FrostLab 🌱 Soil Preparation – Setting Up the FrostLab
Today, we focus on the foundation of the project: the soil.
Before even thinking about the plant, the goal is to create a healthy, airy, and rich environment capable of supporting the entire greenhouse cultivation. I started by working the entire greenhouse with a tiller to loosen the soil deeply and break up compacted areas. The idea is to achieve a homogeneous structure that promotes both drainage and root development. Next, I prepared the planting spots with holes about 40 cm deep, working in two distinct zones:
Lower part of the hole (nutrient zone)
Objective: create a rich reserve to support the plant over time
40% garden soil
40% Plagron light mix
10% Sheep manure
10% Perlite
👉 A more “loaded” base that will gradually release nutrients as the root system develops.
🌿 Upper part of the hole (starting zone)
Objective: promote a quick and stress-free start
70% Plagron Light Mix
20% Compost
10% Perlite
👉 A lighter and airier mix to avoid burning young roots and ensure good rooting from the start.
The overall goal is to have an evolving substrate:
light on the surface for starting, then increasingly rich in depth to support growth. At this stage, everything is ready. The soil is alive, structured, and optimized to allow the plant to express itself fully.
🌱 Germination – Start of the Cycle
In parallel, germination is underway. The seeds are placed to germinate under simple and controlled conditions, with particular attention paid to humidity and temperature to ensure a quick and uniform start. The goal is to achieve clean germination, with vigorous seedlings from the very first days.
As soon as the first roots appear, they will be quickly placed in the upper zone of the substrate to avoid any stress.
The foundation is laid.
The FrostLab can officially start. ❄️🌿
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Used method
Paper Towel
Germination Method
1
Week 1. Vegetation
3mo ago
1/2
3.5 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
24 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
No Smell
Smell
55 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
17 °C
Substrate Temp
5 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
0.4 liters
Watering Volume
FrostLab 🌿 Vegetative Phase – Setup & Initial Adjustments
The seedlings are now in place in the greenhouse, with an environment prepared to promote a clean and stress-free start.
The first few days are mainly dedicated to observation.
The goal here is not to intervene too quickly, but to let the plant settle naturally into its new surroundings.
🌱 The first leaves are gradually developing, a sign that the rooting is starting to take place properly in the upper part of the substrate, which is lighter and more aerated.
Conditions & Approach
The greenhouse plays a key role here:
Stable natural light supply
Protection against external variations
Creation of a controlled microclimate
I remain attentive to the main parameters:
temperature, humidity, and watering management.
👉 Light watering for now, to encourage the roots to explore deeper rather than saturating the surface of the substrate.
🌿 Goals for the Coming Days
The idea is simple:
let the plant gain vigor before any intervention.
No particular technique for now, just:
observation
stability
adaptation (protective dome for cool nights: 5.2°C on average)
Once the growth is well underway, the first adjustments can begin to optimize the structure and light exposure.
The installation phase is underway.
Everything is gradually coming together.
The FrostLab is slowly entering the vegetative phase. ❄️🌿
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2
Week 2. Vegetation
3mo ago
1/4
6 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
26 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
No Smell
Smell
20 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
17 °C
Substrate Temp
4 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
0.5 liters
Watering Volume
FrostLab 🌿 Vegetative Phase – Mulching & Initial Reactions
Setup is continuing smoothly in the greenhouse, with the same goal: to stabilize the environment and support the plant without stress.
? I added a straw-based mulch around the plants.
👉 The benefits are multiple:
• retain soil moisture
• limit temperature fluctuations
• protect soil life
• prevent surface drying
This type of cover helps keep the substrate more stable, which is essential in the first weeks.
🌱 On the plant side, the first reactions are appearing.
With the temperatures still low at night, I observe that the tips of the cotyledons are starting to turn slightly purple.
👉 Nothing alarming for now:
it's a fairly classic reaction related to the cold, with no direct impact on development at this stage.
Even though it's not ideal, the plant continues its setup normally.
FrostLab Approach
As from the beginning:
observation before action.
I prefer to let the plant gradually adapt to its environment while keeping a close eye on its progress.
The system is coming together.
The plant is reacting, adapting, and continuing its development.
More to come soon. ❄️🌿
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3
Week 3. Vegetation
3mo ago
1/2
10 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
26 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
No Smell
Smell
20 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
17 °C
Substrate Temp
7 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
0.3 liters
Watering Volume
FrostLab 🌿 Vegetative phase – Growth & prevention
The dynamics are set in motion.
In just a few days, the plants have clearly crossed a milestone:
they have nearly doubled in volume, with faster and more uniform growth.
Conditions are also evolving in the right direction.
Nights are a bit milder, which limits the stress observed previously and allows for better continuity in development.
Mulching is already showing its effects:
• more stable soil
• better humidity retention
• fewer day/night variations
👉 The environment is becoming more consistent, and this is directly felt by the plant.
