Toppin Autoflowers

Both AK48s germinated and opened their first set of true leaves on 3rd day. NL no signs of germination yet. NL were free seeds from Nirvana. AK48's purchased seeds. All 4 seeds in Rapid Rooters, in coco coir/perlite mix. Solo cups with free flowing drainage. AK48 seeds: Rapid Rooters very shallowly planted in coco/perlite mix. More air flow to roots. Both germinated and broke surface on same day and are growing at same height. Under CFLs for now. Very light breeze on AK48s from fan. Plan to transfer plants before edges of leaves reach Solo cup edges. Will be transferring into 3 gallon smart pots. Would transfer into 1 gallon smart pots but don't want to transfer auto's x2. NL: Rapid Rooters planted halfway into coco/perlite mix. Seeds a bit farther into Rapid Rooters. No signs of germination at this time. Probably less airflow to seeds. Got a 5 pack of these NL AF for free. Will continue to monitor NL seeds. Water pH'd to 5.9-6.0 as needed. 5 mLs CalMag in 1 gallon pH'd water x1 for soil prep for roots. Only watering when cups feel light, or rapid rooters appear to be drying out. Plants will be in 4x4 tent with Growers Choice CMH 315 light, and 1000 watt/200 true watts LED.

Week 2. Plants all under the Growers Choice 315 CMH. Had to move light up 2" because I noticed some of the edges of leaves had turned up. I'm real happy I went with Ceramic MH. The light is clear, it looks like sunshine on a nice day. I can clearly see the plants without yellow tints or LED blurple. Gives off some heat, which I need, but not enough where I'm fighting temps. Transplanted the auto's into their final pots. Absolutely no stress or shock from the girls. And I just ungracefully dumped them in. I fed 1/4 recommended nutrients when I transplanted and the girls and they grew a lot overnight. Since this is my first grow I'm trying to find balance with watering to keep moist but not overwatering. So far I'm doing okay. Keeping the lights on 24 hrs most of the time. But I've turned light off every other day for 4 hours. There is no reasoning on why I decided to do lights that way lol. Feeding 5mL CalMag and 1/4 of recommended nutes every time I water. They definitely respond with growth the following day after they get fed. After adding nutes to water, I pH to 5.8 with Up or Down. Can't wait to start some LST here soon. I might try to top one so I can compare with non-topped since this is my first grow. I got 5 free Northern Light auto seeds with my order. So far only 1 NL auto seed has popped. The others have been duds. AK48 seeds I purchased have germinated and started growing almost in sync. Interesting to watch seeds of same genetics grow. About me: I'm a wife and mother of 2. I was recently injured at work resulting in 2 cervical herniated discs, moderate/severe cervical spinal stenosis, and 2 rotator cuff tears. Injury to my neck have left me with moderate to severe cervicogenic headaches. Most of my pain is nerve related which is very hard to treat. I also have muscle spasms and shoulder pain/weakness. Non-injury related I have Bipolar disorder, ADHD, GAD/panic disorder and severe insomnia. The pharma medications I take, do work for the most part, and I'm thankful for that. Since my injury I've been struggling with increased depression, anxiety and insomnia which medications have not helped. I would like to be able to get off my prescription meds for insomnia and anxiety. Pain relief would be nice since none of the medications I've tried have helped any. I have a lot of daily pain which is tolerable for the most part. But when something provokes, or sets off a flare, it's almost more than I can take. I like reading other people's stories, so I wanted to share a few of the reasons which led me to start growing my own medicine. *I am a licensed medical marijuana patient*

Too many problems with the GO box nutrients. pH fine going in, but run off pH 7.5 Mag/Cal issues, just not happy with these nutes. Gonna drop these nutes, they are giving me a bad vibe. Topped both AK48's on October 9, 2018 (day 15 I believe). Growth slow for 24 hour period, then vigorously growing again. Started LST on both plants. I had read you shouldn't top autos, but I wanted to, so I did. Broke one stem with LST, wrapped green bendy wire around it like a bandaid. I had a lot of anxiety this 3rd week over my plants for some reason. I think because I have done a lot for my first grow. I went from the GO box nutrients, to Fox Farm Nutrients and now I got the sample set from Oregon's Only I'm going to use next feed! My poor autos will be on their 3rd set of nutrients in 3 weeks. Wish me luck! Very happy with my Grower's Choice 315 Ceramic MH. Low heat, clear light. Easy to work with.

Ok these auto girls have been through a lot the past few weeks: three different nutrient lines, multiple flushes, LST, a bit of supercropping. All from a newbies first grow. So at this point I think it's safe to say, these AK48 girls are pretty bad ass. Coming near the end of my 4th week and they are flowering! I can not believe I've made it this far. They look great, growing daily, and make me smile every single day. I was having a lot of nutrient issues up until I received my sample set of Oregon's Only line. Holy crap y'all my plants look great with this stuff! This line just feels more intuitive for me. I had used the GO box nutes, then some Fox Farm nutes so I know I needed to flush before using the OO nutes. It worked out. I just went for It and used the recommended full strength. Running my pH at 6.3-6.5 flowering in coco coir/perlite. I feel there needs to be a slave to the plant song? Because that's what I've willingly become. I had shoulder surgery this week and not feeling super hot, kinda depressed. But looking forward to taking care of these girls each day has really put me in a good mood. Since my shoulder is out of commission I've enlisted my daughter's help with helping me with watering, etc I water with full nutes when the fabric pots feel light. Obligatory doggo pic :) Any and all suggestions, tips, critics are welcome.

Getting caught up, had shoulder surgery 2 weeks ago. These girls are on week 7. Having to feed every other day, pots are light as a feather. So light, that I'm certain they are dead. You can see I topped the auto baby plant the other day. From my experience, I've had zero issues topping, or other high stress training with autoflowers, at all. Knock on wood. That pic was taken 2 days after she was topped. From my (limited) experience with autoflowers, I wait until the day I need to water my plants: do any HST, then water/feed. I really let my fabric pots completely dry out, so the plants seem to be so desperately hungry, they don't seem to notice that I topped or supercropped or broke a bud site, or.....anything, while they were eating! Apparently food and water distract' s them. Pulled my light up a couple inches because, taco leaf. This Ceramic MH light is great. Still under 24/0 light. No problems with temp or humidity. Keeping pH levels between 6.0-6.3 with Oregan's Only. Colas fattening up! Approximately 8-9 inches around. So pretty! Smell is not overwhelming. BUT no more crappy ipower carbon filter, it is crap. I'll get another brand for next grow. I live in a legal state, but don't want my house smelling like weed lol. I prefer to buy items that are Made in America. Any suggestions for carbon filters are welcome. I hope everyone is having a good week growing!!

Site is not letting me upload all my pics :( I hung dry then cured for 3 weeks before weighing. Three plants came out to 9.7 ounces! These buds fatten up and get very dense and sticky the last 2 weeks. I would grow the again. I've already made canna coconut oil with these, which I used to make very potent gummies. Smoke is great. Very smooth. Sometimes I can't even tell I'm inhaling anything because it's that smooth. Everyone who has tried it has loved it! I'm very pleased. Trimming was a pain though because of how sticky it was. Next time I'll dry trim. This, to me, was a good all around hybrid. I smoke this day and night. Energetic but relaxed. I would say it leans more towards a sativa body and head high. No anxiety. Dry mouth and eyes. Can get major munchies!