I have been growing outdoors for 3 years or so, mainly for medical use. For security, I am forced to grow in my outdoor courtyard where I can only get 6 hours sun and the temp. is often 40 degrees C . plus. Needless to say, it is always a battle....too little light, ( I measured a DLI of 9.2) ,too hot and humidity @ 5 % !! Also I only just realised that the very expensive Special Polycarbonate roof that I put on the courtyard effectively blocks IR and UV....good for people...bad for plants !!
So I decided to invest in 5 KW of solar PV panels and basically get off the grid so I can go indoor grow and not get sprung for power usage spikes (common practice here, between Police and Power Utility)
In fact I now become a paid customer of the utility because they buy my excess power....ha ha ha...serves them right !!
I converted a small room in my house and rigged up with 4 autocobs (thanks for great service Big Smo). I have an aquarium computer (GHL) with which I can monitor and control lights, temp, humidity, exhaust, PH, Conductivity.
I begin at 26 degrees C, 55 % humidity with the seedlings at 24 inches above the Autocobs
I am using Canna Terra with an added 20% perlite and a tablespoon of granulated Dolomite for each pot....I have noticed that pert based mixes drift acid over time (tannic and humic acids form from the organic breakdown of peat,so in theory a little "slow release" alkalinity should help. As flowering happens, I intend to top dress with a light coat of worm poo, but other than that I plan only to use the nutes recommended by Canna for this mix...but I will only use at 1/2 to 3/4 strength because I an suspicious of autos not liking too much fertiliser (neither do they like wet feet !!!)
Feed and make up water will be from my RO unit, ph'ed to 6.1
So off we go on a new adventure.......some photos here form the first 4 weeks....and I am so happy withe outcome so far....great growth rates and very healthy plants.
So I decided to invest in 5 KW of solar PV panels and basically get off the grid so I can go indoor grow and not get sprung for power usage spikes (common practice here, between Police and Power Utility)
In fact I now become a paid customer of the utility because they buy my excess power....ha ha ha...serves them right !!
I converted a small room in my house and rigged up with 4 autocobs (thanks for great service Big Smo). I have an aquarium computer (GHL) with which I can monitor and control lights, temp, humidity, exhaust, PH, Conductivity.
I begin at 26 degrees C, 55 % humidity with the seedlings at 24 inches above the Autocobs
I am using Canna Terra with an added 20% perlite and a tablespoon of granulated Dolomite for each pot....I have noticed that pert based mixes drift acid over time (tannic and humic acids form from the organic breakdown of peat,so in theory a little "slow release" alkalinity should help. As flowering happens, I intend to top dress with a light coat of worm poo, but other than that I plan only to use the nutes recommended by Canna for this mix...but I will only use at 1/2 to 3/4 strength because I an suspicious of autos not liking too much fertiliser (neither do they like wet feet !!!)
Feed and make up water will be from my RO unit, ph'ed to 6.1
So off we go on a new adventure.......some photos here form the first 4 weeks....and I am so happy withe outcome so far....great growth rates and very healthy plants.
is that I am growing Dinafem Critical + CBD Auto and Dutch Passion Charlottes Angel Auto. The Photos are all of Charlotte because I know one or two growers here have had a problem with her....seems I dont !!! Will post some photos of Critical next time.
