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THE CANNABIS NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

www.softsecrets.com | Issue 3 - 2021 18+ For adults only. Soft Secrets is published six times a year by Discover Publisher BV Netherlands

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CBD should not be regulated as a narcotic, European Commission says

greenpassion.eu

Low-THC cannabis producers can keep Europe on their radar as an export market in 2021 after the European Commission backed away from its preliminary stance that CBD should be treated as a narcotic. In a statement sent to the European Industrial Hemp Association on Wednesday, the commission said hempderived cannabidiol should not be regulated as a narcotic and can therefore qualify as a food. The decision comes as a relief to Europe’s cannabis industry, with makers of CBD foods and supplements no longer facing the prospect of a blanket ban across the European Union’s 27 member states.

CBD was included in the EU’s Novel Food Catalogue in January 2019. Since then, the cannabis extract has required extensive testing and authorization from food-safety authorities before it can be marketed as food in the EU. The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, said last July it had stopped reviewing applications for premarket authorization of CBD products while it decided whether CBD should be regulated as a narcotic. The commission based its Wednesday announcement on the Court of Justice’ November ruling in which five judges

declare that CBD derived from the entire hemp plant is not a narcotic under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and therefore subject to European Union law on the free movement of goods among EU-member states. Here is the commission’s full statement to novel food authorization applicants: “In light of the comments received from applicants and of the recent Court’s judgment in case C-663/184, the Commission has reviewed its preliminary assessment and concludes that cannabidiol should not be considered as drug within the meaning of the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 in so far as it does not have psychotropic effect. As a consequence, cannabidiol can be qualified as food, provided that also the other conditions of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No178/2002 are met.” Source: mjbizdaily.com

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WATERMELON ZKITTLEZ

ELECTRIFYING FLOWERS: A MELONY PICK-ME-UP TONIC

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BIG CONTAINERS GROW BIG PLANTS WITH JORGE CERVANTES

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8 TOP TIPS FOR GROWING OUTDOORS IN COLDER CLIMATES WITH STONEY TARK

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MARIJUANA AND HOP LATENT VIRUS

SHOP REVIEW

10 YEARS

AMSTERDAM SEED CENTER 2021 will mark the 10 year anniversary of Amsterdam Seed Center. There will be big celebrations with CRAZY promotions coming to you this year! Some very special promodeals coming up now that the grow season is starting again: Free promo seeds, free goodiebags, free merchandise, discount deals and much much more… Amsterdam Seed Center was founded in 2011 and aims to be the best source to order cannabis seeds online. All their cannabis seeds are fresh and stored refrigerated, ready for worldwide shipping. With over 30 years of combined growing experience and seeds from over 40 of the most popular seedbanks available, offering 1500+ varieties of cannabis strains, you'll be sure to find the right seed for your needs. The staff has selected the very best in cannabis genetics. Some of the most popular USA and EU seedbanks are available: Barney's Farm, BC Bud Depot, Buddha Seeds, Cali Connection, Dinafem, Dutch Passion, Greenhouse Seeds, Humboldt Seeds,

Karma Genetics, Paradise Seeds, Rare Dankness, Royal Queen Seeds, Sensi Seeds, Strain Hunters, Sweet Seeds and many more... Besides premium cannabis seeds, you will find a great variety of quality vaporizers, CBD-products, bags, grinders and other smoking accessories, smart products, clothing, marijuanabooks and more... You can order these products directly from their user friendly webshop. (Use promo code SEEDS4U) Helpful staff is ready to support you with quick and reliable customer service. All orders are always handled with care and shipped out discreetly, after payment has been received. Visit their store at the Gravenstraat 12 in Amsterdam, located at just 50 meter from Dam square, right in the heart of Amsterdam. Opened 7 days a week from 10:00 to 18:00.

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CANNABIS NEWS By Rich Hamilton

ZKITTLEZ

TASTE THE LAWSUIT Zkittlez has been one of the most popular cannabis strains of recent years. Originally bred by "3rd Gen Family" and “Terphogz", the indica dominant, fruity child of Grape Ape and Grapefruit has become a 420 legend. In no small part due to its bold flavour, intense effects, and multiple award wins. However, the name Zkittlez, a cheeky homage to the fruity candy we all enjoyed as kids, seems to have rubbed too close to the bone with candy juggernauts Mars Wrigley. And now the day of reckoning has arrived! Mars Wrigley has filed lawsuits in federal court in California and Illinois against a handful of businesses they claim are using Skittles and some of their most iconic branding and trademarks to sell THC infused edible cannabis products across the USA and Canada. Mars Wrigley is claiming trademark infringement in response to THC products sold under the names of some of their most popular candy brands. “Medicated Skittles”, “Life Savers Medicated Gummies and “Starburst Gummies” are all readily

2014 the Girl Scouts sent a cease and desist order to dispensaries carrying the Girl Scout Cookies strain. The same year, chocolate giants Hershey’s brought a lawsuit against “TinctureBelle” edibles over cannabis-inspired versions of their chocolate bars. There was also the battle over the name “Gorilla Glue’

risk to the general public, who could easily mistake these edible products for harmless candy. Mars Wrigley believes that unauthorised use of trademarks is also damaging to their brand, harming the goodwill that it has fostered and become loved for, for generations. Mars Wrigley stated that they “take great pride in making fun treats that parents can trust giving to their

surrender of any goods currently bearing the name. They are also demanding that Terphogz’s trademark application for the name “Zkittlez” is revoked. The domain name is surrendered, and all associated social media accounts are closed. Using the legendary red Skittles packaging as an example. Mars Wrigley stated that Terphogz’s Zkittlez

in 2017. In this case, the makers of the popular household adhesive took issue with "GG strains’ “ famous hybrid cannabis strain Gorilla Glue no.4. The lawsuit centred around the violation of trademarks and the

AS LEGAL CANNABIS MOVES FURTHER INTO THE MAINSTREAM BUSINESS WORLD, IT SEEMS TO BE LEARNING SOME LESSONS THE HARD WAY children and children can enjoy safely”. available for purchase in the USA and Canada from online stores. In a press release, the company stated, “Mars Wrigley strongly condemns the use of popular candy brands in the marketing and sale of THC products, which is grossly deceptive and irresponsible”. The main concern of Mars Wrigley is that the infused products are marketed with an almost identical resemblance to their trademarked products. This poses a

Defendants in the case include owners of the California-based websites ie420supply.com, 202ediblez.com and oc420collection.com. In Illinois, breeders “Terphogz” and five other companies involved in the purchasing, marketing, and selling of a cannabis product named “Zkittlez” are also facing legal action. Mars Wrigley is seeking a permanent injunction on products sold under the brand name “Zkittlez”, and the

branding is substantially identical in sight, sound, meaning and commercial impression to the branding of Wrigley’s Skittles. The corporate candy giants also filed legal action in Canada, seeking damages amounting to $2 million per trademark infringement for each type of candy sold. Mars also wants the profits from all sales made so far, along with the destruction of any remaining stock. Zkittlez is not the first cannabis brand to face this kind of action, and it is doubtful that it will be the last. In

potential destruction of the brand’s family-orientated reputation. In all these cases, the cannabusinesses lost and were forced to change their names and practices. As legal cannabis moves further into the mainstream business world, it seems to be learning some lessons the hard way. In this case, the lesson is that they have to be accountable for the same standards of fair play in branding that apply to all other businesses.

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BARNEY’S FARM STRAIN STORY Words & Pics: Green Born Identity – G.B.I.

Watermelon Zkittlez Electrifying flowers: A melony pick-me-up tonic For a couple of years, we’ve seen a lot of wonderful aroma strains emerge from California’s West Coast, fittingly bearing names of famous desserts and sweets. The highly popular Zkittlez strain, named after those well-known varicoloured drops, is a very nice example of that. Of course such a cannabis delicacy constitutes an irresistible invitation to breeders worldwide to use it as a hybridisation partner for creating a new variety. Barney’s Farm, metaphorically speaking, for instance got inspired to pour a flush of invigorating water melon juice over Zkittlez, by crossing it with Watermelon, another favoured US strain. Which produced an almost evenly balanced hybrid (55% indica, 45% sativa) that seems to be another summa cum laude candidate the Dutchmen have created: Cultivation-wise, Watermelon Zkittlez boasts an above-average yield

of 550 gm/2 that may even be vastly exceeded, potentially culminating in a maximum of 800 grams with an extraordinarily successful run. Pretty comfortably, the strain is able to build such an enormous amount of flower biomass up within no more than nine weeks of flowering. While its growth habit corresponds to sativa rather than indica, plants don’t stretch upwards too much, growing to medium height. Thanks to a cultivation difficulty rating of just 2 (on a scale to 5), also less experienced growers should be able to do well with this plant. It can make a stunning appearance outside, too, as it finishes in the third to fourth week of September already under natural light, yielding 750-1000 grams per plant in a favourable environment. Living up to the strain name, Watermelon Zkittlez’ delicious taste is said to remind of water melon, with grape being another

association that may be evoked. Every bit as enjoyable is its bewitching scent which brings the idea of a fruit basket full of tropical fruits and an array of sweet berries to one’s mind. Consuming this sort of fast-hitting weed has an invigorating and activating impact, also elevating the user’s mood so that it “makes the day’s stresses and problems disappear in a cloud of smoke, as if by magic”, according to Barney’s Farm.

two seedlings displayed fast growth right from the beginning, soon carrying fairly slender dark green shade leaves very much leaning towards the sativa side. Both plants ramified early, with many lateral branches spurting from the main stem. When The Doc triggered them into flowering by flipping the lights to 12/12, measuring the height of these vigorous bushy beauties, perfectly growing in step with each other, yielded 33 and 35 cm.

The veg stage: Synchronous strong and bushy growth

The flowering stage: An „umbrella“ flips open, studded with big resindrenched fruit buds

The Doc couldn’t (and didn’t want to) resist all these temptations and happily hurled himself into growing two feminised Watermelon Zkittlez plants. After a easy-peasy seed germination very typical of Barney‘s Farm strains – the

In the flowering stage they continued to exhibit impressive growth, with their scaffold of branches so expanding that it displayed the shape of an umbrella flipped open. The plants’ main stem rose

9 upwards from a voluminous radius of side branches beneath, increasingly standing out of it. The stretch factor during the first four weeks of blooming was about 2.5. There was early evidence that this was going to be another premium flower development as particularly early, drops of resin were generously oozing out of the young buds that also showed most promising succulent flower formation. Reported The Doc, “as early as six weeks into flowering, the tops had wrapped themselves into a star-studded garment so splendorous that it would have been a credit to many another strain as a FINAL result!” But Watermelon Zkittlez kept on pumping out resin glands so that over the last three weeks those heavy trichome layers became overly rich. Buds swelled to a massive size and not only had their calyxes, single- and multi-fingered flower leaves lavishly showered with crystals, but also the big most upper shade leaves to a great extent – “which is definitely a sign of exceptional quality”, said The Doc laudingly. “And this strain’s flower scent truly is a fruity delectation, a swirl of soo many fruit aromas – watermelon, nectarine, ananas, lemon, black currant are detectable to my nose – as if all these fruits together had been thrown into a smoothie mixer!”

