Feeding, training, defoliation, lifecycle stages, daily plant care
97 terms
The planting density strategy used for the current greenhouse run — 50 seed-started plants per bed to create a pheno hunt within each bed while maintaining manageable height with a shorter veg time.
Dakota explains switching back to 50 plants per bed from 30 per bed (previous run) to reduce veg time and pack the bed efficiently. He plans early topping and scrog application to control final height.
ep 005
A cannabis variety that transitions from vegetative growth to flowering based on age rather than photoperiod, typically finishing in 70–90 days from seed.
Mr. Q brings Auto Kong #4 from Paradise Seeds as a show-and-tell. He notes 170g+ dry yield, 17% THC, 4% terpenes, and white ash burn quality, saying it is one of the few autoflowers he is excited about. Dakota and Q both note they are generally less enthusiastic about autoflowers.
ep 001, ep 004
Cannabis plants that flower automatically based on age rather than light cycle changes, typically completing their lifecycle faster than photoperiod strains.
Dakota grew a greenhouse batch of 50 Emerald Fire OG autoflowers from The Humble Seed Company. He expressed surprise at the quality achieved and noted it had been a long time since he ran autos. Plans include fresh-frozen hash extraction from the auto harvest.
ep 003
A grow project and video series run by Home Grow TV in which multiple strains from different breeders are grown head-to-head in the same environment and compared at harvest via photography, videography, and terpene evaluation.
Dakota references this as the central project of the episode, noting they grew many phenos from every Battle of the Breeders entry. A full seed-to-harvest episode was teased. Discord community members were also tracking weekly comparisons.
ep 003
A dedicated cannabis seed germination container system designed to maintain optimal humidity and temperature for rapid, high-success-rate germination.
Dakota states they have been using Canak Cans for a year and calls them a favourite for seeing 'fuzzy tap roots'. They are used for the 400+ seed germination pop across all genetics going into the greenhouse.
ep 004
The uppermost layer of plant growth in a grow space, consisting of the tops of the colas and main bud sites. An even canopy maximizes light distribution and yield uniformity.
Dakota and Mr. Q discussed evening out the CO2 room canopy through selective topping of taller plants. In the greenhouse, the defoliation work was partly aimed at reducing the canopy density so sunlight could penetrate to lower bud sites.
ep 001, ep 002
A sesquiterpene commonly found in cannabis and other plants such as black pepper and cloves, associated with spicy, woody, and peppery aromas. It is also the only terpene known to interact with the endocannabinoid system as a CB2 receptor agonist.
Listed by Dakota as one of the primary terpenes in GG4 when referencing The Higher Book (referred to phonetically as 'kopine'). Also listed as a terpene in the Sunset Sherbet profile.
ep 002
A genetically identical cutting taken from a mother plant and rooted to produce a new plant that exactly replicates the mother's genetics.
The CO2 room was loaded with clones that Mr. Q had cut at his place. They were struggling post-transplant due to overwatering. The greenhouse also received clones of Granny Candy from Nat's Farm in Humboldt for the greenhouse beds.
ep 001
A vegetative cutting taken from a mother plant and rooted to produce a genetically identical copy, allowing preservation of a selected phenotype.
Mr. Q delivers 200 rooted clones to the farm including the Watermelon Emoji #22 (Copat Genetics), Lal Bomba (Compound Genetics), and Black Hole (Square One Genetics). Cloning is ongoing throughout the Shwale/Ridgeline hunt. The team also uses Organic plug trays for cloning. Clone health is noted as tied directly to room VPD and heat management.
ep 004
A grow cycle using rooted cuttings (clones) taken from known phenotype winners rather than seeds, allowing exact genetic replication and performance comparison across different growing conditions.
Dakota considers running a clone run of CO2 room winners (Bloogatti 5, 4, Kaleidozoap 4, 6) in the Autopot tent rooms without CO2 to directly compare performance. Also considers clones for the next CO2 Autopot run.
ep 005
A hormone-based rooting compound in gel form applied to the cut end of a stem cutting (clone) to stimulate root development and improve cloning success rates.
Dakota reports 100% clone success rates after switching to Athena's cloning gel. He credits both the gel and Athena's SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) documented in their handbook.
ep 002
A fibrous growing medium derived from coconut husks, used as a soilless substrate in hydroponic and semi-hydroponic systems. Inert, pH-neutral, and known for excellent water retention and air porosity.
