Zen_seeker’s DIY Mixmash

[Zen_seeker]

The hole is approximately 18” x 15” x 19”.
Twin 2’s root/soil ball is about 15” x 13” x 9”.

Lights came on, back to work. Should have mixed something up in the hole days ago. Mikedin even mentioned it. But days of rain and other distractions.

Got a bit of everything going into this hole as it’s dead backfill with sand to level a stone walkway and a sheet of plastic to stop weeds. Some roots from the pine trees hunting under it.

If I remember right my uncle would have me make a hole like this wet it and put wet newspaper at the bottom in a cup shape. Pretty sure no more than two layers, unless lining a pot. Then your mix. He used vermiculite soil compost mostly. Dry powders IDR any more.

Other than the occasional garden plant I grow in crates so use either that or reuse old indoor soil.

So I think I’ll start my uncles way. Take some of G$ thoughts and add some leftovers. If that doesn’t make life more difficult nothing will.

My biggest concern is overwatering. It’s a low spot and now that I know plastic is under the walkway it’s also a funnel. The backfill should drain well. Not a lot of gravel. I’ll test that first then decide on the mix.

 

[Moshmen]

What did you decide ? Cut or not to cut? The tops that is - gonna be beast outdoors

 

[Zen_seeker]

What did you decide ? Cut or not to cut? The tops that is - gonna be beast outdoors

Honestly I said fcuk it.

Best overall idea was stick tallest outside. Then crop and flip the rest into a SCROG.

I chopped about 7” off Solo. Don’t recall ATM for Twin One. I removed and thinned most small stuff especially in the middle for all three. Then left Twin 2 alone. Probably SCROG or at least more LST.

Solo and Twin one lost most new growth and hight. I wanted to rescrog tonight but my back is like . Don’t know how G$ does it.

Tomorrow for SCROG at latest. I want Twin 2 in the ground. Had to wait for sun to move over. Going to be a shock but these girls are outside stock but why push it and if I can’t kill them....we’ll see.

 

[Moshmen]

Honestly I said fcuk it.

Best overall idea was stick tallest outside. Then crop and flip the rest into a SCROG.

I chopped about 7” off Solo. Don’t recall ATM for Twin One. I removed and thinned most small stuff especially in the middle for all three. Then left Twin 2 alone. Probably SCROG or at least more LST.

Solo and Twin one lost most new growth and hight. I wanted to rescrog tonight but my back is like . Don’t know how G$ does it.

Tomorrow for SCROG at latest. I want Twin 2 in the ground. Had to wait for sun to move over. Going to be a shock but these girls are outside stock but why push it and if I can’t kill them....we’ll see.

First world grower problems ! Sux - I find there’s never enuff room . Lol - plant counts suck !

 

[Zen_seeker]

Here is how I remove a soft pot. Wifey helps for the larger ones.



There goes half the garden soil/mix. Ah well. At least I get to look after it before someone steals it.

 

[Moshmen]

Here is how I remove a soft pot. Wifey helps for the larger ones.

View attachment 2485View attachment 2486View attachment 2487View attachment 2488View attachment 2489

There goes half the garden soil/mix. Ah well. At least I get to look after it before someone steals it.

Nice- don’t grow them bastards so big and they won’t be able see em from blocks away ! Lol that girl gonna be a nice big in !

 

[Pipecarver]

Here is how I remove a soft pot. Wifey helps for the larger ones.

View attachment 2485View attachment 2486View attachment 2487View attachment 2488View attachment 2489

There goes half the garden soil/mix. Ah well. At least I get to look after it before someone steals it.

Wow May and that big already......Oct harvest?....I wish......I like tree's I'll be watching you with this one......I love the pics of those California monsters I see in 100 gallon pots or bigger . Yours should be close, you might need to knock out another rock.....

 

[Zen_seeker]

All done except for 7G more nutrients. Some cleanup. Gave them the same as the last few times. Just to get her going.



Now I need a new lawnmower. Just not electric. $500 or less that my wife won’t kill. Only exercise she likes. I gave up arguing about it years ago. I just try to move large things and keep it running.

Happy wife...

Anyone familiar with the flowers growing beside Twin 2? It should help for June & maybe July. Heatwave killed them early last year.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Clones Veg Day 69:

Solo looks fine just shorter. Keeps closing the middle when I open her up. Half the pot is dry like a 1-2 but the other side is 5-6?

Roots damaged on one side? Might be why she took so long to heal. IDK Going to have to keep an eye on that. I want to feed before I SCROG. 2-4 hours.



