2010 06 UK

FREE For adults only. Soft Secrets is published six times a year by Discover Publisher BV Netherlands

In this issue:

Issue 6 - 2010

Relative Risks Well, people. In case you didn’t know it already, alcohol is much more harmful for you than weed. Actually, the demon drink comes out at the top of a pretty inclusive list of 20 of the main players in the intoxicants league (The Lancet, 2010)

Top, Middle Or Bottom?

Growing from clones has its obvious advantages, but which strains have the quickest strike rate and does it really make a difference where the cutting is taken from the mother? Soft Secrets investigates...

35

Table of contents Page 3 girl Dear Soft Secrets Product flash NFT Names and flavours Grow report: Amnesia Haze Soil and hydro Free Rob Cannabis The Economy Origins of cannabis Poster Jorge Cervantes Community Ask Ed Shop reviews Strain report Comic Ganjaman Music – a stoned selection Poster Shop reviews Colofon Index of ads

3 5 11 15 16 18 21 26 28 30 33 37 43 45 50 56 57 58 60 62 62 62

How this was worked out is complicated, and explaining it would take more than the 600 words allowed me for the purposes of this column. Cutting it down to the essentials, each substance is looked at from different aspects or domains (harm or cost to self, harm or cost to others, cost to society etc) and given a score between 0 and 100, with zero being the least and 100 being the most harmful. Then a lot of clever sums are done and each substance is given an overall mark out of 100 to indicate its overall dangerousness. Obviously, everything has got an element of risk attached to it and therefore none of the substances scored zero.

The top three malefactors are as follows: booze scored 72; heroin came second with 55 (surprisingly low, I thought), and then crack cocaine in third with 54.

Cannabis comes in as the eighth most dangerous with a score of 20 (more dangerous than Methadone, a point that will raise a few eyebrows).

Why is such a dangerous drug as alcohol still so freely available? Why indeed.

Simply put, it comes down to economics and the considerable clout of the alcohol industry. Over the past 100 years or thereabouts, alcohol has been assimilated into the culture as the drug of choice for R&R in Britain. It’s gone from being unrespectable in the early part of the 20th century to being an essential part of any social function less than 100 years later.

Now, the rights and wrongs of this aside – and I’m sure there will be many people out there screaming that this is indeed “all wrong” – the point being made here is that alcohol is legal, whereas the others are not (tobacco is on the list, but I think it can only really be regarded as semi-legal these days by anyone’s standards).

The issue with alcohol is really complicated and full of contradictions: it’s bad for you in quantities over 28 units a week for men and 18 for women, and yet a standard size glass each day of [your tipple of choice here] has been shown to have effects beneficial to health and wellbeing.

It costs billions of pounds in lost work

days, police and medical interventions, while at the same time it brings in billions of pounds in tax revenue. Plus we have to think about the number of people employed in the industry from those who make it through to those who sell it.

It seems to us that the financial aspects of this are at the heart of the matter.

There’s so much money involved one way or another in booze that it’s not in the interests of any government to make too much noise about doing anything serious about it.

If there was a sure fire way of monitoring exactly how much cannabis is being grown and traded in the UK we suspect that the current legal status of the plant would change pretty quickly. The botContinues on page 3

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3 Continued from front page tom line is this: behind all the rhetoric and subterfuge of both the alcohol and pharmaceutical lobbies, behind all of the “cannabis is illegal because it’s really bad for you” talk, if the cannabis market could be effectively controlled and made subject to taxation then we’d see a change pretty much overnight. The point is, as the case of alcohol demonstrates only too well, it’s got nothing to do with health and everything to do with money.

(David Nutt, Leslie King and Lawrence Phillips, “Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis”, Lancet 2010; 376: 1558–65) Dr. Dee

Power Flower is a highly popular commercial strain. Easy, quick and reliable. This variety is suitable for indoor and outdoor grows and does extremely well in good soil, but once planted in a hydroponics set-up, Power Flower will just explode with buds and THC. Mostly indica, Power Flower has a sativa influence which energizes her effect adding a nice high to an incredibly powerful body stone. Power Flower is perfect for beginners and a dream come true for professionals.

Power Flower produces reliable, heavy yields (up to 150 gr. per plant! ) of very dense, sticky buds.

All in all, a Winner!

Genetic background: Height: THC: Flowering time: Yield: Harvest outdoor: Photo: Royal Queen Seeds

Indica dominant with sativa influence 100 – 140 cm. around 15% 7 to 8 weeks ± 500 gr per M2 start of October

Power Flower

Comments welcome to the usual address: dimethyltryptamine777@hotmail.com

5 Readers Stuff

Here is a picture of my outdoor wench she is pot of gold ran under a 600 hps using advanced nutrients in terra prof.

Grow - jungle green, bloom sensibloom, sensizym, budcandy, hammerhead 9/8, p/k 13/14. ph 6.2 ~ 6.5 ec 1.3 ~ 1.4 Was due to finish at 8 weeks but still waiting for harvest window Anonymous Don’t rush her, she looks like she’s going to finish well and give you a nice harvest.

Attention Readers!

Blueberry Cheese, grown in coco under 2 x 600x HPS, vegged 3 weeks, A + B, Bat Guano, Canna Boost A+B mixed with r.o. water.

3 weeks before harvest added PK 14/14, got me 302 gr per plant dried. Thanks Soft Secrets for all your help!

Anonymous Nice looking plants, Blueberry Cheese often have a nice slightly fruity earthy aroma. With a room like this, proper light height is critical. Hold your hand flat under the light, and raise and lower it. When you get to the point where the top of your hand is warm, and the bottom cool, that’s the top point your canopy should reach.

This is my first grow so dont think I done to bad, under 400hps, only used all mix & bio bizz.. had few problems with other plants gettin bud rot but this one is the daddy! hope I done proud... Looked after them as well as I could. Suppose its just all a learnin curve! Thanks Soft Secrets, info helped without a doubt!

Smoking Joe The ninja look seems cool, but try to use it to get a girl to pose for the next photo. Speaking of the learning curve, it’s considered to be poor form (and bad luck) to refer to a female plant as “daddy”. Better air circulation can help with bud rot. Next time try adding a fan. Well done on a successful first grow.

Power Plant, 600w HPS, Canna Terra, PK13/14 for 1 week flushed 8 days beforte the chop.

Juggy Power Plant is known for having a very “up” high, good for getting things done. Nice use of a 600 watt.

The higher wattage bulbs come with more heat issues, but make for very pretty colas. Looks like the blue bra holds some power of its own.

Fancy a FREE packet of FEMINISED seeds from DINAFEM? Then send us a picture of your grow room or best cannabis plant, including a visible copy of Soft Secrets, and we’ll send you 3 seeds. Should your photo happen to feature your beautiful wife or girlfriend wearing a sexy microbikini or super hot lingerie, you will receive 6 seeds. Photo of the Month will even receive 9 prime quality feminised seeds. With compliments of Soft Secrets and DINAFEM! E-mail your entries to SSUK@softsecrets.nl or send them to our PoBox. NOTE: All entries are handled with the utmost discretion. We don’t publish out of focus pics, and we don’t like photos of plants in veg stage. It’s fat buds & sweet babes we want to see!

PoBox 17250, 1001 JG, Amsterdam, Holland E-mail: SSUK@softsecrets.nl

6

In the foreground a fine New York Sour Diesel and to the left a White Widow.. you can just make out a Northern Lights x Big Bud in the back left corner too.. 2/3 weeks away from the cut.

Daddy mac – Scotland

From yet another Spanish reader

Here’s a nice piece of my misses with my Apple Jack Dr. Greenthumb Your Apple Jack looks nice, but your misses’ backside looks nicer.

Apple Jack does well as a candelabra, as you have grown.

Sour Diesel can have a very strong scent, both during growing and after harvest, and White Widow is a very popular favorite. Northern Lights x Big Bud tend to produce well, with a mild flavor.

8

From a loyal Spanish reader

This is LSD from Barneys Farm. Planted in June, Fed on BAC Organic Nutrients, finished first week of October, very nice smell not a bad yield.

Got 11oz Dry! DOM - South East, England

Anonymous

LSD is renowned as trippy head smoke. Such a pretty full breasted bird you have visiting your garden, looks like a wonderful place to visit and relax in. It’s a shame more people can’t experience the joys of being free while being outside.

9

This is a picture of the love of my life......and my girlfriend! She’s a Super Skunk from the Greenhouse grown under 600W sodium, they were veg’d for seven weeks and flowered for eight. The medium used was La Canna Gold Mix soil using La Canna fertiliser and La Canna boost with a final push of PK13. Produced around 8oz per plant. Thanks for all the information provided by the Soft Secrets crew over the years, its been a pleasure.

Peace Well, you’re not quitting, are you? Or is it that you are going to be married (understandable), and become a “good citizen”? Your girlfriend is an extraordinary beauty, if you prefer your garden, you better send her over to Soft Secrets HQ in Amsterdam.

She’ll have plenty of mates to play with.

Sean Good planning on laying down the plastic. If you take a plastic garbage bag, open it, and hook it on your knees, you can trim over it, and let the clippings fall into the bag. It will make less mess to clean up. Keep any frosted looking trimmings for a little homemade water hash.

Liam A good example of using stakes to support and open the plant.

Looks a bit much like being behind bars for my taste though.

Greengrass Another fine example of why bigger isn’t always better. A short plant, with buds big enough for a larger one.

Bravo.

Here’s the honey bee’s with their money tree’s. White Rhino and Black Kush. 4 x 600w sodiums fed with Superthrive and Canna Flores and my own special urine 10 fluid oz to a 100 ltrs of water. I averaged 168 grams per plant.

Mrs. X Be careful with the urine, stay safe with biohazards, and watch out for ammonia poisoning. Thank you for sharing yourselves in bras and panties, that’s always a welcome sight. 168 grams per plant is a nice haul. Good job ladies!

11

PRODUCT FLASH

International Highlife Guide 2011 available now The new International Highlife Guide is once again available. In this 12th edition, which as usual is available for free, enables both businesses and consumers to see at a glance where companies at home and abroad are located. From wholesalers to retail shops, the guide offers a complete overview of all businesses that are currently active in the international cannabis industry.

The guide in recent years has become increasingly international in character. In addition to an overview of the Dutch cannabis sector, businesses from Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Eastern Europe, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland are also featured.

Europe’s most complete database of cannabis-related enterprises can also be accessed via the website www.highlifeguide.com. That is of course very handy. From London to Rome, from Barcelona to Berlin, from Lisbon to Prague, any place and any time, you have access to the database via the multilingual website. And that is irreplaceable aid for everyone with an interest in cannabis.

In short, this 12th edition of the International Highlife Guide is once again unmissable. The Highlife Guide is available for free via shops throughout Europe and at the European hemp fairs.

Info: www.highlifeguide.com

Plagron Cocos A&B for the best results Cocos A&B is a highly concentrated organic mineral liquid fertiliser, suitable in both the grow as well as the flowering phase of the plant.

Based on the latest insights into plant needs, Plagron created Cocos A&B, a complete nutrient solution. As fertiliser manufacturer Plagron is unique in adding trace elements in a high quality chelated form so that these are directly absorbed by the plant.

Also the pure ingredients, humic acids, lack of bulking agents and stable pH-value guarantee optimal yield results. The nutrient is easily dissolvable and does not crystallize in the tank. Plagron Cocos A&B can be used with all types of Hydro systems.

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12

Hello there SSUK, Here is a couple of pics of my fourth grow. These are 2 x Moby Dick 2 and 2 x Critical Jack, both are from Dinafem. They were grown in a flood and drain system. This pics are on day 67 and they were given no veg time. Grown under 600w hps with ionic bloom and a touch of PK13/14.

They smell alot and have lovely fat heavy buds, covered in crystals. I don’t normally grow plants this small but i’m liking the look of them. Hope you like my buds and here’s my Mrs who has decided to pose for your mag.

G man and Indigo Moby Dick and Critical Jack are both very pretty plants to grow. They are both fine examples of well formed cultivars. Nice use of a 600 watt, no wasted stems on those. Say hello to Indigo and thank her for deciding to pose for us, it’s well appreciated!

Dear Soft Secrets Here is the results of my first grow, 3 plants - ‘Top Dawg’ from Barney’s Farm. Grown on my sunny balcony in Amsterdam this summer. Very happy with all my results this summer, will have a go at growing under lights next! Warm regards Kushy Well done Kushy. And Top Dawg is a nice aromatic choice. With a bit of patience and practice, amazing things can be done. Keep learning, and improve a little with every grow, and before you know it you’ll get even better results. We’d all love to see more of you, let us know how the seeds we are sending you turn out. A bit of ginger can really brighten a staircase.

I grew these 2 plants under a 400 watt hps in normal compost with canna nutrients not sure of the breed but proper sticky and smell lovely.

PJ

Le Poison Rouge, France

Pretty buds, I bet with a 400 watt you could fit in another couple without crowding it too badly. Don’t rush harvesting them, let them finish. Take the seeds we are sending you, and see if you can do as well with them.

15

HYDRO CULTURE Hydro Over Hand Watering

Part 1: Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Its official, lots of you home growers out there love growing with compost and pots and it is easy to see why; pots are simple to use and cheap to set up, compost is very forgiving and will buffer against pH Text: Little Lebowski fluctuations and over feeding.

Plus, you can achieve some damn fine yields with compost and pots.... and sometimes.... it just feels good to get your hands dirty!!

It’s true, when you are just starting out; you have enough to deal with trying to sort out your environment and just learning how your plants react to different levels of light, feed and training.

But, once you have your environment dialled and you are happy with your set up, for the ultimate yields, take a look at hydro.

Too many growers disregard active hydroponics as too complicated and too difficult, preferring to hand water pots or use passive hydroponic pot systems that require a capillary medium like compost or coco.

In reality, active hydroponics can be as straightforward and simple as you make it.

When you are about to embark on your next grow and you’re eyeing up the options in your local hydroponic shop, ask yourself these questions...

irrigation, flood and drain and aeroponics to name a few. But, for simple and effective “pure” hydroponics – where the minimum amount of growing medium is used – take a look at NFT.

NF... What?

NFT stands for Nutrient Film Technique.

It is an active hydroponic technique where nutrient solution is pumped onto a tray or, in commercial situations, a gulley to create a very shallow, slow moving film that flows through the roots of the plants providing them with all the elements they need.

The roots of the plants grow into the solution and fill the tray or gulley, forming a large root mat.

This constant access to water and nutrients, combined with an abundant supply of oxygen to the roots, means plants grown in NFT develop very rapidly and produce significantly larger yields than soil grown plants. This is why it is a preferred method in commercial horticulture.

Now, if we are talking NFT about for the home grower, one system stands proud above rest... the NFT Gro-Tank.

What is easier?

Hand watering a grow room full of thirsty plants individually, or just topping up a single reservoir?

Transporting bags and bags of heavy media from the shop to the car to your house, or just a small box of rockwool?

Potting up plants to larger containers several times per crop, or just placing your plants in a hydro system?

The NFT Gro-Tank was the first hydro system developed specifically for the needs of the home grower. Coming out of the UK in the late 1970’s, it has been trusted by growers for over three decades. It is simple to assemble and operate, stands less than 30cm off the ground so leaves you plenty of room to grow under lights and all of the workings sit above the reservoir so it will not leak – perfect for the attic, bedroom or growing in an apartment where water dripping through your downstairs neighbours ceiling is not an option!!

Too many growers disregard active hydroponics as too complicated and too difficult, preferring to hand water pots or use passive hydroponic pot systems that require a capillary medium like compost or coco.

Active hydroponics can mean less maintenance, easier set ups and a cleaner, compost free growing environment... and did we mention the quicker harvests and increased yields?

There are plenty of active hydroponic systems out on the market, using many different hydroponic techniques; drip

NFT Gro Tank

t t

t

t

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delivery systems, no feeding schedules to calculate and very little maintenance involved.

Quicker harvests – get more crops per year.

Water efficiency – no waste run off in re-circulating hydroponic systems.

No chance of over or under watering – plants take as much or as little as they need.

Clean and minimum waste produce – no heavy bags of medium to carry around, a major benefit for indoor cultivation.

No soil borne pests – reduced chance of disease and reduced use of pesticides.

3 Steps to NFT Heaven!

1. Ensure plants are root bound before they go into the system. An abundance of white roots should be visible on the outside of the starter medium, use rockwool for the cleanest possible growing environment. Completely remove plastic wrapping from rockwool cubes; this allows the roots to access more oxygen.

2. Lay a thin layer of capillary matting called “spreader mat” over the tray. This helps to spread the flow of the nutrient solution evenly over the entire surface of the tray, when plants are young. Cut holes in the top plate depending on how you want to space your plants (you can grow lots of small plants or several large plants). Place the plants through the holes on the cover and sit them on the tray.

3. Fill the reservoir with water, add nutrients and adjust pH. Turn the pump on 24/7. Sit back and watch them grow!

The reservoir will need topping up every few days with half strength nutrient solution (because plants will use more water than nutrient, therefore you top up with a less concentrated dose) and will need a complete emptying and refill every 10 days to keep things fresh.

Q&A with an NFT Grower Why NFT over pots? t

t

Faster growth rate and bigger yields – expect up to three times the yield of conventional compost growing.

Simplicity – no complicated

When can plants be transferred to a Gro-Tank?

Ensure plants are root bound before they go into the system. An abundance of white roots should be visible

on the outside of the starter medium.

Completely remove plastic wrapping from rockwool cubes or remove pots if using soil or coco. This allows the roots to access more oxygen.

How should plants be spaced?

NFT Gro-Tanks allow growers to space plants however they desire, they can simply cut spacings in the top plate provided. As a rule of thumb; 1 plant per square foot. This can be increased or decreased depending on plant variety or technique e.g. Sea of Green works very well in NFT, just space your plants closer together and switch to 12/12 as soon as your plants are established in the system (within a week).

