2018 02 UK by SoftSecrets

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THE CANNABIS NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985

Issue 2 - 2018

AMSTERDAM

The Best Fem Strains To Grow Outdoors This Summer

32 NFT in practice

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

HOW MONSANTO & BAYER ARE GETTING IN ON MARIJUANA RRY SENSI-STAR DELAHAZE PANDORA BELLADONNA WAPPA ALL

THE CORPORATE TAKEOVER OF CANNABIS Responsible for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the pesticides that are sprayed on them, Monsanto is on the tips of everyone’s tongues lately. Health conscious individuals are doing everything they can to boycott this company and support others instead, even if that means opting for much pricier organic produce.

KISS

worrisome connection for anyone who uses cannabis medically or even enjoys an occasional puff. Monsanto and Miracle-Gro already have a business partnership. Hawthorne is a front for Miracle-Gro and has already purchased three of the largest cannabis producers in the business, Botanicare, Gavita, and General Hydroponics. A number of other companies have already received buy-out offers, but have refused. According to a Hydroponics Lighting Representative, “They want to bypass hydroponics retail stores. . . . When we said we won’t get in bed with them they

www.kannabia.es

Remo Chemo

There are a number of reasons for their concern, including the fact that no long-term studies have been done to show the potential health effects of consuming genetically modified foods or the high levels of pesticides that came with them. The mere fact that this company is responsible for some of the worst chemicals ever created, including Agent Orange, DDT, asbestos, and aspartame, also contributes to this widespread mistrust. Last September, Bayer, the largest pharmaceutical company in the world, made a deal to buy out Monsanto for $66 billion, even though Monsanto was voted “the most evil company in the world” back in 2013. Unfortunately, this buyout only strengthened Monsanto’s lobbying power. This corporate giant has now set its sights on another product, one that has garnered increasing attention lately as laws relax and medicinal uses become better understood: cannabis. Despite claiming otherwise, evidence suggests Monsanto may already have ties to cannabis production, a

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said, ‘Well, we could just buy your whole company like we did with Gavita and do whatever we want.’ ” Miracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn has gone so far as to announce his plans for reefer referendums. “Invest, like, half a billion in [taking over] the pot business,” he recommends.“It is the biggest thing I’ve ever seen in lawn and garden.” One only has to connect the dots to see where this is heading, and it’s not surprising. The cannabis industry is on the brink of a major boom, and it makes sense that a huge corporation like Monsanto would like to get in on the action. Nothing has been decided at this moment, but we can see clearly that it is a possibility, and even if Monsanto/Bayer does take over the cannabis industry, it is not certain that they will create genetically modified strains. Even if they don’t, however, it is up to you to decide if this is a company you would like to support or not. If you actively choose non-GMO products, then you’ll certainly need to do your research to ensure the strains you are getting are not coming from a Monsanto-owned grow business. Unfortunately, Bayer and Monsanto could create a monopoly on marijuana seeds in the same way we have seen them do with corn and soy. They have an incredible amount of corporate power and through enforcing international patent law, could end up with total control over the cannabis industry, including medicinal cannabis use and research. Source: Alanna Ketler/ collective-evolution.com

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3 EDITORIAL

Cannabis in the UK: Not a Buyer’s Market It would appear that here in the UK, the cannabis market is now almost completely dominated by high potency weed. In 2005, 51% of herbal cannabis seized by the police was of “high potency”. By 2016, this had risen to 94%, meaning that almost every other – less potent - variant of cannabis has disappeared from the streets. King’s College London has conducted a study of cannabis samples and found that the average strength was 14% THC. It should be noted, however, that strains have been reported with a THC content of 25% and higher. As any regular reader of this publication will know, the higher the THC content is, the lower the content of the other compounds such as CBD and CBG is going to be: there is only room for so much in a plant, after all. While people may applaud this development purely in terms of getting utterly stoned, from a mental health aspect, it’s not a good thing. It is now fairly well established that flooding the brain with THC can (in some circumstances) lead to psychiatric difficulties, and therefore the stronger the cannabis, the higher chance there is of experiencing said difficulties. In most cases, these are transient, and can be solved by going to a quiet, safe space and lying down and letting the experience run its course. However, the figures indicate an increase in situations where these problems are longer lasting with rather more serious long-term repercussions and implications. CBD seems to mediate the effects of too much THC, and CBG appears to play a role in controlling or counteracting feelings of paranoia that some people may experience (particularly novice users). Breed these compounds out of the plant, and all that is left is the THC, and for an increasing number of people, this is bad news indeed. Many cannabis growers and vendors usually throw up their hands at this point, and claim that they are simply responding to what is currently in demand and that it is “a buyer’s market”. This claim is disingenuous because this implies choice, and as anyone who has ever bought cannabis in this country will know only too well, whatever is on offer at that particular time is what they will buy. Assuming that the police seizures reflect the illicit market across the board (and there’s not really any reason to doubt them), then almost all of what’s available is cannabis that is high in THC. While this is presumably good news for certain parts of the cannabis using community, it’s far from being the case for everyone. Consider, for a second, the needs of medical users. These are often fairly specific in terms of THC versus CBD content, for example, and if the King’s College data are anything to go by, these needs are not currently being met by the majority of growers and vendors. An argument could even be made for the cannabis that’s generally available possibly making some of their health issues worse, particularly those falling within the domain of mental health. How do we get out of this situation? Decriminalisation is a term continually bandied about, but while it’s good in theory, in practice there are too many grey areas and loopholes. Giving people a “right to grow” pass for a set number of plants for personal use is a possibility, as it would allow them to choose specific strains to suit their health needs. However, this doesn’t address the requirements of those for whom growing isn’t an option. The most practical solution is regulation and legalisation, as this would theoretically encourage a proper “buyer’s market”, and allow everyone requiring a specific strain of cannabis access to medication.

BUBBA ISL A ND K USH Dutch Passion

It is taking a long time, but it is our hope that the UK government will ultimately “grasp the nettle” of cannabis legalisation. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-cannabis-marketskunk-drug-strength-weed-spice-street-sales-dealers-a8231426.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43196566 https://www.medicaljane.com/2013/08/03/cannabigerol-cbg-is-a-minorcannabinoid-with-major-impact/ Dr John Dee

CRITICAL KUSH REGULAR

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READERS@SOFTSECRETS.NL

Attention Readers! Fancy a FREE packet of FEMINISED seeds from SWEET SEEDS? Then send us a picture of your grow room or best cannabis plant, including a visible copy of Soft Secrets, and we’ll send you 3 seeds. Should your photo happen to feature your beautiful wife or girlfriend wearing a sexy microbikini or super hot lingerie, you will receive 6 seeds. Photo of the Month will even receive 9 prime quality feminised seeds. With compliments of Soft Secrets and SWEET SEEDS!

E-mail your entries to readers@softsecrets.nl. NOTE: All entries are handled with the utmost discretion. We don’t publish out of focus pics, and we don’t like photos of plants in veg stage. It’s fat buds & sweet babes we want to see!

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QUIZ

7) Which of these systems requires a bubbler air stone?

14) What is the best way to pH your rockwool cubes in hydro?

A. B. C. D.

A. Soak for 24 hours in a pH adjusted solution B. Just adjust the pH once the plants are growing C. The plants will naturally adjust the pH of the cubes D. You do not need to pH your rockwool cubes

NFT System Dripper System Deep Water Culture Ebb And Flow

8) Adding a wooden cane to pots for support is known as what? 1) Which of these is not a real purple strain? A. B. C. D.

Purple Urkle Purple Punch Purple Mist Purple Polar

2) When growing outdoors, when can you grow clones (in northern Europe)? A. B. C. D.

February until April and August until November April until July and September until November January all the way throughout the year It is not possible to grow clones outdoors naturally

A. B. C. D.

Staking LST Super Cropping SCROG

16) Humic acid will appear what colour?

A. B. C. D.

Potassium Silica Zinc Calcium

3) A Ruderalis means what? A. B. C. D.

A. B. C. D.

April until early August September until December January until April What is light deprivation?

Clear Black Yellow Light Green

17) Cytokinins are naturally found in which of the following? A. B. C. D.

Blackstrap Molasses Beneficial Bacteria Seaweed Bat Guano

18) During the last week of flowering you should feed what?

4) What temperature should your dying room be?

11) Adding dry sift into parchment and pressing with heat is known as what?

A. B. C. D.

15 degrees celsius 24 degrees celsius -10 degrees celsius Above 30 degrees celsius

A. A certain characteristic that is different from other plants B. It means it is the biggest plant in the flowering room C. It is a type of strain such as Phenotype Kush D. It means when a new seed is produced

9) Diatomaceous earth is rich in what?

10) It is possible to grow outdoors with light deprivation when?

A hybrid strain of indica and sativa Never heard of it It is a land race It is autoflowering

15) When growing cannabis, a phenotype means what?

Rosin oil Moroccan hash making Kiff Never heard of it

A. B. C. D.

As much NPK as possible to fatten the buds Only water and flush out the remaining salts Heavy feeds of Phosphorus Heavy feeds of Potassium

19) Smoking a dab means what? 5) What is the safest way to remove butane when making BHO?

12) Deep tissue culture is a method of growing by doing what?

A. Leaving it in the fridge to purge at cold temperatures B. By heating it with a blowtorch and burning it out C. Using a vacuum purge for at least 48 hours D. There is no need to purge BHO Just Smoke it!

A. B. C. D.

6) Which of these is designed to retain moisture in the medium?

13) How long does it take for an organic medium to buffer nutrients?

A. B. C. D.

Peat Vermiculite Clay Balls Sand

Germinating seeds in a layer of tissue Using a sterile petri dish and hormone It is when you grow in deep water culture Taking clones and using growth hormone

24 Hours 1 Hour Upto 2 weeks 72 hours

A. B. C. D.

Smoking oil in a vapour pen It is Dutch and means smoking a pure joint Combining hash and flowers at the same time Smoking extracts on a hot rig

20) Fresh frozen is a term used to describe what? A. When you freeze the trim with butane B. When you freeze plant material before it has dried C. When you add ice to your washing machine D. Never heard of fresh frozen

For answers see page 46!

C S G x e u l G a ll i r o G

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GROW WITH MR. JOSÉ

HOW TO GROW STRONGER WEED Possibly every grower hopes for the best harvest. Some focus on yield, others look for optimal taste and some aim for the best of both. Taste and potency is what usually matters the most when people speak about quality. Today we will look into the possibilities of maximizing the quality of both. Cannabinoids Before we dive into the techniques of increasing the potency of your weed, let us refresh our knowledge on where and how the active substances in cannabis are produced. This plant contains 1269 known substances in total, of which 144 are cannabinoids, 150 terpenes and terpenoids, and 50 flavonoids. The most psychoactive cannabinoid is, of course, tetrahydrocannabinol – THC. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another important member of this group. These two cannabinoids are the most abundant in cannabis. They are at the center of attention of recreational cannabis users because they both contribute to the psychoactive experience. Both of them also exert significant medical effects, which is the reason why cannabis has been used in medicine for thousands of years now. Another interesting cannabinoid from medical point of view is cannabichromen (CBG). The effects of individual cannabinoids are still being explored – and thanks to the fact that cannabis is now becoming accepted by modern medicine (in addition to a global wave of legalization) – we can only expect more and more interesting discoveries.

