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GROWING TIPS
Take a look here for some expert tips about growing, drying, and trimming.
This page is filled with helpful ideas to aid in producing better gardens.
Reproducing from cuttings
Also known as "cloning".
Some plants can reproduce from cuttings. This means cutting a small part of the growing tip of a plant, pulling off the bottom leaves and sticking the cut end into the
When cutting the clone, it is vital to dip the blade in a cloning solution (obtainable at any nursery) and cut at a 45° angle. The cloning solution prevents air from entering the cut stem on either the plant or the clipping you just took. Immediately dip the cut end of the clipping into the cloning solution, and put a dap of the solution on the cut tip of the plant. Then, put the cutting into a grow media, as noted above, that has been soaked in water. After inserting the cutting into the grow media, gently push the edges of the grow media around the stalk of the clipping, thus providing a stable environment for rooting to begin.
"The Indoor Chronic"
"In less than 3 months, 3 inch clones turned into 4 foot
monsters."
Indoors: This winter's indoor crop was grown with hydroponics. One
1,000 watt high-pressure sodium light, and one 1,500 watt metal halide light was
used in our flowering room, this being a climate-controlled environment (timed
CO2 intake/outtake ventilation). Liquid hydroponic nutrients were added to
a water reservoir that was on a constant cycle to force-feed water for 15
minutes every hour. The lighting cycle we used was pretty simple.
Lights were on timers that were set to come on at 7 p.m., and off at 7 a.m.;
this allowing the warmth from the lights to keep the room at an optimal temperature
for desired growth (temperatures here get freezing at night during winter, and
using the warmth from the lights prevents the need for heaters). The room
was completely sealed off from all external elements, and surrounded with mylar
on white walls and floor. The flood and drain table was 4'x8'x6",
with a 500gal/hr water pump, a pool thermometer to read the temp, a fish tank
water heater works well in a Sterlite 40 gal tub (always a smart move to
reinforce rim of tub with DUCT TAPE). To keep an eye on the
ph balance without a whole lot of hoopla, we used a digital ph meter and tried
to maintain a level between 6.0-6.4. (If manually checking ph with tester,
color should be "piss yellow"). Use a ph lowerer, if necessary (and it
usually will be according to our experiences); contact local nurseries to locate
the correct kind. In less than 3 months, 3 inch clones
turned into 3-4 foot monsters. Pictures of this garden will be
available on this site shortly. If this system sounds interesting to
you, drop us a message, or leave one through our voice mail:
1-800-861-4412 (Wayne).
"The Outdoor Chronic"
Outdoor: This summer's outdoor crop was started indoors using the
method noted above, except these were on 24 hour lights, while the flowering
room was on 12. There was one 400 watt metal halide, and one 400 watt
high-pressure sodium suspended on a "sun track". When they
needed more light because of growth, we added a 1,500 watt metal halide.
Now, these plants are about 5 feet in height, and some are in the ground while
others are in buckets of dirt waiting to be put in the ground. Now that
they are dirt-bound, different nutrients will be used; the new nutrients will be
added to the soil, and mixed with watering. This outdoor crop will be
captured frequently on film and posted to this site's picture area. Keep
checking back for more info on our Summer 2001 Outdoor Crop.
Making Hashish
My personal favorite is scissor hash. This is unavoidable, and highly
desired during fine-trimming season. Scissor hash is perfect for the
people who can't stomach smoking hairs, resin and leaf particles rolled and
scraped off of a pickers fingers (not bad at all if it comes off your own
fingers).
Finger hash is the next best. The oils from the skin mix with the oils from the plant secreted in the skin of your fingers and hands, and create a blackish-brown substance when rolled and scraped off that can ease all pains. At the end of a hard day of picking and trimming, a person can have themselves a nice ball of hash when they are ready to start rubbing.