How high should EC be set?

As very little medium is used with NFT there is no buffer between the roots and nutrient solution. Water and nutrient is available to the plants at all times.

Therefore growers are advised to set EC a little lower than they would with soil or other hydro techniques, such as flood and drain. When transplanting young plants into a Gro-Tank, add nutrient at half the manufacturers recommend dose and gradually increase to full dose as plants mature.

What nutrient strength should the tank be topped up with?

Plants grown indoors under lights will take up water at a greater rate than they take up nutrient. Over time the EC (CF) of the solution will rise. Therefore it is advisable to top up the tank with half strength nutrient solution, check EC and add extra nutrient if required.

How often does the nutrient solution need to be changed?

We recommend a complete solution change once every two weeks. This ensures that plants are receiving an optimum balance of nutrients.

Will plants need to be supported?

Yes. NFT is a bare rooted growing technique. All but the smallest of plants will need additional support, i.e. yoyo’s or pea netting, especially when those fruits get big!!

What are you waiting for? Give it NFT a try!!

16

CANNABIS HISTORY

Names and Flavours Over the years I have been fortunate enough to have experienced the pleasures of many different varieties of cannabis. Each sample of cannabis is specific to the Genus-species and ‘cultivar’ (or cultigen) it came from. A cultivar is a specific type of plant that has been selectively bred towards one or more desirable ‘traits’ – after which it is given a “name”. In Cannabis these traits may include the colour, scent, yield, flowering time, taste, or effect that a specific cultivar of Cannabis gives. While many cultivar may hold one or more traits in common with other cultivar, it is fair to say that every cultivar, in fact by lazystrain every plant, within the Cannabis family is unique.

Genotypes and Phenotypes In this sense every Cannabis plant is, if but slightly different to the next plant; with the only exception being clones, which are identical replicas of the parent plants they came from and therefore hold the same ‘genotype’. The ‘genotype’ is the genetic code of a plant and cannot be altered. When coupled with environmental factors the genotype may take on different forms of physically expression (what we see) known as the ‘phenotype’.

Grower A and Grower B may each have the same clone of ‘UK Cheese’ which are genotypically identical. Grower A may cultivate the UK Cheese clone indoors under lamps. Grower B may cultivate the UK Cheese clone outdoors in a glasshouse. Although the genotype of the UK Cheese clone with Grower A and Grower B are genetically identical, environmental factors will alter the physical appearance of both plants. These difference would be most visible if held against each other in comparison. Not only would the plants look different, but the available cannabiniods, resin profile, and essential oils presented in both plant A and plant B would also be slightly different.

Much then depends on how each individual plant is cared for, nurtured and grown. In contrast to clones which are a-sexual and genetically the same, the genetic diversity and in turn the potential phenotypical variation displayed in cultigens grown from seed is almost incalculable – remembering that every seed is unique, and the results of that seed depend on how it is grown. Thus for many it is a case of smoking as many different varieties as possible (from seed and clone) until they find “the one” that they’re happy to smoke all-day-long.

Names and Origins Twenty years ago there were less than twenty types of cannabis resin and cannabis flowers commonly available to the majority of cannabis smokers in the UK.

The staple of which included imported hashish from ‘Afghan’, ‘Pakistan’, ‘Indian’, ‘Nepalese’, ‘Lebanese’, ‘Turkish’, and ‘Moroccan’ sources, and imported weed from ‘Thai’, ‘Colombian’, ‘Kenyan’, ‘Malawi’, ‘Mexican’, and ‘Jamaican’ sources. In the majority of cases the country of origin was the “name” under which the cannabis was marketed. In contrast today there are well over one thousand (1000+) types of homegrown weed consumed in the UK on a day to day basis and hundreds (100s) of types of homemade hashish.

hobbyist in the UK will of course have access to all manner or seeds and clones that not even the most professional seed companies have heard of yet - let alone the local twentyfive quid for three grams of wet-weed dealer. However the majority that aren’t making their own cultivation choices will be smoking what they are given, with little or no other option than what is available with the cannabis dealer, who often has Skunk or a Skunk derivative for sale.

The ‘genotype’ is the genetic code of a plant and cannot be altered.

Gone are the days when you could pick and choose whether to invest in a few eighths of hand rubbed Manali resin, a quarter of Jamaican erb, a small slab of Moroccan Slate, a few Thai sticks, some African Bush, or even if lucky some imported “Dutch” – not to mention the different effects each gave.

These days cannabis dealers are no longer selling cannabis geographically, rather they are selling it with a “name”, “a story”, and in several cases “a face” attached.

The main upside to this is that cannabis dealers are now often able to provide their customers with some genetic information about the variety they are selling at point of sale.

Medicinal growers often view the ranges of cannabis available to them as overwhelming as the first trip to a Chinese Herbalists

An extremely high percentage of all the cannabis available in the UK however contains a percentage of the genetics of one specific cultigen called Cannabis sativa/indica ‘Skunk #1’. The story of Skunk #1 has been covered many times in paper, so we wont go into details here. Basically, an American guy called Sam crossed a Colombian plant with a Mexican plant, and then an Afghan plant the following season. The result was called “Skunk” because of its smell. Skunk #1 was then inbred in the following seasons to maintain the overpowering effects, high yield, and strong smell.

Perhaps as many as 50% of the cultigens available from seed banks today contain a percentage of this same Skunk #1 genetic – which doesn’t leave much scope for the imagination.

Moreover it has long since been established that Skunk #1 and more specifically the pure clone of Skunk #1 called “Cheese” makes people “muddy” (docile and stupid) and is mainly valued by commercial cannabis growers (for its market value) and by hashish makers (for its sedative effects).

Connoisseur growers and advanced

to the cultivar however, for many cannabis growers the end result is often a pursuit of the finest cannabis flavours genetically available to them.

Ten years ago if you asked a cannabis dealer the origins of the product they where selling they’d look shady and mention some place you’d probably never heard of (or they’d make up a story about how it came from Bob Marley’s cousin in Jamaica). Today if you ask a cannabis dealer about the origin of the weed they are selling they often provide you with a full catalogue of information including the date of the next cannabis cup in Amsterdam and the best coffeeshops to visit. Some of the dealers we’ve met in recent years where actually into”the scene” more than the growers were, which is a refreshing thought on where the UK cannabis scene could be headed.

When dinner-ladies and teachers can list at least 5 individual cultivar of cannabis without thinking too hard (in recollection of the varieties they smoked the UK or in coffeeshops in Holland) then perhaps we must ask will the popularization of cannabis names ever end? Regardless of the name attached

Flavour

Some connoisseur growers will akin the selection of cannabis flavours available to them in terms of a “child in a sweet shop” – each jar filled with the next exciting pleasure. Medicinal growers however often view the ranges of cannabis available to them as overwhelming as the first trip to a Chinese Herbalists - where each jar looks the same and has a funny name or label on it. The recreational user nine times out of ten will not care which type of cannabis “name” is available, so long as it isn’t “contaminated cannabis” and the taste is most flavourful.

Alongside the effects, for many cannabis users it is then the taste and flavour of the cannabis which provides that added extra - which is especially the case with female smokers who generally prefer smoking weed than hashish. For true connoisseurs this means cultivating their own plants, from specific cultigens that hold a desired or preferred taste when consumed. Many connoisseurs point towards organic practices and methods of cultivation, regardless of the cultigen being grown, as the best way to achieve the best tasting cannabis. Botanists and plant scientists would however argue that the availability of flavours and essential oils presented within a cannabis sample are directly related to the genetic composition of the cultigen, and the environmental factors that supported any phenotypical variation in the flavour.

Whilst indicating that both genetics and environment are as equally important, ultimately it is specific cultigens of cannabis that connoisseur growers and smokers wish to be keeping and perfecting, either via the maintenance of clones, or by programs of selective breeding... so that others can enjoy the same name and flavour later.

Skunk#1

White Widow

Blue Mistic

Indoor Mix

Outdoor Mix

Critical

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

E8,-

E20,-

E8,-

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E8,-

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E8,-

E20,-

E8,-

E20,-

E9,-

E23,-

5 seeds

10 seeds

5 seeds

10 seeds

5 seeds

10 seeds

5 seeds

10 seeds

5 seeds

10 seeds

5 seeds

10 seeds

E30,-

E55,-

E30,-

E55,-

E30,-

E55,-

E30,-

E55,-

E30,-

E55,-

E35,-

E65,-

Ice

Power Flower

Fruit Spirit

Northern Light

Shining Silver Haze Amnesia Haze

3 seeds

Royal Cheese

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

1 seed

3 seeds

E9,-

E23,-

E9,-

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Special Kush #1

Special Queen #1 Royal Moby

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Royal Automatic

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WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR UK

+44-(0)23-92832383

+44-(0)1179-444195

Royal Queen Seeds +31-73-5479916 info@royalqueenseeds.com

www.royalqueenseeds.com

+44-207-193-3885

3 seeds

18

GROW REPORT

Royal Queen Seeds’ Amnesia Haze Text and photos: Kike L.

Amnesia Haze: growth and flowering

leaves and the heavy, robust stems.

The five seeds germinated easily. The method involved leaving them in an opaque container, positioned between serviettes sprayed with water. As soon as they formed roots, they were transplanted into a small pot placed next to a window. They were then moved indoor, positioned in the far sides in order to avoiding burning them, and after some time to allow them to adapt, they were transplanted into round flower pots and put under the spotlight.

The grow suffered some stress due to the cold, slowing it by a few days and causing it to show some shades of lilac at the end, very typical in a great many varieties when subjected to temperatures below 20 degrees. The plants resisted well and kept on growing, although doubtless the end result would have been better had these climate problems not arisen.

Flowering was fairly short, fewer than ten weeks in all, and despite the start being a little stilted, it soon launched into full flower. First at a calmer, more tranquil rate and then the marijuana began to join, forming fine clusters. During the final stretch the flowers did not increase in volume a great deal, but did compact down and gain in resin. Well worth the wait to clean the plant’s palate.

They soon started to show excellent structure. On this occasion, the choice was made to use fewer plants, with light growing and little pruning. The idea was that in this way, despite the Sativa influence, well-proportioned, manageable plants would form, well-suited for cannabis photography. Although showing a Sativa tendency right from the start, the plant also revealed its Indica part, clearly visible in unmistakeable symptoms like the deep green colour of the fleshy

Light substrates: Janecomix One fault commonly seen in many indoor grows is that the soil mixes are not well-suited to the situation; they may contain too many slow-release nutrients,

withhold too much water, or both. This results in the plant not being able to breathe through its roots, as it is effectively flooded. On the other hand, slowrelease fertilisers mixed proportionally in with the water supply can result in overfertilisation or unsuitable flavours.

On this occasion, we did not use Bloombastic, but rather opted for the classic soil fertilisation system. The instructions were followed almost to the letter, although fertilising less during growth and flowering, both in terms of concentration and number of applications.

Each substrate has a use and a purpose.

For novice, or somewhat unreliable growers, a complete substrate is the best solution, as it will allow the plants to survive even if they are lacking in water or fertiliser, as the substrate helps retain the water better and rations their nutrients. More experienced, devoted growers can instead opt for a soil grow.

Light substrates make for greater control of the plant, meaning that nutrients are dosed at all times to suit the grower’s taste. On the other hand, it does require the sacrifice of more constant watering and greater dependence on the fertiliser supplied.

Upon transplant, they should be generously watered, wetting the soil properly and keeping it in contact with the roots.

The best option is to water slowly, using a spray. This encourages oxygenation, maintaining the structure of the substrate without removing the perlite, as well as the fact that the actual watering involves more oxygen. In this transplant watering, a single application of Roots was used at a ratio of 4 ml/l. The second and third weeks, in order to give the plant a boost and encourage a good flowering structure, we began fertilising with Terra Leaves: 3 ml/l the first week and 4 ml/l the third.

The grow was prepared using Atami’s Janecomix, a gently fertilising substrate with perlite to improve drainage. Of the various tests conducted, we can conclude that Janecomix is a very suitable substrate for professionals. Its fertilisation is light and finishes quickly, meaning that it does not then interfere with liquid supplies. In all, it provides plants with food for the first ten days. The nutritional supply is quick-release, meaning that plants enjoy a growth spurt upon transplantation, as well as becoming accustomed to a fairly substantial nutritional supply, meaning that they subsequently require more liquid fertilisation. It can be said that this substrate provides the right nutritional supply at the right time, without later interfering with the grower’s choices.

It is time to leave prejudice behind us and start trying substrates like this, as results are now excellent and the products very reasonably priced.

In the fourth week, the plant spent twelve hours under the spotlight, this being the best option for this type of Sativa that doubles in size during flowering.

We have to consider that the lights lose significant power with distance, meaning that in very tall plants, the lower parts give poor yields. Hence the best option in Sativas grown from seed is to encourage short growth, in order to keep them under control. On the other hand, we prune very lightly as the plant will be of limited size, allowing us to exploit the lower parts.

During the second and third week of flowering, we fertilise with Terra Max at 3ml/l and Ata XL at 0.5 ml/l, mixed with Atazyme at 1ml/l and Ataclean at 0.05 ml/l.

As from the fourth week of flowering, we fertilise with Terra Max at 4 ml/l and Ata XL at 1ml/l, mixing with Atazyme 3 ml/l and Ataclean 0.1 ml/l. Once a week, we include PK 13-14, a classic, in the watering. As this grow was destined for photographing and testing, we applied the PK sparingly as excessive quantities can even cause the plant to become poisonous. The best option is to start with low doses and gradually increase if the plant tolerates it, although it is not necessary in any case. Amnesia Haze endured good rations, meaning that in the fourth week, the PK 13-14 was dosed at 0.5 ml/l and from the fifth week, we moved onto dosing it at 1 ml/l.

The plant revealed its Haze ascendency very clearly, albeit with true personality.

Fertilisation In low temperatures, it is best to leave greater intervals between fertilising, as the plant will require less food and water in general. We therefore need to take care not to over-fertilise or produce plants that have accumulated salts. As such, with the Janecomix substrate, in good temperature conditions, the best solution is to opt for very continuous watering, almost every other day. On the other hand, at times when the temperature is low, watering twice a week will suffice. It really is a question of seeing what the plants need.

The last ten days we only watered with Atazyme and Ataclean, in order to eliminate salts and allow the plant to elimi-

19 nate any excess. We must differentiate between the effects of the two products: Atazyme is used to clean the substrate of dead roots, whilst Ataclean aims to break up salt accumulations, in order that the plant assimilates them or they are drained with watering.

There is no doubt as to the efficiency of the combination of Ata XL and PK. Compared with the Bloombastic of the same brand, although it is lacking in something, it is a very cheap, effective combination. Fertilisers were rationed, not reaching the maximum amounts stated on the manufacturer’s table. We could have fertilised more frequently and in greater quantities, but this system is focussed on achieving a good production, without sending you off your head when you smoke it, due to having madly fertilised. Everyone has their own taste in flavour and production, just as for genetics and grow environments.

To the palate, we ended up with a lengthened, compact product, with perhaps a slightly vaporous touch to its structure. This light appearance is offset by a very intense resin throughout the floral cluster, including the secondary leaves.

Those that come in first in production may even leave their little leaves in the manicure, as they are covered in resin.

The aim was to complete the test with a tasting session of the end product.

Hence, what we were looking for was a precision job, intended for demanding smokers.

To the palate, the plant revealed its Haze ascendency very clearly, albeit with true personality. Along with the hints of incense, a classic of this family, other new features of the Amnesia Haze presented a clear, full-flavoured presence, the inheritance from Indica. And amongst this first impression of sweet incense, other Sativa origin surprises were also in store.

A complex aftertaste with a slightly spicy feel and a unique presence of rusty tones, something very unique that should not under any circumstances be confused with the metallic flavour of over-fertilisation.

The light appearance is offset by a very intense resin throughout the floral cluster, including the secondary leaves.

Conclusions and tasting The end result is compact and full-flavoured. It does not call attention to itself in volume terms, but all in all the plants yielded a good harvest, with a good quantity of firm buds. The fertilisation method pursued various aims. In the first place, we should recognise that we moved to twelve hours under the spotlight, growth fertiliser was stopped and flowering fertilisation began. Although the plant appears to resist well, it is a way of helping it reach flowering. We should also note that good results were obtained with an inexpensive formula.

Other objectives were also achieved, such as that of ending up with manageable plants, increasing the density of the floral cluster and good production, but maintaining a correct palate, without overdoing it with the fertiliser, then the final taste test.

Later, when other varieties have been tried, it would be a good idea to repeat the test, however. Partly because the cold sheds some doubt that we have actually seen the true potential of this genetic. And on the other hand, the bank had worked for two years on this variety, meaning that the end product offered now had greatly improved.

Good psychoaction with a special, complex flavour, without losing production or delaying by too much. Amnesia Haze

by Royal Queen Seeds is a first class Sativa and one that is well worth the little extra grow time required to harvest its fruits.

;OL 6YNHUPJ :LLK -HYT Haarlemmerstraat 98, AMSTERDAM

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21

SERIOUS GARDENING

Soil and Hydroponic Gardening As long as her roots are supplied with air, water, and nutrients, Lady Cannabis is amazingly flexible as to the exact method.

All successful systems address these needs, but in slightly difBy Grubbycup ferent ways.

The difference between soil and hydroponic is more a matter of degree than a black and white line. On one extreme is a plant growing naturally on a hillside, on the other, a medialess aeroponic system. Everything else lands someplace between the two.

Nutrients are delivered as an aqueous (water based) solution. Even if nutrients are supplied directly as a solid (like sprinkled on top of the media), water acts as the transmission agent to the roots. The plants have to have some form of moisture available to them.

How the moisture is made available to the plant varies from system to system.

Damp media, like soil or rockwool, direct contact as in a NFT or DWC environment, or misted in an aeroponic rig, are all ways to make moisture available to the plant roots.

