Bud Builders - Making Friends, Growing Cannabis

Register a free account today to become a Bud Builders member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on our site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox.

Join the fun and make some friends!

Zen Garden 2025

This shit works! View attachment 104039
I got sick last week and i took 6 doses of this shit. Felt like a million bucks in 3 days. My wife still feels like shit but won't take anything.

thats funny because alky's as i call them are about the only thing that does seem to work for me. i've only ever taken the original blend though, now they have one for every specific ailment. and they all seem to have different ingredients and different amounts too. i almost wish they made a multi pack or sample pack with a few of every kind.

theraflu was another that has kinda helped over the years. but i only get sick once a decade it seems and every time i look for meds they're all changed and a whole new game of ripoff...
 
thats funny because alky's as i call them are about the only thing that does seem to work for me. i've only ever taken the original blend though, now they have one for every specific ailment. and they all seem to have different ingredients and different amounts too. i almost wish they made a multi pack or sample pack with a few of every kind.

theraflu was another that has kinda helped over the years. but i only get sick once a decade it seems and every time i look for meds they're all changed and a whole new game of ripoff...
Drug sample packs 😃
 
Gotta love trichome photos :)

I'm dealing with some crud, too. Sinus pressure is the worst part. I'm not much on pills either. Sinus rinse helps me out for a while. Might be worth a try, if you haven't already.
Family works at a local hospital. Once in a while they bring something home. This one was bad. I got cocky when my son had it and it missed me. But when my wife got it I was pretty sure I’d get it, just didn’t realize how bad it was.

Either today was the last hard one or tomorrow should be, going by my wife’s experience. I think the fever broke midday today but won’t know until I try to sleep tonight.

Sinus migraine has been the only headache I couldn’t stand. Luckily it hasn’t gotten that far.

Wife’s able to go back to work since Monday but it’s been hard on her.

I’ve done a rinse in the past. With this flu I’m not able to eat and I have to force myself to drink water. Doesn’t matter how many times I clear my sinuses they fill right back up again in minutes. Tylenol sinus and antihistamine hasn’t done anything to stop it either. Wife’s four or five days further along than I am so I’m hoping I’ll be functional by Thursday.
 
Hey, your plants look great, don't cut early...unless you have to. If they're healthy and it looks like they are then let them bulk up a bit....no???
I’m just feeling crappy and want this one out to bed. I won’t chop early. They don’t seem to be bulking up like usual, we’ll see.

...I got this thing about 77 days,,,,it may be a mental issue...but 77 is a lucky number and I'm high this morning ....as per usual...77 has a ring to it......lol...fk the trichomes full steam ahead 77 or die trying....New weed this am, my Critical Kush is dry enough to smoke...its party time....lol
I’ve harvested this strain at a few different times. 77 days is one I’ve used before. I keep note books to see how things go between grows. But I think this time will be easier, at least my plant.

Hey I got lost ....Sorry to hear about your illness, if you have what I had in Jan..it lasted through Feb until it was out of my system. sinus was the worst of it, more snot than ever I can remember, plugged or dripping, blowing snot for a solid month then it eased a bit....fkin horrible...no solutions...lots of TV and warm drinks, we both had it bad and it was a sad house for a bit,,,,good thing there was 2 of us 1 was always a bit better than the other so we had help, alone would suck big time.
Yep, that sounds about right. Also leaves us weak and tired. No desire to eat or drink. First time I’ve ever feared for my wife’s health. Scary.

Since I caught it days later I was able to help in the beginning, after that she’s back to being DR Mom.

Maybe I can print 3D nose plugs that stop the constant running. 🤣
 
feel better Zen!!! cold suck man!! i've never had any luck at all with meds. by time i even take them i already feel like shit and too late by then for them to do anything anyway.

tea with honey and some good chicken soup!!
Thanks. I drink tea with just honey almost daily. Usually two or three times a day/night.

Today I upgraded to a grilled cheese sandwich. Prior was nothing or simple chicken soup, without anything but little noodles. Anything more was nauseating.

