GEM's Urban Guerrilla Swamp Grow 2013

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

So I went to the authority on slugs .... The Brits lol

Found a couple different options to test out .... I will be testing a few different ones that seem very promising.

Steel wool loosely(2"d circle not touching stem) wrapped around the base... This will be on all plants and the rest will have a combo of steel wool and another defense.

Sharp sand to Be my top layer on a few ...

Mixture of broken egg/nut shells ...

A thick amount of petroleum jelly(in theory it won't allow them traction past) around any plastic buckets I use ... The top edge of all plastic containers will have the edges "chewed up" to be very sharp and hopefully keep the sluggos at bay

A ring of sand paper around the stem ...

Found copper tape .... But not sure if I'd use this out in the bush cause it's pretty shiny and thats one of those things you do use.

And last but not least ... Nemaslug .... It's beneficial nematodes that only go after slugs .... A count of 12mil or 30mil depending which package you get .... 100% organic and sage to use anywhere as it won't affect any other animals or environments .,.. Says it will keep slugs at bay for 6-8weeks ..... I might test it out in my swamp tubes ..... But the home veggie garden and greenhouse will be the focus of this .... And probably the field plot as well cause slugs can do damage there .... Apply 3wks prior to planting so it can take effect before plants are put out


LouDog ... Great to have you and I hope you enjoy the show ..... Plenty of your fine crosses will be tested .... Thank you for making them and being such a generous guy .... Sow the seeds everywhere!!

 

[wildgrow]

Hey there, Gemini. Ill be watching too. Ive considered swamps too.

Im sure youve heard of surronding your grow with 2 courses of monofilament line - 1 at 2' and the other at 4'. Deer walk into it and dont like the way it rubs up under their fur. Use a low # test so a running deer can break through. You wouldnt want 1 getting tangled up and going 'buck wild' in your grow.

Then theres these things.

Dangle them from your barrels/tubes or straighten the the mounting wire (its thick and bent in a U-shape) and stick in the ground. They are dark olive green matte so they dont stick out.
They work best if placed where the prevailing airflow moves past them then through your plants. This allows you to use fewer than the recommended number for a given square footage. True, not organic, but you just pull them when you harvest and throw them away.

Theyre a lot less messy than spraying Liquid Fence and humans cant smell them. Liquid Fence is great too but has to be reapplied after every significant rain.

Hope you find that MOB. Oh ya, subbed.

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Thanks wildgrow .... I got a few spools of fishing line I could use to wrap around entire grow plot at separate heights .... And those Sweeney deferents are pretty cool ... Dried blood inside that case .... Prob work best huge in a tree off a weak branch to keep the coons and opposums from running O.F.F.F with it ... Thievin bastards lol

Thanks for the kind word bro .... I hope I can acquire her cause she would be a great mother for a few crosses I have in mind this season as well as next ..... If I don't get her this season I'll have her next .... Just gotta get the grow running again so I can trade for her.

 

[Buddah Watcha]

What about good ol Sluggo? It say its organic on the package. Pretty cheap and effective, $30 for 5lbs of it, should be enough for the whole crop...

That's what I'll be using!

Best of luck!

 

[two heads]

Good luck Gemini. It sounds like you're really thinking this one through (Of course this time of year planning is all we have!). We've been urban swamp growing for years and love it for the security and ambiance - the swamp is a great place to hang out once you get past the idea of being wet.

Regarding pests, I've never found deer to be a problem in a true swamp but slugs can be. All your solutions are good ones but you might consider the new iron chelate baits - they are pretty much benign environmentally. Also, if you can find it, copper wool would be a better choice than steel wool. Mold can be more of an issue in swamps. Be ready in the fall with a Greencure-type spray. (You can make your own with a bit of baking soda and a drop or two if dish soap).

There are lots of ways to grow in a swamp but we favour containers (Rubbermaid tubs, garbage pails, etc.) that can be moved if need be as water levels change. Make sure to drill drainage holes and keep the bins as much above the water line as possible.

An urban swamp site doesn't need a lot of visits and if you disguise your entry-exit well enough can last for years undetected. It's best if there's a wooded buffer zone between your swamp and the trail or road you use for access so you have a place to clean up and get ready to re-enter society after a visit. Carry a towel and some rubbing alcohol to clean swamp mud off. And yeah, no camo if you're an urban guerrilla. I like the mountain bike approach best. It's pretty easy to roll up the lycra when you get in deep water too.