Air is another requirement that the roots require, and again, the exact method depends on the technique

used. Soil growers allow the soil to dry slightly, and keep the medium from staying too wet for too long.

Hydroponic systems allow the roots to breathe by either the same method, or by adding air to the nutrient solution.

Air pumps and air stones are a popular method of aerating nutrient solutions.

The root system must have access to both air and water. Similar to a human throat, too much water and too little air causes drowning, too much air and too little water causes dehydration. In both cases, slight dehydration is a less traumatic experience than a slight drowning.

While you are adjusting the watering schedule, erring too dry is better than erring too wet.

of possible planting locations.

A tended garden grown outside benefits from additional nutrients, removal of competing plants, and a regular watering schedule. As the initial nutrients are consumed, they must be replaced, as the system does not generate nutrients unless care is taken to do so by composting or otherwise fertilizing.

The difference between soil and hydroponic is more a matter of degree than a black and white line.

Soil A plant growing naturally in the ground, receives resources from its environment without human intervention is about as “soil” as you can get. Light, air, nutrients and water needs are either naturally occurring, or the plant dies. One advantage to human intervention is that if one of the requirements is not naturally present, it can be added to the system, which dramatically expands the range

Outdoor container plants, benefit from a more controlled environment, but in return are more dependent on human intervention to survive.

When bringing plants that naturally grow outdoors, indoors, some choose to bring a little pocket of soil with them. Growing plants in pots of soil is a very common traditional method. There are benefits to this: It buffers against changes, it has a very natural root support structure, and it is a familiar medium to many. This is commonly referred to as being a soil grow, but once the nutrients in the media are used up, it functions very similar to a hydro grow. As the plant’s root system replaces the media in the available space, adjusting the watering schedule to a more traditionally hydroponic one

can mitigate some of the ill effects of becoming root-bound, though extra care must be taken to prevent over or under watering.

Hydroponic Gardening Passive? Active? Film? Deep? Aero?

Once the basic principles are understood, there is a dizzying array of ways to implement them.

There are many variations on each method. When considering your own hydroponic system, keep in mind that the system must supply both nutrient solution and air to the plants.

Each hydroponic system meets these requirements in slightly different, but related ways.

Passive Hydroponics In a passive hydroponic system the plant sits in the media, and either the media or a wick is in contact with the nutrient solution. Capillary action draws the solution to the roots as it dries. To maintain proper aeration, only a day or two’s worth of nutrient solution should be used, and the media should be very airy or allowed to slightly dry before adding more solution.

Most hand watered systems use a variation of this principle. Although the principle uses capillary action to draw the water up, in practical applications occasionally watering the top of the media

Perlite and potting soil in fabric grocery bags.

An indoor soil grow uses potting soil in pots

A passive hydroponic grow is very similar to a soil grow, and inexpensive to try.

In a passive hydroponic system, media should be kept moist, but not soggy.

Roots grown in hydroponic media.

Sprinklers spray plants from above, and are not well suited for indoor gardens.

22 to introduce new solution is recommended to help flush the media itself.

The total amount of water is the system must synchronize with the plant’s usage so that water is not allowed to stand long enough for the dissolved oxygen to disperse and start to become anaerobic.

This is an excellent method for beginners to use. Simply fill a pot with your chosen media, such as perlite, set in a tall dish or 1020 tray, and water by hand with a hydroponic nutrient solution as needed. For the price of some media, and a couple of bottles of fertilizer, you can try a simple passive hydroponic system without making a large financial commitment.

Active Hydroponics Active hydroponics use some sort of mechanical force. On one end of the scale is an ebb and flow system which introduces large quantities very quickly, alternated with periods of no access to solution, to an aeroponic system that use a small amount of nutrient solution continuously without any break in the application cycle.

Sprinklers: nutrient solution sprays the top of the media with which soaks down to the root system.

One of the most common methods, particularly for lawns.

Timed sprinklers spray water or nutrient solution over the plants, which falls to the media, and soaks down to the root system. Aeration is achieved by using fresh water and allowing the media to partially dry before watering.

Drip systems slowly deliver nutrient solution over a period of time.

timed to either pump from the reservoir to low volume drip emitters under pressure, or water is pumped to an elevated reservoir, and gravity supplies the pressure. This can be either run to waste, or as part of a recirculating system.

The intent is to supply the nutrient solution in small amounts over a length of time.

Aeration is regulated by the media used, the amount the media is allowed to dry between nutrient applications, and amount of air added to the solution. Drip systems are very popular not only for growing marijuana, but for home gardening in general.

A DWC system can be as simple as adding an airline to the nutrient solution for aeration. Because the solution is not sitting stagnant, and air is reintroduced, the systems can hold more nutrient solution than a passive system.

Sprinkler systems are often run to waste (meaning runoff is not recovered), or as part of a recirculating system. They are inexpensive, but generally less exact than other systems. The spray can be difficult to control, and these systems are more likely to over or underwater plants. Sprinklers deliver a fair amount of water over a brief period. Traditional sprinkler systems are not recommended for a home indoor grow, although some parts such at timers may be well suited to adapting to other systems.

Drip: Nutrient solution is dripped from low volume emitters over a longer period of time than sprinklers.

In drip systems the nutrient solution is

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) : A low volume of nutrient solution is continuously applied to the roots.

A nutrient film system functions much like a continual drip. The roots are constantly exposed to a thin film of aerated nutrient, or a mat continuously soaked with nutrient. Aeration needs are met by both using an aerated solution, and the exposed roots above the film or mat.

Ebb and Flow: Floods the roots in the nutrient solution which is then removed to allow respiration.

Ebb and flow systems are timed to pump the nutrient solution to the

In this drip system, solution was pumped to the upper reservoir twice a day, and gravity fed drippers constantly watered the plants for several hours, while the solution drained back to the lower reservoir.

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25

The nutrient solution in this drip system returns to this lower reservoir. The solution is then can be pumped to an upper reservoir to act as a miniature water tower.

This is an example of an off the shelf drip system by Botanicare.

In this model of a drip system, solution is pumped to drippers, which drain back to the reservoir.

well aerated. There is debate of how well aerated the nutrient solution, since at the extreme end of aerated nutrient solutions are the aeroponic systems.

Aeroponic: Small liquid solution particles are continuously applied to freestanding roots.

Roots grown in a deep water culture can be very pretty, and a good indicator of plant health.

Aeroponicly grown roots should be plump and appear robust. plants under pressure, and then allow the nutrient solution to recede or drain back to the nutrient tank. A timer controls the tempo.

They supply a flood of solution in a very short length of time in comparison to other systems. A well aerated solution will help buffer minor over watering.

Aeroponic systems use the same basic principles as a DWC, but instead of adding air to the solution, they spray the nutrient solution into the air and onto the roots.

When considering which system is best for a given situation, take a look at all the available options. Soil is common, but tends to have the most insect issues. Hand watering works well for a few plants, but can become arduous if there are a large number of plants to be tended. Prefabricated systems are more expensive, but DIY systems tend to require more creativity and understanding of the principles involved. Aeroponic systems do make beautiful roots, but require continuous electrical usage with little tolerance for a power failure.

What works best in one situation may not be the best in another. Find what works best for you, in your situation, and learn to make the most of it.

Sprinkler systems are often run to waste (meaning runoff is not recovered), or as part of a recirculating system.

This plant is being grown in a waterfall using NFT principles. Fish waste in the pond fulfills the nutritional needs of the plant.

In a nutrient film system, a small quantity of solution is continuously circulated to the roots along a path.

The nutrient solution in a deep water culture must be well aerated.

Deep Wate r Culture (DWC) : A high volume of aerated nutrient solution is continuously available to the lower portion of the root system

A DWC system can be as simple as adding an airline to the nutrient solution for aeration. Because the solution is not sitting stagnant, and air is reintroduced, the systems can hold more nutrient solution than a passive system. These simple systems are sometimes referred to as “bubblers”. The plant is suspended above the nutrient solution, and the roots are allowed to dangle down. Since the bottoms of the roots are continuously submerged, care must be taken to allow the upper potions of the roots to have access to air, and the nutrient solution must stay

Soil is a very nice medium to start out with, and teaches skills that come in handy if you decide to try hydroponics. If you prefer it, by all means grow in soil, but hydroponics doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. A passive hydroponic system is similar to growing in soil, and can help you learn how to manage hydroponic watering and nutrition needs. Don’t let the cost prevent you from trying out a bag of hydroponic media and some hydroponic nutrients in a hand watered pot to see if you like it. Get an air pump and/or a water pump, and you can turn a passive system into an active one. Educate yourself, keep learning, and enjoy bountiful harvests.

Peace, love, and puka shells, Grubbycup

26

INTERVIEW

Free Rob Cannabis A few months back while travelling about we rolled into Glastonbury. While site-seeing and shopping a friend pointed out a Hemp Shop called “Hemp in Avalon”. Lazystrain was straight in, whereby, we were most energized and enlightened to be welcomed and greeted (and hugged) by a nice young lady and ‘Free Rob Cannabis’. Free Rob Cannabis / Rob is a very special person with a deep connection with cannabis – a person that Soft Secrets have been wishing to interview for a with lazystrain very long time.

Rumour was that Free Rob Cannabis had left the UK to practise meditation in Spain a few years back, so this chance meeting and his being in Glastonbury, was perhaps an act of fate. Besides being treated to some of his home made honey hemp truffles, Rob also agreed to take part in this interview.

How did you first discover cannabis?

My first introduction to Cannabis was a joint offered to me by Physics teacher on a school skiing trip when I was 16. At the time I declined, as I believed that drugs lead to addiction and death. (Zammo’s drug experiences on Grange Hill had a profound effect on me.) My first toke on a joint was at a New Years party, aged 17.

I did 5 times from 1997 to 2003) the case would be listed as ‘The Queen v Free Cannabis’, how cool is that?

Are you still involved in the cannabis decriminalization movement today?

After the first ‘Turn Yourself in Day’ when the Police refused to arrest me for the possession and distribution of Cannabis (see ‘DIY Cannabis legalization’ on You Tube), I have never classed myself as a campaigner for the decriminalization or legalization of Cannabis. I do not believe that Cannabis is illegal, although I do respect that many people think otherwise. I continue to take every opportunity to share this opinion.

How did you get involved with the Hemp in Avalon shop in Glastonbury?

After realizing that the Cannabis museum in London wasn’t really sustainable I moved to Glastonbury to run a Hemp shop/info centre. Initially it was called ‘In Harmony with Nature’, then in 2005 it was changed to ‘Hemp in Avalon’.

What is the difference between ‘hemp’ and ‘cannabis’?

Hemp is the English derivation of the Latin word Cannabis. It is one of the same plant, however it can be breed in many ways, so most people associate plants grown for their fibre and seed as Hemp, and plants grown for their medicinal flowers as Cannabis.

Please briefly explain how to make your hemp seed and bee pollen chocolate truffles (they were nice and gave us good energy before climbing Glastonbury Tor).

The original Mazepan is derived from

since then have only ever eaten it. My preferred method is making a Green Hemp milk from juiced Hemp leaves, celery and Hemp seeds (see ‘Green Hemp Milk’ on You Tube) and mixing this with powdered down Ganga flowers. This gets me ‘Higher’ and into my ‘Heart centre of unconditional Love’, far more than smoking ever did, and it really is good for me. I know it, and I feel it.

I don’t know of any other plant that can naturally evoke such deep feelings of Love and empathy as Cannabis.

When did you begin to explore the world surrounding hemp and cannabis?

In 1994, after reading a High Times compendium and then ‘The Emperor wears no clothes’.

How did you originally get involved as a ‘Canna-Activist’?

I joined the Legalise Cannabis campaign in early 1995, got voted onto the executive committee and then, despondent with their lack of motivation for action I formed the Cannabis Hemp Info. Club (CHIC).

What was your motivation behind this?

To raise awareness about the many uses of Hemp and the crime of its prohibition.

Why (and when) did you change your name to ‘Free Rob Cannabis’?

I changed my name to Free Rob Cannabis soon after my first arrest for Cannabis possession in March 1997. The name Free Cannabis was very symbolic of what I believed, that Cannabis is Free. It also meant that when I went to court (which

the Chinese ‘Ma Tse’ (Hemp Seed) ‘Pan’ (Ground) to which dates and almonds were added. The version I made was ground Hemp seeds mixed with dates, bee pollen and melted cacao paste. Of course you could add a little hash for an awesome hash truffle.

Other than for its cerebral qualities, which other aspects of the cannabis / hemp plant are the most misunderstood or underrated?

Although people are awakening to the healing power of Cannabis, most people still don’t quite get it. Seeded Cannabis flowers, when eaten as a whole food, provide us with a perfect balance of essential nutrients in a very easy to digest form.

Cannabis literally rebuilds the body on a cellular level.

Which method of being at one with cannabis do you most prefer?

I stopped smoking Cannabis in 2005 and

What type of cannabis do you enjoy being with most?

That which has been grown naturally with lots of Love and attention, preferably by me.

Why do you think cannabis and its use is still outlawed, stigmatized and criminalized in the UK? Either drugs prohibition was a big mistake and politicians didn’t really know what they

How can Soft Secrets readers make a positive change?

The next time you get high, focus your Love towards those who believe Cannabis to be illegal. Forgive them and Love them.

Love is the only path I wish to follow.

Please can you briefly share your philosophy about the relationships between cannabis and humans and cannabis and the cosmos…

I believe that Cannabis is a truly magical plant, a gift from the Gods, a rainbow bridge back to paradise. I don’t know of any other plant that can naturally evoke such deep feelings of Love and empathy as Cannabis. I feel that Cannabis is, and will continue to play a pivotal role in the flowering of Human consciousness into a One Love, One Heart Love Nation.

Soft Secrets would like to say a BIG “peace and love” to Free Rob Cannabis for sharing his passion for cannabis with the readers.

I do not believe that Cannabis is illegal, although I do respect that many people think otherwise. were doing, or prohibition is part of a bigger plan to create a society controlled by fear and an unregulated drugs economy that funds numerous covert and overt military operations to maintain the status quo of mass exploitation of both people and planet.

Free can be contacted at Hemp in Avalon, 1a Market Place, Glastonbury, BA6 9HD, tel 01458 835 769. e-mail: freecannabis23 @hotmail.com. His activist website is www.cannabis.uk.net and you can find him on facebook under the name ‘Freelove Canabis’

Haze Automatic: Best Automatic Ever +INFO & PHOTOS:

www.dinafem.org info@dinafem.org TEL 0034 943 00 52 13 FAX 0034 943 02 11 16

28

COLUMN

The Commercial Cannabis Economy The Commercial Cannabis Economy is a subject of interest for all those people that buy cannabis and wish to see the price of cannabis fall or conversely those that sell cannabis and wish prices to remain the same. Presently in the UK the price of cannabis ranges from between ten pounds per gram to twenty pounds sterling per eighth, from one hundred and twenty pounds to over two hundred pounds sterling per ounce. The majority of the cannabis available in the UK today is produced locally by commercial growers. The quality of which varies between growers and cannabis dealers – as does price and supply, By lazystrain which will be the focus of this report.

Call me an old Romantic, but I can remember the days when “Cannabis Dealers” were more interested in making their own smoke for free than they were in making collateral profit. The whole ethos back then was to score a piece of weed or hashish, in a quantity slightly larger than the personal amount required for oneself, and shift a few deals out to make a free smoke - perhaps make a raise on a pack of cigarettes, a packet of rizla, a cold can of beer, a bag of chips, and bus fare home.

Likewise the percentage of “home growers” back then, were mostly intent on harvesting a small to moderate crop of cannabis, and perhaps sharing a few deals with friends at “mates-rates” to help cover the cost of their nutrients, fuel/ electricity bills, and basic living costs.

Days when any “buyer” could only ever expect 1oz of cannabis from any “home grower” - when asking for any more than an ounce of cannabis was perhaps perceived as “not cool” or offensive because then the grower couldn’t share it with other friends.

As time moved on, many old-school cannabis dealers formerly dealing in larger imported consignments of cannabis from overseas became incarcerated at Her Majesties Pleasure. The result of which has since witnessed a shift in patterns

of trade surrounding the role of “drug dealers” and “drug smugglers”, away from the importation of cannabis and towards the importation of Colombian or Turkish narcotics. These days the only so called “dealers” remaining at street level in the majority are ‘home-growers’ or the “friends of home growers”. Many of whom are in the “business”, to put it bluntly, of shafting the general smoking public in the UK out of as much cash as they possibly can - on a daily basis.

To place things into perspective, one of the finest urban-growers in the UK once informed me that it costs as little as ten to twenty pence (20p) per gram (1g) to produce the highest grade cannabis indoors at home using lamps – and that was without stealing any electricity!

There can therefore be no other valid explanation for the sudden increase in the price of locally produced cannabis, besides inflation related to these scandalous petrol prices and the recession, other than greed.

The circulation of ‘contaminated cannabis’ from Europe has obviously placed further pressure over the supply and demand of cannabis in the UK – a situation that witnesses demand out stretching supply by up to 40-60% in places. At street level the quality of cannabis is once again gradually dropping in standard while the price of

the cannabis stays the same – or in many cases inflates. This is a recurrent situation which occurred during the early to mid 1990’s in the UK (and during the last recession) a period of drought that conversely inspired many people to start home growing themselves.

More recently we’ve heard stories from both sides of the coin. There are explanations from the “growers” and “smokers” that have had to pay more and more money for the very same cannabis genetics they themselves originally donated to a fellow “grower” or “dealer”.

At the other end of the spectrum we have heard the lament of “growers and “dealers” who claim that prices “went up” because they now have the best “product” in town – and in the UK that product is often called “Cheese”.

Whether or not the current dependency on specific “clone only” varieties of cannabis is healthy for the UK cannabis community is debatable.

