My First Hempy Bucket Grow

Well No New Sprouts today, so I am still sitting at only 50% germination rate (not great for my first time).. I am gonna keep em in the propagator for a while longer and see if they pull through.

Other than that, I needed to me the 3 that made it out of the propagator cause they were getting ready to outgrow it, so I fashioned together a makeshift box and hung one of the CFLs in there just to give them some room to move.

When I lifted up the cups to separate them, one of the sprouts had a 1/2" tap root coming out the bottom of the cup and into the moist perlite bed. After cutting the cups apart, I set this one to the side while I prepped the new area, and when I turn around, she had tipped over and hit the wall, completely bending in half (see pic) You can imagine my disappointment! I figured her for a goner and then decided to make up some solo hempy cups that I can use to hold each rooting cup, and keep them from falling over, plus the perlite bed will be just how they left the propagator. Even after rubbing her little root all over perlite beds and bending in half, she had turned up to the light, and grew another 1/2" or so, and also showing her first True Leaf Set along with the others.

I went ahead and gave them a little mist with some PH adjusted water

So to Wrap up this morning -> I have a Gimp, a 1 Armed bandit, and a Regular Joe... Not a great start to this grow.

My temps are a little high in the veg box I made, so I am keeping it open as much as possible. The CFL was putting off some heat, so I have it about 8" above them at this point, and will dial everything in next Wed., when the new tent gets here, and I can get it properly ventilated.

Those plants were hurting for light from the get go. I would get the light a little closer.

Originally Posted by Gyroscope

Those plants were hurting for light from the get go. I would get the light a little closer.

Yea, I moved the light much closer yesterday morning so its now about 4", and the first set of Real Leaves are forming nicely. I also added a little bit of air flow to help start strengthening.

We were talking about vermiculite the other day I and was going to give you the other reasons I stopped using it. I have read that depending on where it is mined it can have asbestos in it. Also some of it can cause the ph to drift. I have read this more than once and decided to quit using it. I love the way perlite drains, but it does hold some moisture. The way hempies have the big reservoir, it is a perfect match.

You can germ seeds using the paper towel method and put them straight into mini hempies without any cubes or plugs. The thing is you have to be careful when watering them the first week or so. It is best to use a trigger type sprayer so you don't disturb them. If you have a lot it is easier to buy a pump up sprayer set on the fine mist setting.

Glad to hear you moved that light closer. I think they do best when you have the light on before they pop so it is there as soon as they come up. Also I think they stay stockier when given light 24/0. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Gyroscope

We were talking about vermiculite the other day I and was going to give you the other reasons I stopped using it. I have read that depending on where it is mined it can have asbestos in it. Also some of it can cause the ph to drift. I have read this more than once and decided to quit using it. I love the way perlite drains, but it does hold some moisture. The way hempies have the big reservoir, it is a perfect match.

You can germ seeds using the paper towel method and put them straight into mini hempies without any cubes or plugs. The thing is you have to be careful when watering them the first week or so. It is best to use a trigger type sprayer so you don't disturb them. If you have a lot it is easier to buy a pump up sprayer set on the fine mist setting.

Glad to hear you moved that light closer. I think they do best when you have the light on before they pop so it is there as soon as they come up. Also I think they stay stockier when given light 24/0. Good luck.

You know, I think I read something like that also,, Not sure if it was Vermiculite or Perlite.. But I live in California, and if you even speak the word Asbestos, you will be drug through the streets, tarred and feathered, so I would imagine its fairly safe stuff to use . I am going to see how the little hempy's do with the vermiculite, and decide whether to use it in the 3 gallons when the time comes. Probably wont need it when the plants are bigger, although I hear it helps cut down watering frequency.

Okay I guess its time for a bit of an update.

The Gimp was getting Top Heavy, so I carefully remove her from the cup and she had a bunch roots poking out of the plug. I went ahead and transplanted into the Hempy Cup, then went ahead and transplanted the other two. Other than the Two being a bit top heavy, it looks like the second set of True Leaves are just starting to take shape. I have stopped watering them, cause I think I was overdoing it, and I need to let mix start to dry up a bit.

Updated Pics Attached.

New Veg/Clone tent is supposed to arrive today, so I am excited about that -- I really want to get that set up, so I can give my seedlings more light. Right now the light is keeping the Box Temps about 81 degrees. With the tent and proper ventilation, I should be able to set up all 4 CFLs and keep the temps in check.

I also contacted Attitude seeds about the 3 out of 5 Northern Lights x Big Bud seeds that I was unhappy/not satisfied with. I was careful not to mention anything about germination or planting, cause we all know what the scoop is,, And I got a reply the next morning. I was reminded about their seeds are only for Souvenir or Storage purposes, then was told they would contact the Breeder on my behalf. Since I need to order more seeds soon, I just let them know, if we could get a resolution to this, then they could simply add the replacement seeds to my next order and they wont need to waste the Shipping cost, or just give me a credit on my next order and we can call it a day. So I will be curious to see what happens with this.

Sounds like you've had some minor trauma recently. I wish I'd seen your bending and stretching issue a couple of days ago, I would have had some recommendations. But it looks like your on the right track, and when growing we have to deal with the conditions we have at the time, and conditions will get better with the arrival of the tent.

Now I'm going to offer an idea on helping out your Gimp, and you can take it or leave it but I've done and am currently doing this. At this seedling stage you can bury the stem right up to the bottom of the baby leaves, and this stem will grow roots without any hormone or any help. I see you have buried some of the stem in perlite this works the same but only below the light level, soil or promix is better for this because of no light penetration.

So here's my advice, take some good soil and top the hempy cup to the top, don't try to remove it later, let it be part of the next transplant. You will be amazed at the amount of fine root growth that will occur during the next 2 weeks in the soil. It will be the most stable section during your next move into the big bucket.

Originally Posted by WattSaver

Sounds like you've had some minor trauma recently. I wish I'd seen your bending and stretching issue a couple of days ago, I would have had some recommendations. But it looks like your on the right track, and when growing we have to deal with the conditions we have at the time, and conditions will get better with the arrival of the tent.

Now I'm going to offer an idea on helping out your Gimp, and you can take it or leave it but I've done and am currently doing this. At this seedling stage you can bury the stem right up to the bottom of the baby leaves, and this stem will grow roots without any hormone or any help. I see you have buried some of the stem in perlite this works the same but only below the light level, soil or promix is better for this because of no light penetration.

So here's my advice, take some good soil and top the hempy cup to the top, don't try to remove it later, let it be part of the next transplant. You will be amazed at the amount of fine root growth that will occur during the next 2 weeks in the soil. It will be the most stable section during your next move into the big bucket.

That is interesting advice, and sounds reasonable! Yes, I did try to bury the bend a bit in the perlite to stabilize the bend and keep it from continual trauma, but I may have to grab a little soils and bury it a little more

Thanks for Chiming in on this one, REP!!