Old Wives Tales

[WashougalWonder]

Ok folks, I am so burned on some of the old wives tales. I want folk like Old Mac, Rusty, etc., to dispel the mistruths out there, we are seeing them refuted in posts, let's put it all in one place.

My favorites.

"You gotta hang the plant upside down to cure." This is purely convenience. It is just easier to hang the stems upside down if you choose this way.

"The 12 hours of light make them flower." Not, it is the darkness that makes them flower.

"If a hermie pollenates another plant all offspring will be hermies." NOT. If a hermie pollenated another female you would get female seeds........(Statements assume hermie was from stress as true hermie is very, very rare.

I know Old Mac has a couple pet peeves on this topic, let's hear it!
:thumbsup:

[Rusty Trichome]

I can only think of a few right now. (waiting for coffee to finish brewing)

'You need all 15 of our products to properly grow your meds.' No, but you need to buy them all to keep the nutrient company properly solvent...

'Superthrive is a super tonic' Hardly. It's a band-aid to mask other issues in your garden. Good rule of thumb...if you don't know what's in it, likely it shouldn't go into your meds. Some folks are more sensitive to interactions than others, but if your life depends on the meds you take for your illness, think twice about smoking artifical plant hormones, steroids and snake-oils.

'Organic compounds are different than non-organic compounds.' A chemical compound is a chemical compound. The difference between "organic" and 'natural'...? Price.

'If a plant hermies, the strain is trash.' In most cases it's the gardener that has abused the plant that makes it hermie. (light leaks, bad nutrients, trying to 'overclock' the plants, no consistent schedule, too cold...) The ability to hermie is present in every strain. It's a self-preservation response to stress in it's natural enviornment that has been developed over thousands of years on all continents.

'Horticultural and biological rules do not apply to cannabis.' Cannabis is not a 'special' order, class, phylum, kingdom...It's a plant. Quit treating it as if the rules of biology were inconsequential to cannabis.

'Moon phase gardening is effective.' It has never been proven effective, but many scholarly studies lean twords it being an invalid technique to improve garden results. I read my horoscope once in a while for entertainment, but I'd never use it to raise my children.

'Coffee grounds and egg shells are good additives to your soil.' Adding uncomposted table scraps is a good way to promote disease your growroom. Eventually the scraps will rot in your pot(s).

Speaking of coffee...mine's ready...:jointsmile:

[pinkdolphin113]

Coffee grounds be added to a compost heap as a source of carbon and proteins. Adding them to growing medium has little or no effect on growth...something I found out myself. The only benefit from coffee grounds, I found through numptiness, was that infestations (spider mites in this case) prefer plants growing without coffee grounds in the soil. However, there is no real reason to suggest the coffee grounds had anything to do with it.


How about placing plants into darkness 24hours prior to harvesting?
I personally don't go with this anymore because...well...how much growth do you expect within 24 hours?
I prefer to just crop at the end of the day after a week or 2 of watering and dry out over 1 or 2 weeks.
Is this wrong?


Pink.

[oldmac]

This thread is a nice idea WashogulWonder,

You guys have already hit some, Rusty, even before his coffee came up with many.:thumbsup:

Putting your plant into darkness 48, 72 or ? hours before cutting down helps with bud development, trichome developement, potency etc. It dosen't do anything thing but waste time and allow for bud rot.

Yes pink you have it right, but since plant growth is based on photosynthesis, how much growth ot development can you expect at all in the dark.


OM :jointsmile:

[tikiroom]

oldmac,
Could leaving your plants in total darkness for 48 hours before chop help rid the plant of chlorophyll?
Possibly shortening curing time.

[Weezard]

The old wives tell ya to leave your water "sit" for 24 hours to let the Chloramine demons out.;)

That is actually counter productive.

What leaves the water, is not the Chloramine, but the air.

"Flat" water will drown roots.
Those same roots are happy as clams in aerated water.
They are also quite happy in lightly chlorinated tap water as long as there is enough Oxygen as well.:)
A few parts of Chlorine per million keeps the micro-herd in check and is no-where near enough to adversely affect Cannabis.

I'll have a few more sometime soon.
Gotta go bum a cup of that coffee from R.T. first.

Aloha,
Weezard

[pinkdolphin113]

I assumed letting water stand for 24 hours was to allow the chlorine to evaporate?
Chlorine, as many know, is added to water to kill bacteria and parasites making it drinkable.
Bacteria are required, in terrestrial sediments, to break down (or fix) chemicals which are consumed by the plants.

This means that giving chlorine filled water to ANY plant can significantly affect growth.

Chloramine, on the other hand, is a combination of ammonia and chlorine (much more stable than just chlorine). This acts in the same way as chlorine levels (bacteria depleting/quick evaporation rates) so can be left to stand for ~24 hours, too. If you're lucky enough and the ammonia stays within the water after the chlorine has been evaporated (don't know if this is possible), you have a great nutrient for your plants.

Simply letting the water "stand" will cause the chlorine to evaporate, but creating a lot of turbulation can allow it to evaporate quicker.


Pink.

[WashougalWonder]

I assumed letting water stand for 24 hours was to allow the chlorine to evaporate?
Chlorine, as many know, is added to water to kill bacteria and parasites making it drinkable.
Bacteria are required, in terrestrial sediments, to break down (or fix) chemicals which are consumed by the plants.

This means that giving chlorine filled water to ANY plant can significantly affect growth.

Chloramine, on the other hand, is a combination of ammonia and chlorine (much more stable than just chlorine). This acts in the same way as chlorine levels (bacteria depleting/quick evaporation rates) so can be left to stand for ~24 hours, too. If you're lucky enough and the ammonia stays within the water after the chlorine has been evaporated (don't know if this is possible), you have a great nutrient for your plants.

