In this report, we outline our experience with Choco Automatic, an 80% sativa hybrid we developed in collaboration with the gardeners at Fat Beans. Bred from a combination of Thai, Chocolope and Haze with a splash of ruderalis genes for autoflowering, this strain is fast-flowering, compact, and a true joy to grow.
Total growing time: 81 days
Flowering time: 60 days
Final height: 82 cm
Final yield: 76 grams
THC content: 19.8%
Like all of our grows, our Choco Automatic was grown under a 1000 W Phillips GreenPower HPS light with an 18/6 schedule during vegetation. This plant was grown in an 8-litre pot filled with BAC Lava Mix and kept in a climate-controlled environment with the temperature at a stable 24°C during the day, 21°C at night, and a relative humidity of 65% during the vegetative stage which would slowly be lowered as we entered flowering.
Germination & seedling
To get things started with this lovely lady we first had to germinate our seed. To accomplish this, we used the proven and reliable paper towel method. This couldn’t be easier and all you need are a few paper towels, a plate, and a plastic bag. We simply placed our seed onto a damp (not soaked) paper towel, placed that on a plate, covered it with another damp paper towel, and loosely covered all of that with a plastic bag.
After about a day, our seed had cracked open revealing the taproot meaning that it was time to plant. We placed our seed (taproot down) into a Rockwool cube and put that under a 600 W light so as not to overload it in this delicate state. With that in mind, we also did not give our Choco Automatic seedling and water for the first three days.
After three days, we watered our budding beauty with 100 ml of water with a pH of 6.0 and an EC of 0.8. At this point, we did not give it any additional nutrients.
By the end of the first week, our plant had grown to a height of 5 cm and the roots had grown out of the Rockwool cube. This meant that it was time to transport her to her new home, an 8-litre plastic pot filled with BAC Lava mix and placed under our 1000 W Phillips GreenPower HPS light. This pot was watered with 500 ml of pH-balanced water containing Bio Grow liquid nutrients.
Vegetation
As week two progressed, our plant was coming along quite well. She grew several new sets of leaves which were broad, dark, and now had 5 points. By now, our Choco Automatic had reached a height of 11 cm and was just starting to grow her first lateral branches at the second inner node.
Week three was one of massive growth with our plant more than doubling in height to 23 cm. This week saw immense vegetative growth with several new sets of leaves developing and existing leaves growing far larger. To keep up with all of this new growth, we increased the volume of water to 750 ml per day and raised the EC to 1.4.
Also during this week, we hung satchels of Neoseiulus californicus and Amblyseius swirskii from the plant’s lower branches. These satchels contain tiny predatory mites that don’t harm cannabis plants. These are incredibly beneficial as they feed on parasites like spider mites and thrips which can devastate a harvest if left unchecked. These are changed out every 4 weeks throughout the grow to maintain a fresh supply.
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Flowering
As we entered week four of our Choco Automatic grow, our plant was showing the first signs of flowering: small white hairs growing at the inner nodes of branches which indicated that it was time time to flip our lights to a 12/12 schedule. While this isn’t strictly necessary for autoflowering plants, we grow a combination of autoflowering and photoperiod plants in the same space and these latter ones do require a schedule change.
By the end of this first week of flowering, our plant was standing 29 cm tall with well-developed lateral branches and fairly dense vegetation. The internodal spacing was fairly spread out, but the leaves were incredibly broad. At this point, we again upped the water to 1000 ml per day, switched to Bio Flower liquid nutrients, and raised the EC to 1.7.
In week five our plant only grew a few centimetres to a new height of 34 cm and had begun to show signs of flowering at the top of the main stem and lateral branches. The leaves closer to the top were becoming far more slender and the whole plant began to lighten in colour to a vivid lime green. This week, we once again increased our watering to 1200 ml daily.
