Week 8 Update: Northern Lights Autoflowers Garden Overview & Environmental Notes: The deck setup is handling late May on the Eastern Plains beautifully. The intense high-altitude sun is perfect for fueling quick development on these autoflowers. The atmospheric action has been classic Colorado—watching some spectacular afternoon storm build-ups, localized rain shafts, and distant lightning patterns out across the plains while the garden stays secure. Plant Metrics & Development (The Transition to Flower): The biggest news for Week 8 is that the Northern Lights sisters are officially shifting gears! We are moving past pure vegetative growth and stepping right into the early transition to flower. Both plants are showing pre-flower development at the nodes and the tops are starting to bunch up as they prepare to stretch. * Charlotte (C Flag): She is clearly displaying early flower development along her main stem and side branches. Her main top is stacking tightly under the sun, holding a stocky, well-spaced structure. * Makayla (M Flag): She is also pushing hard into the transitional phase. Her top growth is distinctively bright green and clustering into early bud sites, showing a healthy vertical profile with a thickening main stem and fan leaves perfectly fanned out to catch the high-altitude rays. Feeding & Maintenance: We are keeping things strictly organic on the deck, running the FOOP nutrient line—including the Veg, Bloom, and Sweetener components—to feed the active microbes and support robust root development. Now that the transition to flower is fully underway, the upcoming feeding schedules will begin leaning into those bloom and sweetener components to support early bud development. The custom halo rings are keeping the root zones perfectly satisfied during this crucial developmental pivot. Looking Ahead: With the sisters officially transitioning, the next couple of weeks should bring some noticeable vertical stretch. They will continue to anchor the deck rotation as we prepare for the late-June relay race strategy to bring the next batch of plants into the mix. Update 5.30.26: Charlotte and Makayla are starting their bloom! First pistils I've seen this year. Always an exciting day.