Reserva Privida Skywalker Kush Grow Journal

Greetings everybody - just quick lill thing about myself. First - I have approximately 8.5 months of growing experience, so bottomline: I am a rookie and I graciously welcome any comments/questions/tips/advice/recommendations/ect. Secondly - I am from California and am a medical marijuana patient growing for personal use. Lastly - my goal is quality/taste/potency (as it is with everybody im sure) but I will be using the majority of my harvest to make Rick Simpson Hemp Oil.

OK - now that that's over with Let's get started with my setup:

Tent(s):

• Growlab 120 (3'11"x3'11")
• Growlab 80L (2'7"x4'11")

Ventalation:

• Active Air 6" Inline Fan (400 CFM)
• Phresh 6" Duct Silencer
• Can Fan 6" Carbon Filter

CO2:

• 20 lb. Tank
• C.A.P. PPM-4 CO2 Monitor/Controller
• C.A.P. REG-1 CO2 Regulator

Light(s):

• Lumigrow Pro Series 650
• Blackstar 135w LED
• 2' T5 - 4 Lamp
• (2) 125W CFL (Red & Blue)
• *NEW ADDITION* 600W HPS in a OG Vertical Reflector w/ a Nano Xtreme Ballast

Soil:

• Fox Farm Ocean Forest Soil mixed w/ Perlite

Nutrients:

• Cal-Mag
• Fox Farm Trio (Big Bloom, Grow Big, Tiger Bloom)
• General Hydroponic Diamond Nectar
• Great White Mycorrhizae
• Carboload
• Emerald Triangle Snow Storm Ultra

Seed/Genetics:

• Reserva Privida Skywalker Kush (Skywalker X OG Kush)

Day temperature: 80-84 F
Night temperature 68-70 F
Humidity: 45-50%

Upcoming Genetics:

• Super Lemon Haze (clone)
• Phantom Cookies
• Kush
• DP Think Different

I will be posting pics shortly and will provide more info regarding the grow thus far. Anyways, thanks for following and stay tuned

Pic #1: Skywalker Kush under a Lumigrow Pro Series 650 w/ SCROG NET
Pic #2: The last nug of Think Different from a past grow

So as I stated in my first post, I just bought a OG Vertical Reflector with a 600w Nano Xtreme Ballast. Originally, I was intending to use this for the 6 clones of Super Lemon Haze that i will be receiving any day now, BUT! seeing as how I have it now and its not in use! my question is: SHOULD i use the 600w HPS WITH the Lumigrow 650??????? or do you think this would create too much heat? ( i will be venting with inline duct fan) Also, Do you think a GrowLab 80L Grow tent will support the WEIGHT of both lights??? cuz ive actually had my lumigrow DROPPPPP on my plant (twice - thank the lord for the scrog net) ... anyways - gotta go burn one - i'll be back later

Sigh so i guess i've found the answer to my question regarding adding 600w HPS with my Lumigrow - its a 'No go'. Unfortunately, due to heat issues im currently facing - I will have stick to my original plan: Lumigrow 650 for Growlab 80L (2.5'x5') tent & OG Reflector w/ 600w HPS for the Growlab 120L (4'x4').

**NOTE: I will probably wait til fall/winter to plan a grow utilizing both the Lumigrow and the 600w HPS together I can't wait

Which I suppose leads me to my next topic of discussion: "How to efficiently utilitize two flowering tents in hopes to harvest 1 LB a month"

I have a 2'x4' & 3'x3' tray which have been drilled and fitted with a Ebb & Flow fitting kit. My hope is that using hydroponics in conjunction with a scrog net - along with all the proper environmental conditions - should allow me to achieve my goal? Any thoughts on this? Anybody with personal experience using ebb & flow with scrog? how was the quality? yield? grow difficulty?

Anyways - i'll try and post some pictures later!

Update:

Thought I'd post some info regarding the PAR output of both my lights (Courtesy of Growershouse)

Lumigrow Pro Series


OG Vertical Reflector - 600w


Today:
- I threw in the Blackstar 135w LED to supplement the lumigrow (im sure the lumigrow doesnt need any help, but what the hey - why not)
- Setup the new OG Vertical Reflector in the 4x4 tent and patiently awaiting my Super Lemon Haze clones
- Began setting up my Ebb and Flow system - will test tomorrow with plain water to ensure it will be ready for the new arrivals
- Purchased some new nutes for the upcoming hydro run; House & Garden Aqua Flakes - I already have most of the additives and what not already

My new concern:

I have approximately 40 inches between my light and my tray - which im worried will not be enough to fit a scrog net in there?

