THE CANNABIS NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
www.softsecrets.com | Issue 6 - 2021 18+ For adults only. Soft Secrets is published six times a year by Discover Publisher BV Netherlands
THE HOME OF FAMOUS STRAINS
WAPPA - SENSI STAR - L.A. AMNESIA ORIGINAL WHITE WIDOW - NEBULA ACID - ATOMICAL HAZE - PANDORA
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Luxembourg legalizes growing of cannabis in EU first Luxembourg joins only two other countries and a handful of US states in decriminalizing the cultivation of cannabis for recreational use. However, Germany may not be far behind. The government of Luxembourg will be the first in the European Union to legalize growing cannabis, local media reported on Friday. Under a new raft of laws presented by the Cabinet, residents aged 18 and over will be allowed to grow up to four plants for personal use and carry three grams on their person in public. Fines for possessing cannabis, which used to run up to €2,500 ($2,900), will be drastically reduced and limited to those who consume the substance in public spaces where it is prohibited. Levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, will cease to be regulated. The new legislation would address "the problem of drug-related crime in Luxembourg", the government said. The sale and distribution will also be decriminalized, paving the way for a
state-regulated supply chain and market for cannabis products. Government revenues from this process will then be spent on addiction “prevention, education," and health care, officials said. Luxembourg joins
only Canada, Uruguay, and 11 of the 50 US states in legalizing the growth and distribution of cannabis. In the European Union, not even the Netherlands, where a ban on the sale and consumption of cannabis is not enforced, has done so.
What is the status of legalization in Germany?
semillas de barcelona
In Germany, there are hopes that the new government may legalize the recreational use of cannabis. The Green party, which is set to be part of the country's next coalition, has promoted legalization in the past. Now, it appears fellow coalition members, the Social Democrats (SPD) and Free Democrats (FDP), are also in favor. Johannes Gallois, an executive at GECA Pharma in the city of Cologne told DW that he thinks Germany should follow Canada's model, with the "potential to have up to one million patients and users in Germany in a relatively short time."
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TROPICANNA BANANA
THE DOC GOES BANANAS!
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MISDIAGNOSED GARDEN PROBLEMS WITH JORGE CERVANTES
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CRYPTOCANNABIS
BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN THE CANNABIS SUPPLY CHAIN
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STONEY TARK'S
TOP TIPS ON GROWING INDOORS IN WINTER
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PURPLE PUNCH OG®
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
THE GREEN HORIZON ALLIANCE SIX INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES ANNOUNCE A NEW NETWORK-CENTRIC ORGANIZATION
extracts such as CBD oil for human well-being, medicine, food, feed, and recreation.
Eindhoven, NL: Six companies have established an informal business partnership, The Green Horizon Alliance. Together, they aim to address the complexities of the evolving cannabis market in an agile, nonbureaucratic manner with an absence of hierarchies—helping to shape the industry as it drives forward. The legal cannabis market continues growing in North America, Europe and LATAM. For over a century, the cannabis market was marginal; until recently, when governments began recognizing the benefits of cannabis and its related products. Popular categories include seeds, flowers and
Business analysts predict that cannabis demand will continue to grow over the next decade, making it become a dominant crop. All this, despite regulations historically locking cannabis out of mainstream agricultural developments such as F1 hybrid breeding, virus and bacterial resistance enhancement, overall improvement of soil, and sustainable crop management practices. The companies in the Green Horizon Alliance share a vast knowledge covering all aspects of cannabis and its markets since they are: •
Based in the USA ( California, Oregon, Colorado), Canada, Israel and the Netherlands
• Oriented at CBD and/or THC crops and other specific varieties • Specialized in sexual and asexual propagation techniques such as seeds, tissue culture and cuttings • Focused on starting materials for both open field and indoor/greenhouse cultivation • Developing new varieties by applying techniques and technologies that have already proven their value in row and vegetable crops • Focused on aligning the cannabis industry with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals • Committed to making the cannabis industry compliant with international rules and regulations
During the last year, the associated companies have, in different combinations, entered into multiple business initiatives regarding sales and license agreements, breeding programs, growth promotion and evaluation. To find out more about the individual companies and the alliance, visit: www.rqspro.com/Green-HorizonAlliance
RQS PRO RELEASES EXCLUSIVE FIRST RANGE OF F1 HYBRID CANNABIS SEEDS Eindhoven, NL: RQS Pro’s internal cannabis F1 hybrid breeding program results in the first of several F1 hybrids. The B2B division of the Royal Queen Seeds brand believes that F1 hybrid seeds are the future of cannabis growing thanks to their higher yield, high crop uniformity, greater efficiency, improved land use and superior economic scaling. With the dynamic growth of the legal cannabis market, the industry needs a sustainable product range to keep up with the rising demand. In the USA alone, the industry is expected to reach $40B by 2026, up from an estimated $12B last year. To meet this milestone requires professional agronomic management, quality starting materials and an in-depth understanding of cannabis
The results are impressive, with many tests showing up to double the yield per square metre and higher levels of crop uniformity. The effect on our customers will be more efficient crop management and better ability to predetermine final yields”. genomics. Fortunately, the concept and benefits of F1 hybrids are already present in many row and vegetable crops. A prime example is the introduction of F1 hybrid corn ninety years ago, which has resulted in a yield increase over time of 500%. RQS Pro’s breeding program aims to integrate the same proven breeding technologies (F1 hybrid breeding,
marker-assisted breeding and polyploidy) to improve cannabis viability significantly. Maikel de Bresser, the Global Head of R&D for RQS Pro, explains just how impactful their new F1 hybrids can be. “Alongside our Green Horizon Alliance partners, we have already executed standardised trials comparing classic cannabis seed varieties with their F1 hybrid counterparts.
The first F1 hybrid range will launch in the US state of California first, with seeds expected in Q1 of 2022. RQS Pro will continue building a pipeline of both THC and CBD crops, with their exclusive range of F1 hybrid seeds addressing the needs of both the professional and home grower market. For info go to www.rqspro.com
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SEED BANKS
MEET THE NEW FAMILY! THEY’RE SWEET! Here’s a sneak preview of our new strain drop! The Paradise breeding team has been working on a new selection of Cali strains for over a year now – developing and testing until we are happy - and now is the moment to release them to the world! So, what can we tell you about our new releases? Well the brief was to create some new versions of our flagship strains with an infusion of Californian genetics with the intention of raising the terpene profile, potency and resin production; in short enhancement on all levels! They have done an astounding job and the fruits of their labors are box fresh and ready to go! We hope you have a sweet tooth because this new range has a real dessert theme running through it with heightened smells and tastes to make your mouth water…
Apricot Candy
APRICOT CANDY is a dessert strain sativa for the connoisseur which hits high notes across the board! A cross between classic Paradise strain Dutch Dragon and new generation crowd pleaser, Thin Mint Cookies, this one’s a real sweet treat! Silky smooth (with layers of apricot, apple and vanilla flavor), super strong (+ 20% THC) and excessively resinous in a way that many Cali strains aren’t. We know you’re going to love this one!
CHOCOLATE WAFFLEZ is a stylish Cali sativa double dipped to increase power and the speed it takes to harvest. At its base is the potency and big yield calling card of our Tommy Chong’s™ sativa champion, L.A. Amnesia, with an extra serving of flavorful terpenes and turbo boost courtesy of Thin Mint in the sweet dessert recipe.
Chocolate Wafflez
Creamy smooth, this chocolate and minty tasting sativa is a two puff heavyweight (+ 21%) that grows big and finishes quick too!
TANGERINE SORBET is the Californian cousin of our famous Wappa. She’s a turbo charged, superfast finish, Cali racing machine a genetic cross between homegrown heritage (Wappa) and trend setting USA (Thin Mint Cookie). A superb all-rounder hybrid which leans a little to the indica side, she’s a little louder, a little more colorful – vivaciously tangerine sweet and peppery – and she packs an awesome punch too (+ 24% THC). We’d love you to meet the family and give them a tour of your grow space. We have no doubt you’re really going to get along!.... www.paradise-seeds.com
Tangerine Sorbet
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BLUE SUNSE T SHE RBE RT B a r n e y ’ s Fa r m www.barneysfarm.com
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BARNEY’S FARM STRAIN STORY Words & Pics: Green Born Identity – G.B.I.
Tropicanna Banana Purely exotic: The Doc goes bananas! Barney’s Farm’s Cali Collection is bursting with glorious strain highlights, and some of them come to you in tropical fashion. Yes, tropical is topical! The most recent example of this is their canna creation „Tropicanna Banana“: The sound of this strain name alone instantly makes you mentally shift to a white sandy shore in the south sea and join a beach party with a tasty fruity cocktail in one hand and a likewise fruity spliff in the other. Fittingly, Barney’s describes Tropicanna Banana as “a mesmerising tropical cocktail of fresh and fruity flavours”, and its taste is supposed to have a touch of banana, indeed. The strengthes of this slightly sativa dominant hybrid (60:40) not only lie in its exquisite aroma though of course, it also boasts an unusually high yield potential – up to 700 grams dry are achievable indoors per sqm. – as well as a most heavy trichome coating and an accordingly strong effect, fuelled by a revved up THC count of 22-25%. This variety’s superb characteristics don’t come as a surprise if one takes a look at its select pedigree: Tropicanna Banana consists of Tropicanna (Girl Scout Cookies x Tangie) x Banana Kush, so exclusively elitist genetics went into this cross. Which produces strong plants that given a normally long veg stage grow to indoor heights of up to 110 cm and finish within 65-70 days of flowering. Another plus of this strain is its very good resilience against mould and spider mites. Tropicanna Banana also excels in an outdoor environment, under favourable conditions growers may reap in extremely ample harvests, according to Barney’s up to two kilos per plant. Finish time under natural light is between the second and third week of October.
The Doc puts Tropicanna Banana to the test: Great growth performance Despite its slight sativa dominance, the kind of effect of Barney’s banana-style exotic is a relaxing and calming one, and it also has a reputation for being an euphoriant. A tropical happy weed great for unwinding – spot on for The Doc, a big fan of this Dutch seed company ever since his first Barney’s Farm strain grow experience. The usual two test seeds planted had flawlessly germinated after three days. Just as described, the two plants exhibited strong vigorous growth and started to branch out early which had led to a multitude of robust side shoots when The Doc moved them into flowering four weeks after germination. Also, they were pretty uniform. “That’s what I call a great growth performance, these two plants are looking perfect so far!”, The Doc praised Tropicanna Banana. At the end of the grow stage, they stood at 44 and 47 cm in height.
Strong instinct to stretch, very early resin build up and an extraordinary scent
Three weeks into flowering, The Doc reported: „They are still very homogeneous and pretty much willing to stretch! In the first three weeks of flowering, they’ve almost doubled in height, and the stretching stage even isn’t over yet. At the shoot tips and in the axils, tightly filled young buds have emerged out of which numerous white pistils and little leaves are protruding, already displaying a resinous shimmer. ” Two weeks later, he continued “that early trichome shimmer turned out to be a prelude to a resin gland hyper production mode! Because the buds - meanwhile pretty voluminous, by the way - are covered by a dense lawn of trichomes giving off a very present scent that means a totally new olfactory experience to me: it’s an extraordinary mix of grapefruit, banana and soap! Yes, this scent really has a slightly saponaceous note to it, but in a positive, pleasant sense, reminding me of fragrant wellness soap. However, it’s the grapefruit and banana notes that are battling for scent supremacy here, both these elements are absolutely distinctive.