The CO2 room uses pure coco in 2-gallon pots, pre-fed at pH 5.5–5.8 and EC 3.5. The greenhouse raised beds incorporate 300 kg of coco fiber per bed mixed with trucked natural soil and amendments. Dakota also uses a light mix of coco with 10% worm castings for seedling germination trays.
ep 004, ep 005
A growing medium made from coconut husk fibers, used as an inert substrate that requires full nutrient supplementation. Typically run at a lower pH (5.5–6.0) than soil.
Both the CO2 room and the AutoPot setups were running 100% coco. Dakota noted pH inputs of 5.6–5.8 are used in this medium. The AutoPot mistake arose from using 100% coco without an aeration amendment, which AutoPot's guidelines advise against.
ep 001
The main flowering cluster or 'bud' produced by a cannabis plant, particularly the large dense clusters at the top of main branches or the central stem.
Dakota describes 'non-stop towers of leaning colas everywhere' at day 67 flower, noting the plants were falling against the tent walls. He credits the EVO3 and 2×4 setup for doing the plants 'justice.'
ep 002
A terpene expression reminiscent of traditional Colombian landrace or local genetics, characterized by sweet tropical fruit notes.
Paco described the Battle Royale pheno as smelling 'like a fruta, it's a Colombian Suite I love that.' This was his favorite plant from the whole run.
ep 003
A continuous propagation workflow where mother plants provide regular clone cuts that are rooted and staged in sequence, maintaining a perpetual supply of clones for successive grow cycles.
Dakota describes the vision for the new mother greenhouse: 'that first conveyor belt style of moms to clones to greenhouse or whether it's going into the indoor.' The goal is the ability to fill two full outdoor beds with clones.
ep 005
A cannabis seed company/breeder that produced the Battle Royale strain used in the grow.
Dakota described Battle Royale as 'one of our random throw-ins from copycat genetics' — it ended up being Paco's favorite plant from the entire shoot due to its Colombian fruit terpene profile.
ep 003
Plants grown on the surface of a bed between or alongside the main crop to protect soil, fix nitrogen, suppress weeds, retain moisture, and feed soil biology when cut and incorporated.
Most greenhouse beds use BuildASoil cover crop mix; one bed uses a cheaper Amazon-sourced mix as a comparison test. Before transplant, cover crop is cut and laid down as a mulch layer to provide moisture retention and nitrogen. Dakota notes visible mushrooms growing alongside it.
ep 005
A terpene expression with rich, creamy, doughy, and dessert-like notes, commonly associated with Biscotti and related cookie-type genetics.
Dakota performed a field terpene check on the outdoor Banana Biscotti: 'definitely eating more on that creamy kind of biscotti end — banana biscotti dude definitely biscotti leaning which is nice... creamy side cakey dessert.'
ep 003
An advanced cultivation methodology that uses precise manipulation of irrigation timing, EC, temperature, and VPD to direct a plant's physiological resources toward either vegetative growth or flower/fruit production.
Mentioned by Dakota as one of the key topics covered in the Athena handbook. He describes it as part of his reason for switching to Athena—to learn more advanced techniques and dive deeper into the science of nutrition.
ep 002
A cultivation milestone marking 66 days since the photoperiod was flipped to 12/12, used as a harvest reference point and for comparing maturity across phenotypes.
Nearly all cultivars in both the CO2 room and the tent rooms were harvested or assessed at day 66 flower. Some Blood Moon Gelato phenos were noted as already past peak at 66 days, while others (pheno #2) still needed more time — estimated at 75 days total.
ep 005
The selective removal of fan leaves and lateral branches to improve light penetration into the canopy, increase airflow, and redirect plant energy to productive bud sites.
Heavy defoliation was performed at the greenhouse on day 21 of flower across multiple beds. Mr. Q commented that in a greenhouse with 90%+ nighttime humidity it is 'definitely worth the work' to go aggressive on defoliation to prevent mold and maximize light penetration. The before-and-after difference was described as being able to see 'all the way through the beds.'
ep 001
The removal of fan leaves from cannabis plants to improve light penetration to lower bud sites and increase airflow through the canopy.
By day 3 of flower in the CO2 room, Dakota begins removing large fan leaves from the bottom canopy to improve airflow. He also strips the top 4–5 fan leaves from taller plants in the veg tent (instead of topping) to promote lateral branching without stunting. Grower Brian is tasked with a full defoliation time lapse.
ep 004
A training technique using two horizontal SCROG nets stacked at different heights above the canopy to provide additional support for heavy flowering branches and maximize bud site distribution over a larger vertical space.
