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As South African breeders have access to some of the best phenos in the would these days and continue to improve their lines, we are seeing a increased demand for local seeds over higher priced international seeds. From our breeders running their own lines for years, to crossing top beans from Empire Genetics, Inhouse Genetics, ect.. and clone-only strains from the States, we would like to know what the general feel out there is and if this is something we as a seedbank should invest more time in. For your feedback and as the topic says, vote and win a pack of Barney's Farms VIOLATOR KUSH 5 seeds. Once the poll closes, we will randomly select one user and get hold of them to ship their prize EDIT: Some great feedback below so for taking the time and writing helpful content, we will also give away a pack to the most "reacted to" post - Not trying to invoke guys to write content that will get a negative trolling comment to get reacted to, just keep it natural health discussion.

I clearly have the unpopular opinion considering I am the only one who thinks the local breeders are not quite there yet. However I must admit after reading all the replies in this thread makes me 2nd guess myself. I will admit, I do not really keep up to date with what the local breeders are doing and who they are or how many we have. My exposure to them is limited to what I see on this forum and even then I do not keep up to date with what they are breeding and what they are pushing. While we may get access to some of the overseas genetics locally, it is still limited and there are many breeders who do not sell seeds outside of the US for example and trying to bring them into SA can be quite a challenge... Then if you can get it, it is a seed - so back to a lucky packet in terms of phenos and what you will be getting. Lots of breeding overseas is done with cuttings of specific plants or phenos of specific plants and getting access to that specific cutting from overseas I imagine to be a mission and a half, near impossible dare I say. A cannabis cutting getting past overseas customs and local customs and surviving the flight here. These cuttings are often very expensive or only shared between breeders within a specific circle. However with all of that being said, one does not need to make use of the work from other breeders in order to achieve great strains and a superb plant, but it does make things easier. Lots of popular strains go back to a few specific plants and we see it bred quite frequently. I am not against local breeders or local strains, I am sure our local breeders will be able to put out some fire strains as well and with time I am sure it will only get better. I do feel we are still limited locally in the sense that it is not fully legal yet, so having massive warehouses to run hundreds or plants to select the right pheno isn't quite as easy as in the states. I do feel I should try out some local strains, perhaps will try out Totemics Palomino and Tortoni at some point relatively soon. However for now, most of what I grow will continue to be international stuff, mostly US genetics. Just because it is from a reputable breeder overseas or costs a lot, does not mean it is fire. One still have to search through the strains and phenos within those strains to find those keepers. Everyone growing has different wants from a plant, so what I feel is a keeper may be complete shit for someone else. EDIT: Another thing, not everyone is willing to fork out money on expensive overseas genetics. I personally would rather grow what Totemic is putting out than grow Green Smoke Room seeds or Bulk seeds or even some of the EU breeders. I feel Totemic and his current range of fem seeds will perform better and they're cheaper!

South Africa is at that point imo As the industry is taking shape(pretty fast too), standards are going up. Many guys that have been breeding quietly for years are coming out now. It's time to level up. Even my breeding practices are changing. I currently release untested crosses, with an experimental approach to get feedback other than my own opinion of a cross. However from this year I'm formalizing completely. Large pheno hunts, testing, and more testing. My next seed release will probably only be next year. This is a hunting year for me.

I like to be able to view grow logs of strains im thinking of trying. Big international breeders are easy to find grow logs for on growdiaries.com. This isn't really the case for local breeders. I also want to know what to expect from the strain im gonna be investing alot of my time in to get to harvest. Although I dont deny some local guys have that fire, the only one I would try at this point in time is totemic. Ticks all the boxes.

I have been breeding ornamental flowering species, Clivia in particular for the last 12years. My mantra has ALWAYS been, start with the best you can afford. Buy fewer better quality plants/crosses for higher likely hood of hitting that genetic combination for desirable outcomes. Using this methodology fits to any breeding programs, be it dogs, cats, Kudu you name it. So yes, odds are dramatically improved because our local breeders are starting with top shelf parent plants released by breeders with a long heritage in the industry. This is not the end of it though, it also comes down to the breeders ability to weed[lol] out the desirable phenotypes to move forward with. That ability is only really developed by spending loads of the seriously passionate breeders time. I will be supporting the local cats in future for sure.

