GB2503

DUTCH LEGAL WEED EXPERIMENT ENTERS NEW, CRUCIAL PHASE

The 'Wiet Proef'( 'Weed Experiment') in the Netherlands is entering a next, crucial phase. From April 7 2025, all coffee shops in ten Dutch municipalities will only sell legally grown weed. These cities are Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg and Zaanstad.

This means that the coffee shops there will no longer be allowed to buy from illegal growers through the 'back door', as was tolerated for decades. From now on, the almost eighty coffee shops will only be allowed to buy from a select group of growers who participate in the official experiment.

A historic step, according to both coffee shop owners and growers, because this has put an end to the notorious 'Gedoogbeleid', the policy of tolerance. Ultimately, they hope for full legalization of cannabis, as has already happened in many other countries.

According to coffee shops, legal weed is well received by consumers. However, participants are concerned about whether the transition will go completely smoothly. Popular legal weed varieties are not always available. Hashish is hardly available at all, while it is widely used. Coffee shops recently sounded the alarm about this.

At the last minute, the Dutch government decided to allow the sale of illegal, mostly Moroccan hash for a few more months, in the hope that the legal supply will also grow. According to the government, there is enough weed but not enough quality hash.

The fear that there might be too little legal weed as well, is because not all growers are active yet. Of the ten selected state-approved growers, only half are fully operational. The rest are just starting up or have not even started yet.

Not all companies managed to find a suitable location in time, the search and screening of investors took longer than expected and some growers had difficulty opening a bank account. As a result, there is still less legal weed production than hoped for the time being.

"The intention was to start this new phase with more growers, so I understand the concerns of the coffee shops," says Rick Bakker, commercial director at Hollandse Hoogtes, one of the ten legal growers. Six months ago, the company started with 15 people, now there are 140 employees working in the cultivation halls in Bemmel.

About 200 kilos of weed per week is shipped. "That is not enough to supply every coffee shop, so we sometimes have to say no," says Bakker. But coffee shops can also turn to other suppliers. "I think that more than enough is produced in total." According to him, there will always be enough choice when all growers are up and running.

Hollandse Hoogtes takes 3,000 cuttings from mother plants in 45 different cannabis varieties every week, which are grown into full harvest-ready cannabis plants in a few months. The idea is to always have a harvest ready, so that deliveries can be made constantly.

Consumers will have to get used to new cannabis varieties, says grower Benjamin Selma. He has been growing cannabis in the United

"The black market has developed over 40 years, so many different cannabis varieties are sold everywhere. We have only been in business for six months, so we cannot produce everything right away." According to Selma, this is offset by the fact that users now get cleaner and better quality cannabis. "Ultimately, the supply will also be much more diverse than it is now."

The fully legal sale will last at least four years. The experiment will then be evaluated by the Dutch government to see if it can continue.

With the 'Wiet Proef' ('Weed Trial'), the Dutch government wants to test regulated production and sale of cannabis in the Netherlands. In addition to the quality, the effect on crime and public health is also measured.

Ten Dutch registered companies are allowed to supply cannabis to coffee shops in ten test municipalities. The first preparations started in 2017, but it was not until the end of 2023 that legal weed became available for the first time.

Last year, the coffee shops in the ten cities were also allowed to sell illegally grown weed, but from now on that will no longer be the case. Some coffee shops have almost completely switched to legal weed already, others have not done so yet.

States for the past few years and now works for Hollandse Hoogtes.

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Growing Autos Outdoors and What Can Go Wrong by Stoney Tark

Page 10

Barney's Moby Dick Auto

The mighty cannabis whale switches to autopilot

Page 12

Seeds vs. Cuttings

Advantages and Disadvantages

Page 14

The Freeze Dryer

What is it, how does it work and what is it used for?

Page 20

Ganja Paradise (Part I)

The long journey of legal cannabis in Thailand

THE SUMMER HAZE

At Royal Queen Seeds, we’re always pushing for a better future, which is why our breeders never stop creating new, exciting strains. On our website you’ll find a constantly updated selection of our best new strains so you can keep your garden thriving with the freshest genetics.

NEW STRAINS NEW STRAINS NEW STRAINS NEW STRAINS

FIRE-BOARD

The official CLIPPER® lighter collector’s board impresses with its understated elegance and versatile functionality. As a stylish accessory, the FIRE-BOARD was specially designed for collectors and turns any CLIPPER® collection into a real eye-catcher. The FIRE-BOARD allows for easy attachment and individual arrangement of lighters.

In addition, the integrated stand, innovative magnetic strip and secure wall mount offer flexible display options - on furniture, shelves or on the wall. Available in two sizes.

www.fire-flow.eu

Hybrid Filter new baby

the 8.2mm PLUS SIZE

The new filter is based on the same principle, half cellulose, half activated carbon, and measures 30mm in length - just like the classic 6.4mm SLIM filter. With a diameter of 8.2mm, it offers even more draught and filter capacity. Ideal for thicker joints, larger chiller rounds and moments when size does matter. In addition, the flat tip is now fully organic and biodegradable.

Available to start with in the classic box with 44 pieces and 200 pieces in a bag - easily recognisable by the new packaging colour.

www.hybrid-filter.com

VGN fertilizers are the result of transforming plant waste into solutions for your plants. With these liquid fertilisers you nourish the plants while supporting beneficial soil microorganisms. Also, VGN products are certified for organic farming by Control Union.

Discover:

VGN 5-2-2: Nitrogen for greener, healthier plants.

• VGN 2-2-4: Potassium for stronger, more robust plants.

• VGN 1-4-4: Phosphorus & Potassium for rich flowering. VGN CALMAG: VEGANIC calcium & magnesium supplement.

Combine and adapt them to the needs of your plant! Find the VGN line soon in your nearest store and taste and feel the difference!

Cultivation

GELATO MINT (00 SEEDS)

This year, 2025 is off to a strong start, as 00 Seeds gives us the opportunity to cultivate a genetic full of very interesting nuances and with parents that have been truly well-developed over the years, resulting in this brilliant GELATO MINT. When you cross Its It and Cookies & Cream F2, this impressive genetic appears, highly recommended for manual extractions, as the trichome produced by this plant provides a very pleasant aroma and a very broad spectrum of terpenes. It's worth highlighting the quality and quantity of

THC it produces, along with its minty and vanilla nuances, a very easy-going marijuana with a very pronounced Indica effect.

The structure of this plant is rather small due to the indica tendency present within it. This plant reaches a height of 90 to 110 cm at its peak, with very flexible and robust branches. This strain is recommended for indoor and SOG cultivation, making the most of this genetics. The flowers offered by this strain are of very high quality and have a very high THC level, around 28%, with a touch of CBD.

GERMINATION

The package that arrived perfectly sealed contains 5 units of Gelato Mint. First of all, and as we always do, we check that the seeds are very uniform and of a good physical size. We germinate them, and the germination index is 5, all at the same time, deducing from this gesture that the seeds are fresh and healthy.

To ensure good germination, germination is carried out in an airtight environment, free of spores and pathogens that could hinder the normal germination cycle of cannabis seeds.

After the first 24 hours, and as we do with all the seeds we receive from 00 Seeds, the first cotyledons appear. In the next 48 hours, we observe how the radicles appear in search of light, demonstrating great vitality. After 72 hours of germination, we chose to transplant them directly into 7L pots. This will promote the reproduction of the root zones and pave the way for plant growth.

For the next 72 hours, the cotyledons will reach a considerable height, extending slightly above 3 centimeters.

GROWTH

During the first week of growth, we will water every three days with an organic root stimulator solution dissolved in osmosis water, applying approximately 200 ml per pot. This method is the one we regularly use in our testing.

The light used is a 720W LED with a dimmer switch. To begin the process, we set the power to 400W and place the lamp approximately 50 cm away from the plants. This ensures optimal distribution of the light

spectrum necessary for their development, without causing stress to the plants.

In their first week of life, marijuana plants reach approximately 10 cm in height, showing the stem widening and the growth of the first leaves.

SECOND WEEK OF GROWTH

Following our usual protocol, at this stage we replace the root fertilizer with an organic-based growth fertilizer. This easily assimilated nutrient provides the essential macro and microelements for plant development. We start with a low dose, as the root system is still underdeveloped and nutrient absorption must be gradual.

THIRD WEEK OF GROWTH

This week, we observe notable plant growth.

The next step is to adapt to the new light cycle, reducing daylight hours from 18 to 12 over the following days.

We also perform light pruning and increase the fertilizer and water dose to 0.5 L per pot. To stimulate light seeking, we move the light fixture an additional 10 cm away.

BEGINNING OF FLOWERING

After adapting to the new light cycle, the first signs of pre-flowering begin to appear. To ensure optimal development, we prepare a solution with biological fertilizer rich in potassium and magnesium, complemented with other essential micro and macro elements.

SECOND WEEK OF FLOWERING

At this point, the first flowers characteristic of this strain begin to form. During the first pe-

riods of flowering, it is important to highlight the increase in terpene nuances, which begin to manifest themselves with greater intensity.

MID-FLOWERING CYCLE

As flowering progresses, flower development accelerates, rapidly gaining weight and volume. New buds appear on each branch, and with them, the first trichomes appear. These trichomes offer a wide range of citrus, sweet, and earthy aromas, making this strain ideal for cold extractions, using mechanical or static methods.

HARVESTING

These flowers are ready between 57 and 63 days, revealing the full potential hidden within. As we've been observing for a few weeks now, the flowers are large and quite dense, a result of adding cold water to the final stages of the plant.

Grow Report

With Stoney Tark

GROWING AUTOS OUTDOORS AND WHAT CAN GO WRONG

Growing auto flowering cannabis is one of the most fun and exciting ways to produce

your own home grown flowers, however, things may not always go according to plan. In this article, I explain some of the strange things that can happen with auto flowering genetics, as well as some top tips to help you get the best results possible.

What are auto flowering cannabis plants?

Auto flowering cannabis plants are a type of genetic plant that is able to flower automatically after a 4-week period. Autos do not require set light periods to flower like the indoor 12/12 schedule, meaning they can be grown indoors under 18–20 hours of light and flower, or be grown outdoors from April onwards, rewarding a grower with back-to-back perpetual harvests.

Photoperiod plants can be kept in a vegetative state under 18/6 for as long as needed before flowering is induced; however, autos have a vegetative time of 30 days, before flowering. You cannot take a clone off an auto flowering plant, and once they have started growing inside a pot, it is better to not repot to avoid stress and encourage

small and stunted plant growth.

• Auto flowering genetics can be grown indoors and outdoors with excellent results

• Autos work very well in private back gardens, terraces and even balconies.

• Most photoperiod plants will have an auto flowering variety available.

• Growers in hot and tropical climates can grow autos almost all year.

• Autos are easy to grow, low-maintenance and ideal for a first time grower.

• Autos can be easily hidden and camouflaged amongst other plants.

Plants are small and stunted

In this scenario, I am talking about dwarf-sized plants that will not grow taller than 30 cm and can be considered a total waste of time and space.

Small plants will produce around 7–10 grams if you are lucky, and will often

be down to bad genetics, heat stress or poor growing conditions.

No flowers after 5 weeks I have been sent plenty of photos before from concerned home growers and some seed banks, wondering why their autos are not flowering. Some plants seem to literally stay in a vegetative state and will not flower even if they get 12/12 indoors. Again, this can be a case of bad genetics and a costly mistake for a grower to endure.

Growing with one leaf

This can be one trait that makes a grower wonder why, on Earth would you grow autos with one leaf instead of a full set of fingers. When this happens, not only will the plants continue to produce one leaf, they will also flower, throwing out little, singular buds. Imagine a plant that is being re-vegged and trying to flower at the same time!