A determined final sprint leads to overly punctual maturity A determined final sprint made the two Watermelon Zkittlez plants surprisingly cross the finish line a little bit earlier than stated by Barney’s – after 60 days already, The Doc decided it was time to chop. Thanks to the richly branched shape, the two weighty head buds were surrounded by no less than 18 stately side tops, “a downright bulwark of buds”, marvelled The Doc. In accordance with the seed company’s description, his two Watermelon Zkittlez specimens didn’t rocket upwards but fell into the “handy” category with final heights of 80 and 85 cm.

The dry outcome: Two „whoppers“ surpassing the 100 grams mark The Doc had no doubts that these two heavily flower-laden “whoppers” would surpass the 100 grams dry mark, and he was right – 106 and 115 grams went into his big storage jars, to be cured for a couple of weeks then. In the end they exuded an amazing fragrance so sweet and much of a multi-fruit nature that The Doc almost perceived it as foreign to the cannabis species: “The herbal element is almost gone, leaving the centre stage to a fascinating fruit show that is second to none!”

Smoking Watermelon Zkittlez delivers an electrifying get-up-and-go effect

Inhaling a first big hit off his 0.5 grams doobie left a sumptuous fruity melony flavour in his mouth, as wonderfully smooth and imbued with sweetness as he had expected in view of that dazzling scent. Later on when he had finished smoking, such was the intensity of the aromatic substance accumulated in there that his teeth seemed to be coated with a sugary film when he licked on them. After two puffs, the effect began as a prickling on his forehead and around his eyes, and after the next one started to fully settle in his body and mind: A vibrant fizz of energy took over, jumpstarting The Doc’s system that previously had been totally down after a long working day, Watermelon Zkittlez gave him a strong feeling of elation and a surge of alertness. Half way through the doobie, he realised it was simply impossible to keep on reading his book in this supercharged state of mind, he got a thirst for action and had to do something physical! So like a williwaw he set out to vacuum-clean the whole flat (which was overdue). “If my chica had been around, I probably would have spent my energy on a completely different activity…”, he said with a broad grin. Then he finished the doobie and driven by another freshness kick crushed several big cardboard boxes for the waste paper container, “I shredded them so strenuously and super fast as though it was a new Olympic discipline!”, the old grandmaster of growing laughed. After that he had enough of that sort of diligent housework though, now he desired to pamper his senses and cooked himself a

very special risotto with pears, gorgonzola and radicchio. With his belly full of that delicious meal then, he indulged in relaxation and felt pretty comfy. “With Watermelon Zkittlez, Barney’s Farm once again has delivered an outstanding piece of breeding work”, The Doc concluded.

“It’s a highly productive fruit strain with a moderate flowering time and an electrifying get up and go effect making it a perfect partner for activities. A sublime melony pick-me-up cannabis tonic!” Green Born Identity – G.B.I.

Cultivation data: Genetics

Watermelon Zkittlez (Watermelon x Zkittlez)

Vegetative stage

three weeks (after germination)

Flowering stage

60 days / 63 days in general

Medium

Plagron Grow Mix soil, 11 litre pots

6.2-6.6

1.2–1.8 mS

Light

up to 8 x SANlight Q6W = 1720 watts

Temperature

19-28°C

Air humidity

40-60%

Watering

by hand

Fertilisation

Organic Bloom Liquid from Green Buzz Liquids

Additives/stimulants

Living Organics, More Roots, Humin Säure Plus, Big Fruits, Fast Buds and Clean Fruits from Green Buzz Liquids

Tools

CleanLight Pro for mould prevention

Height

80 + 85 cm

Yield

106 + 115 g

GROW WITH JORGE CERVANTES Jorge Cervantes jorge@marijuanagrowing.com

Big Containers Grow Big Plants

Remedy the problem by painting the inside of the container with a darkcolored non-toxic latex paint. Painting the inside of a white container allows warming sunlight to be reflected and keep the soil cooler.

Growing cannabis in containers requires an entirely different strategy than cultivating marijuana in the ground. When planted in Mother Earth, many feeder roots spread out in the top few inches of soil where the bulk of nutrients and soil life is located. Deep roots anchor the plant in the ground and search for buried nutrients, bringing them to the surface. This natural order is totally disrupted in a container. Roots hit the sides of the container when searching for water and nutrients. Organic soil cannot supply enough nutrients for fast-growing cannabis. Nutrients must be supplied in a nutrient solution – fertilizer diluted in water. The growing medium serves to anchor roots and provide a temporary harbor for nutrient uptake. A container limits the root system´s development. Roots cannot grow beyond the sides and bottom of containers. The limited amount of growing medium in containers holds less water, warms and dries out quickly when compared to Mother Earth. Containers are made of different materials – all of which have different qualities that help overcome the limitations imposed by size. Clay, fabric, fiber and wood containers breathe better than plastic pots. Fabric containers allow air exchange that controls root development. Rigid plastic containers can be molded into many desirable shapes. Clay pots are heavy brittle and absorb moisture from the soil inside. Concrete

These short wide containers hold enough soil to grow a strong plant 1,5 meters tall. elements and compounds. Do not use containers that held petroleum products, corrosive and deadly chemicals. The size of container dictates the volume of growing medium it can hold. Size affects irrigation and fertilization frequency, root development and temperature, and ultimately harvest size. Irrigation and nutrient uptake are easy to manage in containers. You can control the exact amount of water and fertilizer available. When toxic soil conditions arise, the medium can be leached of nutrients. Containers can be moved conveniently to avoid inclimate weather. Small plants require less soil and smaller containers than big plants. Many small plants can grow under an artificial light and be separated and transplanted.

spread slowly between containerized plants. Soil in pots warms more quickly than when set on the ground and cold floor or planted in Mother Earth. Black pots absorb more heat than light-colored containers. When set in direct sunlight, dark-colored containers absorb so much heat that soil warms to dangerous heights. Growing medium temperatures get so hot that roots literally cook! Thick opaque walls do not allow light to penetrate containers and slow root growth. If growing in a white or thinwalled container and roots around the outside of the root ball start turning green, light is penetrating the container.

Straw tied around the perimeter of this container keeps soil cool so that roots do not cook during hot days.

Do not place containers in direct hot sunlight or close to a heat source. If soil temperature climbs beyond 24 degrees C, it can slow growth and possibly damage roots. Pots that are in direct sunlight or a hot spot should be shaded with a piece of plastic or cardboard so that the soil in the container remains relatively cool.

Drainage is the one characteristic all containers share. Every container must have drainage to expel excess water and nutrients.

PRACTICAL ASPECTS

Small plants grow in small containers. containers are heavy, but durable and well suited to patio or high-sun gardens. Metal containers, unless galvanized, oxidize (rust) and can bleed off harmful

Individual care and mobility are possible when growing in containers. You can control irrigation and fertilizer for each plant, and pots can be rotated regularly so that foliage receives even lighting. Huddle small, containerized plants tightly together under the grow lights; move them further apart or outdoors when they grow bigger. Set small plants up on blocks to move them closer to the light source. Individual plants are easy to quarantine. Weak, sick problem plants are easy to cull from the garden. Soil-borne diseases and pests

Transplanting cannabis into the proper container is essential for unimpaired rapid growth. Care must be taken in all aspects to ensure a smooth move of the plant.

11 Containers are set up off the ground and increase the stature of the garden. The ceiling in garden rooms must be high enough to compensate for the extra height. Outdoors, plants in big tall pots can grow above the fence sooner calling attention to neighbors and thieves and possibly breaking local laws. Roots soon hit the sides of containers where they grow down and mat up around the bottom. The unnatural environment inside the container often causes a thick layer of roots to grow alongside the container walls and bottom. This portion of the root zone is the most vulnerable to moisture and heat stress and is the most exposed.

Once pot-bound, roots encircle the inside of the container for a few weeks, they lack the fine feeder roots to draw in nutrients efficiently. It may be easier and more efficient to toss out and replace severely root-bound plants if space is a concern.

Hydroclay is a great mulch!

A one-inch (2.5 cm) layer of hydroclay or gravel mulch on soil keeps surface moist. Roots are able to grow along the surface and the soil does not need to be cultivated. The mulch also decreases evaporation and helps keep irrigation water from damaging roots or splashing. Straw and similar mulches tend to attract unwanted diseases and pests in an enclosed growing environment.

Reuse containers after washing with soap and water. Empty out the soilless mix and submerge containers in a big container of soapy water overnight. Scrub each one with a brush to remove built up salt and possible contaminants before reusing.

DRAINAGE All containers must have some form of drainage – holes or permeable fabric. Roots that sit in water for more than 20 minutes drown from lack of oxygen. Drainage holes allow excess water and nutrient solution to flow freely out the bottom of a container.

Make sure to remove the excess water in the saucer in 20 minutes so that bottom roots are not suffocated.

Containers should have at least two halfinch (1.2 cm) holes per square foot (930 cm2) of bottom. Most pots have twice this amount. Drainage holes should let water drain easily, but not be so big that growing medium washes out onto the floor. Line pots with newspaper if drainage is too fast or if soil washes out drain holes. This will slow drainage, so be wary! Contrary to popular belief, a layer of gravel on the bottom of containers, does not increase drainage. It does the exact opposite. Surface (hydroscopic) tension created by the different sizes of gravel and soil particles cause water to be retained at the bottom of the container.

Set containers up off the ground to keep soil warmer and facilitate drainage.

Put saucers or trays under containers to catch excess water when necessary. Leaving water-filled saucers under pots often retains too much moisture which causes root rot. Set containers up an inch (1.2 cm) on blocks when using trays to avoid waterlogging soil and drowning roots.

This an excerpt from the Containers chapter in the new, unpublished 6th Edition of Marijuana Horticulture (AKA the Bible) by Jorge Cervantes. The 6th Edition of Marijuana Horticulture will be available fall 2021. Find all of Jorge´s books at all amazon retailers worldwide.

