This is my first run, so constructive criticism is appreciated! I was told these girls are quick, with 63 days from germination to harvest. I'll be running BLGs updated Cana Coco feeding schedule (although maybe adjusted for the shorter timeframe) . I'm using 11lb CocoTek blocks mixed with 18L of Hoffman perlite for grow medium. Will move from grow plugs, to solo cups, to 5 gallon pots. The best part of all, I've got a pair of HLG 600s all setup in my newly built sealed grow room. Let's get this grow journal started.
All beans were started 72 hours ago in rehydrated peat plugs, with a heating mat and a humidity dome. Left 48 hours alone in darkness to do their thing. 4/12 beans sprouted in that time, so I added a small blurple LED light panel to prevent stretch. 2 more have broke ground since then, for a grand total of 6. This is all good signs, and I fully expect to see the other 6 girls peaking through in the next day or so. #1 has already dropped a few pointy leaves, so everyone else needs to catch up quick!
This is so awesome my friend and I am so excited to see this grow get started. Much love and eagerly watching. ✌🏻
Update on my babies. I've named them in order of breaking ground.
#1&2 are the stars so far. Straight and narrow with nice thick stem so far. They were showing light stress today tho, with thier pointy leaves reaching for the sky. Moved light panel from ~6inches to ~2ft. Evened 'em right out. Both are About 1inch tall so far with a nice dark green color. #4 5 6 7 & 8 are mostly round leaves still and are looking droopy. (Makes me wonder if they are too moist? Too much humidity in the dome? Why are 1&2 doing so well?) Just about all of them had issues shedding their shell. I helped a few out by manually pulling the shell off the round leaves which seemed to help. They are all lagging at about 1/2inch tall. 9-12 haven't broke ground yet. Beginning to worry those are duds. Or maybe I messed up adding 24/0 lights after 48 hours. I dont think that should matter tho, since they are all buried ~1\4in in peat.
REALLY hoping the last 4 show up tomorrow. Thinking about moving everyone to solo cups and my quantum boards soon. Dont want to move too quick and burn the little babies up tho. I'll probably wait until #1&2 run out of room in the dome but as quick as they are growing that could be 1-2 days. Any ways, this has been interesting so far. It's funny how different (yet similar) groups of plants are already.
I usually like to germinate the seeds prior to planting. This lets you make sure tap root sprouts and you aren't planting a dud. I would keep giving them time it can take up to a week for a seed to germinate and then sprout. Seedlings typically like higher humidity but make sure you open their domes and give them fresh air to replenish their CO2. It is amazing how many different phenos you can get out of the same strain. Thanks for the update!
Well, I'm beginning to think I've been so worried about overwatering that I've left my baby girls high and dry. There's been enough moisture to cause condensation on my dome, but the peat pods felt very dry when I picked them up today. #1 even tilted sideways today. After using a dropper to add a little moisture, and about 20 minutes, she was standing straight up again. So far, 10 have sprouted, but each one has looked worse than the previous one. I'm worried that I may have ruined my first grow before I even got started!
They look a little dry, when starting seeds in Peat Plugs or any medium you must insure the medium never dries out. It is best to keep 1/8" to 1/4" water in the bottom of the tray. Same idea as paper towel you never want to let paper towel dry out. The positive about the paper towel method is that you can just open it up and check on your seeds. When the root is ready you plant it and water.
Just in case you haven't seen our germination video:
also the first week of seedling life from the say it sprouts
I really appreciate your insite BLG! I've watched your whole grow series (more than once admittedly). I'm kicking myself for straying on germination methods, but I was made to believe these germination kits were foolproof! Little did I know that I could severely underwater seedlings. I went ahead and transplanted everyone today, setup nicely under a single HLG600 running at 50%, and gave them all a drink.
