Stunger's Organic Soil Stealth Balcony: Landrace Mulanje & Other Sativas

[Stunger]

Wow they’re progressing brilliantly and putting on a wonderful show. The mango is a great looking girl and always is frosty. Good idea with the top dressing as that is a bit of yellow coming through. just doing the same for mine as they’re working hard and need to be replenished.

Cheers Zeb, just trying to get them safely to harvest! The Mango Sherbert is little ahead of the others, she's pretty up close. Could be a lovely cross with the Mulanje.

Wow! Stunger, you sure fill that balcony up to the brim. Has the Mulanje stopped getting taller yet, or is it still growing?
The Mango Sherbert looks absolutely delicious.

Thanks Nick! Yip I got no spare space left on the balcony. I think the Mulanje has stopped stretching now, she is a bit tall but hopefully I can get away with it. Yes the Mango looks nice, she has a fruity smell with a hint of fuel to it, she was my favourite from last year.

 

[Jon]

Update - top dressing summary + some pics

(edited; to change the previously wrong Mango Sherbert pics I had up)
(edited further; to summarise by plant what top dressing each plant received)

Greetings 420 enthusiasts!

The Mulanje has been yellowing. It is has been noticeable from pictures taken just a week ago. And as the leaves have lightened and yellowed, she has lost them so her stems are now not as bushy as just a week or two ago. She is the most advanced of the 3 sativas.

It is senescence, but what to do ? Let her ride it out because the end is near, or give her something extra now? When I consider that just a few years ago I was barely getting 2oz a plant whereas my more recent grows have averaged over 7oz per plant.

I was very conservative when it came to building the soil and feeding the plants, as I was fearful of overdoing it and ruining the crop. Since then, little by little, I have 'bumped' things up over the grows, trying to keep them in the happy zone. Last year I gave my balcony plants one main/single top dressing, this year I have been 'trickle' feeding them to see how a 'lighter and more often' approach goes.

So this morning, I decided to give a little more to the Mulanje in the form of another quarter of a cup of Blood n Bone and a tablespoon of guano phosphate. Perhaps I should have been more generous, but I feel she will easily give me plenty for my needs as it is, and I'd prefer to observe how she handles this, and then next grow I'll know if I can push it further.

So for the record from 20th January to 11th March, I have given just over 1 cup of Blood n Bone (16 tbsp) to the Mulanje - she has been the hungriest of the 4 girls.

Unless someone chimes in and suggests something different, I imagine (famous last words) that I won't be giving any further topdressings. But any thoughts from those with Sativa experience most welcome.

Summary of top dressings given - for my own future reference and anyone who is interested

1st topdressing - 20th January 2022

2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
2 tablespoons Neem powder

2nd topdressing 2 weeks later - 3rd February 2022*

2 Tablespoons Blood n Bone (1/8 cup)
2 Tablespoons Fish Meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley

*The above quantities are for the smaller 30L (13 gallon) containers. I added a bit extra for the larger 50L (13 gallon) containers.

3rd topdressing 2 weeks later - 19th February 2022

3 tablespoons Blood n Bone for 50L pots, (2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1 tablespoon Fish Meal for 50L pots, (1/2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate for 50L pots, (1/2 tbsp for 30L pots)
3 tablespoons Neem Powder for 50L pots, (2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)
1/3 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley

4th topdressing 2 weeks later - 3rd March 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 1 tablespoon Blood n Bone
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mango Sherbert 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mulanje 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 3 tablespoons Blood n Bone

Each pot then had 2 - 3 cups of fresh worm castings (including some worms) added on top.

