BlueCollarBob- Bumbling Through My First Grow

[BlueCollarBob]

In that light comparison, the FC 4000 is better by a ton. Those stats are pretty much telling me one light can get the job done and the other will "work" but continually come up short at harvest.

Ignore the gram per watts stuff would be my suggestion.
Focus on the grow space and getting it dialed in. If it's as close to 100% dialed in as you can get, yields will come without even trying.

I'm trying, lol. Honestly, I do feel like I'm learning something every day, right now. Not even close to dialed in, but noticeable strides in the right direction. So far, watering, height of the light, and topping/training are areas where I can see good or bad results from my actions. I'm having a blast just making adjustments and watching to see what happens.

I'm still waiting on the diffuser for use with the Photone app to get here, but I did pick up an IR Thermometer (the ACI VPD version). I've have messed with it a good bit. I found results to be super repeatable, but was really surprised how quickly the results change the further I measure from the center of the canopy. I ended up using the measurement from the center of the canopy, where the temp probe is hanging, to adjust the leaf temp offset -2℉. I started running to VPD yesterday. We'' see how that goes.

Your biggest yielders will be sativas and they're also the longest flowering and most challenging to grow indoors. If done well, buds the size of a small child are possible.
Next in yields will be hybrids. Most of the seed stock around is hybrid at 50/50 with some leaning towards sativa or indica. Hybrids can yield great with colas the size of human forearm to around beer bottle size with excellent density.

Worst in yields are indicas but it's not like they're not worth growing. Colas the size of large lemons or goose eggs, maybe fist size, very dense, very potent, and choice in medicinal grade.

I don't know whether quality and quantity go hand-in-hand, or not. In the end, I'll want to pursue the highest quality possible. I tend to lean towards the sativas, but there's a lot of stuff I haven't tried, yet. I'll probably be hunting for a good sleepy time strain to make edibles with. I don't know why, but I sleep better after ingesting than I do after inhaling.

Next, adjust plant count to max out that yield potential.
Say in that 3x5 and how I'd grow it would be 4 sativas, or 6-8 hybrids, or 10-12 indicas.
But yeah the first thing is get dialed in so max yield potential can be had then make the best fit possible in training, plant count, and herb needs.

If I described the tent I'm using as a 3X5, that was a mistake. It's a 2X4. I've been watching how you do things and it looks pretty sweet. Would the little or no veg grow style work in soil?

The Mars FC4000 light and the ACI Ionframe lights are the same lights for the most part. Same drivers and diodes but maybe different count and branding. Those two lights and another brand I cannot recall are all coming off the same factory line in China. These are all very good lights. I have the ACI version and I'd rank them a 9/10 and can hold their own vs much more expensive options out there.

I had no idea those companies used the same manufacture and made similar lights. I didn't realize you were using ACI lights. It's nice hearing that you like yours.

You can also run any light off the ACI controller. You'll need the UIS plug. You plug your light into the plug, the plug into the wall, and the UIS cable to the controller. Your controller will then become a light timer using the schedule feature.

UIS Control Plug, for Outlet-Powered Equipment

Integrate standard appliances utilizing the UIS control plug. This smart outlet adapter allows you to automate heaters or humidifiers through your hub.

acinfinity.com

Yessir, I'm currently using that plug for the MH/HPS light. No complaints, so far.

The results from the LED and the MH/HPS are very similar. The difference and why more use LED now is less power draw and more efficient spread compared to high watts and a single sweet spot.
Heat output is about equal. LED used to run much cooler but the good LED that deliver what we want run very hot.

I never know if I need supplement lighting until after a grow for the most part. I can use a meter to find out if I do today but before I had I just had to wait and see what I got and where I came up short.

I've bought and sold a lot of used grow gear and once upon a time was a sort of side hustle for me so I may have some useful insight about doing that....
Most often the equipment is somebody trying to recover cost of a failed grow they've given up on. Haggle the fuck out of these guys. They know they can't grow, the shit is taking up space, they need the money. You're in control of that deal.
But along with that, it's gonna be gear that was lacking performance, maybe mid-tier at best, and could be one of the reasons the seller failed at growing.

Look for date stamps on lights to give you an idea of how old it is and use that info in haggling. Ignore his "only used for 1 grow" sales pitch.

