Four plants, one bed, and the easiest run yet

IT_GROWERIN cultivated four genetics together in a 90 x 40 cm Living-Soil bed. After ten weeks of vegetative growth, intensive training and around two months of flowering, she describes this run as her easiest grow to date.

The plants developed steadily and completely filled the shared root space. By the end, they had produced large, firm and heavily frosted flowers. At the same time, the first run provided valuable insights for further developing the bed: a permanently protected soil surface, compost worms and a more consistent approach to fungus gnats.

From Hybrid to Living Soil

I had predominantly grown using hybrid methods in my previous grows. After a biologically managed run, I wanted to take the next step and establish a permanent Living-Soil system.

What particularly interested me was not having to completely empty and rebuild a bed after every grow. I wanted a system that could be continued over several runs. At the same time, ongoing plant care was meant to become simpler and rely more heavily on the prepared substrate.

This grow showed me how well this approach suits my way of growing.

Four Plants in a Shared Bed

In this run, four plants from four different genetics shared a 90 x 40 cm bed:

• Big Z by Cookies
• Studio Cherry by Wizard Trees
• White Soho by Wizard Trees
• Propa Candy by Wizard Trees

The bed stood on an Autopot Tray2Grow and was filled with Plagron Bio Lightmix.

The connected root space was one of the biggest differences compared with my previous grows. Instead of limiting each plant to the volume of a small individual pot, the roots were able to spread throughout the entire bed. This made the system feel more stable and considerably less sensitive to me.

How the Substrate Was Prepared

Living Soil Base and Mineral Charge were mixed directly into the substrate before planting. I then placed the four plants in the prepared bed.

When switching to 12/12, TopDress Bloom was added. The product was distributed across the soil surface and worked into the uppermost layer of the substrate as thoroughly as possible. MicroBio+ also accompanied the grow.

The basic setup was very straightforward for me:

• Work Living Soil Base and Mineral Charge into the substrate before planting
• Place the plants in the prepared bed
• Add TopDress Bloom at the beginning of flowering
• Use MicroBio+ for microbial support
• Monitor plant development, climate and watering

I did not have to combine several liquid fertilizers throughout the grow or follow a complicated schedule.

Ten Weeks of Vegetative Growth

The grow began in early March. The vegetative phase lasted ten weeks in total. I used this time intensively to adapt the four plants to the available space.

I used topping, LST and a SCROG net. Growth was very rapid. The plants developed sturdy branches and tolerated the training exceptionally well.

Even after more intensive interventions, they quickly resumed growth. I was able to distribute the side branches evenly across the area and increasingly fill the SCROG net. By the time I switched to 12/12, a broad and stable plant structure had developed.

Strong Plants Despite Intensive Training

I was particularly impressed by how resilient the plants were during the vegetative phase.

The topping and subsequent LST did not lead to prolonged growth pauses. The branches continued developing and were easy to distribute beneath the net. The plants appeared healthy and stable throughout the entire period.

I never felt that I had to constantly intervene to correct problems. The system provided the plants with enough reserves to continue developing quickly even after training.

Lighting and Climate

An LED system with LM301H-EVO diodes was used. During the vegetative phase, I worked with a light intensity of up to approximately 800 PPFD. During flowering, the intensity was increased to up to around 1,100 PPFD.

Temperatures were usually between 23 and 26 degrees Celsius. For extraction and air circulation, I used a Spider-Farmer extraction system and two Spider-Farmer fans.

The climate remained stable throughout the grow. The plants showed no noticeable symptoms of heat or light stress.

Watering and CalMag

My tap water measured approximately 200 ppm. I supplemented this with around 100 ppm of CalMag. The pH was adjusted to approximately 6.5.

The bed was watered approximately every three days. The exact amount depended on the plants’ needs and the moisture level in the substrate.

Water uptake worked very well. The bed absorbed the water evenly, while the soil remained loose and airy. I did not observe waterlogging or significant compaction.

