My first grow - journal w/ pics

[ZBeebs]

Checked trichs tonight before watering, saw some amber and harvested the kandy kush. I cut all the branches from the main stalk, cut off the top of the plant, and cut away all the larger leaves and ones I could get to easily. They are hanging in the dark in another room in the basement from metal clothes hangers. I think the exile will get another few days, and then the rest won't be far behind. The vanilla kush plants are close, probably only going to get about ten days of plain water before harvest. The pineapple express looks like it'll be a little while longer though, still some clear trichs and no amber that I can see.

[ZBeebs]

Some pics, just before I harvested the one plant...

[Cal X]

Hey, ZBeebs! When you cut the plant off of any nutrients, it will start to use reserve compounds, including salts; this will result in a nasty, black ash, nightmare! Even if F.F ferts retain less salt, there are still unwanted starches and other elements that you need to get rid of. If you pluck off a stem and taste it, if it's bitter, flush em; a week after try another stem, it should be sweet. I encourage you to Flush or Leach, with what ever method that you choose!

[Uncle Ron]

I harvest at the end of a 12hr light cycle. I figure this would allow the plant one last day of photosynthesis; rid the plant of as much water as possible. Something else to think about is timing the last watering. Say I planned on harvesting a plant on Friday. The last day I would give it water would be Monday or Tuesday. Doesn't matter at this stage if the plant becomes a little more stressed than it already is, no? No.

As for the manufacturers statement that their product doesn't contain salts, maybe so, but the other stuff you've been using does. There are also salts in the growing medium in the form of trace minerals. Salt or no salt, three gallons of water or nine, the purpose is to flush the plant of all chemicals. To be successful, one must remove the chemicals/salts from the grow medium so the plant won't absorb them. Simplified, absolutely.

Flush them anyway you want, except down the toilet.

Happy farming.

[Cisco]

Iv read that its better to harvest plants in the morning (before light period) if you harvest after the lights have been on the plants are still working through their photosynthesis

[Uncle Ron]

.... if you harvest after the lights have been on the plants are still working through their photosynthesis

That's my point, every bit of transpiration as possible. Rid the plant of as much water before harvesting. In the dark, the plant is basically idle, no significant (read minimal) intake/output. If one harvests at the end of the dark period, any water/chemicals in its system for 12+ hours will also be present, unless the growing medium has been bone dry for at least a day or two.

Either way works, I think it more of a personal preference. To fit my daily routine, I usually have the light on from 6pm to 6am. I check the plants when the light first comes on; check them just before bedtime; check them before the light goes out. Note: I would rather be at home during the light cycle in case something happens with the lamp. Remember Murphy's Law.

Happy farming.

[Cal X]

24 hours of dark before harvest, supposedly, causes a resin spike in the buds; I haven't tried that myself, though. It wouldn't hurt anything to try it!

[Uncle Ron]

24 hours of dark before harvest, supposedly, causes a resin spike in the buds; I haven't tried that myself, though. It wouldn't hurt anything to try it!

I've tried that as well, along with two to three days of darkness before turning the lights to 12/12. I didn't notice any significant difference when compared to grows without the dark periods. Sounds more like personal preference (or old wives tale) than actual fact. I've checked and found nothing of substance other than opinions to support these theories. Either way, to each their own. If it works, awesome, if not, nothing lost but time.

There are many proven theories/methods of increasing yield and quality, but the effects of dark periods has yet to be proven, to me anyway. What I know for sure is that the plants do fine when light is switched from 24 to 12 without a dark period, and the same applies when harvesting.

Something to remember is that when a plant is in a dark period, nothing happens, no photosynthesis, no growth, nada. So how do trichomes form when the plant is dormant? Hint - the development of trichomes occurs during photosynthesis.

Some interesting reading about trichomes. Check it out. http://www.cannabis.com/growing/curing- ... e-101.html

Happy farming.

[Cal X]

Good link, Ron! Thanks for that.

[ZBeebs]

Ended up taking uncle rons advice, ran a gallon of water through each last night, will do it again when in a few days, maybe a 3rd time if I can before harvest. Took a bunch of pics last night, will post them tonight.