A mighty gush of resin spills over big hard buds A good eight weeks of flowering had passed when The Doc noted down “A mighty gush of resin glands has spilled over the buds, they are wrapping themselves in a super frosty resin coat now. Even big multi-fingered flower leaves are entirely coated in thick oily resin layers. Also, the buds have become as largesized and tight as I had expected. With a pretty low leaf count, so that will facilitate harvest work later on. What a lovely bloomage! The floral structure of both plants is almost identical, I find it hard to distinguish them from one another. Which is also true for their shape - in the course of flowering,
they’ve evolved into a beautifully looking diamond-shaped growth habit.” With 65 and 68 days, the two Tropicanna Bananas precisely hit the flowering period of 65-70 days stated by Barney’s Farm and were harvested by The Doc. The sweet fragrance they were exuding had risen to overwhelming intensity, “a bewitching tropical scent that would certainly be appreciated by non-cannabists, too”, supposed The Doc. With final heights of 98 and 105 cm, the two plants lived up to Barney’s forecast.
A purely tropical scent: Banana dominates the dry flavour Not a little to the surprise of The Doc, the dry yield of both plants was a heavy
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combined 220 grams: “I would have eaten my hat if these two stunners had failed to surpass the 100 grams mark on the average!”, he laughed. Once dried, the buds revealed quite a phenomenon: the scent’s banana note had come to forefront even more and now uncontestedly ruled that sweet tropical odour. “Pretty amazing, that’s an unmistakable banana infused flavour now. That sourly grapefruit component is still present as well, but kind of watered-down. And there’s no hint of soap any longer, so nothing’s left but a purely tropical scent now”, the old grow veteran enthused. The
dried Tropicanna Banana flowers, coated all over with a lavish trichome icing, were as sticky as superglue, raising the highest of expectations…
Vaporising the strain: The Doc goes bananas and experiences a crescendo of euphoria To test the strain’s effect and taste, The Doc opted for his Crafty vaporizer this time. After he had loaded the filling chamber with half a gram and the device had reached operating temperature, he was good to start. He took a long deep 10
second draft and kept the vapour in his lungs for a spell while he savoured the delicious taste of Tropicanna Banana: “I’m going bananas! This stuff really tastes like a sweet banana snack in the form of vapour, simply phenomenal! With three deep hits down his lungs, The Doc began to feel that Tropicanna Banana had planted a nucleus of mirthfulness into his head, releasing a swelling wave of euphoria that eventually built up to a real crescendo. With his head in the clouds, The Doc grinned from ear to ear, thinking “why go on holidays if Tropicanna Banana brings you tropical easiness and happiness and makes you take a stroll in your mind along an endless white beach?” After a while, a physically relaxing effect came into play as well, perfectly comple-
menting that strongly euphoric sensation. The Doc didn’t feel totally slackened though but simply lithesome and temporarily released from the chronic limb pain in his legs. His mental tropical holidays lasted a good two hours, then he started his next vaporising session. In summary, he said “once again a fascinating variety from Barney’s Farm, truly adorable! Tropicanna Banana fully lives up to its fruity name, this strain is like a tropical dream come true. One thing’s for sure - now and then I’ll let myself be carried away by this weed from the dismal German winter for a sunny mental trip to the tropics….”
Green Born Identity – G.B.I.
Cultivation data: Genetics
Tropicanna Banana ([Girl Scout Cookies x Tangie] x Banana Kush)
Vegetative stage
four weeks (after germination)
Flowering stage
65 + 68 days / 65-70 days in general
Medium
Plagron Grow Mix soil, 11 litre pots
pH
6.2-6.6
EC
1.2–1.8 mS
Light
up to 12 x SANlight S4W = 1680 watts
Temperature
19-28°C
Air humidity
40-60%
Watering
by hand
Fertilisation
Organic Bloom Liquid from Green Buzz Liquids
Additives/stimulants
Living Organics, More Roots, Humin Säure Plus, Big Fruits, Fast Buds and Clean Fruits from Green Buzz Liquids
Tools
CleanLight Pro for mould prevention
Height
98 + 105 cm
Yield
together, 220 grams
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GROW WITH JORGE CERVANTES Jorge Cervantes jorge@marijuanagrowing.com
MISDIAGNOSED GARDEN PROBLEMS Here are some of the most common misidentified problems that affect nutrient uptake that masquerade as nutrient deficiencies or excesses. Change practices; nutrient deficiencies and excesses disappear.
Many problems in containerized garden and to a lesser degree outdoor gardens, are misdiagnosed as a lack or excess of fertilizer. Inexperienced growers tend to solve nutrient concerns by adding fertilizer rather than learning the cause of the problem. Often, adding fertilizer compounds and complicates cultivation problems. Problems are often caused by an imbalanced pH of the growing medium and water. A full point movement in pH represents an increase of ten times in either acidity or alkalinity. A pH of 5.0 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 6.0. And a pH of 7.0 is 100 times (10 x 10) more acidic than a pH of 5.0. Moving the pH up or down more than a full point is expensive and causes substrate imbalances and plant stress. The optimum pH range for cannabis growth is 5.8-6.2. But cannabis plants will grow within a pH range of 5.56.5. Within this range, nutrients are chemically available in solution; above or below this range, several nutrients become less available. And, different substrates, coco coir, rockwool, soilless mix, expanded clay pellets, all have specific air and moisture needs to ensure nutrients are available. In soil, a pH below 6.5 may cause a deficiency in calcium, which causes root tips to burn and leaves become subject to fungal infections and dead spots on foliage. A pH above 7.0 could slow down the plant's iron intake and result in chlorotic leaves causing veins to yellow. Adding more calcium and iron will not solve the problems. Cannabis uses much water and energy to regulate foliage temperatures and chemistry in hot and windy weather. As the temperature climbs, cannabis is forced to use and evaporate more water. About 70 percent of the plant's energy is used in this process and little energy remains for growth. It is easy to apply the same dose of fertilizer as plants use more water to stay cool. The nutrients become concentrated and overfertilization results.
Plants in this image were grown an extra month, the leafless stems are the evidence. An entire month of growth, light, water, fertilizer, and the grower´s time wasted. Plants should have foliage all the way to the bottom branch.
Avoid problems caused by excessive heat by running sprinklers for an hour during the heat of the day. Cool 50-degree F (10-degree C) water cools foliage, ground air and the soil surface quickly. Plants hydrate quickly as foliage absorbs water. The evaporative cooling effect lasts for several hours after the sprinkler is turned off. You may need to shake the water off plants so that it does not sit in flowers. Hot windy weather dries moisture clinging to foliage quickly.
live a short three or four months and are harvested so fast that plants do not have time to recover from nutrient imbalances. One small imbalance could retard growth by a week or more and diminish harvest. LIGHT Lack of light causes slow growth and leads to many other problems. Air,
water, nutrients, and soil – are able to benefit plant growth the same percentage as light. For example, if only 80 percent of the light needed for plant growth is supplied, air, water, nutrients, and soil can supply only 80 percent. You can look at these five elements – light, air, water, nutrients, and soil – as each one being the link in a chain. The chain is as strong as the weakest link.
Nutrient deficiencies and excesses can also be confused with disease and pest damage. For example, Hemp Russet mites cause slow growth and small deformed flower growth. Inexperienced growers may confuse this with a nutrient problem. The basic elements of the environment must be checked and maintained at specific levels to avoid problems. Check each of the vital signs including air, light, water, nutrients and soil. Fine-tune these vital factors before deciding that plants are nutrient deficient. Once a plant demonstrates symptoms, it has already undergone stress. It will take time for it to resume vigorous growth. Correct identification of each symptom as soon as it occurs is essential to help plants retain vigor. Indoor, greenhouse and some outdoor marijuana crops
Cannabis plants in this garden stretch for light. Less intense light that lacks the proper spectrum causes plants to stretch. The light is supplying 70-80 percent of the plants needs. Meantime, all the other plant needs are met – air, water, nutrients, and substrate at 100 percent efficiency. The plants can grow only as fast as the light permits.
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Lack of light in indoor gardens is easy to overcome with information and a relatively inexpensive (€500) Quantum Light Meter. Measuring the exact amount of useable light cannabis needs to grow is relatively easy to to calculate for light fixtures in a garden. New LED
growlights provide almost twice as much light for the same cost as a HID while generating a fraction of the heat. This giant step in LED technology has doubled yields. Indoors – air, water, nutrients, and soil are easy to supply at close to 100
This garden received only HP sodium light and the temperature stayed too high because of inadequate ventilation. The tap water contained 460 PPM of dissolved salts. All of these conditions caused plant growth to slow to about 50 percent capacity. Everything, light, air, water, nutrients and substrate must be controlled to harvest heavy.
growth flowering is retarded or stopped. Interrupt photoperiod at night to keep cannabis in vegetative growth stage. But, if a light is turned on for a few minutes– long enough to disrupt the dark period– for 3-7 consecutive nights, plants will start to revert to vegetative growth. Light burn is caused by a bright light that also emits high levels of heat such as a HID bulb, is too close to foliage. LED growlights do not emit enough heat to burn foliage and there is no extra heat to evacuate. percent efficiency, which makes them easy to over-supply. An over-supply causes water and nutrients to be taken in more slowly, and soil to remain too wet, which soon leads to toxic conditions. Often, toxic conditions are not visible for two weeks.
Less than one half of one foot-candle of light will prevent cannabis from flowering. That is a about twice as much light reflected by a full moon on a clear night. Indica-dominant varieties may
revert to vegetative growth in 3-7 days. Sativa-dominant plants take several more days to revert to vegetative growth. Once they start to re-vegetate, it takes four to six additional weeks before inducing flowering. This is because more leafy growth will appear before regular growth starts. Air, water, nutrients, and soil (substrate) must be checked too. My next article in Soft Secrets will continue with this list. Happy Harvests!
Stems stretch for light when it is lacking. Seedlings stretch for light often because the substrate is too wet and too cold. Stems also stretch when the nighttime temperature differential is beyond 8 Degrees C.
This plant shows nutrient deficiencies and excesses. All are caused by hot weather, dry soil, inconsistent moisture in the substrate. All of these problems must be solved before normal growth will resume
The photoperiod signals plants to start flowering; it can also signal them to remain in (or revert to) vegetative growth. Cannabis must have 12 hours of uninterrupted, total darkness to flower properly. Dim light during the dark period in the pre-flowering and flowering stages prevents cannabis from blooming. When the 12-hour dark period is interrupted by light, plants get confused. The light signals plants, “It's daytime; start vegetative growth.” Given this signal of light, plants start vegetative
Natural sunlight provides all the light cannabis needs to grow to it´s maximum potential. This outdoor garden received 5-6 hours of direct sunlight and lived in the shadows the rest of the day. The sun supplied more than enough light for a healthy crop.
This an excerpt from the “Solve Problems” section from the new, unpublished 6th Edition of Marijuana Horticulture (AKA the Bible) by Jorge Cervantes. The 6th Edition of Marijuana Horticulture will be available Spring 2022. Find all of Jorge´s books in English, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian at amazon retailers worldwide.
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GROW REPORT WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark
HIFI 4G
Seed Bank: Dutch Passion Strain: HIFI 4G Lineage: HIFI OG x Glueberry OG Lights: SANlight EVO Series Pot: 10L fabric pot Grow Medium: Coco, worm castings, compost, and Guanokalong powder guano (1-10-1) Nutrients: EM1 microbes, Biobizz fish mix, Guanokalong Grow, Guanokalong Bloom, Guanokalong Bat Boost Vegetative Phase: 28 days Flowering: 63 days
As a big fan of Kush strains and anything that has a heavy gas, fuel, dank and earthy terpene profile, I was very excited to grow out the feminized HIFI 4G from Dutch Passion. One of their latest USA projects that is a cross of their Glueberry OG (Blueberry x GG#4), and the famous White Fire OG from the states. I expect big yields of frosted nugs so I will get these feminized seeds germinated immediately in a glass of water and left overnight.
THE VEGETATIVE STAGE 18/6
pungent terpene profile, thick trichome coverage, fat, chunky buds, and the blend of magenta, it is becoming a real pleasure to grow HIFI 4G and she is really ticking all the boxes.