Hope I’m at the halfway point today.
 
thats funny because alky's as i call them are about the only thing that does seem to work for me. i've only ever taken the original blend though, now they have one for every specific ailment. and they all seem to have different ingredients and different amounts too. i almost wish they made a multi pack or sample pack with a few of every kind.

theraflu was another that has kinda helped over the years. but i only get sick once a decade it seems and every time i look for meds they're all changed and a whole new game of ripoff...
Neocitran used to be my goto when younger but then they changed it and cut the active ingredients in half. Even two packets wouldn’t do it going forward so I stopped buying it.
 
Double thera flu in hot tea for the win.
I get sick maybe once every two-three years.
I was sick this spring so may be good to go for years.
Never heard of that one. But you guys have different drugs than we do. An old manager of mine in the US used to swear by something called Cold FX or something like that.
 
little something for the future…
IMG_4327.jpeg
IMG_4328.jpeg
No one else has grown them yet 👀
 
Family works at a local hospital. Once in a while they bring something home. This one was bad. I got cocky when my son had it and it missed me. But when my wife got it I was pretty sure I’d get it, just didn’t realize how bad it was.

Either today was the last hard one or tomorrow should be, going by my wife’s experience. I think the fever broke midday today but won’t know until I try to sleep tonight.

Sinus migraine has been the only headache I couldn’t stand. Luckily it hasn’t gotten that far.

Wife’s able to go back to work since Monday but it’s been hard on her.

I’ve done a rinse in the past. With this flu I’m not able to eat and I have to force myself to drink water. Doesn’t matter how many times I clear my sinuses they fill right back up again in minutes. Tylenol sinus and antihistamine hasn’t done anything to stop it either. Wife’s four or five days further along than I am so I’m hoping I’ll be functional by Thursday.
I swear by Ivermectin, knocked out my fever overnight, so I got over so-called covid in about a week. Hope you both feel better soon!
 
I swear by Ivermectin, knocked out my fever overnight, so I got over so-called covid in about a week. Hope you both feel better soon!
Thanks, never heard of it. But I’ll look next time I’m at the pharmacy.

I was over Covid in a week as well. One or two days of excruciating pain and then like a normal flu. This was like a Covid lite. Feel so much better today.

Just having my first smoke in days.
 
I think I see them swelling still…could be the fever or wishful think though. Day 67.

IMG_4374.jpeg

IMG_4372.jpeg

IMG_4370.jpeg

Sons buddy we give weed for his seizures considers himself an expert trimmer. He’s offered to do it for me a few times for free but honestly I leave most sugar leaves. My wife and I trim for us. We give weed away for free. You don’t like it don’t take it. 🤣

But my sons all over this. So we’ll be letting his buddy give us a hand this time. Good thing too as his nodes are tight together. PITA 🤣

@Pipecarver Got to scope again this weekend. We’ll see if we can make to the magic 77 again. 🤔
 
20250607: Flower Day 68

I feel we’re getting close to the end. Which is just as well since the heat is climbing and the humidity has never let up. The basement and outside are almost the same temp at 10:00am. IMG_4418.jpeg

So I turned down all the lights to match the Photontek @ 50% or 24000-26000 LUX. This should help with the heat a bit as well.

We’ve only been feeding water this week and that will continue until the chop.

I need to scope the plants tonight. Sons at the worst of the flu right now, wife much better and I’m in the middle. So we aren’t rushing.

I think these will be the last pics until chop. Maybe a few scope pics.

Zen 1: These are putting on the weight. Half of each cola is under the table, more green than purple. This has been more of a trellis than SCROG but still have him more volume.
IMG_4411.jpegIMG_4415.jpegIMG_4416.jpegIMG_4417.jpeg

Zen 2:
IMG_4410.jpegIMG_4414.jpeg

Zen 2: 1x3 My plant is looking good. Lots of reds and orange with a bit of yellow. Still greens below the main canopy. Definitely going to be a good smoke based off past experience. IMG_4409.jpegIMG_4412.jpegIMG_4413.jpeg

I’ve been using brown S hooks we made to hold things together. Linking them like a barrel of monkeys. I had to use one yoyo to stop mine from falling over. You’ll see them on his and mine if you look.

Although my strain usually goes dark purple to black this one set on early with the strange cold snaps we got. It’s also a lot dryer in the leaf texture. If the weather had cooperated this would have been an amazing grow. But I don’t think either of us will be disappointed with our results.

