The Grow Awards 2026 🏆
Likes
Comments
Share
Week 4: Growth Spurts and New Challenges Continued Growth and Health As we move into the fourth week, the plants are showing impressive growth. Their leaves are a lush, vibrant green, and the stems are becoming stronger. The transition to the larger 11-liter fabric pots has clearly paid off, providing the roots with ample space and better aeration. Adjusting Nutrient Levels Given their positive response to the nutrients, I decided to continue with 2/3 of Terra Aquatica Tripart feeding schedule, adjusting slightly to meet their increasing demands. Here's the updated feeding plan for this week: CalMag: 2.5 ml/l (Starting EC before adding nutrients: 0.50 mS/cm) Grow: 1.5 ml/l Bloom: 1.0 ml/l Micro: 0.5 ml/l EC: 1.2 mS/cm (600 ppm PPM-500/TDS) pH: 6.0 Each plant is watered with approximately 20% runoff to ensure there's no nutrient buildup in the coco mix. I will maintain this nutrient level until the pre-flowering stage to avoid the risk of nutrient burn due to over-fertilization. Weather Improvements and Adjustments The weather has been steadily improving, with temperatures expected to rise to around 25°C starting Wednesday, accompanied by abundant sunshine. This upcoming forecast is excellent news for my plants, as I anticipate a final growth spurt before flowering begins. Every centimeter of growth counts at this stage, and I'm optimistic about maximizing their potential under these favorable conditions. Strengthening with Wind Exposure On days with good weather, I move the plants out of the greenhouse to expose them to natural wind. This practice helps strengthen their stems, improving overall stability. Additionally, the wind creates a more challenging environment for pests, helping to keep them at bay. Smart Watering Strategy I only water the plants when the pots feel noticeably lighter. This encourages the roots to search for water, promoting the development of a stronger and more extensive root system. This method helps ensure the plants remain healthy and resilient. Pest Management: Observations and Actions At the beginning of the third week, I noticed dark discolorations on the undersides of some leaves. A few days later, these spots turned into yellow patches. I am still unsure about the cause of these spots. To prevent a potential insect infestation, I sprayed all the leaf surfaces, both top and bottom, with a mildly dosed neem oil mixture. Since then, the spots have not spread further. Because these discolorations are only affecting the lower leaves, they are not causing me significant concern at the moment. Regular inspections and preventive measures are crucial to maintaining the health of the plants and ensuring that any issues are caught early. Decision Against LST At first I have decided against using LST. But some of your comments made me try some LST on two of my plants. I choose Tangie and Gorilla cookies to try out and learn some stuff. Blue dream and Banana purple punch stay without any training. Thanks guys for your advice 👍 Monitoring and Care My daily routine involves checking the plants every morning and evening. This includes: Monitoring the moisture level of the coco mix. Inspecting the plants for any signs of pests or nutrient deficiencies. Growth Observations The plants are responding well to the controlled environment and balanced nutrition. They are growing rapidly, with new leaves appearing almost daily. The stems are thickening, and the overall structure of the plants is robust and healthy. Looking Ahead As we head into week 4, I am optimistic about the continued growth and health of my plants. The combination of a stable environment, appropriate nutrient levels, and diligent care is proving successful. I’m excited to see how they progress and adapt as they move closer to the flowering stage. Seeking Feedback and Tips Your feedback and tips are valuable to me! If you have any suggestions on how I can improve my growing techniques or insights based on your own experiences, please feel free to share them in the comments below. Let's grow together!
Likes
6
Share
Topping has gone extremely well. I expected to see more signs of flowering by now, certainly nothing definitive yet. Starting to wonder if it might be a photo and not an auto. Time will tell. Added an organic CO² producer on day 37 after noticing signs of deficiency.
Likes
1
Share
@Ninjabuds
Follow
Not a lot to update the seedlings have came up out the soil at this point they are still to small to tell any visible differences. I started all the seeds from all 10 packs and and I put 26 of them in soil I now have about 20 of them left I still have atleast one left if every strain. I just kept the 20 plants that all started off at the same time it’s so much easier when there is not some plants behind from the rip. In a few days I will pick out the best one from each of the 10 strains and toss the rest so sad there is a plant count here.