It only took a few days and the tap root was a few centimetres long, so removed the seed from the water and plant tail side down into the growing medium. The seedling will then grow into the 10L pot and will be flowered on the day 28 of 18/6.
I harvested this stunning lady on day 64 and one final measurement gives her final height of 83.8cm and a width of 58cm, making her a medium-sized but bushy strain that so far has been very easy to grow and maintain. A must grow for fans of Gorilla and O.G Kushes hybrids and hash.
The HIFI 4G seedling is now out of the pot and looking very healthy, happy, and has a dark green colour. I feed a mix of Guanokalong Grow liquid feed combined with Biobizz fish mix. This will keep the beneficial microorganisms well fed and the symbiotic relationship with the seedling and the microbes working perfectly. She now measures 14cm tall after 18 days and has thin fingered fan leaves and a very open-growth structure. The main stem is firm and when I check the roots down the sides of the pots, I can see there are white and fuzzy roots already coming out the side of the fabric pot. I continue to feed every 2-3 days once the growing medium has dried out. Day 28 and the HIFI 4G is just over 31cm tall and 42cm wide with long side branches that have grown upwards, giving her a bushy structure. This lady would make an excellent strain for training up with L.S.T or SCROG. I decide to prune the plants and remove all of the lower foliage away leaving on the top parts.
FLOWER PERIOD - 12/12 I continue to feed the HIFIz 4G with the same nutrients I have been using during the growing phase and will switch to the P-K feeds around the third week. When rubbing the stem, she reveals a very earthy, spicy, and fuel-based aroma that reminds me of the classic Kushes.
WIF1 4G after the 4th week of 12/12. After 15 days of 12/12, the height is 53.5cm tall so she has really shot up. I decided to add bamboo canes and insert them around the side of the fabric pot, and tie the side branches for support. I change my nutrients to Guanokalong Bloom (2.5-0-6) and Bat Boost, so this girl can really focus on flower and resin production. I already notice there is a great amount of shiny white trichomes that have coated the edges of every leaf in sight and is a sign of great things to come. Day 28 of flower and the stretch is over, she is measuring at a height of 79cm and a width of 57.3cm. There is now a heavy set of pistils and flowers forming which stands out with a sharp and pointy
appearance. I make my daily nutrient solution of 5ml per litre of Guanokalog Bloom and Bat Boost, and she is a heavy drinker who loves organic nutrients. By day 42, her aroma is extremely pungent and the buds are very thick, large, and greasy to touch. She is covered in white pistils and even the lowest branches are as frosted, uniform, and dense as the top parts. The feeding regime stays the same using 5ml per litre of Guanokalog Bloom and Bat Boost. I notice that her colours have started to change and there are light purple and pinkish hues to the tips of the buds on day 50. Now the 2-week flush begins to make sure I have the best tasting flower and hash possible. Combined with the
The final week of flush and stacked full of buds.
Arize® Factor ML900: High performance, High efficiency, High yield With the new Arize® Factor ML900, Cannabis growers can now choose more sustainable, high-efficiency lighting that maximises potential yields whilst optimising costs through lower energy bills, maintenance and longer replacement cycles than traditional HPS lighting. Engineered for Cannabis cultivation, with a choice of tailored light spectra, 0-10V dimming and a 140-degree angle of light distribution, the Factor ML900 offers a 50,000 hour lifespan to L90, backed by Current’s market-leading, five-year warranty, to deliver performance, profit and peace of mind to growers. Learn more at gecurrent.com https://twitter.com/ArizeGrow https://www.facebook.com/arize.grow https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/arize.grow https://www.instagram.com/arize.grow/
gecurrent.com
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GROW WITH RICH HAMILTON By Rich Hamilton
BRITSCOTTI Excerpts from the Bud Diaries STRAIN Britscotti. Coming from the U.K. powerhouse cannabis culture brand Dank Of England (D.O.E.), this Strain has already achieved legendary status amongst U.K. weed connoisseurs and for a good reason. GENETICS – This U.K. bad boy is the "delta variant" cousin of the Biscotti strain. Stronger and more deadly! A potent indica-dominant (80%/20%)hybrid originating from a mix of G.S.C., Gelato 25 and Sour Florida OG, it packs a punch with an average T.H.C. of 22-25% and a modest 2% of C.B.G.
GROW INFO Biscotti is predominantly Indica and grows stocky in shape with dense, sticky buds. You can expect medium to high yields with mature buds of an olive-green shade, flecked with purple hues and long wispy orange stigma. The resin production is very high, which makes this Strain more desirable to extract/concentrate producers.
ODOUR
FLOWER Dense as the London Underground on a Monday morning commute, this bud is packed tight, dried and cured to perfection. The chunky dark olive green nugs with long dark orange hairs have a thick frosty coating of bright white crystal trichomes. This is not the kind of Strain that has to show off and lure you in with looks alone; its effects will do the talking for it.
could want and more in the effects and taste department into each delicious toke. Fruity, Nutty, Spicy, Sweet yet undeniably gassy with a rich spicy exhale, I can pick out something different with each toke.
Britscotti has a mix of sweet and buttery aromas on the top mixed with insane gassy diesel terps that make this Strain as unmistakably British as a cup of tea! Earthy herbs, Fruity, Nutty, Sweet, gassy, it is all in there. Nostalgic as smoking your first spliff at the back of the garages with your mates as a kid. Remember why you first started smoking weed? This is it, except stronger! This Strain will take you straight back and not disappoint.
STONE
CONSUMED
As your mind quietens, it then engulfs you in a very sedated, powerful couchlock high with a moderate dose of the munchies.
Gifted to me by Screech from DOE, I enjoyed this amazing bud rolled in a king size ultrathin CBD infused paper with a hand rolled roach with 2 close friends. We sat in my friends garden as day turned to night talking about old times and smoking. As the cold set in we lit a fire and let the fire hypnotise us long into the night. A 1st class night, with 1st class friends, smoking 1st class weed.
TASTE If you're looking for a classic Indica with an insanely delicious flavour, then you've found it. Biscotti packs everything you
The Britscotti high comes on with a rush of cerebral effects that catapult you into a pure lifted state of unfocused rapture within about three to five minutes.
Overall I felt euphoric, relaxed, my eyes started to feel heavy, and I felt giggly and happy. Britscotti has the perfect indica component that holds heavy and wears off after 4-5 hours. It has a slow-releasing grip, so I recommend it for evenings, nights and chill times with close friends. Thanks to these effects and its high T.H.C. level, Britscotti would also be an excellent choice to treat conditions such as chronic stress or anxiety, depression, mood swings, and chronic pain.
15
CRYPTOCURRENCIES By sudestfam@protonmail.com
CRYPTOCANNABIS BLOCKCHAIN AND CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN THE CANNABIS SUPPLY CHAIN Cryptocurrencies are virtual encrypted currencies designed as a means of payment for any kind of transaction. It is money in the form of a digital currency. One of the biggest differences from a traditional currency is its decentralisation. In particular, the system of a cryptocurrency is not controlled by a governmental or financial entity; it is rather the community of users populating the web that manages its operation. There are thousands of cryptocurrencies in circulation, the most famous of which being certainly Bitcoin. Created in 2008 as a fast, anonymous and secure means of online payment, it is the reference virtual currency for the entire cryptocurrency financial sector. Often people talk about Bitcoin as a completely anonymous means of payment, but this is not quite correct. I prefer to call it a tool that ensures 100% protection of people’s privacy. Bitcoin is a currency whose value is based on the law of supply and demand, i.e. the trust placed in it by its holders or by consumers using it. The value of traditional currencies is decided by a few governmental entities that issue it and decide their country’s economic policies, which means that power is concentrated in the hands of a few. The change introduced by Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies is the removal of controlling financial institutions and intermediaries. But the real revolution is the blockchain technology on which a cryptocurrency is based. A blockchain is a digital ledger shared
over a network of thousands of nodes, i.e. servers that keep a copy of the ledger. As described by its name, a blockchain is a chain of blocks which records information (transactions). In order to generate a new block containing information to be added to the blockchain, such information is to be validated by a process that consists in solving complex calculations. Once validated, the information must obtain 51% network acceptance to be added to the chain. Each new block generates a unique code that summarises the information contained in it; the code is written both on the block which generates it and on the next block in the chain, so the information recorded in a block remains immutable over time. To ensure that a transaction is secure, every transaction with cryptocurrencies based on blockchain technology is recorded on the blockchain as a string of encrypted numbers and letters. The blockchain can be freely consulted by anyone at any time. One of the possible applications of blockchain technology is in the supplychain traceability systems of a given product; it suffices to scan the product’s QR code to view its complete history. Cryptocurrencies are the solution to the financial problems faced by most companies operating in the cannabis sector, including ‘light’ hemp companies. Even if cannabis is now legal in many countries, banks and credit institutions around the world, from the United States to Europe, often refuse to make their services and payment instruments available to companies involved in the
marijuana business. This leads to a significant loss of revenue, delays in the execution of orders placed online, the demotivation of consumers who are used to tapping a button to purchase their products, and, in the worst cases, companies seeing their bank accounts frozen and therefore prevented from continuing to operate. Cryptocurrencies lend themselves perfectly to this business model and adopting them as a method of payment has many advantages; firstly, commissions are much lower than any payment made with traditional methods. There is no control by any financial entity and above all, every purchase with cryptocurrencies is made in a pseudoanonymous form. The number of companies adopting blockchain technology is growing rapidly; its use allows complete control over the production chain and, in the case of cannabis, is a guarantee of quality. With blockchain, the origin of a product is certain, and many other details are disclosed to users, such as the marijuana strain they are smoking, the type of crop
from which it originates, the cultivation techniques and nutrients used, and the date of harvesting and packaging. There are frequent cases of imitation and plagiarism of well-known brands, e.g. shady individuals packaging marijuana grown in who knows how, putting a colourful label with names of famous strains and reselling it to unsuspecting consumers. Take the case of the many consumers who use cannabis for health reasons where it is vital to choose a strain that meets certain parameters such as THC or CBD contents. This class of consumers is entitled to guarantees about the quality of their medicine. Companies using blockchain register their products on this huge database available to anyone and put an end to this nightmare. Although the first cannabis transactions made in Bitcoin took place on Silk Road - for those unfamiliar with it, it was the first drug bazaar to appear on the deep web - these technologies are booming, and their future is rosy!
16
QUIZ
7. What do ozone generators do? A. Produce CO2. B. Reduce Humidity. C. Get rid of smell. D. Control temperature.
8. What is the standard light cycle for the vegetive period? 1. What is the standard light cycle for Flower? A. 12 – 12. B. 18 – 6. C. 4 – 20. D. 15 – 9.
A. 8 - 16. B. 20 - 4. C. 12 - 12. D. 18 - 6.
9. What is the scientific name for bud rot? 2. What are terpenes? A. A type of leaf. B. Essential oils. C. Seeds. D. Insect Pests.
A. Botrytis. B. Powdery Mildew. C. Blight. D. Black Spot.
14. How many ounces are in a “box”? A. 36. B. 50. C. 10. D. 28.
15. What is the ideal temperature range for plants in Flower? A. Under 18C. B. 20-22C. C. 18-26C. D. Over 30C.
16. What do oscillating fans do? A. Heat the air. B. Move air. C. Keep air still. D. Remove smell.
17. What is Nutrient lock out? 10. When is the best time to take Clones? 3. How many grams are in an ounce? A. 1000. B. 108. C. 28. D. 38.
4. What does HPS stand for? A. Heavy Purpose Soil. B. Hard Pressure Sodium. C. Healthy Premium Source. D. High Pressure Sodium.
