Ep 022: Second Trellis Layer and Pulse Pro

0:00 — 0:45

Intro and plan for day eight of flower

Jeremy opens episode 18 at day eight of flower. He previews putting a second trellis layer on quadrant one, a first trellis layer on another quadrant, using bamboo poles instead of a net for a different setup, and comparing the new Pulse Pro monitor against the Niwa controller already in the room.

0:45 — 3:15

Building the second PVC trellis layer

In quadrant one Jeremy assembles a second PVC trellis frame. He uses pre-cut PVC poles at roughly a 14 inch difference in height from the first layer, drops them into the corner connectors like legos without glue so he can break it down and clean it, then sets a trellis screen on top and zip-ties it on. He uses three-way corner fittings on this frame (no third layer capability), contrasts with four-way corners used on the back tent that would allow expansion, and emphasizes that the exact height is arbitrary because the real goal is canopy distance from the light.

1. 1. Measure and pre-cut four PVC uprights with a small PVC cutter (about 14 inches taller than the first trellis)
2. 2. Drop the four uprights into the existing corner sockets in each corner of the container frame
3. 3. Connect the top rails using three-way or four-way corner fittings (no glue, friction fit)
4. 4. Lay the trellis screen on top of the frame
5. 5. Zip-tie the screen to the frame so plants cannot push it around
6. 6. Dial in height so canopy is far enough from the light for even PAR coverage

3:15 — 5:35

Planning ahead and leaving the garden with staff

Jeremy explains why he is getting way ahead on trellising: he is leaving town and wants staff to be able to care for the plants. He argues that living soil is what makes this possible because there is no pH and no feeding to manage; the sitter just adds water per his 5 to 10 percent rule. He planned his flip to flower around this departure so he could be present through the two week stretch, defoliate at the end, and hand over a dialed garden. He contrasts this with hydro grows where you cannot leave town because a buddy will not pH or feed correctly.

5:35 — 8:40

Watering with the pump chapin and reservoir check

Jeremy pumps up his Chapin pump sprayer full of plain water, removes the nozzle, locks the trigger on auto-water mode and fills one reservoir, explaining it takes about three gallons. He watches for runoff from the overflow to know the container is full and mentions optional catch trays. He notes each reservoir is drinking roughly three gallons per day now in peak stretch while the larger earth box container holds more moisture and drinks differently even though the plant needs just as much water.

1. 1. Pump up the Chapin sprayer with plain water
2. 2. Remove the nozzle to get a wider flow
3. 3. Lock the trigger on to auto-water the reservoir
4. 4. Watch the overflow port at the bottom of the container
5. 5. Back off immediately when water starts running out of the overflow
6. 6. Optionally place a catch tray under the overflow and dump it out later

6:00 — 11:30

Bamboo pole support and tomato vining clips

In the quadrant using bamboo instead of PVC trellis, Jeremy uses thin bamboo poles, pushing them into the soil at a slight outward angle next to branches that need support. He accepts that this rips a couple roots, which is why for the main setups he built external trellis systems that stay out of the soil. He uses orange clips that he normally uses on the farm to vine tomatoes and cucumbers, clipping a main branch directly to the bamboo. He pulls branches outward and stakes them so more light penetrates the canopy, and warns about the eye injury hazard of vertical bamboo poles at face height in the grow room.

1. 1. Pick thin bamboo poles that will not rip excessive roots
2. 2. Position the pole next to a branch that needs support
3. 3. Angle the pole slightly outward from the container center
4. 4. Push the pole into the soil until it is firmly anchored
5. 5. Grab an orange vining clip, open it around the pole
6. 6. Place the clip over an open spot on the branch and snap it closed loosely
7. 7. Optionally pull outer branches outward to open the canopy for light penetration
8. 8. Skip staking center branches because supported sides will hold them

4:45 — 13:45

Stretch timing and why we trellis

Jeremy explains the two-week flower stretch: plants roughly doubled in height since the flip, stretch stops around day 14 to 16 depending on genetics, drink more during this window, and he likes to defoliate at the end. He teaches that plants check their support, nutrients, water and light and dictate yield based on that, so providing support early signals the plant to keep loading buds. He warns about genetics that produce huge resinous buds on weaker stems, branches or whole plants snapping later in flower, and how packed tents with branches falling into each other cause bud rot and airflow problems. Keeping it clean and trellised early is being a good steward of what is to come.

13:45 — 17:00

Pulse Pro monitor with PAR and CO2

Jeremy introduces the Pulse Pro hanging in quadrant three, a gift from Pulse. Unlike the Pulse One which is monitor-only, the Pulse Pro has a built-in PAR meter with a snapshot button and a CO2 meter. He took a PAR reading of about 430 to 440 with the Pulse Pro versus 470 on his expensive reference PAR meter, close enough to trust. The Pulse Pro and the Niwa hanging next to each other gave very similar readings of 80 degrees and 50 percent humidity which is about 1.8 VPD. He will buy a professional CO2 meter to compare against the Pulse Pro CO2 sensor and plans to duct CO2 from a 4x4 mushroom tent outside into this room to boost plant growth.

1. 1. Hang the Pulse Pro next to the existing Niwa controller for a fair comparison
2. 2. Press the snapshot button to log a PAR reading at canopy height
3. 3. Cross-check that reading with a standalone reference PAR meter
4. 4. Confirm temperature and humidity readings match the Niwa
5. 5. Use the VPD calculator spreadsheet from Pulse to interpret the numbers
6. 6. Plan to add a standalone CO2 meter to validate the Pulse Pro CO2 sensor

17:00 — 17:50

Quadrant four tomato and peppers update

In quadrant four the tomato has had lower branches pruned, new clips added, and is being bottom-watered through the tray to keep moisture consistent, plus a top dress of Craft Blend to address the bottom-end rot. If it does not recover while he is gone he will transplant it into a larger container. The pepper plant is producing well with six or seven peppers already set and more forming.

17:50 — 19:15

DIY bamboo trellis screen alternative

Jeremy shares a bonus tip: instead of buying a PVC or prebuilt trellis screen you can drop one bamboo pole into each of the four corners of your container, then lash horizontal bamboo poles across with twist tie or zip tie to form a square grid. Jay Plant Speaker does this in his greenhouse with thicker bamboo. The benefit is that at harvest you cut the zip ties, pull the frame apart, harvest the whole plant and flip it upside down without having to pull buds back through a net.

1. 1. Push one bamboo pole into each of the four corners of the container
2. 2. Cut horizontal bamboo crossbars to length
3. 3. Lash the crossbars to the corner uprights with twist tie, zip tie or wire
4. 4. Build a square grid by crossing additional bamboo over the top
5. 5. At harvest, cut the ties, pull the frame apart and harvest the whole plant without unweaving through a net

19:15 — 19:44

Outro and subscribe ask

Jeremy wraps up episode 18, asks viewers to subscribe because over half of the current viewers are not subscribed, and promises hundreds more episodes to come.