I'm predict the breakdown will go as follows (from bottom to the top:

- 6 to 8 inches for the grow medium (rockwool and hydroton)
- 10 to 12 inches for the plant itself
- a SCROG NET
- Leaving only 20 inches remaining to keep the light a a safe distance from the canopy

is this enough space? my gut tells me no any ideas or comments?

The 20 inch for the light distance is doable, especially if you add a small fan to blow between the canopy and bulb. But 10-12 inches for the plants, even in a scrog, sounds too little to work with. It would leave maybe 5-6" for buds.

I'm thinking of picking up some skywalker kush seeds myself tomorrow.

Sativied said:

The 20 inch for the light distance is doable, especially if you add a small fan to blow between the canopy and bulb. But 10-12 inches for the plants, even in a scrog, sounds too little to work with. It would leave maybe 5-6" for buds.

I'm thinking of picking up some skywalker kush seeds myself tomorrow.

Click to expand...

yeah I'm having second thoughts about doing this entire ebb and flow system all together now

another alternative i thought about is to utilize a different reservoir - I bought a 27 Gallon tote (approximately 16-16.5" tall) from home depot - the black one with the yellow lid to use as my current reservoir.... my idea would be to ditch that reservoir and look into getting either the:

http://growershouse.com/general-hydroponics-panda-reservoir-40-gallon
OR
http://growershouse.com/botanicare-reservoir-40-gallon-resevoir-bottom-white

either one of these would add approximately 4'' to the distance between the light and canopy, maybe even an extra inch if i cut my pvc table down
So that would make an additional 4-5'' inches - do you think it'd still be okay to run ebb and flow with 24-25" between the light and canopy?? or should i ditch the whole idea (again lol) and do dwc in 5 gal buckets again (which is a pain in the ass)

thank you for your thoughts

btw - what other strains are u debating between? or are you set on getting skywalker kush?

RasheedWallace said:

So that would make an additional 4-5'' inches - do you think it'd still be okay to run ebb and flow with 24-25" between the light and canopy??

Click to expand...

24-25" between the light and canopy should do the trick yes. I start out with 24 (with 600 watt) and then lower to 20-ish along the way. At least that is what I normally do, I currently have 14-15" between light and canopy.

"Skywalker kush" led me to this thread, but we have something else in common, see my first post at RIU:
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/611163-tight-space-hydroponics-setup.html

And see the horror stretch I currently deal with on this page:
https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/413359-supercropping-canopy-control-93.html

I used a 'spreader' that diffuse the light and reduce heat, allows 600watt to be lowered to 4-12" but I removed it after a week because it works too well (not enough light penetration with my long plants). Though different from what I used, an Adjust-a-Wing hood/reflector also has a spreader, which are also sold separately. Might be something to consider.

RasheedWallace said:

or should i ditch the whole idea (again lol) and do dwc in 5 gal buckets again (which is a pain in the ass)

Click to expand...

Yeah, I considered DWC too but rather not. Someone suggested hempy as well, but not my thing either. I plan to get a lower res myself for next round so I can gain 4-5 inches. Though I'm not planning on letting them stretch that much ever again

RasheedWallace said:

btw - what other strains are u debating between? or are you set on getting skywalker kush?

Click to expand...

I went to DNA genetics in Amsterdam today and bought 3x Chocolate Fondue and 3x Skywalker Kush

thanks for this..

I had a lumi, and my new panels outgrew it, so I'm excited to see the new lumi

WOW! I really like your setup! such a great design - very cool!

Sativied said:

I went to DNA genetics in Amsterdam today and bought 3x Chocolate Fondue and 3x Skywalker Kush

Click to expand...

Nice! sounds exciting - can't wait to see you start'em!

So upon further consideration - i feel i have no choice but to get a shorter reservoir. The extra 4-5 inches seemed to solve alot of problems - even if it's a bit costly up front. When I brought up the idea w/ the local hydro store - they told me to ditch the Ebb & Flow idea - and switch over to a drip feed system. SIGH!!!

any thoughts on Ebb & Flow vs. Drip Feed System? I have my work cut out for me - ill be researching all night

Rasheed,

Depending on how many plants, I would go with drip feed.

The reason is that ebb & flow has a tendency to generate excess salt buildup on the lower end of the tray, and requires extra flushing. But, drip rings are decently pricey, so maybe don't use 9 of 'em..