CANNACOOKING By Betty Green

7-MINUTE "WAKE AND BAKE" EGGS Cannabis-infused coconut oil is naturally dairy-free, vegan, plant-

based and allergen-friendly. It can act as a substitute in any recipe

that uses regular oil or butter. Cooking oil also has a long shelf life, making it a very economical choice as a canna infusion. Similarly to butter, the fats in coconut oil bind well with the cannabinoids in the plant matter, making for a high level of THC extraction. To make your canna oil, you need two ingredients—sixteen ounces of organic coconut oil (refined or unrefined) and 1 ounce of decarboxylated cannabis Flower. Grind your decarboxylated weed. Place it in a good quality mason jar suitable for canning and add your coconut oil. Place your jar in a pan of water, bring to the boil and keep it there for 2-3 hours. Remove jar and strain mixture through cheesecloth into a fresh mason jar, allow to cool and seal. Coconut oil appears solid at room temperature. You can gently heat it as needed when you want to use it as a liquid ingredient. There is no "one size fits all" for edibles and infusions, so approach with caution. For the first use of oil, replace one teaspoon of regular oil or butter in your recipe for canna oil and see what the results are. You can add more or less oil to your next recipe, depending on your tolerance and what effects you want. You can also play around with the ratios of Flower to oil when you are making your next batch if you want an overall stronger or weaker effect. You can work out the potential potency of your oil if you know the THC percentage of your chosen strain using a free online "edibles dosage calculator".

Now you know how to make your canna oil, here is a great recipe to give you a taste of your infused oil's versatility and how it can be added to all kinds of dishes. If you have 7 minutes to spare, then this delicious breakfast will give you plenty of protein, carbs and good fats, with an opportunity to "wake and bake" own a whole new way!

INGREDIENTS Two medium eggs Sourdough Bread Canna coconut oil Sriracha sauce mayonnaise

Fresh coriander Poppy seeds Two streaky bacon rashers Grill the bacon till it's nice and crispy. Boil a pan of water, add your eggs and simmer for 7 minutes. Cut a thick slice of sourdough bread. Stick it in the grill and regularly turn until well done. Chop up the fresh coriander and measure out a few pinches of poppy seeds. To make your Sriracha mayonnaise, mix 2 tbsp of mayo and 1 tsp of Sriracha sauce. Add more sriracha or more mayo depending on how spicy you want it. Once 7 minutes is up, rinse the eggs under cold water for 30-60 seconds,

peel the eggshell off. Spread your toast generously with butter, followed by your Sriracha mayonnaise.

This is just one way that you can use canna infused oil in your everyday cooking. It's such a versatile ingredient that the possibilities are endless.

Slice your eggs in half, and place them on the toast. The secret to this recipe is down to timing. Seven minutes is the perfect length of time to get thick and tasty eggs but still runny without being watery or undercooked. Sprinkle your poppy seeds across your eggs and toast.

You could even make fresh Sriracha mayonnaise using your canna oil. Stored in a sealed jar, this will stay fresh for up to a week in the fridge and can then be used to spice up and "enhance" all kinds of dishes.

Now for the all-important finishing touches. Take your infused coconut oil, and circle over the plate. How much you add is up to you but go easy if you are not sure how potent your oil is. Add the bacon to the top, followed by the coriander and voila; you have one delicious dish that is guaranteed to deliver in taste, nutrition and cannabinoids!

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GROW REPORT By Bio Bertje

SERIOUS HAPPINESS

UNDER SANLIGHT Q4W-GEN.2

This time four seeds of Serious Happiness from Serious Seeds were grown under two Q4W-Generation2 LEDlamps from SANlight in Austria. The LED-lamps were equipped with the magnetic dimmer, which is sold separately. In the beginning the lamps are DIMMED to 40% and the SUNRISE FADE is on. Dimming is

have grown to a decent size and fill out the tent, therefore the light schedule was changed to 12/12 hours of light/ darkness in order to induce flowering. The plants stretch well (as ex-pected with the Serious Happiness) under the two Q4W-Gen.2 LEDs.

The two lamps are now dimmed to 60% (=2 green lights on dimmer) and with the SUNRISE FADE OFF (=no orange light on dimmer) now. The plants continue to stretch a little and grow an insane amount of new flowers every day. The aroma of the Serious Happiness is strong now, a very sweet and little musky smell. The production of trichomes is now in full swing as well, the plants start to get sticky. The two Q4W-Gen.2 LED-lamps are now dimmed to 100% in order to ensure full flower production under the strongest light. The plants are BULKING UP flowers like CRAZY. I have never seen such abundant flower production before, the clus-ters are everywhere on the whole plant and the main colas swell to a HUGE size. The bright lights are brilliant for the flower production, I am stoked.

Now in flowering the plants continue to stretch and grow healthy with a vivid green color. On day 40 the first development of flower cluster is clearly visible. The two SANlights are still dimmed to 40% to ensure the stretch,

The feeding schedule of Mills-Nutrients works great, all plants have a healthy green color. Flowering continues and is a SPECTACLE, the main colas have grown to towers with the girth of arms and the smell of the plants is INTENSE now.

recommended during the early phases (=germination and veg.) in order to ensure enough stretch of the plant. The tent used for this grow is a HOMEBOX Ambient R120 with a size of 120x90 cm (=1m2) and the complete nutrient program of MILLS-nutrients was used to feed the plants. The 4 plants were vegged through week 2 inside their small containers and when the roots started to come out at the bottom, they were transplanted into 11 liter fabric pots. They will stay inside those pots until the end of the cycle. The plants develop well and have a nice healthy green color, while I follow the Mills nutrients feeding schedule. The two LED-lamps are still dimmed to 40%, now hanging at a distance of 60 cm and with the SUNRISE fade ON. All plants grow nice big fan leaves and bush out nicely. After 4 weeks of veg. the plants

which continues during the first part of flowering. In order for the light to be able to penetrate better I take off the biggest fan leaves and then also the lowest branches, which get too little light anyways. The first white 'crowns' get visible and the trichome production slowly starts, I can spot first crystals. The smell of the whole grow is getting stronger now and the Serious Happiness starts to produce a sweet and musky smell.

A sweet smell exudes the plants with hints of berries, but also some musky undertones, very intriguing. The buds produces tri-chomes over trichomes and all plants glisten now, like sprinkled with little stars in a flash-light. Every week I am more amazed about the development of those 4 Serious Happiness plants. They continue to grow flower clusters everywhere and the existing ones get bigger every day. Trichome production is going CRAZY, the plants are sticky as hell. The sweet berry-like aro-ma is still getting stronger and is delicious and mouthwatering, I cant wait to try this variety once its finished. The pics show very well how tremendously HUGE the colas of the Serious Happiness plants have become. They are still bulking up and now we have MONSTER-BUDS which are COVERED IN TRICHOMES. After this week I will STOP giving any nutrients in or-der to FLUSH out all built up nutrients in the plant, so they give a smooth smoke after drying. This cycle of SERIOUS HAPPINESS from Serious Seeds under the NEW Q4WGeneration 2 LED-lamps from SANlight was PHENOMENAL! I loved every second of it. The plants grow MONSTER-COLAS of CONNOISSEUR QUALITY bud which are gleaming with trichomes. The aroma of the plants is VERY STRONG and SWEET, simply delicious. The harvest amount of 550 gram in dry weight astounded me...THIS MEANS 1,67 GRAM PER WATT... my best result to date!

1. What does DWC stand for? A. Dry Weight Cannabis. B. Deep Water Culture. C. Double Water Content. D. Dried Without Curing.

2. “Scissor hash” is A. Resin that collects on trimming shears. B. Hash created when cooking edibles. C. Another name for cannabis “shatter”. D. A fungal mould affecting buds.

GROWING TERMS QUIZ

7. Cutting the main stem to grow more heads is

14. What does “dank” mean?

A. Chopping. B. Sorting. C. Thinning. D. Topping.

A. Strong smelling, good quality buds. B. Buds that have rotted from mould. C. Plants that are a very dark green colour. D. Another term for Sativa.

8. What does SOG stand for?

15. Another name for an “Ebb and Flow”system is

A. System Of Green. B. Seeing Over Green. C. Sea Of Green. D. Super Organic Growth.

9. What is “tip burn”?

A. Soak and Drain. B. Wet and Dry. C. Flood and Drain. D. Feed and Flush.

16. A “hybrid” plant is

A. Leaf tips turn brown from overfertilising. B. Root tips die off from over-fertilising. C. Growth is stunted. D. Grow lights burn the leaves.

A. A plant of unknown genetics. B. A plant that Hermies. C. A mix of indica and sativa genetics. D. A plant that can only grow indoors.

10. Small round weed nugs are known

17. Powder collected when trimming is

as 3. What is “hardening off”? A. Depriving plants of water. B. The process of drying cannabis buds. C. Removing large fan leaves. D. Acclimatising plants before propagation.

A. Candy nugs. B. Popcorn nugs. C. Bubble nugs. D. Nug balls.

18. What is “Super Cropping”? 11. NFT stands for

4. A plant that changes sex is known as A. A changeling. B. A hybrid. C. A hermie. D. A downstairs mix up.

A. Not For Trimming. B. Nitrogen Fertiliser Transfer. C. No Further Tilling D. Nutrient Film Technique.

12. What is “Lollipopping”?

5. What is a “Mother” plant? A. A plant you take cuttings from. B. The plant that produces the most buds. C. All female plants are Mothers. D. A landrace strain plant.

A. Removing lower growth from plant. B. Removing leaves around bud sites. C. Pruning plant into a spherical shape. D. Flower for 1 week longer for riper buds.

13. What is an “auto” plant? 6. What is a “Kola”? A. Damp roots. B. A cola bottle sized plant. C. Large flower/bud. D. The root ball mass.

A. Kief. B. Hash. C. Crystals. D Shatter.

A. A plant guaranteed to be female. B. A plant that flowers based on age not light cycle . C. A plant that needs less feed. D. A plant bred for outdoor growing only.

A. Remove all branches with no buds. B. Damage stems & secure for lateral growth. C. Trim bushy sides to increase light exposure. D. Harvest buds a week early.

19. A “leggy” plant is what? A. A Sativa plant. B. A plant with thick branches. C. A plant with few leaves. D. A plant with big spaces between nodes.

20. What does “No Till” mean? A. No nutrient feed, water only. B. Re-using and not disturbing soil. C. The plant needs 24hrs of light. D. The plant has not been flushed.

