Uncle Ben's Gardening Tweeks and Pointers

And another new member announces his or her desire to be put on ignore....

looking into my first indoor grow with a friend we plan on having this be completely hydroponic and were wondering what the best nutrients are for a blue rhino strain or any if there is a difference in nutrient needs between various strains any tips for growing are much appreciated
hope to post pictures inthe coming months

Nitegazer said:

And another new member announces his or her desire to be put on ignore....

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Yep, another noob that doesn't have a clue as to what makes a plant tick.

this is happening with 2 of my plants, yellowing tips, near the top of the plant, not lower....fixed my heat/wind burn problems, think this could be a Mg defiency? first time grower here was wondering what ya think, check my journal out as well

Hey UB, I have been following your threads for awhile now and would like to say I greatly respect and appreciate your advice and tips. I have a technical question regarding plants stretching. I was always under the false impression that light and dark cycles were the cause of stretching as well as light intensity. Guys always say if your plants are stretching you should drop your lights down (to a point obviously don't want to burn tops) because once the tops get too much light they pass the rate of photosynthesis and quit growing therefore allowing side branches to catch up. Here's my question, you spoke that stretching was due to hormones and not light cycles or light in general. That said, what hormones or natural additives can be given to a plant in order to reduce or prevent stretching?

I am really trying to go organic and all natural (no cannabis specific products) and one last thing, do you have a link for a tea recipe? I feel I have a pretty good brew of my own and really would like to find out if you use tea's for your plants or not. Thanks!

superD5 said:

Hey UB, I have been following your threads for awhile now and would like to say I greatly respect and appreciate your advice and tips. I have a technical question regarding plants stretching. I was always under the false impression that light and dark cycles were the cause of stretching as well as light intensity. Guys always say if your plants are stretching you should drop your lights down (to a point obviously don't want to burn tops) because once the tops get too much light they pass the rate of photosynthesis and quit growing therefore allowing side branches to catch up. Here's my question, you spoke that stretching was due to hormones and not light cycles or light in general. That said, what hormones or natural additives can be given to a plant in order to reduce or prevent stretching?

I am really trying to go organic and all natural (no cannabis specific products) and one last thing, do you have a link for a tea recipe? I feel I have a pretty good brew of my own and really would like to find out if you use tea's for your plants or not. Thanks!

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Long internodes is a result of sativa genetics and/or outside influences such as low light, high P foods, high urea foods. I have a thread over at Riddlem3.com on Bonzi. The effect is so dramatic that it flat shut down any internodes after application, this after a rate of only 2 ppm of the paclo. What should be 8' tall sativas (O. Haze) have been and are still about 18".

I like the meals - bone and blood. Don't do teas, too lazy. I mix the compost into my soil first or top dress. Makes its own tea every time you water.

Good luck,
Uncle Ben

Thank you very much for the speedy reply and that really helps a lot. I have actually been using high amounts of P when brewing my flowering tea as a result of bad information from local grow shops. I have also been trying to dial in a good compost recipe as well but it's definitely an art to get it right. I sincerely appreciate your responses and I actually have just a few more questions if you wouldn't mind and after that I will leave you alone haha.

1) What type of soil do you use (I have been using sunshine mix) and even though you say cannabis is PH tolerant, do you use anything to stabilize the PH at least?

2)What is your mix ratio for your compost or is it better to top feed?

3)Do you run CO2 and how do you feel about this subject? I used to have a complete system and sold it and really liked the results I got from it. I would run and monitor high PPM's in the room and I felt it got great results, but I was also running deep water culture at the time (first time trying it) and the plants grew vigorously so I don't know whether to attribute it to the grow system or the CO2. Debating on running CO2 again.

I don't expect you to give me your secrets or anything else you may be uncomfortable with, thank you very much for your time.

thanks uncle ben for all your advice. i am now using a time released fertilizer and life couldnt be easier now

the pic below is one of six colas on a monster plant. damn thing yielded 6 oz with a 4 week vedge time. amazing what 5 bucks worth of fertilizer can do if you learm how the plant tics. i pay more attention to temp, humidity, and light now then i do on expensive nutes. thanks again

a lot of good pointers in here, way better than anything uncleben puts out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

Just want to chime in and say thank UB for all the good detailed info you put out there for use to read and try.....Now i want to add to everyone reading this I know everyone has question's weather the good or stupid and i also realize that noone wants to read 100+ pages of info let alone repeated questions. Uncle Ben takes time out of his day let alone away from his personal grow/s to help others and awnser questions. I would highly recommend reading his post/threads doing a grow or 2 see what actually makes the girls grow then ask questions. I read alot i mean ALOT, and sure im sure i have some stupid noob questions out there but would some of you guys/gals read the whole thread and do some leg work on your own before asking the same questions repeatedly before UB decides its not worth his time to help others anymore due to the fact that some people think everything should be handed to them. Growing MMJ is a lot of dedication and love UB could come give you a step by step guide on how to grow MMJ and if you've never done it you are bound to screw it up. So please for everyone do some leg work then ask questions!!! Sorry to thread jack like that but i try reading 100+ pages and from pg 6 to 116 the same questiona are asked over and over.

I agree with most of what your saying xsavier and UB has helped this forum more than anyone else. I know I only have 2 posts but I have been on this thread for years (last username was superdave5) but I always forget my password and have to start a new one haha. Anyways, yes thanks to UB for all that he does. On the flip side, I work 6 days a week sometime. I do not have the time to read 100+ pages.

711 grower, that looks amazing!

Im not trying to offend anyone and i know people have lives outside of growing i just dont want to see a good thing thrown away because some people dont want to take the time to do a little hands on learning. I asked 100's of questions my firat few grows and still do, bit after you get a few under your belt you start to see patterns and do's and donts. I personally learn a lot from UB and dont want people to affect it. Sorry if i offended anyone it was just my 2 cents

uncle buck i just played that amazing video to my plants and they grew 3 feet in one day. the wisdom intoxicated my plants into growth i have never witnessed before

With knowledge and experience comes wisdom and success. You'll eventually find your Stairway to Heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcL---4xQYA

UB, Will I get less stretch in flower since I topped 2 times,, here is a pic.. thanks again for all the info you freely give out..

DelQ said:

UB, Will I get less stretch in flower since I topped 2 times,, here is a pic.. thanks again for all the info you freely give out..

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The issue is height upon maturity. Any time you top you induce branching. They're still gonna stretch but not as much as one single cola would.

UB, I hope this isn't too off-topic. I'm looking for the "opaque (but breathable bag)" I can cover a branch with, NO light leaks, and leave for a week or so and inspect. Per a couple of your old posts in '09. I'm looking to sex the plants as fast and as early as possible without any setbacks. I'll be topping the plants and transplanting when done picking females.

Some bag methods require taking the bag off every 12 hours and that may take two weeks. You describe the method of leaving the bag on for a solid week, then looking. This seems to be my quickest and least invasive method I've seen.

Where can I find this "opaque bag" that is breathable? Or can I rig up a toilet paper tube with dark fabric? Thanks for any assist!

I have heard it is of no use to try this prior to three weeks. Would you agree?

Uncle Ben said:

With knowledge and experience comes wisdom and success. You'll eventually find your Stairway to Heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcL---4xQYA

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LOL you must be about my age UB 45-50. this some good music