Twin 2 looks happy.


The Pennies are smaller size but twice as tall already. Runoff agrees with them. They have such a strong perfume one in a flower bowl fills the main floor.

Twin 1 looks off. Dropping a few leaves. She lost a lot. Going to give her more time. Doesn’t need feeding yet either.


I wonder if the fan in front of Solo’s pot is drying that side out faster because it’s wider and shallower?

 

[Zen_seeker]

New SCROG legs are about 40” to table top. Going to squash the upper canopy down about 4”. Shouldn’t lose any branches. I gave them springs.


Almost there. Need some help.


And now at 5pm Solo got 7L of same mix. We waited until 15 minutes to lights out and dropped the SCROG. Table top is exactly 40” off the ground.


Plan to dial up the light from 160-180 LUX to 75% by the end of week.

If all is good then flip next week and tuck like a bugger for 3 weeks.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Frost coming the next two nights.
@TSD G$ said you are a bit of an expert when it comes to dealing with frost.

The news said it’s going down to 2*c or 3*c Tuesday and Wednesday nights here. Will wrapping the top with a burlap blanket be okay or needed? She’s doing great outside. Didn’t even droop.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Ready for the frost I hope. G$ said he was at 35f/1.6c by 10pm.


So much quicker uploading at 1am.

First I watered the roots before sunset. That’s a plastic woven dog food bag turned inside out. They are designed to be breathable for moisture.

Under that is a large burlap sheet wrapped around the plant that extends to the ground and held with clips. TSD puts plastic around sheets so I hope this is about the same.

I used a thick cardboard sheet to cover the hole and soil around the trunk. Then crates to hold it in place.

Plan to remove it all at sunrise.
Only 5c at 1am but coldest is said to be at 4am.

 

[Zen_seeker]

10am pic after the unwrapping. Not too bad.


One or two unhappy branches but otherwise okay.

 

[GoodShit97]

10am pic after the unwrapping. Not too bad.
View attachment 3115

One or two unhappy branches but otherwise okay.

You should flatten that thing out, make a 5x5 canopy thats like 3-4 feet tall

 

[Zen_seeker]

You should flatten that thing out, make a 5x5 canopy thats like 3-4 feet tall

Not sure about 5x5 but the idea will be to continue LST. She’s already done it once and has the shape.

Kind of toying with the idea of an outdoor SCROG but don’t want the hassle of laying on my back to deal with issues. And I won’t let my wife do it. Equal rights and pay is fine but better my back than hers.

Thanks for having my back @GoodShit97. Glad the cover up last night paid off. Your backs worse than mine and I only had to go 8’ to deal with my clone.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Crazy. Either someone changed something SL or I can upload for the moment.



Did a lot of clean up and moved all the hole dirt to the other and of the yard. Had to fo it by shovel.

Moved out some of the veggies that are getting big.

Toppers soft pot and rootball with soil was in the garage. After cleaning and removing most roots she filled 4 shopping totes. We have rain coming on the weekend which should help. I’ll mix it with a little hot and a little clean after the rain. I feed until harvest.

Enough for today. Walking like I’m 95 and lost my cane. Going by the fams reaction it’s amusing.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Clones Veg Day 74:

The mud hole is doing fine, as are the crates. It’s still raining lightly.

Twin 2 has recovered from the frost and wrap. Bushed out and good colour.

The tomato plant was a little droopy so I covered it and the green pepper by moving the crates together and making a tent with burlap and wire frames left by plastic signs people put on our lawn over night. (The signs are great targets too for our up North trips.)

Later I’ll be adding green beans and possibly cherry tomatoes today. Tomato seedlings are still a bit fragile.

Hollyhock seems to have stalled. The shell is still holding a leaf. At least the other popped out yesterday. I read they are difficult to transplant and usually take over a year to get established. This popped early but just slowed right down. Maybe the shell?

Inside tents are good. Both LEDs set to 75% last night which is approximately 360-380 LUX @ canopy.

Moved Solos LED to ceiling for 20” to canopy. While Twin 1’s LED remains at approximately 19” above canopy. (16” is recommended so we are good.)

 

[Zen_seeker]

Clones Veg Day 75:

Good speed this morning even with no data.

Twin2 is doing great.


Suns just about to reach her and she’s ready. One leaf just getting sunlight.

Planted a few more veggies and a strawberry plant. Left to right we have Green Pepper, Beefsteak Tomato, Green Beans, Cucumber and Strawberries.


Going to transplant this chive after taking it off the main plant. Grows out of a crack in the stair sidewalk for 25 years. So I’ll start cultivating it.