5th topdressing- 6thMarch 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate
Mango Sherbert 2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
Mulanje 2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate

6th topdressing-11thMarch 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 1 tablespoon Blood n Bone
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 1.5 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mango Sherbert 1 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mulanje 4 tablespoons Blood n Bone, 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate

To summarise by each plant

Mulanje - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
16 tablespoons Blood n Bone (1 cup)
11 tablespoons Neem Powder
7 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
4 tablespoons Fish Meal
3 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix
3 tablespoons Kelp meal
3 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Mango Sherbert - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
12 tablespoons Blood n Bone (3/4 cup)
11 tablespoons Neem Powder
6 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
4 tablespoons Fish Meal
3 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix
3 tablespoons Kelp meal
3 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
9.5 tablespoons Blood n Bone
8 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/2 cup)
3.5 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
2.5 tablespoons Fish Meal
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
8 tablespoons Blood n Bone (1/2 cup)
8 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/2 cup)
6 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
2.5 tablespoons Fish Meal
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Mulanje 28th February - 12 days ago

Mulanje

• Stunger
• Feb 27, 2022

Mulanje 3rd March - 8 days ago

Mulanje

• Stunger
• Mar 2, 2022

Mulanje 11th March - today

Mostly Mulanje showing some yellowing of the leaves

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mostly Mango Sherbert

This is my only plant that is currently biffing out trichomes, so of course I'll show them!

4B069A7B-9178-4472-970B-9D1C0503D621_1_201_a.jpeg

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Thanks for dropping in, wishing you all good health, and may your gardens be blooming!

I'll trade any of my plants for any of yours!



Well, maybe not the AB. Lol. They look amazing Stunger. That MS is going to be special.

 

[StoneOtter]

Update - top dressing summary + some pics

(edited; to change the previously wrong Mango Sherbert pics I had up)
(edited further; to summarise by plant what top dressing each plant received)

Greetings 420 enthusiasts!

The Mulanje has been yellowing. It is has been noticeable from pictures taken just a week ago. And as the leaves have lightened and yellowed, she has lost them so her stems are now not as bushy as just a week or two ago. She is the most advanced of the 3 sativas.

It is senescence, but what to do ? Let her ride it out because the end is near, or give her something extra now? When I consider that just a few years ago I was barely getting 2oz a plant whereas my more recent grows have averaged over 7oz per plant.

I was very conservative when it came to building the soil and feeding the plants, as I was fearful of overdoing it and ruining the crop. Since then, little by little, I have 'bumped' things up over the grows, trying to keep them in the happy zone. Last year I gave my balcony plants one main/single top dressing, this year I have been 'trickle' feeding them to see how a 'lighter and more often' approach goes.

So this morning, I decided to give a little more to the Mulanje in the form of another quarter of a cup of Blood n Bone and a tablespoon of guano phosphate. Perhaps I should have been more generous, but I feel she will easily give me plenty for my needs as it is, and I'd prefer to observe how she handles this, and then next grow I'll know if I can push it further.

So for the record from 20th January to 11th March, I have given just over 1 cup of Blood n Bone (16 tbsp) to the Mulanje - she has been the hungriest of the 4 girls.

Unless someone chimes in and suggests something different, I imagine (famous last words) that I won't be giving any further topdressings. But any thoughts from those with Sativa experience most welcome.

Summary of top dressings given - for my own future reference and anyone who is interested

1st topdressing - 20th January 2022

2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
2 tablespoons Neem powder

2nd topdressing 2 weeks later - 3rd February 2022*

2 Tablespoons Blood n Bone (1/8 cup)
2 Tablespoons Fish Meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley

*The above quantities are for the smaller 30L (13 gallon) containers. I added a bit extra for the larger 50L (13 gallon) containers.

3rd topdressing 2 weeks later - 19th February 2022

3 tablespoons Blood n Bone for 50L pots, (2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1 tablespoon Fish Meal for 50L pots, (1/2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate for 50L pots, (1/2 tbsp for 30L pots)
3 tablespoons Neem Powder for 50L pots, (2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)
1/3 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley

4th topdressing 2 weeks later - 3rd March 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 1 tablespoon Blood n Bone
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mango Sherbert 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mulanje 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 3 tablespoons Blood n Bone

Each pot then had 2 - 3 cups of fresh worm castings (including some worms) added on top.