Also noticed that people are giving me advice, such as telling me to do 24 hours of dark before harvest, but then saying they've never actually done it that way themselves? What is up with that? Especially when I've noticed hints of attitude when I didn't immediately take advice and use it!

[SkinAnother]

No, but from what I have read, they are just letting you know what they have read themselves, or heard from someone else. Just a sharing/passing of info.

Again I'd like to thank you for this WHOLE thread ZBeebz and everyone who has posted your knowledge on here. I will be starting my first grow in a few months and I am sure I will be scrolling through this thread on a daily basis when it all starts out.

SA

[ZBeebs]

I know, I get it. I don't mean to sound ungrateful for the help, but it's one thing to offer advice based on personal experience and another based on something you've read or heard.

I just got done checking on the kandy kush plant which is hanging, and some of it is starting to feel very dry so I trimmed the dryest buds and tossed 'em in a jar. Going to keep a close eye on them, as I don't have any idea what to expect. There is a hygrometer in the jar, reading 64% right now. If it stays stable right there, it's perfect.

Anyway, heres some pictures. It's a lot, and if it's too many because of bandwith or something let me know and I can take some out.

[Cal X]

The 24 hours of dark subject was just part of a discussion about dark periods, not a suggestion! Sorry if that came off as a recommendation! I do suggest at least a 12 hour dark period before harvest, though, that I have done, successfully!
Also, I would use more then a gallon of water next time you flush, just to get rid of elements that are still in the soil.
How long did you let the V.K hang before putting it in a jar? Sometimes bud will dry to fast and will get crunchy on the outside but is still wet on the inside. If its not drying well in your jar you can put it in a paper bag for a few days, that will help it dry out enough to be put back in the jar. Also open your jars for a few minutes, 2 or 3 times a day to release gases.

[Uncle Ron]

Hey peeps,

First off, nice job on the plants, all things considered. The buds look awesome, and I can only imagine the smell. Yummylicious. (sorry)
As you can tell, some of the plants are good producers and some mediocre, all things considered (meaning learning/growing pains; genetics). Nothing but love...

Secondly, I think this has been a great thread where everyone has been positive and sharing personal experiences, research, or the combination of both. I for one don't give a rats ass if any of my thoughts/opinions/experiences/theories/hypothesis/methodologies/recommendations/etc... are acted upon or not. As always, to each their own. Works for me EVERY time.

Lastly, now that you are slow drying/curing, definitely check the buds on a daily basis, ala Cal X. If they dried too quickly and placed in glass, there is (in my opinion) a great chance of mold forming. Many growers (including myself) determine when to place bud in bags or glass when the stem/stalk snaps cleanly (very dry). Most if not all moisture is gone from the stem which in turn means that the inner part of the bud is starting to dry rapidly. This means that they (stems/stalks) should be tested every day to determine when the best time to proceed to bag/glass. If you wait too long, the bud will have dried out too much and your options will be limited. If this were to occur, one solution is to rehydrate the bud by placing them in glass with citrus rind. I touched on this a couple of pages back. Once the bud has been re-hydrated to your liking, remove the rind and continue curing under glass.

Note: When manicuring after harvest, I cut the buds from the stems and stalk (previously mentioned). I leave approximately 1-2 inches of stubble on the end of the bud. My reasons are two fold: 1. From personal experience, bud dries faster off the vine, more to my liking; 2. I use the stub to handle the bud so as not to break off trichomes, and the dryness test as well. I cringe every time I see people over-handling bud. If they only knew how much high/buzz is wasted because of this, simply amazing.

Keep on truckin'.

Happy farming.

[StonedSince67]

Anyway, heres some pictures

First off, nice job on the plants ... Secondly, I think this has been a great thread

yes i think it has been a great thread too ... well done on the grow, they do look delicious and yummy

i have a small question ... you have presented the pictures of all the plants at the various stages of their growth and it has been interesting to compare all the different plants at the same stage of growth ... but would it be possible to rearrange the pictures for one plant, say, to show the same plant at all of its different stages of growth ???

thanks