Wedding Cake Cultivation: Nutrient Secrets For Success

Wedding Cake is a hybrid cannabis strain, with 80% Indica and 20% Sativa lineage. It is a crossbreed between the Cherry Pie and Girl Scout Cookies strains, with a nod to its alternate identity, Pink Cookies. Wedding Cake is known for its sweet, creamy aroma and dessert-like flavour, reminiscent of cookies and vanilla wafers. Its THC content ranges from 16% to 25%, delivering a potent punch.

When growing Wedding Cake, it is important to maintain a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and adjust humidity levels accordingly. The strain can be grown indoors or outdoors, with a flowering time of around 8-10 weeks. It is a hearty plant that responds well to stress and can thrive in various environments.

Wedding Cake is a popular choice for both recreational and medicinal users due to its ability to induce relaxation, euphoria, and creativity, as well as its potential medical benefits in alleviating stress, pain, insomnia, and appetite loss.

Nutrient consistency is key

When growing Wedding Cake, it is important to keep the temperature and humidity levels consistent to support development and prevent mould. This strain does well in a SOG setup, which involves growing multiple plants in a small space. It also requires plenty of airflow.

To avoid the buds producing seeds instead of flowers, it is crucial to ensure that all stimuli, including light, nutrients, air, and water, remain consistent throughout the entire growing process. Any fluctuations in these stimuli, especially during the flowering stage, can increase the risk of seed production.

Additionally, stressors such as staking, pruning, and topping should be avoided during the flowering stage. The growing environment should remain as calm and peaceful as possible to promote healthy flower development.

Wedding Cake is known for its sweet and dessert-like flavour profile, with notes of vanilla, earthiness, and a subtle aroma. It is a robust and resilient strain that is fairly easy to grow, thanks to its strong genetic lineage. With consistent nutrient intake and a well-controlled environment, growers can achieve successful yields of this sought-after cannabis variety.

Mycorrhizae fungi in the soil

Mycorrhizae fungi are a vital component of healthy soil and plant growth. They form a symbiotic relationship with plants, helping them absorb more nutrients and water. This is achieved by creating a network of tiny filaments attached to plant roots, increasing the root surface area, and improving water and nutrient uptake.

There are two main types of mycorrhizae: Endomycorrhizae and Ectomycorrhizae. Endomycorrhizae penetrate plant cells, while Ectomycorrhizae form a sheath around plant roots. Endomycorrhizae are further classified as arbuscular or vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAM). They are found in 80% of vascular plant roots and are believed to have an asexual reproductive strategy. Arbuscular mycorrhizae form a mutualistic relationship with the roots of almost 90% of plant species, enhancing nutrient acquisition in exchange for photosynthate.

Ectomycorrhizae, on the other hand, are found on many evergreen trees and shrubs, as well as some deciduous trees. They cover the ends of young roots and do not penetrate beyond the cell wall of the cortex. These fungi are dispersed by airborne spores or through infected plant tissue. Ectomycorrhizae absorb phosphate, ammonium, and zinc from the soil and are essential for plant nutrition.

Mycorrhizae play a crucial role in plant health and can even protect against soil-borne diseases and adverse conditions such as drought, high temperatures, and salinity. However, balance is essential, as an overabundance of mycorrhizae can harm plant health and lead to species dominance. To promote the growth and activity of these beneficial fungi, it is recommended to minimise the use of harsh chemicals and pesticides, plant friendly vegetation, and allow leaves to decay naturally.

Now, let's apply this knowledge to the context of growing the Wedding Cake cannabis strain. Wedding Cake, also known as Triangle Mints or Pink Cookies, is an indica-dominant hybrid known for its sweet flavour and potent effects. When growing Wedding Cake, it is important to consider the role of mycorrhizae fungi in the soil. By fostering a symbiotic relationship with these fungi, you can enhance the absorption of nutrients and water by the plant roots. This, in turn, can promote the growth and overall health of your Wedding Cake plants.

To encourage the growth of mycorrhizae in your soil, avoid the use of chemical fertilisers, as they can negatively impact the presence and activity of these beneficial fungi. Instead, opt for biological fertilisers, such as animal manure or compost. Additionally, maintain a moderate level of inorganic phosphorus in the soil, as mycorrhizae thrive when phosphorus levels are low, helping plants access this essential nutrient.

In summary, mycorrhizae fungi play a crucial role in the soil by forming a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, enhancing nutrient and water uptake. By understanding and promoting the growth of these fungi, you can create an optimal environment for your Wedding Cake plants to thrive, resulting in healthier and more robust growth.