Terpenes Cannabinoids have many interesting effects, but they lack any sort of taste. If you have ever lived under the impression that the characteristic cannabis smell is caused by a cannabinoid, you were sadly mistaken, as were many others. The taste and smell of cannabis is the result of a unique mixture of terpenes, of which many can be also found in

totally different plants. Terpenes themselves possess a wide variety of therapeutic properties, both physical and mental. The most abundant terpenes in cannabis are myrcene, pinene, limonene, linalool, caryophyllene and eucalyptol. Myrcene can be found in mangos and hop, pinene in pines, limonene in citrus fruits, linalool in lavender, caryophyllene in pepper and clove, and eucalyptol in eucalyptus. Sounds familiar? No wonder, these names are often used to describe the taste and smell of specific strains. Mango and other citruses also appear in the actual names of strands – Mango, Lemon Haze, etc. Individual strains’ differentiation can be based on the presence and proportions of terpenes called the terpene profile. It also seems that terpenes modify the effect of cannabinoids. And what is for sure, terpenes influence the overall medical effects of cannabis, something we call “synergy” of all the substances contained within the plant. This means that if we give someone isolated THC, the effect will be rather different from the application of the whole variety of active substances present in whole cannabis plant, namely in its resin. Cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds work together and influence the overall effect of the plant on its consumer.

Resin Cannabinoids and terpenes are secondary metabolites found in cannabis resin, which forms in trichomes. Trichomes can be found in a huge number of plants. They have several functions: the most important one is to protect the plants from outside danger, i.e. pests

Glandular trichomes with resin, the trichome to the left is non-glandular. Source: www.uk420.com

and unwanted animal guests. Plants can also communicate with the outside world through trichomes, all thanks to above mentioned secondary metabolites. When a plant wants to lure a pollinator, it produces smell, which attracts a specific species of insect. When it wants to repel parasites, it produces an unpleasant odor, which parasites do not like. Plants have created their own specific cocktails of secondary metabolites with various effects. Cannabis has two types of trichomes – non-glandular and glandular. Nonglandular trichomes look similar to glandular trichomes but they do not produce resin. Since we are interested in taste and potency, glandular trichomes are of interest to us because they create resin rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. The largest amounts of resin are produced on trichomes on female flowers. You might ask why cannabis produces resin containing cannabinoids. As mentioned, trichomes serve primarily as a defense mechanism. Cannabis resin is sticky and can easily capture harmful insects. The consensus is that cannabis produces cannabinoids to defend itself from mammals who have aggressive digestive tracts and well-developed endocannabinoid systems. When a mammal eats a cannabis plant, its seeds lose value and reproduction is rendered impossible. This means that being consumed by a mammal is undesirable for cannabis. On the other hand, being eaten by birds has positive results. Birds can move seeds to new places where they grow into new plants. So, cannabis resin is meant to turn away mammals – obviously canna-

bis could not know that it will be smoked and eaten by humans – and the high cannabinoid content is probably supposed to cause unpleasant effects as well as prevent future consuming. Another theory states that the negative effect of cannabis on short-term memory is purely a tactical move – the plant wants to make sure that whoever finds it will not be able to find again where they are growing. It does seem logical. Nonetheless, we should be interested in a completely different issue: The production of resin as a means of defense. There exists a proven link between resin production and the level of stress the plant feels – it produces the biggest amount of resin when it feels threatened. Bingo!

Plant in Danger Now that we know that a stressed plant produces more resin, we must think about how to make it stressed. Those with some experience in growing may have noticed that even if the yield is not ideal, the material can still taste great and have great effects. This can pose a bit of a problem if we are focused on both quality and quantity. A plant under stress produces more resin but does not reach the maximum yield. This means that if we expose plants to stress, we should be expecting a lower yield. The exact degree depends on which stress method we use.

Irrigation Probably the easiest way to stimulate resin production is to modify the

10 irrigation cycle. Inadequate watering works best. When the plant does not get enough water, it begins to wither, it becomes stressed and triggers higher production of resin. Inadequate watering can be done both indoors and outdoors, although outdoor growing relies on the weather. When growing inside a greenhouse, there are as many possibilities as when growing with the use of artificial lights inside. Plants can be put under stress during the entire growing cycle by watering them only when they begin to wither. We must not overdo it, though. In the initial stages, the leaves begin to drop and they become softer to touch, yet the top of the plant still stands upright. In the second phase, the leaves begin to fade towards the ground and the tops of branches begin to droop. In the third phase, the leaves are visibly wrinkled, the leafstalks grow smaller and the plant begins to lose color. When putting the plant under stress during the growth cycle, it should reach max phase two before watering, although watering it right before this phase begins is ideal. If left without water until phase three, the plant might never fully recover. The leaves fall off and parts of the flower

could dry out. This method of resin production stimulation is long-term and the resulting harvest is significantly smaller, although very potent. The method carries the risk of the plant dying, that is if we overdo it. The next method of irrigation-induced stress is much safer, and it is also my favorite one. It involves growing and watering the plants all throughout the growth cycle until the last week or two. In the second-tolast week before harvest, the plants are left to wither until phase two. They are then watered, so that they can recover. During the last five days before harvest, they are not watered at all. On harvest day, they should be at phase two again. It is easy to use this method when growing indoors and in a greenhouse. When growing outdoors, the plants must be protected from rain and humidity, which may be difficult especially during autumn. The method has another positive effect – it decreases the risk of mold. When the plant does not get enough water, there is a decrease of humidity inside its flowers, which is where mold frequently appears. Mold needs humidity and warmth, thus eliminating humidity makes mold’s life considerably

Petals covered with glandular trichomes

harder. Putting the plant under stress during the last two weeks of its life has only minor negative effect on yield when compared to long-term stress.

PRODUCT

CRITICAL KUSH Barneys Farm CRITICAL KUSH™ is a fusion of two of the world’s most distinguished genetics, Critical Mass (Mr Nice) and our own OG Kush. The CRITICAL KUSH™ hybrid is a powerful and extremely vigorous Indica plant, yielding huge amounts of beautiful very potent flowers. The Kush taste is unmistakable and the yield per plant is phenomenal. Flowering to perfection in just 7 to 8 weeks indoors, growing to a medium height, with side branches needing extra support to carry the weight of the beautifully developed majestic colas of bud. CRITICAL KUSH™ produces very dense heavy flowers.

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Temperature Another way to put your plants under stress is to maintain very high temperatures. This goes hand in hand with the previous method – to a certain degree. High temperatures cause water to vaporize quickly, which leads to quicker withering. This in turn leads to a higher production of resin. The temperatures, however, should not exceed 40 °C (104 °F). Since regulating temperature is harder than modifying the irrigation cycle, this method is quite complicated. For this reason, I do not really recommend it, although it is still necessary to mention it.

UV-B Light The last method of increasing resin production I would like to mention is UVB light. This ultraviolet light of the 280315 nanometer wavelengths reaches the ground in very small amounts, and, frankly, we should be glad that it does. UVB light causes skin cancer and damage to eyesight. Plants do not like it too much either, because it decreases the effectivity of photosynthesis and even affects the size of leaves. UVB light simply puts plants under stress, which is what we want right now. UVB light grows in intensity in the middle of spring, which is why plants harvested in July and the beginning of August have more active substances than plants harvested during the fall. When growing indoors, we can use artificial UVB light. Light sources with higher production of UVB light are sold in specialized growing shops or aquatic stores. These light sources must be added to already existing sources. When using 100W classic growing lights, we add 10W source of UVB light. This means that a 60W UVB light source must be added to 600W HID lamps. It is important to think of your health, though. When entering the room with a UVB light source, you must first turn it off or put on skin protection. When using UVB light, five or six weeks of stress before the harvest are enough. The light also eradicates mold to a certain degree, which is a positive side effect. The UVB method is a bit costly, but it is reliable and it does not affect the yield too much.

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TECHGROW  CONTROLLED GROWTH PROCESSES

If you grow marijuana indoors, technology helps you improve growth processes in the best possible way. Many growers are now familiar with techniques for controlling and adapting CO2, light, temperature and humidity levels in their indoor spaces. The Dutch company TechGrow has developed advanced electronic devices, including measurement instruments, sensors and automatic data recorders for CO2, climate and light control. These devices are useful for a wide range of applications in indoor urban horticulture. control units in an indoor space of a few square metres. In this case, yields are 35% higher compared to a situation with no control units and the plant growth process is closely monitored and adapted accordingly. This difference in yields makes the investment highly attractive and advantageous.

WHY IS CARBON DIOXIDE SO IMPORTANT?

In nature, a plant uses energy from the sunlight to convert CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the air and water into carbohydrates (glucose) and release oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis. Glucose (C6H12O6), a compound whose main component is carbon, is an important source of energy for a plant and indispensible for the structure of, among other things, vegetable cells, proteins, acids, vitamins and hormones. Indoor professional growers feed CO2 into their indoor facilities for consumption by plants. To that end, gas burners have been used for decades in Dutch greenhouses. Carbon dioxide is released through the combustion of natural gas and this helps plants continue to change CO2 into glucose in the best possible conditions. Plants will also grow optimally and maximise yields, which is why the Dutch exports of vegetables have reached record levels year after year.

TECHGROW

CO2 is transformed by a plant only when the sun shines on its leaves. At this very time, therefore, an extra quantity of CO2 is needed and high profits can be earned by efficiently controlling the supply of CO2 and light. The TechGrow founders have always been aware of this and, ten years ago, they decided to start a new business. There is a lot of knowhow behind the TechGrow name, i.e. a combination of knowledge of plant growth processes and passion for electronics. Our company developed devices that are suited to new forms of indoor urban growing. This innovation was desperately needed because the existing techniques were too complex and only meant for large-scale greenhouse farmers and mass producers, while the new market segment of small growers was left out. Our developed solutions are leading-edge, 100% Dutch, user-friendly products meant for continuous operation. By optimising its procurement process in 2017, our company can now offer top quality products at affordable prices.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES FOR LARGE AND SMALL SCALE GROWERS ALIKE

Electronic devices to control plant growth processes are no longer a prerogative of growers owning large cultivated areas. Technology is now made available to small-scale growers owning plots as small as only ten square metres and the payback period for the use of these devices is therefore reduced. There are even growers using these

Of course, the majority of growers who are interested in this type of controlled growth processes cannot shift suddenly from a ‘nocontrol’ to a ‘total control’ situation. A grower needs time to understand how to best use this type of devices in a specific growth condition.

PRODUCTS

TechGrow’s flagship product is the T1-CO2 control unit. This device is used to supply CO2 at the desired level in a sheltered facility. The basic functions of this T1-CO2 controller include dosage delay, impulse dosage, a dosage record function and dosage statistics for the last ten days. However, the product that is bound to radically change the management of growth processes is our Ballast Connect light-control unit. This control unit gradually switches on six lamps, which avoids a situation in which all lamps are simultaneously powered on. A control panel allows the same control unit to be connected to another set of six lamps in order to centrally control 6 x 6 (or 36) lamps in total. The basic functions of Ballast Connect include temperature control, power-on control, an amperometer, two clocks (an asymmetrical timer and a 24-hour clock) and an event recorder, which records anything that happens in an indoor space. Tech Grow is all this: timers, sensor-based data recorders, humidity control devices, CO2 meters, air conditioners…. All TechGrow products are highly qualitative, reliable and manufactured in the Netherlands. A budget product line was also developed to offer products to small-scale growers at affordable prices. Without compromising on safety and quality, these products are less sophisticated so they can be offered at a lower price. For further information check our website: www.techgrow.nl TechGrow Laan van Waalhaven 167 2497GK Den Haag The Netherlands E-mail:Info@techgrow.nl

OPINION

Compassionate Grounds Six year old Alfie Dingley has a particularly aggressive and nasty form of childhood epilepsy, meaning he's prone to having up to 30 fits a day, sometimes every day. Following a visit to Holland, his parents found that Alfie's seizures are significantly improved by administering full spectrum cannabis oil, meaning it contains oil from the whole plant, as opposed to (for example) CBD only. However, full spectrum also means that it contains an amount of THC as well, and this is where the problems start.