Simply letting the water "stand" will cause the chlorine to evaporate, but creating a lot of turbulation can allow it to evaporate quicker.


Pink.

This is why it is an old wives tale. I switched from water that stood to just using it as I needed it, if it had stood so be it, if it was fresh out of the tap so be it. I actually think growth was better on the water that did not sit.

[oldmac]

oldmac,
Could leaving your plants in total darkness for 48 hours before chop help rid the plant of chlorophyll?
Sorry no. The break down of chlorophyll takes time. You can experiment yourself, take a nice green leaf, place it in a brown paper bag and check it in a couple of days. It may dry out but it will still be green.

Possibly shortening curing time.
I have found no way to "jump start" curing or cut the the time of curing. Plus proper time to cure varies depending on a few enviromental factors.

Another pet peeve myth;

Roots grow during the dark period. Nope, all growth above and below ground level is a process of photosynthesis. "Roots grow in the dark but not when itis dark." There is cell division happening all the time at the tap/water root's meristem, but this cell division is the lubricant for the root tip growth.

OM


[/QUOTE]

[VapedG13]

This thread is a nice idea WashogulWonder,

You guys have already hit some, Rusty, even before his coffee came up with many.:thumbsup:

Putting your plant into darkness 48, 72 or ? hours before cutting down helps with bud development, trichome developement, potency etc. It dosen't do anything thing but waste time and allow for bud rot.

Yes pink you have it right, but since plant growth is based on photosynthesis, how much growth ot development can you expect at all in the dark.


OM :jointsmile:

Funny you ask that....I lost power for 4-5 days my plants had to stay in the dark..... they were 5 weeeks into flower.

The buds actually grew in the darkness

[tinytoon]

Outstanding!!!!!
Finally a thread that is gonna well deserve the right to be "sticky". Very good points on all that was mentioned but I got one for ya. What about min 36 hours darkness between veg and flower?? :weedpoke:
As you guys know I live in the land of Hydro and probably the most confusing thing that I see being said over and over is topping of the res with nuted water instead of plain. How do you know what nutes the plants use and what nutes they still have abundent?? I have heard of talking to your plants but if someone is getting a verbal answer back there might be issuses!!! :abduct:

[Rusty Trichome]

"Miracle Grow soil is garbage for cannabis" Bummer to hear that. It's what I learned canna-gardening in. It get's real old watching new members come in her and parrot garbage they've obviously never tried themselves, but have heard somewhere. It's not the optimal choice, but it's not the worst, either. As with any soil or nutrient...it's something you have to learn how to use properly.


What about min 36 hours darkness between veg and flower??
Unnecessary. If they're ready to go into the flower shed, they're ready. Period. If they are not ready, and you are trying to force 'em to flower...you'll most likely end-up with less robust plants than if you'd have left 'em in the growth stage and flowered once you start seeing pre-flowers.


As you guys know I live in the land of Hydro
Trying not to hold it against ya. :thumbsup:


How do you know what nutes the plants use and what nutes they still have abundent??
If what you are doing is working, the plants will let you know. Conversely...if you're screwing-up...they'll let you know that, too.


I have heard of talking to your plants but if someone is getting a verbal answer back there might be issuses!!!
Although they have no ears...I do let mine know that if they aren't going to perform as expected, I'll replace 'em with a healthier, happier strain. Not sure if this has ever helped the plants, but it makes me feel better.

My plants talk to me every day, but they use BSL. (Botanical Sign Language)

Adding table scraps to the compost heap (not your pots) is fine, but watch what you add. Fats and proteins act differently than does vegetable matter, and there is a balancing point when mixing the two. But some potting mixes have roadkill mixed-in and composted. I guess this is no worse than fertilizing with human waste solids...but still sounds pretty gross.

I harvest when I get the time to do it. A few hours of darkness will not improve your final yield, it won't produce more trichomes, it won't mature the trichomes quicker...so why would you complicate your garden with more complications...? Some of these techniques, although harmless, are a bitch to un-learn.

[pinkdolphin113]

I've always thought that placing plants in darkness for a day or 2 before being put into flowering decreases the time it takes for flowers to show? This is probably an old wives tale too.

As for talking to your plants...I've ALWAYS thought, as far back as I can remember, that this was due to direct carbondioxide being blown around the plant's leaves. Perhaps not though...maybe a carbon dioxide system would be better...

...so who's job is it to statistically analyse these old wives tales??


Pink.

[oldmac]

Funny you ask that....I lost power for 4-5 days my plants had to stay in the dark..... they were 5 weeeks into flower.

The buds actually grew in the darkness

Actually I did not ask that (putting plants into darkness for 36, 48, 72 or ?). I stated that it is a wifes tale and utter nonscence.

I'm happy for you that 4-5 days of no lights you saw "bud growth". Keep doing it, maybe even try 7-10 days. But before you pass on that "grow tip" baesd upon your dubious (doobieous?) observation, I would suggest that you try to find some scientific plant based physiology fact or theory to support your observation.

OM

[oldmac]

What about min 36 hours darkness between veg and flower??

While I agree with Rusty that it is unnecessary, it will hasten the induction phase of flowering. Here's why. There are three distinct phases to flowering; induction, initiation and developement. When a plant is growing (vegging) everytime it has a dark period certian chemicals (auxins) and hormone (florigen) build up in the plant and every time it has a photoperiod these chemicals and hormones break down. This chemical cocktail must reach a certian level, for a few cycles to induce flowering and start the initiation phase. The usual flowering photoperiod of 12/12 helps to speed up this process, but it can be further hastened using an initial prolonged dark period of 24-36 hrs. Most of us, especially continuous grow growers, don't have the space or timing to do that. Some grower's use an application of certian supplemental lighting that can fool the plant to believe the dark phase is actually longer then 12 hours and we cut induction times that way.

