@sike Fellow newbie grower here , but it seems to me they look dried/ and or nute burn. For watering I would pour a decent amount around the plant, let it dry out and water in 4-5 days. May I ask why did you water with milk and epsom salt? What does that do? I am running no humidifer as mine died, the bucket and towel has kept me at 55% RH without the exhaust on, 35% when on and my plant looks great so I’ve been told. I’ve also have my light running at 100% (HLG 135W R spec)since seedling and have had no issues. Started at about 30 inches above canopy and worked down to 15inches now. Also like i said still a newbie but that last picture is looking like a flowering stage to me, maybe all the stress caused it? As far as yield 5-8oz they look very small , also I feel like that yield info isnt really accurate as you can make the plant as big or small as you want to manipulate.
Thanks for responding.
I just watered yesterday–until there was runoff. So, I will wait until it dries out. However, some people say never let it completely dry out. I’m ok with letting it dry out.
Reply to your questions . .
- Water with milk and epsom: It’s like calmag–calcium from milk and epsom is magnesium. Advised by a friend to use this at least until I see more green and less yellow. Google it–you’ll see it’s done.
- Yep, it looks like some of it is flowering! Not good. And yes probably due to stress as it did happen to all three; so it’s not the strain.
Not sure how you can make it as big or small as I want–yes, change the height through LST but it’s an autoflower. I can’t veg it longer than it wants to.
I was told the light was too close and was getting some burning of leaves. Of course, each light is different. This seems to be the right height according to Mars Hydro.
Agree: The SELLER says 5 to 8 oz. But the BUYER/GROWER/FARMER/NEWBIE (i.e., me) says “no way.” That’s why I was asking if anyone wants to guess what I will get. Frankly, if I get 3 ounces I’ll be thrilled! (I only need 6 ounces a year!). And if I get 2 ounces I’ll be happy (because smoking makes me happy and I don’t have any at all right now!)
Keep in touch–we need to keep learning together! Thanks!
In return to making height, I would turn the intensity up and hang the light higher. Once you see a stretch lower it gradually. Like i said its all in the manipulation just my thoughts. The milk and espom is pretty cool honestly. As far as harvest I would love for you to get 3oz from them but i really cant judge that, as I am only on week 4 lol.
Well, the intensity is at 100%. So I can’t increase it.
Funny, you said that about stretch! It seems I see a lot of people say “it’s stretching; that’s a problem; lower the light!” However, I haven’t heard anyway say “your internodal spaces are too small; it’s short because it needs to stretch; raise the light!”
It makes perfect sense. I would like to know if that would help them grow. I will search to see if “experts” (growers with more experience than you or I) would suggest that.
Thanks!
From what I gathered is you dont want the seedling to stretch then its top heavy, and wouldnt more internodal spacing cause a stronger stem? More shoots has to mean its healthy. Cheers.
NEED HELP! Thanks!
Guys, I am still thinking I will get so little yield little out of this first grow–if anything! Fortunately, I don’t want much but I would like some yield! (I can’t grow again until September). It’s now the third day of the week six since sprouting. See photos!
So, please give me some feedback:
- Are these in pre-flower or flowering stage?
- Do I need to do anything different? (SEE ABOVE FROM 9 DAYS AGO FOR WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING.)
- And the most important question: These are fem auto seeds. If I understand correctly, I still need to check sex because they could become hermies, true? Well, there is so little internodal space, I’m not sure what even to look for. Can you tell from any of these photos if they are girls? Or is it too early? Or do you need better photos?
Thanks everyone!
Hey Sike,
Unfortunately autos are just that so you cant control the flowering stage. They’re going to do thier thing regardless. And yes…they are super prone to stress and slow way down in growth. I saw this first hand with mine. I wish there were better news but let them fly and learn as much as you can with a growth cycle, like when to harvest, cutting, trimming, curing etc etc. Its all going to be applied no matter the size of the yield.
I would suggest you drop a couple more beans and get another grow going now. Take what you’ve learned on this one …you’re going to be fine.
All us Nubes go through all this…your right on course for success even though it feels like failure girl…
Dont worry to much about all this freinds, too many variables in play, strains, media, type of light, distance etc. Use your recommendations from your light manufacturer and have patience. After transplant things will look a lot different when the roots are set free to grow…
Well, I thought I would give an update. There have been some ups and downs! Right now I have some crispy leaves and leaf color issues. I also am concerned I may have hermies because I see some sac-like things.
