Grow report – Apple & Bananas

In this new grow report, we delve into the fascinating growing process of Apple & Bananas… A strain that, as her name suggests, promises an aromatic profile full of fruity nuances. This is one of the latest releases of our seed bank and is a commitment to innovation and quality, fusing unique flavours with a high yielding potential. Join us on this journey through the cultivation of one of the most dazzling jewels of the Kannabia catalogue!

Apple & Bananas is a robust and adaptable plant that’s ideal for both rookies and more experienced growers. With a genetic mix that combines the best of her parents – ([Platinum Cookies x GDP] x Blue Power) x Gelatti –, this strain stands out for her capacity to produce dense and resinous buds in a relatively short period of time. Having said that, it should be noted that Apple & Bananas requires specific care from germination to harvest to ensure maximum potential at each stage of development.

Throughout this journal, we will take you, week by week, through the cultivation of this particular strain, highlighting the techniques used to optimise her growth and flowering. From the selection of the right substrate to the management of lighting and nutrients, we will explore every detail to provide you with a complete guide that will help you to get the most out of this promising strain.

Apple & Bananas’ Step-by-step grow guide

This is an indoor grow under HID lighting. The grower combines different types of lamps (both in terms of number and light spectrum), and he also plays with different ballast wattages. The aim is to adapt the various stages of growth to the lighting that’s most suitable for them, highlighting the influence of both light and nutrients on the development of numerous plants grown in a small space under the following conditions:

• Grow type: Indoor
• Lighting: HID (HM for vegetative / HPS for ripening)
• Grower: KannaGrowing
• Number of plants: 20
• Nutrients: BioCanna
• Irrigation: Manual
• Growing medium: Soil
• Vegetative phase: 4 weeks
• Flowering phase: 10 weeks

Germination Phase

Week 0

The grower starts by germinating the seeds in Petri dishes inside a heated greenhouse, which are filled with cotton wool and sprayed with water. These are kept in a dark and warm place, with stable temperatures around 22 – 24°C. After 48 hours, 90% of the seeds have germinated, and the other 10% germinate within 72 hours. This is the crucial moment when each germinated seed is carefully transferred to a 1.4 L pot, using an aerated medium to facilitate good drainage (Tierra BioCanna, Asturhumus, and Supermix by Plagron). Soft lights are set at 250W, with an 18/6 cycle and night heating to avoid contrasts in temperature. And with high relative humidity to promote initial growth.

Grow parameters

• Height: 0 – 5 cm
• Daily temperature: 24 ºC
• Night temperature: 20 ºC
• Hours of light: 18
• Air humidity: 70%
• Irrigation volume: 0,1 L per plant
• Distance between lamp and plant: 30 cm

Vegetative Phase

Week 1

During the first week, the grower adjusts the HID lights to a height of 30 cm to prevent burns and to stimulate robust growth. Moderate watering is administered, with a pH of 6.0 – 6.5. During this week, rapid expansion of the first true leaves and vigorous root development are observed. The grower also uses some wooden stakes because the stems are very fragile and can’t support the weight of the cotyledons and the first true leaves. He highlights the importance of maintaining a stable temperature (24 – 26°C) and humidity (60 – 70%) to promote root development.

Week 2

In the second week, the seedlings show remarkable growth in terms of height and leaf development. A humidifier is used during daylight hours to retain moisture throughout the room; and a fan is connected so that the plants receive a soft breeze to help harden their main stem. The grower uses irrigation techniques at intervals, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between irrigation sessions to promote a more robust root system. Plants begin to form new nodes, which is a sign of healthy growth.

Week 3

From the third week, nutrition is adjusted by alternating irrigation with softened water and irrigation with Bio Rhizotonic by Canna, while the first signs of lateral growth and strengthening of the main stem are observed. Ventilation is increased to improve air circulation, thus reducing the risk of mould and other diseases. In this week, the plants already begin to cover each other, and the table with two lamps has become too small, so a third lamp is switched on and the larger plants are moved so that they can all receive enough light.

Week 4

In the fourth week, vigorous growth is observed, and the grower begins to prepare the plants for the preflowering phase. The stakes are gradually removed from the taller plants, which reach a height of 35 cm and are ready to start flowering. However, as some plants are still quite small (around 20 cm high), he decides to give priority to them and let them grow a little bit more, because there is enough height to control the stretching. Lighting is increased to 400W to stimulate future flowering. Plants are still watered with softened water, this time twice a week to help the roots colonise the substrate, since transplants will soon be started progressively. The photoperiod is changed to 12/12.

Grow parameters

• Height: 40 cm
• Daily temperature: 24 ºC
• Night temperature: 20 ºC
• Hours of light: 12
• Air humidity: 45 %
• Irrigation volume: 1 L per plant
• Distance between lamp and plant: 30 cm

Flowering Phase

Week 5

During the fifth week, the grower focuses on transplanting into 4 L fabric pots for better aeration of the roots. Only the largest plants are transplanted at this point as they’re the ones that have already colonised the substrate in the 1 L pots (the rest of the plants are left for a few more weeks). The grower takes advantage of this to slightly prune the lower branches to give more vigour to the top of the plants, and to start training the plants with clips. A fourth lamp is switched on to provide more space, so now there’s 4 lights at 400W but with the same grow bulbs to control the stretching. The nutrient dose is adjusted after transplanting, with water and Bio Rhizotonic (1 L per pot). Since the start of cultivation, no extra nutrients have had to be added because the soil mix is still rich enough.

