Yellow butterfly came to see me the other day; that was nice. Starting to show signs of stress on the odd leaf, localized isolated blips, blemishes, who said growing up was going to be easy! Smaller leaves have less surface area for stomata to occupy, so the stomata are packed more densely to maintain adequate gas exchange. Smaller leaves might have higher stomatal density to compensate for their smaller size, potentially maximizing carbon uptake and minimizing water loss. Environmental conditions like light intensity and water availability can influence stomatal density, and these factors can affect leaf size as well. Leaf development involves cell division and expansion, and stomatal differentiation is sensitive to these processes. In essence, the smaller leaf size can lead to a higher stomatal density due to the constraints of available space and the need to optimize gas exchange for photosynthesis and transpiration. In the long term, UV-B radiation can lead to more complex changes in stomatal morphology, including effects on both stomatal density and size, potentially impacting carbon sequestration and water use. In essence, UV-B can be a double-edged sword for stomata: It can induce stomatal closure and potentially reduce stomatal size, but it may also trigger an increase in stomatal density as a compensatory mechanism. It is generally more efficient for gas exchange to have smaller leaves with a higher stomatal density, rather than large leaves with lower stomatal density. This is because smaller stomata can facilitate faster gas exchange due to shorter diffusion pathways, even though they may have the same total pore area as fewer, larger stomata. Leaf size tends to decrease in colder climates to reduce heat loss, while larger leaves are more common in warmer, humid environments. Plants in arid regions often develop smaller leaves with a thicker cuticle and/or hairs to minimize water loss through transpiration. Conversely, plants in wet environments may have larger leaves and drip tips to facilitate water runoff. Leaf size and shape can vary based on light availability. For example, leaves in shaded areas may be larger and thinner to maximize light absorption. Leaf mass per area (LMA) can be higher in stressful environments with limited nutrients, indicating a greater investment in structural components for protection and critical resource conservation. Wind speed, humidity, and soil conditions can also influence leaf morphology, leading to variations in leaf shape, size, and surface characteristics. Small leaves: Reduce water loss in arid or cold climates. Environmental conditions significantly affect gene expression in plants. Plants are sessile organisms, meaning they cannot move to escape unfavorable conditions, so they rely on gene expression to adapt to their surroundings. Environmental factors like light, temperature, water, and nutrient availability can trigger changes in gene expression, allowing plants to respond to and survive in diverse environments. Depending on the environment a young seedling encounters, the developmental program following seed germination could be skotomorphogenesis in the dark or photomorphogenesis in the light. Light signals are interpreted by a repertoire of photoreceptors followed by sophisticated gene expression networks, eventually resulting in developmental changes. The expression and functions of photoreceptors and key signaling molecules are highly coordinated and regulated at multiple levels of the central dogma in molecular biology. Light activates gene expression through the actions of positive transcriptional regulators and the relaxation of chromatin by histone acetylation. Small regulatory RNAs help attenuate the expression of light-responsive genes. Alternative splicing, protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, the formation of diverse transcriptional complexes, and selective protein degradation all contribute to proteome diversity and change the functions of individual proteins. Photomorphogenesis, the light-driven developmental changes in plants, significantly impacts gene expression. It involves a cascade of events where light signals, perceived by photoreceptors, trigger changes in gene expression patterns, ultimately leading to the development of a plant in response to its light environment. Genes are expressed, not dictated! While having the potential to encode proteins, genes are not automatically and constantly active. Instead, their expression (the process of turning them into proteins) is carefully regulated by the cell, responding to internal and external signals. This means that genes can be "turned on" or "turned off," and the level of expression can be adjusted, depending on the cell's needs and the surrounding environment. In plants, genes are not simply "on" or "off" but rather their expression is carefully regulated based on various factors, including the cell type, developmental stage, and environmental conditions. This means that while all cells in a plant contain the same genetic information (the same genes), different cells will express different subsets of those genes at different times. This regulation is crucial for the proper functioning and development