Fast Buds | Amnesia Zkittlez & Gorilla Cookies | First time growing Autoflowers

It’s Friday again, and that means another update! We’re now on Day 42, and the plants are looking better than ever. The flowering stage is progressing beautifully, and both the Amnesia Zkittlez and Gorilla Cookies are showing significant growth and bud development. Let’s get into the details! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Growing Parameters -Humidity: 38-50% -VPD: Max 1.4 -Airflow: Always active at level 1, auto-adjusts when needed -Day Temperature: 22-25°C -Night Temperature: 22°C -Light Cycle: 20 hours light / 4 hours dark -Lamp: IONBOARD S24 from AC Infinity (240W) -Light Distance: 50 cm (unchanged) -Light Intensity: Level 10 (unchanged) Watering Schedule: -Day 36 (Saturday): 1.5 liters per plant -Day 39 (Tuesday): 1.5 liters per plant -Day 41 (Thursday): 1.5 liters per plant Nutrients: BioBizz Bloom increased to 2ml/L, CalMag and base nutrients added as per schedule. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growth Update The three Amnesia Zkittlez plants have continued their strong vertical growth, towering over the Gorilla Cookies. All three Zkittlez plants are developing thick central colas, with strong side branches supporting additional bud sites. The Gorilla Cookies, though shorter, is focusing more on bud density and creating a compact canopy filled with promising flowers. In the photos, you can clearly see the trichome production ramping up, especially on the Amnesia Zkittlez plants. The frosty coating on the buds is becoming more pronounced, and the plants are really starting to bulk up as the flowering progresses. Both strains are looking healthy, with no signs of stress or deficiencies. The LST continues to help with light penetration, allowing the lower bud sites to develop evenly across the plants. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flowering Progress As we move deeper into the flowering stage, the pistils are continuing to mature, and more amber-colored hairs are beginning to show up, especially on the Amnesia Zkittlez. The buds are swelling up nicely, and the trichome development is clearly visible. The BioBizz Bloom increase from 1ml/L to 2ml/L seems to be helping the plants push through this crucial stage, supporting the formation of thicker, more resinous buds. The aroma is becoming stronger each day, with the Amnesia Zkittlez emitting a sweet, fruity scent, while the Gorilla Cookies has a rich, earthy fragrance. The scent profile is evolving as the buds mature, and it's becoming clear that these plants are heading towards a successful harvest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Training: LST and Maintenance The LST on the Amnesia Zkittlez plants is really paying off, with the branches being held out to allow maximum light exposure. The central colas on all three Amnesia plants are stretching up nicely, and the side branches are benefiting from the additional light. For the Gorilla Cookies, the more compact growth is making it slightly trickier to manage LST, but I’m doing my best to ensure the canopy remains open. The selective defoliation I’ve done over the past week has also helped maintain airflow and light exposure, and I’m continuing to remove any large leaves that are blocking key bud sites. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nutrients and Watering As of Day 41, I’ve kept the watering amount consistent at 1.5 liters per plant. The plants are responding well to the increase in BioBizz Bloom, which is now at 2ml/L. The added phosphorus and potassium should help with flower development as the buds continue to swell. I’m also continuing to add CalMag at every watering to ensure the plants are getting enough calcium and magnesium during this important stage. The soil moisture has been consistent, with no signs of overwatering. The plants are absorbing the water well, and the drainage is healthy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Personal Observations It’s been really exciting to watch the Amnesia Zkittlez plants grow taller and develop their central colas. The height makes it easier to manage the LST and defoliation, as the branches are more spaced out and easier to work with. Meanwhile, the Gorilla Cookies is producing dense, compact buds that are coated in trichomes. Though shorter, it’s creating a strong canopy filled with buds, and the earthy aroma is becoming stronger by the day. For future grows, I’m definitely considering using taller, narrower pots to give the roots more room to grow deeper while saving space in the tent. It would likely make training in the early stages a bit easier and provide better root development overall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking Ahead As we head deeper into flowering, I’ll continue monitoring the bud development and watch for any signs that the plants might need additional nutrient support. The Bloom nutrient increase seems to be working well, but I’ll be paying close attention to how the plants respond as we move further into flowering. The trichome production is something I’ll be keeping a close eye on, especially as the buds continue to bulk up. I’ll also be adjusting the LST as needed to ensure that all the bud sites are receiving even light exposure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Questions to the Community I’d love to hear any thoughts on how to best support heavier buds as they bulk up, especially for the Amnesia Zkittlez that’s stretching tall. Does anyone have tips for reinforcing branches during this stage? Also, any advice on how much defoliation to continue with as the plants get deeper into flowering? Looking forward to your feedback and seeing how the plants progress over the next week!