#11 and #12 never broke ground, but the pods broke when I picked them up (extremely dry!). #11 had done this funny thing spiraling around in the dirt like it couldn't find up! I transplanted it with the tiny cotyledons at the surface. #12 never germinated, so I transplanted and gave a good soaking. I'll see how they do, but after a few more days I'm just gonna germinate 2 more seeds.
I'm still fighting humidity levels in my new room (it's winter here and my humidity was dropping to 14%!). After adding a secondary humidifier, I was able to bring humidity up to 50%. I just have to run one 24/7 and controll the other via humidistat. They have to be refilled twice per day which will be fun to manage. Crossing my fingers that I have less hiccups from here on out.
Once the girls grow up a little and get some foliage it will help with humidity as well. My ambient humidity is about the same as yours. 14% and I don' t need to run a humidifier in the flower tent. Unless I exhaust 24/7.
Well, 1 day down in coco under the Quantum Board and they seem to be loving it. I'm so excited they've (mostly) spruced up! Each plant really is different. I need to remember to temper my excitement and just follow your guidance. No changes, just check cup weight and let them be.
Check out #3 here. She's actually #9, but I mixed them up during transplant. Polar opposites when it comes to germination, but are pretty much identical now. I'm gonna love comparing these 2 at harvest!
So far so good friend! It looks like your right on track now. It truly is amazing how many different pheno’s there are, millions of possibilities. Looking forward to more updates. ✌🏻
Well, we've got some winners and losers. #8 looks like she's damping off and wont make it (pic below). #11s cotyledons didnt last long enough for true leaves to sprout, and #12 is nowhere to be found. I went ahead and got 3 more seeds soaking in paper towels. I'll check them in 48 hours and plant them right in COCO once germed. Not straying from your guide with these 3.
That said, the rest seem to be working on their true leaves just fine. Some have cotyledons that are yellowing, but all true leaves are a nice dark green. 1&2 are bigger than the rest, and working on multiple sets of leaves. I gave them all a drink today, and moved my QBs up to 600 watts from 350. Excited to see how the next few days go!
Easy with the light they are still very fragile 24” to 32” away. Thanks for the update. Let us know how the paper towel method works out. ✌🏻
#1 needed some water today, but that's about it.
Second set of True leafs coming! Looking good so far.
#1 and #2 are really taking off! They both got a drink today, albeit at different parts of the day, and are working on 3rd set of true leaves already. #1 is short and fat, while #2 is tall and nimble. Pictures of these two to follow.
I'm actually most impressed with #12. After taking 8 days to germinate and break ground, it's rivaling #1+2 to be my fastest grower. What's more, it has a stem that's easily 4x thicker than any other seedling. Pretty cool!
My aptly named BLG#1-3 all took 48 hours to germinate via paper towel. Consistent and easy. They went straight in Coco under the QB with a lite nutrient mix and a baggy on top 30 hours ago. Fresh air this AM and PM, but haven't broke ground yet. So the baggy stays on. Hopefully I didnt screw these up trying to get that tap root pointed down! Only time will tell.
Right on friend this is awesome to watch. Your success gets me so excited. planted 30 hours ago that means BLG #1 to #3 shall show up within 18 hours! Isn't amazing how one can catch up to others even though it was days behind. I will say the one thing I noticed about #1 is her stems were always thicker than the other two. Another crazy thing is I saw her take the lead literally on day 1 and she never looked back.
Quick update. 10/12 of the original girls are doing great. #12, who germinated last, has surpassed everyone but #1&2 (I'll post pics since they make me proud).
Funny enough, the 2 that I thought died have clung to life. They are minuscule, pathetic examples but I'll keep giving them water and light as long as they're green. See what they do. Learning all I can, good and bad.
Now, for my paper towel girls. They all broke ground 48 hours after going in Coco after germination. They have had bags removed for fresh air 2x a day since. I expect 2-3 more days before they need water and I'll remove the bags for good. #1 and # 3 seem to be doing fine. #2 came up with only 1 cotyledon, and is struggling. Pictures to follow #1 #2 #3 in order.