And So It Begins

Hello everyone!

Things are finally underway - after 6 to 7 months of research, trying, testing, realizing I know nothing and trying again I think I am making progress! I was not sure if I should put this under Micro or Organic - but my excuse is this is an organic grow that 'happens' to be in micro conditions. I personally operate in a hydro world so this organic 'thing' is so amazing, complex and honestly - simple - that I can't help but dive in.

My soil has been resting since the end of September ( once a week, light watering keeping moist but not wet, mixing, letting it air out for half an hour and back it goes ) and is a mix of Promix BX, Perlite, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Humic Powder, Worm Castings, Rock Phosphate, Agricultural Limestone, Mexican Bat Guano, Jamaican Bat Guano and once a month a small small small tea of black strap molasses mixed in. I have to admit - there is something overwhelmingly therapeutic about mixing the soil and going through the motions.

Germinating, growing and finally ( hopefully she ) is spreading out. Was going to wait a week or so longer before I posted but hey - I got excited! Broke soil the 11th, 2 main leaves 16th and today the 21st I saw the first signs of 4 true leaves sprouting. Going to let it go for a week or two longer then transplant to a 2 gal smartpot and being LST training. Hope this experiment proves to me that organic is the way to go!

Onto the pictures!

 

I pulled this seed out of a bag that I was told was bubblegum, but I'm not 100% sure. looking forward to seeing if it really is tho!

 

Thank you everyone for the good words! I hope that it is bubblegum but honestly I am not sure, so far they look similar but so does 99% of every other seedling haha! The cup is about 1/8th inch thick of cardboard ( heavy duty coffee cup from the gas station ) so luckily the roots wont be getting hit by any light.

As far as the light, it is a 125w self ballasted 6400k CFL - I've always operated under the 100w per 1 plus 50w per 1 so I hope the 125w for 1 would be enough. I will switch it out to a 2700k bulb of course for flowering but shy of that - I will probably run the 125w for 1 plant.

 

I am used to a 400w mh for veg and two 600w hps for flower - but when you get used to something, every now and then you have to 'venture out' of your comfort zone. I do not trust organics enough at this time ( sorry ) to pull out my hydro set up, but I do have a PC case, a couple extra bucks and a desire to learn. I figured, worst case I am out some bag seed, a few bucks for soil and amendments and mostly, time and energy. If this micro set up gives me any indication that it would benefit my entire setup, then I'll think about 'fixing what isn't broke' haha. Just heard so many fascinating things - I have to at least give it a shot : )

 

I totally understand the importance of Organic growing but I also know the reliability, consistency and production numbers associated with hydro. I have a friend who is on the whole organic kick - and yes I will say that 'some' connoisseurs will be able to identify the organic vs hydro but it is not the majority. Top shelf brand X is still - top shelf brand X to consumers/patients.

Jerry - I 100% get your analogy but I respectfully disagree. Your examples are of one extreme to another - POS chevette ( had one btw haha! hated that car ) to a dream car or Mad Dog 20/20 to a fine bottle of wine. If grown 'properly' in each scenario - hydro vs organic is more of a preference rather than a dramatic 'well duh' moment. I believe its more of a choice between a 4 door sedan vs a truck - some view one as more practical than the other.

And that is where this experiment comes in - I am not going to drop hundreds of dollars on something that, even when I have seen it in person, in action and it still does not compete with what I am used to. The debate will never end over yield, taste, aroma, etc but from personal experience, any organic buds that are put my way, I can find a hydro equivalent without problem.

As far as day to day operations - there is NO question, organics are an easier way to go. Water, LITFA and go about your day ( maybe a tea here and there ). BUT - once a hydro system is established you can run a waterfall setup where your harvesting more often than you know what to do with - again no personal experience with organics but I would think simple transplant shock amongst other factors would effect time till harvest.

I dunno - I guess thats what experiments are all about!

Thank you again everyone for the info - much appreciated! : )

 

I really don't want to debate about the differences - there are more than enough non-journal threads for that - buuuut - $100 for organic vs $2000 for a hydro PLUS 400-1000 per cycle? Absolutely, without a doubt, undeniably not correct. . . I have over $150 in my soil right now, and I'm doing a micro grow while my main setup runs at a considerable fraction of your proposed cost. If you take lights, air exhaust, temperature control, etc out of the equation then the direct differences are soil, amendments and containers vs nutrients, trays, coco mats, and water delivery system. Again - depending on if you shop smart both are reasonably close in cost. Set up costs are totally different from running costs and I agree there is a difference with initial set up costs.

That being said, a waterfall, perpetual, continuous, staged - whatever type of cycle you want to call it can be done across multiple platforms - which is what I had stated previously. My point - the commonly accepted theory is that in two identical situations with the only variation being soil vs hydro, that the hydro set up will create a larger yield while organics will create a more quality yield.

I'm sorry if this post went off topic, perhaps we should visit a thread dedicated to the discussions of different growing methods. I'm just trying to chronicle this experiment.

 

I gotta say - this experiment is just flat out fun haha! Temps are keeping in the low to mid 70's, 15 days from poking through the soil and I am happy. Pictures are from just before watering, please ignore the droopy leaves, I will get a better set of pics later, I promise Growth is a little slower than I am used to, but micro conditions, smaller light, etc - explainable.

One thing I am really happy about is how short it is already starting out - the first 'real' fan leaves have not even fully developed yet but it is looking nice and short. Fingers crossed!

 

To be honest - this is bagseed I was 'told' that was bubblegum but I thought bubblegum was a hybrid ( not sure what % ) but this one is growing SO low and fatty, I'd guess this is almost a true Indica but I wont know till it gets a little older. As far as the hairs and what not, could be genetics, could be that the camera I am using zoomed in enough to see it ( all plants has some 'hairs' and 'pores' ) but my 'trick' is I get a small spray bottle and spray the leaves at least once every other day. Not a watering - but kinda like dew settling in the mornings type thing. Not sure if it does anything, but thats my routine : )

I think the first 'classic' looking leaves are about to burst. Will get some pics later tonight!

Edit: Bah - pictures now! Growing slowly but steadily

 

Things are progressing - but holy wow are they moving slow. 19-20 days from poking through the soil and it is still short as can be. I don't know if its a good or bad thing - but I love how bushy it is! I am figuring the low temps ( high 60's to low 70's ) has a hand in it and the 125w light but I love how the stems are already showing purple. Yes - yes I will encourage that haha! Either way - IMO it is looking very healthy. What do you all think?

My only complaint is I think I am fighting some low humidity issues - lows of 39% and highs of 48%, I really want to get it up to the 60% range but its been a battle. I've always been used to the opposite, trying to lower humidity. The two larger serrated leaves seem 'twisted' - not sure if its a humidity thing or what. Sigh. Always learning : )

Anyway - onto the pictures!