Look for hi end gear as well. There's not a lot out there but it's out there. You'll save a ton and get quality long lasting gear. People usually take very good care of this gear and sometimes it's new in box and just overstock on a commercial start up and could still be under warranty.

Thanks for all of the advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Before I came on here-BB..I was armed with HPS/MH, and the plan was to buy a little led for clones/seeds/veg..now look what I've done to myself...one Brand new led light, and one well taken care of led,

Yep, it looks like you strayed quite a bit from just getting a small LED for propagation.

I was just informed that lights are lights. (Some do stuff)..
Get the grow space dial in bud, look at my fking tent cross bars from hell, i want my garden space the way i want its that important to yeiding...to me....

HIDs in your space will surprise you....
i won a BOTY contest in a 3×3 tent in my hunt tralier.

Wow! That sounds familiar. Maybe you shared a photo or mentioned it somewhere else.

so its a choice, for me i didn't want heat boxes that come with them,and having to find a place to put them..
They still have the one i have on sale although its be that way for awhile .

You figure it ocht...

I'm getting plenty of help from you guys. So, I ought to figure it out, lol.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I picked this week to take off from work to piddle around the house and, most importantly, get my outdoor garden in order. Yesterday and today has been heavy rain. That has resulted in some flooding, today. Only minor flooding at my house, but some some folks are having a nasty go of it. My wife told me about a call to evacuate a family and their dog when their house was surrounded by water. We just have water in the basement due to the sump pump not being able to keep up.

The rain didn't slow me down yesterday. I found a warehouse a couple hours away that carried most of the soil amendments I was looking for. A good buddy rode along and we had some nice conversation for our trip into the heart of the moonshine capital of the world. Even with the damp and dreary weather, it really was some beautiful country. Hopefully the next couple of days will will bring dryer conditions to garden in.

The outdoor plants seem to be doing okay, but you can sense they really want out of the one gallon pots. I did manage to break off a main bud stem on one plant. It was just barely hanging on and I broke it off completely when fiddling with it to see if I could tape it up. I hate it, but I'm messing around with some high stress training and I'm trying not to sweat the breakage.

I did grab a photo of the two indoor plants. Both are Shishkaberry X Sour Lime OG. They'll probably get topped tomorrow.



Dang! I thought the rain had let up, but it's really putting it down again . Oh, well. There's a lot worse things that can happen and it doesn't do any good to bitch about the weather.

Happy growing, ya'll!

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Seeking Recommendations:

I'd like to pick two training methods for the two indoor plants I have in a 2x4 tent. Both are Shishkaberry X Sour Lime OG (Captain Redbeard freebies). The main purpose will be to get some experience for yours truly. The sample size and whatever noob mistakes I make along the way won't mean much for comparing yields, but it can still be fun to compare cured weights, this Fall. FIM, mainline, lollipop, manifold, whatever....

Do any of you guys have suggestions on two techniques I should try or just something you'd like to see run side-by-side?

 

[Zen_seeker]

Seeking Recommendations:

I'd like to pick two training methods for the two indoor plants I have in a 2x4 tent. Both are Shishkaberry X Sour Lime OG (Captain Redbeard freebies). The main purpose will be to get some experience for yours truly. The sample size and whatever noob mistakes I make along the way won't mean much for comparing yields, but it can still be fun to compare cured weights, this Fall. FIM, mainline, lollipop, manifold, whatever....

Do any of you guys have suggestions on two techniques I should try or just something you'd like to see run side-by-side?

I started with topping and LST, then HST and then SCROG. All improved quantities. Each a bit more. Lollipoping went along with SCROG. I tend to do it to the lowers still in most grows.

Mainlining is what I’d like to try next. Printing a watering/mainline ring soon to make it easier. Sons printer but I think he can squeeze me in.

If you haven’t tried a SCROG yet I would. Even if it’s not perfect you should do well. Worst case is it’s a trellis not a SCROG.

What ever you decide have fun with it. Use bag seed or something you have plenty of if you’re worried about losing a plant.

Good luck on whatever choice you make.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I started with topping and LST, then HST and then SCROG. All improved quantities. Each a bit more. Lollipoping went along with SCROG. I tend to do it to the lowers still in most grows.

Mainlining is what I’d like to try next. Printing a watering/mainline ring soon to make it easier. Sons printer but I think he can squeeze me in.

