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Marijuana Botany by Clarke? Worth the Read?

habeeb

follow your heart
ICMag Donor
Veteran
I would beware the word combination "marijuanna" and "botany".


A botanist would not say marijuanna, at not in a book title. It's cannabis.


very much agree..

but I pulled out his german book of this same book ( only written in german ) ( also not sure what got published first )

and the title says.. obviously direct translation sometimes is very sketchy, but it says: cannabis. botany, extension, more of growing. maybe he thought more people said marijuana in the US???

I don't know though. who the hell does. the information in the book though I thought was good. alot more "serious" and "growing up" from your average pot book..

did I say pot....





of all pot books, I think this one gets the most thumbs up from people
 

Bush Dr

Painting the picture of Dorian Gray
Veteran
skip that book.. though i've never heard of it

Books specifically on marijuana tend to suck.. stoner authors make shitty books. ;P

Well that's valuable opinion, haven't read it and you condemn it :moon:

It's the best reference work published in the last 50 yrs, with a massive bibliography (lots of Germans experimenting in the '30's)

There's a text only version available online, not that there's many illustrations in the hard copy

Marijuana Botany is the title and subject, if you don't understand parts of it go read up on those bits

Best breeding explanation since Mendel
 

GoneRooty

Member
The book was originally his thesis or dissertation, can't remember which. It's not a "normal book" on marijuana. It's an actual scientific work. And yes it might be over some peoples heads, simply because it is a scientific work and not a normal book. It's probably the best book written on the subject of cannabis botany. As a matter of fact, myself, CC1 and Coot were just talking about this book the other day.
 

hiker

Member
The book was originally his thesis or dissertation, can't remember which. It's not a "normal book" on marijuana. It's an actual scientific work. And yes it might be over some peoples heads, simply because it is a scientific work and not a normal book. It's probably the best book written on the subject of cannabis botany. As a matter of fact, myself, CC1 and Coot were just talking about this book the other day.
Yes it is a worthwhile read. Even if 50% of it goes over your head, the other 50% you learn from it will be more than worthwhile. Then reread it now and again, and rest assured you will keep learning something new everytime. :ying:
 

40AmpstoFreedom

Well-known member
ICMag Donor
Veteran
I think it is over many folks heads. If you can wrap your head around it it is very informative. Peace GS


Agreed ^

I read it a couple of times it has taught me a ton, but it is not something you can pick up and just learn needs to be studied. I recommend all of DJ's articles, Chimera's, and tom hills posts.

Look what it has done for me:

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?p=4647297#post4647297

The book will make a lot more sense once you start doing hands on work like bxing, incrossing, outcrossing etc. to discover dominant and recessive traits. Genetics are great in that there is no special formula or path, you really have to experiment. I already had genetics lab and couple of other minor bio classes in college so it was a little easier to understand but it is a hard read for someone new.
 

Microbeman

The Logical Gardener
ICMag Donor
Veteran
It's not a bad book. I read it years ago, so I guess it was published during the age where the term marijuana was much more common than cannabis. It was a refreshing change to the other BS books coming out from the popular grow gurus [you know who I mean..hint...cool aid/orange juice flavored buds]. As I recall there were some errors in the book but no big deal there are in most non-reviewed books. Also off the top of my head he correctly defined bracts in the book as reduced leaves (much to my joy), which is my definition as well, however when I presented this to support argument to a dispensary, questioning the overtrimming of flowers (bracts are coated in glandular trichomes), I was informed that the dispensary head was personal friends with Clarke and that he regretted mis-stating this in the book and the bracts were actually the outer calyx. [many believe this for some strange reason but I cannot see Clarke stating such] (oy oy)

But ya, good read but verify...same with Teaming With Microbes
 

smokefrogg

Active member
Veteran
got a copy delivered the other day, just beginning to dive in, if a good portion is over my head that's okay cuz i'll let what little is not over my head sink in, then give the book a gander a gain, lord knows i got a lot to learn in this realm, the small bit i have biten into so far is written very well and presented in a grown up non "stoner" way, so far i dig it

skip that book.. though i've never heard of it

completely invalidated yourself there imho
 
Hi all,

This book is amazing to anyone who wants to know anything about selective breeding. The book is also a good reference for those interested in horticulture in general, but the descriptions are not a growing how-to.

I think it should be read and people should buy paper copes, even though it is easily stolen online.

Peace
 

TACOE

Member
You guys are right. Shouldn't have put it the way I did. Poor posting on my part. Will edit when I have some Internet. Should have just suggested getting ones head around general botany, then moving on to the specifics like cannabotany. Though canna is an exception in someways. (it is dioecious(sp) - male and female plants are separate). It follows many principals of general botany in it's functions. That's just the way I would do it. *General -> specific. *

Again, sorry I for posting the way I did. And for carrying on off topic. On with the show :). Sounds like a reputable book around here. That counts for alot.
 

GoneRooty

Member
Though canna is an exception in someways. (it is dioecious(sp) - male and female plants are separate). It follows many principals of general botany in it's functions. That's just the way I would do it. *General -> specific. *

Being dioecious doesn't make cannabis an exception to basic botany. It's not like cannabis is the only dioecious plant in the world, and it's not some magical plant that grows differently than any other plant.
 

TACOE

Member
Being dioecious doesn't make cannabis an exception to basic botany. It's not like cannabis is the only dioecious plant in the world, and it's not some magical plant that grows differently than any other plant.

I can tell my posts aren't too valuable on this thread :p. But I think you may have misunderstood, or I miscommunicated. *I was trying to say exactly what u said: *cannabis really isn't an exception, which is why we should understand general botany.. And I know canna isn't the only dioecious plant.... *It is however a rare trait. *It is ONE difference to what they may cover in the book I suggested. *personally - I cannot name another common plant off the top of my head - could easily be wiki'd - that is also dioecious. *Corn is somewhat rare in that it has separate reproductive organs within the same plant, as do some trees. *Just mentioning. *I'm no expert tho.
 

TACOE

Member
As I understand it. Those kinds of traits generally didnt stick around evolutionarily. Kind of primitive
 
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big_daddy

Member
Actually, stoners don't tend to write books or really accomplish much of anything.

Cannabis enthusiasts, like those of us here :wave: , get shit done.

Clarke has traveled the world and researched the landrace strains that have made MJ what it is today. This book was an extension of his master's thesis he wrote while attending college.

He goes in depth on the geographical differences in growing this plant with an emphasis on preserving the heirloom genetics before the true landraces are lost.

This is not a manual for stoners by any means. For those with a love and respect for this plant that are seeking to educate themselves further, IMO.....this is the book to read. If you're an experienced grower that is looking for higher education.....this book will be invaluable.

If however, you are still learning to grow, you should perhaps stay with Jorge'

b_d
 
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