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

What about good ol Sluggo? It say its organic on the package. Pretty cheap and effective, $30 for 5lbs of it, should be enough for the whole crop...

That's what I'll be using!

Best of luck!

Hmmmm ... let me take a look and I will get back to you on that!! But if I can keep them off the rims of my containers they will never make it to the plants ...... unless they learn to fly

Good luck Gemini. It sounds like you're really thinking this one through (Of course this time of year planning is all we have!). We've been urban swamp growing for years and love it for the security and ambiance - the swamp is a great place to hang out once you get past the idea of being wet.

Yeah I try to think ahead and I usually watch my plots for a full season to give me insight into the activity of the area and how vegitation grows .... got a field plot next to a heavily wooded area with a stream been there since 2010 ..... very urban! I enjoy urban plots because easy deniability, easy access and most people don't see whats right under their noses. Im use to the wet muddy bs ... were guerillas ... its our nature. But Ill be running a pair of waist high wadders because its not an "extreme" swamp in most areas but more of a marsh/fen with with a pond and 2' deep stream snaking through.

Regarding pests, I've never found deer to be a problem in a true swamp but slugs can be. All your solutions are good ones but you might consider the new iron chelate baits - they are pretty much benign environmentally. Also, if you can find it, copper wool would be a better choice than steel wool. Mold can be more of an issue in swamps. Be ready in the fall with a Greencure-type spray. (You can make your own with a bit of baking soda and a drop or two if dish soap).

Well the deer will be at my field plot as they bed down in the tall grass ... sometimes under certain plants. Back in '10 they never touched a single plant and I didn't really do anything except shaved Irish spring around the area and some blood meal hung up/scattered and no cages. There never touched anything and actually used a few 9' ganja trees to bed under lol .... But '11 they must have been hungry cause put out (25) 10" rooted clones and they mowed them all down .....NOW its all mini tomatocages with chicken wire wrapped so they stay safe for the first 1.5' and that way the cage is fully hidden by late June .... helps with the wind in the field too. and in a small out crop that fits (5) 1# bushes I cut down tons of briars and completely block off the entire area so deer dont stray off their trail.
Well hopefully most strains will do well ... I will take your advice on the sprays starting August .... But I'd probably stop spraying around week 4/5 ...... My jack herer didn't get a speck of mold on its MASSIVE colas .... But I did get 5% mold on the lower popcorn cause I left it out an extra 2weeks during 2 rain storms to turn a bit couch lock ... Tops came off end of September ...rest mid October

Jack Herer in the back ... Rez 4SD front and center!
jack herer/Rez 4SD<<<<CLICK for PIC .... JH was 1.25# and 4SD was about 5oz (would have been more if she swelled up but had to chop)

The rest of my strains will be Blueberry (cut), Casey Jones crosses (LouDog420), Original Haze/Skunk#1, S99 cross, KKSC, Durban Poison, Texada Timewarp and it looks like a real GEM will join the group soon .... M.O.B (Mother of Berry) ..... And possibly a cut or 2 of MNS Black Widow just to see how she does.

Gonna have GSC, Black Widow, Valley OG or ECSD, Blueberry or MOB ..... Only have the room for 4 bushes in my greenhouse so not sure yet which to put ... GSC and B.Widow are definately in there but Im not sure if I want to run BB or MOB .... Maybe you can help guys .... I would want to run the BB so I get an idea how she is doing out in the bush ... or ... MOB similar reason but Id also like to cross her out ...... Between the Valley OG and ECSD .... Its really a coin flip and thats what it really might come down to .... I love OGs and I love ECSD ..... Either one is a winner in my books but input is appreciated!! Difficult diccisions I know

Ill take a look at the new iron chelate bait .... If its enviromental I'd consider it ..... I like to keep the good vibes flowing and not mess with poisons that can have a snow ball effect on wild animals ... poison kills the bug ... bird eats the bug .... bird dies .... ect .. ect

There are lots of ways to grow in a swamp but we favour containers (Rubbermaid tubs, garbage pails, etc.) that can be moved if need be as water levels change. Make sure to drill drainage holes and keep the bins as much above the water line as possible.

Yeah Ive got swamp tubes in mind and there will be an experiment of a few different mixes to see which works best ... all will be similiar but each group of tubes will get its own tweak. But I mine going to be using grow bags spread around for back up plants 2 females per bag .... Special males will be left at home for pollen collection and bring vials of pollen out to the girls for seed stock next year. Ive also got a few 10-gal totes, garbage cans and 18-gal totes.