No main cola and foxtailing buds You may have a plant that is growing bushy and does not seem to have the typical main cola characteristic. Combined with the odd-looking growth

structure, the buds that are being produced are fox-tailed and have a strange appearance. In some cases, the plant will look bizarre and yield very small amounts of fingernail-sized buds.

Male and female flowers

When you see this, throw the plants out immediately. Autos that flower with fema-

le and male flowers will produce a seeded crop. You will also run the risk of pollinating your other plants, so in the event of a hermaphrodite plant, don’t waste any time and get it in the garbage bin.

3 top tips for growing the best autos Sometimes, when it is a genetically

related issue down to bad breeding, there is not much you can do, apart from learn your lesson about the importance of reliable stock. Below are some of my top tips to think about next time you are preparing for an outdoor auto flowering project.

Top tip #1 - Invest in good genetics

I cannot stress enough how important it is to spend your hard-earned money on top-quality auto flowering genetics is. There is a very high chance that when working with a seed bank that has a strong reputation, you will not experience most of the genetic mutation issues covered above.

Top tip #2 : large pots work best

Over the years, I have found that planting autos in large containers that are 25 liters or larger will always produce the biggest sized plants, and the most abundant yields. Repotting autos from a smaller pot to a larger one can actually set you back and cause the plant's stress.

Top tip #3 : - Plant from June onwards

If you have the opportunity to plant auto flowering genetics outside, then planting them from June onward will produce the best results. The reason being is that plants will begin to flower from July until early September, eliminating the concern of plants growing one leaf and thinking they are revegging.

My conclusion

If you are growing cheap autos, then you cannot expect the same results as a superior seed bank that takes pride in its range of autos. You will only kick yourself if your plants are all deformed, mutated or grow with one leaf and produce minimal yields. By following my top tips and staying clear of bad auto flowering genetics, you will be surprised at just how rewarding growing autos inside and outside can be, and you will quickly learn what all the hype is about!

RESULTS FROM SWISS CANNABIS PILOT PROGRAM SUGGEST LEGALIZATION REDUCES PROBLEMATIC CANNABIS USE

The first results from Switzerland’s adult-use cannabis pilot program suggest that legal cannabis access reduces problematic cannabis consumption, according to a study published last month in the journal Addiction.

In the study, the researchers define “problematic consumption” if it causes or exacerbates health, social or psychological difficulties – even without dependency in the classic sense.

Out of approximately 370 participants who participated in the study, half were able to buy legal cannabis in one of the nine participating pharmacies. The participants were offered counseling in the process. The other half, as a control group, continued to use illegally-sourced cannabis. The participants reported on their consumption and mental state via regular questionnaires.

The participants who obtained cannabis legally reported “a significant drop” in

first six months. After the first six months, the control group was able to buy cannabis through the pharmacies.

Two years into the study, the 300 participants still taking part showed significant improvement in their mental state.

“Public health-oriented recreational cannabis access may decrease cannabis use and cannabis-related harms,” the researchers concluded, “especially among those using other drugs.”

Last February, the National Council’s Social Security and Health Committee voted 14-9 in favor of a federal law draft that would allow citizens to grow, buy, possess, and consume cannabis. The Weed Care study was launched in Basel in January 2023.

Source: Ganjapreneur.com

Growing Techniques

CANNA Research: "LED INCREASES THC WITH LOWER ENERGY CONSUMPTION."

"Since previous cannabis research findings regarding the physiological and morphological effects of LED and HPS lighting were limited, we conducted our own experiments in our two identical indoor cultivation rooms and 20m2 phytotrons. This resulted in a comprehensive comparison of LED and HPS lighting."

the short-day phase at a PPFD of 700 µmol/ m2.s.

The rockwool crop was fed with CANNA fertilizer at constant EC values of 2.0, 2.8, or 3.6 mS/cm (including tap water at 0.4 mS/cm).

During the short-day phase, a 1.6°C higher air temperature was maintained during the day under LED to compensate for the lower radiant heat transfer of LED compared to HPS. However, the total energy consumption was 20% lower under LED compared to HPS due to the lower energy consumption of the LED light.

The EC value in the substrate blocks/drainages increased steadily during the short-day phase in all three EC trials, particularly with high EC applications, up to 8 mS/cm. Although high-EC fertilization reduced plant height, plant weight, and flower weight, THC

CANNA Research, part of the CANNA Group, is a Dutch R&D facility with a dedicated team conducting plant research, laboratory analysis, and product development for the horticulture industry. In 2021, the company received approval to conduct cultivation trials and analyses with medical cannabis. Recent research results showed that LED increased THC levels with lower energy consumption.

Fluence VYPR R4 LED lamps and Philips Master Green Power HPS lamps were used. The cannabis strains Amnesia Sweep and Early Queen Haze were compared during

content was unaffected. Mineral tissue analysis of fan leaves and flowers showed clear differences in the distribution of elements (e.g., relatively high Ca and relatively low N and P in leaves compared to cannabis flowers). No consistently significant effects of EC level or light source on nutrient concentrations were found, and no clear deficiencies in foliar nutrients were evident until the last 1-2 weeks before harvest.

Plant length was significantly reduced under LED lighting for both strains. Notably, both strains also showed a similar increase in

(absolute) THC concentration of approximately 3% under LED treatment. In contrast, a clearly different response was observed for the strains in terms of flower yield: Amnesia

THE

tion, and THC levels, the electricity costs for producing 1 gram of flower were calculated to be €0.73 for HPS and €0.64 for LED. The difference was even greater per gram of

STRAINS SHOWED AN INCREASE IN (ABSOLUTE) THC CONCENTRATION OF APPROXIMATELY 3% UNDER LED TREATMENT.

Sweep produced 30% more flower mass under HPS and Early Queen Haze 13% less flower mass compared to LED. Thus, the strains responded differently to the light source and climatic conditions.

The production of the cannabinoid THC showed a similar increase of 2.9% under LED lighting for both strains. Total energy consumption for lighting, air treatment, humidity control, and pumping was 20% lower under LED compared to HPS. Using data on flower production, power consump -

THC produced, with costs being €5.10 for HPS and €3.70 for LED.

Given the 20% lower energy consumption under LED, it was shown that LED outperformed HPS in THC production per unit of energy by an average of 30%: 0.21 g THC/kWh under LED vs. 0.16 g THC/kW under HPS.

Further research at CANNA Research is focused on optimizing yield and THC concentrations under higher LED levels. It is an exciting job!

Light spectrum of the installed HPS (left) and LED (right) lighting

Barney’s Farm strain story

Words & Pics: Green Born Identity – G.B.I.

MOBY DICK AUTO

THE MIGHTY CANNABIS WHALE SWITCHES TO AUTOPILOT

Famous cannabis strain Moby Dick has meanwhile garnered neo-classic status – although it has been in existence for 18 years already, it’s still enjoying unwaning worldwide popularity. But what else than a mega-strain should have resulted from marrying White Widow to Haze? Barney’s Farm has recreated this strain that once came out of Spain by using original White Widow genetics and their own prizewinning G13 Haze, and thereby achieved an outstanding result as well. The Barney’s breeders went a step further later on and with Moby Dick Auto additionally created an autoflowering version by breeding their proven BF Super Auto #1 in. Moby Dick Auto shares the fancied characteristics of the regular Moby Dick strain: a generous flower production of up to 550 grams per sqm., robustness and mould resistance plus a very potent Sativa-driven uplifting effect. Plants are more compact than those of the regular Moby Dick and require a mere 65-70 days from sowing to maturity. Sticking out of Moby Dick Auto’s rich terpene profile are terpinolene, β-Myrcene, β-Caryophyllene und limonene, making for a multi-faceted aroma with dominant notes of lemon and Haze plus subtle hints of pine, incense and vanilla.

Two auto whales swimming off quickly

Once again it was auto afficionado (as regards cannabis at least) Ellis D. who conducted a trial grow with Moby Dick Auto. Two auto whales he placed into the starting blocks and they swam off quickly, early raising their head above the soil after less than three days. Not long and the two Moby Dicks presented themselves well-fed and compact, growing bushy with dark green leaves. Flowering set in timely with both plants – after about 2.5 weeks, Ellis D. detected female preflowering.

A resinous flower factory with a complex bouquet

During the following weeks, one of the Moby Dicks revealed a wider stem elongation and thus more open growth pattern than the other. In the course of blooming, a multitude of chubby fat flower clusters proliferated from the axils and shoot tips, developing into rock-hard buds and confirming Moby Dick’s reputation as a highly productive flower factory. Trichome build-up started early in flowering and significantly increased from week to week, until the calyxes and sugar leaves were heavily crystalline in the end and gleaming accordingly beautiful. While the buds of the two plants looked a bit different, there was no difference in smell at all, with both boasting a complex bouquet which, consistent with Barney’s description, fused many aromatic aspects

into a mouth-watering spicy sweet scent, as reported by Ellis D.: “The G13-Haze dominates this awesome flavour which is really reminiscent of lemony incense, but there’s more to it, components I cannot yet specify – but I’m pretty sure such subtle notes will differentiate more distinctly whilst drying.“

After both fast and timely 66 and 69 days, the two grand auto cannabis whales had swum to the finish and become a final 62 and 79 cm tall.

Like an old church bench…

As befits a strain called Moby Dick, the two plants delivered in the yield department some weeks later: Very pleasing 88 and 81 grams Ellis D. ended up with, with the smaller, more compact plant being the one with seven grams more. As correctly assumed before, he was able now to also identify fine undertones of the flower aroma: “While the olfactory association of lemony incense still is a strong one, vanilla beans and cedarwood are background notes also coming to my mind now. My girl friend has also sniffed at the dried buds and aptly said that ‘they’re smelling like an old church bench’ – which she meant in a positive way since she likes

that typical heavily spicy-sweet smell of old church benches or chairs.”

Moby Dick Auto provides an energising force

After drying and curing, the sampling day had finally come and Ellis D. placed half a gram of Moby Dick Auto into his Crafty+ vaporizer. As jaded and exhausted as he was after a demanding working day with extra hours, he hoped that the stimulating effect described would come true as he had to settle some important things at the PC. And really, after three hits, Moby Dick Auto got him going - sensing a slight tingling in both his head and body, he became agile and mentally alert. As if the auto whale had pushed him gently but decidedly with his fluke toward the desk, he busily got to work there: “The weed provided an energising force over more than one and a half hour. However, that force wasn’t overpowering, I didn’t have a rapid heartbeat or so, but felt elated and focused – a perfect kind of effect to switch from limp to lively and work off such administrative stuff.” In between he took two more hits to keep his stimulation level, and also Moby Dick Auto’s great taste contributed to his buoyancy: “This top-notch auto weed almost tastes like it smells – a concentrated sweetish spiciness takes long-lasting possession of the palate, with yummy notes of licorice, pinewood and vanilla sticking to it after exhaling.”

Barney’s Farm: Always to be relied on

„Also in autopilot mode, Moby Dick has masterfully swum through the cultivation cycle, the two Moby Dick Auto plants I’ve grown have performed perfectly well and passed my quality inspection with flying colours. Once again a fantastic autoflowering variety from Barney’s Farm, this seed bank is always to be relied on!”, concluded Ellis D. with rapture.

Life cycle 66 + 69 days, 65-70 days in general

Medium Bionova Bio Soilmix, 15 litre pot

pH 6.3-6.8

EC 1.2–1.7 mS

Temperature 18-27°C

Air humidity 40-60%

Watering by hand

Fertilisation Bionova Soil Supermix, plus PK 13-14 in the flowering stage

Additives/stimulants Bionova Silution, The Missing Link, Vitasol and X-cel

Tools CleanLight Pro for mould prevention

Height 62 + 79 cm

Yield 88 + 81 g

Genetics Moby Dick Auto (Moby Dick x BF Super Auto #1)

Green Born Identity – G.B.I.

