New Grower Auto#1 DWC, Blackstar 180W LED & 150W HPS

[chuck3101]

Update - Day 65

Final flush started on day 63 with AN Final Phase. I plan on harvesting on day 70. I had to trim her and remove most of fan leaves for 2 reasons: 1- she was way too bushy and lower buds couldn't get enough light 2- I have been overfeeding her too much in the last weeks so without trimming her it would have taken me at least a month to get rid of all that NPK stored in her leaves/buds. Risk of plucking fan leaves 7 days before harvest is quite low anyway.

Trichomes on buds at this point are 80% milky, 5% amber and 15% clear. I'm hoping to get 85% milky, 10% amber and 5% clear on harvest day.

I am quite happy with actual results considering all the noob mistakes I've done. She was such an easy plant to grow.. Mixed feelings cutting her down

Here's some bud porn for those interested. Let's guess the final dry weight!

 

[Hapa]

:kusht:aloha chuck~
congrats on the up coming "chop"! WOW! I didn't realize how beautiful she turned out to be! and that stalk is FAT!
that looks like some pretty dank smoke. noob mistakes? looks gorgeous from where I'm sitting.
most importantly you came through beautifully on the other side of "Dank-Ville"

aloha~

 

[chuck3101]

Update - Day 70

Okay, so day 70... Harvest ain't happening today. "Incredible Sulk"

Here's why:



Buds on the lowest branches are still very fluffy, trichomes are 50milky/50clear, lots of white pistils and leaves are still mostly green.
I guess she's telling me to wait a few more days... I'll keep giving her ph'ed water and reassess at day 75.

The positive sides of waiting: 1- she is foxtailing on the already-hard-as-rock top buds. Extra volume can't hurt I guess. 2- A few more days of flushing will improve the quality of the smoke 3- This allows me to post more bud porn haha

 

[Hapa]

aloha chuck~
just doin a "drive-by" to check up on your progress kinda thing...
are you busy harvesting? and did you top harvest and leave the bottom or???

you know me, I'm nosy that way!

Just checkin in. Hope all is well with you and your ladies.

aloha

 

[chuck3101]

Hey Hapa, thanks for dropping by!

Based on the advice I was given (thanks GoAuto6!), I postponed harvest for a week. Just checked the trichomes this morning and I'd say that 10-15% are amber on top buds, which is more than enough for me (I do prefer head highs vs body stone/couchlock). The best plan would have been to chop the top half and leave the bottom part mature a little more but my grow tent will also be my drying room. The cool part is that top buds might produce more of a stony effect while lower buds will give me more of a head high. Best of both worlds in one plant

So.... I turned all the lights off today (day 75) and should harvest in the next 48 hrs. Call me crazy but cutting her down brings mixed emotions: although I can't wait to taste these buds, I took care of that plant for over 2 1/2 months and it saddens me cutting her down lol. I guess I'll have to pop a new seed pretty soon (and make sure she doesn't feel like being my rebound girl haha). Seeds I have in stock: Amaranta Dwarf, 7 Dwarf Cyclops, Sweet Black Cream, Trans Siberian, Berry Ryder, Purple Cheese. Can't decide which one I am growing next. Any recommendation?

 

[chuck3101]

Day 77 - update

11 weeks of adventure, unknown, highs, lows and learnings... all over in 4 hours (of long and painful trimming). Yes, she was murdered on day 77.

She was doomed anyway. 15-20% of amber trichomes and yesterday's sample convinced me to cut her down :smoke:

I expect a decent yield for a first indoor/hydro grow. I did not weigh the wet buds nor do I have enough experience to estimate the final dry weight. You'll have to guess or wait 2-3 weeks

I've suspended the buds in my DR60 with the fan and the heating mat on. Room is at 72 degrees with 45% RH. Is this too cold?

 

[briman]

Looking good Chuck and congrats on the harvest. In the future, since you are on the cleanse/flush, you can take the top cola and let the rest of the plant finish up. The tops will always finish quicker, if you wnt them to mature a bit. Spot on harvest and max rep to ya!

 

[Hapa]

:kusht:aloha chuck~
excellent harvest! Can't be anything but happy for you! You did a great job can't wait to see your next one.
as far as recommendations for your next grow? yes. D) ALL of the above!

will be waiting for your next GJ, I'll make sure to pull up a chair, front row.

you should be very proud!

aloha

 

[chuck3101]

Update - Total yield and smoke review (uncured)

So, bud weight after 6 days of drying: 234g.

I will probably end up with 10-15g less once the flowers have lost all the excess humidity. Anyway, I could lose half of that yield and still be very satisfied for a first hydro grow with a dwarf strain!
As for the smoke review, buds have not been cured long enough yet (4 days drying, 2 days in CVault with Boveda packs and burping 2-3 times a day). But my preliminary vaping test was quite amazing: head rush for 10-15 minutes follow but a real intense indica body buzz. The 2 week flush with Final Phase and plain water made this herb so smooth after only a few days, I can't imagine how fantastic it'll be after a 1-2 month cure.

The toughest part just started: not smoking any until it's properly cured!

 

[HotBunz]

Very well done. That one plant was amazing.