I am growing for the first time. 4 Magnum Buddhas, outdoors in 60 litre pots, mainly in a greenhouse for the first month, and then outside during the days and green house at night. Temps have been in the mid 70s fahrenheit mainly and no rain.
However, after initial planting I had a family emergency that took all my attention away. And now things are a mess. First, I don’t know exactly when I planted… yes, that’s right. I’m pretty sure it was sometime during the first week of May. In any event, it certainly wasn't later than that, which puts me at week 13 at least. (But my plants do not look like they should at week 13…. )
I’ve just been growing in regular potting soil and adding some seaweed here and there. I know, not ideal, but that’s where we are. Since there has been no rain here I’ve been controlling all the watering… and I think I overwatered. This combination seems to have resulted in small plants. Which is understandable. However, now that I can pay attention I’d like to maximise what can be done. Last week when I came up for air I ordered fish mix and bio bloom and fed all plants 4 ml of both. Not sure whether that is a good idea at this late stage…
One thing I’m very confused about is how far these plants have developed. Perhaps my neglect has made them flower late. Plant 1 is the tallest (far right) but plant 2 and 3 seem to be the furthest along in terms of being ready (middle 2). The runt plant 4 (furthest left) is far behind the others in size and development… not sure what’s going on there, as everyone has gotten the same treatment.
View attachment 934011
Plant 1: full, top, side
View attachment 934013
Plant 2: full, top, side
Plant 3: full, top, side
Plant 4: full, top, side
Basically all the main stems seem close to harvest (except Plant 4), but all the sides are far from ready. Any thoughts to how ready any of these parts are? Like I said, I’ve never done this before. I’ve got a magnifying glass, so I’m looking for the cloudy trichromes, etc. Even the main stems don’t have a lot of coloured pistils and they are not greatly curly, and the side buds are pure white and stringy. If I wasn’t on week 13 I would think there may be 2-3 weeks to go? Longer for Plant 4....
In any event it clearly looks as if the main stems are going to be ready much sooner than the sides. When they are ready can I harvest the main buds and leave the rest to grow? How do I do that without stressing the plant?
Also, more complications. We are going on holiday between 10-17 August - in 2 1/2 weeks. Yes… that’s right. I thought that these plants would have been harvested by now and I would be drying last week or this week… I've only seen that growing outdoors adds time on to the estimated 11-12 weeks.
If these late bloomers take another three weeks I’m screwed. I’m trying for a more cerebral high… so I think I would have to harvest the main stems by then… and then what? Leave them to dry for those 7 days unattended. God what a mess. Should I instead try to keep them growing slowly so that they are done when I get back? Is that possible?
So, obviously none of this is ideal and I’m looking at having to compromise perhaps on drying and maybe curing, which sucks. But does anyone have any advice on how I can make the best of this situation. For example, if the drying has to go longer than 7 days, could I do that in my very large dark, drafty garage without fan to slow the drying down?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
However, after initial planting I had a family emergency that took all my attention away. And now things are a mess. First, I don’t know exactly when I planted… yes, that’s right. I’m pretty sure it was sometime during the first week of May. In any event, it certainly wasn't later than that, which puts me at week 13 at least. (But my plants do not look like they should at week 13…. )
I’ve just been growing in regular potting soil and adding some seaweed here and there. I know, not ideal, but that’s where we are. Since there has been no rain here I’ve been controlling all the watering… and I think I overwatered. This combination seems to have resulted in small plants. Which is understandable. However, now that I can pay attention I’d like to maximise what can be done. Last week when I came up for air I ordered fish mix and bio bloom and fed all plants 4 ml of both. Not sure whether that is a good idea at this late stage…
One thing I’m very confused about is how far these plants have developed. Perhaps my neglect has made them flower late. Plant 1 is the tallest (far right) but plant 2 and 3 seem to be the furthest along in terms of being ready (middle 2). The runt plant 4 (furthest left) is far behind the others in size and development… not sure what’s going on there, as everyone has gotten the same treatment.
View attachment 934011
Plant 1: full, top, side
View attachment 934013
Plant 2: full, top, side
Plant 3: full, top, side
Plant 4: full, top, side
Basically all the main stems seem close to harvest (except Plant 4), but all the sides are far from ready. Any thoughts to how ready any of these parts are? Like I said, I’ve never done this before. I’ve got a magnifying glass, so I’m looking for the cloudy trichromes, etc. Even the main stems don’t have a lot of coloured pistils and they are not greatly curly, and the side buds are pure white and stringy. If I wasn’t on week 13 I would think there may be 2-3 weeks to go? Longer for Plant 4....
In any event it clearly looks as if the main stems are going to be ready much sooner than the sides. When they are ready can I harvest the main buds and leave the rest to grow? How do I do that without stressing the plant?
Also, more complications. We are going on holiday between 10-17 August - in 2 1/2 weeks. Yes… that’s right. I thought that these plants would have been harvested by now and I would be drying last week or this week… I've only seen that growing outdoors adds time on to the estimated 11-12 weeks.
If these late bloomers take another three weeks I’m screwed. I’m trying for a more cerebral high… so I think I would have to harvest the main stems by then… and then what? Leave them to dry for those 7 days unattended. God what a mess. Should I instead try to keep them growing slowly so that they are done when I get back? Is that possible?
So, obviously none of this is ideal and I’m looking at having to compromise perhaps on drying and maybe curing, which sucks. But does anyone have any advice on how I can make the best of this situation. For example, if the drying has to go longer than 7 days, could I do that in my very large dark, drafty garage without fan to slow the drying down?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