OM

[VapedG13]

Actually I did not ask that (putting plants into darkness for 36, 48, 72 or ?). I stated that it is a wifes tale and utter nonscence.

I'm happy for you that 4-5 days of no lights you saw "bud growth". Keep doing it, maybe even try 7-10 days. But before you pass on that "grow tip" baesd upon your dubious (doobieous?) observation, I would suggest that you try to find some scientific plant based physiology fact or theory to support your observation.

OM

Ok hows this.....I am forced to leave my flower plants in the dark for 2 days evey 2 weeks for the last year or so. I run pre 98 bubba


It doesnt cause any stress to the plant....and there is definate noticable growth to the buds while in the dark.


I will bet anyone in here $50 that if your plant is 4-5 weeks into flower and you leave it in the dark for 2-3 days you will notice bud growth:thumbsup:

other people have already noticed this



colonugg......they will be fine just continue the flowering cycle....did you notice that the buds actually grew or devoloped in the dark


They did still grow, I noticed bud development but this mornin I waterd with ferts hopefully they bounce bacl

[WashougalWonder]

...so who's job is it to statistically analyse these old wives tales??


Pink.
Why the Reader, of course. You have the best on the site giving their all.

[Rusty Trichome]

Flush the plant 3 to 7 days before harvest to remove the nitrogen and other nasty stuff from the plant. Actually, you are flushing the soil so the plant has less stuff to uptake, which means less stuff to burn-off in the curing jar. To flush the plant itself, you'd need special fittings and a special garden hose. (likely a low-volume drip line would do) :jointsmile:


It doesnt cause any stress to the plant....and there is definate noticable growth to the buds while in the dark.

You are forcing it to use stored energy just to survive, and you are assuming there is no price to pay. This isn't a stress-free technique, as that energy must be replaced to resume 'normal' growth. You are asking the plant to go from 100 mph (daily light for it's energy) to 0 mph. (a dead-stop, but she'll still use her stores to survive) Then you accelerate her back to 100 mph, even though she's running on empty. Strains with weaker genetics could easily have a problem with flipping back-n-forth like that.


other people have already noticed this
Other people have "noticed" that Miracle Grow is crap, or they've "noticed" that organic is better than natural or they've "noticed" that you need 20 different products to bring a plant to harvest.
But eventually you'll "notice"...if you keep parroting other's, that are wrong about their snake-oils or their bitchen techniques, you'll keep perpetutating wives tales and misinformation. That's what this thread is all about.

And factually, you won't be getting more yield or any more trichomes in any of this. Although the plant goes through growth spurts, hopefully your extended darkness doesn't affect it's next spurt. But you just might cause stress and form nanners, stunt normal growth, slow the flowering process by depleting her energies to survive. This is not a technique worth fretting over, but I've heard from others somewhere...if you leave 'em alone they'll be fine.

[VapedG13]

Flush the plant 3 to 7 days before harvest to remove the nitrogen and other nasty stuff from the plant. Actually, you are flushing the soil so the plant has less stuff to uptake, which means less stuff to burn-off in the curing jar. To flush the plant itself, you'd need special fittings and a special garden hose. (likely a low-volume drip line would do) :jointsmile:


You are forcing it to use stored energy just to survive, and you are assuming there is no price to pay. This isn't a stress-free technique, as that energy must be replaced to resume 'normal' growth. You are asking the plant to go from 100 mph (daily light for it's energy) to 0 mph. (a dead-stop, but she'll still use her stores to survive) Then you accelerate her back to 100 mph, even though she's running on empty. Strains with weaker genetics could easily have a problem with flipping back-n-forth like that.


Other people have "noticed" that Miracle Grow is crap, or they've "noticed" that organic is better than natural or they've "noticed" that you need 20 different products to bring a plant to harvest.
But eventually you'll "notice"...if you keep parroting other's, that are wrong about their snake-oils or their bitchen techniques, you'll keep perpetutating wives tales and misinformation. That's what this thread is all about.

And factually, you won't be getting more yield or any more trichomes in any of this. Although the plant goes through growth spurts, hopefully your extended darkness doesn't affect it's next spurt. But you just might cause stress and form nanners, stunt normal growth, slow the flowering process by depleting her energies to survive. This is not a technique worth fretting over, but I've heard from others somewhere...if you leave 'em alone they'll be fine.

No bro I've grown this way for the last year.... been a grower for 20yrs....I have been forced to give my flowering plants 2 days of darkness or 16 extra days of darkness in a 8 week flowering cycle...every 2 weeks they get 2 days of darnkness while I'm gone

I travel alot.....It doesnt cause the plants to finish early or later...it doesnt produce more or less weight wise ...it doesnt give the plants more trichs or less.

hasnt effected either way good or bad......I have sour diesel, chem4, pre 98 bubba, lemon skunk ,og kush. white widow, lemon larry and exodus cheese

[VapedG13]

sorry bros..... it 8 days of extra darkness in the flowering cycle not 16....so an addtional darkness of 192 hours

[Weezard]

No bro I've grown this way for the last year.... been a grower for 20yrs....I have been forced to give my flowering plants 2 days of darkness or 16 extra days of darkness in a 8 week flowering cycle

I travel alot.....It doesn't cause the plants to finish early or later...it doesn't produce more or less weight wise ...it doesn't give the plants more trichs or less.

hasn't effected either way good or bad......I have sour diesel, chem4, pre 98 bubba, lemon skunk ,og kush. white widow, lemon larry and exodus cheese

Well now!
You've got my attention with this, VG.
It's thinkin time!

If we find that long dark periods do NOT cause nanners, and allows healthy growth, that would tickle me:silly:.

Might be killing an O.W.T. that I had never even questioned.
(Jus' 'cause I overheard someone tell someone that it would do so:o.)

But, thinking it over...

