greatbranch's heinz 57 lighting / yield increase/mainlining trial (strawberry cough)

greatbranch

Well-Known Member
camera battery finished charging when I was putting everything back, of course. These photos will be relevant for a couple of reasons.

First, I cannot believe I've been growing two of these since January. I think the nugbuckets mainlining thing is history for me. I get better results with UncleBen's 4 top method...particularly for indoors. - In the tent with the Area51, all but the white widow x big bud in the middle were topped for 4, and in the Blackstar/HPS tent (lights off), the one in the very front was a 4 top attempt, but 2 took over (I've gotten much better at this - you really have to strap down the top 2 growth tips until the others catch up). It outgrew my 2 mainlined plants in no time. Unless you continue to spread out the mains when mainlining for 8 or more all the way through the life cycle using a full sized tomato cage, a few tops will dominate the others leaving you with 3 or 4 mains in the end anyway.

Second, how do you know when you are full? If your shit looks like this, you probably have TOO MANY plants. I know this, but had to do that all important "burn out" with the new equipment

You will notice my Phototron mod - It's a double-decker now feeding the two flowering tents.
Phototron_5-14.jpg

Area51 tent - Week 2

Area51Tent_5-14.jpg


Blackstar/HPS tent - Week 6 for Shakira and Willomena, Week 5 for Olivia (up front)

BlackstarHPSTent_5-14.jpg Olivia_5-14.jpg
 

greatbranch

Well-Known Member
I think the nugbuckets mainlining thing is history for me. I get better results with UncleBen's 4 top method...particularly for indoors.
Much of this is strain dependent, perhaps, as I know some strains just don't do well with topping, and not meant to knock the main-lining method. Just what works best for my situation. I have a White Widow x Big Bud mainlined for 8 that is doing quite nicely - even Steven. I think Strawberry Cough is a poor choice for topping, and therefore PROBABLY main-lining, but I just recently heard that in a background conversation of a "Weed Nerd" episode. It came from Subcool, and he certainly has more experience than I do, but the conversation could have been a bout a particular breeder's version - I just don't know.
 

daveroller

Well-Known Member
Yo Greatness!

I had to order some more Barney's Farm seeds after you mentioned your recent purchase. I found one that I never noticed before, called Liberty Haze. The first thing I thought of was your Neesy Amnesia Haze that grew like a monster. That would be cool. Then I looked at the THC=25% and CBD=1.8%. That's about the same THC as the LSD strain and the CBD is even a little higher. Supposed to be a good yielder. So I ordered 5 of those and 5 more LSD seeds. I want to try the Liberty Haze in my next grow after I finish the one I just started.

(The genetics for the Liberty Haze are G13 x Chem Dawg 91. So it might not be related to Amnesia Haze after all.)
 

greatbranch

Well-Known Member
Much of this is strain dependent, perhaps, as I know some strains just don't do well with topping, and not meant to knock the main-lining method. Just what works best for my situation. I have a White Widow x Big Bud mainlined for 8 that is doing quite nicely - even Steven. I think Strawberry Cough is a poor choice for topping, and therefore PROBABLY main-lining, but I just recently heard that in a background conversation of a "Weed Nerd" episode. It came from Subcool, and he certainly has more experience than I do, but the conversation could have been a bout a particular breeder's version - I just don't know.
See! It doesn't matter what the heck you do to this white widow x big bud cross. Always picture perfect. No subtle fruity flavors though, just funky, dank couch-locky goodness.
beyonce_side.jpg

beyonce_top.jpg
 

greatbranch

Well-Known Member
Yo Greatness!

I had to order some more Barney's Farm seeds after you mentioned your recent purchase. I found one that I never noticed before, called Liberty Haze. The first thing I thought of was your Neesy Amnesia Haze that grew like a monster. That would be cool. Then I looked at the THC=25% and CBD=1.8%. That's about the same THC as the LSD strain and the CBD is even a little higher. Supposed to be a good yielder. So I ordered 5 of those and 5 more LSD seeds. I want to try the Liberty Haze in my next grow after I finish the one I just started.

(The genetics for the Liberty Haze are G13 x Chem Dawg 91. So it might not be related to Amnesia Haze after all.)
I looked at that one myself. I had to go with the LSD first, though, just based on rep. Is the G13 a true Haze? Watch the nutrient amounts at first until you get it dialed in unless they have bred some of that out. Err on the low side. I don't know much about the Chemdog. It gets high reviews, but so do Diesel crosses. People rave about Sour-D, and I can't stand it. Reminds me of riding behind a f-ing bus...lol. Done right, I will still hit it in the rotation :eyesmoke:, but there are so many choices out there. I will be interested to see what you think of the Liberty Haze.

