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Purple Punch is a popular modern hybrid that combines genetics from Larry OG and Granddaddy Purple. Royal Queen Seeds' Purple Punch Automatic promises the same aromas and physically relaxing effects as the original, but in a simple, fast, and compact auto seed. Wondering whether Purple Punch Automatic deserves a spot in your garden? Read my full grow report below to find out.
As with some of my other grow reports, I decided to use a fairly simple setup to grow Purple Punch Auto. Here's what I used:
Note: My local water is quite basic, so I use Plagron Lemon Kick to bring its pH down to anywhere between 6–6.5. I also let my water sit undisturbed in open containers for at least 24 hours before using it to help rid it of chlorine (which damages roots and natural soil organisms).
I chose to germinate my Purple Punch Auto seeds directly in their growing medium. While it's by no means necessary, I've found that germinating auto seeds directly in the soil (rather than in paper towels or water) helps to minimise stress during the all-important seedling phase.
To kick things off, I prepared 2x 11l AirPots with the following soil mix:
Note: To ensure all my soil ingredients were well-mixed, I first half-filled my pots with the Biobizz mix, then added in the nutrition pellets, Rhizobacter, and mycorrhiza. I then mixed everything together by hand and gradually added in more soil, taking care to mix everything evenly. Once my soil was ready, I soaked it liberally with pH-regulated, unchlorinated water.
After preparing my soil mix, I made a small hole (roughly 2cm deep) in the middle of each pot. To promote faster germination and stronger root growth, I also sprinkled 1g of Royal Queen Seeds Easy Roots Mycorrhiza Mix inside the hole before adding in the seeds and gently covering them with soil. I then applied a little more water to help trigger germination, labelled the pots, and moved them into their new home on Butterfly Farm.
To ensure faster germination and promote the growth of strong seedlings, here's how I set up my tent during the seedling phase:
The first Purple Punch Auto seed sprouted by day 4. As the second seed didn't sprout, I germinated a backup seed on a cotton pad with water. On day 7, since the second seed still hadn't sprouted, I planted the now-germinated backup seed in its pot. By day 9, the new seed had popped out of the soil. Both seeds looked strong, with only slight etiolation, and displayed bright green cotyledons. Thirteen days after germination, both Purple Punch Auto seedlings had developed two sets of true leaves and officially entered their vegetative phase.
Both of my Purple Punch Automatic plants vegetated for a total of three weeks. Below I've outlined my growing process for each week of veg in closer detail.
By the end of their first week of veg, my Purple Punch Auto plants looked healthy and strong. Purple Punch #1 (the first plant to germinate) grew to a total height of 11cm, while Purple Punch #2 (the backup seed) grew to 7cm. Here's how I went about my grow during the week:
The second week of veg was pretty straightforward; I saw some solid growth from both Purple Punch Auto plants, and even some small flowers started to form by the end of the week. Both of my plants doubled in size, with Purple Punch #1 reaching 23cm and Purple Punch #2 reaching 15cm. Purple Punch #1 developed some bright yellow tinges on the tips and edges of its leaves (see pictures), the cause of which I am not yet sure of.
My Purple Punch Auto plants continued to grow vigorously during their last week of veg. By the end of the week, Purple Punch #1 measured 50cm tall, while Purple Punch #2 measured 30cm (acceptable, given that this seed got a delayed start). Both plants had also developed their first buds by the end of the week. Purple Punch #1 continued with its yellow-tinged leaves, which I think may be genetic since the other two plants in the tent showed no similar signs.
On day 15, I dissolved 1x RQS Easy Grow nutrient tablet in 6l of water and watered each plant with 2l. On day 18, I watered my plants without any added nutrients, and on day 21, I fed my plants again, this time using General Hydroponics CalMg+ (1.5ml/l), Biobizz Bio Heaven (2ml/l), Bio Grow (2ml/l), Acti Vera (2ml/l), and Alg-A-Mix (2ml/l).
Both of my Purple Punch Automatic plants began flowering toward the end of their 4th week after germination. Their entire flowering stage lasted 7 weeks. Here's a closer look at Purple Punch Auto's bloom phase.
By the end of week 5, my Purple Punch Auto plants had stretched considerably, with Purple Punch #1 reaching 66cm tall and Purple Punch #2 reaching 54cm. Both plants also developed plenty of healthy leaves, and while I know some growers like to defoliate their autos, I chose not to do so just yet.
