Auto Zkittlez

Advanced Seeds has just released a new automatic version of this marvellous genetics, which retains all the essence and characteristics of the original plant. Zkittlez Auto is the result of a cross between a Pineapple Auto and a Gorilla Glue Auto. The hybrid obtained is a mostly Indica plant, with a THC percentage of 22% producing full physical and mental relaxation. It is ideal for disconnecting from everyday life. The aroma it gives off, and the unique taste of sweet and tropical fruits that it leaves in the mouth are only some of the great qualities of this plant.

It is fairly quick and will be ready in just 70 days after germination. It is also a discreet plant growing up to about one metre indoors and a metre and a half outdoors. If you normally grow plants on terraces or in places with limited height, this strain will be a perfect choice. The yields of Zkittlez Auto are quite generous, with quantities ranging between 450 and 550 g/m² under lights in 10 weeks. Outdoors, it can be cultivated throughout the season with several harvests. Its specimens are strong and quite branchy, with dense, heavy buds covered with a shiny layer of resin.

Germination and growth

We germinated several Zkittlez autoflowering seeds between wet rags. All of them opened quickly (in less than 48 hours) with a radicle clearly visible. We put the seedlings in nutrient-rich soil that was less than a centimetre deep with the root pointing upwards.

We left them in this substrate for their entire lifecycle. As autoflowering strains grow and flower in a short time, they can take a few days to recover from any small stresses, so we preferred not to transplant them to avoid the risk of even the smallest accident during this process.

We normally use large pots (in this case pots measured 17 litres) and light our crops with LEC lamps. In little more than a day, the first leaves quickly appeared on the surface of the soil. The photoperiod was set at 20 hours of light and 4 of darkness for all growth stages. In the first few days, we added a root stimulator to irrigation water. In a couple of watering cycles, we also added Bactomatik to make the most of this plant. Bactomatik is a bacteria-based stimulator designed for autoflowering strains, which stimulates root growth making the aerial part of the plant healthy and vigorous.

Next, to stimulate the last spurt of growth, we added a growth fertiliser for a couple of watering cycles between the third and fourth week. All plants grew healthy and strong, with plenty of side branches and many side shoots. Thick, white roots protruded through the bottom of the pots. From the third week onwards, the first pistils started to develop.

Flowering

We continued to keep the lights on for 20 hours a day to allow Auto Zkittlez to reach its full potential. During the two weeks following the start of flowering, they continued to grow amazingly. The branches stretched to the maximum length while the last buds were forming.

Buds were large and dense even in the lower parts of the branches and covered with a large layer of resin. Remarkably, all specimens grew with a large impressive central bud. This marijuana strain is very easy to grow and only requires little attention. During flowering, we added a growth stimulator and a fertiliser formulated specifically for this stage of development as it favours the formation of large, dense buds, with abundant resin production.

We did not forget to apply, as we usually do, an extra watering cycle with Bactobloom at the beginning of flowering. With just one watering cycle, these bacteria boost the production of buds, which continue to develop throughout the flowering stage. Just a little more than ten days before harvest, we washed the roots to remove any fertiliser traces not to spoil the taste of our marijuana. So, for irrigation we only used pure water during this last period and waited for the flowers to complete their ripening.

Harvest and tasting

We cut all the plants after just 70 days from germination. All the Auto Zkittlez specimens were around 1m tall and replete of resin-covered buds. Their leaf-to-bud ratio was low, so pruning them took almost no time at all. The resin left on the blades of our scissors was a clear sign of the enormous amount of trichomes produced by this strain.

The Zkittlez Auto is a strain that stands out for its rich yields and vigour and, above all, its taste. After hanging its branches three weeks in a dark, well-ventilated room, we tasted the first Zkittlez buds. Taste is smooth, very sweet and fruity. It looked as if we had gumdrops in our mouths. The effect it produces is very relaxing and happy, a perfect treat to end the day.

TricomaTeam (tricomateam@gmail.com)

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