New Grower soil/CFL cabinet grow; 2 fem auto widow cheese

[Jenny1400n]

Hey y'all!

Just wanted to post a quick update on my pHucked up grow. Actually, I've got good news and bad news. Let's start with the good:

I've finally got my lighting, heat and humidity pretty tuned. Using 125w 6400k plus a 40w 6400k and a 23w 5000k on the darker side. Rotating the plants from left to right every 8 hrs. Temps in high 70's low 80's F. Humidity 50 - 60%.



Also, leaf curl that I reported a couple of days ago seems to be under control . So far, it seems to be confined to the first real leaves on one plant.



Here are some additional shots of both.


This is my problem child, Liza.


And, Judy. (Maybe a tiny bit of curling.)

For a quick refresher, we're on day 10 from breaking soil (the dreaded Fox Farm Ocean Forest !)

Now for my "what the pHuck":

Decided to try testing the soil pH differently from last time. Before, I watered 'til I got runoff, and tested the runoff. This time, I took a spoonful of soil from each pot; added water; extracted water (with a bit of soil included) and let that sit for a while. Then I extracted the pretty much clear water and tested, and the results looked pretty good. Both runoff samples appeared to be between 6 - 6.5.

Since the soil runoff had tested so acidic previously, I decided to err on the side of caution. I watered both with ~8 pH tap water (maybe 1/3 gallon each). The runoff was still really acidic. One was maybe mid 5's. The other was 5 at best.

I'm not using an electronic H2O pH meter. I have one, but it seems really erratic. I'm just eyeballing it.

Any advice, thoughts or just words of encouragement welcomed!

Cheers :tiphat:
Jenny

 

[Trapper]

Looks like everything is on the mend

Personally, I would (at your earliest convenience) get an Accurate8 soil pH meter, and be done with it. Never have to worry about whether or not you're getting a good reading ever again.
The peace of mind makes up for the ridiculous $55 price tag.

I would also spring for a decent pH Pen for testing liquids...I got an Oakton EcoTestr pH 2 and it has worked great....$48 on Amazon right now.

Those two instruments are worth their weight in gold as it relates to trustable data.

Way to stay with it!

 

[Jenny1400n]

Thanks, Trapper! So glad I went for Amazon Prime. I'll check my local grow shop first, but if they don't have those meters, back to Amazon I'll go.

Really appreciate all your advice and encouragement:hug:

It's kind of funny that you're called "Trapper". My brother decided at roughly age 4 that he hated his name. He boldly stated to the whole family that he was to be known as "Trapper" from that point on. He's 40 something now, and he's still "Trap".

Thanks again, my new bro!

 

[Jenny1400n]

Happy Birthday, girls! They're 14 days old today. And like true teenagers, they stink! It's not skunky smelling, but it's not your normal household aroma. I've decided I'm not going to bathe my dogs until after harvest. We don't need no carbon filter!!!

Things are going seemingly well, I think. Please take a look and let me know what I might be missing:

Liza


Judy

They're between 5 and 6 inches tall, and seem bushy to me. Is this a normal height for this stage for a white widow/cheese cross? My other main concern remains soil pH. I watered today with alkaline water, and the runoff looked about 5.5.

Thanks in advance for any input! Looking forward to your responses. How did anyone do anything before the internet? I'd be lost without y'all.

Cheers :tiphat:
Jenny

 

[namvet25]

Your girls are looking great,good job.

 

[Trapper]

Thanks, Trapper! So glad I went for Amazon Prime. I'll check my local grow shop first, but if they don't have those meters, back to Amazon I'll go.

Really appreciate all your advice and encouragement:hug:

It's kind of funny that you're called "Trapper". My brother decided at roughly age 4 that he hated his name. He boldly stated to the whole family that he was to be known as "Trapper" from that point on. He's 40 something now, and he's still "Trap".

Thanks again, my new bro!

No problem! I just know that I made and nearly made big mistakes by wanting to react to data that turned out being bad. Those items really do fall under the "ounce of prevention" category IMHO.

RE: Trapper/brother. Nice! I like his gumption and sense of self! I pulled my use of the name from a respected family member that's no longer with us. Real mountainy type. I actually inherited his muzzleloader.

 

[Jenny1400n]

Thanks for the input, guys.

On another note, I'm starting to freak a bit about the aroma. I'm going to try making a filter as soon as the parts arrive. Just worried it won't be adequate. I never imagined two little plants could have such a perfume. With my cabinet not being air tight (not even CLOSE to tight) is anything going to work? Suggestions?

Thanks much!

 

[Jenny1400n]

Hi all,

Have some questions about LST. I wish I'd thought about this a couple of days ago because the girls are getting bushy.





Should I try to just tuck those big fan leaves (is that what they're called?) out of the way? Should I try bending and tying the main stem down? They're both pretty thick and not real flexible.

Help!?!?

 

[GodAmJT]

On a side note about pH meters and testing equipment: ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU CALIBRATE IT!!! Regular intervals, whether it be weekly, bi-weekly.. Do it often, but it doesn't have to be every day. I have made the mistake of having great pH testing equipment (beyond required for hydro grows), and not calibrating it regularly.. I ended up putting a couple plants in acid baths because I thought my "technology," was going to save me.. Technology is only as good as those who are using it, so always be sure to store your meters correctly, and calibrate often..


As for your LST question: Anything that seems woody, or very rigid, I highly suggest not trying to bend it because you may inadvertently snap or super-crop it, which isn't as acceptable with autos as it is with photos.. Chester and a couple other guys on here use a method that lifts up some of the fan leaves and bundles them (I can't remember the term they use, is it pony-tailing? Probably not, kinda high right now) and it exposes the bud sites.. Another thing you could do is move your light up a tiny bit to get a little stretch out of the plants, which will in-turn, make it easier to find spots to LST..

 

[Jenny1400n]

Thanks bro. I only have a pH h2o meter. I calibrated it when I got it, but it always seemed erratic to me. I have just been using test strips for the water and hoping for the best. I'm really trying to use the "kiss" method.

Raised the lights just now. Great idea! Hoping for some stretch. Also tucked some of the bigger leaves. We'll see what happens. Thanks again