🌸 Week 5 Flower – Frost on the Horizon We’ve reached the midway mark of flower, and the Mango Kush sisters are entering their true production phase. What started as white hairs and clusters is now becoming recognizable bud sites, with calyx swelling, pistils stacking, and resin glands beginning to form. Even though the two phenos are still at slightly different paces, both are showing the strength of Mango × Hindu Kush genetics: dense flower set, uniform branching, and a promise of rich aromas to come. ⸻ 💧 Feeding Update – Adjusting for Signs & Demands This week we observed minor leaf spotting, likely an early sign of calcium/magnesium imbalance. With the canopy pushing hard into bloom, demand for structural nutrients rises. To address this, we adjusted the recipe: Updated Feeding Mix (per liter): • 🌿 Aptus Regulator – 0.15 ml • 🌿 Aptus CalMag Boost – 0.35 ml (slight increase for leaf support) • 🌿 Aptus All-In-One Liquid – 1 ml (reintroduced for balanced NPK support) • 🌿 Plagron Sugar Royal – 1 ml • 🌿 Plagron Green Sensation – 1 ml Why this change? • All-In-One Liquid provides a steady base of NPK to complement the super soil and ensure no hidden deficiencies appear as flowers bulk. • CalMag Boost increased slightly to help counter early spotting and reinforce leaf health. • Sugar Royal & Green Sensation remain to push terpene, resin, and bud density. 🌱 Educational Takeaway: At mid-flower, nutrition must shift slightly from “steering” to supporting. The plant is now a high-demand engine, and small deficiencies show quickly. Adding back a balanced NPK base (All-In-One) ensures pistil and calyx production doesn’t stall. ⸻ 🌡️ Environment – Riding the Heat The room remains lively but challenging: • 🌡️ Temps: peaking at 31–34°C • 💧 RH: 50–60% • 📊 VPD: ~1.8–2.0 kPa While slightly hotter than ideal, the Mango Kush girls are holding strong thanks to airflow and the resilience provided by biostimulants like Sugar Royal and Regulator. An AC unit is on the way, which will stabilize the climate moving forward. 🌱 Educational Takeaway: High VPD increases water demand, plants drink more, transpire faster, and pull nutrients quicker. This can be beneficial if balanced correctly, but also risky: deficiencies show up faster, and stress can slow bud formation. Monitoring and adjusting is the key. ⸻ 💡 Lighting – Mid-Canopy Power Boost Our lighting orchestra is now running at higher intensity to fuel flower bulking: • ThinkGrow Model One – deep penetration into the canopy • 2× ThinkGrow ICL-300 bars – mid-canopy support, ensuring no shadowed sites • Future of Grow Black Series 600W – full-spectrum coverage • Lumatek Zeus 465W Compact Pro – evening out the footprint PPFD is averaging 750–800 µmol/m²/s, which is perfect for mid-flower. The canopy is even, with bud sites developing from top to bottom. 🌱 Educational Takeaway: Mid-canopy lighting like the ICL-300 prevents “popcorn buds” by ensuring lower sites receive enough light intensity to develop properly. The result: fuller plants, less larf, more usable flower. ⸻ 🌱 Genetics in Action – Mango Kush Week 5 • Pheno #1 – Still ahead, stacking pistils into early bulking buds, beginning to sparkle under macro view. • Pheno #2 – Catching up fast, with strong pistil growth and early calyx development. Though she started later, her structure is filling in beautifully. Both phenos are showing that classic Mango Kush balance: fruit-forward aromas beginning to rise when you brush the flowers, with the Kush backbone promising earthy depth in the final cure. ⸻ 🔮 What to Expect & What Not to Expect ✅ Expect this week and next: • Rapid calyx swelling → buds begin “rounding out” • Trichome initiation across sugar leaves • First noticeable sticky texture • Stronger aroma when handling ❌ Not yet: • Full frost coverage (peaks Weeks 6–7) • True terpene explosion (Weeks 7–8) • Final density (Weeks 7–9) 🌱 Educational Takeaway: Week 5 is often where growers get impatient. Resist the urge to overfeed or over-adjust. Buds are setting their foundation now, the bulk and frost come with time. ⸻ 🔄 Recap – The Journey So Far • Weeks 0–2: Seedlings established, Aptus Start Booster support • Weeks 3–4 Veg: Rapid branching, transplant into super soil + Aptus Mycor-Mix & Buffer • Week 5 (Flip): 12/12, stretch begins • Flower Weeks 1–2: Power Buds introduced, lighting expanded • Flower Week 3: Flower set established, pistils everywhere • Flower Week 4: Bulking begins, feeding simplified • 🌸 Flower Week 5 (Now): Buds swelling, trichomes emerging, All-In-One Liquid reintroduced, environment monitored closely ⸻ 🙏 Gratitude To everyone following along, thank you. Each week is a balance of science, art, and patience, and it means a lot to share this journey together. The Mango Kush sisters are teaching us once again: growth happens in stages, and trust in the process brings the best results. ⸻ 💭 Grower’s Note: “This week felt like the garden finally started to sparkle. The first trichomes are here, pistils are building like fireworks, and even with the heat waves, the girls stand tall. Pheno #1 is racing, Pheno #2 is steady — and together, they remind me that nature never grows in straight lines, only in rhythms.” 📲 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 There’s a new series blooming and it’s more than just plants. It’s about process, patience, and paying attention. ⸻ 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 💚