I have been all over the map as far as breeders, but look forward to Barney's stuff. I am going to run Pineapple Chunk in one tent, and LSD in the other. Figure maybe I should cut down on the number of different strains I try to cram into 1 place...lol. It MIGHT make my life a little easier. Going to make a couple of SCROG nets too. Please, detail building your hydro bins on your thread. We have similar accessibility issues, and you and Dawg might make a believer out of me yet.
 

daveroller

Well-Known Member
... Going to make a couple of SCROG nets too. Please, detail building your hydro bins on your thread. We have similar accessibility issues, and you and Dawg might make a believer out of me yet.

I copied The Dawg's SCROG design, using PVC pipe. All you really need is a PVC pipe cutter, which you can get for $5. Had to make a "needle" out of a piece of coat hanger wire, just to push the string through the holes I drilled through the pipes. (I taped the string to it.) That was the first time that I tried a SCROG. I'll try it again this time.
 

rwbrock

Active Member
Haven't been on the board for a while, just finished up my first grow with my Area51. I went with the topping for 4 mains this run because I wanted to not invest the extra time and just figure out the learning curve with this LED light. I think if you have some extra time maybe if your waiting on your flowering plants and can veg for two months while you wait mainlining is a good way to go. I did a side by side and my mainline outproduced my topped for 4 main plant under my 400 hps. I think mainlining has a learning curve and if you get the timing right, topping, recover, lst, recover, etc. it will speed things up. First time I tried the technique I felt I delayed things by stressing the plant not giving enough recovery time before stressing again. I agree though topping for 4 mains is pretty strait forward and productive way to go overall. Looking good though! Mine are drying now and once I can give a smoke report I will post my results with some pictures on here. Keep up the good work my man!
 

daveroller

Well-Known Member
That's what I would do. And a waterfarm would be an excellent way to start out doing hydro. I really like the modifications that brother Dawg made to his waterfarms, too.

Hey, I already got those seeds I ordered last week! Herbie's Seeds really provides great service!

They gave me an extra feminized Barney's Farm seed for each 5-seed packet that I bought. So they gave me:
  • one Critical Kush and
  • one Chronic Thunder


Those 2 seeds are probably worth about $20. I know that the Critical Kush is a high-THC, top notch strain. Never tried the Chronic Thunder yet. Herbie's also gave me a few other seeds in a little container, some feminized, others not. I really like Herbie's.
 

The Dawg

Well-Known Member
Yo, Dawg. You run a hydrofarm per panel, right? Would your recommendation be that I only have 1 in each tent? - 32"x32"x60"
Whats Up MY Brother.I Ran The Waterfarm Top Drip System,However I Do Have A Confession To Make.In Thinking How I Could Assist Your Adventures In DWC I Started Running A Bubbleponics 6 Site System.The Reason I Went This Route Is Res Changes.The Most You'll Have Is 2.Heres Some Pics Brother.The dawgs G-13 Tent With 5-c-99 and 1-White Lavender :weed:

G-13 Tent 008 (800x533).jpg G-13 Tent 007 (800x533).jpg G-13 Tent 006 (533x800).jpg G-13 Tent 005 (800x533).jpg G-13 Tent 004 (800x533).jpg G-13 Tent 003 (800x533).jpg G-13 Tent 002 (800x533).jpg G-13 Tent 001 (800x533).jpg
 

greatbranch

Well-Known Member
That's what I would do. And a waterfarm would be an excellent way to start out doing hydro. I really like the modifications that brother Dawg made to his waterfarms, too.

Hey, I already got those seeds I ordered last week! Herbie's Seeds really provides great service!

They gave me an extra feminized Barney's Farm seed for each 5-seed packet that I bought. So they gave me:
  • one Critical Kush and
  • one Chronic Thunder
Those 2 seeds are probably worth about $20. I know that the Critical Kush is a high-THC, top notch strain. Never tried the Chronic Thunder yet. Herbie's also gave me a few other seeds in a little container, some feminized, others not. I really like Herbie's.
Herbie's is the bomb! More Critical Kush for you - the Chronic Thunder sparked my interest as well. There's a lot I want to try!

The hydro stuff is a bit intimidating.
 

greatbranch

Well-Known Member
Whats Up MY Brother.I Ran The Waterfarm Top Drip System,However I Do Have A Confession To Make.In Thinking How I Could Assist Your Adventures In DWC I Started Running A Bubbleponics 6 Site System.The Reason I Went This Route Is Res Changes.The Most You'll Have Is 2.Heres Some Pics Brother.The dawgs G-13 Tent With 5-c-99 and 1-White Lavender :weed:
Thanks, Dawg! It gives me hope. You really think I should run 6? So, the res changes come pretty much only when you switch cycles? - start with veg, flowering, flush...? Sounds like a lot less hassle than I'm going through NOW. Was that one purchased and modified, or did you build it yourself?
 