Grow with Robert B.

Text: Robert Brungert/Soft Secrets Germany

SEEDS VS. CUTTINGS

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

The world surrounding our millennia-old cannabis is once again undergoing a period of upheaval – here and there, it's gradually becoming even legal. For many, it can't move fast enough, and this also applies to cultivation. In Germany, many are currently happy that they are allowed to grow at least three plants at home.

And this raises the question: Which is better to use– seeds or cuttings?

It's more of a philosophical question that cannot be definitively answered – it always depends on the situation. But here are a few key points:

Advantages of seeds:

- Easy transport and storage

- Shelf life of up to four years

- Flexible sowing

- Feminized strains available

- Autoflowers mature in 8 to 10 weeks

Disadvantages of Seeds:

- Sometimes disturbing variations from plant to plant.

- Bad germination rate if seeds were not stored properly.

- Regular seeds contain hermaphrodites or male plants.

- Initial grow mistakes may not be forgiven, especcialy in the first 10 days of life.

- Purchased seeds from unknown sources may be unstable.

Advantages of Cuttings:

- Every cutting of a strain is female and genetically identical to it's mother.

- As long as the mother plant is available, identical genetics remain available.

- A few days of growth before flowering is sufficient.

- Better planning security – cuttings are easier than germinating seeds.

- Cuttings are available on rockwool that can be used flexibly for aeroponics. – Those who

directly under a light source.

- Cuttings are in a vegetative state and therefor cannot be stored.

- Cuttings from private suppliers may introduce pests and diseases into your grow room.

- You never know 100% for sure which cutting of a strain you have.

Interim conclusion: Whether seeds or cuttings – those who know each other and trust each other can help each other out. Otherwise,

work with rigid pot systems benefit from uniform plants

Disadvantages of cuttings:

- Shipping/transport is very cumbersome.

- After transport, cuttings must be placed

reputable dealers are always preferable. Anyone who is stingy in this regard should also save on their grow setup.

Seeds are the better choice if you order them online. However, if the goal is to know your

strain and maintain consistent quality with each plant, cuttings are the better choice. Admittedly, there are now many reputable breeders who conscientiously cultivate their strains and the individual plants appear very uniform. With accurately feminized seeds, there is hardly any difference to cuttings in this regard.

If we consider that seeds of good strains are often as expensive per seed as a cutting, and not every seed germinates, cuttings also have an advantage. Those who experience high losses or unstable results when sowing seeds, should prefer cuttings.

Let's compare the timeline – if you plant your seed just under 2 cm deep in moist potting soil, you'll have to wait four days at suitable temperatures until the first cotyledons emerge. The seedling will be somewhat more stable if it becomes slightly woody. However, not much happens in the first few days; the plantlet must first establish a base, then things will progress more quickly. Depending on vigor and target size, a regular strain should be kept under 18 hours of light with a six-hour night phase for three to five weeks from sowing. Only then should you switch to 12 hours for flowering.

Cuttings are placed in the soil immediately upon arrival, on the flow table, in the potting system, and flower three days later. Depending on the initial size, vigor, and desired target size, there are also strains that are better off growing for another week or two.

Conclusion: Cuttings are two to three weeks faster than seeds, so you save three weeks in operational time. It's always important to inform yourself about the growth characteristics of your seeds or cuttings, especially when multiple strains share a single light.

Generally speaking, cuttings are easier to handle, and the harvest quality is very consistent. Cuttings can even be cheaper than seeds. Those who are still inexperienced should always prefer cuttings over seeds, if they are available of course.

Then there are those who see growing from seeds as a learning experience and good practice. Regular seeds would be interesting for them. This means there will be variations in growth and harvest quality from plant to plant. Also, regular seeds are genetically way stronger than feminised seeds so you can afford more beginner mistakes. Plants grown from regular seeds are more sturdy and stable than plants grown from feminised seeds. Also, you can not take cuttings from feminised plants, these will be genetically unstable. At best you can take cuttings from a feminised plant once, after that the quality of the genetics will detoriate drastically. Mother plants should always be grown from regular (unfeminized) seeds.

If you're a small grower and grow a few plants, you also need few seeds or few cuttings. If your grow goes South and you ruin the results, you haven't lost much and can start over again.

Only practice makes perfect!

Fresh cuttings rooted in a rockwool cube.

Two days old seedlings, just sprouted in a starter block containing peat.

(PART 2)

WHAT ARE THE LAWS IN GERMAN-SPEAKING COUNTRIES?

With relation to seeds and cuttings, German-language law is a mystery that requires special attention. Each country, and perhaps even each region within each country, must be considered individually.

Austria

Let's start with Austria: Cuttings and seeds are legal in Austria, but they may not be used to grow marijuana (!). Under EU law, dealers from Austria are allowed to ship within the EU. Years ago, there were mail-order companies that sent their cuttings to Germany. A few seeds, however, are much more discreet, which is why we once almost exclusively ordered seeds, mostly from the Netherlands, Austria, or Spain.

supposed to know whether they've already sold you the required amount? Furthermore, there must first be a CSC that distributes cuttings and also carries the strains in demand.

(2) By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the import of cannabis seeds for the purpose of private home cultivation of cannabis pursuant to Section 9 or for the collective home culti-

Austrians are allowed to have seeds and cuttings but not harvest them. That's exactly what we're now allowed to do in Germany. CSCs (Cannabis Social Clubs – ed.) are supposed to supply us – they can distribute up to seven seeds or five cuttings per month to members and non-members. What's the catch? Every CSC must keep accurate records and thus also record personal data. How else are they

What interest would CSCs have in distributing cuttings to non-members if they aren't allowed to operate for profit? Even if they want to, CSCs aren't allowed to advertise to raise awareness of their offerings.

Germany In Germany, it is also explicitly permitted to order seeds from other EU countries:

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Section 4 Handling Cannabis Seeds

vation of cannabis in cultivation associations pursuant to Chapter 4 is only permitted from member states of the European Union.

There is no cap on order quantities; it is recommended not to purchase too many seeds per order. Am I allowed to purchase cuttings? This is precisely what the KCanG (German Cannabis Act – ed.) does not conclusively state. Import and trade simply appear to be unregulated. According to the KCanG, propagation material is not considered cannabis; it is a gray area.

Since April 2024, retailers in Germany have been selling cuttings. Many order them from other EU countries. The assumption is, without any obligation, that this is within the tolerated range for customers who order only a few cuttings or buy them locally. That would at least make sense if the possession of a small number of cuttings for private cultivation were permitted.

A CSC may supply up to five cuttings per month – meaning that more than three plants must also be legal. However, only three plants may flower at a time. Anyone who discards hermaphrodites and male plants now may not have any female plants left.

It should be noted that German citizens are only permitted to grow their own cannabis at their primary residence or their usual place of residence. Furthermore, this private cultivation must be protected from unauthorized access. According to the law, it is therefore not permitted to flower three plants at a time in multiple locations.

One criticism of the Cannabis Act is that even with home-grown cannabis, a maximum of 50 grams of dry matter may be stored. Therefore, anyone with a good plant should not harvest and dry more than 225 grams of fresh matter. It would be advisable to stagger the flowering of the plants.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the situation is even more complicated: Cannabis plants containing up to 1% THC in their dried flowers have always been legal. This also applies to their cuttings and seeds. But how can anyone determine the final THC content of these cuttings and seeds without the labels? A THC test would only be possible with the appropriate flowering. No one will bother to let the strains mature under artificial light. However, the Swiss have another problem when it comes to seeds and cuttings: They are not part of the EU, and customs officials shouldn't find anything.

While the national and international media are still celebrating the Cannabis Act (CanG) as German legalization, the conclusion is still: Whether in Austria, Switzerland, or Germany, the legislation for home cultivation is nonsensical.

There are no strains that comply with the required 50-gram limit. Nevertheless, even this regulation provides much more security: Three flowering plants are legal. If my cultivation is noticed, it doesn't automatically mean I'm violating the KCanG (Conventional Cannabis Act) – there's no automatic requirement for the authorities to take action. However, there's a risk that the landlord might evict me, as he's ideologically blinded and continues to hunt down cannabis users. So discretion still pays off.

And finally: Nobody is truly happy with our legislators. Nevertheless, we should be happy about every little bit of freedom and thus also about the KcanG!

A cuttings (also called 'clones') factory producing thousands of clones per week.

Cuttings are more fast, handy and easy to start your grow with, yet they are difficult to obtain.

The Freeze Dryer What is it, how does it work and what is it used for?

Nowadays when we talk about hashish and more generally about marijuana extracts, it is inevitable to hear the word Freeze Dryer, in fact there are more and more hash makers who use this tool. So how does it work and what exactly is a Freeze Dryer? Soft Secrets explains.

The Freeze Dryer is a device for drying organic substances that allows the elimination of water and residual humidity inside it without affecting its chemical-physical properties and is used above all by the pharmaceutical and food industries to extend the shelf life of products while maintaining their quality intact.

The first examples of freeze-drying of food date back to the pre-Columbian civilization of the Inca's, a population that lived between the 12th and 16th centuries AD on the Andean plateau; right on the peaks of the Andes, foods were preserved and frozen thanks to the low temperatures and the residual water slowly evaporated due to the

low pressure typical of mountain peaks

The invention of the Freeze Dryer is attributed to the French biophysicist and physiologist Arsène d'Arsonval but in reality the first freeze-dryer that used the sublimation technique to dry, similar to modern ones, was built by Leon Shackell in 1909.

In the cannabis industry, the Freeze Dryer is mainly used to dry extractions such as water hash and to a lesser extent also sieved hash extracts, although lately many growers also use it to dry and cure marijuana buds. The use of the Freeze Dryer guarantees very rapid drying times and at the same time preserves the organoleptic qualities, the aesthetic appearance and the cannabinoid content of the processed products.

The freeze-drying process is divided into three phases:

1). Rapid freezing of the material placed inside the Freeze Dryer chamber, at a temperature of -40°C

2). Sublimation of the ice, from the solid state to the gaseous state, facilitated by the reduced pressure inside the vacuum chamber

3). Desorption or secondary drying, necessary to remove the residual water molecules, occurs by slightly raising the temperature inside the Freeze Dryer chamber and decreasing the pressure to facilitate the evaporation of the water.

Rapid freezing of water allows the formation of very small ice crystals, in this way the

Freezer Dryer by Harvest Right

The Freeze Dryer at a closer look

structure of the material inserted inside the Freeze Dryer remains unchanged. Furthermore, at very low temperatures the enzymatic activity of degradation of the material is zero, preserving its shape and appearance. The sublimation process used to eliminate the water contained in the samples is a fairly effective method and guarantees a very low loss of terpenes thanks to the low temperatures and the vacuum inside the Freeze Dryer chamber. During the third phase, the residual humidity in the material is brought from about 10% to 1%.

Among the various drying methods, the use of the Freeze Dryer is certainly the one that best preserves the organoleptic characteristics and cannabinoid content of the final

tive to traditional drying methods that occupy large areas, require continuous monitoring of climatic parameters and a long time to complete the process, at least two or three weeks, with the high risk of developing lethal molds that could compromise the final harvest.

The flowers dried with the help of the Freeze Dryer maintain their shape, size, terpene profile and cannabinoid content unchanged, just like a still living plant. The drying times are reduced to about 16-24 hours and some companies claim to obtain marijuana buds already cured and ready to be consumed.

