Recovery and Late-Flower Pre-Harvest
Howdy Buds!
Back with an update! It’s been an exciting few weeks as I close in on harvest. Both the Northern Lights Auto and Hulkberry Auto from
@Royal Queen Seeds are progressing nicely, and I’ve learned a lot as they’ve reached the final stages of flowering. Here’s what’s been going on:
Northern Lights Auto - Week 9 of Flowering
This plant has been a solid performer from the start, and now it’s putting on the final touches.
• Buds: Dense, frosty, and sticky—everything you’d want in a Northern Lights. I’ve noticed something interesting: new growth on older buds, which I suspect is from correcting the pH and nutrient balance. It’s been a pleasant surprise.
• Trichomes: Mostly clear to cloudy, with no amber yet. I’m keeping a close eye on them daily, waiting for the right mix of cloudy and amber to pull the trigger.
• Leaves: Older fan leaves are fading fast, which is expected at this stage. There’s been some browning and spotting, likely from potassium or magnesium deficiencies earlier, but nothing alarming.
• Next Steps: This plant looks like it’s on track for harvest within the next 7–10 days, depending on trichome development. I’m aiming for a balanced effect with about 10–20% amber trichomes.
Hulkberry Auto - Week 8 of Flowering
This one was germinated a couple of weeks after the Northern Lights, and the Sativa-dominant genetics are really showing in its slower maturation.
• Buds: The colas are long and packed with trichomes. They’re swelling nicely, but they need a bit more time to fully ripen.
• Trichomes: Still mostly clear with some cloudy starting to appear. I’m guessing this plant will need at least another 1–2 weeks to hit its stride.
• Leaves: Similar to the Northern Lights, there’s yellowing on the lower fan leaves as the plant focuses its energy on bud production.
• Next Steps: Keep monitoring trichomes and maintain feeding for another week before starting the flush. I’ll wait for these buds to bulk up a bit more before thinking about harvest.
Adjustments and Observations
• Switching Nutrients: I transitioned from Growganica King Crustacean to Incredible Bulk based on the manufacturer’s guidance, and the results have been promising. Buds are swelling, and the plants seem happy.
• Trichome Monitoring: The loupe has been my best friend lately. It’s been fascinating to track how the trichomes change daily as the plants mature.
• New Growth: The Northern Lights threw me for a loop with its late-stage bud growth. I wasn’t expecting it to push out fresh pistils, but it’s been great to see how the plant has responded to the adjustments I’ve made.
• Environment: Temps are steady at 70–78°F with humidity at 40–50%. I’ve kept the airflow strong to avoid mold, especially with these dense colas.
Final Countdown
• Northern Lights: Should be ready to harvest within the next week or so, depending on when I see those amber trichomes.
• Hulkberry Auto: Needs a little more time, but I expect to start flushing soon and look toward harvest in about 10–14 days.
• Flush Prep: I’ll be starting the flush with pH-balanced water on both plants soon to ensure clean, flavorful buds.
It’s been an incredible learning experience watching these plants mature, especially with all the surprises along the way. I’m really happy with how things are shaping up, and I can’t wait to see how the final harvest turns out. Thanks for following along, and as always, I’m open to any advice or tips as I wrap up this grow.
Let me know what you think, Happy Growing! Peace
P.S.: After I completely screwed things up by using water from an untested source, everything turned yellow practically overnight. I quickly switched back to my original water and used Dakota Rev Organic Growth Stimulant to stabilize pH and revive the plants. It worked like a charm, and they bounced back beautifully! Lesson learned: don’t mess with a good thing.