🐌 On the prevention side, implementation of anti-slug pellets.
With the humidity and mulching, conditions can quickly become favorable for their appearance.
Rather than endure, I prefer to anticipate and secure now.
👉 Application at the periphery to limit risks without disturbing the root zone.
FrostLab approach
Fewer interventions, but targeted actions.
We let the plants express themselves while securing their environment.
Growth is accelerating,
the foundations are solid,
and the system is starting to really respond.
The next phase is coming. ❄️🌿
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4
Week 4. Vegetation
3mo ago
1/2
17 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
20 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Weak
Smell
40 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
17 °C
Substrate Temp
7 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
FrostLab 🌿 Vegetative phase – Beginning of LST
Growth continues on a very good momentum, and the plant is responding perfectly to the greenhouse conditions.
Today, I set up a light LST to start structuring the development.
Objective:
• open the plant's structure
• improve light distribution
• encourage multiple growth areas
• keep the plant low and well-balanced
The work has been done gradually to avoid any unnecessary stress.
For now, the reaction is excellent: the plant remains vigorous and continues its development without slowing down.
🌱 For the past few days, another detail has started to become noticeable...
Just by running my hand over the leaves, a light scent begins to reveal itself.
Something fresh, delicate, and already very promising.
👉 The kind of fragrance that immediately makes you want to see what’s next.
Even in the vegetative phase, Frosty’s Auto Freak is slowly starting to show its personality.
? The mulching continues to do its job well, nighttime temperatures are more stable, and the overall environment is becoming increasingly balanced.
FrostLab Approach
Every intervention remains light and thoughtful.
The goal is always the same:
to guide the plant without rushing it.
For now, everything is going wonderfully. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
5
Week 5. Vegetation
3mo ago
1/4
25 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
20 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Weak
Smell
20 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
17 °C
Substrate Temp
5 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
FrostLab 🌿 Vegetative Phase – Passage of the Ice Saints
In recent days, nighttime temperatures have dropped again with the passage of the Ice Saints.
👉 Growth has slightly slowed during this period, which makes sense in a greenhouse with still cool nights.
Despite this, the plants have continued their development without any real blockage.
It’s mainly the growth rate that has been impacted, not the overall health of the plants.
🌱 The structures are now starting to take shape thanks to the LST implemented earlier.
The plants are now about 25 cm tall, with compact, balanced growth and several development areas that are beginning to capture light well.
? Mulching continues to help maintain a more stable soil despite temperature variations, which clearly limits root stress.
The environment is gradually becoming more favorable as the nights slowly warm up.
FrostLab Approach
Even with some less-than-ideal conditions, the goal remains to let the plants adapt naturally to their environment.
No rush:
observation, stability, and continuous progress.
The machine is slowly getting into gear. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
6
Week 6. Flowering
2mo ago
1/5
30 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
35 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Weak
Smell
15 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
18 °C
Substrate Temp
15 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
FrostLab 🌿 Pre-flowering – First pistils & rising temperatures
The adventure continues with a new important stage: the entry into pre-flowering.
The first pistils are now starting to appear, a sign that the Frosty’s Auto Freak is gently moving into a new phase of its development.
☀️ Big change also on the climatic conditions side.
Temperatures have risen sharply in recent days, with peaks reaching up to 45°C in the greenhouse during the day, despite the installation of a shade cloth to limit the impact of direct sunlight.
👉 Clearly extreme conditions, but for now the plant is reacting quite well to this exceptional heat.
The structure remains healthy, the foliage is holding up well, and growth continues despite the potential stress related to high temperatures.
? The LST is also continuing to show very positive results.
The structure is becoming more and more open, with several areas well exposed to light.
The whole remains compact, balanced, and homogeneous.
🌾 On the soil side, the mulching is really doing its job.
Despite the high heat, the substrate still retains good coolness at depth, to the point that no watering has been necessary for a while.
👉 For now, just attentive monitoring to avoid any excess.
The next watering should probably be done only with clear water.
The soil preparation done beforehand seems to be more than sufficient to support the plant at this stage.
FrostLab Approach
Observe, adapt, but do not over-intervene.
For now, the plant is managing the conditions well, so we continue to monitor this closely, we keep our fingers crossed... and we enjoy the sun while it's here. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
7
Week 7. Flowering
2mo ago
1/8
40 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
20 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Weak
Smell
30 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
18 °C
Substrate Temp
11 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
0.3 liters
Watering Volume
FrostLab 🌸 Flowering – A visible evolution every day
The transition to flowering is going perfectly.
The plants continue to gain volume and the flowers are getting a little bigger every day. The flowering sites are multiplying and the structure set up with LST allows everything to benefit from good light exposure.
👉 We’re really starting to see the potential of the plants taking shape.
