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SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:00 pm
by MissingCow
Tonight I will be starting a grow journal from seed, 1st day of germination. I have designed and tested my grown room, but it is different from any previous grows I have attempted, so there are many variables that are new to me. Rather than repost everything about the grow space, the link below is for my deign and build thread which covers everything. Not sure how to link, so copy paste I guess.

http://www.ledgrowlightforum.com/pre-planning-the-new-led-grow-tons-of-new-variables-t621.html

Here's a brief overview for anyone who doesn't want to read the whole thread to catch the drift:
-SolarStorm880
-CO2 supplementation
-Sealed Environment with various environmental and air controls
-Soil based media (Canna Professional)
-Organic nutrients (Canna bio line)
-Will be using SCROG, topping, defoliation techniques
-10 gal Smart Pots are ultimate potting environment
-Drain to waste system

Tonight my genetics arrived, so for this grow I will be using:
Photo Aug 11, 5 29 41 PM.jpg
(Money Maker x5), Pineapple Chunk (x5), (Incredible Bulk x1)
Photo Aug 11, 5 29 41 PM.jpg (263.7 KiB) Viewed 17892 times


Germination on 8/11
(2 x Pineapple Chunk)
(2 x Money Maker)
(1 x Dr Krippling's Incredible Bulk)

Strain notes below for my reference and other growers who may pursue these: (including sales pitch from breeder)
Pineapple Chunk
Breeder: Barney's Farm
Type: Indica Dominant
Feminized: yes
Yield: 650 gm/m2
Height: 60-70cm
Flower Time: 60-65 days
THC: 25%
CBD: 1.1%
Genetics: Pineapple x Skunk #1 x Cheese
Breeder notes:
- Vigorous, stable, mould and disease resistant
- Watch out for stretch - 1' -> 4' in 4 weeks
Effect Characteristics:
- Couchlock
- Relaxing
- Thought provoking
- Spacey/psychedelic
- Calming

Money Maker
Breeder: Strain Hunters
Type: 70% indica, 30% sativa
Feminized: yes
Yield: 1.0 gpw/m2 under 1000w hps
Height: Short, 5-7cm between internodes
Flower time: 8 weeks (56 days)
THC and CBD unlisted... it is however listed as a "Medical" strain
Genetics: Original Master Kush x Hindu Kush x Skunk
Breeder notes:
- Vigorous, fast grow
- Low leaf:calyx ratio
- Can take high nutrient levels
- Short and Bushy stature
- Foxtailing likely
Effect Characteristics:
- Fast hitting
- good for insomnia
- narcotic effect, pain relief
- physical effects and tranquility

Incredible Bulk
Breeder: Dr. Krippling
Type: 80% Indica, 20% Sativa
Feminized: yes
Yield and Height are not measured... except in the sales pitch below
Flower time: 7-8 weeks
THC: 20-24%
CBD unlisted
Genetics: Big Bud x SuperSkunk x Green Spirit
Breeder notes:
- Almost impossible to hurt (hopefully I won't have to test that)
- Accepts a huge range of pH and nutrient fluctuations
- Withstands heat and moisture well
- flip before 2' tall
- "boxing glove sized" buds (when supplementing with CO2 in a hydro system) - hopefully I WILL get to test that

Next post to contain germination methods and photos.

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:17 pm
by MissingCow
As mentioned above, tonight I am germinating (2 x Pineapple Chunk), (2 x Money Maker), (1 x Dr Krippling's Incredible Bulk) with the intention of culling 1 of them before flowering. My desire is to grow the Incredible Bulk, as well as 2 pineapple chunks and 1 money maker, but we will see how the phenotypes look. If I have any sickly plants or colossal screw-ups, I have 3 seeds remaining for each PC, and MM.

I started by preparing a seed propagation tray with perlite at the bottom to prevent the rockwool cubes from becoming water logged.

Rockwool cubes were submersed in 5.5 pH water per the manufacturer instructions, and all seeds were direct sown, tap root opening side down. The cubes were gently pinched shut, and a small piece of rockwool placed over the top of all seeds.
Photo Aug 11, 6 46 51 PM.jpg
pH for rockwool soak
Photo Aug 11, 6 46 51 PM.jpg (89.07 KiB) Viewed 17891 times


Photo Aug 11, 7 12 22 PM.jpg
Rockwool with sown seeds, with remote humidity/temp monitoring in the center
Photo Aug 11, 7 12 22 PM.jpg (176.53 KiB) Viewed 17891 times


The humidity dome was added. Temperature measurements are being taken from the center of the tray, as well as from the center of the rockwool cube using a cheap underwater thermometer I picked up at a pet supply store, by the aquariums. I am aiming for a germination temperature of 78 deg F. In the last 5 hours of germination, the temperature has spiked over 80, so I now have the propagation tray sitting on ballpoint pens above the mat. Hopefully this will help regulate the temperature overnight.

Humidity has been steadily 85-95%. I misted the cubes when I covered them with the dome, and I will continue to monitor the cubes to make sure they do not dry completely out.
Photo Aug 11, 8 10 24 PM.jpg
Temp and humidity after 5 hours on mat
Photo Aug 11, 8 10 24 PM.jpg (134.63 KiB) Viewed 17891 times


I've got high hopes for the next 24-72 hour. Hopefully germination will occur soon.

