Outdoor Strawberry Cheesecake Auto

As already described in the diary entry during germination, I encountered problems with the first phase due to excessive heat outside, and all seedlings died within the first week. The timeframe stretched a bit and wasn't exactly one week due to variations in germination times Phases 2, 3, and 4 did develop well after all. Unfortunately, there were weather problems here, and it started raining, snowing, and hailing all week long, with non-stop clouds in the sky, which unfortunately didn't give me any advantage. So the plants were indoors for a while. I tried to give them as much light as possible, around 18/6 or 20/4. Naturally, they still stretched. Towards the end of the first week, I also started using "Plagron Terra Grow" fertilizer, but I reduced the amount to 0.5ml of fertilizer per 100ml of water. Now that the temperature outside is pleasant again and the sun is shining, I wanted to gradually acclimate the plant to the outdoors in intervals. Unfortunately, I made a HUGE MISTAKE My seedling tray toppled over, causing the edge of the flower pot to damage the stems, resulting in a kink. Although it didn't sever them, one seedling lost a top leaf. I promptly repotted them deeper to provide better support and added mycorrhiza to the soil. After 24 hours of the incident, only one seedling has died so far. The youngest one, Phase 4, suffered more damage than expected. The weight completely crushed the seedling's apical meristem.

After the last stressful week, I was feeling optimistic about this week. The plants had been replanted deeper and supported with 'Organic Nutrients Mycorrhiza' in the soil. They quickly bounced back and looked healthy again. However, just as they were getting back on track, the next incident occurred on May 2nd. My 110 lbs maple tree mercilessly fell onto the plants. Miraculously, as you can see in the pictures, nothing happened. Thanks to the weed gods for that. Anyway, I refreshed the soil, lightly moistened it, and avoided any further stress. They are doing quite well now. The leaves have a healthy color and are actively growing. Next week, I am going to repot them in larger pots.

I started the third week of Veg by transplanting the small seedlings from their pots to the 30-liter final pots. It went well without any issues. I mixed Mycorrhiza Premium into the new soil again, as well as around the root ball and the planting areas. I hydrated the entire mixture with 2.5 liters (0.66 gal) of water, and then, a few days later, I added 300ml (0.08 gal) to the top layer to rehydrate the soil. Additionally, I watered the plant itself with 100ml (0.03 gal) directly. I left out the fertilizer for now. I noticed yellow spots on the P2, which are limited to just this leaf, as seen in the picture. It has worsened slightly, but still only affects this leaf. I assume this is simply from the stress or damage caused when the maple tree fell on it. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the growth, although it could be faster.

Week 4 of Veg, the plants have now acclimated to the large pot, and there are visible changes. In addition to the new leaves, there are now 5-lobed leaves and small side shoots, as you can see in the pictures. The growth is also noticeable daily. P2 is now 5cm (2 in) tall and P3 is 8cm (3 in) tall. Both have very robust stems. I only watered a little more than 2 liters (0.53 gal) this week and haven't fertilized yet. I plan to start LST in the next 2 weeks. The small hairs on the plant are just from my curious cats.

Big changes this week! The side shoots have continued to develop well, and on May 23, '24, I could definitively see that P2 has entered preflower and the early flowering pistils are clearly visible. Therefore, I started LST right away. I also started fertilizing, using Plagron Terra Grow. Due to the stress the plants experienced, I'm about 2 weeks behind, and the plants are quite small, but let's see what the training will achieve. Additionally, the plants are now very fragrant. I didn't expect this, but what Barney's Farm has delivered is amazing. A nice milky-berry scent, slightly sweet, very delicious. I can't wait. Alongside the sunlight, I now have a LED full-spectrum grow lamp that supports the plants at night, so they are getting even more light. However, I'll be away for a few days now and will leave the plants to themselves.

This week, there were new successes. Although the weather has been and still is not optimal, the ladies are pushing through. The LST shows good progress, so I was able to adjust daily. Since I didn't like my setup with the soil hooks and wire as much as I had imagined, I switched to a wooden stake. This setup is now easier to handle and better for readjusting. Most importantly, I can train the plant better with it, which you can also see in the pictures. The side shoots are making very good progress, giving me hope for a larger yield. I have also changed the fertilization to 2.5 ml of Terra Grow and 2.5 ml of Terra Bloom per liter of water, totaling 5 ml of fertilizer per liter (0.17 fl oz of fertilizer per 0.26 gal of water). The weather has changed drastically, with heavy rainfall and humidity over 90%. Because of this, the water in the soil doesn't evaporate as much compared to the hot weather of previous weeks. As a result, 0.5 liters (0.13 gal) was enough for watering this week. As the nighttime temperatures remain too cold, around 10°C (50°F), I keep the plants indoors under the grow lamp overnight.

