Winter Grow (RQS - SQA + MA)

DutchBarnacle 👋Hi there and welcome to this duo diary. Variety is the spice of life, so this diary we'll be growing not one large, but two smaller strains. Our goal is to use the SCroG method to spread out both canopies evenly across the entire area of the tent. Along the way, you'll likely also notice a third, even smaller pot, which is the Amnesia Haze Automatic (S1) from our other, simultaneous diary: https://growdiaries.woodroom.tel/diaries/291478 Strains in this diary: 1 ) Sherbet Queen Auto - Sativa 35% Indica 60% Ruderalis 5% || second time we grow this 2 ) Mimosa Auto - Sativa 65% Indica 30% Ruderalis 5% || very excited! With all variables being equal except for the strain, it's easier journaling to combine the two. As such, the eventual 'Day 1' will be set to that of the first of these two that properly pops out of her shell. Both plants will live in two plastic 9L pots as an experiment to see how a smaller container size will affect size/yield, compared to the fabric 30L bag first grow, and the fabric 19L bag with the Northern Light Automatic of last diary. While the OG Sherbet Queen Automatic was grown in a larger bag, the Northern Light Automatic (at the time of writing still drying) will likely far surpass her yield - eventhough the container size dropped with 11 liters. Would decreasing the container size even further even allow for much yield, regarding the Sherbet Queen Automatic? And what about the Northern Light Automatic in the 19L container of last diary, could we match its yield with multiple plants in smaller containers? And regarding the knowledge we gained from the last two diaries, can we improve our feeding schedule and soil? We've learned a thing or two about the usage of kitchen waste in soil improvement and we even discoverd a magic, organic, enhanced potato peel potion to boost during flower. We learned a lot about watering schedules and dry-back, but also when (not) to add certain (synthetic) nutrients. Do we even need CalMag with our new self-made soil? And will the magic, organic, enhanced potato peel potion (MOEPPP, lol) bring enough benefits to substitute Plagron PK13-14 if we choose the organic way? Specifically for this diary we'll try to answer this question: "Is it possible to grow 3 plants in a 2'x2' (70cm/70cm) growspace using a 100w LED and yield more than 80 grams while only using organic nutrients?". It's a lot to process, but all of these questions will aid in providing more insights about growspace layout, tools and grow techniques. To keep things clear, we test four hypotheses: 1) The Sherbet Queen Automatic will yield less than the last time we grew it. The last grow of the Sherbet Queen Automatic yielded ~48 grams. In that grow, she received LST and full light priority as she was the only plant in the tent. Additionally, the previous Sherbet Queen was grown in a 19L fabric pot. Naturally, we'd expect a lower yield because she's not receiving full light priority and is housed in a 9L pot - in this run. If the current grow exceeds in terms of yield, we may assume that the Sherbet Queen Automatic does not need a large container for a decent yield, allowing for growspace optimisation. 2) It's possible to exceed, or at least match, the yield of the Northern Light Automatic. Combining the Sherbet Queen Automatic, the Mimosa Auto, and the Amnesia Haze Automatic (S1) While neither of these two plants are big yielders, they are able to yield at least 50 grams a piece when grown correctly. Hence, might assume that together they should be able to at least yield a conservative total of 80grams dry. This would mean a modest yield of 40 grams dry a piece and perhaps some bonus yield of the simultaneous Amnesia Haze Automatic (S1) diary. If we manage this, it would open up the future choice between growing a single larger yielder, or multiple smaller plants - or in other words: allow for more variation of strains! 3) CalMag is not required during transition to flower. At least not in this organic grow style. Or rather, abstaining from CalMag will not cause a Nitrogen Deficit. CalMag is widely considered a no-brainer. It was used for the first time in the Sherbet Queen Auto diary when she showed signs of a deficiency, but there was no consideration for the cause of that deficiency. In the previous Northern Light Automatic diary, we added it a few times during the transition into bloom - and perhaps more during bloom. The Plagron CalMag Pro provides the form of Calcium Nitrate (= N) and thus will add to the Nitrogen levels in the soil. Why is this relevant? Some sources suggest to abstain from CalMag in the transition to bloom and to only apply it in late bloom or early/middle veg. The suggested mechanism, is that the plant should focus on the development of her buds, and with high levels of nitrogen, she'll waste energy into growing new foliage. What we want to find out, is whether our soil mixture has improved enough to abstain from CalMag. If we can grow three plants without having to resort to supplementing with CalMag, we can more precisely control the available nitrogen during early bloom. 4) Our Home-made soil mix and nutrient boosters will carry us through the entire grow. Until now, we've mainly focused on the yield of a single plant, justifying the use of mineral based nutrition to 'up' the yield and quickly respond to deficiencies. But since we're growing multiple plants this time in limited space - it's overkill to also try to pump them up. It's no use to try and maximize the yield of any of the plants because it would crowd the growspace. Hence, we can focus on generating a 'decent' yield and answer the question whether kitchen waste is sufficient nutritious. If we don't burn, starve or poison our plants we may answer that with a yes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day G0 Both seeds were dropped on top of water in a mug. Day G2 Both shells have popped open and the taproots are peeking out, not far enough to justify planting them already. That, and the heavy rainfall of the past weeks has moistened up the prepared soil - which is stored and revitalized in the garden - to the point that it already has been sitting next to the radiator for two days and is still a bit too moist. Because of that, there's still a bunch of fungus gnats in the soil. Those are expected to dissipate when the soil dries, there's also a few sticky yellow traps. Hence, every day waited to plant the seeds means less fungus gnats in the tent to take care of. Day G3 The simultaneous AH (S1) has been moved to the tent yesterday. Most likely we'll be able to plant these two seeds as well this evening. --- That evening: Yep, the Sherbet Queen Auto (SQA) was ready to be planted with a taproot of about a full centimeter. The Mimosa Auto (MA) still needs another day or so. Day G4 No sign of the SQA yet. The MA seed was still sitting on the water, with a tiny taproot just poking out. Too long on the water isn't beneficial either, so I decided to plant the MA too. Now all that's left to do is to have patience. I've disabled the timer of the LED and increased its power to 50% in hope of slightly raising the temperature - it's 21°C currently - to entice some growth. Day G5 / Day 1 The SQA has appeared above the soil overnight and has managed to shed her shell herself. She's tiny! Since her shell is gone, it's time to remove the humidity dome to start the first dryback. The MA however, has not changed significantly since planting her. We'll give her two more days, but if nothing has changed tomorrow it'll be wise to at least already prepare a new seed.