Growing in an Ikea wardrobe with Gregor.

calliandra said:

oh yeah, totally lush bushiness there!

I would be very tempted to at least LST her so the branches get spread out more -- and yes, topping once will get more growth to those side branches further up too.

How's your distance to the light? It may help you with training to have the light a liiitle bit higher up for a few days so she stretches out of that bush-shape a bit.

Good luck on the creative bondage solution, to me it seems like one of the most complicated tasks in DWC setups.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!

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You're right, topping it is then. I'll have to wait until the main stem starts growing again, I don't want to make matters worse by mutilating her so.

Creative bondage, sounds lile some bdsm haha. I'll probably use PVC pipes and such.

And what about you? Started a new grow yet? Do send a link if you have!

Right then lots of changes.

Finally purchased a R/O filter as I'm sick of the constant guesswork needed with my tap water. The filter isn't anything special, 75 GPD, 6 bars, 6l/h, definitely not like that bad boy Hydrologic Stealth RO100 :0

I was suprised when my ppm meter registered 6ppm! I honestly thought I was going to be looking at 30-60, but at 6ppm I'm really glad.... or my ppm meter might be showing dodgy readings, I'll double check that calibration. Clean, clean, clean water.

Anyways, I added about 200 ppm of cal/mag and another 280 ppms worth of GH nutrients, it's nice knowing that those 480ppms are just nutrients and nothing more (well, nearly)... and we'll have to see what's going to happen. It would be nice if significant change would be made over the night.

As for the girl, well she's growing, the reservoir full of her thick root mass. I topped her yesterday (I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't resist and I was honestly fed up). If all goes well I'll be flipping in another two -three weeks and I'll just salvage what I can. Can't believe two months have nearly past...

Also bought some black tubing, I don't want any light leaking into the rez.

Here are some picks, let's see if this helps.

First picture is with me favourite mug and morning coffee , or as I like to call it, medicine.

Thats insane how bushy that is, looks brilliant! I think you have done right by topping her, and she might also benefit from some LST, get her spread out a bit!
However I would love to see how she would do going into 12/12 like that! Haha

I have to admit, she is bushy bushy bushy. She even showed her pistils here and there, so that's a good sign to switch to 12/12. You're right, I'll think of a way to tie her down here and there, I'll start buying those scrog parts.

God, I have no idea what's going to hapen in flowering. I'll see how she does with the new water and nutrients and then time to finally flip.

I'm putting these pictures up for comparison over the next few days.

I do believe that the twisting on some of the leaves has stopped (first picture), could that be a sign that the deficiencies are slowely receding? Also, the leaves don't feel so leathery. I keep giving small amounts of nutes, in fear of over fertilizing her again, and because of that the ppms keep dropping.. but today I went mental and ppms are up to 700 once more, let's see how she fares haha.

Whale, whale, whale, what have we here?

Decidied to finally do some LONG overdue LST. I still haven't made the SCROG yet, and it might be a few weeks until I do... but it's definitely a must, it will make my life so much easier when the stretching comes...

For the time being I screwed in some hooks to get my girl ready for the net. Made a few Tautline Hitchs here and there, so I can tighten or loosen the strings if need be. Simple concept, just spread her out as much as possible for the time being and get her ready.

I also did a lot of pruning, albeit a bit too aggresively for my liking. Those monsterous fan leaves were really blocking out the HPS. Now, the light really shines through the whole plant, from top to bottom.

I also think I have found that equilibrium, the ppms from 705 dropped to 698, seems like I nearly hit the sweet spot.

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

Whale, whale, whale, what have we here?

Decidied to finally do some LONG overdue LST. I still haven't made the SCROG yet, and it might be a few weeks until I do... but it's definitely a must, it will make my life so much easier when the stretching comes...

For the time being I screwed in some hooks to get my girl ready for the net. Made a few Tautline Hitchs here and there, so I can tighten or loosen the strings if need be. Simple concept, just spread her out as much as possible for the time being and get her ready.

I also did a lot of pruning, albeit a bit too aggresively for my liking. Those monsterous fan leaves were really blocking out the HPS. Now, the light really shines through the whole plant, from top to bottom.

I also think I have found that equilibrium, the ppms from 705 dropped to 698, seems like I nearly hit the sweet spot.

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Nice creative bondage haha!
Doesn't look like you overdid it, she's still bushy whilst now allowing more air flow through the leafage!

I like your idea with the hooks -- just some of the strings are a bit thin maybe? make sure they don't cut into the branches.
I think you could also do the bending from further down, just be careful:
when the branches are already a bit stiff, you need to kind of "massage" them into their new form, i.e., start by bending just a bit, then again and again and increasingly in the direction you want them to go... not sure that makes sense, my grip on language is iffey these days LOL

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

And what about you? Started a new grow yet? Do send a link if you have!