Actually it's interrupted darkness that can hermiate a candidate, yah.
Breaking the dark cycle screws up the Pfr timer for flowering.

I'm betting that long dark times are more easily tolerated.
Conversion is done after about 12 hours and just stays "done" until the next light.
It's something that kinda happens in nature and that's what reserve stores are for.

Hmmm. . .:detective1:

A side by side experiment suggests it's self.:weedpoke:
'scuse me. I gotta go put some bad girls in the closet for a while.:cool:

Aloha, Y'all
Weezard

[Dutch Pimp]

"if you don't cough...you don't get off"...:D

[Rusty Trichome]

No bro I've grown this way for the last year
Bummer.
Soo...what part are you in disagreement about...?
The part where I said ther would be no noticible gain for the added step...? No, you said that too.
The part where I mentioned a potential stress issue...? If so, then when exactly is the tipping point between 'resting peacefully in the dark' and 'stressful' or 'dying'?
The part where I said it's not a technique to fret (and argue) over, and that the unnecessary step is...unnecessary...? In most cases, this is the norm. Under circumstances like yours, I can easily understand using the technique if you have to. Like if you're not going to be there for a day or so, darkness could be better than unsupervised light cycles. (heat build-up, humidity issues, quick-drying soils...) But as it being a technique I'd recommend without reason...Nope.
Anyway...what part are you refering to?

[VapedG13]

you just might cause stress and form nanners, stunt normal growth, slow the flowering process by depleting her energies to survive


This is the only part I disagree with...:)

I agree its not a normal growing process.... these are just observations I seen over a years time of perpetual flowering

[sunbiz1]

Well now!
You've got my attention with this, VG.
It's thinkin time!

If we find that long dark periods do NOT cause nanners, and allows healthy growth, that would tickle me:silly:.

Might be killing an O.W.T. that I had never even questioned.
(Jus' 'cause I overheard someone tell someone that it would do so:o.)

But, thinking it over...

Actually it's interrupted darkness that can hermiate a candidate, yah.
Breaking the dark cycle screws up the Pfr timer for flowering.

I'm betting that long dark times are more easily tolerated.
Conversion is done after about 12 hours and just stays "done" until the next light.
It's something that kinda happens in nature and that's what reserve stores are for.

Hmmm. . .:detective1:

A side by side experiment suggests it's self.:weedpoke:
'scuse me. I gotta go put some bad girls in the closet for a while.:cool:

Aloha, Y'all
Weezard


Bad girls in a closet, my kind of party. All kidding aside, I'll eagerly await the results of the experiment. Closets happen to be my new hobby!.

[Rusty Trichome]

This is the only part I disagree with...:)

I agree its not a normal growing process.... these are just observations I seen over a years time of perpetual flowering
Being the 'matter of fact' guy that I am...
Ahh...the "all about ME" syndrome. If everyone here was growing with the finest of genetics, and a solid gardening background I'd agree. But some members here aren't so fortunate as to have anything but bagseed genetics to work with, and some are already stressing the ladies through newbie errors. So I reserve my right to speak more to the majority, than the exception(s). (on a case-by-case basis, of course) :thumbsup: Safer for all to not add the step unless the situation warrants it.
Having the experience I have with femming, re-vegging, dealing with heat issues, and various other experiments on virtually every combination of pheno's from bagseed to designer genetics. I feel I am qualified to say what I said...and I stand by it.

Is this a possible case where someone's confusing viability of a situation versus necessity? Because, out here in the boonies we lose power for sometimes a day or two, and NEVER has there been noticible growth as a result, and they didn't die. Does that mean I should turn-off the power every once in a while...? Just because I CAN? Doesn't add up to something I'd do on purpose nor would I advise the novice to do either.

[Lit Up]

This thread just blew my mind.....without a condom on. ;)

God, I am sorry.

[Lit Up]

Alright while Im here, let me add a few cents.

I can say that the clones I am growing show sex in as little as a week and a half.
Just curious if anyone has compared the differance with the 36 hrs. of darkness method to the standard 12/12 switch? I mean does 3-4 days really matter when you know you have females anyways? What happened to slow and steady wins the race?

As far as from seed? Doing my first in about 3 years, so Im excited!!!

[seventhchild]

my favorite old wives tale....DON'T PISS OFF RUSTY.....his normal , matter-of-fact replies are kind of dry and boring(diffidently informative ) but I have come to enjoy his rants more....fun reading...another OWT....DO NOT HARVEST UNTIL THE TRICHS TURN ? % AMBER...we are growing medicine to treat various ailments....not dope to get high on....some of my friends require(prefer?) 100% clear trics to treat their symptoms during the day....others want mostly cloudy...and most seem to only want ambered trics for night meds(to strong) unless they are in constant pain....

[Rusty-Axe]

well some of us anyway :) but how about OWT you should piss on your plant because its good for it. :wtf: what about higer potasium levels for seedlings cause more males? (I know the first is false, interested in merit of the second)

[Rusty Trichome]

I wasn't pissed, but it was before my coffee. :jointsmile:

[Purple Daddy]

Interesting stuff, used to hear hanging the plants upside down was so the "thc can flow from the stem/stalks to the flowers" and have seen guys get pretty pissed off when you tell them thats not true trying to defend their method.

I used to hear trimming sun leaves helped the plant branch out, a buddy of mine did this a long time ago and pretty much killed his plants.

How about indoor is MUCH better then outdoor buds or that "outdoor buds are garbage". I literally was told this two days ago!

I find that miracle grow works quite well, not sure what all the fuss is about for an all around fertilizer it's effective and cheap.

Never heard about all these different darkness routines although I do wonder if the flowers do indeed grow at night while during the day they release the resins? I could swear I've read that Chrysanthemums(sp?) flowers grow at night.

