Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures & Photos From The Garden - 2012

[OG13]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

When I'm collecting pollen, I will cut a branch off a male plant when it is about ready to drop and lay it out on a clean plate in a draft free place (cabinet) and come collect the pollen in a few days. Then apply w/ a paint brush.

 

[253Chiefin]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

your vegg girls look real healthy! i find vegg kinda fun but i get the same feeling that others might think my plants are boring in veg. well i'll be here for the veg updates keeep em coming. nice info on breeding in your journal going to be a fun place to pull up a seat and read about breeding for me.

 

[NorCaliwood]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Just a drive bye to see how's it growing. Hey Chief, vegging is a blast. Marijuana grows like a weed. Gives you alittle time to play with the plant during it's peak growth time. And they are 90% of the time blowing and growing. I remember once we was hella high and we had a barn we revamped into a greenhouse. Well was a long day and by night we was dog tired so we pulled out the old sleeping bags and crashed in there. I remember waking up and you could actually hear plants growing. Sounds stupid but we had like 100 5' tall plants just fixing to flip into flower mode. I guess a leaf pushing out, or unfolding, or a branch straighten out etc. I could hear alot of sounds that nite.
Mutants are running amuch for sure. Sisco had some growing. His was same as mine, little buds right at the axis of the leaf. Budulis' or something along that lines is what I have. I think his was on Vantage also.
But your seeds, sounds like she took. I guess 3 days them hairs will be dead and she start to show. I'm not up on the time needed to produce viable seed, 'what 3 weeks?' I'd imagine you done been doing that surfing around yourself there Xlr. In the last 5-6 years I've only tried raising seed stock once. I had a male in the room right up to the time he started opening flowers. I had no air flow around he, kept him way off in the corner, When I seen enough flowers that looked like I could get some pollen out of I tore them open a collected some pollen. There was only like 2or3 male flowers open. Then I threw a plastic bag over him cut his stalk and headed for the dumpster outside. I was hoping that wood save at least 80% of the room. I figured afew plants to seed just didn't want to seed the whole damn room. After I dabbed some pollen with a artist brush, I waited a day then sprayed water. I figured I was safe, WRONG. LOL My bad,,,, but the whole damn room got hit. 100% and acouple heavy the ones sitting closest.
I used KC-33 as the male. So really was good stock and they made alot of them. I need to go thru and get afew good looking beans from that stock and try them myself. There is a White Widow X KC-33.
Well I rambled enough GL Xlr Keepem Green

 

[donpaul.p]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

so can i just check that if i had a male say the berry bomb turned out male could i then take pollen and just pollenate one bud area and get the seeds from only that area but continue to flower the rest of the plant as a female

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

can you freeze the pollen once collected for future crosses or does it have to be at cryogenic temperatures to be viable once thawed for future use ?

Hi thinkerr!

It can be froze, but it's not easy. In general, it needs to be sifted through a screen to catch any flower bits or organic material that isn't pollen, or it will go bad. It has to be stored in the freezer with some sort of a dessicant most likely, to keep the moisture down. Just needs to stay completely dry when frozen. Not everybody has success freezing pollen, but some do - it can be done. If you do a little g*ogle research, you'll find several methods for doing it, but that's the jist of it.

One way I've heard, is to put the pollen in a paper envelope, inside of an airtight jar (I believe they heat the jar first, so that when it goes into the freezer, there is a vacuum). So the paper envelope is in this jar, and then they put dessicant in the jar (or rice, a natural dessicant). I decided not to try freezing any, so I'm just trying to give you the general gist - again, there's info out there if you look for it, but I haven't tried it.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Heheh, yeah, males are pretty messy when they do their thing and empty their "bananas".

The paintbrush method has been used for centuries to pollinate hundreds of types of plants, from trees, to critically endangered plants that live on a clifftop. They'd used it for a number of years in Greece for their olive trees when honeybees declined in the area due to "Collony Collapse Syndrome". They use it in Japan for pears. It is quite effective all over the globe.

To confirm, the act of pollination is immediate as the pollen becomes instantly attached to the pistils (stigma for flowers that show them), however, it takes a bit longer to grow the "pollen tube" so that the transfer of genetic material down the pistils, or "style" and into the ovum can occur. In cannabis this causes the pistils to begin to turn or change color. This is how we know that pollination was a success. Now it's all up to the fertility gods to do the rest, and in 37 days there should be a ripe seed bursting from the calyx.

