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So i haven't posted here as much as I wanted to but anyways its almost harvest time Headbanger #2 struggled a bit with low temps on about day 70 will get chopped this weekend Headbanger #5 & #7 is on day 60 we will see when they get the chop

Today's update

Morning folks. Currently sitting on day 50 of flower so more or less 3 weeks still left before the chop. I sat and stared at the plants this morning in the dark and thought I'd share a couple of lights off photos. Tortoni #2 is really impressing me a lot in flower.. The photos are a bit blurry, not sitting with the best phone camera... Twisted Helix GSC Palomino Bubblegum Tortoni #2 Tortoni #1 Tent view

Here with the mid-week, Week 2 1/2 of flower. Pistols are coming out to play. Not much triches, maybe they will start showing end week 3. Got dimmers luckily thanks to @Light It Up So now we can dial in the lighting at least. End of week 3 will also feature another big defol and possibly a feed.

Weekly Uodate: Gave these thirsty girls a mixture of black strap molasses and Epson salts today. Everyone is looking mighty fine. Holding thumbs for no issues after this cold front hitting jozi tonight. T3 T2 T1

Didn't made it out of the bed in time ^^ Day 5 Week 11 Update is dark.. I check in the evening, if they need anything. I only made it out of bed after 10 I turned Sisa pot by 180 degrees, did that still yesterday

Hi folks, We are based off-grid in the Eastern Cape, amongst the mycelium rich forests of the Amathole mist belt. We run a regenerative, organic, biodynamic, permaculture (yadda, yadda) centre, growing awesome food (although cannabis growers seem to love our living soils) and offering practical, customised lessons in self-sufficiency. Looking forward to interacting here. Soil is our passion, because without decent soils Homo Sapiens as a species are done for.

Zimbabwe recently scrapped rules requiring sole state ownership for cannabis farming to encourage investment in the plant for industrial and medicinal uses. Zimbabwe is Africa's largest tobacco producer, but authorities expect hemp export earnings to start replacing tobacco as farmers seek higher earnings from the crop. Farmer Jesper Kirk has been growing mainly tobacco since he moved to a 250-hectare farm five years ago. He now plans to increase his hectarage of hemp, a type of cannabis plant that has very low levels of THC — the intoxicating substance in marijuana — when the growing season begins in a few months. "I went for hemp because it is an export crop,” he said. “Much more reliable market. Whereas, for example potatoes, local market crop is a little more unstable market in terms of the number of people growing it. So, I wanted a slightly stable market in terms of demand." About five years ago, Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust led experiments raising cannabis and the project has spread to several parts of Zimbabwe. The trust is providing technical assistance and looking for markets for farmers, said the group’s head, Dr. Zorodzai Maroveke. She said Zimbabwe is making a smart choice with cannabis, since the tobacco market is shrinking because of anti-smoking campaigns. "It’s most relevant now considering the threat that the tobacco industry faces and knowing very well that Zimbabwe heavily depends on tobacco production,” she said. “It’s relevant that our economy has to start looking for alternatives. And I think industrial hemp tops the list. It's a green crop and there is a lot of social impact in comparison to tobacco. I think in 10 years you will see the value chains that will come out of this sector are way more than tobacco." While Kirk is thinking of exporting his crop, Walter Ruprecht has used some hemp produced by farmers this year to produce paper. He said cannabis has a lot of potential for Zimbabwe, both for industrial and even medicinal use. “The advantages are that it is obviously going to create thousands of jobs in the farming areas, just like what tobacco has done for decades,” he said. “Hemp has many advantages for its medicinal interests at the moment. However, there are other composites that can be available that it can be used such as textiles, pulp and paper. It’s a nitrogen supplement to the soil, it eliminates weeds. It has so many advantages to the small farmers and of course the value chains, which stretches to hundreds of thousands of dollars of opportunities." The global cannabis industry is expected to be a $46 billion business worldwide in three years — up from $16.47 billion this year, said Tino Kambasha of the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency. “So, it's a market that is growing fast and we think it’s going to be a game-changer for this country,” Kambasha said. “And Zimbabwe has gone a little step further to show that it is willing work with its partners and investors. By coming up with an investor agreement which further protects you against anything like expropriation and change or changes in law, which is quite great." Because of the new cannabis regulations, Kambasha added, Zimbabwe has attracted investors from the U.S., Britain, Germany, Switzerland and other countries. That might be a needed shot in the arm for Zimbabwe’s economy, which has been stuck in the doldrums for more than 20 years Article Taken From Anther Source