This week marks the end of the Veg and the beginning of the Flower. The plants are now in the seventh week of veg/preflower and show clear signs of their sex. Starting next week, the official flowering period begins. We have observed some beautiful changes again. Both plants are responding very well to Low Stress Training (LST), with P3 being slightly stronger and taller than P2. However, P2 is further along in the growth cycle compared to P3. I have adjusted the LST further and taken some measurements. This week, we reached over 18 cm (7.1 in) in LST. I have tied them down again, so now they stand at 16 cm (6.3 in). The actual size of the plants is over 30 cm (11.8 in). The color of the plants is healthy and vibrant green, the leaves are very strong, and the stem has slightly changed color. The smell is intensifying into a delicious, sweet, milky berry aroma, which is very exciting. I have increased the amount of Grow and Bloom fertilizer this week to support the growth. Briefly about each plant: P2: P2 shows beautiful signs of flowering, and there may already be some resin production on the side buds. The side branches are developing rapidly and becoming stronger. P3: P3 is growing more vigorously but is still in the preflower stage. As a result, it has more side branches and pistils appearing in several places. We also had a visit from a bee!

This is the first official week of the flowering phase, and a lot is happening. I expanded the LST to strong side shoots and spread the plant even wider. It has now become quite a thicket. The main stem is very robust, and the side shoots are getting stronger. Due to the training, the lower shoots are now more prominent, and more potential buds and new side shoots are visible. Trichomes are already visible in some areas. Larger leaves or leaves that cover branches are not yet being trimmed. I usually tuck them under the main or side branch to avoid unnecessary stress. The plant's color is a vibrant green, and the scent is still pleasant but not yet strong. The pictures speak for themselves. The plant is growing very quickly, so I have to adjust it constantly. This week, I didn't water much since the soil was still well-hydrated from last week.

This week kicked off strong. Despite clear skies and no weather warnings, a heavy downpour tested the plants, but they handled it like champs. With the weather vastly improved after last week's storms, temperatures nearly hit 30°C (86°F), making the plants thirsty. The growth has been impressive. I've been busy with LST, gently guiding the side branches to make the plants wider and bushier. Especially with P3, the main stem has grown so strong that I had to switch to a stainless steel hook to support it. Watching them grow daily is a real treat. The buds are also developing strongly, it's particularly evident with P2, while P3 still needs a bit more time. Trichomes are standing out more now, especially on the leaves and starting to cover the calyxes, shining like crystals in the sun, showing off their resin production. The smell has also ramped up, noticeable even from a distance. Unfortunately, P2 has a minor issue with aphids, likely hitchhikers from other plants on the balcony. I've been manually removing them, but it's time-consuming. All plants got treated with COMPO Pest-Free Plus AF - Insecticide, and I'll do it again to keep those pests in check. Additionally, I've selectively removed some leaves with a razor blade, as they were wilting or already dead. I prefer to avoid this with the auto-flowering variety and only do so when absolutely necessary. Overall, I'm really pleased with how things are going despite these little hiccups. The plants are loving the LST, staying healthy and full of life. Looking forward to seeing more progress next week.

This week brought excellent weather with temperatures reaching 33°C (91°F) and plenty of sunshine. I've observed nearly 10 cm (4 inches) of vertical growth, with the plant expanding both upwards and outwards. The buds are visibly thickening, and trichome production has become quite evident, creating a beautiful layer of frosty, resinous sugar leaves. The aroma is now more pronounced, although not yet overwhelmingly strong. Overall, the plant appears robust with a sturdy stem measuring slightly over 3 cm (1.2 inches) in diameter. The foliage is a deep, vibrant green, indicating good health. The lateral branches are now also producing buds. I have reduced the fertilization to the standard 5 ml per liter (0.17 fl oz/gal), now exclusively using Terra Bloom. The plants have become noticeably thirstier. Today, they were exposed to rain and absorbed over 0.5 liters (0.13 gallons) of rainwater, with a pH value of 7.46. Low-Stress Training (LST) is no longer being actively applied, it is only being adjusted as needed