It’s now day 71 since I planted seeds and today is the last day of flowering week 4.
I see some clear and some cloudy trics on the leaves under the scope. I think I overfed and might have locked out. So the last waterings and maybe at least my next few will be just ph water. Some people have advised that I should just flush the next week or two as they might be ready to harvest.
Thoughts? Advice? Questions? Thanks! (For some details see first post.)
Looking pretty good! I don’t see any signs of sacks. I think you’ll be okay.
Thanks. Other than the trics being 20% amber, what should I look for? Do you think flushing for a week without nutes is a good idea? Any predictions on when to harvest? Also, do you believe in total darkness before harvesting?
Thanks!
If you see 20% amber trichomes, the time to harvest is now.
Personally, I don’t flush my plants. I have in the past… but not any longer. I can’t tell any difference after drying and curing. I do indeed stick my plants in the dark for a day or two before harvest. I usually wait for my plants to feel light and dry before sticking them in the dark. I don’t want to harvest and start drying right after they’ve been hydrated.
Well, I am ready to chop! However, I am not sure my plants agree . . .!
I am fine with being patient; just concerned I might chop too late.
As a review–this is my first grow ever. Here’s the situation:
- 3 auto plants in 3 gallon fabric pots (Northern Lights, Gelato OG, Blue Dream)
- Mars Hydro TS1000. 20" above canopy
- Soil–Plagron Royal Mix (a rich soil) with top layer of topsoil
- Planted January 5
- Current: Today is day 91 since planted and 7th week of flower!
- Now watering about every 3 or 4 days as needed until run off.
- No nutes as of Day 77
- 40 to 50% rh; 70 to 80 F
- Trics: Checking 6 to 10 bud sites daily, I see about 0 to 10% amber and 30 to 50% clear! No more than 50% cloudy. (I have had clear and cloudy trics since at least day 70).
- Goal: About 30% amber. I am fine if it’s 0 to 50% amber–not fussy, it’s my first grow!
So chop now? The problem is that there are a lot of yellow, shriveled up leaves. I am concerned because based on the photo below, one experienced grower (20 yrs) said they are degrading and even with over 50% clear trics, I should chop now. The plant seems to be screaming “cut me down out of my misery.”
(I know leaves turn yellow near end of life but this doesn’t look like any photos I have seen of “ready to harvest” plants. And these are three different strains!) To put it in perspective, those leaves are very small–the largest is less than 2 inches. The plant heights are 7 to 9 inches. ( stunted them in veg.)
Newbies like me can harvest too early, so I was waiting for a lot less clear trics. Sorry I have no tool to get microscopic photos. (NOTE: The photo below makes the leaves look a lot more green–they definitely are more yellow than this photo shows!)
Question: Harvest now because the leaves are so yellow and shriveled and it’s starting to degrade?Even tho’ I have 30 to 50% clear trics? As I said, I don’t mind waiting and really am not fussy about how much amber.
Thanks!
Sike,
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your first grow story. I purchased the same Mars Hydro 2.3 setup that you and Jim have. However, I live in Virginia and the new law that allows for recreational home grow does not go into effect until July 1. I am more concerned with the wife’s policy than the state’s though, and she would prefer me to wait until it is lawful before starting. For now, I am just reading and absorbing as much information as I can and I plan on starting with 2 gorilla glue autos. I do not need high yields as it will be for just me (moderate use in the evenings), and I cannot wait to stop throwing away money on $200 ounces. Thank you for your humble insight on your first experience!
Thanks for your kind words! My first harvest was very puny. I need to learn what to do to not stunt them!
Here’s the final chapter of the grow:
- Harvested on April 14
- Plants seemed very dry.
- Drying process was only 5 days (in the tent). Almost all of the harvest was popcorn–no large colas.
- Yield for all three plants–52 grams (1.834 ounces)
- Today is day 18 of curing. Burping daily but humidity varies only slightly now. So I suspect there is not much more curing!
- Smoke isn’t great. However, better than nothing! (I planted three seeds and ended with three plants. None died! So I am happy.) Next grow will be better . .
As far as saving money: These 1.834 ounces cost me $690 so far. Of course, there are one time expenses in that $690 that I won’t need to repeat. I predict I can get at least three more grows without spending more money (I have seeds, soil, etc. paid for in that $690.) So if my yield remains at 1.834 ounces, then my cost will be $94/ounce. However, I am confident I will get more than 1.834 ounces from three plants in the future!
Thanks again!