Let's Find a Mother! Hiking Through a Field of Mary Jane

[Hiker]

Well thankfully this GINORMOUS post wasn't lost in that little maintenance outage. I hit submit and got reeeeeaaaal worried when I saw that error. The back button worked!

After much ado about nothing...

Here are the pictures!

But first... I am posting a bunch of pictures of individual plants in this post. While I've been taking a LOT of photos of each plant for myself, I've not posted many up to this point. That is all changing today! I'm posting pics of almost every plant that is flowering. While still not a lot of pics compared to some of the other growers here, it's a lot for a hiker!

While labeling the pictures, I decided to go open up my seed archive and take come pictures of what I have. Taking an inventory of sorts. I started 9 strains, three of which were my feminised freebies. I'm down to 6. I just realized I have 5 other strains I got as freebies! That's in addition to the 3 strains I'm not working with now. So I can add 8 more strains to the 6 I already have! I won't need more genetics for a long long time.

What was I doing again?... oh ya... pictures!

First, here are the seed pics. I know I should have put these at the beginning of the thread, but better late than never.
This is the order from Attitude.

This is the order from Herbie's.

Here comes the long section. I have before and after shots for most of them with a few angles each. You have to suffer through my 'placeholder' shots showing me which plant each block of photos is for.

Up first is Royal Queen's Critical. I thought it was Critical Kush, but the package just says "Critical". Whatever Royal Queen calls it, I call it yummy! This is probably going to be a mother.
Before defol

After defol. She has lovely bud structure and is the frostiest strain so far. I think she looks awesome for day 27 of flower.

Up next is Nirvana's White Widow. This was my most Sativa-ey strain. Very bushy plant. One was a male, which will be a father as I think this will be a great strain to breed with. Big growth and should frost up nice.
Before defol.

After defol. She's a beauty and is my largest plant. I bet I get several ounces from her.

Next is CH9's Bubba Kush. I'm not sure if this is the same seed bank as the ones Canna just popped.
I got 2 of these feminised seeds, and popped both. They are lovely plants. I'm keeping both until I can figure out which I like best.
Before defol.

After defol. She should do well for me.

Here is the other CH9 Bubba Kush. This is the larger of the 2.
Before defol.

After defol

Now one of my favorite strains ever! Dutch Passion's Blueberry. When I began this hunt for mothers, I knew I wanted this strain and Jack Herer. Jack cost too much, so I will try him out later. While many many strains went on and off the list, Blueberry stayed on it the whole time. She is such a beauty!
Before defol

After defol. She has great bud structure. The other 2 of these were males, so this is my only female. The better of the males is now a father. Blueberry x White Widow both ways baby!

Now we move to my 'forgotten' strain. As you can see, I've been using a number to indicate the strain and then a letter for which seed it is. This is '3C'. Strain 3 is Nirvana's AK-48, and this is the third seed. I say this is my 'forgotten' strain because I always had trouble remembering what #3 was when I listed them in my head. It's certainly caught my attention now! All 3 are different, so it will be tough to pick one. I expect this strain to be one of my main producers!
Before defol

After defol

Another AK-48. '3A' before defol

After defol

And last, but definitely not least, is TGA Subcool's Apollo13 x Vortex. I've had high expectations for this strain. It was my most expensive strain. Once I learned they are from WA, I felt obligated to represent my home state. It didn't hurt that their strains get great reviews and the pictures of growers working them are awesome. So far, they have not disappointed. They are nice bushy plants and have some of the best bud structure so far. Not the biggest, frostiest, or densest yet, but just excels at all 3. Like the AK-48, all 3 seeds were female, so I have 3 of these as well. Again, like AK-48, all 3 are a little different. I have already formed some opinion as to which I like best, but I have clones of all 3. This strain clones VERY well. It rooted the fastest by a mile, and the amount of root growth is phenomenal. Just a super vigorous strain. I predict this to be my main producer with the AK-48.
'1A' before defol

After defol

'1C' before defol

After defol

'1B' before defol

After defol

Defoliating all these bushes is very time consuming. It took me 3 nights to get all of them. I think I spend about 30-45 minutes on each plant.

So after a job well done, sit back, fire up the bong, and enjoy the view...

 

[Hiker]

Don't forget to cleanup all those popcorn crumbs!

I tried quoting this at the top of the other post, but the smileys put me over the 50 image limit. Thank Hoz!

I sure hope nobody quotes that whole post!

 

[shottafire]

Absolutely great Hiker.

Too bad about the hermies on the bombs.

I love the last picture. Everything is soo complete and running perfect.
+++ reps buddy. Went and picked up a soleus 70pt dehuey so hopefully after it is setup I too can actually have some relaxation time in the garden. Actually turn on the music and sit with the girls for a bit. You cant beat the feeling.

cheers Hiker

 

[Hiker]

Absolutely great Hiker.

Too bad about the hermies on the bombs.

