Setting LEDs at the right height to select phenos "thriving in intense light," killing the weak

Apostatize

Well-Known Member
Wtf is this pic exactly? Confused by the hooks and cork like stuff. Soil grower here if that comment is ignorant. Edit: is this actually plant training???
ComfortCreator, thanks for your question. Yes, cork-hooks are just another way to LST. Basic physics -- the further out on the limb you apply weight, the more downward force you exert on the limb. I've tried a few different approaches to wire trellising. Each has its benefits, I guess. From what I've read, and it makes sense, limbs grow stronger and more wind-resistant when you apply weight-resistance (e.g., cork-hooks) than when you simply tie them back. That's the theory anyway. I've seen photos of outdoor plants using the technique, so it's not exclusive to noob indoor salt growers.

Since I'm new at this, cork-hooks also allow me to appreciate the rate of stretch/growth (in addition to obvious canopy-to-light height difference). As a plant grows and redirects upward, you move the cork further out onto the limb. Some limbs will require multiple hooks linked together until they are trained. As buds develop and become heavy, apparently you're supposed to remove the corks -- the weight of the bud replaces the cork(s)'s weight and you're good to go.

I also prefer this method because I like to be able to freely move plants around the tent, give them a swirl and a haircut from time to time. There were constraints and more broken branches when I used grape vine-like trellising in combination with a SCROG (overdid it there...).

Hope that makes sense.

Two bloom tents ... currently, some plants are in week 5, most are finishing week 2. First grow using cork-hooks; first time with canopy low, about even, and 6-10" from light on Day 1 of the bloom cycle. After initial dehydration hiccups, they're looking great. I'm really happy with how things are turning out (so far).
 
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Apostatize

Well-Known Member
man, this thread. if you want to ask experts for help, you should be respectful. if you admitedly don't know a lot, why would you take it so personally if someone pokes a little fun? noobs always get made fun of everywhere in life, because they do stupid shit and it's funny. toughen up, buttercup. be nice.
I appreciate your position. Understand mine. My "day job" is a quality control role ... I provide feedback and constructive criticism all day, every day. I know how to talk to people, I expect the same from those providing feedback/criticism in any application. A lot of people have the right answer, but are obtuse in their delivery. That's a personal problem and has nothing to do with the answer. I strive to "come correct," not everyone does.
 

ComfortCreator

Well-Known Member
ComfortCreator, thanks for your question. Yes, cork-hooks are just another way to LST. Basic physics -- the further out on the limb you apply weight, the more downward force you exert on the limb. I've tried a few different approaches to wire trellising. Each has its benefits, I guess. From what I've read, and it makes sense, limbs grow stronger and more wind-resistant when you apply weight-resistance (e.g., cork-hooks) than when you simply tie them back. That's the theory anyway. I've seen photos of outdoor plants using the technique, so it's not exclusive to noob indoor salt growers.

Since I'm new at this, cork-hooks also allow me to appreciate the rate of stretch/growth (in addition to obvious canopy-to-light height difference). As a plant grows and redirects upward, you move the cork further out onto the limb. Some limbs will require multiple hooks linked together until they are trained. As buds develop and become heavy, apparently you're supposed to remove the corks -- the weight of the bud replaces the cork(s)'s weight and you're good to go.

I also prefer this method because I like to be able to freely move plants around the tent, give them a swirl and a haircut from time to time. There were constraints and more broken branches when I used grape vine-like trellising in combination with a SCROG (overdid it there...).

Hope that makes sense.

Two bloom tents ... currently, some plants are in week 5, most are finishing week 2. First grow using cork-hooks; first time with canopy low, about even, and 6-10" from light on Day 1 of the bloom cycle. After initial dehydration hiccups, they're looking great. I'm really happy with how things are turning out (so far).
I get it now. I thought this was a bk78 pic and could not understand wtf he was doing. He posted a pic of YOUR grow...that makes sense and so do the jokes made afterwards.

It is another interesting idea. I had not thought to weight down a branch vs tying it.

Supporting indoor plants is easy and im not sure if weights are an improvement but again an interesting idea. Trees are tied down all the time but weights hmm i will have to think about it.
 