Dakota mentioned considering a double-layer SCROG for the CO2 room on this run, contrasting with the single-net approach used previously. He described this as 'totally different plans from the last time.'
ep 001
A substrate management technique where the growing medium is allowed to dry to a specific moisture percentage before the next irrigation event, used to steer plant growth between vegetative (wet) and generative (dry) states.
Dakota targets a 30–35% dry-back in the coco before restarting the irrigation cycle. The Pulse dashboard monitors VWC sensors and triggers the Open Sprinkler when the dry-back threshold is reached. He notes it was a steep learning curve to dial in the timing.
ep 002, ep 004, ep 005
The deliberate period between waterings in which the growing medium is allowed to partially dry out. This encourages roots to expand in search of water and prevents overwatering.
Dakota described performing a 'mini dryback' by cutting watering for one day in the CO2 room after identifying overwatering as the likely cause of claw and deficiency symptoms. Mr. Q recommended extending the dryback and then hand-watering lightly for 2–3 days before resuming automated irrigation.
ep 001
A region in Northern California comprising Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties, historically the largest cannabis-producing region in the United States and home to many legacy and craft cannabis farms.
Dakota spent three weeks in California during the month away, including time throughout the Emerald Triangle on a phenotype/genetics hunting trip. He mentioned bringing back 'some really cool beans' from the region for potential future grows.
ep 002, ep 003
Excessive upward stem elongation in plants caused by insufficient light intensity, resulting in tall, weak internodes that are harder to train and support.
Some greenhouse plants show excessive stretch in the first week after transplant due to cloudy, rainy afternoons limiting sunlight. Dakota notes: 'They all seem very similar in height so far in this bed' as a positive sign for the more uniform beds.
ep 005
The practice of running autoflowering plants during the same period as a photoperiod indoor grow cycle to maximize facility use and produce an additional yield without extending the primary cycle.
Dakota saw the autoflower run as proof of concept: 'to be able to turn something like this around in between cycles you know get an extra harvest in and if it did produce like a decent amount in fresh frozen that would be really cool.'
ep 003
The first filial generation produced by crossing two distinct parent strains or phenotypes, resulting in offspring that may express hybrid vigor and a blend of parental traits.
Dakota's homemade greenhouse crosses (BOP x Jedi Juice, Lance x BOP, Emoji x BOP, Ridge Lion x BOP) are all F1s. He explains his goal: 'to find something kind of balanced between both or aspects from one and flavors from the other.'
ep 005
Seeds produced by crossing two individuals of the same F1 generation, resulting in increased phenotypic diversity compared to the parent F1 cross.
Dakota mentions popping a Zpie F2 from Raw Genetics' limited box kit (100 released). F2s are referenced in the context of running testers to explore expression range within the genetic line.
ep 004
Cannabis seeds that have been bred to produce only female plants, eliminating the need to identify and remove male plants. Dutch Passion is credited as the original inventors of feminized seed technology.
Dakota notes Dutch Passion invented feminized seeds in 1997. This is presented as a key part of Dutch Passion's legacy and reputation.
ep 002
A breeding or selection process in which female plants are stressed or treated (e.g., with colloidal silver) to produce pollen for self-pollination or crossing, allowing the breeder to test which phenotypes carry the best genetics for further development.
Mr. Q referenced an ongoing fem side test on the CO2 room genetics to identify the best phenotypes among the crosses before committing to using them in future breeding projects. Dakota emphasized needing to get the plants healthy first to see the 'true winner.'
ep 001
A physical notebook used during phenotype selection to record observations, scores, and notes on individual plants grown from seed, enabling systematic comparison and selection.
Dakota is seen holding 'our trusty feno hunting book' at 2:10 before heading inside to select favorites for studio photography.
ep 003
A proposed expansion of outdoor cannabis cultivation beyond container patio tests into larger in-ground or open field growing, eliminating greenhouse infrastructure entirely.
Inspired by the outdoor patio results, Dakota considered whether 'there's potential here in Colombia to grow bud outdoors with no greenhouse whatsoever... does that mean we test in the field as well?'
ep 003
The rapid vertical growth most cannabis cultivars undergo in the first 2–3 weeks after switching to a 12/12 light cycle, driven by a surge of gibberellin hormones in response to the change in photoperiod.
Dakota mentions observing stretch at day 11 flower as an exciting early-flower indicator: 'I love this phase because you're starting to see the stretch, the growth, the little buds forming.'
ep 002
The process of placing a selected plant (or clone) into a 12/12 light cycle to observe its flowering traits including structure, terpene profile, density, and finish time.