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The Home Office turned down the application made by his parents on the grounds that "Cannabis is listed as a Schedule 1 drug, as in its raw form it is not recognised in the UK as having any medicinal benefit – and is therefore subject to strict control restrictions.” Everything that the Home Office have said is fact: utterly true and completely correct. What we have here is not a problem with the Home Office as such, what we have is a much more serious and ongoing problem in the shape of the Misuse of Drugs Act (and subsequent amendments). Had it been the case that Alfie responded to CBD oil, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation at all; however, THC is a controlled substance, and its Schedule 1 status means that – according to the law – it does not have any medical benefit. The problem here is that it’s becoming abundantly clear to everyone with even a passing interest in the subject that is does have quite significant medical benefits. Even the government’s own drug advisors are taking this view, which is why they keep on resigning. So basically, more of the same old nonsense, and this in spite of the all party parliamentary group on drug policy reform lending their support to Alfie's cause. There has been some considerable anger along with accusations of hypocrisy directed at Victoria Atkins, Conservative Member of Parliament for Louth and Horncastle, and Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for (wait while I get this right) “Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism”. Part of her remit is "drugs". Her husband is one Paul Kenward, recently awarded the necessary licensing to grow 45 acres of hemp in Norfolk. He's producing it on behalf of GW Pharmaceuticals, who will use the CBD to be extracted from this for epilepsy medicine. The word “hemp” is important here, as it contains negligible amounts of THC while being rich in CBD and other (nonpsychoactive) compounds. There’s no way that full spectrum cannabis oil could be extracted from this, so it probably wouldn’t benefit Alfie Dingley. While I’m by no means an apologist for the government (Conservative or otherwise), strictly speaking, there’s no issue here. Contrary to what’s being spouted by a lot of people, Paul Kenward isn’t growing cannabis (or so he says), so it’s not as clear a case of “one rule for them and another for the rest of us” as some would like everyone to believe. Then again, while not illegal, there’s something rather unsavoury and morally and ethically questionable about the whole thing. Mr Kenward’s, erm, “connections” at the Home Office will certainly have smoothed the way for him getting approval for his horticultural activities. Financially, there’s no doubt he’ll do very well out of the arrangement. And there’s definitely something amiss when a government minister can continue to push the “cannabis is a gateway drug and has no medical benefit” party line while conveniently ignoring where the money for hubby’s new Range Rover has come from. It seems to me (and I’m sure others will share my view) that Victoria Atkins’ time would be better spent exploring the possibilities around fundamental reform of the Misuse of Drugs Act, making it fit for purpose in the light of what we now know about cannabis. That, and showing a bit of basic human compassion.

Dr John Dee

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PURPS #1 AND PURPLE MOBY DICK: A NEW PURPLE STRAIN FAMILY We visited Dinafem, who presented their new Purple family, where a purple colour is combined with a number of outstanding qualities, such as yield, resin and taste. J. Searcher A few plants, such as aubergines, blackberry, red cabbage, or red grapes are naturally coloured with purple or purple-like hues. Adding purple to a strain is quite common in farming, as is the case for a few types of lettuce, basil, tomato or ornamental plants, which adds an exotic touch to what would otherwise be an ordinary plant.

PURPLE MOBY DICK After a decade of successes, Moby Dick needed to be changed into a new version. In this case, although its purple colour is not marked, it retains the pleasant appearance of the original plant. Its size and yield are indeed superior. On the palate, fruity tones are added to the classical Moby Dick taste, thereby offering a new marketing opportunity for consumers who do not like the typical Moby Dick taste. Buds are covered by trichomes and quite heavy, which means that staking is required during growth. This plant will flourish with sun, nutrients and water, and the necessary care will reward you with a tall size and a branched-out structure. In addition, its vigour and resistance to fungal infections make it easy to grow, with abundant yields.

ANTHOCYANINS In cannabis and many other plants, the purple colour is related to a high content of anthocyanins, i.e. pigments belonging to the group of flavonoids and resulting in the purple, red or blue colours of many vegetables. The studies conducted show they have many therapeutic properties, e.g. for the treatment of cancer and inflammations and for reducing obesity, coronary diseases and diabetes. In addition, anthocyanins also improve visual acuity and strengthen the immune system. As the content of anthocyanins increases, plants tend to develop purple or red colours during their growth. In a few strains, a cold temperature, which normally occurs at night-time in the autumn season, has an influence on the purple colour of plants, while others will become purple irrespective of the temperature. Apparently, anthocyanins protect the plant from ultraviolet rays, especially in autumn, which is why plants tend to be purplecoloured during this season.

PURPLE STRAINS Up to now, only the classical Dutch hybrids (normally early strains) have dominated in Europe in this much sought-after colour, but the resin content is poor, which invariably implies low potency and modest taste. As Dr Kush told us, the main purpose behind this new line is the improvement of the genetic pool of these European Purple strains. Growers may find it interesting to grow a purple strain, provided that they have a satisfactory resin production and taste. In the USA, instead, top-class Purple strains were developed, with outstanding resin, taste and yield. These classical strains are now being crossed with other élite

acterised by a mix of sweet fruity tones, with earthy hints. Its effect is relaxing and soothing. Although it is typically an Indica plant in its appearance, with broad leaves, it tends to grow tall, and has a wide inter-knot distance. In any case, its flowering period is short and it is usually ripe after around 60 days.

Purple Moby Dick

clones to offer a higher number of high-quality Purple hybrids.

BREEDING The biggest part of the breeding process consisted in the selection of parents since, although many famous Purple plants already exist, few have the quality level required by the breeder team, owing to their reduced potency or aroma. This process lasted for years, and many tests were made with various strains. In the end, the team decided to opt for a very special phenotype of Purple Afghan Kush that meets all required characteristics, i.e. an intense purple colour, a dense bud, much resin, a high yield and an amazing taste.

The Dinafem team are totally expert in the breeding of Purple Afghan Kush, as they won many cannabis cups with it and used it in their previous breeding projects. This knowledge eased the other stages of their breeding process and crosses were made with other premium-quality strains, which culminated in two new strains, Purps #1 and Purple Moby Dick.

PURPS #1 This strain stands out for its beauty and taste. It has a marked purple colour with very pleasant hues that make it an ornamental plant for outdoor growing, with an added plus. Its aroma and taste are char-

A detail of Purps #1

CONCLUSIONS Purps #1 and Purple Moby Dick are part of the new Dinafem purple family, with good resin production, dense buds and a fruity taste. In any case, Dinafem will place other new products on the market for this season. This is what they told us! They will shortly be releasing two rapid strains and another two CBD-rich strains, but we will talk about them in our next articles.

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GENETICS

THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER CLONES

Welcome to the great world of cuttings, clones, branches, etc., a must-know for all cannabis growers. If it is not so in your case, you will soon get to know all about it. This article, however, is not about how cuttings are made, how rooting hormones are administered, or anything of the kind. It is about the most sought-after cuttings, which are only available to a group of happy few and fail to reach the other side of the planet By Alfred, Dr Underground due to border-crossing problems.

East Coast Sour Diesel

You may be familiar with any of the four names that I will soon be illustrating, whether a single strain or a hybrid made from it, as names or name parts are used by breeders to identify the specific strain they create. But let us stop this idle chitchat and start with the first one. The 4 plants described below are not the top 4, but I can assure you they are currently in highest demand. In another issue, I will talk about another 4 plants.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES (THIN MINT)

Let us start with a very special strain named after the cookies sold by girl scouts in the United States. Although it has a strong Kush character, its structure retains patently Sativa characteristics. This lady derives from a magic cross of OG Kush and Durban Poison, the latter being a theoretically pure strain originating from Durban (Africa). After the degree of hybridisation achieved throughout the history of cannabis, I do not dare to say it is a totally pure Sativa from Durban, especially in the light of the fact that this strain arrived in Holland in the 1970s and underwent various adaptations, generation after generation. Knowing where its Sativa part comes from, you can only expect a rewarding effect for the body, mind and soul. It grows with a sufficient number of branches that can easily be used for cuttings. Its leaves turn amethyst-purple during flowering, and become dark green during the rest of the growth cycle. Its potency is so high

Girl Scout Cookies

that even expert smokers can be overwhelmed, with resin rising to nearly abnormal levels and a very special mint background. Do not expect excessive yields, but you can be sure the final product will be top quality. If you are lucky enough to procure this cut, please note that you should not use too many fertilisers, and that the best harvests are achieved through a sea-ofgreen growing style. When we grow it, we use moderate fertiliser quantities. The potency of this strain should also be taken into account. It is a jewel both literally and figuratively, nice-looking and strong. As for medicinal use, it is perfect to heal acute pain, inflammation, gagging, insomnia and loss of appetite. Anxious users who cannot procure the original clone are left with the following alternatives: Cookies Kush (Barney´s Farm): Girl Scout Cookies x OG Kush Girl Scout Cookies (Cali Connection): Girl Scout Cookies (Thin Mint cut) S1

GORILLA GLUE #4

We continue with another monster that is the result of pure chance. The story told in social networks about this strain is the following. Its breeder, known by the name of Joesy Whales, after growing various genotypes, including Chem Sis, found that some specimens had turned into hermies and pollinated his Sour Dubb (a Sativa strain of uncertain origin he was also growing at that time). When this happened, for the dirty trick that nature played on him, he dropped his

breeding project and gave the seeds for free to a friend of his, known as Mardogg. This friend germinated the seeds a few years later and managed to select 4 terrific phenotypes, but there was one, especially number four, which belonged to another galaxy.

room forever with the other mothers… What can you expect from it? Everything! A plant with a formidable growth, a satisfactory yield and a resin quantity that is out of this world. The plant turns white but not out of fright. Yet, if you smoke it, its effect will no doubt frighten you.

Sometime later, Joesy Whales commented on his experience: “People kept asking me a lot of questions about Gorilla Glue 4, but now I’ll tell you how things really went. A few years ago, I was growing Sour Dubb, Chem sister and other strains. Chem Sis produced a few male bananas and its pollen reached Sour Dubb. I kept these seeds for one year and I finally decided to germinate 5 of them. I managed to obtain a good phenotype, but all the other four turned into hermaphrodites and pollinated my full crop. I was really upset and threw everything away, I gave the seeds to my friend Mardogg, who kept a lot of them and, one year later, we grew them together. He germinated 6 of these seeds. I was really concerned that they could turn hermie and placed no hope in them. Finally the offspring were all females and, after a selection, we kept phenotypes 1, 3, 4 and another we called “runt”. They were all amazing, but we decided to keep number 4, which was the best in absolute terms. The merit for that goes to my friend Mardogg, but we were also lucky.”

It can be kept flowering until week 10, although we of Dr. Underground prefer to cut it at week 9. It is a highly potent strain, with a reported THC level as high as 30%, although it can change depending on the growing style and conditions. The truth is, after trying it, such THC levels did not surprise us at all.

It is a bit ironic that, out of this mess, they could select such a remarkable plant. If you manage to procure this original cutting, you can be sure you will never give it away and keep it in your

EAST COAST SOUR DIESEL

Its aroma definitely makes you think, as it varies between chocolate, Diesel and sweet notes. In addition, the effect is clear, clean and cerebral. For medicinal use, it is perfect for pains and menstrual cramps. The positive effects of this plant number in the thousands. So, if you are offered this plant, or some of its hybrids, do not hesitate to keep it. Nowadays, many crosses are bred with this strain such as: Future (Exotic Genetics): Gorilla Glue 4 x Starfighter F2 Gorilla OG (Dr. Underground Limited Editions): Gorilla Glue #4 x Tahoe Original cut Gorilla Glue (Auto FastBuds): Gorilla Glue #4 auto version. This is another top strain. Of all the clones mentioned in this article, it is my favourite. Whether it will remain such in the future

Tahoe OG Kush

Gorilla Glue #4

Girl Scout Cookies

Gorilla Glue #4

remains to be seen, as many more strains are still left to be tasted out there... My first experience with this plant was in the form of an S1 produced by Dr. Greenthumb (a Canadian seed bank with a record of major successes). I will call it by the acronym ECSD s1 for the sake of brevity. Before this S1, I tried a large quantity of “Diesel” strains. Although some were rightly called Diesel, others were not. ECSD s1 struck me, made me fall in love with it and, then, I never left it. The same holds true for its original clone. To tell the truth, although the original clone is unique, all the plants derived from it are very close and there is not much difference. The origin of this strain is somewhat debated, I prefer to believe the story that it is a hybrid produced by crossing the Original Diesel with DNL. Curiously enough, one of these parents, Original Diesel, is another cut in high demand, otherwise known as Daywrecker or Headband, but we will talk about it in another issue. Going back to our beloved East Coast Sour Diesel and its qualities. I remember what my judgment was when my partner, better known as Nachillo, asked me about its effect. Now, although it may seem strange, I simply said: “Each puff feels like Virgin Mary coming from heaven and giving me a warm hug that instils me with total peace”. Aside from religious themes, I simply tried to explain the transcendence I felt (this has nothing to do with my religious beliefs, which I keep for myself).