How deep are the trays? I would probably do 4 plants in a 3x3 tray with coco and drip rings, mainline and veg long for massive yield. You could probably get 2LB.. 8 oz/plant?
Again, depends on the depth of the trays.. With hydro you can get away with less medium. Check out this grow for a 16"x23"x8" tray with 25 clones.

Highocaine said:

Depending on how many plants, I would go with drip feed.

Click to expand...

I have yet to receive my Super Lemon Haze clones - but i THINK i will be getting 7 clones - technically i could get more but i was thinking of flowering 6 and keeping 1 as a mother. Im still undecided on how many to do, but i do think you just might be right about doing 4. I'll have a better idea when i see the clones - not sure how far along they are. Also, the guys at my local hydroponic store also recommend doin' a drip feed as well - they did not mention about the potential salt build up - so thank u for the heads up

Highocaine said:

How deep are the trays? I would probably do 4 plants in a 3x3 tray with coco and drip rings, mainline and veg long for massive yield. You could probably get 2LB.. 8 oz/plant?
Again, depends on the depth of the trays.. With hydro you can get away with less medium. Check out this grow for a 16"x23"x8" tray with 25 clones.

Click to expand...

My tray is about 7" deep.
How tall or how long do you think I would have to veg for to achieve 2 lbs?

btw - great setup! i'll definitely check out ur other grows

7" 'aint a lot... :c I think trays are better for density than depth - 20+ plants in a tiny, tiny space. You could do it, but I dunno if you'd hit 8oz/plant.

Rethinking my suggestion (purely theorycraft): It'd probably be better to do a perlite/coco mix with high perlite composition - drains faster, allows for more feedings per day, and encourages "hydro roots" instead of "soil roots" (thinner, more side-tendrils, absorb nutes from water more efficiently and in a smaller space). With just coco, you don't get as many feeding cycles, the plant is top-dry for longer and ends up spending more energy growing lateral, water-searching roots.

How tall? 3-4 feet or so. Long? Depends on the strain but for an indica probably around 60 days. A sativa maybe less, with a larger node spacing. I recall nugbuckets doing a mainline veg in 50-something days.. Albeit in 10 gal of supersoil and under the sun.

Thanks - I'm reconsidering the setup for my next grow. Might do hydroton with constant spray/drip recirc.. with smart pots. Or a high-perlite coco mix.. 80/20? Either way, drip recirc for sure.. Long-term automation is simply great. Fill res, mix nutes, set timer, and you're done for a week. Get an automatic nutrient dosing system, RO filter intake, and float switch, and you only have to go in the tent to transplant. It's just so flexible..

PS: Sorry I ramble.

UPDATE:

This was taken 3-4 days ago



This was just a few minutes ago (i should've taken a shot of the entire canopy, but oh well):



i'll take more pics tomorrow with a better angle of the canopy - and maybe even get a real camera instead of my phone

Also - grabbed some a reservoir and a hydro logic stealth RO100 this weekend very excited to finally be growing with RO water!

Highocaine said:

7" 'aint a lot... :c I think trays are better for density than depth - 20+ plants in a tiny, tiny space. You could do it, but I dunno if you'd hit 8oz/plant.

Click to expand...

If i am going to use scrog net - does it matter how many plants i have as long as i fill the screen?

Highocaine said:

Rethinking my suggestion (purely theorycraft): It'd probably be better to do a perlite/coco mix with high perlite composition - drains faster, allows for more feedings per day, and encourages "hydro roots" instead of "soil roots" (thinner, more side-tendrils, absorb nutes from water more efficiently and in a smaller space). With just coco, you don't get as many feeding cycles, the plant is top-dry for longer and ends up spending more energy growing lateral, water-searching roots.

Click to expand...

ok sorry - i have a bunch of rookie questions but im a rookie so bare with me plz lol - but when you say it'd be better for me to use a perlite/coco mix with a higher perlite composition.. if i were using the square pot (picture below) placed in a 3x3 tray.... am i ONLY filling those pots and placing them into an empty tray? or am i filling those pots and filling the tray with perlite/coco? (sorry if my wording is confusing)



Also - purely from a budget perspective - if i already have rockwool and hydroton -if i used it, could i still acheive hydro roots?

and in regards to the salt buildup issue, if i flush after every res change - would that eliminate the problem?? - altho im sure its a pain in the ass to do especially now that i just got a 40 gal reservoir

Highocaine said:

How tall? 3-4 feet or so. Long? Depends on the strain but for an indica probably around 60 days. A sativa maybe less, with a larger node spacing. I recall nugbuckets doing a mainline veg in 50-something days.. Albeit in 10 gal of supersoil and under the sun.

