Week 2

I use a rotating fan set to turn on with the lights.  A simulated breeze like this moves air through the plants and makes the main stem increase its diameter and strength.  Characteristic “5 finger” leaves are out and branches are growing from the axils.  Four more pots have been added for a total of 12.  I noticed these plants are a little bit behind in growth which makes for a nice comparison between plants grown in soil and those grown in coco medium.  All the plants originally seeded in soil but the last four stayed in soil 5 days longer.  Anecdotal observations suggest that hydro plants are 40% more advance in growth than those in soil.

Pictured are the roots emerging from the started growth plug where the seedling was planted.  Seeds are germinated by soaking in water for 36 hours.  By then a small root will emerge and the seed is placed in a pre-drilled hole.  

Three metal halide lights are running on 18/6 cycles.  I offset the increase in electricity bill by not running the central heat.  A space heater is sufficient even when temperatures approach freezing.  When temperatures are below 50 degrees at night I run space heater in the grow room also. 

The potted plants are now in a 12 light/12 darkness under a HPS light.  I don't believe the problem with leaf curl is nutrient related rather it may be a disease or nematode.  Looks bad and I don’t know what affect it’ll have on bud production or quality.  Yet another reason to go to hydroponics.

The reservoir was changed out today with the tank, bubblers/tube and pump set out in the sun for 2 hours for UV disinfecting.  In addition to new water I added 80 milliliters of a solution - "pH Down" to lower the pH to 6.0 – 6.5.  The instructions do not specify an amount, only that you should keep pouring solution until the water’s pH is lowered to a desired amount.  I preferred to try this on a single gallon of distilled water and extrapolate from there.   

I have too many plants for the space and lights at hand.  Not a problem now but may be in 3 - 4 weeks.   

First Week

OK, time to move up to the big leagues.  I had good results with soil with good quality but lacked quantity. 

This is a recycle set up using Canna nutrients made for coco medium: "Coco 1-0-1" and "Coco 1-4-2.  I use 275ml of each in a 20 gallon reservoir of distilled water I got from a self serve water station.  The solutions were mixed separately in the reservoir.  The reservoir pumps water to each plant via a tube and sprinkler head for 15 minutes every 24 hours.  Excess water drains from the pots to the bottom of the bucket and out a tube to a PVC pipe that drains back to the reservoir. The reservoir will be changed out every 2 weeks and next time I may use separate reservoirs for each solution. Buckets are wrapped in black plastic to block out light which may lead to algae growth.  That is why the reservoir is dark plastic. Additionally two aereator stones run oxygen into the reservoir from an aquarium pump to keep the water oxygenated when it arrives to the plant.  This also inhibits bacterial growth. 

Two week change out also avoids changes in pH which I like to keep at 6.5 with the help of a "pH down" solution.  The coco medium holds nutrients between watering and is resistant to compaction which will smother the roots.  The system is surrounded by cheap reflective mylar and that will be replaced in a couple of weeks. I could get a lot more sophisticated but simplicity rules for now.  It’s all trial and error. 

Strains are: "Sour Diesel" and "Northern Lights".  There are extra plants in pots of soil in the middle because I ran out of space in another room.  Plants in the other room were sown before I set up the hydroponics. I will move them when the hydro plants get too big.  Plants are under a Metal Halide high intensity light for 20 hours on/ 4 hours off.  Lighting and duration will change when the plants are 15 inches high. Then they will be under High Pressure Sodium Lights for 12 hours/day and in complete darkness.  This will prompt the plants to go into flowering.  So far So good.