This plant is terrific in all possible senses, production, buds, resin, enormous calices that seem fertilised but are not in actual fact. Taste and aroma are typical of a penetratingly fuel Diesel, a real delight. Flowering can last up to 10 weeks, if you wish, but we usually stop at 9 and a half weeks. I tend to let side branches grow long enough, because when they do, they become as big as the main stem and bud, especially in an aeroponic culture system – in which we are specialised. If you find its clone, as well as those mentioned above, you will be torn between which of the plants to choose to smoke each time. Below are a few alternatives, just in case you cannot find the original: East Coast Sour Diesel S1 (Dr. Greenthumb): ECSD clone x itself. East Coast Sour Diesel Haze (Connoseur Genetics): ECSD x Super Silver Sour Diesel Haze. Sour Diesel IBL (Reservoir Seeds): I need to explain a little story about how IBL was obtained; Soma Seeds’ NYC Diesel was first used to generate the BX1, then the selection continued until the IBL was produced.

TAHOE OG KUSH (ORIGINAL CUT)

First of all, let me make clear that I am talking about the original clone, the only cut. As many seed banks crossed it with other OG hybrids and gave these crosses the same name, this does not mean I am playing them down, I just want to emphasise this is the élite clone. Rumour has it that this genetics originates from a breeder, a cannabis guru who lived in

Tahoe in the late 1980s, although I am not sure about this... nobody can be. If you look at it with the naked eye, you will only see a cut like others, with half-dark green leaves. Since the start of its vegetative growth, however, its smell will give plenty to talk about. When it reaches the flowering phase, it forms dense and highly sticky buds, full of resin stuck to calices, and even more resin on the two sides of each leaf. Buds are white with orange stigmas and their final appearance is scary... you will wonder: “What is this, a snowball? Was my crop hit by a hail storm?...” As regards its growth, it is a strong plant, eats well, and you can bend some of its braches without causing any problems. This training system is used for cropping purposes, to make side branches as long as the main stem and maximise the quantity of the much desired hail (that’s what I call it, because it really resembles enormous hailstones, hard and white). When you harvest it, after 9 weeks of flowering – but, as I said, some prefer to wait until week 10 – you will obtain a lot of hard buds with big sized calices. When you break a bud, a smell of penetrating fuel, with notes of strong pine and lemon will spread through the air. Normally you will feel this taste a few good minutes in your mouth. If it is not so..., it means something went wrong, either it is not the original cut, or, more simply, you made an error. A well-grown plant is not the same as a plant with a nitrogen overdose, or a plant flawed with uncontrolled ph.

The Tahoe clone was a very well-known cut in the USA, but became much more famous in Europe through a hybrid marketed by Cali Connection. Its effect is very strong and is felt directly in the front lobe of your brain, behind your eyes. Don’t worry, though, you will not be lobotomised! Among its qualities, I appreciate the muscle relaxation it causes, flowing from the brain right through to your toes. After taking the first puff, in a matter of seconds, this positive feeling will rise. For medical use, this plant is great. It was tested on many patients in the USA with positive results in the treatment of acute pain, anxiety, panic attacks, migraines, stomach ache caused by medication, sequels of chemotherapy in cancer patients, or a simple gastritis with persistent cramps and nausea. In addition, its effect provides vital support in patients undergoing detoxification from dangerous drugs, not only by healing digestive and sleeping disorders, but also by soothing anxiety. This is indeed a natural wonder worth considering. Below are some alternatives, if you cannot procure the original clone: Tahoe OG Kush (Cali Connection): Tahoe OG Kush cut x SFV OG Kush F4 Dark Cookie (Dr. Underground Limited Edition): Tahoe OG Kush cut x Girl Scout Cookies (thin mint cut) That’s all folks, I hope you liked this brief illustration, which I will continue in the next issues. I’ll take this opportunity to greet all those who are involved in the fight for legalisation, all cannabis growers and all our friends of the cannabis community.

GROW WITH STONEY TARK

THE BEST STRAINS TO GROW OUTDOORS

THIS SUMMER IT IS TIME TO GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY AND START THE OUTDOOR GARDENING DUTIES. DECIDING WHAT OUTDOOR STRAIN YOU WILL GROW IS A SELECTION PROCESS MADE AFTER CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF FACTORS. WITH SO MANY BREEDERS FOCUSING ON PERFECTING THE INDOOR STRAINS, MANY SEED BANKS STILL OFFER SOME EXCELLENT OUTDOOR VARIETIES SO BELOW IS BETTER EXPLAINED WHICH ARE THE BEST OUTDOOR STRAINS YOU SHOULD BE GROWING IN 2018. By Stoney Tark Nirvana Bubblelicious 65 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 350g+ Southern Europe: 550g+ A Skunk hybrid which became notorious in the 1990’s for the exotic fruity berry dank flavour. In the same way Cheese went one way with the terps, Bubblelicious is a large producer big fluffy nugs that have a fruit of the for-

Dutch Passion Seed Company - Frisian Dew 56 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 350g+ Southern Europe: 600g+ This outdoor strain from Dutch Passion is a beautiful pink and purple coloured plant, which is a cross of Super Skunk with a Purple Star male. The traits

Dinafem Critical 2.0 50 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 450g+ Southern Europe:1250g+ Critical 2.0 by Dinafem Seeds is a huge plant that is combined with a short flowering time and large popcorn sized nugs. Already a house name amongst Spanish growers for the obvious reasons, Critical 2.0 will flower in 50 days and

est perfume essence. Yields can range from 350g - 500g per plant depending on where you are growing, however for beginners, this strain is highly recommended for its easability and flowering time of 9-10 weeks.The effect of this bubblegum funk is euphoria and clarity, making a few jars of some outdoor Bubblelicious ideal for daytime smoking. Making extracts off this strain is a winner and the terpenes will remind you of the first time you ever smoked bud.

brought forward are short flowering times of 56 days and a very high yielder which is very resistant to mould. As this plant flowers, it will turn to a light pink with silver frosted buds making this a beauty in the garden. The effects are uplighting and euphoric and the taste is a sweet earthy funk which is highly recommended for anyone wanting a unique selection from Dutch Passion.

harvests can be up to 1250g per plant and more. This strain likes a heavy feed and will seriously pack on some size and stature as she flowers. Due to the Skunk lineage, this outdoor strain has a high resistance to the cold weather and will perform well in most parts of Europe. Critical 2.0 is an upgrade to the previous phenotype which was also well documented to produce ridiculous yields of fruity nugs ranging in the 20% THC mark.

Royal Queen Seeds Amnesia Haze 84 Days Flowering Northern Europe: 350g+ Southern Europe: 750g+ This is a very popular strain already for those who have already grown out Amnesia Haze. This sativa dominant strain is well known for an abundant harvest of citrus haze orange scented buds, with yields of up to 750g+ outdoors. The

Sensi Seeds Early Skunk 45 Days Flowering Northern Europe: 350g+ Southern Europe:600g+ Early Skunk certainly lives up to her name as she will finish flowering in 45 days, making this one a must-have for challenging summers. A cross of Early Pearl and Skunk # 1, the best of the old school comes

Paradise Seeds Belladonna 60 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 400g+ Southern Europe: 800g+ An old school sativa strain which has won cups in Spain in the outdoor category. A sativa dominant strain which produces large harvests of up to 800g per plant, this fruity easy to maintain plant is a great one for sativa lovers who

flowering time on this strain can be between 77-84 days but well worth the weight. This strain can take high E.C levels and in return becomes a seriously robust plant. She can grow anywhere as tall as 2 metres when grown outdoors and left untrained, so it is advised to control the canopy with this aggressively fast variety of cannabis. A highly recommended strain for beginners and experienced growers who are looking for the best yields and flavours.

forward making this strain a super reliable, large yielding and fast flowering outdoor strain. The flowers are an earthy fruit and have a potent stone despite her skunk genetics, whilst the effect becomes more mellow and relaxing. I would certainly recommend this to anyone who needs something short, fast and highly reliable, living in both northern and southern hemispheres as Early Skunk is a huge producer of XXL yields.

want a psychedelic and trippy old school high. With genetics that originates from the 1990’s, Paradise Seeds have not done much to this strain since then and the classic old school traits make this a true performer and worthy of the name which translates to Beautiful Lad. Despite this strain being sativa dominant, it has high resistance to mould and cold and wet weather, so a good selection if you live in northern parts of Europe with challenging cold.

21 Sensi Seeds Mexican Sativa 70 Days Flowering Northern Europe: 250g+ Southern Europe: 450g+ I have included this strain for growers who are blessed with the Mediterranean weather. This Sativa strain that originated in Mexico, is a classic version of the famous landrace crossed with Durban from

Dinafem Seeds Moby Dick 64 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 450g+ Southern Europe: 1250g+ A hybrid of White Widow x Haze and probably the most productive plant that can be grown outdoors, Moby Dick by Dinafem can grow enormous and harvests of 1250g per plant and above are

Paradise Seeds – Wappa 56 Days Flowering Northern Europe: 350g+ Southern Europe: 500g+ A very easy to grow plant that is perfect for beginners or expert growers, with excellent results with hot weather. Wappa is very famous throughout Spain and with lineage tracing back to

Royal Queen Seeds Northern Lights 56 Days Flowering Northern Europe: 300g+ Southern Europe: 600g+ There are no other strains which are so renowned for integrity, performance and a knockout plant. Northern Lights by Royal Queen Seeds is a proven cup winner. The reason why this indica strain is on the list is that outdoors she can reward you with harvests of 600g+

D.N.A Genetics Kushberry 64 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 350g+ Southern Europe: 700g+ A cup winner in Spain in the outdoor category, Kushberry from D.N.A Genetics is a hybrid of Blueberry and O.G Kush. This plant is an indica dominant plant which will grow with a short Christmas tree structure but with a huge main central bud. You can

South Africa and despite the yields being above average, the flavour of the old school musky sweet spice makes up for the harvest. A very famous strain that is sold in coffee shops in Amsterdam, when grown correctly Mexican Sativa will take 70 days and will grow long elongated flowers. One for haze lovers to grow out and those with long summer days but certainly a great strain to add to the outdoor collection this year.

easily achieved, whilst I have seen some first-time growers in South Spain achieve incredible results with this strain. She will also grow up to 2 metres tall in height with a multitude of long thick side branching, so staking and plant training is a must to really get the most out of Moby Dick. The flowers are earthy and musky and very similar to the White Widow and the high is somewhat energetic and racey.

Skunk, it is no wonder this strain can harvest up to 500g+ per plant.of thick chunky fruity buds. Early flowering times of 56 days make this short stocky beast a must have to any outdoor garden. A 2 time cup winner and already a personal favourite amongst the Paradise Seeds members, Wappa is highly recommended to anyone who wants a dreamy fruity flower that can keep you high for hours.

per plant and if you are living in Northern Europe, then you can still expect good yields. Despite a short flowering time of 50-56 days, this is the perfect strain to grow and nurture, whilst the end result can be nothing short of a miniature tree. Expect a strong resistance to mould and cold weather and a true performer whatever part of Europe you live in. The high off Northern Lights is powerful and cerebral, making this one for professional smokers seeking a narcotic experience

expect harvests of 700g per plant outdoors in sunny climates and around 350g per plant in northern Europe. The strain has a unique flavour which is a gassy fruit and the high is very uplifting and euphoric. After smoking Kushberry for a long time, you will certainly feel the O.G lineage kicking in as you become couch locked and sleepy. A great outdoor strain that does not grow too tall and brings the best characteristics forward from the classic Blueberry and American favourite O.G Kush.

