The EVOLUTION Magazine March 2023 | Page 45

The last time I got a good mother plant , I tested six different strains and went through a total of 23 different phenotypes of plants . The best way to explain phenotypes is to compare them to a litter of puppies . Each puppy has the same mother and father , but even in the case of purebreds , each offspring will differ in various ways . This is also true of marijuana plants . Even when you get your hands on the very best strains in the world , each seed will be slightly different . Most varieties have at least four or five phenotypes and are sometimes so different that they are hard to recognize as the same strain .

Two of my clones show that they are identical and will both produce exact same buds when mature .

For indoor gardens , I recommend looking for short , bushy plants that produce nice tight buds that , when ripe will feel hard and solid when you pinch them — a lot of what I do when gardening requires using all five of my senses . I don ’ t just look at the garden when tending to the plants . I smell them and touch them . I know how my soil is supposed to feel and how my electrical equipment is supposed to sound . My methods for cannabis cultivation involve science , art , and a small amount of witchcraft . It ’ s the same way my grandmother used to prepare food . She had done it for so long that she didn ’ t need to use exact measurements ; Grandma just knew how the recipe would smell , taste , and the texture it should have . With time you will develop these instincts .

The types of marijuana that we have been discussing are known as photoperiod variations , a kind of cannabis that grows wild and is cultivated throughout most of the world . It changes from its vegetative , or growth stage , into its flowering state when the seasons change from summer to autumn and the amount of light it receives each day lessens . This can be done indoors manually . It is generally agreed that 18 hours of light produces the best results in the vegetative state , and 12 hours of light , along with 12 hours of darkness , will cause photoperiod plants to go into their flowering stage . This can be done no matter how big or small the plants are , from huge bushes to clones that are only a few inches tall . A common misconception is that cannabis plants should grow to a specific size . When you flower your plants is completely up to you .

Another variation you can grow is called auto-flower , which , as the name implies , flowers by itself regardless of the amount of light it has . We will grow auto-flower together in the future , but for now , we will stick to photoperiod . In the meantime , you need to begin your scientific research and start trying as many different varieties of marijuana as possible . Since you are conducting scientific research , you will want to take

Auto

Flower ! notes and try to come to some sort of conclusion . If you can find the type of cannabis you prefer , you can always have that exact strain and phenotype , so long as there is a mother plant to replicate .

Next month we will find an appropriate place to put our garden and take a visit to our friends at the grow store . The garden we are going to set up will be done on a very limited budget . If you can afford the more expensive items that are available , I recommend them . The folks at your local grow store can provide you with excellent advice . I will show you my old-school , super-cheap options because since I have been on a fixed income , I need to watch every penny I spend . In case some of you are in the same situation , these techniques might be helpful . All right , class , you have your assignment . Go out and try as many different types of marijuana as you can — for science ! Enjoy your homework , and we ’ ll see you in April .

Watch for the next issue and more home-grow secrets revealed .

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