Whether or not the current dependency for specific “clone only” varieties is healthy for the UK economy however is certain. It is evident that the single cultivar of Skunk #1 (the clone colloquially known as “Cheese”) alone has generated tens of millions of pounds sterling in revenue for “growers” and “dealers” in the UK over the past 20 years or more. The black-market revenue from which is mostly reintroduced into the legal UK economy.

sold for profit in the UK annually. The actual figures are unquantifiable, although it is estimated that the income and revenue of cannabis sales in the UK runs into the billions of pounds sterling every year. Euro transactions still happen overseas that the UK Government cannot keep tabs on. In the UK however, as money from locally grown cannabis is re-circulated within the local economy, the UK government takes and makes tax on it. This income does not balance with the legal economy figures on the sheets in White Hall (it can’t) – it just goes down as “added income”. In theory any “extra income” ultimately makes the UK economy grow stronger than it otherwise would be – especially during a period of recession.

The price of supply is related to demand.

Demand for cannabis in the UK has never been higher than it is today – mainly due to legislation and heavy law enforcement, which the Government manipulates for its own purposes. Pre-figuratively, the price of cannabis will continue to rise in the UK, until either the rate of consumption decreases, or the rate of supply is increased. Yet, until the UK Government decriminalizes cannabis for personal cultivation and consumption the same Government stands to gain huge profits for itself. This alone indicates that not much will change until all Smokers grow their own.

Demand for cannabis in the UK has never been higher than it is today – mainly due to legislation and heavy law enforcement, which the Government manipulates for its own purposes.

This is to say nothing of the thousands of other varieties of cannabis cultivated and

Whoever said “Money doesn’t grow on trees” was wrong. After-all cannabis is arguably the UK’s highest profit return cash-crop today. Food for thought.

30

CANNABIS HISTORY

The Origins of Cultivation The Reason WHY people cultivate cannabis and have incorporated the plant into their material culture is a mystery linked to our inquisitive nature as human beings. As humans evolved so we learnt how to adapt; either ourselves towards plants, or plants towards ourselves, so that a balance between ourselves and nature could peacefully co-exist. Throughout all periods of history Cannabis has accompanied communities of people on their journey through the world. Gradually as humans became domesticated, so they slowly domesticated cannabis as an annual crop that they could exploit by lazystrain and harvest to its full potential.

Origins of Cultivation It is estimated that People first domesticated plants from wild cultigens during the late/new Stone Age or Neolithic Period approximately 30,000 – 20,000 years ago. The exact origins of Cannabis Cultivation are however unexplained by archaeology; mainly because material evidence to support the cultivation of crops by the earliest proto-farming communities is limited.

It is however excepted that that as / when people began to settle in one location, as opposed to leading a hunter-gathering lifestyle, that they domesticated certain plant species from the wild. Alongside barley, rice, emmer, einkorn, and wheat, cannabis sativa was cultivated by several sedentary communities for its textile, fuel, nutritional, and shamanic properties – as well as being a reliable source of fodder (feed) for the then recently domesticated goat/sheep and cattle.

As these proto-farming communities traveled from valley to valley , area to area, in search new agricultural land to borrow, the seeds of their cultivation became feral and then wild again in the following seasons. Cannabis had cunningly tricked people into being another one of its many methods of seed dispersal.

Seed Dispersal Seed Dispersal is the means via which annual species of plants naturally propagate. Seeds can be dispersed in a number of ways. In Cannabis the primary method of seed dispersal is via the elements of weather (wind, rain, frost, and snowfall). As seeds ripen they naturally fall to the ground, where rainfall, even if minor, will lodge the seed into a comfortable position to settle down and overwinter in.

The secondary method of seed dispersal in cannabis is animal. Several species of bird and mammal will happily feed on cannabis seed, flowers, and stalks.

Whilst in a hungry hurry to gobble down as many seeds or flowers as possible, some seeds may not be cracked by the birds beak or teeth of cows. These whole seeds are indigestible and are deposited later in a new location by the bird or beast.

Thirdly humans have purposely collected the seeds of cannabis and carefully saved them to eat or cultivate the following season. People soon discovered that seeds of good parents grew into good plants with good seeds. By selecting the most desirable genetic characteristics in each season, proto-farmers where unknowingly the first cannabis breeders. Cannabis had evolved to such a pinnacle in its evolution that it could now add humans to its list of methods of seed dispersal.

Cannabis - sativa and indica Geographically, as yet, there is no determinable way of telling if cannabis moved up-hill or down-hill in its progression – by elements of weather, bird, beast, or people. What is known is that Cannabis populated new ecological niches and specific geographical locations which where suited toward its growth or cultivation which allowed the plant to evolve.

changed between prehistoric and modern day methods of farming. The point of interest for the archaeobotanist is the moment of transition from collecting seeds (as foodstuffs) from wild plants and collecting seeds from plants that had been purposely cultivated the previous season.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that hunter-gathering communities were “managing” the wild landscape and its natural resources prior to the complete domestication of such plant species. We know this because of the remains of slashand-burn methods of farming, from early forestry and the remains of early livestock grazing, which all support this theory. At some magical moment in the development of the neolithic hunter-gather, either some seeds were spilt and observed in location the following season, or perhaps an elder member of the community who could no longer forage over long distances planted some seeds they’d collected at home. As a result a new society of agrarian communities slowly developed into what we understand today as “farming”.

The presence of sheep/goat where important to protofarming communities for several reasons. Primarily cattle were used to graze areas of scrub-land into forest clearings, which once tilled made ideal farm land. The other reason cattle were important was for the manure they produced, which when scattered on the land provided a rich source of nutrients for mono-crops. As these animals escaped their captives and compounds, they deposited the seeds of their last eaten meals in new locations, thus further aiding seed dispersal and feral populations of cannabis.

Feral Plants

This circumstantial evidence suggests that Cannabis sativa was first domesticated in the settled lowlands and cultivated towards a standard of plant that could later be cultivated more easily in the exposed uplands. In which case Cannabis indica was selectively bred towards the fastest seed-baring plants, which finished before the onset of winter frosts. This then allowed a new species of Cannabis (now called Cannabis indica) to evolve and develop its own identity in the mountains.

A feral plant is a species that has reverted back to a semi-wild state following a period of domestication. Alternatively a domesticated plant is a wild species that has been maintained and managed by people. It is possible that early farming communities managed cannabis in its wild-state, removing female or male plants from wild populations – with the intention of isolating male plants for use in textiles and rope-making and isolating female plants for the production of essential oils and seeds.

Early methods of farming were a case of trial and error or seeing what worked in that location. In this respect little has

Cannabis Domestication Cannabis naturally sheds its seeds in autumn. When left to its own devices these seeds fall to the ground and grow in situ the following season. At the point when these seeds were collected and safely stored and sown out the following season to an organized system of planting, then cannabis was domesticated.

The domestication of species including cannabis allowed communities of people and populations of plants to exist beyond their natural range. Many valleys and hill-tops where reclaimed from nature during this period as woodland fell to axe and fire – new pastures where opened out as arable farmland and cannabis found its niche – often on the edges of urban environments.

Many proto-farming communities did not completely abandon their huntergathering traditions and opted for a semi-nomadic lifestyle instead. As the neolithic period unfolded societies slowly became more sedentary with the addition of permanent housing, managed fields, law, order, and religion as we understand it today. Religious movements particularly helped to distribute the seeds of many crops including Cannabis into some of the most remote regions of the world during this time – wild savage places including the UK.

It is estimated that People first domesticated plants from wild cultigens during the late/ new Stone Age or Neolithic Period approximately 30,000 – 20,000 years ago.

Typically Cannabis indica plants come from highland altitudes, they grow shorter and smaller than there sativa cousins from the more heavily populated lowlands which grow taller and bigger. To date no-one knows if these specific differences were natural or the result of domestication. Traditionally Cannabis indica is (in the majority) cultivated in many regions where varieties of Cannabis sativa often grow feral in the same location. In contrast however, within tropical regions where Cannabis sativa is cultivated feral populations of Cannabis indica are often absent from the botanical record.

Early Farming

too distant from their truly wild cousins.

Much debate surrounding the existence of wild and feral species of cananbis in nature however continues.

The feral nature of Cannabis, to revert back to a semi-wild state, arguably demonstrates that landrace species of cannabis although semi-domesticated, aren’t

Textile Cannabis Today cannabis sativa can be used to produce cordage, rope, cloth, and paper. We know our ancestors cultivated cannabis for the purpose of textiles, because some archaeological evidence survives. In the majority of cases however because cannabis is a plant material much evidence of its everyday use during the Neolithic period does not survive the archaeological record. In this case, then anthropology looks towards present day examples where credible correlation can be drawn between theory and practice.

Prior to the invention of synthetic fibers, then hemp fiber procured from cannabis sativa was the strongest and most reliable textile material available to make ropes from for sailing and building. It is quite possible that many megalithic monuments, including the Pyramids and

31 – so called because each member of the community had their own drinking vessel of beaker. Each beaker holds a ‘fish-bone’ or ‘cannabis leaf’ design (depending on interpretation) and cord made from hemp was used to make further impressions on each beaker during their making. Archaeology indicates that these beakers were used in communal ceremonies in the UK, were a mixture of mead (fermented honey), herbs, and possibly cannabis was consumed in large enough quantities to warrant every member of the tribe holding their own cup in communion.

Cannabis Trade

Stonehenge were constructed with the use of rope pulleys made from the stems of cannabis during the Neolithic.

Cannabis Foodstuffs To place debate into perspective the peoples of Nepal have been harvesting cannabis for the past 10,000 years in its wild, feral, and domesticated state as a major foodstuff. Cannabis seeds are known to hold proteins, amino acids, omega oils, and fiber. Although devoid of psychoactive properties cannabis seeds provide many of the nutritional requirements needed for human survival. Moreover cannabis is one of the few crops that can be cultivated at high altitudes due to its high metabolism.

Since it takes a whole season to produce seed crops outdoors early cannabis farmers learnt how to select seeds from the most productive plants as seed donors.

Slowly dominant traits were discontinued each season in favor of recessive traits, until all the plants in the field in each season grew the same. At which point the seeds of specific cannabis varieties could be reliably traded with other farming communities to produce constant results in the field.

Cannabis Medicine Meanwhile clandestine monks, high in their mountain monasteries, were cultivating cannabis for its medicinal qualities (as well as religious sacrament). By combining individual plants with other individuals, sourced from different geographical locations, monks where able to isolate beneficial qualities and medicines from cannabis. This medicine is held within the cannabiniods and terpines of the plant itself.

Neolithic herbalists isolated the medicine of cannabis much in the same way as the hashish maker does today. Once collected the natural oils of the plant could then be administered as medicine to travelers and pilgrims. Cannabis was used in hot and cold compresses, dressings, tinctures, ointments, cookery as well as in incense or directly inhaled throughout the neolithic period across several continents of the world.

Cannabis Spirituality During the neolithic period cannabis was used as a spiritual, meditative, and communal aid by several tribes, groups, and communities.

The use of ‘Ganja’ in India is an ancient practice with its roots twisted in the folklore of Ganga, Shiva, and the River Ganges. The River Ganges came into being when the Goddess Ganga gave nourishment to the world. At this time Shiva was bathing in the River Ganges and Ganga became entwined within his hair. While bathing an enemy of Shiva shot him with an arrow. Upon reaching the waters edge Shiva removed the arrow and where his blood fell on the ground the plant Ganja (cannabis) grew.

Or so the legend grows.

The Sadhu (or holy saints) of India have smoked Ganja ever since the days of Shiva as a means of direct meditative attainment and connection with the spirit or self. We also know that Ganja was incorporated into other religious festivals as a cooling drink called ‘Bang Lassi’. Lassi is a type of milkshake, although it may not contain milk. The Bang or Ganja element is said to produce a first sedative, then meditative effects and is still consumed religiously in India today.

Another group of neolithic peoples that drank cannabis were the Beaker People

As cannabis gained its notoriety as a reliable resource, so the value of its worth as a trade commodity increased.

The fibers, flowers, seeds, and extracted oils could be traded across local and long-range distances and presented at market places and trade fares.

As proto-farmers discovered the seed crops available to them, a new agrarian revolution unfolded with the potential for consistent trading to exist between otherwise waring neighbors. While new horizons saw the silhouette of cannabis sativa against their skylines, the first farmers-markets for cannabis seeds opened their stalls and the trade in cannabis seeds has been steadily growing ever since.

Gradually as distant traders in the North converged with traders from the South, and as East met West, the gene-pools of specific varieties of cannabis became intermingled, as the germ-plasm from one remote valley met with the germplasm of the next, cannabis and its culture was propelled by trade and the prospect of getting high. Many textile varieties of cannabis, including the origins of Cannabis ruderalis (now found in Russia) were developed during the neolithic period as were some of the strongest Uzbek and Afghan varieties we most fondly associate with hashish today.

Meanwhile, to place things back into perspective, Cannabis sativa, its culture, and seed trade would not reach the shoreline of the Americas until some 10,000 years later.

Photo: Soft Secrets Archives

35

HYDROPONIC GARDENING

Strike It Lucky: Top, Middle Or Bottom?

Growing from clones has its obvious advantages, but which strains have the quickest strike rate and does it really make a difference where the cutting is taken from the mother? Soft Secrets investigates...

By Little Lebowski You know the feeling; the NYE hangover has just about disappeared, Christmas is a dim and distant memory and the jars are beginning to run low. That harvest you were sure would last you well into the New Year has dwindled fast! It’s time to get your grow on... and quickly.

When you want to get going in a hurry, clones are the answer. No messing around sexing your plants, just get them rooted out and bang them into flower for a speedy crop. When time is of the essence, every day counts and high success rates are vital. So, which strain roots the quickest? And, does the position that the cutting is taken from the mother plant affect the speed of rooting?

Luckily for us (and for you) a friend of ours had asked himself exactly the same question and, in the pursuit of homogenising clones for pharmaceutical cannabis, has conducted just such an experiment...

The Summary... AKA The Short and Sweet Version The ultimate aim of these experiments was to improve the propagation step of medicinal Cannabis for its production and selection in breeding programs. Cannabis sativa L. gives standardised clone production, showing fast, healthy and homogenous root growth within a short period of time and aeroponic propagation enabled us to generate cuttings ready for transplant in just 14 days. It is hoped that Horticulturalists and Breeders will now have another applicable tool to evaluate the growth of roots in cuttings and a new reproducible method to obtain clones for standardised medicinal production of marijuana.

This experiment has shown a difference in rooting between different strains of Cannabis and between the positions of where the cutting was taken from the mother plant. Despite the satisfactory and clear results we obtained, it should be noted that further research should be carried out to evaluate the impact of the mother plant age and to find out the best suitable transplantation substrate for the clones obtained in an aeroponic propagator according to cannabinoid production i.e. what technique leads to the greatest cannabinoid production? An improvement of this clonal propagation tech-

nique can then be expected and could be part of a standardised production of Cannabis sativa L.production for future pharmaceutical applications.

It was decided to carry out the research in an X-Stream aeroponic propagator as aeroponic propagation systems reliably provide high success rates with uniform root development and is a very efficient system in which to observe root initiation; as the cuttings remain suspended in the air.

It is also very easy to use and the cuttings can then be transplanted on to any kind of substrate. Accordingly, we ran the research trial for stalk position on the mother plant, combined with strain difference in two batches (2 x 90 cuttings).

Get Ready For The Science...

AKA The Full Story...

We hope that this research will help to improve Cannabis production lines for medicinal use in order to have standardized and suitable drugs for patients. An aeroponic propagation system will be set up. Then an analysis will be done on asexual propagation techniques (i.e. taking cuttings and developing clones) to show how efficient it can be. Moreover, beyond its efficiency as a propagation technique, it can be use to obtain selected healthy plants, free of pathogens and as a tool for breeding in a mass selection program.

Cannabis sativa L. is a single plant with monotypic characteristics. Among this species it can be said there are hundreds of subspecies derived from its geographical origin. There are literally hundreds of subspecies (or strains) of cannabis. The original one “Sativa” and the second distinguish as “Indica”. The therapeutic properties of Cannabis and its psychotropic substance related to the production of cannabis are Δ9-THC (Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol) which are the two main cannabinoids; Δ9-THC has psychotropic activity, while the CBD does not.

Therefore in the pharmaceutical industry it is recognized that Cannabis is a medicine for its chemical compounds which are cannabinoids. To obtain a medicine, synthesized or natural, it has to be reproducible as identical in chemical amount for every patch of production. When it is a synthesized molecule this is not a problem, but when it comes from a plant material this is not so evident.

Cannabis sativa L. is – historically - usually grown from seed for its fibre purposes, however this is not the most suitable method for therapeutic purposes as the percentage of cannabinoids is less uniform in plants growing from seed than the one growing from vegetative propagation. And, variation of cannabinoids

can be found into the same subspecies (or strain) of cannabis which is related to environmental condition and genotype variation in the same family from one to another. That is why therapeutic cannabis has to be propagated by asexual method, especially cuttings, because of its reliability and efficiency to obtain identical plants to the one selected for its cannabinoids content.

In 1954 researchers M.A Khan and W.C Hall conducted an experiment that showed for the propagation of sugar cane that a variability of success existed in rooting among cuttings taken from the same mother plant according to its position on the plant (top, middle or bottom).

And variability of strike rates is present between subspecies (or strains) of the same plant species.

This experiment will try to define if there is a relevant difference in Cannabis sativa L. between cuttings taken from different parts of a mother plant: top, middle and bottom.

In correlation with the position of the cutting on the stock plant we will attempt to find out the different strike rates of different Cannabis subspecies (strains) to be able to optimize the propagation step of therapeutic Cannabis production.

To sum up; what gives the best results, cuttings taken from the top, middle or bottom of the mother plant? And, which strain roots the best, Sativa, Indica or a Sativa / Indica cross?