90% of the family here, unless they got lucky or listened and or did their homework, Bought a better light as the very first upgrade to their grow before anything else. Ask them

What ever you start, you have to pay a little for the learning curve to go up. Getting the R5k QB setup might look expensive.. on the other hand you KNOW you get the right gear. You can point any other fuckup on your handling.. not the lights. Is a huge factor out of the game. 90% out there stop because they are unhappy with the result they get.. but when you try to race in a GT Series with a old Beetle, you will always turn out dead last.. Is like the people using Bag seed and are surprised that it tastes nothing like the weed from that bag.. think they suck growing and stop. If you use proper genetics, good grow light and a good fertilizer with all the ventilation your plants need.. you end with a killer weed.. otherwise.. not (we don't even go into drying and curing ^^) but all starts with the right light

@Light It Up till the day I die

So I have been once again neglecting the plants They got a small feeding yesterday morning quickly and some more today. Other than that I think they have been dry for a week, so not grand. Anyways This is where we are at. Back middle has grown a lot and is really looking the best out of all.

Comparison pics..

@Prom would be so proud!

Geez, this thread took off rather quickly. With an indoor grow, lighting makes one of the biggest differences without a doubt. You are trying to replicate the sun in a way, no easy task. Infact, we aim to better what the sun puts out for our plants. The whole appeal behind indoor is to have control and try create the perfect, consistent environment to ensure the plants can reach their full potential and we try do so consistency. It is a bumpy road at times. Spending money on high quality lights is well worth it, saving up and buying a high quality light versus buying a lower quality light is well worth the wait. Ask anyone who has upgraded from older lighting tech to lights which use LM301B diodes and I am sure everyone will sing praises to the LM301 diodes and how great they are in comparison. I highly doubt anyone on this forum who has done such an upgrade regrets spending that money. @Sticks A 240W Quantum Board with LM301B diodes can work in a 1.2m x 1.2m space, won't be optimum in terms of the output (2x 240W QB's would be optimum in terms of coverage and PPFD output for flowering in such a space) but will work and get a decent harvest and yield. Reduce the space a little and you easily cram 4 to 6 plants under a 240W light with good output and spread for those plants. HID lights have a sharp cutoff in terms of their output and spread, even more so with the smaller / lower powered HID lights. With Quantum Boards it is not as severe in terms of the cutoff for decent output. A single 240W QB will output about the same as a 400W HID in terms of PPFD, although use a fraction of the power and help keep things cooler.

A little sneak peak - we're busy with it! There have been some delays unfortunately but it's happening and is in progress. Got some other things in the pipeline too

I think, in the end, you might get the one you can afford, and then later have to upgrade to the right light. Which is going to cost more as you bought 2 lights, and had the frustration of an incompetent light, and chance you may get put off growing too, then have to pay again from zero again, for a better light. My personal opinion is, dont start now, dont rush to grow, wait and save and get the right light out the door, and you will get better bud out the door too, such a win win. Trust the guys, we have done the school fees for you brother. Hope you make a better informed decision now

I agree. Best value for money at the moment. Im only running under @Light It Up QBs, and can't complain at all

Don't feel shy to ask to reduce the bill by 50-75%... customs are very very greedy for material not getting produced in SA. They actually ask for getting cheated on.. if they would charge a fair amount, 15-20%.. wouldn't even worry and pay my share.. but when they go 40-60% import tax.. that is just robbing the own people.