A. Any Time. B. During Flower. C. During Veg. D. When Harvesting.
18. What are internodes? 11. What is the best relative humidity for Clones? A. 20-50%. B. 75-90%. C. 50-70%. D. Under 20%.
A. Furry Australian bears. B. Flowering top. where buds develop. C. The Root Mass. D. Canned drink.
A. Extra Chemicals. B. Entire Crop. C. Electrical Current. D. Electrical Conductivity.
A. Top Height Cannabis. B. The Holy Cannabinoid. C. Total Hydro Cleanse. D. Tetrahydrocannabinol.
A. pH5 exactly. B. pH5.5-6.5. C. pH4.5-5.5. D. pH7 exactly.
20. What is the entourage effect?
13. What does LED stand for? 6. What does THC stand for?
A. Main Kolas on your plants. B. Part of your ventilation system. C. Spacers to keep large plants apart. D. The space between 2 plant stem joints.
19. What is the ideal range of pH for nutrient uptake? 12. What does E.C stand for?
5. What are Kolas?
A. Plants cannot take up nutrients. B. Only feeding plants water. C. Flushing your plant of excess nutrient. D. Denying your plant one nutrient.
A. Light Energy Drying. B. Low Electricity Discharge. C. Light Emmitting diode. D. Low Energy Diode.
A. Cannabis compounds working together. B. Getting stoned with friends. C. A weed hangover. D. The stone you get from edibles.
For answers see page 32
17
GROW WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark
STONEY'S 5 TOP TIPS On Growing Indoors In Winter
The end of Summer can mean many things, and one of them is the need to wrap up extra warm and turn the house heating on full blast! Indoor grow rooms are also heavily affected by the reduction of the temperature and rapid spike in humidity and frost that occur outside, so below are my top tips on how to cope with the harshest time of the year and what to consider. HEAT THE ROOMS This may sound like an obvious one, however heating your grow room should be done properly and if possible with a digital temperature fan controller. This will allow your room to be heated based on the temperatures dropping a certain point and saves you manually turning the heater on or off. You will want to keep the 'lights off' temperature around 18-19 degrees Celsius and the 'lights on' the temperature as close to 24-25 degrees Celsius as possible. My tip here is to try using gas bottle heaters if you have a large room if you don’t like the idea of an electric heater. Gas heaters are an excellent solution to keeping outdoor polytunnels warm during the early hours of the morning and reducing humidity levels. They are also cheaper than electric heaters to run and produce CO2 also but will require you to be in the room each time.
KEEP POTS OFF THE FLOOR
This hygrometer is on the outside of the tent, so the grower easily check.
The floor of your grow room will be the lowest and coldest part meaning anything touching the floor will also lose heat. Plants require fresh air around the roots and also to force roots to search out for new space and increase aerobic populations of beneficial microorganisms, bacteria, and fungi present. My tip here is to keep pots raised off the floor using upside pots or wooden or clay blocks. Cold roots also mean plants will struggle to digest the nutrients that are available and choose to lock out certain nutrients. Over time this will cause a list of deficiencies to make themselves known and affect the final yield and quality of the crop.
CONSTANTLY CHECK HUMIDITY This is extremely important especially when you are flowering Cannabis plants. It is from week 3 until the harvest date that humidity, temperature, and air flow play a massive role in the plant’s health and quality of flower. Humidity levels over 40-50% accompanied by a poor air circulation / stagnant air will begin to encourage botrytis or powdery mildew to affect your plants, costing you potential medicine.
A gas heater which can be used for large tents and converted rooms.
My tip here is to have multiple oscillating fans inside the grow room, and make sure
that the lower, middle, and top parts of the tent are all being blown with air currents. You will need to keep the outtake fan and oscillating fans on 24/7, so don’t let the tent ever sit without any air flow as this is asking for problems. Use a digital hygrometer and place it on the outside of your grow tent, so you can see the digital reading at all times of the sensor inside the tent.
POWDERY MILDEW AND BOTRYTIS Discovering that you have got a heavy infection of mold late into the flowering stage, can be enough to cause a heart attack. The panic will set in as you make the decision what to cut away and guess how to prevent it from happening again to the point of a total loss. Botrytis and mildew are both airborne pathogens that will make their way into your garden through the intake fan. Mold and mildew prefer an environment that has very little air movement and is closer to warm and wet. My tip here is when identifying the signs of mold on your buds, is to take affirmative action and use latex gloves, sterile scissors, and to carefully cut away the infected flowers. These will usually be the biggest and most dense, which is unfortunate but carefully removing without touching other parts of the plants and transferring is important to stop the spread. Reducing humidity levels and providing fresh air will prevent mold and mildew aggressively spreading.
PICK RESISTANT CULTIVARS One of the great things about how diverse Cannabis plants are is how they are able to adapt to certain environments and scenarios differently. Growing a strain indoors that is known for being tough and resilient to cold and harsh environments will give you the upper hand once flowering time begins. The same way that some strains are mold magnets and are far more susceptible to pathogens, having a mold and mildew-resistant variety will save you lots of stress and loss of crop. My tip here is to research which strains the seed banks offer which is described as resistant and resilient to the outdoors. Indica varieties with a shorter flowering time would be a wise choice thanks to their resilience levels and ability to finish quickly.
18
GROW WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO GROWING CANNABIS Seeds or Clones?
When you decide to set up your first ever indoor grow room it can be a very exciting time. Knowing what seeds or clones to use, which equipment goes where and does what exactly can be slightly overwhelming for the beginner grower, so in this article you will learn about what equipment is needed, seeds and clones, the difference between regular and feminized seeds and my 5 top tips. Horticultural Grow Lights In order to grow high-grade Cannabis flower that is covered in resin, packed full of terps and really packs a punch, then you need H.I.D lighting. This means high intensity discharge lights, referring to high-pressure sodium (H.P.S), metal halide (M.H) and LED. You will want to use a high-pressure sodium that is at least 600w of power and working with 1000w will produce around 120-140,000 lumens. 1000w is a much better light, however photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) is what you will want to find out as lumens are an old way of calculating the true efficacy of a grow light. LED lighting is an excellent way to grow Cannabis and has become a very popular choice for many indoor growers. LEDs are measured with micromole per joule and PAR, so will give a reading of umol/j. It may sound complex but once you learn what wavelengths the plants need, you will see how efficient the LED light is in terms of PAR to power output.
RVK Fan Your exhaust fan is responsible for sucking the air out of the grow tent or grow room. There will be a carbon filter attached to the exhaust fan, ensuring that the air inside the grow room is being scrubbed clean of any odours and keeps the surrounding air carbon fresh. RVK fans come in different sizes and each has a higher output of air, depending on the size of your grow room. The smallest size is 100mm and is capable of 184m3/ hour and will use around 35w of power. The largest size model that would be needed for a large scale grow room is 315mm diameter and will produce 1362m3/hour. It is essential that once the exhaust fan is switched on, that there is a negative drag effect and air is being sucked out. The
easiest way to see this in action is using a grow tent and how the walls will be sucked inwards slightly. If you are using an intake fan, then you must ensure that there is still a negative drag and the output is significantly less than the RVK output.
Intake Fans Intake fans will suck fresh air from an outside source into the lowest part of your grow room or tent. Often times, smallersized tents do not require an intake fan as long as the side vents are open, however bigger-sized projects should use one. TT fans are an excellent choice for an intake fan as they can be fitted between ducting and placed on the floor, or lower part of the room. Make sure that you have the ends of the ducting connecting outside protected and covered to prevent insects and debris. Using a pair of tights and tape will allow you to filter off the ducting and allow air to freely pass through.
Carbon Filter and Ducting Inside the filter will sit pieces of carbon that purify the air that passes through them and by firmly connecting your ducting and filter with an air-tight fit, you will rest assured that no odours will escape the garden and potentially cause serious problems for you. Ducting is available to buy in the same sizes as RVK fans, intake fans, and carbon filters, meaning that you can easily connect everything together. It is imperative that when you fit the ducting together, you use thick tape or multiple cable ties so keep everything airtight. There are two types of ducting that are available and one is standard aluminium and the other is acoustic ducting. The standard flexible aluminium ducting is cheap and will come in 5-10 metre lengths, however the acoustic ducting is almost triple the price and is designed to reduce the amount of air being blown through the ducting.
As a beginner grower, knowing which genetics to start with and using seeds or clones can be a confusing time. Obtaining healthy spider mite free clones can be difficult unless you have friends in the same circles, so I personally recommend using Cannabis seeds over clones if it is your first few times growing. There are many benefits to using seeds over clones and the most important is learning how a seedling grows and eventually becomes a mature large sized plant. Below are 5 reasons why you should consider growing from seed. 1. The choice of Cannabis seeds available is incredible with hundreds of seed banks to choose from. 2. You can choose regular or feminized seeds depending on your end goal, as there are many advantages to both. 3. Cannabis seeds will be pathogen and insect free, so you don’t have to run the risk of infecting your garden with spider mites or powdery mildew. 4. The hands-on experience that you gain from germination, transplanting and nurturing is priceless and cannot be taught. 5. Receiving Cannabis seeds in the post is very straightforward and there are many seed banks that offer a fast and discreet delivery service.
Regular Seeds Cannabis plants when grown from regular seed will produce either male or female plants. For example from a 10 pack of regular OG Kush, you may end up with 3-4
A grow tent that is close to harvesting. males and 6-7 females. You will only know if your Cannabis plants are male or female after 5 weeks of the vegetative stage (18/6). Used for breeding projects and for old school growers who prefer to hunt through male and female plants and later take clones to turn to mother plants.
Feminized Seeds These Cannabis seeds will only produce female plants and have changed the way that indoor growers are able to use space. Unlike regular seeds that meant potentially half of your plant count was reduced, feminized seeds allow every pot and hydro system to work with only female plants that produce the buds. The cost of feminized seeds can be expensive compared to regular seeds and will often be sold in 3,5 or 10 packs.
5 Top Tips To Consider Tip #1: Connect all of your ducting, filters, and exhaust fans together with an air-tight finish. Gaps between the parts will reduce air flow and cause potential odour issues. Tip #2: It is advised to change your carbon filter after every 2-3 harvests. The carbon inside can become depleted over time especially with hotter temperatures. Tip #3: Make a floor plan and calculate the space you need for your equipment to hang. Give yourself plenty of room for oscillating fans. Tip #4: Feminized seeds will allow you to maximize your space, grow medium and nutrients.
Aluminium ducting that feeds outside the tent.
Tip #5: Cloning Cannabis means you make a genetic replica for the next grow cycle. Cloning requires a propagator, rooting hormone and jiffy plugs.
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20
CANNABIS NEWS By Rich Hamilton
WHY THE ILLEGAL MARKET IS STILL KING IN CALI, FIVE YEARS AFTER LEGALISATION Five years after cannabis legalisation, California, on the surface, appears to have a booming weed industry. Californians can smoke Wiz Khalifa-branded joints and extinguish their blunts in Seth Rogen's bespoke ashtray. They can drink THC-infused beverages and get their edibles delivered to their doors as quickly as a take-away. But behind the corporate facade, the legal weed industry remains far from the lawful and flourishing sector that many had hoped for. Proposition 64, the law passed in November 2016, made recreational cannabis legal. But still today, about 80-90% of the market remains illegal. That 2016 law, for all the good it did, also gave municipalities the power to ban weed as they see fit. Most cities and counties still don't allow the sale of cannabis, inhibiting the growth of the legal market. Consumers currently remain wary about what's legal and what's not. Business owners say limited licenses, high taxes and expensive regulatory costs have put the legal market out of reach. And many of the entrepreneurs from ethnic minorities who were supposed to benefit from legalisation have ended up losing money. For now, the only way state-licensed businesses can stay profitable is to keep a hand in the illegal, unlicensed market. California's cannabis problem is an example of the colossal task of bringing a market that has thrived in
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the shadows into the light. The issues run deep, and the state's weed economy is in disarray primarily because of everything that occurred in the 20 years before Prop 64 passed. California's weed problems date back to 1996, when voters passed a law allowing medical marijuana. At this time, Bay Area Aids activists saw the way pot relieved pain. Impressed by how weed stimulated hunger among the ill, a grassroots campaign began to get Proposition 215, a bill legalising medicinal cannabis, on the California ballot.
