Zen’s Winter Run 2025

[Beachwalker]

Hey, I'm late to the party, I don't know how I missed your posts. Why remove fan leaves? I love my big fan leaves, Leaf surface area = power more the better in my mind. I reluctantly remove them in flower to lower my humidity, get better air flow and open up bud sites. Unless your in flower or they are sick, but yours look great,a nice green color

Same here I never trim anything, late in flower I may trim a fan leaf blocking a bud site but that's about it

 

[Zen_seeker]

Hey, I'm late to the party, I don't know how I missed your posts. Why remove fan leaves? I love my big fan leaves, Leaf surface area = power more the better in my mind.

In this case, which is the most common, it’s so I can water all around the pot without hitting leaves and branches. I usually have to cut them out later anyway.

I reluctantly remove them in flower to lower my humidity, get better air flow and open up bud sites. Unless your in flower or they are sick, but yours look great,a nice green color

Humidity is another reason but not this time. Just easier to water without damaging the plants or making a mess.

IDK. If I leave the leaves people say remove them as I’m not trying to grow leaves. If I remove them people say I’m robbing them of energy. Can’t win.

I’ll try to leave the rest alone unless they get in the way.

 

[Pipecarver]

In this case, which is the most common, it’s so I can water all around the pot without hitting leaves and branches. I usually have to cut them out later anyway.


Humidity is another reason but not this time. Just easier to water without damaging the plants or making a mess.

IDK. If I leave the leaves people say remove them as I’m not trying to grow leaves. If I remove them people say I’m robbing them of energy. Can’t win.

I’ll try to leave the rest alone unless they get in the way.

Most of the time there's no need to remove leaves in veg unless there's an issue with the leaves. Leaves = power, more leaves more ability to draw energy from the lights. Out door growers don't remove leaves unless they are blocking bud sites in flower. They don't have our humidity or light penetration problems. We ARE trying to grow leaves, in veg, the more the merrier.....unless you've topped a bunch of times and have too many inner branches with excessive leaf growth clogging up air flow through your plant. I like my leaves big fat and wide, Far reds really do a number on them by stretching and widening them if used in veg but then the stalks get so tall they grow me out of tent.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20251112: GM & GGB#4

Grease Monkey is the tall one in back.



GM is still striped. The GGB#4 seems good after the foliar spray. I top dressed them all the other day and watered it in the next. Epsom was included.

Top shot.

Other than that issue things are fine. Temps get a bit lower and humidity is either a little higher than I like or a little lower. I bought this to see if I can at least stop it from climbing too high at lights out. Snow and rain are making this harder than usual.
Still adjusting it as the room RH is different than the tents. It’s also about 5% lower than what my hygrometers say.

Any ideas on the GM stripes I’ll listen. I added a bit of ProCal to the water when I foliar sprayed last week as well. All plants got the ProCal in two waterings but it hasn’t been added since. I’m still using just the rain water at 25-30ppm.

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Snows almost gone as it turned to light rain most of the day. That and 6* got rid of the ground snow but it stuck to cars and the roof still.

 

[steamroller]

Most say 1 tablespoon of Epsom per gallon.
1 teaspoon is a third of a tablespoon.
More Epsom would be my thought.

 

[Beachwalker]

I'm not sure of your medium, pH Etc but if that's all dialed in and it's just a simple magnesium deficiency, I used to do just what you did, I'd spray them w/ Epsom salt at 1tbs./gal and it would stop it almost right away, might water-in a light magnesium broadcast on the top too

 

[Zen_seeker]

Most say 1 tablespoon of Epsom per gallon.
1 teaspoon is a third of a tablespoon.
More Epsom would be my thought.

Thanks Steam.

I’ve been going back and forth on this the last two years. Not sure what changed other than I’m trying more strains now.

Aqua and AI, along with a bunch of internet searches, shows 1-2 teaspoons of epsom is typical per gallon of soil with 1 being the most recommended. Although 1-2 grams is also mentioned as being more accurate. Both Aqua and AI warn not to use too much as it can easily lock out.

In soil 1 tablespoon was recommended once or twice when trying to fix stripes.

G$ thinks Aqua’s recommendation is based on his growing medium, which was coco and hydro, so doesn’t match my soil.

The two GGB#4 snapped out of it after a couple foliar sprays. The GM does look better but hard to say. This mostly happens on the higher/newer leaves, not the bottom.

I added the epsom to the soil only a few days ago. Used the last of the foliar spray an hour ago just before light out. (1 tsp per gal)

If nothing improves by the weekend I’ll bump it to 1 tbsp.

What’cha think?

