Fall/Winter grow 2024-25

[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.

 

[TomH]

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.

If I can answer anything, I’ll certainly give it my best. Ask away, but I’m really new to growing. Just started in 2021. Smoked since the mid 70s but never grew until recently.

 

[SiamSam]

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.

GREEN CRACK & APPLE GELATO have a synergistic relationship IMHO.

 

[TomH]

GREEN CRACK & APPLE GELATO have a synergistic relationship IMHO.

Can you expand upon that? I’ve only ever had dispo GC, and was really impressed with it. Never had AG before. I’m interested in everything about it, but now curious about the synergism.

 

[TomH]

These girls are smelly

Doggone knocked me over strong just opening the shed.

The auto has rock hard buds, decent size and funky sweet. It’s done. Trichomes are white with a few amber spread about. Finished week 10 last Friday.

She’s on water only and meets the cutters on Tuesday.

The younger plant (skywalker og) clicks over week 7 on Tuesday. It’s got some growth to do but weeks to go.

 

[TomH]

Darn, the auto had a seed right at the top.
I never saw any nuts, but they must have been there somewhere.

I’m going to name this plant Herman, with the very obvious nickname Of little hermie!

Now I’m worried that he/she might have polluted the other plant so I need to be on the lookout. That wasn’t as bad as it could have been, when I first saw a little brown spot in the photos above, I was worried that it caught the rot! I’ll give it a decent dry then see just how badly affected it was. The smell is still something that I’m excited to grind up and smoke, if I have to be on the look out for the occasional seed, I’ll live with it, but it wasn’t my first choice!

Well, happy Sunday my friends, I hope you’re all doing well.

 

[TomH]

On a positive note, its a good lookin seed!

 

[TomH]

This is the autoflower formerly known as Platinum GSC.

Cut down Sunday morning because I found a seed (it has many, but still some decent buds)

At first it smelled funky stink, then it smelled like fresh cut hay for a day. Now it’s getting a more sweet weed smell.

I’m willing to accept that it might be platinum cookies, but I’ll never be convinced because it was supposed to be a feminized photo period plant.

It’s nearing cure humidity, probably close it up in a jar tomorrow or Sunday.

 

[TomH]

Next up is Skywalker OG.

It just finished week 8, had a bit of a nutrient insufficiency and lost some fans but it’s looking good now with flower boost and ca/mag only.

Looks like mid to late December for the chop.

 

[TomH]

Now for the next generation.

Green crack and apple gelato.
They are in a slow veg in the Bay Area, waiting to move into the tent in the foothills Saturday 12/7.

They will be given higher temperatures, more intense light and more nutrients once they have room to stretch out.

At this time they are getting MaxSea (16-16-16) when dry. They seem to like it a lot.

The really limp looking photo was right at lights on when they were both dry and acting like drama queens.

The praying photos are how they usually look.

 

[TomH]

Really early smoke report for the auto that was “platinum GSC”.

Dried 6 days, small plant didn’t take long. It’s stable between 60% and 63% rh.

Not much nose impact from a bud. I hope that changes with cure.

Got a few seeds, grinds ok but still a bit damp in the core of the bud. They still need to compress more but likely won’t be dense.

When grinding it releases a very sweet aroma, deliciously sweet. But I don’t get that sweetness in the vapor.

It started out peppy, I found a walk was really fun. I looked at everything I passed. Got home and chilled for a while then slept for about an hour.

Pretty good experience, I hope the aroma improves, that’s not a bad report considering it’s on a week out of the ground.

 

[TomH]

Skywalker OG finished week 8 last Monday.
It’s not a big plant but seems to have nicely formed buds, but a couple have a bright look to them that I’m not familiar with

I don’t know if that’s just normal late growth or something that’s going to irritate me.

What ever it’s doing, it smells strongly, obviously it’s sugary and just hoping to get some good buds from it.

 

[TomH]

Green crack and Apple Gelato moved to the foothills this morning

Green crack is under blurple light until it gets into the tent. Looks black under blurple but in regular light it’s normal green.

Apple Gelato under a white light looks sad because it’s dry. Going to get dryer because I need to up pot both today.

 

[steamroller]

Lots of spots on those leaves^^.
I would be looking for bugs or increase Ca.
The whitish spots say bugs [ thrips or spider mites] but the brown spots could be indicating Ca def.

 

[TomH]

Lots of spots on those leaves^^.
I would be looking for bugs or increase Ca.
The whitish spots say bugs [ thrips or spider mites] but the brown spots could be indicating Ca def.

Ca-mag and K were both low in the reservoir that they get fed from. This girl wanted more than I expected. Even though she isn’t big, kind of a lush.

I’ll check for bugs, but I think its the chemistry has been my problem.

I did give her a good feed this morning.

 

[GoodShit97]

Lots of spots on those leaves^^.
I would be looking for bugs or increase Ca.
The whitish spots say bugs [ thrips or spider mites] but the brown spots could be indicating Ca def.

Looks like Ca and Thrips to me too.
Damn.
I hate thrips.

 

[TomH]

Looks like Ca and Thrips to me too.
Damn.
I hate thrips.

I can’t see anything using a 40x loupe, which doesn’t mean I haven’t missed anything.

Not sure how much I want to do to a plant in week 9. I might just tough through it and clean the ever loving crap out of the tent before the next gen go in.

I expect the plant to meet the chop sometime around 12/16. I hope the bugs, if present don’t make that a tough time.

At this time, trichomes are pretty evenly split white and clear. I saw a grand total of 1 amber trichome so it’s still got some time to go. If things get ugly, I’d rather chop and dip than spray.

The next generation (Apple Gelato and Green Crack) are ready to upgrade their address to the main tent any time.

 

[steamroller]

I can’t see anything using a 40x loupe, which doesn’t mean I haven’t missed anything.

Not sure how much I want to do to a plant in week 9. I might just tough through it and clean the ever loving crap out of the tent before the next gen go in.

I expect the plant to meet the chop sometime around 12/16. I hope the bugs, if present don’t make that a tough time.

At this time, trichomes are pretty evenly split white and clear. I saw a grand total of 1 amber trichome so it’s still got some time to go. If things get ugly, I’d rather chop and dip than spray.

The next generation (Apple Gelato and Green Crack) are ready to upgrade their address to the main tent any time.

Not the budding plant.
The one next to the cacti.

 

[TomH]

Not the budding plant.
The one next to the cacti.

Both of the vegging plants were sprayed with canna control yesterday, that residue left some shiny spots on both plants (all leaves). They appear whitish because of some reflection, but they are clear.

There is one burned leaf.
The Apple Gelato has one leaf that was in a hot spot and got a little dotted with burns. I caught it before it got too bad, but that leaf definitely looks weird.

It’s like the LED hotspot had a shotgun effect in the way the leaf burned, a hundred little pinhole burns.

No other leaves that I could see show that. I made note of that hotspot for future grows.

 

[TomH]

I did take the opportunity to spray down both new vegging plants.
Used something called trifecta crop control.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[steamroller]

You should spray at lights out.
Always better safe than sorry.