Cool beans! Look forward to seeing the watering/mainline ring. Sounds like a drip ring with tie down points. Am I anywhere close?

If you haven’t tried a SCROG yet I would. Even if it’s not perfect you should do well. Worst case is it’s a trellis not a SCROG.

What ever you decide have fun with it. Use bag seed or something you have plenty of if you’re worried about losing a plant.

I'm only growing a few plants at a time and have already started accumulating more seeds than I will run through any time soon.

Good luck on whatever choice you make.

Thanks @Zen_seeker

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Anybody else getting their grub on?



My chickens made sure these Japanese Beetle babies won't see adulthood. These came out of a couple of the outdoor grow bags I used last year. I had a couiple that I didn't empty last year and this years plants are going in the ground. Stands to reason they are elsewhere in the garden, so I'll need to deal with that.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Cool beans! Look forward to seeing the watering/mainline ring. Sounds like a drip ring with tie down points. Am I anywhere close?

That’s exactly right.

Anybody else getting their grub on?

My chickens made sure these Japanese Beetle babies won't see adulthood. These came out of a couple of the outdoor grow bags I used last year. I had a couiple that I didn't empty last year and this years plants are going in the ground. Stands to reason they are elsewhere in the garden, so I'll need to deal with that.

Ugly buggers. Look a bit like the Cicada grubs I have all over.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

That’s exactly right.
View attachment 101554


Ugly buggers. Look a bit like the Cicada grubs I have all over.

That watering/mainline ring looks to have nice functional convenience.

The grubs aren't pretty. They remind me of those coconut grubs you see people eating on travel shows. They are common around here. They're known for eating roots, but I haven't had any issues thatg I've traced back to them. I was looking around at method for getting rid of them. It looks like fall is the time of year to send in an army of nematodes. I'll have to study up on the other methods and see what else is suitable for living soil. A while back, I read about mustard being a good deterrent for some harmful insects. I need to focus on getting the plants in the ground, now. I can study up grub murder afterwards.

 

[Bandit420]

Anybody else getting their grub on?

View attachment 101499

My chickens made sure these Japanese Beetle babies won't see adulthood. These came out of a couple of the outdoor grow bags I used last year. I had a couiple that I didn't empty last year and this years plants are going in the ground. Stands to reason they are elsewhere in the garden, so I'll need to deal with that.

We get those from June Bugs.
It's why I container garden instead of in the ground.
I can tell when they're in abundance or whatever makes them tasty because I'll go out and find little holes in my front yard where armadillos come in the night and dig them up to eat

 

[BlueCollarBob]

We get those from June Bugs.
It's why I container garden instead of in the ground.
I can tell when they're in abundance or whatever makes them tasty because I'll go out and find little holes in my front yard where armadillos come in the night and dig them up to eat

These were in the grow bags I used last year. Do you consider those containers or are jou talking non-breathable types of pots. I found them when I dumped the soil to re-amend the for use elsewhere, since I'm not using the bags this year.

 

[Bandit420]

These were in the grow bags I used last year. Do you consider those containers or are jou talking non-breathable types of pots. I found them when I dumped the soil to re-amend the for use elsewhere, since I'm not using the bags this year.

Yeah anything not actually in the Earth and above ground I consider container gardening.
I once had a raised bed made of grow bag fabric and got grubs in them too. I guess the grubs are able to cut thru the bag and enter thru the bottom.
I prefer plastic pots over most things but grubs can still enter thru drain holes if the container is making contact with the Earth soil.
I like the bags I'm using now because they're super thin and meant to be buried but don't really like using the Smart Pot type of grow bags. Tried a bunch and they work ok but plastic just does better for me keeping water in the soil when it's super hot out

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Yeah anything not actually in the Earth and above ground I consider container gardening.
I once had a raised bed made of grow bag fabric and got grubs in them too. I guess the grubs are able to cut thru the bag and enter thru the bottom.
I prefer plastic pots over most things but grubs can still enter thru drain holes if the container is making contact with the Earth soil.
I like the bags I'm using now because they're super thin and meant to be buried but don't really like using the Smart Pot type of grow bags. Tried a bunch and they work ok but plastic just does better for me keeping water in the soil when it's super hot out

I've been assuming the beetles laid the eggs in the containers. I was also guessing that being biggish 100 gallon bags might have something to do with it. Beats me and I know assuming stuff can get me in trouble. I'm not digging any grubs up in the garden, so far. I had weed barrier over the ground I'm digging in. No roots for the grubs to munch on might be reason.

