Zen Garden 2025

[Pipecarver]

That’s cool. I’m always changing things too. Sometimes out of necessity, sometimes curious or bored.


I try to see if light distance and/or intensity can control hight and node spacing. I mostly do that in the 3x1 sections. Topping is done for extra growth and to slow things when other ideas fail.

I was just watching some guy on the tubes talking about that. How keeping the plants closer to the lights through stretching will limit the stretching. I've just gone by lux. turning the lights power up to reach my lux. I should be dropping my light to reach my Lux so the plants don't stretch for it....or says says the guy....lol...all I can do is try it and see if it works.

 

[Observer]

I think the stretch will carry over to week three.

Move the light closer then

I see a lot of talk about too much stretch during flower, but no one moves the light closer? Or turns the intensity up if it's not maxed.


Elongation is due to several factors, but wanting more light and spectrum ratio are the most impacting variables, imo.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I was just watching some guy on the tubes talking about that. How keeping the plants closer to the lights through stretching will limit the stretching. I've just gone by lux. turning the lights power up to reach my lux. I should be dropping my light to reach my Lux so the plants don't stretch for it....or says says the guy....lol...all I can do is try it and see if it works.

I’ve been doing it for a while. Only way I could keep plants smaller in the side zones. Only down side is it really stacks the node tight together.

If you notice I have two lights in the side zone that flowers. Helps me control things better with two or three plants.

Ones only 110w it’s maxed out atm.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Move the light closer then

I see a lot of talk about too much stretch during flower, but no one moves the light closer? Or turns the intensity up if it's not maxed.


Elongation is due to several factors, but wanting more light and spectrum ratio are the most impacting variables, imo.

You haven’t been following then. I only just raised the one light.

Node spacing is the only issue that becomes a problem when I do that. Okay, sometimes a little burn too.

 

[Zen_seeker]

After chewing on a few ideas I’ll stick the male in the main floor sun room. Shouldn’t get below 14*-16* night or day. I’ll just put an open garbage bag underneath it in case it opens early.

AI agreed that since its already flowering I have a 50/50 chance it won’t reveg. (No actual percentage was given.)

 

[Pipecarver]

After chewing on a few ideas I’ll stick the male in the main floor sun room. Shouldn’t get below 14*-16* night or day. I’ll just put an open garbage bag underneath it in case it opens early.

AI agreed that since its already flowering I have a 50/50 chance it won’t reveg. (No actual percentage was given.)

View attachment 96899

I think that far into flower that male has already popped some stuff. The little yellow flowers that first appear have dust. I hope you got your male out in time, us males like to pollinate, specially when we are young,...... virgin buds???? I shiver thinking about it.....lol

 

[BlueCollarBob]

20250411:

My favourite plant that I trained perfectly to grow in the 3x1x6 is actually a male.

Showed his balls in all his glory yesterday at lights on. @Pipecarver i miss my eyes too brother. Your not the only one to have trouble seeing things. At least you missed nanners and not a full blown male.

Ah well. Is what it is. Here’s a few shots of the lad before his execution. View attachment 96852

If you are seeking Zen, follow this pup. He/she has found it.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I think that far into flower that male has already popped some stuff. The little yellow flowers that first appear have dust. I hope you got your male out in time, us males like to pollinate, specially when we are young,...... virgin buds???? I shiver thinking about it.....lol

They all shot out in a 24hr period. Broke my heart.

I have a green garbage bag under the tray in the bay window. Southern exposure. I’ve already shaken the colas before my shower to check for pollen.

When ready I’ll do the same as I did with the Haunted Banana and bring my female upstairs. Then trim a branch with pollen and rub it over a few lower branches.

Spray bottle with water and a couple plastic baggies and it’s done. I hope.

 

[Zen_seeker]

If you are seeking Zen, follow this pup. He/she has found it.

Rooster in the hen house.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250413: Flower Day 13

A little tight fit but coming along.

Zen 1:

Zen 2:

Still doing 8:8:10 but will be moving to 6:6:6 later this week as we drop the grow 2:2:4.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Having the wife’s family over again for Easter long weekend, including my buddy.

Give away a few more ounces when they’re here. Need to make room for the new harvest anyway.

Plants aren’t looking too bad all things considered. The male is still the best looking but I’ve started chopping off branches. Only going to leave one or two colas to rub on the last free range female. (The male is sitting on an open garbage bag. First sign of pollen the sides come up and it goes outside to the stoop. I’ll bring the female outside and rub a few lower branches before putting it back. Spray bottle of water will be used and plastic baggies.)

Started filling my garden VG but my son asked why I wasn’t using the germination trays. IDK, so now I’ve filled both with tomatoes and peppers. Couple of Teddy Bear Sunflowers and Hollyhocks too.

Wifey was supposed to make new seeds from last year’s harvest. She forgot so I had to rush and get them ready.

