PoundCake Auto in 15L Autopot

TerpTime The first week is done, and the plants are growing very well as expected. The plants received proper water for the first time in the first week, resulting in a drain with the following values: EC 0.7 | pH 5.8. By the end of week 1, 2 out of 4 are already showing the first roots, which means they have moved directly into their final pots. As can be seen in the pictures, I sprayed the substrate with a slightly lower EC solution of 0.4 before inserting to moisten it. I'm currently trying to keep the moisture in the pots at around 80% and plan to lower it to 60-70% as they grow.

TerpTime Welcome to week 3 Unfortunately, I'm a few days late because I was on vacation :) The plants have really grown well in my absence and have developed nicely. As you can maybe see in the pictures, there are small spots appearing on the leaves. I think this is related to the low EC and the short period of high temperature. Since week 3, I've been using the AC Infinity Cloudforge T3 to get the humidity to around 70%, which unfortunately hasn't been working quite right with the device so far. The ladies were watered by hand one last time (EC 1.1 | pH 5.8), and in the coming days, I will activate my Autopot system, keeping the EC steady and gradually increasing it weekly with the growth. INFO.: I’m working with RO water!

TerpTime Welcome, Growmie! The third week is over, and the ladies are doing very well. However, after my return from vacation, I had to notice a slight deficiency – caused by watering with too low EC values before I left. To counteract this, I adjusted the ladies with about 5 liters of water per pot to the desired values (see drain specifications), and the Airdome was also activated. Improvements were visible after a short time. Since the coco substrate retains water very well and releases it evenly, these 5 liters were sufficient for the entire week. In the meantime, the Cloudforge T3 is working almost as desired and reaching a humidity of about 62%. Large fan leaves that cover smaller shoots are carefully placed underneath to avoid hindering their growth. With the end of the third week, I am now also putting my Autopot system into operation. I think the coming weeks should be exciting – provided everything remains stable. INFO.: I am working with RO water!

TerpTime With day 27 and the end of the fourth week, I am completely satisfied. The ladies are showing vigorous growth and have clearly announced the beginning of the flowering phase with their first stigmas. Two plants have now reached a height of 28 cm, one measures 22 cm, and the little latecomer is currently at 20 cm. Since I am not using any LST or other training techniques, there isn't much to intervene with at the moment. Large fan leaves that cover smaller shoots are still being carefully placed under the upcoming shoots to promote light and air circulation. In the coming days, I also plan to do a light defoliation to create even better conditions in the lower areas. Notably, the strong, typical plant smell that the ladies have developed is also quite pronounced – not the sweet, intense scent of flowering, but rather the green, fresh smell of healthy plants. For me, this is another sign that everything is developing in the right direction. The nutrient solution set at the beginning of the fourth week has been absorbed by the plants by about 50%. Originally, I had planned to refill the tank only once a week – but due to slight deposits at the bottom of the tank, I decided to shorten the interval a bit to better ensure the freshness of the solution. Additionally, I now let the circulation pump run continuously 24/7 to avoid deposits in the future and keep the nutrient solution in constant motion. Overall, week four has been very calm – the plants continue to develop healthily and steadily, and I am curious to see how they will unfold further in the upcoming flowering phase. INFO.: I work with RO water!

