Tis the season: bubblelicious and superskunk 400W grow

Here we are -- day 5. These little guys took barely two days to go from hitting the soil, to being up and running. I gave them 3 days in the gentle environ of my bathroom, then moved them under the MH yesterday (400W).

As you'll see, I like things simple. Simple as possible. I've gone from nationally ranked triathlete to laziest ass ever over the course of life.

If you want fancy nute regimes, clever soil mixes, impressive light banks and such, you're in the wrong place. If you want to see a half-pound of high grade churned out from a $200 light and $20 worth of supplies, well... that's the goal. Hit 11 zips last time..

So far, so good. Temp at 76F - perfect. The combination of southern winter+400W light+cheap-built tract home equals perfect temps until late Mar or so. Stems are nice and stiff so far.

I made those white panels with $8 worth of wood, and flat white paint I had around.

The last pic is one of the superskunks born with one cotyledon - first time I've seen that.

All is well; not much use in more seedling pic's at this point.

The only thing I'm really doing right now is misting twice a day -- the MH really draws the water out of the top inch or two of soil, while the bottom stays very moist. This is how I think a lot of people get into overwatering trouble -- the top of the pot and soil looks like a desert, when the bottom is a swamp.

Some genetic variation coming thru in the Bubblelicious. All the previous Bubs I've grown were very short, stout, and deep deep green with purple stems out of the seed. This time, only one of the three shows this characteristic. The other two are kinda stretchy and lighter green, closer in looks to my sativa bagseeds from the last grow (but I KNOW I didn't mix anything up). Weird. And I don't like it. It means energy going into the top when it should go into roots, and it means flopping over and pissing me off, and having to prop them up (well, one of 'em... the other is still standing on its own).

The superskunks are interesting - first time I've grown them. Lighter colored, almost lime-green. All three very consistent with each other so far. Very stout in the stem, which is nice. I hate that flop-over shit.

Also, I found ONE LAST BOWL of superskunk in a corner of a forgotten baggie I had from last year and smoked it. YUM!!! Man, I love that shit. Really happy to be growing it.

Post away if you want; not the most exciting thing going on here, I know..

Originally Posted by Kriegs

All is well; not much use in more seedling pic's at this point.

The only thing I'm really doing right now is misting twice a day -- the MH really draws the water out of the top inch or two of soil, while the bottom stays very moist. This is how I think a lot of people get into overwatering trouble -- the top of the pot and soil looks like a desert, when the bottom is a swamp.

Some genetic variation coming thru in the Bubblelicious. All the previous Bubs I've grown were very short, stout, and deep deep green with purple stems out of the seed. This time, only one of the three shows this characteristic. The other two are kinda stretchy and lighter green, closer in looks to my sativa bagseeds from the last grow (but I KNOW I didn't mix anything up). Weird. And I don't like it. It means energy going into the top when it should go into roots, and it means flopping over and pissing me off, and having to prop them up (well, one of 'em... the other is still standing on its own).

The superskunks are interesting - first time I've grown them. Lighter colored, almost lime-green. All three very consistent with each other so far. Very stout in the stem, which is nice. I hate that flop-over shit.

Also, I found ONE LAST BOWL of superskunk in a corner of a forgotten baggie I had from last year and smoked it. YUM!!! Man, I love that shit. Really happy to be growing it.

Post away if you want; not the most exciting thing going on here, I know..

Actually, bro, I think that anyone that is growing under your variables that can whip out 11oz of decent nug is doing a damn fine job. As UB likes to say, keep it simple. So, I'm anticipating future updates to pick up some tips. I also use a 400W light, only I paid a hundred more than you did from some kid that had some never used Hydrofarm equipment. 400 W MH Ace conversion, and a 430 W super HPS.... To the point: I know you stated that you were a little concerned w/ regard to the stretching of your Bub. IMHO, I believe that you are getting a little stretch, maybe not necessarily due to some kind of phenotypic expression, but rather the fact that your MH looks as if it's more than 2-2.5 ft away. I know you don't want to stress them (ie, light and temp), which is why you've put some distance between the seedlings. However, at around 2.5 ft you are only getting about 6000-12000 lumens if your light is rated at 35000-55000 lumens.That is why it's ideal to use fluorescents for this stage of growth... you can put light 2 inches away and prevent stretching. I would consider lowering your light a bit more, given that they handle it well. I didn't see your previous grow (if you even posted it), but the you can move 400W lights as close as 12 inches, possibly closer if they're cooled. I'm in week 4 of flowering and my colas are about 8inches away w/ zero burning in similar temps and 45-50% RH.