By the time voters passed an initiative legalising recreational weed in 2016, much of the industry had grown accustomed to operating illegally and preferred to keep it that way. The illegal market was established and flourishing, and trying to get it under control was almost impossible. More than 180,000lb of processed weed and over 1.2m illegal plants have been seized this year alone.
Prop 215, however, only allowed doctors to recommend that patients or their carers grow their weed. They were essentially legalising a commodity without legalising the business side of it. For the next 20 years, the 'laissez-faire' grey market for medicinal cannabis prospered and became established. With doctors' recommendations for medicinal cannabis easy to obtain and weed itself cheap to come by, cannabis enthusiasts practised a profitable form of civil rebellion. They opened dispensaries, made edibles and grew enough plants to offset the costs that periodic law enforcement crackdowns brought with them.
The illicit market is a mix of honest entrepreneurs who wanted to go legal but couldn't afford it alongside gun-toting cartels growing pot in the desert with harsh chemicals and stolen water. It's an unfathomable mix of legal-looking stores selling unregulated vape pens and traffickers transporting weed to states where adult recreational use is still illegal. Going legal often means sacrificing profit. Businesses usually pay a rate of 70%, partly because they are breaking federal law and are unable to get tax deductions and somewhat because the politicians view the industry as easy pickings for higher tax rates. The level of taxation in California is one factor that has destroyed the legal market and priced cannabis out of the grasp of many.
By 2010, LA had around 2,000 pot shops illegally selling cannabis. Statewide, the total illegal market exploded, causing Mexican cartels to relocate theirs grows to California.
One of the big promises of California's legal weed market was that it would serve as a form of reparations to ethnic minorities that suffered under prohibition. However,
Pineapple / Seedstockers.com
there are more people who have lost money trying to start and run a legal business in California than those making a profit from "social equity" backed schemes. Running a dispensary is not going to make you rich beyond your wildest dream. The truth is that very few people at the street level are making money in legal cannabis. If they are, then it's questionable whether they are doing everything above board. The chances are that they may still be tinkering in the illicit market." Some illegal dispensary owners say that ideally, they would want to go legal, but it's not that easy. Strict zoning requirements and steep costs, amongst other things, make it virtually impossible. As it stands, legalisation remains trapped in a bizarre netherworld of federally low-priority, highcomplexity state-to-state issues that do not look like they will be resolved any time soon. There are many cool things about the legal weed market, such as the choice of products, education, freedom, safety, and traceability. This is not to mention the reduction of people being arrested and charged with nonviolent cannabis-related offences. However, if legalisation was supposed to clean up California's illicit cannabis underbelly magically, then so far, it has failed miserably.
21
GROW WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark
PLANT TRAINING EXPLAINED
Cannabis plants can come in all shapes and sizes which can also be directly influenced by the environment, nutrients, and plant training. Manipulating your Cannabis plants to grow a certain way is easier said than done, so this article will explain all about plant training, how it works and the different methods.
This grower uses bamboo canes to support the canopy.
WHAT DOES PLANT TRAINING MEAN? Essentially it means to physically change the growth structure of your plants. By doing this you can cause a different shape to grow which can result in a uniform canopy and much bigger yields than without training. It works by controlling apical dominance and the disruption of growth hormones, which ultimately lead to a far more efficient plant in terms of energy transfer and production.
WHICH METHOD IS BEST FOR ME? It all depends on your end goal, which strain you are working with, the growth period, your skill, and experience. Every strain can react differently and some are better suited for Sea of Green and others SCROG.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAINING Topping / Pinching Cannabis plants are genetically programmed to grow with apical dominance, meaning that the centre top part of the plant will always be the tallest. This is evident when plants are not trained and can sometimes be a problem for beginner growers who are working with a tall and fast-growing plant to begin with. Topping or pinching means to take the top of the growth tip, and to completely
remove it, leaving behind the two smaller auxiliary growth shoots. By doing this apical dominance ceases and will now the Cannabis plants put their energy to the other branches and foliage promoting a bushy and evenly shaped plant. Low Stress Technique L.S.T or tying plants down is another way to play with the hormones of the plant. The way this method is done is to use string or metal wire to pull the branches down until the top part is below the remaining foliage. What happens as a result of this is that the previously smaller side branches will not take over in an attempt to become the main central cola. If this technique is performed correctly and done in the right time frame during the vegetative period (18/6), then the final growth structure will be a Cannabis plant with multiple main colas. It will not be possible to identify which was previously the main growth shoot when flowering as now they all grow to the same height. Pruning The best way to divert the essential growth energy to parts of your Cannabis plants, which will produce the best buds. Pruning your plants before entering the flowering period will ensure that you won’t harvest the less developed and smaller-sized popcorn buds and the top parts are all golf ball
This plant was topped and pruned before entering 12/12.
thick frosted nugs. This is also an excellent opportunity to take clones and prepare for your next crop. Pruning can be done by hand once you are comfortable working hands on with your plants, otherwise use a clean scalpel, and carefully remove all of the softwood, hardwood, and fan leaves from a selected point in the canopy. In my opinion, one week before 12/12, pruning away everything apart from the top 2 internodes of every branch will produce the best yields and flowers possible. Super Cropping This is my personal favourite technique and can make a huge difference how your plants grow, and how tough and bulky they can be. Basically, super cropping means to purposely break the inner cell walls of the branches causing growth hormone to be flushed throughout the plant in order to repair the damage as fast as possible. The technique does take time to master and is better performed on plants that are in the vegetative stage and around 3-4 weeks old. Using your fingers and thumbs, you will want to create pressure and cause a bending / twisting motion until you feel the inner pulp pop. After 4-5 days the original break will have become a solid wooden knuckle that is now the strongest part of the plant.
An example of how metal wire can be used for L.S.T. Fimming This method is similar to pinching Cannabis plants to disrupt the production of the growth hormone auxin. Fimming involves purposely leaving 25% of the top shoot remaining, as opposed to completely removing. By doing this during the vegetative phase, the plant will use its energy on all of the remaining foliage that is below the part that was fimmed. The top shoot that was 75% removed will now grow back 5-7 days later and begin to produce the next set of leaves as if nothing ever happened. You will notice the vast improvement in the compact growth structure and shape of the lower canopy.
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23
UK NEWS By Rich Hamilton
HELP blocked patients accessing medical cannabis Campaigners call on Health Secretary to help patients' blocked' from accessing medicinal cannabis three years after a change in the law. The UK government legalised medicinal cannabis in 2018. Now Health Secretary Sajid Javid is being asked to "deliver on his commitment" in ensuring that children with severe epilepsy have easier access to medicinal cannabis. "End Our Pain" campaigners said families had been left out of pocket after paying for private medicinal cannabis prescriptions, despite a law change three years ago that opened the door for patients to access medicinal cannabis via the NHS. The amendment followed several highprofile cases, including young people with epilepsy, like Alfie Dingley and Billy Caldwell. They saw their conditions markedly improve following the use of cannabis oil. Alfie's epileptic seizures improved massively as a result of using the drug. Before he started with medicinal cannabis treatment, he had as many as 150 fits a week. His mother, Ms Hannah Deacon, who still leads the campaign for easier access to the drug, said that it had now been over 500 days since his last seizure. "It's so important that every other child who needs it gets the chance to access this product," she said. Mr Javid was Home Secretary back in 2018. He announced that doctors would prescribe medicinal cannabis for conditions including severe forms of epilepsy moving forward. The law was revised to allow medicinal cannabis to be prescribed in "exceptional" cases on the NHS. "Recent cases involving sick children made it clear to me that our position on cannabis-related medicinal products was not satisfactory." -Sajid Javid 2018 Back in April this year, more than 100 politicians from cross-party groups had signed a letter to Boris Johnson, urging action on the subject but to no avail. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Medical Cannabis under Prescription stated that the change in the law had
"raised the hopes" of families whose children also suffered from extreme forms of epilepsy. They confirmed that only three NHS prescriptions for the same medical cannabis that helped Alfie have been issued since the law change in 2018.
policies are in place to allow clinicians to prescribe these medicines. Ms Deacon has asked on many occasions for a meeting with Mr Javid and has said that she will continue to campaign "until this mess is sorted out".
This was whilst other families were under a severe financial burden to try and raise up to £2000 a month for private treatment. Something that was being exacerbated by COVID restrictions that had rendered most fundraising impossible.
The Department of Health and Social Care said: "Our sympathies are with all patients and families who are dealing with rare and hard to treat conditions". They continued by saying that the Government has "already changed the law". and that "Specialist doctors can prescribe cannabis-
based products where they are clinically appropriate and are in the best interests of patients." It would seem that it is a matter of opinion as to whether this law is working "in the patient's best interests". There are many angry and desperate families out there that disagree with the Department of Health. There is little doubt that this law change desperately needs a re-think and more clarity for patients who need this medication and easier access to it.
The letter described the reasons behind the lack of NHS prescriptions as "complex", calling on the Government to arrange "compassionate funding" for families until the issue as a whole could be resolved. Ms Deacon commented: "I am immensely grateful for the help Mr Javid gave. He helped save my son. Others, however, are still blocked from NHS access to this vital medicine. As a result, they are close to financial and emotional breaking point". "On the third anniversary of the law change, I urge him to follow through on his commitment and help these other families." Under current rules, very few people are likely to get an NHS medicinal cannabis prescription. It is only expected to be prescribed for adults and children with rare, severe forms of epilepsy, adults suffering from vomiting or nausea side effects from chemotherapy and people suffering from muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis. NHS guidelines dictate that Medicinal cannabis will only be considered when other treatments are not suitable or have not helped. The charity "Epilepsy Action" said that it was "disappointing" to see that "very little has changed" since the legalisation of medicinal cannabis. Too many families who could see potential benefit from these treatments cannot access them through the NHS, forcing many to self-fund expensive private prescriptions. The Government and Department of Health are being urged to ensure that
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24
GROW WITH MR. JOSE Mr. José / info@mrjose.eu
WEED FOR CONNOISSEURS Lots of people can grow weed. But it takes a bit more work to grow
cannabis that true connoisseurs would appreciate and praise. There's always room for improvement, and even the best growers are always on the hunt for ways to make their buds even better. Would you like to improve your skills, too? Here are a few tips that work for me.
you prefer pot that smells soft and sweet, because it simply suits you. You want John to give you another strain, similar to what you have been enjoying so far. You are starting to notice how the trichomes glisten. You are falling in love with the sound of grinding buds that miraculously gain volume in your grinder – and with the profound smell of grinded weed. You are now interested even in the way the weed you like is grown. Are there any chemical fertilizers used? Well, there's chemistry involved for sure, because the whole world is based on chemical processes.
WHAT THE CONNOISSEURS CHERISH When you are trying weed for the first time, you only want to know one thing – what the effects will be. The smarter ones want to know how much it is possible to ingest, and the vast majority overdoses a little for the first time. Then comes the second stage – either you did not enjoy it and do not want to see cannabis again, or you enjoyed the effects and want to try it again. Unfortunately, there is a third group that keeps using even though it doesn't
do them any good. But that's a completely different story. Once you become a regular and long-term user and you know how to handle the experience, you can start to get pickier and a little more demanding. It's not just “any pot” that is satisfying for you. You find out that John's weed makes you feel good, whereas David's weed makes you ready to go to bed immediately and gives you a headache the next day. This means, of course, that you would like to smoke John's weed more often than David’s. Gradually you keep realizing that
But you want your cannabis to be free of pollutants and diseases. At the end of the day, you realize you do not want to smoke anymore, you want to start vaporizing. You carefully inspect, sniff and crush each bud between your fingers before grinding. You are getting more and more strict in your evaluations, and when you have a choice, you always check the top shelf for the best strains and buds. After ingestion, you watch what happens to you and analyse it thoroughly. You get to know exactly what you want. You can quite reliably find the strain that suits you by smelling it and visual inspection - you are now a connoisseur and gourmet. John knows what you want and always has it for you. John likes to grow. If you are a grower too, you want to be like John. Let's just hope John is not breaking the law, because if he does, he might get in trouble with police. But I'm sure John lives in a country where growing and selling pot is legal.