TerpTime With the end of the fifth week and the completion of the first week of flowering, the progress is clearly visible. The plants continue to develop steadily, growth is ongoing, and the structure is increasingly oriented towards flower formation. The first stigmas were already visible in week 4, and now the culture is officially at the end of the first week of flowering. Particularly noticeable is the manifestation of different phenotypes within the Pound Cake Auto: three plants show a compact, Indica-dominant growth, while one is growing distinctly Sativa-leaning. Of course, a more homogeneous growth would have been desirable – the Sativa phenotype brings a certain asymmetry to the setup with its 35 cm distance from the lamp compared to the 58 cm of the smallest Indica phenotype. This makes even lighting a bit more challenging. The lamp's output was gradually increased to 75% over the week to accommodate the increasing growth. The Sativa phenotype showed a growth of 29 cm this week – the stretch is noticeable, but it is somewhat tempered by the high blue component of the Mars Hydro. The nutrient solution was prepared this time without Rhizotonic and Cannazym, as their biological composition would require more frequent changes. For the coming weeks, I am considering using the flowering booster from Plagron. Otherwise, the fertilization schedule remains unchanged. As in previous weeks, I continue to use leaf-tucking to provide more light to the lower shoots – some of them have now reached eye level with the main tip. Additionally, individual leaves that could not be sensibly tucked away were removed. All in all, this week also went smoothly and steadily. The plants are developing healthily, and I am very satisfied with the progress of the flowering phase so far. INFO.: I am working with RO water!

TerpTime With the end of the sixth week and the second week of flowering, I am still very satisfied with the progress of the grow. The stretch seems to be over, vertical growth has noticeably slowed down, and the plants are now clearly directing their energy towards flower formation. The number of pistils has increased, and around the shoot tips, the first flower clusters are slowly starting to form – a promising transition into the next phase. During the stretch phase, the plants gained significant height. Accordingly, more intervention was made this week: Through targeted defoliation, lollipopping, and leaf-tucking, the plants were shaped and optimized for even light distribution. The sativa-heavy phenotype has now reached an impressive height of 87 cm with a total increase of 30 cm, making it clearly the tallest in the tent. The little latecomer is still lagging behind at 45 cm but continues to show stable development – it should catch up a bit in the coming weeks. The nutrient solution was slightly adjusted: The EC value was raised to 1.6, and for the first time, Plagron Green Sensation was used – a purely mineral supplement that is particularly well-suited for the Autopot system. This week, due to the circumstances, filtered tap water with a starting EC of 0.4 was used. From week 7, the switch to reverse osmosis water will take place, possibly supplemented by the RO system – I will decide on that based on need in the short term. Since the ladies are currently in flowering, I consciously keep the pH in the range of 5.8 to a maximum of 6.0. In this range, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), as well as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) are optimally absorbed – exactly the nutrients that are particularly important in this phase. The uneven growth within the genetics brought some problems: The large sativa phenotype showed slight signs of light stress, which could be easily resolved with quick intervention. In terms of defoliation, I continue to follow the principle: "As much as necessary, as little as possible." Leaf-tucking is therefore still applied to stress the plants as little as possible. Additionally, lollipopping was done to direct energy specifically to the upper flower regions and improve air circulation in the lower area. An interesting effect is once again shown by the use of Airdomes: The rising air bubbles not only transport excess salts upwards but also root structures. I regularly cover these root tips again with substrate. The roots are also actively growing in the lower area – despite the copper mat around the Aqua Valve. To prevent blockages here, some roots were carefully guided back towards the pot. Looking back, this was probably the most labor-intensive week so far – which is not surprising given the growth dynamics. The strain is making a good impression so far, and I am curious to see what will unfold in the coming weeks. After all, this is the part of the grow that I personally find the most exciting.