Week 6

In week six, the grower finishes the gradual transplanting of the rest of the specimens on the table, maintaining the irrigation only with water and Bio Rhizotonic. During this phase, accelerated growth in the branches and a more evident development of the flowering sites are observed. The whole grow is also treated with Propolix, diluted in water, and sprayed on the plants just before the lights are turned off. This helps avoid burning the leaves and gives extra protection against different pathogens.

Week 7

As plants progress into the seventh week, lighting power is increased by adjusting the ballasts to 600W, but the grow lamps are still being used. The grower checks each plant carefully, removing dead leaves or leaves in poor condition to improve air circulation. The irrigation plan is adjusted to the specific needs of this flowering stage, keeping the substrate slightly moist but never soaked. Plants are watered every three days with water + Bio Rhizotonic + Bio Vega, alternating with irrigation sessions with water only, which seems to indicate good health and proper development of the flower buds.

Week 8

During week eight, the lamps used during the vegetative period, with a bluer light spectrum (between 5000ºK and 6500ºK) are replaced with 2500ºK mixed lamps (although these will be later replaced with the definitive 2000ºK lamps). Constant monitoring of relative humidity is carried out, maintaining it between 45 – 50% to avoid mould problems. Plants are still watered every three days, alternating between water + Bio Rhizotonic + Bio Vega and irrigation with water only.

Week 9

Week nine is a transition week towards a change in nutrition, halfway between the fertiliser used up until now for the vegetative phase (Bio Vega) and the fertiliser to be used during the full flowering period (Bio Flores). The former is rich in nitrogen, whereas the latter is richer in phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Bio Rhizotonic + Bio Vega + Bio Flores are mixed to water the whole grow, alternating watering sessions every three days (some with added fertiliser and others just with water). Bio Vega will stop being used as of next week. The colour of the leaves is correct, and our lady has already reached a height of 100 cm, flowering from head to toe. Her side branches have grown a little bigger and the buds have developed really well.

Week 10

In the tenth week, the power of the ballasts is maximised (660W), and the second and last pruning of the lower parts of all plants is carried out to ensure that they concentrate the nutrients in the upper part, which is where they receive most light. This also facilitates the irrigation process and helps keep them under control. The irrigation plan continues to alternate between fertiliser and water every three days, while the use of Bio Vega is stopped. A second foliar treatment with Propolix is also performed just before the lights are turned off. The plants exhibit a slender structure, large fan leaves, and spacious internodes.

Week 11

In week 11, the plants emit an increasingly intense aroma, so their extract potential escalates. As temperatures have risen, heaters can be removed, and the extraction system can be left on for 24 hours. Overall ventilation is also increased, raising the power of the three oscillating fans in the room. In terms of nutrition, Bio Rhizotonic is stopped, only maintaining Bio Flores, and still alternating between fertiliser and water every three days (but increasing the ratio to 4 ml per litre). Pots are used to raise the smaller plants so that they all receive the same amount of light. The calyxes begin to swell and the production of trichomes is in full swing… There’s no doubt the buds are going strong!

Grow parameters

• Height: 100 cm
• Daily temperature: 24 ºC
• Night temperature: 20 ºC
• Hours of light: 12
• Air humidity: 35 %
• Irrigation volume: 1 L per plant
• Distance between lamp and plant: 30 cm

Ripening phase

Week 12

In week 12, we enter the last phase of flowering, so 2500ºK HM lamps are replaced by 2000ºK sodium lamps, which will be used until the end. The ballasts are still at 660W, but the light is increasingly warmer. To lower the relative humidity of the air, a dehumidifier is connected to help keep the grow room at 35% humidity. Plants are fertilised for the last time with 4 ml Bio Flores per litre of water. From now on, only water will be used. Buds are very tight, with a forest green colour and a layer of glistening crystalline trichomes, along with some amber pistils.

Week 13

In week 13, we are in the final stretch of cultivation, so Canna Flush is added to the watering tank (20 ml per 10 litres of water). This will help flush the roots thoroughly, removing any salt or nutrient residue. We also want the plants to use up the reserves on their leaves, which will gradually lose their greenery as they eliminate chlorophyll (especially the lower ones). Environmental conditions are strictly controlled, reducing humidity to 35% to avoid any risk of mould during this critical phase. Ballast power is also lowered to 600W to avoid excessive heat, which could degrade the trichomes. Finally, we start to harvest, cutting the plants at the base and removing the large leaves.

Harvest

Final appearance of the buds

Apple & Bananas produces very respectable results, with compact and highly resinous buds and a somewhat large internodal spacing (but not larger than what you usually find in other “American” varieties). This results in a total weight of 200 grams of dry buds per square metre.

These flowers deliver a symphony of fruity flavours composed of whispers of fresh apples and a tropical banana cocktail… all seasoned with a whirlwind of aromas that includes hints of gas, the earthiness of forest soil, and a funky touch of pine that acts as a catalyst for this organoleptic melting pot.

This is definitely one of the most successful creations by Kannabia… A strain with such a robust nature that she can easily cope with small mistakes and still produce a great yield. This combination of ease of cultivation, incredible taste, and rewarding results is what makes this variety a favourite of growers in no time at all. And now it’s your turn to discover all her benefits!