SpiderBall [First Time] Aerogarden Grow Journal

Shingar and Mr.Natural, Thanks so much guys!!

Today starts week 4. I'm about to post pics and a little status...but let me just say, I am SOOOO happy about where things are!!

Gonna medicate...then I B back..

5/17 - Start of week 4! - Happy to report!

First I gotta say thanks to all who helped during the first few weeks (Shingar, Mr.Natural and Smokey21530). I'm feeling like the hardest part is over. Actually I'm feeling EXCITED again. It was bumming me out for a bit there.
The little girl that got her roots caught in the moss pod is coming BACK!
Her roots began heading for the water…and once they hit, she started to grow new leaves!!! YAAAA!!!!

That's really the main thing for me to report this week.

Oh, and I added some CFL's even though the little one is catching up….
And I changed the water out and added 1/2 AG nut Tabs. I'll maybe go a full tab next week.

I see a lot about the foxfarm nuts on here so I think I'm gonna look into ordering them this week…..

I'm attaching pics of both girls and my grow area/set up. Any comments or suggestions welcome!!

Thanks everyone! This forum and the people are SOOOO freaking helpful. I love it

Dude " You're welcome "... , just passing on what I've picked up in a very short time like you...It's insane how fast you can pick up all this info...and it works...


Man you're grow area looks great, very clean very shiny , gotta love that mylar....looks like a SiFi movie....ha ha

PLANTS LOOKIN GREAT !!!

Have you read ? https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/41024-cfl-proximity-foliage.html

Got some awesome info about CFL's...

Keep hanging tough !!! Were with you !!!!

5/25 - Start of week 5 - (1 day late on my update)

OK! All is going great! My little runt girl is coming around now. Take a look at the pics though, she's growing crooked )
I think she'll even out shortly. This past week, her growth was a HUGE relief and confidence booster for me. Unreal how resilint these girls are.

The bigger one is even BIGGER. She's VERY bushy now!!

This week (week 5) I added water which included 1 whole small nute tab that came with the AG. (last week was only 1/2)

I noticed that by the end of week 4, the girls drank around 1/4 if not more of their water. This morning, the red light on the AG was on telling me to add water.

This weekend I had a party at my place and I had to move my whole set up for a couple days. Sucked, but it worked. This is about when I missed the water going down so low.

My plan is to Veg until the runt girl get's 12 inches. By then the other one should be more than ready for flowering...

I have not topped or cloned yet.....(not sure about these 2 things...I need to find more info)

Questions:
-Up until now, each time I drain my res (during week to pH balance or end of week flush) I've been using a tube to just siphon the water out so I don't have to move the plants. I'm wondering now, will this method be a problem now that the roots are filling the res? Should I start taking my whole res to the sink and emptying it out?

-Topping....should I both topping? I'm only asking this because my bigger girl looks so fucking bushy already. The topping pics I've seen here on the forum seemed to be off taller, less bushy plants....opinions?

Hope you like the pics!!!

Thanks Mr. Natural

Ya man. I only really read around for about 1 week or so before I got started. Maybe a little more...just trying to mainly gather a solid shopping list.
I picked up alot of the actual growing info along the way but I'm having to go back and check around other grow journals to find info based on where I'm currently at. Trying to cram it all in when I can right now cause I've been so damn busy with work and other stuff..

I started to read that CFL proximity post you gave me, but I just realized I should go though it again, I probably read it high and don't feel I absorbed much of it Oh, I do remember the main guy saying the lights should be 1inch from the leafs I think? that's what I want to go back and check. But I think you said to just wave your hand over and see how hot it feels, and I've been mainly going off that right now. Seems to make perfect sense and it's bring at SHIT in there so....

Gonna go read that CFL post and check out all your guys journals now...

Thanks again!!!!

Mr.Natural said:

Dude " You're welcome "... , just passing on what I've picked up in a very short time like you...It's insane how fast you can pick up all this info...and it works...


Man you're grow area looks great, very clean very shiny , gotta love that mylar....looks like a SiFi movie....ha ha

PLANTS LOOKIN GREAT !!!

Have you read ? https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/41024-cfl-proximity-foliage.html

Got some awesome info about CFL's...

Keep hanging tough !!! Were with you !!!!

Click to expand...

Great start SpiderBall, I have a good feeling about this grow... =]

What's up Spider?

I would always recommend topping. Not only does it keep unruly plants short and bushy, but it allows for more bud sites to be open to light, thus potentially increasing your yield.

Uncle Ben's Topping Technique

Take a look at this link for a good guide on topping.

Also, I prefer to drain and clean the res at each nutrient change. This helps prevent nutrient buildup which could cause serious problems in your root zone (e.g. pH fluctuation, nutrient burn, ...).

The best advice in the world is to take your time. Nothing worse than a grower in a hurry... =))

BTW, that big one's lookin' good!

Thanks for the confidence Nasbale!

I wanted to post right now because actually....after going from 1/2 nute tab to 1 full (small) nute tab...my plants all DROOPED!!!

Now, I went back to Mr.Alex first grow cause I thought I remembered seeing him have the same issue and it sounds like he waited a day or so, and they perked back up.

