Week 6 Vegetation - "Ruby's" rate of growth continued to increase near the beginning of the week. As expected, this plant is overtaking the twin plant in terms of growth rate now that the bushy triplicate foundation is developed. Kinda reminds me of the "Tortoise & Hare" story about slow and steady winning the race XD With the nodes stretching and growing quickly, I've started to implement tucking of the larger fan leaves under new and smaller shoots. I find this "new growth priority" method paired with LST really maximizes and speeds up the growth in comparison to an untrained plant. Merely anecdotal though!
You'll notice that in the 3rd shot, the nodes stretched out in about 2 days and just ballooned! now that's what I'm talking about! nearing the middle of the week and the rate of growth is fast enough that I can't remember to take enough pictures between the new nodes. At this point I'm tucking new leaves almost daily, making paths for the light to reach new growth tips.
By the end of the week, I'll need to start tying the nodes to the side before they stretch too far up. If they stretch too far before tying them, they can be a PITA to tie down later with dense foliage and such. Tying them down before they get to this point also keeps the nutrients moving to the "new side-nodes" from these branches. Eventually these will be just as thick as the original main stalk.
Luckily this plant seems to be bulking just as much as stretching - yay!
UPDATE:
As you can see with the last photos added, the branches are almost even with the original top of the plant that was tied down. I gave them a thorough fertigation the night before, and only slight folding of the leaves so I must have choked the roots a bit, but nothing long term.
I am growing the same seeds from Irvine seed company. In week 2 right now will be posting diary soon. Could not find any info on their website, this is a mango cross with tangerine right?