Week 5 Veg Report: Croco Mutants A Quick Recap: The journey with my Terpyz Mutant Mentha de Croco girls has been a ride full of unique beauty and challenges. Here’s a quick look back at our progress: Week 1 (Germination): Using TheCannaKan, the seeds sprouted quickly in a controlled environment. They were then moved to Root Riots with nutrients from Aptus Holland, setting the stage for healthy development. Week 2: The first set of funky leaves began to emerge, showcasing the distinct and peculiar traits that make these mutants so special. Feeding started with Aptus Regulator, Startbooster, CalMag Boost, and All-in-One Liquid—a well-rounded blend to support their growth. Week 3: These funky beauties continued to amaze, displaying different leaf structures and growth patterns. The environment remained stable, and photos with my Nikon and Sony cameras captured their vibrant essence. Week 4: A dip in temperatures brought on slower growth, but the girls adapted well. Organic Aptus All-in-One Pellets were introduced into the soil mix for consistent nutrition, while bottom watering started to combat gnats. Week 5: Slow Growth, Unique Beauty This week has been all about patience, observation, and admiration. The mutants are growing at their own pace, but each plant’s unique beauty and dark green vibrance make it worth the wait. Environmental Update: Temperature: The cold has settled in further, with daytime temps at 18°C and nighttime dropping to 14°C. While slower growth is expected in these conditions, the plants are adapting and maintaining their health. Humidity: RH remains stable at 65%, providing just enough moisture to support their development without creating excess stress. Feeding & Watering: The same Aptus Holland nutrient solution is being used this week: Regulator (0.15 ml/L): Strengthens cell walls, helping the plants adapt to colder conditions and maintain their vigor. CalMag Boost (0.25 ml/L): Supplies essential calcium and magnesium for strong, healthy foliage. Startbooster (0.25 ml/L): Encourages root development and early-stage robustness. All-in-One Pellets : A complete nutrient solution providing the base nutrition these girls need already in the soil. Additionally, I’m continuing with bottom watering, where the trays are filled to let the soil absorb water passively. This has been effective in keeping gnats at bay, especially when combined with yellow sticky traps. Bottom watering also encourages the roots to grow downward, seeking moisture and building a stronger foundation. Growth Observations: Each plant remains a unique masterpiece: Leaves: The diversity of shapes, sizes, and structures is remarkable. From jagged edges to rounded tips, every plant tells its own story. Color: The deep, dark green is a testament to their health and the effectiveness of the Aptus feeding regimen. Despite slower growth, they’re thriving in their own way. Cloning or Flipping to 12/12: I’ve been debating whether to: Flip to 12/12 for a week to induce pre-flowering and identify males and females, or Take clones when they’re large enough and flip the clones instead. Each approach has its benefits: Flipping the plants: Speeds up the process of sex identification but temporarily halts vegetative growth. Cloning and flipping the clones: Preserves the original plants in veg while testing the clones for sex. This method is more time-consuming but allows the mother plants to continue growing. I’m leaning toward cloning when the plants reach the right size, as it seems the most practical for maintaining momentum with these unique mutants. Photography Update: This week, I brought out my Nikon and Sony cameras again, using different lenses to capture the intricate details of the plants. From close-ups of water droplets creating reflections to stunning macros of leaf textures, the results truly showcase their beauty. Why Use a Camera Over a Phone? Lens Flexibility: With interchangeable lenses, I can adjust for macro shots, wide angles, or depth of field, something even the best phone cameras can’t fully replicate. Detail and Clarity: DSLR and mirrorless cameras capture a higher dynamic range and more intricate details, elevating the visual storytelling. Shoutouts & Gratitude: A huge thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey: Terpyz Mutant Genetics for these one-of-a-kind seeds. Aptus Holland for their amazing nutrient solutions. Pro-Mix for the reliable soil mix. Future of Grow for the incredible LED lighting that keeps these mutants thriving. TrolMaster for helping maintain a stable environment. Grow Diaries for giving growers like us a platform to share and learn. The Community (haters, lovers, and everyone in between) for your support and interaction—it’s what makes this so rewarding. Finally, a shoutout to my Instagram and YouTube family! Be sure to follow along for more updates, behind-the-scenes content, and educational tidbits. Let’s keep growing and learning together. Final Note: These girls may be taking their time, but their beauty, uniqueness, and resilience make every moment worthwhile. Here’s to another week of growth, learning, and connection. Until next time, let’s grow, let’s learn, and let’s thrive! Grower’s Love to You All! 💚 Genetics - Mentha De Croco https://terpyz.eu/products/menta-de-croco-fern-type?_pos=1&_sid=e9237cbcb&_ss=r DogDoctorOfficial Discount Codes @ terpyz.eu - DOCTOR 15% off Nutrition - @aptusholland https://aptus-holland.com/ Led Power @ F.O.G. Future Of Grow https://www.thefuturofgrow.com/en/online-store/BLACK-SERIES-600-p489093171 Controls @ TrolMaster https://www.trolmaster.eu/tent-x 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 💚