Here, in his first book, K brings his experience and knowledge to the benefit of the greater marijuana-growing public. Hopefully, his guidance will long serve all of us into the time when our era of Reefer Madness is rightfully relegated to the designated dumpster for legislative lunacy, and marijuana and hemp consumption and growing will once again be legal as it was through our first 161 years as a free nation.
—Mel Frank, Marijuana Grower’s Guide Deluxe and Marijuana Grower’s Insider’s Guide
Some cannabis leaves turn golden at harvest the same as leaves on the trees do in the fall.
Photo: Mel Frank
The purpose of this book, as the title implies, is to teach you the fundamentals of growing medical-grade cannabis without making the process complicated—my aim is to simplify the procedures, step-by-step; elucidate on the methods needed to produce first-class medical-grade cannabis; and outline the creation and construction of a perfect growing environment from the very first attempt. That said, a basic familiarity with terms and systems is assumed. If you are ever mystified by a reference, please turn to the index of this book.
As long as you follow the instructions and stay within (and understand) the parameters stated, you will be guaranteed to produce a bountiful harvest, superior to anything you have ever grown. And, if this is your first time growing, this book enables you to simply produce incredible marijuana, without having to know exactly why you are doing what you are doing. There are already many books that explain the ins and outs of growing, down to the last detail (see bibliography), but my purpose is to provide only the essential information needed to get you growing successfully.
Growing cannabis has been my only vocation for over 30 years, and in this book I teach the basics: how to do it, when to do it, and so on. You get the benefit of all my years of research and information. After you are acquainted with the basics and understand the procedures, you can proceed to the information and methods needed to successfully build and operate a medical marijuana supergarden, not to mention how to refine the variables and do it right the first time.
K is the owner and president of Trichome Technologies, the grow op chosen in June 1999 as the Best Growroom in the 25-year history of High Times. Between 1997 and 2000, he won nine California Cannabis Cups. K has consulted for many of the top activists, doctors, scientists, authors, photographers, publishers, and researchers in the medical marijuana community, and was featured on 60 Minutes in 1996, the same year he was interviewed by CNN.
The author at 13, with a Hydropot hydroponic system.
Photos: K
Illustration: Chris Shaw, www.chrisshawstudio.com
The owner of a seed company that holds 200 proprietary cultivars (strains / varietals) of cannabis, K has logged thousands of hours of production and genetic cultivar research, and bred and stabilized genetic cultivars that are now world famous. His work has been featured in High Times over 50 times in 15 years. He has over 30 years of cannabis research, cultivation, and breeding experience. He has also been a contributing writer for Red Eye Express (England) and a photo contributor for Burst High (Japan).
A Plethora of Unique, Proprietary Genetics
Juicy Fruit, THC 26.2%.
G-13, THC 27.2%.
MIRV, THC 26.8%.
Purple Kush / Ultra Violet, THC 16.1%.
W-2, THC 17.6%.
Photos: K
Kryptonite, THC 16.9%.
B1 (Sweet One), THC 13.6%.
NLx6, THC 22.5%.
Washington, THC 22.6%.
Blueberry, THC 22%.
Yoshi, THC 11.8%.
The plethora of color in cannabis can range from green to purple.
Photo: Mel Frank
I would like to thank Connie Parsons for always loving, supporting, and being there for me; Mom and Sonny, R.I.P., for always loving, supporting, and being there for me; Thadra and Family; Grandpa Willis, R.I.P.; Grandma Dalores; and Dad.
My gratitude is also owed to: Jeff Goldberg, Freebie / MG Imaging, R.I.P.; Steve A.; Thomas Alexander at Sinsemilla Tips; Andrew; Andy and Liz McBeth; Jack Lloyd; Mike B.; Patrick B.; B-Legit; Etienne Fontan; The Berkeley Patients’ Group; Debby Goldsberry; Todd McCormick; Jeffy G; Gloria, Max, and Cavalera Tribe; Winslow / Abe; Jorge Cervantes; Robert Connell Clarke; D.P. Watson; Charlie V; Liana Held and Liana Ltd.; Dye / Zonfrellow / Parsons Families; Brian E.; Felix; Michael Franti; Freebie / MethodSeven; Dale Gieringer; Kenneth Gary Goodson, A.K.A. Thomas King Forçade; MEL FRANK; Ben Hill; Tommy H.; Dr. Cal C. Herman; Michael Horowitz; Sir Albert Howard; Jeff and Dale Jones; George Jung; Michael Kennedy; Baron Justus von Liebig; Frank H. Lucido, M.D.; Dr. Todd Mikuriya, R.I.P.; Naboru; Nick and Zorro at Red Eye Magazine; Stephen P.; Ed and Jane Rosenthal; Denis Peron; La Roy S.; R. Dope Connoisseur; Tony Serra; Ray Schrutz; C. Zadik Shapiro; Chris and Alex Shaw; Alexander Sasha Shulgin, R.I.P.; Ann Shulgin and Paul Daley of the Alexander Shulgin Research Institute; Chris Simunek; Danny Danko; Bobby Black; Nico Escondido; Craig Coffey; and everyone at High Times Magazine.