Zen’s Summer Autos 2026

[Pipecarver]

The main reason is I’m tired of looking after my sons grow. He leaves at 5:20am so lights out at 5:30am. Then he makes plans after work or weekends and expects his mother or I to look after things. I was also told, but didn’t verify, that raising the lights power and shortening the time on can work out to the same as longer term and weaker power.

Our hydro off-peak hours are 7am-7pm. It goes from $0.09kwh to $0.21kwh after that.

I was hoping to bump it to 80% this week but if you say my above logic or information is wrong I’ll go back to 12/12 and leave it at 70% unless burning starts.

Lazy ass kids…

That's what timers are for, I must have a dozen around here, I think I'm using 4 now,. I was buying them cheap at value Village but I had to buy some good minute timers that I could program for 5 -10 min on off stuff off amzone

 

[Zen_seeker]

That's what timers are for, I must have a dozen around here, I think I'm using 4 now,. I was buying them cheap at value Village but I had to buy some good minute timers that I could program for 5 -10 min on off stuff off amzone

I got four mechanical timers that are dual outlet. Work great and haven’t failed yet. Also, thanks to Oldcro the light is now controlled by the AC Infinity 69+.

Thing is we need the door(s) open to maintain the proper temperature and humidity. Even with AC and the dehumidifier on. So at lights out the tent(s) need to be closed up. Too much light from the other rooms windows otherwise.

I double checked everything yesterday and even discussed it with AI. I’m not wrong about the duration vs intensity but it seems how much dark time you get matters too. That’s when the bud growth gets the most action while daylight is when it stores the energy to use.

So I put it back to 12/12 last night after your 11/13 warning. It’s still at 70% but I raised the light almost to the max. We need to vacuum the exhaust intake before we can put it all the way up.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20260818: Gorilla Blue #4


After warnings/concerns from @Pipecarver & @OLDCRO I’ve bumped the lights timer back to 12/12. Since it’s still at 70% I’m keeping an eye out for leaf burn or any drooping or leaf curling.



Transplanted the new GB seedling the other day so I’m waiting for the roots to get established before heavy watering. My plants are using Gaia Green and my sons are using Botanicare KIND nutrients.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The garden is doing okay but everything but cucumbers are slow to grow and ripen.


The Cayenne pepper tree seems to actually be a Thai pepper tree. I had both last year and thought I saved the other. It’s had peppers for weeks but only started to turn red on the weekend.


So far no more rat, squirrel or rabbit issues. Nets are keeping the birds and moths out too. I set two rat traps with peanut butter bait just in case.

We need rain. A good downpours worth. The rain barrels are almost dry. Maybe one watering of the vegetable gardens left. They keep saying it’s coming but it hasn’t in two weeks. Just a few drops here/there.



Have a good day people.

 

[Zen_seeker]

The red onion seeds are doing better than I thought they would in a germinator.



I guess I need bags big enough to hold a full grown onion but how will that work? As they grow they push out soil. So I’ll have to cut the bags before planting in the garden.

 

[Stoneyluv]

The red onion seeds are doing better than I thought they would in a germinator.

View attachment 134175

I guess I need bags big enough to hold a full grown onion but how will that work? As they grow they push out soil. So I’ll have to cut the bags before planting in the garden.

Zen, is this the time now to start onions and garlic for next year production? never had muck luck with either, but never tried from seed always from bulbs.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Zen, is this the time now to start onions and garlic for next year production? never had muck luck with either, but never tried from seed always from bulbs.

I wouldn’t. I haven’t had luck with garlic either but it’s never been tried properly. They were just stuffed on holes in garden beds we were trying to keep pests out of.

I know some plant in late fall for the next spring season but you’re better off waiting and popping in April to plant in May for a summer harvest. You should be a little sooner than me with better temperatures.

I only popped some now to make sure I had viable seeds. I’ll put them in the seedling bags just to see how far they go in the time they have left but I’m not expecting much.

If they get a decent size I can put them in the fridge or leave them outside in the hope they go dormant over winter. Then I can get more seeds when the bolt.

This might help you a bit.


Next time I put a card of seeds together I’ll include some red onion for you. I’m still impressed so much organic matter comes out of these pin head size seeds.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20260821: Gorilla Blue #4


My sons SB#22 & GG#4 are doing well. He’s been following my lead on feeding and tending, when he’s actually taken the time to do it.


The lights still at 70% 12/12 but was moved the last few inches up to the ceiling of the tent. Now it’s just watching for burn and dealing with the temperature and humidity swings.

The first Gorilla Blue #4 is looking good. It’s matching my sons plants and flowering. The new seedling is about 6” tall but falling behind. I’d like it a little larger so I can put it outside. I’d rather not run a second tent at this time but we’ll see what the future brings.


Even my son noticed the smell of new weed when he opened the tent up last night.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Now… what to do with these guys.

Last night.


This morning.


The gardens.














The only sunflowers to survive the cold snap and wildlife attacks.


The new blueberry bushes.




We mowed down the tall grass we let go to seed so the wildlife has one place they can go most of the year. The two young rabbits that stay in our yard now hide in the left fenced in garden.


One of the little guys.


Cicadas everywhere.



That’s about it on the growing front. We need rain. The four 50 gallon barrels are down to the end. Temperatures have been better, especially at night, but humidity still gets high most days but never gives us much rain.

Thunderstorm warnings keep getting announced but miss us. They say Saturday and Sunday now.

 

[Zen_seeker]

View attachment 80883559348__8B5BCADF-0439-497E-B4DE-711ABBC8BC66.mov

She’s a very animated dreamer. After I took this video her tail went crazy for 5-10 seconds and she was making happy noises.