One good thing about outdoors is this never occurs. Lol

 

[Zen_seeker]

I'm not sure of your medium, pH Etc but if that's all dialed in and it's just a simple magnesium deficiency, I used to do just what you did, I'd spray them w/ Epsom salt at 1tbs./gal and it would stop it almost right away, might water-in a light magnesium broadcast on the top too

That I did. Twice for the BBG#4 fixed it up. This is the third round for the GM. Hoping it’s just a strain thing as I’ve really tried to get things right this go round.

Bumping the light up to 6 out of 10 might have aggravated things too.

As it seems the best approach is to try a little more and watch a few days I’ll keep doing that. Steamroller and you pretty much confirmed I’m on the right path, just amounts and time will tell.

 

[Pipecarver]

Most say 1 tablespoon of Epsom per gallon.
1 teaspoon is a third of a tablespoon.
More Epsom would be my thought.

I use 1tsp/gal, I've been warned about using too much. 1tbs/gal for a flush at the end is supposed to help it burn cleaner and stay lit better. Dirtbag got me onto that.

 

[Pipecarver]

Thanks Steam.

I’ve been going back and forth on this the last two years. Not sure what changed other than I’m trying more strains now.

Aqua and AI, along with a bunch of internet searches, shows 1-2 teaspoons of epsom is typical per gallon of soil with 1 being the most recommended. Although 1-2 grams is also mentioned as being more accurate. Both Aqua and AI warn not to use too much as it can easily lock out.

In soil 1 tablespoon was recommended once or twice when trying to fix stripes.

G$ thinks Aqua’s recommendation is based on his growing medium, which was coco and hydro, so doesn’t match my soil.

The two GGB#4 snapped out of it after a couple foliar sprays. The GM does look better but hard to say. This mostly happens on the higher/newer leaves, not the bottom.

I added the epsom to the soil only a few days ago. Used the last of the foliar spray an hour ago just before light out. (1 tsp per gal)

If nothing improves by the weekend I’ll bump it to 1 tbsp.

What’cha think?

One good thing about outdoors is this never occurs. Lol

I was told when I changed from HPS to led and started having leaf issues it was because led lights demand more Mag out of plants than hps did. I've been adding 1tsp/gal since then. It usually shows as a deficiency 3 weeks into flower when the lights are up to full power. I stop using it at 3 weeks into flower and switch to cal/mag when plants demand more Ca for bud building

 

[Beachwalker]

I use 1tsp/gal, I've been warned about using too much. 1tbs/gal for a flush at the end is supposed to help it burn cleaner and stay lit better. Dirtbag got me onto that.

I use 1tsp/gal, I've been warned about using too much. 1tbs/gal for a flush at the end is supposed to help it burn cleaner and stay lit better. Dirtbag got me onto that.

After I read your post I looked up the ratio I used to use

I used to add one gram per gallon, NOT one tablespoon

I think that's about a teaspoon, like Pipe said

 

[Zen_seeker]

I use 1tsp/gal, I've been warned about using too much. 1tbs/gal for a flush at the end is supposed to help it burn cleaner and stay lit better. Dirtbag got me onto that.

I double checked my notes from Aquaman from an earlier issue. He’s more by grams but 1/2 tsp is better but 1 tsp should be good.

I gave the GM the last of the epsom foliar spray just before lights out. What I put in the top dressing will hopefully kick in by the weekend.

I don’t recall if I’ve used it all the way through to the harvest. Pretty sure Ive always stopped after the first few weeks of flower but would have to check.

 

[Pipecarver]

After I read your post I looked up the ratio I used to use

I used to add one gram per gallon, NOT one tablespoon

I think that's about a teaspoon, like Pipe said

I double checked my notes from Aquaman from an earlier issue. He’s more by grams but 1/2 tsp is better but 1 tsp should be good.

I gave the GM the last of the epsom foliar spray just before lights out. What I put in the top dressing will hopefully kick in by the weekend.

I don’t recall if I’ve used it all the way through to the harvest. Pretty sure Ive always stopped after the first few weeks of flower but would have to check.

You maybe right, I do start at 1/2 tsp/gal the 1st feed but after that 1tsp/gal....you've got me a bit spooked now , I may just trim that back a bit. I usually feed 6 gal at a time so I use 2 tbs, that should be 1 tsp/gal = 15 ml/gal. I'll drop back to 1.5 tbs/gal and see if there's any changes

 

[Zen_seeker]

You maybe right, I do start at 1/2 tsp/gal the 1st feed but after that 1tsp/gal....you've got me a bit spooked now , I may just trim that back a bit. I usually feed 6 gal at a time so I use 2 tbs, that should be 1 tsp/gal = 15 ml/gal. I'll drop back to 1.5 tbs/gal and see if there's any changes

By fluke I was chatting with Aqua and asked again.



He prefers to go by weight/grams but 1/2 to 1 tsp is still his advice.

If this was my strain I’d try Steamroller’s 1 tbsp but these are seeds I can’t easily replace. So I’m

 

[Zen_seeker]

All the non-cannabis stuff.

