Time crunch...How long in a 1.5" rockwool cube

[VitaMan]

Not a newbie but don't know where to ask....

• I have to go away for a month in mid March
• Current crop should be dry mid Dec at which time the tent is available.
• I need to squeeze in a (photo) crop and have it in bags before I travel
• Including 3wk veg this strain could be done in 12+weeks plus 10 days to dry and process.
• I can't count on my family to manage harvest, dry and cure the crop.

Because I run drip hydroton the new seeds will be started in 1.5" grodan starter cubes.

Can I keep the seedlings going for 2 weeks in the starter cubes (under a 45w led bar) before plugging them into the hydroton?

Even though growth would be slow, if I can get a 2 week jump I can have everything dry and grove-bagged before I travel....

I'd take a hit in the yield but that's ok under the circumstances. At least I'd get summer smoke.

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Any tips tricks and info is greatly appreciated

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[JP1]

Cutting it close... You're using your tent to dry I'm guessing? Have you tried brown bag or cardboard box drying? Could save you a week or 2 of tent time turnaround

 

[VitaMan]

Cutting it close... You're using your tent to dry I'm guessing? Have you tried brown bag or cardboard box drying? Could save you a week or 2 of tent time turnaround

Yup. Good assumption. Multi purpose tent in a space-cramped townhouse.

I brown bag for the pre-grove sweat ....and to dry accidental snips. Never dried a whole crop that way.

I thought about getting a big cardboard box. I've never done it that way myself but there's lots of pics around.

I have a little 2x2x3 propagation tent that I got years ago for drying but it doesn't work well for that. Forced air is too strong through that little space even with a computer fan

 

[VitaMan]

Maybe I could put them on 4" rockwool to buy myself another week...but the watering dynamics all change...

 

[VitaMan]

Solved.

I got some 4×4×2.5" blocks of rockwool that the starters fit in. The block fits nicely into the 6" basket lid with room for a bit of hydroton.

The plants can be maintained for 2 weeks before going into hydro for their 3rd week of veg.

I will have to limit bloom to 9 weeks but I should be able to have to dry sweat process and bag before I go.

LOL. A cannatrol would solve these problems instantly.....for a hefty price