Even Stretch After the Switch

At the end of May, the lighting was switched to 12/12. Despite the intensive training, the plants stretched beautifully during early flowering.

The existing branches spread evenly across the area. The net helped maintain the plant structure and align the flower sites as effectively as possible.

The stretch remained controllable. At the same time, the plants developed enough new mass to fully utilize the bed and the available space.

Large Flowers and Visible Resin Production

During flowering, the flower sites developed vigorously. The flowers reached a good size and felt firm toward the end. I was particularly impressed by the amount of resin.

The flowers and the adjacent leaves were heavily covered in trichomes. The aroma also developed intensely and very pleasantly.

At the time of completing the report, the flowers were still drying. I therefore could not yet provide a final assessment of the flavor. However, their visible quality, firmness and aroma had already convinced me before curing.

The Bed Was Fully Rooted

For me, root development was one of the strongest results of this grow. The entire bed was fully rooted. The four plants made very good use of the available space.

Despite the dense root mass, the substrate remained loose and airy. Water uptake also continued to work reliably.

The entire system appeared very healthy to me:

• complete root development
• loose soil structure
• even water uptake
• stable plant development
• no visible deficiency symptoms
• no signs of overfeeding

Compared with smaller individual pots in particular, the bed seemed considerably more balanced.

Fungus Gnats as the Only Real Challenge

Some fungus gnats appeared during the grow. At that point, the soil surface was protected neither with mulch nor with a permanently established cover.

I subsequently sowed a Cover Crop Mix. After that, the infestation decreased, in my observation. For the next run, I want to establish the soil surface more effectively from the beginning.

I am planning a stable mulch layer, a suitable Cover Crop, compost worms in the bed and early, targeted action against fungus gnats. This should make the bed permanently more biologically active and more stable at the surface.

How to identify and specifically combat fungus gnats in your grow

The Final Week Before Harvest

During the final week, I stopped using CalMag. The plants began using the reserves stored in their leaves, resulting in a natural fade.

Watering initially continued unchanged. Only a few days before harvest did I stop giving any additional water.

No active flush with large amounts of water was carried out. Instead, I allowed the plants to ripen normally and ended the additional feeding at the appropriate time.

Large, Firm and Heavily Frosted Flowers

At the time of the report, all four plants had already been harvested. The flowers were still drying.

The first impression was very positive. The flowers were large, firm, heavily frosted and intense in aroma.

A final assessment of the flavor and complete aroma profile will only be possible after drying and a sufficient maturation period. Based on the results so far, however, I expect the sensory quality to impress me as well.

The Easiest Run I Have Had So Far

For me, this run was by far the easiest grow I have completed to date.

I had no feeding issues and did not have to constantly react to individual symptoms. The biggest difference compared with my previous mineral, biological and hybrid runs was the reduced ongoing effort.

Once the bed had been prepared, my focus was mainly on watering, training, lighting, climate and observing the plants. The feeding was already built into the system and only needed to be supplemented selectively during the grow. As a result, the entire run felt considerably calmer and more controlled.

What I Will Improve in the Next Run

I do not want to change anything about the basic setup of the system. The bed worked very well for me and will be used again in the next run.

Above all, I want to improve the soil surface. The next run will therefore begin with a suitable mulch layer, an early-established Cover Crop, compost worms and a targeted prevention and control strategy for fungus gnats.

My aim is to develop the system even further toward a permanently stable Living-Soil or No-Till bed.

My Personal Conclusion

I am genuinely very satisfied. This was by far the easiest run I have had so far.

Compared with my previous mineral, biological and hybrid grows, this run was considerably more relaxed.

Once the bed had been prepared, I was able to focus more closely on the plants themselves. The four plants developed steadily and produced large, firm and heavily frosted flowers.

What particularly convinced me was that the bed does not have to be discarded or completely rebuilt after every grow. The system can remain in place, be further developed and used again in the next run.

To me, this way of growing feels almost a little like magic.