We have documented the grow cycle of Lockdown Kush Feminized from planting the seeds in the soil to the final harvest. Hailing from an impressive heritage of San Fernando Valley OG and Afghani #1, this 60% sativa and 40% indica combine the best attributes of all of its parents. With dense buds and an invigorating terpene profile, we think it’s worth the wait.
Flowering stage: 68 days
Total time, seed to harvest: 99 days
Final yield: 87 grams
THC content: 19.2%
Germination & seedling
To prepare for germination, we carefully tore open the serrated edges at the back of the seed package and removed our Lockdown Kush Feminized seed. We got two ceramic plates and placed a damp kitchen towel on each plate, making sure they were wet but not oversaturated with water. After placing the seed in the middle, we closed the plates, enclosing the seed between the moist paper towels before storing it in a warm, dark place.
We maintained a relative humidity of 68% and kept the temperature constant at 24°C. The lighting schedule consisted of 18 hours of light with 6 hours of darkness, and we monitored our seedling to ensure that the tissues remained moist without drying out. Within 72 hours, the initial taproot emerged, indicating that it was time to transfer our seedling into the first 1-L container filled with BAC Lava Mix enriched with nutrients.
After delicately grasping the seed with the tweezers, we gently planted it around 5 cm deep in the soil, making sure the taproot was pointing downward before covering it with a thin layer of soil. We then positioned our seed 80 cm below a 600W Green Power Philips HPS light, as high-powered lighting can often be too intense for seedlings. The cotyledon vigorously pushed through the soil and became visible after only 24 hours.
On the third day, we administered 100 ml of water with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.8 and a pH of 6.2 around the stem, along with a rooting hormone, to stimulate root development. Our lighting schedule was set to 18 hours on and 6 hours off to support vegetative growth. The daytime temperature was maintained at 24°C, while at night, it dropped to 21°C. We also decreased the relative humidity levels to 65%, and by the end of the week, our seedling had grown to 7 cm.
Related post
Vegetation
At the beginning of week two, we made the decision to transplant our plant into its final 5-litre container. This larger pot will give the roots ample room to expand and grow without the need for further transplanting, which could potentially shock the plant. We carefully loosened the soil in the original container and gently transferred the plant to the new pot, ensuring minimal disruption to the roots, before filling the new pot with soil.
After transplantation, we moved the seedling to our in-house grow area and positioned it 3 metres away from the 1000W Green Power Philips HPS lights to ensure optimal light coverage. Throughout the week, we observed a significant increase in our plant’s height, which now stands at 19 cm. The amount of water we are providing to the plant has doubled to 200 ml, and we lowered the pH levels to 6, and increased the EC levels to 1.8.
Due to the increased moisture as the plant continues to develop, the humidity levels increased to 68%. As part of our integrated pest management (IPM) strategy, we strategically placed small porous sachets containing Neoseiulus californicus and Amblyseius swirskii mites on the lower lateral branches of the plants. These predatory mites are known for controlling various pests such as thrips, fungus gnats, and two-spotted spider mite infestations.
Our Lockdown Kush Feminized grew by 10 cm in height, reaching a height of 31cm in the third week. We subsequently increased the water volume to 400 ml, focusing on the base of the stem. The lower limbs began to extend from the main stem to receive direct light from above. New growth began to show a noticeable change in colour, and the leaves transitioned from a pale green to a dark, rich green, indicative of high levels of nitrogen in the soil.
During the fourth week, we thoroughly assessed the lower branches and foliage to identify areas that were not receiving enough light. After identifying these sections, we carefully used sterilised pruning shears to remove them in a process known as lollipopping. This technique helps redirect the plant’s energy towards the upper canopy, where the most substantial growth and flower production occur. In addition, it also enhances air and light penetration.
Lockdown Kush Feminized had reached an impressive height of 43 cm, complemented by its broad, seven-fingered leaves. The plant showcased tight internodal spacing and exhibited a robust central stem, indicating effective nutrient absorption. To support its growth for the flowering stage, the water volume was increased to 800 ml, and the fertiliser and nitric acid ratios were adjusted to ensure that the plant receives the optimal nutrients needed for the flowering phase.