of the plant. When a green plant is exposed to red light, much of the red light is absorbed, but some is also reflected back. The reflected red light, along with any blue light reflected from other parts of the plant, can be perceived by our eyes as purple. Carotenoids absorb light in blue-green region of the visible spectrum, complementing chlorophyll's absorption in the red region. They safeguard the photosynthetic machinery from excessive light by activating singlet oxygen, an oxidant formed during photosynthesis. Carotenoids also quench triplet chlorophyll, which can negatively affect photosynthesis, and scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage cellular proteins. Additionally, carotenoid derivatives signal plant development and responses to environmental cues. They serve as precursors for the biosynthesis of phytohormones such as abscisic acid () and strigolactones (SLs). These pigments are responsible for the orange, red, and yellow hues of fruits and vegetables, while acting as free scavengers to protect plants during photosynthesis. Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is an electronically excited state of molecular oxygen (O₂). Singlet oxygen is produced as a byproduct during photosynthesis, primarily within the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center and light-harvesting antenna complex. This occurs when excess energy from excited chlorophyll molecules is transferred to molecular oxygen. While singlet oxygen can cause oxidative damage, plants have mechanisms to manage its production and mitigate its harmful effects. Singlet oxygen (¹O₂) is considered a reactive oxygen species (ROS). It's a form of oxygen with higher energy and reactivity compared to the more common triplet oxygen found in its ground state. Singlet oxygen is generated both in biological systems, such as during photosynthesis in plants, and in cellular processes, and through chemical and photochemical reactions. While singlet oxygen is a ROS, it's important to note that it differs from other ROS like superoxide (O₂⁻), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hydroxyl radicals (OH) in its formation, reactivity, and specific biological roles. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) protects plants from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) by dissipating excess light energy as heat. This process reduces the overexcitation of photosynthetic pigments, which can lead to the production of ROS, thus mitigating the potential for photodamage. Zeaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment, plays a crucial role in photoprotection in plants by both enhancing non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). In high-light conditions, zeaxanthin is synthesized from violaxanthin through the xanthophyll cycle, and this zeaxanthin then facilitates heat dissipation of excess light energy (NPQ) and quenches harmful ROS. The Issue of Singlet Oxygen!! ROS Formation: Blue light, with its higher energy photons, can promote the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen, within the plant. Potential Damage: High levels of ROS can damage cellular components, including proteins, lipids, and DNA, potentially impacting plant health and productivity. Balancing Act: A balanced spectrum of light, including both blue and red light, is crucial for mitigating the harmful effects of excessive blue light and promoting optimal plant growth and stress tolerance. The Importance of Red Light: Red light (especially far-red) can help to mitigate the negative effects of excessive blue light by: Balancing the Photoreceptor Response: Red light can influence the activity of photoreceptors like phytochrome, which are involved in regulating plant responses to different light wavelengths. Enhancing Antioxidant Production: Red and blue light can stimulate the production of antioxidants, which help to neutralize ROS and protect the plant from oxidative damage. Optimizing Photosynthesis: Red light is efficiently used in photosynthesis, and its combination with blue light can lead to increased photosynthetic efficiency and biomass production. In controlled environments like greenhouses and vertical farms, optimizing the ratio of blue and red light is a key strategy for promoting healthy plant growth and yield. Understanding the interplay between blue light signaling, ROS production, and antioxidant defense mechanisms can inform breeding programs and biotechnological interventions aimed at improving plant stress resistance. In summary, while blue light is essential for plant development and photosynthesis, it's crucial to balance it with other light wavelengths, particularly red light, to prevent excessive ROS formation and promote overall plant health. Oxidative damage in plants occurs when there's an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the plant's ability to neutralize them, leading to cellular damage. This imbalance, known as oxidative stress, can result from various environmental stressors, affecting plant growth, development, and overall productivity. Causes of Oxidative Damage: Abiotic stresses: These include extreme temperatures (heat and cold), drought, salinity, heavy metal