Hey bud, I never joined over at riu but I lurked around and remember your posts there as always being helpful and respectful - glad you found your way over here and excited to see what you are growing!
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Appreciate your kind words. OG has been very welcoming, glad I joined.
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Looking good in there. Great job! 
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Day 21
Today’s the usual defoliation day, but of course, we hit a few bumps along the way. Murphy’s Law, right? If it can go wrong, it will. We had to chop down the Cap Junky cue sad music. After 19+ days of 12/12, she never started showing pistils, so she got sent to The Upper Room. We’ve got a schedule to keep, and time waits for no one.
Though it didn’t work out, I made sure to take plenty of notes from the experience. In fact, it sparked a trial for the next run of clones. There’s a lot to say, but at the end of the day, “shit happens.” Control what you can, and let nature do its thing. We’re not here to play God—just to guide and shepherd the process, working with nature rather than against it.
But in the chaos, two Phoenixes rise! The Chimera2 and Animal Face have stepped up, proving that sometimes, the backup shines brighter. A bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush, and I’m grateful for these thriving plants.
In the end, it’s about knowing your role. A shepherd doesn’t control the herd, they guide it, providing what’s needed and letting the rest unfold naturally. The plants don’t need to be forced—they need to be nurtured, watched, and allowed to grow at their own pace. Control is an illusion; patience, understanding, and observation—that’s where the real power lies.
Post Culling
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Just a quick update on the water automation. Just a floraflex bubbler and pump, very simple but man does she work. Very happy, already have ideas for v2. For now I’ll just be “manually” watering to work out any kinks, but its looking like 10 seconds on at lights on and 10seconds on at the 8th hour.
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Midweek Update
The Chimera2 is a frost boss and her flowers are all beautiful. They’ve filled in since getting more room. The irrigation upgrade is priceless. Stay tuned, its about to turn up!
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That new rig is gonna fit right into your style. Stop being so stingy with them bud pics…lol. That one there is a beauty. I’m sure ya got clones of that…lol
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Day 28
We begin week 4 with a prune and defoliation. The added water automation really put this grow on cruise. The water frequency will be a curve but i feel good where I’m at. Deciding on whether or not to add a second trellising. Lost alot of potential this round but we will have a harvest and learned some valuable lessons.
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Looks great. That one on the leat got kind ambitious. The canopy is ready to build bud. Nice job.
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Thanks. Yeah that Chimera2 has some legs. Not the canopy I was looking for but just reinforced the importance of training when possible. I’ll be happy to get this run in the books and move on.
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Hi my friend
Just got caught up on your thread
Great job
I’ll tag along for the show
Puff 
puff pass
Paps
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Thanks Paps, get comfortable the party just started!
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Day 42 of Flower
I’ve been a bit off track lately, as you’ll see from my hand journal below. Somehow, I lost a whole week—time really doesn’t care, does it? So, today officially kicks off our 6th week. Now, let’s get down to business. The Chimera2? Oh, she’s just showing off at this point. All that glitter and colorful pistils this early? Totally unnecessary—and honestly, a bit much. But hey, I’m here for it. I really love the way she’s building her flowers, and the current terpene profile is something else. It’s a mix of Skittles, orange Starburst-butter, and butterscotched Pixie Dust—so complex! I can totally understand why it’s earned the accolades it has. A keeper? Maybe for some, but not for everyone, especially with her viney growth and sporadic buds. I will say both of these backups have been somewhat neglected but will get their chance to shine as a monocrop.
Now, onto the newly dubbed Aye Eff (formerly known as Animal Face). This thick girl is stacking up nicely, and I just love her structure. She’s a bit behind the Chimera2 in terms of development and trichomes, but there’s something special about her. Her terps, while not as complex, have this rich, doughy, sweet funk—like premium boutique cookies that are never sold by the dozen. Her pistils even have this unique yellow tint. It’s clear why she took home the Emerald Cup in 2022.
I also installed a new timer for our water automation, which is pretty simple. It’s currently set to 10 seconds every 2 hours during lights-on. I’m still figuring out the best settings, but it’s already a huge upgrade over hand-watering. Perseverance has paid off, and we’re moving ahead full steam!
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Right on time at close to 50. Looking great in here.
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68 days max on the Chimera 2, but I have a feeling Aye Eff will want a solid 75–80 days. I’ll give her an extra week, but no more.
From now on, it’s monocrop clones only—no more mixed runs. I want to spend more intimate time with each strain.
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Day 50F / Week 7
Damn! Doesn’t it feel good to do dope shit?! This garden is thriving—feeling beyond blessed to be a part of it. I don’t consume, but this plant still finds a way to medicate my soul.
Chimera 2 is tremendous. Its vigor hasn’t let up, and as we approach harvest, it’s clear—this will be ready around day 60 to 63. Everything is frosty—not just sticky, but gooey! I gave a bud a squeeze and literally said, Ewwww! Strange, but I love it.
Aye Eff is really starting to stack up. I’m loving its structure and the way these buds are building. I want to take this one as far as it needs to go, so I’ll be setting up a dedicated drying tent. If I can push another month out of her, I will. Whatever she needs, we’re taking her there—because these plants deserve to be harvested at their absolute prime.
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Looking right on time at day 50. Prob fatten up a lot in the next few weeks. Loving the colors in the bud.
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Yeah I put my foot in this one. Getting back to my roots with Jack’s in the garden. Stack that with elite genetics, how can you not win. They are something to look at. I try my best with words and photos but its still limited on the magic really happening.
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