I'll bet someone makes large bags, similar to the ones you're using. I'm going 6' diameter and cussing this decision with every shovel full, lol. I plan to line the sides of the holes with weed barrier, before filling with soil. I'm undecided about the bottom. Seems unlikely that something will come up from the bottom and cause problems. Plus, some roots might find something they like down there.

 

[Bandit420]

I've been assuming the beetles laid the eggs in the containers. I was also guessing that being biggish 100 gallon bags might have something to do with it. Beats me and I know assuming stuff can get me in trouble. I'm not digging any grubs up in the garden, so far. I had weed barrier over the ground I'm digging in. No roots for the grubs to munch on might be reason.

I'll bet someone makes large bags, similar to the ones you're using. I'm going 6' diameter and cussing this decision with every shovel full, lol. I plan to line the sides of the holes with weed barrier, before filling with soil. I'm undecided about the bottom. Seems unlikely that something will come up from the bottom and cause problems. Plus, some roots might find something they like down there.

It's probably just the difference in grub species we deal with.
Junebugs could've layed eggs in my soil and I got them that way but it was newish soil that had only been indoors then as soon as my squash started to die I realized it was grubs eating the roots and severing the stalks. I figured they came up from below because they really didn't have time to come from larvae but maybe they did?
It seems when I have a pot or pavestone on the ground and lift it, there's a grub there. Also worms and sometimes other soil dwellers. Like they know when there's a stone or something heavy on the surface they can bury under and not get dug up by the 'dillos.

 

[Observer]

I suspect they will be dead when I get home, this evening. They were under a dome that was holding in moisture.

I don't know what they are. Google lens says they are Panaeolus Cinctulusa: A very common, widespread, mildly psychoactive psilocybin mushroom. Beats me, but hope they aren't the root eating variety you mentioned.

Mmhmm psilocybin huh

Chomp

 

[BlueCollarBob]

It's probably just the difference in grub species we deal with.
Junebugs could've layed eggs in my soil and I got them that way but it was newish soil that had only been indoors then as soon as my squash started to die I realized it was grubs eating the roots and severing the stalks. I figured they came up from below because they really didn't have time to come from larvae but maybe they did?
It seems when I have a pot or pavestone on the ground and lift it, there's a grub there. Also worms and sometimes other soil dwellers. Like they know when there's a stone or something heavy on the surface they can bury under and not get dug up by the 'dillos.

All of that makes sense. The grubs get high marks for disaster preparedness. They might have more common sense than human larvae.

Feels like digging a shallow grave for PacMan:

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Mmhmm psilocybin huh

Chomp

I don’t trust Google that much…

 

[GrumpAzz]

I don’t trust Google that much…

Agree. Don't just go gobbling random shrooms no matter what Google Lens says. Like Tom said, there's microscopic differences and just the visual ID isn't enough to instill any confidence.

 

[Observer]

Agree. Don't just go gobbling random shrooms no matter what Google Lens says. Like Tom said, there's microscopic differences and just the visual ID isn't enough to instill any confidence.

Oh definitely, I'd be highly suspicious.

 

[Zen_seeker]

That watering/mainline ring looks to have nice functional convenience.

Found out this model isn’t made for his printer. Can’t change it with the iPhone. Looking for another on/off.

The grubs aren't pretty. They remind me of those coconut grubs you see people eating on travel shows. They are common around here.

Nope. Eating bugs stops at peanut butter for me. I know some get in but you don’t see it. They’d have to be made of chocolate or marshmallow before I could just crunch down on one.

They're known for eating roots, but I haven't had any issues thatg I've traced back to them. I was looking around at method for getting rid of them. It looks like fall is the time of year to send in an army of nematodes. I'll have to study up on the other methods and see what else is suitable for living soil. A while back, I read about mustard being a good deterrent for some harmful insects. I need to focus on getting the plants in the ground, now. I can study up grub murder afterwards.

Sprays used to keep ours in check but we haven’t been able to buy real pesticides in over a decade. Carpenter ants are a big problem now. And they don’t bring the poison bate to the queen.

 

[Zen_seeker]

We get those from June Bugs.
It's why I container garden instead of in the ground.
I can tell when they're in abundance or whatever makes them tasty because I'll go out and find little holes in my front yard where armadillos come in the night and dig them up to eat

I know where the grubs are because they get a circle of dead grass around them.

