Sticky Broccoli Auto — Week 5 Update
Stage: Early Flower (Week 1)
Grower: Stoney Stark / Little Lilly Farms
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Growth Overview
Week 5 marks the official transition into flower, and all four Sticky Broccoli autos are responding strongly. The two larger plants have entered an aggressive stretch phase, showing more sativa-leaning internodal expansion than expected for an indica-dominant cultivar. The two smaller plants remain shorter and bushier, expressing a more classic indica structure.
Overall vigor is excellent across the tent. Leaf color is vibrant, stems are thickening rapidly, and there are no visible deficiency or toxicity symptoms.
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What’s Happening This Week (Plant Physiology Breakdown)
This week represents the flower initiation + stretch overlap, one of the most metabolically demanding phases of an auto:
1. Rapid Stretch (Hormonal Shift)
• Plants are responding to increased flowering hormones (gibberellins and auxins)
• Internode spacing is increasing rapidly on the larger phenos
• Energy is being redirected toward vertical growth while flower sites are forming
This explains why the two larger plants are stretching “harder” than expected, despite indica genetics.
2. Root Demand & Water Uptake Increase
• Daily feeding to runoff is necessary because:
• Root mass has expanded significantly
• Transpiration rates are high due to stretch
• Coco dries faster under increased metabolic load
The initial underwatering sign on one larger plant (2/18) aligns perfectly with this surge in demand.
3. Nutrient Uptake Shift
• Nitrogen demand is still present (for stretch), but tapering
• Phosphorus and potassium uptake are ramping up
• Enzyme activity and carbohydrate metabolism are increasing rapidly
Your slight drop from ~1100 ppm to ~1000 ppm combined with consistent runoff resets kept the root zone perfectly balanced during this sensitive transition.
4. Post-Defoliation Response
• The 2/20 defoliation and lollipopping improved:
• Light penetration to lower sites
• Airflow through the canopy
• Hormonal focus on top flower sites
The strong recovery seen by 2/21 confirms the plants were ready for it.
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Watering & Feeding Strategy
Medium: Coco
Irrigation: Auto-watering system
Frequency: Near-daily
Runoff Target: 10–30% depending on reset goal
The alternating heavier runoff days (30%) and lighter days (5–15%) is ideal for:
• Preventing salt buildup
• Maintaining stable EC in the root zone
• Supporting rapid stretch without overfeeding
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Nutrient Mix (Per Gallon)
• 0.5 ml Silicium Bloom
• 8 ml Cocos A
• 12 ml Cocos B
• 1 ml Green Sensation
• 1 ml Power Buds
• 4 ml Pure Zym
• 5 ml Ruby Fulvic
• 6 ml Photosynthesis Plus (added 2/24)
PPM: ~1000
pH: 5.8–5.9
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Plant Status Summary
• Stretch is strong but controlled
• Root zone fully reset and balanced
• No signs of stress post-defoliation
• Flower sites stacking rapidly
• Photosynthesis support added at the perfect time
This week sets the foundation for bud size, structure, and final yield. If stretch continues another 7–10 days, that’s completely normal for autos expressing hybrid vigor.