Week 4 Flower – Supercrop Week: Taming the Moon-Shooter Both Sundae Driver girls are thriving, stacking bud sites and frosting up fast. Pheno #2 tried to aim for the moon, so this week I performed a supercrop to keep the canopy even and unlock more lateral sites. She bounced back within days and is already curving up; new sites are catching light beautifully. I also did a light, targeted defoliation to open airflow, nothing heavy. Feed & Mix (this week) Testing a hybrid Aptus + Plagron approach at low solution EC to complement the rich, pre-amended soil. • Plagron Power Buds – 1 ml/L • Plagron Green Sensation – 1 ml/L • Plagron Sugar Royal – 1 ml/L • Aptus Regulator – 0.15 ml/L • Aptus CalMag Boost – light dose, just to keep LED demand covered Why low feed? The living/“easy” soil we built is still hot and active (medium EC ~2.96 mS/cm), so I’m keeping the solution EC ~0.4–0.5 mS/cm with pH ~6.1. That lets the soil do most of the work while I steer with gentle inputs and avoid salt stacking or tip burn. ⸻ Deep Dive: Supercropping (What, Why, When, How) What it is Supercropping is a high-control, high-reward training move: you soften (pinch) the inner stem tissues and bend the stem over without tearing the skin. The plant heals with a strong “knuckle,” redistributes hormones, and pushes more energy to side shoots. Result: flatter canopy, better light use, more productive sites. Why do it (Week 4 Flower)? • Pheno #2 outpaced the canopy and was nearing the lights • Even canopy = more uniform PPFD and bud development • Bending redirects auxins to lower sites → more usable bud sites • A late stretch check without heavy cutting Best timing • Ideal: late veg through early flower stretch (Weeks 2–4 of flower) while stems are still pliable. • Later than Week 4: be more cautious—stems lignify and snap easier. Step-by-step 1. Hydrate first: Slightly hydrated plants bend better than very dry ones. 2. Choose the internode you want to lower (usually the tall outlier). 3. Pinch and roll the stem gently between thumb and forefinger for 5–10 seconds to soften the pith. 4. Bend to ~45–90° toward an open space in the canopy. 5. Support: If the skin shows micro-cracks, wrap loosely with plant tape; add a soft tie or stake to hold position. 6. Aftercare: Keep airflow up, avoid heavy feeding changes for 24–48h, and don’t stack stress (no major pruning at the same time). What to expect after • Leaves may droop for a few hours; prayer and curve-up typically return within 24–72 hours. • A hardened knuckle forms in 3–7 days, strengthening the stem. • Side sites along the bent branch accelerate; top re-orients upward. • Usually less foxtailing later because tops are kept at ideal distance from the light. Risks & how to avoid them • Snap/tear: Don’t bend dry or cold stems; soften first and bend slowly. • Infection: If skin splits, tape loosely and keep humidity in check. • Over-stressing: Avoid combining with heavy defol or big feed changes on the same day. ⸻ Canopy & Care Notes • Minor defoliation only this week—just a few broad fans that shaded key sites. I prefer leaf tucking elsewhere to preserve photosynthetic “engines.” • Aroma is coming on; both phenos are stacking clean white pistils with visible trichome build on sugar leaves. • I took the girls outside the tent for a careful studio shoot—this might be the last time. Intentional supercropping is great; accidental branch breaks during handling are not. ⸻ Why this recipe (and why it’s gentle) • Power Buds helps flower initiation/transition behave predictably. • Green Sensation brings a compact PK + micro package and carbs; paired at low EC to avoid over-layering with the soil’s nutrients. • Sugar Royal supports metabolism and aroma precursors. • Regulator + CalMag keep cell walls strong, transpiration steady, and LEDs fed. • With substrate EC ~2.96, I’m letting biology and amendments supply most macros; the solution (~0.4–0.5 EC, pH ~6.1) is a steering wheel, not the engine. ⸻ What’s Happening Now • Stretch is nearly done; supercrop leveled the canopy without stalling growth. • Bud sites multiplying and beginning early stacking. • Trichomes appearing across sugar leaves; calyx build just starting. What to Expect Next (Week 5+) • Expect: • Stretch to taper off; energy shifts into stacking and calyx swell • Noticeably more trichomes; first hints of terp profile intensifying • The supercropped knuckle to fully harden; consider stakes or light trellis to support future weight • Don’t expect (yet): • Final density or full resin push—that’s more a Weeks 6–8 game • Heavy leaf stripping; I’ll keep it light to protect photosynthesis • Keep an eye on: • Humidity management as flowers bulk—tighten RH stepwise to mid-50s to reduce microclimate risk • Mg/K demand under strong LEDs (watch for interveinal fade or edge crisping) • Wound sites from supercrop—good airflow, no standing moisture ⸻ Connection & Monitoring I’ve logged a set of videos this week: TrolMaster data screens plus hands-on canopy time. Daily check-ins are still the best way to catch tiny changes before they become big ones—and it keeps the grower-plant connection strong. ⸻ Closing Week 4 is the hinge between stretch and stack. One deliberate supercrop turned a moon-shot into a level, efficient canopy, opening light to more sites without slowing momentum. With a living soil doing the heavy lifting and a gentle, targeted feed, both Sundae Drivers are on track for a clean, aromatic finish. Cant wait for the stacking phase. 📲 Don’t forget to Subscribe and follow me on Instagram and YouTube @DogDoctorOfficial for exclusive content, real-time updates, and behind-the-scenes magic. We’ve got so much more coming, including transplanting and all the amazing techniques that go along with it. You won’t want to miss it. • GrowDiaries Journal: https://growdiaries.com/grower/dogdoctorofficial • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogdoctorofficial/ • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dogdoctorofficial ⸻ Explore the Gear that Powers My Grow If you’re curious about the tech I’m using, check out these links: • Genetics, gear, nutrients, and more – Zamnesia: https://www.zamnesia.com/ • Environmental control & automation – TrolMaster: https://www.trolmaster.eu/ • Advanced LED lighting – Future of Grow: https://www.futureofgrow.com/ • Root and growth nutrition – Aptus Holland: https://aptus-holland.com/ • Nutrient systems & boosters – Plagron: https://plagron.com/en/ • Soil & substrate excellence – PRO-MIX BX: https://www.pthorticulture.com/en-us/products/pro-mix-bx-mycorrhizae • Curing and storage – Grove Bags: https://grovebags.com/ ⸻ We’ve got much more coming as we move through the grow cycles. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the next steps, let’s push the boundaries of indoor horticulture together! As always, this is shared for educational purposes, aiming to spread understanding and appreciation for this plant. Let’s celebrate it responsibly and continue to learn and grow together. With true love comes happiness. Always believe in yourself, and always do things expecting nothing and with an open heart. Be a giver, and the universe will give back in ways you could never imagine. 💚 Growers love to all 💚