This week, I focused on removing the LST plant stakes and wire as the branches have thickened significantly, reaching the limits of what LST can achieve. I am very satisfied with how wide the plants have become. Additionally, I decided to defoliate the lower leaves to create more space for the plants. Some leaves and small shoots were very close to the soil or even touching it, so I trimmed those away. I will not remove any leaves from the top, only selectively from the bottom as needed. The plants have grown exceptionally well over the week, adding a solid 8 cm (3.1 in). They have developed a richer color and are producing more and more buds, especially on the side branches, which are becoming stronger. The LST has created a nearly circular canopy of flowers. The aroma has also intensified, and the Strawberry Cheesecake scent is unmistakable, which pleasantly surprised me. The trichomes are now visible from a distance, giving the plants a beautiful frosted appearance. The sugar leaves are impressive, and the calyxes are swelling more and more. Between P2 and P3, you can see a significant difference in their development. As the plants are becoming increasingly thirsty, I have adjusted the watering and fertilization accordingly. There was also heavy rain this week. I kept the plants outside during the rain, allowing them to benefit from the rainwater, which amounted to a little more than 1.5 liters (0.4 gal) with a pH value of 7.85. So far, the plants have responded positively to this.

For this and next week, just a short report as I am away. The plant is now growing rapidly, and you can see it putting a lot of energy into the flowering phase each day. The ladies are extremely thirsty. I am now watering them with a substantial amount of water each day, which is quickly absorbed. The main stem, side branches, and the rest of the plant are very robust. The color is a rich green, and the scent has become even more creamy, berry-like aroma that you can almost taste on your tongue. The buds are completely covered with trichomes and sparkle in the sun. Additionally, the resin is extremely sticky. Besides the regular fertilized watering, I also water the plant from the bottom with one liter (0.26 gal) of regular tap water, with a pH value of 7.45.

A short report for this week, as there isn't much new to note. The buds are becoming really fat, nice and resinous, and full of trichomes and emit a strong aroma. I slightly increased the fertilization again this week and also watered the plant from the bottom with one liter (0.26 gal) of regular tap water, with a pH value of 7.45, in addition to the normal watering.

The plants look really happy, with a rich and vibrant color. They are now growing taller more slowly, but the side branches are getting thicker. The buds are becoming really fat and are completely iced out with trichomes. The calyxes continue to swell, and more trichomes are visible, starting to turn slightly milky. Some of the white hairs are slowly turning brown. I estimate about 2-4 weeks until harvest. The scent is simply delicious, with a pleasant creamy berry aroma. The buds are also incredibly resinous, making your fingers sticky as soon as you touch them. The plants are only lightly defoliated, with dead leaves selectively removed and small shoots trimmed only at the bottom of the plant. The ladies are also extremely thirsty. Besides the regular fertilized watering, they also receive tap water from the bottom, which they usually absorb within a few minutes. I also made an extra video to better show the size of the buds, and using the flash at night highlights the trichomes even more.

As we near the final weeks of the grow, this week brings some unfortunate news. In addition to no significant new growth developments from the plants, the main bud of P2 has unfortunately developed bud rot. I’ve removed the affected part to get a better understanding of the extent of the damage - since it’s mold, it’s often already quite advanced by the time you notice it. Despite this setback, both plants are doing well overall. The trichomes are shifting from clear to milky, and the white hairs are gradually turning brown. The plants are now drinking at different rates, so they are being watered individually. This is also the last week I will be using fertilizer. Watering this week was as follows: Both plants: 2L (0.53 gal) water P2: 2L (0.53 gal) with nutrients P3: 4L (1.06 gal) with nutrients

Big changes this week! Starting with the less fortunate news: Due to the fluctuating weather, with high heat and intermittent rain, the humidity became too much to manage. As a result, I had to perform a partial emergency harvest on both plants prematurely due to mold. Last week, I noticed the mold and removed as much as I could, hoping to monitor its spread and behavior since I’m still gaining experience in this area. Over the days from August 7th to 10th, I partially harvested the main cola of P2 and later did the same with P3, where the mold wasn’t initially visible. Despite this, I was able to salvage a decent amount of the harvest, which is now drying. I’ll provide detailed figures on what and how much I had to harvest prematurely in the final diary entry under Harvest. The pictures already show what was trimmed. Now for the better news: Given the emergency harvest, I’ve decided to fully prune and defoliate the plants in preparation for the upcoming harvest in the next few weeks. The weather is forecasted to stay stable, with temperatures around 30°C+ (86°F+) and clear sunshine. I was able to cut away a good amount, which should benefit the plants. Starting this week, I’ve stopped fertilizing and am now watering each plant individually with tap water, with a pH ranging from 7.20 to 7.45. This week, P3 received only 5 liters (1.32 gal.) of water.