I've had some bad luck in the past, my buddy is like "how hard can it be, put it in the ground and water it, it's not that difficult..." I wholeheartedly disagree as it takes some practice and work. Under ideal circumstances it probably isn't so difficult but many of us face challenges with space, indoor/outdoor, discretion can be a problem etc.

How about the climate in the midwest only produces male plants? My stepdad used to say this.

[rattlingdags]

Great thread idea WW :thumbsup:
I heard one the other day: I was told I shouldn't be watering my plants from the top of the soil, its best to water from below in a tray and let the plants suck up the water. This stops the 'plant shit' from washing down into the roots and is more natural :wtf:

Never been a fan of root rot or plants sitting around in the wet. God knows what this plant shit was supposed to be, it got lost in translation.

[Purple Daddy]

I heard one the other day: I was told I shouldn't be watering my plants from the top of the soil, its best to water from below in a tray and let the plants suck up the water. This stops the 'plant shit' from washing down into the roots and is more natural >>>

Considering the plants have vertical and lateral rooting it wouldn't seem too beneficial to me.

I've also heard to deprive plants of water to make them stronger and heartier....someone used the analogy of how fat and lazy a person feels after eating a big meal, which is true but if that person eats a few big meals a day they will gain a lot of weight too!

[Rusty Trichome]

Watering from the bottom promotes root rot, kills the roots and beneficials near the top (unwatered) zone and prevents the proper formation of roots. Not positive about the effects of wicking, (feeding from the bottom) but I do know that when you water from the top, air is drawn-down into the root system via suction from the water.

If you piss-off your ladies often enough (dehydration, for instance) eventually they'll reach the tipping point.

[Purple Daddy]

I've read that you can wick by overwatering top to bottom and letting the wicks suck up the extra water, this way the lateral roots are also watered.

I learned a hard lesson about lateral rooting, I had transplanted a few plants growing in large styro cups, the first few times I cut the cups open the soil fell apart along with some rooting so I was afraid they would be damaged, so the next few I just cut the bottom of the cup off and put them in the soil which was a mistake, the plants growth was stunted and when I finally pulled them after they were harvested the root cluster hadn't grown much beyond the original styro. cup. I called them runts and didn't bother to clone them but it wasn't their fault it was mine! LOL They produced the best bud of the bunch too.

[WashougalWonder]

"RO or Distilled water is the only way to go."

Well maybe if you want to add a bunch of stuff to replace the micronutes. Technically either should not have any minerals at all, just pure water. Plants require those minerals and it is very important to replace them or the plant will suffer very slowly and not give much indication if illness until very, very sick. I use tap water pH'd to 6-6.5 and I don't worry about chlorine or chloramines.

[rudy2010]

another OWT....DO NOT HARVEST UNTIL THE TRICHS TURN ? % AMBER...we are growing medicine to treat various ailments....not dope to get high on....some of my friends require(prefer?) 100% clear trics to treat their symptoms during the day....others want mostly cloudy...and most seem to only want ambered trics for night meds(to strong) unless they are in constant pain....

I was clearly referring to strength and taste. You can harvest early and have weak funky tasting weed which it appears some people prefer. It is true that there are several people who also would not like my medibles either. They are way stonger than any at the dispensaries.

I do have constant pain so it would never occur to me to purposely make weed that is weak and poor tasting for no reason. I just wanted to make sure folks knew that if they wanted the full strength and taste of the weed they need to see the amber or brown trichomes. It is true that weed with clear or cloudy trichomes will still get you high, just not as high. Most folks would need to smoke more to feel the medicinal effects. I want the strongest effect from the smallest amount of weed.

Most people I know who harvest early do so because of paranoia from a multitude of sources. Not to create weak weed.

[seventhchild]

I was clearly referring to strength and taste. You can harvest early and have weak funky tasting weed which it appears some people prefer.

I do have constant pain so it would never occur to me to purposely make weed that is weak and poor tasting for no reason. I just wanted to make sure folks knew that if they wanted the full strength and taste of the weed they need to see the amber or brown trichomes. It is true that weed with clear or cloudy trichomes will still get you high, just not as high. Most folks would need to smoke more to feel the medicinal effects. I want the strongest effect from the smallest amount of weed.

Most people I know who harvest early do so because of paranoia from a multitude of sources. Not to create weak weed.this is your first post in this thread so it is unclear where you were" clearly referring to strength and taste" . if you learn to flush properly and cure correctly you will not have"funky tasting weed " most buds are at full flavor and aroma when the trics are mostly cloudy......i'm sorry for your pain and understand your need for Demerol type meds ,i do provide that but , as i said, not all patients require pain meds nor do all smokers desire to" get high"....this is a thread about OLD WIVES TALES so some factual info would be helpful.....i be back later...

[Rusty Trichome]

I was clearly referring to strength and taste. You can harvest early and have weak funky tasting weed which it appears some people prefer. It is true that there are several people who also would not like my medibles either. They are way stonger than any at the dispensaries.

I do have constant pain so it would never occur to me to purposely make weed that is weak and poor tasting for no reason. I just wanted to make sure folks knew that if they wanted the full strength and taste of the weed they need to see the amber or brown trichomes. It is true that weed with clear or cloudy trichomes will still get you high, just not as high. Most folks would need to smoke more to feel the medicinal effects. I want the strongest effect from the smallest amount of weed.

Most people I know who harvest early do so because of paranoia from a multitude of sources. Not to create weak weed.
Boy...you need to do some serious reading, as most of your post is based on supposition, lack of knowledge, and inuendo. Harvesting at different levels of maturity gives different effects. Some can't deal with "sleepytime" meds, so they harvest before the CBD:CBN ratio makes it too strong for daytime use. It's a flexibility that once you get to know your strain, you can control. Not too sure where you got the stuff about tasting crappy, but perhaps that's just your strain or techniques that are doing this...

