Grow report – RS11

We present this detailed grow report for the cannabis strain RS11 (Rainbow Sherbert #11) by Kannabia Seed Company, a variety that has proven to be ideal for growers looking for quality and an unmatched sensory experience. You’ll be able to see it for yourself in this indoor grow under LED lighting, where the importance of a vegetative phase that’s in line with the targets of the final harvest is clearly evident. Let’s get started!

RS11 is a 70% indica-dominant strain with a 30% THC content and a delicious terpene profile. She derives from the cross of Pink Guava and Sunset Sherbet, so her aroma is incredibly complex, with notes of fruits (cherries and berries), citrusy, earthy, and spicy nuances, and a touch of pine. Her buds can take on blue hues and are coated in a thick layer of trichomes, resembling precious cannabis stones. She’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor growing, producing robust and vigorous plants, so even rookies can get good results, whilst more experienced growers can maximise their yield with training techniques like LST.

Step-by-step grow guide for RS11

We’re entering into a fascinating grow of this strain, carried out in an indoor grow tent under a LED lighting system, with progressive power adjustment according to the plants’ needs. The grower combines advanced control techniques, such as defoliation and the use of natural treatments, with climate and nutrient optimisation to maximise the potential of this strain. Throughout the cultivation, two points that stand out are her robustness and her impressive ability to produce dense and resinous buds in a well-controlled environment. The growing conditions are as follows:

• Grow type: Indoor
• Lighting: LED Mars Hydro TS3000
• Grower: 420DeepGrow
• Number of plants: 4
• Nutrients: Xpert Nutrients (Master Root, Master Bloom, Sticky Fingers)
• Irrigation: Manual
• Growing medium: Soil
• Vegetative phase: 3 weeks
• Flowering phase: 9 weeks

Germination phase

The adventure begins with the germination of the RS-11 seeds using a simple but effective method: a paper towel moistened with a mixture of 1 litre of water and 0.3 ml of Master Root, adjusting the pH to 5.1. This seemingly insignificant detail is key to softening the seed shell and speeding up the germination process. After 48 hours, the seeds show signs of life: all of them have sprouted, showing vigorous roots which are ready to be transplanted. This encouraging start sets the tone for what will be an exciting and promising grow. With a 100% successful germination rate (4/4 seeds), the tiny seedlings are carefully transplanted into small 0.5 litre pots for them to begin their next stage of growth.

Grow parameters:

• Height: 0-3 cm
• Daily temperature: 23 ºC
• Night temperature: 19 ºC
• Hours of light: 18 hours
• Air humidity: 65 %
• pH: 6,5
• Distance between lamp and plant: 30 cm

Vegetative phase

With the arrival of the first week, the seedlings start their development in a controlled environment, with the first days marked by the implementation of preventive measures to ensure their long-term health. Diatomaceous earth (an excellent natural ally against pests) is sprinkled on the substrate; and a horsetail solution (known for its fungicidal properties) is sprayed to help prevent the appearance of fungi. The LED lamp is adjusted to 40% of its maximum power, ensuring adequate lighting without subjecting the plants to unnecessary light stress. The seedlings exhibit uniform growth, with healthy green leaves that reflect a balanced and well-managed environment.

During the second week, the plants continue to grow energetically, with the third node appearing in all of them. Although the small size of the pots and the use of horsetail slightly influence their size, the plants recover quickly, showing vigorous growth. The grower now plans to transplant them into their final pots to help optimise the root space and support continuous development. The lamp is increased to 50% power, providing a higher light intensity to promote photosynthesis.

The third week marks a big change, as the plants are moved to their final 6-litre pots, allowing the roots to expand freely, which in turn supports healthy and sustainable growth. In addition, preventive treatments against pests and fungi are applied: an insecticide based on water and diatomaceous earth (1 teaspoon per litre of water) and a horsetail infusion fungicide. Irrigation is now manual, with the doses recommended by the nutrient manufacturer being carefully adjusted. The photoperiod is changed to 12/12 to start the preflowering.