Just need to get over this flu. At lest we can pick up some better meds today/tomorrow.
 
While looking into ways to get my Photontek SQ300W Pro to dim properly I started looking into getting the ACI Controller 69 on sale.

Oldcrow was kind enough to send me his Controller 69 Pro! (He’s got plans for his Pro + and new AI to test out.) Thanks again Sir!

I had to go buy two adapters, molex to UIS and UIS to RJ12. But later found out I’m missing the proprietary din-like plug to RJ12 to finish the upgrade. They call it a daisy chain cable. It’s OOS anywhere local but I have a couple of places I can still try or maybe get it ordered. Always something. I was surprised to see it range from $13.99 to $65! WTF?

But it’s up and working just waiting for the last cable. IMG_4459.jpeg

So looking forward to ditching the 25% incremental switch.
 
While looking into ways to get my Photontek SQ300W Pro to dim properly I started looking into getting the ACI Controller 69 on sale.

Oldcrow was kind enough to send me his Controller 69 Pro! (He’s got plans for his Pro + and new AI to test out.) Thanks again Sir!

I had to go buy two adapters, molex to UIS and UIS to RJ12. But later found out I’m missing the proprietary din-like plug to RJ12 to finish the upgrade. They call it a daisy chain cable. It’s OOS anywhere local but I have a couple of places I can still try or maybe get it ordered. Always something. I was surprised to see it range from $13.99 to $65! WTF?

But it’s up and working just waiting for the last cable. View attachment 104706

So looking forward to ditching the 25% incremental switch.
I saw a small magnifier on Reddit that looked like a nice little tool. I talked to the guy that posted and he says ya its great , amzon $28...so aft tax $34, it needs a small chip, $15, I have no way to read small chips, add a chip reader $15. I can't charge it I need a 5v 1a adapter plug 3-$15 = 34 + 15 +15 + 15 = too fkin much for a small magnifying glass1749491863038.png
 
I saw a small magnifier on Reddit that looked like a nice little tool. I talked to the guy that posted and he says ya its great , amzon $28...so aft tax $34, it needs a small chip, $15, I have no way to read small chips, add a chip reader $15. I can't charge it I need a 5v 1a adapter plug 3-$15 = 34 + 15 +15 + 15 = too fkin much for a small magnifying glassView attachment 104714
This seems to be the new way of things. Add on to death. 🤣

The girl at my store is trying to hook us up. Seems getting things from Photontek is a problem these days.

She also said she thinks another brand will work so she wanted my sons email to get back to us. I’ve seen other brand cables that look like they would work but only in pics. So fingers crossed. 🤞
 
20250611: Flower Day 72


Think it might be chop night tonight. Just for my plant. Son needs to check his tonight.

Took some scope pics just at lights out. Mostly cloudy with a chance of meatballs. Okay, amber balls. Some pics are fuzzy but that sort of helps show the amber better.

These are a mix of lowers and one top.

2025-06-11-07-06-51-189.jpeg

2025-06-11-07-06-50-305.jpeg

2025-06-11-07-06-13-938.jpeg

2025-06-11-07-05-45-198.jpeg

2025-06-11-07-06-39-005.jpeg

Double check tonight. 🤞
 
20250612: Flower Day 73

Mines ready, sons are still pending.

Zen 2: 1x3 harvest
IMG_4519.jpeg

IMG_4520.jpeg

I think sons will go the 77 days but he’ll scope tonight after work. It’s his call. I’ve just explained what to look for and why.

I’ve also noted that screwing the harvest or the cure is possible and he needs to pay attention at this point or suffer the consequences.
 
Vegetables are still slow. I had to start more tomatoes inside as only the Roma came up this year.

All the peppers are thinking about growing but nothing much yet. The spinach, watermelons, and cucumbers are doing good.

IMG_4506.jpeg

IMG_4508.jpeg

IMG_4507.jpeg

IMG_4509.jpeg

IMG_4510.jpeg

IMG_4511.jpegIMG_4485.jpeg

IMG_4483.jpeg

77126584365__C83B34E5-7610-4D9E-8547-F72D127E5CBA.jpeg

Spent most of the day out in the yard filling pots and transplanting seedlings with Willow. Not a bad day but my back hates me.
 
