Out-Organic-Door

Today, I start counting the vegetative period, the fifth day since the seedlings were placed in the soil. This is their first day receiving indirect sunlight, protected by the tree canopy. This is one of the biggest challenges in the early stages of life. Many insects love these delicate seedlings, and too much sun can damage them quickly. On the other hand, too much water can rot the fragile stem. The soil can’t be too soggy, but it also shouldn’t dry out completely. What I try to do is observe and let nature follow its course without interfering too much.

The first week was full of discoveries and essential care. The seeds germinated well and started developing quickly. I noticed some plants were stretching too much, so I added more soil to provide support and prevent them from tipping over. Today, they had their first direct sunbath, and I'm keeping an eye on them to ensure they adapt well. I'm excited about their progress and looking forward to the next steps of this journey.

I'm traveling today, and the little plants have to survive without my presence for two weeks. I'm feeling anxious. I placed them in an environment with both shade and light. It's the rainy season, so I need to leave them under the trees, where they can get some sun and protect themselves from the rain.

After two weeks away on a work trip, I finally return and rush to check on what happened to the little plants. To my surprise, all of them survived! Two were cut by insects, and the GT #12 suffered an attack on its stem, likely from some insect. Despite that, they're strong and ready for the next step. Tomorrow, I'll begin the transplants

After the Transplant The plants are looking stronger after the transplant and have grown quite a bit. Their green color is vibrant, which shows they’re doing well and settling in nicely. Notes: Sadly, GT#12 didn’t make it through the transplant. It happens, part of the journey. The two seedlings that got damaged by bugs are still waiting for their turn to be transplanted. I think they’ll be ready for bigger pots in about a week. What’s Next: Keep an eye on the seedlings’ recovery and growth. Get the bigger pots ready for next week.

We’ve entered the seventh week of the vegetative period, and the changes in the plants are visible every day. The growth is vigorous, and the plants' energy is more evident than ever. The stems are beginning to thicken, giving a sense of robustness and strength. The leaves, wide and healthy, are a clear sign that we're on the right track. Today, something interesting happened: I identified the first pollen sack. This made me act quickly! I rushed to perform the topping, an essential step to ensure the lateral branches can fully develop. My goal is to delay flowering a little longer so the plant can expand and form a stronger, more productive structure. It’s worth remembering that, since this is an outdoor grow without supplemental lighting, the vegetative period tends to be shorter. This means we need to optimize every phase and make the most of the time we have before transitioning into flowering. Every change is an opportunity to learn and adapt. I’m excited to see how the plants will respond to this intervention and, of course, looking forward to the next steps of this journey!

We’ve reached the eighth week, and the plants continue to tell their stories. Two of them have revealed themselves as males, fulfilling their role in genetics, while the others keep growing vigorously. The dynamics of the garden change, but the journey remains steady and promising. During flowering, I stick to my consistent approach: I don’t change how I provide water and biofertilizers. I believe regularity is the key to a healthy and balanced transition. Additionally, I’m not a fan of heavy defoliation; I prefer to respect the plants’ natural rhythm, removing only the leaves that fall off easily, as if the plants themselves are telling me they no longer need them. Observing each stage of this cycle is an exercise in patience and learning. Each plant has its own personality, and watching them is like uncovering a secret only nature can reveal. I can’t wait to see how the garden will bloom in the coming weeks!

Week 9: Maximum Vigor and First Clones This week has been amazing for plant growth! They’ve reached incredible vigor, with vibrant green leaves and almost no signs of insect damage. One plant has already reached 65 cm in height. Notes: I identified two males in the grow and separated them to collect pollen at the right time. Three plants showed pistils, confirming they’re females, while the others are still in the process of revealing their sex. I made the first clones from plants with well-developed lateral branches. I decided to plant them directly in the soil without a greenhouse—we’ll see how they adapt to direct planting. Climate and Environment: The weather has been very hot and rainy, typical for this time of year. Despite the large number of sucking and biting insects around, the plants are thriving, healthy, and growing without the need for any kind of chemical pesticides. The heavy rains have helped keep the soil moist, which seems to be contributing to the overall vigor of the grow. Next Steps: Continue monitoring the plants that still need to reveal their sex. Observe how the clones adapt in direct soil without a greenhouse. Keep an eye on the males to collect pollen at the right time.

Week 9: Growth, Clones, and Preparing for Buds This week brought some important changes to the grow! The plants stretched significantly, taking advantage of the rainy weather, despite the temperature fluctuations. Overall, the conditions are supporting their development well. Notes: I made a few more clones, and so far, all of them are thriving. It's exciting to see a 100% survival rate for the clones so far. Out of the 12 plants, I identified three males. Two of them have started opening their pollen sacs, and I’ve begun collecting. The pollen is being stored in the freezer for future breeding projects. I did a light defoliation to improve light penetration to the lower branches, which should help promote even growth.

Vigorous Males, Strong Clones, and Bud Formation This week was full of action in the grow! Two out of the three males are in full bloom, and I’m actively collecting pollen. They are impressive plants, with strong structures and large pollen sacs. If everything stays on track, I believe the females will be ready for pollination in about a week. Observations: All 18 clones have successfully rooted! Some have already entered the vegetative stage and are receiving supplemental light at nightfall to keep their growth steady. The plants responded very well to the light defoliation I did earlier. Now, the buds are starting to take shape, showing great progress in the flowering phase. To optimize this stage, I spaced out the pots, ensuring better airflow and increased light penetration, which should support full and healthy flowering. This week, I plan to top off the pots with more substrate, ensuring the plants have enough space and nutrients to reach their full potential. Next Steps: Keep monitoring the males and collecting pollen at the right time. Watch the females closely to determine the ideal moment for planned pollinations. Observe the clones' growth and adjust care as needed. The grow is on the right track, and expectations for the coming days are high!

Full Pollination, Bud Formation, and Pollen Collection The weather has shifted! The rain finally stopped, and the sun is now intense, speeding up the plants’ metabolism. They seem to have stabilized at around 90 cm in height, and the buds are developing well, starting to produce resin. All the plants have been pollinated with the #3 and #11 males, ensuring the production of F2 seeds. I still have a #12 male, but its pollen isn’t mature yet. This delay is due to an insect attack during its early vegetative stage, which set it back compared to the others. The clones are thriving outdoors with supplemental light from a streetlamp to prevent early flowering and keep them in the vegetative phase. Pollen Collection I’m actively collecting pollen from the males in bloom, preserving genetic material for future breeding projects. The seed harvest is on the horizon, and the buds are starting to bulk up. Now, the focus is on monitoring their maturation and maintaining optimal conditions for the rest of the cycle.

Flowering Progress & Pest Pressure This week, the rain stopped for a few days, but the weather has been fluctuating a lot, causing some stress to the plants. The warm and humid conditions are attracting many sap-sucking insects like slugs, crickets, and beetles, which have been showing up more frequently. Despite the challenges, the plants are flowering well, and the buds are taking shape. A light aroma is becoming noticeable, and trichome production is increasing. Over the past week, they’ve stretched significantly, now reaching 1.2 meters (120 cm). I’m hoping the rain stops by the end of the month as forecasted—I don’t want to see my buds getting moldy in the rain.