5th topdressing- 6thMarch 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate
Mango Sherbert 2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
Mulanje 2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate

6th topdressing-11thMarch 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 1 tablespoon Blood n Bone
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 1.5 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mango Sherbert 1 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mulanje 4 tablespoons Blood n Bone, 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate

To summarise by each plant

Mulanje - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
16 tablespoons Blood n Bone (1 cup)
11 tablespoons Neem Powder
7 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
4 tablespoons Fish Meal
3 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix
3 tablespoons Kelp meal
3 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Mango Sherbert - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
12 tablespoons Blood n Bone (3/4 cup)
11 tablespoons Neem Powder
6 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
4 tablespoons Fish Meal
3 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix
3 tablespoons Kelp meal
3 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
9.5 tablespoons Blood n Bone
8 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/2 cup)
3.5 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
2.5 tablespoons Fish Meal
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
8 tablespoons Blood n Bone (1/2 cup)
8 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/2 cup)
6 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
2.5 tablespoons Fish Meal
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Mulanje 28th February - 12 days ago

Mulanje

• Stunger
• Feb 27, 2022

Mulanje 3rd March - 8 days ago

Mulanje

• Stunger
• Mar 2, 2022

Mulanje 11th March - today

Mostly Mulanje showing some yellowing of the leaves

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mostly Mango Sherbert

This is my only plant that is currently biffing out trichomes, so of course I'll show them!

4B069A7B-9178-4472-970B-9D1C0503D621_1_201_a.jpeg

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

• Stunger
• Mar 10, 2022

Thanks for dropping in, wishing you all good health, and may your gardens be blooming!

BEAUTIFUL AND BOOKMARKED! Top dressing is something I need to learn more of! Thanks!

 

[InTheShed]

I think it was a definitely a good idea to top dress because that sativa should be your last harvest. Seems too early for natural fade to me.

 

[Stunger]

They look amazing Stunger. That MS is going to be special.

Thanks Jon! I hope so, it's looking good and I enjoyed it last grow.

BEAUTIFUL AND BOOKMARKED! Top dressing is something I need to learn more of! Thanks!

Cheers Otter! It is very much a work in progress, but I list it out to give some reference to accompany the pics.

I think it was a definitely a good idea to top dress because that sativa should be your last harvest. Seems too early for natural fade to me.

Thanks Shed! Now, I'm questioning myself as to whether I should have given a little bit more!

 

[DutchinAB]

Only Stunger can turn up the frost in the sun baked oasis that is NZ.

Way to grow!

 

[StoneOtter]

Cheers Otter! It is very much a work in progress, but I list it out to give some reference to accompany the pics.

Pretty sure success is in the stars!

 

[tangwena]

I think it was a definitely a good idea to top dress because that sativa should be your last harvest. Seems too early for natural fade to me.

I agree its way too dramatic I think you may have overdosed on something brother ease off on the feeds most sativas dont like too strong a feed.
She should still fill out nicely if your lucky.
What did you do between the 28th Feb and the 3rd of March thats when it started.

 

[Stunger]

I think it was a definitely a good idea to top dress because that sativa should be your last harvest. Seems too early for natural fade to me.

This morning after reading your comment, and considering that I was wondering if I had done enough. I decided to give the Mulanje another 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of Blood n Bone. That makes half a cup with yesterday's top dressing. Hopefully that will see her better.

Only Stunger can turn up the frost in the sun baked oasis that is NZ.

Thanks Dutch! I am trying to get the frost up!

Pretty sure success is in the stars!

Thanks Otter! We gotta cross our fingers sometimes and just hope we get it right.

I agree its way too dramatic I think you may have overdosed on something brother ease off on the feeds most sativas dont like too strong a feed.
She should still fill out nicely if your lucky.
What did you do between the 28th Feb and the 3rd of March thats when it started.

Cheers Tang! This is the time in the grow that a plant can lighten up rapidly. The Mulanje was looking pretty good and green only 10 days ago. I feel it just wants a bit more N, so as mentioned above I bumped it up to a total of half a cup since yesterday. I have given a straight half cup on a previous grow to a yellowing plant that brought it back nicely that time, so hopefully the same here. The Mulanje does have some chunky spears on it, but the stems that yellowed look more sparse. Still, all the same, there should be plenty to enjoy!