Armadillos are cool. They ship well?

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Been thinking about what @Bandit420 said about containers and grubs. I think I’m going to line the holes with weed barrier cloth and then add 1/2” hardware cloth to keep the moles out.



Put a hand-me-down makeshift digging bar to work. Pretty sure my grandad said it came off of a Model T, but that was a long time ago. It’s mushroomed on the end from being pounded into our rocky ass soil with a sledgehammer.

 

[steamroller]

The dog is posing like " yea I dug those holes and my master loves em~!"
Nice set up there~!

 

[BlueCollarBob]

The dog is posing like " yea I dug those holes and my master loves em~!"
Nice set up there~!

All that dog wants to do is play fetch and chase motorcycles. He's smiling at the thought of me picking up that stick and slinging it.

I threw some weed barrier down and started lining the first hole with hardware cloth, before darkness shut me down. I made use of an old trampoline fabric in the middle. I remember a SF Bay area guy do something similar with hardware cloth on YouTube. I think he increased the diameter of his holes to 10', though. He was growing large plants and said something like, "The bigger the roots - the bigger the plant."

I'm looking forward to getting the soil and plants in there. This was before starting to place the hardware cloth:

 

[BlueCollarBob]

So, a buddy whom works at a medical grow house just dropped by and offered me a light. Another one of their facilities had shipped their old lights to the location he works at when the bought new lights. It needs a new power cord and there's another cord cut that I assume went to a dimmer or idk what. I haven't researched it, yet. He said he could get me replacement parts if I found any diodes out or other problems.

Just curious if any of you have an idea whether or not it's worth messing with?

 

[Bandit420]

So, a buddy whom works at a medical grow house just dropped by and offered me a light. Another one of their facilities had shipped their old lights to the location he works at when the bought new lights. It needs a new power cord and there's another cord cut that I assume went to a dimmer or idk what. I haven't researched it, yet. He said he could get me replacement parts if I found any diodes out or other problems.

Just curious if any of you have an idea whether or not it's worth messing with?


View attachment 101946View attachment 101947View attachment 101948View attachment 101949

I believe you have a precursor to the tech many of us use today.
This company was short lived and what they started can be found in the brand Agromax today which isn't bad but isn't great either in regards to performance and quality.
At minimum I'd say you have a veg light that can cover a good size space at 4x4 maybe even as big as 5x5.
I'd bet it's color spectrum is around 4000 Kelvin and that's what makes it a veg light. You could flower with it but buds will very small, like thumb size colas, but also likely very frosty with all the blue spectrum in there. You want that spectrum at around 2000k-3000K to bring weight and size to the flowers.
If that 65K in the part number is spectrum then it's 100% veg only or finisher.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I’ll bet he had it backwards. He said he thought they were flower only, but also said that wasn’t his department.

 

[Observer]

I believe you have a precursor to the tech many of us use today.
This company was short lived and what they started can be found in the brand Agromax today which isn't bad but isn't great either in regards to performance and quality.
At minimum I'd say you have a veg light that can cover a good size space at 4x4 maybe even as big as 5x5.
I'd bet it's color spectrum is around 4000 Kelvin and that's what makes it a veg light. You could flower with it but buds will very small, like thumb size colas, but also likely very frosty with all the blue spectrum in there. You want that spectrum at around 2000k-3000K to bring weight and size to the flowers.
If that 65K in the part number is spectrum then it's 100% veg only or finisher.

You think I should switch my sf2000 "full spectrum 6500k" for a "full spec 4000k" going into flower?

About as much spectrum tuning i can do rn lol

 

[BlueCollarBob]

One day soon, there will be weed growing here. Just not today, lol.

 

[doublej]

One day soon, there will be weed growing here. Just not today, lol.

View attachment 101983View attachment 101984

Makes my back hurt just lookin at it...but I'll look at it if you do it....
Keep up the good work brother...

 

[Bandit420]

You think I should switch my sf2000 "full spectrum 6500k" for a "full spec 4000k" going into flower?

About as much spectrum tuning i can do rn lol

There's not much difference between 6500K and 4000K. They're both veg spectrums even though they may be advertised as "full spectrum".
Really anything above 3100K is gonna start losing weight and girth on the flowers when compared to something in the 2000-3100K range.