Week six also saw minimal vertical growth with our Choco Automatic plant growing to 38 cm. While vertical growth was slow, the development of flowers was coming along nicely as the buds were slowly growing together to form the main cola. By now, we had lowered the humidity to only 60% to help prevent the formation of mould. Lastly, we increased the water to 1500 ml each day; this would be the final change to watering for the grow.
Week seven saw a minor growth spurt with our little girl growing a full 8 cm. While that might not be a huge amount (particularly for an 80% sativa), it was among the largest week-to-week changes in the entire grow. Now standing 46 cm tall, our plant was covered head to toe in increasingly dense buds. The main cola had fully formed and the lateral branches were slowly being weighed down by their flowers.
As we rolled through week eight, everything was going smoothly. Our plant continued to make steady vertical growth reaching a new height of 52 cm and was starting to give off a noticeable, yet subtle, fruity and floral aroma. One thing worth pointing out at this point is this plant’s fan leaves. They are quite large and tend to protrude quite far out from the branches. If you’re looking to grow this strain yourself, be sure to give it plenty of space.
Week nine saw fairly significant growth, climbing to a new height of 60 cm. During this week, the buds continued to develop nicely. We were starting to see the first few orange hairs meaning that harvest was approaching. At this point, there was nothing left to do but wait for our girlie to do her thing.
As we approached harvest in week ten, our plant had one final growth spurt growing to a new height of 68 cm. As we made our way through week eleven, the already-minimal vertical growth slowed even further with the plant only gaining 5 more centimetres. During this week, our plant seemed to become slightly underwatered as shown by the droopy leaves in these images. This can happen at the end of flowering as a plant is going full steam ahead on using all of the nutrients at its disposal. Luckily, a little extra water cleared things up with no harm done.
Week twelve saw our plant return to a more healthy state and grow another 6 cm to 79 cm tall. By now, most of the pistils had turned orange and it was time to leech the soil. We stopped using any liquid nutrients and used only pH-balanced water for the final week to allow the plant time to use up any remaining nutrients in the soil that could affect the final flavour.
Finally, in week thirteen, we harvest our Choco Automatic at a final height of 82 cm.
Harvest
Harvesting was fairly quick and easy. We simply cut the plant down at the base, removed the fan leaves, and hung the branches upside-down in a dark room with a relative humidity of around 50% and a temperature of 15.5°C. After about 2 weeks, the branches were brittle enough to snap when bent and it was time to trim up the buds.
As an 80% sativa, the large internodal spacing and relatively few leaves made trimming a breeze. Once the flowers had been properly cleaned up, they were placed into glass jars for curing. These jars were originally left open for 24 hours to allow most of the remaining mixture to escape before being sealed.
Once sealed, these jars were burped every few hours with the frequency gradually decreasing to once a day at the end. This process continued for roughly 6 weeks until the buds had reached the desired consistency.
In the end, we harvested a total of 76 grams of dried flower with a THC content of 19.8%. For a strain that flowers so quickly and stays so compact, this was deemed an exceptional result.
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Terpene profile
Once the buds were ready for sampling, it was time to test the fruits of our labour. As soon as we tasted Choco Automatic, the name became incredibly apparent with a distinctly sweet, cocoa-like taste. Hiding just underneath that flavour was a subtle—but unmistakable—hint of sandalwood accompanied by traces of fruit.
As soon as you consume Choco Automatic you’ll notice an immediate uplifting effect indicative of its sativa heritage. With an uplifting, heady buzz, this is an incredibly energizing and creative high that’s a great choice for any time of day.
The outcome
Once all was said and done, we were incredibly pleased with Choco Automatic. Indoor growers can often struggle to find a powerful sativa that can fit into an area with lower overhead and this strain fits that bill perfectly. Combined with its incredibly fast flowering time, this strain is an amazing choice for novice growers who are looking to experiment with something new.
- Disclaimer:Laws and regulations regarding cannabis cultivation differ from country to country. Sensi Seeds therefore strongly advises you to check your local laws and regulations. Do not act in conflict with the law.