The lights just went out. I'm thinking....if by the morning time, they're not perked back up, I will mix a batch of water with 3/4 nute tab and try that....
I do want to get them progressing past just 1/2 a tab...

OK...well. I'm not freaking out or anything....but I wanted to document it on my journal as well as get any opinions.

Here's pics!!

Yo Fox, Thanks!!!

Ya man, that makes total sense. Ok. I will get something set up so I can pull the roots out of the res, place there somewhere safe and sound while I clean out the res. I guess I can use warm water and maybe a dedicated sponge? I don't think I'd need any sort of soap or anything??
But the build up of nutes is a GREAT point.

Check out my last post about the plants drooping. I figure once they perk back up I can work on cleaning out the res correctly.

Btw, what happens if the roots get a grip on the airstone or other parts of the res?


I'll read that topping guide right now! I need to see at what point I need to do it. Don't wanna miss my window. Could be now for all I know

Ok, going to check that and the CFL guides now...

THANKS GUYS!~!!!!!

Hey Spider, Dude lookin good.......Mine kinda drooped from time to time, it seemed at the end of the day they would kinda just sag some..I bet they will be fine, they look great, can't wait to see them bud.When are you gonna flower them?...

My air stones have almost dissipeared, lol I dont think it can be helped...roots are gonna get thick...

Thanks Mr. Natural

Ya man, this morning, they're perked back up!!! =D
Not fully, but lookin almost back to normal.

I'm planning to start flowering once the smaller girl is up to size. I figure once the smaller is about 12 inches or so. I really just want to make sure I get the most out of both plants.

I was gonna move the smaller girl to the far left of the AG today, but I'm thinking I might leave her. I'm thinking if the 2 plants are close, then the lights can stay close, meaning both girls can take advantage from each light bulb I got going. It's bright as HELL in my closet right now!

It's starting to smell a TINY bitl....loving it!

Thanks again!!!! My girls are back to work!!

5/31 - Start of week 6 since Germ.

Ok, so I realize I'm already into week 6 and I'm still veggin.
I'm really just waiting for the smaller girl to get big enough before flowering.

Actually, what I was gonna do (Opinion on this point welcome!!!) was top the bigger girl this week, and plant what I cut in the 3rd hole of my AG....to the left....and let it start rooting.
Good idea? Bad idea?
I figure all I need is that gel stuff that I dip or coat the bottom of the stem with?

The topping would be bigger than the little girl so.....maybe they can all still be ready to flower at the same time?

I know people say about 2 plants for the AG, but I've seen 3 or more so I'm like....man....why not. The savings I'll have after this grow is done should allow me to get another AG so I can have a few more plants after this first grow...

Ok, ANYWAYS....
I had to top the water off about 3 times this past week.
They are drinking about 1/3 the rez maybe every 2 days....
I'm currently only using 1 small nute tab per week which came with the AG.
I also have an extra gallon of water set aside where I premixed another small nute tab into it. So, I'm using that water to top off whatever I need in the rez throughout the week. I'm expecting that I might have to set up 2 gallons of extra water this week....these girls are starting to drink ALOT.

OHH....another question....Fox Farm nutes.....is it really worth the money to buy these? Or can I still get a good end result just continuing to use the AG nutes?

For lights I still only am using the AG Hood and 3 extra daylight CFL's.
there are 2 cfls on the bigger girl and 1 on the smaller.
They are LIT UP. SUPER bright in my grow closet.

Ok, I can't think of much more right now.
The main thing I can use some help on or that I need to make sure I research asap is the question about Topping the big girl, and planting the topping in my empty 3rd hole of the AG.

Ok...here's pics!!!

Hope everyone had a great long weekend!!!!

They look really healthy! Keep posting!

TOPPING

Ok, first off, I think I could have topped the bigger girl sooner. Just didn't, no excuse...well, ok here's one and a few more
Now that the smaller girl is growing SOO FAST and counted 6 nodes (?)....I think it's time to get it done. I am also thinking about taking the topping of one of these girls, and planting it in the same 7 slot AG which would bring my total to 3 plants in my AG.

So, I'm pretty confident I can cut each just above the 3rd node and be good to go.
However, Since the big girl is so much bigger and farther along than the smaller one (more nodes) I was hoping to get some experienced guidance here. I know I can do what I think is best, but I'd rather know for SURE what to do especially since I feel this step makes a significant difference in your yield.

Ok, so here's some pics.
1- the girls last night (6/4/10)
2-Choco1, the smaller of the 2
3-Choco2, the bigger of the 2

I show where I think the nodes are and where I think I should be cutting...

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!!

Hey Spider, Looking great man, way to go!!! it's definitely time...not sure about the cloning thing, I do know you will need rooting compound and other considerations..

If it were me I would'nt chop off too much...Might stunt them...I just snip the very tips, but I'm not an expert...I've topped my next batch twice in the last 2 weeks...they seem to be ok...


Good Luck

yo yo! thanks dude. Actually....last night....3am....I got crazy and I hacked the HELL out of them >.<
OMG...I'm almost embarrassed to show how much I did!!!

