Fall/Winter grow 2024-25

[TomH]

Not in the foothills this week, but my lady sent a pic of the little ladies.
Platinum GSC on the left is just past week 3, it's literally a pole with a couple drum sticks!
It's now where near as filled out as I wish it was, but there is still time.

On the right (or back if you will), is Skywalker OG, it's robust but I don't see a lot of flower yet, only flipped about 9 days ago, so I'll keep an eye out.

I need a good feminine and diminutive equivalent of "Mutt and Jeff" for these two, definitely weirdly different structures.

BTW, the heavy weight here was the chunky seedling while the skinny drink of water was a leggy seedling!! Two data points, probably means nothing!

 

[TomH]

Platinum GSC just finished week 4 on Saturday.
It’s not beefy but there is a lot of potential. I hope that the middle weeks provide weight.

Skywalker looks like she woke up ready to rumble.

It’s grown significantly in the past two weeks, but looks ready to stretch.

 

[Max]

The GSC was a fraction late flowering .usually by bout week 6-7 I know what I’m getting so I’d say week 7-8 she should b good.she has a nice structure .looks strong.

 

[TomH]

Well, my great experiment with flowering at 14:10 didn’t pan out.
She would get all “flipped“ looking, bet never pump out pistils.
I tried dropping the light to 13:11. It did the same thing.

Saturday, I finally dropped it to 12:12, it started pumping pistils almost immediately.
She also dramatically thickened up the main stem and most of the branches.

 

[Max]

Ah I missed that bit…so she will now start stretching Tom.

 

[steamroller]

I have used the slow flip as I call it.
Dropping light by 1-2 hours every week from 18-6 until I get to 12-12.
I would not think 14 would work to finish but surprised the 13 did not show you more.

 

[TomH]

I have used the slow flip as I call it.
Dropping light by 1-2 hours every week from 18-6 until I get to 12-12.
I would not think 14 would work to finish but surprised the 13 did not show you more.

It acted like it really wanted to flower, but “stage fright”.
There’s that color at the growth points that usually announce that the stretch begins, it did that when I went from 18:6 to 14:10, then the color went back to normal and no stretch.

It did it again when I dropped from 14:10 to 13:11, with the same results.

12:12 looks like it couldn’t wait to get out of the gate!

I’d love to see the chemical changes that were occurring inside the plant during those weeks.

 

[TomH]

I’ve added a five gallon jug with 1/3 strength lotus ca/mag and bloom nutrients.

I’ll monitor it as it should fertigate for two minutes, every third day.

I’m looking for a solution for when Laura and I head out of town for two weeks in November.

The jug is aerated with an air stone and pump. I built the water horseshoes from garden irrigation supplies. Works well, now to verify my schedule, takes three days for one pass.

 

[TomH]

platinum cookies in front left, completed week six last Friday, 10/25.. about 50% red hairs, it needs to bulk up.

Skywalker og is end of week three on Wednesday. Looking like it’s going to be a lot busier than platinum. Bud sites everywhere.

I’m using lotus nutrients on this grow. The plants look like they love it, no complaints other than it doesn’t mix well with water. Even warm water wouldn’t dissolve it. I left it in water for 2 days and shook it like a madman and still wouldn’t dissolve.

 

[stonemason]

Mabey try one of these

 

[TomH]

Overnight temps dropping to 39 chilly degrees with 82% RH, the shed is comfortable at 66 degrees and 41% RH.

Days are certainly cooling off, barely getting into the 70s for the hottest part of the day, humidity still low when the sun is up, usually in the upper 20s to lower 30s for % RH outside. Humidity hasn’t been an issue yet but we do have rain moving in tomorrow.

 

[SiamSam]

Really beautiful set up, everything makes perfect sensie.

 

[TomH]

I’m about 90% convinced that what was supposed to be Platinum GSC feminized is not only an Auto-flower (it is), but it’s not Plat cookies either! The smell is way off. I get a strong funk, almost what the outdoor Skunk #1 smelled like. Not quite the same but very close. I’m thinking this is something with a cheese background, but it’s a mystery to me.

First smoke will be interesting, having no idea at all what to expect!

The Skywalker OG is spot on with the aroma of Fruity Pebbles. I had to do a double take to make sure there wasn‘t a bowl of cereal laying about.

”Plat Cookies” is supposed to be harvested sometime around 11/14, however it’s going to go longer, not only because of the ambiguous nature of the actual strain but because I’ll be gone! I’m hoping an extra week is going to do her well.

Skywalker is looking to be ready mid December.