Well, I was pretty low tech, but hopefully it worked. It does look like there are a few calyx's swelling and a few pistils that died, so we'll see! For me, there was no real negative outcome possible. If it doesn't work, dang I have a cannabis plant with no seeds. If it does work, cool! If they get overly seeded, well, that's okay too. I don't mind, this stuff grows like a weed, and I can grow more! I'd be much more worried if it wasn't just for me - but I don't mind sifting through seeds if I have to.

Seeded buds are smaller yield wise, but I feel like often stronger potency wise, so there is some trade off. I've found seeded bud often to have very good flavor, too. I think people in general get way to worked up over seeds being bad, personally...

Thanks for more good info on this Jandre.


One more thing, this might be internet forum myth, but somewhere a long time ago I read about people purposely selectively pollinating a bud, I think the theory was it was a way to discourage the plant from herm behavior (this reeks of myth to me) by forcing limited, non hermaphroditic pollination. Seems like myth, but I could see this possibly being true, however. I can't find a way to confirm or deny this anymore, and I can't remember for the life of me where I came across that info. Would love it if anyone else has heard of this or whether we can confirm/deny the science involved.

 

[OldMedMan]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Just a drive bye to see how's it growing. Hey Chief, vegging is a blast. Marijuana grows like a weed. Gives you alittle time to play with the plant during it's peak growth time. And they are 90% of the time blowing and growing. I remember once we was hella high and we had a barn we revamped into a greenhouse. Well was a long day and by night we was dog tired so we pulled out the old sleeping bags and crashed in there. I remember waking up and you could actually hear plants growing. Sounds stupid but we had like 100 5' tall plants just fixing to flip into flower mode. I guess a leaf pushing out, or unfolding, or a branch straighten out etc. I could hear alot of sounds that nite.

Sprout, what ever you were smoking that day...I want some of it!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

When I'm collecting pollen, I will cut a branch off a male plant when it is about ready to drop and lay it out on a clean plate in a draft free place (cabinet) and come collect the pollen in a few days. Then apply w/ a paint brush.

Hi OG -

Great method/idea. That's similar to what I'll do in the future if I decide to repeat this idea. I really meant to cut off a branch or two, stick them in a glass of water, hanging over a collection bowl/dish.

However, I was interested in using the "whole plant" for a few other reasons. I wanted to see it grow and mature to see the characteristics of the plant more, and test watering schedules a bit, etc. I was also testing it's growth and happiness under T5's at varying distances (before flowers were mature enough to drop pollen). It was in effect a guinea pig, too, and something I wanted to do to understand the male plant and growth characteristics better.

I figured the shower was perfect, it made watering drain to waste style really easy, and once I removed the pollen, I carefully sealed up the shower and completely drowned it, before bagging and removing it. Next time, glass of water, and cuttings will be my method too, if I go that route again. Thanks for sharing your method!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

That's awesome to know. I think I might do that if I ever get a NL male so I can stock up on seeds.

Hi Blazin -

Good idea! Let me know if you do that, I'd like to follow your progress on that. Northern Lights is a fabulous strain from what I hear. I've had crosses with Northern Lights genetics, but never Northern Lights. I hear it's pretty special, though.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Lookin' good, brother! Veg isn't boring! Different from flowering and seeing trich action, yes, but never is it boring! Mom training's going well! Nice and deep green. With that deep a green, you might want to nitrogen (N) starve for a few days to a week before you take any clones. Faster clone time because (N) won't be stored in the tissues.

Interesting, thanks for the tip! Yeah, both the OG and the Deadhead seem to be a bit nitrogen sensitive, though some of that might be lighting, etc. I'm making some minor adjustments (reducing micro and cal/mag slightly) to lower the nitrogen for them just a bit. Thanks again for sharing that.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

There is a lot of talk in this thread regarding the storage of pollen...Although its a long read...

Heya Quix!

In this thread? I don't even remember talking about freezing/storing pollen specifically. I'm losing my mind and memory lately, though, so I'm sure you're right. DOH!