That's it! For answers see page 38

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STRAWBERRY GUM, FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR FAST FLOWERING SATIVAS A PLEASURE FOR THE PALATE

This fantastic, high-yielding, feminised strain with a gorgeous appearance belongs to a small group of fast flowering sativas. In a few weeks, it forms huge buds covered with a large amount of resin. Its taste is a delicious mixture of sweet fruity aromas of strawberries and red berries. It produces an immediate relaxing stone and a very lively and cheerful mental high. Strawberry gum is a spectacular sativadominant hybrid from the Advanced Seeds seed bank. This wonderful strain is a cross between a delicious Bubble Gum and another no less tasty Strawberry. The aromas and flavours of these two magnificent strains have merged into Strawberry Gum, which perfectly captures all the organoleptic nuances of its mother plants. This strain produces specimens with good habit, abundant branching and very little internodal distance. This structure favours the development of enormous, elongated buds all over the plant, especially at the branch tips, and an exceptionally sized central bud. It can yield over 500 g/m2 indoors in just over 9 weeks of flowering, and more than 750 grams per plant outdoors, where it will be ripe during the first half of October. Strawberry Gum produces really spectacular buds with a THC concentration of 20%. The effect is energising, creative and very cerebral. On a body level, it generates a slight feeling of relaxation but never makes you idle, so it can be consumed at any time without feeling couch locked. The aroma and taste of its flowers is the most appreciated feature of this strain. Its intense and exquisite taste of strawberries and red berries makes it a favourite of lovers of the sweetest flavours. GERMINATION AND GROWTH We put ten Strawberry Gum seeds to germinate between damp cloths in the dark. In less than 48 hours, all germinated with their radicles protruding from the seed coat. Then, the seedlings were planted in pots of just under a litre with their root down. After their growth, we transplanted them initially into 7-litre and later into 18-litre pots, where they were left until the end of their lifecycle. The first leaves appeared above the soil surface in less than a day under the heat and

Huge central bud. powerful light of the sodium lamps. During the first days, we placed the seedlings about 80 cm away from each other. Afterwards, we reduced this distance to around 50 cm. The vegetative growth of this plant is spectacular. It grows strong and robust, with abundant branches and a short internodal distance. We needed to use the tallest stakes we had, due to the large size and impressive structure of all the plants. The sativa side of their genetics could be clearly seen from their explosive growth and development. In about a month, all plants had an incredible stature. After transplanting them to the 18 litre pots, we moved them to our flowering room with photoperiod set at 12 hours of light and 12 of darkness. FLOWERING STAGE During the first two weeks of flowering, the branches continued to grow and gain weight. The internodal distance got shorter and shorter. Then, somewhere in the middle of the flowering period, the plants stopped growing to focus on the

exceptional strain both qualitatively and quantitatively. Its buds are huge, dense, very hairy and resinous. Harvesting took some time, as per-plant yield was bountiful. As could easily be expected, the scent given off by buds at each cut of the scissors was pleasant and sweet. We hung the branches on shelves in a dark and well-ventilated room. We tried to keep the temperature in this room below 20ºC and the humidity at around 60%. TASTING OF STRAWBERRY GUM Strawberry Gum is a delicious strain, for those who like a sweet chew. Its dense smoke fills your mouth with every puff and its sweet aroma of strawberries and

Beautiful secondary buds. development of their flowers. We changed the fertilisers and growth stimulators for specific ones for the fruiting stage, and continued with an abundant watering cycle every two days. The buds that formed were giant and very hairy. Their elongated pistils took on orange tones and piled up, forming enormous inflorescences all over the plant. Both the central bud and all the secondary buds were spectacular. Resin was overflowing and visible to the naked eye. Strawberry Gum is a plant that needs hardly any care. It does not require much nourishment either and is perfectly adapted to any growing method. About two weeks before cutting it, we proceeded with a good root wash and waited impatiently for the harvest day. After almost ten weeks of flowering, all the plants seemed to be ripe and we cut them. HARVEST Through the microscope, we assessed that our plants were ready to be cut and rushed to prepare the scissors. The harvest was very abundant. Strawberry Gum is an

Trichomes visible to the naked eye. red berries pervades your entire palate. A true wonder for the senses. Its effect is somewhat relaxing for your body, and very lively, happy, creative and energising for your mind. A fantastic herb to please your taste buds at any time with no fear of being nailed to the couch.

GROW WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark

INSIDE A LIVING ORGANIC GARDEN

paste. The science behind this is that the sugar causes the microorganisms to dry out and be stored away, and when wet will become activated.

Different Fermentations

A healthy and vibrant female plant full of terps.

If you are already someone who composts your food and plant waste, then K.N.F will allow you to take that one step further. I was shown a line of airtight buckets that had organic matter breaking down inside. The first bucket was for green waste only and was mainly asparagus and Ortica. The second was for coloured waste which consisted of nispero fruit, aloe juice, peppers and banana, which is used for the blooming phase. If you are going to practice this method of fermentation at home, be prepared you are working with living ferments, so expect the odour to reflect that.

The Plants

The first thing I noticed was how all of the plants that were flowering indoors were all very bright coloured with a very healthy shine. The smell inside the grow room was very aromatic, and all of the buds had a solid biomass and were dripping in resin. The stems of the plants were thick and the side branches all needed support. There was very little insect damage on the plants, and no signs of flies or thrips inside the soil.

Taste and Terps A perfect example of an IMO capture using cooked rice.

One of the very best things about my work is that I get to travel and meet new growers, with different attitudes and styles of growing. I was lucky enough to meet an organic grower named Mr Sour in the south of Spain, who adopted the principles of Korean Natural Farming using his own microbe cultures and ferments. Not only is this fascinating to see in a real-life indoor garden, but an excellent way to regenerate your living soil and save on costs. Below is better explained what Mr Sour does and how you can replicate your own version at home.

Everything Starts with Super Soil

The key to a thriving organic garden packed full of beneficial bacteria and fungi, that will keep the soil food web in optimal condition is soil. The better and more fertile the soil, then the more nutrient availability and the more advanced is the symbiotic relationship between the roots. Mr Sour uses a recycled super soil that is regularly topped up with worm hummus. The

soil is recycled after every grow and now is on the third run using the same soil.

I.M.O Captures

If you are new to the term Korean Natural Farming (K.N.F) then you will be new to I.M.O, which stands for Indigenous Microorganisms. This basically means the beneficial bacteria and fungi and other microorganisms that have co-existed in the natural

The multicoloured fermentation using food and plant material. habit for hundreds of years. This is an incredible way to obtain strains of bacteria and fungi that have evolved to survive in a certain environment such as hot and harsh or wet and cold climates. The way in which you successfully make an I.M.O culture is by taking cooked rice and placing it in a plastic tub and then covering the top with a pair of tights, or cloth ensuring no organic matter can pass through. Once the rice is placed in the same area as the organic material, the microorganism will pass through and onto the rice. Once the number of fungi and bacteria have covered the rice, Mr Sour will then take a measured amount of brown sugar and mix the two together to form a dry

I was able to smoke some dried and cured flowers, and must say was extremely impressed at how bold, smooth and long lasting the flavours were. Considering there is no flushing when grown in this style, the flavours were certainly as good as any cup winning flower in my opinion, and would only improve over time with a curing. The ash was soft, white and overall and very enjoyable experience.

My Conclusion

After spending the day with Mr Sour and speaking in detail about his regime, and enjoying smoking all of the different flavour profiles from gas, fruit, floral and earthy, I can say I was thoroughly impressed. I thought the way that all of the I.M.O and ferments were all done without having to pay for anything was clever, and to be able to use the same soil repeatedly is a brilliant way to save on costs and ensure you have the most organic medicine possible. If you would like to see more of Mr Sour’s garden check out @mrsour_22 on Instagram.

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GROW WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark

8 TOP TIPS for

Growing Outdoors in Colder Climates

Living in Northern Europe often means inconsistent weather that results in a cold and wet Winter. Having a few tips that will help get your plants through until harvest, can be a big helping hand when battling the elements whilst keeping a low profile outdoors. Below are my 8 top tips to give you the edge this year and grow some lovely outdoor flowers in the comfort of your own back garden greenhouse set up.

BUILD A POLYTUNNEL OR GREENHOUSE!

NIGHT TIME HEATING

I am always speaking highly of polytunnels especially in South Spain, but in the UK and Northern Europe they are a massive help. The benefits of using a well-made polytunnel is that the temperatures are much easier to control and that rapid drop between daytime and night time is not as severe, once Winter creeps closer.

As mentioned above, a heater inside your greenhouse or polytunnel can be a life saver, without creating too much attention from your neighbours. In the old days I personally used paraffin burners that would keep my greenhouse nice and toasty, but you need to make sure that your humidity levels are not too high. Simply use a hygrometer with a sensor and allow it to hang in the greenhouse. This way you will always have a digital reading and will be more in control than estimating.

It is also easy to add a dehumidifier or heater inside depending on which you need at the time.

Certain strains will be more resistant to the cold than others.

INSULATE YOUR ROOTS

AVOID FEEDING LATE

Keeping the root zone well insulated will give you an advantage once the cold nights start, and the easiest way is to use fabric pots. I personally would recommend using two and keeping the root zone well protected with access to air.

When a grower is living in a hot climate such as South Spain, I often advise watering the plants early morning and late evening. However, this is the total opposite when working in a colder climate such as the U.K. The reason why you should feed during the middle of the day or hopefully the hottest part, is so the plants do not become overwatered and the roots then sit in a cold nutrient solution. You want your growing medium to be dry during the morning and nights, to prevent cold and soggy pots and that encourage bad bacteria.

A cold and wet root zone will stress the plants and only cause them to harvest very little regardless of the nutrients. Raise your fabric pots off the floor to add that extra layer of air to keep those roots well insulated.

A HEATER INSIDE YOUR GREENHOUSE OR POLYTUNNEL CAN BE A LIFE SAVER This is where the help of a heater pays off big time.

DEHUMIDIFIERS IN THE NIGHT One of the biggest crop killers is mould and mildew, and U.K growers can endure the worst of it once October starts. It can be hard enough dialling in your indoor garden’s humidity, so outdoors it can be difficult but manageable. Ideally if you can install a dehumidifier and a heater in your greenhouse, you will be able to keep the humidity levels below 40%, and the temperatures consistent during nights.

HEAVY TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS Even though all strains are different and each has their own preferred environment to grow, from my experience the drop between daytime and night time temperature should be around 6-8 degrees Celsius. Anything greater than this can encourage plants to become tall and lanky, produce small buds and for nutrient deficiencies to kick in. If you have a hygrometer, then you will be able to see what the highest and lowest temperature and humidity reading was.

PROPER AIR FLOW IS VITAL For many growers the first signs of rain mean the British Summer is firmly over and back to grey skies with the occasional sunny spell. This is the lat thing you want to see as an outdoor grower who has worked so hard over the last 4-6 months growing the plants. If your plants are not inside a greenhouse or polytunnel and are exposed to rainfall, allowing water to sit on the buds is not good and can be the start of a bad mold problem. Shake all of the water of the plants when necessary and ensure that there is a substantial amount of air flow around the bottom and tops of the plants. For those who are growing in a greenhouse, place a couple of 6 inch oscillating fans inside, to keep the air movement nice and fresh.