Who knows, I'm probably giving my 2 cents where its not needed. You prob know all this shit if your able to get the yield you did. Just thought I would try to throw a little knowledge your way. Look forward to seeing these progress. Cheers!

Originally Posted by dakin3d

Who knows, I'm probably giving my 2 cents where its not needed. You prob know all this shit if your able to get the yield you did. Just thought I would try to throw a little knowledge your way. Look forward to seeing these progress. Cheers!

Not at all! Thanks for the input. I was pretty aggressive keeping my light close when my plants got up a bit last time. I guess I was just being a little overly conservative with seedlings.

But yeah, I'll def drop the light down a bit...

Checked the light last night and actually, it's only 16" above the pots (the photo angle makes it seem more), and it's just that one plant that's stretched out and floppy. The rest are nice and firm. I think I'll just let it ride for now.

If another flops, I'll reconsider.

Otherwise, all is well and the second set of leaves are lifting away from the node on most of them now. Should be fledged out by the end of the week. More pics by then, at least.

Last time, that's when the growth really took off; hope for a repeat.

Originally Posted by Kriegs

Checked the light last night and actually, it's only 16" above the pots (the photo angle makes it seem more), and it's just that one plant that's stretched out and floppy. The rest are nice and firm. I think I'll just let it ride for now.

If another flops, I'll reconsider.

Otherwise, all is well and the second set of leaves are lifting away from the node on most of them now. Should be fledged out by the end of the week. More pics by then, at least.

Last time, that's when the growth really took off; hope for a repeat.

Ah, definitely let it ride, bro. The pic does make it look like its further away, which is why I hate making assumptions and still made the mistake of doing so! At 16" you should be getting at least 14K lumens or more to them, depending on the brand of 400W light... Obviously more than enough. Don't know what that equates to in PAR, but it should be sufficient considering the size.

Also, I know you like to keep it simple, but I thought I would share this anyway, being that I think that it's pretty amazing. I am currently working at a local hydro store in my area. There is a product on the market that actually inhibits plant stretching and keeps the plant from growing vertically, so that you are left w/ a short bushy frame. I assume it's either a hormone based product, or something that inhibits vertical tissue production w/o altering the overall integrity of the plant. I can get you the details if your interested, but they won't disclose the 'recipe'. Obviously, something they want to keep exclusive at the current time.

Looking forward to the pics... Cheers!

Originally Posted by dakin3d

Ah, definitely let it ride, bro. The pic does make it look like its further away, which is why I hate making assumptions and still made the mistake of doing so! At 16" you should be getting at least 14K lumens or more to them, depending on the brand of 400W light... Obviously more than enough. Don't know what that equates to in PAR, but it should be sufficient considering the size.

Also, I know you like to keep it simple, but I thought I would share this anyway, being that I think that it's pretty amazing. I am currently working at a local hydro store in my area. There is a product on the market that actually inhibits plant stretching and keeps the plant from growing vertically, so that you are left w/ a short bushy frame. I assume it's either a hormone based product, or something that inhibits vertical tissue production w/o altering the overall integrity of the plant. I can get you the details if your interested, but they won't disclose the 'recipe'. Obviously, something they want to keep exclusive at the current time.

Looking forward to the pics... Cheers!

I think what you're talking about is "Bushmaster"? If that's right, I believe the idea of that is to inhibit stretching when you go 12/12 ('course, maybe you're talking about a different product).

I don't like going into hydro stores where I'm at. A buddy of mine got traced from one in Alabama and got busted. Cops watch those places in states where growing MJ is completely illegal. 'Course, there's the 'net, too.

Not sure if thats it or not... I'm pretty sure that this supplement is used during both growth stages but not definitively sure. Sounds like I needed some 'Bushmaster' for my current (1st) grow, though. For only having a 430W HPS, my plants are way too big! Over 4 ft. now... I've tried to lollipop somewhat, but I waited too long to do so, so I didn't want to stress the plant out too much by trimming large amounts.

Damn, man, I can't believe that the hydro shop was a primary source for them... That def concerns me. I'm not too far away from AL, not far at all! Was he growing in volume? Yeah, but if they're trying to get at you online, I believe it has to be some serious shit... But what do I know. Hope all is well, bro.