Battle of Systems: Chocolate Wafflez

Sejanus21 Chocolate Wafflez is the last on my list for this summer. I do not really know why, but the seedling phase was very hard, expecially for the older seedling. I used rockwool and my usual mini-greenhouse, but the seedling did not grow. Instead there was developping algae, although I did not use any organic fertilizer. Anyway, I finally decided to grow the older one organically and transplanted it into a 1l Airpot with Biobizz Lightmix; it finally started to grow; in two weeks I will hopefully be able to transplant her into her final home, a 12.5l Airpot. The younger one got transplanted in a Lechuza Classico Color LS 28 (7l and 2l reservoir), which will work as a hydro-system once the roots reach the reservoir. It will be interesting to see the growth and results of these two very different setups.

Sejanus21 What a pleasant surprise: The older seedling (in the Airpot), which barely survived, has a mutation: she has two main stems (like natural topping :-). Both are growing nicely, so I am quite sure that they will make it.

Sejanus21 The older girl with the natural topping will be transplanted into her final pot tomorrow. The younger one is also thriving in her Lechuza LS 28 pot. The first roots are visible at the bottom so I will be able to switch to hydro in a few days. This will be an interesting battle between two totally different systems and fertilizer schemes.

Sejanus21 Both of my ladies are thriving in the greenhouse under ideal conditions. I topped the "normal" one, and she has taken it with grace; she is 24cm tall. The race will be close ...

Sejanus21 Both girls are growing explosively. Team Airpot (60cm, day 65) has already filled the whole pot with roots, while Team Lechuza (40cm, day 48) has recovered quickly from being topped. Yesterday, I started to give Team Airpot a little Alga Grow. Probably, that is not necessary, but you you always want to treat your ladies well :-)

Sejanus21 # Weekly Update - Chocolate Wafflez Grow Experiment **Period: July 13-20, 2025** ## Team Earth (Airpot System) - Natural Topping Genetics - **Explosive growth** despite minimal feeding (only one Alga Grow application) - **Multicote 6M + Bio Universal pre-fertilization** proving more than sufficient - **Natural topping advantage** clearly visible - genetic dual main stems developing perfectly - **Outdoor exposure** caused wind damage but increased resilience - **Thrips infestation** detected - treated with 1:100 Neem oil spray (evening application) - **SF nematodes** planned for soil application (thrips larvae + fungus gnat prevention) ## Team Lechuza (Pon System) - Manual Topped - **Remarkable recovery** from topping stress (July 3rd) - **Two new main stems** developing symmetrically from topping site - **Optimal parameters:** EC 1.3, pH 6.0 (lower than projected 2.0+ EC) - **Pon system efficiency** compensating for 17-day age disadvantage - **Protected greenhouse environment** - no pest issues - **Consistent reservoir management** maintaining stable conditions ## Key Insights This Week - **Minimal feeding strategy successful** - both systems thriving with reduced nutrients - **Age gap becoming apparent** but proportional development impressive for younger plant - **EC calculations were too conservative** - real-world values much lower than theory - **Integrated pest management** implemented: Neem oil (foliar) + SF nematodes (soil) - **"Less is more" philosophy** confirmed - restraint in watering/feeding paying off ## Current Status Both plants ready for **intensive vegetative growth phase** - natural photoperiod flowering expected **end of July/early August** in NRW climate. **Bio-Mineral Hybrid vs. Pure Mineral Hydroponics battle intensifies!** 🌱⚔️ --- *Experiment continues: Natural genetics vs. manual techniques, organic-mineral hybrid vs. pure hydroponics*