The large Mammoth sunflower head got bent over by the snow so I chopped it. Need it to dry enough I can get the seeds. I was surprised they didn’t turn black but Stonemason says it’s common, he’s even had purple which will stain your fingers.


The small Mammoth seeds were also white and a lot are empty shells. They pop like bubble wrap when squeezed. So I tested four a couple of days ago. I found only one out of four popped and they all had a seed inside.

I’m also wondering if it’s the one I cracked open when squeezing to see if it was empty? Maybe I should crack them all next test, just to see if it makes a difference.

The Teddy Bear seeds were two out of four and I kept one. I’ll use it to help with humidity and add some color.

 

[Pipecarver]

Hey, I love your little germinator cups, very cool. I have an issue though. I don't like seeing standing water when I germinate. I squeeze out excess water. I'm not sure what your success rate is with your cups & seeds but I'd try a bit less water for them. If you're just playing with the seeds try it with squeezed out paper towel pads. I have a better crack rate with less water in my paper towels. Not knocking it just trying to help, I get like that, I'm old, giving unwanted advice is kinda my thing...lol

 

[Zen_seeker]

Hey, I love your little germinator cups, very cool.

I wish you said so earlier I would have sent you one with the cats. It’s good for up to four different strains. G$ printed one not long ago.

I have an issue though. I don't like seeing standing water when I germinate. I squeeze out excess water.

Why? I’ve popped seeds in shot glasses a few times as well.

I'm not sure what your success rate is with your cups & seeds but I'd try a bit less water for them. If you're just playing with the seeds try it with squeezed out paper towel pads. I have a better crack rate with less water in my paper towels. Not knocking it just trying to help, I get like that, I'm old, giving unwanted advice is kinda my thing...lol

Ah, you’re thinking it’s like the paper towel trick in a plastic lunch bag.

This is a bit different. I grabbed some pics from the site that sells another version. The pad inside mine are makeup pads she uses to clean her face after work.

Only the first 24hrs are supposed to be with high water level. After that you dump the water and replace it with much less.

Start water level.


After 24hrs water level.


I’ve tried starting it both ways and think the first way with the extra water helps but no serious testing was done. But proper heat underneath is essential here after summer. I let mine sit beside the hot water pipe on the gas water tank.

The one G$ told me about last winter(?) was called Cannakan. They wanted $60CND for it. So I printed my own.

I don’t mind questions or suggestions. Without them I can’t improve.

When Steam suggested 1 tablespoon rather than 1 teaspoon I had to look up my notes and check things with AI. Doing that will make me remember better next time. It also helped you and Beachwalker a bit as we all had to double check.

At the end of the day we are a community helping each other. Not all answers will be right or work from person to person. But when I hit a wall it’s nice to know you guys will either set me straight or get a laugh out of my attempts.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20251115: GM & GGB#4

Striping seems better. Overwatered yesterday but they seem well enough today. Just leaving them alone.

Grease Monkey is getting big. Need more time before I flip. Let the roots get into the new soil and fill out first.

 

[Zen_seeker]

After Bandit posted his find I had a look around. Not as good a deal up here but 10 for $16 delivered wasn’t bad. I went with the 4” as we share the vape and the glass can get warm. The ones you can get from POTV is $16 plus tax and delivery each.

Plants are doing fine. The large GM lost a top when I forgot to squish a stem before bending it. Rather than let it slow things down healing I just cut it off it was a sharp snap that went more than half way through.

 

[Pipecarver]

20251115: GM & GGB#4

Striping seems better. Overwatered yesterday but they seem well enough today. Just leaving them alone.View attachment 118378View attachment 118379

Grease Monkey is getting big. Need more time before I flip. Let the roots get into the new soil and fill out first.

Hey, There is no such thing as over watering in one go. Over watering to me is giving to little too often or to much to often. You could pour 10 gal over them all at once and to me that is not over watering, excessive, silly and will wash away any nutes but not over watering. Giving 1 cup per day or a gallon per day is over watering. As long as there's a dry back period afterwards alls good to go.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Hey, There is no such thing as over watering in one go. Over watering to me is giving to little too often or to much to often. You could pour 10 gal over them all at once and to me that is not over watering, excessive, silly and will wash away any nutes but not over watering. Giving 1 cup per day or a gallon per day is over watering. As long as there's a dry back period afterwards alls good to go.

The additions to the soil since switching to Gaia has thrown me off. Soil is heavier and moister hangs on longer.

Not a big deal. The leaves only drooped about half a day. I’ll eventually get the rhythm and amounts memorized.

 

[Pipecarver]

The additions to the soil since switching to Gaia has thrown me off. Soil is heavier and moister hangs on longer.

Not a big deal. The leaves only drooped about half a day. I’ll eventually get the rhythm and amounts memorized.