EQUILIBRISTIC IN THE GROW ROOM When I grew my very first indoor plants, I managed to harvest absolutely exclusive buds. I was thrilled and received praise from all around. "I have a gift, I'm a king", I thought to myself. I enjoyed growing, and I was quite good at it. In time, however, there came bad harvests. There were poor yields, problems with spider mites, other times mildew or not enough resin. I was trying new systems, and sometimes they did not work properly. But most harvests were great. I often felt like John. Years later, I realized why my first harvest was so good – I was a true perfectionist the first time. I tried to keep everything top notch and dedicated a lot of my free time to the plants, doing everything I could to make sure they were thriving. But one tends to succumb to the feeling that things will be always great once they have done something well, and they drop their concentration. And that's a mistake. When growing weed for connoisseurs, you cannot afford to make mistakes or overthink anything. In the grow room, plan everything in advance and follow the plans carefully. Draw a plan of the growing cycle with specifications for each stage – temperature and humidity in relation to the water vapour pressure difference (VPD), CO2 concentration, light intensity, fertiliser schedule and expected harvest date. Put the drawing on your grow room’s door. Keep track of all the expected values and do your best to follow them. In the age of the internet, it's not that expensive to get data loggers that
25
in a freezer at -18 °C for about 12 hours and then leave it to dry again in the above conditions. The frost pulls the moisture from the centre of your buds to the surface and the drying process is more even.
HOW TO STORE WEED PROPERLY
can use an app to alert you if the climate in your grow room is heading in wrong directions. It is advisable to get it at least for temperature and humidity. It can be of tremendous help. If you have a data logger without the ability to send alerts, check the logs manually for early detection of any failures. When I grow clones, I do the following: For the first week I keep the VPD at 0.4-0.8 kPa and the air temperature at 26 °C day and night. PPFD 250-300 µmol/m2s, I do not add CO2, since it is not necessary. Next week up to ten days: I will increase VPD to 0.8-1.2, PPFD 400-500 µmol/m2s, once CO2 starts to drop below 400 ppm I will start dosing at 800 ppm and increase temperature to 29°C during the day and 26°C at night. When switching to flowering, I lower the night temperature to 25 °C, increase the illumination intensity
to PPFD 800-1000 µmol/m2s and the CO2 concentration to 1200 ppm. After two weeks, I lower the night temperature to 24 °C and increase the VPD to 1.2-1.6 kPa. For the last ten days before harvest, I reduce the night temperature to 22°C. This has worked very well for me. Temperatures can be manipulated while keeping the same differences between day and night
temperatures. If you leave the daytime temperatures around 26 °C, you can leave the CO2 concentration at 800 ppm. Lower night temperatures in the final ten to fourteen days lead to interesting coloration in most varieties, which adds to the attractiveness of the final product. In addition, the stress of low temperatures stimulates resin production. When growing in a denser growing medium such as soil, coco fiber or rockwool, I let the plants suffer a little from lack of moisture during the last week, which in turn causes beneficial stress but does not have negative effects on the weight of the crop.
DRYING IS THE KEY No matter what methods you use to grow your perfect weed, you can lose all the qualities by drying it wrong. You probably know that the aroma of cannabis has nothing to do with its potency. In fact, cannabinoids do not smell at all. So even cannabis with no smell can get you really stoned. But that is not what the connoisseurs want. The terpenes responsible for the taste and smell of cannabis modify the effect of the cannabinoids to certain extent. Well-dried cannabis retains its maximum terpene content, which can then take the experience up several levels – and the experts know this very well. Dry cannabis slowly rather than quickly. A temperature of 16-20 °C together with a relative humidity of no more than 68 % are ideal conditions for drying. Personally, I prefer 17 °C and a humidity around 60 %. It is of utmost importance to make sure that there is good airflow from all sides around the plants. I sometimes use frost to help with drying: I put the half-dried cannabis
The taste and smell of your buds is not really great right after drying. The flowers need some time in stable conditions even after all the chemical processes that positively affect taste and aroma have finished. This process is called curing. During this process, chlorophyll is broken down, which negatively affects the taste and aroma. However, optimal conditions must be in place for the chlorophyll to decompose. Personally, I think that cannabis cured for two to three months is significantly better when it comes to taste, aroma and consistency than freshly dried plant material. At humidity levels below 55 %, the buds are more susceptible to mechanical damage, while humidity levels above 65 % create ideal conditions for mould and harmful micro-organisms.
Dried flowers should be stored in glass, metal or plastic containers which are airtight. During the first two to eight weeks of drying, such containers should be opened for a short period of time every few days to allow the oxygen necessary for carboxylation to enter. This process helps improve the flavor and aroma of buds. To maintain the right humidity in your container, you can use special bags that increase or decrease the humidity level according to your current needs. I have tried Boveda bags, but you can choose from several manufacturers of these bags on the market nowadays. Anyway, I definitely recommend trying them. If you keep your flowers in an environment with controlled humidity, you also help preserve the terpenes carrying the flavor and aroma. In fact, when flowers dry out, they lose not only water but also some of the fast-volatile terpenes. If you can smell the aroma of your cannabis that you love, it means that the buds are releasing terpenes. The right relative humidity creates a layer around your flowers that will prevent unwanted evaporation of terpenes and help preserve the flavor and aroma. So, now you have cannabis as good as John’s. Would you care to share?
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27
HIGH CUISINE WITH BETTY GREEN By Betty Green
LUXURY FESTIVE BACON, BRIE, CRANBERRY AND TURKEY TOASTIE place. Tips for dosing cannabis infusions To test the force of your finished product, try ¼ or ½ tsp and see how that affects you after an hour. Decrease or increase the dose as desired following this test. You can then use this personalized "standard" dose as a baseline for your recipes. So now that we have made the Honey let's get on to making your cranberry sauce. This naturally sweetened cranberry sauce recipe is easy to make and tastes fantastic, too. INGREDIENTS 12 ounces fresh cranberries 170g of canna honey 4fl oz of water 1 tsp of Orange zest Orange juice (to sweeten) optional Instructions First, rinse and drain the cranberries well. Discard any squishy ones. What could be a better snack than a bacon, brie, cranberry, and turkey toastie when it comes to this Festive time? The ingredients complement each other. The savoury melted cheese with the sweet cranberry sauce is just perfection. It is such a simple snack to make, especially with your Christmas day leftovers. Toasties are always a classic "go-to" when you get the munchies. Together with a mulled wine, I think it has to be the perfect snack to get you in a Christmassy mood. What could make this toastie even better? Infusing it with cannabis, of course! You can either simply use cannabutter on your toastie or make your own cranberry sauce with canna infused Honey. To make the toastie, you need the following. INGREDIENTS 2 Slices Bread 4 Slices of Cooked Turkey 56g Diced Brie 2 tbsp Cranberry Sauce 1 tbsp butter or if using cannabutter, dose appropriately 2 rashers of streaky bacon smoked or unsmoked. 50g grated mozzarella cheese Fresh chopped chives Instructions 1.Lightly toast 2 pieces of fresh bread. 2.Butter each piece of toast. 3.Sprinkle one piece with mozzarella on the unbuttered side. 4.Layer the other piece with turkey and brie on the buttered side. 5.Place both under grill. 6.Remove mozzarella slice when bubbling. 7.Remove brie and turkey slice when brie is turning golden brown. 8.Add a generous serving of cranberry
sauce to the brie and turkey. 9.Use the Mozarella slice as the lid of your sandwich, cheese side up. 10.Sprinkle with chopped chives to Garnish, cut, serve, enjoy. Merry Xmas. As stated, you can use cannabutter when making your toastie to get that THC hit. If you are feeling more adventurous, however, you can try making your own infused cranberry sauce. This is easier than you think and would make for a great Christmas day condiment also! You can use Cranberry sauce on lots of other things, swirled into yoghurts or on toast. Treat it like a jam. Once made, it will last 1-2 months in the fridge in an airtight container. To make infused cranberry sauce, you first need to make infused Honey. As well as an ingredient for your cranberry sauce, You can use any leftover Honey as an infused sweetener in your drinks, cereals, yoghurts or any recipe in place of sugar or regular honey. INGREDIENTS FOR CANNA HONEY 340g of Honey 3.5 grams of decarboxylated cannabis Instructions Combine, Cannabis and Honey in a double boiler/bain-marie and heat on a low setting. Simmer. Let the mixture simmer for 40 minutes at this low temperature. Stir occasionally. Do not allow the mixture to come to a full boil at any point. Strain the Honey. Once the Honey has cooled, pour it through a cheesecloth-lined funnel into a dark glass or opaque container. Allow it to strain freely. Squeezing the cheesecloth will push plant material through and may ruin the final taste. Storing: Honey can be kept for 1-2 months in an airtight container, in a cool dark
Combine the cranberries, honey and water in a pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer, occasionally stirring for around 10 minutes until the cranberries have broken down and the mixture has thickened. Try to simmering at a low heat so as not to degrade any cannabinoids in the Honey. Remove the mixture from the heat. Stir in the orange zest, so it's well distributed. If the mixture is too tart (Remember that cranberry sauce is supposed to be a little tart!), you can add orange juice or more Honey to sweeten. If you don't want to add more canna honey, use regular honey. The sauce will thicken as it cools once it has cooled entirely store in an airtight dark glass or opaque container. Your sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You are now ready to make your delicious luxury Xmas toastie.
28
SEED BANKS Jaypp
Purple Punch OG®, the sweetest punch
Good morning to all the growers of the cannabis planet! Here we are again to share a new report with one of the new strains for this 2021 from one of the best cannabis seed houses in the world. I am talking about Sweet Seeds® and their magnificent Purple Punch OG® (SWS93), a strain that brings together the best characteristics of two classics of cannabis breeding in the USA, the champion Purple Punch (Larry OG x Grand Daddy Purple) and the legendary Star Killer (Skywalker OG Kush x Rare Dankness #2). Let yourself be seduced by this wonder and follow me with your well-charged vaporisers, it’s just the beginning!
Selection is the key to success As you can imagine, cannabis seed banks do a lot of selection work before releasing their new creations on the market, where they discard crosses by reason of instability, low yields or final quality. This process takes quite a long time if done correctly, as it is usually difficult to find out what each breeder is looking for with their breeding. In the case of the Sweet Seeds® R&D team, it is well known that great emphasis is placed on preserving the best terpene profiles of each strain to be passed on to the offspring in the best possible way, and they need to start from something good enough to obtain something superior. For this reason, the Sweet Seeds® team of breeders never lose their focus and make an accurate prior selection of
clones looking for the most suitable one based on the qualities they have been after for years, i.e., high flower production, stability, moderate growth and organoleptic qualities of the highest level, the latter being a very important premise to start working with. This is why all the strains in this bank are so rich, sweet and tasty.
vigorous lateral branches, and charming reddish or purple hues in flowers and leaves at the end of the blooming period. As for its effect, you can imagine a sweet caress after an intense day.