Dakota mentions sending top males to a separate location to flower out and evaluate bud structure as a further selection step after the vegetative male hunt. Selected female phenotypes are also described as moving into 'first flower tests.'
ep 004
The application of a diluted nutrient or amendment solution directly onto plant leaves, allowing for rapid absorption through stomata, useful when root uptake is compromised.
Mr. Q recommended applying a silica foliar spray while the CO2 room coco was drying out, allowing the plants to receive some supplementation without further saturating the root zone. Dakota agreed it was a 'great idea.'
ep 001
The process by which a seed sprouts and begins developing into a seedling, requiring moisture, warmth, and darkness.
The episode showed seedlings 12 days post-germination from the batch introduced in the previous episode. Mr. Q noted the seedlings looked healthy and were already ready for transplant at 12 days.
ep 001
A high-potency hybrid cannabis strain formerly known as Gorilla Glue, bred by Dan Peabody (aka Josie Grizz Wales) by crossing Sour Dub × Chem's Sister, then crossing to Chocolate Diesel. Known for extreme resin production and earthy, gassy, diesel terpenes.
Dakota references 'The Higher Book' page 118 for the full write-up. GG4 is noted as one of the most copied and faked strains of the last decade and was indigenous to Nevada. Dan Peabody passed away in 2020.
ep 002
Manually applying water and nutrient solution directly to the substrate using a watering can or similar tool, as opposed to an automated drip or flood-and-drain system.
Dakota reverted to hand watering for 2–3 days in the CO2 room on Mr. Q's recommendation while performing the dryback, before resuming automated irrigation. He also hand-watered the AutoPot tents for the first 10–14 days post-transplant as per AutoPot guidelines before activating the automated system.
ep 001
Breeder-made hybrid seeds created by crossing two existing cultivars in-house rather than purchasing commercially bred seeds.
Dakota mentioned cataloging 'some of the homemade crosses as well today' including crosses involving the Emoji and Dawn Magan Gorilla Candy. These were part of the studio shoot alongside commercial genetics.
ep 003
A monocyclic sesquiterpene also found in hops, associated with earthy, woody, and spicy aromas. May have anti-inflammatory properties.
Listed by Dakota as a terpene present in both GG4 and Sunset Sherbet profiles as referenced from The Higher Book.
ep 002
The distance between nodes (bud sites) along the main stem. Tight internodal spacing typically correlates with larger, denser buds stacked closely together; wider spacing can result in buds that are further apart.
Dakota discusses internodal spacing at day 11 flower as an early indicator of final bud size. He notes the Kerosene Krash spacing was looking 'good, tight' and anticipated it would produce big buds. By week 4 he describes bud-on-bud-on-bud stacking.
ep 002
The distance between successive nodes (the points on a stem where leaves and branches emerge). Tight internode spacing indicates compact, dense bud structure; wide spacing suggests stretchy, open growth.
Mr. Q measured 10 inches of stem containing 8 nodes on the Grape Graffiti, calling it 'exaggerated' in its density. He also explained that higher silica doses can reduce internodal spacing. In the CO2 room on the previous run, CO2 from seedling caused very wide nodal spacing, which informed the decision to delay CO2 introduction this run.
ep 001
The distance between node sets on a cannabis stem; tighter internode spacing ('stacking') is generally preferred for denser bud development and compact structure.
During the male pheno hunt, Dakota and Santi specifically assess internode spacing. Dakota notes some males from Shwale show very long internode distances (stretchy) while others are nicely stacked. A well-stacked male is selected as a top keeper.
ep 004
A comprehensive pest and disease management approach that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods to minimize pest damage while reducing risks to human health and the environment.
Dakota referenced using the Athena IPM/IPW product throughout the cycle and credited it with the clean, mold-free result at harvest: 'that IPM IPW for those International Athena users it's proved itself to be really good dude.'
ep 002, ep 003
A feminized cannabis cultivar produced by Dutch Passion, created by crossing Gorilla Glue #4 with a male Sherbet. Described by Dutch Passion as the most pungent and most powerful strain in their collection.
Dakota describes it as Dutch Passion's most expensive genetic. He set out to mythbust whether it was worth the price and came away impressed, noting the GG4 terpene dominance with sherbet-like resin structure. Available worldwide on Seedsman.
ep 002
A cyclic monoterpene associated with citrus, lemon, and orange aromas. Often associated with uplifting, mood-elevating effects.
