Aug 3: still going strong starting the third week of flowering. I’m putting her in the garage at 9 pm, doing the 730 nm far red light to put plant into dark mode 2 h faster, and then out of garage at 7 am. So 10+ 2 h is 12 h dark and 14 h daylight or a 26 h day. The far red light definitely works as a bloom booster and helps the plants finish faster when the sun is stronger.
Did morning foliar spray of Extreme Blend and potassium silicate.
Aug 4: always some defoliation to be done and I took out all the small stuff that was growing into the centre. If I had a longer season I could have left some of these small branches but I want the energy directed toward the prime bud sites. Also removing leaves makes it more stable in the wind. Yet another growing trade-off.
Aug 5: she looks great coming out of the dark garage this morning. Lots of colas with lots of buds 👍👍
Aug 6: added UV lights from AC Infinity. This far north we run out of strong sunlight before it gets too cold in the fall. By adding UV lights, this will make Edmonton in September seem like California in July.
Along with genetics, UV light is the main factor controlling trichome and THC production. Adding UV light for a couple of hours per day centred at peak sun (currently 1:39 pm) should help a lot this far north.
At the other end of the light spectrum, I use Forever Green Indoor (FGI) 730 nm far red light. This is the third season using the far red light as a bloom booster and it definitely works. A few seconds at dusk is all it takes to put the plant into dark mode two hours faster, and is like getting a 26 h day. Bud ripen earlier and therefore under stronger sun. Both of these lights are low power LED used for a few hours (UV) or just a few seconds (far red). Gotta love science and technology when it allows us to figure this kind of out.
@Northern_Ent As far as I can see, you are very experienced. You are a very good grower. And you have worked with as many different seed companies as possible. What I want to ask an experienced person like you; If there were 5 best genetics you have tried so far, which would they be? And which genetic has the highest psychedelic properties in your opinion? And my last question is, why do you think these ''copy cat genetics'' seeds are so expensive? Does that mean they are much better than other seed companies? I am currently growing anesia seeds imperium x and Alien OG, I want to see how psychedelic they are.
@jingamin, hey thanks very much. I love growing but all my stuff is outdoor in a sometimes harsh climate at a high latitude (Edmonton). Having said that five faves are (no order) gorilla glue - fast buds, Candyland from Garden of Green, Frostberry from Lucky13 is fast and has great taste, super Lemon Haze and Lambsbread from Ganja Farmer were really nice and Hash Bud from Quebec Cannabis seeds. Have not tried growing but a Pakistani Purple Chitral is sometimes in the stores here…moderate to low THC but great terpenes or something that really works for me.
So, Fast Buds and Ganja Farmer are excellent places to start.
And weed isn’t really a hallucinogen once you get into it a bit. Of course, I think that about acid too (more just sensory enhancement). Good luck.
@cultivars, yeah shitty. I’m all set up to make hash, which is as much fun as growing, so it’s okay. The other plants aren’t seeded so I’m not too choked.
@Arcadium, yeah I’m using smallish bags so I can easily move them around the yard. Would be nice to have a single sunny spot, but not with this yard. I also use 5 gallon pails of water to stabilize the grow bags. So with the plants and pails of water being moved around I get a nice light daily workout for my gym-hating, lazy ass gen-x body. “It’s not couch lock - I’m lazy”. Anyway Growdiaries is great for inspiration, and I’m looking forward to seeing how your plants finish. Good luck.