All 3 of the Headbangers smell similar but not the same, I'm on round 2 with this carbon filter and smell is leaking I think this might turn out very pungent Buds are dense and plants not too tall or short I am happy with the seed no complaints here however only when I smoke them I will know if I have a keeper or not. I've pollinated all 3 with Headbanger #8 male and also pollinated a sage n sour female. I'll try to post some bud shots when I harvest

Thanks all for the warm welcome. Good thing cause we expecting snow tonight.... In terms of fauna, we have rabbits, ducks, chickens, goats, and some wandering local cows and horses. Stated in order of ease of looking after them. Kept mainly for manure for our compost, but also for fun and sometimes to eat. Just in case you wondering, we don't kill the local cows and horses. We just send someone running after them picking up their poop. Here's an arbitrary manure fact.... Rabbit poop gives you the highest NPK of all the manures. Like goat manure, it is also a cold manure, meaning that you can add it straight to your garden, without burning your plants. Most pellet type manures are cold manures. Chickens, cow and horse tend to be hot manures, meaning they need to be composted first and not put straight onto your plants. And here's a carbon / green manure fact.... Try to avoid both pine and eucalyptus woodchip / sawdust in your compost or living soil. Pine has microscopic oil particles which can coat beneficial soil microbes and render them inactive. Eucalyptus is a nasty beast all around and puts out allelopathic chemicals into the soil, to suppress the growth of other plants.

Multiple quantum boards can be seen as modular in the sense that one can adjust their height individually, like I do in my tents with multiple 240W lights. @stick you can also dim the 240W light if need be. Would work well in such an area, give you extra height too which could be useful in a shorter space like yours. Save up and get a proper light. It'll be worth it. Gives you time to do some research too I guess. Sent from my Redmi Note 7 Pro using Tapatalk

Ahh the joy of having variety..

Hello and welcome Please take a look around and ask anything, we are all family here. I'm also in the EC, and looking forward to all your knowledge and future discussions.

check out @Light It Up, they have a mobicred option where you can pay the light off monthly, maybe thats an option for you if you cant afford to splurge in one go.

It's a matter of time more and more countries jump on. Everyone seems to follow everything America does anyway

Great news for farmers in Zimbabwe!

Day 7 isn't too far into flower that you are going to wait that long imo. They are still really in veg. I have clones taken from a 3 week into flower plant that I expect a long reveg of 7 to 10 weeks...

Similar concept, generally Alibaba is for bulk items. Import duties will vary depending on the price of the items you are bringing in and the items themselves. Lights should not attract large duties, unlike with clothing.

Looks like you have a stretch like a slurricane going there.

Bro this looks unreal. So what are your thoughts about Karma's work? How's the smells and bud density? It looks like you have some epic bud to leaf ratio. And very well done on that 4 pot scrog. Your tent looks packed, and healthy AF Shit I wanna rock that strain now

this is what I'm talking about !!!

Alrighty then we are coming up on that time I am going to post the update pics in order of how I took them this time just out of convenience as I have three different angles for each plant. I am also going to post the other plants I am growing just for comparisons sake. There's a bunch of pics to follow so I will do my quick summary here rather than after. One of the Tortoni's, T#6 has been developing some nanners so I am going to chop her tomorrow morning after setting up my drying net. The nanners are very isolated and look very new so I do not think they would have had time to do too much damage. Time will tell if any seeds developed in her or in any other of the ladies. When I give her the chop I am going to give the back plants a closer look as I will have a bit more space to do so. T#10 has the thickest and most complete queen cola out of all the Tortonis and she has the most green and lack of purple out of all the Tortonis. T#5 may be short, but her buds are all nice and consistent in size, she's like a mini version of T#10 but with a little more purple hues. T#8 has the most developed bottom nuggets I have ever seen on any plant I have ever grown in my life, I just forgot to take a pic of them but I will next time. They look like nuggets you would find in the middle of the plant but they are the most bottom which I usually get undeveloped meh buds, but not this lady. T#9 has the deepest colour of purple out of all the Tortonis and is a bit like T#8 in shape and size but the bottom nugs don't seem as developed or as large. Otherwise still a good few clear trichomes on the Wedding Cake and one or two of the Tortonis. Trickles of amber are appearing throughout all the plants so end of month is still looking like perfect harvest timing. The Choc Gelato is the tiniest plant of the lot, super small but I am hoping she packs some tasty flavour. The Zkittles x Purple Punch has some really stellar compact trichomes, it wows me every time. Wedding Cake T#5 Choc Gelato T#10 T#6 T#9 T#8 Zkittles x Purple Punch

