First Living Soil Grow - King Juice

MyLittleGarden Veg Week 1 – The Beginning of Living Soil Period: April 5th to April 12th This week marks the start of my new project – an organic grow in a living soil bed, following the motto: "Soil is alive – and everything starts beneath the surface." On April 5th, I prepared the bed using the Almicanna Rearmament Mix to build a rich and fertile base. I also sowed companion plants (a.k.a. cover crops) to support soil structure, encourage microbial life, and naturally boost nitrogen levels. I watered the bed with 6 liters to help activate the soil biology – now it’s nature’s turn to do its thing. King Juice Cutting That same day, I planted a King Juice clone into the bed. I topped the cutting to promote bushier growth right from the start. I also began LST (Low Stress Training) by gently bending the side branches down and fixing them to the soil surface to encourage horizontal growth. Light & Environment Lights are running on an 18/6 cycle – turning on at 6:00 PM and off at 12:00 PM the next day. For now, I’m using a 35-watt seedling light setup, soft enough for the early phase but enough to kickstart healthy photosynthesis. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Veg Week 2 – The Soil Army Moves In Period: April 12th to April 19th This week brought a serious boost of life into the system – quite literally! I switched the grow light to full spectrum, so the plant can now benefit from a broader range of light for stronger, healthier development. King Juice The King Juice cutting is doing well. I continued to gently bend the branches sideways and fixed them close to the soil – aiming for a wide, bushy structure and better light exposure for the lower shoots. Cover Crops The companion plants (cover crops) are thriving! Within a few days they’ve grown rapidly, greening up the surface and supporting soil structure and microbial life. Worms Incoming A big move this week: I introduced 450 earthworms into the bed! They're here to loosen the soil, improve nutrient cycling, and support the whole underground ecosystem. DIY Worm Hotels To make the worms feel at home, I built two small worm hotels using clay pots with holes. These act as feeding and retreat zones. Each hotel was filled with a bit of soil, leaf scraps, eggshells, and organic waste – the perfect buffet for worms and microbes alike. Watering I added 4 more liters of water to keep the moisture level stable and help the worms settle in. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Veg Week 3 – Mulch, Light & Blumat Period: April 19th to April 26th Week 3 was all about bringing a little order into the jungle and setting up the system for long-term stability. Blumat System Installed I installed the Blumat automatic watering system, giving the plants a consistent and steady supply of moisture without the need for daily hand-watering. The first drips are flowing – the soil now stays evenly moist and balanced. Cover Crops Trimmed & Mulched The cover crops went wild this week! To keep everything in harmony, I trimmed them back and used the cuttings directly as living mulch. On top of that, I added some dried trim from past cannabis grows to create a hemp mulch layer. This helps regulate moisture, feeds the microbes, and supports a healthier soil structure. Defoliation & Light Optimization To improve light penetration and airflow, I selectively defoliated both the King Juice and some of the cover crop. Now more light reaches the inner and lower parts of the canopy – setting the plant up for stronger, more balanced growth. Additional Watering Besides the Blumat, I also added 3 liters of water by hand to make sure all areas of the bed are evenly saturated, especially after the new mulch was applied. Worm Hotel: First Guest Arrived Exciting news – the worm hotel is officially open for business! This week I spotted the first earthworm inside the clay pot, confirming that the structure is working and being accepted. A small but important sign that the underground life is active and exploring its new home. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Veg Week 4 – Mulch, Microbes & Monitoring Period: April 26th to May 3rd In the fourth week, the bed continued to thrive. The King Juice plant looks healthy and vigorous, steadily growing with strong leaves. The cover crops are also getting bigger, bringing plenty of life and diversity to the bed. Pruning & Mulching The cover crops were pruned again, and the clippings were spread out as a mulch layer over the soil and lightly moistened. It’s fascinating to see the microorganisms actively breaking down the old leaf material — the mulch system is visibly working. The nutrient cycle is kicking in. Hemp Mulch & Moisture Management Towards the end of the week, I trimmed the cover crops once more, chopped them up, and scattered them across the bed. On top, I added a layer of coarse hemp mulch to help maintain consistent moisture in the upper soil layer and support a stable soil climate. Worm Hotel Replenished Both worm hotels were replenished with fresh organic material like leaf litter and kitchen scraps — providing food for the worms and boosting soil life. Yellow Sticky Traps Against Fungus Gnats As a preventive measure against fungus gnat infestation, I hung yellow sticky traps to catch any early signs before the problem escalates. So far, everything looks green and healthy. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Veg Week 5 – Letting Go & Observing Period: May 3rd to May 10th In the fifth week, I mostly let the bed do its thing and just allowed nature to take its course. Sometimes, giving the plants and soil some time to work on their own is exactly what they need. The King Juice plant continues to look quite vital, has unfolded nicely, and become noticeably bushier. You can really feel that it’s gaining significant volume now — there’s definitely more growth to come! The coarse hemp mulch kept the soil surface nicely moist, which is visible in the soil structure. The cover crop is starting to poke through the mulch here and there, making the bed look lively and healthy. In between, I applied a bit of low-stress training (LST) to gently shape the plant and promote even growth. Additionally, I applied another round of EM1 microorganisms to support soil life further. I also watered the soil again with 4 liters to keep everything flowing smoothly. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Veg Week 5 – Growth and Care Period: May 10th to May 17th In the fifth week, I let the King Juice continue to grow and spread out across the area. The plant is getting denser and wider — a real bushy marvel! The cover crop is also spreading under and alongside the King Juice, creating a lively green carpet. For aesthetics and ecological balance in the grow box, I left one plant standing in the right corner — just for the eye and the environment, following the motto "It can't hurt." Additionally, I diluted EM1 microorganisms with water and watered with a total of 4 liters to boost the microbial life in the substrate and further stimulate soil activity. It’s simply a joy to look into the box and watch the plants grow bigger and bigger. Towards the end of the week, I thinned out and defoliated the King Juice, so it now looks a bit wild and ragged — but that’s part of the care to allow more light and air inside the plant. Unfortunately, I had to remove the ivy that was standing in the left corner because it didn’t fit well into the environment and didn’t harmonize optimally with the other plants. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Vegetation Week 7 – Calm Before the Next Chapter Period: May 17th to May 22nd During this short but significant week, I simply let the King Juice grow undisturbed. She continued to adjust to her environment, unfold her potential, gain strength, and thrive at her own pace. It was a joy to watch her looking so healthy and full of energy – lush, green, and strong. The plant is developing beautifully, and it’s becoming clear that she’s ready for the next big step. With space in the grow box getting tight, I decided to mark May 22nd as the final day of the vegetation phase. The transition to flowering was initiated overnight from May 22nd to May 23rd, making May 23rd the official first day of the flowering stage – an exciting new chapter begins. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Flowering Week 1 – The Starting Signal Period: May 23 to May 29 (Light cycle switched from 18/6 to 12/12 on the night of May 22 to 23) With the switch from 18/6 to 12/12 lighting during the night of May 22 to 23, the flowering phase officially began on May 23 – marking the first official day of bloom. To kick things off, I applied between 50 and 100 grams of Almicanna Drop Top Dress as a powdered top dressing across the surface of the soil. The goal was to provide a vital nutrient boost right at the start of flowering, giving the plant everything it needs to transition smoothly into this new phase. Throughout the week, I watered twice with EM1 (Effective Microorganisms) – 5 liters at the beginning and another 6 liters toward the end. This keeps the microbial life in the substrate active and thriving, which is especially important now. I also defoliated the King Juice once to improve airflow and light penetration into the inner parts of the plant. She continues to look healthy and vibrant, spreading out nicely across the grow area. To support lateral growth and maximize light exposure, I built a ScrOG net using leftover wood and rabbit wire, and I’ve started threading the individual branches through the mesh. The LED light has been set to full spectrum at maximum power, providing the plant with all the energy she needs going forward. Lets Grow 😋

