Zen_seeker’s DIY Mixmash

[Zen_seeker]

I'm so good with the paper towels I've afraid to try anything new. I have the vertical germinator but I can't take a chance with valuable seeds,why fk with 100%. I have a thousand or more sitting in a pile on my desk mixed with sticks and shit I should try the Vertical thing with some of those....hey good talk....

I spent yesterday washing my balls...lol....cleaning my trays, pots and valves. I also cleaned up my air domes and lines. I;ve my res, pump & chiller to clean today I have the pot socks sitting soaking and they'll take some scrubbing to clean them up. I got my new red lights up and 1 of the red pucks relocated. 1 more to go.

Today I have to get more soil and worm castings then transplant asap. I get this Greenworld VPW30 its $15/ bale less than Promix and it works the same. I'm the only one I know who uses it and its a shame more folks don't realize how well it works or have ever heard of itView attachment 57886View attachment 57884

If you can get it up here there’s a good chance I can. I’m good for at least another year but nice to have options.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I've had seeds take up to 7 days to break surface, patience Padawan

But I spoke to them individually. Explaining we had a timeline that needed to be met. Apparently the other three got the message. GG#4 must not speak English.

 

[GoodShit97]

But I spoke to them individually. Explaining we had a timeline that needed to be met. Apparently the other three got the message. GG#4 must not speak English.

Don't think it works that way, it's nice to think it does lol

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250516:

Three out of 4 still but I had to move to the tent. Getting to big already.



Peeled a few shells off.



They look even better now, hours later, until I dropped the Purple Diesel on its head.


GG#4 is in with the veggies for the moment. Domes not in place. Lots of air withdraw fan on low. Black foam covers the seeds waiting to pop.

Busy day. But got things done.

 

[GoodShit97]

They look even better now, hours later, until I dropped the Purple Diesel on its head.

Stop playing with them and that won't happen
Nothing broke?

 

[Zen_seeker]

Stop playing with them and that won't happen
Nothing broke?

You’re the one who told me to take the shells off. (Dropping one was my idea.)

Purple Diesel is the one that fell, about 3’. I left the shell, but it looks pretty loose now.


The Jilly Bean was the one with a membrane left on you spotted. Got that off a little while ago.

The Strawberry Lemonade was a bit discoloured but looking good now.

Just going to leave them alone a while. Check the GG4 and veggies in the morning.

 

[GoodShit97]

You’re the one who told me to take the shells off. (Dropping one was my idea.)

Eh, I was just messing with ya lol. I knew you were gonna have to do surgery.
I always worry I'm gonna kill one pulling the hull off.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Eh, I was just messing with ya lol. I knew you were gonna have to do surgery.

I was going to wait a bit but they shot up over night.

I always worry I'm gonna kill one pulling the hull off.

The membrane was tricky. I was lucky I could get it off in a few tries. Having the tools helped.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20240517:

Currently growing.
1. Jilly Bean
3. Purple Diesel
4. Strawberry Lemonade


Purple Diesel seems to be recovering after its tumble. Still has half a shell stuck.


Keeping temp 20*-23* and RH around 60%.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20240518:

Turned up the light to 8000 LUX. To much stretch happening. RH is upper 60% and temperature 22-23.


The Purple Diesel is coming along. Got the shell off yesterday but membrane remained.

Got most of the membrane off this morning. But a bit remains under the leaf.

Still nothing from the GG4 or vegetables. Might have to dig up the GG4, it’s been a week.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20240520:

The three amigos are either okay or stalled.


Veggies are starting to come up.

The GG4 I dug out the other night. The shell was still hard so I opened it like a sunflower seed. Cracked along the seam starting at the pointier side. Last hail marry.

Tents holding at RH 60-70 & 22*.

 

[SSgrower]

Lookin great Zen_seeker, My germination is the only skill I want to get perfected, so I can retire and buy some silver and a new floor in my Kitchen. Cheers

 

[Zen_seeker]

Lookin great Zen_seeker, My germination is the only skill I want to get perfected, so I can retire and buy some silver and a new floor in my Kitchen. Cheers

What’s the silver for, or do you just want to hang on to some precious metals?