Materials and Methods: How Did We Do It? The cuttings were cut just above the 4th nodes starting from the top of the branch and then the leaves were removed. The cuttings were then placed in 50mm plastic mesh pots and held in place with a black neoprene collar that keeps the stem suspended above the water tank; where sprinklers are running constantly to water the cuttings and maintain a humid atmosphere. Each cutting was placed randomly in a Nutriculture X-Stream Aeroponic propagator.

The environmental parameters were set as follows: Light luminosity = 1200 Lux, Relative humidity = 100%, Air temperature = 25° C, Water temperature = 23°C, pH = 5.8, Electrical Conductivity = 0.8 mS/cm.

Regarding fertilizer; the experiment used a hydroponic nutrient widely available across the whole of Europe – Canna Aqua.

The tank of the X-Stream aeroponic propagator was filled and we added nutrients at the following ratios: 30 litres of tap water (pH = 7.8) + 25ml of Canna Aqua

The cuttings go into the propagator.

The humid environment in the X-Stream propagator promotes rapid root development.

As the cuttings are close to transplanting, remove the lid completely to harden off.

A and B + 6 ml of pH down (to achieve a near neutral pH of 5.8). All of these environmental parameters were the same during the entire experiment.

The trial was done in the X-stream propagator with a capacity of 105 cuttings.

Different significant subspecies (strains) of genotypes were needed therefore the following three representative subspecies (strains) were chosen: V1: Power Plant (mostly Sativa: original South African strain), V2: Early Queen (Hybrid Sativa/Indica: Early Pearl x Early Girl x Super Skunk) V3: The Doctor (mostly Indica: Great White Shark x South Indian x Super Skunk) These three mother plants were grown in 20L containers filled with organic soil.

The photoperiod for the mothers was set to 18 hours of 600 watt artificial light - High Pressure Sodium (HPS) - and 6 hours of darkness.

36 The experiment was done in two blocks.

Each time 90 cuttings were grown in a single 105 site propagator at a time.

The position of where the cutting was taken from the mother plant was defined by the length of the mother plant divide by 3. The first third of the plant starting from ground level is the ‘Bottom’. The second third is the ‘Middle’ and the last third with the apical part is the ‘Top’. Each of the mother plants were 4 months old for the first 90 cuttings and 5 months old for the second collect of 90 cuttings.

In this way it can be seen if there is a particular place on the plant where cuttings should be taken from. We took 60 cuttings from each of the three different subspecies (strains) of mother plant; 20 from the Top, 20 from the Middle and 20 from the Bottom: 3 subspecies x 3 positions x 20 replications = 180 cuttings in total.

The cuttings were placed randomly in the Nutriculture 105 site X-Stream Propagator.

percentage. The class interval with the highest frequency is located between 0 cm and 0.1 cm which mean no root at all.

Thus cuttings taken from the top have a low strike rate.

Cuttings taken from the middle of the mother plants Length of root in cm Number of cuttings 0 to 0.1 cm 16 0.1 to 0.5 cm 14 0.5 to 1 cm 12 1 to 2 cm 7 2 to 3 cm 7 3 to 6 cm 4 Rooted = 73% Average length of root is 1 cm The same comments can be made as for the cuttings from the top stalk. A very low result, with the highest frequency is located between 0 cm and 0.1 cm even if the average length of root is a little bit higher. Thus cuttings taken from the middle have a low strike rate. But they still have a better response to root growth than cuttings from the Top.

The best subspecies to root is Sativa followed by Indica and Hybrid.

Results and Discussion: So, What Happened?

Regarding the relation between the position of the cutting on the mother plant and the strain we observed several things. First there is significant evidence that the rooting capacity of a cutting differs from its position on the mother plant.

After 14 days the cuttings coming from the “Bottom” seemed to be developing the best with 76% rooted, against 73% for the one from the “Middle” and 68% for the one from the “Top”.

Cuttings taken from the top of the mother plants Length of root in cm Number of cuttings 0 to 0.1 cm 21 0.1 to 0.5 cm 13 0.5 to 1 cm 12 1 to 2 cm 7 2 to 3 cm 4 3 to 6 cm 3 Rooted = 68% Average length of root is 0.81 cm These results have a very low rooted

The cuttings after 9 days.

Cuttings taken from the bottom of the mother plants Length of root in cm Number of cuttings 0 to 0.1 cm 14 0.1 to 0.5 cm 2 0.5 to 1 cm 10 1 to 2 cm 16 2 to 3 cm 10 3 to 6 cm 8 Rooted = 76% Average length of root is 1.56 cm The results show that the highest strike rate is from cuttings taking from the bottom part of the stock plant. Then the middle part and, finally, the top was the last to obtain roots.

This difference can be observed also as the type of the stem is in a different physiological stage. The cuttings from the “Top” are likely to be semi-hardwood stem. From the “Middle” the stems of cuttings are softwood/semi-hardwood type.

And the stems of cuttings taking from the “Bottom” are softwood type; which will also explain the difference in root formation between cuttings originated from the same mother plant. Therefore

there is difference of root formation among cuttings coming from the same mother plant. These results prove that a way to obtain homogenous root formation in cuttings should be to always take them from the same part of the mother.

This will allow in the production line to have a same fixed date for the transplantation of all the cuttings.

In the strain results, there was difference in root formation between the subspecies (strains) used for the trial; Comparing these three varieties it can be said that a significant different is present between Sativa (V1) and the 2 others subspecies. Only a little distinction is remark between Hybrid (V2) and Indica. (V3). V3 is superior to V2, but with only a small difference.

Cuttings taken from Sativa – Power Plant Length of root in cm Number of cuttings 0 to 0.1 cm 12 0.1 to 0.5 cm 5 0.5 to 1 cm 16 1 to 2 cm 10 2 to 3 cm 8 6 to 3 cm 9 Rooted = 80% Average length of root is 1.50 cm Cuttings taken from Sativa / Indica hybrid – Early Queen Length of root in cm Number of cuttings 0 to 0.1 cm 20 0.1 to 0.5 cm 6 0.5 to 1 cm 19 1 to 2 cm 8

2 to 3 cm 5 6 to 3 cm 2 Rooted = 67% Average length of root is 0.84 cm Cuttings taken from Indica – The Doctor Length of root in cm Number of cuttings 0 to 0.1 cm 18 0.1 to 0.5 cm 9 0.5 to 1 cm 12 1 to 2 cm 8 2 to 3 cm 7 6 to 3 cm 6 Rooted = 70% Average length of root is 1.15 cm To conclude, the best subspecies to root is Sativa followed by Indica and Hybrid.

This results show big variations among these different subspecies (strains) which is interesting for the potential next experiment, which will try to avoid variation among cuttings to obtain the most homogenous roots length in all cuttings after 14 days.

So, there you have it... for cuttings that will root at the same rate as each other and are ready to transplant at the same time; make sure you take them from the same area of the mother plant. Take them from the bottom part of the mother for the fastest rooting time.

When choosing your strains... it seems that a Sativa dominant variety will be the quickest to root. Now get GROWING! Special thanks to Sebastien Beguerie for conducting his thesis on clonal propagation and allowing us to republish his work!

Sebastien Beguerie

The cuttings after 14 days.

The best examples from each strain...

Look at those roots!

37

GROW WITH JORGE CERVANTES Wet Dope!

I bought some glass jars with a latch and a rubber seal, the kind my grandmother would keep candy in. After bud has been inside for a few days, moisture collects on the walls. The moisture has a sour almost vinegar smell to it. This happens even if the jar is aired out regularly or if the bud is cured. What’s the Deal?

Da Rev You got wet dope. The moisture is bleeding out of the buds in the enclosed jar and condensing on the sides of the glass. The bud definitely needs to be dried out. Take the buds out and set them on a piece of newspaper.

They can be covered or not. Keep buds on the newspaper overnight. If they are real wet, keep them out for 2-3 days. Then put them back in the jar for 3-4 hours. They should bleed a little more moisture. Open the jar and let the buds air out a few minutes. Close the jar and let them bleed out again. Do this for a few times until the buds have evenly dried.

Buds should burn properly now.

QUESTIONS TO JORGE Jorge Cervantes is the author of: Marijuana Horticulture: the Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower’s Bible in English and Spanish, Jorge Cervantes’ Ultimate Grow DVD, Indoor Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor Bible, Marijuana Indoors: Five Easy Gardens, Marijuana Outdoors: Guerrilla Growing and Jorge’s Rx. He writes for 12 magazines in 6 languages. Jorge’s books are published in Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish.

This grower made a grow room by sectioning off one end of a bedroom. He framed it with 1 x 2s and covered the walls with Visqueen plastic. He made a small lightweight door for somewhat easy access.

If the buds are starting to decompose, hence the vinegar fragrance, you will have to dry them out and keep them from molding. The best way to keep mold from growing is to get buds completely dry.

Bloom Box It’s nice to have your support on such needed answers! I want to buy a Quick Grow Seed to Bloom Box. Is it worth the cash? Have you used these machines? What do you know about them? How much do they yield?

Mr. Dank Quick Grow makes an excellent closet that cranks out buds! The owner is very conscientious and provides excellent service. There are more than a dozen other grow closets (see list below) to choose from. Grow cabinets and closets have become very popular the last two years. The ready-to-go systems are equipped with light(s), vent fan/filter, hydroponic system, timers and controllers, everything you need to grow a great crop. The manufacturer has gone through and worked out all the bugs so you don’t have to! All you add are seeds and a little TLC. The superstructure can be more expensive rigid structure or less expensive tent-like closet. You can also buy the closet with no accessories. Both work very well and are easy to set up and operate.

The closets range in dimensions from small cabinets measuring 60 x 90 cm to larger units measuring 120 x 120 x 180 cm. Tall grow closets are often divided into a flowering room on top and a vegetative room on bottom. Small cabinets can be set up to grow clones, seedlings, vegetative or flowering plants.

You will still need a ventilation outlet to evacuate old air and a new air source. You will also need a place to set up the unit. But remember, the lamp transformer and the fan will probably make noise. Set the cabinet or closet in a cool, dry place. Regulating the temperature and humidity inside the closet will mean the difference between success or failure.

Before purchasing a closet, Visit the following websites, and call the companies you like on the telephone and ask them a lot of questions. Ask them if they will help you solve garden problems over the telephone when growing tomatoes and vegetables. This is very important when you have problems. Talk to them until you are comfortable they know what they are talking about. Look for their ads in magazines, check out their website.

Harvesting is one of the most rewarding experiences of the year! Manicuring plants immediately after harvest is less work because foliage is still supple.

39

This little 400w light garden was a bit abused, but it shows how you can set a garden up in a corner of a room. The elevated meter-square tray below pots solves drain problems.

The purples really come out in this experimental bud. The temperatures drop to 30-40 degrees F at night. The cold weather makes the buds turn purple.

Small Yield This is my third grow and I crossed an AK-47 because I wanted the most bang for the buck – highest THC/ yield. It’s been a couple of weeks since harvest and thus far it does not blow me away. I got a disappointing yield of 60-70 grams per plant considering growing under 2000 watts in a w in 200 x 130 cm room, hydro-coco- and CO2 and good fertilizer. It also took about 75 days to finish.

Any suggestions for the clones now going into 12-12?

I do have a high tolerance to pot, being a heavy smoker. What would you suggest I may consider for my next grow that will give that un-functionable kinda fucked-up buzz? Maybe a little psychedelic!

T-Boy Your problems started when you started crossing your own plants. The offspring seed from the cross that you made was not as potent as the parents. This is why you do not get the buzz from before. The extra time to harvest is also a result of this unproductive union. Sounds like you have plenty of light and good grow conditions.

All you need now are some good genetics. Start with some new seeds from a seed company. Grow these seeds out to adults and choose the best females to make clones. Once you have the “super clones” keep them going!

There are some great “psychedelic” stones around. My favourite for years is Haze and many Haze crosses. The long-season tropical plant is difficult to grow and does not yield well. But the THC content is high and it yields a soaring high. Super Silver Haze is one of the best to grow. You may want to grow a heavy-yielding strong high plant. This is definitely the Chronic. Chronic yields very well and is super stony.

Setting up a grow room can be as easy as tacking up Mylar, hanging a few lights and bringing in a few containers with clones.

40 New Grow Room I’m in the process of setting up my new grow room. I have an 8 x 10 shed. It has been sprayed for insects and covered with white Visqueen plastic. It has proper ventilation and a good watering system. What would be the best lighting system for an area this size? I will not be dividing the room. I will be growing only a couple plants. Do you also have any other tips to ensure a good grow room?

Mr. Nice Guy

You can see the heavy sativa influence in this bud as evidenced by the long slender leaves. The indica influence thickens up the bud and ads weight.

An 2 X 2 metre grow room could easily be illuminated by four 600w HP sodium lamps, one lamp for every 120 X 120 cm square. But, you are growing “a couple of plants.” In this case all you need is a single 400w lamp to grow your plants to harvest. If you want to grow big plants set up two 400 or 600w lamps. Set the plants 15-30 cm from the reflective walls and use the corner of the room so that there are two reflective walls. You may want to make moveable reflective walls to keep the plants enclosed. Just cover plywood with white Visqueen plastic or paint it white. Set the other two walls up so they also deliver reflected light to the plants.

This plant was amazing. The calyxes swell to almost grotesque proportions and the surrounding leaves are a deep rich purple. Although not the highest yielding plant, it is one of the most interesting!

A 400w HP sodium lamp gives this little garden all it needs to flower. The grower lined a 15-cm-tall bed with heavy duty plastic to contain spills and allow drainage.

Slow Growing Plants I have three plants growing in a small closet. They are about one month old. None of them have any five point leaves on them, only three points. Why is this? I assume it isn’t good and I am starting to worry, I would like to start flowering within a couple of weeks but I am afraid that I won’t get any results because the plants seem to be immature for an unknown reason.

Fabio Plant some more seeds now. Three plants are not enough! If two of the three turn out to be male plants, you have a single female to keep alive until harvest!

The plants are probably not getting what they need to grow properly. They need plenty of fresh air, light, water, good soil, 75-degree F temperatures and 50-60 percent humidity. This is what will make them grow well. As they continue to grow the leaves will grow more “fingers.” The next set of leaves should have 5 fingers. The plants should be about 15-20 cm tall now. In another month they should be 30-45 cm tall and fairly bushy. Growth should be strong for the first two months.

Plants set pre-flowers at about two months. You must wait for pre-flowers to set before you can induce flowering with a 12/12 day/night light schedule. Pre-flowers show up about the third branch internode from the top. Female flowers have two little white hair-like pistils that come out of a pod, and male plants develop a small nub that grows into pollen sacks. Yank the males and flower the females!

Container-grown plants can be moved indoors on cool or wet days or nights. Keep a close eye on these plants!

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43

SOCIETY

International Cannabis Community The International Cannabis Community has taken a few twists and turns recently – some positive and some negative. Some of the more liberal states within the not so United States of America have decriminalized cannabis for medicinal use (we’ll come back to that later). Whilst Soma’s recent arrest and imprisonment in Prague was almost ‘Ginsbergesque’ (we’ll come back to that later also). Otherwise on the international scene Soft Secrets has just launched its own page at facebook.com and by lazystrain the first edition of Soft Secrets USA has been published.

Politically the International Cannabis Community is as riddled with as many lobbyists, con-people, fraudsters, tricksters, and charlatans as there is on the television.

This aspect of the International Cannabis Community is in many ways its biggest downfall. Where big egos, money, and personal issues have in the past generated rivalry, malice, and general disharmony within the wider Cannabis Community (especially amid on-liners).

The International Cannabis Community

Ultimately the International Cannabis Community is governed by one thing Cannabis , which is ruled by Nature, unless you live in California that is, in which case it’s Arnold Schwarzenegger. Which brings us neatly onto the American scene and the problems over there. Politically the American-wing of the International Cannabis Community is knee-high in chicken manure just now, a limbo between some States (and state laws) that have decriminalized cannabis for medicinal use and those States (with different laws) which prohibit the use of medicinal cannabis. To add further confusion, Federal Law prohibits cannabis use for everyone, regardless of the State you smoke cannabis in and if whether or not you have a wheelchair.

The International Cannabis Community is a loose group of millions of people who share a passion for cannabis. Although unaffiliated, this sub-cultural collective are joined together at an international level at the many cannabis cups, trade shows, cannabis exhibitions, parties, and via online cannabis forums. Orientated by the potential liberty of cannabis use and cultivation for everyone, and thus ‘cannabis normalization’, the International Cannabis Community is now a force to be reckoned with.

Figuratively the International Cannabis Community promotes an ideal of a ‘New Cannabis Order’ similar to the New World Order. Mostly in the sense that the International Cannabis Community desires the “law of cannabis” to be totally in favour of “legalization”, “decriminalization” or “liberalization” - often without any question. Militant aspects within the International Cannabis Community (those that peacefully wage war with the use of seeds and clones and knowledge) then foremost advocate “Cannabis Freedom” as their international stance on the matter of cannabis normalization.

Just like a global government, the International Cannabis Community has its own order of hierarchy and perceived structer. At the top of this mythical, yet very real, pyramid sit the Professionals, Shopkeepers, Transnationalists, and Regular Seed Breeders. Those figures within the “cannabis industry” that are recognised publically by names and faces.

Next sit Medi Activist and Campaigners,

Editors and Writers, who are widely known for contributing to ‘cannabis culture’ across the globe. Next come the Amateur-Breeders, Feminized Breeders, Clone Keepers, Commercial Growers, Smugglers, and Cannabis Dealers – who are unknown, yet arguably keep the whole scene flowing. Then sit the millions of Home Growers. And finally the whole pyramid is supported by the billions of people who at one stage in their life have been a Cannabis Smoker.

Unlike other global pyramids / systems of order it is quite normal and acceptable for a Home Grower to smoke a spliff with a Professional Breeder ; for the Shop Keeper to provide a Smoker with their first grow unit ; for the Home Grower to supply the Medi Activist with a flower, and so on.