Flowering
At the beginning of week five, we were delighted to observe the plant’s positive response to lollipopping. The plant had grown to a height of 57 cm, and it was clear that more energy was being directed to the upper branches. The main stem and branches were beginning to thicken, so we pushed a plastic garden stake into our medium and clipped it to the apical stem. We anticipated our plant would stretch during flowering, and felt that this was an ideal time to transition to flowering.
To mimic the change to shorter days during the transition from summer to fall and encourage flowering, we modified our light cycle from 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness to a 12-hour light and 12-hour dark schedule. During flowering, plants require increased levels of phosphorus (K) and potassium (P) for optimal bud development, so we stopped supplemented Bio Grow and switched to Bio Bloom while increasing the watering volume to 1000 ml.
As we entered the sixth week, our plant shot up to a height of 73 cm and is now entering the stretch phase. As expected, the internodal spacing increased during this phase, and our Lockdown Kush experienced a growth spurt of 15 cm. The most significant weekly growth we’ve seen so far! Towards the end of the week, we noticed the development of pre-flowers at the upper nodes. These tiny white stigmas begin to emerge from where the fan leaves protrude from the main stem.
The appearance of pre-flowers signalled a promising future for our Lockdown Kush. As it had been four weeks since we introduced beneficial insects into our growing environment, we proactively added more sachets of predatory mites around the lower canopy as part of our IPM strategy. During the week, we also adjusted our watering routine and increased the watering volume to 1500 ml while maintaining our EC levels steady at 1.8.
Since we’re aggressively feeding our Lockdown Kush, we flushed our growing medium with plain water at a pH of 6 and EC of 0.8 multiple times throughout week seven. This process helps eliminate any built-up nutrient residues and will be a regular practice to maintain the cleanliness of the soil. After flushing, we removed all the run-off from the plant to prevent the medium from reabsorbing any residue. After the end-of-week measurements, our plant reached an incredible height of 81 cm.
In the eighth week, the apical mainstem and branches thickened significantly to provide robust support for the increasing weight of the developing flowers. At this stage, the plant stood at a height of 95 cm. The fan leaves were vibrant green, and we closely monitored them for any signs of yellowing or curling. It is important to pay attention to these observations throughout the plant’s life cycle, as any potential nutrient deficiencies can impact both the yield and quality of the plant.
A few weeks have passed since we first noticed the emergence of the first stigmas, and they have now grown into prominent, finger-like structures that encase the tips of every stem. Trichome production is dramatically increasing, creating a blanket of tiny crystals on the flowers and surrounding leaves. As the buds continue to develop, the branches are beginning to droop slightly under the weight of the burgeoning growth. It looks like a promising harvest!
Our Lockdown Kush had only grown a mere 3 cm vertically in the ninth week. This slowdown in vertical growth indicated that the plant had shifted its energy and resources toward flower production. Upon closer inspection, we gazed at the beautiful shade of light green exhibited by the leaves near the upper colas, noting their sharp, pointed fan shape. The buds showcased delicate light orange pistils emerging amidst a dense covering of white resin glands.
During the tenth week, the plant didn’t grow taller, but the buds became noticeably wider, and our Lockdown Kush showed dense, bulbous calyxes with prominent white stigmas. As our plant grows larger, the connection between the leaf and the stem weakens, leading to some of the upper fan leaves turning yellow. The leaves change colour gradually and can be removed from the stem by gently pulling them off with your thumb and index finger.
Even though we inspect our plants daily for pests, as part of our continued IPM program, we added extra Neoseiulus Californicus and Amblyseius Swirskii sachets to the upper and lower canopy. Our Lockdown Kush Feminized was growing vigorously and getting very bushy, with many lateral branches extending outward. As a result, we inserted five plastic stakes into the pot to support the substantial development of the buds and secured the drooping branches to them with plastic clips.
The white stigmas have now fully developed into orange pistils, and our plant grew 1 cm in week eleven, reaching 99 cm in height. The environmental conditions remain the same. However, we flushed our growing medium to ensure the root zone was free of any remaining residues. Over the next seven days, the aroma increased inside our grow room with a subtle floral undertone. To accommodate the larger buds, we reduced the humidity in the room to 56%.