20250613: Flower Day 74

Son is ready to chop Fugly. Tricky part is removing it from the net without scraping against the netting.

Zen 2:
IMG_4566.jpeg

IMG_4564.jpeg

IMG_4565.jpeg

Temperature is 22* and humidity is down to 55%. If it drops lower I’ll put water in the sink and close the door.

I’m expecting the bushier plant to bump the humidity on its own. Also thinking a bit of a wet trim would help open it up and make it dry quicker and more evenly.
 
Last edited:
20250616: 🎆 Flower Day 77 🎇


One plant left to go. It might be ready tonight but I think it will be mid week before we chop. We’ll see.

Zen 1:
IMG_4614.jpeg

The Granddaddy Purple is just getting established. I turned the light back up to 75% to hurry the one plant and get a bit more light down to the seedlings. Sort of a forced Indian Summer.

These are from the 14th. 2025-06-14-18-40-12-520.jpeg2025-06-14-18-40-43-943.jpeg2025-06-14-18-41-41-029.jpeg

The strange thing is that the first plant harvested was a clone of this plant. It will be a full week between them by the 19th.

These are drying out okay. Not a perfect 60/20 but close mist of the time. Had to close the door and put hot water in the sink once already. IMG_4595.jpegIMG_4596.jpegIMG_4597.jpeg

His plant got a wet trim over the weekend. Opened up the middle and let more air circulate.

Jarring is expected to start on the 22nd. 🤞
 
Since my sons last plant is two weeks late I’m moving on to my next round.IMG_4665.jpeg


Four Granddaddy Purple Autos from @GoodShit97
77189214130__D8F65C57-C8F2-4E81-B89C-84DFAC46D030.jpeg
IMG_4661.jpegIMG_4662.jpegIMG_4663.jpegIMG_4664.jpeg

As these are regular seeds I’m hoping for a little luck and they are all going to be female. 🤞

I’ve been top feeding the vegetables Jobes 4:4:4 the last few years with reasonable success so I’ll be trying that with these plants and Gaia Green. The tricky part will be deciding when to add bloom and later drop the grow.
 
20250619: Flower Day 80

Last plant was just chopped on the bosses orders.

IMG_4706.jpeg

He did a scope check last night before heading to work. 2025-06-18-18-24-35-629.jpeg2025-06-18-18-24-16-128.jpeg2025-06-18-18-24-36-215.jpeg2025-06-18-18-22-26-707.jpeg

It’s actually a good amount of amber when I checked later. I think it’s time.

Just need to get it out of the net now and hang it up.

No records were broken but I think he’s done okay over all. He’s learned a few things about growing and managing his time. We’ll see how goes when things are jarred.
 
20250621: End of harvest


Before he did a wet trim and then after. IMG_4719.jpegIMG_4730.jpeg

Mines been hanging 9 days now. Doesn’t seem quite ready. Branches still bend, but almost snap. IMG_4721.jpeg

Humidity has been terrible and temperatures keep going up as a heat wave comes in. Yesterday the high was 28* and they said it was the coolest day over the next week.

Vegetable gardens still going.
IMG_4725.jpegIMG_4726.jpeg

It’s really hard to know what to do when you get snow warnings and heatwave warnings in the same weather report. 🤔🤦
IMG_4715.jpeg

GDP getting used to the sun.
IMG_4714.jpegIMG_4718.jpeg

A few things got beat on when I rained a bit over night.IMG_4729.jpeg
 
20250626: GDP Auto grow

IMG_4793.jpeg

IMG_4792.jpeg


Gardens coming along slowly.
IMG_4786.jpeg

IMG_4783.jpeg

IMG_4785.jpeg

I’ve been hiding in the basement with the rest of the family until the heatwave moves on. Plants have had minimal attention during this period.

Even the harvest drying is interrupted. Temps as high as 26* with humidity reaching 75%. Thankfully it’s coming back down today. IMG_4777.jpeg
 
20250626: GDP Auto grow

View attachment 106753

View attachment 106754


Gardens coming along slowly.
View attachment 106755

View attachment 106756

View attachment 106757

I’ve been hiding in the basement with the rest of the family until the heatwave moves on. Plants have had minimal attention during this period.