On this aspect I would like to express some doubts, in my opinion both the water hash and the buds dried with the Freeze Dryer always need further treatment, or curing,

THE FLOWERS DRIED WITH THE HELP OF THE FREEZE DRYER MAINTAIN THEIR SHAPE, SIZE, TERPENE PROFILE AND CANNABINOID CONTENT UNCHANGED,

JUST LIKE A STILL LIVING PLANT.

product. In fact, when the drying of cannabis buds or extracts is done in a traditional way, such as inside a Dry Room, many terpenes evaporate away and the cannabinoid profile is altered.

The evaporation of terpenes occurs due to their high volatility at room temperature while the presence of light and oxygen triggers an oxidation process of the material, both for marijuana buds and for the related extracts, altering their cannabinoid content together with the shape and aesthetic appearance. THC in its natural form is in the form of carboxylic acid, THC-A, during the degradation processes this molecule is transformed into Cannabinol, or CBN, a cannabinoid characterized by a soporific effect.

Another factor in the degradation of marijuana is microbial contamination along with the risk of proliferation of fungal diseases such as botrytis that generate rot, totally compromising the final product. The use of a Freeze Dryer compared to traditional drying methods avoids these problems.

As already mentioned, the Freeze Dryer is mainly used to dry water hash, it is particularly useful when performing live resin extractions such as WPFF, acronym for Whole Plant Fresh Frozen , difficult to manage due to the consistency of the resin, very similar to a quick-setting glue. The Freeze Dryer eliminates the problem because the resin still soaked in water is moved from the water hash bags directly into the trays placed inside the Freeze Dryer. The resin once treated with the Freeze Dryer is completely dry and easy to handle, its characteristics remain intact and preserved from degradation processes.

In recent times, many growers have also started to use the Freeze Dryer for the massive drying of marijuana flowers and for their final cure. This solution is proposed as an alterna-

to complete the maturation and fully express their potential. Marijuana consumed promptly has a bitter taste similar to fresh grass. It must be taken into consideration that cannabis buds cannot be dried with a standard Freeze Dryer, in addition to having dimensions not suitable for this purpose, a model that allows humidity control is needed otherwise excessive drying makes the buds very fragile to the touch and compromises their organoleptic properties.

Although home Freeze Dryers have default settings suitable for most processed substances and allow you to carry out the work calmly, programming some parameters can significantly improve the final result.

The duration of the freezing phase is one of the most important aspects to avoid compromising the material, some growers say it should be around 8-10 hours.

The temperature of the shelves, called Shelf Temperature, is very important to set it to a maximum of 8°C, in this way the processed material will not be degraded by excessive heat.

Another parameter to consider is the final drying time, or the third phase; this parameter varies in relation to the quantity of material contained in the Freeze Dryer and the quality of the processed resin. For example, an oilier resin needs a longer drying time than a drier resin. Pay attention to this setting because if the third phase is too long it will end up damaging the final product.

Although the great drawback of a Freeze Dryer is its cost, not exactly within everyone's reach, this problem is solved by the quality of the products obtained, with the Freeze Dryer that acquires an added value.

Who wouldn't want to enjoy fresh fruit every day of the year?

History Cannabis

By Olivier F

Did the anointing oil contain cannabis?

Many historians believe that the anointing oil used by Jesus and his disciples contained, among other things, cannabis. Cannabis can be absorbed through the skin and Jesus and his disciples coated their bodies with this anointing oil. Cannabis may have been used at the time for its medicinal properties. According to some studies, it was even used for miraculous healings.

In 2018, the American band Cypress Hill recorded a track entitled ‘Jesus Was A Stoner’ on their album ‘Elephants on acid’. With his beard, long hair and ‘peace and love’ message, Jesus has often been compared to a joint-smoking hippie. Were Jesus and his

disciples really cannabis users?

Jesus of Nazareth is thought to have been born between 5 and 7 years B.C. and to have died around 30 or 33 A.D. He became the prophet Jesus Christ, the Messiah who performed healings and exorcisms in Galilee.

Anointing was a common practice in the ancient Middle East. According to Herodotus, it was a common practice among the Mesopotamians. At the time, anointing oil was made from olive oil in which various spices were macerated.

In 2003, the historian and writer Chris Benett published an article in the High Times newspaper entitled ‘Was Jesus a stoner?’ Chris Benett believes that one of the ingredients in the anointing oil used by Jesus and his disciples at the time, called kaneh bosem in Hebrew, was in fact a cannabis extract. What the THC and CBD content of cannabis was at the time is unknown. According to Bennett, those anointed with the oils used by Jesus were

Something in the water:

Urine from 130 European cities reveals hike in recreational drug use

Illicit drugs found in wastewater from cities across Europe indicate a rise in stimulant consumption across the bloc, according to a new study.

The largest-ever European wastewater analysis project has revealed an increase in MDMA, cocaine, and amphetamine use in 128 cities across 26 different countries.

The study, conducted by the SCORE group, an EU-wide network of sewage analysts, and the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), examined the drug-taking behaviours of approximately 68.8 million people by examining their waste.

According to EU data, 87 million adults have used illicit drugs at least once in their lifetime.

Cannabis and cocaine are the most widely used illegal drugs in the EU. Use of substances such

as MDMA (also known as molly or ecstasy), heroin and other opioids, psychedelic substances and synthetic drugs are on the rise, however.

Wastewater samples were analysed for traces of five stimulant drugs -amphetamine, cocaine,

literally drenched in this potent mixture. ”

Carl Ruck, professor of classical mythology at Boston University said: “ There can be little doubt about a role for cannabis in Judaic religion. Obviously, the easy availability and long-established tradition of cannabis in early Judaism would inevitably have included it in the [Christian] mixtures. ”

Chris Benett has studied the biblical texts and, quoting the New Testament, he argues that Jesus anointed his disciples with the oil and encouraged them to do the same with other followers. This could have been responsible for healing eye and skin diseases referred to in the Gospels. Mr Benett also suggests that the incense used by Jesus in ceremonies also contained a cannabis extract.

“ If cannabis was one of the main ingredients of the ancient anointing oil and receiving this oil is what made Jesus the Christ and his followers Christians, then persecuting those who use cannabis could be considered anti-Christ ”, Mr Bennett concludes in his book ‘Sex, Drugs, Violence, and the Bible’.

In 2018, the cannabis historian, writer and journalist David Bienenstock was interviewed by the Daily Star. He believes, like Benett, that cannabis was used by Jesus and explains the miracles attributed to him.

Cannabis was widely consumed in the

methamphetamine, MDMA, and ketamine- as well as cannabis.

This approach allows scientists to estimate drug consumption within a community by measuring the levels of illicit drugs and their metabolites excreted in urine.

The study highlights that while a "relatively stable" pattern of cocaine use was observed between 2011 and 2015 in most cities, 2016 marked a turning point, with consumption increasing annually in most locations since then.

Middle East at the time. “ Historical records show that cannabis was widely available at the time – they would’ve known how to grow it and exploit its medicinal properties.

There are even passages in the Bible where Jesus’ treatment of the sick tallies with modern accounts of cannabis oil treating epilepsy. Mark 6:13, for example, states: “ They cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them .” As David Bienenstock points out: “ Someone of the religious mindset from that time, not understanding the scientific underpinning of how or why it works, would be likely to view that as a miracle. ”

David Bienenstock argues that Jesus used cannabis to heal and that he may have used it himself: “ Jesus himself was anointed, and if that anointing involved using cannabis oil, then he certainly did use it. When you examine the account of Jesus’ anointing, it is described in terms of psychoactivity - it is described in terms of when Jesus has this profound experience that transforms him .”

As Chris Benett puts it: “ The medical use of cannabis during that time is supported by archaeological records. If cannabis was one of the main ingredients of the ancient Christian anointing oil, as history indicates, receiving this oil is what made Jesus the Christ and his followers Christians .”

Cocaine use remains highest in western and southern European cities, with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain reporting the highest figures.

Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit drug, with an estimated 22.8 million users last year. However, unlike other drugs analysed, most cities recorded a decline in cannabis consumption in 2024 compared to previous years.

The analysed wastewater indicates that cannabis use is more prevalent in southern and central Europe, especially in Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

Currently, possession and consumption are illegal in most countries, however, nine tolerate certain practices, and cannabis is legal under certain conditions in Germany, Luxembourg, and Malta.

In its 2024 drug report, the European Drug Agency stated that, while the current dynamic public and policy debate on how cannabis should be regulated is likely to continue in Europe, "it is unclear what direction future European policies will take".

Source: EuroNews.com

Portrait of the bearded Christ in the Catacombs of Commodilla in Rome.

Biology

By Hortizan | Soft Secrets France

Liriomyza: a pest under our leaves

Leafminers (Liriomyza spp.) are small dipteran insects of the Agromyzidae family, widely distributed throughout the world. Measuring between 1 and 3 mm, individuals of the Liriomyza genus are often black and yellow in color, with light, transparent wings. They are morphologically very similar, which makes their identification difficult. Among the most common species affecting Europe are Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza trifolii and Liriomyza bryoniae.

The leafminer life cycle includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The eggs, often invisible to the naked eye, are inserted beneath the surface of the leaves. The larvae, measuring between 2.5 and 3.5 mm, dig characteristic tunnels to feed, thus causing considerable damage. Once their development is complete, the larvae transform into pupae, often buried in the soil, before emerging as adults ready to reproduce.

These insects prefer warm and humid conditions, and can thrive both in the open field and under cover. They multiply on many host plants, which include cannabis, nightshades, and even cruciferous plants.

Mining flies cause distinct damage depending on their stage of development. Adult females pierce the leaves with their ovipositor (a pointed appendage allowing them to penetrate the plant support) to extract the sap and lay their eggs. These small chlorotic pits are visible on the leaf blades. Males, lacking these augers, also take advantage of these stings to feed. These perforations weaken the leaf and create entry points for pathogens, significantly increasing the risk of disease.

The larvae, for their part, cause much more serious damage: they dig winding tunnels inside the leaves. These white galleries snake under the surface of the blade, disrupting photosynthesis and causing yellowing and

contaminated plants. The use of yellow glue boards, placed above sheltered crops, are frequently used to identify adults.

Preventing leafminer infestations relies on rigorous cultural practices. Crop rotation, first of all, helps to break the life cycle of insects. Managing plant debris, including collecting and destroying heavily mined leaves, is essential to eliminate breeding sites. It is also recommended to weed the greenhouse and its surroundings to reduce potential habitats. The use of insect netting in greenhouses can be an effective physical measure to prevent the entry of adult flies.

NEEM OIL IS OFTEN USED IN ORGANIC CULTIVATION TO REPEL ADULTS AND TREAT YOUNG PLANTS.

then drying of the leaves (see pic2). As the larvae consume the plant tissue, the plant is unable to function properly, slowing its growth and significantly reducing its yield. This impact is also aggravated by the solar burns that plants suffer, due to their damaged foliage.

In order to detect infestations, regular inspections are essential to quickly identify

Encouraging the presence of natural predators is an effective way to combat leafminers. In the open field or under cover, parasitoid hymenoptera represent a threat to these pests. For example, Phaedrotoma sp. and Chrysocharis caribea parasitize the larvae of Liriomyza spp., greatly reducing their populations.

The Diglyphus isaea, for example, not only has the ability to feed on these flies, but also tends to paralyze certain prey before laying an egg next to it, allowing its larva to feed on it. Other predators, such as Dacnusa sibirica or Opius pallipes, can be introduced into crops to attack the larvae inside the leaves.

In terms of biological solutions, Steinernema

carpocapsae, an entomopathogenic nematode (insect parasite), can be applied to target larvae in the soil. Products like Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (a bacterial bioinsecticide) and Beauveria bassiana (an entomopathogenic fungus) are also used to control larvae, although their effectiveness can vary depending on many environmental conditions. (John L. Capinera, University of Florida, 2001).