Listed by Dakota as a terpene in GG4 from The Higher Book (referred to as 'limine'). Also listed as a terpene in Sunset Sherbet.
ep 002
A monoterpene alcohol associated with floral, lavender-like aromas. Often associated with calming and anti-anxiety effects.
Listed by Dakota as a terpene in the Sunset Sherbet profile from The Higher Book (referred to phonetically as 'lenol').
ep 002
A defoliation technique in which all lower branches and leaves that receive little to no light are removed, concentrating the plant's energy on upper canopy bud sites and improving airflow at the base.
The main physical work session of the episode at the greenhouse (day 21 flower) involved Mr. Q, Dakota, and the grow bro lollipopping and defoliating approximately 250 plants. Mr. Q advised working from the bottom up: identify and remove lower branches not reaching the top first, before trimming upper foliage.
ep 001
The primary, central flower cluster at the top of a cannabis plant, typically the largest and most developed bud site.
Dakota described the outdoor Smackdown's main cola as 'just a bunch of buds look at this thing dude I'm blown away right now,' noting it was airy enough to avoid mold while stacking densely.
ep 003
Evaluating male cannabis plants for desirable breeding traits such as stem structure, internode spacing, vigor, disease resistance, and terpene expression before selecting which to keep for pollination.
Dakota and Santi walk through dozens of males from Shwale and Ridgeline genetics, narrowing down to 2–3 keepers per genetic line. Selection criteria include stacking, stem strength, leaf structure, and smell. The goal is segregating top males for further flower testing at a separate location.
ep 004
A small compressed peat or foam propagation medium used to root cuttings or germinate seeds, providing a contained rooting environment.
Dakota notes that clones in his standard micro plugs all dried out and died when the heat pads were turned up too high, whereas the larger plugs from Grower's House survived due to greater moisture retention. He tests Oragnic plug trays (used normally for clones) as a germination medium comparison.
ep 004
A female cannabis plant kept in vegetative growth indefinitely to provide a continuous supply of cuttings for cloning.
All the Ridgeline and Shwale pheno hunt plants are maintained as mother plants for cloning between the office/propagation area and the shaded outdoor clone area. Dakota notes each numbered plant in the spreadsheet and records clone counts per mother.
ep 004
A dedicated growing space where selected phenotype winner plants are kept in continuous vegetative growth, providing a permanent genetic bank from which clones can be taken at scale.
A brand new hybrid bamboo-metal greenhouse has been converted into a mother and preservation space at the farm. Currently houses CO2 room winners (Bloogatti, Kaleidozoap), tent winners (Blood Moon Gelato, Mellowz), and outdoor winners (Yolo Melon, Grapefruit Graffiti, La Bomba), as well as new Schwale genetics being sexed.
ep 005
The most abundant terpene found in cannabis, associated with earthy, musky, herbal aromas. Often associated with sedative, relaxing effects and may enhance THC absorption.
Listed by Dakota as a terpene in both GG4 and Sunset Sherbet profiles from The Higher Book (referred to phonetically as 'mercine').
ep 002
A terpene expression associated with OG Kush genetics, typically earthy, piney, with fuel or lemon undertones.
Dakota described the Emerald Fire OG autoflower terpenes as 'a very nice OG' after smelling the greenhouse buds.
ep 003
An aromatic profile associated with classic sativa-dominant Haze genetics, characterized by complex spicy, earthy, and sometimes citrus or floral notes.
Both Paco and Dakota discussed the Lilac Diesel having this profile: 'the Lilac diesel has this old school Haze that we all love oh my God amazing.' The large bud size was also highlighted.
ep 003
The practice of growing out multiple seeds from the same cultivar to identify the best-performing or most desirable individual phenotype, which can then be kept as a mother plant for cloning.
Dakota attended the Humboldt Seed Company Mega Pheno Hunt in the Emerald Triangle, describing it as seeing 10,000–20,000 plants across multiple farms. Mr. Q also references pheno hunting as the beauty of working with seeds rather than clones.
ep 002
A tracking document used during a phenotype hunt to record sex, structure, veg notes, nutrient response, clone count, and smell scores for each numbered plant.
Dakota and Santi reference an active Google Sheets or similar document tracking all numbered Shwale and Ridgeline plants. Each page covers a different genetic line with columns for sex confirmation, veg notes, clone count, and observations. Stars are added next to top males.
ep 004
The observable physical expression of a plant's genetics as influenced by its environment. Multiple plants of the same strain or cross can show distinct phenotypic variation in structure, color, terpene profile, and potency.
