Tip #1: Difficulty Growing ATF

One of the challenges faced when growing Alaskan Thunder Fuck outdoors is that it is only moderately resistant to diseases.

One tip for improving your ATF plants’ resistance to disease is by adding some silica to the soil.

This can be done without too much difficulty by dissolving silicon in water and applying it separately from your two-part feed.

For more on this, check out tip number 4 in this article: “Feeding for Alaskan Thunder Fuck.”

Silica stimulates the development and speeds up the process by which plants produce their cell walls.

This leads to a more robust, healthier plant and helps to improve its resistance to pathogens.

Another added benefit of silica is that it is a wonderful, natural alternative to toxic fungicides and pesticides.

You will need to closely monitor your plant and the weather to prevent it from being adversely affected by extreme weather conditions.

In terms of pH, ATF grows better in a more acidic growth medium.

Experienced ATF growers believe that the optimal pH level is 5.5.

Tip #2: Growing Techniques for ATF

ATF is best suited to a cooler climate due to its heritage.

Outdoor ATF growers recommend planting in trenches rather than in pots to keep the roots warm.

Pruning methods such as topping and training are recommended for plants like ATF with large internodal spacing as they will produce longer, taller stems.

Pruning the necessary nodes and internodal spaces will create more desirable branching, leading to higher yields.

ATF growers recommend that you use dowels to help the plant support its own weight as it grows.

You will also need to stake the branches and the apical stem to prevent your buds from drooping into the soil.

Tip #3: Alaskan Thunder Fuck Yield

It is in the yield where growers will notice the most significant difference between growing outdoors instead of indoors.

ATF can produce as much as 32 ounces per plant when grown outdoors, with October being ideal for harvesting.

The indoor yield is considerably less; growers can expect an average yield of 16 ounces per square meter.

Tip #4: Feeding for Alaskan Thunder Fuck

Experienced growers recommend using nutrient-rich soil to achieve the highest possible yield.

Opt for an organic mix, which is high in both nitrogen and microorganisms to boost growth.

As mentioned above, silica can be a very beneficial supplement when growing your ATF plant.

Not only will silica help strengthen your plant’s cell walls, but it also increases the amount of available nitrogen to your plant.

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for aiding growth, particularly in the vegetative stage.

Another of silica’s many benefits is it also increases the plant’s uptake of water and other nutrients.

It is important to note that hydroponic feeds do not contain silicon.

This is because silicon’s high pH level would react adversely with the other nutrients included in the feed.

Therefore, this could lead to your plant having shortage of essential nutrients.

Keeping your silica application separate from the normal two-part feed ensures that your ATF plants receive all of the benefits silica has to offer.

Please note that plants absorb silicon as monosilicic acid after it has dissolve in water.

If you intend to grow hydroponically, the main silicon additive to use is potassium silicate.

Tip #5: Growing ATF Outdoors/Indoors

While Alaskan Thunder Fuck can be grown indoors and outdoors, the plant thrives outdoors, particularly in colder conditions. The optimal temperature range is between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

If growing ATF indoors, please note that the plant has quite a pungent odor. Growers should ensure adequate ventilation to prevent any unwanted lingering odors.

Tip #6: Alaskan Thunder Fuck Flowering Time

So when can you expect those bodacious buds to reach maturity? Well, the flowering time for the Alaskan Thunder Fuck plant is approximately 9-10 weeks.

By this time, the plant’s flowers should have a generous coating of trichomes.

Trichomes get their name from the Greek word “tríchōma,” which means “growth of hair.”

When you see them up close, you will notice that’s what trichomes on a cannabis plant resemble.

Trichomes are sticky, and the ATF plant’s flowers can be difficult to break up without a grinder.

It is easy to tear off the leaves from the stem to reveal the ATF plant’s chunky buds, which are medium to large.

ATF’s orange pistils are much longer and thinner than those of other strains and grow predominantly around the leaves.