Give your seedlings a boost of bacteria and fungi early on.

KEEPING THE ROOT ZONE WELL INSULATED WILL GIVE YOU AN ADVANTAGE ONCE THE COLD NIGHTS START, AND THE EASIEST WAY IS TO USE FABRIC POTS USE BENEFICIAL BACTERIA AND FUNGI This is one of the simplest ways to enhance your outdoor Cannabis plants, by adding beneficial bacteria and fungi

to the growing medium. If you can do this during the earlier stages then even better, however a beneficial tonic of beneficial microorganisms will not only increase the amount of nutrients and availability, but will also help build

the plants resistance to cold and wet weather. Good luck with your outdoor crop this year... Peace Out!

GROW WITH MR. JOSE

Mr. José / info@mrjose.eu

Polyploidization

a potential way to higher yields functioning of chromosomes, such as colchicine or its less harmful alternative called oryzalin.

Pros and cons of polyploidization The main advantages of polyploid plants are their stronger resistance, better growth and, especially in the case of commercial species, larger harvest. When it comes to cannabis, there is another interesting factor: the potential for higher production of secondary metabolites, i.e. cannabinoids and terpenes. Simply put, polyploid cannabis plants can – in theory – reach higher yields and provide stronger effects. Such benefits are definitely worth breeding in order to achieve stable polyploid cannabis strains. Still, this coin has two sides. The mentioned advantages of polyploidization are accompanied by several disadvantages.

Tissue culture in vitro.

Do you dream about multiplying your yields and the amount of cannabinoids with the same cultivation expenses? You are not the only one. With legal production and sales of cannabis on the rise, so rises the interest in increasing the efficiency of cultivation. Because higher effectiveness means today a clear competitive advantage. One possible way is called polyploidization. In this article, you will learn all the essentials about this method. Diploidization and polyploidization Ploidization means the number of chromosome rows in a living cell. Most human cells have two sets of chromosomes, 23 pairs in total. Cells with two sets of chromosomes are called diploid. Cells with one set of chromosomes are haploid, cells with three sets of chromosomes are triploid, four sets are tetraploid, etc. Polyploid cells are those with the number of chromosome rows greater than two. Cannabis cells are predominantly diploid – same as humans. One could find in total 10 pairs of chromosomes in cannabis cells. There exists a wide range of polyploid species in the plant kingdom. Among the most significant are wheat, corn or cotton. Polyploidization plays an essential role

in plant evolution and at least 80% of flowering plants (angiospermae) has evolved into polyploid species. Therefore, one could imply that its importance for the survival of the species is indeed huge. So, now we know polyploidization occurs in plants spontaneously. Such polyploid individuals can be used for breeding and further propagation. Look, for example, at common types of bananas: they are triploid and were bred long before people were able to modify genes. Triploid bananas produce only seed germs. When growers noticed this long ago, they simply began to select and continue to cultivate these mutated species. This led to their massive expansion. Diploid bananas produce hard seeds, and the overall taste is not great. Polyploidization can also be induced artificially with the help of chemical substances that disrupt the

The first one is the issue of achieving reliable polyploidization via external sources. It means that it is not easy to induce polyploidization in diploid plants while maintaining the genetic stability of polyploid individuals. Another problem is significant reduction in the fertility of polyploid plants. This can be solved by asexual propagation, i.e. cloning, which is perfectly common when growing in order to obtain as many flowers as possible. There are also problems at the cellular level, caused by the higher number of chromosomes in the cell, which is originally diploid. Scientists are still facing many problems and it will take

Stomas are 30% larger in polyploids.

some time to solve them all. If a stable polyploid variety could finally be bred, which could also be propagated by seed, it would definitely be a huge breakthrough in cannabis industry.

Ways to increase the number of chromosomes As I have already mentioned, polyploidization can occur completely spontaneously without an intervention from the outside. Virtually any time you are growing from seed, you can have polyploid plants in your garden. However, this happens rarely in real life. And even if a polyploid appears in your garden, there is no guarantee that by cloning it you end up having polyploid genetics for further growing cycles. Nonetheless, naturally polyploid plants are an ideal starting material for breeding. For commercial growers and breeders, it is more interesting to be able to induce polyploidization in a targeted manner and to cross and stabilize polyploid individuals – rather than waiting for a polyploid to appear naturally by chance. The use of colchicine is common in the artificial induction of gene mutations and can be also applied to induce polyploidization. The herbicide oryzalin can be used as substitute with less harmful effects. It was also used in an exciting cultivation experiment presented below.

Growing experiments Oryzalin was selected by a group of researchers in experiments of legal cannabis producer Canopy Growth

Trichome density plays an important role in resin production. Corporation in Smith Falls, Canada. The goal of the study, carried out in collaboration with Carleton University in Ottawa and the Ottawa Research and Development Center, was to test an effective method of generating polyploidization in cannabis, its effects on growth, yield and the production of secondary metabolites. The results of this research are more than interesting. The complete article written by the authors of the study – Jessica L. Parsons, Sara L. Martin, Tracey James, Gregory Golenia, Ekaterina A. Boudko and Shelley R. Hepworth – can be found at https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00476. The experiment was performed with two commercial strains of cannabis plants grown under artificial lighting. One strain contained high amount of THC, the second one has a balanced ratio of CBD and THC. Clones from the mother plants of both strains were pre-grown in vitro and divided into eight groups. One group remained untreated and the other seven groups were treated with a solution containing oryzalin at various concentrations 20–150 μM. A total of eight groups with ten plants in each group were formed. The team achieved the best results in generating polyploidization at oryzalin concentration of 20 μM, with 62.5% plants surviving the treatment and 80% occurrence of polyploidization in these survivors. In polyploid plants, the number of detected chromosomes was twice as big as when compared to diploid samples. Consequently, the researchers grew mother plants from polyploid individuals and made clones rom these mother plants also for a number of other cultivation experiments. In them, they were comparing various characteristics of

individuals as well as their chemical composition. In the polyploid group, there was a significant enlargement of the stoma by as much as 30%. As their size increased, their density dropped by about half. The enlargement of the stoma is caused by a higher number of chromosomes in the cells. The size and density of the stomas on the leaves can thus be considered a reliable identifier of polyploid individuals. Polyploid plants were also producing larger leaves in the experiments, especially in the flowering stage, compared to diploid plants of the same strain. What is very interesting are the data regarding the density of trichomes on the petals, because there was a 40% increase in polyploid individuals. Although the content of all secondary metabolites could be logically expected to increase when the number of trichomes increases, chemical analyses showed that while CBD content increased by 9%, the THC concentration in flowers remained essentially the same as in the diploid group. There have been many changes in the terpene profile, but they have been so variable in individual plants that no clear conclusion could be drawn in this respect. There were more frequent differences in the terpene profile than in the diploid group, the reason behind being probably the well-known lower genetic stability of newly created polyploids. Although there was no significant increase in yield or THC content in the polyploid group in this particular experiment, the increase in trichome density and CBD content gives us a glimmer of hope and reason to carry on with the research. I believe these efforts of breeders would eventually provide us with stable polyploid strains with many benefits.

No genetic modifications Even though it may seem to some that artificial polyploidization equals genetic modification, this is not true. Genetic modification is a very complicated and expensive process in which the structure of DNA is deliberately disrupted in order to force the DNA itself to replace the broken sites with parts of the genetic code that we provide to it.

This way it is possible to insert into the DNA strand a part of the strand which does not originally belong there. The aim of genetic modification is to reprogram DNA (in a way that would most likely not occur spontaneously in the natural environment) in order to obtain completely new properties. Whereas artificial polyploidization with the help of chemicals is simply an artificial induction of processes that occur naturally in nature. As I have already noted, the fact is that polyploid plants can also appear spontaneously. That is why polyploidization should be rather treated as an auxiliary step in the effort to obtain desired properties in new strains by selecting individuals with desired properties. I believe polyploid plants do not need to be feared or cursed. Numerous teams of researchers around the world are trying to breed stable polyploids. Increasing the efficiency of cultivation is a very attractive goal. Something like 10% increase in cannabinoid content can mean a big financial bonus for large commercial growers. And no one wants to miss that. However, the potential for higher yields may be even a bigger game-changer. Polyploids would then become the new standard in cultivation both for commercial as well as domestic growers. Will the research be crowned with success? We will see what the coming years would bring. You, the readers of Soft Secrets, can rest easy because you will be the first to learn about any important progress in this area.

Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Indoor Cannabis Growing

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INDOOR GROWING Ripper Seeds

Marijuana and hop latent virus Hop latent virus is a problem that frequently occurs in rooms where mother plants are kept, although it is hardly known both in the USA where it comes from and in Spain where it is currently spreading. The Ripper Seeds seed bank brought in strains from California and quickly realised they had some unknown infection, which they subse-quently managed to investigate, identify and treat. We sincerely thank them for offer-ing this story as an exclusive for Soft Secrets’ readers. What is hop latent virus? As its name suggests, hop latent virus (HpLVd) is a virus that infects vegetables and was first discovered in hop varieties. When it infects hops, it is not really problematic. For certain cannabis strains, instead, its effects can be devastating, or at least a great headache for growers whose crops are affected. Family: Pospiviroidae Genus: Cocadviroid Description: Naked, single-stranded, circular RNA with 256 nucleotides. The term 'latent' in the name means that most natural infections occur without inducing any apparent foliar symptoms.

What damage does HpLVd cause in marijuana? As early as in 2017, some growers in California noticed a number of changes in some of their strains, such as slow growth, malformations or chlorosis of the leaves, fragile stems and a noticeable reduction in flower and resin production. Also, clones cut from plants with symptoms had a much poorer rooting rate than plants without symptoms. Initially, this was called PCIA (Putative Cannabis Infectious Agent) Later on, symptomatic strains were studied in detail and several studies showed that about 35% of California cannabis strains had symptoms of HpLVd. Samples of plants with and without symptoms were taken and a genetic analysis was conducted on the samples where a group of nucleotides that did not belong to the symptomatic cannabis were isolated. They compared the nucleotide chain with a pool of known viruses and matches suggested that the HPLV virus had clearly affected cannabis.

How does hop latent virus spread in cannabis? The transmission of this virus is mainly through insect bites. In the case of hop, the most common is Phorodon humuli but, with cannabis, any aphid is capable of transmit-ting this virus. As seen in other articles, pests are not the only vector of transmission. Gardening tools, cutting blades and other utensils can transmit the virus from one plant to another.

