MARKtoe! AUGUSTUS 2023 Uitgawe 107 | Page 40

LANDBOU

There are different seeds available to the cannabis farmer . For example , auto-flowering seeds will complete the cycle from vegetation to flowering in approximately 10 to 12 weeks regardless of the light cycle . A feminised seed , grown indoors , requires a manual light adjustment , going from 18 hours of light to 12 when the flowering period begins . This process takes 12 to 16 weeks . In general , feminised seeds produce larger and taller plants .

“ When we harvest , the whole plant minus the roots is removed and hung from five to seven days at 18 to 22 degrees Celsius . Thereafter the buds are removed from the stems and trimmed with precision in order not to waste unnecessary bud value .

The smaller leaves carry crystals which we process into various types of oils .”

Contrary to the harsh lives of female bees , in cannabis farming female plants are champagne . The males are considered worthless .

“ The female plants , when looked after properly , and with solid buds , are the ones that will bring in the money . As soon as the males start seeding , the crop provided by the females will drop to about 30 % to 70 % of their potential . Besides , you are not sure whether those seeds will cultivate into females . There is always a good chance they turn into male again .” For this reason , Graham either buys seeds from professionals or grows his own .

3 Step Steel Funky Colour Ladder
PT2060-3
Available at your nearest Agrimark store
6 Step Aluminium Platform Ladder with Handrail
AO113-106
4 MARKtoe ! Augustus 2023