Lemon Cherry Cookies / Grow No. 2 / 1st Autoflower

After a few days under the dome, the seedling broke through the surface – strong and upright. It remained under 24/7 light (P600 Viparspectra at 25% power, ~25–30 cm distance). Humidity stayed high thanks to the dome and gentle misting. No watering yet – only occasional surface sprays to keep the topsoil moist. The seedling appeared healthy and vibrant: wide cotyledons, first serrated leaves forming without signs of stretch or weakness. A PC fan was softly circulating air nearby (but not directly), helping to strengthen the stem and prevent damp spots.

The seedling quickly transitioned into a small plant. Leaf development accelerated, and by the end of the week, the plant had formed several nodes and wide, healthy foliage. Color was a rich green – not overly dark, but clearly nitrogen was available. Watering remained cautious: only small amounts of water were applied when the topsoil began to dry. The plant showed no signs of drooping, overwatering, or thirst. The goal remained clear: encourage downward root growth and avoid excess moisture. Early training was considered. The plant had been intentionally planted slightly off-center in the pot to allow future bending. However, due to her compact structure, no LST was done yet – the timing didn’t feel right. watering with a passive terracotta cone system was tested, but uptake was minimal, likely due to moist soil. The plant was still relying mostly on surface moisture. Around mid-week, a significant change occurred: the LED intensity was raised to 50% while keeping the distance at ~20–30 cm. Within 12 hours, signs of stress appeared on upper leaves — slightly curled edges and a subtle silvering of the surface. This was an early sign of light stress. In response, light intensity was reduced again to 25%, and the plant quickly recovered over the following days. No lasting damage was observed, but this moment highlighted how sensitive young plants are, especially under 24-hour light schedules.

After bouncing back from the earlier light stress, the Lemon Cherry Cookies Auto entered a noticeable growth surge. Internodes stretched slightly, side branches developed rapidly, and the canopy thickened. Everything pointed toward the onset of the stretch and early pre-flowering. Throughout the week, leaf tucking helped maintain light exposure to inner growth. The plant stayed compact yet symmetrical. Mid-week, roots began peeking through the drainage holes – a welcome sign of strong root development. But the real moment came just before the weekend: a gentle low-stress training (LST) session was carried out – the apex was carefully bent down, and a central fan leaf was removed to open up the midsection. Timing was delicate, because the very next day the plant would be left alone for four nights. Would the training cause stress? Would she bounce back or slow down?

Saturday (Day 22) After four nights away, returning to the grow tent was a real shock – in the best way possible. The plant had exploded with growth: what had still been a compact, modest structure was now a bushy, wide, and vital specimen with strong side branches and thick foliage. The training done before departure had clearly paid off. Even more exciting: the first clear signs of preflower, already visible before, had now progressed – she's officially shifted into bloom mode. A total of 1.5 L water was given – first 0.5 L from above with nutrients, then 1 L from below. Both were absorbed fast, indicating excellent root activity. Sunday (D23) To support her newfound vigor, the setup was upgraded: the exhaust system was finally installed, and a second PC fan was placed under the canopy for better airflow. The fan was also connected to VPD-based control, aiming to stabilize humidity at 58%. A milestone day – she’s now entering the next phase, and it shows. Monday (Day 24) Today marks another clear step in the transition into flowering. After adjusting the light height back to 30 cm, the plant responded quickly: The main shoot has stretched upward and is now clearly reaching for the light. Leaf tips at the top had shown slight signs of stress (light curl + minor brightness), which now seem stabilized. The fan had been blowing directly at the canopy, which might have contributed to the curling. I've repositioned it slightly above the plant to provide indirect airflow. The leaf canopy remains tight and vibrant, and the preflowers are continuing to develop slowly but steadily. Notable today: 500 ml bottom-watering absorbed in less than 1 hour Surface still lightly moist but not soggy Strong vertical growth of the main cola Ruderalis genetics appear to handle slight temperature drops well (17–18 °C at night) It feels like everything is now aligning. The plant seems fully in rhythm – and the stretch has likely just begun. She is drinking 1.5L everyday!