start / Good Grow TJ! I have seen that "flat stem" mutation a few times over the years its similar to triploid/tetraploid, having extra sets of chromosomes, mine didn't do very well... I know some breeders (Humboldt) are now breeding Triploid into some of their strains? I dont know why? I wish they wouldn't fuck with them that way!... normally cannabis is diploid! Anyway only critique I would have is I would add another light? is that an MH ts2000? But then again Im known for overpower! always have more power then you need, then run them at less power- LED's last longer and you get better coverage with 2, the other benefit is if a light malfunctions you aint left in the dark! I apply this same philosophy to my cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, anything with a motor! lol anyway rock on!

TJ.Ontario · Feb 28, 2024

Choppr said:
Good Start / Good Grow TJ! I have seen that "flat stem" mutation a few times over the years its similar to triploid/tetraploid, having extra sets of chromosomes, mine didn't do very well... I know some breeders (Humboldt) are now breeding Triploid into some of their strains? I dont know why? I wish they wouldn't fuck with them that way!... normally cannabis is diploid! Anyway only critique I would have is I would add another light? is that an MH ts2000? But then again Im known for overpower! always have more power then you need, then run them at less power- LED's last longer and you get better coverage with 2, the other benefit is if a light malfunctions you aint left in the dark! I apply this same philosophy to my cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, anything with a motor! lol anyway rock on!

Yes I am always on the lookout for good deals on other lights and tents. Almost bought a second ts2000 last week but the price wasn't right

TJ.Ontario · Mar 2, 2024

Week Thirteen Update

Plants are all continuing to grow strong and stretch tall. Pistils are springing up everywhere. It may not look like it but I have been steadily defoliating the biggest and/or most obstructive fan leaves every day.

Feeding - Same ratios - I'm now adding 4ml of Bud Candy and 4ml of Big Bud to one feed each weekend on the synthetic plants
Plants are thirsty so getting 2 waterings throughout the week (Tuesdays and Thursdays generally)

My cheap oscillating fan died after 2 weeks of use, so I have a replacement coming within a few days.

London Pound Cake

Star Killer (organic fed)

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Jealousy

TJ.Ontario · Mar 7, 2024

Putthataway · Mar 7, 2024

I want to see the London pound cake. Mine had red hairs that would blow off the plant,yet never showed sticky tri.

AsheyBear · Mar 7, 2024

I’m pumped to see it finish up cause ima trim a bunch and snag abit muhahahaha

Also, excited to see how his StarKillers grow cause I’m growing two from the same seed batch and a clone! Be neat to see how the growing techniques and LsT change the plants(lighting and everything else too)

TJ.Ontario · Mar 9, 2024

Week Fourteen Update

Third week of flower and buds are growing on schedule. They are starting to produce trichomes already. The London Pound Cake is growing nice buds but it's the least frosty looking of the plants - which is in line with what @Putthataway noted about their LPC. Can't wait to see how it develops.

They are very thirsty for water and nutrients. I have started using water from fish tank for all waterings and nutrient feedings. The plants seem very happy with a nearly steady supply of water and food.

Temperature has been staying between 20°C at night and 25°C with the lights on and humidity pretty stable within 45%-50%

https://www.degreesymbol.net/

Feeding/Watering

Synthetic fed plants (advanced nutrients ph perfect mix):
2ml Cal Mag; 4ml Micro, Grow, Bloom; 4ml Bud Candy; 4ml Big Bud; 4ml B-52 (repeated Friday and Saturdays)
Organic fed Star Killer (gaia green):
15ml All Purpose 4-4-4, 15ml Power Bloom 2-8-4 on monthly schedule. (5ml 4-4-4 added each mid-week watering)

All plants are given 2L (aquarium) water with 4ml added Garden Juice every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday

London Pound Cake

Star Killer (organic fed)

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Jealousy

TJ.Ontario · Mar 12, 2024

TJ.Ontario · Mar 15, 2024

Week Fifteen Update

Four weeks into flower. Not much to report this week. Just growth. Vertical stretch is done and plants should now be putting all their energy into bud production.

London Pound Cake

Star Killer (organic fed)

Star Killer (synthetic fed)

Jealousy

TJ.Ontario · Mar 24, 2024

Week 16 Update

Steady growth. Buds are getting fatter and frostier. Very sticky. Very smelly.

London Pound Cake
Lots of bud sites but the buds aren't growing fat and frosty like the other plants.