Aurora Indica 2020 (I, II)

Welcome! Time for a new grow by BeanswithPork. This is a big one, I’m not a seasoned grower, and I only get a few shots at large (outdoor) yields. Summer is coming and so I selected this strain as the most suitable for my climate: the Canadian Maritimes. This is Aurora Indica by Nirvana, a cross of Afghani and Northern Lights. The flowering time is a projected 9-11 weeks. Seems resistant, good for harsh climate, noob friendly. The plan: grow from mid April until moving outdoors for an outdoor grow. I germinated in a peat pod in a container of HP Pro Mix soil. My veg. tent is 4’ x 4’ and is hung DIY mylar. My veg. light is a 300 actual Watt full spectrum LED with a smaller pod 1/6th of that again. What the format will be in terms of outdoor container I’m not sure yet. I’ll be using a familiar spot behind my garage. Due to a nearby industrial floodlight that has seeded previous grows, I will move the plants into more darkness each night in the fall. Its going to be much more work, and much less nighttime humidity.

Day 10 for the two Aurora Indica. I always get little specks sometime, I’m guessing its just the tap water. One seems to be drying out quicker than the other. I’ll look to transplant once I see roots poking out.

Day 17 from seed for these two Aurora Indica. Just given water so far. I transplanted at about two weeks in, early yes I know, and the roots were a tad thin and barely showing. However, I want to give them time to fill before the big pots and transplant, and I wanted to give food (via soil amendment). I always forget how long it takes seeds to shoot off.

Day 24 for the two soon to be outdoor Aurora Indicas. Root growth was good this week, you can tell when a plant hits its stride. Last week, immediately after photos I noticed some pests munching away on these two. I can tolerate the odd pest or aphid, I usually am proactive in treating, but here they were feasting stress free. No concerns at all for their little insect world. This was not going to stand, so I sprayed them down with 90+ ethyl alcohol moonshine. Because they are young, they were going to take leaf damage, and this has decreased the visual niceness to them.

Day 32 for these two Aurora Indicas. Still recovering from the leaf damage from pest control. Still only giving water. Soon, very soon, they will be move outdoors for the season. Can’t wait!

Day 39 for these two Aurora Indicas. I finally transplanted and moved them outdoors! It is officially May 25th. The daytime high was 23 degrees Celsius and the daytime length is 15 hours 22 minutes. My transplant mix was 35 parts HP Pro Mix: 10 Fox Farms Happy Frog: 5 worm castings: 1 ASB Greenworld Sheep Manure Compost: 1 ASB Greenworld Black Earth: 1 ETI Greenhouse Gold Seafood Compost: 1 Green Gaia mineralized phosphate (guano): 1 alfalfa meal compost.

Day 46 for these two Aurora Indica. Interesting start outdoors: my region experienced a heat wave for May which brought 30 degree Celsius all week (uncommon for May). I had to water and stay on top of things. Otherwise, I’d say they are adjusted to the environment. Today’s high was 17 degrees Celsius. The daytime length is 15hours33minutes.

Day 53 for these two outdoor Aurora Indica. It has been a rough few days of weather with sever thunderstorms that took down trees and put power out in my area. I was uneffected and you can see the cover that I have paid off - I sacrifice daytime direct sunlight. Just growing away, and now soaking wet. I’ll be cloning them for indoors soon. The projected daytime high was 17 degrees Celsius. The daytime length is 15hours44minutes.

Day 60 for these two outdoor Aurora Indica. Things are looking great! Steady as she goes. Time for cloning this week. Today’s projected high was 18 degrees Celsius. The daylight length was 15hours48minutes.