I’ll update the indoors later. Company sleeping in the grow room.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Still Clones Veg Day 75:

Checking for water under SCROG to make sure no relapses.

Solo:


Twin1:


Feeding Solo today but I think Twin1 could use an extra day. The taller, smaller 7G pot hold the water a little more.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Clones Veg Day 76:

Solo is doing fine after watering and light increase, as is Twin1. But Twin1 is wilting more, lower. Now that they are 40” off the ground I can see things better on the bench. I can see the progression of some things now.

Understanding what it represents is something that is beginning to interest me. Like using the LST clips and light position to alter growth.

I’ve also managed to find a way I’m comfortable with for early LST. I’m the guy you don’t want doing that last 1/4 turn of the bolt on your engine block. So little plants I leave alone.

Until now. I can beat on a vegging plant without to much worry but seedlings and small clones not so much. But by using bigger thicker branches as clones, once they get the roots going, I can bend them and not worry about damage as much.



So I hope this makes my next gen of plants much easier to manage. And no more deficiencies. Still don’t think the clones are 100%.

And the garden because I spent a few days on it and my back and neck are killing me. But it was good to be out. I’m training Willow to stay on the stoop at the same time.

She learns fast but you see her think and decide if she wants to.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Concerned about the rabbits I spoke to G$ regarding protection.

1) Wrap or cover the trunk of Twin2. Rabbits will strip the bark.

2) Cage or cover the top of the veggies/strawberries. Alternatively put open crates around the bases so they don’t want to hop in.

Ripped out some pink/white flowers as spider mites got to them.

Most of our flower gardens start with royal blue/purple colours. Then as the seasons change so do the flower colours.

Not many bees this year. More than enough wasps though. Need to pop a few more veggie seeds.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Clones Veg Day 78:

Twin2: Looking good this morning after yesterday’s super cropping. Tips are already up, but wind and rain are flipping branches.


Inside I flipped to 12/12. 3 months past due on these ladies. I need to get things started or I’ll be out before harvest. That can’t happen.

Had another veggie seed pop. Transplanted this morning to red cup. Think it’s a green onion or radish.

Tent girls are okay. I won’t know until 7pm

 

[Observer]

Clones Veg Day 78:

Twin2: Looking good this morning after yesterday’s super cropping. Tips are already up, but wind and rain are flipping branches.
View attachment 4029

Inside I flipped to 12/12. 3 months past due on these ladies. I need to get things started or I’ll be out before harvest. That can’t happen.

Had another veggie seed pop. Transplanted this morning to red cup. Think it’s a green onion or radish.

Tent girls are okay. I won’t know until 7pm

Nice and bushy

That'll bud out nicely.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Tent plants are going to get a defoliation this week and next. Starting at 7pm tonight.

Solo:

Twin1:


Starting Day 1 of 12/12. Both are at 75% light. LUX is at 360-380. 20” above canopy.

This is a few days after first real feeding in months. Still has that over watered look.

Some branches have more yellow while others are more green. Something still isn’t right.

G$ found a better chart for my nutrients a week or two ago. So jumping in at week 3.


Next feeding is week 1 bloom transition for the indoor ladies.

Outside I have no idea. She looks good. A white dot at the leaf tips. But otherwise growing bigger and much faster than inside. It’s had one good feeding band some watered down 3-6-12 twice as frost was coming and the roots needed water for protection.

We’ll see how things went over night.

Before:


After:


She’ll bush out okay in a day. The HST branches don’t look bad either.

Back ground veggies look good too.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Toppers last clone.




More veggies and giveaways.


Haven’t checked outside for frost damage. Forgot to cover last night.

 

[stonemason]

That outdoor plant is going to be a monster.

 

[Zen_seeker]

That outdoor plant is going to be a monster.

Wasn’t going to post her today but...

Twin2:


The branches I did HST to are okay but the wind the last few days had me worried.

If the frost is done I can see about opening her up. But going to try and keep her low and wide.

 

[ZombieRider]

Clones Veg Day 66:

Twins and Solo need a trim. Changes coming this weekend.

View attachment 2263

This puts the Twins at about 41” soil to canopy and Solo @ 36”.

Im liking the two multi chambered tent setup. You could pheno hunt in one and run your favorite clones in the other without needing all those extra tents or space. Plants looking healthy as f, cant wait to see the nug shots!

 

[Zen_seeker]

Couldn’t even login this morning. I hope that means the site is busy but suspect just to much cell traffic in my area.