But I seriously doubt you know what most people want nor need in their daily life as a medical cannabis patient. Some folks don't have the lungs for over-ripe cannabis. Some are on other meds and use cannabis as a goal-specific medication, (appetite stimulant, stress reliever...) and some can't smoke power-weed all day long, nor would they want to. (mothers, business owners...) And some of us are not just ripping bonghits and watching SpongeBob all day. We continue with our lives, and being hammered all day every day is not desirable to some of us that already have health and/or stamina issues. I get around this by having a variety of phenotypes and strains on hand, which I can harvest when it's best for my wife and I, not what's best for some uninformed forum member who prefers "shitfaced" over "comfortable".

[irydyum]

And some of us are not just ripping bonghits and watching SpongeBob all day.

Damnit Rusty, have you been spying on me?

[Rusty Trichome]

You'd be amazed what I know...:wtf:

[seventhchild]

this is your first post in this thread so it is unclear where you were" clearly referring to strength and taste" . if you learn to flush properly and cure correctly you will not have"funky tasting weed " most buds are at full flavor and aroma when the trics are mostly cloudy......i'm sorry for your pain and understand your need for Demerol type meds ,i do provide that but , as i said, not all patients require pain meds nor do all smokers desire to" get high"....this is a thread about OLD WIVES TALES so some factual info would be helpful.....i be back later...i have returned to this thread fully intending to finish my reply.....but Rusty has already covered everything i would say so i bide thee a fair ado ....until the next OWT...

[StickyBuds1987]

ok so here is an OWT that has not been mentioned " if your plant only has 5 fingered leaves on it than its going to be male"
is this true?

and that males produce enough thc to get you high or make hash with?

[VapedG13]

ok so here is an OWT that has not been mentioned " if your plant only has 5 fingered leaves on it than its going to be male"
is this true?

No




and that males produce enough thc to get you high or make hash with?

Yes

[Rusty Trichome]

ok so here is an OWT that has not been mentioned " if your plant only has 5 fingered leaves on it than its going to be male"
is this true? Nope. Not true at all.


and that males produce enough thc to get you high or make hash with?
Yes, but you risk pollinating your ladies, which will cost you dearly in yield. The only time you'll want a male to mature, is when you're going to collect his pollen for making seeds.

[Skihigh]

Would a male plant be worth growing all the way out if it's all you got at the time?
I Couldn't recognize preflowers-so I just let them grow.
Started 12/12 2weeks ago...damn sure know what I got now.
So far they're the prettiest and hardyist plants I've ever grown and I am real reluctant to just yank them...BOO HOO!
I might shoulda posted this in a new thread but all the great heads are here on this one...If it's bad manners,please pardon my dumbness.

[Purple Daddy]

Would a male plant be worth growing all the way out if it's all you got at the time?
I Couldn't recognize preflowers-so I just let them grow.
>>>>>>>

Why? Unless you're going to grind the leaves to make hash or hash oil a male plants serves no purpose other then to fertilize the females, hopefully none of your neighbors are growing.

[Weezard]

"Would a male plant be worth growing all the way out if it's all you got at the time?
I Couldn't recognize preflowers-so I just let them grow.
Started 12/12 2weeks ago...damn sure know what I got now.
So far they're the prettiest and hardyist plants I've ever grown and I am real reluctant to just yank them...BOO HOO!
I might shoulda posted this in a new thread but all the great heads are here on this one...If it's bad manners,please pardon my dumbness."

No worry it's in the appropriate place, Skihigh.:thumbsup:

(Allows the killing of another OWT.)
Male plants have been given a bad rap by them Old Wives.

Here's the real skinny from actual research and from personal experience.

Males have very few visible stralked/capitate trichomes.
So they yield very little bubble hash.

But, good strains do contain >1% THC. and can be used for canni-butter.

Male leaf can also be smoked, if it's all you have.

It's every bit as harsh tasting as female fan leaf though.
If you carefully dry and cure the smaller and tops leaf, it will help, but it's still never gonna be a, "wonderful, may I have some more please", kine sing.:)

I'd cut off the nuts as fast as they form. That might keep him growing while you smoke his eyebrows. (the growing tips have a higher concentration).

As always, there will be naysayers, (because they heard somewhere . . .). :D

So, I'd appreciate it if you would get back to us with the results of your bio-assay.:cool:

Aloha and enjoy,
Weezard

[StickyBuds1987]

ah yes another OWT is if your plant it producing 9 finger leaves than it will be a hermie? im leaning towards no same as the one about the 5 finger ones haha

oh and another one that has not been mentioned

my buds are done when the white hairs turn brown?

[Rusty Trichome]

Growing-out males is a good way to coat your growroom surfaces with pollen, which can and will affect future grows. Smoking male leaves is (almost) like smoking the un-cured female leaves, but smoking fans from either tastes like crap. And since fans are the nutrient storehouse for the plants, it will likely have that ammonia aftertaste from the nutrients.
If it's all you have...you gotta do what you gotta do. I've never smoked a male that made me want to do it again on a regular basis, and it's no replacement for the medicative properties of the females. But yes...they can get you high if mature enough.

Quantity of fingers is determined by maturity and strain. It has nothing to do with hermaphrodism.

The white hairs (pistils) are not a good indicator of plant maturity. They can be damaged and die-off throughout the grow from wind, dust, leaves rubbing them all the time, lights too close, being crushed as you check to see how firm your buds are...
Trichome development and maturity is a much better indicator of plant maturity.
A 5X magnifying glass works great to check trichomes, but a $13.00 pocket microscope from Radio Shack works even better. :thumbsup:

[Skihigh]

Thank you all for the swift response, my friends.
The plants will be in the compost bin befre I go to bed tonite!
To W.W. .....Great idea is this thread!.........J:thumbsup:

[Farmer Rich]

ah yes another OWT is if your plant it producing 9 finger leaves than it will be a hermie? im leaning towards no same as the one about the 5 finger ones haha


Maybe it's coincidence, but I had 2 Amnesia Haze from fem seeds, 1 with 9 bladed and the other with 11 bladed leaves (on some). Both were the worst genetic hermies I've ever seen.. :wtf:

Just trying to help perpetuate OWT's.. :jointsmile:

Peace, Farmer Rich

[Skihigh]

Hey Rusty & Weezard......I'd rep y'all but they won't let me......YET!

