End of Summer Reset: Getting the Most from Your Mid-Cycle Plants

As summer winds down, your garden is entering one of the most important phases of the growing season. The adjustments you make now will directly influence your harvest’s yield, flavor, and potency. A little extra attention during this stage ensures all the hard work you’ve put in pays off when it’s time to chop.

Here’s your mid-cycle reset checklist to finish the season strong:
Check Your Roots

Healthy roots are the foundation of a thriving plant. White, fibrous roots signal good health, while brown or mushy roots can indicate overwatering or disease. Make sure your containers or beds drain properly — standing water is the quickest path to root rot.

Think of your root zone as the plant’s engine: if it’s clogged, everything above ground suffers. By maintaining oxygen-rich, well-drained media, you’ll set the stage for stronger nutrient uptake and overall vigor. 

Strong roots = strong plants.

Fine-Tune Feeding with Bloom Support

As your plants move deeper into bloom, their nutritional needs shift. Nitrogen demand drops, while phosphorus and potassium take the lead to drive flower production, density, and oil development. This is the perfect time to introduce bloom enhancers that maximize weight and flavor.

  • Sugaree SP 0-0-24™: Packed with carbohydrates and potassium, Sugaree SP™ provides an energy source for your plants while supporting essential oil and terpene production. The result? Sweeter aromas, stickier resin, and fuller flowers.

  • SourDee SP 0-0-24™: Think of this as a metabolic booster. SourDee SP™ delivers natural acids and carbohydrates that stimulate microbial activity in the root zone and encourage plants to push harder through the mid-to-late bloom stage.

Expect enhanced terpene profiles and improved flower quality.

Sugaree SP™ and SourDee SP™ create a synergy that helps your plants finish strong — fueling both density and complexity of flavor at harvest.

Late Flower Tapering of Nutrient Inputs

In the late flowering stage of cultivation, the nutrient regimen shifts with the plant's essential requirements. Instead of building leaves and stems, it focuses on ripening flowers, producing resin and building mass. 

  • Nitrogen (N) :  

    • A reduction of Nitrogen in late flower encourages energy and development into the flower vs new foliage. Excess Nitrogen in late flower formulas delays flower finishing, and can effect flavors and smoke quality. By strategically reducing Nitrogen inputs during this stage, quality is increased.

  • Phosphorus (P) 

    • A slight reduction in Phosphorus in late flower can reduce risk of nutrient lock out and salt build up while creating a cleaner end product. Maintaining moderate levels of Phosphorus with slight reductions to the bloom feeding schedule can prove very beneficial to the end product.

Other nutrients such as Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulfur (S) are essential for peak genetic potential in the late flowering phase. These nutrients do not require the same attention to tapering off in the flower cycle due to their roles in terpene product, flower density, sugar transport, and cell wall durability. 

Prune and Support

Your canopy should be working for you, not against you. At this stage, it’s worth removing unnecessary lower growth and big fan leaves that block airflow. This reduces the risk of pests and mold while ensuring energy is directed to the flowers that matter!

As flowers pack on weight, don’t overlook structural support. Heavy branches can snap without reinforcement, costing you yield. Trellising, stakes, or cages will help maintain plant shape and keep colas upright for maximum light exposure.

Dial in the Environment

Late-season stress is one of the easiest ways to compromise your final product. Keep a close eye on temperature, humidity, and airflow.

  • Ideal late bloom temps: Slightly cooler than early bloom, often in the 68–75°F range.

  • Humidity: Aim for low humidity. A range of 40–55% will help to discourage mold and mildew.

  • Airflow: Make sure fresh air is moving throughout the canopy to keep microclimates in check.

  Pro Tip: Place oscillating fans both above and below the canopy. Air Movement throughout different levels helps break up microclimates. 

Even small swings in the environment can have an outsized impact at this point in the cycle. Consistency is key.

Final Thoughts

By staying consistent and proactive, you’ll set your plants up to finish strong — producing dense, resin-rich flowers with the terpene profiles you’re after.

Remember: The little things you do now pay off big at harvest. 

With smart pruning, steady environmental control, and the bloom-boosting power of Sugaree SP™ and SourDee SP™, you’ll maximize the flavor, aroma, and quality your garden delivers.