Hello, im running a 2 pot 50 gallon RDWC with White Widow freeby seeds. My training method is called toedclip SCROG. Basically a SCROG net is used, but instead of holding the branches under the net the plant is allowed to grow through the net then held down with clips. Its a much freer way of training then conventional SCROGs, so the plant isn't hindered at all. Also manipulation of the branches during veg, and more importantly at the end of the stretch is MUCH easier than with a conventional SCROG. I'm using an 1100watt double ended fixture for now. Im an LED guy at heart, but wanted to try HID. My nutrients are Gen Hydro for base. I use two different Calmags. Botanicare's, and a Nitro free version from Grow More. I use both versions of Power Si, Vitomino, Fulpower fulvic acid, there may be more but I smoke pot so I reserve the right to be absent minded haha. I grow in a shed in Southern California. Temps can be an issue. Last season my room got to 102. This is a major reason why I use and preach the benefits of Silica. Even with the crazy temperature issues I still did 50oz from 4 plants. My main grow area is 4x6. I also have a closet 3x3 with a CMH that I grow 1 soil plant, usually the same strain as what is in hydro. This season the strain is Candida. I also have an Alaskan Purple that is vegging under some large CFLs before I put it outside I'm a fairly cleaver dude that enjoys a simple answer to problems. One in particular is the fact I dont use a chiller. Ive come up with a way to cool my water in another way. The plants are now around 35 days old. I will post pictures and videos when I have a chance. In the meantime, here is a video I did a little while back.
A couple additions... first, I use Hydroguard I dont like Z7. In the video you will see me refer to a waterpump and feed line in the reservoir. What you can't see is the 2 inch hoses and bulkheads that the feedline passes through to get to the farthest tub. At the end of this line I have added a filter bag. This bag collects any chunks of shit that may be migrating through the system, and holds it in a dark place so no riff raff can get started. As the nutrient water leaves the bag it naturally flows back through the 2 inch hose back to the res. Hope this makes it a little more clear. On with the show.
A little update, Plants are doing pretty good. Did some work on the hydro plant on the left. nothing crazy, in the video I talk about the plants in the closet. They are Candida. A CBD variety that has a THC under 1%. I also mention a tea... its by Botanicare. Hope this helps.
So, the toedclip SCROG... I always SCROG, i think I've said that. Its an affective way to get a flat canopy and doesn't take much thought. But, it has its issues. I think anyone who has used a SCROG has had problems with last minute adjustments. A branch that has grown too long to easily tuck or the opposite. Branches that should have been left alone but were tucked too much. Ive actually cut the net to free a large branch that was held too far under the net on more than one occasion. Then there's the tops in relation to the light. Generally, we wind up with the big producing part of the plant pushed to the edges of of the net with the stalk in the middle with the weaker shoots. I want more control over all this. The ability to move branches for any reason, at anytime. Toedclip gives complete control over all this. You can move a branch from one side of the plant to the other with a little care, or steer your tops back toward the light instead of having your best parts sequestered to the outer edges. All this and the plant is on top of the net in much better environmental/light conditions. I'm finding the best way to train the plant would be to spread it out as you normally would at the net, using the clips, but then let it grow up unimpeded for 12/20 inches THEN train the branches over and clip them down. Small confession... I tend to over work my SCROG. I tuck, and tuck, whether the branch is ready or not. Leaves get tattered, its just a shitty situation. If I could keep my mitts off for a couple weeks, the plant would grow faster. Then, just push everything over and lock it dow... but im afraid my self control doesn't allow that at this time. Toedclip would make all this so much easier. First, you might have a hard time tucking such longer length branches under a net. Any adjustments would be much easier as ive outlined, but let's say your plant went fucking nuts and stretched into 36 inch branches. A conventional SCROG would be impossible. I'm still really green to all this. New options are filtering through as I go. But I KNOW there's a benefit here