New Grower Dr. Feelgood and KVS Flowering Question

[Nördlich]

I'm on Day 44 with 2 Kush Van Stitch and 2 Dr. Feelgood Autofems. All four plants are healthy and all four started showing sex well over two weeks ago. None of them are developing any buds, however. I just finished flushing all four after fixing a minor pH / nutrient lockout problem, and all have responded well. I'm letting them dry out now.

I did search this site (and the rest of the interwebs), and found a few threads regarding this issue. However, none of the threads ever finished up or had any conclusion, so I have no idea how things turned out. I did go out and take a few pictures. One KVS is quite healthy and normal looking, while the other developed a weird tri-pattern of leaves, and then sprouted an extra main stem. The plant looks very nice, so I'm not complaining! It was just very odd growth that I'd not seen out of any plants before.

Is it normal for the KVS and the Dr. Feelgoods to be such late bloomers? It's kind of freaking me out because I'm on a bit of a tight schedule and I was expecting 85-90 days max with these girls.

Should I flip the lights to 12/12 until some buds start showing? If this works, is it then okay to go back to a 20/4 schedule? I do have a side area with a switchable MH/HPS 300W light, so I can take my one other plant (Dinafem White Cheese - see below) that is flowering out and stick her under that.

Details: Plants are in 3 gallon smart pots in ProMixBH with some added perlite, General Organic Nutes, I use bubbled, pH'd well water every watering now, plenty of LED lighting going on, tent is kept between 75 and 82, RH 35-50 (this is tough where my tent is).

Thanks!

Here are the two Kush Van Stitches:

Here is the KVS with a double trunk. The main trunk is the central branch, then the other trunk is on the right. The left branch is a normal branch. It's almost like it LTS'd itself.

My Flash batteries ran out as I was getting ready to take pictures of the Dr. Feelgoods. I had to switch the LED's on to get clear pictures. Sorry about the coloring on these.

Here are the two Dr. Feelgoods. Both are on day 44.

Mini Dr. Feelgood:

Closeup of Top of Dr. Feelgood - pistils and new growth, but no buds.

Here's a Dinafem White Cheese that sprouted the same day as the other four. Notice, she be buddin':

This is just a fun picture of the entire tent using a wide angle lens. I was lying on the floor, resting my back for a few minutes, grabbed the camera and took this:

 

[Ronin]

Let me start off by saying " Nice setup!".
:Sharing One:

It appears you may have some "superautos".
I had the same happen to one of my kvs's. I had one go auto and finish in 87ish days, the other is still flowering under 12/12 at 97 days now.
I think CLMonkey had the same issue with his Dr Feelgoods.
You may want to flip to 12/12 if you want to make your 85-90 day deadline.
Flip and stay at 12/12 and throw your white cheese(great strain) under your HPS.
Good luck with the remainder of your grow.
Please keep us posted..

 

[Hansbricks]

Sweet looking setup bro "kudos"

Which LED is that in the front left corner?

 

[Ghost]

Helll yes that's a nice set up!

 

[crossman]

Hey nordlich, Im just finishing up a dr feelgood but mine does not look anything like yours but I had tons of problems. The only thing I can say from all the input I got is that they will grow a lot longer than 90 days. Just how long is subjective to how the plants look. Mine is well over 120 days and is more of a single cola type plant.

 

[Nördlich]

Thanks, guys! I've been piecing everything together for the last couple of years.

The left front and back right lights are from Sunshine Systems and are both 300w lights (front left is adjustable for bloom/veg, back right is full-time full spectrum). I think they now call themselves "led lights 4 less" or something. The company sucks, but the lights have worked great so far. I've had some nice success using the lights. The other two lights are the new Blackstar UV 2.0 LED lights. The plants have responded great to these. They really do help fill the tent out nicely. The plan will be to eventually replace the Sunshine System lights with Blackstar Chrome lights, and move the SS lights out to the supplemental area to replace the MH/HPS light I have. It will take some time, though.

Thanks for the input Ronin and Crossman. I was at first worried with the slow growth - then three of the four took off, and they continue to surprise me each time I go check on them. I suppose I will will change the lights to 12/12 tomorrow to see how they respond.

Does anyone think that if I do let them go longer under a 20/4 schedule that they will start flower on their own or are these going to need that kick in the butt from the light switch to make the change?

thanks!

 

[Mad Scientist]

Does anyone think that if I do let them go longer under a 20/4 schedule that they will start flower on their own or are these going to need that kick in the butt from the light switch to make the change?

thanks!

Hey Nordlich, I have a little experience with Dr. Feelgoods. My experience is that they take a long time to finish. I have had them go 150 days. My suggestion is to keep pouring the 20 hours of light to them and be prepared for a long grow. It is worth it though. They are vigorous plants, I have had the main stalk reach 1 inch in diameter. A real tree! With great final product. Keep the 20 hours on for the entire grow. You have nothing to worry about, plants looks great and your set up is awesome. You're doing a great job!

 

[Nördlich]

Cheers for that, Mad Scientist! That really makes me feel better about things. I will have to do a bit of creative juggling, but I should be able to keep the 2 KVS and 2 Feelgoods going and let them finish naturally under 20/4. The White Cheese should be done in 20-30 days and I have a DP Think Different on day 30 that should be done around the same time (no pics of her right now). I'll probably start a couple of faster-finishing strains in 2 gallon smart pots I to replace those two in the tent, and one or two for the side light. I'll have to be conservative and stretch the medicine I have left, but I think it will be worth it in the end. As I was searching for info earlier on these strains, I came across some really nice grows. I've heard nothing but good things - just wish I would have known up-front about the time involved! Thanks again!

 

[Mad Scientist]

One more thing. Dr. Feelgood start to look real mangy at the end of their life. Don't let yellowing or even brown dried leaves worry you too much. Let them go as long as possible.

 

[Ronin]

Here is my "super kvs" at day 98.

Under 18/6 for 78 days now under 12/12 for 20 days.
2 gallon coco Airpot
Takes up the entire 4x4 tent.
Your tent may fill up quick.
Keep 'em growin!