So FINALLY ready for my grow
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Germinating 2 seeds at the moment in some paper towel in a tuperware container, then they each will get put in a small pot filled with seed raising mix.
400Watt HPS for the both of them with a very large grow space.
Looking forward to this
Hiya mate. Just a helpful bit of advice that you may or may not find useful in future -
Whilst the paper towel method works for many people, if you're growing the seeds in a sowing compost you can use a small dibber or even a pen to make a small indentation in the medium and just place the seed straight in to germinate. The advantage of doing this is that you don't have to touch the taproot at all. The problem with touching it is that it's the number one cause of 'runts', aka small stunted plants. For some reason it can retard the plant's growth right the way throughout it's lifecycle. I've not seen any convincing evidence that explains why this phenomenon occurs, however it definitely is a problem associated with the paper towel method.
Growing straight in compost doesn't allow you to see whether they have germinated at such an early point, however in a few more days when the cotyledons pop through the surface you'll know, so it will just mean being patient for a couple more days. I know the paper towel method is the norm amongst cannabis cultivators, however amongst normal gardeners it is the exception. The usual practice amongst normal gardeners is to just place them in the soil.
I don't mean to criticise your method as it does work, I just thought it might be of some help. However I apologise if the advice is unwanted.
Good to see your back on AE. My pc fucked itself last week and I couldnt get on for a while. Got a new one sorted now though, much faster too
Here are some photo's of my lady today. Day 9 of flower.
Heya Wise! Good to see you too mate. I hope you're doing well!
Seriously, is that just one plant?! It's doing really well!
Can I ask, do you add regular organic matter mulches, wheter it be garden compost or leaf mould?
I've found in recent years a really good technique if I've planted in the ground like you have. If I use a compost tumbler (cylindrical barrel that rotates along it's axis and aerates the compost when you turn it daily), I can make 'compost' in about 4 weeks. It would need to be finished off in a maturation bin (so the worms would finish it off) if you wanted to dig it in. However, if you use it as a mulch over the ground your plant is in, the worms already populating the soil will pull the mulch down and consume the organic matter for you meaning no digging is necessary. You almost certainly know all this as you're an experience ganga grower, however I was curious if you do anything like this or do you just dig compost in at the beginning of the season?
I've been looking absolutely everywhere and I can't find a source for leaf mould. Since this is even better than compost for improving the soil and even making potting mediums (where it arguably performs better than coir, especially since you can use organic nutrients), I'm going to try and start making my own again. I think it'll take about 6 months to a year, but it's probably worth the effort. I think it's the best peat replacement available, since it fills the same function, with it being low in nutrients, light and airy but it doesn't compact and is sustainable. It's amazing you can't buy it at all - it's like there's a conspiracy or something. I'd love to go into business to start selling it, since there would be absolutely no competition whatsoever and I would probably get some fat government grants with the horticultural industry and government being so incompetent at reaching their peat free targets (almost all peat free composts on the market are complete dog shite and are not fit for purpose - it's actually a disgrace as people starting out in gardening will blame themselves and end up choosing a different hobby).
If you do some reading on the benefits of leaf mould you'd be surprised. I know I was, as it's like a miracle substrate that can be made so easily and for free.