Honey Melon Kush Feminized

Honey Melon Kush Feminized

With a lineage that’s sure to impress, we’ve documented every stage of the Honey Melon Kush Feminized growth cycle, from germination to harvest. This strain, a blend of Blueberry and Girl Scout Cookies genetics, is renowned for its XL harvests and exotic terpene profile. So, join us as we share some expert tips in our comprehensive grow report.

Flowering stage: 68 days

Total time, seed to harvest: 99 days

Final yield: 121 grams

THC content: 22.4%

Germination & seedling

To germinate our Honey Melon Kush Feminized, we placed our seed five cm apart on a damp paper towel before covering it with another moist towel, sandwiching it between two small plates, and keeping it in a warm, dark environment. We monitored the moisture levels to ensure the paper towel remained moist over the next 24 hours. After some time, the initial tap root emerged, and it was time to transfer our seedlings into the first 1-L container.

Using tweezers, we carefully dug a small hole approximately one inch deep and gently handled the seed, being cautious not to damage the tap root. We placed the seed into the hole with the taproot pointing downwards, promoting firm anchorage and nutrient absorption while helping the cotyledon emerge from the growing medium. Finally, we covered the seed with a thin layer of soil and waited for the magic to happen!

We transferred our seedling to a specialised area where we could closely control the environment. To support optimal growth, the relative humidity was maintained at 68%, and the temperature was kept constant at 24°C. The lighting schedule consisted of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. The seedlings were positioned 80 cm below a 600W Green Power Philips HPS light, providing them with enough light to flourish without overexposing them.

Our BAC Lava soil mixture was enriched with nutrients, and we monitored the plant’s nutrient solution’s electrical conductivity (EC), which remained stable at 0.8. We refrained from watering the plant for the first three days, and then we provided 100 ml of water with a pH of 6.2 and added a root stimulant to promote root development and hydration. At the end of week one, our seedlings had grown to 8 cm in height.

Now that our seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, we have moved them to our indoor growing area, maintaining the same vegetative lighting schedule of 18 hours with the lights on and 8 hours off. They are positioned 3 meters away from the 1000W Green Power Philips HPS lights. The daytime temperature remains at 24°C, while during the night, it falls to 21°C, and we dropped the relative humidity levels to 65%.

Vegetation

Throughout week two, our plant grew to 19 cm. Due to its remarkable growth, we doubled the water volume to 200 ml and lowered our pH to 6. We closely monitored the EC levels as they increased to 1.4 and introduced a mild nutrient solution in week two to help it grow strong and healthy. Due to its size and the developing root zone, it was time to transplant our seedling into a larger 5-litre container with ample space for root development.

We prepared the new pot with soil and created a hole an inch larger than our original container. We gently ran a trowel around the pot edges to loosen the soil, then placed one hand over the soil surface with the stem between our fingers and inverted the pot. An expert tip is to tap or squeeze the pot to help release the root ball. We then carefully lifted the plant, supporting the root ball, positioned it in the pre-made hole, and filled it with soil.

Sachets containing Neoseiulus Californicus and Amblyseius Swirskii were strategically placed on the lower lateral branches as a proactive and effective measure. These beneficial insects are known for controlling thrips, fungus gnats, and two-spotted spider mite infestations.

During the third week, the plant grew to three nodes and was displaying dark green leaves, indicating sufficient nitrogen levels. Nitrogen is essential for plant development as it helps produce chlorophyll, and inadequate levels can result in stunted growth. Although the environmental conditions remained the same, we increased our watering to 400 ml, and by the end of the week, the plant had reached a height of 31 cm.

Our Honey Melon Kush continued to impress as we entered the fourth week, standing tall at 46 cm with lush green foliage and tight internodal spacing. By removing the smaller lower branches, we directed energy toward the upper canopy while enhancing air circulation and light penetration. Our plant was absorbing more nutrients, and the EC levels increased to 1.8. In response, we increased the water volume to 800 ml and adjusted the fertiliser and nitric acid ratios to prepare for flowering.

Flowering

At the beginning of week five, we adjusted our light cycle from 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness to a 12-hour light and 12-hour dark schedule to signal the transition to the flowering stage. This light schedule imitates the shift to shorter days as summer transitions to fall. Along with this change, we switched from vegetative to bloom nutrients, specially formulated to increase phosphorus and potassium levels to support healthy bud development during the flowering stage.