How is it possible that this year is going to be over before this grow is ready to smoke?

 

[TomH]

I know it’s probably impossible to figure out what this cultivar actually is, but some forensic research has led me to think it’s probably GMO Cookies or something close.

Although I’d have expected the plant to be bigger if it’s truly GMO Cookies, I think the fact that I up-potted it just as it was flipping it’s own switch caused it to stunt the stretch and flower production.

A fun little mystery.

 

[TomH]

In todays episode of “Guess What I’m Thinking”, we are at the decision point for a second fall/winter grow in 2024/25.

Amazing generosity by multiple forum members through the photo of the month contest as given me the opportunity to up my game, but the psycho that also inhabits my brain keeps whispering negative comments. I’m totally paranoid to lose so much as a single seed though mistake or not.

However, the two plants in the tent now are in the final stages.

Unknown autoflower cultivar (formerly thought to be Platinum GSC) Is in final approach, wheels down, runway in sight. It’s schedule is unknown due to the anonymity of the cultivar, but I‘ll likely chop and hang during the week before US Thanksgiving.

Skywalker OG is coming along nicely, finished week 4 today. Should meet the shears in mid-December.

If you’re still reading:

What will I grow next?

Options (in random-precision order):
A : KC Wolfenstein - Capt. Redbeard’s genetics

2 = Apple Gelato - B2ACG genetics

#. Blackberry Moonshine - Dragons Flame genetics

d; Green Crack - Capt. Redbeard’s genetics

*. SelVa - Wilson Seed Co.


2 will be attempted, hopefully grown to maturity.

 

[steamroller]

You got great choices there.
I am at the same point.
What to do.

 

[GrumpAzz]

I’m using lotus nutrients on this grow. The plants look like they love it, no complaints other than it doesn’t mix well with water. Even warm water wouldn’t dissolve it. I left it in water for 2 days and shook it like a madman and still wouldn’t dissolve.

Dude... I'm with you here. The plants LOVED Lotus. I HATED mixing it. Zero deficiencies and barely any tip burn.

You know you wanna grow that Green Crack. I've heard pretty great things about the Blackberry Moonshine. Are you set up for regs? I feel like he hasn't released anything feminized for that strain. Could be wrong though. I'm a big fan of Gelato so my second choice would be the Apple Gelato.

 

[TomH]

Dude... I'm with you here. The plants LOVED Lotus. I HATED mixing it. Zero deficiencies and barely any tip burn.

You know you wanna grow that Green Crack. I've heard pretty great things about the Blackberry Moonshine. Are you set up for regs? I feel like he hasn't released anything feminized for that strain. Could be wrong though. I'm a big fan of Gelato so my second choice would be the Apple Gelato.

My sativa bagseed that I have been growing out for the past couple seasons is of the regular seed nature based upon the male/female ratios I have had over those three years. The first year it was 4/7 male/female, after that it's been up and down but close to 50:50. My only preparation though is to get the plants with nuts out of the girls locker room!

I do want to begin collecting pollen and possibly test my hand at searching for terps, but I'm way over my head as it is, that will have to wait for the future.

 

[TomH]

Tomorrow ends week 9 for the front plant, Wednesday was the end of week 6 for the back plant.

I’ve been gone for 2 weeks and still have about 9 day until I get back, so these things are on autopilot until I return.

My 1st act upon getting there will be to chop the front. The back plant will be going until about the middle of December.

BTW, @GrumpAzz nailed it. I left the decision to my daughter and she picked those two (Green Crack and Apple Gelato). I honestly couldn’t make a decision because I wanted to grow one of each, but don‘t want to mess any of them up!

They are in Solo cups, both been above soil for nearly 2 weeks. My daughter is tending to them until I return.
I’ll update pics when I return tomorrow.

 

[TomH]

First feeding yesterday. They were really perky until they got the feeding, they a looking cheerier than yesterday. Probably just digesting a good dinner.


Green crack is the shorter of the two.

apple gelato stretched significantly by the time the first serrated leaves appeared, since then it’s been very compact.

I’ll bury them a bit when I up pot them.

 

[steamroller]

Hand warmers?

 

[Observer]

Hand warmers?

That's kinda genius

 

[TomH]

That's kinda genius

Thank you! I have a root heating pad, but didn’t have the common sense to bring it with me. Temps aren’t too bad, but I’m hoping it gets them started just a little quicker in the morning. I thought about it while I was sitting in front of a fireplace warming my bones! I don’t know if it’ll make any difference, but it’s worth a try, I have a bunch of expired hand warmers.