MyLittleGarden Blütewoche 2 – Blattpflege, ScrOG & Biologischer Pflanzenschutz Zeitraum: Vom 29. Mai bis 05. Juni Moin zusammen! Ich habe mir mein bisheriges Grow-Tagebuch angesehen und beschlossen, künftig auf Deutsch weiterzuschreiben, damit ich mir das ständige Übersetzen spare und gleichzeitig einen Beitrag zur deutschsprachigen Grow-Community leisten kann. Entlaubung & ScrOG-Fädeln: In dieser Woche habe ich die King Juice großflächig entlaubt, um Licht und Luft besser ins Innere der Pflanze gelangen zu lassen. Die Äste wurden durch das ScrOG-Netz gefädelt, damit sie sich gleichmäßig über die Fläche verteilen. Zu Beginn war sie etwa 55 cm im Durchmesser – zum Ende der Woche war sie auf ca. 60 cm angewachsen. Biologischer Pflanzenschutz – Nützlinge: Zum Schutz gegen Schädlinge habe ich zwei Koppert-Produkte eingesetzt: - Swirski‑Mite Plus – enthält Amblyseius swirskii, eine Schlupf‑ und Raubmilbe, die sich besonders gegen Larven von Thripsen und Weißen Fliegen richtet  - Spical Plus – beheimatet Neoseiulus californicus, eine generalistische Raubmilbe, ideal gegen Spinnmilben, aber auch gegen andere Blattmilben  Diese Nützlinge werden in langsam freisetzenden Beuteln angebracht und helfen präventiv im biologischen Schädlingsmanagement – damit es gar nicht erst zu größeren Problemen kommt. Pflanzenzustand: Die King Juice hat sich zügig erholt, wirkt vital und wächst kräftig weiter. Das Blattwerk zeigt ein sattes Grün, ohne Anzeichen von Mangelerscheinungen. Sehr zufriedenstellend! Bewässerung & Mikrobenkultur: Das Substrat ist noch gut feucht. Deshalb werde ich wie gewohnt erst zu Beginn der nächsten Woche erneut gießen. Nochmals mit EM1 (Effektiven Mikroorganismen), um das Bodenleben weiterhin zu unterstützen. Liebe Grüße aus Norddeutschland – bis zum nächsten Wochen-Update!

MyLittleGarden Blütewoche 3 – Radikale Entlaubung & Pflanzenpflege Zeitraum: Vom 05. Juni bis 12. Juni Zu Beginn dieser Woche habe ich mich an eine großflächige Entlaubung gemacht, da sich das Blätterdach der Pflanze sehr üppig entwickelt hatte. Diesmal war es ein richtiger Radikalschnitt – es ging ordentlich Blattmasse verloren. Ziel war, mehr Licht an die unteren Triebe zu bringen und die Luftzirkulation zu verbessern. Um der Pflanze bei der Regeneration unter die Arme zu greifen, habe ich 6 Liter Wasser mit EM1 (Effektive Mikroorganismen) gegossen, um das Bodenleben zu stärken und die Pflanze vital zu halten. Verlust von Trieben: Leider sind mir beim Entlauben drei Äste abgebrochen. Zwei davon haben es nicht überlebt – eine jedoch hat sich erstaunlicherweise wieder erholt. Trotz des Verlusts konnte ich keine ernsthafte Beeinträchtigung der Gesamtstruktur erkennen. Beobachtung möglicher Mangelerscheinung: Zwischenzeitlich sah es kurzzeitig nach einem leichten Mangel aus. Blätter wurden von innen heller, am äußeren Rand dunkler, und wölbten sich etwas nach innen. Doch schon einen Tag später sah die Pflanze wieder völlig normal aus, also alles im grünen Bereich. Wurmhotel & Spezialfutter für die Würmer: Um das Bodenleben zusätzlich zu fördern, habe ich meinen Würmern etwas hochwertiges Wurmfutter gegönnt, bestehend aus: - gemahlenem Pilznährmalz - Kälbmehl - Neemcake - Algenkalk - Naturpur Grieß Davon streue ich wöchentlich eine Hand voll über die Erde sowie gezielt in die Wurmhotels. Und siehe da, zwei Tage später war alles restlos verschwunden! Die Würmer waren deutlich aktiv und sichtbar am Futtern. Sehr erfreulich zu sehen, wie lebendig und gesund das Mikrobiom im Boden ist. Allgemeiner Zustand & Wachstum: Im weiteren Verlauf der Woche habe ich die Äste weiter nach außen gezogen, um die Fläche optimal auszunutzen. Durch die Entlaubung kam nun spürbar mehr Licht an die unteren Bereiche, die Triebe entwickelten sich prächtig und schossen sichtbar in die Höhe. Maße am Ende der Woche: Breite: ca. 65 cm Höhe: ca. 15 cm Blütenentwicklung: Die Pflanze befindet sich jetzt klar in der Anfangsphase der Blüte. Die Blütenansätze sind deutlich sichtbar und zeigen ein gleichmäßiges, gesundes Wachstum. Die Pflanze wirkt insgesamt sehr vital und kräftig. Bis zur nächsten Woche!