I love the last picture. Everything is soo complete and running perfect.
+++ reps buddy. Went and picked up a soleus 70pt dehuey so hopefully after it is setup I too can actually have some relaxation time in the garden. Actually turn on the music and sit with the girls for a bit. You cant beat the feeling.

cheers Hiker

Sshhhh! I've done a good job ignoring that dehumidifier in the corner for nearly 2 weeks now!
I actually carried mine upstairs the other night as I plan to exchange it for the model that includes the pump. You reminded me. I need to call them.

I liked that last picture too, so I posted it. The room is hardly complete and running perfect, but it's doing well.
Still LOTS more to do down there, but after the defol, I just felt like sitting there and staring at the ladies. Must have sat there for a half hour just admiring their beauty.

 

[4twenty4all]

Looking great Hiker! I'll stick around and see where this goes ;-) Reps!

 

[Hozona]

Don't forget to cleanup all those popcorn crumbs!

I tried quoting this at the top of the other post, but the smileys put me over the 50 image limit. Thank Hoz!

I sure hope nobody quotes that whole post!

Reps...simply reps!!!

 

[Hiker]

Thanks for the reps guys, but I'm really just glad you're here

I need to focus on my harvest/cure plans. I have vague ideas about how I'll do it, but there are a few things I need to acquire before I harvest: large piece of glass to cover coffee table, screen box to gently roll buds in over said piece of glass, bubble bags (can be purchased after I think), jars... LOTS of jars (or maybe turkey bags and/or ziplocs), drying rack (these look handy, but always got away with pieces of string in the past), and.... What am I forgetting here?

In the past I never did anything with the trim, so any type of extraction is new to me. I made some oil with defol leaves and it came out better than I expected. Next is to try making some bubble hash. I know there are a couple experts following along. What should I do with the trim if I want to store it for a few weeks before making the hash? Do I need to dry it first? I think I can put it in the freezer, but is that a must? My freezer isn't that big and I'm not real hip on having any growing related items in the house. We want a deep freeze freezer for meat anyway, so I might be able to swing one of those, but it will be tough.

I know some folks will think it's a terrible idea, but I'll be doing the initial drying in the flowering room. I'll put up a partition so they aren't getting direct lighting, but that's the best spot for me right now. I've been looking at those real wide mesh racks that hang from the ceiling. I think a couple of those would be real space efficient, but I'm concerned they will flatten the buds. Anyone use those racks? Am I worrying for nothing? I can always just hang the larger branches on string. I'm liking the shelves though to keep track of my different strains. I need to keep all 12 plants' buds separate.

 

[Lurch Farmer]

jon705 just used 1 for massive harvest

 

[Propa Gator]

Lots of choices, my friend. You'll have the prettiest results from hand-trimming & drying on string, but... takes time. Salad-spinner type trimmers & putting all wet onto flat net trays like the hanger type is the other extreme. Since the same outcome happens from both sources, I choose both

 

[Hiker]

jon705 just used 1 for massive harvest

I think I recall he is using the style/model I like. Real wide short shelves.

Lots of choices, my friend. You'll have the prettiest results from hand-trimming & drying on string, but... takes time. Salad-spinner type trimmers & putting all wet onto flat net trays like the hanger type is the other extreme. Since the same outcome happens from both sources, I choose both

I think I'm gonna end up with both. The larger buds left on the stem, smaller stuff into the rack. I can't afford any automated trimming equipment yet. My trimming staff (myself, one buddy, and the Mrs) are all aware that the first couple harvests are gonna be painful. Literally!

 

[Hozona]

Thanks for the reps guys, but I'm really just glad you're here

I need to focus on my harvest/cure plans. I have vague ideas about how I'll do it, but there are a few things I need to acquire before I harvest: large piece of glass to cover coffee table, screen box to gently roll buds in over said piece of glass, bubble bags (can be purchased after I think), jars... LOTS of jars (or maybe turkey bags and/or ziplocs), drying rack (these look handy, but always got away with pieces of string in the past), and.... What am I forgetting here?

In the past I never did anything with the trim, so any type of extraction is new to me. I made some oil with defol leaves and it came out better than I expected. Next is to try making some bubble hash. I know there are a couple experts following along. What should I do with the trim if I want to store it for a few weeks before making the hash? Do I need to dry it first? I think I can put it in the freezer, but is that a must? My freezer isn't that big and I'm not real hip on having any growing related items in the house. We want a deep freeze freezer for meat anyway, so I might be able to swing one of those, but it will be tough.

I know some folks will think it's a terrible idea, but I'll be doing the initial drying in the flowering room. I'll put up a partition so they aren't getting direct lighting, but that's the best spot for me right now. I've been looking at those real wide mesh racks that hang from the ceiling. I think a couple of those would be real space efficient, but I'm concerned they will flatten the buds. Anyone use those racks? Am I worrying for nothing? I can always just hang the larger branches on string. I'm liking the shelves though to keep track of my different strains. I need to keep all 12 plants' buds separate.

Preparation is EVERYTHING! I made the mistake of using candle jars...the first batch was really good...sealed tight...second batch, not so good...gonna go to the old reliable canning jars! I was lucky to have an unused coat, storage closet next to my room so I hung the drying net there..Easy to keep track!! Large colas need to be hung on a coat hanger to avoid messing up the trichs..hope this helped...works for me!