Dakota grows two phenos from the Kerosene Krash pack, noting one stretched tall and one remained short and bushy. Mr. Q adds that he previously grew the same genetic from clone and it was a different pheno—much more gassy—illustrating the variation possible even within a stable strain.
ep 001, ep 002
Growing multiple seeds of the same cultivar to identify individual plants (phenotypes) that express the most desirable combination of flavor, structure, yield, speed, and resistance.
Dakota conducts pheno hunts across virtually every cultivar in the episode — running 5–14 phenos of Blood Moon Gelato, 100 seeds of Marji's Magic, and 50 plants per bed in the greenhouse. He notes the goal is to find a mix of both parental traits in F1 crosses.
ep 005
The process of growing out multiple seeds from a genetic line to identify superior individual expressions based on structure, smell, vigor, and other traits.
Dakota describes conducting a large-scale hunt of regular seeds from Shwale and Ridgeline Farms, tracking results in a spreadsheet. Santi from Rosin Bogotá joins to assess males by stem rub and structural evaluation. Dakota notes the importance of recording feeder type, nutrient sensitivity, and veg notes throughout the hunt.
ep 004
The process of growing multiple plants from seed of the same strain to identify individuals with the most desirable traits — aromas, terpene profiles, bud structure, and appearance.
Dakota repeatedly uses the term 'feno' throughout the episode. The team maintained a dedicated phenotype hunting book/notebook and selected ~20+ favorites from the full run for studio photography.
ep 003
A grow trial comparing cannabis plants cultivated in containers/pots in an outdoor or greenhouse setting versus plants grown directly in the ground or raised beds.
Dakota referenced 'our first potted plants in the back versus the potted out outdoor plants' as part of the overall comparison, noting differences in production and timing.
ep 003
A predatory insect that naturally feeds on pest insects; finding one in the garden is considered a sign of a healthy, balanced outdoor ecosystem.
Dakota and crew discover a mantis on the Cheetah Piss plants in the outdoor pheno hunt area, noting it positively without concern. No pest pressure is reported despite the uncontrolled outdoor environment.
ep 004
The initial appearance of reproductive structures (pistils or pollen sacs) on a cannabis plant before it is intentionally flipped to a 12/12 light schedule, indicating sexual maturity.
Dakota observed preflowers forming on the Kaleidoscope in the CO2 room at veg day 20, which he described as a positive sign that the plant was recovering and progressing normally.
ep 001
The process of starting new plants from seeds or cuttings, typically in a dedicated environment with controlled humidity, low light, and high moisture to encourage germination and rooting.
Dakota referenced a dedicated 2x4 propagation setup and a separate 4x8 tent for the new batch of seeds. The propagation setup was tracked on the Pulse app as 'day 3 propagation' before being switched to 'veg day 0.'
ep 001
A clear plastic cover placed over cuttings or seedlings to maintain high humidity around the plant material until roots develop or seeds establish.
Dakota uses domes to protect clones from the low ambient humidity in the propagation room. Even with domes, he lost a batch of clones when heat pad temperatures were turned up too high in combination with the hot uninsulated roof environment, raising dome VPD to 1.5.
ep 004
A cannabis plant expression where anthocyanin pigments cause buds, leaves, or calyxes to display purple, violet, or dark hues, often triggered or intensified by cooler temperatures.
Multiple strains showed purple coloration: Nerds Rot Baby Yoda crosses were 'all purple,' the outdoor Smackdown had a purple pheno described as 'Frosty crazy purple buds,' and Banana Biscotti showed 'purple undercarriage.' Dakota also highlighted FX3 for its 'beautiful purple candy strawberry' coloring.
ep 003
Above-ground planting structures filled with a prepared soil mix, allowing large volumes of organic media to be cultivated in a controlled greenhouse environment.
Eight raised beds are constructed inside the greenhouse. Each bed holds approximately 2 tons of soil mixed with 300 kg of coco fiber and 100–250 kg of mycorrhizae and amendments. The beds are designed to hold approximately 60–65 plants each. One 'community bed' uses a traditional home mix for comparison.
ep 004
Cannabis seeds produced through natural cross-pollination that yield approximately 50% male and 50% female plants. Require sexing to identify females, but are valued by breeders for genetic stability and pollen production.
