From the website and herself....
A Study of Bloom Times
When last Ed and I were together (September 2010) he stated that I possibly picked too early and that I should try a case study on longer bloom periods prior to harvest. I promised I would do this and did. It was my intention to make an honest assessment of what we are doing, as is a continual part of improving our program. We ran 2 separate tests; one test for a comparison of ours harvested at normal periods and late periods, one test for a comparison of ours verses others. Here are the results. We also have had time to back this by popular opinion with several of our contract producers, clubs and the patients who ultimately make the difference. We understand your results may vary.
Test of Time and the Patient
I selected a Sugar Plum, Oregon Pinot Noir, and Pit Bull to use for this controlled test. These are strains we and our patients are very familiar with. At week five in the bloom cycle all other plants were harvested except these. The selected plants were bloomed for an additional 3 weeks for a total of 8 weeks. The hairs at this time were totally curled over and the buds had a much thicker and darker texture. The crystals never turned amber, however did turn a bit milky. Additional portions of the plants were let go for another week, for a full 9 weeks. It was evident that the plant had finished any growing and was beginning to go into a decomposition state at this stage.
Results
Production on these plants showed to be up to an additional 1% of product, however in our end results the gain in product was not worth the loss in quality or type of medicine that is usually produced.
We grow medicine for our patients and they are the ones we count on to tell us our results. This is the biggest factor in our testing, assuring we are producing high quality medicine that is extremely effective through organic methods. We selected 12 patients whom were familiar with our medicine including taste, texture and affect. All of these patients were given samples marked with the strain name as we usually do. None were told they had been grown longer. This was a blind test for maturity.
Without exception all our patients immediately complained to us about the test product. Regardless of strain, every patient without exception told us on contact that the product was not the same. The complaints start with a huge change in the effect of the medicine from targeting a particular condition to just being a couch lock. The flavors went from refreshing, fruity and tropical to heavy and earthy, with less than characteristic notes. The once happy, upper, alert, pain relief was now sleepy, couchy and heavy with lagging side effects such as the hangover feeling and scratchy throat.
The results coincide with what we are teaching. The stage at which you harvest dictates the chemistry delivered to your end product. We like to harvest at the peak fruitation point of flowering. See our “When is it time to harvest”. We grow strict organic methods. We have created fast flowering genetics acclimated for North America in which cold does not slow growth. Our strains are unlike any other in the market for taste. They are consistent, bold, aggressive, tasty varieties that stand in a class of their own. We proudly stand behind our work and feel that we are offering new options to the fast evolving mmj industry.
Setting Standards
Our focus from the beginning has always been on our needs. This is a common approach to inventions. In our case we are un-inventing a lot of unnecessary stuff by providing simple solutions that have worked for us. There are many good methods of growing however we show you ours. We prefer the KISS method as patients need an easy way to be a successful farmer. We believe the next revolution of growing will be the simplistic approach.
Quality and setting standards is another goal of Stoney Girl. We have in place a verification system to assure the consumer that they have our genetics. In this day and age we see a lot of dishonest things going on. It is hard for the farmer to know that he has an authentic cutting of anything. We hear of our supposedly genetic cuttings going for over five hundred dollars in some places. These are not our genetics and we would never stand for that kind of business. We provide not only assurance of genetics but also assurance of quality of meds from farmers to consumer. Farmers who join our licensing program supply organic medicine at its finest. There is a huge growing demand for this type of quantified, qualified medicine.
All of our photos that are published are plants that are within the 5 week bloom range, most within 4. As you know they are photogenic at this stage, which is unlike other strains at the same stage. We do grow many strains always checking what is out there and always sorely disappointed. The latest test is the Chem Dog which is currently very popular here in the North West. See our Comparison below for more information.
Patients in every US state are working with a numbers game. The farmer cannot just grow what the patient needs. They must work within a confined number of plants and be successful, while attempting to produce enough products to meet the needs in a timely manner. Shortening the time to harvest is a real goal for the mmj farmer. Maintaining quantity and quality, while speeding up the process of production is a must.
If the American famer went to the hydro shop for advice, corn would cost $10 bucks per gram.
American farmers have been improving crops and genetics for over 200 years. It is absolutely possible to improve genetics. We have been doing this with crops such as corn, wheat, and every other commodity.
More real science is needed about medical marijuana. We deserve more than Joes Garage Science Lab run by stoners. We need integration with the professional community of scientists and doctors, universities, hospitals and labs. They already have the equipment, knowhow, and knowledge to give us the answers we have been looking for the last 50 plus years. These answers could be provided in milliseconds rather than years. These types of professionals are even now eager to engage but cannot until we take down the wall that the federal government has built.