Products based on spinosad (from the fermentation of Saccharopolyspora spinosa bacteria) or abamectin (obtained by fermentation of the microorganism Streptomyces avermitilis) are also recommended for their effectiveness against leafminers. However, these products must be used in rotation with other methods in order to preserve the natural auxiliaries and prevent pests from developing resistance. Finally, neem oil may seem like a gentler option: it is often used in organic cultivation to repel adults and treat young plants. However, the latter must be applied with care, as it can leave undesirable residues: The azadirachtin it contains is an endocrine disruptor for certain mammals, with certain carcinogenic and genotoxic properties.

Unfortunately, global warming is increasing the threat of leafminers by creating ideal conditions for their proliferation. Increasing temperatures and humidity speed up their reproductive cycle, making infestations more frequent and difficult to control. In addition, this climate change risks facilitating the arrival of new pests in regions previously spared. Faced with these new threats, it is crucial to continue the development of ecological and innovative control strategies to sustainably protect crops while preserving biodiversity.

A leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis, native to South America (Pic by E. Fløistad)

Mine marks of a Liriomyza trifolii on a Florists' Chrysanthemum (Central Science Laboratory, Harpenden)

Grow with Sweet Seeds

Jaypp

Diablo’s Delight XL Auto ® by Sweet Seeds ® : The Perfect Auto

This year, Sweet Seeds ® celebrates its 20th anniversary since its founding back in 2005. At that time, there weren’t as many seed banks as there are today, and the exchange of genetics was much more limited. Thanks to the dedication of its breeders, the

foundations were laid to establish Sweet Seeds ® as one of the leading seed banks worldwide, renowned for the outstanding quality and vigor of its seeds, as well as for its exceptional selection of aromas and flavors that have made this acclaimed seed bank famous among cannabis growers.

Years later, Sweet Seeds ® began experimenting with autoflowering plants,

which at the time were not very popular due to their low quality and yield. However, the team significantly improved these genetics and introduced them to the market with classics like Fast Bud Auto ® (SWS16) and Speed Devil Auto ® (SWS11), both already showing a clear leap forward compared to the first autos. But it wasn’t until more recently that autoflowering strains truly took over the global market, thanks to their many beneficial traits. Today, it’s common to see autoflowering plants thriving all over the cannabis world. Sweet Seeds ® now offers 4th, 5th, 6th, and even until 9th Generation autos in its extensive catalog, positioning itself as the global leader in top-quality autoflowering seeds.

Today, I want to introduce one of the six exciting new strains for 2025 developed by the Sweet Seeds® R&D team: the captivating Diablo’s Delight XL Auto® (SWS113), a stunning genetic that’s sure to make waves. Let’s start with the technical data of this strain:

Indica: 53.4% | Sativa: 45% | Ruderalis: 1.6%

THC: 18-24% · CBD: 0.2%

Indoor Yield: 450-550 g/m²

Outdoor Yield: 50-175 g/plant

Indoor/Outdoor Harvest: 8 weeks from germination

Height: 60-130 cm

This 4th Generation autoflowering strain

is the result of crossing the acclaimed Watermelon OG, a top-quality strain from the USA known for its exquisite aromatic profile, with the winner of the award for the Best Autoflowering Strain of 2024, the

spectacular Diablo Rojo XL Auto ® (SWS110). The fusion of these two genetics creates vigorous and highly productive plants with fresh, fruity aromas and flavors, featuring notes of watermelon and ripe fruit, along with subtle citrus hints and earthy undertones.

Growing Tips

When it comes to growing, Diablo’s Delight XL Auto ® performs exceptionally well. It’s a fast plant with significant branching and it usually triples in size during the first half of the flowering stage. It tends to produce very dense and thick buds, so I highly recommend ensuring good ventilation and air circulation in your grow space to prevent harmful fungi like botrytis from ruining your crop.

In my case, I used 20-liter Airpots, doing a single transplant 12 days after germination. Initially, the seedlings were in yogurt-style pots filled with a mix of coco and perlite, using light “starter” fertilizers. Don’t skimp on light during the early

stages to encourage strong root development. This doesn’t mean you should burn the plants, but rather keep a good distance between the seedling and the light source, maintaining a continuous 24-hour photoperiod.

Once transplanted into the final pot, I continued using coco coir as my substrate. Coco is a fantastic medium for cannabis plants, especially for autos, as they need ample space to quickly expand their roots. Its airy structure and excellent water retention make it ideal for the explosive growth of Diablo’s Delight XL Auto®. After about three weeks, the plants were thriving, reaching around 25 cm tall with an impressive aerial view. At this stage, the preflowers started to show, confirming their femininity, so I began adding Cal-Mag to the watering schedule. Until then, I had been maintaining an EC of no more than 1.2, using full growth fertilizers and a root stimulator.

This was also the time to increase light intensity to 75% and introduce a flowering stimulator alongside the other nutrients. After another week, at 28 days old, the plants began to stretch, with wider node spacing marking the start of flowering. Gradually, I transitioned from growth fertilizers to bloom fertilizers, along with stimulators and biocatalyst enzymes to help with nutrient absorption. By week 7, the plants were showcasing large buds coated in thick layers of trichomes covering both the calyxes and nearby leaves. Although the two plants I grew didn’t develop purple hues in their flowers, this is a trait that can occasionally appear in Diablo’s Delight XL Auto ®. The aromas in the grow room were simply delicious, featuring sweet, fruity scents with a remarkably unique acidic and earthy twist.

After week 7, about 70% of the pistils had oxidized, and by week 8, the plants reached full maturity and were harvested. A month after harvest, I got to enjoy its cheerful and social effects with friends, and we all agreed that the flavor was truly delicious and very special.

I highly recommend this wonderful strain for your next growing adventure!

Sweet Smokes, Jaypp

Cannabis History

Text Rob Tuinstra | Photos: Het Parool, a.o.

Amsterdam 750 years Coffeeshops engraved in the history of Amsterdam

This year the city of Amsterdam celebrates it's 750 year anniversary. The famous coffeeshops with their underground cannabis culture of course are a big part of it's modern history. 'Het Stadsarchief' (the Amsterdam City Archives) is now going to collect and register this coffeeshop history and add it to it's archives. Soft Secrets was present at the festive kick-off and met some wonderful older Dutch cannabis pioneers.

‘I wanted to set a good example, so that others could later adopt the idea. Then I could come up with something new, because otherwise it becomes work. And I like to leave that to others’, says cannabis legend Wernard Bruining.

Bruining was not only the first to open a cannabis sales point in Amsterdam, called Mellow Yellow, but also later opened the very first grow shop in the world, called

Positronics. At that time, Wernard founded the very magazine you're reading now too, Soft Secrets. It's funny to hear when Wernard says his shop Mellow Yellow actually wasn't called a coffee shop at first, but a tea house.

Wernard's story was greeted approvingly by another legend of the industry who was also present in those times back in the 1970's.

Henk de Vries is the founder of The Bulldog. Henk: ‘Wernard came up with the concept of selling cannabis, I further developed it and that is how the coffee shop came into being.’ Local drug researcher August de Loor added: ‘The unique thing about Amsterdam is it's coffee shop culture. In the 1960s, there was cannabis culture everywhere in Europe. But Amsterdam invented the coffee shop. And still, nowhere else in the world has this concept been adopted, even though it

grams on the street and 50 grams at home, and you are allowed to grow 3 plants. In the Netherlands, all of this is officially still illegal.’

Colourful history or not, modern-day Amsterdam is not the cannabis paradise it once was any longer. Mayor Femke Halsema, member of a Green Party, has instigated a campaign where Amsterdam tries to discourage tourists from visiting the city.

Halsema thinks tourists who smoke cannabis

functions very well.’ Wernard Bruining: ‘The problem with cannabis regulations all over the world is simple; the problem is caused by people who do not consume cannabis themselves. They meddle in matters that do not concern them at all.'

Derrick Bergman, Dutch cannabis journalist, activist and Soft Secrets contributor: ‘Many people do not know that in Amsterdam and

the rest of the Netherlands, cannabis is still illegal, yet tolerated. In Germany, you currently have more rights as a smoker or weed grower than in the Netherlands. In Germany, you are allowed to possess 25

or visit local prostitutes in the Red Light Area, are of a lesser quality than tourists who would do nothing of the sort. Seemingly Halsema thinks the rawdy and loud drunk bachelor party tourists who yell and scream and urinate in the narrow ally's, did not stumble outside from a pub, but from a coffee shop. How else could it be explained that one of her proposed measures against mass tourism is to ban foreigners from coffee shops. Luckily, the Amsterdam city council has repeatedly blocked this ban. They rightly expect a whole lot more nuisance when the sale of cannabis is relegated back to street dealers again. Halsema also wants coffee shops to become smaller in size. It is therefore somewhat contradictory that the city council has also pursued a policy in the last decade to close 40 coffee shops in the famous Red Light District. Because how can you make coffee shops smaller, if at the same time you ensure that there are less and less coffee shops?

But wheter local politicians like it or not, cannabis was and still is, a major part of the culture of the city of Amsterdam. Currently the city has 165 coffees shops within it's city borders. Legal or illegal, tolerated or not tolerated: cannabis is here to stay. Good that the Amsterdam Stadsarchief at least understood that.

How times change. A cannabis friendly poster during the festivities for the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam in 1975 (Photo: Het Parool)

Rare photo of the very first coffee shop Mellow Yellow in the 1970's. The shop at the time was not called a coffees shop but a tea house. The shop has nothing to do with the current coffee shop in Amsterdam with the same name.

The city of Amsterdam sometimes doesn't realise cannabis lifted it's reputation as a free city for decades now.

Ganja Paradise

(Part I)

The long journey of legal cannabis in Thailand

A true earthly paradise for cannabis smokers made of spectacular landscapes, white beaches and fantastic sunsets that alternate with small mountain ranges characterized by a very thick jungle, a tropical climate and pleasant temperatures for most of the year. It is rich in exotic fruits and lots and lots of marijuana.

Nowadays that Ganja Paradise exists, it has a name and a precise location and it's easily reachable; it's called Thailand. This Southeast Asian country is already a hugely popular tourist destination. But after the complete decriminalization of marijuana, that has effectively made recreational use legal, Thailand has transformed for stoners and cannabis lovers from all over the world into what Alice thought was Wonderland.

History

Before taking this turn however, Thailand was until a few years ago one of the most dangerous countries on the planet to be caught with marijuana. In fact the laws provided for

sentences of up to 15 years in prison to be spent in conditions that were nothing short of inhumane, in the infamous Thai prisons. But Cannabis has been part of Thailand's history for about a millennium. The first

traces that document it's use date back to the Kingdom of Sukhothai, an ancient monarchical state that existed from 1238 AD. Cannabis was widely spread among the local population, as it was used especially for therapeutic purposes. In fact the pharmacopoeia of the time included numerous medicines that were prepared with cannabis. It's use was not limited to medicine but was also used as food and it also had an active role during religious rites.

The cultural importance of cannabis was consolidated during the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, more specifically under the command of King Narai, known as The Great. In fact, the king was an enlightened supporter of cannabis and its use as medicine. The period of acceptance of cannabis suffered an initial setback during the reign of King Rama VI. Under the influence of the United States the monarch adopted

a repressive policy which in fact had no real effect. In 1934, the first cannabis law was passed by Thai Parliament which criminalized possession, cultivation and trade of the cannabis plant and its parts. Penalties for use and possession were still quite light though.