Thank you for stopping by. Comments, feedback or tips are always appreciated.

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:15 am
by SisterMaryElephant
Keep on keeping on... ;)

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:07 am
by MissingCow
Thanks! I had a question about CO2 use and temperature on my grow room design page, but I don't know if anyone who saw it knows. Hopefully it's okay I ask here too now that the grow is underway.

I need to know a few things:

- What is the optimal temperature for CO2 supplementation? Jorges Cervantes says 80 F max. Other forums and thedailysmoker report 85-95** :? Anyone have an optimal temperature guideline?

- The next question relates to the first: what's the best night time temp? Does it remain at 5-10 degrees F below daytime temperature (like 75-85 F) or should it be 65-70F as without enrichment? I'm assuming since internodal growth is related proportionally to difference between night/day that it would be 75-85. Confirmation would be appreciated as I'm now planning on running it at 90-94 during the day and 80-84 at night.

- The last thing I want to know is if a permanently sealed grow room is optimal, or if periodic air exchange should take place? I'm planning to let the plants do their jobs and photosynthesize for the last hour of every day cycle to add oxygen to the nighttime environment. I'll dehumidify the atmosphere to alleviate transpiration and excess humidity. Those two factors-humidity and fresh oxygen intake-are what Cervantes says periodic air exchange is to prevent. Again, I can't find any consensus. :| I might add that for me to add periodic air exchange (beyond just me going in the tent every day to water and check the plants) It'll require another timed inline fan purchase that I hadn't counted on.

Thanks for your time! I'll appreciate any advice you can spare.

MC

** "In order for your plants to fully utilize the extra carbon dioxide the temperature of your growroom will need to be 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit, (30-35 degrees Celsius). If temperatures are below this then you will not see much in the way of results. However, if your room is sealed and your ventilation is off then it is quite easy to maintain the correct temperatures, your room is going to heat up naturally" - thedailysmoker, fresh air (&CO2)

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 8:15 am
by rkymtnman
Question about day/nite temps. Is this during veg or bloom? I veg 24/0 and keep a constant (try to at least) temp/RH. Do you run a dark cycle during veg? Or is this planning for when you switch over to flower later??

What ppm are you planning on running in the tent for your CO2 ?

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 11:45 am
by SisterMaryElephant
Good questions RKY; I'd suggest 24/0 for veg too...

Plants can go 80 even without added CO2 and 95 might be a bit high for many strains so I'd say 85-90 is closer to where I'd want to be. Some strains won't tolerate 95F

With higher daytime temps you can also increase the nighttime differential to 10-15F, imho.

While the lights are on you don't need air-exchange if you maintain RH and temps and that's another good reason to veg 24/0. During flower, with lights off, there's no benefit of using CO2 so you might as well turn it off. I'd purge to help the roots get the oxygen they need. CO2 is for leaves, O is for roots. ;)

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:03 pm
by MissingCow
SisterMaryElephant wrote:Good questions RKY; I'd suggest 24/0 for veg too...

Plants can go 80 even without added CO2 and 95 might be a bit high for many strains so I'd say 85-90 is closer to where I'd want to be. Some strains won't tolerate 95F

With higher daytime temps you can also increase the nighttime differential to 10-15F, imho.

While the lights are on you don't need air-exchange if you maintain RH and temps and that's another good reason to veg 24/0. During flower, with lights off, there's no benefit of using CO2 so you might as well turn it off. I'd purge to help the roots get the oxygen they need. CO2 is for leaves, O is for roots. ;)


Outstanding advice. That makes sense about the 24/0 during veg, temps remain constant holding between 85-90 to the best of my ability. Flower will run at 85-90 day/70-80 night.

As for the nighttime root O2 needs, my plan for that is aererated water to mix nutrient solution, as well as shutting off the CO2 one hour before lights off to allow plants to photosynthesize CO2 enriched air for O2 rich air. This plan is in lieu of purge and exchange.

Fair plan?

Thanks again for your advice and knowledge.

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:18 pm
by SisterMaryElephant
You'll want to see how long it takes to dissipate down to normal levels if you're not purging... ;)

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:42 pm
by MissingCow
rkymtnman wrote:Question about day/nite temps. Is this during veg or bloom? I veg 24/0 and keep a constant (try to at least) temp/RH. Do you run a dark cycle during veg? Or is this planning for when you switch over to flower later??

What ppm are you planning on running in the tent for your CO2 ?


Hi RKY, I'm planning on running 1200-1500 ppm CO2. The controller I have only allows flow of to saturation just above 1200, then shuts it off until it drops below 1200 again. I won't be able to dial it up or down from there.

I really dig your 24/0 schedule with constant RH/temp. I was thinking 18/6 veg with a night period. 24/0 makes so much more sense.

Re: SolarStorm 880 - (2x Pineapple Chunk) (2x Money Maker)

PostPosted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:44 pm
by MissingCow
SisterMaryElephant wrote:You'll want to see how long it takes to dissipate down to normal levels if you're not purging... ;)


Cool thanks! I'll start working on a way to figure that one out.... :)