In this way the International Cannabis Community has few boundaries, inhibitions, or limitations. Ultimately everyone within the International Cannabis Community (with the exception of many Medi User) entered into Cannabis Culture at the same level of experience - as an initial Cannabis Smoker.

One reason that International Cannabis Community is still globally prohibited is for the very fact of its transient nature. The fluidity between members means that the International Cannabis Community cannot be easily “controlled” by any one person or corporation. The International Cannabis Community holds no boundary over shallow aspects such as colour, class, creed, cast, religion, ideology, or race. This unity perhaps unites the International Cannabis Community more than any other international group.

In UK terms the American ‘Proposition 215’ is a bit like the Major of London telling Traffic Wardens and C3POs (Community ‘Report’ Officers) and Police Specials to completely ignore cannabis offences. While the real Police, CID, and Drug Squad will still raid peoples private property and drag them down to the station for a quick strip search. All for the possession of a plant, some dried flowers, or a herbal extract.

Meanwhile in Europe the notion of “Cannabis Freedom” took one step forward and two steps backwards recently in Prague. The Czech Republic have just joined the growing list of Decriminalized EU countries, which is great news for everyone involved over there. All except Soma, who whilst giving a lecture at a recent Trade Fair was arrested by undercover police officers, after passing a joint to someone in the crowd. Two days later Soma was released, unharmed, yet it would seem that “decrimi-

nalization” holds many hidden floors (or should that be jail doors).

Over the pond in Mexico however cannabis or ‘marijuana’ as they call it has recently been decriminalized totally for personal use. Mainly in reaction to the “War on Drugs” which the Mexican Government consider was artificially created by the USA as a way of bankrupting their nation while making America richer via the ‘Narco Dollar’. Elsewhere, the UK Medi Activist Pinky Starr flew into the UK with Cannabis legally prescribed by a Dutch doctor and did not get arrested - all be it at a time when the new extreme Dutch Government aims to prohibit all tourists from enjoying cannabis in their illegal cofffeeshops (?)

In contrast in Ireland the opposite can be said with the closure of all head-shops and with anti cannabis cultivation literature being spread about in pubs – not by the Government but by localized paramilitaries(!) To further highlight the cannabis hypocrisy currently demonstrated within Europe and the E.U, in Germany people can carry up to 10 grams of cannabis without fear of arrest or stigmatization. Whereas in Poland, just next door, cannabis users are brutally beaten with truncheons by the police for carrying less than 1g of cannabis!

While in Spain it is not uncommon for cannabis cultivators that are suffering from theft, to call the police to help them catch the cannabis thieves.

Thankfully the International Cannabis Community for the most part completely rejects and often ignores many of the illogical rules that have been imposed upon the cannabis plant and the people that grow and enjoy it. The International Cannabis Community rather provides its own loose set of guidelines, which governments can as equally choose to ignore. The division between ‘Cannabis and Children’ being the most prominent idea put forward, with an aimed reduction in the relationship between ‘Cannabis and Criminality’ being the next. Global Governments however have little to gain and much to loose in supporting such proposals, and therefore do the least to support such radical changes.

We want you!

Soft Secrets UK is looking for writers!

Do you have what it takes to become a regular Soft Secrets UK contributor? Do you have a fluent pen and green fingers? Then don’t hesitate to apply as freelance writer for us! We’re looking for freelance journalists and writers who can contribute on a regular basis.

Experience is a pro. Good pay!

Please send your resumé with an example of your writing skills to ssuk@softsecrets.nl, attn. of mr Cliff Cremer and we’ll get in touch.

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“Ed Rosenthal is the guru of ganja”-- High Times

LIGHT

LED lamps use less than half the electricity of HIDs per unit of PAR light produced. At $.10 a kilowatt, LEDs will save $215 per year when compa red to the cost of running a 1000w HID twelve hours a day.

UÊ LEDs last longer than HID bulbs.

UÊ LEDs need little to no cooling equipment, in contrast to HIDs that require air or water cooling , ventilation system s, or air conditioners.

LEDs are powere d by either a transformer or a digital driver.

Transformers are similar to old-style magne tic ballasts for HID units; they use more energy than digital contro llers and produc Higher quality systems use mostly e heat that may need to light along with red be dissipated.

DRIP SYSTEM some blue. Just This is a small S OUTDOORS consideration as with any other produc compared to Drip irrigati t, manufacturers the heat HPS on is a 90% more lamps produc standards differ. A efficient e, which has method’ of few manufacturers delivering water to be vented LEDs are convenient LED lamps emit . to add to plants green light NASA virtually no heat, outhighly efficient light use because they are lightweight thanthe has shown doors other metho so they producers, and emit far to be be placed very ds. That is can with plants, and e less HPS lamps. They are much highereffectiv close to the garden than floodin amber is also small, so they are easy heat than g an area using are not encum and sometimes Stealth LED™ grow to install. The added. Most a hose, bered with tubes light manufacturersor overhead for air or reduces energy consumpti has a 50,000 hour lifetime and include a fewspraying. The result iswater cooling, white light emitter heavy ventila more water deliver systems by 60-70%. on as compared with HPS or MH s in their units. tion, or any ed to the root of the other zone than These diodes actuall problems or other waterin any y emit a combin inconv g enienc of HID lamps. es ation of red, system. Drip irrigati green, and blue on other benefit spectrums,has s that make which comLight of a bine to appear it from 1000w useful. It LEDs can be is easy to install, HID system. white. White LEDs emit very little combined lights help easy to design andwith heat to both supply An advantage is in-HPS and MH lamps, so expens to the plants. The light and can be placed very close ive. useful of using a combin there is no wavelengths spreads at a 120° angle. reason to scrap tion of HPS plants and soften athe from Maxx Power has your digital Dripforsystem and LED lights the eerie purple a built in digital driver This LED HID lamp. s use pressu Adding LEDs is that you tors the power going can ensure that that monire from color generated by to your other public water the to the combination you are providi lights increas adjusts accordingly to the bulbs 100 times a second and es the amoun ng all the - spectrums of red andsystem, gravity or a pump blue light. Luckily t of light deliver ensure that maximum to deliver that plants need water output is being , the spectru achieved. ed to the garto thrive. If m range is where it is wsanted.den. For instance, more HID lamps usually wider Spaa garden using than the bandghetti lines tap rather than a 400w used, that guar- off a main deliverHPS can be increas LEDs are anteed for each they add PAR y line that is is ed to the equiva connected to emitter. light, but most lent of increas 600 watts using the water source of the 120 | MARIJ e 100 is emitter .

An in the yellow watts of LEDs. UANA GROW on the other ER’S HANDB spectrum. AddAdding ing 300 watts of end of the spaghe For O Oeven K distribution red and blue LEDs creates ti line contro , use tLEDs instead the equivalent ls the rate at water through its porous a water soaker hose, which “leaks” increases PAR light, but which water material. flows. not in the yellow spectrum.

As with other plumbing system eastern U.S., s there are all kinds and other areas, MARIJUANA of accessories GROWER’S H there may be ANDBOOK | to deal with no need to irrigate problems that 121 plants at all or may be encoun to use just a supplem it as plants tered by or gardens. Some ent to natural sources. of these are garIn areas where dens located there is a summe on different levels, remote drought such r gardens and as parts of southe different size rn Europe varying and the North plants with American west, water needs.

The plants can irrigation fertilize is required or be the plants will d using a fertilize die. r siphon placed Outdoor plants in the water line. and gardens can be irrigated using Irrigation system a hose that fills s vary tremen a trough in reservoir, using dously their complexity a gravity powere resulting from d canal they that delivers the tasks are designed water to a group to accomplish. of plants or most efficien Store bought kits tly using a drip are suitable system for . most backOverhead waterin yard gardens.

Even simpler g is very ineffici is the pinhole because of loss ent pail or bag irrigation. to evaporation A container is and the with shotgun approa filled water. The water ch of deliver ing water in slowly drips areas where there to the desired area throug are no crop roots. h small holes Once pierced the plants are drilled or flowering, overhe into the reservo ir. It delivers ad water slowly is dangerous water to the buds to the plant so which are susthat little is lost. ceptible to attack by mold when moisture is present. thrive under those specifi c conditions.

Indica plants Thus, in any season, developed in no matter what central weathe 292 | MARIJ U A N A Asia the G R O Wbetwee the r, some plants E R ’ S H An and 35th latitud N D B O O 25th will do better K where the weathe es, others. than r is changeable.

Drought one year may Indicas, includi be followed by ng Kush varietie cloudy, rainy or sunny weathe s, have broad genera r. For the popula l characteristic tion to early, s: they mature continue, the MARIJUANA have compact plant group GROWER’S short branch needed different individ es wide, short leaves and uals that survive which are dark and even someti green, mes tinged purple . Their buds are

INDICAS, SATIVAS, ETC.

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tems because each diode emits light in an unusually narrow spectrum. The minerals used to make it determine the spectrum the diode emits.

HID lamps emit most of their light in spectrums that are not very useful to the plant. With LEDs, fixtures can be design ed to provide the plants with exactly the spectrum that they need for maximum growth.

By tailoring the diodes’ light spectrum to plant requirements, LEDs can be more efficien t PAR produc ers. HPS lamps deliver more total light per watt of input, but LEDs are twice as efficien t in PAR light per watt as HPS lamps.

That means a 200w LED lamp can be substit uted for a 400w HPS lamp, and the 300w LED lamps can be substit uted for 600w HPS lamps.

The first genera tions of LED lamps did not emit an intense -enough light to support either active vegetat ive growth or flowering, but modern fixtures , which use higher-capacit y diodes, have solved those early proble ms.

| 293

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8-9

45

Ed Rosenthal is recognized worldwide as a leading authority on marijuana. In his 30-plus years as America’s “guru of ganja” he has written or edited more than a dozen books about marijuana cultivation and social policy that cumulatively have sold over one million. His first book, Marijuana Grower’s Guide, is the only title on marijuana cultivation to be reviewed by The New York Times Book Review. After almost two decades, his Ask Ed advice column continues to answer questions on all matters of marijuana from readers around the world.

Worms in the bud

Fooling the dogs

I have some good bud but as it ripens little worms attack it, leaving webs. Then it rots really quickly. I think the worms are infecting the bud with a disease that kills them and turns brown almost overnight. What can I do to stop this?

Hodgesme

Is there a legal chemical that will cause a marijuana sniffing drug dog to alert on a target other than weed?

Swansea

The “worms” are really caterpillars of moths or butterflies. There are several ways to prevent them and to stop their damage.

B-Caryophyllene has garnered a lot of interest recently because of its antiinflammatory properties. It is commonly used in the food processing industry and is not on a restricted list.

Placing nylon net around the developing buds or even the entire plant prevents the moths or butterflies from landing and laying eggs on the leaves or stem. No eggs- no caterpillars.

Seed from hermaphrodites

Pyrethrum is a natural insecticide produced by flowers in the chrysanthemum family. It is safe to use around edible plants and is quite effective. It breaks down soon after use, but is harmful to fish and other cold-blooded animals, so you should be careful in its use. There are many brands of pyrethrum available in garden shops.

BT- Bacillus thuringensis, is a bacteria that infects insects, but not you or your pets. It is very safe to use. Soon after a caterpillar comes in contact with the bacteria it stops eating and then dies within a day or two. The bacteria release new spores to infect other insects coming in contact with it. BT is extremely effective and renews itself so reapplications are usually not necessary. Several brands of BT sprays are available.

Yes. Most of the time, dogs are taught to sniff not marijuana, but one of the terpenes it contains, B-Caryophyllene. It is also found in cloves, black pepper, and hops.

I have a hermaphrodite plant that is pollinating itself. Will the plants grown from this seed be feminized?

Rusty Maybe. It depends whether or not the plant is a natural hermaphrodite or has expressed male flowers as a result of stress.

Some varieties regularly produce hermaphrodites. Remove these plants as soon as they indicate for fear of accidental pollinations. Seeds resulting from self-pollination or pollination with other hermaphrodites will produce a high percentage of hermaphrodites. When crossed with a non-hermaphrodite plant, a smaller percentage of the progeny will be hermaphroditic.

Sometimes plants that are usually all female produce male flowers as a result of stress from irregular light period, dry mediums, or other neglect of needs.

Seeds resulting from these crosses are usually mostly female with a few hermaphrodites sprinkled through.

Although the plants have to be watched for male flowers your work and effort will be rewarded with a group of mostly female plants.

Feminized seeds What problems are associated with feminized seeds? What is the best way to deal with them?

Keith Feminized seeds have many advantages over normal seeds, which produce either male or female plants. Gardeners can start fewer plants because there are no males to remove.

Feminized seeds are especially helpful to outdoor growers with larger plants.

The plants thrive more than a clone because unlike a clone, they grow long taproots that provide an unbroken highway to the canopy for water and nutrients going up and sugars and enzymes going down the stem. Before these seeds were used, the gardeners had a choice of using clones or growing twice as many plants, and then discarding the males; twice the work per harvested plant.

There are two problems with feminized seed. The first is that some varieties and crosses result in a small percentage of hermaphroditic plants. So the plants have to be watched and any hermaphrodites removed.

The second problem is, should you wish to breed you don’t have a male of that variety, only the females.

Normally feminized seeds should only be used for grow-outs, not for breeding.

The exception is to preserve a particular genetic rarity by crossing a plant to itself to preserve a particular genetic rarity.

Feminized seeds can be produced in several ways (there is a good article about it in Big Book of Buds 3, page 148), but most breeders use a chemical, sodium thiosulfate, to induce male flowers on female plants. Since the pollen is produced by a female plant it has no male genes so all the seeds are female. The problem with any breeding program that relies on pollen from females is that the process may be inadvertently selecting for hermaphroditsm. Most likely, the plants that produce the most pollen have more of a tendency towards hermaphroditism. Since they produce the most pollen they will have the most offspring. Over several generations this tendency becomes more pronounced.

So, after the plants are bred conventionally, the grow-out seeds can be produced using pollen from induced male flowers.

Plants in small containers on a porch. They make it easy to move the plants out of shadow and into the sun. It also makes in convenient to use light deprivation by moving them into a dark place.

46 Kief experiment I had some interesting results from an experiment I tried. I placed fresh powdered kief into sealed Seal-A-Meal pouch. Then I submerged it in water heated to 25-31° C water for 2 1/2 hours. The pouch ballooned out. Red oily dewdrops spotted the sides of the plastic. Then I put it inside a freezer for 2 hours. The package lost its balloon shape and looked like the vacuum sealed pack it started out as.

I removed and dried the patty to room temperature. The patty crumbled easily. Its color changed from original gold to red with earthy cocoa undertones. I let some of it age. In 4 weeks chocolate and vanilla flavors appeared. The high was dramatically more intense but less confusing.

What occurred chemically?

Thanks for your letter. I am planning to try your process soon and to have it tested for changes in cannabinoids.

Salve for pain relief In making a salve, what part of the plant do I use? Some recipes say use leaf, while others recommend using buds. I want to use it to decrease my pain (and hopefully not to get me loaded).

Mimi Bud is the most expensive part of the plant, while the leaves are very reasonably priced.

They are a byproduct of bud production and contain about one quarter to one sixth the amount of cannabinoids that are found in the bud. They are not used for smoking because of the taste and feel of their smoke. However they make a fine ingredient for tinctures and salves.

The mites are on the underside of the leaf but they create small, brown necrotic spots on the leaf upper surface.

Counting forward How long do I count my flowering days? Is it from the first day I turn the cycle to 12 hours or from the day I start to see flower formation?

Bud Kush When seed companies list the number of days until ripening, they are starting the count when the lights are turned to short day cycle, 11 or 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness each day.

Changing light timing I’m growing with an indoor-hydro setup. I’m in the desert, and my main problem has been temperature control. I have been running the flowering lights at night, from 7 pm to 7 am. When we go into winter I want to run the lights during the daytime, which will allow me to do maintenance during the day. What is the best way to change the light cycle to on at 7 am - 7pm, without interrupting the flowering cycle?

Frido The best way to change the cycle is to keep the lights dark one cycle. The garden will be dark for 36 hours. Then when the lights are turned on again the timing will be reversed.

The buds may speed maturity by a couple of days.

Not enough light I have a 122 x 245 cm tray with 30 plants in flowering and a 1000 watts high-pressure sodium light on a 182 cm light track. Will I have a bigger yield per plant if I add another 1000 watts light? Is it worth spending the extra money?

Enrique Your plants are not getting an intense enough light. The garden should have an input of 495-726 watts per square meter, depending on plant type. Indicas do well with the least light and sativas require the most. Your garden has an input of about 363 watts per square meter. Rather than moving the single 1000 watt lamp over the entire table, have it move back and forth only 30 cm so it changes the angle of light over a more concentrated area.

Both the quantity and quality of the buds will improve considerably.

Before you buy the second light invest in a CO2 system that supplies the gas using a tank regulated by a PPM meter. This will improve the efficiency of the plants’ use of energy, resulting in a considerably higher yield per watt. The CO2 unit is a one-time purchase since the single unit can be used as the garden grows.

An hermaphroditic plant was primarily female but male flowers were induced using sodium thiosulfate.

Once you have the light mover covering a shorter distance and the CO2 installed, your garden will produce more high quality bud, faster. Then it’s time to move up to a second light.

The light mover should be rearranged to move both lights back and forth 25-30 cm. This changes the light angle so that more parts of the plants are illuminated some of the time.

48 Clone generations How many times can I clone a clone from a clone without changing the genetics? People have told me they have made clones from clones more than twenty times and have not seen any difference in bud weight or any other differences in the plants. I have also heard that every time you make a clone from a clone you lose weight and potency.

What are the facts?

