Tahoe's TGA+HPS+UVB+CO2 = LaMonstroGooey

*A hardy Sunday morning greetings to all my fellow farmers. And a fine Sunday it is. After more than a year absent from the Grow Journals, I have a very special grow for me, that I share with you.

I recall some time ago when I first came upon these masterful photographs of cannabis in super-marco. Simply stunning. And intriguing. Questions abounded. But the resolve was made that this is a path I will follow. Seek out some killer genetics, some proven lines, from notable providers. And put together a multiple strain grow with some individual variety and quality.

To those that do not know me, I grew my first weed, outdoor, with pathetic results more than 30 years ago. I was seventeen. I still have the original book that guided me at the time. There is ALOT of space in between ...... but my last grow was confined to a BloomBox in a garage, in soil with a nutrient regime and added CO2. I like soil even though my box has all the necessary hardware for hydro. Maybe I’ll go there someday, not this time. That was a BigBud and Top44 grow. I reaped almost 10ozs and continue to enjoy that same bud even today - the BB was disappointing - possibly my inexperience, but the top44 was excellent (is excellent). In the meantime I have had the opportunity to determine with a little more clarity the types of smoke that appeal to me. And it was this that was to guide me in my selection of strains to consider as suitable candidates. My desire to be back growing outdoors will rest until that opportunity is more realistic. That will probably require a new evaluation of potential candidates, particularly at the rate new strains are being created these days.

One of my all time favorites is Blue Moonshine (anything that says narcotic in its description has got to be good – I love opiates) and I must/will grow that one day. I also have a hankering for fdd’s schtuph – Warlock, Raft, Hijack in particular are dumbfounding, leaving one standing aghast at this wonder of nature he has created. But it ended up that BlackDomina jumped to the front of the line for me. My top44 is pretty racy potent and I wanted to maybe balance that with the reported couch-lock of some heavy indica. As an aside, I now believe some of the racy of my top44 is maybe a direct function of a marginally too early harvest? Anyhow, BlackDomina beans in the bag – what else?

And say what? What’s this – Dairy Queen? I friggin love DQ [I friggin lov sportsters, I grew up on a sportster - Jack in "Wild Hogs I love the movie], I probably go with my kids at least once or twice a week. This was a MUST have. But where to find? This led to a review of TGA Subcool seeds – and the rest sorta flowed from there – Agent Orange, Vortex, Chernobyl. A special one was also provided and I will keep that one secret through the grow, just for fun. I am curious and intrigued by what this mystery will bring.

This story actually started some weeks back. A quick recap though, 6 BlackDomina were germed and promptly killed by an overzealous under waterer. Ok, so let’s try that again. Now pay attention! (***speaking to myself***). Three more BlackDomina, and three Top44. Germed, and success, and were in the race. Ok well, ….hhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm …. yea, right, ….. racing straight towards five males and one female from the lot! WTF!

Ok, so, I might be biased, alright, of course I am, but she is one very beautiful lady. And if she has any of the potential that the other seeds had from this same batch, then I am once again in for a fabulous treat. So popped six more seeds for germ - one each of Chernobyl, BlackDomina [my last one], Vortex, Agent Orange, Dairy Queen, and MissMystery girl. All popped quite quickly and with good energy. MissMystery was the laggard but only by about a day. They all went from seed to soil to seedling in less than a week – so far so good. As much as I am excited about DQ – Chernobyl (Cheese x C99) sounds too freakin amazing to be real. But then I expect that my shorts will be blown off by any of these girls (and Yes, I believe in the power of positive thinking …. Hahahaha!).

For now, the seedlings have a 200W CFL, and the top44 girl is under a 400W HPS. I have to say it, the BloomBox really is a great solution for me, at this time, in these circumstances. It just works so well. But I will grow outdoor sometime soon, and use the box to do the pre-outdoor vegeing I expect.

As some of you might recall, I started down the path of researching the UVB-trichome-THC relationship. I have picked that ball up again. The last effort lost energy in early 2007. I went and looked back again - what has been published since then. There has been work done. Much of the new work, though related to the onset of climate change and subsequent potential consequences in terms of UV light and food production, now is looking at genetic change and cumulative genome change over chronic versus acute exposure. I’m not sure much of this applies to our circumstances, with the exception that maybe cumulative mutations might occur from long term exposure to ad infinitum cloning? Haven’t thought that through quite yet.

So next step? What new lights are available since I last looked at this? I found Hagen SolarGlo 160W. With all the information that I could unearth, it made sense to me, so I have two that will be installed shortly. My Top44 girl is 7 weeks total, 3 weeks flower as of today. Last grow I also had an issue with a leaking regulator for my CO2 tank. During the grow, I never bothered to screw with it, but the problem has been identified and rectified (a leaky fitting on the pressure regulator). So my CO2 is functioning as it should.

My temps/RH have been 65-85F and 40-60%. I water from both the top and the bottom, though my preference is from the bottom (yes, I know there are people that disagree …. That’s ok). I have Sensi Bloom A + B, and I use molasses, as well I have BigBud and VoodooJuice. I will make specific comments about these supplements as time progresses, and my activities with these girls change.

Welcome to my new grow, I appreciate your time and thoughts. I look forward to these next weeks, and months. And most of all, I look forward to sharing with my fellow farmers as we ~!Walk On!~.


***members are invited to post comment or questions***

Im down Tahoe!

i just got my beans from tga i cant wait to see the Dairy Queen as you say cheese x c99 sounds almost too good to be true!

lookin good from the off! happy growing fella!