Germination is usually okay but after the Topanga Cookies I’m gun shy. (Seems the fewer seeds I have of a strain the more pressure to get it to pop. )

 

[Zen_seeker]

Still not sure if the three seedlings are out of the water yet, so to speak. But at least two of them are finally getting larger real leaves.

All the tomatoes are taking off. Two cherry tomato seeds got stuck together and both are growing together. I’ll pull the weaker of the two a little later.

Peppers, beans and the GG4 get another week…

Wifey picked up two cucumber plants on the weekend. No bugs and in good shape. Plan is to move all the veggies outside by next weekend.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20240521:

Planted the two cucumbers in the early afternoon. So the sun wouldn’t be directly on them until tomorrow around 10am. Had them in the south window inside the last few days.

The three amigos are doing good, slow but steady. Leaves are spreading and stretching has slowed/stopped. Need to check the LUX again.



Tomatoes are all out. I remember reading that you shouldn’t have more than one plant in the same pot but two stuck together when I was making the Cherry seeds last fall. I’ll cut the weaker one soon.

The bottom puck in the last pic is the GG#4. It looked good when I cracked it open after digging it up.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20240522:

Lots of humidity the last week and it’s getting worse. Made up a sulphur spray and just misted the leaves and stems by holding the cups sideways over the sink.

The Topanga Cookie seedling got mould last time round so I’m not risking it again.

About 14 hours after spraying.


Now I’ll leave them alone other than water for the next week.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20240524:

Planting veggies in the garden since last week. Cucumbers are doing good as are the first set of tomatoes. Added the second set of tomatoes today.


Inside is doing okay but feels slow. The Strawberry Lemonade is getting top heavy. Despite having a fan blow on them from day one.


I don’t want to put anything for it to lean on as that gave me mould last time I did. If it gets worse I’ll either put something across the top or use @SSgrower trick and wrap a straw around it. Just hope the sulphur spray keeps it healthy.

 

[Pipecarver]

20240524:

Planting veggies in the garden since last week. Cucumbers are doing good as are the first set of tomatoes. Added the second set of tomatoes today.
View attachment 58891View attachment 58892View attachment 58893

Inside is doing okay but feels slow. The Strawberry Lemonade is getting top heavy. Despite having a fan blow on them from day one.
View attachment 58889

I don’t want to put anything for it to lean on as that gave me mould last time I did. If it gets worse I’ll either put something across the top or use @SSgrower trick and wrap a straw around it. Just hope the sulphur spray keeps it healthy.

When my seedling are small I like the T5 fluorescent the best the first few days I keep them off the light to the side but after a week they can be within a foot and they don't burn and love it. I find with led's its a bit trickier with the distance and power setting to stop them from stretching to the light.

I do start them 1/2 way up in my cups then add soil to cover them up after they stretch and that helps a lot. I've never had one mold on me though....

no domes for seedlings...only clones need domes....seedlings need the O2. I don't see any holes in your solo cups. I have 15 -20 holes and if double cupped lots of holes in the inner cup too so they get O2 access in the root zone as well

 

[Zen_seeker]

When my seedling are small I like the T5 fluorescent the best the first few days I keep them off the light to the side but after a week they can be within a foot and they don't burn and love it. I find with led's its a bit trickier with the distance and power setting to stop them from stretching to the light.

G$ said I’ve done clones so long I’ve forgotten how to germinate seeds. He might be right.

I had to buy a LUX meter to try and keep it at the proper settings. However what the setting or number may be is wider than expected. I’ve read 4500-15000 but find 6000-8000 to be the most common. I believe I’m at 8000 LUX at the moment and due to the hight of the cups that’s the lowest I can go with that light. It’s a small 100w quantum board.

I do start them 1/2 way up in my cups then add soil to cover them up after they stretch and that helps a lot. I've never had one mold on me though....

When I used to put soil over the top of the peat pucks I was told not to. Not long after that I just used the pucks for veggies so it wasn’t an issue again until now. If it wasn’t for my TC fail I’d have skipped the peat pucks.

Before I went outside to do chores I did add a bit to each plant. It was a knee jerk reaction after seeing the one bent over this morning.