Apostatize

Well-Known Member
Supporting indoor plants is easy and im not sure if weights are an improvement but again an interesting idea.
True, potential space-saver indoors. That's a consideration. If you're growing all pants on the floor, evenly spaced, and are fine with 4 or 8 plants ... no problem. I'm cramming 12 and 16 in spaces I should probably only be growing 6-10 (micro grows have surprising yields); and I'm doing it without sacrificing light intensity anywhere because plants are all close to the light, next to each other but separated by height:
1) small tent, some are on the board/floor, some neighbors stand ~6" higher on metal stands/racks;
2) larger tent, some are on shelves (3 -- middle, sides), some are on a raised floor in stands -- canopy separation is closer to 12" difference, but more lights than small tent.

Tying them down (i.e., not using corks), I wouldn't necessarily be able to make custom fits in tight spaces. For example, sometimes a plant others would throw away (2 main perpendicular branches) makes a great corner plant ... or a branch just has to move a few inches to the side.... Eventually, I want a 13' long table, 7' wide (divided with a wall/tarp, so I can stagger harvest time, decreasing work) and make it a 2-tier structure (veg on floor-level, bloom on top). All I'm trying to do is 5lbs now, more later. Only need 2+ oz/plant to achieve goals. Room for improvement.
 
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Apostatize

Well-Known Member
Maybe he’s weighing corks too
2 tents, that's the smaller tent. need 2+ oz/plant to yield 5lbs (I smoke whatever popcorn there is...).
2.25 oz/plant x 12 is 27 oz in the smaller tent -- so, "about 1.7 pounds." haha

first, i excluded strains to select final list of preferred characteristics. now working on phenos.
- i'll aim to achieve, then select phenos yielding > 2oz.
- once all phenos are ~2 oz/harvest, i'll raise the bar to 3 oz. and so on...
- if there's a disparity in yield, i'd be fine with decreasing strain offerings lower than 8.

I imagine, as yield increases above 3 oz/plant, I'll eventually grow fewer plants in each tent. Kind of covering my ass until yield becomes more predictable.
 
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Apostatize

Well-Known Member
Why not start a journal so you can log your grow for all to see daily/weekly?

I’d love to follow this beautiful 5 pound 4x4 tent you speak of.
I actually don't dislike you and enjoy the ribbing. I just love to argue ... turned a loose lid on a small coffee at McD's into 4 free meals for the homeless, a free large coffee, and a check for $250. Got a tent for free because they missed a piece.... Got my bed for free for the same reason, haha.

Can't say much for your reading comprehension though. It's two (2) tents. Man, if I don't get 5 lbs out of 28 plants, I should give up. Haha. Hopefully, I do better than 5. Shouldn't need any more major adjustments ... just gotta get my shit together.

Despite the tone of my reactions, you've spurred me into trying a little harder. Thanks, man.
 
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Apostatize

Well-Known Member
So 2.5 out of each 4x4 ? I agree, you should start a journal. I would definitely follow along.
Well, since one's 1/2-way done ... I'll just show results. I do want to be right, you know. Haha. I at least want to be confident in what I'm doing before I'd start a journal. Also, I have too many clones/seedlings of some strains and not enough of others.... In a harvest or two, my #s should be about right.
 

Apostatize

Well-Known Member
So 2.5 out of each 4x4 ?
They're not 4x4. My lights are 66" long.

smaller tent: 6 x 66" lights, ~6-10" between canopy and lights, ~4.5" between lights (Fluence Rays).
larger tent: 10 x 66" lights, ~10" between canopy and lights, ~6+" between lights (Fluence Rays).

I'm hoping to get at least 2 oz/plant. So, 2.25 oz multiplied by X plants.... Already, I've had some 3+, maybe 4, but closer to 3 after removing popcorn.
 

Brettman

Well-Known Member
They're not 4x4. My lights are 66" long.

smaller tent: 6 x 66" lights, ~6-10" between canopy and lights, ~4.5" between lights (Fluence Rays).
larger tent: 10 x 66" lights, ~10" between canopy and lights, ~6+" between lights (Fluence Rays).

I'm hoping to get at least 2 oz/plant. So, 2.25 oz multiplied by X plants.... Already, I've had some 3+, maybe 4, but closer to 3 after removing popcorn.
That’s a lot of rambling lol. What size of grow area are you attempting to pull 5 lbs ?
 
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