Week4Bytch
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Loyal To The Soil
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“Yes Ma’am”Truth be told.. same here. Wife already told me to pipe it ..![]()
Fuckers grow fast in these boxes.Shooting from the hip on this garage grow. (Might have to scrog this one), Grandpa Cookies (right) looks like it's gonna be a stretcher. Elev8 Gelato 33 (left) isn't budging, gonna be a shorty. Cleaned her up a bit trimming more of the larger leaves. Topped dressed for the stretch period.
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It's unreal, I did see my first root pop out from the top just before top dress. And it seems like or not sure really but I could swear there's roots at the bottom reaching into the water, that sound right? I'm gonna double check again when the lights come on, but from the water tube, seemed like roots are down there,Fuckers grow fast in these boxes.
I've wondered the same thing. These things will drain your reservoir in 1 day during the stretch.It's unreal, I did see my first root pop out from the top just before top dress. And it seems like or not sure really but I could swear there's roots at the bottom reaching into the water, that sound right? I'm gonna double check again when the lights come on, but from the water tube, seemed like roots are down there,
Tempted to just use a water hose to fill themI've wondered the same thing. These things will drain your reservoir in 1 day during the stretch.
The only thing I would disagree with is using molasses. Never water molasses on your soil. If you need to use it, use it in an aerated casting/compost tea as microbe food. I'd aerate for at least 10 hours with molasses.Random shit I Google alert....
To speed up the breakdown of top-dress amendments for cannabis, you need to increase microbial activity by focusing on moisture, temperature, and the addition of biological boosters. Top dressing often takes 1–2 weeks to become available, so speeding up this process helps prevent nutrient deficiencies, especially during the fast-growing flower stretch.
Key Methods to Speed Up Top Dress Decomposition:
Apply Beneficial Microbes (EM1/Teas): The fastest way to break down organic matter is to boost the "micro-herd." Water in your amendments with compost tea, worm casting tea, or Effective Microorganisms (EM1) to accelerate nutrient cycling.
Water Frequently and Keep Moist: Microbes need moisture to survive and break down nutrients. If the top dressing dries out, decomposition stops. Use a fine mist or water lightly after application, and consider using a top layer of mulch (like straw or more castings) to keep the surface damp.
Use High-Quality Worm Castings: Mix your dry amendments with worm castings (EWC) before applying, or cover the amendment layer with an inch of EWC. The bacteria and enzymes in worm castings are exceptionally fast at breaking down organic material.
Use Enzyme Boosters (Corn Sprout/Malted Barley): Add enzymes to your soil to speed up the process. Corn sprout tea or milled malted barley are highly effective at breaking down organic matter into plant-available nutrients.
Incorporate Enzymes (Chitinase): For amendments like crab meal or chitin-rich fertilizers, specific amendments like Chitinase help break down materials faster.
Add Molasses or Sugar Sources: A small amount of unsulphured molasses in your watering can act as food for the microbes, supercharging their activity.
Pre-mix and "Cook" Amendments: For faster uptake, mix your top-dress amendments into a small batch of moist, warm soil and let it sit for a few days ("cook") before applying it to the top of the container.
Optimal Top Dressing Tips:
Apply Early: Apply top dressings about 1–2 weeks before the plants need them (e.g., in late veg, right before flipping to flower).
Do Not Bury, Just Cover: Avoid burying top-dressings deep in the soil, which can damage roots. Lightly work the amendments into the top 1/2 inch of soil, then top with moist compost/castings.
Combine with Liquid Nutrients: If an immediate boost is required, use liquid nutrients in addition to top dressing, as solid amendments take time, even when accelerated.
I hear ya bro, I think the idea behind the microbes eating the molasses is that they can do it fast (because its a simple carbohydrate and not a fat or protein) and multiply more rapidly vs consuming just the sugars that come from the root system. We're giving the microbes population a boost. Once they finish eating the sugar is when they start chowing down on the amendments, just in a much larger population. We could wait 3 to 4 weeks for this to happen without the molasses/sugar, or we can speed up the process and have nutrient available within a few weeks. Plus molasses is full of beneficial nutrients as a side benefit.The only thing I would disagree with is using molasses. Never water molasses on your soil. If you need to use it, use it in an aerated casting/compost tea as microbe food. I'd aerate for at least 10 hours with molasses.
E2A: You dont want the microbes in your soil eating molasses. You want them eating amendments. The molasses in your tea brew feeds them microbes in the tea letting them multiply with the infusion of 02 before you add them to your soil.
Check ph of water mixed with molases.thats the only reason i wouldnt water the plants with it.I hear ya bro, I think the idea behind the microbes eating the molasses is that they can do it fast (because its a simple carbohydrate and not a fat or protein) and multiply more rapidly vs consuming just the sugars that come from the root system. We're giving the microbes population a boost. Once they finish eating the sugar is when they start chowing down on the amendments, just in a much larger population. We could wait 3 to 4 weeks for this to happen without the molasses/sugar, or we can speed up the process and have nutrient available within a few weeks. Plus molasses is full of beneficial nutrients as a side benefit.
"While the sugars are for the soil microbes, blackstrap molasses provides essential macro and micronutrients that are directly absorbed by the cannabis plant:
The above is just the side benefit. and we're still only feeding a highly diluted serving of one tablespoon per gallon of water. When using it in compost teas it's for the very same reason. For the microbes (from within the compost and/or EWC) to consume the molasses quick and multiply. So when your dumping/pouring it on your soil it's at it's peak population. You can't go wrong either way. (Especially if you have compost in your soil already)
- Potassium (K): Crucial for photosynthesis, water regulation, and developing large, dense buds in the flowering stage.
- Calcium (Ca): Supports structural integrity and cell wall development.
- Magnesium (Mg): Forms the core of the chlorophyll molecule, essential for photosynthesis and preventing yellowing leaves.
- Iron (Fe): Plays a vital role in metabolic processes, respiration, and photosynthesis.
- Trace Minerals: Including sulphur and manganese, which assist in enzyme function. "
Thanks, I'll check, I actually did a chatgbt on another issue and it warned me not to use the molasses to much...Check ph of water mixed with molases.thats the only reason i wouldnt water the plants with it.
Great diagnoses and fix!Apparently during the stretch is when the plant goes through its maximum use of calcium. At the same time the elevated PPFD ups that even more. So we're backing down the lights until she recovers, should be 3-5 days before she settles (if this was lower leaves I'd say magnesium, these are the upper leaves closest o the lights)
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But for the most part looking at the plants as a whole, it's hard to tell until you look really close. They are not praying as much, (day one at 70% of light.) Already looking better. We'll keep it that way till Tuesday. Official last day of the stretch period.
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