I totally agree with @Prom reputation is key. I am a sucker for great cannabis genetics and price rarely features as long as I have a good understanding of the breeder and their breeding practice. It's quite easy to explain. I initially only focused on international breeders due to the "trust factor". Tried and tested in the States and Europe so must be good enough for my tent. Then I joined this forum and realised that we have our own breeders with exceptional knowledge and skill to produce some fire genetics. I received my @Totemic order today and was very happy and surprised to see some extra seeds from one of his projects. I will run his gear alongside some InHouse and Ripper seeds in my next run. I dropped Royal Queen Seeds from that run to make space for his fire. So in a nutshell. If the breeder knows his shit, has great stable genetics for a solid lineage and has a passion for the plant I would rather support the local scene.

Local is lekker and I back up that phrase with my wallet. Although I've been growing for some time I am new to the science of growing so this is a personal opinion with absolutely no scientific fact. It's like the what came first, egg or chicken, question. International breeder takes two seeds and does his magic. I see no reason why local breeders cannot do the same with good results. Yeah California is the birth place and miles ahead in the marijuana game but I don't think that should give them a monopoly of the mindset that you can't get better anywhere else. This year I am only growing local genetics and have been fortunate enough to help a local breeder with a pheno hunt. You know who you are, thanks bud. My second project for the year is that I'm gonna attempt to establish a library of local genetics bonsai mother plants. I have space and it looks like another year of no work or income for our small family business so plenty of time on hand as well. So far I have multiple strains from 3 breeder's and will be adding another from Lesotho shortly. Exciting year to keep it local I say. [emoji109] Sent from my DRA-LX5 using Tapatalk

The legal private home growing definitely has already improved the quality of information you get. Just that fact will improve the quality of the weed produced in SA. People are not scared anymore to show. I can't actually say that I know the local breeder scene.. I haven't tried local.. yet. As Totemic plays with Gelato.. he is on my personal list on top spot.. and I will try his genes 100% once I have my Gelato hunt done, I am on the same trip he is.. I need to get a better overview of what is out there. To many names people talk about and I never even tried. I will go on with my project to make the Swazi Gold Auto.. but my focus is back to pheno hunting for this year. Best tasting Gelato mother and most potent.. then I might check into G27/G28. Friend starts a pheno hunt for wedding cake now.. and I get a Exodus Cheese clone from a Russian friend When I am done with my Gelato hunt, I will be highly interested to trade with others.. if there is interest. Just ask back end of the year I would like another option on your Poll ^^ Breeder has a good reputation. Before I order, I read quite a bit first. Doesn't has to be a grow report.. but if I find mostly recommendations to try it. I order. Price is secondary.. tests.. depends more on your own growing how potent the bud will end buying 31% weed and reaching 12... doesn't mean the beans where bad I think SA will do good.. awesome summers.. nice gentle winters.. if they would legalize it.. businesses would explode.. even I would help making it explode

There are some great breeders to be found who don't advertise what they are doing, for obvious reasons. There is a lot of magic happening and if you are fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to try these strains, you should be smiling Personally, I am excited for the craft cannabis industry going forward, just as long as our laws can accommodate the creativity without crushing us with patent law from giants like Monsanto.

Pretty much this. My first local breeder buy was of @Totemic and it was completely based on his reputation, the diaries I've read of his over the time I've been on the forum, and then finally the genetics within the Tortoni F1 was the trigger point. I was worried it would have sold out by the time I had the space to grow them so even though they are not on the next grow line-up I really wanted to just have them ready to go I think a big push for local genetics comes from forums like this and also from the seed banks themselves. I can imagine the struggle of marketing as a local breeder because at the end of the day, the breeder is busy working on their craft over trying to sell their work. The international breeders bleed money into marketing which can easily attribute to the price per seed, but they have the ability to do so. I don't think there is a question that local breeders have just as good genetics as the international guys, it's just exposure and branding I feel. As @Prom says, the legal private home growing has made a huge impact to the interest of cannabis and the availability of information. It really is the tip of the ice-berg though, if government doesn't screw up too much, the cannabis industry will be the next big boom this country seriously needs.

I do currently grow one of Totemic's strains. I have to add I am a test-grower, so I got the beans for free. But think about it, these strains have been bred, selected and tested here in South Africa. I think especially for an outdoor farmer it's a good idea to chose locally bred genetics. These are happy with the climate and they seem to be hardier, when it comes to locally found pests and fungal deseases. I grow many of the high end genetics like Oni seeds and in house genetics and so far Totemics genetics are growing as good as the US genetics. Of course I can't say anything about the end product yet, but I got the feeling it will be fire.