 

[TomH]

Pictures from yesterday, the two plants in flower in the foothills (indoor grow).


Mystery plant that formerly identified as Platinum GSC, wasn't supposed to be an auto, but was/is. She passed the end of week 9 on 11/15.
She looks done. She continues to ripen until I return on 11/23. Kinda curious as to what she turns out to be. I've never had much luck with autos as they always larf out on me. I'm hoping for better results this time, but that might be the clinical definition of insanity!



Next up is Skywalker OG, photo, I see no reason to doubt that cultivar. she looks like she's got a little deficiency going on, it's taking some of the bigger fans. She clicks past week 8 on 11/21, I'll adjust the flower nutrient load on Sat 11/23 when I return. I'm surprised to see the deficiency, so far the plants have loved the Lotus nutrients. Maybe it's just looking worse due to the late stage of flower also sucking the life out of the fans?

I'm certainly open to recommendations.

 

[TomH]

Now on to the next generation for the current season.
Green Crack and Apple Gelato.
I think they just about ran out of nutrients in those Solo cups. Sad and weepy, they were up-potted to something close to 1 gal. plus a watering with a small amount of epsom salt and Vit. B1.


After a few hours, they actually look a little perkier, but I expect them to take the next couple days to get their roots settled, then they will be topped.

I was going to move them from the Bay Area to the Foothills (tent) this weekend, but with at least 1 plant in flower, I thought I'd wait an additional couple weeks before making the move. They will be allowed to veg until near New Years day (unless they outgrow my expectations). Hoping for a nice early Spring harvest of what has the promise of being absolute fire (If I can give them what they need!).

Green Crack ended up in the brown planter, Apple Gelato in black.

 

[SSHZ]

"I’m using lotus nutrients on this grow. The plants look like they love it, no complaints other than it doesn’t mix well with water. Even warm water wouldn’t dissolve it. I left it in water for 2 days and shook it like a madman and still wouldn’t dissolve."

Many of the powdered fertilizer manufacturers state that the fertilzer will not totally dissolve and it's perfectly normal to see remainders at the bottom of the resevoir. I know Dynagrow used to put a note on their labels. I have an unused starter pack (4.5 lbs.) of the Lotus and there is no mention of this anywhere on the labels or spec sheet.

Have you tried mixing it first in hot water (not warm) in a large bowel, and then adding it to the reservoir? Probably, the hotter the better.

 

[TomH]

They appear to be praying happily. Probably still getting roots settling into the new soil but they are happy this morning.

Green crack in the brown pot, Apple Gelato in the black.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

They appear to be praying happily. Probably still getting roots settling into the new soil but they are happy this morning.

Green crack in the brown pot, Apple Gelato in the black.

Looking good! Just curious: What kind of lighting will you be using? I saw in Red Beard's description for Green Crack that it does well with HID lighting. Not restricted to HID. It was just a comment. I had a buddy gift me his old light and I was thinking this might be a good one for me to try. Also considered Orange Widow, but might save that for outdoors.

 

[TomH]

Looking good! Just curious: What kind of lighting will you be using? I saw in Red Beard's description for Green Crack that it does well with HID lighting. Not restricted to HID. It was just a comment. I had a buddy gift me his old light and I was thinking this might be a good one for me to try. Also considered Orange Widow, but might save that for outdoors.

Currently, they are in a low and slow veg under two LED lights, one is 60W 6500K, the other is biased towards red specifically for fruiting and flowering but only 35W.

In the tent, both will be under an LED with 300W draw which is on the warm side but not adjustable in spectrum. It’s warm yellowish. Has been a good producer in the past.

I’ve never used any type of discharge lamps (mercury nor sodium), although the heat would be a benefit during the cooler weather, it would introduce for me a lot of unknowns.

Sorry that I used three sentences to say, it’ll be under LED!

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Currently, they are in a low and slow veg under two LED lights, one is 60W 6500K, the other is biased towards red specifically for fruiting and flowering but only 35W.

In the tent, both will be under an LED with 300W draw which is on the warm side but not adjustable in spectrum. It’s warm yellowish. Has been a good producer in the past.

I’ve never used any type of discharge lamps (mercury nor sodium), although the heat would be a benefit during the cooler weather, it would introduce for me a lot of unknowns.

Sorry that I used three sentences to say, it’ll be under LED!

Thanks Tom! I have a ton of questions bouncing around inside my head. I appreciate the answers and enjoy watching this grow. Hope it grows into your best smoke ever.