[Purple Daddy]

It happens, I had 9 nice plants but one indica was the nicest, largest and healthiest of the group and happened to be the only male, go figure!

[rudy2010]

Thanks for the replies seventhchild and rusty. For the most part you confirmed my basic premise. I do lack some knowledge about what others are looking for when they smoke weed but the information I presented is based on my personal experience not supposition or inuendo.

My intention is only to point out that weed is not fully mature when the trichomes are cloudy (this is the OWT part) and both seventhchild and rusty actually seem to agree. I appreciate you pointing out that there are some folks who don't really want weed at this level of maturity for a number of reasons. That is just fine for them of course. In my experience I have noticed that weed harvested prematurely was weak and had an off putting taste to me which is why I posted this information. You have been able to find strains of weed that taste fine when harvested at this early stage of development and are tuned to help with your particular ailments. That is not what my post was about and I am not arguing that point.

I have no intention of disparaging anyone who smokes weed of any strength for any reason.

For me I use weed for pain thus I want the strongest weed so I can smoke the smallest amount possible and still feel relief. I want others out there suffering from pain to have this information available. Other than the folks on this forum I don't really know anyone growing weed who wants anything but the strongest and best tasting weed possible. I stand informed on this point and thank you for it.

This brings up another uncomfirmed piece of info I read (another OWT?). Some folks say you need to see 50% brown or amber trichs before you harvest. I can't find that particular post at this time but I think they were saying the weed would be stonier but would loose a lot of its flavor. I read this post some time ago and don't remember the exact details. Anyone know if this is another OWT. I heard some folks say that when the trichs go that long the plant is just dying and you are losing quality.

[StickyBuds1987]

Thanks for the replies seventhchild and rusty. For the most part you confirmed my basic premise. I do lack some knowledge about what others are looking for when they smoke weed but the information I presented is based on my personal experience not supposition or inuendo.

My intention is only to point out that weed is not fully mature when the trichomes are cloudy (this is the OWT part) and both seventhchild and rusty actually seem to agree. I appreciate you pointing out that there are some folks who don't really want weed at this level of maturity for a number of reasons. That is just fine for them of course. In my experience I have noticed that weed harvested prematurely was weak and had an off putting taste to me which is why I posted this information. You have been able to find strains of weed that taste fine when harvested at this early stage of development and are tuned to help with your particular ailments. That is not what my post was about and I am not arguing that point.

I have no intention of disparaging anyone who smokes weed of any strength for any reason.

For me I use weed for pain thus I want the strongest weed so I can smoke the smallest amount possible and still feel relief. I want others out there suffering from pain to have this information available. Other than the folks on this forum I don't really know anyone growing weed who wants anything but the strongest and best tasting weed possible. I stand informed on this point and thank you for it.

This brings up another uncomfirmed piece of info I read (another OWT?). Some folks say you need to see 50% brown or amber trichs before you harvest. I can't find that particular post at this time but I think they were saying the weed would be stonier but would loose a lot of its flavor. I read this post some time ago and don't remember the exact details. Anyone know if this is another OWT. I heard some folks say that when the trichs go that long the plant is just dying and you are losing quality.

Not a pro by anymeans but i think that i can hep you, the color of the trics just affects the high you get for instince if the tircs on your buds are 80% cloudy and 20% anber well then the high would be more of a head high and not so much of a couch lock something good for people who have to work and stuff but still need there meds. Now if you switched the percentage around to 80% amber 20% cloudy than well you would have something that would help you with pain or thats good to smoke before bed and stuff, so the rule of thumb is more cloudy trics means more of a head high and more anber trics means more of a body high couchlock type feeling good for pain.

So man its really all depends on what you or the person likes, wants or needs if they need it for pain than you would harvest it with more amber trics and so on but as far flover and stuff i cant help you there maybe one of the pro's can help with that and let us know if im correct haha.

[rudy2010]

Thanks for the updated information. This should help sort out where people want to go with the maturity of their plants prior to harvest. I have never gone more than 50% brown or amber trichs but I will try going to different stages when harvesting this fall with clones of the same plant grown in similar conditions and will report my findings. So far I have had really good luck once I started waiting until I saw at least 5% amber so it will be interesting to see if going 20%, 50% or 80% will make a significant difference. Do you know if going longer will affect the flavinoids in a negative way.

I saw a post by someone discussing storage who said they just stored their weed in jars in a cool dark area. They claimed their weed just kept getting better. For me I find the strength is still the same but a lot of the taste seems to be lost. Any OWTs on storage people should know about. Being vegetable matter I think freezing is the best. I say leave it a little moister than usual so it will not be brittle when thawed.

[StickyBuds1987]

Thanks for the updated information. This should help sort out where people want to go with the maturity of their plants prior to harvest. I have never gone more than 50% brown or amber trichs but I will try going to different stages when harvesting this fall with clones of the same plant grown in similar conditions and will report my findings. So far I have had really good luck once I started waiting until I saw at least 5% amber so it will be interesting to see if going 20%, 50% or 80% will make a significant difference. Do you know if going longer will affect the flavinoids in a negative way.