Not much to report this week. I'm preparing the plants for their flush, so they didn't receive any water this week. Unfortunately, after the defoliation, the young leaves got slightly burned by the sun. The weather is very good, with low humidity and lots of sunshine. The plants themselves show no further signs of mold, and the buds that were left behind under the leaves or hidden by the previously emergency-harvested buds are now growing too, but they are quite airy.

This week, we need to split the report into two parts. At the beginning of the week, after preparing the plants for their flush, they developed well. The buds became more compact, and the smell intensified slightly. The color was also a nice healthy green. The trichomes completely frosted the buds, making them extremely sticky. During the daily mold check-up, I didn’t notice anything. Both plants were flushed with 25 liters (6.6 gal) each. Since I was on vacation during the week, the plants were left on their own for 5 days. Now, for the second part: As can be seen in the pictures, mold was present after all, but unfortunately, I couldn’t detect it earlier. Good weather was expected, but there was a shift, leading to high humidity and constant cloud cover, which not only negatively impacted the flush but also encouraged the growth of mold. Three top buds of the P3 plant were affected.

Finally, it’s harvest time. Unfortunately, I had to cut away a lot of mold to maintain quality, but I still ended up with a significant amount in the end. I’ve summarized the Emergency Harvest and Regular Harvest together and documented pretty much everything that happened. The harvest itself was quite impressive, featuring everything from classic nuggets to a massive sticky 60g (≈ 2.12 oz) iced-out bud. It took me a good amount of time to trim and hang everything. The buds all displayed a super juicy color, beautiful amber trichomes, and, of course, were stickier than ever. They were also very compact, especially considering it was just a simple outdoor grow. The smell turned out to be much better than I expected, with fruity berry notes complemented by a creamy, cheesy aroma, rounded off with a sweet finish. I dried everything outdoors, which unfortunately showed in a batch of buds that were bleached completely by the sun since I left them out too long. However, once ground, they are just as green as the unbleached ones. A fair amount of trichomes stuck to my trimming scissors, giving me the chance to enjoy a little fresh hash, 0.15g (≈ 0.005 oz). Additionally, I got four nice seeds. Now, onto the most important part: smoking, the effects, and the flavor. I can now make a good comparison between smoking right after drying and waiting 4-8 weeks for curing. All buds are stored in mason jars with 62% Boveda packs and are initially opened daily to breathe. The smoking experience itself is super smooth, whether using a regular tip or an activated charcoal filter. It produces nice, dense smoke without any scratching or coughing. As for the effects, what can I say? It hits hard. It’s an excellent pain reliever for back pain, muscle soreness, or other aches. You get a slight numbness, and the areas where you feel pain only have a pleasant pulsing sensation, there’s no other way to describe it. Your hands might feel a little tingly before the high sets in. The high is a nice, strong body high that pushes you into the couch or bed and makes you feel a bit silly. If you’re not used to it, it’s best not to plan anything too ambitious or to smoke before sleep. The munchies hit pretty hard for me, so it's perfect for a movie or cooking night. It’s also a great social high if you can handle it, ideal for chilling in the city or partying. Just be careful when buying snacks, if you know, you know. The flavor aligns perfectly with the strain itself and is a sweet berry blend, rounded off by a creamy, smooth finish, akin to drinking a glass of milk. After a few weeks of curing, the flavor has intensified but has remained consistent. I’m super happy with the grow and the harvest! Weed Harvest Summary Emergency Harvest: Fresh: P2: 105.54g, P3: 68.59g Wet: P2: 61.83g, P3: 46.11g Dry: 39.69g Regular Harvest: Fresh: P2: 309.95g, P3: 353.19g Wet: P2: 287.05g, P3: 253.91g Dry: P2: 51.87g, P3: 61.93g Hash: 0.15g Trims: 37.24g Weight Loss P2: 235.18g (≈ 81.83%) P3: 191.98g (≈ 75.66%) Total Fresh: 663.13g (≈ 23.36 oz) Total Wet: 540.96g (≈ 19.09 oz) Total Dry: 153.49g (≈ 5.41 oz)