Optimal temperature and humidity

The Wedding Cake strain thrives in a warm and dry climate, similar to its native California. It prefers daytime temperatures between 70–80 °F (21–27 °C) and slightly cooler temperatures at night.

When growing Wedding Cake indoors, it is crucial to maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels to support the plant's development and prevent mould. The humidity level should be kept between 40–50% during the vegetative stage, and then lowered to around 30–40% when the plant transitions to the flowering stage to prevent mould and mildew.

Wedding Cake can be grown successfully in a SOG (Sea of Green) setup, which involves growing multiple plants in a small space under grow lights. This strain does well in a warm and humid environment, so using a tent with reflective lining and high-density discharge lamps can be beneficial. It is important to ensure that light reaches all parts of the plant, which can grow tall and bushy.

When grown outdoors, Wedding Cake still requires temperatures hovering around 70 °F and a touch of humidity. It grows best in very rich soil and is typically ready for harvest around mid-October. Due to its preference for warm temperatures, outdoor growing is only suitable for moderate year-round climates.

Pruning is essential

Training and pruning techniques such as topping, low-stress training (LST), and defoliation can help promote even canopy development and maximise bud production. Pruning any lower foliage that receives inadequate light can also improve airflow and prevent the risk of mould or pests. This is particularly important for indoor cultivation, where the short and bushy Wedding Cake plants can be grown successfully in smaller spaces but require careful management of temperature and humidity levels.

Pruning and training techniques can also enhance the aesthetic appeal of the plant. The Wedding Cake strain is known for its captivating appearance, with dense, compact buds displaying vibrant shades of green, purple, and orange, and a frosty, resinous look from its dense trichome coverage. Careful pruning can help to shape the plant and showcase its colourful buds to their best advantage.

In addition to the benefits of improved airflow, disease prevention, and aesthetic appeal, pruning can also have a positive impact on the overall health and yield of the plant. By selectively removing certain parts of the plant, pruning encourages the plant to redirect its energy to the remaining buds and foliage. This can result in larger and more potent blooms, enhancing the appeal of this already sought-after strain.

Overall, while the Wedding Cake strain may present some cultivation challenges due to its preference for specific environmental conditions and its bushy growth habit, the benefits of pruning can help to mitigate these challenges and maximise the potential of this high-yielding and aromatic variety.

Stealth growing is possible

Grow Indoors

Growing cannabis indoors is the best option for stealth as you can control the odour and sound, and your plants are not visible. Outdoor growing carries the risk of being discovered by strangers, neighbours, or passersby. If you do choose to grow outdoors, you can train your plants to stay bushy and out of sight by pruning and topping them. Additionally, some strains like Northern Lights or Blueberry are less smelly, and you can also plant other fragrant plants like lavender, honeysuckle, and jasmine to help cover the smell of cannabis.

Control Odour

Whether you grow indoors or outdoors, controlling the odour is crucial. For indoor growers, use filters and duct fans in the grow room, and consider using odour neutralizers like candles and diffusers for living areas. For outdoor growers, the fragrance of lavender, honeysuckle, and jasmine can help mask the smell of cannabis.

Minimize Noise

Fans and other equipment can be noisy and may attract unwanted attention. Choose high-quality, quiet devices, and ensure your fan is the appropriate size for your space. Install the exhaust fan inside your tent and hang it rather than letting it sit on something to reduce noise. Keep the ducting path as short and straight as possible, and use insulated ducting to help contain sounds.

Discreet Waste Disposal

Be cautious about disposing of any cannabis-related waste. Try to throw away stems and other identifiable trash on the day trash is collected, and cover it with other waste like food scraps or kitty litter.

Maintain a Low Profile

Avoid doing anything that might draw attention to yourself or your growing operation. Be mindful of your appearance and behaviour, and try to maintain a normal routine.

Choose the Right Strains

Some cannabis strains are more discreet than others due to their size and aroma. Autoflowering strains, for instance, tend to be smaller and less fragrant. Wedding Cake, also known as Triangle Mints #23, is an indica-dominant strain with a subtle aroma, making it ideal for stealth growing. It has a short and bushy stature, and its flowering time is relatively short, ranging from 8-10 weeks. Its aroma is primarily composed of vanilla with earthy undertones, and it has a doughy, cake-like taste. With its high THC content and sweet flavour, it is a popular choice for both recreational and medical users.

Frequently asked questions