I did a further pollen follow up, and this time put some dried pollen balls and pollen in a shot glass and carefully finger painted the selected buds again. What a lovely mix of resin smells! That should be it for top dressing and seed making now.

 

[Carcass]

Give her 4 or 5 days, that yellow should be a thing of the past...A little N boost at the right time can work wonders...

 

[Jon]

Morning @Stunger. Hey last night I was researching landraces. I knew barely nothing. Now I know a *little* more. But apparently a true landrace is pretty rare. Almost every strain on earth has been hybridized. So I was kind of wondering what your take is on landraces in general? I am a HUGE sativa fan, and watching your Mulanje got me into research mode. Can you possibly mention a couple other strains you may know are good landraces to grow/smoke?

I'll take whatever you got man, thanks!!!!

 

[Stunger]

Give her 4 or 5 days, that yellow should be a thing of the past...A little N boost at the right time can work wonders...

Thanks Carcass! Hopefully the boost of N will benefit it. It is good to do something learn from the result.

Morning @Stunger. Hey last night I was researching landraces. I knew barely nothing. Now I know a *little* more. But apparently a true landrace is pretty rare. Almost every strain on earth has been hybridized. So I was kind of wondering what your take is on landraces in general? I am a HUGE sativa fan, and watching your Mulanje got me into research mode. Can you possibly mention a couple other strains you may know are good landraces to grow/smoke?

I'll take whatever you got man, thanks!!!!

Morning Jon. Yes that is my take on landraces, that there are very few left. I even read a disturbing suggestion that the 'Strain hunters' group was collecting landrace seeds and dishing out their own seeds to the locals they collected them from, which would have gone on to corrupt the local genetics and leave them with hybrid stock. That would be rotten or astoundingly dumb if true.
My personal experience of landraces has been had in ignorance, in places like Thailand, Nepal and Costa Rica. But back then I thought cannabis was cannabis, all the same. Anyway, my understanding is the Mulanje has come straight from Malawi without being crossed and is a landrace. Whereas the other 2 sativas I am growing have been crossed with other pure sativas and are therefore can no longer be considered landrace. I have no experience to pass on of known other landraces to recommend as in my recent 'informed' years I have had none, but you might want to check out the landrace thread here.

 

[Jon]

Thanks Carcass! Hopefully the boost of N will benefit it. It is good to do something learn from the result.

Morning Jon. Yes that is my take on landraces, that there are very few left. I even read a disturbing suggestion that the 'Strain hunters' group was collecting landrace seeds and dishing out their own seeds to the locals they collected them from, which would have gone on to corrupt the local genetics and leave them with hybrid stock. That would be rotten or astoundingly dumb if true.
My personal experience of landraces has been had in ignorance, in places like Thailand, Nepal and Costa Rica. But back then I thought cannabis was cannabis, all the same. Anyway, my understanding is the Mulanje has come straight from Malawi without being crossed and is a landrace. Whereas the other 2 sativas I am growing have been crossed with other pure sativas and are therefore can no longer be considered landrace. I have no experience to pass on of known other landraces to recommend as in my recent 'informed' years I have had none, but you might want to check out the landrace thread here.

Thanks Stunger. Wow, places "like" Nepal, Costa Rica, and Thailand?

You got around back in the day, eh? Bet you have some stories in the bank.

I didn't know a landrace thread existed. Thanks!

 

[BakedARea]

They are looking spectacular! I was behind almost a week, saw the first pic. I thought for sure I was in your journal...bit I couldn't find a balcony rail anywhere! No matter where I looked. Had to scroll up and make sure I was in the right place. Stunger Stunners!!!

so I wondered if 420 growers use MBP in germinating or root development. Any thoughts?

I have heard of a couple folks that use a mild enzyme team for soaking and to moisten seedling soil.