How can HpLVd in marijuana be countered? Some Californian companies are using a process of removing the virus by tissue cul-ture. Although the patent for this process is still pending, in vitro reproduction seems to be the solution. Several trials of this technique for cleaning hop strains are already un-derway in Portugal. To date, around thirty cannabis strains have been deviralised. Even so, and while we are waiting for a process within reach of all of us, the only option left is prevention and reduction of the viral load in our crops.

Mother plant with fragile stems due to hop latent virus.

Prevention techniques: • Quarantine all new acquisitions in your mothers' tent, especially if you do not know where they come from. • Sterilise gardening tools. • Use gloves when handling your plants. • Change gloves between strains. • Remove infected strains and all their waste. • Keep the crop free of pests to avoid infecting other specimens.

How to disinfect grow rooms - H2O2 After some research based on our own experience and after many tests with various products, we have come to the conclusion that H2O2 solutions help a lot in the disinfec-tion of plants and, therefore, in the control of infection. Hydrogen peroxide has a great power

of oxidation and is a great ally in the eradication of microorganisms and pathogens that threaten our rooms. H2O2 is able to react with the organic matter and decompose in water and oxygen. Normally, solutions of between 1% and 2% are used or, otherwise said, solutions of 10 ml and 20 ml per litre of distilled water. Hydrogen peroxide helps the roots of your plants by increasing the oxygen load, but

27 you need to be very careful with irrigation solutions, as they can also kill the microbic life in the soil. You can therefore use H2O2 to disinfect working tools. In these cases, solutions of be-tween 30% and 50% (i.e., 300 ml of H2O2 for every 700 ml of distilled water) should be used. Leave your tools to soak for 10 minutes minimum. This will keep them free of pathogens or viruses. - Colloidal silver No bacterium, virus, fungus, yeast or microbe can live in a liquid with even a

How can I recover an infected strain? It is difficult to know if the plant's own immune system can kill the virus. In any case, our experience shows that a good diet, a vigorous growth and a reduction of the viral load in the grow room can clear the virus and help reach harvest endpoint without almost af-fecting the plant. You should always maintain favourable conditions for the plant to de-velop quickly and strongly, while reducing the viral load in your room and trying to help the plant's

OP LATENT VIRUS (HPLVD) IS A VIRUS THAT INFECTS VEGETABLES AND WAS FIRST DISCOVERED IN HOP VARIETIES. single par-ticle of silver, since this metal removes by contact all of the abovementioned problems in just a few minutes. Colloidal silver has been considered a super-antibiotic since the mid-nineteenth century. A 0.04% concentration suffices to achieve the desired effect. - Remember: Solution to be sprayed: 1 litre of distilled water, 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 0.04g of colloidal silver. Solution for cleaning tools: 600 ml of distilled water, 400 ml of hydrogen peroxide and 0.04g colloidal silver.

Marijuana with hop latent virus.

natural defences. It was found that, by keeping a plant healthy and strong enough to resist the virus, all the cuttings taken from it will tend to be less affected by the symptoms of this disease. Therefore, we recommend carrying out a process of cleaning, growth and shedding several times in succession to attempt to reduce the viral load in the strain as much as possible, and thus help the plant's own immune system to outpace the virus. This is no easy task, but with hygiene and perseverance you can succeed.

Cannabis with hop latent virus during growth.

Marijuana with hop latent virus in bloom.

SEED BANKS

NEW SWEET SEEDS® 2021 PRODUCTS, A MENU FOR CANNABIS

CONNOISSEURS

This year too we are proud to present the new Sweet Seeds® products for 2021, a year that we all hope will take a 180º turn compared to last year for us to finally enjoy our loved ones, friends and hobbies, without forgetting how fragile we are and the people we have lost. At Sweet Seeds®, we have always tried to make sure that our seed bank is not just like others. For us, proximity and a close relationship with our customers have been the key drivers on which to base our marketing efforts designed to offer high quality products. Indeed, we can only rejoice when we read or hear praise for our strains from you. The multitude of awards our plants won in cannabis cups have made them a benchmark in the sector, and your warm words are what we need to improve every year. This year, in particular, is second to none and we wholeheartedly thank you for your appreciation.

You all know the boom that strains from North America are having after the decriminalisation of cannabis in the USA, which is why there is a great stir in the world cannabis scene. At Sweet Seeds® we can see how, every so often, the arrival of new clones and seeds from that part of the world vives rise to a painstaking selection process, an arduous task that our breeders are fulfilling with great success. This past year, we have focused on synthesising the best of everything that has passed through our hands to give shape to 6 new varieties making our catalogue grow not only in quantity, but also in quality. Unquestionably, the new strains that we have launched in recent years were very well received by novices and experienced growers alike from all over the world. So, this time too, we have been able to hit the mark. To start our menu, we present a magnificent plant, Runtz XL Auto® (SWS88), a delicious 6th Generation auto with a fruity and sweet flavour, a tall size and wonderful harvests full of buds and trichomes. It is a cross between Runtz, a

very potent and aromatic strain from the American West Coast, and our acclaimed Sweet Gelato Auto® (SWS76), a mediumsized plant with big yields, which is also pretty easy to grow and virtually infallible. As you can imagine, the combination of these great parents has resulted in a real blast!!! In addition to being very easy to grow, this new strain has a very short lifecycle of only 8 weeks after germination. If you are looking for speed and quality, our Runtz XL Auto® is the best choice. The amount of trichomes it forms is matched only by the hardness of its flowers and, of course, its effect is potent but very balanced, as it is practically 50% indica and 50% sativa. As you will see, it is highly recommended for partying and being upbeat, as well as for enjoying a more relaxed environment where your imagination can run wild. A sweet treat you can't miss out on. The next great product we are proud to present is our beautiful Red Gorilla Girl XL Auto® (SWS89), a "Super Strong" auto that shows red and purple colours in 85%

of its specimens, and becomes part of our famous "Red Family". To create this beauty, we crossed the much-loved Gorilla Girl XL Auto® (SWS82) with another quite popular strain, Bloody Skunk Auto® (SWS44). Among its qualities is an astounding height and growing speed, and can be harvested in only 8/9 weeks after germination. Get ready to taste this strain and experience its strong, exciting and creative high, with peak THC levels not meant for everyone. Large yields of dense, sticky, candylike buds dressed in a red mantle of anthocyanins are unbeatably appealing to anyone who grows her. We are sure many of you will fall in love with this amazing plant and send us lots of photos to our social networks. Its flavour is quite intense, with a sweet and spicy character and a fresh citrusy background. Another candy that should not be missing in your crop. We continue with more colour in our menu, this time with another marvel that Sweet Seeds® team is proud of. Its large yields and full fruity flavour call to mind gumdrops, dried fruit and rocket salad... in a nutshell, a profusion of flavours and aromas. We are talking about Red Strawberry Banana Auto® (SWS90), a red autoflowering strain that comes from crossing our elite clone of Strawberry Banana with the famous Red Poison Auto® (SWS39). This new strain also joins our "Red Family", as 75% of its specimens show beautiful red and purple colours in their flowers and leaves. Its Indica nature and appearance ensures an amazingly fast flowering time of 7/8 weeks after germination and topquality buds. The effect is relaxing, ideal for contemplation and recreation. If you are in company, laughter is guaranteed. Another

important plus of this powerful hybrid is that it produces loads of resin crystals you can use to create large quantities of your favourite extracts with a distinctive reddish colour coming from its deep red trichomes. Special mention deserves the vigorous “Super Strong” Bruce Banner Auto® (SWS91), our first 7th generation auto. When our Sweet Seeds® genetics lab gave birth to this powerhouse, many of us thought this plant would mark a 'before and after' watershed for auto breeding. By crossing the original Bruce Banner, from the state of Colorado (USA), with our selection of Gorilla Girl XL Auto®, our team managed to maintain the innate power that characterises these two parents, greatly enhancing their fruity and floral aromas with a surprising Diesel and earthy background. It has extreme potency for an auto strain, which can exceed 25% THC. Its cultivation is also extremely simple, ideal even for clumsy hands. At 9 weeks after germination, the fruits it bears are a gift from heaven: hard and tight buds loaded with a thick layer of resin and giving off a very pleasant wild smell. The effect is very positive and happy, euphoric and long lasting. Be cautious if you have low tolerance.... you have been warned! We now come to the dessert of our menu with another mouth-watering wonder full of scented buds. Our delicious Sweet Cherry Pie® (SWS92) is a strain you cannot miss. For this photodependent we used two US monsters, an elite clone of Cherry Pie (Grand Daddy Purple x Durban Poison) crossed with another Gelato hybrid (Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint Cookies). The result is a medium-sized 75% Indica plant with large, elongated buds covered

with lots of trichomes. Its appealing bouquet combines ripe fruits, cherry and freshly baked biscuits with an acid and earthy background. The effect is potent, bordering on 25% THC, but at the same time very balanced and creative. And there is more, flowers on some specimens are purple/reddish in colour, making it a tasty cupcake you will really enjoy!

little spicy and with hints of lemon, typical of the best OG Kush. Its high level of THC produces a very relaxing and calm effect, perfect to close the day in a stress-free state.

Our range of great products for this year is topped up with yet another great plant that is here to stay and win many cups. We crossed two hybrids that have gained great recognition in the cannabis scene, i.e., our elite clone of Purple Punch (Larry

It is highly recommended for people looking for peace and stress relief. Its flowering time is 8 weeks, long enough to obtain more than 500 g per square meter of high-quality flowers boasting purple/ reddish tones, making this strain a must for novice growers looking for quality and quantity in record time. Let Purple Punch OG® and its sweet punch take you to sleep like a baby!

OG x Grand Daddy Purple) and another clone of Star Killer (Skywalker OG Kush x Rare Dankness #2) to give birth to the impressive Purple Punch OG® (SWS93). Our breeding efforts to create the perfect Indica ultimately paid off. It is a very easy-to-grow plant blessed by a large central bud, highly resinous flowers, and a strong sweet and fruity smell – a

From Sweet Seeds®, we wish you great crops with the best selection we can offer and, as always, renewed energy for this new year. We hope our menu will be to your liking and fill your gardens with lots of colour. This is all you need for another sweet and pleasant year. We look forward to seeing you on our social networks and in your favourite grow shops. Sweet harvests!

E l Dor a Do oG Paradise Seeds www.paradise-seeds.com

CANNA NEWS By Rich Hamilton

THE WORLD’S FIRST CERTIFIED ORGANIC CANNABIS SEED Humboldt Seed Company is to offer the world's first feminised, certified organic cannabis seeds for sale to home growers and commercial cultivators worldwide. This will be in partnership with British Columbia based licensed producer Nymera.