💧 This week, the first real need for watering after a long period.
Each plant received about 2 liters of rainwater.
The goal remains to keep a simple and natural approach while meeting the actual needs of the plant.
Thanks to the work done on the soil and the mulching, the moisture has remained present for a long time despite the intense heat of the previous weeks.
☀️ Indeed, this period of intense heat seems to be behind us now.
Temperatures have returned to much more moderate levels, which is a relief for both the plants and the gardener!
Conditions are now more favorable for regular flowering and good flower development.
FrostLab Approach
At this stage, the watchword remains patience.
The preparation work done at the beginning of the season continues to pay off, and the plants are moving forward calmly in their cycle.
We observe, we support, and above all, we enjoy the show. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
8
Week 8. Flowering
2mo ago
1/7
40 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
20 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Normal
Smell
30 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
18 °C
Substrate Temp
11 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
FrostLab 🌸 Flowering – Patience Pays Off
A new week comes to an end and the outlook is very positive: the plants continue to develop without showing the slightest sign of weakness.
Despite the progression of flowering, the foliage remains healthy, the structure is balanced, and the buds are gradually gaining volume.
👉 Each day brings its share of changes, even if the evolution is sometimes more subtle than at the beginning of the cycle.
💧 This week, no watering was necessary.
The soil still retains enough moisture thanks to the work done beforehand and the mulching, which continues to play its full role.
The goal remains to let the plant draw from its reserves and to intervene only when it is truly necessary.
☁️ On the weather side, temperatures have remained moderate.
The sun is a bit more discreet and sometimes gives way to rain. Fortunately, growing under a greenhouse allows us to maintain control over the conditions and avoid excess humidity on the flowers.
👉 The greenhouse proves its worth: it protects from the elements while allowing us to benefit from natural light when the sun is out.
FrostLab Approach
At this stage, there’s not much to do… and that’s a good sign.
Soil preparation, mulching, and measured interventions seem to be paying off. The plant is progressing at its own pace, the flowers are swelling week after week, and the whole thing inspires confidence.
Just a little over a month until harvest.
We continue to observe, to be patient… and to let nature do its work. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
9
Week 9. Flowering
2mo ago
1/9
40 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
20 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Strong
Smell
20 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
18 °C
Substrate Temp
11 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
FrostLab 🌸 Flowering – The flowers are taking their place
This week marks a beautiful evolution in the plant's development. After a few mixed days, the last few days have been much more favorable with milder weather and a return of the sun.
👉 The conditions are ideal for continuing the flowering, and it’s already visible on the plant.
🌿 The flowers are gaining in volume and density day by day.
The structure achieved through the work done since the beginning of the cycle allows for a harmonious distribution of the flowering sites. The whole thing is becoming more and more aesthetic and hints at a very nice potential for the end of the grow.
One detail particularly catches the eye: the flowers are starting to take on slight violet hues. The first shades are gradually appearing and already bring a lot of character to the plant.
👉 This color change seems to reveal a particularly interesting phenotype, with a genetic expression that promises a beautiful visual identity. It’s still a bit early to know how far this coloration will go, but the evolution is very encouraging.
? A few LST adjustments have been made on two to three branches.
The goal remains the same:
optimize light exposure,
open the canopy further,
allow secondary flowers to fully enjoy the sun.
👉 Small interventions that can make a real difference in the final development.
💧 Again this week, no watering has been necessary.
The soil retains a good moisture reserve thanks to the mulching and preparation done at the beginning of the grow. For now, the plants show no signs of water stress, so it’s better to be patient rather than watering out of habit.
👃 Another point is becoming impossible to ignore: the smell.
Passing by the plants, the aromas are now well present. Each handling releases an increasingly intense fragrance, a sign that the flowering is progressing in the right direction.
FrostLab Approach
This grow confirms a simple philosophy: prepare the ground, support the plant, and intervene only when it’s useful.
Between the first purple colors, the flowers gaining volume, and a plant that remains perfectly balanced, this Frosty’s Auto Freak is gradually revealing its entire personality.
The finish line is approaching… but the best show may still be to come. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
10
Week 10. Flowering
1mo ago
1/8
40 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
35 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Strong
Smell
20 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
18 °C
Substrate Temp
20 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
0.3 liters
Watering Volume
FrostLab 🌸 Advanced Flowering – The Colors Are Settling In
Another week comes to an end, and the Frosty’s Auto Freak continues its evolution with a lot of character.
The heat has returned in recent days, leading to a higher water consumption from the plants.
💧 This time, watering has become necessary.
After several weeks of enjoying the moisture retained in the soil, the plants have started to show that it was time to recharge their reserves. A clear water watering was therefore carried out to maintain optimal development without disturbing the substrate's balance.
👉 The soil preparation done at the beginning of the grow continues to prove its worth and seems to provide everything the plants need at this stage.
