[Grow420]

Have you heard of VPD? Check out the VPD chart to see what the humidity should be for the temperature you’re running. For example if you’re in flowering and your temp is 80F, then your humidity should be between 44-62%.

Between high temps and high humidity, high humidity is generally worse in flower as it risks mold and mildew. However, consistently high temperatures also affect bud density, trichome development, and aroma.

[Grow420]

Using a PPM and pH meter is a great step! The ideal pH for soil grows is 6.0–6.8, so your spring water’s pH of 7.3 will need adjustment. White vinegar and lemon juice can lower pH naturally but aren’t as stable as commercial pH-down products. Start with 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, mix well, and test pH. Adjust in small increments, allowing the water to stabilize for 15-30 minutes before watering. Check runoff pH to ensure it’s within range.

Spring water often has higher mineral content, so test PPM too. Base water PPM should be below 200 to avoid nutrient lockout. After adding nutrients, aim for 300-500 PPM in early veg, 600-900 in late veg, and 1000-1400 in flower.

For more stability, use a commercial pH-down product or buffer your soil with dolomite lime (1-2 tablespoons per gallon). If vinegar or lemon juice works for you, stick with it and monitor regularly. Let me know if you need more help—happy growing! 🌱

[Grow420]

I’m not Mr. Grow It, just a guy who like to help out others from time to time.

You have some excellent questions. For compost tea, use every 1-2 weeks. Apply it by watering the soil evenly around the base of the plant. For worm castings, mix 1-2 cups of worm castings into the top 1-2 inches of soil in each pot. You can also sprinkle it around the base and water it in. For the dry amendments, apply 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of soil for all-purpose veg amendments (e.g., 4-4-4 blends). Lightly work the amendments into the topsoil and water them in. Reapply every 3-4 weeks.

For top dressing BuildASoil Craft Blend during the flowering stage, use about ½ cup to 1 cup per 7-gallon pot. If you’re using larger pots, scale it up proportionally.
Blending with BuildASoil 3.0 Soil: Yes, it’s perfectly fine to mix Craft Blend into BuildASoil 3.0. This soil is already nutrient-rich, but Craft Blend will enhance the diversity of nutrients and microbes. If mixing, use about 1/2 cup per cubic foot of soil to ensure a balanced blend.

Both of those bloom nutrients are good options, but it depends on your goals. Bloom Brand Nutrients: These are often organic and promote healthier soil life, making them great for no-till or organic systems. FoxFarm Nutrients: These are popular and effective but tend to be salt-based, which can disrupt microbial life in organic soil systems. Recommendation: If you’re using BuildASoil products and want to maintain a living soil system, stick with Bloom or other organic nutrients to avoid disrupting your soil microbiome. For liquid nutrients, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for feeding schedules. Example: Use 1-2 teaspoons per gallon of water for most nutrient solutions during feeding, adjusting based on plant needs. Always start with a lower dose and increase gradually to avoid nutrient burn.

For your trichomes question, to achieve a relaxing, couch-lock high, wait until about 30-50% of the trichomes turn amber. Amber trichomes indicate higher levels of CBN, which promotes a sedative effect. Use a jeweler’s loupe (30x or higher) or a digital microscope to check trichome color on the buds (not the sugar leaves).
Harvest too late, and the potency can decrease, so aim for a balance between cloudy (milky) and amber trichomes.

RO water is best for growers in areas with hard water, high chlorine, or high mineral content. It allows precise control over nutrient solutions since it has little to no dissolved solids, but it does require adding calcium and magnesium (e.g., Cal-Mag) to avoid deficiencies. If your tap water has a PPM below 200 and a neutral pH (6.5-7.5), it’s fine for cannabis. Let it sit for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate. If your water has chloramine (common in municipal water supplies), consider using an additive like ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to neutralize it.

[Grow420]

Male-dominant hermaphrodites are possible. These are male cannabis plants that predominantly show male traits (pollen sacs) but develop occasional female calyxes or pistils. Here’s why this might happen:

Genetic Abnormalities: Just like females can develop male traits under stress or due to genetics, the reverse can also happen, though it’s far less common.
Environmental Stress: Extreme environmental conditions (e.g., irregular light schedules, temperature swings) can sometimes trigger a male plant to express minor female characteristics.