An urban swamp site doesn't need a lot of visits and if you disguise your entry-exit well enough can last for years undetected. It's best if there's a wooded buffer zone between your swamp and the trail or road you use for access so you have a place to clean up and get ready to re-enter society after a visit. Carry a towel and some rubbing alcohol to clean swamp mud off. And yeah, no camo if you're an urban guerrilla. I like the mountain bike approach best. It's pretty easy to roll up the lycra when you get in deep water too.

I have plenty of access points but I will be using a stream to enter as to not leave tracks (same way I get to my field) ... and Ill exit from a very secure hidden area about 1/4mile from the entrance and secluded so I can clean up .... yeah never wear camo cause then it looks like your trying to hide something ... I wear dark natural colors ... olive green shirts, brown shirts, brown or green shorts and brown pants when its cold out lol .... helps me disappear quickly but doesn't look strange if I was seen walking down the road. I use the bird watcher approach ... easy .... multiple sim cards for my camera .... birds/animals ... and MJ on the other hidden card...Bird book and binoculers has worked well so far ... just have to do the research and have a little knowledge so if anyone asks you have a good story and they wont think twice.

 

[Rob547]

Whats up Gemini? Solid start to a thread, lots of good discussion. Sounds like you have a solid plan for sure. What latitude are you at? Interesting soil/coco mix too, I've been debating coco outdoors in a swampy area for a while now but have always been a soil guy and have always worried about it drying out quickly and issues with PH and organics...?
(not so much on wet ground but idk). Went from pro-mix to straight peat moss last year for costs, seemed to work well enough. I like plastic grow bags, but seem to be small, might move to totes or bigger bags. Have read about the cement things but never used them.. Think I'm gonna be changing shit up this year, something not to different than your plan.

for pest prevention I wrap plastic fencing around my plants staked with bamboo, then for slugs (really bad here) usually use a beer can with top and bottom cut off around stem, keeps them away for sure. I feel the same way about the poison, but the diamataceous earth needs to be reapplied a lot.

anyways... best of luck, stay safe. subbed

 

[microwavablecat]

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Thanks Rob .... I'm at 42N ... If ya put enough d.lime you shouldn't have issues but if ya wanna dabble w it .... Try sunshine mix ... Has peat/coco/perilite/d.lime ect... Easy way to get into coco .... If your in the swamp gotta watch what you use ... Coco holds a lot if o2 ... Peat gets to heavy and wet and will suffocate roots in the swamp if at the bottom constantly soaked
I've run grow bags ... Will this year too ... Prolly only 5-gal w 2nack up plants or they can yeild a oz or 2 .... Thanks for the slug tops glad to hear it works ..... I found copper mesh .. 20ft x 5" and wrap it around the stems real loose to keep em from climbing up the stems but allow growth without restrictions

 

[Plant n Prosper]

Hell yeah, sign me up for the show dude I'll be watching this grow throughout the season. Just realized I posted on this thread toward the beginning.. I thought I recognized your name LOL. Happy gardening holmes!

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Its been quiet lately ... Just mixing up soils for the veggies and canna plants for my greenhouse.

A good buddy is taking some choice cuts for me .... NL5xHaze, Blueberry, Topanga Pure Kush, Valley OG, Day Wrecker and a few others

Got beans soaking .... Did a light scarification .... then into shot glasses with agua/h2o2 .... Just to keep track. Started soak @ 8am April 14th.

6) AK99 x ? (Im thinking these are crossed to Ganesh Strawberry Diesel)
5) S.O.L Blue Satelite 2.2
16) LouDog420 SB/CJ ix1
10) LouDog420 CJ x Arne Snowdog
23) Head's CJ x Ganesh Strawberry Diesel
7) LouDog420 Midnight Madness x C+
16) S A N N I E S Jack Herer f5 x Rez 4SD
34) Rasputin's S99 x (Abusive OG x(Rez Kushaze))

Ras correct me if Im missing something in this cross ... Im thinking Im missing an f1 self pollination?

