Overview:
In the second week of our grow diary "Schroedinger's Plants," the Tropicana Cookies, Gorilla Zkittlez, and Apple Strudel strains have shown varied yet overall positive growth under controlled conditions. Each strain continues to progress well, with interventions to address minor issues.
Plant Specifics:
1. Tropicana Cookies:
Growth: The plant height increased from 8 cm to 11.5 cm throughout the week, showing healthy growth.
Health: Plant health remained robust, marked by the continued green color stabilization and decrease in vein thickness initially noted.
Interventions: Regular doses of Alfa Boost and Epsom Salt were administered to maintain nutrition and micronutrient levels. A notable treatment for fungus gnats (Trauermücken) using nematodes was applied early in the week, which required adjustments in watering to facilitate effective nematode deployment.
Environmental Conditions: The environment was stable with slight increases in daytime and nighttime temperatures towards the end of the week.
2. Gorilla Zkittlez:
Growth: Progressed from 7 cm to 9.5 cm in height by the end of the week.
Health: Similar to Tropicana Cookies, this strain exhibited signs of early nutrient issues (thickening of veins and lighter green in new growth) that were effectively managed, leading to improved color and reduced vein prominence.
Interventions: Application of Alfa Boost and Epsom Salt continued, adjusting as needed based on plant response. Plans to increase PPFD (photosynthetic photon flux density) were made to encourage stronger growth responses.
Challenges: Like the other strains, initial signs of fungus gnat (Trauermücken) were addressed with nematodes.
3. Apple Strudel:
Growth: Showed a steady increase from 6.5 cm to 9 cm.
Health: Initial challenges with vein thickness and lighter green patches were managed through similar nutrient adjustments as the other strains.
Interventions: Consistent nutrient management with Alfa Boost and Epsom Salt helped stabilize growth and coloration. Caught up with the others by the end of the week, after initially lagging slightly behind in growth.
Environmental Notes: The plant environment was kept stable, mirroring the conditions of the other strains with slight temperature increases noted towards the week's end.
General Observations and Actions:
Pest Management: The introduction of nematodes early in the week helped manage the presence of Trauermücken across all plants, a necessary step to prevent infestations.
Nutrient Management: The consistent use of Alfa Boost and Epsom Salt across all strains helped address minor nutrient imbalances seen as vein thickening and changes in leaf coloration.
Environmental Control: Slight increases in temperature and adjustments in humidity levels were monitored to ensure optimal growth conditions. These adjustments were crucial as the plants transition from seedling to more mature vegetative stages.
Conclusion:
The second week showed promising growth and stability across all strains. While minor issues were quickly addressed through targeted interventions, the overall health of the plants remained strong. Moving forward, the focus will be on maintaining this momentum and carefully monitoring environmental parameters and plant responses to optimize growth. The increase in PPFD will be particularly interesting to follow in terms of its impact on growth rates and overall plant vigor. In week 3 we'll also start with LST-Training the Ladies.
Cheers,