I saw a post by someone discussing storage who said they just stored their weed in jars in a cool dark area. They claimed their weed just kept getting better. For me I find the strength is still the same but a lot of the taste seems to be lost. Any OWTs on storage people should know about. Being vegetable matter I think freezing is the best. I say leave it a little moister than usual so it will not be brittle when thawed.

ah yes do that and let us know how it comes out and for flavor i cnat help you there.

ah the stuff about putting your buds in sealed airtight jars is called curing what this does is is eliimnate the moisture from the buds and gets rid of the the bad tasteing stuff and the amonia smell it also activates some stuff in the thc i think but im not a pro so im not really sure they also say that it improves the flavor and makes it less harsh.

[WashougalWonder]

Can we keep the thread closer to topic please, move informational stuff to your own threads please.

[rudy2010]

No prob. Hoping for more Old Wives Tails.

[seventhchild]

letting tap water set overnight or longer will make it better for your plants.....did we do this one already?

[seventhchild]

ok found it on page one...as gilda used to say ..."never mind"

[bullyslayer]

bump this baby ,good

[bullyslayer]

read this thread newbes

[Cheech_G420]

How about cutting the "balls" from a hermie to revert to a female

[WeayLay]

Cheech, if it's only a single banana you're talking about, then yes, that could work. But if the plant is a hermi, then it'll replace the balls/bananas you cut with more. Mind you, you can't revert to a female, only prevent the bananas from pollinating the flowers.

[painretreat]

This is a thread, all new growers should look at.

Too bad RT is no longer here!:rasta: pr

[Shovelhandle]

Cheech, if it's only a single banana you're talking about, then yes, that could work. But if the plant is a hermi, then it'll replace the balls/bananas you cut with more. Mind you, you can't revert to a female, only prevent the bananas from pollinating the flowers.

Dutch Master Gold Reverse can straighten a confused female plant.

[tlranger]

I just must say, some old wives have great tales, also sometimes think that;"we have forgotten more than we think we know"

[Mal420xl]

Among all the detecting activities, gold detecting is the most interesting one. It can not only relax both our mind and body, but also give us a big fortune if we are lucky enough. Next time when you feel bored, you can pick up a gold metal detector and have a try.

thats the silliest spam ive seen yet

[Weezard]

Ironically.
It's in the right thread. :D

Weeze

[tlranger]

:thumbsup:Ironically,

I need away to detect gold

[built2spill]

Plant your seed pointed end down


I see this OWT all the time. Some seed banks advise this, some pot guru named Jorge says to do this and I say hogwash. Anybody that's watched seed sprout in a paper towel knows it uncoils as it grows. The fact of the matter is pointed end up is the most efficient way to sow a seed. Any seed. Fact

There was a post earlier, page 1 maybe, it said something about urine as a source of nitrogen. I was unclear if the poster was for or against the use of urine as a nitrogen booster. I can say I have used it before to no ill effect and can state that Ed Rosenthall endorses the use of urine at a mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part urine. Any thoughts on this OWT guys?

[lipps]

Plant your seed pointed end down


I see this OWT all the time. Some seed banks advise this, some pot guru named Jorge says to do this and I say hogwash. Anybody that's watched seed sprout in a paper towel knows it uncoils as it grows. The fact of the matter is pointed end up is the most efficient way to sow a seed. Any seed. Fact

There was a post earlier, page 1 maybe, it said something about urine as a source of nitrogen. I was unclear if the poster was for or against the use of urine as a nitrogen booster. I can say I have used it before to no ill effect and can state that Ed Rosenthall endorses the use of urine at a mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part urine. Any thoughts on this OWT guys?

A friend used urine in his greenhouse and you could smell it big time but his plants didn't seem to mind.

[built2spill]

I have only used it on my outdoor stuff. No issues with scent, to me anyway, might even help with animals. There is another OWT to touch on.

Do scents actually prevent animals from eating your plants?

I have heard it all, soap, perfume, fabric sheets, moth balls, dog hair, human hair, varied urine and or scat the list goes on. Does any of this actually work.

I have used the following in an effort to keep animals away. Moth balls, soap ( bar soap cut into chunks ), perfume and bring my dog along frequently. The results have been mixed. I have not lost any plants to animals in a few years. Had an issue with some beaver a few years back. They chopped down 6 plants of about 5' and I have been unable to use that spot again. BUT I have not stopped the animals from coming near my plants. Deer prints in the soft soil around my plants are quite common. Just the other day there was a fresh deer pile o pellets a step away from one of my plants.

So the scents I've used don't keep the deer or beaver away.

[Weezard]

Good point!
Animals learn.
Deer are good learners.
The smell of urine carries for quite a distance, and has an "best if sniffed by" date. :)
If every time they smell stale human urine, they find a tasty, seedling or three. . . .

However, the dryer sheets actually bollix the scent receptors in CO2 sensitive insects.
Mosquito's and Fungus gnats hunt by scent, as do the Moths responsible for bud worms.
Plain old dryer sheets have solved three of my worries.

Aloha,
Wee

[built2spill]

Looking for some clarification on what may be a Old Wives Tale.

Water storing Polymer Crystals. I have heard from some they are bad and release toxic chemicals as they degrade, while manufactures claim they do not harm plants or people.

Here is a informational pdf on the subject.
http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/magazine%20pdfs/MythsHydrogels.pdf

[crystaliscious]

Sometimes with other plants to purposefully stunt root growth gives much better buds- I had wondered about this and was told no way- now I'm gonna try it - I have a strange facination with roots....

[Weezard]

Sometimes with other plants to purposefully stunt root growth gives much better buds- I had wondered about this and was told no way- now I'm gonna try it - I have a strange fascination with roots....

There is some truth to that.
IF, the trichome density is preserved, having less vegetable matter along with it is, by definition, more potent.
Of course there will be less of it, and there's no guarantee of trich density.
That's why we experiment.

So carry on, I'll pull up a chair and watch;
297550