Throughout week twelve, the pistils were a vivid, striking orange colour, and the aroma was becoming more potent, giving off a subtle skunky scent with hints of fresh floral notes. Our Lockdown Kush had reached a height of 100 cm, and six additional plastic stakes were added to support the weight of the large buds and ensure the plant’s health. We also increased the water volume to 1500 ml to promote further bud development.
As we reached the thirteenth week, approximately 50% of the trichome heads had turned milky white, which is a good indication that harvest is near, but we hadn’t reached the peak window yet. At this point, we decided to stop providing additional nutrients to our Lockdown Kush and flushed the medium with pure water with a pH of 7 to ensure a smooth transition. The dense buds were now expelling a strong, pungent aroma, promising a rich terpene profile and cannabinoid content.
In week fourteen, we closely inspected the trichomes with a jeweller’s loupe and noted that they had undergone a fascinating transformation. Around 70% of the trichomes had transitioned into a captivating lustrous, milky white colour. The remaining 30% had evolved into a mesmerising amber hue, creating a visually striking and beautiful contrast. To achieve the desired balance of THC and CBD, it was now the optimal time for harvesting our plant.
Some of the unsupported lateral branches were bending under the weight of the dense, resinous buds, which were adorned with vibrant orange pistils. The tips of the plant’s leaves have started to turn yellow, a sign that it may be nearing maturity. The buds exuded a delightful aroma, and upon closer inspection, they were covered in glistening trichomes. Their contrast against the dark green leaves and the bright lime-green buds was truly captivating. Now, let’s get ready for harvesting!
Related post
Harvest
To harvest our Lockdown Kush Feminized, we carefully chopped the plant 5 cm above the base of the main stem with pruning shears. We then proceeded to hang the plant upside-down in our designated drying room, where we maintained a controlled relative humidity of 60% and a consistent temperature of 15.5°C for 19 days. It’s vital to ensure proper airflow in the drying room without directly blowing air on the plants to prevent premature drying and a decrease in terpenes.
After putting on our gardening gloves and sterilising our trimming scissors, we carefully removed each branch from our Lockdown Kush and removed the flowers, handling them gently to preserve the trichomes. We hand-trimmed the buds to remove any excess leaves, and once the buds were trimmed, we placed them into air-tight glass jars for curing. During the initial two weeks of curing, we opened each jar for two hours every few days to allow excess moisture to escape.
Curing helps prevent mould build-up within the buds and releases unwanted chlorophyll while enhancing the terpene profile. During the next three months, we will reduce the frequency of jar openings to just once per day. After curing, we weighed our harvest and were rewarded with a yield of 87 grams. These buds are not only delicious and fragrant but also exquisitely sticky. We sent a sample for cannabinoid testing and came back with a THC level of 19.2%!
Terpene profile
During the last few weeks of flowering, the scent remained minimal, with subtle notes of citrus. However, after curing, Lockdown Kush developed an exquisite terpene profile with a strong presence of limonene, which gives it a citrusy aroma and a hint of pinene. After rolling a joint and sharing it with friends, we noticed sweet notes, thanks to the terpene caryophyllene followed by earthy undertones from myrcene and humulene.
After weeks of anticipation, we finally experienced the remarkable effects of Lockdown Kush Feminized. From the moment it touched our lips, we were greeted with an invigorating rush of euphoria that heightened our concentration and creativity. As the initial euphoria gently subsided, the indica traits became apparent as we transitioned into a profoundly comforting, full-body stone, soothing our muscles and providing a blissful sense of relief.
Related post
The outcome
Lockdown Kush Feminized is a resilient, low-maintenance, and compact plant, making it an excellent choice for growers of all skill levels. Despite being a sativa-dominant strain, this strain displays a noticeable 40% indica influence in its plant morphology. It produces dense, trichome-covered flowers, forming multiple colas with a thick canopy. If you want to increase yields, this strain responds well to various training techniques, including SCROG, Supercropping, and Lollipopping.
Feel free to share in the comments if you have experience growing Lockdown Kush or 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.