We administered 1000 ml of water to create an optimal environment to support the growth of the developing flowers. After a week, we were delighted to observe the plant’s positive response, growing to a height of 58 cm, an encouraging sign of the plant’s healthy transition to flowering. The branches keep growing, and we added a plastic stake to support them. The plant directs more energy to the upper branches, the main stem, and branches begin to thicken to provide support.

Our Honey Melon Kush plant reached a height of 76 cm during the sixth week andis currently transitioning into the “stretch” phase, characterised by rapid vertical growth. This phase can lead to a significant increase in height, potentially doubling or tripling in size. The growth spurt was initiated by a change in the light cycle the previous week and is an exciting time for the plant as it prepares to produce buds. As part of our IPM strategy, we proactively added more sachets of predatory mites.

It’s essential to closely monitor the pre-flowers as they indicate the plant’s gender. Female pre-flowers develop small, white, hair-like structures called pistils at the nodes where branches meet the main stem. By the end of the week, we noticed these pre-flowers starting to develop at the upper nodes of the plant. We adjusted our watering carefully, increasing it to 1500 ml due to the increased bud development, while our EC levels remained steady at 1.8.

In the seventh week, our plant had reached a height of 88 cm. The environmental conditions remained consistent, which had a positive impact on the plant’s growth. The leaves appeared healthy and vibrant, and the stem was sturdy and able to support the plant’s height. Additionally, the root system continued to grow and expand, indicating that the plant was establishing a strong foundation to support its increased nutrient needs during the flowering stage.

We closely monitored the development of the pre-flowers and were thrilled to see promising signs of a bountiful harvest. The calyx is the first part of the bud to form, and it appears as small, teardrop-shaped structures that house the plant’s reproductive organs. These structures clustered around the pistils, creating the initial structure of the bud. We also noticed the formation of sugar leaves around the base of the flower.

We thoroughly flushed our growing medium with plain water at a pH of 6 throughout the week to eliminate any accumulated nutrient residues. This process is simple yet highly effective, and we believe it is beneficial to share with fellow growers. We then removed all plant run-off to prevent the medium from reabsorbing any residue.

The stretching phase slowed down in week eight, and our Honey Melon Kush is now focusing on bud development. The main stem and branches are starting to thicken to support the weight of the developing flowers. The plant appeared healthy with no signs of nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations and had reached a height of 102 cm by the end of the week. The leaves were vibrant green and did not yellow, brown, or curl. The stem was sturdy, and the nodes were well-spaced.

Despite the growth, the environmental conditions remained stable, and our relative humidity stayed at 60% until more bud development was visible. The resin glands containing cannabinoids, known as trichomes, started becoming more prominent and forming on the flowers and leaves. Initially, they appeared transparent and glass-like but will become more prominent as flowering progresses. Due to an increase in bud development, the branches started to hang a little lower due to their weight.

The plant’s vertical growth had slowed throughout the ninth week, with an additional 1 cm of growth. Trichomes started swelling and merging to form large colas, causing the plant to sparkle in the light. We monitored the light intensity to prevent light burn on the large fan leaves. Visually reminiscent of a Christmas tree, Our Honey Melon Kush is characterised by its towering apical mainstem and cascading branches nearly reaching the main cola as the buds stack.

In the tenth week, our Honey Melon Kush was fully blooming, with large colas adorned with white stigmas, reaching a height of 108 cm. As the flowering process continued, the bracts kept growing and stacking on top of each other, creating a desirable bract-to-leaf ratio and resulting in denser bud structures. As part of our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, we added more Neoseiulus Californicus and Amblyseius Swirskii. It would be a terrible time for an outbreak now!

Our plant remained the same size throughout week eleven, but the aroma inside our grow room became more floral. The calyxes and pistils are expanding substantially, forming the recognisable bud structures at the tops of branches known as colas. To accommodate the larger buds, we reduced the humidity in the room to 56%. We flushed our growing medium again with 1000 ml of water to ensure the root zone was free of any residues before the final few weeks of flowering.