I would probably supplement your lights with red LED rails. I haven't kept up with it but I remember a thread around here about red and far red being added...I'd look into that for options.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Makes my back hurt just lookin at it...but I'll look at it if you do it....
Keep up the good work brother...

Ha! The hard part is over. We have horribly rocky soil. A digging bar and pick are a must, for manual digging. Mixing the soil just takes time. The weather really slowed me down, last week. Back to the grind this week. So, I'll peck away at it in the evenings.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Right now I'm not tired. I'm TIRED!

Not really that tired. I think this damp and dreary weather just wears on you, after a bit. Nothing too exciting going on here, but I did clean up the Shishkaberry X Sour Lime OG and I can share some horrible after dusk photos of the outdoor mess.

A fox (most likely) got a chicken, last night or this morning . Could have been a bobcat, coyote or dog. We had raccoons get into our ducks years ago. They just ate the heads and left the bodies where they killed them. Whatever this was left a trail of feathers around the pond and into the woods. She was a friendly one. The coop and run are predator proof. The coop has an automatic door, but I have to close the door to the run after they free range. I worked outside until dark, last night, and didn't even think to shut the door to the run. Either she didn't make it into the coop before the auto door closed (very rarely happens) or it was waiting on them when the door opened this morning. I need to get a game cam and try to see what's snooping around.

I was later than planned topping these and did that Thursday (4 days ago), I think. The one on the left is about 5" taller. After some defoliating and training, I sat the one on the right on top of a cake carrier to level them up.





If you look at the one on the right, you might notice some white powder. I wiped it off after taking the photo. I believe it was residue from a foliar misting of cal mag.

I still have a lot of work to do outside, but plants are in the ground for a full week, as of today. You can't tell much from these photos, but on the To Do List are:

• Clean up and finish applying landscaping cloth
• Decide whether to mulch or use gravel
• Set posts for trellising tomatoes
• Build stand for a couple of IBC totes (purchased material today)
• Get my first compost tea of the season brewing (maybe tomorrow, if it rains as much as they're calling for and I can't work on anything else after work)
• Finish planting veggies
• I'm thinking about sinking some 4X4 posts that I can use to attach screens for the plants to grow through. Plus, attach some cattle panel arches (maybe with a ridge pole) to make a couple of those mini high tunnel frames. Something that I can run some greenhouse plastic over for rain protection late in flower. Maybe even trellis from using yoyos similar to what @Bandit420 recently shared using in his grow room. Similar to the cucumber trellis arch below, but wider and with the cattle panel attached to some kind of top plate on top of 4X4 posts. Possibly, with a ridge pole. Tall enough to easily walk under when not covered with plastic sheeting.

Like I said, it's a mess:


I temporarily attached a power cord to the free veg light with wire nuts to see if it worked. It was much brighter than I was expecting. I guess the lens on the cell phone camera adjusts so that it doesn't appear bright. This was good, because it made it easy to see the diodes. I don't see any that aren't working. I'm going to hunt up a low voltage controller (WiFi would be sweet) or just a manual dimmer dial pot, if I don't find what I'm looking for cheapish. I may try to veg under this light or I could set it up for starting flowers and vegetables. Not sure what to do yet.

I guess it could be interesting to hang it and see what kind of readings I get using the Photone app. Not sure if I mentioned this, but that diffuser to use with the app finally came in. I should take some readings with the purchased diffuser the paper diffuser, for comparison. I don't know the weight or brightness of the paper one, though.

 

[Observer]

Right now I'm not tired. I'm TIRED!

Not really that tired. I think this damp and dreary weather just wears on you, after a bit. Nothing too exciting going on here, but I did clean up the Shishkaberry X Sour Lime OG and I can share some horrible after dusk photos of the outdoor mess.

A fox (most likely) got a chicken, last night or this morning . Could have been a bobcat, coyote or dog. We had raccoons get into our ducks years ago. They just ate the heads and left the bodies where they killed them. Whatever this was left a trail of feathers around the pond and into the woods. She was a friendly one. The coop and run are predator proof. The coop has an automatic door, but I have to close the door to the run after they free range. I worked outside until dark, last night, and didn't even think to shut the door to the run. Either she didn't make it into the coop before the auto door closed (very rarely happens) or it was waiting on them when the door opened this morning. I need to get a game cam and try to see what's snooping around.