Hope you are well buddy!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Ooohhhh goodie goodie!! I love the seed making adventure X!
Just a couple notes. Yes, those swolen calyxes should indeed mean there are seeds a brewin! Thats the only thing that told me I had a herm 2 grows ago...
Second, thanks for the tid bit about the timing (21-25 days)...But just so you know, my herms popped up at around 5 weeks in, pollinated, and plants were harvested at around 9 weeks. I've done a couple "test germs" with those seeds, just to see how viable they were. They all popped in a couple days, and were strong growers too!
So, for the record, theoredically, one could pollinate at least as late as the 5th week of flower, and the seeds would be ready within 4 or 5 weeks. Of course, I'd trust Subcools methods from years of breeding experience over my one time accidental experience...But the info could be useful to someone whos timing is off for whatever reason....
Cant wait to see your seeds, though, keep rockin!!

Yeah, I'm sure you're right, but I think 6 weeks is a general, best practices sort of guideline (or at least what works well for Subcool) - same with the 21-25 days thing. Good to know that they'd probably work with less time!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

your vegg girls look real healthy! i find vegg kinda fun but i get the same feeling that others might think my plants are boring in veg. well i'll be here for the veg updates keeep em coming. nice info on breeding in your journal going to be a fun place to pull up a seat and read about breeding for me.

Thanks Chief!

I'm no expert on breeding by a million miles, but I thought this would be a fun experiment. Appreciate the props on the veg plants. I agree, they're ALL beautiful to me. I like looking at seedlings even - heck, the SEEDS are interesting to look at to me, lol.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Just a drive bye to see how's it growing. Hey Chief, vegging is a blast. Marijuana grows like a weed. Gives you alittle time to play with the plant during it's peak growth time. And they are 90% of the time blowing and growing. I remember once we was hella high and we had a barn we revamped into a greenhouse. Well was a long day and by night we was dog tired so we pulled out the old sleeping bags and crashed in there. I remember waking up and you could actually hear plants growing. Sounds stupid but we had like 100 5' tall plants just fixing to flip into flower mode. I guess a leaf pushing out, or unfolding, or a branch straighten out etc. I could hear alot of sounds that nite.
Mutants are running amuch for sure. Sisco had some growing. His was same as mine, little buds right at the axis of the leaf. Budulis' or something along that lines is what I have. I think his was on Vantage also.
But your seeds, sounds like she took. I guess 3 days them hairs will be dead and she start to show. I'm not up on the time needed to produce viable seed, 'what 3 weeks?' I'd imagine you done been doing that surfing around yourself there Xlr. In the last 5-6 years I've only tried raising seed stock once. I had a male in the room right up to the time he started opening flowers. I had no air flow around he, kept him way off in the corner, When I seen enough flowers that looked like I could get some pollen out of I tore them open a collected some pollen. There was only like 2or3 male flowers open. Then I threw a plastic bag over him cut his stalk and headed for the dumpster outside. I was hoping that wood save at least 80% of the room. I figured afew plants to seed just didn't want to seed the whole damn room. After I dabbed some pollen with a artist brush, I waited a day then sprayed water. I figured I was safe, WRONG. LOL My bad,,,, but the whole damn room got hit. 100% and acouple heavy the ones sitting closest.
I used KC-33 as the male. So really was good stock and they made alot of them. I need to go thru and get afew good looking beans from that stock and try them myself. There is a White Widow X KC-33.
Well I rambled enough GL Xlr Keepem Green

Great story about hearing them grow!! That had to be a trip, I'm with OMM, I want some of what you guys were smoking!

Who knows, maybe, despite my precautions and what I think I'm seeing, this whole crop will be seeded so to speak. I hope not, but oh well. I'll bet White Widow x KC-33 i good. Now I really want to see you grow some of those!

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

so can i just check that if i had a male say the berry bomb turned out male could i then take pollen and just pollenate one bud area and get the seeds from only that area but continue to flower the rest of the plant as a female

Hi DPP -

You'd need two separate plants. A male, and a female. You could take the pollen from the male, and put it on a couple of budsites on the second plant, the female.

Hermaphrodite plants will pollinate themselves, but there would be a good chance that the seeds will also be hermaphrodite, and you'll have a heckuva time getting good seedless bud grown with hermaphrodites. Best is a male/female 2 plant cross, in my opinion.

