Holiday Treats -(here we grow again)-

[Puglover1]

Can I still do this with my Wild Thai in a bit? Fan leaves are already gone up to node 4, if I topped the rest I might be able to root it and have another plant to screw up.

[BU2B]

absolutely

[BU2B]

Update 16: 8.26.21

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[SoOrbudgal]

They sure are liking your care BU2B well done with the spread so clean well thought out a real hydro grow.

[BU2B]

Small photo update: 8.28.21 Week 4 day 4

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Average water temps for week 4 - 74.2f
I should be finishing up with all basic structure components by mid week 5

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8.29.21

[BU2B]

Update 17: 8.31.21

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Both plants received some care and attention with the goal of completing the majority of training by tomorrow (Week 5 Day 1). The girls are both 28 days old today. Photo's below are before and after trimming and training wire. I only have the the two ends of the Banana Kush to top tomorrow (the Chocolate Mint is done). At this point all downward growing shoots have been removed (I often leave the fan leaf on downward growing leaves for a few days to a few weeks.) Training is 99,9% done as far as establishing the plants structure. Both plants have about 38 flowering growth tips. When side branches reach the end of the bucket they are allowed to grow up and out. Branches developing until they reach the end of the buckets will add 3 growth tips for each two nodes. Somewhere near the end of week 5 the plants should have in excess of 44 flowering growth tips each.

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Planned for 9.1.21 (Week 5 Day 1) * Top two ends of main branches on the Banana Kush * Change out both tubs (seeing a bit of spotting on some leaves and this will give them both a good base to start vegging in full with a clean slate.) * Nutrients will be adjusted to Aggressive Vegetation with the tub change

[Smoklahoma]

Your plants are looking great! I am a little bit ahead of you, Friday will be the end of week 6. Tried to follow your tutorial but they blowed up on me while on vacation. Got them trimmed, topped, and tied back down. Should I wait the full 8 weeks or can I flip them early? These girls are growing fast.

[BU2B]

Smoklahoma You can kick your girls into flower whenever you want. There is some anecdotal evidence that letting your plants veg longer than 8 weeks can/may increase THC. I have seen photo plant's flipped to 12/12 as early as the end of week 4, but that's not personally something I would do. As long as you have the room in height to let your plants grow (and have reserve on hand so your not spending a small fortune at the dispensary) I would let them do so. Keep in mind that no matter when you decide to kick them into flower their height will generally double.

However; on the other hand - after having said all that. When you switch into flower is completely up to you. Your plants have the basic structure in place so the growth from about week 5 is up and out anyway. Just an FYI you may want to delete and re-upload your last two photo's from the previous post. Only one photo is showing but when you click on it you can see two additional blank place-holders.

Oh, and super nice job on the new grow room! I noticed you have the warnings on your buckets there too - It looks like the issue with herds of roaming babies being drawn to hydro tubs is far more widespread that what I had thought.

[Smoklahoma]

Thanks I have put a lot blood sweat and beers into the room. Still need to address couple issues but very pleased so far how it is working on this closed system grow. I will let the girls go as long as I can, still have a pound of super skunk left from last grow. I think I fixed the picts, seems to be different everytime I upload one. Yes babies are trying to swim in bucket here also. I thought it was just a okie thing?

[BU2B]

Small Update: 9.2.21

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Holiday Treats 2021 Grow: Week 5 Day 2

Both girls have toppings completed (3 per plant; the initial topping between nodes 3 and 4 and the two toppings at the ends of both main branches.)

>-o->-o->-O-<-o-<-o-<
2+1+2+1+2+0+2+1+2+1+2
= 16 flowering growth tips per plant NOT including side branches
Each plant has 8 branches growing off of each of the two main branches that the initial topping created

[TOKABIGONE]

OMG my friend these have quadrupled in size since i saw them! If I ever decide to do buckets, you will be my guide!

[BU2B]

I know. They're growing like weeds, eh? Halfway through veg already!

[Ckbrew]

Always enjoy the updates.

[BU2B]

Structure update - 9.3.22

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Here’s a perfect example of why I learned to grow the way I do. Please note this is NOT the only way to grow - it’s just a method I’ve worked out to get maximum results with minimal effort and, it works for me 😎

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Look Ma, no donut hole!

With only 3 toppings per plant, in 5 weeks, with no delay in growth. If you are using this method you will find that your girls have either 44 or 48 active flowering growth tips depending on how you count. The first two upward growing branches have been folded toward each other, crossed and held in place with training wire (here you can count either 1 or 3 growth tips per side)

[BU2B]

Update 20: 9.5.22 Week 5 Day 5

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One more big defoliation (today or tomorrow) and then just folding out branches and keeping the canopy level for the next 3 weeks. All training to establish plant structure is essentially complete at this point. Even though the Banana Kush is smaller, both plants have in excess of 50 flowering growth tips each. About 12 weeks to go, 3 more weeks of veg, 1 week of transition to bloom, 8 weeks of flowering. Projected harvest date December 1, 2021.

[Smoklahoma]

Can you post a picture of the ladies after defoliation? Curious to see yours compared to how much I've been doing.

[BU2B]

Update 21: 9.6.21 Week 5 day 6

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Top - both girls. Chocolate Mint OG. Bottom Banana Kush
NOTICE no downward growth. The girls will be allowed to veg for 3 weeks and 1 day - then on to transition to bloom.

[Smoklahoma]

Thank you. It looks like I've been a little too aggressive on trimming. I'll back off a bit.

[BU2B]

Smoklahoma I think you will find that I leave more leaves on than most. Often within a few days it’s hard to tell any defoliation has been done at all - but trust me, there has been. I try to leave 4 leaves for every 1 leaf I remove and even then that is sometimes enough to require a little Epsom salt to help green up the foliage afterward. Leaving more leaves than usual also frees you up to remove those that are covering growth tips while still leaving 4 leaves for every one removed. During flowering keeping flowering growth tips exposed is essential.

[Puglover1]

Very nice. Hey, I think you dated the post above this one into the future.

[BU2B]

Fixed. Thank you!
Fixing it was easier than learning the lyrics to “Let’s do the time- warp again” 😂

[BU2B]

Update 22: 9.7.21
The great folding and canopy leveling process has begun. I generally only keep the canopy level after all plant structure training is complete.

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[BU2B]

Update 22b: 9.8.21 Week 6 Day 1

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[Smoklahoma]

When you say folding, are you bending and tying them down? I have several branches Im trying to figure out what to do with.

10 days left before the flip

[BU2B]

Wow! Very nice! You have 10 days till bloom - I'm at 21 days. To answer your question; yes, I do fold them out and/or tie them down. Once the girls reach flowering I let them have their way and usually remove all training wire and then re-tie her as she flowers so that she is opened up with light getting to all flowering growth tips. I do a big defoliation again during transition to bloom and then no more defoliation except for the one last major defoliation at week 3 and then just individual leaves that are covering flowering tips or blocking buds. I have multiple reasons for doing a transition to bloom not the least of which is that your plant is undergoing two huge stressful events at the same time; darkness and a major defoliation. A transition to bloom period allows your girls some time to adjust to darkness, create it's first flowers and a chance to bounce back from the big defoliation with minimal stress.