I was later than planned topping these and did that Thursday (4 days ago), I think. The one on the left is about 5" taller. After some defoliating and training, I sat the one on the right on top of a cake carrier to level them up.

View attachment 103152
View attachment 103154
View attachment 103153

If you look at the one on the right, you might notice some white powder. I wiped it off after taking the photo. I believe it was residue from a foliar misting of cal mag.

I still have a lot of work to do outside, but plants are in the ground for a full week, as of today. You can't tell much from these photos, but on the To Do List are:

• Clean up and finish applying landscaping cloth
• Decide whether to mulch or use gravel
• Set posts for trellising tomatoes
• Build stand for a couple of IBC totes (purchased material today)
• Get my first compost tea of the season brewing (maybe tomorrow, if it rains as much as they're calling for and I can't work on anything else after work)
• Finish planting veggies
• I'm thinking about sinking some 4X4 posts that I can use to attach screens for the plants to grow through. Plus, attach some cattle panel arches (maybe with a ridge pole) to make a couple of those mini high tunnel frames. Something that I can run some greenhouse plastic over for rain protection late in flower. Maybe even trellis from using yoyos similar to what @Bandit420 recently shared using in his grow room. Similar to the cucumber trellis arch below, but wider and with the cattle panel attached to some kind of top plate on top of 4X4 posts. Possibly, with a ridge pole. Tall enough to easily walk under when not covered with plastic sheeting.

Like I said, it's a mess:View attachment 103163
View attachment 103164

I temporarily attached a power cord to the free veg light with wire nuts to see if it worked. It was much brighter than I was expecting. I guess the lens on the cell phone camera adjusts so that it doesn't appear bright. This was good, because it made it easy to see the diodes. I don't see any that aren't working. I'm going to hunt up a low voltage controller (WiFi would be sweet) or just a manual dimmer dial pot, if I don't find what I'm looking for cheapish. I may try to veg under this light or I could set it up for starting flowers and vegetables. Not sure what to do yet.

I guess it could be interesting to hang it and see what kind of readings I get using the Photone app. Not sure if I mentioned this, but that diffuser to use with the app finally came in. I should take some readings with the purchased diffuser the paper diffuser, for comparison. I don't know the weight or brightness of the paper one, though.

Hell yea, it's all coming together.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I forgot to include some light readings I recorded using the Photone app, last night. I have a 400W metal halide bulb in for veg and will switch to 400W HPS for flowering. Measurements were taken centered on the tent and even with the top of the canopy. The readings seem to show plenty of room to increase light intensity, but I have a lot to learn about lighting. Here's what the app with diffuser gave me:

	Reading	Recommended (maybe?) Week 5 of Veg
PPFD	328	400-600 µmol/m²/s
DLI (18/6)	22.1	45 mol/m²/d (upper limit sans supplemental CO²)
LUX	20,700 lux	50,000 lux (upper limit)
CCT	5300K	6400K ideal for veg. Touch more blue?

I've seen Photone's DLI chart referenced on here, before. Does anybody have any other light intensity charts that you recommend and can share? Or, general ranges you recommend?



PS- On Migro's website, I came across this brief review of this light that adds 640nm red diodes. The review linked to this study from last June that suggests balancing the reds between 640nm and 60nm may increase dry weight yields (volume and density of the buds) and terpenoid concentrations. I've only skimmed it, so far. I don't know if they detail how significant the increased yields and terpenes were during this study. May or not pan out with future studies the researchers acknowledge is needed. Just caught my eye and shared, in case you haven't seen it, yet..

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Neighbor sent this to me from this morning. Looks like a chicken eater, to me.

View attachment chicken lips.mp4

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Everything needs a lot of work. Just sharing a few photos.

Tomato trellis set up I'm trying out, this year. I think I'm going to like this. The totes on the side are for a near future project. I've purchased the materials to build a sturdy stand. Then to figure if that little bit of elevation will suffice for some drip irrigation or will I need to run a pump.