I am really new to this whole growing scene, so take my input with a pinch of salt. My opinion on local breeders would be on the same or similar perspective as for most things I like purchasing in SA. I am always willing to give my business to a local business over an international business in basically everything else, so why wouldn't I want to support a local breeder over an international breeder. I do also feel, when dealing with smaller businesses, you build a better relationship as well as getting to know the person behind the name. This is of course, if the local breeders had or would provide more information or history of their grows etc. (Don't want to be buying an expensive seed with no info and expect a fire bud at the end grow) - Obviously if I was growing fire buds in general that is Also, seeing as they are the ones doing all the hard work. The passion and love for everything about growing is still there, which should come through on their product. Where possibly, with some of those Huge companies overseas, how many of them are actually still growing their own seeds or growing in general? Do they have their work force doing everything for them now and are they just tasting the end product and keeping their name on there and feeling satisfied? Just my 2cents, local is always lekker

Really didn't expect such great feedback, so we adding in a kicker - the most "reacted to" post will also get a pack of Violator Kush.

They are a whole other story though. From a pack of 5 fems of their version of the GDP I'd say only 1 of them were "ok". From what I see they breed for seeds, not to contend. Their farm is based in California and they do super random strains en masse. In fact, I don't really see them as breeders. Although they do have the dosh to spend on marketing hence you see them as the most "local commercial" seed bank, but even they seldom get the high-end international strains.

@Prom added the option, it is multiple choice so think guys can add to it, not 100% sure. If not, luckily still early into the poll so wont skew too much.

@Bakstein420 thanks some valuable feedback there

Nice set-up there! I really like the idea of the box fans. I should add that to cool the light down a bit and circulate better.

I reckon it is optimal, you will get airflow on top and below the QB therefore cooling both the heatsink and diodes.

I'm talking about marketing. I'm aware, I didn't say they don't sell international at all. Cooked Jay everybody!

I think there is already an established local craft cannabis industry here in South Africa, for sometime too. Since Cannabist is a local seedbank I think you should invest heavily in local genetics, breeders. We have guys like @Totemic and AmaDeadlly who have already established reputations who probably would like an extra sales funnel. Offering these craft local seeds would only be a win win for everyone. Loco is lekker. If the price is right - Price can vary for rarity, demand or the reputation of the seed always. Only if bud tested - You should know what you are growing. Only if breeder has a grow log - goes without saying or grow journals like here. No, don't think SA is there yet - We already there. Breeder has a good reputation - reputation is everything, quality product, good service. I have to disagree, they most likely spend more on development of their product with operations here and overseas. They sell overseas breeders sealed packs, so they are international strains. For a bit of history and current affairs, I ended up going on Nigerian News Central about an hour ago trying to speak/waffle about Cannabis. WTF,,,,,, While doing some homework I looked at the Nigerian 99 i grew from Afropips in 2005, wish these seeds were still available here. Afroman, Maljim, Malawi Jim had hybrids of Malawi ,Durban, Congo, Swazi.... you name it. I remember him coming in a top place at HighTimes Cannabis Cup, in 2004 I think. Just a simple man born in the 60's in Durban who ended up making a name for himself in the Uk, USA, Canada. I support local and would love to see another breeder/bank offering solid local african genetics, that compete locally and internationally.

That is all I need to not get any pollen inside my tent. The cloth is CE approved and made to let air and light pass. You have to replace it all 6-8 weeks during pollen flight time. Rest I take the cloth off.. never have seeds in my indoor weed otherwise.

You could connect both positive wires and both negative wires together then daisy chain them for neatness. Alternatively, this way will probably be the 2nd best option, also a bit of a daisy chain but not to the same extent as what I posted and both outputs can be used without joining them together so wire thickness isn't as much of a concern then.

My dad send them to me from Germany. I just use a chlorine bucket, where I cut out the lid and use the twist close to fixate the cloth. Easy to put new cloth in ^^ How I have it placed, just over the ground for coolest air. and how the cloth is in the cut out lid, just twist the lid to fixate the cloth. Price is something like 15 Euro (300 Rand (easy calculation)^^) for 3 sheets of 1.30 x 1.50.. German Window sizes. Made especially to filter out plant pollen. People with pollen allergies put them in their windows. With one pack I can exchange my buckets quite a few times.

I see, anything below 48v has the dual outputs. Never used any Meanwell LED drivers below 48v, only their LRS range at 36v. Does it not state the output on the driver itself? I think you are right though, that they are dual output but both outputs are capable of delivering the full current - that would make the most sense to me. I see Meanwell use 1mm cable, so they may have added two output for one to split the load between the cables for safety. The lower the voltage, the higher the current for the same watts therefore the dual outputs on the lower voltage versions. The two built in potentiometers are likely io (Current adjustment) and vo (Voltage adjustment) - this is normal on the A and AB Meanwell HLG drivers.

It's not just clever, it's sexy.

