AutoFlower Bottom Feeding

[arob1015]

Hello, fellow growers! I'm excited to share my journey into autoflower cultivation. In this journal, I’ll document my experiences, techniques, and tips as I strive for optimal growth and health in my plants.

Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a beginner, I hope to provide insights and inspiration for your own adventures in gardening. Let’s learn and grow together!

Here’s to a fruitful journey ahead!

 

[arob1015]

Introducing Queens Banner from Night Owl Seeds

When selecting genetics, my top priority is the breeder. I recommend exploring podcasts or grow journals related to the breeder to understand their goals and the effort they invest in their work.

The seed bank and breeder industry can be lucrative, but not all breeders are created equal. Starting with poor or mismanaged genetics can lead to inconsistent results, putting you at a disadvantage from the outset. Investing a little time in understanding the origins of your seeds can save you significant time and money in the long run.

 

[greenmobster440]

Awesome, a journey into auto flowers. Best of luck to ya.

I love those little pouches. I started using them lately. Been bottom feeding them like that too. Works fine for a lil while.

 

[arob1015]

After I drop the seeds, I water only until they emerge. Once they sprout, I transition directly to nutrients. Understanding how all these elements are connected is important to my grow system as I continue to learn and tweek.
PH: 6.0
EC:1.5
PPFD 185
Duration 24 Hour
DLI 16
VPD .92
### Understanding EC and pH in Plant Cultivation

When I first started growing, I didn’t fully grasp the significance of EC and pH in nutrient management. However, I quickly learned that understanding these two factors are important to my system. Since I’m bottom feeding I just measure nutrients going in.

What is EC?
EC measures the concentration of nutrients in your solution, essentially indicating how much food your plants are receiving. A higher EC means a more nutrient-rich solution, while a lower EC indicates fewer nutrients.

What is pH?
pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of your growing solution, which is vital for nutrient uptake. When I’m using peat moss or coco I like a pH range of 5.8-6.2. If the pH is too high or too low, plants may struggle to absorb essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies.

 

[arob1015]

### Lesson: Understanding VPD in Early Plant Growth

Day 5 in Soil
My plants are progressing well in the early stages. A crucial factor in their development is managing the Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD).

What is VPD?
VPD plays a vital role in regulating how quickly or slowly your plants absorb nutrients. Generally, a lower VPD means slower nutrient uptake, while a higher VPD facilitates faster absorption.

Target VPD
In my system, I aim for a VPD of around 0.8 to 1 during the early growth stages. Given that I live in a dry and cold climate this time of year, I use a humidifier to achieve this range.

Lighting and Temperature Management
To maintain adequate heat levels, I provide 24-hour light for my plants. If heat becomes an issue, I recommend running the lights at night and allowing for 6 hours of darkness during the hottest part of the day. Ensure that this lighting schedule aligns with the appropriate Daily Light Integral (DLI) to support healthy growth.

Conclusion
When developing my growing system, I prioritize ease of control and adjust my methods as needed to create the best environment for my plants. Hope this helps!!

 

[arob1015]

Day 8 in the bags. Things are moving along nicely. Soon I will peel the Cotyledon and up pot to their forever home.

 

[arob1015]

Day 10 Update

Today, I peeled the cotyledon leaves down the stem, a technique I first learned from Carty's write-up on growing autoflowers. His approach inspired me to start my journey with autos, and I highly recommend checking it out if you're interested in diving into this world—there’s a wealth of valuable information.

Throughout my two grows, I conducted extensive research and learned from various growers, ultimately developing systems that work best for me. I’m a firm believer in the importance of having a solid system in place. I’ve seen novice growers start strong only to falter quickly due to a lack of attention to the basics.

My essential metrics are EC, pH, PPFD, DLI, and VPD. I maintain a chart that outlines my target values for these factors at different stages of growth. This is incredibly helpful; if something goes awry, I have a clear reference point to identify what to check. Without such a system, I’d be left guessing and potentially adjusting multiple variables without knowing whether I’m improving or worsening the situation.

I hope you find this information helpful. Happy growing!

 

[MariJan]

Cant go wrong with Carts thread for Autos or any grow really. Many of the growers here at the Passion have been growing most of their adult lives. So many great grow journals. They are one of my favorite reads.

 

[arob1015]

Cant go wrong with Carts thread for Autos or any grow really. Many of the growers here at the Passion have been growing most of their adult lives. So many great grow journals. They are one of my favorite reads.

It’s truly incredible what has been created here. The wealth of knowledge is outstanding, and the willingness to share information is amazing. It seems that for every way to grow, there’s a journal from someone skilled at it, ready to offer help. The sense of community is contagious! With all the support I’ve received on this forum, I felt it was only fitting to share my growing style in the hopes that it might assist someone out there.

 

[arob1015]

The experiment continues!

This time around I’m using a 3-gallon autopot system with coco coir and an air dome.

- pH: 5.9
- EC: 1.6
- PPFD: 200
- Light Duration: 24/0
- VPD: 1.0

I’ve also added some Mykos into the mix and will be using Canna nutrients for this round. Let’s see how this experiment unfolds!

 

[greenmobster440]

This will be fun. Nice clean grow.

 

[Flower]

I peel the cotyledons on all plants.
It really helps beef up the stems.
I have learned over the last few years that @Carty gives solid advice.