cannabis seeds are tricksy
In the continuing adventures of a gentlewoman cannabis farmer, you may remember I started growing weed indoors late last year. I ordered a kit from A Pot for Pot and 10 seeds from I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM).
My first plant was excellent! I used a two-gallon pot, so the plant didn’t get huge, but it grew nice and bushy, ultimately yielding about 10 grams of high-quality cannabis.
Then I tried again with terrible results.
Seed #2 – Grew to harvest, but it looked weird and didn’t form buds. The cannabis had zero potency. I consulted with folks at A Pot for Pot, and they suggested it was an unusual phenotype. Then I consulted with a forum on ILGM. One member said it was a bad seed. Another suggested my lighting was substandard.
Seed #3 – Never entered the flowering stage.
Seed #4 – Never entered the flowering stage.
Seed #5 – Failed to germinate.
At this point, I was debating my whole approach to growing cannabis. I’m using autoflowering seeds, which means it should be easy to grow smallish plants inside with normal light. With regular seeds, you need a tent or some other kind of contraption to create a cycle for the flowering stage … 12 hours of light and 12 hours of complete darkness.
Autoflowering cannabis requires less equipment, so it’s less expensive to grow. The trade-off is a smaller yield, and some say the weed isn’t as good. My first batch was excellent, so I’m not sure I buy that argument.
Then I thought about lighting. The guy on the ILGM forum suggested a different sort of light that costs about $300. I didn’t want to spring for the light until I identified the source of the problem. Were my seeds bad, or was I doing something wrong?
I wrote to the folks at ILGM, where I purchased my seeds and attached pictures of my failures. I didn’t expect my money back or anything like that. I was just hoping for insight. They have a “Contact Us” page that is pre-populated with questions. One asked if your problem was with seed germination, and if so, how many failed to germinate? That made me wonder if germination failure is a common problem.
Even though I did have an issue with germination, I picked “Other” because I had the experience of five seeds. I wanted a holistic recommendation before trying #6.
Although I didn’t get the holistic recommendation I was after, they immediately sent me 10 free seeds and said they were confident I’d have better results. I’m not sure what that means. Did they know there was something wrong with the first ones? Or it this just part of the cannabis seed business?
From what I’ve read, ILGM is an honorable company, but seeds are imperfect, and that’s why they are so accommodating.
I’m delighted they stepped up and replaced my seeds! I did not purchase a new light – still using the cone light I installed for the first plant. This time, I did not buy the kit from A Pot for Pot. Instead, I bought all the elements separately – seedling starters, fabric pots, potting soil and fertilizer.
I’m now about 16 days into my first of the new seeds, and the plant looks spectacular. If all goes well, I’ll have enough to make another batch of my cannabis balm, which I use with great success on all my achy body parts.
Coconut Cream Pie?
I have this urge to make coconut cream pie. I’ve never made it before, but it’s calling my name. The recipes I’ve found so far call for graham cracker crust, which I adore, but I think coconut cream pie should have a pastry crust. I’m on the lookout for a recipe. Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?
Woodburning with vibrant colors
My most recent piece of woodburning art is now featured in the Gallery. I purchased spendy oil-based colored pencils, which are vibrant! I actually like the cheapo pencils, too. They are more subtle and look almost like a weathered tattoo. But the color pops with the new pencils. I will most likely use both, sometimes together for different effects.
Details and links to products I’m using are in the tutorial, which can now be viewed on the Downloads page.
Light in heart
I’m feeling rather lighthearted. I’m ever hopeful Trump is going down in November. While I try not to talk about politics too too much, I make no secret of my stance on that miserable excuse of a human being in the White House.
For the record, I respect a multitude of values – from liberal to conservative – but I do not respect Trump or the criminals who enable him.
The Biden-Harris announcement feels good, like maybe this national nightmare is coming to an end. Maybe we can get back to understanding we are all in this together. Maybe we can gather to celebrate decency and civility, ethics, respect for science and diversity, agreeing to disagree.
I’m practicing visualization. I can see myself dancing in the street. Oh, and I might need a “Nasty Woman” t-shirt.
My sister has had great success using clones. Are these available in your area? She has also grown from seed but clones are easier and more of a sure thing.
I sure hope you are dancing in the streets come November. This Canuck will be dancing along with you.
Deb
I think the local dispensary sells clones. I’ll check those out next time we visit. Thanks for the sisterly advice!
Looking forward to a virtual street dance.
I will be dancing right along with you! So did you think Kamala Harris did a good job as a senator?
Hey, if you like a graham cracker crust, why not? Sounds good to me. I think I’d prefer something I know I like to something that may not turn out.
Wish I could grow cannabis and make a balm that works. Haven’t been impressed with the expensive stuff I’ve purchased when in a state where it’s legal. Got a few new aches that have been waking me up earlier than I’d like.
I do think Kamala has been a good senator, and I think she’ll make a great VP.
As for graham cracker crust, I could go there, but I want to explore pastry crust options first. Or I may not do it at all. My birthday is coming up soon, and there will be cake.
I wish you could get what you need for those aches. I’ve had really good results from the homemade stuff. But I have to use it twice a day, every day for it to work. That would be hard to do with the expensive stuff.
I’m really enjoying your pallet art. So cool! I’m optimistic about November as well but my hubby is reticent and keeps reminding me not to get cocky, but we live deep in Trump country and it’s not pleasant and I’m just dying to see what happens here when they realize the white supremacist has left the building.
Thank you, Bobi!
As for politics, I’m still feeling hopeful, but your husband has a point. We never saw this coming. I also look forward to the day when the white supremacist has left the building.
Inspired by your posts on growing cannabis, I planted 4 seeds this spring. One failed to germinate. When spring came to Ontario, I moved the 3 plants outdoors and put them directly into tilled soil near my 5-foot fence. I contemplated using pots but decided that I’d risk planting directly into soil so that our irrigation system would take care of water as we spend most of the summer at the cottage. One plant was stripped of its leaves in late May. I think it was a rabbit and I hope it had a good time. The two remaining plants are robust, now about 6 ft high and beginning to bud. The plant that lost its leaves came back to life and is now about 3 ft high with a few buds. I’m hoping that the warm summer continues through most of September so that I can harvest and dry the crop. Wish me luck!
Wow — that is so exciting! Six feet!!! I’m glad you stuck with it. Another reader who experimented with growing cannabis quit and described them as “very contrary and sulky plants.” Part of me agrees. I’ve had my own problems, so I do understand the frustration, but everything I’ve read said they call it weed for a reason … it grows like a weed. I believe I will try your outdoor method next spring. Congratulations. You should get a very nice yield, indeed.