Welcome All sounds interesting, we all love a good permaculture situation man! 100% agree with the statement about decent soil, have to have life in the soil to have life above the soil, and not only for homo sapiens! and it all starts with microbial activity, mycelium, fungi you guys caring for some fauna too or just flora and fungi?

Awesome!! A little sneak peak of the pipeline maybe?

Smoking in the future. Some dried and cured somango.

Thanks I'll check them out, although I absolutely hate debt so I'll most likely save for it.

Yeah its not really a pressing issue at the moment as I'm using a 400w hps and it's pretty dialed in in terms of temps and humidty. I feel I can even fit a 600 in there relatively easily, but I've seen the quality that people are getting from LEDS and I'm starting to get the itch.... But thanks for the advice, suppose I'll just save and get a known entity than fuck around with the unknown.

Main issue with ordering from China is shipping at the moment.. or with Post Office. The shipping the Chinese supplier uses can make the deal suddenly very expensive too, they like Express, as they know it arrives in time.. usual way with Post Office can take up to 8 months (own experience) till you get it. If the boss smokes.. take the quality angle hehehe if not, I would go and start a "light" box and stick in what you can hide till you can afford the light.. but I wouldn't go old tech just because it is cheap.. makes no sense really. You pay over all way more and the results are not the same. If it doesn't fit, doesn't fit right now.. do it when you can do it right.. less frustrating. Trust me, is very rewarding when you end your first grow and have a decent to great result. Makes you go on..

Just keep in mind.. light is the most important factor in a grow setup. If you don't have enough, what ever magic fertilizer you use or how many girls you let dance naked around the plants.. the buds will be low potency and fluffy. Growing indoor is a game aiming for perfection.. and can end very fast in a huge waste of money. Don't go 'cheap' on your lights.. Eskom WILL catch up with the little you saved within a few months.. and suddenly your cheap lights are way more expensive and less good results included. Getting the right gear will keep motivation up.. and when you start growing indoors, you need that.. things will go wrong till you have your setup balanced.

Waiting in anticipation for this info

a 120 Watt LM301B 288 QB is around 25$ with no heat sink or driver. If you don't get what you paid for.. I would always complain.. or you encourage the other side to cheat more. And I agree with @CreX, old diodes are less efficient.. the reason they got a upgrade in the first place hehehe You want to work with the newest generation.. or you can just run HID

you keep them in veg until they come right and are growing 5 spoke leaves again... 7 weeks sounds about right thou... could be 10... or 15 if things are slow

I have 6 of the RAM fans, Needed to remove the oscillating pin selector, to get 4 of them to oscillate properly, and then 5 or probably all 6 of them make a huge squeak on turning and if you are in the room nextdoor, you are going to hear it. Through the tent and room door. Other than that, 1 year in, and they are exceptional at moving air, and that is their job anyway.

Thank you good sir. I have the RAM and Safe way non-oscillating fans. Both real good quality. Safeway bought from Clicks and a bit cheaper. Ram bought through Hydroponic.co.za a little bit more expensive. But on 24/7 and haven't had any issues now on my second grow with them

Same here, really want to grow it this outdoor season.

Has anybody bought from Alibaba? I bought from Aliexpress often, not sure if Alibaba works the same? What are the import duties like?

Lekker Brannewyn en Coke wat daar staan en wag ekse!

Day 63 13 of 12/12 Tent is nice and full they have nearly doubled in size the last week but I think they are done stretching now even starting to see and smell some trichomes

Less than 12 hours later