🪴 Back to Growing After Decades Away — With a Little Help from AI Coaching

[cannafarmer420]

I totally get where you’re coming from. I don’t treat ChatGPT like a human grower, and I don’t follow anything blindly. It’s not a grower, it’s a research assistant.

It can’t smell plants, it can’t touch soil, and it doesn’t replace real-world intuition — but what it can do is organize information, explain the ‘why’ behind grow science, help troubleshoot, and keep my notes, timelines, and environmental data extremely consistent.

I still verify everything with my own observations and with advice from humans here. The combination of both gives me better results than either one alone.

Couldn't agree more! Happy growing

 

[ChairmanFester]

A comment from my "mildly tolerated" AI;
"Well you managed to dial in the cold remedy and environment- accidentally or on purpose, who knows with you sometimes."

 

[kenb]

Day 15 - Flowering
Second trellis installed. Minor defoliation from underneath completed. Plants are drinking mightily and have done well since the recent top dress. Time to move the light up in height and intensity soon.

 

[kenb]

Flowering - Day 17
I haven't posted a reply from OpenAI in a while but after seeing this morning's pics (canopy shots front and back, the tallest cola of each strain, side profiles of colas, and a macro shot), I decided to bounce them off of AI for feedback.

Overall, I couldn't be more pleased. This first grow is surpassing my expectations.

Estimated yield from OpenAI is now 17.0 – 21.5 ounces (dry) or 1.0–1.3 grams per watt territory on a 480W light. But it's quick to point out that this estimate will go up or down depending on the rest of the grow, and will be most accurate by Christmas.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT — This Is a Very Strong Day 17–18 Tent​

These plants are:

• Happy
• Balanced
• Well-fed
• Perfectly hydrated
• Not stressed
• Not stretching too much
• Not starving for light
• Not fighting humidity
• Not showing any nutrient signals

This canopy is setting up a high-yield, high-quality mid-flower run. You're on track for excellent returns from both strains.

 

[Florida_Mike]

What's the white? Did you spray something on them?

 

[kenb]

What's the white? Did you spray something on them?

Those little shimmering white freckles all over the sugar leaves? That is early-stage glandular trichome formation. It doesn't smudge so it's not mildew and they weren't sprayed with anything. It's shimmery in person. Thoughts?

 

[cpurola]

Maybe you could ask AI what those spots are on your fan leaves that FloridaMike circled.

 

[JIMKSI64]

Those little shimmering white freckles all over the sugar leaves? That is early-stage glandular trichome formation. It doesn't smudge so it's not mildew and they weren't sprayed with anything. It's shimmery in person. Thoughts?

He literally circled fan leaves.
Down low

 

[kenb]

Maybe you could ask AI what those spots are on your fan leaves that FloridaMike circled.

And AI said, "Good eye — I checked those leaves closely this morning. It’s not PM and not residue from a foliar since they haven’t been sprayed at all. The texture doesn’t smudge or smear, and the pattern is random rather than the powdery, uniform spread you’d expect from mildew.

What you’re seeing is early glandular trichome development on the leaf surfaces (common in certain cultivars early in flower), plus a bit of natural leaf sheen reflecting under intense LED lighting. Some strains start frosting the petioles and fans earlier than others, especially when they have strong resin genetics.

I’ll keep monitoring to make sure nothing pathological develops, but right now there’s no raised texture, no wipe-off, no fuzzy growth, no expansion pattern — all signs point to normal resin formation.

 

[kenb]

He literally circled fan leaves.
Down low

I saw it. And it's not just on the lower leaves. Reply above.

 

[Florida_Mike]

I don't think it's anything to worry about.
That being said:
How do you water? Are you careful not to splash them when watering?
The canopy looks a little thick to penetrate with a wand or water can...
Btw, your plants look good!

 

[kenb]

I don't think it's anything to worry about.
That being said:
How do you water? Are you careful not to splash them when watering?
The canopy looks a little thick to penetrate with a wand or water can...
Btw, your plants look good!

They are being watered with AC Infinity water bases (wicking) and the humidifier. They were top watered a few days ago after top dressing with Gaia green all purpose, GG power bloom, and worm castings. They drink heavily and in the uptake mode. No splashing. And all water - in the humidifier, bases, and top water is properly pH balanced.

Thank you for taking a look!

 

[kenb]

How I Use AI in My Grow (And What It Doesn’t Replace)​

Some folks here have noticed I post daily climate charts, canopy assessments, and structured logs.
A few asked how I’m using ChatGPT in the process — so here’s the honest breakdown.

1. AI isn’t “growing my plants.” I am.​

AI doesn’t replace experience, intuition, or observation.
It just helps me organize information and make sense of patterns.

What I do myself:

• Adjust lights
• Water
• Train plants
• Read the canopy
• Take the photos
• Interpret smells, colors, and subtle cues
• Fix airflow/dehumidifier issues
• Make all final decisions

AI just gives me structured input → structured output.