 

[TheDoctor]

I love sitting and smoking in my garden as well. so relaxing.

 

[cannasensei]

Looking great mate! What an odd widow pheno, leggy little bitch lol. Ur about to have some sticky scissors and a sore back

 

[wildbill38]

+++reps if it would let me i would give you more.
You gotta whole lotta work coming with the harvest.
The room is the way to go. I want to have
a setup similar to yours and I have the room for it.
But lawdawgs here in the south dont allow it lol.

 

[jon705]

awesome update Hiker!!! your girls are looking great bro +reps fore sure. The racks I use are made by AN and cost around 40 bucks on fleebay, they dont flatten the nugs at all

 

[DocDee]

Yeah I'm about to order one of those racks as well. Will be perfect to go in the corner out of the way instead of having buds hanging all over my ceiling hehe.

 

[Hiker]

Preparation is EVERYTHING! I made the mistake of using candle jars...the first batch was really good...sealed tight...second batch, not so good...gonna go to the old reliable canning jars! I was lucky to have an unused coat, storage closet next to my room so I hung the drying net there..Easy to keep track!! Large colas need to be hung on a coat hanger to avoid messing up the trichs..hope this helped...works for me!

I think I'm gonna use one of the racks and some string. I'm trying to think of what I used to do with the little popcorns and I can't remember. I think we put them in paper bags or maybe just set them out on something. This time I'll have a rack. I just have to make sure I have 12 shelves. One for each plant. I got plenty of string for the big branches.

I love sitting and smoking in my garden as well. so relaxing.

Cannabis has a wonderful energy about her

Looking great mate! What an odd widow pheno, leggy little bitch lol. Ur about to have some sticky scissors and a sore back

Odd how? I've never grown her and all 3 of mine looked similar. It is a very bushy strain. Both the male and female looked similar, although the male was a little taller. It's hard to say though since I was tieing them all down along the way.

I have mixed feelings about the upcoming harvest. While I am super excited, I know it's going to be a painful few days. I'm already planning to take some time off work

+++reps if it would let me i would give you more.
You gotta whole lotta work coming with the harvest.
The room is the way to go. I want to have
a setup similar to yours and I have the room for it.
But lawdawgs here in the south dont allow it lol.

Thanks! the lawdawgs really don't allow it anywhere. I think my room is right on that border of a "commercial" op that the feds would be interested in vs the smaller personal grow. I'm obviously making more than I need myself. My wife and dogs don't smoke. Well most of the time they don't.

awesome update Hiker!!! your girls are looking great bro +reps fore sure. The racks I use are made by AN and cost around 40 bucks on fleebay, they dont flatten the nugs at all

Thanks Jon

I thought I recalled seeing you had the AN racks. I like their design the best I think. I like how they are modular. I seriously considered making some (I haven't ruled it out 100% yet). There are just a couple tiny little things I would change. I made much of the gear I backpack with for that same reason. A tiny little design detail that I want different. I'm pretty sure I'll just order some though. Time is pretty scarce these days.

Yeah I'm about to order one of those racks as well. Will be perfect to go in the corner out of the way instead of having buds hanging all over my ceiling hehe.

What's wrong with buds hanging on the ceiling?

 

[Hiker]

Last night I noticed my temps were a tiny bit higher than normal (81F vs 86F). Upon investigating, I discovered that the fan I got to replace the previously broken fan, was broken also. The exact same problem. It stopped oscillating. Like it's predecessor, there was something rattling, and also like it's predecessor, when I shook it, I eventually got a little roll pin to fall out. I knew last time that I could probably fix it if I found where that pin came from. I tried briefly, but it was only a couple weeks old last time, so I just returned it. This one is still new too, but I don't want to be without both fans moving the air in there.

After struggling for about 30 minutes to get the 2 big plastic halves of the fan to come apart, I finally got the thing open. I spotted the problem within a few seconds, reinserted the roll pin, moved the wiring that caused the problem out of the way, and closed it all back up. The fan works as good as new. Better actually as now that wiring won't break the oscillation feature anymore.

I also cut up the other Cheese Bomb last night. Now I understand why folks like 'Cheese' strains. It has a very unusual smell. Both of them did. Too bad they hermied. I'll try them again someday. I kept a handful of underdeveloped nugs and chopped up the rest to make edibles. I've got a LOT of edible material right now between these, all the defoliation leaves, and the 9 males I culled a week ago.

Anyone want a brownie?

 

[Hiker]

Tactical Grow was talking about getting a growing book and it got me wondering where mine ever went off to. I had a book I referenced all the time back in the 90's. I started thinking about it and realized I probably never got rid of it, and in fact, had a pretty good idea where it was. 3 boxes later, I found this...

It still has the paper bag cover I made for it back when it was new. The cover was so I could leave it laying around and nobody would know what it was. I think I bought it back in '93 or maybe '94, so it's damn near 20 years old! It's in real nice shape too!

Anyway, I'm pretty tickled to have found it, so felt like sharing. I only found one picture of this old cover on the interwebs!

 

[Hiker]

Totally revised man!