Day 68 for the two Aurora Indica. I was debating for so long whether to tie or let the plants grow wild. I want trees like Hellishjam! However, after cloning, and stripping what would be the backs of each plant, I said f*** it - time for some LST. I went the extra nine yards and did High Stress Training first, mashing the stem, one completely busted the stalk open, and then applied masking tape. I then tied the branches. The first photo is Wednesday, freshly broken and horizontal. Next photo is Thursday morning. This diary update is the following Monday. After doing photos this week, partway through the shoot, at the end, I straightened the stalks again and retied, just to get an even wider canopy. This is reflected in the group shots and last couple. Just water so far. The daytime high is projected at 31 degrees C, the daytime length is 15hours50minutes. The next few are the longest days of the year ...

Day 75 for these two Aurora Indicas. Everything looks great, and the canopies are starting to look really nice. The damage from HST seems long gone. The plants definitely seem subtly different in terms of the bushiness and slenderness of leaf fingers. I’m hesitant to claim phenotype, as I feel “phenotype” is thrown around way too often especially without growing out clones to see if traits repeat closely, but I have tracked which clones have come off of which. Middle Aurora is ‘A,’ end Aurora is ‘B.’ I’d appreciate some rain this week. The projected high today was 30 degrees Celsius, the daytime length is 15hours48minutes.

Day 83 for the two Aurora Indica clones. Growing and growing! You can really see the different in off branching now. As stated, keeping track of the respective clones from each. Got some rain this week. Today’s projected high was 22 degrees Celsius, the daytime length was 15hours42minutes.

Day 90 for the two Aurora Indica. Hellishjam was onto me about feeding and I think he is bang on, in need of a top up. However, the timing is unfortunate with rains today and this week. At some point when it dries out that would be my goal. On a side note, despite the health of the plants, I’m surprised by how subpar cloning has been. Certainly distributing the genes, and have been successful, but not as much as expected. My guess would be I waited too long, a bit younger for some of the attempts may have been advised. The daytime high today is projected at 26 degrees Celsius, the daytime length is 15hours33minutes.

Day 97 for the two Aurora Indica. In reference to my clone generation, the first pictured is ‘A,’ the second pictured is ‘B.’ The first is taller and less bushy, perhaps wider leaf fingers, and is exhibiting the same leaf curling under nutes. The second is much bushier and off branching. Both are looking bigger. I made a veg tea at the start of the week. I took 2 cups blood and bone meal, 2 cups alfalfa meal compost, 2 worm castings, 1 cup Myke Flower mycorrhizae and 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses, and mixed it with 20 Liters of water. I pulsed it through the day with a concrete mixer/drill, and let it steep overnight. The next day I diluted and watered. I think it was a bit strong at first, but it rained, and I think things are fine. I showed the thickening stalks, not bad for 5-6 hours of sunlight. But, if you aren’t one of the outdoor gurus, Hellishjam, AnneJ, or Butterstotch, its outdoor amateur hour. The projected high today was 27 degrees Celsius, the daytime length is 15hours21minutes.

Day 104 for the two outdoor Aurora Indica. Explosion of growth have these catching a more mature plant. Each continue to show their uniqueness, lanky height and stout bushiness. I played back the tea again because of the success. This time, I reduced the strength a bit using 20 Liters of water, one cup of blood and bone meal, one cup of alfalfa meal compost, two cups of worm castings, 1 tablespoon of Gaia Green All Purpose amendment, 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses. I did not have Myke on hand so I just tossed in two cups of HP Pro Mix soil, which has mycorrhizae. It would jus be trace as opposed to concentrated culture. I periodically pulsed the stew with a concrete mixer/drill and let it sit over night. The next day I diluted and fed to the plants. I even applied it twice during the day it was so hot. Projected high is 23 degrees Celsius and heavy rains coming. Daytime length is 15hours6minutes. I recorded nightime temperature which is an easy add after looking through HellishJam’s grows.