Dutch Passion Seed Company- Purple # 1 56 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 350g+ Southern Europe:700g+ Another plant from Dutch Passion which will express itself with dark purple buds, which is an expression of this 1980’s genetic. This 50/50 cross of Purple Afghani with other sativa strains from the breeding rooms, Purple #1 was created and is highly recom-

Dutch Passion Think Different 70 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 300g+ Southern Europe: 500g+ This is a strain with AK47 in the genetics, so you can expect a musky haze variety with good weather resistance to cold and wet environments. Specially created for enhanced production, potency and flavour, Think Different is a true expression of sativa and indica genetics as

Nirvana Aurora Indica 56 Days Flowering Time Northern Europe: 300g+ Southern Europe: 800g+ If you are looking for a short in height, short flowering and sturdy plant, then Aurora Indica from Nirvana is a winner. It is a hybrid of Northern Lights and Afghan and as a full-blooded indica, the effect from Aurora Indica is seriously potent and this one is for hardcore power smokers. This strain will perform

mended for anyone wants large yielding plants that can grow as tall as 2.5 metres. Despite the Afghani influence, the appearance of this monstrous plant is sativa like and shorter flowering time of 56 days, you can expect huge yields of hard-hitting purple bud. The effects are potent and instant and the bag appeal of Purple #1 is exotic looking, to say the least. This will perform much better in Southern Europe and when trained can become an enormous cannabis plant.

it will take up 10 weeks to fully finish. This strain when grown outdoors will not grow too tall but in fact become bushy and chunky making this one an easy to train and grow plant for beginners. Think Different likes a heavy feed and as she flowers, the garden will begin to stink of a musky earthy pungency that is an indication of the effect of this beautiful plant. With a high THC and naturally high CBD, this outdoor crop may be one for night time smoking as it can be both powerful and overwhelming.

very well in all parts of Europe and will handle cold nights with ease thanks to the toughness of the Afghan and Northern Lights parents. It will flower in 56 days and grow in a structure similar to a fat Christmas tree, with long thick side branches full of highly medicinal flowers. Expect outdoor harvests of 450g+ per plant and when trained yields of around 800g+. Also known for high CBD levels, you can find this outdoor strain is great for pain relief and other medical related problems.

SEED BANKS

AMNESIA THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER PLANT

This amazingly tasty and potent Sativa is particularly sought after by growers and consumers alike. It is a high-yielding, easy-to-grow and stout strain with huge, highly resinous buds and remarkable flagrances – all of which make it a must-grow for your garden. By TricomaTeam (tricomateam@gmail.com)

Amnesia is the latest, astonishing newcomer in the Advanced Seeds catalogue. It was developed from the famous Amnesia of Hy-Pro and combines anything that can be achieved from this wonderful genetics. This Sativadominant plant grows vigorously at record speed given its reduced growth period. Branches and shoots are large, with dark green leaves bearing the weight of long, heavy buds the during bloom period, with a large quantity of resin crystals covering them (and noticeable at plain sight). THC is around 18% and has a long-lasting effect consisting of a quick mental high produced after the first puffs combined with a state of euphoria that will make you groggy and absent-minded. Indeed, this weed is made to be enjoyed with friends! Despite its Sativa origin, its bloom period is relatively short. It is ripe as early as mid-October outdoors and after around 65 to 70 days indoors, which is why the use of good anti-odour filters is recommended at this stage to prevent its distinctive smell from leaving the grow room. Outdoors, if seeds are planted at the start of the season and all plant requirements are met, specimens can grow to heights of over three metres with a yield in excess of 1 kg per plant. Indoors, comparatively high yields can be achieved, i.e. 500-600 g/m2 without any problem. The plant releases a penetrating aroma of spices and incense, with a touch of Haze and lemon that lingers in your mouth well after tasting. It is mould and plague resistant, perfectly adapts to any growing style, and the final outcome, you will see, is outstanding. That is why even the least experienced growers will be able to achieve high yields of this extremely potent Amnesia.

GROWTH

Advanced Seeds’ Amnesia is one of the latest additions to our garden and, judging from the results, it is there to stay as a favourite strain. We germinated 10 seeds of Amnesia after summer. To do so we put seeds between wet cloths, which were in turn sealed between two trays to avoid exposure to light and, consequently, root damage. Seeds continued to germinate in the grow room at an ideal temperature achieved through the use of lamps. in less than 48 hours, the radicle was visible in all seeds; they were then planted into pots of less than one litre and exposed to a light cycle of 18 hours of light and six of darkness under 600W lamps at a distance of approximately 1 m. This distance was gradually reduced to around 50 cm. The day after planting seeds, cotyledons were already popping out of the earth surface, and a short but strong growth started. On the early days, we added a small quantity of water and a low dose of

A nice flower

root booster. On day 10, we transplanted them to 7 and 11 litre pots, we continued adding a root booster the first days and we combined it with small quantities of growth compost. In roughly one month, the plant height was considerable with a large amount of long and big side branches. We identified plants, took two cuttings from each of them and moved them to the flowering room.

FLOWERING

After a few days from changing to a 12-12 photoperiod, our Amnesia plants were growing vigorously. This pace of growth was well ahead of that of other strains grown in the same amount of time. Little by little, inter-knot distance shortened and pistils started to appear. After washing roots during the first flowering week, we started to add a flowering fertiliser and a biostimulator in small doses, which we increased in the two weeks preceding harvest. Before long, the early groups of pistils appeared and then developed into long and heavy flowers covered by an increasingly dense layer of trichomes. Although side branches had large and heavy buds, what struck us in all the specimens of the surveyed sample was their central large and hairy buds. After 60 days, most could already be harvested, but we waited for an additional week before cutting them.

HARVESTING AND TASTING

Trimming plants was quite simple. Our ten specimens remained hanging in the drying room in a single afternoon. After ten days, we removed buds from branches and left them to cure inside boxes. The average yield was very high, with a plant-to-plant difference not exceeding 5 gr. When buds were crispy enough we tasted the final product to check its ripeness. We felt it rising quickly to the head with a strong high and a powerful feeling of happiness, which will normally convert into mental disorder in case of excessive consumption. Its taste is fresh and lingers on the palate, with a special citric and Haze aftertaste.

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NEW THERAPEUTIC PRODUCTS FOR 2018

Sweet Seeds creates its first pure CBD strain

The feminised seed bank Sweet Seeds takes pleasure in announcing a bright start for 2018 with new delicious products that will please all cannabis lovers. Sweet Seeds® For this season, all of our efforts, knowledge, passion and time were used to improve our products and lines and, finally, we are ‘taking the plunge’. For 2018, we present you as many as 11 new products, all certified by our ‘house seals’, which is to say a feminisation rate of 99.9% and

a germination rate of above 95%. Our commitment towards our consumers is unchanged, firm and solid. In the past year, after various crosses made with plants rich in CBD and poor in THC, we offered the two first strains of our medical line, Sweet

Nurse Auto CBD (SWS59) and S.A.D. Sweet Afghani Delicious CBD (SWS60). As you know, cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with multiple therapeutic applications and reduced side effects. CBD is used as an anxiolytic, antipsychotic, anti-

inflammatory and analgesic treatment and is also suited to treat complex diseases such as refractory epilepsy. As a result, for our 2018 collection, following the launch of our medical line in 2017, we decided to go a step further and create a

26 new, comprehensive CBD line with seven new strains.

THE FIRST CBD PURE STRAIN

Among these strains, we would like to call your attention to Sweet Pure CBD (SWS65), the first pure CBD cannabis plant by Sweet Seeds , with THC levels generally below 1% and very high CBD levels, i.e. in the range of 8 to 15%. This strain was expressly designed for medical cannabis users wishing to benefit from the therapeutic properties of CBD without being affected by the psychotropic effects of THC. This strain was created from two self-pollinated generations of a CBD-rich clone bred from ancestors of the Diesel family and with the typical structure of IndicaSativa genetics, although it is a Sativa-dominant hybrid. In addition, it releases a sweet and fruity aroma, calling to mind typically citric, tangerine tones with slight notes of cypress.

CBD VERSIONS OF OUR MOST FAMOUS STRAINS

But that is not the end of the story! We also revised some of our most memorable and appreciated strains by converting them into “CBD rich” versions. This is particularly the case for Cream Caramel CBD (SWS67), with a mainly Indica structure, a big central bud, a strong stem and excellent, long and flexible secondary branches. Like the original version, it releases a sweet, caramel aroma. For 2018, we also offer the CBD version of one of our rapidly flowering and growing Green Poison CBD (SWS70), which inherited the rapid and explosive growing properties of our Green Poison (SWS14) original. As you may be aware, the aroma of this strain is delicious, intense and fruity. What is more, early this year we released the CBD rich version of one of our best and most aromatic strains, Ice Cool CBD (SWS69), a high-yielding, resinous plant that

perfectly adapts to the requirements of indoor growing. As can easily be expected, this plant retains the exquisite, extremely strong and penetrating aroma and taste of the original strain, a real delight! Finally, we did not miss the opportunity to convert one of the classical strains of our seed bank into a CBD version, Black Jack CBD (SWS68), whose genetics is also highly performing in terms of rich yields, stout structure, and a sweet, incensed aroma.

NEW CBD STRAINS

There is still more! We added two new strains to our medical line, i.e. the auto, mainly Indica Honey Peach Auto CBD (SWS64), with a peach aroma and a very rapid flowering period (it can be harvested at week eight after germination). The last strain in this group is Chem Beyond Diesel C.B.D. (SWS66), created by crossing the largely famous US Chem Dawg and a European plant of the Diesel family with a typically US intense aroma and rich notes. This strain

produces so much resin as to be suited for extracts. Before saying goodbye, we would like to thank you all for being loyal to us throughout these years and, with that in mind, we will offer 1 and 2 complimentary seeds in all packs of 3 and 5 seeds respectively. We made a major commitment this year to add eleven new products in order to meet your requests, desires and tastes. We hope you will enjoy them and wish you a sweet smoking experience!

THE CANNABIS EXPERIENCE

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Cream Caramel CBD

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Sweet Pure CBD

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SWS67

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SWS65

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Green Poison XL Auto

The sweetest version of Amnesia Haze

SWS72

Now in tall-stemmed version at the usual price

C/ Dr. Nicasio Benlloch nº36-38 · 46015 · Valencia · Spain · +34 963 890 403 / +34 628 593 887 WHOLESALERS: +34 963 473 730 / +34 963 404 289 · info@sweetseeds.es

® SWS71

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PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE PART TWO

PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE IS TURNING BREEDING WORLD UPSIDE DOWN! By Jorge Cervantes jorge@marijuanagrowing.com Countless problems arise when breeding stock (parents) is not stable. Most home breeders start working with the best plant or two of the 10 that sprouted. The genetics are inherently unstable. The breeders then apply many techniques including “selfing” (breeding the plant to itself after forcing male flowers to grow on a female plant). Such stress

is hard on a plant and genetic integrity is impossible to maintain when working with unstable genetics. The end result is that we have a multitude of varieties that are unstable. F1 is the general term that defines a first generation cross. The ideal F1 is achieved by crossing two true

Big greenhouse operations like this at Care By Design (CBD) rely on clones. Given the limited ability of breeders to select from large populations of seed stock, clones offered the only viable way for growers to produce consistent crops of a known genetic.

breeding genetically stable plants. The resulting F1 plant has a trait called “hybrid vigor”. This true F1 can

grow significantly faster and larger plants – 25% bigger and faster. It does not produce a different or stron-

This cannabis garden in Southern Oregon, USA is packed with plants that have been selectively bred by the growers for more than 15 years. Scientific analysis of genetic makeup and selection could have expedited the breeding program by many years.