Dakota and Santi are running regular seeds from Shwale (Bop, Gua Papaya) and Ridgeline Farms genetics to identify keeper females and quality males. Regular seeds provide more genetic diversity than feminized stock, which Dakota notes is observable on the Shwale side of the hunt.
ep 004, ep 005
The mass of roots and substrate that forms around the roots of a plant in a container, ideally retaining its shape when the plant is removed for transplanting.
During the second re-transplant, Dakota described carefully getting underneath the root ball with his hands and covering it temporarily with a plastic bag to minimize air exposure, keeping the root disturbance window to 3–5 minutes per plant.
ep 001
A deliberate technique where plants are left in small containers beyond the ideal transplant point to stress them and reveal how they respond to suboptimal conditions during pheno hunting.
Dakota credits this technique to Brad from Raw Genetics, learned on a podcast. Keeping pheno hunt plants in small cups reveals which plants are resilient under pressure and which show excessive sensitivity, acting as an additional selection filter before committing to large containers.
ep 004
The excess nutrient solution that drains out of the bottom of a container after irrigation, used as a metric to confirm full saturation and to check substrate EC/pH.
Dakota pre-saturates the coco before transplanting by targeting approximately 2% runoff relative to pot size. For 2-gallon pots that equates to ~150 ml runoff per pot, or 4.5 L total for both beds. He measures runoff volume over timed test runs to calibrate irrigation cycles.
ep 004
A low-stress training technique using a horizontal screen or net placed above the plants to catch and weave branches, creating a flat, even canopy that maximizes light exposure to all bud sites.
Mr. Q suggested adding a SCROG to the CO2 room for support during flowering, noting that without it, heavy flowers may need individual hanging lines. At the end of the episode, Dakota planned to install a SCROG net in the CO2 room within a day or two, and potentially a double-layer SCROG for better canopy control given the room's past uncontrolled growth.
ep 001, ep 002
Implied by references to canopy inspection; a screen of green or horizontal trellis net used to spread and support cannabis branches across an even canopy in a grow space.
Not explicitly discussed in technical detail but referenced contextually when Dakota looked 'up in the canopy' checking for PM, suggesting plants were trained or supported in a horizontal canopy format.
ep 003
A training technique using a horizontal net or screen to spread and hold plant branches in a flat, even canopy, maximizing light exposure to all bud sites and controlling plant height.
Dakota plans to apply scrogs early in the new greenhouse run to control plant height and aim for a harvest at or just above eye level, having found the previous run produced overly tall plants.
ep 005
A growing technique where many small plants are placed close together and flipped to flower early to create a dense, even canopy of bud sites.
Dakota mentions a 2×4 tent can be used to 'test six phenos in a sea of green' as one of several options he recommends for newer growers using that tent size.
ep 002
A germination technique where seeds are placed on moist cotton pads, sealed in a Ziploc bag with a few extra moisture sprays, and left in a dark, warm environment for 48–72 hours until the taproot emerges.
Dakota describes this as his preferred popping method. He compares it to the Canak germination kit, which uses similar logic but includes a built-in heat pad and labeled slots for up to eight seeds at once.
ep 002
A cannabis seed company/breeder that produced the Smackdown strain; described as breeding for extreme resilience and mold resistance.
Yaya from Seed Stalkers was quoted by Dakota: 'bro throw it outside throw rain on it throw Sun at it throw everything you can at it from the elements.' The Smackdown performed to that standard in the outdoor test.
ep 003
A comprehensive grow journal or video series tracking a cannabis plant from germination through to final harvest, used for educational or comparative purposes.
Dakota teased a 'full episode coming soon from seed to harvest' for the Battle of the Breeders project. Community members in the Discord were also tracking weekly comparisons.
ep 003
An international online seed bank offering a large catalogue of cannabis genetics from multiple breeders, with worldwide shipping.
Dakota calls Seedsman his go-to seed bank due to their massive selection and international shipping. Many of the 400+ seeds being popped came via Seedsman, including greenhouse strains from Greenhouse Seed Co. Dakota promotes the discount code 'HomeGrowTV' for 10% off.
ep 004
The process of identifying the biological sex of cannabis plants grown from regular seeds by inducing a short 12/12 light cycle and observing early pre-flower development.
New Schwale genetics (ZZ BOP, Marang) are placed under 12/12 light in the mother greenhouse to reveal sex. Dakota notes this only started a few days before filming, so sex was not yet clearly visible on most plants.
ep 005
Growing seedlings in small disposable plastic cups immediately after germination to give roots a confined space before transplanting to a larger container.