Day 111 for the two Aurora Indicas. Growing fast and consistently. We’re quickly nearing stretch. Where I don’t expect such an indica to get much bigger, its already as tall as I am! The possibly Phenotype A plant has surpassed its neighbor of another strain, and at 100 days younger. No doubt both have enjoyed a luxurious life. Through the week I applied Plant Prod MJ Spike (CalMag), blackstrap molasses, and Earth Alive Big Blue Wave as its late in the grow season. I did the overnight veg. tea one last time for the year as well. Same mix and methods including blood and bone meal, alfalfa meal compost, worm castings, Myke mycorrhizae, and molasses. The projected daytime temperature is 31 degrees Celsius, although upon checking it went above that today. The Daytime length is 14hours49minutes.

Day 117 for the two Aurora Indica. It is here: flower. The outdoors was already dictating blooming, but I’ve officially triggered it myself. As you can see in photo, a nearby industrial floodlight is bright! Last year, it seeded all my outdoor plants and completely wasted two harvests. Not this year, I’m smart like a (arctic) fox, and will use my garage alcove to shade the plants at night. First, I had to clear out years of junk I had been storing there. I also had to deal with pests of the stinging kind, that would have a been an anaphylactic surprise for me. Battled it all and got a nice space. Now, I need to move the plants every morning and night, but it will allow for good control. I will be able to shade them during major storms. Because of the onset of stretch and the secondary deficiency troubles of my other outdoor, I fed some plant food despite my dedication to natural methods up until now. I applied 24-8-16 Miracle Grow All Purpose plant food with some blackstrap molasses at pretty dilute. Low and slow. These two are by far my favourite plants I’ve got going, maybe my best plants of all time. Everything seems to have gone well to this point, and the strain I selected for my climate is doing well. No complaints with Nirvana. The one I am calling ‘A’ is so much taller than the other, crazy lanky for an indica.

Day 124 for the two Aurora Indicas. One week of flowering complete, eight weeks of flowering remaining. I can confidently indicate flowering as I am still moving the plants into my garage alcove each night. Because of just lifestyle, this is not with true sun rise and sunset, and often times at my convenient. The plants are getting around 12 hours of light a day. As the preflowers and flowers bloomed I top dressed the soil with 0-13-1 Gaia Green mineralized phosphate. I watered the amendment in, and then suffered a torrential downpour (that flooded parts of the city) which watered the amendment in much faster than I would have liked. I had surplus potassium based soap and neem oil solution leftover from preventive work on my veg. tent, so I decided to do some prevent work on the outdoor. For the size of the plant I probably would use much more for an actual pest problem, but I don’t mind a light coating, and the soap is absorbed as a light feeding.

Day 131 for the two Aurora Indica. Two weeks of flowering complete, seven weeks of flowering to go. Just great goings ons. I fed 0-10-10 Alaska Morbloom with a popsicle stick dip of blackstrap molasses and Plant Prod MJ Spike (CalMag). Feeding has gone way down with the reduction of temperature. Exciting news, I think I have a phenotype. I’m always hesitant as stated, I’ve seen plenty of clone action off of these two. Now, I have the unexpected taller pheno A putting off pink pistils. Phenotype B is bushy as expected and producing typical white pistils. Neat! First photo is actually midweek, a few days ago. The projected daytime high is 25 degrees. It is getting chilly as it was down as low as 10 degrees Celsius last night. Full flower.

Day 138 for the Aurora Indica. Three weeks of flowering complete, six weeks of flowering remain. The pictures speak for much of the grow. First pics are from throughout the week, the bulk from this morning. Enjoy. I top dressed earlier in the week with 0-13-1 mineralized phosphate to compensate for heavy rains. It has taken some time to dry out, I am preparing for a big feed tomorrow. We will be getting remnants of a tropical storm today so they may have to spend some extra time in the alcove. Phenotype A, the taller, pink pistils, smells sort of sweet and fragrant leaning, whereas Phenotype B with white pistils is more dank leaning.