toxicity, and excessive light. Biotic stresses: Pathogen attacks and insect infestations can also trigger oxidative stress. Metabolic processes: Normal cellular activities, particularly in chloroplasts, mitochondria, and peroxisomes, can generate ROS as byproducts. Certain chlorophyll biosynthesis intermediates can produce singlet oxygen (1O2), a potent ROS, leading to oxidative damage. ROS can damage lipids (lipid peroxidation), proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids (DNA). Oxidative stress can compromise the integrity of cell membranes, affecting their function and permeability. Oxidative damage can interfere with essential cellular functions, including photosynthesis, respiration, and signal transduction. In severe cases, oxidative stress can trigger programmed cell death (apoptosis). Oxidative damage can lead to stunted growth, reduced biomass, and lower crop yields. Plants have evolved intricate antioxidant defense systems to counteract oxidative stress. These include: Enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and various peroxidases scavenge ROS and neutralize their damaging effects. Antioxidant molecules like glutathione, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), C60 fullerene, and carotenoids directly neutralize ROS. Developing plant varieties with gene expression focused on enhanced antioxidant capacity and stress tolerance is crucial. Optimizing irrigation, fertilization, and other management practices can help minimize stress and oxidative damage. Applying antioxidant compounds or elicitors can help plants cope with oxidative stress. Introducing genes for enhanced antioxidant enzymes or stress-related proteins over generations. Phytohormones, also known as plant hormones, are a group of naturally occurring organic compounds that regulate plant growth, development, and various physiological processes. The five major classes of phytohormones are: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethylene, and abscisic acid. In addition to these, other phytohormones like brassinosteroids, jasmonates, and salicylates also play significant roles. Here's a breakdown of the key phytohormones: Auxins: Primarily involved in cell elongation, root initiation, and apical dominance. Gibberellins: Promote stem elongation, seed germination, and flowering. Cytokinins: Stimulate cell division and differentiation, and delay leaf senescence. Ethylene: Regulates fruit ripening, leaf abscission, and senescence. Abscisic acid (ABA): Plays a role in seed dormancy, stomatal closure, and stress responses. Brassinosteroids: Involved in cell elongation, division, and stress responses. Jasmonates: Regulate plant defense against pathogens and herbivores, as well as other processes. Salicylic acid: Plays a role in plant defense against pathogens. 1. Red and Far-Red Light (Phytochromes): Red light: Primarily activates the phytochrome system, converting it to its active form (Pfr), which promotes processes like stem elongation and flowering. Far-red light: Inhibits the phytochrome system by converting the active Pfr form back to the inactive Pr form. This can trigger shade avoidance responses and inhibit germination. Phytohormones: Red and far-red light regulate phytohormones like auxin and gibberellins, which are involved in stem elongation and other growth processes. 2. Blue Light (Cryptochromes and Phototropins): Blue light: Activates cryptochromes and phototropins, which are involved in various processes like stomatal opening, seedling de-etiolation, and phototropism (growth towards light). Phytohormones: Blue light affects auxin levels, influencing stem growth, and also impacts other phytohormones involved in these processes. Example: Blue light can promote vegetative growth and can interact with red light to promote flowering. 3. UV-B Light (UV-B Receptors): UV-B light: Perceived by UVR8 receptors, it can affect plant growth and development and has roles in stress responses, like UV protection. Phytohormones: UV-B light can influence phytohormones involved in stress responses, potentially affecting growth and development. 4. Other Colors: Green light: Plants are generally less sensitive to green light, as chlorophyll reflects it. Other wavelengths: While less studied, other wavelengths can also influence plant growth and development through interactions with different photoreceptors and phytohormones. Key Points: Cross-Signaling: Plants often experience a mix of light wavelengths, leading to complex interactions between different photoreceptors and phytohormones. Species Variability: The precise effects of light color on phytohormones can vary between different plant species. Hormonal Interactions: Phytohormones don't act in isolation; their interactions and interplay with other phytohormones and environmental signals are critical for plant responses. The spectral ratio of light (the composition of different colors of light) significantly influences a plant's hormonal balance. Different wavelengths of light are perceived by specific photoreceptors in plants, which in turn regulate the production and activity of various plant hormones (phytohormones). These hormones then control a wide range of developmental processes.