Friend Dan Bedrocan, which produces marijuana for Dutch pharmacies, uses cuttings that it removes from plants going into flowering as clone stock. They regularly test the cannabis for cannabinoids and keep detailed records of yield. The results have remained stable for years.

It is fine to use generations of clones because the genetics and the plant’s characteristics will remain the same.

The mites weave webs that they use as super highways to get to their plant-sucking parties.

Spider mite damage

Ventilation rate

How much damage do spider mites do to the buds? I will be harvesting in a month.

Do I need to worry?

Meheidi

How often should air in my grow room be exchanged? At what time is it most beneficial, when the lights are on or off, during vegetative growth or during flowering?

David B

Spider mites can ruin your crop and you should take action immediately. They are related to spiders rather than to insects. Spider mites feed on plants by sucking their juices through their “proboscis”, straw-like mouths they use to puncture leaves and suck their vital juices.

Ventilation is used for two purposes: to cool the room and to provide the plants with carbon dioxide (CO2) laden air. If you use air-cooled lights, very little heat from the lamps will get into the room and it is relatively easy to cool the room when the outside is cooler than the room air.

Mites’ fast lifecycle and the large number of eggs they produce lead to logarithmic increases in population over a very short period of time. Expect time to sexual maturity of less than a week and a high tilt in favor of females so a small infection can become a serious problem very quickly.

While some growers aim simply to control mites and other pests they will never be rid of them. You can use biological controls to keep their population extremely low or totally eliminate them from your garden.

Some methods include sulfur bombs, high carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration (above 5000 PPM) and herbal oil sprays that include cinnamon or clove oil. You can find more information on eliminating these pests in the book, “Marijuana Garden Saver”.

Balcony gardening I live in an apartment with an enclosed east-facing balcony that gets strong, direct sunlight about five hours per day. I sprouted a few seeds, and I have been supplementing the remaining ambient light with three incandescent grow lamps (two 65 watt bulbs and one 120 watt bulb) that I leave on 24-hours per day, but the plants are not growing so well. The tomato and pepper plants I am growing under the same conditions are doing very well; it’s only the cannabis that is struggling with short, stocky stems, but only a few tiny leaves after 3 weeks.

I would like to use an HPS lamp, but right now, the initial cost is prohibitive, and the layout of my apartment does not really provide a discreet area to set up a grow room inside.

Are there any strains of cannabis that require less direct sunlight than most?

Piskito Your plants are struggling from being in a soil that is too acidic for them. First check the soil using a pH test kit or meter. Raise the pH using a liquid lime or pH Up (available at indoor garden shops).

Replace the incandescent lamps with four 24 watt compact fluorescents, each with a reflective hood. This will provide the plants with more light. The plants will start to flower during the winter as soon as you turn the lights from constant to 12 hours a day. Make sure to keep apartment light away from them so they experience 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness daily. About two months after the lights are turned down the flowers will ripen.

On the other hand un-insulated spaces are sometimes greatly affected by the climate. In cold areas heat must be supplied to the garden room to keep it warm. Conversely in warm climates outside air may be too hot to cool a garden.

With these factors in mind, as well as the number of lights and the size of the space, you can figure the parameters for airflow. If you are not using CO2 enrichment the ideal temperature is 21-22° C during the lit hours and no more than 5° C lower in the dark period. With CO2 enrichment the space can be kept at about 30-32° C, which encourages fast growth.

During the dark period the plants don’t photosynthesize so they don’t use CO2 but they do transpire so the moisture must be removed using a steady breeze.

As you might have noticed CO2 is part of the ventilation equation. C02 is one of the two ingredients plants use to produce sugar, using light to power the process. Air contains about 380 PPM of CO2. Under high light conditions such as a sunny summer day outside or under a 1000 watt lamp covering 1.5 meters inside, plants can use up to 1200-1300 PPM. The combination of high light, CO2 enriched air and warm temperatures creates conditions for plants to grow faster, larger and mature earlier.

When you ventilate your room you bring in air with CO2 levels of the ambient air. No matter how good the ventilation system it cannot match the growth of systems that use CO2 enrichment. Plants use up the CO2 in an enclosed room very quickly so it must constantly be replenished or the plants will stop growing. You can check out how much CO2 is available to the plants by placing a CO2 PPM meter in the canopy. As the amount in the air declines, the plants’ photosynthesis rate drops. To stop this from happening use a fan to create a steady breeze, which will bring fresh air to the canopy and keep the plants photosynthesizing. Both ventilation, bringing fresh air into the room, and circulation moving fresh air into the canopy, removes the old used air and is required for the plants to benefit.

For these two reasons I recommend a closed system using air-cooled lights that draw air from outside the garden space and then exits the hot air outside as well.

Ideally, the space will be cooled using air conditioning and it will be heated using a CO2 generator, which burns natural gas or propane and emits CO2 heat and moisture.

The air will be enriched using the CO2 generator when the room needs heat and using CO2 tanks during warm periods. The tanks are connected to a PPM meter and emission controls.

The generator is connected to a thermostat and goes on whenever heat is needed.

49

This raised bed was 50 cm in depth and 2 m wide. Notice that the plant canopy spread a little wider than the diameter of the bed.

Setting up I am a first time indoor grower. I have access to indica clones that I like to smoke.

Would this be a good plant for me to try? Would you suggest soil or growing it hydroponically?

Pug Indica varieties are good choices for novice growers. They are compact, grow and mature quickly and don’t require as intense a light as varieties highly influenced by sativa parentage.

A mite attacking a leaf. Mite infections are always serious and to should be dealt with properly.

If you have no experience growing plants I would suggest using a commercially produced enriched planting mix rather than growing hydroponically. The mix doesn’t require as much expertise and the ingredients contain a lot of carbon, which buffers nutrient imbalances a bit.

I am building a planter in the ground. How deep should it be? Do you recommend a gravel foundation for drainage? How deep should the gravel foundation be?

New Grower, Berlin

Pruning bottoms I am concerned about the balance in weight, between bottoms or no bottoms on the plant. I understand clipping off the bottom growth sends nutrients to the top, producing heavier buds. Typically, small underbrush doesn’t receive enough light and you end up with a bunch of leafy budlets.

I had the idea of creating an open globe in the center of the plant by clipping the 3 or 4 shoots on each branch closest to the main stalk. I figure this is less stressful than taking off bottoms. The plant doesn’t have to spend much time on repairing itself than it does when big branches are lopped off. It also creates good airflow inside the plant while reducing chance of mold or bug infestation and the outer shoots of each branch can finally turn into something rewarding.

Is the weight going to be any different if I rip off bottoms and have bigger buds, or should I refrain from removing any branches or buds and have some smaller leafier product of equal or greater weight? How about removing only the inner buds?

Is there a difference in weight or only quality?

Leandro Lets look at light. When a bit of light hits a leaf its energy is absorbed by the leaf. The light is spent. It cannot get to another leaf. So even the brightest light penetrates only one surface. Anything under that surface, such a another leaf, is not being illuminated and is not receiving light energy, so it is not photosynthesizing. This is a good reason to use light movers; just as with sunlight all parts of the plant are lit, but at different times.

Any parts of the plant that are shaded all the time are costing it resources. Their energy needs are supplied by the upper leaves, which are producing sugars. In indoor gardens, especially sea of green systems, the lower leaves are hidden by the upper canopy and are of no use to the plant. They can be removed.

Outdoors opening the plant by removing the top gives the side branches light from in the hole in the middle. Without the shadow of the top and its inhibiting auxin these branches grow very large buds.

By removing secondary branches you will have a larger harvest of grade A buds. Who wants shwag when you can grow bud?

Planting holes are usually dug between a meter and 125 cm deep. To a great extent the width of the hole determines the diameter of the plant canopy. Placing a gravel foundation helps drainage in clay soils that don’t drain rapidly. In loam and sandy soils they are not needed.

Digging a planting hole is hard work to do manually. You might think about using a backhoe to dig the hole. If you are growing a number of plants consider digging a wide trench, which may make maintenance easier.

Raised beds are an alternative to digging holes. They are much easier to construct and fill than digging. There are also commercial high strength pop-up containers that come in all widths. They make outdoor gardening especially easy.

Raised beds have several other advantages over holes, too. They have no problem with drainage. In holes, even when they are filled with well draining planting mix, soil porosity and the water resistance of the surrounding soil determine the water holding and drainage capacities. It also raises the level of the soil in relation to the ground. This helps protect plants from predation caused by many small pests.

Growkits and = 0DJLF 7UXIÁHV 0DJLF 7UXIÁHV

NEW A FORMUL IGHER MUCH HLD YIE

Ask your local growshop

50

SHOPREVIEW

A-Zee Hydro Rainham A-Zee Hydro Unit C4 Suttons Business Park New Road Rainham Essex RM13 8DE Open : Monday to Friday 9.00am 5.00pm , Saturday 9.00am – 4.00pm Tel: 01708551199 Email: lee@azeehydro.co.uk

Established in 2005 A-Zee Hydro has a long standing reputation as one of the leading horticultural suppliers in Essex. The shop itself has recently moved premises to Unit C4 located just round the corner from the old Unit B2 on the Suttons Business Park just off the New Road in Rainham. The new Unit C4 is set out like a showroom and offers a full display of the latest hydroponic equipment, all on the one floor.

nutrients to lamps, from growing mediums to environmental control systems and lots more. A-Zee has it all on from the worlds leading brands. The new showroom has a lot more to offer customers; who are encouraged to drop into Unit C4 to check out the multi-range of full tent set-ups now on display. Current

special offers for the New Year include a full 1.2 meter tent kit for only £400.00.

From A to Z , A-Zee Hydro stocks it all!

For the latest in hydroponics in Essex, then check out the new showroom or give the shop a call on the same old number 01708551199.

A-Zee Hydro stocks everything expected of a leading hydroponics outlet. From

Aztec Garden Bury St Edmunds Aztec Garden has been open and trading now for two months and is located in Rougham, Bury St Edmunds just 2mins from Junction 45 of the A14. Aztec Garden specialize in ‘Self Watering Garden Systems’ and aim to keep prices low and offer the best quality products to their customers.

The new outlet is neatly sub-divided into a showroom area with operational units including a new 150w Sodium and grow tent, while the main shop area offers a hands-on display of all the products in store. Aztec Garden’s website at www.aztec-garden.co.uk provides information about all the products available at Aztec Gardens.

The on-line shop, where customers can purchase everything needed at highly affordable prices, will also be launched before the New Year.

Aztec Garden Hydroponics Unit 1a Rougham Industrial Estate Rougham, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 9ND Tel: 01359-271876 Web: www.aztec-garden.co.uk Open: MON - FRI 10:00am - 5:30pm.

SAT 10:00am - 3:00pm.

SUN By Appointment.

52

SHOPREVIEW

Bud-Eez Dagenham Bud-Eez is Essex’s number one hydroponic retailer located on Broad Street, Dagenham.

Bud-Eez stocks a comprehensive variety of products suited to both the indoor and the outdoor gardener.

Customers will find a full range of prod-

ucts both online and in-store. Productlines include nutrients and boosters from Atami, Bio Biz and Canna, air and environmental control units, growing media, irrigation fittings and systems, lighting, tents and a whole host of accessories and complimentary supplements.

Bud-Eez is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday 10.00am until 7.00pm in the evening, and Sundays 10.00am until 2.00am. For more information call into the Dagenham shop, check out the Bud-Eez website at www.bud-eez.co.uk , or give Bud-Eez a call on the number below.

Bud-Eez 137 Broad Street Dagenham Essex RM10 9HP Tel: 0208-2203757 Website: www.bud-eez.co.uk Open: Monday to Saturday 10.00am until 7.00pm Sunday 10.00am until 2.00pm

Essex Hydro-Garden East-London Essex Hydro-Garden is one of the newest hydroponics/horticultural Suppliers in the East London/Essex Area. We have an extensive range of Hydroponic Equipment including tents/lights/fans/filters, etc. plus many tried and tested Nutrients from the Top Brands.- Advanced Nutrients, Plagron, Atami, Canna, Ionic, Dutch Master, House and Garden, this is a small example of our stock which we are constantly adding to on a daily basis.

Dutch Pro is the latest addition to our Nutrients, also, one of the Top Rated Nutrients in Holland. It is ‘Exclusive’ to us in the Essex Area. One of the advantages of using Dutch Pro would be that a 5 litre A & B set for either hydro/coco/soil and a 10 litre of A & B This could potentially reduce your nutrient costs by around 45%, whilst still giving excellent growth and yield! Why not give it a try! Our ultimate aim is to ensure all customer requirements are met 100% and our aftercare/returns policy is second to none. Any customer who visits the shop and mentions ‘Soft Secrets’ will receive an instant 10% discount! (DutchPro excluded).

Essex Hydro-Garden’s Website will be launched by the end of November, you can find us at www.essexhydro-garden.co.uk

Odyssey Hydroponics Birmingham Odyssey Hydroponics is one of the newest stores to open in the Midlands and is well located on Hagley Road West, Birmingham.

The shop has been open for over 15 months and in that time the business has grown from strength to strength.

Odyssey Hydro is on the horticultural pulse when it comes to providing the most up to date hydroponic equipment and nutrients.

The owners ensure they and their staff are fully aware of any new techniques around and will always look to advise their customers to the best of their abilities.

Odyssey have an extensive range of Hydroponic equipment including tents, lights and filters as well as all the leading Nutrient suppliers from Canna to House and Garden. All your growing needs will

be met in store and they will endeavour to price match any products they have in store, so be sure to call up!

Ryan, Martyn and Stan will welcome you into store and have over 15 year’s horticultural experience to pass on to you the customer. They have a discreet loading bay at the back of the store and are happy to make this available for large orders and on request. Come down or give them a call today: Odyssey Hydroponics: 385 Hagley Road West, Quinton, Birmingham B32 2AL Tel: 0121 421 3494 Web: www.odysseyhydro.com

54

SHOPREVIEW

Grow Green Birminham Grow Green is located in a very convenient and quiet area of Birmingham with a high volume of stock. They are one of the biggest stockists of nutrients in Birmingham. They stock everything for every type of grower no matter how big or small.

Grow Green is a newly established business with a lot of experience in the industry. They offer a lot of free technical support with all your gardening issues.

The store offer all types of nutrients from Vitalink, Canna, House & Garden and many more at very low prices and all are in stock to take away. They also have many different offers in store such as Blulab Truncheons to complete lights, be sure to ring up and ask!

Grow Green is a very friendly and inviting store to be in, with everything on the shelf for you to look at with a loading area at the rear for big orders.

Grow Green is located in the Castle Bromwich area of Birmingham which is easy to find from M6 or M42 Motorway.

They also offer an online catalogue to view everything they sell in store before placing your order.

‘We guarantee to match any genuine in store price.’ Nick (owner) So go along and visit Grow Green and you will be very welcomed by Nick, Adam and Darren whom will help you with all your growing needs, whatever the problem.

Grow Green 15 - 17 Green Lane Castle Bromwich Birmingham B36 0AY Tel: 0121 241 6445 Web address: www.growgreenltd.co.uk

Big Stone River Grimsby Big Stone River has been trading for over 7 years in Grimsby. The shop moved location only last year from Durban Road to the new address at Unit 1, East Gate, Grimsby. The new industrial unit location offers more warehouse space and a comprehensive

display area for customers to shop in.

Big Stone River stocks a wide range of nutrients from Advanced , Canna, Plagron, and Vitalink. Grow mediums including the 60/40 Mix, Bio Biz All Mix, Bio Biz Lite Mix, and the complete

Canna Soil and Canna Coco range – all off the pallet. The shop is open 6 days a week. Special Deals are normally available in store and the shops owners are happy to do some bargins on prices.

For more information give the shop a call on the number below.

Big Stone River Unit 1 East Gate Grimsby DN32 9BA Tel 01472-241114 Open: Monday to Friday : 10.00am – 5.30pm Saturday: 10.00am – 2.00pm

Wellingborough Hydroponics Northants Wellingborough hydroponics is a fairly new shop set in a great location on an industrial estate.

As horticultural specialists with over twenty years combined knowledge, the two man force can offer great service, prices and advice.

Wellingborough hydroponics are the only retailer that offer an out of hours service by appointment only.

They stock thousands of items so all your hydroponic needs are met.The shop is set up of four rooms, over 2000 Sq ft.

Room one holds all your nutrients and information, room two has all your fans, filters etc. room three is an indoor loading area for your vehicle. This is also where you will find all your growing media eg soil, pebbles etc. room four is an upstairs showroom displaying tents and growing systems from small to large so be assured this is a shop well worth visiting.

They also offer private parking and tea and coffee facilities.

Next year Wellingborough hydroponics will be launching their own brand of bulbs so you will have even more choices as well as great prices.

Make no mistake this is not a shop that is here today gone tomorrow, so why not pop in and see for yourself.

Wellingborough hydroponics IS THE ROOT TO YOUR SUCCESS!!!!!

Wellingborough hydroponics 11 bentley court Finedon road industrial estate Wellingborough Northants NN8 4BQ TEL: 01933 274000 Open: Mon-Fri: 10-6pm Sat: 11-5pm Email: wellingboroughhydroponics@yahoo.co.uk

56

STRAIN REPORT

Green Poison Sweet Seeds

by Mr Mash

Environ: Method: Medium: Nutrient: Grow time: Flower time: Plant structure: Bud structure: Scent: Effect: Yield:

Glasshouse and Outdoor LST Bio Biz and Coco 10 weeks 10 weeks wide purple pointed fruity meditative average

Rainbow Kush [FRT]

by Mr Mashed

Environ: Method: Medium: Nutrient: Grow time: Flower time: Plant structure: Bud structure: Scent: Effect: Yield:

Glasshouse Forced flowering Compost, coco fibre, worm cast, guano Guano tea 30 – 40 days 60 – 70 days Short one fatter, one thinner.