I was just commenting on the over water comment you made. Its a comment I've typed a lot. If I see spot watering in a solo cup or where ever with plants looking rough to start and they go whats up with my plants? I've said to give them a gallon of water in a solo cup or some other foolish amount , then leave the fker alone. rather than 25ml or some other silly number they quote as the amount they gave daily/every 2 days

I know nothing of Gaia nutes but it may have Yucca powder in it that makes your soil hold water longer, you'll get it. I just read about then bought Yucca powder and only add 1/8thtsp/gal soil.I'm hoping in my AP's it helps draw water higher up in my soil.

 

[Beachwalker]

The additions to the soil since switching to Gaia has thrown me off. Soil is heavier and moister hangs on longer.

Not a big deal. The leaves only drooped about half a day. I’ll eventually get the rhythm and amounts memorized.

I've got some excellent coarse perlite that I've forgotten to add three times now It's starting to piss me off!!!

Hasn't really been compacted though I've had good roots, the Pro mix is about 15% perlite but it's very fine

 

[Pipecarver]

I've got some excellent coarse perlite that I've forgotten to add three times now It's starting to piss me off!!!

Hasn't really been compacted though I've had good roots, the Pro mix is about 15% perlite but it's very fine

I did find by the end of a grow Promix alone was a hard compact mass, specially in the summer in fabric pots. 1st time I added too much perlite like 30% plus in the smaller 1 gallon pot and when I went to transplant to 3 qallon it all fell apart. So I only add 10-15% more in my first mix then another 15%-20% in my last mix when they go into the autopots.

 

[Beachwalker]

I did find by the end of a grow Promix alone was a hard compact mass, specially in the summer in fabric pots. 1st time I added too much perlite like 30% plus in the smaller 1 gallon pot and when I went to transplant to 3 qallon it all fell apart. So I only add 10-15% more in my first mix then another 15%-20% in my last mix when they go into the autopots.

Believe me I want to add it, I really do! I've forgotten three times, but they say the fourth time's the charm!

 

[Pipecarver]

Believe me I want to add it, I really do! I've forgotten three times, but they say the fourth time's the charm!

Hey I've watched some gardening shows where when they transplant they shake and pull most of the soil off then hose down the roots, trim up any that are too long or ugly then replant in new soil.......Like no. I treat my girls gently I only have a few plants and that seems so dramatic. Those growers have time to lose to shock I suppose but I don't like mine having any shock, even losing the root ball when transplanting and having roots all over the place & not going into my premade hole gives them shock and lose growth for a week. Tough bastards these plants are, they earn the weed nick name.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I was just commenting on the over water comment you made. Its a comment I've typed a lot. If I see spot watering in a solo cup or where ever with plants looking rough to start and they go whats up with my plants? I've said to give them a gallon of water in a solo cup or some other foolish amount , then leave the fker alone. rather than 25ml or some other silly number they quote as the amount they gave daily/every 2 days

With clones and seedlings in red cups I flood them and leave them. Seems to work. I have a clear cup inside so I dump the extra but otherwise leave them alone. Works great. Just have to watch it with seedlings.

I know nothing of Gaia nutes but it may have Yucca powder in it that makes your soil hold water longer, you'll get it. I just read about then bought Yucca powder and only add 1/8thtsp/gal soil.I'm hoping in my AP's it helps draw water higher up in my soil.

IDK, between all the powdered items and worm castings to help activate them it’s just got more weight and takes longer to dry out. Not a big deal just a new curve to get used too.

Had to stop using the new watering wand so I could be sure how much I watered using the can. I need to mark the water jug better so I can use the wand but know when to stop. I don’t water to runoff with Gaia.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Moved the Cayenne pepper tree after this pic and harvested all the red peppers. It’s in another room beside the heat vent getting a few hours of morning sun now.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20251120: GM & GGB#4


New leaves on the GM still seem to be getting striping. All the pots dried out to the point they were drooping at lights on. Sunflower was in bad shape. Gave them all 2 litres each but couldn’t tell if they were saturated or I was getting run off as the soil had shrunk. Water just ran down the sides at first. Added 2ml ProCal to the water this time. The epsom in the soil should be mixed in by now I think.

I might have to add more N. All the plants had the bottom leaves go yellow. It’s been cold over night and at lights out but never lower than 20*c and never longer than 5 hours.

The last two days the temperature at lights on has gotten between 28-30*c with the humidity around 40%. Only happens for a few hours before I can change things but it’s still an issue.


Someone was tired this morning.

 

[steamroller]

Sometimes when my soil dries out I get run off unless I water painfully slow. I just can't go that slow with numbers.
This is when the saucer / tray earns its money to me.
I just make sure I know how much I am watering and if I get run off 9 out 10 times it is absorbed back out of the tray before I am done doing the room. I haven't needed to use a turkey baster to remove too much water in several grows.
I have to have saucers / trays.