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Actually I'm kind of continuing my last grow: growing out the nl5xhaze clones I took in December at the mo, just switched to flower last week

Today I was planning on putting up the Scrog, but I had to go to work and I'm completely exhausted, tomorrow definitely.

She's getting big... I hope that she doesn't stretch too much during flowering, might run out of space.

A fair bunch of the budsites are uner those two big fan leaves, but I have faith that once the girl starts stretching, they will peak up.

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

Today I was planning on putting up the Scrog, but I had to go to work and I'm completely exhausted, tomorrow definitely.

She's getting big... I hope that she doesn't stretch too much during flowering, might run out of space.

A fair bunch of the budsites are uner those two big fan leaves, but I have faith that once the girl starts stretching, they will peak up.

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Wow she really is filling up that space!
Very exciting phase she's in right now, indeed - but I do think she can wait for the scrog until you have some peace and quiet to build it -- looking forward to seeing it!

Happy days.

So I finally did the scrog net. I must admit it's not exactly chicken soup, but it'll do the job. Might flip to flower in a few days time.. or maybe today, I have no idea yet. I was going to wait until the end of march, but seeing as there isn't really CRAZY growth I might jus flip now... what do you guys/gals think?

calliandra said:

Nice creative bondage haha!
Doesn't look like you overdid it, she's still bushy whilst now allowing more air flow through the leafage!

I like your idea with the hooks -- just some of the strings are a bit thin maybe? make sure they don't cut into the branches.
I think you could also do the bending from further down, just be careful:
when the branches are already a bit stiff, you need to kind of "massage" them into their new form, i.e., start by bending just a bit, then again and again and increasingly in the direction you want them to go... not sure that makes sense, my grip on language is iffey these days LOL



Actually I'm kind of continuing my last grow: growing out the nl5xhaze clones I took in December at the mo, just switched to flower last week

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Thanks calliandra for the directions.

The string, while it may be thin, is all right. I've used it a couple of time and nothing ever cut through the stems. The net is up and running, I'm really excited about the stretching, hopefully I'll be able to contain her in that small net.

Now I just have to figure out when to flower...

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

Today I was planning on putting up the Scrog, but I had to go to work and I'm completely exhausted, tomorrow definitely.

She's getting big... I hope that she doesn't stretch too much during flowering, might run out of space.

A fair bunch of the budsites are uner those two big fan leaves, but I have faith that once the girl starts stretching, they will peak up.

Click to expand...

Shes looking good mate, i'm no expert with SCROG but I would say let her grow into the net a bit and start tucking and weaving, maybe another week and then flip, then carry on tucking for a couple of weeks whilst shes in the stretch.

TheStickMan said:

Shes looking good mate, i'm no expert with SCROG but I would say let her grow into the net a bit and start tucking and weaving, maybe another week and then flip, then carry on tucking for a couple of weeks whilst shes in the stretch.

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Yeah you're right, I should wait a little bit longer, I have no ides if the prolonged veh phase will reduce the yield so it's better not to cut corners. Whats another week anyway?

Although I will be nipping flowers from time to time, I won't be able to wait another 2 months and then another few weeks until it dries and cures haha.

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

Yeah you're right, I should wait a little bit longer, I have no ides if the prolonged veh phase will reduce the yield so it's better not to cut corners. Whats another week anyway?

Although I will be nipping flowers from time to time, I won't be able to wait another 2 months and then another few weeks until it dries and cures haha.

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I'm not right! lol Wait for some more feedback first, others will know better than me. I hate waiting, I'm quiet at the minute workwise and it feels like its taking ages with the plant because I'm watching her!

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

Thanks calliandra for the directions.

The string, while it may be thin, is all right. I've used it a couple of time and nothing ever cut through the stems. The net is up and running, I'm really excited about the stretching, hopefully I'll be able to contain her in that small net.

Now I just have to figure out when to flower...

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Yeah it's a bit tricky especially with limited space -- do you know if this strain stretches lots after flipping?
If yes, I'd flip pretty soon

TheStickMan said:

I'm not right! lol Wait for some more feedback first, others will know better than me. I hate waiting, I'm quiet at the minute workwise and it feels like its taking ages with the plant because I'm watching her!

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You have a shitton more experience than me, so you know you're stuff. I know, the everyday watching takes away the surprise fo seeing new growth. Has yours recovered from that topping? I remember I used to read a lot about mainlining, have you tried growweedeasy.com? They have an amaing step by steop tutorial there.

calliandra said:

Yeah it's a bit tricky especially with limited space -- do you know if this strain stretches lots after flipping?
If yes, I'd flip pretty soon

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Well it's a near half half strain, so I'm guessing there will be some stretching involved, but probably nothing my space won't be able to contain.
I'm probably going to flip anytime soon, I just had a defoliation session with her and I raided a lot of the leaves. Probably best if I wait a bit for her to recover.