Musky fruits Meditative Low

Special Kush #1 Royal Queen Seeds

These feminized seeds were free courtesy of Soft Secrets. We planted a few seeds in May in small pots of soil in a glasshouse. At the beginning of June the most healthiest plant was repotted into a large pot of soil. The soil was a mixture of Bio Biz All Mix and Canna Coco Professional. No fertilizers was used.

As the best Green Poison plant reached about 80cm in height it was transplanted into an outdoor soil bed in July. Then it grew taller and wider every week. The top of the plant was bent over to keep the plant low against the skyline. The leaves where wide and deep emerald green in colour. In August the Green Poison plant

These new seeds were given to us for testing. The parents of Rainbow Kush are Purple Kush clone and Orange Kush from Green Devil Genetics. The seeds (x4) were sown into cell trays of soil at 20c and all hatched at the same speed. After 4 weeks in a glasshouse x2 of the plants were re-potted, the other x2 plants were given to friends.

Method: Medium: Nutrient:

Grow time: Flower time: Plant structure: Bud structure: Scent: Effect: Yield:

125watt envirolite veg/600watt grolux hps flower natural growth pattern/ little bending bio-bizz allmix bio bizz grow,bloom, topmax and hammer head 4 weeks 8 weeks Christmas tree long sativa buds spears lemon kush active yet stoned 3oz

The top of the plant got broken by the wind a in September, which only left the main side branches of the plant. These grew rapidly and started to develop a purple colour in the flowers as the nights got colder. The Green Poison had a strong smell that could be smelt from a distance when brushed against.

At the start of November the frost came and the plant had to be harvest to prevent mould. Overall the yield was average, but this was the best outdoor plant this season, with more smell and taste than many other varieties.

below 12 hours a day and the plants were just left to continue flowering naturally for the last 3-4 weeks.

The plant with the thinner leaves only had small twisted flowers and was harvested early. The other plant was much

The growing medium was a mix of compost, coco fibre, worm cast, and bat guano. The plants were only fed water at this stage. The plants grew slowly, one had with big leaves and the other thinner leaves.

The plants were force-flowered (by hiding the plant away from sunlight in the evening and putting it back outside in the day time). After a few weeks the natural photoperiod of autumn fell

I went the good old fashioned way with this strain and used soil. I used bio-bizz allmix and bio-bizz grow, bloom, topmax, hammerhead 9/18 and hesi rootcomplex.

by Mr/Mrs GANJA1STTIMER

Environ:

started to flower.

I popped a seed i had bought out of a 3pack of Special Kush#1 and put it into a 10cm pot of bio-bizz until it was well rooted then changed to a 3litre pot for a week and then repotted in the 3rd week of veg into final 11litre pot.

I used hesi root complex as a root stim free from the Hemp Fair 09 in London.

The Kush grew very well and quickly showing roots at the bottom of pots in no time. On the last feed of veg I gave the kush a lower dose of bio grow and added a small amount of bio bloom to help it get ready for flower.

In flower I just fed her 2ml bloom for

the first week, with 1ml grow. Then I fed it 3ml bloom and 1ml hammerhead9/18 in the second week in which the little calyxes started to really form.

And then from week three to week six i fed her 5ml bloom and 2ml hammerhead 9/18. By the time she was at week six the buds where fully formed but just hadn’t swollen for that cant budge squeeze you get when they are flushed. So I flushed for 1 week with final phase and 1week pure water.

I hung and dried the Kush in my tent for a week with my oscillating fan on and extractor fan then i put it into my plastic tubs for another week and then it was time to get HIGH!!!!

The Kush is quite lemony as taste and smell goes overall a very nice plant to grow chop smoke and do again.

healthier and bigger and had a better profile. This plant was ready to harvest at 70 days flowering, but could have gone longer. Overall the yield of both plants was low, but the effects were meditative, perfect for chilling out and listening to music.

57

58

A STONED SELECTION

By Kaz Peet

Compilation – ‘ Hi Grade Ganja Anthems 3’. VP Records/Greensleeves.

Hitting the decks full blow force comes the release, this month, of the third volume in the successful series that celebrates the virtues of marijuana. Its release on Election Day in the U.S. is no coincidence as Proposition 19 is up for vote in California, which if passed, would tax the sale of marijuana and regulate adult use in the state. Three other states are calling for similar measures this year and currently, marijuana is decriminalized and available for medical use in 15 states.

Beautifully packaged in a cover which opens up like skins, revealing a packet of silver Rizzla on the inside, the mood is set for a Jamaican Dream, White Widow or Northern Lights enhanced listening experience. An international brigade of artists comes together on this eighteen track strong album, waving the tri-colour reggae flag in the name of peace, love, unity and freedom – of the herb! Jamaica’s Guinney Pepper with ‘Lick The Chalice’ – a catchy little number based on the ‘Linstead Market’ riddim, supplies the first lick. ‘Joker Smoker’ gives rise to ‘Ganja Smoke In The Air’ from Netherlands Ziggi and fyah bringer Capleton turns up the heat in ‘Acres’. Also in the mix are contributions from Collie Budz (Bermuda) with his breakout hit ‘Come Around’, Italy’s Albrosie on ‘Real Story’ and California based reggae band Slightly Stoopid bring conscious flavour with ‘No Cocaine’ featuring Inner Circle. Well-tried and trusted representatives Morgan Heritage feature here with ‘Plant Up The Herbs’ along with tracks from Gyptian, Busy Signal and Queen Ifrica to name but a few. The only thing lightweight about this blazing collection is the paper with which to build up that big fat spliff!

Various Artists – ‘Theme Time Radio Hour - with your host Bob Dylan’. Season 3. Ace Records.

The third in the ‘Theme Time Radio Hour’ series, this is to be the last, at least for a while. Taken from Bob Dylan’s famous and revered, eclectic radio show, the tracks come largely, although not exclusively, from the 1950’s and 1960’s – a freeform mix of blues, folk, rockabilly, gospel, R&B, soul, bebop, blue beat, mento, rock and roll, country and pop styles are represented. Fifty tracks in all (and every one a gem) spread across a beautifully presented double CD package. Impossible to pick out individual tracks amidst so many, without getting to musically analytical for these pages; worth a mention is the inclusion of the original ‘I Fought The Law’ by The Crickets written and sung by Sonny Curtis three months after Buddy Hollies death and spawning probably one hundred versions to date. This is three hours of listening heaven in one affordable package!

Also recently released on this prolific label are ‘Califia – The Songs of Lee Hazelwood’, ‘A Rocket in my Pocket – The Hipster’s Guide to Rockabilly Music’ and ‘The London American Label - 1961’.

Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate – ‘Ali & Toumani’. World Circuit Records.

Recorded at a spontaneously occurring session spanning three afternoons at Livingston Studios, London, in 2005; this is Mali’s great blues guitarist’s final album – Ali Farka Toure died in 2006.

Playing in duet with Toumani Diabate, a generation younger than him but master of the sacred kora – the 21 string African harp; their instruments merge in meticulous harmony as they effortlessly dance to life together. The album moves from the more blues sounding tracks, through spellbinding trance and into something approaching a traditional and classical Indian Raga. Ali’s son, Vieux Farka Toure, plays congas on ‘Sabu Yerkoy’, ‘Warbe’ and ‘Khala Djula’ and is destined, like his father, to be a great force in African culture.

Sit back, relax and breathe deeply with the albums blissful, rhythmic flow that will carry you beyond time and space.

Flore –‘Raw’. Botchit & Scarper.

Having built a name for herself over the last few years with a string of heavy-hitting releases for an impressive host of labels including Mofo, Ibreaks and Labrok, French DJ and producer Flore makes her debut at Botchit & Scarper with her album, ‘Raw’.

Extremely fresh and funky, she crisscrosses styles with a maverick ingenuity; the melodies are catchy and the lyrical content captivating; resulting in a mash-up mix bound for dance floor success. Outstanding vocal performances from Shunda K, Rodney P, MC Chickaboo, Les Gourmets, Joyce Muniz and Thai Stylee add yet another dimension to her music, winding them around her propulsive percussion.

‘Get It In Get It On’ with vocals provided by rapper Rodney P makes for an explosive start in this steppas style tune, imbued with energy parallel to the dancehall’s of Kingston. There’s an interesting, up-tempo and natty version of Gary Numan’s ‘Cars’ featuring Shunda K who also adds vocals to title track –‘Raw’. Changing through futuristic dancehall riddims, hip-hop, breaks and heavyweight dubstep, this unique album, bursting with ideas and energy, never ceases to excite.

Ashiirvad – ‘Ashirvad’. Sangita Sounds.

Following the critically acclaimed Noodream –‘One Love’ album from the cosmic sound labs at Sangita Sounds, comes the release of the eponymously titled debut album from Ashirvad- meaning ‘Blessings’. Recorded during an epic six month recording tour of India, complete with a fully equipped hi-tech mobile studio, Darren Sangita (Noodream/Spectralite) & Mathura Das (Bindoo Babas) have produced a richly textured and magical fusion of styles, simultaneously, both stretching out into the future and delving deep into the past. An inextricable link between our archaic past and that, which is yet to come. Contemporary electronica and gorgeously heavy bass lines blissfully fuse with an authentic essence of Indian classical, devotional and folk music. Hosting a myriad of players from Kolkata, Mayapur, Varanasi, Vrindavan and Delhi, the album, an extraordinary journey through India, features exotic instrumentation such as Serangi, Bansuri, Dholak, Mridungum, Kartal and Tanpura.

In the opening track, ‘Kush Tea’, the high spirit of devotional singing seamlessly fuses with stringed instrumentation and is grounded by a bass line emanating from the earth’s core. ‘Magic Carpet’ utilizes Raga Bhairagi, a melodic scale containing the notes used in the traditional chanting of Sanskrit mantras such as the Purusha Shukta, Vishnu Sahasra Nama and other sacred texts. As Ravi Shankar once said –“A Raga is that which colours the mind.” This is indeed the case in this piece with its percussive rhythmic groove, haunting vocals and floating Bansuri –bamboo flute. Having undergone a slightly unusual pre-release procedure with preview copies being tested

by Yogis, masseurs, psychedelic dreamers and wizards across the globe, the guys at Sangita ensure us that “this has well and truly passed the Acid Test.”

Drunken Balordi – ‘Drunken Balordi’. Filthy Dog Records.

Having already secured a well earned reputation as a scorching hot live band, always tearing up the place, be it pub, club, hall or field, Drunken Balordi finally release their long awaited debut album.

Describing themselves as ‘gypsy punk rock’, their influences span from The Clash, The Pogues, Gogol Bordello, Kurt Weill and Jacques Brel, but the result is very much of their making. A simple yet effective assembly of guitars (including Spanish), accordion and drums, sealed by their signature up front and in ya face vocals, makes for an irresistibly energetic combination. With the reoccurring theme of alcohol consumption never far from the floor, the songs, largely written by lead singer Billy King, are poetic, radical, funny and, most of all, absolutely ROCKIN’.

Just try not dancing to this band!

,J?A QLKJ = PEIA B=N B=N =S=U EJ PDA GEJC@KI KB LH=JPO^ Mirror, mirror on the wall, am I the most beautiful Vermicompost of all?

You are the most beautiful inside.

But… You look so sad, you don’t like that you are green? Look at this bag, can you see? It’s beautiful and full of glee!

This new bag in front of me, green and white, this is how I want to be!!!

0DQXIDFWXUHG E\ %LR%L]] :RUOGZLGH %9 7 ) ( LQIR#ELREL]] FRP : ZZZ ELREL]] FRP

New grow shop and Hydro supplies for Kidderminster

Free delivery almost anywhere discreet services

Crystals Coffeeshop 33 The horsefair Kidderminster DY10 2EN Tel:07787076753 or 07985281780 Email: crystalscoffeeshop@ymail.com

www.freewebstore.org/crystals-coffeeshop www.crystalscoffeeshop.co.uk * É É Ê Ê/ *Ê / ,ÊUÊÈää7]{ää7]Óxä7Ê " 9Ê /ÊUÊÈää7]{ää7]Óxä7 1 / Ê / Ê / Ê / UÊ-1 / Ê Ê /Ê-1* ,Ê "" Ê7 / Ê *ÊUÊ* Ê1*Ê Ê "7 Ê

]Ê 9 ,]Ê "" UÊ*,"* / " Ê / ]Ê ," , Ê-9-/ -]Ê ,"7 ,-Ê 1 Ê " 8]Ê6 / ]Ê ]Ê " <<] " ]Ê ", Ê 1/, /]Ê-1 ,Ê* ]Ê " ]Ê " Ê* 1-

Pink Plant

Photo: Eva Seeds, Spain

Are you a person with strong organic beliefs?

Do you care about the future? Do you choose quality above quantity? Or is it just about the flavour and the colour? If you don’t know where to start, then let BioBizz make it easy for you!

Our ‘Starters Pack’ is fully loaded with everything you need to initiate your own growing adventure, which will make you and your plants grow together.

Let the Biobizz experience show you the magic of nature; Rooting, Growing and Blooming phases will be taken care of with the most amazing harvest as result. You don’t need to be an expert, just follow our easy quick guide and check it out yourself.

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62

SHOPREVIEW GROW REPORT/ INDEX OF ADS / COLOFON

Green Fever Stoke on Trent Right in the heart of Stoke on Trent you will find the fantastic grow shop Green Fever.

The shop opened in January 2005 and since then has consistently stocked everything for indoor and outdoor growing.

What makes Green Fever a unique shop is that the owners Stove and Dilys are incredibly knowledgeable about all their products and plant life because they have not only worked in this field for many years, but have also studied the subject.

Stove studied Horticulture at Reaseheath College in Cheshire and Easton College in Norfolk, gaining both National and Advanced Certificates in Horticulture as well as the Institute of Horticulture Prize (Ernest Potter Award 2000).

Dilys previously worked in the automotive industry and studied Chemistry at Staffordshire University, gaining an Honours Degree in Applied and Analytical Chemistry.

The products which have been especially popular are the Dark Room tents and their tent package deals which include lights, ventilation and everything else. Their best selling lines are Canna and Plagron, but they also stock BioBizz, House and Garden, Atami, Advanced Nutrients and so much more. Due to the good reports on the improved performance over the

old style magnetic ballasts the Lumatek Digital ballasts are selling well. What is also doing well and new to Green Fever is the Plant Magic Old Timer range of organic feeds which are developed and manufactured in the UK. Green Fever’s main focus is to give all their customers good, accurate, and honest advice always building up good and reliable relationships. Green Fever also strives to offer the best prices on all products. Stove and Dilys are a friendly and fun couple who enjoy meeting new customers and helping them out in everyway they can.

Green Fever 18 Hartshill Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7QU Tel: 0044 (0) 1782 41 44 48 http://www.green-fever.co.uk/ Open: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-4pm

Index of ads Name Advanced Seeds Atami Atami Attitude the A-Zee Hydro Aztec Garden Barney’s Big Stone River Indoor Garden Centre Bio Bizz Bio Bizz Bio Bizz Bio Nova Bio-G-Power Bristol Genuine Seed Bank Buddha Seeds Bank Bud-Eez Clockwork Horticulture Crystals Coffeeshop Delicious Seeds Delta 9 Hydroponics Dinafem Seeds Distribuciones Marianas Down to Earth Kent Dr. Blooms Hydroponics Dr. Schimmel Ed Rosenthal Ednyrion Essex Hydro-Garden Eva Female Seeds Extra-Grow Hydroponics Green Fever Grow Green Growstar Gold Hayzee Hydro Hesi J10 Hydro Jorge Cervantes Kannabia Seed Company Katsu Mycologics Nirvana Northern Lights Odyssey Hydro One Love Hydroponics Paradise Seeds Procare Professional Seeds Rapid Roots Royal Queen Seeds SamSara Seeds Sjamaan de Smokin Vinyl Smonkey Southern Hydro Centre Sub-GardenSupplies Sweet Seeds Triangle Hydroponics Wellingborough Hydroponics World of Seeds

Colofon Page 10 29 64 4 1 55 20 51 2 59 61 11 63 55 34 59 41 59 23 55 27 51 47 1 7 44 47 61 51 59 59 61 53 53 1 42 38 42 61 49 24 51 61 53 41 49 53 1 17 13 47 55 13 55 55 14 55 55 32

Soft Secrets is published by Discover Publisher BV P.O.Box 362, 5460 AJ, Veghel, Netherlands Telephone: +31-(0)73-5498112 Fax: +31-(0)73-5479732 E-mail: uk@softsecrets.nl Editor: Cliff Cremer Contributors: Ed Rosenthal, Jorge Cervantes, Jules Marshall, Lazystrain, Dr. John Dee, Kike L., Grubbycup, Little Lebowski, Guerilla Daan and others Translations: Jules Marshall Comics: Jim Stewart Editorial adress: Soft Secrets, P.O. Box 17250, 1001 JG, Amsterdam, Holland, E-mail: ssuk@softsecrets.nl Advertisements: James Telephone: +44 (0)751-4273810 E-mail: james@softsecrets.nl A word from the publisher: The UK government has embarked on a process of relative liberalisation towards the use of cannabis, and cannabis activists are engaged in broadening this engagement.

Several local councils and police chiefs now actively support a Dutch-style coffeeshop system as a way of separating soft and hard drugs, as it has proven to do in Holland.

Whether they are finding their way to new coffeeshops or growing for their personal supply, cannabis users are a menace to no one, and are causing no discernable social problem. Some politicians and commentators are calling for the outright legalisation of marihuana. Let’s wait and see how the debate develops during a period of relative peace between all sides of the argument.

In the meantime, the publisher hopes Soft Secrets will show the public a positive side to the normalisation of cannabis use, and is anxious to offer a forum to both pro- and anti-legalisation advocates. 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 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 editors take no responsibility for unsolicited submissions.

Next issue out: February 25 2011

The T eb bling ing bling b ng for fo your your p plants nts

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1 ATAMI B.V. 1 T.

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