@ZombieRider originally I was going to do a perpetual grow but deficiencies at any point caused weeks of backup which in turn caused more deficiencies.

I had almost duplicated everything with backup equipment JIC. So decided to setup the second 3 in 1 to help. I also modified the first 3 in 1 side zones so I pop seeds or start clones up top. Then move to new tent side zones. Then go to larger side zone before going to 3x3 zones to veg/flower.

Just need these ladies done to start the new rhythm. Veggies will be added/started as needed.

That’s the plan anyway.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Twin2 looks good this morning.



Wonder how tall she is now? Peonies are getting ready to open. That will hide smell for a month.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Twin1: Needed a haircut.


Doesn’t look like much but she lost a lot of weight. Only left a few lower outside branches as they still get light. I want to open the middle with braces >——< .

Solo: Leaving alone a few days.


Both plants are near feeding time. Monday is my guess.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Twin2:


Willow and I take a minute each morning to check on the plants. 13*c @ 6am.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Took a few night pics to see how much light gets to the plants.



Last pic is just Twin2. Yellow/orange light on the top leaves.

The garden lights are just there to charge and see which still work. They do show how bright the street lights are in comparison.

 

[TomH]

It looks like you have less light in your twin 2 area than I do on my balcony area, I’ve done two seasons of pretty good grows there.
Looks amazing, I’m getting the need to go take a few rips off the bong just looking and drooling!

 

[GoodShit97]

Took a few night pics to see how much light gets to the plants.

View attachment 4698View attachment 4699View attachment 4700View attachment 4701

Last pic is just Twin2. Yellow/orange light on the top leaves.

The garden lights are just there to charge and see which still work. They do show how bright the street lights are in comparison.

I think youll be ok man.
My theory is the plant will adjust itself and know when dark is if that light is on every night.
I could be wrong, and it may totally fk shit up, but only one way to know for sure right?

 

[TomH]

I think youll be ok man.
My theory is the plant will adjust itself and know when dark is if that light is on every night.
I could be wrong, and it may totally fk shit up, but only one way to know for sure right?

I agree but I have absolutely no proof.

a set of ray-bans for the cola might make for a good photo op though!

 

[Zen_seeker]

@TomH & @GoodShit97 thanks for the feedback gentlemen.

It’s brighter in real life, pics never get the light level right. But I did try to put her in the best overall place. Lack of direct sunlight is the big one. But that might help down the road. Size and heat damage might be less over summer.

The twilight issue was more an afterthought because i forgot to check or ask about it before planting. Not like I was going to move her again. (If it goes well I might have a new process to repeat.)

The crates I can move as needed or cover if to much sun. They are there only to help block Twin2.

In the past I have called to get them to turn off a street light as it shone in our kids bedroom. But we had them put it back on just a few years ago. Don’t know if they would do it for a plant.

 

[TomH]

@TomH & @GoodShit97 thanks for the feedback gentlemen.

It’s brighter in real life, pics never get the light level right. But I did try to put her in the best overall place. Lack of direct sunlight is the big one. But that might help down the road. Size and heat damage might be less over summer.

The twilight issue was more an afterthought because i forgot to check or ask about it before planting. Not like I was going to move her again. (If it goes well I might have a new process to repeat.)

The crates I can move as needed or cover if to much sun. They are there only to help block Twin2.

In the past I have called to get them to turn off a street light as it shone in our kids bedroom. But we had them put it back on just a few years ago. Don’t know if they would do it for a plant.

Reason for requested action: temporary adoption, may happen yearly! Yeah! That’s the ticket!

 

[stonemason]

Your plants will come to know this as thier dark resting time.my outdoor has never realy cared about light pollution. Might be strain specific also.you should be good.

 

[Zen_seeker]

The bottom pic is a look into the middle to see how dense it is. In relation to the top pic it’s middle right where the bent branch is.

Seems I lied to TomH, some of the new growth I super cropped or HSTed was over 12” long. Doing fine now but still bounce around in the wind.

Yesterday veggie picks:

Green Beans


Cucumber


Cherry Tomato 1


Strawberries


Cherry Tomato 2


Sweet Green Pepper


Chives


Beefsteak Tomato


Original Chives


Peas & nosey Willow



Not a great garden but my first in 45 years. I hate gardening but my wife likes the plants and veggies and wanted to try it last year. This turned into my job after about a month.

I don’t hate it as much setup like this. Everything is right there at my stoop. Bending is not as bad and getting better.

Just need to plant more veggies. Have about 10 crates I still need to fill.