18k for an entire day? That sounds EXTREMELY low.. if not impossible. That said, melds to help, tremendously. Altho you wont be reaching the points those crazy spammers did during ranking season, but it won’t be as bad as 18k a day. IIRC it took me a week or so to get 500k on both miner and botanist with the scenario going around, but I was melded to hit all three bonuses, which helps a lot with the points. I also tried to keep and eye and prevent GP usage unless I was on the +5 gathering strikes nodes, and used cordials, A LOT.
If you cant (or wont) meld to hit all three bonuses, then at least do 2 and food up for the 3rd one.