[Grow420]

Hey there! Congrats on starting your new grow with GG#4 and Pure Kush! Those are solid strains, and it’s great that you’re putting some thought into your setup. Here’s some guidance for you:

1. Using BuildASoil
BuildASoil is a fantastic choice! Their products are typically rich in organic nutrients and microbial life, so they can support your plants through most of their growth cycle without needing additional amendments. However, here’s what you need to know:

Veg Phase: The soil should have enough nutrients to sustain your plants during the vegetative stage. Keep an eye on their growth—if they show signs of deficiencies (yellowing leaves, stunted growth), consider adding a gentle organic fertilizer like compost tea, worm castings, or an all-purpose dry amendment (e.g., a 4-4-4 blend).
Flowering Phase: As your plants transition into flowering, they may benefit from a bloom booster. Look for something organic with higher phosphorus and potassium levels, such as a 1-4-5 or 0-10-10 blend. Products like Gaia Green, Down To Earth’s Flower Mix, or BuildASoil’s Craft Blend can work well.
Watering: Don’t overdo it with nutrients! Many growers make the mistake of “overfeeding.” Always test runoff pH and ensure you’re watering appropriately to avoid salt buildup.

2. Lighting
The NAILGIRLS LED Grow Light 600W might not be the best choice, depending on your goals. While it’s marketed as a 600W light, it’s often the case that budget LEDs like this draw significantly less actual wattage from the wall (e.g., 100-200W). Here’s what you should consider:

Alternative Options: If you can, invest in a reputable LED grow light from brands like Spider Farmer, Mars Hydro, or AC Infinity. These brands offer full-spectrum lights with great efficiency and light output.
Coverage: For a 2×4 tent, you’ll need around 200-300 true watts of LED lighting. For a 4×4 tent, aim for 400-600 watts. Make sure the light you choose provides even coverage and adequate PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation).

3. General Suggestions
Environment: Make sure your grow space is dialed in—temperature (70-85°F), humidity (50-70% during veg, 40-50% in flower), and air circulation are crucial for healthy plants.
Training: Consider using techniques like LST (Low-Stress Training) or SCROG (Screen of Green) to maximize yields, especially with GG#4, which is known for its stretch in flower.
Monitoring: Get yourself a reliable pH pen and EC meter to monitor your water and nutrient solutions. Cannabis thrives in a pH range of 6.0-6.8 in soil.
Pest Prevention: Start clean and stay clean. Use sticky traps and consider introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or nematodes if you notice pests.

Blessings to you as well! If you have any follow-up questions or run into challenges, feel free to ask.

[Grow420]

It sounds like you’re doing a great job tracking details! Stash Blend with the 3.0 soil mix could be a bit hot, especially if the plants are young or sensitive to nutrients. Even though your ppm doesn’t seem too high, some plants can still show signs of stress from nutrient-rich amendments like Stash Blend, especially if they’re added before the plants are fully established.

Since you’ve only added RO water and Stash Blend, other possible causes might be environmental. Double-check your VPD (0.86 kPa) since it’s on the lower side; some plants might prefer it slightly higher, closer to 1.0 kPa, to optimize transpiration and nutrient uptake. Also, consider holding off on the Stash Blend for a week or so to see if the new growth improves without further amendments. This can help you narrow down if it’s a nutrient issue or something else. Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Grow420]

Great question! Fox Farm Ocean Forest (FFOF) is a solid base, and with some basic amendments like compost teas, 2-8-4, 4-4-4, and worm castings, you’re already on a great track for healthy plants. Adding extras like Azomite, kelp meal, biochar, and rock dust can definitely enhance your soil by introducing trace minerals, beneficial microbes, and improved soil structure. However, they’re not strictly necessary, especially for a non-no-till setup. These amendments tend to be more useful in long-term or no-till grows where you want to build a super-rich, living soil that continually feeds itself.

For your goal of top-shelf buds, adding one or two of these, like kelp meal (for plant hormones and growth stimulants) and Azomite or rock dust (for trace minerals), can be a good middle ground without overcomplicating things. Just remember to balance your additions and go light with new amendments, as FFOF is already nutrient-rich. Good luck, and keep it simple—you’re on the right path!

[Author]

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