Week 6 Flower – A Hard Lesson: Bud Rot Quick Recap – From Seed to Here This Lava Cake run started beautifully: • Germination was smooth and fast using the Cannakan with Aptus Regulator and Start Booster. • Veg went strong, with both phenos thriving under the Black Series LED and later joined by ThinkGrow and Lumatek support. • Transplants into 11L fabric pots gave them space to expand, roots looked stunning. • Early flower (weeks 1–4) brought explosive growth, thick white hairs, and dense colas forming under carefully tuned nutrition — Aptus base inputs with Plagron complements. But the same density that made these flowers shine also made them vulnerable. High humidity swings and airflow inconsistencies created the perfect conditions for bud rot (Botrytis cinerea) to sneak in. What Happened This Week Despite our best efforts, phenotype two (Lava Cake #2) showed visible signs of bud rot. To protect the garden, she was harvested early. Infected material was thrown straight into the trash (not compost — spores spread too easily), and the healthy parts are now drying in a separate, controlled space. Phenotype one (Lava Cake #1) remains in the tent. She has minor spots, but overall is swelling and pushing forward. She’ll be closely monitored daily to make sure the infection doesn’t spread. 👉 Full educational article from Zamnesia: 🔗 Bud Rot Cannabis Grower Guide – Zamnesia https://www.zamnesia.com/grow-weed/563-bud-rot-cannabis-grower-guide What Bud Rot Is • Caused by Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that thrives in warm, humid, poorly ventilated conditions. • Begins inside dense buds, hidden from sight, and by the time it appears on the surface, the inner cola is usually already compromised. • Spreads quickly if unchecked, especially in crowded flowering rooms. Why It Happened • Humidity spikes during flower. • Airflow not perfectly balanced, leaving “dead spots” in the canopy. • Dense colas trapping moisture. • Temperature swings stressing the balance further. Prevention Tips (for us and for everyone reading) • Lower humidity in mid/late flower (40–50%, then 35–40% near harvest). • Strong airflow: oscillating fans above and below canopy + efficient extraction/intake. need improving in here for my next run • Regular defoliation to open the canopy. • Daily inspections of the biggest buds. • Harvest at the right time — pushing too long in risky environments can invite problems. What to Expect / Not to Expect Going Forward • Lava Cake #2: She’s drying now. Expect about 2 weeks of slow, careful drying under controlled temps and humidity. With bud rot, extra caution is needed — we won’t rush, but we’ll also make sure nothing risky makes it through. Expect reduced yield because of the early cut and loss of infected colas, but quality and safety will come first. • Lava Cake #1: She will continue swelling in the tent. Expect daily monitoring, improved airflow, and cautious optimism. If she stays strong, she could still finish beautifully. • The Room: We’ll dial in airflow and humidity management even tighter, keeping CO₂ and temps in check, and prepare the AC unit to avoid these swings in the future. Closing Thoughts Bud rot is a tough enemy, but also one of the most important teachers in growing. It reminds us that environment control is just as vital as genetics or nutrients. Yes, we lost part of this run, but we also gained experience that will make every future run stronger. And sharing this openly might help others spot it sooner, act faster, and maybe even save their crop. At the end of the day, that’s what these diaries are for: to celebrate the wins, learn from the losses, and keep growing together. 🌱💚 📲 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 💚 P.S. – Drying After Bud Rot Harvest For Lava Cake #2, we harvested the entire plant and are drying her whole. Because bud rot was present, we’re being extra careful: • Drying in a separate, controlled space, away from the main room. • Temperature kept around 18–20°C, with humidity 50–55% — steady and stable. • Gentle airflow moving through the room, never directly on the buds. • Daily inspections to ensure no hidden spots continue developing. The goal is a slow 10–14 day dry, preserving as much aroma and quality as possible, while making absolutely sure nothing unhealthy makes it through. With bud rot, safety comes first — anything questionable goes straight to the trash. 👉 Why whole-plant drying? By leaving the plant intact, moisture moves more gradually from stems and inner tissues to the buds. This slows down the drying process, prevents overdrying, and helps preserve delicate terpenes and flavonoids that give Lava Cake her unique flavor. Especially after a bud rot scare, a steady, controlled dry is essential for both safety and quality.