Although prohibition became more ferocious, leading to thousands of arrests anually and attempts to repress its use in every way, marijuana continued to be part of daily life for the Thais. In the meantime, clandestine cultivation and illegal markets began to expand like wildfires, especially in regions of northeastern Thailand. Starting in the 70s, Thai marijuana began to spread in the West. In fact many of the US soldiers who were stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War, used local weed extensively and some of them started clandestine export operations. Marijuana

Thai Mango plant, with it's typical long leaves (Credit: seedfinder.eu)

Koh Chang cannabis plants outside a Thai Cannabis Social Club

trafficking continued after the end of the war; many of these operations were now planned by local drug lords, war veterans and hippie surfers in love with Thai beaches.

In the 1990s, exports suffered a drastic decline for various reasons, including a reduced demand from Europe and the United States. Greater tightening of prohibition in Southeast

Asia, together with policies adopted by the Thai government that encouraged the population involved in marijuana trafficking to replace illegal crops with legal products, also played a major role.

Turning point

The big turning point came in 2019 when the Thai government enacted a law legalizing cannabis for medical purposes accompanied by an amnesty for those convicted of marijuana possession. Thousands of convicts applied for the amnesty. This episode highlighted how widespread illegal marijuana use was in Thailand and how Thais never stopped using it despite draconian laws. With the new law, agricultural companies and pharmaceutical companies can produce cannabis for therapeutic use, after obtaining specific licenses for its cultivation and distribution. Patients can easily access cannabis treatments through its prescription by a licensed doctor. The legalization of medical cannabis has

led to overcoming the stigma it has suffered for years paving the way for a more complete legalization that arrived on June 9, 2022.

The cannabis plant and all its parts have been removed from the list of narcotic substances, making cultivation, possession and consumption no longer punishable. Legalization has given a strong boost to the country's economy, especially for the poorer classes in rural areas. The result has been the birth of thousands of companies and shops dedicated to the production and sale of marijuana, attracting many foreign investors and at the same time creating a market that is nothing short of wild due to the lack of real regulation.

After a brief period of fear of a return to illegality, last September the Ministry of Health presented a bill that aims to regulate the cultivation, sale and consumption of marijuana, not explicitly criminalizing recreational use but placing much stricter rules and controls on it.

Thai Landraces

Landraces are cannabis strains native to a specific geographic area. These 100% pure native varieties have evolved and adapted to the local climate and environment over the years. Cannabis landraces are the basis of many modern marijuana strains; in fact, starting in the 1960s, many young travelers who followed the hippie route visited countries where marijuana grew spontaneously or was part of the local culture, including Thailand. Upon returning from these places, some of them brought back with them native cannabis seeds and began to cultivate and crossbreed them to obtain more powerful plants and, above all, more suitable for growing in conditions different from those of origin, for example at different latitudes or in greenhouses and indoors.

There are numerous varieties of Thai landraces from different areas of the country, most of which originate from the highlands in the north and especially from the Isan region, an area particularly dedicated to the production of

marijuana located on the border with Laos and Cambodia. The islands are also a place of origin of some landrace varieties where they continue to thrive thanks to some growers who love their therapeutic properties.

Thai landraces are varieties of cannabis sativa characterized by a long-lined shape, large in size but at the same time not very robust, with an average height of about 3 meters, although there are some varieties that easily exceed 4

a fruity and fresh flavor that alternates with more earthy notes. Finally, the Ko Chang, from the island of the same name, is a Thai landrace that has been grown by the local population most likely for several centuries and has a characteristic incensed flavor.

Thai stick

THERE ARE MANY THAI LANDRACES FROM DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE COUNTRY, MOST OF WHICH ORIGINATE FROM THE HIGHLANDS IN THE NORTH AND ESPECIALLY FROM THE ISAN REGION.

meters. The leaves are composed of narrow and long leaflets typical of cannabis sativa and in most strains flowering lasts at least 14 weeks up to 20 weeks for the later varieties. The branches have a tendency to bend under the weight of the flowers.

Among the most well-known Thai landrace varieties are the Chocolate Thai, known for its chocolate aroma and the Thai Squirrel Tail from Isan, characterized by a powerful psychedelic effect and with a touch of papaya and mango. The Tanaosri is grown by the Karen tribe, an ethnic group from Burma, and is a landrace that offers excellent yields. Originally from Isan but also very widespread in the rest of the country is the Mango Thai, a variety with

UK claims 90% drop in mail-order cannabis from Thailand

The amount of cannabis posted to the UK from Thailand has dropped by 90% in three months thanks to cooperation with Thai Customs, the Home Office has said.

When Thailand decriminalised cannabis in 2022, a surge of illegal shipments threatened to overwhelm UK Border Force - which uncovered 15 tonnes of the drug in the post in the final quarter of last year.

But a new deal requiring parcels from Thailand to be checked before they are shipped meant just three months later the figure had dropped to 1.5 tonnes.

Border Minister Seema Malhotra hailed the deal as a "prime example" of international cooperation helping Labour's mission for "safer streets".

Malhotra said: "By stopping these drugs at source, we're disrupting organised crime, protecting communities, and freeing Border Force to focus on other priorities.

"Together with our partners in Thailand, this government will continue to take tough action against those attempting to smuggle illegal drugs across our borders."

ted between October 2024 and March 2025, the Home Office said.

More than nine tonnes of cannabis were seized

Thai Customs have introduced stricter screening measures at the border which has led to over 800 cannabis smugglers being intercep-

by Thai authorities over the same period. Last year saw a record number of illegal drug seizures in the UK, with Border Force and

Thai Sticks have been the symbol of Thai marijuana for several decades, it was a packaging method originating from the tribes that lived in the northern hills and consisted of rolling the marijuana flowers around a bamboo stick and finally tying them with a silk thread. Sometimes the color of the thread used indicated the grower who had produced that marijuana, like a trademark. In Europe and the United States the term Thai Stick was used to indicate any variety of marijuana coming from Thailand, although the exported strains were many and different from each other.

Ganja

The word ganja has been used for centuries by the Thai people to indicate and describe the cannabis plant. The term comes from a Thai word whose phonetics corresponds to gancha, later westernized to ganja.

In the next issue of Soft Secrets we will explore in more depth the current situation in Thailand, the most used cultivation techniques and the licenses required to be able to work, along with lots of interesting information.

police uncovering 119 tonnes, with a street value of £3bn, in the 12 months to March 2024 - an annual increase of 52%, according to the Metropolitan Police said.

Separately, the Home office intercepted £6m of cannabis from passengers at Bangkok Airport in a joint operation that saw Border Force and the National Crime Agency (NCA) officers stationed in Thailand.

Since Operation Chaophraya began in July 2024, over 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling.

Border Force Director General Phil Douglas said: "Our work doesn't stop at the border, we work internationally with our partners to prevent illicit goods from even reaching the UK.

"We are using advanced intelligence more than ever before and last year we made a record number of drug seizures, including the highest harm substances.

"Border Force remains fully committed to securing our borders and keeping our streets safe."

Source: BBC.com

Thailand now has thousands of local cannabis dispensaries. This one is on the small island of Koh Chang.

Growing

Mr. José, info@pestovat.cz

WILL INTERCANOPY AND UNDERCANOPY LIGHTING INCREASE YIELD AND FLOWER QUALITY?

In recent years, there has been growing discussion around the use of supplemental plant lighting placed directly within the canopy or underneath the plants. Some growers report yield increases of up to 50% along with a noticeable improvement in quality. Let’s take a closer look and find out what’s really going on.

Lighting the lower parts of the plant isn’t exactly a new idea, even if it might seem that way to some. From what I know, its potential effects have been studied as far back as the 1970s and 1980s. I may not be that old-school, but I did use this type of supplemental lighting myself in the late 1990s. Fluorescent tubes worked great for that purpose. I used two 36W Osram Fluora tubes per square meter, mounted to a thin wooden strip to minimize shading.

Yes, it was a pretty DIY punk setup, and waterproofing definitely wasn’t its strong suit. But it worked. My goal was to improve the quality of the lower buds—which, after all, is the same goal behind many of today’s trials. And it makes perfect sense. Lighting the lower parts of plants increases yields in crops like tomatoes and peppers, and in blackberries, for example, yield increases of over 100% have been observed. My modest 1998 experiment may not have met proper research standards— since I didn’t include a control group without supplemental lighting—but it definitely had an effect. The lower buds were larger and, most importantly, denser. The downside was that I constantly had to make sure the lights didn’t get knocked over or splashed with water.

Technically speaking, I added another 72 watts of light output to my 600W HPS setup. That’s a full 12% increase. So the plants had more light available for photosynthesis and, logically, were able to produce a slightly richer and

Supplemental

plant receives (assuming other conditions are optimal), the more potential it has for growth and biomass production.

Photon Distribution

ALL THIS SUGGESTS THAT LIGHT REDISTRIBUTION REALLY CAN HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON BOTH THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF CANNABIS YIELDS.

higher-quality yield. But this only makes sense if we accept the rule that the more photosynthetically active light a plant receives, the higher the yield will be. Just as a side note – Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) refers to the portion of the light spectrum that plants can use for photosynthesis. It covers wavelengths roughly between 400 and 700 nanometers—essentially visible light from violet to red. The more PAR a

With the rise of LED lighting and the ongoing push to optimize cultivation methods, intercanopy lighting has emerged as a promising alternative to endlessly increasing the intensity of top-down lighting. In their efforts to get the most out of their plants, growers tend to push light levels, along with nutrient supply and CO 2 enrichment. Yet even with techniques like LST, HST, and precise environmental control, there are still noticeable differences in the quality of flowers exposed to the top light versus those shaded in the lower canopy.

Repeated controlled trials by research teams from companies like Osram, Sanlight, Innexo, and many others (including Philips) consistently show that increasing the amount of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)

leads to higher yields—provided the environmental and nutritional conditions are ideal. However, once light intensity reaches around 1400–1500 μmol/m²/s, efficiency starts to decline and the return in yield gain diminishes. Meanwhile, the lower parts of the plant still show unused potential.

This is why researchers continue to explore whether it's more effective to redistribute a portion of the top lighting into the lower canopy, or even to introduce undercanopy lighting, directing light from the bottom up. At this point, it's important to mention that some trials claiming benefits from additional lighting in the lower canopy were conducted by simply adding intercanopy lighting without reducing the top lighting. In such cases, the total light input was increased, making the results less conclusive.

These kinds of studies aren’t fully reliable. When the total light output isn’t kept consistent, results can be misleading and suggest a greater improvement than actually caused by the lighting distribution itself. For trials to be truly meaningful, the total light output should be the same across all groups—whether plants are lit only from above, or also from within and below the canopy.

Such controlled studies have been carried out in research facilities and in commercial operations run by the companies mentioned above.

Results vary, but they commonly show yield increases of 7–20% using the same amount of electricity. In some cases, there was even an increase in total cannabinoid production. All this suggests that light redistribution really can have a positive effect on both the quality and quantity of cannabis yields.

Intercanopy and Undercanopy Lighting

Intercanopy lighting generally refers to fixtures placed directly within the plant canopy, most often at the level of the lower to middle branches. Some leaves are thus lit from above, others from below or from the sides. The main advantage of this setup is that it supports photosynthesis where light would otherwise be insufficient. Technically, it’s a relatively simple system to install. The most suitable options for this purpose are narrow linear LED modules or, as mentioned earlier, waterproof fluorescent tubes.

This setup works well when the canopy isn’t overly dense, allowing the light to penetrate effectively through the structure. In such cases, it can deliver light precisely to the zones where flowers are developing, making it highly efficient. On the other hand, in denser canopies, installation may become more difficult due to the number and arrangement of branches.

