🌸 Lava Cake – Week 7 Flower (Harvest Special) 🌸 This week marks a major milestone in the Lava Cake journey: we harvested phenotype two, who had been affected by bud rot. Bud rot may have tried to take the best from us, but we didn’t allow it. Every infected part was carefully removed, and the remaining healthy plant was harvested and is now drying as a whole plant under controlled conditions. ⸻ 🙏 Apologies & Context We know this is technically a flower week update, but due to the new updates on Grow Diaries and the desire to share photos, videos, and the story of this harvest so we’re combining the harvest with the flower week report. We apologize for any confusion — this is the only way to fully document and expose all that’s happening, and to make sure the lessons, successes, and challenges are visible for everyone following along. The next report will be the official “Harvest Report”, covering: • Drying & trimming process • Curing updates • Smoke review ⸻ 🌿 Quick Recap – From Seed to Here • Germination: Smooth in the Cannakan with Aptus Regulator & Start Booster, 3 seeds, 2 kept. • Vegetative Stage: Robust growth under Black Series 600 LED and later ThinkGrow & Lumatek LEDs. Root development and early structure supported with Aptus super soil and micro/macro mixes. • Transplant: Into 11L fabric pots, carefully monitored environment, roots thriving. • Early Flower: Weeks 1–4 brought thick white hairs, dense colas, and heavy branching. Nutrient support included Aptus Regulator, CalMag Boost, Plagron boosters, and All-in-One Liquid. • Mid Flower & Challenges: Week 5–6 showed signs of bud rot. Lava Cake #2 needed early harvest; Lava Cake #1 continues to swell and thrive. Through all of this, the Lava Cakes proved their resilience and quality, showing that even under stress, their genetics shine beautifully. ⸻ 🌱 Week 7 – Harvest Details • Bud Rot Management: All infected material removed and disposed of immediately. • Harvest Technique: Whole plant harvested, inspected, and prepared for controlled drying. • Drying: Slow, careful drying in a separate, stable environment to preserve aroma, terpenes, and cannabinoids while minimizing risk. Even though bud rot forced an early cut, the flowers are still dense, fragrant, and high quality. Their resilience and beauty deserve celebration. ⸻ 🔬 Educational Notes • Bud rot prevention & learning: This week reinforces how crucial airflow, humidity management, and daily inspection are during dense flower stages. • Whole-plant drying: Allows moisture to equalize gradually between stems and buds, preserving terpenes and flavonoids while keeping the product safe. • Environmental awareness: Temperature spikes, stagnant airflow, or dense canopy zones can quickly create pockets for mold — constant monitoring is essential. ⸻ 🌟 Closing Thoughts Week 7 is about resilience, lessons, and triumph over challenges. The Lava Cakes showed their strength even under pressure but needed to be harvested early, so we did it, no fears this is the only way and the way to save the rest of the closet sharing girls We want to celebrate the journey, from seed to harvest, and thank everyone following along for learning and growing with us. The next report will focus entirely on drying, trimming, and tasting — the final step where we get to enjoy the fruits of all the care, attention, and love put into these girls. 📲 Don’t forget to Subscribe and follow me on Instagram and YouTube @DogDoctorOfficial for exclusive content, real-time updates, and behind-the-scenes magic. We’ve got so much more coming, including transplanting and all the amazing techniques that go along with it. You won’t want to miss it. • GrowDiaries Journal: https://growdiaries.com/grower/dogdoctorofficial • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogdoctorofficial/ • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dogdoctorofficial ⸻ Explore the Gear that Powers My Grow If you’re curious about the tech I’m using, check out these links: • Genetics, gear, nutrients, and more – Zamnesia: https://www.zamnesia.com/ • Environmental control & automation – TrolMaster: https://www.trolmaster.eu/ • Advanced LED lighting – Future of Grow: https://www.futureofgrow.com/ • Root and growth nutrition – Aptus Holland: https://aptus-holland.com/ • Nutrient systems & boosters – Plagron: https://plagron.com/en/ • Soil & substrate excellence – PRO-MIX BX: https://www.pthorticulture.com/en-us/products/pro-mix-bx-mycorrhizae • Curing and storage – Grove Bags: https://grovebags.com/ ⸻ We’ve got much more coming as we move through the grow cycles. Trust me, you won’t want to miss the next steps, let’s push the boundaries of indoor horticulture together! As always, this is shared for educational purposes, aiming to spread understanding and appreciation for this plant. Let’s celebrate it responsibly and continue to learn and grow together. With true love comes happiness. Always believe in yourself, and always do things expecting nothing and with an open heart. Be a giver, and the universe will give back in ways you could never imagine. 💚 Growers love to all 💚 P.S. – Heavy Fruits & Harvest Decision One of the key reasons we decided to harvest Lava Cake #1 this week was how heavy the colas had become. The flowers were so dense and weighty that some branches were starting to bend, snap, and strain under the load. While this is a testament to the plant’s vigor and genetics, it also increased the risk of further bud rot and damage, making an early, careful harvest the safest and most sensible choice. Even under pressure, these girls delivered impressive structure, weight, and resin coverage, proving their strength and quality until the very last moment. Thank you all for being here with me, see you all on the next report, Growers Love to All and never stop believing 🙏🙏🙏