The Dawg

Well-Known Member
Thanks, Dawg! It gives me hope. You really think I should run 6? So, the res changes come pretty much only when you switch cycles? - start with veg, flowering, flush...? Sounds like a lot less hassle than I'm going through NOW. Was that one purchased and modified, or did you build it yourself?
Im A DIY Type Of Guy.You Can Buy A Compelte Unit For 101.00 Or You Can Make Your Own For Around 30.00.Hell I Have 2 That Im Working On Now So I Will Take Pics.:bigjoint:

Well I Have Some Jacks Nutes That I Havent Expertminted With Yet And Theirs Supposed To Be No Res Changes And Its An All In 1 (2) Part Power.You Only Use 1/2 Teaspoon Per Gl.Right Now Im Running My Flora Nova Program And The Pics Your Seeing Is 3 Weeks Into Flower So Starting At Week 4 I Will Do A Res Change.bongsmilie

You Can Run 6 Or Not Just Remeber That With this System You Only Veg For 18 Days.I Dont Count The 1st 7 Days As Veg This Is My Seedling Stage :hump:
 

daveroller

Well-Known Member
Im A DIY Type Of Guy.You Can Buy A Compelte Unit For 101.00 Or You Can Make Your Own For Around 30.00.Hell I Have 2 That Im Working On Now So I Will Take Pics.:bigjoint:

Well I Have Some Jacks Nutes That I Havent Expertminted With Yet And Theirs Supposed To Be No Res Changes And Its An All In 1 (2) Part Power.You Only Use 1/2 Teaspoon Per Gl.Right Now Im Running My Flora Nova Program And The Pics Your Seeing Is 3 Weeks Into Flower So Starting At Week 4 I Will Do A Res Change.bongsmilie

You Can Run 6 Or Not Just Remeber That With this System You Only Veg For 18 Days.I Dont Count The 1st 7 Days As Veg This Is My Seedling Stage :hump:

Hey Mr Dawg, that's really wild that you only need 2 water changes with this system. Doesn't gunk build up in the res water over time? Isn't there a greater risk of root rot? I understand that you know what you're doing of course, but these are the obvious questions that someone not familiar with this system would ask.

Do you have a thread to this DWC grow?

I agree that DWC is very easy to build. You just need a big tub, some net pots, an aquarium air pump, an airstone, a few seed starting cubes and some hydroton pellets. I think that's about it.
 

The Dawg

Well-Known Member
:weed:

Do you have a thread to this DWC grow?

I agree that DWC is very easy to build. You just need a big tub, some net pots, an aquarium air pump, an airstone, a few seed starting cubes and some hydroton pellets. I think that's about it.[/QUOTE]
You Forgot The Pond Pump And The 6 Head Dig Pressure Compensator.Brother Roller This Is A Continous Bottom Feed System.:hump:

As Far As You Above Questions I Would Answer Yes However I Combat Root Rot With My EWC Tea And I Just Wipe The Gunk Away And So Far no Problems.:clap:

Nope No Journal On This One,However Look For The Dawgs XGS Grow With NO RES CHANGES :eyesmoke:
 

daveroller

Well-Known Member
You Forgot The Pond Pump And The 6 Head Dig Pressure Compensator.Brother Roller This Is A Continous Bottom Feed System.:hump:

As Far As You Above Questions I Would Answer Yes However I Combat Root Rot With My EWC Tea And I Just Wipe The Gunk Away And So Far no Problems.:clap:

Nope No Journal On This One,However Look For The Dawgs XGS Grow With NO RES CHANGES :eyesmoke:
Dang it, I always forget the water pump! :-)

Looks like you're doing a drip feed or something directly into the net pots. Anyway, those roots look awesome!
 

greatbranch

Well-Known Member
:weed:

Do you have a thread to this DWC grow?

I agree that DWC is very easy to build. You just need a big tub, some net pots, an aquarium air pump, an airstone, a few seed starting cubes and some hydroton pellets. I think that's about it.
You Forgot The Pond Pump And The 6 Head Dig Pressure Compensator.Brother Roller This Is A Continous Bottom Feed System.:hump:

As Far As You Above Questions I Would Answer Yes However I Combat Root Rot With My EWC Tea And I Just Wipe The Gunk Away And So Far no Problems.:clap:

Nope No Journal On This One,However Look For The Dawgs XGS Grow With NO RES CHANGES :eyesmoke:
I see I have more reading to do. Any recommendations, fellas?
 
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