Dakota shows plants at day 28 still in Solo cups, noting that drying out almost daily is a clear sign it is time to transplant. Labels each cup with the phenotype name and number for tracking.
ep 002
A cannabis cultivar that has been sufficiently bred and selected so that offspring express consistent, predictable traits across multiple phenotypes and growing environments with relatively low variation.
Dakota uses the consistency of results across both Kerosene Krash phenotypes as evidence of stability. He says Dutch Passion 'did a lot of really good work stabilizing it' and notes he could find the same terpene profile again by simply popping another bean.
ep 002
Detailed, documented step-by-step instructions for repeatable cultivation processes such as cloning, feeding schedules, and IPM protocols, used to ensure consistent results.
Dakota credits Athena's SOPs in their handbook as a major factor in achieving 100% clone success rates. Describes the Athena handbook as 'packed with information' and as a key reason for choosing the brand.
ep 002
A technique used during pheno hunting where the grower rubs the stem of a plant between fingers to release and evaluate terpene aroma as an early indicator of likely flower quality.
Santi immediately goes for stem rubs upon arriving at the pheno hunt. Dakota confirms it as a standard early assessment technique alongside structural evaluation. Both agree that certain males with razor-blade leaf structure also tended to have stronger stem aroma.
ep 004
The diameter of a cannabis plant's main stem, used as a visual proxy for overall plant health, root development, and nutrient uptake capacity.
Dakota commented on the outdoor Smackdown: 'look at the size on this stem bro that's a little tree trunk right there gorgeous,' using it to underscore the plant's robust development.
ep 003
A hybrid cannabis cultivar bred by Mario Guzman (Mr. Shinski) by crossing a cut of Girl Scout Cookies with Pink Panties. Known for sweet berry, citrus, bubblegum, and earthy mint terpenes and an uplifting, focused high.
Referenced from 'The Higher Book' page 178. Dakota notes that Mr. Shinski is the creator of multiple famous strains beyond just Sunset Sherbet, and that they met him at a recent cannabis event.
ep 002
Aromatic organic compounds produced in cannabis trichomes that give each cultivar its distinctive smell and flavor profile, and may contribute to the overall effect profile.
Dakota and Mr. Q extensively discuss terpenes using both informal ('turps', 'stanks') and more structured language (spider chart categories). Dakota describes the Kerosene Krash as expressing GG4's earthy/woody/musky terpene profile rather than the Sherbet's fruitier side.
ep 002
The unique combination of aromatic and flavor compounds (terpenes) present in a cannabis cultivar, which determines its smell, taste, and contributes to its effects.
Terpene evaluation was central to phenotype selection throughout the episode. Notable profiles mentioned: Lilac Diesel — 'old school Haze'; Battle Royale — 'Colombian suite / fruta'; Banana Biscotti — 'creamy biscotti, cakey dessert'; Smackdown — 'light fruity with a little spice, bubblegum'; Emerald Fire OG auto — 'very nice OG.'
ep 003
A cannabis seed company that produced the Emerald Fire OG autoflower seeds used in the greenhouse autoflower run.
Dakota stated: 'these are all going to be going into the greenhouse 50 Emerald fires from The Humble Seed Company.' The Emerald Fire OG was assessed as a successful autoflower strain for the Colombia greenhouse environment.
ep 003
A method of propagating plants by growing cells or tissues in a sterile, nutrient-rich medium under controlled conditions. Used in cannabis to create disease-free, genetically uniform plants and preserve genetics.
Dakota briefly mentions tissue culture as something now available under the Athena brand umbrella, noting it as an added reason for switching and consolidating his cultivation products to one company.
ep 002
A high-stress training technique where the apical (main) growing tip of a plant is cut, forcing the plant to redirect growth energy into two or more lateral branches, creating a bushier structure.
Mr. Q advised against topping the stressed CO2 room plants while they were still recovering, saying not to 'apply extra stress.' By the end of the episode (veg day 20), Dakota proceeded to top the taller plants like Mr. Stinky to even out the canopy before installing the SCROG net, while leaving the shorter Mac 10s untopped.
ep 001, ep 002, ep 004, ep 005
A visual indicator that a plant is ready to move from a smaller container to a larger one; the primary indicator is the plant drying out its growing medium almost daily.
Dakota explicitly names this sign at day 28, saying 'when your plants get to the phase like this where they're drying out almost daily, this is most certainly one of the signs that it is time to transplant.'
ep 002