Despite state wide legalisation, it has not been possible for any licensed producer or seed company to obtain officially recognised "organic" certification in the USA. "Organic" is a term that is federally regulated in the USA. Since federally, cannabis is still illegal, the USDA (United States Department For Agriculture) does not recognise cannabis as a legal agricultural crop. So the term organic cannot be legally used to describe it. Humboldt is an established Northern Californian legacy brand taking its name from the famous "Emerald Triangle" county. They have been providing premium quality cannabis genetics to both home growers and commercial growers for many years. Nymera specialises in producing top quality fresh frozen, terpene-rich, extraction ready, whole Flower which they currently supply to the Canadian market. They boast an impressive variety of high terpene, organic, Pro-cert certified strains at their 86 acre, Organic Westwold British Columbia Farm. A match made in canna heaven, the two companies have joined forces to bring consistent access to some heritage genetics and some brand new

varieties. The new organic seeds have been certified by "Pro-Cert". Pro-Cert is accredited by the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and provides third-party certification to the Canadian Organic Regime (COR). The expertise, heritage and dedication of the Humboldt team have paid off. The results of all the pheno-hunting and genetics development that have been carried out over the years are now available to the masses in several new varieties. These include Magic Melon, Apple Blossom Auto, All Gas OG, Royal Highness, train wreck and Blueberry Muffin. The seeds have been approved for both outdoor cultivation and in greenhouse environments. However, depending on the grower's goals, Nymera's sales associates can assist cultivators in selecting which variety would best meet their needs. Ben Lind is the Humboldt Seed company's Chief Science Officer. He has spent his whole career focused on the practice of growing and breeding cannabis in Northern California. Having a genuine love for artisan varieties of cannabis, he uses the genetics of ancient

strains to engineer the new strains of the future. Mr Lind and was quoted as saying, "we are excited to share a piece of Humboldt's cannabis breeding heritage with the world". Nymera are excited about working alongside a seed company with such unique talents and an excellent reputation for the professionalism and care used to produce their seeds. Humboldt are truly at the top of their game and are a brand that Nymera is hopeful of emulating one day. Nymera's CEO and co-founder Rick Gill commented that "we are enormously proud to have partnered with Humboldt Seed company to help bring their amazing genetics to Canadian and international cannabis cultivators". ANC Cannabis will handle distribution and relationships with provincial boards across Canada. Established in 2017, ANC started as a genetics company striving to engineer the best quality products possible. However, as part of their ongoing expansion, they are now distributing seeds for the commercial and home grower.

ANC are a company motivated by quality product being accessible to the entire cultivation and growing community. Their outlook is that no matter your background or experience, everyone should be able to grow their own topquality cannabis. Tairance Rutter, Vice President of Business Development at ANC, had this to say. "Humboldt seed Company was the first seed I ever bought" "Having the opportunity to bring their heritage genetics into the legal market has been a highlight of my career". It is not just the cannabis growing process that should be organic. It needs to start with the seed. Organic cannabis is healthier for both the environment and your body and has an untarnished natural flavour. People are becoming more cautious about what they put in their bodies and its effect on their wellbeing and health. With such a growing demand for organically grown produce, why should cannabis be any different? Let's hope that this is the start of a move towards more organic cannabis seeds and products certification, as that is a choice that we all deserve to have.

STONER VIP By Olivier F (Soft Secrets France)

SOFT SCRTS

WHAT’S IN A NAME? This Lithuanian rapper and cannabis activist is a big fan of the Soft Secrets magazine. He chose Soft Scrts as the stage name for his solo trap music project. Check out Soft Scrts’ videos on YouTube: “Saldu, Saldu” and “Soft Secrets”. album “Paklausyki gėlių” (Listen to the flowers) to this topic? I love cannabis and the situation in Lithuania makes me very sad. I read a lot about this topic and of course I think about it a lot. There are also my personal experiences in these lyrics.

You also created a YouTube channel about cannabis, “PUČ YT”...

Saldu, Saldu. Video screenshot.

Can you introduce yourself to our readers? I’m a Lithuanian rapper and singer, I’m part of several bands and projects. My latest solo project is called Soft Scrts. I think that’s one of the reasons why we are doing this interview.

How did you discover Soft Secrets magazine? It must have been around 2011 in Berlin, when I had just arrived from Lithuania. In the neighbourhood where I live (Wedding), there is a small grow shop run by a stoner family. I used to go there for bongs, leaves... etc. And I would always pick up a copy of the latest issue of Soft Secrets. My knowledge of German was really poor at the time and this magazine was really helpful in learning the language. It’s much easier to read about a topic that interests you. And, of course, I also loved the section with the girls and plants!

Why did you choose Soft Scrts as your stage name? A few years ago there was an online MC contest in Lithuania and I wanted to participate. But I wanted my participation

to remain secret because I was already known as a rapper in Lithuania and I didn’t want to influence the judges. So I needed a new stage name and a altered my voice to remain incognito. Probably your magazine was on that table at the right time or maybe the word ‘secret’ made something click in my mind. I thought MC Soft Secrets would be the perfect name.

Yes, it is a cannabis programme that I started 5 years ago when Lithuanian Health Minister Aurelijus Veryga said with a big ironic smile on national television that smoked cannabis was never therapeutic! I had a neighbour and a friend here in Berlin who received medicinal cannabis from a pharmacy paid for by insurance. And it said on the package that it could be used in the form of a joint. I thought I should show this to my Lithuanian compatriots so they could see the truth. That’s how I started.

You have been living in Berlin for 10 years. Why did you leave Lithuania for Germany?

Soft Secrets is also the title of one of your songs. Since we don’t speak Lithuanian, can you tell us what the song Soft Secrets is about? Cannabis! Mostly about Rick Simpson’s oil and the fight for medicinal cannabis.

It seems like the whole album (to be released in April 20) is about cannabis. Are you a smoker or a grower? Yes, Soft Scrts is always talking about cannabis. Stoner and hobby grower, I would say, but mostly cannabis activist.

Why did you dedicate the whole

Shooting the Soft Secrets video.

For several reasons one of which was cannabis. Here in Berlin, cannabis is a very normal thing and you can smoke your joint wherever you go. You can even smoke cigarettes and joints in bars. There is a cultural centre and nightclub in Berlin called “Panke” and I appreciate this free cannabis policy.

When did you start making music? Music has been part of my life since I was 6 years old. I went to a music school, where I played the violin and piano. I also started singing in a choir at 11. At that time, I was already in hip-hop and it just so happened that I found a very talented producer who was twice my age. He was a musical programming genius and his speciality was drums. With two MC friends (America and Slam), this producer (Serumas) and myself (Liežuvis) we created the group ‘Ganja Cru.

Are there many people using cannabis in Lithuania? The country has 3 million inhabitants and I would say there are about 150 / 200,000 people who use cannabis. Cannabis is mostly imported from abroad. Twenty years ago it came mainly from the Netherlands and now it is imported mainly from Spain. Few grow it in Lithuania.

How much does a gram of weed cost in Lithuania? About 10 euros. But the crisis of the Lithuanian Crown has pushed prices up. It can go up to 12 or even 15 euros in some small towns, but with good connections you can get it down to 6 per gram.

Is cannabis legislation very strict in Lithuania? We have just elected a new parliament that is ready to make a difference. They are already starting the liberalisation of small amounts of weed. You would only be fined 100 euros instead of risking going to jail as is currently the case. www.instagram.com/soft_scrts/

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GROW WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark

7 TOP TIPS On Growing

The Biggest Plants In Veg Cannabis plants should be left to their own devices and allowed to grow as big as they do outdoors. However, growing indoors can have its restrictions limiting some growers to a short time when the lights are on 18/6. Below are my top tips to help grow the biggest plants possible before flowering. 1. TOPPING CANNABIS PLANT Apical dominance means that a plant will display one main cola or top bud, with side branching surrounding the centre. This is natural with Cannabis plants and if not topped or pinched out, then the plant height can exceed the comfort zone of a grower. My top tip here is to pinch out or top the crown shoot of your plants early on. The benefits of this are the crown shoot will grow into two new growth tips, and this will promote a more laterally dominant plant that has need to grow with apical dominance. The growth hormone Auxin will be reduced and the growth structure will immediately change. Repeating this simple technique can reward you with upto 16 tops in a short time frame.

This grower has built a bamboo cage to support the huge yield.

2. TYING DOWN PLANT

stress technique and involves tying or pinning Cannabis plants down and allowing them to grow back as normal.

One great way to really open the canopy up and allow all of the lower shoots to catch up with the crown growth tip. This technique is called the low

My top tip here is to tie all of your branches down. By doing this not only will you strengthen the joints of each one, promoting extra support

for heavy yields later on, tying down will create a much more dense and structured canopy than if left to grow normally. You should only need to tie your plants down once or twice before opening up a top canopy that has access to direct light and will grow well.

A super cropped plant that has responded very well.

3. SNAPPING FOR SUCCESS Super cropping is the name given to this technique, which some may consider is a high stress technique. You do have to be brave and know your plants well enough before attempting to super crop. Forcing a break in the main stem and branches of your Cannabis plants will send a repair growth hormone along the plant pathways until the break is repaired. My top tip here is to apply a break once you have tied your plants down. This works especially when performed on the main stem of a plant that has been pinned down similar to mainlining. Allow your plants plenty of time to recover and form a wooden knuckle before attempting to super crop again. Never super crop or snap your plants once flowering has started.

4. A SCREEN FOR THE

CANOPY There is a big difference between using a trellis net for support and purposely using a screen. The SCROG technique basically involves using the screen as a market point to what will be considered as a top bud and what will be totally removed from the plant.

My top tip here is to use a screen if you are only able to grow one or two plants. Using pinching and L.S.T, it is easy to create a canopy that will be fed through the screen and exposed to the direct lighting from the grow lights. What is also great about a Screen of Green, is there will be no unwanted lower buds, as these will have been clearly pruned away before flowering begins.

5. LARGE SIZED POTS The bigger the pot then the bigger the plant, especially when growing with organics. Cannabis plants will

These plants have been pinched out to grow more bushy.

generally root as deep down as 14 inches, so anything deeper than this will be a waste of space and growing medium. My top tip here is to use a large sized pot in the 20 litre mark. Make sure that you use felt fabric pots and avoid plastic pots. Felt pots will allow the roots to prune themselves naturally allowing for a prolific root zone.

6. ROOT ZONE TEMPERATURE One of the main causes of slow plant growth and root formation is cold temperatures. Cannabis plants outdoors during Spring and the build up to Summer, are treated to a warm ground with high humidity. My top tip here is to check on your root zone by touching with the back of your hand, how warm or cold the surface is. If you live in a colder environment, then it is advised to feed throughout

the day, so the growing medium is not wet at night time when the lights are off. Add a heater to the tent and keep warm air circulating the bottom of the tent.