With undercanopy lighting, fixtures are

lighting placed within the canopy (intercanopy lighting).

placed below the canopy and shine upwards—essentially illuminating the plants from the opposite direction compared to conventional top lighting. This method can improve the evenness of light distribution in the lower parts of the plant. However, it often requires more complex technical solutions, especially due to irrigation systems and limited space. Undercanopy lighting is particularly suitable for very dense canopies (such as in ScrOG setups), where it can penetrate deeper into the foliage.

For both types of lighting, it's recommended to use fixtures with at least IP65 protection, ensuring safe operation in humid environments. Additionally, the supplemental lighting must not cause thermal stress to the plants and should offer an appropriate light spectrum. Full-spectrum lighting generally proves to be the most suitable. In contrast, light sources with a high proportion of red wavelengths can cause flower bleaching in the areas closest to the source.

Actual Yield Increases

Can yield really be increased by tens of percent simply by redirecting PAR from the top of the canopy to the lower sections of the plant? Very likely not—at least not if your lighting setup and climate control are already well-optimized. A dramatic increase in yield of 50% or more is only achievable in grows that suffer from significant shortcomings in the intensity and distribution of top lighting, often combined

with nutritional or environmental imbalances. In such cases, we're really talking about overall optimization of the grow cycle, rather than yield improvement strictly due to light redistribution.

For home growers, investing in intercanopy or undercanopy lighting usually means only a modest cost and an acceptable increase in energy consumption. When using the right fixtures, you will almost certainly improve the quality of the lower buds. However, it's difficult to say whether overall efficiency—that is, yield per watt—will actually improve. Home grow conditions are so varied and specific that estimating yield increases is always a bit of a guessing game. That said, if you're looking to upgrade your grow space and improve the quality of lower buds, intercanopy or undercanopy lighting is a smart move.

In large-scale commercial operations, the question of implementing intercanopy or undercanopy lighting depends on the current setup. The cost of installation and equipment must justify itself. Before installing any additional lighting in the lower canopy, I’d want to be sure that everything has already been optimized in terms of top lighting efficiency, climate control, and plant nutrition. If that’s the case, then adding lighting to the lower canopy could be the next step toward even greater efficiency—especially considering that higher-quality lower flowers may directly increase the financial return per square meter of canopy.

Supplemental lighting positioned below the canopy (undercanopy lighting).

Greenhouse trial using intercanopy lighting to support plant development.

Grow with Jorge Cervantes

Jorge Cervantes jorge@marijuanagrowing.com

SPIDER MITES

Spider mites (AKA two-spotted spider mites) are the most common pests discovered on indoor plants and cause the greatest damage. Spider mites, unlike insects, have eight legs and are categorised as spiders. Find miniscule spider mites sucking life-giving fluids from the undersides of leaves. They are difficult to see with the untrained eye. Spider mites appear as small specks on leaf undersides, but their feeding signalsyellowish-white dots, stippling - on the tops of leaves are easily visible. As infestations spread, careful inspection shows small spider webs on stems and under leaves, which can be easily seen when misted with water. A magnifying glass or low-power microscope (10-30X) can help you distinguish yellow-white, two-spotted brown, or red mites and their translucent eggs. The two-spotted spider mite is the most common. After a single mating, females are fertilised for life and produce approximately 75 percent female and 25 percent male eggs. Females lay approximately 100 eggs.

Mites suck life-giving sap from plants, resulting in decreased vigour and stunting. Suck-hole markings are visible on the leaves, and the absence of chlorophyll causes them to turn yellow. They lose partial to complete function, and the leaves turn yellow and drop. When a plant is infested with spider mites, the infestation grows quickly. Severe cases lead to plant death.

Cleaning is the easiest way to control spider mites. Keep the grow room and tools clean and disinfected. Spider mites are commonly seen on mother plants. Spray moms with miticides on a regular basis, including three days before taking cuttings. When transplanting, dip the entire clone in a miticide solution. If mite infestations become out of control, the entire grow room must be cleaned and disinfected using a pesticide and 5% bleach solution. Steam disinfection is also an option, although it is much work.

Spider mites flourish in a dry climate of 70-80ºF (21-27ºC) and reproduce every five days in temperatures above 80ºF (27ºC). Create a hostile atmosphere by decreasing the temperature to 60 degrees and spraying foliage, particularly under leaves, with a stream of cold water. Spraying effectively removes them from the foliage while also increasing humidity. Their reproductive cycle will be halted, and you will have the opportunity to eliminate them before they cause significant damage. Manual eradication is effective for small populations. Smash all mites in sight between your thumb and index finger, or wash each leaf separately between two sponges. To prevent disease transmission, wash infected hands and sponges with disinfectants.

Remove leaves that are more than 50%

damaged and discard, ensuring that insects and eggs do not re-enter the garden. If mites have only infested one or two plants, isolate and treat them individually. When removing foliage, be careful not to transfer mites to neighbouring plants. Plants that are severely damaged should be carefully removed from the garden and destroyed. Apply Tanglefoot ™ to container rims and stem bases to prevent spider mites from entering. This will aid in isolating them to specific plants.

To prevent spider mites, use Tanglefoot to both ends of drying lines before hanging flowers. Mites travel down drying lines in search of live foliage with fresh, running sap after the foliage has died.

The two most prevalent and effective predators are Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) californicus and Mesoseiulus (Phytoseiulus) longipes . Commercially accessible predators include Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) fallacius, Galendromus (Metaseiulus) occidentalis , and Galendromus (Typhlodromus) pyri The fungus Hirsutella thompsonii , sometimes

known as Mycar ®, kills spider mites.

When used and maintained properly, predatory spider mites are quite effective. Predictors require some knowledge to be used effectively. Predators can eat a limited number of mites per day; the average predator can consume 20 eggs or 5 adults. When the predators' food source is gone, some mites starve to death, while others survive on other insects or pollen. Check with suppliers for release instructions for individual species. A basic dosage of 20 predators per plant is a decent starting point.

Predatory mites find it difficult to move from one plant to another, so they must be placed on each plant. Check with suppliers for temperature and humidity guidelines for the predatory mite species you plan to release.

When spider mites infest a garden, predatory mites cannot consume them quickly enough to eliminate the problem. Predatory mites thrive when there are few spider mites. Introduce predators as soon as spider mites are visible on vegetative growth, then

release them once a month thereafter. This allows predators to keep up with mites. Before releasing predators, properly rinse the plants to remove all hazardous spray residues from pesticides and fungicides.

Homemade sprays are frequently ineffective at killing infestations, but they do function as a deterrent by repelling mites. Dr. Bonner's Soap, garlic, hot pepper, citrus oil, and liquid seaweed are popular homemade spray combinations. If these sprays do not prevent spider mites after 4-5 applications, try a stronger spray like neem oil, pyrethrins, horticultural oil, nicotine sulphate, or cinnamonaldehyde.

Insecticidal soap does a fair job of controlling mites. Usually, two or three applications at 5- to 10-day intervals are sufficient. Horticultural oil smothers eggs and can be combined with pyrethrins and homemade sprays to aid in elimination.

Pyrethrins (aerosol) is an excellent natural miticide. Apply 2-3 applications at 5-10-day intervals. Pyrethrins are the most effective spider

Look for white/yellowish dots “stippling” on cannabis leaves.

mite control agent. Spider mites should be eliminated after 2-3 applications spaced 5-10 days apart, assuming sanitary preventative measures are maintained. Spider mite eggs hatch in 5-10 days. The second spraying will destroy both the newly hatched eggs and the surviving adults. The third and subsequent sprays will eliminate any new spider mites. If spider mites become resistant to synthetic pyrethroids, resort to neem oil.

Heavy-duty chemical miticides are available, but should not be used on plants intended for human consumption. If you use a chemical miticide, be sure it is a contact toxin rather than a systemic one. Use StirrupM ® , as explained below, to increase spider mite death rates. Cinnamaldehyde derived from Cinnamonum zeylanicum kills mites, while the synthetic hormone attracts spider mites and has been used successfully to improve miticide effectiveness.

Growers have utilised high levels of CO2 (12,000 ppm for one hour) to kill spider mites by reducing the amount of oxygen and substituting it with CO2. The spider mites are suffocated, and there are no poisonous residues left on the plants or equipment. A sealed room is required for CO2 to displace oxygen in the atmosphere.

Caution! CO 2 levels exceeding 5000 ppm are harmful to humans. Do not enter the room when the CO 2 level exceeds 5000 ppm!

Before entering, exhaust the room. To avoid being exposed to high amounts of CO 2 , you must use remote control exhaust fans or set them to a one-hour timer. Repeat the entire process in five days to eliminate any remaining mites.

I don't like using CO 2 to kill mites and do not recommend it. This information is provided

You can see adult two-spotted spider mites and their eggs.

for informational purposes only.

Chemical insecticides and miticides including Abamectin (Avid ®) is produced by soil fungi Streptomyces species , while dienochlor (Pentac ®) is a slow-acting but selective mite killer.

DO NOT USE systemic insecticides, which include, but are not limited to:

Chemical trade names include: aldicarb (Temik ® ), methomyl (Subdue ® ), dicofol (Kelthane ® ), acephate (Orthene ® ), and Eagle 20 ®

This article is supported by the Cannabis Encyclopedia, ¡¡FREE!! in Eleven (11) languages – Czech, Dutch, English, French, Italian, Japanese, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian at, www.marijuanagrowing.com.

FRANCE FILES MEDICAL CANNABIS LEGALIZATION PLAN WITH EU COMMISSION

France has taken a key step toward legalizing medical cannabis by formally notifying the European Commission of its plans to legalize and regulate the practice.

In an administrative filing last month, France notified the European Commission of the country’s plans to legalize cannabis for medical use, RFI reports. French officials also announced another extension for its medical cannabis program, which was already extended once before.

“It is a new step towards the development of a regulated access to medical cannabis in France,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The formal notification process marks a key step for France toward legalizing medical cannabis, although the commission could take several months to approve the regulati

report said, which will take additional time.

France launched its medical cannabis program in 2021 with 3,000 patients, and it was initially intended to run for two years. However, last year, in the weeks before the initial cutoff, officials announced they would extend the program by six months (until July 31) to give participating patients enough time to seek alternative treatments.

Now, under the latest announcement, the program has been extended until March 31, 2026.

Outside of the medical program, cannabis remains strictly prohibited in France. However, hemp is legal and there are shops selling low-THC, CBD-rich hemp flower throughout many parts of the country.

Source: Ganjapreneur.com

Spider mite eggs can be seen on leaf underside with a hand-held microscope.

Award-Winning cannabis cultivation author Jorge Cervantes teams up with Seedsman for a FREE, comprehensive digital book on home growing.

100-page digital book

270+ color images

Interactive – Searchable

Comprehensive guide to cannabis cultivation

FREEBOOK

Beginner and advanced growers

Easy-to-follow cultivation examples

8 chapters of cultivation wisdom

Dedicated to increasing cannabis yields

Discover the magic of cannabis!

www.marijuanagrowing.com/grow-cannabis-book

Co-Authors

Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Gary Yates

Stefan Meyer

Table of Contents

• Cannabis Botany

• Life Cycle of Cannabis

• Cannabis Seeds & Seedlings

• Plan Your Garden

• Grow Room Setup

• Twelve-week Garden

• Harvest, Manicuring, Drying, Curing & Storage

• Diseases, Pests & Problems

JORGE CERVANTES

Author Marijuana Horticulture.

Legendary Jorge Cervantes, published in eight languages sold over a million copies worldwide.