Likes
31
Share
Day 39 11/06/20 ok so she is doing very good and the color is amazing. i cant wait till she gets bigger and boy she is thirsty i have to 5 from 1 gal to 5 L. i have lots of info in the vids for your viewing. happy growing and keep your stick on the ice
Likes
17
Share
Likes
2
Share
Likes
31
Share
@BigDaddyK
Follow
Gettiing very close......too close, im going to move these when i got some space. Update - she under the cob , see video
Likes
2
Share
@Chubbs
Follow
This week's been amazing seeing all the sprouts getting bigger daily. There's a few that might not make the cut but will see by next week how they're doing. All in all Happy Growing.
Likes
22
Share
@Coopmc
Follow
Elmer looks good Tie still having issues
Likes
19
Share
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.
Likes
10
Share
@RFarm21
Follow
Semana 21 July - 27 July 22 July - feed day (only biobizz nutrition) 25 July - feed day bloombastic 0.5ml/l 27 July - feed day BioBizz
Likes
98
Share
The organic girl got transplanted in 7l pot with all-mix biobizz soil at the beginning of the week. The first watering after that was a week later. The EC of the run-off was on 2.53 as you can see in the picture, so I flushed it with ph(6.5) water mixed with the nuts I mention above(EC 0.32). I flushed until the EC got down to 1.3. I don't want it to get burned again cuz of the high EC in the soil. As of today, day 29, the newly adolescent plant is looking perky again. As far as I can read on the Biobizz bottles, all the nuts have a very acidic ph. That makes sense considering that they are organic and they need to have a long shelf life. No bacteria or fungus will go in such an acidic medium. Therefore I find it essential to increase the ph of the water after adding the nuts. Another thing I noticed is that they now released a CalMag product(finally), which they recommend using especially when using RO water.
Likes
72
Share
@Roberts
Follow
Well between the gnats, and ph issues I think she came out great. Great smell. Frosty buds. Will upload a harvest video if it let's me. The P4000 light from Viparspectra worked great. Thank you Viparspectra, and Fast Buds 🌱🤜🤛🌱 Thank you grow diaries community for the likes, follows, comments, and subscriptions on my YouTube channel. 🍻🌱👍 Happy Growing 🌱 https://youtube.com/channel/UCAhN7yRzWLpcaRHhMIQ7X4g If anyone needs to purchase fastbuds here is a link for my affiliate program https://myfastbuds.com/?a_aid=60910eaff2419
Likes
96
Share
Things are going great with the Obiwan . Nothing to complain about with Obi#2 shes doing really well swelling very nicely and simply smells potent as all potent can be ! Going to be looking to flush in the very near future and then harvest this fine lady ! Special thanks that goes out to my followers and everyone who stops by the diary's to check them out ! Keep on keeping on folks . -Happy Growing!
Likes
18
Share
Beginning of 6th week of flowering F36 SD2 smells like a burning tire next to an engine oil spill. The smell is aggressive and gets into your nose. SD3 smells like sweet engine grease with a warmth.The smell is inviting.
Likes
14
Share
@DsTrees
Follow
*** CURRENTLY DRYING *** Dry Date Start: 3-15-21 Trimmed: 3-23-21 Total Dry Weight: 112 grams.
Likes
18
Share
my dry and cure style is this: 4 days of hanging upside down to get water activity lower to around 0.6 in 50% humidity and 26 C temp (i know its a little high but we are in a hot summer right now and i cant get it lower even with air conditioner) and then after 4 days of drying i remove leaves and stalks, trim buds and move them to jar for the rest of their life :D . and in the first 4 days of curing i open the jar door and let hem get some fresh air in the jar for about 5 minutes and close the jar door again, after 4 days of curing like that buds are smokable but they will get better as they getting cured about 1 month. buds are one of the hardest as fucking rocks type of buds! very dense , compact , sticky , smelly , amazing at every aspect growing stage was 56 days and flowering stage was 75 days total (harvested tops at day 64th) the total weight of dry buds was : (plant #1 & #3 top buds 56 G + lower buds 22 G ) 78 G + (plant #2 top buds 47 G + lower buds 18 G ) 55 G + (plant #4 top buds 120 G + lower buds 67 G ) 187 G = 367 G