The outdoor plants need some attention. I'll be doing some pruning and training some evening this week. I also need to finish with the landscaping cloth and come up with some mulch:


Little water snake out by the garden, this evening:


Just cellphone pics of some blooms from a "wildflower" packet I scattered last year:


Flamingo Lily:


Shishkaberry X Sour Lime OG. Right before taking this photo, I had tried to spread bud sites to open up the short and compact one on the right. They both need some clean up. I also need to study up on flipping to flower and on scrogging (I do not have my act together ). Both are drinking a lot of water and will get some compost tea on Tuesday, I think:


Just for fun, one of my youngest daughter's frogs:



I used PEX to put together a 5 gallon compost tea brewer with an air pump and ingredients for my dad to use on his vegetable garden. He seemed interested in the idea of it and we set up and got his first brew percolating:

Hope all the dads here had a nice Father's Day! Happy growing ya'll...

 

[doublej]

Everything needs a lot of work. Just sharing a few photos.

Tomato trellis set up I'm trying out, this year. I think I'm going to like this. The totes on the side are for a near future project. I've purchased the materials to build a sturdy stand. Then to figure if that little bit of elevation will suffice for some drip irrigation or will I need to run a pump.
View attachment 105606

The outdoor plants need some attention. I'll be doing some pruning and training some evening this week. I also need to finish with the landscaping cloth and come up with some mulch:
View attachment 105607

Little water snake out by the garden, this evening:
View attachment 105608

Just cellphone pics of some blooms from a "wildflower" packet I scattered last year:
View attachment 105609

Flamingo Lily:
View attachment 105610

Shishkaberry X Sour Lime OG. Right before taking this photo, I had tried to spread bud sites to open up the short and compact one on the right. They both need some clean up. I also need to study up on flipping to flower and on scrogging (I do not have my act together ). Both are drinking a lot of water and will get some compost tea on Tuesday, I think:
View attachment 105611

Just for fun, one of my youngest daughter's frogs:
View attachment 105612


I used PEX to put together a 5 gallon compost tea brewer with an air pump and ingredients for my dad to use on his vegetable garden. He seemed interested in the idea of it and we set up and got his first brew percolating:

Hope all the dads here had a nice Father's Day! Happy growing ya'll...

Nice work buddy, gonna be cool to watch your guys gardens grow up this summer. I didn't get time for it this year...

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Nice work buddy, gonna be cool to watch your guys gardens grow up this summer. I didn't get time for it this year...

I didn't get stuff done in time to be happy with it. I already have an eye on next year. I was pretty hard on these plants, but learned a lot about lighting and watering during the seedling stage. I've also done a pretty butch job of topping and trimming them. Just saying I have learned enough to know things aren't ideal. I'll work on those things and I'm sure I'll learn a whole bunch of new stuff to add to the list of things to improve on for the following year.

The soil is definitely an area of focus for me. I want to learn what all I need to do to cultivate healthy living soil through the coming seasons and have it in prime condition for 2026. My wife caught me watching some random permaculture videos and let me know she draws the line at collecting urine in a jug to speed composting . No worries, My composting is fast enough for our use. I don't need the Nitrogen, that bad.

Also, I want to get a good trellis/support system set up and rain protection for late flower. Auto-watering... F_uck! I have a long list and that's just outdoors, doh!
I'm enjoying following your big tent grow and I'm definitely interested in seeing what you do in the greenhouse and/or outdoors.

 

[doublej]

I didn't get stuff done in time to be happy with it. I already have an eye on next year. I was pretty hard on these plants, but learned a lot about lighting and watering during the seedling stage. I've also done a pretty butch job of topping and trimming them. Just saying I have learned enough to know things aren't ideal. I'll work on those things and I'm sure I'll learn a whole bunch of new stuff to add to the list of things to improve on for the following year.

Best thing I ever did bro when I got started, I had a hand written note book. Something about writing shit down when done, help my pea brain remember later...to help improve...

The soil is definitely an area of focus for me. I want to learn what all I need to do to cultivate healthy living soil through the coming seasons and have it in prime condition for 2026. My wife caught me watching some random permaculture videos and let me know she draws the line at collecting urine in a jug to speed composting . No worries, My composting is fast enough for our use. I don't need the Nitrogen, that bad.

Also, I want to get a good trellis/support system set up and rain protection for late flower. Auto-watering... F_uck! I have a long list and that's just outdoors, doh!
I'm enjoying following your big tent grow and I'm definitely interested in seeing what you do in the greenhouse and/or outdoors.

The lists get longer with the days...guy gets going one way...then he's gadda go the other...fk....

Yeah that big tent... update coming...