29 ger cannabinoid profile. However, the genetic cannabinoid profile is expressed to maximum potential. Few “breeders” work with stable true breeding parents and do not produce stable consistent seeds. This is for good reason, selections must be made from thousands of plants and the process takes a lot of time. In the past, the illegal nature of cannabis cultivation has limited the amount of plants grown. Commercial cannabis seed breeders and seed banks should send samples of all of their varieties to Phylos Bioscience for analysis because: š :KHQ WKH '1$ RI YDULHWLHV LV QRW listed publicly at a specific date, the variety can be claimed by another person or business that posts first on the Galaxy. š 7KH YDULHW\ FRXOG EH H[DFWO\ WKH same or super similar to another variety - a clone by another name. š 7KH YDULHW\ PD\ QRW VWDEOH DQG the identical seed variety cannot be reproduced year after year š %UHHGHUV WKDW XVH 3K\ORV %LRVFLHQFH services can find genetic markers that can be used to expedite their breeding program. š %UHHGHUV WKDW FRQWLQXH WR XVH WKH antiquated hit and miss system will continue to lag behind and stagnate Imagine a crop like this grown from F1 seeds that were bred from two true-breeding parents. The crop would be taller and more robust.

There is every reason to list all commercial cannabis seed varieties on the Galaxy and get a full DNA sequence on each one. Any seed producer that does not list their varieties on the Galaxy and supply a full DNA profile on each of their varieties is operating at a distinct disadvantage. Breeders that ignore the helping hand of science will continue to use antiquated 1950s techniques. The Galaxy is the only public vehicle that lists all of the tested varieties in one place. When all seed companies register their parents and offspring seeds with the Galaxy, clients will be able to look up the genetic background of each of the seed company’s varieties before purchasing. The Galaxy is the “go-to” site to find out most everything you want to know about the genetics of a cannabis variety. Other sites that supply subjective information about varietal genetics (AKA strains) will take a back seat.

European seeds from the Netherlands and Spain have dominated the world marketplace for years. The only information they are able to provide are cannabinoid profiles and subjective empirical opinions that is often in the form of sales rhetoric. Since inexpensive genetic testing is so new and based in the USA, European seed breeders have not been exposed to it. They do not test genetics and know little about the genetic makeup of their varieties. Soon European seed companies will be making DNA genetic sequencing tests. Clients must demand this information. Phylos Bioscience and similar services will help stabilize cannabis varieties and develop the absolute best F1 varieties possible. All seed companies need to send in their varieties to be cataloged on the Galaxy. Seed purveyors publicize pictures of frosty resinous buds and tell you all about the lineage of the plant. The stories oscillate between urban legend and good information from an eye witness. But, they are just cracking the surface of the real genetic story. The real genetic story can be told only with DNA sequencing. Seed salespeople claim their varieties have special and unique qualities. But, why are there so many seeds being offered by “respectable” seed companies that are: š 8QVWDEOH ş SODQWV GR QRW ORRN WKH same. š 1RW ZKDW WKH\ VD\ WKH\ DUH ş PDQ\ seeds are knock offs from other companies š 1HYHU EH DEOH WR EX\ WKH ŗVDPHŘ seed because unstable varieties make it impossible to reproduce š 6XVFHSWLEOH WR GLVHDVHV DQG SHVWV š :HDN DQG GR QRW OLYH XS WR WKH ) qualities that comes from breeding two stable true breeding varieties Let’s see which commercial seed companies will lead this new genetic revolution and post their varieties on the Galaxy. These leaders will have a distinct advantage when developing new stable F1 varieties. These breeders will also dominate the seed market in the future.

YouTube video tours of Phylos Bioscience š KWWSV ZZZ \RXWXEH FRP ZDWFK"Y K[$]:SE W V š KWWSV ZZZ \RXWXEH FRP ZDWFK"Y K+JW DB8 š KWWSV ZZZ \RXWXEH FRP ZDWFK"Y O; R,V \$] W V'VI Check out Phylos Science’s Genotype Test, KWWS ZZZ SK\ORVELRVFLHQFH FRP FDQQDELV JHQRW\SLQJ DQG WKHLU 3ODQW 6H[ 7H[W WRR KWWS ZZZ SK\ORVELRVFLHQFH FRP UDSLG FDQQDELV VH[LQJ The canopy of this greenhouse crop is homogeneous and even. Clones that grow evenly are much easier to maintain and harvest. Images are from a Care By Design (CBD) greenhouse in Northern California.

There is a reason all modern breeding programs are based on science and studying the genome of plants . . . it works.

Jorge Cervantes is author of the Cannabis Encyclopedia (596 pages, 2,000+ color images, large A4 format) and Marijuana Horticulture (AKA the Bible). Booth books are available at all amazon retailers worldwide. Both books have excellent chapters on breeding.

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NFT IN

PRACTICE

With correct water flow, the root system in NFT thrives

NFT is an automatic hydroponic system used successfully in many areas of growing, and growing cannabis is no exception. The system looks very simple at first glance, yet setting it up correctly gives many a grower a headache. Once assembled, the growing in this system, if done properly, can bring you great yields. Do you want to know how to achieve the best possible results? HOW DOES IT WORK

NFT stands for Nutrient Film Technique. Plants in rockwool cubes are placed on a grow tray. A nutrient solution flows through wrung channels in this tray. The solution is pumped up from a source tank using a small pump and a simple manifold. A layer of nonwoven fabric is placed on the bottom of the grow tray and the whole surface is covered by a thick non-transparent plastic board. Holes are cut in the board. Plants in rockwool cubes are placed in these holes. When the hydroponic system is turned on, the nutrient solution flows through the channels in the tray and humidifies the nonwoven fabric, as well as the rockwool cubes. Plant’s roots soon grow through the rockwool cubes and start spreading in the area between the bottom of the tray and the plastic cover. Thanks to a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, the conditions for growth are ideal there. When the roots are doing well, so are the parts of the plant above “ground”, as they have enough nutrients for healthy growth. NFT is a circulatory hydroponic system. The nutrient solution is pumped from the source tank to the system, from where it then returns to the tank. Although home growers mostly use systems with the growing tray, where plants are placed in two axes; there are also systems with separate tubes where the plants are placed in a single axis. The individual tubes are then placed next to each other. Again, there

are holes for the rockwool cubes cut in the upper part of the tubes. Hydroponic pots with ceramsite can also be used. The nutrient solution flows through the bottom under the plants, which again makes the nutrients available for the plants while at the same time allowing for enough oxygen in the roots area. When growing in tubes, the nonwoven fabric is usually not used. The tube system is very similar to aeroponic systems. Any average handyman can make their own tube system. Plastic tubes used for water distribution or drainage can easily be turned into growing tubes. Although the NFT system is quite simple and it may seem that operating one is easy, sometimes this happens: Grower brings the system home, builds it according to the manual and plants the plants. But the miracle they expected doesn´t happen. On the contrary. Plants do not grow, leaves begin twisting and turning yellow. What's wrong? What did I miss? The catch is usually in setting the NFT's tilt, in the quality and temperature of the nutrient solution, or in the setting of the solution's flow. That's why NFT is more suitable for more advanced and experienced growers. However, when listening to the following advices, NFT can be harnessed even by an absolute beginner.

SETTING TRAY’S ANGLE AND NUTRIENT SOLUTION FLOW The first principle for NFT to function correctly is a

appropriate tilt of the grow tray or tube. If you bought a small NFT system like Gro-Tank, where the tray is as large as the nutrient solution tank, you have one worry less. The tilt angle is factory-set and suits your needs. In systems where the grow tray is resting on the tank on one end and supporting the base on the other, the angle must be set manually. The same is true for systems with tubes. The idea behind NFT is to cover the bottom of the tray with a thin layer of the nutrient solution. To make sure the layer is thin and of roughly the same depth everywhere, the tilt angle must be as small as possible. That being said, it must still be large enough for the solution to flow from the tray back to the tank without forming puddles. When setting the tilt, 1–2 cm of declination per meter of length of the grow tray or tube should be enough. But there's no rule of the thumb here and the tilt must always be carefully set. Along with the tray's tilt, it's also good to set the nutrient's flow. Commercial NFT systems come with a valve for flow regulation. When making your own NFT, don't forget the valve. Install it on the pump's output or separately to each tube. If the tilt and flow in systems with grow trays are set correctly, the nutrient solution flows evenly through all channels without overflowing. In tube systems, the water level at the outflow should not be much higher than at inflow. When fine-tuning the flow, the system must be placed

on a flat surface. It's hard to achieve an even flow on tilted floor. Flow and tilt angle need to be set before placing the plants. Setting the system after placing them could ruin all your efforts because you they could be easily overwatered. The length of the grow tray or tube also play an important role. If building your own NFT, it is not recommended to make a single grow unit longer than 2 m. In case you need to cover a larger area, create more units. Water tends to amass at the outflow in too long units. Pay attention to correct balancing of the grow tray and setting the flow correctly. Otherwise, the system won't work properly. It happens frequently that the flow is correct in the upper half of the system but the water accumulates in the lower part and drains slowly. In such cases, the plants grow well in a half of the system while being soaked with water in the other. Many growers then seem unable to identify the problem, which is in the tilt angle of the tray and in the flow. Check the flow of the nutrient solution even during the growth cycle. It may happen that the grow tray will bend due to an increase in weight of the plants and the solution's path will change. If you find some plants overwatering or drying, first check whether the solution flows evenly.

LAYING THE UNWOVEN FABRIC CORRECTLY

Unwoven fabric serves as a backup for roots and for maintaining stable humidity in the root system

Tube NFT system. You can make one of these yourselves

area in tray-type NFT systems. The fabric is kept constantly wet and the roots grow through and on it. However, there are growers who don't use unwoven fabric in NFT and they're doing fine. Using the fabric in NFT systems with trays is highly recommended, though. The fabric should end a few centimeters before the spot where the water goes back to the tank. This ensures a reliable and even outflow. When the fabric overlaps the edge of the grow tray, it hampers the outflow.

PLACING THE PLANTS IN THE SYSTEM

Planting well-rooted plants in NFT is a very important step on the road towards successful harvest. Whether using rockwool cubes or hydroponic pots with

is crucial when using NFT. If want to grow in rockwool cubes, make sure to turn the irrigation system on and off manually for a short time several times a day during week one. Take care not to overwater the plants and, at the same time, provide them enough moisture. Optimum dose can be recognized by checking if the root system grows well. Rockwool cubes can retain water for quite a long time, so don't worry about them going dry in a few hours. Once you notice that the root system is growing and the plants thrive, you may keep adding on irrigation until reaching constant flow.

control and any necessary adjustments of pH and EC, it is also vital to check nutrient solution temperature. It should be kept around 21 °C. If over 23 °C, root development is significantly slowed down and the ability of roots to absorb nutrients is noticeably hampered, too. The same is true for temperatures

below 18 °C, so try to keep the temperature in the desired limits. Although NFT ensures enough oxygen in the roots area by its technical characteristics, it is good to oxidize the nutrient solution tank, maintaining high levels of oxygen even there. An aquarium air compressor will suffice.

If using ceramsite and small hydroponic pots instead of rockwool cubes, irrigation must be turned on nonstop from the beginning. That's because a small

A well-rooted plant is crucial for successful growing in NFT systems

rockwool, the roots must grow out of the growing medium already during planting. Only then can they reach the area in the NFT where they can get moisture and nutrients. Non-rooted plants don't grow very well in NFT. In rockwool cubes, non-rooted plants are quickly overwatered and subsequently die.

