Pineapple Automatic is a hybrid bred from Pineapple, Skunk #1, and Cheese in collaboration with the team at Fat Beans. This test grow was an interesting one with the plant growing well beyond our initial estimates. However, this increased height also led to an impressive harvest, particularly considering the plant’s lightning-fast flowering.
Flowering stage: 63 days
Total time, seed to harvest: 91 days
Final height: 150 cm
Final yield: 122 grams
THC content: 19.8%
To grow our Pineapple Automatic seeds, we used BAC Lava Mix and a Philips 1000W Green Power HPS light hanging 3 metres above the plant. The temperature in the grow space was kept at a consistent 24°C during the day and 21°C at night with humidity stable at 65% during vegetation, dropping to 56% by the end of flowering.
Germination & seedling
To germinate our Pineapple Automatic seeds, we followed the standard paper towel method. Placing the seeds between two damp paper towels, we waited for the taproots to emerge. Within a day, the seeds cracked open, and the taproots started showing. Gently, we planted them 0.5 cm deep, taproot down, into the Rockwool cube. This was then placed under a 600 W Phillips Green Power light.
Throughout the first week, the seedling grew steadily, standing 5 cm tall with roots beginning to grow out of the Rockwool cube. We carefully monitored the water intake, providing 100 ml of pH-adjusted water (pH 6.5, EC 0.8) on the third day.
During the second week, our Pineapple Automatic seedlings showed significant growth, reaching a height of 14 cm. In addition to 500 ml of water mixed with Bio Grow liquid nutrients, a root stimulator was added around the stem to encourage healthy root development. By now, the plant had developed its first true leaves and was well on its way.
Vegetation
During its third week, our Pineapple Automatic continued its healthy growth, shooting up to a height of 26 cm. The roots were now visibly spreading out from the bottom and sides of the Rockwool cube, meaning that it was time to transplant it into an 8-litre container. At this point, we also placed it under our 1000 W Phillips Green Power light.
Our plant now had three sets of full leaves and was even beginning to grow offshoots at the inner nodes; a sign of entering the pre-flowering stage. As the plant continued to grow, we upped the volume of water to 400 ml per day and raised the EC to 1.4. In order to combat potential pests.
At this stage, Neoseiulus Californicus and Amblyseius Swirskii sachets were hung from the lower lateral branches. These beneficial predators help control pests such as thrips, fungus gnats, and two-spotted spider mites without causing harm to the plant.
Entering the fourth week, our plant displayed impressive progress, reaching a height of 35 cm. At this point, we again increased the amount of water used to 1000 ml per day. During this week, we also flipped the lighting schedule, transitioning from 18 hours of light to 12 hours on and 12 hours off. While this isn’t necessary for autoflowering plants, we were also growing photoperiod plants in the same space.
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Flowering
As we entered the fifth week, our Pineapple Automatic plant grew to a new height of 48 cm and was starting to develop its first flowering sites at the tops of branches. At this point, the leaves were broad and dark with an overall healthy appearance and the plant was growing steadily almost every day. The volume of water was again increased to 1200 ml daily with an EC of 1.7. Additionally, the humidity was lowered to 60%.
Coming into week six, our plant continued to grow to a new height of 62 cm and we, once again, increased the water to 1500 ml daily with a new EC of 1.8. This would remain constant for the rest of the grow. At this stage, the lower lateral branches were developing a nice canopy and the plant was taking on a classic Christmas Tree shape reminiscent of its indica lineage. This week, we replaced the Neoseiulus Californicus and Amblyseius Swirskii sachets.
As week seven rolled around, our plant had exploded to a new height of 80 cm and was now fully flowering from head to toe. By now, flowers were growing along the entirety of each branch with a decent gap between each inner node. The leaves along the flowers were long and thin and the plant wasn’t getting overcrowded, even at the bottom.
Week eight saw the plant climb another 16 cm to a new height of 96 cm. The buds were developing nicely and growing noticeably larger with each passing day. At this point, there was little to do except wait.
Week nine saw another round of tremendous growth with our Pineapple Automatic now standing 109 cm tall. The main cola was developing nicely and the lateral branches were becoming so heavy with buds that some were beginning to bend under the weight. By this point, there were still no orange pistils and it was looking like this plant might need a few weeks more than normal. During this week, we again replaced the satchels of predators.
The tenth week saw the plant slow down its growth a bit, only gaining 11 cm in height for a new height of 120 cm. By now, the main cola was fully formed and quite dense, as were many of the flowers on the lateral branches. We were beginning to notice several orange hairs as well as an increasingly distinct citrus and floral aroma.
Week eleven only saw growth of 3 cm, signalling that the plant was slowly finishing up. Aside from its height, the plant was also quite broad with lateral branches being pulled outwards by the weight of their flowers. More and more hairs were slowly turning orange and the flowers were still getting denser almost daily.
Week twelve saw a return to rapid growth with the plant gaining another 9 cm of growth. The pistils were still slowly changing and the leaves were starting to turn slightly yellow; both signs that it was very nearly time to harvest.
In the thirteenth week, our Pineapple Automatic plant saw one final burst of growth, reaching a new height of 145 cm. By now, most of the pistils had turned orange and the plant was very nearly ready to harvest.
Finally, after fourteen weeks, our plant was a whopping 150 cm tall, covered in heavy dense flowers, and was ready for harvest.
Harvest
To harvest our Pineapple Automatic, we cut the plant down at its base and hung it upside-down in a controlled environment for drying. The drying room had a constant temperature of 15.5°C and a relative humidity of 50%. After hanging, we let it dry thoroughly over the next few weeks until the smaller branches snapped when bent.
After trimming the flowers from the branches, we placed them into glass jars for curing. Initially, the jars were left unsealed for 24 hours to allow the bulk of moisture to evaporate. For the next two weeks, these jars were “burped” multiple times daily, gradually reducing the frequency to once daily.
In the end, we harvested a total of 122 grams of dry flowers with a potency of 19.8% THC.
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Terpene profile
Finally sampling our Pineapple Automatic was an enjoyable reward for all the hard work. Its effects hit straight away providing a burst of blissful happiness that lasted for hours. I felt both mentally stimulated and physically relaxed, making it perfect for unwinding after a long day.
What really stood out was the strain’s delightful terpene profile. The sweet and skunky aromas blended together seamlessly, creating a unique sweet-and-sour experience. There was an unmistakable flavour of ripe pineapple, accompanied by subtle hints of citrus fruits.
Overall, Pineapple Automatic delivered on its name, offering a tropical flavour that left me craving more. It wasn’t overly tart, but it definitely had a citrusy kick that kept me coming back for another hit. It’s like enjoying a juicy slice of freshly-cut pineapple, with a touch of sourness and a hint of funk.
The outcome
Overall, this plant was an interesting grow. It grew well above its “normal” height but managed to produce an amount in line with what we expected. It’s important to keep in mind that any data from a fact sheet is based on averages and your mileage will often vary. If you’ve got the vertical space and aren’t afraid of a plant getting a little out of control, the flowers that we got off of our Pineapple Automatic are more than worth the work.
- 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.