Even the harvest drying is interrupted. Temps as high as 26* with humidity reaching 75%. Thankfully it’s coming back down today. View attachment 106758
Hey, nice to see some garden growing, we haven't had the weather yet. Yesterday was fkin hot 34C today much better, only 21C now. Tough drying conditions for you though eh. 70% and 80f not the best conditions. I'd worry about the humidity the most. I've 2 dehues running on turbo 24/7 desk top 36% tent 64% this am, I have all the doors open now and its dropped to 58%. I don't envy your drying conditions.

We went out for diner 2 nights ago at local pub, wife played the slots there and won $300, paid for our meal and $200 to spare. We did a Costco run yesterday and afterwards I said where to next boss/ she said sheepishly Casino? You want to blow your $200. She said no I want to win...lol....okay off we go. We played a few games and were up $200 more then we hit a big one for $1100, She cashed that in and I sat down at another machine and made $200 more. I said lets go to the KEG.

I had a Steak 12oz NY strip loin Chicago style medium with peppercorn gravy & lobster tail ,Wife had an 8oz filet we had a few Margarita's $225 total...lol.....Drove home up over a grand....Ye ha. new side lights...lol...been a couple of lucky nights for us.
 
Hey, nice to see some garden growing, we haven't had the weather yet. Yesterday was fkin hot 34C today much better, only 21C now.
It’s like May never happened. Lost 30 days of growth. June was bad but the two rains we actually got seemed to help the last two weeks but it’s going to be slim harvests I think. Went from 36*-38* and 70% humidity to 29* and 40% yesterday.

Tough drying conditions for you though eh. 70% and 80f not the best conditions. I'd worry about the humidity the most. I've 2 dehues running on turbo 24/7 desk top 36% tent 64% this am, I have all the doors open now and its dropped to 58%. I don't envy your drying conditions.
Humidity in veg never bothers me. They seem to like it. But once in flower or drying it’s a major concern. It was 20* at 60% in the bathroom when I hung them. But last week was a nightmare. I was looking for signs of rot. Glad I had him wet trim like I did to mine. This was yesterday mornings readings. IMG_4828.jpeg

We went out for diner 2 nights ago at local pub, wife played the slots there and won $300, paid for our meal and $200 to spare. We did a Costco run yesterday and afterwards I said where to next boss/ she said sheepishly Casino? You want to blow your $200. She said no I want to win...lol....okay off we go. We played a few games and were up $200 more then we hit a big one for $1100, She cashed that in and I sat down at another machine and made $200 more. I said lets go to the KEG.

I had a Steak 12oz NY strip loin Chicago style medium with peppercorn gravy & lobster tail ,Wife had an 8oz filet we had a few Margarita's $225 total...lol.....Drove home up over a grand....Ye ha. new side lights...lol...been a couple of lucky nights for us.
Nice! That’s your third hot streak this year isn’t it? Glad to hear you take the money and run. Know too many people that can’t stop and end up having to max out credit cards to cover losses. 🤦

Solves your grow budget issue for this month…if you sweet talk the wifey a bit. 😘

Now go buy a lotto ticket and win it big time while you’re still feeling lucky! 🤣
 
Last edited:
20250627: GDP Auto Day 24(?)

Added a soil, compost, Azos, worm castings and Gaia Green 4:4:4 top mix to each pot. Then we actually got good rain yesterday and over night. Looking good this morning. IMG_4842.jpegIMG_4843.jpeg

Definitely going slow outdoors this year but we needed the indoor break this summer. Plus I wanted to see if autos will finish better than my regs.

On a side note I was able to get my local store to order the Photontek adapter cable so I can finally have better control over the light than 25% increments. Thanks again @OLDCRO ! I should have it in a week or two.
 
It’s like May never happened. List 30 days of growth. June was bad but the two rains we actually got seemed to help the last two weeks but it’s going to be slim harvests I think. Went from 36*-38* and 70% humidity to 29* and 40% yesterday.


