🌿 RS11 "B" - Defensive Maneuvers & Defoliation! 🛡️✂️ Let's go! Welcome to Week 13 for RS11 "B". After the thrips battle inside the tent, we are taking absolutely zero chances out on the balcony. Proactive plant care is the theme for this week! 📈 The Details / Progress Report: Preventative Strike: I had to bring out the neem oil and give her a thorough preventative spray. I definitely do not want what happened to the indoor tent to happen out here! If you look closely at the fan leaves in photos you can actually see the fresh droplets and residue from the spray settling in to protect the foliage. 💦🌿 Opening Her Up: To go hand-in-hand with the pest prevention, I got in there and did some much-needed defoliation. She was getting incredibly thick and bushy, so taking off some of that extra foliage really helps open her up a bit. This drastically improves the airflow through her center and ensures the neem spray can actually penetrate the entire canopy. ✂️🌬️ Vibrant Health: She took the pruning and the spray perfectly. As you can see from the wide shots, the leaves are rocking that deep, rich green, and her structure is looking incredibly strong. She is looking super lush, happy, and completely unfazed by the haircut! 💧 Next Steps: With her canopy opened up and a protective layer of neem oil applied, we are in a fantastic spot. The main goal now is to just keep her well-fed, monitor the leaves to ensure no pests try to bypass our defenses, and let her keep building that massive frame in the summer sun. Let's keep it growing! 🌱💨