The grow journal that follows documents the continuation of this strain: I start by taking several new Master Kush clones to propagate the next generation of plants. It also involves the germination of a new strain in my garden: Tangerine Dream, a sativa-dominant hybrid. I am growing these from seed that came billed as a good “daytime smoke” since Tangerine is supposed to taste of citrus and to cultivate a cerebral rather than body high. The idea here is to create a crop of plants that can be alternated for use during the day and at night.
Be sure to secure all wires to make your garden a safe workspace.
Timers and power bars should be kept off the floor. It is a good idea to label each wire with a nametag. This takes the guesswork out of unplugging lights or other appliances when needed.
Smaller, single tube T5s can be easily added to compact grow spaces.
Since this grow, I’ve graduated to more than a dozen different strains (and counting) as I continue to experiment with new growing methods and new strains. I also like to renew the genetics of each plant strain (starting over from seed) at least once a year, and this allows me to decommission particular strains when I have created an adequate supply and to then move on to new ones or to reintroduce strains of times gone past. With some preparation and a bit of hard work, you can be here too. Let’s take a look at how to get you there.
Detail number one is perhaps the most crucial consideration: where to grow? Your first task will be to survey and prepare the location of your grow room or rooms. There isn’t really a limit on the size of your grow space, apart from the amount of physical space you have to work with, and what you can easily manage. A grow can also be very compact, sometimes no larger than a moderately sized closet.
Above all, choose a location that is secure. Account for daily use of the space in your home or apartment. Will guests or visitors such as repair people need and be able to access this space? Ideally, the answer to this will be no. Choose a space that is inconspicuous. Your space will also be one that can quickly be swept clear if, for instance, a furnace repair or emergency visit from a plumber is required nearby. It should be a space that can be locked. This is also a consideration for would-be gardeners who have kids. You’ll probably want to avoid a conversation with the parents of your child’s friend about the strange, stinky garden they found while playing Hide and Go Seek at your house! You should definitely have the ability to lock it down, even if it is something that you rarely, if ever, have to do.
Basements are ideal, particularly those typical of old houses that may be little more than a glorified crawl space, unfinished and largely not subject to much traffic. Attics, which typically lack proper insulation let alone air conditioning, can be too hot in the summer and cold in the winter to use effectively. Spaces in close proximity to a washroom, laundry area or even water tank are also good, provided they can be hidden, because this makes watering your garden less time consuming. Watering plants will be the most time consuming part of your daily grow. You will also have a frequent need to clean up the room, the tools, and even yourself. Hauling water buckets up and down some stairs isn’t the end of the world, but it is also not ideal. Choose a space that you will be comfortable working in; you will spend hours over the life of your garden, or even a single grow, in this space. Ask yourself this: would you choose to hang out here, even if nobody else would? Even small touches make a big difference. In my case, I purchased of a good set of speakers to allow me to play music or listen to the radio from my iPhone while working. These things matter. If tending to your garden is a drag, you’re more likely to avoid it, give it insufficient attention or otherwise make avoidable mistakes. Make this space a room into your own little haven!
One final consideration: this book details the particulars of indoor grows only. You may have an outdoor space that is ideal for growing, a cottage or farm property with a quiet space or even a fenced and heavily shielded back yard in the city, one that for instance is lush with the growth of many plants that can hide one or more marijuana plants in its leafy confines, and you might understandably be very tempted to start a grow there. However, I strongly discourage such grows. They are definitely much less secure and the chance of discovery by a friend, a would-be thief or, worst of all, a law enforcement agent also grows exponentially in these situations. Outdoor growing of any type, and most especially “guerilla” style grows (ones where you plant one or more cannabis plants surreptitiously in a public space or on property belonging to another person) are definitely not for the faint of heart.
Green lights are a must. They allow cannabis to effectively remain in the dark cycle. This is important for when you need to work in the garden at these times.
Your chosen grow space will also need to be properly wired. Ensure that you have access to an adequate number of electrical outlets before you start building; my small rooms consistently use no less than seven plugs when lights, fans, vents and, occasionally, space heaters are considered. If you will be using extension cords, they should be secured to reduce the chances of tripping or immersing in spilled water.
Power bars and timers (or best, power bars with timer functionality) are a must to control different light schedules. Finally, do some rough and easy to figure calculations: does your home or apartment have sufficient wattage to meet your needs? Perhaps the only thing worse than an insecure room that is discovered is an improperly wired room that results in a fire. When it comes to safety, don’t skimp and don’t take chances.
An unnecessary mess: tie down loose wires and cords with Velcro straps or twist ties.
Once the space is selected, you will need to prepare the room (or rooms) properly. Soon, you’ll have new baby plants growing here. You definitely want to prep the babies’ room before they come home. Ideally, you will have sufficient space to create two dedicated rooms in which you will grow and maintain your garden: a “veg” room and a “bud” room. The veg room will house plants grown from seed or cloned cuttings and will expose them to a light cycle that is either 18/6 light to dark or even has the lights on 24/7. The other room will be the “bud” room, a space into which physically mature plants will be moved when vegging is complete. This room will be set up on a 12/12 light/dark cycle, meant to mimic the shorter days of the autumn harvest season. It is essential that each room is light-tight. Escaping light could arouse suspicion from passersby and light entering could actually harm your grow, particularly light bleeding into a sloppily assembled bud room. A larger room can even be split into two sections with relative ease. This book shows a grow conducted in a room smaller than a typical walk-in closet that has been split into two rooms; that is, less than four feet tall with each room measuring about four feet across and less than that deep, with a small antechamber of similar size in between the two grow rooms.
At least two timers are required to operate two rooms on different light cycles. Here a small timer is plugged into a power bar that also