First indoor grow

SaltCity The grow conditions are not ideal, but I’m hopeful. Humidity is way too low at 30 and I’m spraying the soil with water to keep conditions moist. Generally, watering with spray bottle, started with a couple of ounces of filtered water at end of week and soil is still moist overnight. Temperatures are also cooler than recommended. I lowered the grow light to 12 inches for a day to see if the temperature increases but decided to raise it back close to 20” per light instructions. I’m growing in a 4 inch pot with Happy Frog soil and planning on transplanting to a pot closer to 2 gallons. Hopefully, I can transplant without shocking the plant by being very careful.

SaltCity The plant looks healthy but growth appears a little slow compared to other diaries. I’m attributing this to lower than ideal temperature and much lower humidity. I’m just not set up for better conditions at this point but satisfied with the results so far. Watering has been minimal and I’ll be transplanting to a 1.5+ gallon pot as soon as this new set of leaves forms more fully.

SaltCity I transplanted from 4 inch to 8 inch pots. I added soil with organic nutrients that are supposed to feed the plants through flowering. However, this is something I may need to monitor. I added a small circulating fan to increased airflow. Watering with filtered water with added lemon or lime juice to lower ph. The humidity is slowly increasing in the space (just due to weather conditions). Plants look healthy and continue to sprout new leaves. Next update will be in a few days as this entry is a couple days late.

SaltCity The transplant did not slow the growth of the plant and they continue to look green and healthy. Only watering when soil is near dry.

SaltCity Just watering when the soil is dry, nothing else. I added some organic soil to the top layer with the idea some nutrients will flow to the roots. I’m keeping an eye out for any deficiencies but all looks good so far. The plant is still very much in vegetative state. I’m anticipating another week or so before it starts flowering.

SaltCity I’m seeing a few white pistils on only one of the girls. One is growing taller with nice healthy branches, other is bushier and shorter. I started tucking some fan leaves under the lower branches that are reaching up to the light. I really hope I get into flowering next week. It’s looking like a fairly long veg stage. I think flowering may go fast with this strain but we’ll find out. No grow technique other than tucking leaves, no nutrients. I’m keeping the light a little lower to see what happens. Watering only every few days when the soil gets dry.

SaltCity The taller plant grew 6 inches in this week. From 16” to 22”. I gave in and decided to try a very small amount of nutrients from Fox Farm because I’ve been reading that eventually the organic soil won’t be enough. They are absorbing water quickly and are looking strong. I’m tucking leaves but no other grow method. I’m using this grow as a baseline so I didn’t want to try too many things since it’s my first. I may trim off a lower branch if I’m seeing flowering on the top and not on anything lower. Finally seeing pistils on both plants and excited for this flowering stage. Will switch to a bloom nutrient soon. I also turned on a heater and have temps at 66 day and night and humidity remains low at 44% which should be about right for the flowering stage of this strain. Scent is weak, but occasionally I’ve gotten a sweet aroma and sometimes it’s just a little skunky.

SaltCity Another explosion in growth this week. I expect to growth to slow or stop entirely soon The aroma is now pungent and strong. I made some changes to the room so temperatures are higher and more steady. Humidity remains low. I switched to Fox Farm Tiger Bloom but less than half the recommended amount. With the heater and the fan the soil gets dry faster. Watering every day now or every day and half or so. Despite not using grow techniques there appear to be plenty of bud sites for a decent yield.

SaltCity It looks like I skipped week 9 but more of the same. Both plants are flowering. The taller one is now 41” which is way taller than I expected but I have plenty of height in the room. The main cola is pretty close to the light so some leaves are lighter green probably from some light burn. I think it can probably handle it with these LEDs. I have to water every day, next time I’ll use a larger pot. I’m going to feed every third watering for now. Trichomes are forming on buds. I’m hoping the buds fatten over the next weeks.

SaltCity Buds are looking better and trichomes are visible and clear. Pistils are still white, just seeing the first ones start to turn amber. Plants aren’t gaining anymore height. I removed some of the large fan leaves on the bottom of the plant. I’m continuing with nutrients and increased the amount. Plant seems to take additional nutrients, maybe even needs it. I wrote that my pot size is 2 gallons but maybe it’s even smaller. I’m confused about how pot sizes are calculated. Bigger pots next time for sure. Most likely just one plant too since my light is too small for plants this large. Some pale colors on leaves, most likely from light, could be slight nutrient problem too. Some leaf tips are brown, again most likely I had the light too close.

SaltCity I stopped using Tiger Bloom, I think it was either burning one of the plants or I was overwatering. The smaller, bushier plant had no problems. Week 13, what a long autoflower! I think it may go another 2 weeks but the leaves are all yellowing so it has to be getting close. I won’t be using much nutrients at all.

SaltCity Last few weeks I’ve removed a lot of leaves to get more light through to any lower buds. Week 14 and some trichomes are getting milky, but no amber buds. I think maybe another week to go. I hope the buds fatten up a little more. I think yield will exceed my expectations (I set a goal of 0.5oz / plant) and I’m starting to think about how I’m going to trim, dry and cure properly for the first time.

SaltCity I trimmed off the top part of the main cola of the shorter bushier plant. Drying and curing that little bit while I’m still waiting for some trichomes to become amber. 16 weeks now and still going. I think the shorter one is ready very soon. The taller one may still take more time. 17 week autoflower? I can’t wait to get this harvested.

SaltCity This is my first indoor grow. Despite being an auto, it took 18 weeks and could have possibly gone longer. I will grow again from this breeder and try more of their old school seed strains. I will introduce training, most likely topping, now that I know the plant is so tall and grow time is so long. Plenty of time for the plant to recover. I think it could help yield and bud size in the end. The yield amount I listed is tricky for two reasons: 1. I left on plenty of sugar leaves so that has to add to the weight 2. I feel like I dried longer than I should have so that reduced some weight. Either way, I think it’s fair to say at least an ounce per plant. This far surpasses my goal and pleased with the results. Can’t wait to try again.