Click to expand...

I was thinking that i'd veg out til it was 1 foot - and flip it to 12/12.... which would make it finish around 3 feet ish? i dont know whether that works well or not with a scrog net, but the grower that im getting the clones from said super lemon haze stretches long so im not entirely sure how that will play out

Highocaine said:

Thanks - I'm reconsidering the setup for my next grow. Might do hydroton with constant spray/drip recirc.. with smart pots. Or a high-perlite coco mix.. 80/20? Either way, drip recirc for sure.. Long-term automation is simply great. Fill res, mix nutes, set timer, and you're done for a week. Get an automatic nutrient dosing system, RO filter intake, and float switch, and you only have to go in the tent to transplant. It's just so flexible..

PS: Sorry I ramble.

Click to expand...

I am definitely in favor of long-term automation and working diligently to try to achieve it. Up to this point - ive only done dwc and soil (hand watered), so im definitely looking forward to some automation lol regarding the automatic nturient dosign system - do you have one that you use and recommend? And is a float switch where you utilize a 55 gal barrel? anyways - definitely appreciate ur ideas and feedback so ramble on!

RasheedWallace said:

If i am going to use scrog net - does it matter how many plants i have as long as i fill the screen?

I was thinking that i'd veg out til it was 1 foot - and flip it to 12/12.... which would make it finish around 3 feet ish? i dont know whether that works well or not with a scrog net, but the grower that im getting the clones from said super lemon haze stretches long so im not entirely sure how that will play out

Click to expand...

That's the beauty of a scrog, yes, it does not matter how many plants you have as long as you fill the screen. As little as 1 plant is doable. With a scrog you don't flip to 12/12 at a certain length but when the net is filled for a certain amount, depending on the strain (as they continue to grow for weeks after 12/12). I've done a scrog 3 times of which the third worked out great, first 2 were far from optimal (bound too tight, weaved, broke too much - keep some duct tape or bandaids ready). I switched to 12/12 when about 35-40% of the scrog net was filled and ended up with more than enough.

Highocaine said:

7" 'aint a lot... :c I think trays are better for density than depth - 20+ plants in a tiny, tiny space.

Click to expand...

Have to disagree with that. My plants are way too large, 40 inches tall, (stretched too much for multiple reasons but partly due to the density) and I'm using 5". I should probably add that my roots have grown all the way back into the rez, but that's due to length and not diameter. I've seen large plants grown 4" as well.

Scrog net: Yep just pack that sucker full.

You'd just be using the tray as a runoff collector, if you just sat pots in it. It'd work though!

Rockwool gets soggy easily whereas hydroton is impossible to overwater (people run drip systems 24/7 with it) - you can get hydro roots, sure, just have to be careful about not over-drenching the rockwool. Alternatively you can start seeds in hydroton alone (germ first), just gotta be careful.

Nute doser: No idea. Gravity-feed with an irrigation controller would be my first idea. And a float switch would just be used to refill the res once it gets too empty.

Sativied said:

Have to disagree with that. My plants are way too large, 40 inches tall, (stretched too much for multiple reasons but partly due to the density) and I'm using 5". I should probably add that my roots have grown all the way back into the rez, but that's due to length and not diameter. I've seen large plants grown 4" as well.

Click to expand...

Oh that's good. I think my mind is just stuck in soil scenarios from reading too much of the main-line thread :/

Highocaine said:

Scrog net: Yep just pack that sucker full.

Click to expand...

sorry for antoher rookie question but - if my tray is 7" deep - how high above the tray do you think i should start my scrog net?

My thought on number of plants (but I'm not sure how this applies to hydro or scrogging as I've never done either) is to make sure everyone has enough space to spread out a nice root system. If you look in my thread (again, soil, so take it for what it's worth), I actually played around with different numbers of plants in a constant area to see how it would affect yields. There's definitely a happy medium.

RasheedWallace said:

sorry for antoher rookie question but - if my tray is 7" deep - how high above the tray do you think i should start my scrog net?

Click to expand...

Depends when they're big and wide enough to fill the screen. Top it enough to fill voids, basically. Being able to adjust the screen helps too. You can hang it like a light.

Also no problem. You have more experience growing than I do, but I'm happy to help if I can!

RANDOM:

just got a new USB microscope so i can scope the upcoming skywalker
but in the meantime! i figure i'd scope some of my Reserva Privida Kandy Kush



I feel much more dialed in on this skywalker grow - so im hoping for equivalent or better results ::crossingfingers::