Both of my Purple Punch plants also seemed to respond well to the nutrients I'd fed them in week 4, especially when compared to their Watermelon companion, which seemed a little stressed after the last feeding. Purple Punch #1 continued to have yellow-tinged leaf tips, which I continue to think is a genetic trait.
This week, my plants continued to flower nicely, and Purple Punch #2 finally caught up with Purple Punch #1 in terms of size, meaning I finally had a nice, even canopy in my tent. The fact that Purple Punch #1 hadn't grown any taller during the week is a solid indication that she is well into her bloom phase and focusing all of her energy on flower development. Both plants had a nice, thick canopy (which I am considering thinning out slightly) and started developing nice round flowers. ¨
By the end of week 7, both Purple Punch Auto plants clocked in at 67cm tall (slightly taller than the week before). They looked nice and healthy, with dark, vibrant foliage. They also showed nice rounded flowers with some red pistils and a sugary coating of clear, but already aromatic, trichomes.
Another week of bloom down, and I must say that I am very impressed by the look and smell of Purple Punch Auto. Both plants have developed some yellow foliage, suggesting that they're approaching the final weeks of their life. Their flowers continue to ripen nicely, developing large, swollen calyxes with a frosty coating of trichomes and more red pistils.
From the look of Purple Punch Automatic this week, I am guessing that we're roughly 2 weeks out from harvest. Both of my Purple Punch Auto plants are looking very healthy, with more yellow leaves as they continue to use up their nutrient stores to fuel the growth of their flowers. The buds of both plants are nice and dense, with swollen calyxes and a growing number of red pistils. The buds feel nice and hard to the touch and are producing a delicious aroma. I am using a microscope to carefully keep an eye on the development of trichomes, which are still mostly clear at this stage.
Harvest day is fast approaching, and I continue to be impressed by the look and smell of my Purple Punch Auto plants. As you can see from this week's photos, the buds on these strains are fattening up very nicely and even taking on those beautiful purple hues that so many growers love. Both Purple Punch #1 and #2 are producing a lot of resin, and their yellowing foliage is a good sign that they're using up their last nutrient stores and will make for a smooth, clean smoke.
A total of 80 days after germination, my Purple Punch Automatic plants are finally harvest-ready. While I ran into some trouble germinating one seed, I must say that this strain exceeded my expectations. While autos often get criticised for their small size and lack of potency, Purple Punch Auto from RQS seems to deliver on both of these fronts. While I admit that I can't attest to the potency of this strain, seeing as I still need to dry and cure my buds, the sheer amount of resin on the flowers and their delicious aroma leaves me confident that they'll make for an excellent smoke.
After taking my last pics of the plants, I cut them at the bottom of their stalks and hung them upside down inside my tent to dry at 25°C and just below 40% RH.
After roughly two weeks of drying, I am now packing my Purple Punch Auto flowers into their curing jars. Until now, I must say that this has been my favourite strain to grow on Butterfly Farm. Growing to around 70cm tall, these plants worked perfectly in my small tent, and I'd recommend them to anyone with a similar-sized setup.
The physical traits of both Purple Punch Automatic plants seemed fairly similar, but their buds turned out quite different, with one plant producing smaller, denser flowers, and the other producing slightly more elongated ones. Either way, the buds all boasted a solid structure and plenty of aromatic resin. After a quick taste test, I can definitely say that my assumptions about the potency and flavour of Purple Punch Auto were spot-on; this compact auto produces a strong physical stone that's perfect for relaxing. Purple Punch Auto boasts a sweet berry aroma, and very respectable yields of roughly 70g of dried bud per plant.
All in all, I'd recommend this strain to almost any grower/smoker. Purple Punch Auto's grow traits are ideal for small indoor grow-ops, and her aromas, flavours, and potency are top-shelf.
Purple Punch x Old Skunk Auto | |
350 - 400 gr/m2 | |
60 - 100 cm | |
7 - 8 weeks | |
THC: 19% |
Sativa 20%, Indica 75%, Ruderalis 5% | |
80 - 130 gr/plant | |
80 - 120 cm | |
9 - 10 weeks after sprouting | |
Physically Relaxing |