TerpTime Tag 49 – Week 7 is done, and that means flowering week 3 is also over. The development continues to be overwhelmingly positive, and the overall appearance of the ladies is really satisfying. The post-stretch has clearly shown what the plants are capable of this week. Especially the sativa phenotype has made significant gains, now measuring a proud 119 cm. Right next to it, another plant has reached 71 cm, down to the right there’s one at 85 cm, and my little latecomer on the left is now at 61 cm. It's lagging a bit in development but is still in the stretch phase and should catch up a bit more. Due to the strong growth, another cautious defoliation was necessary this week – particularly in the lower area, where smaller, unnecessary shoots were removed. Additionally, I continue to use leaf tucking strategically to avoid putting shoots under unnecessary stress while ensuring good light distribution. I’m currently keeping the humidity at 55–60% to prevent mold formation. The VPD remains stable at 1.3 kPa, which is ideal for promoting sugar production at this stage. The nutrient solution remains unchanged and continues to supply the plants with the relevant elements: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) – all essential for healthy flower development. The flower clusters are visibly developing further and clearly show where things are headed. The use of PK 13/14 is planned starting from flowering week 5 or 6, once the flowers have further developed. During this period, Plagron Green Sensation will then be paused. One problem that is becoming more apparent now is the space in the tent – it’s clearly getting too tight due to the height and mass of the plants. The lamp will need to be moved all the way up soon, which is currently difficult due to the cable length. Even though I consciously decided against training, it shows how dominant a sativa phenotype can become in the overall picture. An exciting detail on the side: The stem of the plant down to the right has now reached a diameter of 33.07 mm – that’s an increase of 11.64 mm since the last measurement! A solid development that shows how vital the plant tissue is currently working. I hope for somewhat stable weather in the coming weeks. If it rains a lot, that could significantly increase the relative humidity. Although a dehumidifier is running, it remains to be seen whether it can compensate for the additional load. We will probably find out soon. Lastly, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who is following the grow, commenting, and liking – it’s incredibly motivating and makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. 🙌

TerpTime Welcome to the eighth week – flowering week 4 is behind us Wow – eight weeks have already flown by! Unfortunately, this update is a bit late this time, as I was sidelined by an illness. However, the week itself was very calm. Daily work has now dropped to an absolute minimum, as the ladies have found their routine and are consistently moving forward. The development remains – as in previous weeks – absolutely excellent. Almost the entire flowering period has been in the absolute sweet spot so far, which is not only visible but also distinctly smells great despite the filter and constant negative pressure. The terpene profile is already very pronounced. It spreads an intense, sweet scent in the room, reminiscent of lemon, lime, and other fruity aromas. What’s particularly exciting is that the aromas manage to come through well despite the odor filtration – a clear indication of a strong terpene profile and healthy plants. In terms of growth, especially the little latecomer has made significant progress this week. With over 37 cm of growth, she now stands at an impressive 98 cm. The plant in the bottom right has stretched to 105 cm, while the one in the top right now measures 83 cm. And the dominant Sativa phenotype has even reached a proud 130 cm. As the height growth has largely completed for most, more energy is now visibly going into the formation of the flower clusters – and you can definitely tell. The buds have gained considerable volume and resin in the last week and already look promising. Nutrient-wise, I have now replaced Green Sensation with Canna PK 13/14. Additionally, Cannazym has been used to keep the large root mass healthy and support metabolism. Leaf-tucking is still regularly applied to provide light to the lower shoots without unnecessarily stressing the plants. Furthermore, the ladies were defoliated one last time this week to improve air circulation and fully focus on flower development. I am particularly satisfied with the climate control right now – VPD, humidity, and temperature are very stable and exactly in the desired range. This creates optimal conditions for photosynthesis and promotes resin production during this crucial phase. Overall, it remains exciting. The space in the tent is now noticeably tight, which makes air circulation and light distribution a bit challenging. Nevertheless, I am very pleased with the progress so far and look forward to the coming weeks – because now we are slowly approaching the finish line.