🌿 On the flowering side, changes are visible from week to week.
The calyxes are developing more and more, and the flowers are gradually gaining volume. The buds are starting to structure seriously, revealing a beautiful accumulation of floral material across all the branches.
💜 The purple coloration, already seen the previous week, continues to progress.
Each day brings a little more nuance, and some flowers will now display well-defined shades. This particular expression gives the plant a unique visual identity and reinforces the impression of dealing with a truly interesting phenotype.
👉 Between the intensifying colors and the swelling flowers, the Frosty’s Auto Freak is becoming more and more spectacular.
☀️ Despite the return of high temperatures, the plant remains in great shape.
The foliage remains healthy, the structure holds perfectly thanks to the training work done earlier in the cycle, and the whole continues to effectively capture the available light.
FrostLab Approach
At this stage, the bulk of the work is behind us.
The gardener's role now is to accompany the end of the cycle, monitor water needs, and let the genetics express their full potential.
The harvest is approaching, and each week brings its share of beautiful surprises. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
11
Week 11. Flowering
1mo ago
1/8
40 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
35 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Strong
Smell
20 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
18 °C
Substrate Temp
20 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
0.3 liters
Watering Volume
FrostLab 🌸 Advanced Flowering – First Surprise
So far, the grow has been going smoothly... but this week reminded me to stay vigilant until the end.
During a routine inspection, I spotted the beginning of botrytis on one of the two plants.
👉 The attack was really localized, but there was no way I was taking any risks.
I decided to intervene immediately by removing about 20 cm of the affected branch to completely eliminate the impacted part.
Even though it's never pleasant to remove part of a plant in full flowering, it's better to lose a few centimeters today than to compromise the entire harvest tomorrow.
🔎 After a thorough inspection, fortunately, the rest of the plant shows no other symptoms.
The flowers are healthy, the tissues remain firm, and no other suspicious areas have been observed.
👉 Daily monitoring is now in place to react immediately if necessary.
🌿 On its side, the second plant continues to develop without any issues.
The flowers keep growing, the purple colors are intensifying, and the resin is becoming more present each day.
☀️ The high temperatures are also back.
The greenhouse recorded a peak of about 48 °C during the day, particularly demanding conditions for the plants.
💧 Watering with clear water continues to compensate for this high evaporation while allowing the soil to provide the nutrients prepared at the beginning of the grow.
Despite these extreme temperatures, the plants show a great capacity for adaptation.
FrostLab Approach
A grow isn't just about showing what's going well.
Unexpected events are part of the journey, and the most important thing is to detect them quickly and intervene methodically.
For now, the situation is under control. We're staying alert, continuing daily observations... and moving towards the harvest with optimism. ❄️🌿
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Used techniques
LST
Technique
12
Week 12. Flowering
23d ago
1/14
40 cm
Height
18 hrs
Light Schedule
35 °C
Day Air Temp
6.5
pH
Strong
Smell
20 %
Air Humidity
20 °C
Solution Temp
18 °C
Substrate Temp
20 °C
Night Air Temp
60 liters
Pot Size
0.3 liters
Watering Volume
FrostLab 🌾 Harvest – The big day has finally arrived
After several weeks of observation, patience, and passion, the long-awaited moment is finally here: the harvest.
From soil preparation to the last days of flowering, this adventure has been rich in lessons. Between the intense heat, cool nights, LST, mulching, watering management, and even a little episode of botrytis that was quickly controlled, this FrostLab has reminded me that no grow goes exactly as planned... and that's also what makes it exciting.
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📸 As usual, I captured this stage with a few photos.
The purple colors fully expressed themselves until the end, the buds are compact, well-resinous, and the visual result is truly up to my expectations.
It's always a special moment to see several weeks of work come to fruition.
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✂️ Today, it's time for drying.
This stage is just as important as the grow itself. A slow and controlled drying process will best preserve the aromas, terpenes, and final quality of the buds.
As since the beginning, patience remains the best ally.
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⚖️ I will detail the final weight in a future post, once the drying is complete and the buds are properly stabilized.
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🙏 I also want to warmly thank Khalifa Genetics and especially Florent Khalifa for this wonderful opportunity through this Grow Diaries contest.
Thank you for the trust given to the participants, but also for the quality of this genetics. The Frosty’s Auto Freak has shown great vigor throughout the cycle, excellent adaptability despite sometimes extreme conditions, and a phenotype with beautiful purple hues that has only intensified over the weeks.
Participating in this contest has been a true source of motivation and a real pleasure.
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FrostLab Approach
A harvest is not an end, but the culmination of work that began long before germination.
Thanks also to everyone who followed this adventure, shared their advice, and took the time to comment on the diary. Your encouragement and exchanges have greatly contributed to making this experience even more enriching.
More to come soon, with the drying results and final weight. 🌾❄️🌿