Grow Report

With Stoney Tark

REPOTTING CANNABIS PLANTS INDOORS AND THE BENEFITS ASSOCIATED

Cannabis plants require plenty of nutrients and space for their roots to grow, but not many growers know the right time to repot. In this article, I explain all you need to know about repotting, the right time, and signs of unhealthy roots, and cover the benefits associated with ensuring you grow the healthiest crops possible.

Root-Bound Cannabis Plants

There will be a time when you turn your pots upside down and notice that the roots are growing out of the bottoms, and showing white, vibrant roots. However, there will be a point when the plant will outgrow the current pot size and growing medium, and require repotting. Root-bound plants will be limited to

how big or fast they grow, as well as how many available nutrients are left to use up.

Even though having a pot full of white and fuzzy roots is a good thing, you should be ready to give your plants much more space and soil to access to allow them to reach their full potential. If cannabis plants are left for too long, they can become stunted, run out of available

nutrients, and cause deficiencies affecting plant health and vitality.

How Often Should I Re-Pot Cannabis Plants?

Re-potting cannabis plants should be done systematically and once you notice they have filled the pots and are growing round in a circular motion. If you are starting seedlings or clones in a 1-litre pot, then the best practice is to repot to a 5-litre pot within 2–3 weeks of growth and then switch over to a 10-litre pot a few weeks later.

As each pot becomes full of roots and the bigger your plants get, based on the light intensity, the more frequently you should want to give them fresh soil and ensure they have plenty of air pockets, so using perlite at a 30% ratio is well recommended.

Signs of Unhealthy Roots and Pathogens

The roots will have a thin and wire-like appearance

The root hairs will be fragile and break apart easily when handling

• Roots will have a yellow stain that can turn brown over time.

• An unpleasant odour may begin to appear when infected.

Salt Residue on the Inside of the Pots

You may notice that when you turn your plants upside down, there is a white, salty residue that has built up around the sides and bottom of the pots. This will be an indication of salt build-up and is a sign that the liquid organic or chemical nutrients being used are not able to wash away, and can have negative effects on the E.C levels. You will not be able to wipe the salt residue away, and it will appear as a permanent stain.

Using Mycorrhizal Fungi and Beneficial Bacteria

One of the best ways to fight off soil pathogens is to inoculate the plants using mycorrhizal fungi, Trichoderma, and beneficial bacteria. Your options are to use a granular-based solution or to make a tea that can be applied as a liquid tonic. This is one way to give yourself peace of mind that anaerobic bacteria and root disease will be eliminated, and will dramatically increase the root mass of the plants and also create a symbiotic relationship with the roots, enhancing nutrient uptake and availability.

The Benefits of Re-Potting Cannabis Plants

• Cannabis plant roots will have more space to

grow into and have more oxygen.

• The rate of plant growth will significantly increase and have more access to nutrients.

• The chance of salt residue building up will be far lower and keep E.C levels down.

• Anaerobic bacteria will not be able to dominate the root zone so easily.

• You will be able to increase the volume of nutrients and water when feeding.

• Plant health and vitality will reach the maximum levels, ensuring the best yields.

• Re-potting allows you to be more vigilant of the root's health and structure,

My Conclusion

Re-potting cannabis plants starting with small-sized pots and done systematically, will not only encourage the roots to search out for air pockets, moisture, and nutrients, it will allow you to be more practical when working with small grow spaces.  You can always plant cannabis seeds or clones directly into a large size pot or container, however, it is best advised to constantly check on your roots, salt build-up, and any early signs of bad bacteria or pathogens.

In the event that you notice your grow room is starting to produce an unpleasant rotten egg smell, this will be the first sign that the soil is either too wet, oxygen levels are below adequate, and root rot is about to attack the roots causing long term negative effects on plant health, nutrient uptake and yields.

These clones will be re-potted in to 5 litre pots in a few days

An example of a root bound plant showing early signs of a nutrient deficiency.

History of Cannabis

By Olivier F

Carl von Linné (1707-1778)

Carl Linnæus, who became Carl von Linné after his ennoblement, was a Swedish naturalist. He was the author of Species plantarum, an essay which named and classified all the plants known at the time. He was also the first to give hemp a binominal name: Cannabis sativa L.

The naturalist Carl von Linné identified 4,400 animal species and 6,000 plant species. In 2014, a study by researchers at the University of Toulouse qualified Carl von Linné as the most ‘influential’ historical figure on the internet, ahead of Jesus Christ and Aristotle.

Carl Linnaeus was born on 23 May 1707 in Råshult, Sweden. His father, Nils Ingemarsson Linnaeus, passed on to him his passion for plants. They lived in a region of forests and lakes, a vantage point for observing plants and animals.

He entered Lud University in 1727, registered under the name Carolus Linnæus. There he was taught by the Swedish physician and naturalist Kilian Stobæus, known as the Elder. The following year, in 1728, he moved to the prestigious University of Uppsala, where he studied medicine and natural sciences. It was here, at the age of 24, that he began to devise his classification of plants according to sexual organs, as outlined in his work Hortus Uplandicus

In 1732, he set off on a major journey beyond the Arctic Circle. From his scientific expeditions to Lapland and Dalarna, a then unexplored region of Sweden, he brought back a large collection of plants, minerals and animals. His travels led to the publication of an observation book, Florula Lapponica , which made him famous in his homeland and enabled him to give lectures on botany.

In 1735, Carl Linnæus left for the Netherlands. His aim was to publish his papers and obtain a medical degree. He obtained a doctorate in medicine from the University of Harderwijk in the Netherlands, a title that was not awarded in Sweden at the time. In Amsterdam, he met the botanist Jan Frederik Gronovius, to whom he presented his manuscript Systema Naturae and who decided to finance its publishing. He worked at the Amsterdam Botanic Garden and had access to Hendrik van Rheede's encyclopaedia on the botany of the Indian subcontinent, Hortus Malabaricus

After a trip to England in 1736, where he met botanists from Oxford University, he returned to the Netherlands and worked on Genera Plantarum , the first edition of which was published in 1737.

The following year, Carl Linnæus returned to his native Sweden. He practised as a doctor specialising in the treatment of syphilis in Stockholm. In 1739, he married Sara Elisabeth Moræa, with whom he had 7 children.

In 1741, he was awarded the chair of medicine and then the chair of botany at the University of Uppsala in Sweden. In the university's botanical garden, he arranged plants according to his own classification or taxonomy. He published accounts of expeditions to Sweden in Swedish, which were also appreciated for their literary

qualities. In 1747, he became physician to the Swedish royal family. He was ennobled in 1751 and his name changed from Carl Linnæus to Carl von Linné.

His main work, Systema Naturae has been published in several editions, which can be downloaded from gallica.bfn.fr – the first edition, published in 1735, consisted of just 11 pages; the thirteenth edition, published in 1770, contained 3,000 pages.

The naturalist divided nature into three

kingdoms: animal, vegetable and mineral. In Systema Naturae , he based himself on the work of the French botanist Sébastien Vaillant (who had studied the sexual organs of plants) and therefore classified them according to the number of stamens.

His second reference work, Species Plantarum , was published in 1753. This two-volume work, where the botanical nomenclature of Systema Naturae was revised, marks the beginnings of the binominal nomenclature still used today.

Species Plantarum contains descriptions of all the plant species known at the time. Each plant species was given a two-part name, i.e. a binominal name, which is still used today.

In Species Plantarum , Cannabis was first given the name Cannabis sativa L Cannabis (Latin for hemp) is a compound name formed by the union of canna, meaning ‘cane’, i.e. plant, and bis, meaning ‘double’. This is due to the fact that cannabis is a dioecious plant, otherwise said, characterised by male and female individuals. The word sativa means ‘cultivated’, in this case ‘cultivated hemp’. In binominal naming, the final letter or letters designate(s) the name of the botanist who first named the species. In the case of Cannabis sativa L., the L of course stands for Linnaeus/Linné, who also named and classified many other plant species.

Cannabis Culture

A cannabis-themed magician show SMOKUS POCUS

‘When I was dealing weed I did tricks for customers’

American magician Ben Zabin did his first ever European Smokus Pocus show on April 20 in Boom Chicago theater in Amsterdam: Elevate your 4/20 with a night of magic that hits different! Innovative feats of trickery are fused with the world of weed as magician Ben Zabin takes audiences on a journey of Dank Debauchery. Jars of bud appear, lighters come to life, and bongs bend reality in an unforgettable performance designed to enthrall both the stoned and sober.’

Soft Secrets asked Ben Zabin a few questions.

You were dealing weed before you started as a magician on cruise ships. Could you tell something about that?

I dropped out of college to become a full-time magician and at the time I was living in Boston, MA. I was around a lot of people who needed weed so I figured I would support myself with extra income by selling. At the time everyone else was selling weed in cheap plastic bags, but I realized I could charge more for the same weed by putting it into fancier mylar bags.

You were working as a magician on cruise ships until the covid pandemic started. How did you come up with the idea of combining weed and magic?

When I was selling weed I’d sometimes do tricks for customers and that made me realize how great magic and weed go together. Meanwhile I was trying to climb the showbiz ladder and I had made it to doing shows on cruise ships (no weed

on the ships sadly) but wasn’t really enjoying it. When the pandemic started and cruise ship work abruptly ended I decided that was the time to pivot and launch the weed magic show I’d been thinking about. So I moved across the country to Portland, Oregon (known for it’s weed culture) and did the first show in May 2021.

Do you have a favorite strain yourself? And how do you prefer to consume weed? Joints, vapes, a bong?

I’m a bit old fashioned - my preference is flower in a pipe or bong and I’m a sativa guy. I’m not too picky on the strain, but my favorite weed (and most of what I smoke) is grown in the Pacific Northwest (United States).

Have you ever had a problem with the law while doing your shows? Or while not doing your shows?

For the most part I haven’t had any issues with the law with Smokus Pocus. I’ll get some calls from local law enforcement inquiring about the

weed element of the show, but they mostly just want to ensure that we’re not in the business of selling THC products.

Do you use real cannabis at your shows?

Yes. In that jar you see on one the photo’s there’s more than 100 grams of Sour Diesel.

Have you ever performed in other European countries? Would you like that?

It was my first show in Europe! For a couple years I’ve been licensing out the show to a Canadian magician who does our Canadian shows (his name is Eric Leclerc, he’s awesome) but I’d love to expand into other European countries too.

You’ve done shows in cannabis dispensary Planet 13 in Las Vegas. Did you ever meet or see

the famous Dutch magician Hans Klok?

I remember being a kid watching VHS tapes of Hans Klok and wanting to be like him when I grow up. What young magician wouldn’t want to do illusions with Pamela Anderson in Vegas? And he has the best head of hair in magicdude is a legend. I’ve never met him but would love to smoke a joint with him.

Last question. How did you come up with the name Smokus Pocus?

And have you ever heard of the song Hocus Pocus from the Dutch band Focus?

I gotta give my dad credit for the name. It was the first thing that came out of his mouth when I told him about the idea for the first time. I’ve always liked the song Hocus Pocus, but I had no idea they were Dutch!

www.smokuspocus.com

Colofon

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Editor: Cliff Cremer

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A word from the publisher: World wide there is a process going on of relative liberalisation towards the use of cannabis, be it for medicinal or recreational purposes. Several countries legalised cannabis as a way of separating soft and hard drugs, as it has proven to do in Holland. Other countries legalised the use of medicinal cannabis, including the right to grow cannabis plants for one’s own use. The publisher wants to highlight the process of normalisation of cannabis use. This assumes that the publisher does not necessarily agree with everything that appears in articles and advertisements. The publisher therefore distances himself explicitly from published statements or images that might give the impression that an endorsement is being made for the use and/or production of cannabis.

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Next issue out

SEASON 2

CANNABIS EXPERT VS BEGINNER IN EIGHT EPISODES