Summary of top dressings given - for my own future reference and anyone who is

BEAUTIFUL AND BOOKMARKED! Top dressing is something I need to learn more of! Thanks!

I was about to post a response like this, exactly! Otter ripped off and copied my inner thoughts and then proceeded to type them out first to make it seem like it was his along. The shame of some people...

Bookmarked dude! Thanks for that wonderful and laid out feeding plan.

Personally, I think your soil feeding will change and evolve over time. You'll start getting a better understanding of each genetic preference. Just from my take of your inputs, and how often they drink, they want more. Their environment is kicking them into overdrive and they are happy. It's sole purpose is to grow as much flower as possible to reproduce. If a plant has available nutrients, it will utilize them to the maximum possible limit. If it needs to throttle back and ration, it will do so. To do its best to reach its life cycle with whatever resources are available. The narrow-leaf form of cannabis is known for being able to function more efficiently with lesser nutrients. Not necessarily that they prefer less nutrients. Just many landraces that have adapted to still make it through a life cycle with less nutrients than others.

The "Strain Hunter" have 100% introduced hybrid genetics in various places, including Africa. They are still hunting for landraces which is great. They do attempt to educate the farmers along the way though. Teaching them the methods of preservation and genetic stewards. Their most recent video openly talks about the genetics they have introduced and how it has taken over as the preferred plant because of various factors that produce a better crop. The farmers make the choice to go with a winning crop or making hybrids themselves. Hence the rarity of a landrace. They found a landrace that produces plants with a root structure that is tiny! It's worth a watch and intriguing to see how plants in a single valley can vary so wildly.

 

[Stunger]

Thanks Stunger. Wow, places "like" Nepal, Costa Rica, and Thailand?

You got around back in the day, eh? Bet you have some stories in the bank.

I didn't know a landrace thread existed. Thanks!

Cheers Jon! When I think back to some of the places I backpacked thru as a youngster, where one could enjoy some wonderful bud to smoke, I look back now and think why the heck didn't I seek out and acquire some of those seeds, but sadly I had no idea at the time.

They are looking spectacular! I was behind almost a week, saw the first pic. I thought for sure I was in your journal...bit I couldn't find a balcony rail anywhere! No matter where I looked. Had to scroll up and make sure I was in the right place. Stunger Stunners!!!

Thanks BA! Yep this grow I eased off on the reins and they've taken advantage. At least I have the planter boxes up which do help to distract the view.

I have heard of a couple folks that use a mild enzyme team for soaking and to moisten seedling soil.

I have read that Kelp extract can be great for new roots. I am now a fan of germinating seed in water with some Hydrogen Peroxide in it.

Personally, I think your soil feeding will change and evolve over time. You'll start getting a better understanding of each genetic preference. Just from my take of your inputs, and how often they drink, they want more.

The "Strain Hunter" have 100% introduced hybrid genetics in various places, including Africa. They are still hunting for landraces which is great. They do attempt to educate the farmers along the way though. Teaching them the methods of preservation and genetic stewards.

I don't know what the truth is there, someone could have been slagging them off unfairly. I hope they're being responsible with what they gather and aren't deliberately taking pure landrace seeds and maliciously leaving them left with hybrids. It'd be nice to think that landraces remain 'pure' as genetic benchmarks that we can return to.

Anyway, the main thing for me now, is to not screw up this grow. Because if I can get them to harvest then it'll be wonderful having 3 different pure sativas on the house menu!

 

[Jon]

They are looking spectacular! I was behind almost a week, saw the first pic. I thought for sure I was in your journal...bit I couldn't find a balcony rail anywhere! No matter where I looked. Had to scroll up and make sure I was in the right place. Stunger Stunners!!!


I have heard of a couple folks that use a mild enzyme team for soaking and to moisten seedling soil.



I was about to post a response like this, exactly! Otter ripped off and copied my inner thoughts and then proceeded to type them out first to make it seem like it was his along. The shame of some people...

Bookmarked dude! Thanks for that wonderful and laid out feeding plan.