We here at Stoney Girl would love to breed by science; that is cannabinoid profiles rather than phenotypes (what we smell, taste, touch, feel, etc.). We would be able to breed for specific targets such as headaches, etc., rather than just mixing and matching phenotypes. We do not claim to be scientists or the best farmers, but we are successful patients who are forwarding our experience to other patients. We welcome credible testing on our work. We want to know what is making this stuff work and why particular strains are effective for particular conditions. As well we would welcome such studies to tell us what is going on when we harvest at particular stages of growth. We believe science would tell us why our patients like our meds picked at these stages, and show conclusive evidence of the benefits.
Stoney Girl, The Enterprise
Stoney Girl became an actual business for profit just recently. For over 10 years we operated as a philanthropic organization to assist local patients and provide free education, genetics and support. Now we have hundreds and thousands of requests for help. We apologize to all who are awaiting our assistance and want you to know that we are working very hard night and day to get to the point of providing the level of service we would like. This is a small 2 person family operation that is quickly growing to meet the new demands. Unlike other seed companies, when you call us you’re talking to our breeders. Try that with your favorite seed company. We personally grow, select and package every seed ourselves.
We receive a minimum of 200 calls each and every day, not to mention the e-mails, pm’s, cards, letters and candy grams. There is a huge need for good medicine. Our plan is aggressive however keeping within legal regulations means it takes longer for us to get to you. Unfortunately we cannot send you seeds. Stoney Girls future plans include a great deal of investment back into research and development.
How do we get the speed?
There are many reasons we can do a 9 week cycle; genetics, methods, environment, dirt and ferts, and practices. The following is an explanation of these elements.
Genetics
We do not use rudaralis or other auto bloom genetics. All our genetics start at a land race or a known base history level. We do not resource seeds from or to the commercial market. Our flagship for speed is the Berkeley, which has an origin in South American high mountains near the South Pole. This amazing plant bloom in as little as 28 days as there is a short season in the land of origin. Although fast this plant is highly medicinal and produces an abundance of crystals.
Our plants are acclimated for the North West, not Afghanistan. This means that our girls grow just fine right here in the US, in cooler temperatures. Our garden runs best at around 58 degrees. This is perfect temps for controlling mites and other environmental issues.
Can we improve genetics? Absolutely! American farmers have been doing this for years. For anyone to think different would be just plain ignorant. American agriculture has been improving crops such as corn, wheat, and every other commodity for centuries as has been shown by George Frisvold in his study “Who Gains from Genetic Improvements in US Crops”[1]. I recommend every developing farmer read this study. You may find a copy of this on our web site.
Organics
True organics is something that is rather new especially to the CA market. Most of the product we see there is mass produced or hydro. All the bud is identical in looks as far as trim and texture. The average consumer in this area has never seen nor experienced a truly organic earth momma bud. We have seen this time and time again on tours. We know there is a lot of educating to do to show these patients a true organic option. Here in the North West we can’t produce enough. Organic is an instant win over traditional meds with every patient, every time.
Medicine is a Food Crop.
Remember what Grandma used to say “You Are What You Eat”. Now consider the way we consume our medicine. It is often SMOKED or vaporized. This means it is entering your system through your lungs instead of through your digestive system. This makes it even more important to know what is in your medicine. This is why we teach strict Organic methods.
It is possible to become more sensitive to street weed after going organic for a period of time. You begin to taste and recognize the different fertilizers. The more difficult issue is the headaches that you can get from these fertilizers. All in all you become very dependent on organic meds.
Like organic fruit and veggies, organic medicine will not be the biggest, the most eye appealing and most perfect looking bud. But it will be the most flavorful, most potent and healthy bud that you have ever done.
Remember, you are what you eat, or smoke in this case.
What is Organic
There are many differing versions of the definition for the term “Organic”. In some circles anything that is found natural on earth is organic. This then would include Uranium and Anthrax. No one in their right mind would consider these items organic. However some manufacturers use this same methodology to put an organic label on their product.
The National Organics Standards Board defines organics as:
“an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony”[2].
Methods and Cycles
We recommend a push/pull method of growing for the producer. This allows perpetual medicine of differing varieties.
Green Room, Bloom Room
You will hear us refer to the Green room and Bloom room throughout this presentation. The green room is the vegetation cycle that runs a 24 hours per day light cycle. The bloom room is where the budding is done under a 12 hour light cycle. In the batch method you simply change the light cycles in the same room.
Push/Pull Method
If you have the room you should use the push/pull method. The advantage is a perpetual supply of medicine. We find here in Oregon that a group of 4 patients can be the most efficient and cost effective.
The Push/Pull method requires 2 rooms or 2 separate areas in a room. You can separate a room with black plastic or Panda film. One room is run at 24 hours (Green room) and the other is run at 12 hours (Bloom Room). When you harvest a plant (pull) you move a plant from the green to the bloom room (push). You must also transplant a start to replace the one you took from the green room.
Thinking ahead is important. Timing is everything. You must keep starts ready and plant on time. It takes a bit to get this method going, but it is easy to maintain after establishing the groove. The key to any method is having starts ready to go when you need them.