These are Thai Peppers, Cayenne Peppers, TB Sunflower, English Cucumber and Pickling Cucumber seeds.


Had to rehydrate the Pickling Cucumber to try and get seeds today. Wifey let it turn into a mummy. It’s on the left side of the plate in the pic.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250416: Flower Day 16

Just a pic update. Sons finally getting the rhythm for watering. I noticed he’s watching when I feed mine more. Even asking questions. So the aren’t getting the big dry backs anymore.

Zen 1:


Zen 2:


1x3:


All will get a final trim this weekend to help with air flow, humidity and bud development.

 

[Pipecarver]

3:30am????? plants look good, but 3:30am........its been years since I've seen 3:30am....I can't imagine what your doing being up so early and posting pic....lol... I'll get over it, just shock. That's 5 1/2 hrs before I rise

 

[Zen_seeker]

3:30am????? plants look good, but 3:30am........its been years since I've seen 3:30am....I can't imagine what your doing being up so early and posting pic....lol... I'll get over it, just shock. That's 5 1/2 hrs before I rise

Asshat director failed to follow through again. Had trouble falling to sleep after months of pretty good nights.

Since before Christmas I’ve been trying to join my wife so 9:30pm it’s tv in bed up by 5:30am when she leaves for work.

I’m not a morning person but I can get up early. Going to bed early is the hard part.

 

[Pipecarver]

Asshat director failed to follow through again. Had trouble falling to sleep after months of pretty good nights.

Since before Christmas I’ve been trying to join my wife so 9:30pm it’s tv in bed up by 5:30am when she leaves for work.

I’m not a morning person but I can get up early. Going to bed early is the hard part.

I've never been an early riser, except when I was young and going to play hockey Sat morning at 5am and walk about 3km to the rink with our gear. I couldn't sleep at night so anxious to play, free skate started at 6 -6:30 then we'd wait until our game time anywhere up to 9am with quick skates between ice cleanings for different teams......Other than that I like to sleep and its been a long time since I got up to play hockey.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I've never been an early riser, except when I was young and going to play hockey Sat morning at 5am and walk about 3km to the rink with our gear. I couldn't sleep at night so anxious to play, free skate started at 6 -6:30 then we'd wait until our game time anywhere up to 9am with quick skates between ice cleanings for different teams......

Same here. Warm up on the outdoor rink if you had time then head inside the indoor for the game. Mom didn’t have a car and you had to walk halfway for public transportation anyway.

Other than that I like to sleep and its been a long time since I got up to play hockey.

Yeah I don’t play anymore, rarely even watch it.

I’ll still get up early for day trips like shooting, fishing, visit family in the countryside. Archery was fun and the public range not too far away but you had to get there early if you wanted a parking spot and more privet session.

How long before you get the e-bike out? Where did you keep the battery, did you trickle charge it over the winter?

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250417: Flower Day 17

Zen 1:


Zen 2:


Zen 2: 1x3


Final trim this weekend. Nothing heavy. 3x1 is a bit of a hot mess. The male was the one I trained well. The remaining plant is a clone of the Zen 1 plant. It was originally just meant to be a backup.

He’s gotten much better with feeding but shift work and personal time still interfere. He’s learned to premix the nutrients and warn/ask if I’m able to check them for him.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250420: Flower Day 20

Happy 4/20 all. We had a good time.

Zen 1:


Zen 2:


Zen 2: 3x1


Humidity is still high and at lights out it’s difficult to manage. Lights on I can just open the doors.



Over all things are on track and okay.

 

[Bandit420]

20250420: Flower Day 20

Happy 4/20 all. We had a good time.

Zen 1:
View attachment 98130

Zen 2:
View attachment 98131

Zen 2: 3x1
View attachment 98132

Humidity is still high and at lights out it’s difficult to manage. Lights on I can just open the doors.

View attachment 98150

Over all things are on track and okay.

Happy belated 420 to you Zen!!!
Good looking happy plants you got there bud

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250423: Flower Day 23

Lights on is looking good.


Lights out temp is great too but humidity is higher than I like.

Zen 1:


Zen 2:


Zen 2: 3x1


The male started dropping pollen yesterday. I saw just a little fall when I tapped the pot. Need to decide if I want to seed part of my plant or just toss the male.


Vegetables are starting to come up. Teddy Bear Sunflower on the left and English Cucumber on the right.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250427: Flower Day 27 W4

Zen 1:


Zen 2:


Zen 2: 1x3



Lights out.

Lights on.

Humidity is higher by about 10% and temperature is down by approximately 4*-5*.

All are getting frosty on the tops for the last few days.

The two under nets are getting yellow here and there. Mostly under the net. Need to watch that. Also noticed tip burn the other day and it’s progressed a bit. I changed the feed mix a bit to see if that helps.

8ml 4:0:0 Base
2ml 2:2:4 Grow
12ml 0:6:6 Bloom
3ml 2:0:0 ProCal

8:8:10

Dropping the 2:2:4 grow soon next.