Jack Herer mom that was used .... Zero mold/Sept.25th finish

Heres what is yet to be popped .... SK#1 x Orig.Haze .... Melty's Cush x pre98bubba .... And a few other goodies but I don't wanna let the PuSs out of the bag ...yet And I will be tossing 100+ beans at the grow sites just to see if anything will make it ... Mixed bag mostly Jack x 4SD, CSD x 4SD, Double Diesel x 4SD and a couple VERY potent Indica's x 4SD

All seeds are listed Female x male

The goal I have this year is to pull a few #s and to find my keeper cuts for next season so I can run mostly clones.

The check list ..... To keeper status
1)Mold/PM/Bug resistance
2)Potency
3)Yield
4)Finish Time
5)Vigor
6)Smell

All seedlings will be started in 4oz cups of coco/espoma bio-tone .... Fed AACT ... transplant to solo cups ..... Males will be kept at my house in solo cups .... All the weak will be tossed .... Best males will have pollen saved for select dusting of guerrilla plants. Cuts of the best females will be taken in July and labeled ..... And the final keepers will be chosen in September/October.

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Jack Herer f5 cola

REZ 4SD (front) ... REZ CSD (far left) ... Jack Herer (back)

 

[wildgrow]

Hell of a list! Youre brave for taking on the sk#1 x haze outdoors way up here. PUS - you have some of those Chaco crosses?

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Na no crosses from Chaco ..... I really wanted to try out the Larry OG x Nev but not many of those around

Yeah Im putting the sk1 x OH out in hopes to find a skunk dom that will finish quick ..... .... But as long as they come down by Halloween Im good lol

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Cracked some beans .... Used the scarification method

24hr soak in h2o + h2o2 .... Had A LOT pop tap roots in the shot glasses .... then into paper towels for 24hrs

here's a run down .. ...... of what popped

Heads Casey Jones x Ganesh Strawberry Diesel f1 .....@24hrs 17 of 23 .... @48hrs 21 of 23(1 runt discarded)

LouDog420 CJ x Arne Snowdog ....@24hrs 10 of 10 ....@48hrs 10 of 10 (1" long taps)

GEM's AK99 x Ganesh Strawberry Diesel ....@24hrs 4 of 6 ....@48hrs 6 of 6

S.O.L. Blue Satelite 2.2 ......@24hrs 0 of 5 ... @48hrs 4 of 5

LouDog420 Midnight Madness x C+ ....@24hrs 5 of 7 ....@48hrs 6 of 7

GEM's Jack Herer(pictured) x Rez 4SD ....@24hrs 5 of 16 ..... @48hrs 13 of 16

Rasputin's S99 x (AbusiveOG x Kushaze) ....@24hrs 33 of 34 ..... @48hrs 34 of 34

LouDog420 CJ x Sour Bubble ix1 ....@24hrs 14 of 17 .... @48hrs 17 of 17


All seedlings were put into 4oz cups of my seedling mix .......

seedling mix ....... 5gal SS#4, 2cups EWC, 2tbsp epsom salt, 1cup espoma garden tone,1/2 cup chicken shit, 1tsp mycos, 2 cups perilite ........ let it cook for 2 weeks

 

[wildgrow]

I count 106 cups, so 50ish ladies. !!! Talk about having your hands full! This is going to be insane come July.

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Lol yeah wildgrow .... Hands are full ..... But not all will make the cut for the woods ...... Only the strong survive here!

Usually I wouldnt go so big w the numbers ...... But I'm looking for keepers for next season so I can focus on just a few diverse strains and crush w em

For any confusion ..... About the Casey jones ...... They are f1s ...... A cross of heads CJ x Ganesh Strawberry Diesel ..... Sorry for the confusion Lou

 

[Plant n Prosper]

Lookin good so far GEM, I'll be hoppin on board for this one.

 

[OLDproLg]

Hey GEM!!

im likin the JACK buddy....
Healthy vigour and great weight!
Rot resistance outdoors is a MUST....
good luck this go round!!

 

[GEMiNi GENETiCS]

Thanks OpL .... Should be a fun season ..... I got my gh to provide all my smoke ..... So everything out in the bush will be gravy

Yeah I loved that JH ..... had a nice lemon pine sol smell and even her most dense colas are free of pm/mold ..... She was a death trap for bugs too .... SOOOO sticky they just hit a nug and die cause they can't get un-stuck ..... In the f1s I'll be looking for a thin leafed sativa Dom girl as the most likely keeper.

It's rainy and in the low 40s all day .... So the helmet heads are sitting under the T5 to keep warm ..... Thursday-Sunday they will be on my deck in a cold frame.