Hempy Solo cups

I started this grow to compare 16/8 to 24/0 light cycles, but due to an unanticipated situation I had to cease the experiment. I had germinated 12 seeds, 11 popped, but I'm slowing voting off the weakest as I intend to have no more than 5.

I'm growing in a hempy style, with a soil cap & core....using the basic Lucas formula

These are unknown seeds, as they came from a purchased ounce that was a hermie plant

Germinated in wet paper towels (not my normal style)


then in a plastic bag, sitting on an old modem for the heat


Filled cups about 3/4 full with perlite/vermiculite....then scoop a teaspoon indent in the middle


Add a scoop of soil to the indent (this is the soil core)


then about an inch of top soil (soil capped)


then add the sprouts

I had them growing in 2 separate rooms, one 16/8 and the other 24/0



as you can see, they were not looking good, as my temps were just way too low.....especially the 24/0 group
So I put them all into a small closet where I could control the heat better and got them back on track


they are looking decent now, but to continue with the experiment would be senseless

They seem to be doing well.....still using CFL's & LED bulbs, will likely fire up the 600 watt HPS to finish them

Great to see your thread. This is the first time I've seen the "soil core and cap" method. I can't wait to see how they turn out. Please be sure to post your progress!

cindysid said:

Great to see your thread. This is the first time I've seen the "soil core and cap" method. I can't wait to see how they turn out. Please be sure to post your progress!

Click to expand...

I have used soil capping on almost every hempy I've grown, but this is my first time with a soil core.

In retrospect, I would not use a soil core with such a small container as the solo cup....would have been better to have used my normal plugs or rock wool

cheers

I'm planning to start a 2 liter sog soon (clones are rooting), and I will definitely try the soil cap to give more rooting area and to maintain moisture!

Nice work so far !!

I had 11 plant, gave one to a friend....about a week ago I put 6 under a 600 watt HPS, and kept 3 under the CFL/LED bulbs..... and put 1 under indoor sunshine only (about 2 weeks ago)

The six under HPS
(starting to have issues with two of them, looks like a cal/mag def, but I am using Cal-Mag...go figure)


the three under CFL/LED bulbs - considerably smaller but are healthy


and one growing with indoor sunshine (front row far right)
much paler green and is stretching for the light

I've never been less engaged on a grow, as it's now to the point of I just don't care any more

I shut down the HPS, and replaced with the CFL/LED bulbs and have reduced to 4 plants, plus the one one with sunshine

Here in Canada, more than 5 plants is considered growing for distribution, so no sense taking the risk for such small plants

Anyhow, I'm keeping these going just for the fun of it.....until April when I'll start my 2016 indoor sunshine grow





It's funny how different this sunshine plant is growing compared to the others.....just a lack of intense sunshine

I have the 100 w Cree bulbs installed in my whole house they are amazing for lighting. I was just thinking the other day if I could grow with them. Nice grow and documentation

camaro630hp said:

I have the 100 w Cree bulbs installed in my whole house they are amazing for lighting. I was just thinking the other day if I could grow with them. Nice grow and documentation

Click to expand...

Thanks Camero....these LED's are only 60 watt equivalent, (between 9 &10 watts actual)...and I have several brands/styles

They produce such little heat that I need to add a couple of 23 watt CFL's just to warm up the grow closet....as it's is in a non-heated bedroom

I did a journal on using LED's...at the time I was thinking they were less effective than 23 watt CFL's, but this was an unfair comparison because my LED bulbs are only equivalent to 13 watt CFL's...below is the link if you are interested
https://www.rollitup.org/t/cfl-or-led-bulbs-for-veg-room.864249/

So I do think the LED bulbs are a viable choice for those doing a micro grow....but of course they will never compare LED panels or HID

That makes a lot of sense I was just about to buy a couple more there about $20 apiece thanks for breaking that down for me and I'm about to go check that link

ISK said:

Thanks Camero....these LED's are only 60 watt equivalent, (between 9 &10 watts actual)...and I have several brands/styles

They produce such little heat that I need to add a couple of 23 watt CFL's just to warm up the grow closet....as it's is in a non-heated bedroom

I did a journal on using LED's...at the time I was thinking they were less effective than 23 watt CFL's, but this was an unfair comparison because my LED bulbs are only equivalent to 13 watt CFL's...below is the link if you are interested
https://www.rollitup.org/t/cfl-or-led-bulbs-for-veg-room.864249/

So I do think the LED bulbs are a viable choice for those doing a micro grow....but of course they will never compare LED panels or HID

Click to expand...

Slow going, but that's what you get with CFL's and/or LED bulbs

They are all showing pre-flowers but slow as heck

they seem to be doing okay considering how little light they get.

I'm using ten 10 watt LED bulbs (60 w equivalent) and two 23 watt CFL, so I'm only using about 146 watts for 4 plants which is quite minimal



the plant on the far right only gets sunshine, which has been really lacking. (this plant has not pre-flowered).....it has quite the different colour and growth pattern






cheers

the gals are doing okay






the indoor sunshine plant has started to preflower....even with the days are getting longer.


close up...may be hard to see the preflowers but they are there

Looking good!

ISK said:

the gals are doing okay
View attachment 3640992

View attachment 3640993

View attachment 3640994

the indoor sunshine plant has started to preflower....even with the days are getting longer.
View attachment 3640995

close up...may be hard to see the preflowers but they are there
View attachment 3640996

Click to expand...

The indoor sun plant being so different is intriguing. Goes to show that light source really matters. Love the new experiment with party cups and hermie bag seed man. So cool you have the motivation and can just screw around like that. Subbed.

GrowUrOwnDank said:

The indoor sun plant being so different is intriguing. Goes to show that light source really matters. Love the new experiment with party cups and hermie bag seed man. So cool you have the motivation and can just screw around like that. Subbed.

Click to expand...

thanks buddy

No kidding, I would like to test drive a 600W HPS. Are you leaving them in Solo cups for life?

pinacoloda said:

No kidding, I would like to test drive a 600W HPS. Are you leaving them in Solo cups for life?

Click to expand...

Yeah, I am going to leave them in solo cups just to see what I can produce.

BTW: I'm using LED/CFL bulbs not the 600w HPS