Intermediate Results
Overview
This grow was intense! Setting up the grow consumed so much of my time and focus that I started slacking at work, and it took me a month to get back on track. But hey, what’s the point of a job if it gets in the way of growing? 😉 In the end, everything worked out, and I gained invaluable experience.
This was my first grow using coco coir. At first, I didn’t get it, but then it just clicked! Now I’m hooked: "I’m here to stay." Coco is more controlled than soil, flushes easily, and you can introduce beneficial microbes, which thrive in it. My main takeaway from this grow? If you buy coco, don’t forget CalMag!
Next time, I’ll definitely install HEPA filters at the intake. The amount of dust was insane, and the grow box pulls air like a vacuum cleaner. Watching the timelapse, you can see the box sucking in every bit of dust. I vacuumed the intake filters weekly. The plant was incredibly sticky, but that also meant it caught a lot of lint and fibers between trichomes, especially visible under a microscope. Smoking microplastics? No, thank you!
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On CO2
CO2 only works if everything else is dialed in. If the plant experiences stress from deficiencies or overfeeding, you can forget about it. Since CO2 supplementation requires turning off the exhaust fan, it’s hard to manage temperature and humidity. The plant releases so much moisture that RH jumps to 80% within minutes. It’s doable, but definitely a challenge.
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On Magnetic Fields
No clue what’s happening here yet, but it’s fascinating! I’ll test again with a control sample.
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Nutrients
Dreams do come true—I’ve tested almost everything Advanced Nutrients offers. It wasn’t all smooth sailing; their feeding charts need adjustments for your conditions, and you usually need to feed less than recommended. Overall, I’d say the nutrients performed 100%, and I see no reason to switch. I’ll stick with them for future grows.
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Strain
This strain is reliable, though not the most productive. It flowered exactly as advertised and delivered a frosty finish. It tolerated all my mistakes like a champ—especially mold. Despite an abandoned SCROG plan turning the plant into a bouquet, there wasn’t a single mold spot, even in the densely packed lower buds that got almost no light. Zero mold issues!
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Aroma
As advertised: pine, wood, and citrus. At first, I thought it smelled like grapefruit, but now I’m leaning toward bergamot. Bergamot with a classic weed aroma—a recognizable twist on the usual scent. During the grow, the smell was strong, but the carbon filter handled it perfectly.
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Flavor
It’s too early to say, but the flavor is definitely there! Embarrassingly, all my past harvests tasted the same—like nothing. Just smoke. This one has a distinct sour taste. I’m excited to see how it develops after curing.
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Effect
Too early for a full review, but I love what I’ve tried so far. The high lasts about three hours, with euphoria and relaxation. It’s the perfect evening strain. I’ve smoked a lot over the years, but I’ve never experienced true euphoria—until now. Guess I’ve been stuck with garbage and ditch weed before. 😅 It’s not a strain for productivity or chores, but it’s perfect for chilling, watching something, or chatting. No anxiety, just great vibes. It feels like having a beer after a long day: you relax, and life feels good again.
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Roots
The roots were healthy—maybe too healthy! While the AirPot (20L) prevented root circling, it didn’t eliminate it entirely. There were dead zones at the bottom where roots circled around the perimeter. A dense root mat formed at the bottom (so dense you couldn’t poke a finger through it), which likely contributed to salt buildup. Breaking through that mat required more water, and I suspect this caused EC to spike 1.5x the next day if there was no runoff. Next time, I’ll mix some pumice with the substrate at the bottom, about 3–4 cm deep.
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Timelapse
I only got the timelapse running after the switch to flowering, so it’s not from the beginning. Still, it’s an incredibly useful tool for understanding growth rates. I’ll definitely use it for future grows. Comparing yesterday to today is one thing, but rewinding a week to see how things were is game-changing. I recommend it! You can even use an old phone with a timelapse app if your camera doesn’t support it by default.
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What’s Next
I’ve grown fat buds before, but I’ve always neglected curing. This time, I’m doing it by the book with full control. Drying in the grow box with RH controlled at 50–60% (averaging 55%) for a slow, even dry. Temps are kept between 20–23°C, with frequent venting to keep it below 21°C for terpene preservation. After 7–10 days, when small stems snap with a characteristic sound, I’ll trim and jar them with humidity sensors. For the first two weeks, I’ll burp the jars twice daily, then reduce to once daily for the next two weeks. After that, I’ll monitor the RH sensors and adjust as needed. I’ll share the details after curing is complete.
After drying, I’ll weigh the buds, take photos, and share another post in a month or two after curing to report on the flavor and aroma.
For now, I’m taking a breather, fine-tuning my setup, and preparing for my next grow: Wizard Trees - Zangria S1.