Week 8: Flowering Stage Rising Temperatures and Weather Challenges The temperatures are expected to rise slightly this week, but intermittent thunderstorms and heavy rain are also forecasted. This unpredictable weather presents a challenge, but I remain hopeful for continued growth. Snail Attack I had been leaving the plants outside overnight, but during a late-night check, I found three giant slugs feasting on my Gorilla Cookies buds. These damn snails just won't give up. I'm seriously considering installing some kind of automatic deterrent system. Feeding and Watering Consistency The amount of water and nutrients remains unchanged. Each plant continues to receive 3 liters of nutrient solution in their 11-liter pots to prevent salt buildup and ensure optimal growth. Growth Observations Banana Purple Punch and Blue Dream: Both strains seem to have halted their vertical growth. They are now fully focused on bud development. Tangie: This plant is still vigorously growing with new shoots appearing everywhere. Tangie seems perfect for low-stress training (LST) and could probably handle a well-timed topping without issues. I had to do some light defoliation to make sure everything receives enough light. Gorilla Cookies: While it’s not growing as aggressively as before, it is concentrating on flowering. Despite this, it continues to gain some height. Looking Ahead As the flowering stage progresses, I'm eager to see how the plants adapt to the changing weather conditions and how they continue to develop. Despite the challenges, the plants are showing resilience, and the buds are looking promising. Update 18.07: Pest Problems Bad news, growmies. During my daily inspection today, I discovered some unwelcome pests. Some leaves on all the plants had white or silver dots, which I suspect are caused by thrips. The Banana Purple Punch plant was particularly affected, with numerous black dots on the top buds, likely aphids. I had to remove two small buds 😞. To combat this, I brought all the plants inside for a thorough shower and removed any affected leaves. I then sprayed them with a light neem oil solution, taking care to avoid the buds to prevent affecting their taste. The Banana Purple Punch plant has been isolated to prevent further infestation. I'm open to any advice or suggestions on how to handle this situation more effectively. What else do you think I should do? Update 21.07 The heat has been intense lately, with temperatures soaring to around 31°C (88°F). Despite this, my garden is showing remarkable resilience. After battling thrips and aphids, my plants are bouncing back. The Tangie, Blue Dream, and Gorilla Cookies no longer display any signs of thrip damage on their leaves. It seems the light neem oil solution has done the trick. However, my Banana Purple Punch remains a bit of a mystery. This strain appears particularly sensitive to nutrients, even though all my plants receive the same care and feeding. While the other plants look lush and vibrant, the Banana Purple Punch shows some troubling symptoms. Some leaves exhibit early signs of nitrogen toxicity, while others curl upwards with no apparent nutrient burn at the tips. Additionally, the large fan leaves are yellowing. Despite these issues, the buds are frosty and thriving. I recently checked the trichomes and found that most are still clear, even on my Blue Dream, which already has a promising main bud. It's clear that patience will be rewarded with this beauty 😍