Hey Honey man! Well, you're in luck as there are many knowledgable members on this very forum! Start a grow diary or a thread asking for advice and I am sure many members will help guide you through the process

Not that I grew a lot from Royal Queen Seeds.. but what I grew I liked to get the idea to re-grow them ^^ Very stable strains.. they put effort into their genetics

Hey man I took your advice and added a small clip on fan insid my tent and I moved the driver off the heatsink. Stupid question but should I have the fan pointing directly on the side of the QB board, or should I have it under neath the QB board more directly on the diodes. I have included a photo please let me know if u think it's perfect where it is or if I should raise or lower it Sorry for rookie questions. FYI the board use to burn my hand badly if I kept it on longer than 15 seconds. Now the board is cool to the touch, do u think my fan placement is optimal

When you change the filter, spray the old cloth with hair spray before you take it off

Has a nice shadow profile Clones go 12/12 on Sundayy Gelato done in a few days, will get them tested and curious if i pass the 20% as i hope i will. So far happy with the current state.

if it filters pollen, it should surely filter out dust and all large particles @PsyCLown

The collective shall guide you

No hating, I agree. Its clever. Sent from my Redmi Note 7 Pro using Tapatalk

@PsyCLown this is art my dude, don't hate

Sorry, forgot the pic. Sent from my DRA-LX5 using Tapatalk

Hey all, The ladies are in flower. I flipped them 2 weeks ago. The tart pops showed pre flower signs within the first few days. The slurricane was a bit slower though. And there is some discoloring with the older leaves. From the leaf diagnosis charts available online, I reckon perhaps a nitrogen or zinc or Sulphur deficiency. Not entirely sure. I noticed the leaves late last week. This was before I top dressed with enormous bud soil. Their last feed was 2 days ago. 2ml bloom per litre RO water. pH 6.4. Four days before that, I watered them with RO water at pH 6.3. I'm thinking perhaps a flush and just light bloom nutes and a drop of molasses with their next feed.

Had to be Gelato Happy Flowering

I assume you are following Mr Canucks Grow on YouTube? Never used Green House Powder feeds myself and only heard of people trying their salt / mineral nutes, not the organic stuff which is mixed in with soil. Perhaps take the leap and try it out, if you decide to do so please let us know how it goes!

Hey! So firstly remove the power supply from on top of the heatsink - it is not a good idea. The heatsink is hot and the power supply is hot, the power supply will be restricting airflow around the heatsink and this will lead to your diodes degrading quicker than they should - try keep the quantum board heatsink as cool as possible. If you can have a fan blow over it a bit, that would be great. I prefer having the LED driver outside of the tent, otherwise if you want it inside then I use cable ties to attach it to one of the corner poles so it is out of the way. I am going to assume you do not have anything which will actually tell you the watts which you are dimming your Quantum Board to? So it will be a bit of guess work as to where 50% actually is, or any other percentage. If it were me, I'd have sold the Mars light and purchased a 240W Quantum Board which would have been a perfect fit for your tent! Anyways, what you have is still good and will work well. I would start the grow with the Quantum Board only and have it dimmed down to around 40W (use a multimeter to work it out, otherwise consider purchasing a power meter or kill a watt, the power meters are cheaper but the kill a watt can be used for various devices), I would then have the Quantum Board around 50cm above the seedlings and as they grow move the light up and start to increase the power going to the quantum board. When you flip to flower then you can consider turning the Mars light on - you could actually turn the Mars light on after the stretch I reckon.

100 watt for 0.8x0.8 isn't much. Depends a bit how full your tent was. If you plan to use the full area, use both lamps. I use 440 watt on a 1x1 area.. friend prefers his 600 watts (His plants get in general taller). See no problem to mix.. you might want to add another 120 QB, but for now, worth a test run, just a little less as what I use. When you add light, you add heat.. just check that your ventilation also gets a upgrade. Those blurple's produce very little heat, the QB's will add a bit more. You also do not want to place the driver on your QB.. hang the driver up separate or put spacers in between, point a fan on it, the Mars didn't need that, the QB does like air flow to keep it hand warm. Have fun, run a diary..

I am happy with the growth on most of the plants. They seem to be recovering well and new growth is explosive! This weekend I want to try and move some over to flower, not all are quite ready for flower so not all of them will go into flower. A quick picture I snapped last night, starting to look more like plants I typically have in my tent

Don't know if this pic will do the badass og cheese justice, but damn I'm happy with her. Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk

I'm not breeding this year, so Molly got the chop today. I'm outdoors and not set up for pollen collection at present. His sibling Holly is looking good though