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S01E15 – Full Veg

Feeling the Heat

Summer temperatures are rising, and Sarah and Jasmine’s grows are heading in very different directions.

Jasmine’s struggling to control the heat from her HPS lighting, with shrivelled plants, fluctuating humidity and mouldy tomatoes. Sarah, meanwhile, has healthy plants and tomatoes developing nicely, although she’s had a little help behind the scenes.

In this episode, both girls check their nutrients, lighting and growing conditions as they try to keep their plants on track through full veg.

What You’ll Learn

This episode covers:

How excessive heat can affect plant health
Why nutrient tanks need regularly refreshing
How to check EC and pH before feeding
Why foliar spraying needs careful timing
How to adjust lighting to achieve the right PPFD
Why healthy-looking plants still need regular monitoring

Jasmine’s Grow Room: Struggling With the Heat

Jasmine’s HPS lighting is making the summer heat difficult to manage. Her plants are shrivelling, humidity is fluctuating and some tomatoes are going mouldy — although Jasmine doesn’t think they look too bad!

Jasmine follows the advice she’s been given from the experts:

Drain and Refresh Your Nutrients

Jasmine checks her EC (1.6) and pH (6.9) before draining the tank. After a little confusion with the pipework, she gets it emptied and ready for a fresh mix.

Keep Your Feeding Simple

Following Pato’s advice, Jasmine switches to House & Garden Aqua Flakes and cuts back on additives to better suit her recirculating system.

Watch When You Foliar Spray

Jasmine decides to foliar spray, but Ian warns against doing this under her hot HPS lights.

Check Your Final Readings

With the tank refilled and nutrients mixed, Jasmine checks her EC and pH. Both are within range, completing her check-in.

Despite making some improvements to her feeding regime, Jasmine’s still struggling with the summer heat, and her plants aren’t looking their best.

Sarah’s Grow Room: Thriving With a Little Help

Sarah’s plants are looking healthy, with tomatoes developing nicely. Ian admits he’s been helping behind the scenes, but warns that she’ll soon need to manage everything herself.

Keep Your Humidifier Topped Up

Sarah refills her 23L humidifier, finding it much easier than the smaller models — although her bucket-filling technique isn’t ideal!

Refresh Your Nutrient Solution

Sarah’s EC reads 1.2, but Ian explains that plants have already taken up nutrients from the tank, leaving behind residual salts. It’s important to regularly empty the tank and replace the solution rather than relying on EC readings alone.

Adjust Your Lighting

Sarah checks her PPFD, increases the light output using her controller and adjusts the light height to get the intensity right.

Despite a few questionable decisions, Sarah’s plants are looking good as full veg continues.

Full Veg: Two Very Different Results

Jasmine’s battling heat, humidity and struggling plants, while Sarah’s grow is thriving with a little extra help from Ian.But healthy plants don’t mean there’s nothing to worry about. Both girls still have lessons to learn about managing their nutrients, monitoring conditions and making the right adjustments as their plants develop

The Scoreboard

With no challenge this week, there are no points up for grabs. Sarah’s plants might be looking healthier, but Jasmine still holds a comfortable lead.