 

[jandre2k3]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Interesting, thanks for the tip! Yeah, both the OG and the Deadhead seem to be a bit nitrogen sensitive, though some of that might be lighting, etc. I'm making some minor adjustments (reducing micro and cal/mag slightly) to lower the nitrogen for them just a bit. Thanks again for sharing that.

Actually, the week I want to take clones, I clean my res, flush the hydrotone and groblocks, and put nothing but aged tap into the res and that's all they get for the week before I take clones from all my mothers. I get roots in 5-8 days, and can leave the cover off at 7 days. As a matter of fact, I just took clones 7 days ago, and the humidity top is already off and I see no wilting.

I had heard about N starving before taking cuttings about a month ago, I just wish I had known about it when I was taking GDP clones because that strain takes so long to take root. Without N starving, GDP was taking up to 20 days to show roots. . . . way too long in my book. Now I have Plush Berry Kush, and Purple Widow, so still have my purples.

 

[donpaul.p]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

is their a maxinum amount of time before polinating is to late, i mean is their any chance of cropping most of the plant and leaving a few less developed bud sites and polin them or is their a point that the pollen has to be used,

 

[253Chiefin]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Hey X i'm taking pics of my bud sites everyday to get an idea of if bud blood works. im seeing more hairs than yesterday but i think 2-3 more days and we'll be able to tell if it works for sure.

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

Actually, the week I want to take clones, I clean my res, flush the hydrotone and groblocks, and put nothing but aged tap into the res and that's all they get for the week before I take clones from all my mothers. I get roots in 5-8 days, and can leave the cover off at 7 days. As a matter of fact, I just took clones 7 days ago, and the humidity top is already off and I see no wilting.

I had heard about N starving before taking cuttings about a month ago, I just wish I had known about it when I was taking GDP clones because that strain takes so long to take root. Without N starving, GDP was taking up to 20 days to show roots. . . . way too long in my book.

Nice - good tip on how you get 'em ready for cloning. +rep if I can!

I've been playing around and experimenting with taking clones even when I don't need to, in order to hone my skills and try different things... One thing I noticed, is that I can get Deadhead OG to clone quickly, easily, no matter what - even tops clone pretty quickly. However, Super Lemon Haze has been 20 days or so every time! Not a good cloner, at least my pheno, though, she does in fact root and grow eventually.

Also, I've already found that cuttings from "sucker shoots" lower on the plant seem to root the fastest, which is consistant with what I've read as well. I was pretty impressed by the noticeable difference, though. One of the sucker shoots from the Jack the Ripper cloned in 8 days (rapid rooter plugs under a humidity dome). I can already start to tell whether a cutting will clone well or not, and am planning on capitalizing on that fact by how I train my plants*.

*Holy cow I've been working too hard at this, it's a lot of work with moms, LST training, males/pollinating, trimming, cuttings/cloning, yada yada! Doesn't help that I've been experimenting with things just to experiment. I hope I don't burn myself out, some days it seems like too much work right now. I'm already looking to simplify a few things if I can. I'm done with the extra "cloning for the experience" after the cuttings I took yesterday (that already sounds bad, huh, like yeah right slow down - you did experimental cuttings YESTERDAY, lol).

I'm too medicated right now, I'm rambling...

 

[Xlr8]

Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012

is their a maxinum amount of time before polinating is to late, i mean is their any chance of cropping most of the plant and leaving a few less developed bud sites and polin them or is their a point that the pollen has to be used,

It takes about 5-6 weeks for seeds to develop, and most plants are done flowering at about 8-9 weeks (depending on strain, but that's most common), at which point they continue the dying/end of life process. I don't think you could stretch it that long - you'd need to pollinate before harvesting the rest I think, unless you harvested really early (too early). I'm not certain on this as I haven't tried it, but that's my guess.

If you were talking about pollinating a few weeks before harvest, then harvesting all but the seeded bud, they could stay on a couple of weeks longer I'd think, but I don't think you'd be successful as you suggested. Just my gut instinct, but I'd LOVE to see someone try this or hear from someone who has. I've just never tried to keep a plant going that long, much less with trying to develope seeds during that period, so take it with a grain of salt.