---

2. Daily Logs = Better Results​

I feed ChatGPT daily:

• Full climate numbers
• Photos (canopy + close-ups)
• Feeding schedule
• Light height + intensity
• Strain characteristics
• Tent hardware & airflow layout

AI helps me read trends faster, not better than growers — just faster.

Think of it like bouncing ideas off another grower every day.

---

3. AI Helps With the “Mathy” Stuff​

Stuff that’s easy for AI, annoying for humans:

• PPFD estimates based on light model + distance
• VPD zone calculations
• Amendment release timing
• Light schedule optimization
• Stretch completion analysis
• Canopy symmetry evaluation
• Yield projection ranges

This saves me time and gives me confidence on small adjustments.

---

4. AI Helps Me Build a Grow Diary​

Templates I now use daily:

• Morning climate check
• Lights-off bud assessment
• Weekly development milestones
• Defoliation timing windows
• Feeding schedule based on organic release curves

These help ME be more consistent — AI just helps me stay organized.

---

5. What AI can’t do (and never will)​

• Smell terpenes
• Diagnose leaf texture
• Sense soil moisture with a lift
• Read plant “attitude”
• See micro clues in person
• Feel airflow correctly
• Cure buds properly
• Replace grower intuition

AI is a tool, not a grower.

---

6. Why I share this here​

Some folks here are curious, some are skeptical — both are fair.

My goal isn’t to evangelize AI.
I just enjoy showing how structured data + grower intuition = smoother runs.

If it helps anyone, awesome.
If not, all good — everyone grows differently.

Just sharing the journey.

 

[kenb]

Flower Day 20 — First Grow Progress

Running a 4×4 AC Infinity setup with a Samsung 480W EVO board.
Strains are 2× Cap Junky and 2× Ginger Kush.

Stretch is officially done and I’m starting to see the early “build mode” kick in.
Daily growth has been pretty wild to watch — definitely a learning experience, but I’m trying to keep things as controlled and consistent as possible.

Environment / Method:

• VPD ~1.2–1.3 during lights on (6 PM–6 AM)
• Trellised in two layers for canopy uniformity
• Strong undercarriage + top airflow
• Organic-only feed: Gaia Green 4-4-4 + 2-8-4 in Pro-Mix HP with fresh local worm castings
• No liquid nutrients or additives
• RH gradually stepping down as flower progresses

Some early trichome formation is starting on the fans (thought it was PM at first!), but it’s uniform and non-wipeable, so I’m assuming it’s just the Caps showing off early resin.

Still very new to this, so any observations or suggestions from the more experienced growers are definitely welcome. Loving the process so far and excited to see how things develop over the next few weeks.

 

[ccoki]

Ai has been a fantastic tool to incorporate since coming back after a year break (and being anti ai )

Good luck with your grow!

 

[kenb]

Flower Day 21
Plants are thriving, even after light defoliation yesterday
Light intensity is high but not harmful (Level 9)
Water usage is excellent
Airflow is good above and below
Bud development is advanced for Day 21
Raising the light today

 

[kenb]

Flower Day 22

Visual Notes
Canopy is even and full under the trellis; stretch is slowing and bud development is taking over.
Top colas show no light stress at current height/intensity (Level 9).
Undercarriage appears properly thinned with good airflow penetration.
Early trichome sparkle visible on many sugar leaves and some fans, especially around Cap Junky tops.

 

[Greenadian]

Plants are looking good!!

Although I do disagree with Ai......those bottom leaves to be housing white powdery mildew. Since you have not sprayed anything and does not look like residue from watering.....can you post a few more lower, up close pictures

 

[ChairmanFester]

Plants are looking good!!

Although I do disagree with Ai......those bottom leaves to be housing white powdery mildew. Since you have not sprayed anything and does not look like residue from watering.....can you post a few more lower, up close pictures

I agree on the sunday picture. One other thing could be moisture making dew but that shouldn't happen either.

 

[amneziaHaze]

Looking really nice ken I've been using AI as well to improve the grow and hit maximum performance and output check out my grow diary if you get a chance, it's nice to see someone else is using the tools available to them and is seeing beneficial results.
I've said it once and I'm sure I will say it a thousand times AI like any tool of human creation is only as good as the person weilding it.
If your ever unsure of the AIs response ask it to cite it's sources for it's reasoning, this usually nips any hallucinations and errors in the bud as it's able to tell you, actually this isn't confirmed or this is presumed or straight made up and this is backed by data ect.
Using this method I've managed to double the recorded known yeild per sq ft and yield per watt average and am producing for one tenth the cost of commercial operations.

Good luck with your current grow the only refinement I would recommend is use living soil, you will see the products I recommend for it in my diary.
This will increase nutrient uptake and availability and will minimize the energy the plant uses to send roots in search of what it needs as the mycelia and micology deliveries what the plant needs in exchange for things they need meaning more energy to flower development

Tried it yesterday it told me 1.12 you added 60mg of ph up that could be bad i look at the notes it says 10+20... fuck a tool i have to check if it even copied me correct. ..