Small plants did not respond well to tying down. My method was to use a straightened out paper clip with a hook bent on the end to hold down the plants while they weaved their way around the pot. I did this to three plants with no luck. At first, they responded really well. The sativa-heavy plant started to resemble a vine. Amazing how quick and resilient these plants are.
However, as they continued to grow, the paper clips got in the way of the bottom nodes, and, as the plant grew, the leaves started to mutilate or rip off completely. I took the ties off of the plant and within 5 hours they had, for the most part, stood back up. They are currently getting about 8 solid hours of direct sunlight, when the sun gets over the trees in the morning, and indirect sunlight for an additional 5.
Since my last entry, each of the four remaining plants has taken on very distinct characteristics.
Prodigy: Prodigy was the first to pop up and showed the most potential and the most vigor early on. As it grew, the heavy sativa influence, if not full sativa, became apparent. The internodes are far apart with long thin leaves, and compared to the shorter plants of the same age, the stem is amazingly thin for the plant’s height. This plant was tied down until two days ago, but has since straightened out and continued growing.
Hunter Thompson: Looks about a 50/50 cross. Shorter only than Prodigy, but still with relatively thick leaves and bushy look. A very hardy plant with a thick stem for its age, this plant was also tied down until two days ago. It has since straightened out. This was the plant that was particularly having a problem with the original tie down technique.
As an interesting note, the incoming node appears to have only one leaf.
Also, the top of the soil, which in this case was taken from the back yard and not from a bag, is persistently turning green. I suspect mold. If I scrape it off with a spoon, it comes back within a week.
Frankenstein: Another really hardy plant with thick leaves and stem and a bushy appearance. May be the heaviest indica influence of the lot. Responded well to being tied down and to straightening out.
The Green Monster: When The Green Monster first sprouted, there was too little soil in the pot, and the stem stretched out to reach the first leaves up over the rim. At the growth of the third node, I cut off the very bottom leaves and filled the pot the rest of the way up with soil. Since then, it has continued to grow, but the nodes have been extremely close together to where the plant almost resembles a palm tree.
There are also three seedlings which have recently sprouted from germinated seeds, and I am optimistic. I will germinate and plant three more seeds, with the goal of getting to eight viable plants by November, so that I can come out with at least four females.
Also, it has been extreeeemely rainy, sometimes pouring down during the day, but mostly at night. For this, I bought a large clear storage bin, cut strips out of the sides for oxygen flow, and put it over the plants when I either expect rain or am going out for many hours. It doesn’t seem to disrupt the plants’ ability to absorb sunlight, and protects it marvelously.
That's it 'til next week! Check back!
Pictures:
1. Rain Box
2. All of the plants and seedlings
3. Frankenstein
4. The Green Monster
5. Hunter Thompson
6. Prodigy
nice babies
I named her Sunshine Dust. Her roots were packed perfectly in a rockwool cube that made for easy transplant. She took on a lot of stress after the transplant, and hasnt fared well under the sun, so Ive kept her in the shade until she gets used to this tropical humidity. 