Upon inspecting the trichome heads with our jeweller’s loupe in the twelfth week, stigmas were darkening and curling inwards, hinting at the approaching harvest. The pistils were a vibrant orange, and to ensure the plant’s health and readiness, we added six more plastic stakes to support the weight of the massive buds on the lateral branches. Additionally, we removed some yellowing leaves to enhance airflow and prevent the potential for botrytis.

As we entered the thirteenth week, our plant showed clear signs of readiness for harvest. Upon inspecting the trichome heads, we observed a significant number of amber and milky heads, indicating that the plant was reaching its peak potency. We stopped providing nutrients and flushed the plant with 1 litre of pure water for the rest of the growth cycle. There was no increase in height, and it was evident that all the energy was being directed towards hardening the buds.

After a few days, we observed some of the leaves displaying signs of nutrient depletion and decided to prune the lower leaves to ensure that the plant received optimal light. The buds also emitted a distinctive aroma as the essential oils and terpenes reached their peak potency. Fortunately, we had a sufficient ventilation system and carbon filters to manage unwanted aromas effectively.

Our Honey Melon Kush was a stunning sight in week fourteen and adorned with a blanket of trichomes. Upon inspection, we saw around 70% milky white and 30% amber trichomes, indicating the optimal time for harvest. The buds on each lateral branch had transformed into large colas, and the main stem was packed with a dense, bulbous cola glistening under the light. It was a sight that would impress even the most discerning growers; it’s harvest time!

Harvest

We thoroughly cleaned and disinfected our pruning shears using a solution of water and rubbing alcohol to remove any potential bacteria or contaminants. After disinfecting the pruning shears, we carefully trimmed the plant, leaving about 7 cm of stem above the growing medium. We hung our Honey Melon Kush in a well-ventilated, dark space, maintaining a temperature of 15.5°C and a humidity of 60% to prevent mould growth and ensure the quality and potency of the final product.

To check if your plant is ready for curing, take a small branch and attempt to break it. If the branch snaps easily, it is dry enough for curing. If it is still resilient, moisture is still present. After 20 days, our plant is ready to be trimmed. We used small trimming scissors to cut off smaller sugar leaves and wore gloves to handle the dense buds. After weighing our trimmed buds, we were left with a yield of 121 grams. We also sent a sample for cannabinoid testing, which revealed a THC content of 22.4%.

We initiated the curing process using four 1-litre airtight glass containers. Breaking down large buds into smaller pieces aids in the curing process and prevents the accumulation of stagnant air. Curing aims to eliminate excess chlorophyll from the buds and release any built-up stale air. To enhance the terpene profile, we burped our jars for an hour daily for the first two weeks and then every few days for the following four weeks.

Terpene profile

After eagerly waiting for three months, it’s finally time to enjoy the delightful terpene profile of our Honey Melon Kush Feminized. As we ignited the joint and passed it around, we could immediately savour the prominent presence of myrcene with a rich, earthy undertone, complemented by the sweet and fruity notes characteristic of its Blueberry lineage. The presence of limonene and caryophyllene further enhanced the experience with a subtle undertone of skunk.

As seasoned smokers, we were looking forward to an exciting high, and we weren’t wrong! This strain greeted us with a tingly sensation from head to toe, closely followed by uplifting euphoria and a warm, relaxing body stone. It left us feeling relaxed and in a perfect state of mind. Instead of making us sink into the couch, it gave us an uplifting, creative feeling that left us energised rather than heavy. What a journey!

The outcome

Honey Melon Kush Feminized boasts robust growth and exceptional resilience, making it an excellent option for growers of all skill levels. Its unique and complex terpene profile not only simplifies the growing process but also adds to the delight of cultivation. To ensure our plant could reach its full potential, we took the extra step of using plant stakes for optimal support. This allowed the plant to grow upwards without the risk of bending or breaking under the weight of its XL yields.

Please let us know in the comments below if you’ve grown Honey Melon Kush before or if you have any questions!

  • 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.

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    Sensi Seeds

    The Sensi Seeds Editorial team has been built throughout our more than 30 years of existence. Our writers and editors include botanists, medical and legal experts as well as renown activists the world over including Lester Grinspoon, Micha Knodt, Robert Connell Clarke, Maurice Veldman, Sebastian Maríncolo, James Burton and Seshata.
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