@freezeland already suggested it too on the corner so I’m feeling better about my choice after getting two replies suggesting I do it.

no domes for seedlings...only clones need domes....seedlings need the O2. I don't see any holes in your solo cups.

The only domes I use are the ones that don’t go over the top. More of a half dome.

I have a usb fan in the tent section to stop mould and strengthen the stems. So the half dome was to keep the bottom a bit damp but allow the wind to move the stems.

Bad idea? I took them off yesterday or the day before when they looked stronger. Only the Strawberry Lemonade didn’t stay up. But hopefully the extra soil will fix that.

I have 15 -20 holes and if double cupped lots of holes in the inner cup too so they get O2 access in the root zone as well

I’ve only ever put 5 holes in the bottom of my inner cups for drainage. I’ll try that next time. Any pattern work for you or just a number and random?

Thanks for the advice @Pipecarver
I’m hoping tomorrow is going to be looking better. But I feel a lot better about moving them to the main floor for a few hours and topping with soil after reading you guys replies.

Anyone have a better LUX suggestion than 8000?

 

[freezeland]

G$ said I’ve done clones so long I’ve forgotten how to germinate seeds. He might be right.

I had to buy a LUX meter to try and keep it at the proper settings. However what the setting or number may be is wider than expected. I’ve read 4500-15000 but find 6000-8000 to be the most common. I believe I’m at 8000 LUX at the moment and due to the hight of the cups that’s the lowest I can go with that light. It’s a small 100w quantum board.


When I used to put soil over the top of the peat pucks I was told not to. Not long after that I just used the pucks for veggies so it wasn’t an issue again until now. If it wasn’t for my TC fail I’d have skipped the peat pucks.

Before I went outside to do chores I did add a bit to each plant. It was a knee jerk reaction after seeing the one bent over this morning.

@freezeland already suggested it too on the corner so I’m feeling better about my choice after getting two replies suggesting I do it.


The only domes I use are the ones that don’t go over the top. More of a half dome.

I have a usb fan in the tent section to stop mould and strengthen the stems. So the half dome was to keep the bottom a bit damp but allow the wind to move the stems.

Bad idea? I took them off yesterday or the day before when they looked stronger. Only the Strawberry Lemonade didn’t stay up. But hopefully the extra soil will fix that.


I’ve only ever put 5 holes in the bottom of my inner cups for drainage. I’ll try that next time. Any pattern work for you or just a number and random?

Thanks for the advice @Pipecarver
I’m hoping tomorrow is going to be looking better. But I feel a lot better about moving them to the main floor for a few hours and topping with soil after reading you guys replies.

Anyone have a better LUX suggestion than 8000?

I go by ppfd and at that growth stage I’d be around 100 ppfd or so.

 

[Pipecarver]

G$ said I’ve done clones so long I’ve forgotten how to germinate seeds. He might be right.

I had to buy a LUX meter to try and keep it at the proper settings. However what the setting or number may be is wider than expected. I’ve read 4500-15000 but find 6000-8000 to be the most common. I believe I’m at 8000 LUX at the moment and due to the hight of the cups that’s the lowest I can go with that light. It’s a small 100w quantum board.


When I used to put soil over the top of the peat pucks I was told not to. Not long after that I just used the pucks for veggies so it wasn’t an issue again until now. If it wasn’t for my TC fail I’d have skipped the peat pucks.

Before I went outside to do chores I did add a bit to each plant. It was a knee jerk reaction after seeing the one bent over this morning.

@freezeland already suggested it too on the corner so I’m feeling better about my choice after getting two replies suggesting I do it.


The only domes I use are the ones that don’t go over the top. More of a half dome.

I have a usb fan in the tent section to stop mould and strengthen the stems. So the half dome was to keep the bottom a bit damp but allow the wind to move the stems.

Bad idea? I took them off yesterday or the day before when they looked stronger. Only the Strawberry Lemonade didn’t stay up. But hopefully the extra soil will fix that.


I’ve only ever put 5 holes in the bottom of my inner cups for drainage. I’ll try that next time. Any pattern work for you or just a number and random?

Thanks for the advice @Pipecarver
I’m hoping tomorrow is going to be looking better. But I feel a lot better about moving them to the main floor for a few hours and topping with soil after reading you guys replies.