I was reading the Uncle Bens post about topping which FoxCompany pointed out to me.
And as I understood it....if I topped anywhere other than the 1st or 2nd node, I would just be getting a bushier plant...

I did see someone ask a question which sort of matched my situation in regards to topping a plant that was further along.
One dude said he waits till there's over 6 nodes (more mature plant) to top them because their stems are much thicker and stronger at that point...
Well....I did that. >..<


Thing is, the first cut I made was about the 4th or 5th node of the big girl....but when I did it....omg, I TOTALLY Fed it up!!!! I was using a razor blade, and I missed...and ended up cutting not only the main stem in the center, but the 2 little stems that were supposed to be the new colas!!!

So....after I did that....I was in shock with my stupidity...serious...I was like....WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!!

But then I was like...WAIT WAIT.....I'm pretty sure it needs to be lower anyways...LET ME CHECK
So I went back to that UB post and read. It seemed clear that it did infact need to be LOWER.

So I was like...ok....I get ONE more chance...
I did it SO freakin slow...but it seemed to come out right....

I cut the big girl down at the 2nd node...and the small girl down at the 1st node.

If that was right...I "should" get 2 Colas from the small girl...and 4 from the big one!!!

This morning I woke up and went to check them and they both look to be doing good

Hmm....maybe I post pics today...haha. I might look like a fool....but I'm crossing my fingers I did it right and I will get all these extra colas as intended....

Your point of possible stunting is what I'm worried about...
Uncle Ben's posts said that after topping like this you see the plant react fast....I'm counting on that

Ok....gonna go DL the pics off my camera.

Thanks for checking in with me. I've been so freakin busy with work I haven't had enough time to be on the forums so when it's time for me to do something, I SCURRY through and try to check on the grows I'm following (yours, shingars, and a couple others) as well as the recommended forums people point me to.
The journals I'm following are SOOOO freaking helpful it's insane.

THANKS!!

I bet they will great...I learning that if they are real green,then they are hard as hell to kill....thankfully ha ha....

post some pics...

OK! I'll make this my official week 7 post then...

6/6/10 - Start of WEEK 7 (Topped Girls)

Today Is start of week 7

Choco1 - small
This girl had about 6 nodes. I first cut her just above what looked like Node 2&#8230;however, I fucked up with the blade and I cut the main thick stem AND the 2 little stems that were part of node 2. so I had 3 nubs at node 2.
Because of this, I finally decided to cut lower, at node 1, but this time I did not make the mistake again.. looks correct now. Lets see what happens.

Choco2 - big
This girl had like 10 nodes or something.
First I cut at like node 6, and made the SAME mistake as I did with choco 1!!!! WTF
Then I cut at like node 5, as a second try on this girl&#8230;only to fuck it up AGAIN!!!!
Just being dumb...
So then I did reading, etc&#8230;and saw that I should be cutting down at node 2 ANYWAYS&#8230;.so I did&#8230;and this time, made NO mistakes...
I have 1 stump there and the plant actually looks GREAT NOW.

I notice that after topping SO much more light is getting into the plant. I'm excited to see where we go from here. I think my cuttings were ok.

I read someone's comment on the UB topping post that they waited longer also, more nodes, before topping, so that they would be super sturdy strong new growth? Something like that&#8230;that's what motivated me then to cut like 8 nodes off my big girl&#8230;

LETS SEE WHAT HAPPENS



I have no New growth gel on me&#8230;.
I took the topping from Choco 2, and I planted that a 3rd spot on the AG.
I set it in the moss thing, in the pod, just like I did the seeds when I started. The stem from the Choco2 topping was VERY thick and so it stand up without falling over. Very good plant&#8230;.

I will try to get that gel in asap, but I sorta have faith this little cutting is gonna sprout new roots no matter what&#8230;
Just seems MJ is so resilient and wants to live&#8230;

..
If I understood correctly&#8230;

Choco 1 cut at the 1st true node will get me 2 colas
Choco 2 cut at the 2nd true node will get me 4 colas

LETS SEE!!!!!!!!

Additional notes&#8230;
I replaced the water with new water only this time adding 1 LARGE nut tab
pH balanced at around 5.8
I am still only using the hood lights and 3 daylight CFL's.
I'm gonna start adding more lights this week though. At least 1 more Daylight CFL for now.
Also, I realize I am vegging for a long time. I am doing this because I decided to wait for my runt to catch up&#8230;.and I realize anyways&#8230;.long veg will make for big STRONG girls. They should flower better.
I plan on putting together a little clone grow with 4-6 plants&#8230;..hopefully this week if not next&#8230;depends on how much time I can gather up&#8230;

I'm thinking to flower my 2 originals and the clones at the same time&#8230;..undecided at this point.

OK!!! Here are pics!!! YEEEEE
Topping - Before and After shots.
Pics of where I cut!


Any and all opinions GREATLY appreciated!!

AHhhhh a pic is worth a .....well very cool Spider...They look great...green as can be, gonna be bushes in no time....love the illustrations...That would be really great if the cuttings live.......are they getting thirsty yet? How much do they drink a day?
Can't wait to see them flower.......

Hows it going?