Personally, I think your soil feeding will change and evolve over time. You'll start getting a better understanding of each genetic preference. Just from my take of your inputs, and how often they drink, they want more. Their environment is kicking them into overdrive and they are happy. It's sole purpose is to grow as much flower as possible to reproduce. If a plant has available nutrients, it will utilize them to the maximum possible limit. If it needs to throttle back and ration, it will do so. To do its best to reach its life cycle with whatever resources are available. The narrow-leaf form of cannabis is known for being able to function more efficiently with lesser nutrients. Not necessarily that they prefer less nutrients. Just many landraces that have adapted to still make it through a life cycle with less nutrients than others.

The "Strain Hunter" have 100% introduced hybrid genetics in various places, including Africa. They are still hunting for landraces which is great. They do attempt to educate the farmers along the way though. Teaching them the methods of preservation and genetic stewards. Their most recent video openly talks about the genetics they have introduced and how it has taken over as the preferred plant because of various factors that produce a better crop. The farmers make the choice to go with a winning crop or making hybrids themselves. Hence the rarity of a landrace. They found a landrace that produces plants with a root structure that is tiny! It's worth a watch and intriguing to see how plants in a single valley can vary so wildly.

You managed to provide yet more new and great info. Between the two posts I feel like I just ate a great meal. Thanks.

 

[BakedARea]

I have read that Kelp extract can be great for new roots. I am now a fan of germinating seed in water with some Hydrogen Peroxide in it.

Absolutely dude! I use kelp extract in my cloning solution. I also use it every 3-4 weeks in my full drenches.

Because if I can get when I harvest them it'll be wonderful

As @InTheShed would say, FTFY

It will be a wonderful sight man! Stoked for you.

 

[Stunger]

Absolutely dude! I use kelp extract in my cloning solution. I also use it every 3-4 weeks in my full drenches.

As @InTheShed would say, FTFY

It will be a wonderful sight man! Stoked for you.

Thanks BA!

 

[Krissi Carbone]

Update - top dressing summary + some pics

(edited; to change the previously wrong Mango Sherbert pics I had up)
(edited further; to summarise by plant what top dressing each plant received)

Greetings 420 enthusiasts!

The Mulanje has been yellowing. It is has been noticeable from pictures taken just a week ago. And as the leaves have lightened and yellowed, she has lost them so her stems are now not as bushy as just a week or two ago. She is the most advanced of the 3 sativas.

It is senescence, but what to do ? Let her ride it out because the end is near, or give her something extra now? When I consider that just a few years ago I was barely getting 2oz a plant whereas my more recent grows have averaged over 7oz per plant.

I was very conservative when it came to building the soil and feeding the plants, as I was fearful of overdoing it and ruining the crop. Since then, little by little, I have 'bumped' things up over the grows, trying to keep them in the happy zone. Last year I gave my balcony plants one main/single top dressing, this year I have been 'trickle' feeding them to see how a 'lighter and more often' approach goes.

So this morning, I decided to give a little more to the Mulanje in the form of another quarter of a cup of Blood n Bone and a tablespoon of guano phosphate. Perhaps I should have been more generous, but I feel she will easily give me plenty for my needs as it is, and I'd prefer to observe how she handles this, and then next grow I'll know if I can push it further.

So for the record from 20th January to 11th March, I have given just over 1 cup of Blood n Bone (16 tbsp) to the Mulanje - she has been the hungriest of the 4 girls.

Unless someone chimes in and suggests something different, I imagine (famous last words) that I won't be giving any further topdressings. But any thoughts from those with Sativa experience most welcome.

Summary of top dressings given - for my own future reference and anyone who is interested

1st topdressing - 20th January 2022

2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
2 tablespoons Neem powder

2nd topdressing 2 weeks later - 3rd February 2022*

2 Tablespoons Blood n Bone (1/8 cup)
2 Tablespoons Fish Meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley

*The above quantities are for the smaller 30L (13 gallon) containers. I added a bit extra for the larger 50L (13 gallon) containers.