After this search and previous selection, they start working hard and against the clock to obtain strains that reflect current tastes and have the intended quality level for each cross, which is why they often delay releases in order to present consumers with a finished product of the highest level, as is the case for the amazing strain we are talking about in this article. In Purple Punch OG®, you can clearly find the best qualities of the genetics that make it up, such as compact growth, as is usual for indica plants, with a large, hard and very resinous central bud, large and extremely
Indica: 80% / Sativa: 20% THC: 18-22% · CBD: 0.5% Indoor Yield: 400-550 g/m2 Outdoor Yield: 350-600 g/plant Indoor Flowering Time: 8 weeks Outdoor Harvest Time: mid-September
Below are its technical data and then I will tell you how it behaves during growth:
Purple Punch OG® growing and harvesting I was lucky enough to start cultivating this plant at the beginning of the year, with 4 seeds that I put in an 80x80 tent, where I installed two LED lamps of 220W
each, a fan, a powerful air extractor that conveyed air to another room (where I also installed an ozonator to remove odours), and an inlet to take fresh air from the street, which created a passive air flow to feed in CO2 and replace the stale air in the tent. In addition to the moderate heat from my LED lamps, I also had a heater, which prevented the room temperature from going below 18°C. This is important, because if temperature falls, growth is slower and flowering is reduced. I normally use a soil substrate, but this time I used a mixture of coco and perlite. Indeed, plants grow faster and with more ramification with this substrate. Furthermore, watering is easier and quicker, as coco and perlite have excellent absorption capacity, even when the substrate is very dry. With soil, instead, it is a nightmare as its difficult absorption causes soaking. For the higher absorption capacity, short and
29 containers, where I administered a handful of mycorrhizae (Mykos) and, again, the beneficial bacteria (Azos). Watering was done with the maximum dose of fertiliser, with a little calcium and magnesium, as the plants were asking for more. It is important to start flowering with the plants full of nutrients. Indeed, before changing to 12/12 light cycle, plants need to have enough nutrient reserves, nitrogen in particular, and then stop being fed throughout the flowering period. After regaining their original dark green colour, plants switch to flowering. In my crop, this happened around day 35, when the plants were bursting with health and their roots were spreading around the new pot. Fertilisation frequency was constant with each watering cycle. I gradually increased the quantity of flowering fertiliser while I reduced the growth fertiliser. I stopped adding Coco Booster and switched to a flowering stimulator. By day 12 of flowering, the first pistils appeared and the health of the plants was more than optimal. My plants had responded very well to the growth stimulator and had medium-high EC. So, once flowering began, I stopped administering the growth booster and continued to maintain high doses of flowering stimulator.
spaced watering cycles were required. In order to get the best of both worlds, Ying and Yang, I took advantage of the dead time between watering cycles to check plants more carefully. As for pots, I have been using the well-known Air-Pot containers for years and I can only speak positively about them. They are ideal in terms of oxygenation and allow excellent root development. Moreover, once you have finished growing, they can be easily dismantled and take up very little space.
lamps, of course, at minimum power, and increased the power as the seedlings grew.
To start growing, I normally use jiffies (pressed peat cakes). First, I keep the seeds in water for about 12/24 hours to hydrate them well. After this step, I put them on wet paper and use the UFO (Upright Fruiting Offshoots) method until I see that the roots are about 2 cm long. At this growth stage, I have already hydrated my jiffies with a moderate quantity of nutrients. Radicles need to be put into jiffies carefully while the seeds should be left in sight. In a day or two, you will see them growing, and their husk will fall off and make way for the cotyledons.
At this point, the plants began to grow at a good pace until day 12, when I transplanted them again, and I maintained the classic light schedule of 18/6 for their vegetative stage. The new pots had a capacity of 3.5 litres, which favoured the growth of a rich root ball. I added Azos again as well as Coco Booster.
If husks do not fall off, you can always carefully remove them. Purple Punch OG® is an extremely vigorous strain. In my case, I completed the whole cycle in 4 days, after which I put them under LED
After 6 days, plants were transplanted into small pots with a little coco substrate and some Azos (a bacteria compost). After this step, I started using a specific fertiliser for the coco substrate, but in minimal doses. A root stimulator in liquid form was also added to encourage their development.
After 10 days, the plants were about 25 cm long and showed several branches and beautiful leaves. All specimens had excellent health. As you will surely see, their growth is uniform and vigorous. In my case, they looked like twins. The day of their change to a 12/12 light cycle for flowering was getting close. Around day 30, I transplanted them to their final pots, i.e., 20-litre Air-Pot
The truth is these plants are greedy, but the power of the lamps also helped a lot and I kept them very close to the plant tips. The important thing is that this is a
stable, quite easy-to-grow, so you do not have to worry if you are a beginner, as you will surely obtain very good results. Flowering is extremely rich and with a multitude of pistils, with an overflowing production of trichomes covering calyxes and leaves and leaving the buds totally sugary. One of the specimens even had pink tones in the calyxes. Buds are dense and very heavy, with exquisite aromas.
Tasting When plants were ripe, I cut them and accurately dried and cured my harvest. I decided to try these magnificent buds of the Purple Punch OG® from Sweet Seeds® in a vaporiser. When I crushed them, I appreciated their fruity and delicate aroma. On the palate, their taste is sweet and fresh with hints of citrus and a touch of earth rich with spices. The bouquet is very complex and satisfying, with a blend of terpenes that is hard to describe as this plant stands out among other indica strains. The effect does not take long to kick in and is really potent, very relaxing in nature and ideal for unwinding from a busy day. I tried it at home with some friends and we could not stop laughing for a long time. Being so intense, you only realise its potency when you remain locked to the couch. I highly recommend growing it if you are looking for a US-made punch strain full of taste. Now it’s your turn to prepare your crop. See you next time! https://sweetseeds.es/en/
30
SHOP
Cool Running Maastricht, a household name in Maastricht since 1985
“We lifted it into the 21st century”
The old interior.
Cool Running has been a household name in Maastricht for a long time and underwent a complete transformation a year ago. A few details recall the coffee shop’s illustrious reggae past, which has existed since 1985.
Cool Running, named after the song 'Cool Runnings' by Bunny Wailer, is well-known to people from Maastricht who were already customers at the age of 15/16 in the mid-80s, says Johnny. With the introduction of the Weed Pass, the business was closed as a matter of principle from its introduction in 2012 until early 2017. Then, after being open for a year, a violation of the resident criterion was found; a Dutchman living in Belgium managed to get through door control and the shop was forced to shut down for another three months. This caused the shop’s enterprising spirit to fade again for a while. After all, since the 1980s, the shop had been an international spot, especially for reggae lovers and reggae artists. Records and merchandise were sold, Cool Running exuded reggae in all its facets.
Green Wall
In 2020, in cooperation with Johnny and Erwin, who are themselves second genera-
tion coffee shop entrepreneurs, the shop was completely renovated to a modern industrial design with a number of references to its reggae past. This, in combination with a lot of greenery, including a beautiful green wall and a living ivy wall. This creates a nice balance in the peaceful interior. In order to create more space, the founder decided many years ago to dig a basement under the shop, the walls of which were covered with felt-tip and ball-point pens over the years. The only reminder left of this in 2021 is the stone staircase leading to the basement. The shop was literally renovated from top to bottom last year and looks nothing like the 'cosy hole' it once was. “We lifted it into the 21st century”. says Johnny. "During the renovation, the old walls behind the 40-year old panelling came to light, which were two to three hundred years old. The building once housed a horse stable with a coach house. Before becoming a coffee shop in 1985, it was one of the first shawarma shops in Maastricht.
Comfortable
On the ground floor, there is plenty of daylight through a glass roof construction and the walls have been left rough and untreated on one side. The beautiful bar made of famous Corten steel adds the finishing touch. The basement hardly feels like one, thanks to a light box that covers a large part of the ceiling and whose colour and intensity change along with the outside light. The furniture is stylish and comfortable, and in the rear area there are benches in a cinema set-up where
31 from the wide range of fresh juices and healthy snacks, including home-made banana bread and home-made fresh lemonade,” says Johnny. Paninis and sumptuous milkshakes are also available. Furthermore, the range of CBD weed is very popular during exams. “With CBD, they won't forget what they've learned.” There are special CBD weed strains where, for example, the effect of old strains has been sought by mixing it with THC-rich weed. At Cool Running, a lot of attention is paid to the range of weed and hash. Neville Haze, which has already won the 1st prize for hydro haze at the Highlife Cup, is therefore on the coffee shop’s menu.
COOL RUNNING IS A RELAXED, MODERN COFFEESHOP THAT IS READY FOR THE FUTURE IN ALL ASPECTS. Mix of young and old
Manning the bar is a nice team with a mix of young and old, including Guido who has been involved in the shop from the very beginning, and Ilai who has spent over 25 years tending bar in the coffee shop scene. There is therefore the necessary experience. Michelle, who is now the third generation coffee shop entrepreneur, is also slowly starting to make her mark. All in all, a nicely diverse mix of team members make Cool Running a relaxed modern coffee shop that is ready for the future in every way.
The new interior. visitors can play PlayStations and/or watch TV. “The Cool Running now has a lot of light, and no dark corners; it’s easy to see inside from the street,” explains Johnny. “This also makes it more customer-friendly.” The air quality is excellent on both the ground floor and in the basement. All the air is refreshed every five minutes, Johnny says, while showing the huge air purification installation in the basement. “And there's another one on the roof.”
Neville Haze
After the tour, we have another cup of coffee and discuss the impact of the resident criterion, which is still strictly enforced in Maastricht. Fortunately, it is no longer compulsory to show proof of residence in the Netherlands in addition to your Dutch identity card. The many foreign students, who therefore do not have a Dutch ID, are still required to do so. About twenty thousand students live in Maastricht and quite a few of them, especially the foreign ones, enjoy visiting Cool Running. “They open up their laptops and study here, they order a fresh fruit smoothie or another drink
Coffeeshop Cool Running Brusselsestraat 35 6211 PB Maastricht
Instagram: coffeeshopcoolrunning
32
CANNABIS By Rich Hamilton
SNOOP AND MARTHA, AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP "She forces me to drink alcohol every day on the show with her," Snoop added. "So Martha will get you drunk, but it doesn't go the other way?" Kimmel asked. Snoop replied, "We're working on that." Martha Stewart is known for her abilities in the kitchen. If you ask for her opinion on Snoops culinary exploits, she is very flattering. "he's competent in the kitchen and brings an individual style to his cooking". Snoop quickly points out that working alongside Martha teaches him "how to be a better chef, better-prepared preparation is vital 'cause I love to cook with love!" skills.
There has never been a TV show or TV pairing as oddly perfect as "Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party". Premiering in 2016, the cooking/variety/talk show was an instant hit with viewers. The first episode drew roughly 2.3 million viewers over two airings. Even the TV critics were abundantly positive in their reviews. After two seasons, the show's format was given a refresh and re-named "Potluck Party Challenge". It featured Martha and Snoop heading up opposing teams of celebrity guests competing in challenges, with a celebrity guest judge presiding over each episode. With an impressive list of celebrity guests including Jamie Foxx, Seth Rogen, Wendy Williams, George Lopez and Ru-Paul, the show even earned itself an Emmy nomination. Whilst you would not expect the two, a famous conservative homemaker and a West Coast rapper, to strike up a genuine friendship, that appears to be what has happened. Snoop and Martha were friends before the show and first me when Snoop was a guest on Martha's talk show. Snoop's appearances on Martha's made the ratings leap up, so it makes sense that the duo would do well on their own show. Watch a single episode of "Potluck", and it's immediately apparent that the two have great chemistry. It's not fake. It's not put on," Any show featuring Snoop is going to come with a fair share of weed references. Cannabis has been a trademark of the rapper's persona since the early '90s. It's expected that he would drop a few cannabis one-liners, especially when you
have pro-weed guests like Seth Rogen and Wiz Khalifa, "He comes to the set pretty high and leaves pretty high," joked Stewart. Clarifying that Snoop's "not incompetent or incoherent at all. That's the way he lives." Weed is a considerable part of Snoop's lifestyle and persona, but the same can't be said for Martha. That doesn't mean that she's a prude when it comes to vices. "So someone smokes marijuana? Big deal..." "I'm quite liberal when it comes to stuff like that."