Grow parameters:

• Height: 15 cm
• Daily temperature: 23 ºC
• Night temperature: 18 ºC
• Hours of light: 12 hours
• Air humidity: 65 %
• pH: 6,5
• Distance between lamp and plant: 30 cm

Flowering phase

During the fourth week, the grow continues to show impressive progress. One of the plants stands out for exhibiting a different phenotype, with leaves that are in marked contrast to those of her companions. This arouses the interest of the grower, who considers taking a cutting to preserve this genetic variation. The grow tent is at 75% capacity, and the plants begin to show an explosive bloom whilst the grower continues watering manually, strictly following the recommended doses.

The fifth week brings with it a remarkable stretch in the plants, anticipating a promising harvest. The grower implements techniques such as defoliation and the pruning of the lower branches to optimise energy distribution towards the upper parts. The grow tent has reached its full capacity, and the lamp power is adjusted to 70% to provide greater light intensity. In addition, Sticky Fingers is introduced into the nutrient plan – an additive designed to promote trichome and resin production.

In the sixth week, irrigation is done exclusively with spring water to avoid salt accumulation in the substrate, which helps the plants recover from stress and show a noticeable improvement. Plants have about two weeks of stretching left before reaching their maximum height. The control of the grow room remains impeccable, with the LED light set at 80% power and nutrient doses reduced to one third of the recommended dosage – this is an ideal approach to avoid overfeeding.

Week 7 marks the beginning of a visually exciting phase: buds begin to form throughout the plant, exhibiting small “hedgehogs” of stigmas that announce a promising flowering. However, a change in the outside temperatures due to a passing storm makes the grow tent environment slightly cooler than usual. Despite this small fluctuation, conditions remain under control thanks to the climate management system, while the nutrient program is maintained following the doses recommended by the manufacturer. The plants continue to show a healthy structure as they prepare for the fattening of the buds in the coming weeks.

In week 8, after recovering from the stress previously experienced, the plants begin to concentrate their energy on the development of buds, which already show signs of resin in the leaves and an aroma that gets stronger every day. Intense defoliation is performed, removing unnecessary leaves to improve air circulation and maximise light exposure in the most productive areas. The pots are strategically regrouped within the tent to fill up all the available space and ensure a uniform distribution of light. Although there’s been a slight nutrient shortage at some point, the grower has managed the situation properly, prioritising a conservative approach: “It’s always better to be short than to go overboard”, he says.

Week 9 is crucial in the development of the buds, which begin to gain density and fill with trichomes, producing clear evidence of an increase in the production of resin, as it covers the flowers with a crystalline shine that reflects the high quality of this strain. The grower regrets not having added more nutrients during the vegetative stage, recognising that it could have further optimised the initial structure of the plants. However, the results are remarkable, with robust buds that promise an exceptional harvest.

Grow parameters:

• Height: 40 cm
• Daily temperature: 23 ºC
• Night temperature: 18 ºC
• Hours of light: 12 hours
• Air humidity: 60 %
• pH: 6,5
• Distance between lamp and plant: 30 cm

Ripening phase

Week 10 is focused on the final fattening of the buds, by optimising the nutrient plan to maximise the yield and ensure uniform ripening. The grow tent environment is kept stable, adjusting light, temperature, and humidity to facilitate the final development of the plants. During week 11, the plants reach their maximum size while the buds continue fattening and accumulating resin. Controlled temperatures and an appropriate nutrient regime have been key factors in maintaining the quality and density of the buds, which are now getting ready for harvest.

In week 12, the grow reaches its final stage, with fully formed buds and an impressive level of resin of outstanding quality. A couple of additional watering sessions with nutrients are carried out before proceeding to irrigate with water only – a step necessary to clean the substrate of accumulated salts. This root flushing ensures that the buds offer the best possible taste and aroma. The grower reflects on the importance of paying more attention to the vegetative stage in future grows, recognising that a more focused control of the initial size could further improve results.

Harvest of RS11

The cultivation of RS11 provides a great learning experience for the grower and outstanding results in terms of quality. This strain has shown off her strength, adapting to different conditions, and developing dense, resinous buds with incredible aromas. After 9 weeks of flowering indoors, you can get around 450 – 500 g/m², whereas she can produce up to 500 – 600 g per plant when grown outdoors.

RS11 stands out for her versatility and potency, and is a recommended choice for both experienced growers and for those looking to explore new strains. The promise of high yields and a unique sensory experience makes this strain one of the brightest jewels of Kannabia Seed Company. So don’t wait any longer to see it for yourself!