Sejanus21 Weekly Update - Chocolate Wafflez Grow Experiment **Period: July 20-27, 2025** ## Team Earth (Airpot System) - Natural Topping Genetics - **Impressive vertical growth:** 75cm → 94cm (**+19cm in 7 days!**) - **Feeding strategy:** Only pH-corrected groundwater + 0.5ml/L Fulvital Plus or rainwater - **Multicote 6M sustained release** still providing excellent baseline nutrition - **Natural topping structure** developing beautifully - dual main stems clearly dominant - **Outdoor vigor** visible in robust branching and leaf development - **No additional fertilizer needed** - proving less-is-more philosophy ## Team Lechuza (Pon System) - Manual Topped - **Strong recovery growth:** 59cm → 78cm (**+19cm in 7 days - same rate as Team Earth!**) - **Feeding strategy:** pH-corrected groundwater + 0.6g/L Hakaphos Green + 0.3g/L Calcinit + 0.5ml/L Fulvital Plus - **Pon system efficiency** compensating for smaller root volume brilliantly - **Manual topping success** - two main stems developing symmetrically - **Protected greenhouse environment** showing in pristine leaf condition - **17-day age disadvantage** becoming irrelevant - growth rates now equal! ## Environmental Conditions - **Location:** Protected greenhouse environment - **Temperature range:** 15-29°C (optimal for vegetative growth) - **Relative humidity:** Average 83% (excellent for vigorous development) - **Lighting:** Natural daylight + SF-1000 LED supplement ## Key Insights This Week - **Growth rate equalization:** Both systems achieving identical **19cm weekly growth** - **Feeding minimalism confirmed:** Team Earth thriving on water + trace Fulvital only - **Pon vs Soil efficiency:** 7L Pon matching 12.5L soil performance - **Age gap irrelevant:** Younger plant now matching older plant's growth rate - **Natural vs Manual topping:** Both strategies proving equally effective - **System maturity:** Both setups now running at optimal efficiency ## Current Status & Next Phase Both plants entering **pre-flowering preparation phase** with natural photoperiod transition expected within **1-2 weeks** (NRW latitude). **Stretch phase incoming** - this will be the decisive battle phase where final size differences will be determined! ## Growth Rate Analysis - **Team Earth:** 25% increase in height (excellent for mature system) - **Team Lechuza:** 32% increase in height (exceptional for younger/smaller system) - **Efficiency winner:** Lechuza showing superior growth per liter of medium **The battle intensifies as both systems hit their stride!** 🌱⚔️ --- *Experiment Status: Both systems performing optimally - natural flowering transition imminent*

Sejanus21 I was on holiday in the last two weeks. My neighbor did a tremendous job, watering the ladies with a simpliefied nutrition. The Airpot lady is still larger (124cm vs 107cm), but both look very vital. Flowering is imminent.

Sejanus21 # Post-Vacation Update - Chocolate Wafflez Battle 🌱⚔️ **Date: August 24, 2025** ## The Plants After Summer Break **Team Earth (Airpot System)** - 107 days old, 134cm tall **Team Lechuza (Pon System)** - 90 days old, 115cm tall ## Current Stats & Performance ### Team Earth - Natural Topping Champion - **Height:** 134cm (impressive natural structure) - **Feeding:** Minimal approach - groundwater + occasional 4ml/L Plagron Bloom - **Water consumption:** 2L/day - **Multicote 6M:** Still providing baseline nutrition after 4+ months - **Natural topping genetics:** Showing perfect dual main stem development ### Team Lechuza - Mineral Precision System - **Height:** 115cm (remarkable catch-up growth) - **Feeding:** Full mineral program (EC 1.8) - Hakaphos Red, Hakaphos Base 3, Calcinit, Haifa SOP, Fulvital Plus - **Water consumption:** 2L/day (empties reservoir daily!) - **Age disadvantage:** 17-day gap nearly eliminated through superior growth rate - **Pon efficiency:** Matching large-pot performance with just 7L medium ## Key Insights 🔥 **Equal water consumption (2L/day)** = identical metabolic activity 🔥 **Lechuza daily reservoir management** now essential 🔥 **Minimal vs intensive feeding** - both strategies working perfectly 🔥 **Pre-flower development** visible in both plants 🔥 **Size gap closing:** 19cm difference from 17-day age gap + system efficiency ## The Battle Status **Team Earth:** Leading in pure size but with minimal intervention **Team Lechuza:** Incredible efficiency and rapid catch-up growth Both plants entering **flowering transition** - the stretch phase will determine the final winner! **Organic-minimal vs Hydro-precision** - two completely different philosophies, both succeeding! *Next update: Flower initiation and stretch comparison*