Day 145 for the two Aurora Indicas. Four weeks of flowering complete, five weeks to go. Both girls are getting plump and very strong smelling. Both are intensely mild, sweet, candy/fragrant like, with phenotype B being slightly dank or with a fuel undertone. Both smell great, both have massive buds. The show girl is still my prize as the pink, though merely visual, is spectacular. Also my tallest plant to date. How could I preserve such a beauty? What a shame ... I do have some clones flowering inside of each haha ... and ... https://growdiaries.com/diaries/77339-original-afghani-1-afghan-hash-plant-grow-journal-by-beanswithpork

Day 152 for the two Aurora Indicas. Five weeks of flowering complete, four weeks to go. No issues with humidity as I am still moving the plants into my alcove each night. Frost warning last night, and again sheltered. Both plants are crushing it, especially Pinkie. Last irrigation was 0-50-30 Fox Farms Beastie Bloomz with a popsicle stick dip of blackstrap molasses and Plant Prod MJ Spike (CalMag). Still drying out so there won’t be many feedings left.

Day 159 for the two Aurora Indica. Six weeks of flowering complete, three weeks remaining. The yellowing onset has been quick - I don’t mind at all. Obviously I haven’t given any nitrogen and so this slow degradation will make for a lovely harvest. I did give 0-50-30 Fox Farms Beastie Bloomz one last time, with added blackstrap molasses and Plant Prod MJ Spike (CalMag). Now, just lightening and eventually flushing on the way out to harvest. Some of the first pics are earlier in the week on some frosty mornings. Main pics were a little later in the day this Saturday. Its going to be very cold tonight so we shall see how much time we have left this season.

Day 166 for the two Aurora Indica. Seven weeks of flowering complete, two weeks to go. First couple pictures are from mid week. Nights are getting consistently colder (this weekend not withstanding) and we are near the end. I’ve finished with the Fox Farms Beastie Bloomz. I gave one last feeding: 0-10-10 Alaska Morbloom with a popsicle stick dip of blackstrap molasses and Plant Prod MJ Spike (CalMag). Probably too late to use that food really but I wasn’t sure. As they are outdoor in containers I will really be able to flush them in the remaining time so no worries. I do prefer to fade the plants as you can see, cannibalize all that useless nitrogen and get rid of that pointless foliage. We are near the end!

Day 174 for the two outdoor Aurora Indica. Not good news. It has been raining, hot, and humid for about a week. I’ve had to keep the plants in my alcove on numerous days. Even though the buds have been dry, the air has been near 100% and cool at night ... resulting in some mold! Oh no! When you break a bud in half from mold you know its time for harvest. I was monitoring one spot as it is regular outdoors, but it appears it throughout both plants more than I expected. The progression this past week has been shockingly fast. The flush seems to have worked and everything is decaying. Fan leaves decaying all around doesn’t help keeping thing mold free. I’ll spend all day unexpectedly trimming. It will be a big job so I will just start during daylight hours - which is not ideal. I’ll still be going in the evening I’m sure. Really fast and sudden ending, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed I was dealing with mold at all. Its only October 3rd. I really did think Nirvana’s claims were bang on, then again they also caution againt mold with such dense buds. I’ve been flushing away with a hose so no worries in terms dry and cure. I broke a branch earlier in the week, and dried it out five days. I dry trimmed and have begun vaping the 4-5 grams without budwashing. The effects are great! I’ve been off my game all day. It will be the background effects to the trimming that will soon start and go for hours.

The ending was a disappointing rush forced by mold. After days of high humidity I noticed some spots that indicated it was time to chop. Because of the unexpectedness and work load it just happened over the day/night, I didn’t have the ability to go really hardcore with timing the actual harvest. I did a two step bud wash at the end before hanging to dry. First, wet trim, and then dip and swirl in a mixture of lemon juice, baking soda, and water. Second, rinse in just water and then hang to dry. This light wash is enough to take particles off, improve drying and curing, but apparently it will not take off the potential for cobweb mold. The brown splotches triggered me outside, but I did encounter some cobwebbing after washing. I would wager a H202 hydrogen peroxide bud wash step would help, but it would then effect the product more.