TerpTime Time for the final sprint Nine weeks are now behind us – and you can almost smell the end. Five weeks of flowering have been completed, and the ladies continue to show their best side. The biggest change this week is that my little latecomer has left the tent. She is now sheltered in the outdoor area. The decision wasn't hard for me, as she is clearly lagging behind the others and simply doesn't have the same nutrient needs. With her moving out, I was able to reduce both transpiration and heat development in the tent a bit. The focus is now clearly on the remaining three plants – and who knows, maybe the latecomer will catch up a bit outside by the time the rest is already harvested. Nutritionally, everything remained the same in the fifth week of flowering. I consciously kept the nutrient supply constant. However, a targeted mix with PK 13/14 is planned for the coming week to further push the flower development and get the maximum out of the ripening phase. The development of the plants is still flawless. All values – whether humidity, temperature, VPD, or pH – are stable and exactly where they should be. This consistency in the environment is visibly paying off. There's an intense, sweet scent in the tent that strongly reminds me of lemon and berries – a real preview of what's to come. The buds are visibly developing further, becoming denser, stickier, and taking clearer shape. Particularly striking is the dense layer of trichomes that envelops the flowers in a frosty coat. When touched, the fingers practically stick – a clear sign that a lot of potential for flavor and effect is building up here. One small downside remains: Due to the limited space with originally four plants, I had to accept some minor losses in terms of light distribution and air circulation. This will likely have a slight impact on bud size. Nevertheless, I am more than satisfied with what is shaping up here. The last weeks of the grow have begun – the end is getting closer, and the beginning is long behind us. I am really looking forward to what’s still to come, and I am very curious about the mass and quality the buds will achieve in the end.

TerpTime Week 10 is now over, marking the end of the sixth flowering week. The nutrient solution was slightly adjusted during this phase, with PK 13/14 increased to 1.2 ml/L to give the buds an extra boost during this crucial time. The values in the tent – whether temperature, humidity, VPD, or pH – remained very stable, which was directly reflected in the appearance of the plants. The buds have noticeably become denser and bulkier this week, and even though the smaller plants in the tent would appreciate a bit more light, they are steadily growing and developing solidly. The flowers are now completely covered with a dense layer of sparkling trichomes that shimmer like tiny crystals in the light. Just a brief touch is enough to leave a sticky layer of resin on your fingers – an unmistakable sign of increasing potency. The scent has intensified this week: a fresh citrus note, paired with a sweet, berry nuance, is spreading more distinctly and hints that the full aroma profile will soon reach its peak. Even just walking by the tent, this scent seems to sneak out like a subtle preview. With each passing day, the flower calyxes swell further, the structure of the buds densifies, and the resin lays down like a fine layer of sugar over everything. You can almost see how the plants are taking advantage of every hour to gather a bit more weight and aroma. The trichomes are beginning to change color slightly – a first whisper of the approaching climax. Now it’s all about maintaining patience, keeping the rhythm, and observing closely. The finale is drawing near, and the excitement builds with every glance into the tent – almost as if the plants themselves know that the big moment is coming soon. Next week could be the point where the buds take on their true final form… or perhaps the moment when it’s decided which plant will ultimately become the absolute queen of the tent.

TerpTime A long journey to get here, but one that, as always, has been incredibly enjoyable. The 7th week of flowering is now complete, and although there’s not much left to do, this phase is one of the most exciting of all. There’s not much for me to do except watch – but that alone is a pleasure when you see how the ladies mature and gain expression day by day. Last week was very warm, which caused high temperatures in the tent at times. A risk that can be quite critical at this stage, but to my relief, the plants have endured this stress without any significant damage. Their vitality is still strong, and that makes me more than satisfied. Nutrient-wise, I raised the EC to 1.85 by increasing all components once again – a kind of "last meal" before the final phase. The effect was noticeable: The buds have visibly swollen again, feeling really firm and compact now, and have developed a nice, even structure. Under the microscope, there’s now a sea of milky trichomes – a clear signal that the final phase of ripening has begun. The scent in the tent is now overwhelming: Sweet, fruity, with clear notes of lemon and berries, it fills the space, intense but simultaneously pleasantly fresh. Even with the slightest contact with the buds, a sticky film remains on the fingers, so resinous and rich in trichomes they have become. From today on, there will only be pure RO water with a pH of 5.8 and an EC of 0.025. This should allow the plants to take up their last reserves while also beginning to cleanse themselves from the inside out. I check the trichomes daily at various spots and assume that the harvest will be due in the upcoming twelfth week of the overall cycle. A small flaw: The indica phenotypes are now showing slight foxtailing. Not perfect to the eye, but by no means dramatic – the quality and resin content speak a completely different language. All in all, everything indicates that the final phase has now begun and the grand finale is approaching.