She is growing well and received light LST this week

Flush week

What ye think when those buds gettin chopped smell delicious

Week 5 topping and clean up and used top for a clone

Week 6 Veg Report – Runtz We Meet Again! Another week, another step forward in our Eternity Grow Cup 2025 journey, and oh boy, do we have a lot to unpack! These Runtz girls are showing their potential, and we’re dialing in every little detail to ensure they thrive. Let’s dive deep into everything that happened this week! Cal-Mag Deficiency Adjustment – Pheno #5’s Special Needs This week started with a close inspection of our phenos, and we noticed that Pheno #5 was showing early signs of a calcium/magnesium deficiency. Whether it was slightly off VPD levels or this particular plant being more demanding, we decided to correct it by increasing the dose of RO Water Conditioner. Now, while this isn’t a direct substitute for Cal-Mag, it does contain trace amounts that can help stabilize the situation. 🔬 Understanding Cal-Mag Deficiency: Calcium and magnesium are essential secondary nutrients. Calcium strengthens cell walls, preventing issues like tip burn and weak stems, while magnesium plays a critical role in chlorophyll production, allowing plants to efficiently absorb light energy. 💡 Signs of Deficiency: • Yellowing between veins (Magnesium) • Rust spots on leaves (Calcium) • Slow growth and weak stems ⚡ How We Address It: • Slightly increasing RO Water Conditioner to see if trace minerals help • Keeping an eye on overall nutrient uptake to ensure no lockout • Monitoring VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) closely to optimize nutrient absorption Let’s see how she reacts next week! Branching Development – Pheno #2 Leading the Race All five phenos are thriving, but Pheno #2 is showing the most aggressive branching, pushing outward faster than her sisters. However, overall, we’re seeing very uniform growth, which speaks volumes about the stability of these genetics. 🌱 What is Branching & Why It Matters? Branching is the plant’s way of expanding its canopy, increasing surface area for photosynthesis, and maximizing potential bud sites. Well-structured branches allow better airflow, light penetration, and more even growth—key for a successful high-yield harvest. ⚖️ Topping vs. Leaf Bending – The Training Choice Instead of topping, I’ve decided to go with leaf bending for now. This method allows for gentle manipulation of the plant’s growth without causing major stress. Once we introduce the SCROG (Screen of Green) net, this training will help maximize the canopy spread. Moving to the TrolMaster Ecosystem – A Game Changer Big move this week—our Runtz girls officially transitioned into the TrolMaster Ecosystem, and let me tell you, they are absolutely loving it! Under the ThinkGrow Model 1 LEDs, they’re thriving, leaves praying upward, soaking in that optimized spectrum. 💡 ThinkGrow Model 1 LEDs – Why They Work • PPFD of ~400 µmol/m²/s at their level, running only on Channel One • Full-spectrum lighting tailored for optimal vegetative growth • Passive cooling design, keeping temps stable while saving energy Environmental Conditions (Measured on the TrolMaster Tent-X and the AMP-3) • Temp Max: 26.6°C | Min: 16.2°C • RH Max: 77% | Min: 52% • VPD Max: 1.65 kPa | Min: 0.43 kPa • Solution pH: 5.8 • EC: 0.96 • Water Temp: 16.3°C Why These Numbers Matter: • Keeping VPD in check ensures efficient nutrient uptake • pH and EC levels fine-tuned for maximum root absorption • Water temp stable to avoid root shock and slow growth Autopot System Prep – Getting Ready for the Next Phase The week wraps up with us cleaning and preparing the Autopots for their next phase. These self-watering systems will allow the Runtz girls to access water and nutrients at their own pace, optimizing growth as we head into pre-flower soon! A huge THANK YOU to Zamnesia, Plagron, and GrowDiaries for making this incredible Eternity Grow Cup 2025 possible! Also, a big shoutout to my main sponsors, thank you for keeping this journey running: 🔥 Aptus Holland – Precision nutrients for peak plant health ⚡ TrolMaster – Bringing automation and accuracy to the grow 🌱 Pro-Mix – The foundation of strong roots and healthy plants 💨 The CannaKan – Premium solutions for top-tier results Grove Bags – Revolutionizing post-harvest storage & terpene preservation 📜 Ziggi Papers – The ultimate rolling experience And of course, a massive thank you to the community—followers, supporters, lovers, and even the haters. You ALL fuel this journey, and I appreciate every single one of you! 🚀 Good luck to all fellow competitors—watching everyone’s grows is inspiring, and the competition is fierce! 📢 Join the journey on YouTube & Instagram for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes action, and more insights into this epic run! 👊 Let’s keep pushing, learning, and making history—see you all next week for another deep dive into the Runtz We Meet Again grow! 🌿🔥 💚 growers love to all 💚 Genetics - Runtz https://www.zamnesia.com/6000-zamnesia-seeds-runtz-feminized.html Nutrients - Plagron https://plagron.com/en/hobby - Aptus Holland https://aptus-holland.com/ Controls - Trol MAster https://www.trolmaster.eu/ LED - https://www.futureofgrow.com/en LED - https://www.thinkgrowled.com Soil - https://www.promixgardening.com/en Germination - Cannakan https://cannakan.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopXr-inLXajXu3QFgKXCXXos4F1oEvScjMKIB5MR5dk8-GJ-F49 DOGDOCTOR 15% off Smoking Papers - https://ziggioriginal.com/ Terpene saver - https://grovebags.com/ As always thank you all for stopping by, for the love and for it all , this journey of mine wold just not be the same without you guys, the love and support is very much appreciloved and i fell honored with you all in my life With true love comes happiness Always believe in your self and always do things expecting nothing and with an open heart , be a giver and the universe will give back to you in ways you could not even imagine so As always, this is shared for educational purposes, aiming to spread understanding and appreciation for this plant. The journey with nature is one of discovery, creativity, and respect. Let’s celebrate it responsibly and continue to learn and grow together! Growers Love To you All 💚 #EternityGrowCup #RuntzHunt #GrowersLove #CannabisCommunity #AptusHolland #ProMixSoil #TrolMaster #Zamnesia #Plagron #ZiggiPapers #Grovebags

It’s not quite week 3 flowering, more so 2.5 wks. I had no choice but to remove a dozen of inner shoots because of how dense the canopy is. Should be it for defo until harvest. This weekend will mark 4 weeks since the last top dress so it’ll be a nice mix included in next wk update. I transplanted into bigger pots with a mix of glacial rock dust, 2-8-4, Kelp Meal.

