Grow Diary Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple – Week #6 of Flower (Mid Flower)

Week six of flower marked a period of rapid structural change and increasing biomass for Granddaddy Purple. As bud weight increased, several large spires began leaning significantly, prompting the installation of a second horizontal support grid. In addition, select small and mid-sized branches required supplemental support using garden wire, securing them gently to the main stems to prevent sagging or mechanical stress. A limited number of large fan leaves were removed where they were directly contacting adjacent colas, primarily to reduce friction points and improve airflow within an increasingly dense canopy.

Calyx stacking and swelling continued steadily throughout the week, with the majority of pistils remaining white and extended, confirming that the plant is still firmly in mid-flower. Feeding remained consistent with mid-flower nutrition at a pH of 6.1 and an average solution strength near 900 ppm. Cal-Mag was provided at 5 ml per gallon, and silica was applied once weekly at 1 ml per gallon to support structural integrity. Overall nutrient uptake appears stable, with no signs of toxicity or acute deficiency.

At the end of week six, a digital microscope was used for the first formal trichome assessment. Sampling from multiple upper colas revealed approximately 35–40% clear trichomes, 55–60% cloudy, and little to no amber. This confirms that Granddaddy Purple remains solidly in mid-flower, with an estimated additional week before transitioning toward late-flower nutrient profiles.
Environmental management was challenged early in the week by unseasonably warm and humid conditions. Multiple mitigation strategies were deployed to control humidity and maintain stable vapor pressure deficit. A wind storm caused a power outage lasting roughly one hour during the middle of the light cycle, resulting in a brief temperature drop and RH spike. No condensation was observed on plant surfaces, tent walls, or flooring, and normal conditions were restored quickly once power returned.

Some early signs of senescence appeared on a small number of upper fan leaves, presenting as localized yellowing and minor necrotic spotting. This is suspected to be related to a previously cool root zone during the humid period, combined with elevated potassium demand at this stage of flower. Root zone temperatures have since stabilized, and the condition does not appear to be spreading.

Resin production increased noticeably this week, with dense trichome coverage extending across sugar leaves and calyxes. Gland heads are well-formed and abundant, producing a distinctly tacky surface. Aromatically, Granddaddy Purple is expressing a rich blend of sweet grape and dark berry notes layered over a persistent skunk base (from neighboring "God's Gift"). The aroma has intensified enough to intermittently challenge carbon filtration during tent access, reflecting both terpene density and increasing flower mass. PPFD remains approximately 1050 at the tops, delivering a DLI near 45, with supplemental UVA maintained at 150 minutes per day.