Episode 7: Week 7 Veg Progress, Pest Management Experiments & Canopy Cleanup in EarthBox Living Soil

In this episode of the BuildASoil 10×10 Series, Season 9 continues with a hands-on, real-time look at a maturing vegetative grow inside the 10×10 tent. The plants are now entering a faster growth phase after a slower start, giving us a clearer picture of how genetics, environment, and soil biology interact over time in living soil systems.

We begin with a detailed week 7 veg update, where we observe plant structure, canopy development, and how different phenotypes are responding to identical conditions. While growth is still compact and bushy, the overall health is strong and the canopy is beginning to fill in more aggressively.

From there, we dive into an experimental pest management session, testing different roly-poly traps including banana, potato, sweet potato, and beer-based methods. This hands-on trial shows how simple organic materials can be used to monitor and manage pest pressure in a living soil environment without disrupting soil biology.

Next, we move into defoliation and canopy management, where heavy lollipopping is performed to improve airflow, reduce pest access points, and redirect energy toward productive growth sites. This section also includes cloning preparation, plant labeling for pheno tracking, and discussion on how structure management influences future yield potential.

We also explore real-world grow challenges, including slow vegging genetics, uneven plant development, and the trade-offs between plant vigor and pest susceptibility. This leads into a broader discussion on grow philosophy, emphasizing consistency, observation, and adapting management strategies rather than forcing rapid growth.

In the final section, we document a heavy cleanup session where lower growth is removed, clones are prepared in aloe-treated water, and roly-poly trap effectiveness is evaluated in real time. The episode closes with reflections on plant recovery, canopy response, and next steps moving into the following week of growth.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how to manage a living soil veg cycle through observation, selective pruning, and simple organic pest control strategies that work alongside the biology instead of against it.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational and informational purposes only. BuildASoil is dedicated to teaching the art and science of soil-based growing. Always follow your local laws and regulations.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro
00:16 – Week 7 Veg Update
03:09 – Testing Roly-Poly Traps, Taking Clones & Organic Pest Control Experiments
04:38 – Defoliation Strategy, Clone Prep & Labeling Plants for Pheno Hunting
07:48 – Real Grow Challenges
09:04 – Setting Roly-Poly Traps, Organic Pest Control & Plant Recovery After Defoliation
19:15 – Heavy Defoliation (Lollipopping), Cloning Prep & Roly-Poly Trap Results Update
31:07 – Final Thoughts + Bonus Clip
34:10 – Extra Scene

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Music: Rebel by LionRiddims