Week 8! Home stretch now. I'm seeing a few nanners so I'm tempted to pull this week instead of next. Will give them a few days to see how they do with the new reservoir refill and go from there! Lots of crystal build up even if the nanners kick my butt.

Week 14 Day 92 (13/11/2020)💧: Great start to the week with watering today and because all the girls are entering their 4th week of flower, I will again be increasing the BioBloom as per the commendations on the watering chart, but since the pH has been increased they are definitely looking great and have enough nutrients between the watering days. So today I gave the girl 4.5 ml of BioBloom, 1.5ml of BioGrow, 3ml of Calmag, and 1.5ml of TopMax for 1.5L of water. I think I will be giving the same nutrients for the rest of the week as well. Day 93 (14/11/2020): Not that many updates today actually. The girl is looking amazing as always Day 94 (15/11/2020): I wanted to check the trichomes on the girl today with a loupe to see how she is developing up closer but I have no idea where my loupe is :( Really wanted to look closer at the flowers but will have to find it first to take some close up pictures as well Day 95 (16/11/2020)💧: We watered the girl today and gave her the same nutrients as before. They were watered with 4.5ml of BioBloom, 1.5ml of BioGrow , 3ml of CalMag, and 1.5ml of TopMax. I think the TopMax is definitely making the buds fatten up. Day 96 (17/11/2020): The girl is looking healthy and great, although I am noticing that the top leaves are starting to go quite yellow, which might be because it is quite close to the light, but unfortunately it is at its highest so there is not much we can do :/ Day 97 (18/11/2020): Just can’t get enough of the smell of the SZ, she smells the best out of all the girls in the ten hands down! It is such a wonderful sweet and citrusy smell. Literally smells so much like a sweet grapefruit. Cannot wait for harvest 😍 Day 98 (19/11/2020)💧: I keep wanting to measure the pH to make sure that it is still above 6.0 but I haven’t had enough time because it takes a while, but I will make sure to measure the pH before the next watering. So still watering with the same nutrients as at the beginning of the week with 4.5ml of BioBloom, 1.5ml of BioGrow , 3ml of CalMag, and 1.5ml of TopMax. However, I will increase the CalMag at the next watering because she is still developing the deficiency even now on the top leaves. Also it looks like she stopped stretching length-wise and started focusing on growing the buds because the height is the same as last week. But really amazing progress this week, I’ve included a video of all the girls in the tent as well so it’s easier to see how different they are!

Day 50 (2020-06-28): Start of a new week, otherwise nothing new to report! Day 51 (2020-06-29): G14 buds are finally starting to fill out a bit. CBD Crack is looking and smelling great. Day 52 (2020-06-30): Feeding today at 5.8 PH, increased nutes to 75% of recommended amount. Day 53 (2020-07-01): Hmm, looks like I will need to go back to 50% on nutes, some tip burn showing up in the G14. Day 54 (2020-07-02): Feeding today back to 50% flowering dose at 5.8 PH. Day 55 (2020-07-03): Nothing new to report. Day 56 (2020-07-04): G14 buds continue to fill out. Waiting one more day to water again.

Honestly I'm not exact with my nutrients sometimes putting twice as much in one gallon then half as much in the next.

Day 28 flower i didnt touch the plant this week shes also put in the 4x4 today under the se5000 with the rest of the plants

Day 127. Chop day !!!! Zkittalicious #6 is my first plant without any airy or small bud !!!! Plus he will be like others in 100g range ... #2 should beat all single plant records ;))) Happy Growing !!!

Lollipoped had some wind damage up top also, overall I’m learning a lot and wanting to keep learning more tomorrow I’m doing more ipm with captain jacks dead bug

We think one of these lady’s are being thrown in to flower by me stressing it. I topped it and I think I shouldnt have , They originally got stunted due to environment technicality difficulties / grower error. Humdifier died , power outages the works , all sorts of obstacles have taken place . But we will see this through to the end for, learning and journal purposes. Happy grows

Finita la settimana domenica inizio con sola acqua