Day 23







New growths definitely look greener ever since I added the CalMg, but it may be placebo effect too You tell me.

Plant #1 (we'll call her Anita) has quite a bit of growth on Alice (plant #2) and for some reason I cannot explain it has grown into a small bush without too much training.

Lots of roots compared to last picture update too.

I decided to bring down EC to 1.8 (was 2.2) because I feared nute burn.
I also had to raise lights two days ago by 3 inches because some leaves were starting to claw up. The SS400 is at 21in above canopy now.
RH has been at 64% since Day 0
Ambient temps have been at 85F for over a week

Two days ago for comparison:

Not to alarm you, but I don't like the looks of the slime on the roots near the basket. Have I introduced you to my little friend?

"Beneficial Bacteria Tea" recipe

Supplies:

5 gallon bucket /w lid
2 gallons water
Sock or other filter
Handful of earthworm castings
1teaspoon brown sugar or molasses
1/4 teaspoon myco powder
Air stone, hose, & pump


Instructions:

Clean the bucket.

Add water to the bucket.

Grab the earthworm castings with the sock over your hand, then invert the sock and tie it off to form a nice bag filter with the castings inside (others use coffee filters stapled closed... you can get creative). Throw the sock into the bucket.

Add brown sugar or molasses. I have always just shaken "enough" brown sugar into the bucket, straight from the box.

Add myco powder

Place the air stone in the bucket and allow it to bubble vigorously with the lid closed.

Temps around 75 degrees F will promote rapid growth, but temps between 65 & 80F will give you usable "tea" within 24 hours.

Now simply add ~12oz of the solution for every 5 gallons of reservoir water every reservoir change, or every 3 days. Whichever comes first.



This is how I learned to do it from one of the major growing forums. I always keep a bucket bubbling, and when it runs out I just rinse the bucket and make more. It's easy, cheap, and voila: no more slime!

Slime? Where? I don't see it.

The brownish thing?

I think that's from my White Shark myco powder.

I'm not sure that his roots are slimy, to me it just looks wet and nutrient stained. If it *is* slime then the mycorrhizae/casting tea should help; he does keep the temps low so it's not heat related...

SME replied before I edited.

I was saying the brownish look is from the White Shark myco powder.

The water in the res has been at 67.8F since day 1 and hasn't moved. Unlikely it is rot?

Feel the roots and see if it feels slimy...

No, they don't feel slimy at all. Just wet.

Am I suppose to start adding CarboLoad or Sweet soon? There's probably not enough myco living on those roots to warrant the need?

I thought those were flowering additives but I've never been into adding extra stuff, I've always thought those were gimmicks but I couldn't say for sure.

I like the tea recipe though...

They can be used in both. It's used a lot in lettuce cultivation grown hydroponically. It definitely helps but it's never been quantified in a lab. They're just carbohydrates which serve to feed any microbial flora living on the roots, boosting the size of the colonies, making for healthier roots.

Essentially it replaces the molasse or brown sugar in the recipe.