Humidity in veg never bothers me. They seem to like it. But once in flower or drying it’s a major concern. It was 20* at 60% in the bathroom when I hung them. But last week was a nightmare. I was looking for signs of rot. Glad I had him wet trim like I did to mine. This was yesterday mornings readings. View attachment 106803


Nice! That’s your third hot streak this year isn’t it? Glad to hear you take the money and run. Know too many people that can’t stop and end up having to max out credit cards to cover losses. 🤦

Solves your grow budget issue for this month…if you sweet talk the wifey a bit. 😘

Now go buy a lotto ticket and win it big time while you’re still feeling lucky! 🤣
Yes we've had a few win since last year, We don't usually lose too much, all in the budget sort of playing. We only went because we were up $200 from the night before and as regular guests they give us $50 free slot play weekly so we had $250 to play with. We started to win from the start, small amounts but we were up $200 before we hit the $1112.42 Major Jackpot. When she went to cash that ticket I played another game and hit a bonus for another $200, Steak and Lobster time, lets get the fk out and go eat...lol...
 
20250628: GDP Auto Day 25

We got more rain overnight ending before 7am. Glad I brought the pots in at night. High winds today. So far the plants can take it.

IMG_4905.jpeg

All seem to have a leaf mutation. Two might be growing out of it as five point leaves are coming in.
IMG_4910.jpeg
IMG_4906.jpegIMG_4907.jpegIMG_4908.jpegIMG_4909.jpeg

Hoping they take off this week.
 
Starting trim after waiting 18 days. Humidity is climbing over 70% at times so no more waiting.

Sons buddy was a no show yesterday, haven’t heard from him in two days. So I cleaned all the equipment and setup a trim station. Came back with a half dozen branches only to find my wife sitting in the chair. She’s volunteering for the first plant. 😳

Son had to work until 5am this morning so he’s sleeping now. He’ll be doing at least one of his plants if his buddy doesn’t show up.

Yesterday night.IMG_4920.jpegIMG_4921.jpegIMG_4922.jpeg

Was outside most of yesterday. Garden and flowers are coming along. Everything seems smaller and just less than prior years.
IMG_4916.jpeg
IMG_4861.jpeg

GDP thinking about taking off.IMG_4918.jpeg


Side project is on hold while I locate 12-24 1” Socket head screws/bolts. 77295269985__F2149E07-8FE7-4462-B2AA-6376B6121127.jpeg
 
20250702: GDP Day 29

77308329270__CE4B2C88-434C-43E9-AD5D-B0B50B3F8AD9.jpeg

IMG_4934.jpeg

IMG_4935.jpeg

Trim and jarred my plant.IMG_4925.jpeg

My son trimmed Fugly with my wife’s help. His last biggest plant has about a week to go. Still too humid.

It’s so humid the sugar leaves are sticking together. Might have to freeze them first.77311309708__13481057-54B3-4E57-B35F-2339229BF5C7.jpeg

I miss having plants in the tent but I’m glad I took this summer off. Looking forward to a winter grow.

Edit: Fixed typo
 
Last edited:
We were supposed to get thunderstorms yesterday. Saw lots of lightning. Only heard a few thunder claps. Maybe got five drops of rain. 🤣

Vegetable garden and sunflowers are coming along. Healthy for the most part, just not growing very large or fast.

Cucumbers, watermelon and one tomato plant are doing well. The rest haven’t taken off yet.

Still have two cherry tomato plants and a sunflower in the house that are ready to transplant when it’s nicer outside.

Pics before adding 4:4:4 to each crate and working into the soil.

Three Teddy Bear Sunflowers.
IMG_4954.jpeg

Mammoth Sunflower.
IMG_4959.jpeg

Bushy Beefsteak Tomatoes.
IMG_4956.jpeg

Cucumbers, Beans, Spinach, Thai & Cayenne Peppers, Sweet Bell Pepper and Sugar Baby Watermelon.
IMG_4955.jpeg
IMG_4957.jpegIMG_4958.jpeg

Moving the pots to catch more light, need a wagon. 🤣IMG_4960.jpegIMG_4961.jpeg

Finished feeding after 9pm. Time for a nice kief filled joint in the twilight with Willow.IMG_4963.jpeg
 
Back
Top Bottom