My Outdoor Garden-2010

Good information VG. I also managed to get a nice short read from my county extension office. Anyone considering worm farms should read it: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/worm/worm.html

Really good (and nice and short) tutorial. Walks the new farmer through setup, temperature ranges, feeding and pest control.

One question though as you have grown your own worms. What do you do for them to maintain them through the winter? The literature says they prefer 60-80 degrees, but can tolerate temps down in the 40s. What about wintertime? Even here in the deep south we get down into the teens or lower during the heart of winter. Do you have to insulate the box? Or do they just go into hibernation mode?

If the freezing temperatures are only a few hours at night, it shouldn't hurt the worms, as they will retreat to the center of the soil mass. If it goes longer I'd get a 100w incandescent bulb on an extension cord, underneath your box, covered by a tarp.

This will provide plenty of warmth.

VG

veggiegardener said:

If the freezing temperatures are only a few hours at night, it shouldn't hurt the worms, as they will retreat to the center of the soil mass. If it goes longer I'd get a 100w incandescent bulb on an extension cord, underneath your box, covered by a tarp.

This will provide plenty of warmth.

VG

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Thanks yet again! Good info.

You breed worms too. Awesome.

Question 4. Do you keep a weed pedigree?

Question 5. Do you always 'outcross' or do you linebreed too?

Question 6. When you 'mate' two plants of different 'strains', what might some of your reasons be for the mating. ?

Thank you for your answers to my questions?

4) Yes I keep records of crosses, etc.

5)Both.

6)Sometimes to save a strain which produced only males or females. To see what happens. My Bubbleberry x White Widow is one of these. Both examples are huge, and taking more than half of both greenhouses. Sometimes, as with my Starburst line, I'm trying to reinforce one or more traits present in the parents.

Breeding has its advantages and disadvantages. I recommend everyone do it, but be thoughtful and try to breed toward a goal, whether flavor potency, structure or size.

Good questions!

Good Answers!!!!

7. Have you ever grown any African strains?

8. Have you ever made Budka, Buds infused in Vodka?

9. Are you cats sleeping right now?

10. Do you prefer to grow from seed or clones, and why?

damn the q's just keep comin'! haha. professor veggiegardner

DarKev said:

Good Answers!!!!

7. Have you ever grown any African strains?

8. Have you ever made Budka, Buds infused in Vodka?

9. Are you cats sleeping right now?

10. Do you prefer to grow from seed or clones, and why?

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7) Yes, since '87 when I got my first Dutch seeds. Durban Poison. I inbred it for a number of generations. I also have Power Plant, which is supposed to be South African and a Malawi. There's also Durban, not to be mistaken for Durban Poison, which is the mother strain of my Starburst line.

8 )No. Tried them in brandy in '73. Kicked my ass.

9)Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

10) Seeds. Individual plants get larger, quicker. Hybrid vigor. Making clones is a hassle, and can take a lot of time. I make clones when it fits into my needs. This year I took six Trainwreck clones, of which five are still in the garden. I'd like to devote an entire greenhouse to the strain, next season.

If I were growing commercially, the answer would be the opposite. Clones are the only way to produce large quantities of consistent buds.

Great info VG, can't wait until you complete the harvest.

I never had the patients for cross-breeding, I just want to grow ganja.
I'm glad there are people like you out there providing beautiful cross-breeds for us lazy people lol

peace
doublejj

veggiegardener said:

Some more shots...

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san pedro ?

Professor veggiegardner, Thanks again! No questions today, day off. heehee

I hope we will be seeing some new photos from you soon! We love pictures!

doublejj said:

Great info VG, can't wait until you complete the harvest.

I never had the patients for cross-breeding, I just want to grow ganja.
I'm glad there are people like you out there providing beautiful cross-breeds for us lazy people lol

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breeding your own hybrid's is one of the greatest pleasures of growing. when the thought "hey I wonder what this and this would be like together" comes together and you actually have a new dank as fuck plant in front of you it really puts a smile on your face.

with that said it sucks when the plants come out small/lanky/weird if you are trying for a big harvest. but on the hobby side of growing I think cross-breeding is a real joy!

HUSTLERBOY20 said:

san pedro ?

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Yeah. If you read through the thread, you'll see a progression in the Cactus' size.

They've had a good year!

doublejj said:

Great info VG, can't wait until you complete the harvest.

I never had the patients for cross-breeding, I just want to grow ganja.
I'm glad there are people like you out there providing beautiful cross-breeds for us lazy people lol

peace
doublejj

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Thanks for stopping by!

I tend to get bored with repetition. I'd have probably quit gardening altogether if it weren't for the endless variety in Cannabis.

DarKev said:

Professor veggiegardner, Thanks again! No questions today, day off. heehee

I hope we will be seeing some new photos from you soon! We love pictures!

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I guess I'm a frustrated teacher. I really enjoy passing on what I've learned.

odbsmydog said:

breeding your own hybrid's is one of the greatest pleasures of growing. when the thought "hey I wonder what this and this would be like together" comes together and you actually have a new dank as fuck plant in front of you it really puts a smile on your face.

with that said it sucks when the plants come out small/lanky/weird if you are trying for a big harvest. but on the hobby side of growing I think cross-breeding is a real joy!

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I've been lucky with regards to hybrids. They're usually as good as the parents in most respects. Where the offspring prove inferior is in smell, taste and quality of high/effects. Some strains compliment each other. Others don't.

Potent parents almost always produce potent offspring.

Things are progressing rapidly in the garden. I expected to begin harvesting about October 10th, but some of the hybrids may finish, a week earlier.

Here are some pix from the last few days.

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Variations on a theme. Mid day and late afternoon shots. Some of these plants are trying to finish very quickly. All seem a bit light, but the buds are very dense.

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East Greenhouse. The first pic is of an Afghani Kush hybrid that is apparently very attractive to spider mites. None of the other plants are heavily infested. I rubbed off the clumps of mites with my fingers, taking great care to crush as many as possible. I then sprayed Azamax and Insecticidal soap over the entire plant, plus. I really try to avoid spraying, late in bloom, but I didn't seem to have a choice. That plant is about three weeks from finishing.

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The West Greenhouse is very full. The Bubbleberry cross is continuing to dominate.

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This San Pedro has really been thriving. I expect to see a lot of flowers, next Spring.

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Sylvester decided to be my guide, today.

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I intend to plant potatoes, cabbages and broccoli in the outside beds this Winter. I'm expecting a mild Winter. At least I think temperatures will be warmer, even if storms are severe. I'm probably wrong, though.

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This dragonfly seemed to like its spot on the barbed wire.

I love it ! That's about nuff said.

wow that spidermite pic is crazy!

rd116 said:

wow that spidermite pic is crazy!

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Three days ago, I put 2000 ladybugs in that greenhouse.

A great reason to take measures, early.

yea, I think I would have to chop her down if I seen her like that! Rest of the garden looks great tho!