1st attempt Costa Rica, newb here.

**pura vida** · 07-26-2009, 05:52 PM

I just recently moved to Costa Rica and am attempting my first outdoor grow. I had one indoor attempt when I lived in Colorado that ended up failing. I am intrigued by the idea of letting nature take its course and providing me some good homegrown smoke. Being as it's Costa Rica and there are coffee plants, banana trees and all other types of fruit bearing trees here I figured the soil would be fine. I also added some banana peels, coffee grounds and earthworms to help it along. It has been rainy season so there has been an abundance of water and at times not a whole lot of direct sunlight. I noticed not too long ago that the bottom leaves were turning yellow and the entire plant was dropping. I did some research and came to the conclusion that it had been receiving too much water. I transplanted into a bigger pot and let the soil dry out. Since then it has stopped drooping but the leaves continue to die. The bottom leaves have been dead, the second ones are pretty much dead and third ones are turning lighter and lighter as opposed to the vibrant green of the newer ones. About 3 days ago I noticed this puny plant started producing it's first bud. I mean it's exciting to see, but this plant looks like shit to me. Overall it's been 8 or 9 weeks and today I decided to add some 10-30-10 plant food granules I bought here locally that I'm using for some corn and other things I'm growing in hopes of bulking this thing up a little. Strain is La Lybella (supposed to be pest resistant). Any thoughts on the continued progress of these leaves dying. For that matter the plant as a whole? Any advice/comments are greatly appreciated.

**Angus** · 07-26-2009, 07:11 PM

It's too far away to tell really but I think that might be a male. Actually I just reread and you said it was budding so scratch that. If it's already flowering then the best thing you can do is keep it happy...you won't get much though.

Where did the seed come from?

**lillypad** · 07-26-2009, 07:23 PM

Where at in costa r u?, location will mater!!!! And just watch the weather if you can sometimes it can rain for days straight through!!!! Try to put it under cover somewhere!!!! When it rains for a long time

**sanasari** · 07-26-2009, 10:07 PM

bag the growing, just go down to the local "whole weed bread" store if you are on the carribean coast

**tahoe58** · 07-26-2009, 10:14 PM

plant appears overall stunted .... how long has it been growing. It looks good and will continue to grow albeit slowly and with little vigor. but u say a bud in showing .... that means the plant thinks it is nearing some level of maturity .... and I expect with additional light and care and luv will produce some bud .... though pretty limited in quantity .... quality could be awesome ... good luck man!!