Anyone have a better LUX suggestion than 8000?

Ya I think its something like 8000 early up to 15000 by 3 weeks max I think is 25,000 for fully matured vegging plants. That's about what I get off t5's right off the lamp and my plants can be within 1/2 " and not burn but touch the lamp and they burn where they touch...That's why I like t5's you can't really burn your leaves with them unless they touch

 

[Zen_seeker]

I go by ppfd and at that growth stage I’d be around 100 ppfd or so.

Unfortunately I couldn’t find a meter less than $200 to the door.

The LUX meter was $50, and because they screwed the delivery and didn’t include the case Amazon made it free.

It seems consistent but I have nothing to test it against.

I did triple check and where they are now the seedlings get 8000 LUX.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Ya I think its something like 8000 early up to 15000 by 3 weeks max I think is 25,000 for fully matured vegging plants. That's about what I get off t5's right off the lamp and my plants can be within 1/2 " and not burn but touch the lamp and they burn where they touch...That's why I like t5's you can't really burn your leaves with them unless they touch

I haven’t been to the grow shop in a while. I know they had T5 in the past on sale. I’ll see what they have. I think I’ve seen germination kits that come with T5s so they must be the standard.

 

[SSgrower]

I have a 4000lux Ferry Moris seedling lamp I use, getting old needs replaced.

 

[midwestcannaman]

I haven’t been to the grow shop in a while. I know they had T5 in the past on sale. I’ll see what they have. I think I’ve seen germination kits that come with T5s so they must be the standard.

I agree with @Pipecarver , you can't beat t5's for seedlings....

 

[Zen_seeker]

They still have a sale on. Not sure if 18” or 24” would best fit. Need to think about how I want to use this section going forward.



Still alive, slowly growing. Second set of real leaves started on all three. I’ll just have to be patient.



GG#4 just didn’t pop. It’s still hard but feels much smoother, colour changed slightly lighter. It always had a small hole on the pointy end so maybe damaged?

Three out of four is good. RH is staying in the mid 60’s. Temperature in the low 20’s. Not perfect but acceptable.

 

[Pipecarver]

I agree with @Pipecarver , you can't beat t5's for seedlings....

I also have an sf600 a 75w 4ft long led from Spiderfarmer that works great for seedlings. I have to keep the light further away from the light and there is no dimmer. It puts out 50,000 lux right off the fixture so some distance between plants and light is needed. It just fits in my 3x3 from corner to corner and has a limited field of light but for small plants it works well. I've also used it for extended coverage over my flowering plants and the buds grown under it are as nice as any......2 thumbs up for the SF600

 

[Zen_seeker]

Still getting the vegetables up. Cucumbers are happy. Beefsteak and cherry tomatoes are doing okay so far. Something took a big bite out of one tomato cotyledon.

 

[Pipecarver]

View attachment 59161

Still getting the vegetables up. Cucumbers are happy. Beefsteak and cherry tomatoes are doing okay so far. Something took a big bite out of one tomato cotyledon.

We had blue sky yesterday....maybe we can grow outside too......nope......cloudy today....maybe next year....., I hear there's a thing called global warming I keep hoping for, polititions keep raising taxes because of it.....when will we see the benefit here in the Maritimes.....all I see is global wetting, clouding, drissling,fogging,shity weather

 

[GoodShit97]

I use a 4 foot led shop light in my seed starter tent.
About 6 inches above the plants.
No clue the details on it anymore I threw the box away but it's just a Hyper Tough shop light from Walmart. Was like 12.88 or some shit.

 

[Zen_seeker]

We had blue sky yesterday....maybe we can grow outside too......nope......cloudy today....maybe next year....., I hear there's a thing called global warming I keep hoping for, polititions keep raising taxes because of it.....when will we see the benefit here in the Maritimes.....all I see is global wetting, clouding, drissling,fogging,shity weather

I find winters are much better as time goes on. Less snow to shovel. Don’t know if spring is wetter or about the same. But summer is much drier.

The sun’s affects are faster and more noticeable. Bleached plastics and paint. Plants no longer doing well in full sun. Skin sunburn in 30 minutes rather than taking hours.