7. ORGANIC TEAS AND BENEFICIAL ORGANISMS Aerobic bacteria and fungi are a Cannabis plants best friend, and will work together in symbiosis to provide nutrients and minerals on demand. Soils and compost are rich in beneficial microorganisms, however you can add your own ones and also inoculate the root zone yourself. My top tip here is to make an organic compost tea that is brewed for 24 hours. You should add microbes and fungi sourced online or from a local grow shop, and food for them such as unsulphured black strap molasses. Root mass can increase by up to 700% when using beneficial organisms indoors.

LIFESTYLE By Rich Hamilton

READ-LISTEN-WATCH Media reviews

This new feature will bring you a selection of media reviews carefully curated for canna lifestyle and culture. There's something for everyone, whether you want to be educated or just entertained; we've got you covered. Here are our recommendations on what to "Read" "Listen", and "Watch" this month.

READ

LISTEN

WATCH

The Boy In 7 Billion

NPK PODCAST

In this issue of Soft Secrets, "mustreads", we bring you "The Boy In 7 Billion" by Callie Blackwell.

Available from all podcast providers, The NPK Live PODCAST is a regular hard-hitting hydroponic show based in Liverpool. The NPK podcast prides itself on being honest, informal and passionate about all things hydroponics.

Down to Earth with Zack Efron and Darin Olien – Netflix

This real-life story (told from Deryn Blackwell's mother's perspective) follows and tells the story of a boy diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of 10, along with another rare form of cancer called Langerhans cell sarcoma just 18 months later. Deryn was not only the youngest person to have Langerhans cell sarcoma, but he was the only person in the world who was fighting it alongside another cancer. Making him 1 in 7 billion! This unique and inspiring story tells you how, from the brink of death, after all, hope and modern medical practices failed him, Cannabis saved Deryn's life. What makes this story special is that it is true. I literally could not put this book down. It is a must-read and takes you through a rollercoaster ride of emotion and frustration at the blind un-acceptance of the medical benefits of Cannabis by mainstream medical practice. A top tip is here if you contact Callie direct through Instagram @ callieblackwell and buy direct, she might even sign it for you if you ask her nicely.

When this 8 part Netflix docu-series was suggested to me, I heard Zack Efron's name mentioned I thought,

practices, nature and green energy solutions. It's a great eye-opener of a show. It throws up some great topics

"that it isn't for me". I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I started watching.

and questions about how we currently live and how we could improve on this, not only for personal health but also for the planet's health and longevity.

With live shows on a wide range of topics being recorded weekly, the NPK team are dedicated to bringing up to date information and education to the hydroponics community. With well over 1000 shows available, this is a great podcast to listen to, learn from and find out the newest trends happening in the market. The Lads have always got something to say… and I recommend you listen to them as they know what they are talking about. Hosted by Steven Burrows, this is a must-listen too, to whoever has the slightest interest in indoor gardening or hydroponics.

FREE to download via Apple iTunes and available to watch via YOUTUBE.

The series is hosted and narrated by Zac Efron and Superfoods book author and wellness expert Darin Olien.

Series 2 has been commissioned, and I'm really looking forward to it.

We follow the pair as they travel worldwide to France, Puerto Rico, London, Iceland, Costa Rica, Peru and Sardinia.

I found the 1st season so compelling and informative; I have watched it at least 4 times over!

Each episode sees the duo exploring healthy and sustainable living

Available on Netflix.

GROW WITH ROBERT B.

by Robert B.

TOO MUCH FERTILISER SPOILS THE TASTE STOP FERTILISING IN ADVANCE OR WASH THE SUBSTRATE? Hydroponic cultivation is impossible without fertilisers. Plants need light, water, warmth, air and, of course, fertilisers! If there are no nutrients, a plant cannot grow well, provided a balance is found. With few nutrients, the cannabis plant will yield less but, with a lot of fertiliser, marijuana will have no pleasant taste. With even more fertiliser, the plant will have a poor growth and even die. The quality and composition of nutrients are also crucial. But that is not the topic of this article. As a rule, for your growing medium, you can simply use the appropriate fertiliser supplied from a proven manufacturer to be administered according to its specifications in the proper manner. Soil is a living space, as many bacteria and other organisms live and work there. Nutrients are transformed and released on an ongoing basis! Therefore, for a plant to grow well, its soil does not need to be constantly fed with nutrients. In hydroponics, instead, there is less or no life at all in rockwool mats or other growing media and, as a result, a different type of fertiliser, with more trace elements, is needed. 10 to 20% of the fertiliser quantity should then be washed away for it to remain effective in time. This means that, out of 10 poured litres, two should be washed away. With irrigation water, old nutrients flow out and there is room for fresh ones. Nevertheless, nutrient salts accumulate and the EC value in mats increases during normal fertilisation. Whether you use soil, rockwool or another growing medium, if you constantly feed it with a rich nutrient solution for weeks, nutrients will accumulate and, when their concentration is too high, this will have a negative effect on the quality of the marijuana flowers, even if they grow faster as a result. For this reason, a common practice is to stop fertilising about 14 days before harvest and continue irrigating with plain water. In this way, plants will only draw nutrients from the soil and their concentration in the substrate will drop. In hydroponics, nutrients continue to be flushed out with drainage water. If you grow plants on a soil substrate and fertilise it abundantly, there will still be a lot of fertiliser in the soil on harvest day, even if you have discontinued fertilisation in the last two weeks. That is why it is crucial to avoid adding more fertiliser with irrigation water.

In addition to discontinuing fertilisation in advance, you may also consider another option to promptly reduce the fertiliser content in the growing medium, i.e., to flush through one or two litres of plain water for each litre of growing medium. This should be done three days before harvesting. Most of the nutrients will be washed out and the flowers will ripen perfectly. When you are using a soil substrate or, however, when you fear that the substrate can be waterlogged, just irrigate your pots only after two days, if they look so dry that they need to be watered again. If the soil is wet after watering but, after two days or even the next day, the soil requires further watering, this means that this short period of waterlogging is well tolerated. Flushing is easy with various hydroponic systems.

Growing medium on the Ebb & Flow table, the cover is still missing.

Rockwool in libra trays.

If you fear a longer waterlogging period, then, as a precaution, just stop feeding the soil with fertiliser 14 days before harvest in order not to have to flush it subsequently. Otherwise, both fertilisation and flushing can be done without any problem. In general, not even the lowest root tips should remain in a water puddle, as they would be damaged. If some water constantly runs out of the grow tent, the pots should be raised a little as a precaution. In addition, when flushing the pots or rockwool mats, make sure that you work smartly, i.e., any leaking water should of course be drained away. If you cannot drain or pump it out, just put your pots in a shower tray and flush them. With this final flush, nutrients are used in high concentration until shortly before the harvest and then discontinued. In the final three-day period, plants will ripen without putting on much mass. They will continue to develop and not lose weight or active ingredients on harvesting. Flowers will also ripen flawlessly and even taste better, with a more pleasant effect on consumption. The flushing operation can promptly remedy any critical over-fertilisation at any time. If this happens, just suspend fertilisation and continue irrigating with plain water. Mind you, with critical over-fertilisation, the plant will grow more slowly and start to die. To irrigate with plain water will not suffice. A good substrate wash is needed, even if it likely to cause waterlogging. Growers who prefer to cultivate on soil or COGr boards, and all those who use their growing medium several times should be aware that plants cannot develop well if they find too much nutrients in the substrate. Nutrients

38 INDEX OF ADS in excess will prevent rooting. which is crucial for young plants or plants in their growth phase in view of the final result. Therefore, those who want to reuse their COGr board, for example, should significantly reduce its nutrient content. Especially in these situations, a good, thorough wash is advisable three days before harvesting. Otherwise, this should be done after harvesting before replanting. ‘Plain water’ is a flexible term. Is it meant as soft rainwater, or lime water from a well? Well water may already contain many nitrates and therefore require almost no fertiliser supplementation. Plain water should have an EC value of less than 1.0. Furthermore, plants may tolerate a PH value of 5.4 to 6.3 (in this range, the lower value applies to hydroponics and the higher to soil). As a third decisive factor, temperature

should also be around 20° Celsius, so that the plant roots do not get too warm or cold. Water should not come cold from the tap, but rather be left to stand throughout the night before being used. If chlorine is present, it can also evaporate overnight. Enzymes to be added to water have been available for a few years now. If you use the growing medium several times, you should add them constantly. The right enzymes decompose dead roots and prepare the soil for the next planting. Special preparations to flush the substrate are also available on the market. You can add them to irrigation water in the last weeks of the flowering phase to wash the nutrients away from the growing medium and/or improve the taste. If you want to save water, these additives are the right choice, provided they are used correctly.

Name Page Amsterdam Seed Center

London Seed Centre 1

Atami

Paradise Seeds 1

Barney's Farm

Paradise Seeds

Cyco

Sanlight 19

Emerald Harvest

Sweet Seeds

Jorge Cervantes

COLOFON

Watering tanks where water is left to stand.

Soft Secrets is published by Discover Publisher BV Galvaniweg 11, 5482 TN Schijndel, Netherlands Telephone: +31-(0)73-5498112 E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl Web: www.softsecrets.com Editor: Cliff Cremer Contributors: Jorge Cervantes, Stoney Tark, Rich Hamilton, Mr. Jose, Green Born Identity (G.B.I.), Betty Green and others. COGr boards are washed and reused several times.

Comics: Jim Stewart

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ: PAGE 16:

1. B 2. A 3. D 4. C 5. A 6. C 7. D 8. C 9. A 10. B

11. D 12. A 13. B 14. A 15. C 16. C 17. A 18. B 19. D 20. B

Photography: iStock Editorial adress: readers@softsecrets.nl Advertisements: E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl A word from the publisher: Soft Secrets is a bi-monthly free magazine which is published in The Netherlands (called Highlife), Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Poland, Czech Republic and Chile. World wide there is a process going on of relative liberalisation towards the use of cannabis, be it for medicinal or recreational purposes. Several countries legalised cannabis as a way of separating soft and hard drugs, as it has proven to

do in Holland. Other countries legalised the use of medicinal cannabis, including the right to grow cannabis plants for one’s own use. The publisher wants to highlight the process of normalisation of cannabis use. This assumes that the publisher does not necessarily agree with everything that appears in articles and advertisements. The publisher therefore distances himself explicitly from published statements or images that might give the impression that an endorsement is being made for the use and/or production of cannabis. Nothing from this publication may be copied or reproduced in any format without prior permission from the publisher and other copyright holders. The publisher is not responsible for the content and/or point of view of advertisements. The editor takes no responsibility for unsollicited submissions. The publisher has endeavored to reach all copyright holders of photos and/or images. Those who still believe they are entitled to these rights may contact the publisher.

Next issue out:

September 3, 2021