Grow Mediums Cat tries the 1st Northern Lights grow in coco

[Cat]

I’ve been mulling around AFN for a few weeks and really value the knowledge and sense of community. This might be a little cheeky, but I’d like to invite some of the people I’ve been following @Bailey @Fuggzy @PotGuyVer @tripaholic88 @comet79

Okay, so I’ve been meaning to start a journal, but I need a new camera and the PC doesn’t take very good pics. I’ll try to introduce my grow and hope it’s not too long-winded.

This is the equipment I’m using…

80 x 80 x 160cm Black Orchid Hydro-box light

2 x Marshydro 300 watt LED

Small carbon filter and a tent pocket inline fan

Small clip on fan & Tower fan

A small dehumidifier.

Canvas grow bags, using coco/perlite. (I’m wondering if grow bags add to high humidity)

I am currently waiting on a new fan for the carbon filter, recommended by @Bailey.

In the meantime, I can only hope that the fans are circulating enough air to avoid things like bud rot, but I might need to purchase a larger dehumidifier. Outside humidity levels were 70%, which is not entirely unusual.

My feeding schedule is currently (per gallon of water)

40day old plant @ 2.5ml Floranova bloom .5ml grow & 1ml Calmag

35day old plant @ 2.0ml grow .5ml bloom & 1ml Calmag

One of the best pieces of equipment for judging nutrients is my cheap TDS meter. When it arrived, I realised my plants were being fed 3 times more than they should. Unfortunately, my tap water comes in at just over 600us/cm, which is around .6ec, I think.

This leaves little room for adding nutes. I bring the nute solution to 5.8Ph and 1300us/cm (1.3ec). I would increase the feed, but my run off comes out slightly higher than what goes in. I am still trying to fathom the best nute plan and any suggestions would be appreciated

The strain I’m growing is Northern Light auto (fem) by Sensi. I decided to plant one seed at a time, which transpired as one of my better decisions.

My first plant is called ‘little Miss Bushy’. She's only about 2-3wks old in this pic

I stressed over her short bushy structure for weeks. The dense undergrowth made it very difficult to see the main stem or apply LST. Poking around her bush did stress her out, which may well have contributed to her stunted growth. Here’s a few pics of her life span

This one was taken a couple of days ago and those bud sites continue to stretch up from her bush!

The second seed I planted is doing a lot better.

This next two were taken a couple of days ago

I imagine the first grow is the worst. There’s no other reference point to judge the plants development, plus I’m anxious to see a return for my money. Even if I only harvest a couple of grams on my first plant, the learning curve has been a valuable experience.

So, now that I’ve introduce myself, I’ll try to keep my pics updated and, of course, invest in a basic camera

 

[PantsGuyVer]

Good for starting a journal bud! Your plant is packing some height and will continue to as the preflowers start to develop. You may be surprised at the outcome.

I am in soil, but I was thinking of buying a cheap water filter that screws on to the tap. Have you considered that to help lower your ppm? Anyway, I am subbed and sending good karma your way.

 

[tripaholic88]

wow @Cat! your plants look a hell of a lot better than mine did on my first grow at this stage! i agree with PotGuy about trying to get your tap water PPM down that would help. you might wanna look for a RO filter.
im subbed for the rest of this one cat
if you have any ? just ask as you know AFN is all about helping out the newcomer

 

[Cat]

Good for starting a journal bud! Your plant is packing some height and will continue to as the preflowers start to develop. You may be surprised at the outcome.

I am in soil, but I was thinking of buying a cheap water filter that screws on to the tap. Have you considered that to help lower your ppm? Anyway, I am subbed and sending good karma your way.

Thank you mate. Yes, the younger plant is really stretching and buds are developing nicely. I am considering an RO filter, so will be interested to hear if you go that route

 

[tripaholic88]

o and max

 

[Cat]

wow @Cat! your plants look a hell of a lot better than mine did on my first grow at this stage! i agree with PotGuy about trying to get your tap water PPM down that would help. you might wanna look for a RO filter.
im subbed for the rest of this one cat
if you have any ? just ask as you know AFN is all about helping out the newcomer

Thanks, appreciate that. I am really pleased with second plant and think she'll do well, but she might be a little starved of N and Calmag. I'll increase those tomoz. Cheers

 

[tripaholic88]

it looks more like a P def or lockout to me... check you soil/coco PH. ive been dealing with this and you wanna get that cleared up asap before flower!

 

[Fuggzy]

Hey there @Cat thanks for the invite! So far everything looks pretty good.

The fabric pots may add to the humidity, but I personally don't see a major increase. I use them in 5,3, 1.5, and 0.5 gallon sizes sometimes with 12+ in the tent at once and everything is normally fine. I don't use a dehumidifier, and my normal Rh outside is 70%+ too. In doors my Rh is ~35-50%. I'm guessing you know, but more air=less rot. If the moisture is not allowed to pool, and sit there, you can manage higher Rh a bit better. (although "custom" rH is always nice) If you notice that the rH level is raising to high after watering, try putting the pots on a towel for 5-10 minutes before placing back in the tent, This will also help prevent over watering (however in coco I doubt that will be an issue, major O2 retention).

I don't know jack about coco yet, but anything else I can help with just ask. Heres a some karam, a song, and a slap to get you started! Till later, take care!

​

 

[Cat]

it looks more like a P def or lockout to me... check you soil/coco PH. ive been dealing with this and you wanna get that cleared up asap before flower!

I have been testing the run off, but not sure if I do it right. I simply test what comes out. Ph going in is 5.8/out 6.3. I flushed each plant yesterday with a gallon of water each (in coco) with nutes and ph 5.8, but it still came out 6.3. I wasn't sure if that should be a concern. I need to do a little more reading. The younger plant definately needs more calmag

 

[Cat]

Hey there @Cat thanks for the invite! So far everything looks pretty good.

The fabric pots may add to the humidity, but I personally don't see a major increase. I use them in 5,3, 1.5, and 0.5 gallon sizes sometimes with 12+ in the tent at once and everything is normally fine. I don't use a dehumidifier, and my normal Rh outside is 70%+ too. In doors my Rh is ~35-50%. I'm guessing you know, but more air=less rot. If the moisture is not allowed to pool, and sit there, you can manage higher Rh a bit better. (although "custom" rH is always nice) If you notice that the rH level is raising to high after watering, try putting the pots on a towel for 5-10 minutes before placing back in the tent, This will also help prevent over watering (however in coco I doubt that will be an issue, major O2 retention).

I don't know jack about coco yet, but anything else I can help with just ask. Heres a some karam, a song, and a slap to get you started! Till later, take care!

​

Thanks fuggzy, appreciate your help. Yesterday my indoors humidity was 70%. We've had a lot of rain here and the heat makes it worse. Usually my tent sits at 50-60% and I'm relieved to hear that good air circulation helps prevent mold etc. The ext fan I'm waiting on is only a cheap one, but it is twice as powerful as the one I have. I didn't want to spend much more until I convert my cupboard. What I do notice is the humidity rising by 10-15% as soon as the lights go out... not sure what that's about. Anyway, thanks again fuggzy, people like you make the first grow a lot less stressful