Hawk's Granddaddy Purple & THC Bomb Grow Journal - 2023

6/13/23 - Today is 7 weeks since I started germination. They’re in 1 gallon fabric grow pots. They’re both outside 24/7. Watering with rain water. Both are still extremely small for their age. They’ve only received GeoFlora Veg for 1.5 doses. They’ll get their next dose next week. Noticed a few leaves on the GDP have marks on them. Any idea what caused them and how to fix whatever issue it is? Should I just clip the leaves w. these spots? Also, at what point should I re-pot the bigger plant? Still debating between a 5, 7 or 10 gallon fabric grow pot. But they’re both so tiny that I’m thinking a 5 gallon should be more than enough. Also, are the numbers shown in the last two pictures within acceptable ranges? Any help / suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

6/14/23 - I’ve had quite a few comments suggesting that the soil itself could be better. So, I just purchased some Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil and Perlite. Thoughts about transplanting both plants into whatever size gallon pots the 1.5 cubic foot bag of FFOF (+ perlite) will fill? Not sure what size pots would work - either two 7 gallons or a 5 and 7 gallon pot. Would transplant asap.

6/19/23 - Decided to transplant the GDP from the 1 gallon fabric grow pot to a 7 gallon fabric grow pot. Mixed some perlite into the Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil and misted the soil. Then layered the soil and perlite til the 7 gallon was filled. Had a lot left, so instead of transplanting the small THC Bomb into a 5 gallon pot, decided to do another 7 gallon pot. Still had enough FFOF soil to refill the two 1 gallon pots. Amazed at the difference between the FFOF soil and the normal potting soil. Night and day difference in quality! Gave both plants a full dose of GeoFlora nutrients. Watered the two plants with rainwater. And within 1.5 hours, it started to pour with rain. I’m hoping the thorough soaking will help them out.

The GDP still has issues w. coloration of the bottom leaves. What to do to fix this issue? Should the problem leaves be clipped or let alone?

Since I still have two 1 gallon pots with the good soil, I decided to start up with two more Granddaddy Purples. Started germinating two more seeds in a shot glass of distilled water. Put them in a dark cupboard and will check daily for the taproot. Hopefully, this 2nd attempt will go much more smoothly than the 1st attempt. Think that I’ll plant them directly into the 1 gallon pots outside and see how it goes.

Pictures taken after the rain - that's why the plant leaves are wet.

As always, any tips, suggestions, comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

6/24/23 - Placed tin foil over the 7 gallon pots to try to keep all the rain off. The GeoFlora seems to be helping – both plants look bushier. The GDP still has issues w. the lower leaves.

7/12/23 - Returned from 9 days out of town. Grow #1 is doing great. Much larger than when I left. It's been brutally hot here in N. VA, but they seem to have thrived while I was gone.

What is the next step here (besides patience)? Low Stress Training? Fim?

As always, any help / advice is greatly appreciated!

7/20/23 - looked more closely at my two plants today and noticed a couple problem leaves. I've been advised that it's probably from thrips or mites. Need to find some Neem Oil or other spray to deal with this.

7/22/23 - Sprayed the two plants down w. Captain Jack’s Dead Bugs spray. Both sides of the leaves. From everything I’ve read, Capt Jack should really do the job. Not sure on when I'll need to reapply the spray (or if I'll even need to).

Should I be clipping off the damaged leaves (the ones with holes in them)?

7/24/23 – In an attempt at LST, I bent the stems down a bit. Haven’t tied any of them down. Should I?

Also, I’ve seen a lot of vids / articles on lollipopping. Should I trim any of the lower branches off? Which leads me to wonder if I can try using the cuttings to clone new plants. Or is this just crazy talk?

7/31/23 - This is week 14. Gave both plants their GeoFlora nutrients. Amazing that both plants are now the same size. A couple weeks ago, the THC Bomb was half the size of the GDP!

Looked closely at the leaves again. Not sure if there is additional leaf damage or if I’m just seeing the issues from a week or so ago. Regardless, I re-sprayed both plants w. Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew. Hopefully, I won’t need to use this spray again anytime soon.

No real questions this week. Just watering when needed and letting them soak in the sun.

8/2/23 - Leaves were droopy on both plants. Watered them and back to normal in a couple hours. Noticed that there were a couple yellowing leaves lower on the plant. Any idea what’s causing this and what I need to do to fix? OR should I just clip the yellow leaves?

8/3/23 - Looks like it’s going to POUR today, so placed a couple cardboard covers over the pots.

8/7/23 - Leaves on the GDP were looking very droopy. Checked water meter and surprised to see soil listed as Dry. Was going to water, but then started getting tornado warnings. Brought them into the garage.

Will water them tomorrow morning.

8/8/23 - Brought both plants outside again. Gave them a thorough watering. They’re looking pretty good – the GDP leaves are no longer drooping.

8/14/23 - As the day progressed, leaves started to droop. Water meter registered as Dry. Switching from GeoFlora Veg to GeoFlora Bloom today. I’m going to consider last week as Week #1 of Flower. Added 2/3 cup of Bloom to both plants and watered thoroughly.

Once again, noticed issues w. a few of the leaves. Any ideas on what the problems are this time? Definitely looks different than when I had thrips or mites a few weeks back.

8/15/23 - Any and all comments, advice, insight, suggestions, etc are greatly appreciated.

I'm very much a newbie trying to learn how to grow.

Thanks in advance!

8/17/23 - The water meter read at Dry again. Soil pH at 7. Will water tomorrow morning. Used the jeweler’s loup, but no luck seeing any insects on the bottom of the leaves. So, maybe it’s not thrips again? Wondering what the leaf issue is this time. Any ideas?

8/18/23 - 8/18/23 - Finally looks like I’m getting some bud development! Overjoyed and Amazed that I’ve kept these two alive this long! Watered them both. There were a few yellowing leaves on the bottom of both plants. Pruned these off.

8/24/23 - Even though it rained, the leaves are Very droopy. Checked soil meter and it listed as Dry! So much for the rain…Gave them both a really good watering. Hopefully, the leaves will be back to normal in a few hours. By end of day, the leaves looked fine again. Will have to start checking if they need watering every other day.

8/26/23 - Both looking good. The THC Bomb is now taller than the GDP! At one point the GDP was probably double the size of the Bomb! The top of the THC Bomb is full of buds. Really hoping I’ll be able to harvest something from both these plants!!

8/28/23 - Big drop in temps today. From mid 90s to high 70s. Fed them GeoFlora Bloom.