Buzzy12
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The goal for veg should be to create as many flower sites in an even canopy as possible. I prefer the scrog method so I let my plants get pretty big in veg, usually a 6-8 week veg process after a 2 week seedling phase in 0.5 gal containers. I've been using 3 gal rain science bags for veg and transplant up to 10 gal bags towards the end of veg. I try and get at least a week of veg growth for the roots to expand in their new containers and then I do my major defoliation (schwazz). From what I've gathered, nobody else on the forum does, but it works really well for me.
I periodically defoliate big fan leaves and lollipop any branches that are not keeping up with the halfway point of the height of the plant. That helps get more light throughout the canopy and creates more flower sites. I prefer the 18/6 light cycle, but I'm very intrigued by the 6/2 cycle. Some info out there that says the 6/2 cycle is even more efficient for veg growth. I have yet to commit to that though.
Fans are very important, can't underestimate the power of the wind. They help strengthen stems and prevent powdery mildew from growing. Lights are extremely important, it's the main food source for the plants. The blue light spectrum is what you need in veg, red light is for flower. It's very important to check light spectrum charts before purchasing any lights.
For soil and nutes, I prefer organics. Currently using Coast of Maine Seed Starter mix for clones and seeds in their 2 week seedling phase in 0.5 gal containers. I like a 50/50 mix of Coast of Maine Stonington Blend and Sunshine Grower's Advanced Mix #4 for my soil of choice once they get transplanted up. I use the Advanced Nutrients organic line with great success. They get a bad rap from some people, but they are as good as it gets in my opinion and their cost per app is one of the cheaper brands out there. An excellent value product line.
Something else I would strongly recommend is introducing silica into the plants. That helps build toughness for the plants essentially. Monosilicic Acid is the most plant available form of it. I've been using Alchemist Stout MSA with no complaints. It was a noticeable difference after a week or so of introducing it into the nutrient regimen. I always add that first into the nutrient solution as per the label recommends. Then all of the Advanced Nutrients recommended nutes and then I pH the solution and adjust accordingly. I try to stay right around 6.0-6.3 for the entire grow.
Once a week I feed the plants a microbe cocktail to keep the beneficials up in the rhizosphere. Mikrobs is a product I've found that is basically Recharge with more in it. Wallace Organic Wonder 5-2 super blend also gets added in and Azos as well.
And last, but not least some pictures!
And what they look like now, just finished the 7th week of veg in these pics.
I periodically defoliate big fan leaves and lollipop any branches that are not keeping up with the halfway point of the height of the plant. That helps get more light throughout the canopy and creates more flower sites. I prefer the 18/6 light cycle, but I'm very intrigued by the 6/2 cycle. Some info out there that says the 6/2 cycle is even more efficient for veg growth. I have yet to commit to that though.
Fans are very important, can't underestimate the power of the wind. They help strengthen stems and prevent powdery mildew from growing. Lights are extremely important, it's the main food source for the plants. The blue light spectrum is what you need in veg, red light is for flower. It's very important to check light spectrum charts before purchasing any lights.
For soil and nutes, I prefer organics. Currently using Coast of Maine Seed Starter mix for clones and seeds in their 2 week seedling phase in 0.5 gal containers. I like a 50/50 mix of Coast of Maine Stonington Blend and Sunshine Grower's Advanced Mix #4 for my soil of choice once they get transplanted up. I use the Advanced Nutrients organic line with great success. They get a bad rap from some people, but they are as good as it gets in my opinion and their cost per app is one of the cheaper brands out there. An excellent value product line.
Something else I would strongly recommend is introducing silica into the plants. That helps build toughness for the plants essentially. Monosilicic Acid is the most plant available form of it. I've been using Alchemist Stout MSA with no complaints. It was a noticeable difference after a week or so of introducing it into the nutrient regimen. I always add that first into the nutrient solution as per the label recommends. Then all of the Advanced Nutrients recommended nutes and then I pH the solution and adjust accordingly. I try to stay right around 6.0-6.3 for the entire grow.
Once a week I feed the plants a microbe cocktail to keep the beneficials up in the rhizosphere. Mikrobs is a product I've found that is basically Recharge with more in it. Wallace Organic Wonder 5-2 super blend also gets added in and Azos as well.
And last, but not least some pictures!
And what they look like now, just finished the 7th week of veg in these pics.