IRRIGATION

As with many other systems, the initial growth stage

amount of ceramsite will only retain a small amount of moisture and begin to dry fast. In case of an irrigation outage, the plants may start to wilt. If your growing place suffers from frequent power outages, go for the rockwool cubes. When using irrigation in NFT, it is important to check nutrient solution parameters frequently, as with other circulatory hydroponic systems. Aside from everyday

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OUTDOOR AUTO GROWING BOOST YOUR OUTDOOR HARVEST Autoflower seeds are proving increasing useful to outdoor cannabis growers. Its fair to say that autoflower seeds are complementing, rather than replacing, traditional outdoor photoperiod varieties. Here are some of the reasons why outdoor growers are finding autoflower seeds to be a useful addition to their outdoor tool kit. By Tony, Dutch Passion Seed Company

Faster crop cycles with autos.

One of the reasons why so many guerrilla growers like to have a few auto’s planted outdoors is the fast crop cycle, typically around 95 days from seed to harvest. Growers in Northern European countries can get a heavy summer crop even in Scandinavia. Growers in central Europe can get a couple of consecutive auto harvests in one season. And growers in hot mediterranean countries can get 3 consecutive auto harvests. The harvest weight from an auto is usually around 50-100g, so autos are not as heavy yielding as photoperiod outdoor varieties. But they are faster. And that allows the outdoor grower to spread the harvest over several crops, meaning there is less dependency on the autumn harvest from the photoperiod plants. With a few extra auto seeds planted, the guerrilla growers increases the odds of a successful harvest.

Recommended strategies for starting autos.

Growers in Northern Europe often prefer to start their auto seeds indoors for a couple of weeks and plant them outdoors after the last frost. For many growers, that means germinating the seeds and growing them under 24 hour light for 2-3 weeks and planting the seeds outdoors in late May. Those with the benefit of a greenhouse or polytunnel may be able to start earlier. The further south you are in Europe, the earlier you can start your autos. By starting your auto seeds indoors you protect them from weather/predators and give them the best chance of a bumper harvest.

Protecting autos outdoors

Autos can be protected in the same way as photoperiod plants. Always use a generous sprinkling of slug/snail pellets when you visit your outdoor autos. And where possible use garden wire fencing (‘chicken fencing’) to keep rabbits etc from nibbling away at your crop.

Recommended outdoor auto varieties.

Most well-bred autos with quality genetics will do a good job outdoors. As always, choose a seed company with a proven track record. All the Dutch Passion autos will perform well outdoors. Think Different is one of the most successful outdoor autos with heavy yields and good resistance to pests and poor weather. Auto Duck is another recommended auto for outdoor growers, with the unique webbed leaf shape the Frisian Duck variety is difficult to recognise as cannabis.

Auto harvesting.

Many outdoor growers feel that one key benefit of autos is that they ripen during the mid-summer sun, rather than the fading autumn sunlight. This is felt to give an extra ‘kick’ to the potency. If you are an outdoor grower then think about growing a pack or two of autos in your outdoor grow locations. It’s an easy and fast way to supplement your guerrilla harvest.

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High h Times Cannabis Cann Cup Amsterdam 2006 (Bio Category)

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OPIUM ® As you would expect with our Queen, we invested much time and energy into her preparation. By the time she stepped into the limelight she had been bred over several generations, using the genetics of original classic lines; and she didn’t disappoint when she arrived. A High Times Cannabis Cup prize winner, Opium was an instant hit with the growing community. The characteristics we channeled into Opium have created a strain with stand out qualities. The plant grows strong, with a thick stem and bushy side branches. This gives it the tools to produce BIG and heavy buds that are trichome rich. 50% / 50% 56-60 Days

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CANNABIS EVENTS

Holland’s biggest cannabis event: June 17

Cannabis Liberation Day celebrates 10th edition in Amsterdam Cannabis Liberation Day, the biggest cannabis and hemp event in the Netherlands, celebrates its tenth edition this year, with a spectacular line up of international speakers and bands and a new feature: the Cannabis Olympics. As always, entry to the outdoor protestival in Amsterdam’s Flevopark is free. do with the plant is for sale, except for cannabis itself, of course. The "Cannabis University", launched in 2017, boasts a full program of panel debates, Q&A sessions and masterclasses, presenting some of the biggest names in the cannabis world. Confirmed speakers for this year include ‘Guru of Ganja’ Ed Rosenthal (US), bestselling author and organic cowboy Doug Fine (US), veteran cannabis activist Dana Larsen (Canada) and The Dagga Couple (South Africa). Among the musical highlights are France’s favorite stoner band Le Peuple de l‘Herbe, the spectacular multi-ethnic group Nusodia and upcoming reggae and soul sensation Samora from Amsterdam.

In its first three years, Cannabis Liberation Day was held in the first weekend of May, to coincide with the Global Marijuana March. The decision to move to the middle of June in 2012 meant that the weather was a lot bet-

ter from then on: no small matter for an outdoor event in the Netherlands. Cannabis Liberation Day is organized by the VOC, the Union for abolition of cannabis prohibition, a Dutch NGO fighting for legalization. “On Cannabis Liberation Day we celebrate the international cannabis culture”, VOC chairman Derrick Bergman explains, “and we show how much good this plant has to offer. We’re a protestival, a festival with a clear message. We advocate for legalization of cannabis, and broad utilization of the plant as medicine, alternative for alcohol and sustainable raw material. And we protest against the repression and criminalization of the plant, cannabis consumers, coffeeshops and growers. This is still very necessary: the Dutch cannabis policy has gone from tolerant and progressive to outright repressive. The world moves forward, while we move backwards. We raise our voices against this and invite foreign speakers to talk about

legalization in their countries.” The location of the event definitely adds to the mellow, laid back atmosphere: Flevopark is one of

Amsterdam’s oldest and biggest parks. Dutch member of parliament Vera Bergkamp has visited Cannabis Liberation Day twice and called it “the most relaxed festival I have ever been at” on Twitter. The main stage, with bands, DJ's, and speakers from The Netherlands and abroad is the heart of the event. On the Hemp Market, cannabis and hemp related companies and organizations from around Europe present themselves. Pretty much everything that has to

Other popular features of Cannabis Liberation Day are the Vape Lounge hosted by main sponsor Amsterdam Genetics / Boerejongens coffeeshops and the free traditional Dutch “Zweefmolen” or Giant’s Stride. A new addition are the Cannabis Olympics, consisting of five fun games. The first 500 visitors to complete all five games win a cannabis medal and all participants can take part in a raffle to win a cannabis holiday to Barcelona. What makes Cannabis Liberation Day extra attractive is the fact that consuming cannabis is totally legal (if you are 18 years or older) at the event. The nearest coffeeshop is conveniently located at some 800 meters walking distance from the park. The event offers a great mix of entertainment and education, as cannabis journalist Bill Griffin noted in The Marijuana Times: “Cannabis Liberation Day is an essential highlight in the European cannabis calendar in that it allows people to celebrate and have fun, but at the same time reminds them what needs to be done to drive things forward.”

Cannabis Liberation Day 2018

Sunday June 17, 14.00-22.00, Flevopark – Amsterdam, Free entry Website: www.cannabisliberationday.org Twitter: @cannabisdayams

Celebrating 15 years of Ganjaman in Soft Secrets!

GROW WITH ROBERT B.

OUTDOOR WITH AUTOS Pampa Guerrilla Growing Autoflowering plants grown both indoors and outdoors are becoming increasingly popular. Genetics based on crossings with Ruderalis used to be weaker, but current successes in breeding are contributing to bridge this gap. Auto genetics are improving day by day, with ever-increasing yields and flowering also extended to the summer period – provided that plants are exposed to enough sunlight. The same qualities of indoor growing are also possible in outdoor spaces. This is why this article also describes methods for growing auto genetics in the open. Autos are particularly suitable for outdoor locations as they bloom independently of the photoperiod and ripen quite soon. As slowly growing plants, autos can be planted in fields, meadows or roadsides with Text: Robert B. successful results. However, to achieve these results, certain methodological aspects should be considered. Plant germination and outside exposure Most growers germinate their own autos. In practical terms, the same procedure is applied as with normal seeds and, therefore, there is no need to describe it here in further detail. As these plants rapidly reach their blooming phase, they should quickly be placed outside, usually when they reach a size not exceeding 15 cm or an age not older than three weeks. Of course, each planting session involves stress for the plant, as it has to form a new root system. There is a risk that the plant will get too dry and wither. This risk is due to the fact that, usually, the seed is germinated in an aerated potting compost, which quickly dries out. This type of compost is designed for gardens where plants are normally watered. Without

yed to the plant roots. Make sure you wet the earth a bit before removing the plants. It is also not advised to expose the seedling to sunlight, if the sun is too strong. At this stage, rainy weather would be more favourable to the plant growth. The time of planting should be carefully chosen in order to have moderately rainy weather for the next couple of days. This will make your plants thrive. Plants root with rainy weather and grow in the sun. Recently planted plants should root first, and only then grow. If you sow your own auto seeds, the germinated seedlings should first be left to grow and then, after three weeks, planted in a site where they will develop into adult plants. Seedlings should be transplanted before the beginning of their bloom. No fertili-

Many outdoor growers are also faced with a completely different problem. If they want to grow plants on grassland, the risk of plants being eaten by slugs is high. To avoid this, the grass cover on top should be removed to prepare the soil for planting. Slug pellets bought from gardening shops - could be spread on the soil in order to protect the seedlings. Deer are another danger, as they normally find these plants excellent food. To solve this problem, a grower could purchase a wire mesh for fowl and cut it into a roll. This

Europe. Those who are ‘in a hurry’ should wrap the mesh in cling film before placing it around the seedling. This is a simple way to create – so to speak – a small ‘grow room’ for single plants. The top should be curved towards the inside and have holes to allow rainwater to flow through. After all, beneath the cling film, seedlings also need to be irrigated by rainwater. If it is possible to place seedlings outside as early as mid-April, auto plants would already be ripe in late May, the next seedlings could also be planted in the same protected location and, at the end of the year, your yield could be three times as much. In any case, the second harvest would be the best one. Further tips It should be considered that stress due to replanting could slow down

Just placed outside. Slug pellets are spread, the plot is irrigated and a mesh placed around plants will avoid bites from wild animals

Just germinated

irrigation, the plant will easily get dry. If a recently planted seedling still has to form its root system in the soil, it will receive no water whatsoever. But there is a method to avoid the quick drying of the compost. The seedling should be planted somewhat deeper into the earth and the compost surface should be covered with heavier topsoil. To ease irrigation, you should create hollows, rather than humps, around the plant, to retain water to be conve-

Only after, should seedlings be planted in the same furrows where maize was planted. On roadsides or untilled grassland, nutrients from rotten vegetation are already found in the soil. Even so, adding some nutrient solution may not be a bad idea.

ser should be used at this stage, as plants root better with low fertilisation. Slow-release fertilisers are unnecessary, as these plants will not remain in place for a long time. When plants have taken root, they can be irrigated with some quantity of nutrient solution. However, if they are planted in a maize field, no nutrient is required, as the farmer has already supplied it. Many farmers, however, may cause damage with watering in May or early June.

mesh protection can easily be placed around the seeding and will suffice to keep it away from deer bites. However, you should not make these meshes noticeable to foresters or dog owners. Therefore, make sure you only install them in hidden places or when maize is already high enough to cover them. Many growers are inclined to place their plants outside in April, although this is too early, at least in Northern

autoflowering genetics and occasionally result in smaller plants, with an obviously lower yield. The following tips will be useful to minimise such stress. We will use Jiffy pots, which consist of pressed peat and allow plants to be planted all together. Roots grow through the pot sides and, when plants are transferred, there is virtually no stress. However, these pots present an initial disadvantage: the first roots growing outside the peat tend to