Had a defoliation session today. I've always shyed away from cutting off growth because of my little experience, I have no sixth sense and don't know what can or cannot be done. Time to change that! Older, lower leaves that weren't getting any light got the chop off of the main stem. The fan leaves attached to the shoots were left alone. I also spent a good half an hour just rearranging stems and branches to make sure everything is spread out as much as possible.

Only some of the most oldest shoot are just reaching the net, whilst the younglings have a lot to go. I'm betting that once it starts stretching everything will reach the net. What doesn't is getting the chop.

LADS, WE GIVE NO QUARTER!

The pictures are a complete mish mash, but they are generally before/after type.

As much as I hate the constant bleeding money I could save, I'm thinking of buying a better air pump. The one I have is fantastic for early veg, but the root mass is just crazy and there's more roots than water!
I'm thinking of an air compressor, something savage like 4200l/hour that can be used in later stages of growth.

Switched to flowering today, no point in waiting till the 1st.

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

You have a shitton more experience than me, so you know you're stuff. I know, the everyday watching takes away the surprise fo seeing new growth. Has yours recovered from that topping? I remember I used to read a lot about mainlining, have you tried growweedeasy.com? They have an amaing step by steop tutorial there.


Well it's a near half half strain, so I'm guessing there will be some stretching involved, but probably nothing my space won't be able to contain.
I'm probably going to flip anytime soon, I just had a defoliation session with her and I raided a lot of the leaves. Probably best if I wait a bit for her to recover.

Click to expand...

I think the snapped branch has healed, I've cut away the leaves that were Friar Tucked, and I think there are new shoots coming out. The other shoot has been topped for the last time and the second node cut away, so that is basically it for the training on that side, (other than some LST) just need the other side to catch up and finish the training on that.
Yeah thats where I got the tutorial from, some great info on that site. They have some good info on defoliation for you as well. I'm following Nebula Haze's tutorial, not Nug Buckets. Its more time efficient.

Gregor Eisenhorn said:

Had a defoliation session today. I've always shyed away from cutting off growth because of my little experience, I have no sixth sense and don't know what can or cannot be done. Time to change that! Older, lower leaves that weren't getting any light got the chop off of the main stem. The fan leaves attached to the shoots were left alone. I also spent a good half an hour just rearranging stems and branches to make sure everything is spread out as much as possible.

Only some of the most oldest shoot are just reaching the net, whilst the younglings have a lot to go. I'm betting that once it starts stretching everything will reach the net. What doesn't is getting the chop.

LADS, WE GIVE NO QUARTER!

The pictures are a complete mish mash, but they are generally before/after type.

As much as I hate the constant bleeding money I could save, I'm thinking of buying a better air pump. The one I have is fantastic for early veg, but the root mass is just crazy and there's more roots than water!
I'm thinking of an air compressor, something savage like 4200l/hour that can be used in later stages of growth.

Click to expand...

A lot of people are strongly against defoliation, personally I love it and think it is essential in our style of growing. I think your timing is right removing some leaves now. I also defoliate a final time, 3 weeks after the switch.
She is looking great, and those stems look nice and strong, should get some nice heavy bud hanging off of those!
As for buying a new pump, I don't think you need one. I've always used a submersible pump you wouldn't believe would work and neither did the grow shop.
And I think you are right for switching now, she looks ready, no point letting the colas grow massive above the net, it defeats the whole purpose of a SCROG.
Good luck buddy.

TheStickMan said:

I think the snapped branch has healed, I've cut away the leaves that were Friar Tucked, and I think there are new shoots coming out. The other shoot has been topped for the last time and the second node cut away, so that is basically it for the training on that side, (other than some LST) just need the other side to catch up and finish the training on that.
Yeah thats where I got the tutorial from, some great info on that site. They have some good info on defoliation for you as well. I'm following Nebula Haze's tutorial, not Nug Buckets. Its more time efficient.


A lot of people are strongly against defoliation, personally I love it and think it is essential in our style of growing. I think your timing is right removing some leaves now. I also defoliate a final time, 3 weeks after the switch.
She is looking great, and those stems look nice and strong, should get some nice heavy bud hanging off of those!
As for buying a new pump, I don't think you need one. I've always used a submersible pump you wouldn't believe would work and neither did the grow shop.
And I think you are right for switching now, she looks ready, no point letting the colas grow massive above the net, it defeats the whole purpose of a SCROG.
Good luck buddy.

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I didn't do much defoliation/cutting shoots on my last run, so I eager to see how it affects those colas above the net. Although I did like plucking those popcorn buds from time to time.
I've seen some heavy defoliating, were a grower would cut off basically nearly 80% of the fan leaves, leaving just the buds and suger leaves. A few days later the buds would plump up, so that's definitely on my to do list.

Thanks mate, I really on't know what to expect, but I'm betting I'll get more than 20g haha.

That what just me thinking out loud, I'll skip for this grow, but I do have a small 2W air pump lying around somewhere, so I'll add that one.