All three usually take 1 to 1.5 litres every other day ATM. More often has them looking over watered and less has them drooping and stressing.

My sons been doing pretty good judging when and how much to water. I showed him under watered droop followed by over watering. About a week or more back I showed him how some leaves look swollen and wrinkled and what it means. He’s been watering /feeding well since.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Noticed ones got purple already starting.

While another plant gave me the finger.

It was one of the lower leaves a few weeks back in the 1x3. From the small fan blowing on it non stop I think.

This has happened before from similar conditions.


Sort of a claw shape on the top leaf. Colour is off this time though. I’ve been using the ProCal rather than epsom this run. Will switch around the last two or three weeks, following Aquas advice.

Need to look things up tomorrow. See what it is.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250430: Flower Day 30

Everything is on track. Hate how the feed chart only goes 8 weeks. I have to double up on a few here/there.

Noticed some yellow coming up from the bottom on Fugly. I did a quick epsom spray. Think this would be the last opportunity for that.

Fugly has purple spreading all across the tops. Started on the right hand side.

Bumped the lights up two days ago. At 50,000-55,000 LUX now.

Zen 1:


Zen 2:



Zen 2: 1’x3’



Enjoying a little mix of Strawberry Lemonade and Haunted Banana in a joint. Topped with mixed keif.


Have a good night people’s.

 

[Pipecarver]

Same here. Warm up on the outdoor rink if you had time then head inside the indoor for the game. Mom didn’t have a car and you had to walk halfway for public transportation anyway.


Yeah I don’t play anymore, rarely even watch it.

I’ll still get up early for day trips like shooting, fishing, visit family in the countryside. Archery was fun and the public range not too far away but you had to get there early if you wanted a parking spot and more privet session.

How long before you get the e-bike out? Where did you keep the battery, did you trickle charge it over the winter?

I haven't had any weather for it, Yesterday was good but, I'm contemplating now. lol....I'll get on it soon I hope. No trickle charge, they recommend a 75% charge and let it sit. my son was the last to use it and he fully charged it. I stuck it on the bike a month or 2 ago to see where the charge was at and I ran the rear wheel for a bit, I have it suspended on a Canoe hoist it was still showing 100%. I'll have to run her around on a short trip to see whats really there. I kept the battery warm in my basement, cold kills them, or so I'm told.
Its a nice day out there today again but only 7c so far and that's a bit too cold for me ATM.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I haven't had any weather for it, Yesterday was good but, I'm contemplating now. lol....I'll get on it soon I hope.

Yeah the weathers been dismal here as well. One nice day followed by a week of high winds, grey skies and on/off drizzles.

No trickle charge, they recommend a 75% charge and let it sit. my son was the last to use it and he fully charged it. I stuck it on the bike a month or 2 ago to see where the charge was at and I ran the rear wheel for a bit, I have it suspended on a Canoe hoist it was still showing 100%. I'll have to run her around on a short trip to see whats really there. I kept the battery warm in my basement, cold kills them, or so I'm told.

They say 18650’s should be stored that way, 75%. A lot of battery power packs are filled with that style.

Its a nice day out there today again but only 7c so far and that's a bit too cold for me ATM.

Yesterday was 20* in the shade. Not a great day but best of the week. Now three days of rain coming, assuming they get it right this time.

Watch out for slick wet mud spots. Don’t recall what tires you had on it. Could be a nice ride on a good day with all the green starting to come back. We’ve got some color stating in the gardens as we get more sun.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250503: Flower Day 33

The two plants, clone and mother, are growing as usual. Same smells, same looks, same bud structure.

Fugly started like two plants trying to grow out of the same stem. A mutant I wanted to cull. But we needed the count. After a lot of training and luck it not only turned out well it’s become a hidden gem.

The Sativa side seems to have really come out. It had the same swampy smell the others have but instead of the tangerine smell that follows this one’s lemony. I catch myself stopping to stick my head in the tent for a whiff.

Looking forward to harvest, but now I’m wondering if it’s going to drag on with this girl.

We did a final trim yesterday. Took off any remaining waste. I did most of Fugly as an example. Mostly lollipopped below the net.

Zen 1:


Zen 2:


Zen 2: 1x3


Want humidity around 40%, with rooms doors closed and dehumidifier on I’m lucky to get 50% lately at lights out. Was 65% before closing the room.

Lights on is fine. Temperature and RH still good. I can adjust things a lot just by opening the tents.

Bumping the lights to 50,000-55,000 LUX seems to have paid off. Still watching for burn though.

Fugly has purple on almost all colas now. After trimming a few bottom branches that didn’t make it to the net I put it in the coffee can cloner. Never tried to reveg before. (Did it accidentally my first year taking a plant in/out onto the stoop.) I’m a plant down and Fugly might be worth another grow.