More on/off rain and thunderstorms this week. Sounds like they will be over you by Tuesday afternoon. Coming from Cannagranny’s area.

Yesterday was nice. Little cooler than the day before. Mostly sunny by afternoon. Spent half the day puttering around the yard. Now if I could only make the noise, cars and people disappear.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I use a 4 foot led shop light in my seed starter tent.
About 6 inches above the plants.
No clue the details on it anymore I threw the box away but it's just a Hyper Tough shop light from Walmart. Was like 12.88 or some shit.

My uncle with the roses always had a fluorescent fixture over the end of his work bench in the garage. Just a couple feet above the table hanging on chains he could adjust.

I haven’t used fluorescent fixtures in decades. Don’t think I even have one any more.

Another option to consider. Thanks.

 

[GoodShit97]

My uncle with the roses always had a fluorescent fixture over the end of his work bench in the garage. Just a couple feet above the table hanging on chains he could adjust.

I haven’t used fluorescent fixtures in decades. Don’t think I even have one any more.

Another option to consider. Thanks.

The one I have must not be made anymore because I can not find it anywhere on Walmarts website. Lemme go get it down and I'll snap a photo

 

[Zen_seeker]

20240527:



The three amigos are coming along. Some fugly leaves here and there.

The Purple Diesel roots took off yesterday. The other two are just starting to show root hairs at the sides of the cup.



Both sweet pepper’s finally came up. About a week behind the tomatoes. Still not sure why things are slower this year. But temperatures and humidity I suspect are most likely. They responded better/faster when RH60-65% & temps at 24*-25*.

More rain and storms. Over night and later today. The winds are getting concerning lately.

 

[SSgrower]

My uncle with the roses always had a fluorescent fixture over the end of his work bench in the garage. Just a couple feet above the table hanging on chains he could adjust.

I haven’t used fluorescent fixtures in decades. Don’t think I even have one any more.

Another option to consider. Thanks.

Those chain driven devices are the "bomb" from back in the day, "Chain Gang" baby! I like seeing old pictures of lights hung with chains.

 

[freezeland]

Those chain driven devices are the "bomb" from back in the day, "Chain Gang" baby! I like seeing old pictures of lights hung with chains.

I was always pinching my fingers adjusting hood height when I used chains.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Those chain driven devices are the "bomb" from back in the day, "Chain Gang" baby! I like seeing old pictures of lights hung with chains.

No pics, no camera. This was late 70’s early 80’s. Just a two or four bulb white fixture. Clear or smoky lens that snapped into place.

If I see one I’ll take a screen shot. Got me feeling nostalgic.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I was always pinching my fingers adjusting hood height when I used chains.

Blood blisters!

 

[Pipecarver]

I have a T8 fixture I made with 2 8ft 2 tube Fluorescent I cut in half and placed on a sheet of plywood so I could have a 4ftx4ft t8 fixture. I vegged under them for years I now have it hanging in my workshop over a work bench I use when tending plants. I've another 2 ft2 tube t8 over my work table, 1 2ft 2 T% tube over my Drill press, Another 2ft 2 tube T5 over my lathe and another over my Belt sander......

Alls good until its time to replace them...they are fking expensive now and hard to find. I've had to replace a couple of ballasts and they're not cheap either. I can replace my t5's with strip led lights, they have them everywhere but try to find T5's full spectrum fluorescent in Canada now.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I have a T8 fixture I made with 2 8ft 2 tube Fluorescent I cut in half and placed on a sheet of plywood so I could have a 4ftx4ft t8 fixture. I vegged under them for years I now have it hanging in my workshop over a work bench I use when tending plants. I've another 2 ft2 tube t8 over my work table, 1 2ft 2 T% tube over my Drill press, Another 2ft 2 tube T5 over my lathe and another over my Belt sander......

Alls good until its time to replace them...they are fking expensive now and hard to find. I've had to replace a couple of ballasts and they're not cheap either. I can replace my t5's with strip led lights, they have them everywhere but try to find T5's full spectrum fluorescent in Canada now.

Probably not worth shipping but my guy still has them.

2' High Output T5 Replacement Lamps - 3000K

Full Spectrum mimics Natural Sunlight.

astralgrow.com

Hope it helps.