Martha and Snoop work as a duo because they are so different in some ways. Martha has the background of being a fantastic cook and having previously had her own show. Snoop may be no-cook, but he is
a born entertainer that makes the crowd laugh and keeps them engaged. The great thing about this show and the friendship here is that viewers get to watch two people from two very different walks of life explore and learn about each other's worlds. It's an excellent tool for breaking down barriers about class, race and the stigma around cannabis out into the mainstream. Food and music always have a way of bringing people together. Snoop and Martha Stewart are arguably one of the oddest yet most perfect couples on TV. Their show is a standout example of unifying people from different backgrounds. "The underlying message is that we're not all that different. That is what I love about the show"- Martha Stewart.
However, Stewart has followed somewhat in her co-star's footsteps and capitalised on her links with the herb, albeit the nonpsychoactive ones, and launched her line of CBD products. In collaboration with leading Hemp and CBD company Canopy Growth, Stewart has developed an innovative line of wellness products. Her range of gummies, soft gels and oil drops combine gourmet flavours with the safest, purest CBD derived from 100% U.S natural hemp. Martha Stewart might stop short of smoking with Snoop, but she cannot avoid the herb altogether. The smoke could be so prominent on the set that it was easy to get a contact high. "I do get kind of high from secondary smoke," "I'm not a smoker myself, but the smoke is quite thick around the set." So if Martha Stewart gets high, it's only from second-hand smoke, but this is primarily a cooking show, so what about edibles? "She'll critique the brownies," Snoop told chat show host Jimmy Kimmel. "But she won't enjoy them." Snoop, however, is more easily swayed when it comes to Martha's vice of choice.
ANSWERS TO THE QUIZ: PAGE 16:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
A B C D B D C D A C
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
B D C A C B A D B A
34
MEDIA By Rich Hamilton
SOFT SECRETS HERE IS SOFT SECRETS MEDIA RUN DOWN OF WHAT TO WATCH LISTEN AND READ THIS MONTH. LISTEN- THE ADAM DUNN SHOW This weekly 2-3 hour show is often called "The Joe Rogan Experience for Weed". It features in-depth, entertaining interviews and analysis from the forefront of the cannabis underground. Its wide range of guests spans industry sectors such as business, law and medicine alongside some of the worlds leading technical experts in cannabis.
READ- HIGH ART If you are interested in Art, or if you're not but want something cool to look at whilst you are stoned, this is a great coffee table book for you that would also make an excellent gift for any stoner artist. This book pairs 50 classic artworks from all around the world with individual cannabis suggestions. High Art gives you the answers to Art questions that have long gone unanswered. Such as What strain can connect me more deeply to late-period Van Gogh? And Should I be intimidated by the work of William Blake? A recommendation for Henri Rousseau's 1910 Tropical Forest with Monkeys?? Some mild Purple Monkey followed by THC-infused dried fruits, of course, as this will help your mind connect with its primitive nature. Getting in touch with your inner self while looking at Van Gogh's Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat?. Why not try some "Gravita's Red-Headed Stranger" if you want to feel the brush strokes gently washing over you. By Robert Lambrechts and Estefanio Holtz. Published by Clarkson Potter.
Host Adam Dunn has been involved in the cannabis scene since the '90s and has earned his industry stripes. He founded Hemp works, T.H seeds and Hemp HoodLamb clothing in Amsterdam before moving to Colorado in 2010. As well as featuring guests Dunn shares what he has learned and shares many anecdotes from his time in the cannabis industry. Get it wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Friday.
WATCH-DOPE STICK Dopesick is a new mini-series available on Hulu and Disney+ adapted from the nonfiction book "Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America" by Beth Macy. Starring Michael Keaton, the series transports viewers to the centre of the American struggle with opioid addiction, specifically the infamous drug "Oxycontin". One of the most abused prescription drugs out there. The subject matter is heavy, often making for uncomfortable viewing,
but it is also unmissable. The series has a very empathetic tone in terms of its portrayal of the people impacted directly by the opioid crisis. Stretching from the boardrooms of the Big Pharma companies, a distressed mining community in Virginia and the corridors of power at the DEA. With an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes, this is definitely worth a watch. Available to watch now on Hulu and Disney+.
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GROW WITH STONEY TARK By Stoney Tark
SEVEN MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN GROWING CANNABIS and experience. Personally, I always recommend using a very simple drip system that only pumps water to the plants through a dripper stake. This means the feeding regime remains consistent every single day in terms of the quantity of water and the time the pump switches on. It may take the fun out of watering each plant by hand but it ensures consistency and should never oversaturate.
Keep a vacuum cleaner, sweeping brush, a bottle of bleach, cleaning alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and a box of latex gloves close by, and be prepared to keep the floor, walls, and surrounding space as clean and tidy as possible. Remove any pots and old grow medium from the previous crop and give your room a thorough cleaning between harvests. Sweep up frequently and remove any dead leaves that have fallen to the floor.
2. Dirty Grow Rooms
3. Overcrowded Plants
Growing high-grade Cannabis indoors should be treated as a science in my opinion, so mimicking a clean, sterile, and well-maintained indoor garden should be a top priority. Dirty grow rooms that have organic matter on the floor and corners such as soil and dead leaves, old plant pots and medium sat around and dirt everywhere are only inviting insects and pathogens to infest their garden.
A common mistake that I often see with beginner growers is overcrowding. This means once the Cannabis plants have flowered, there is very little lateral space for the plants to grow and air flow around the plants has become seriously restricted. Buds will begin to block out other buds during the most important time and when the temperature and humidity
An indoor irrigation drip system that is designed for 12 plants.
I think I have made every mistake you can imagine during my time learning about the Cannabis plant, and each one has cost me in some way, shape or form. Below are 6 mistakes to avoid making when growing Cannabis and why not do develop these bad habits early on! 1. Over Watering Your Plants This is easily done and is not the end of the world if you are a beginner or novice grower. However, understanding the perfect time to saturate the growing medium with nutrient solution, can have a huge effect on the final yield. Over watering your plants can cause
the medium to become wet, soggy, and heavy on the fine root hairs. Little oxygen is provided and as a result will cause anaerobic bacteria to form which can seriously harm the plants over time. Allowing your growing medium to become air light until the next feeding, is a balancing act that takes time
Yellow and dead leaves will only attract insects.
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climb too high, a bad case of mold is just waiting to happen. The best way to avoid this mistake as a beginner is to make a basic floor plan and assign a certain amount of space to each pot. If you are growing with a small-sized pot for example 6.5-10 litre, then it's a good idea to give each plant 40-50cm squared. Bigger pots should be given 60-90cm squared so when the female plants are all fully mature, they are not touching one another and fighting for light. If your goal is to use a Sea of Green set up that requires a high volume of smallersized plants, then be careful not to give too little space unless you know the strain you are working with inside and out.
4. Under Watering Your Plants Underfed and malnourished Cannabis plants will quickly display symptoms of being deficient. The health and vigour will not be ideal with the leaves drooping downwards. Nitrogen can quickly be taken from the older leaves in an attempt to make up for the lack of nutrient solution and watering. Once you are able to lift the pot up with ease and can insert your finger all the way down the side of the pots, without any signs of moisture, then you can water. Knowing the right times when to water and when to dry out can be based on how light the pots get, and remember the bigger the plants get then the more nutrients and water they will demand. This does not mean over watering the plants the more they mature but finding the sweet spot between the driest and the most saturated conditions.
5. Forget The Flush There are 2 main reasons for flushing Cannabis plants for 14 days, and they are to use up all of the internal reserves the plant has left, and to wash away any dissolved salts around the roots. Deciding not to feed the plants with only plain water for 14 days and instead increasing the amount of Phosphorus and Potassium and molasses, won’t do you any favours in the long run. If you are growing your own medicine then you must flush the plants with water or an enzyme solution. You can always tell when a flower has not been flushed as the experience when smoking is harsh, unpleasant taste, hot and dry throat, and enough to start a
coughing fit. The ash will burn without consistency and will have a charcoalblack appearance in the ashtray. An overzealous grower may be under the impression the bigger the buds, the better the end result, and return on investment, however this will only leave you with jars full of flower that 99% of smokers would think twice about smoking.
6. Using Cheap Soil When it comes to cheap soil, most of us have found out the hard way after investing in low-quality cheap soil. The water retention and drainage are so out of balance and the nutritional value is questionable. Cheap soils are normally found in small sections of garden centers or even some commercial supermarkets. There are a number of brands out now that offer top quality premium soil that is packed with all the nutrients and minerals a Cannabis plant needs, as well as beneficial microorganisms. Accompanied with bottled nutrients and some top dressing, it is easy to grow clean, smooth, and terpene rich buds. The drainage and water retention are far more forgiving than cheap soil and ingredients such as perlite and peat moss will increase air pockets around the roots.
7. Poor Air Circulation When it comes to growing Cannabis, consistency is the key to success and especially when talking about air circulation. Cannabis plants should have access to fresh air that contains carbon dioxide from outside and have the ability to use the available co2 very quickly. This is one reason why the amount of air being recycled inside the grow tent or room should be consistent and optimal to the plant's metabolism. When there is poor air circulation around crowded plants, moisture can build and the more stagnant air present, the higher the chance of infection from powdery mildew and flowering plants to mold. There should be multiple fans that oscillate at different times to one another and placing a fan at the bottom part, the middle part and the upper part of the grow room will be most beneficial.
38 COLOFON Soft Secrets is published by Discover Publisher BV Galvaniweg 11, 5482 TN Schijndel, Netherlands Telephone: +31-(0)73-5498112 E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl Web: www.softsecrets.com Editor: Cliff Cremer Contributors: Jorge Cervantes, Stoney Tark, Rich Hamilton, Mr. Jose, Green Born Identity (G.B.I.), Betty Green, Olivier F., TricomaTeam, Hortizan and others. Comics: Jim Stewart Photography: iStock Editorial adress: readers@softsecrets.nl Advertisements: E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl A word from the publisher: Soft Secrets is a bi-monthly free magazine which is published in The Netherlands (called Highlife), Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Poland, Czech Republic and Chile. World wide there is a process going on of relative liberalisation towards the use of cannabis, be it for medicinal or recreational purposes. Several countries
legalised cannabis as a way of separating soft and hard drugs, as it has proven to do in Holland. Other countries legalised the use of medicinal cannabis, including the right to grow cannabis plants for one’s own use. The publisher wants to highlight the process of normalisation of cannabis use. This assumes that the publisher does not necessarily agree with everything that appears in articles and advertisements. The publisher therefore distances himself explicitly from published statements or images that might give the impression that an endorsement is being made for the use and/or production of cannabis. Nothing from this publication may be copied or reproduced in any format without prior permission from the publisher and other copyright holders. The publisher is not responsible for the content and/or point of view of advertisements. The editor takes no responsibility for unsollicited submissions. The publisher has endeavored to reach all copyright holders of photos and/or images. Those who still believe they are entitled to these rights may contact the publisher.
INDEX OF ADS
Name Page
7
London Seed Centre
1
35
Mama publishing
37
Atami 2
Paradise Seeds
1
Barney's Farm
1
Paradise Seeds
23
Barney's Farm
19
RQS 39
Cool Running
30/31
Salon the CBD
Cyco
33
Sanlight 27
Gecurrent
13
Seed Stockers
1
Jorge Cervantes
26
Sweet Seeds
40
Advanced Hydroponics of Holland Advanced Seeds
3
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March 2 2022
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