3rd topdressing 2 weeks later - 19th February 2022

3 tablespoons Blood n Bone for 50L pots, (2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1 tablespoon Fish Meal for 50L pots, (1/2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate for 50L pots, (1/2 tbsp for 30L pots)
3 tablespoons Neem Powder for 50L pots, (2 tbsp for 30L pots)
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)
1/3 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley

4th topdressing 2 weeks later - 3rd March 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 1 tablespoon Blood n Bone
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mango Sherbert 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 2 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mulanje 2 tablespoons Neem Meal, 3 tablespoons Blood n Bone

Each pot then had 2 - 3 cups of fresh worm castings (including some worms) added on top.

5th topdressing- 6thMarch 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate
Mango Sherbert 2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
Mulanje 2 tablespoons Guano Phosphate

6th topdressing-11thMarch 2022

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje 1 tablespoon Blood n Bone
Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras 1.5 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mango Sherbert 1 tablespoons Blood n Bone
Mulanje 4 tablespoons Blood n Bone, 1 tablespoon Guano Phosphate

To summarise by each plant

Mulanje - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
16 tablespoons Blood n Bone (1 cup)
11 tablespoons Neem Powder
7 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
4 tablespoons Fish Meal
3 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix
3 tablespoons Kelp meal
3 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Mango Sherbert - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
12 tablespoons Blood n Bone (3/4 cup)
11 tablespoons Neem Powder
6 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
4 tablespoons Fish Meal
3 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix
3 tablespoons Kelp meal
3 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Honduras/Panama x Purple Honduras - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
9.5 tablespoons Blood n Bone
8 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/2 cup)
3.5 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
2.5 tablespoons Fish Meal
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Malawi/Ethiopian x Mulanje - total top dressing from 20th January to 11th March
8 tablespoons Blood n Bone (1/2 cup)
8 tablespoons Neem Powder(1/2 cup)
6 tablespoons Guano Phosphate
2.5 tablespoons Fish Meal
2 tablespoons Seafood Lush Fert Mix(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Kelp meal(1/8 cup)
2 tablespoons Diatomaceous Earth/Silica(1/8 cup)
1/2 cup rough ground diastatic malted barley
1/3 cup washed dried shrimp (washed to remove salt)

Mulanje 28th February - 12 days ago

Mulanje

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• Feb 27, 2022

Mulanje 3rd March - 8 days ago

Mulanje

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• Mar 2, 2022

Mulanje 11th March - today

Mostly Mulanje showing some yellowing of the leaves

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• Mar 10, 2022

Mostly Mango Sherbert

This is my only plant that is currently biffing out trichomes, so of course I'll show them!

4B069A7B-9178-4472-970B-9D1C0503D621_1_201_a.jpeg

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• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

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• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

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• Mar 10, 2022

Mango Sherbert

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• Mar 10, 2022

Thanks for dropping in, wishing you all good health, and may your gardens be blooming!

This post is exactly why I love this journal! So much love, fun, and information! (Hey that kinda rhymes!) Beautiful

 

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This post is exactly why I love this journal! So much love, fun, and information! (Hey that kinda rhymes!) Beautiful

Thanks Krissi! What you point out is the only reason I can grow a year's supply (and more) from the same pots that I once struggled to get an insufficient amount from, so small that I still had to buy it commercially!

I feel very grateful for the help and support of others, especially our 420magazine community, I will shout to @Emeraldo who was one of the first of many, whose little bit of support and encouragement he offered I believe helped a lot in allowing me to loosen up a bit and take on board some suggestions to reflect on what my plants were telling me, as it is always a bit nerve wracking to step out of a previous safety zone in fear of a change killing your garden for that year, but little by little eh.

But anyway, I thank you and the many others on here whose posts are beautifully informative and supported by pictures to help others understand the process being explained. It is super appreciated and puts a warmth in my heart at the sharing, especially for those starting out like I was not so long ago. And why not, we care so much because the truth of the matter is, cannabis is a such wonderful plant! So, I'm giving thanks to you and the many other generous helpful supportive people we have here too!