42 wither. To avoid this inconvenience, you should wrap the pot in cling film, which will keep it wet and, consequently, the roots growing outside the pot will remain intact. The film in contact with the floor must obviously be pierced for water to flow out. You should be very careful not to pour too much water. The potting compost should be wet but not overwatered. When the compost is wet, roots have no air and cannot breath, and the plant stops growing. More water could reduce the size of your plants and, consequently, harvest. On a daily basis, the grower should lift up each small pot and check its weight to see if it needs some more watering. If this is done regularly, everything should be OK for the growth of good seedlings, which will be ready to be placed outside at a later date. After replanting, the potting compost should again be covered by heavy topsoil. In order to search for the best site on which to grow seedlings, you should consider a few factors, i.e.: the area should be covered by heavy, not excessively clayey, topsoil. Rooting is difficult with a clayey soil and, with water, plants can virtually drown as water will not leak through. Also avoid excessively sandy soil. If your soil is sandy, make sure it does not get dry, as less water supplied to the plant would prevent its growth. A good root system only develops on topsoil, as it conveys water to the roots and stores the necessary nutrients. Growers who have the opportunity to choose their growing spaces should give preference to those with really dark topsoil. Sun is a further point to be considered, as even the best seedling will remain unproductive if not exposed to sunlight. Forest or slope edges are consequently unsuited, as seedlings are more likely to grow in the shadow of other plants. To avoid this, preference should be given to open spaces or shrubby grassland. Apart from that, care should be taken to leave the east and south sides open, so as to favour exposure to the sun. It is no use if just the north side is clear of taller plants. Sun exposure in the morning and at midday is particularly beneficial. But, of course, open spaces are absolutely the best. Maize fields are ideal set-

tings, as usually they are not infested by slugs and are avoided, and consequently not damaged, by wild fauna. Seedlings, which are normally not as high as maize, should be planted when

The plant has just been placed outside, but the planting hole is not sufficiently deep, a deeper hole would ensure a better supply of water you know that maize will no longer be sprayed with water. Perhaps you should try to remove a couple of maize plants for your cannabis to receive enough air and sun. When maize is smaller than the size of an adult person and a grower stands in a maize field, this may raise some suspicion. Fields to be chosen should be really remote and isolated. Normally, cops would only search for cannabis plants in autumn with their helicopters and drones – this means that you can safely plant a couple of auto plants, but you should grow them scattered over a large area. Even if your guerrilla field is discovered, you will always have some other site available to get away with it. Sowing directly in open fields Only a few growers sow their marijuana seeds directly in open fields, although this is not a bad method, as germinable seeds can easily develop in nutrient-rich soil. Seeds germinate in outdoor spaces only from mid-May

onwards, provided the soil has previously been prepared for plantation. When digging a spot to be planted, adding a little garden soil is not a bad idea. This optimisation of the soil is however unnecessary if it is not too heavy. The site, however, should be ploughed and the seeds placed at a depth of one to two centimetres from the surface. Seeds can be sown directly in protected growing spaces, where they will also bloom. For growers to be able to find their way to their guerrilla plots, these should be clearly marked. Many people believe that the direct sowing method does not work. Why shouldn’t it? Farmers too sow directly in the field and each seed germinates. The same will happen with hemp. The seed will draw moisture from the earth and germinate. The main root will form and, as you have sown directly into an open space, it will grow unrestrained. The deeper the seed is, the less likely the risk that the plant will get dry. For marijuana seeds, however, you should only choose optimal sites or, otherwise, germinate seeds in pots placed outdoors in a protected place, if you cannot do it at home. Seedlings placed outside are always exposed to the risk of getting dry. This is not the case if the seedling is left to grow directly in an open space and develop a very deep root system. Of course, you can protect it with slug pellets and a mesh ring. Growers who do not sow in maize fields but rather in meadows should remove turf from the planting spot. Watering is not essential, as long as the soil does not get dry. Seeds sown by farmers are not irrigated regularly and, even then, they grow very well. Those who are sceptical should simply try with a few seeds in order to see what brings about the best result, so they will still have the opportunity to grow their plants outdoors even when they cannot pre-germinate their seeds. Procedural rules In most countries, the cultivation of marijuana is illegal and prosecuted. Many people see this as a crime to be immediately reported, which is obviously shameful. For this reason, outdoor growers should always avoid prying eyes. If you place your plants

amidst vegetation, make sure your site is really hidden and, when you operate during the day, check that nobody is around. When you go to check your plants in the darkness and somebody sees you, this will attract people’s attention even more. In short, the associated risk should be carefully considered. Do not park your car close to the planting site, but preferably walk a safe distance from it. The car number plate can be fatal, as it can easily be traced back to the car owner. Do not carry any smartphones with you, even after turning them off, as they can easily be located. If someone sees you, normally they will be afraid and will not attempt to catch you. In that event, you

An auto plant grown in a pot should never say who you are. Plants could be lost, but that’s the worst that may happen to you. You will certainly not be convicted for outdoor growing. Investigative work for a few plants is generally not worthwhile. Outdoor growers should consider the possibility that half the quantity of their grown plants, or more, could be lost when discovered, so you would be better off growing as many as you can on multiple sites. If you do, everything should run smoothly and you will finally harvest a reasonable quantity of good weed.

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GROW YOUR OWN

5 TOOLS EVERY SERIOUS GROWER USES ON A DAILY BASIS All tradespersons have a set of tools that they use on a daily basis, whether it is a screwdriver or a power tool. Since the trade in question for this article is a hydroponic crop, there are a few tools that are used on a daily basis as well. These tools are of paramount importance to a successful crop. By Thomas Valentine Every serious grower has a set of tools that are used every day to monitor and tend to the most recent crop. Here is a list of those tools:

automatic timer. Most timers can be set in 10 or 20 minute intervals. Make sure you timer can handle the load impressed by the grow lamp(s). Also, make sure the timer is a 3 pronged model.

pH Meter – There are a few ways that the pH of the nutrient solution can be found. If the plan is to have only one crop, there are a few very effective pH meters that are inexpensive yet simple to use. You may purchase a vial of litmus fluid to test the pH. Simply take a sample of the nutrient solution and put a few drops in the vial. After shaking it to mix it thoroughly, the color of the nutrient solution changes. Compare this color with the gauge that is included and that is the pH. A more effective but costlier method is to purchase a pH meter. This is done if there is more than one crop being grown. It’s a simple meter to use and can be found at any hydroponic supply store. The convenience itself covers the cost of the meter. Fast growing leafy plants generally like a lower pH in the range of 5.2 to 5.9. Fortunately, a lower pH will bond fewer nutrients of the type in the solution than will a higher pH.

PPM Meter - The concentration of the nutrient solution is measured in parts per million (PPM). This indispensable tool is used every day to monitor and mix the nutrient solution. Young, established seedlings or rooted clones are generally started at 500 to 600 PPM. This

Ground fault circuit breaker Since there is a high energy light hanging over water, the last thing you want is an energized nutrient solution. The ground wire will trip the breaker should the nutrient solution get energized if you’re using a ground fault circuit breaker. Should the calamity that is a dropped light on the crop happen, the ground fault circuit breaker is essential.

Patience – Every grower has had the temptation of pinching off an immature bug for a taste test. This move will stunt the growth of the bud in that local area. This is a big no-no. Use some patience while watching the buds get fatter and fatter. Know a mature bud by pinching it. If it doesn’t bounce back, it’s a good bet that the plant is ready to harvest. If it bounces back, then try the pinch on a different bud in a few days. value is increased to 800 to 900 PPM during the peak foliage growth period. During the flowering period, the PPM is raised even higher to 1000 to 1200 PPM. That’s a lot of nutrient, and it’s needed, every drop. It is at the flowering time that the plant will need the most resources.

24 hour timer – In order to

have a healthy crop, the lighting cycle must be religiously adhered to. The norm is to have a cycle that has 18 hours on and 6 hours off. It is important to have a setup that allows the night cycle to be absolutely black. Don’t even enter the room they’re being grown in to check on them during their night cycle. This is accomplished with an

These 5 essential tools are essential to the crop’s success. Using them on a daily basis will ensure that the next (or first) crop will be healthy and bountiful. A setup using these tools will make raising the crop easier and less frustrating as well. Just watch the pH and PPM and keep to the lighting cycle white on and black off.

46 Index of ads

TRUE OR FALSE? 1.

Stoney Tark

Name

Page

Advanced Seeds

Jorge Cervantes

Amsterdam Seed Center

Kannabia Seeds

Atami

Kosmic Kitchen

Barney's Farm

Mary Jane Berlin

Buddha Seeds

Mycologics

Cannabis Liberation Day

Paradise Seeds

Dinafem Seeds

Paradise Seeds

Male plants are needed to make feminised seeds.

A humidity dome is needed to root clones.

10. Cannabis needs to be decarboxylated to activate THC.

Bubbler systems are very effective.

11. White Rhino is known for its medicinal properties.

HPS stands for High Pressure Sunlight.

12. 100mg is the equivalent of a 1g dose.

Dinafem Seeds

Paradise Seeds

Drift Wholesale

Procare

13. Hemp is naturally high in THC.

Dutch Passion

Pyramid Seeds

14. Back rolling is a way of rolling a joint in Holland.

Dutch Passion

Royal Queen Seeds

Dutch Passion

Stanford Hydroponics

Exotic Seed

Sweet Seeds

Gea Seeds

Sweet Seeds

Gen 200

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17. Light deprivation is growing during summer months.

Genofarm

Tech Grow

Humboldt Seed Organization

Wilma's Lawn & Garden

18. Super polm is a type of rosin

Hydrogarden

Soft Secrets produces 8 issues per year.

15. THC degrades into CBD and CBN over time. 16. Worm humus contains natural microbes.

19. Alcohol is not permitted in coffeeshops in Amsterdam 20. In Spain it is legal to smoke cannabis in public.

Larry O.G is not a real strain.

Shoreline is a strain by Devil’s Harvest.

True False False True True True True False True False

Pollen can be stored away in the freezer.

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

False True True False True True False True False True

Germinating seeds should be kept moist and dark.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Colofon Soft Secrets is published by Discover Publisher BV P.O.Box 362, 5460 AJ, Veghel, Netherlands Telephone: +31-(0)73-5498112 E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl Web: www.softsecrets.com Editor: Cliff Cremer Contributors: Ed Rosenthal, Jorge Cervantes, Dr. John Dee, Stoney Tark, Mr. Jose, Hugo Madera, Mr. Jose, Robert B., cccp and others. Comics: Jim Stewart Editorial adress: readers@softsecrets.nl

ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ AT PAGE 6 : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

D A D A C B C A B A

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

A B D A A B C B D B

Advertisements: E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl A word from the publisher: Soft Secrets is published in: The Netherlands (Highlife), Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Poland, Czech Republic, Chile and Argentina. The UK government has embarked on a process of relative liberalisation towards the use of cannabis, and cannabis activists are engaged in broadening this engagement. Several local councils and police chiefs now actively support a Dutch-style coffeeshop system as a way of separating soft and hard drugs, as it has proven to do in Holland. Whether they are finding their way to new coffeeshops or growing for their personal supply, cannabis users are a menace to no one, and are causing no discernable social problem.

Some politicians and commentators are calling for the outright legalisation of marihuana. Let’s wait and see how the debate develops during a period of relative peace between all sides of the argument. In the meantime, the publisher hopes Soft Secrets will show the public a positive side to the normalisation of cannabis use, and is anxious to offer a forum to both pro- and anti-legalisation advocates. This assumes that the publisher does not necessarily agree with everything that appears in articles and advertisements. The publisher therefore distances himself explicitly from published statements or images that might give the impression that an endorsement is being made for the use or production of cannabis. Nothing from this publication may be copied or reproduced in any format without prior permission from the publisher and other copyright holders. The publisher is not responsible for the content and/or point of view of advertisements. The editors take no responsibility for unsolicited submissions. The publisher has endeavored to reach all copyright holders of photos and/or images. Those who still believe they are entitled to these rights may contact the publisher.

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