The disadvantage to this method is that you always have the rooms full and do not purge them between harvests. This makes mite control extremely important.
Batch Method
If you have a small space or a single room then you will use this method. With the batch method you will run 24 hours of light for about 4 weeks then switch the light to 12 hours for another 4 to 5 weeks.
The advantage to this method is that you can purge or clean your room out between crops and after every harvest. Cleaning your room by spraying a mixture of water and bleach will ensure that the mites are kept at bay. The disadvantage is that you have to grow enough to store medicine to get you by for long periods.
Lighting Tips – saving energy and how to cut 3 weeks from your grow time
We want to show you how to grow your crop from starts to finish in just 9 weeks. We also want to throw out all that unneeded high priced snake oil and technology and help you become efficient without spending all your money. Remember that the farmers who grow our food do not shop at the grow stores. If they did we could expect ten dollar grams of corn.
We often have growers who tell us how much they get from a 1000 watt light. Most will boast that they get a pound per light. I had to stop and think about this for a moment to figure out what I average. After a bit of calculation I found that I was averaging a kilo per thousand watts of light. That’s 2.2 pounds. This is produced on less than 17 watts per square foot of grow.
When calculating production we use total product divided by the square footage of canopy cover, not pounds per light. This gives us the amount per square foot of canopy. This method can then be used to predict upcoming harvests. This is how the Federal Government and agriculture industry calculates crops as well. The feds have over 35 years of experience growing this stuff and can provide us much information.
To get this kind of results takes a combination of running full 12/24 hour cycles, Adjust-A-Wing Hoods, and a light track or track mover. An Adjust-A-Wing hood will cover an area 6’ by 7’6 which is almost twice the space of a standard parabolic hood. This means I need half the fixtures, half the light bulbs and half the electrical bill. Add a light track and I can use 2 fixtures in place of 8 without loss of production.
For lighting I use 2 - 1000 watt lights on a straight line track mover in my Bloom Room with Adjust-A-Wings, and 2 - 1000 watt fixed lights in my green room. My rooms are 10 by 13 and the amount of light you will need depends on the amount of space and crop size.
The use of fixed lighting in the green room allows for side lighting with a short hood over the shorter plants, a large hood over the large plants. The taller plants are staged so that they get side light from the light over the smaller plants. These lights are hung on ropes from small pulleys and tied off at the side wall. This allows us to raise and lower the lights for maintenance and growth. This way we do not have to climb up a ladder to change the chains or use risers to adjust our plants, they can sit on the floor.
In the green room we keep the lights about 12 inches from the tops of the plants. A good general rule is that if the light is burning the back of your hand, the light is too close. Getting too far away from the light will cause your plant to stretch. Another reason for stretching can be the size of your pot.
The bloom room lights are kept high and at least 18 inches from any buds to prevent burning. Buds can scorch easily so keep the lights away from close encounters.
Hours of Lighting
Your green room should be on 24 hours per day. Your plants do not need sleep and there is no required dark time for them to make roots. They can, and should work 24 hours per day. You will loose 42 hours per week if you run at 18 hours per day. That’s almost 2 days per week, or over a week per month you’re loosing of growing time. We find that it only takes about 4 weeks at 24 hours of light to get the plant 4 feet high. This is another tip to save you 2 weeks of growing time.
Another advantage to 24 hours is that the plant will respond more quickly when put into the 12 hour cycle for budding. Consider this; your plants have never seen darkness a day in their life. Now you throw them into a 12 hour cycle and suddenly they will react because they do not need any time to understand it is fall and it is time to go to work. You will save a week by running 24 hours of light in your vegetation room.
Your bloom room should run at 12 hours per day. You should be consistent with these hours. Always turn them on and off at the same time of day if you can. In summer or hot climates we run the cycle from 8pm at night to 8am in the morning, during the cool time of the day.
If you need to switch photo periods then always let it be on the dark side. For example say you have been running the lights during the day from 8am to 8pm. Now it’s getting warmer and you want to run your lights from 8pm to 8am when the day is cooler. To switch from day to night let your room sit in the dark for the extra time. In this example I would not turn the lights on at 8am as usual and let it be dark till 8pm. This will give the plants an extra 12 hours of darkness but will not cause shock. If I turn the lights on and give them the extra 12 hours of light then I take a risk of shocking them back into vegetation or worse, into hermaphrodites.
What Type of Light?
Use florescent for starts and the young green stage; use metal halide for the green room and use mostly sodium vapor for your bloom room. The bloom room is best outfitted with one sodium vapor and one metal halide for a balance of spectrum.
Do not use halogen, regular incandescent house, or 150 watt mh yard lights. These are not good and do not provide the correct light.
LED lights are very expensive and not yet developed and ready for market. We feel this is an evolving technology and will be ready for the consumer by the end of the year.
In our garden we use a mixture of bulbs to widen the spectrum of light. We run 2 fixtures in each room.
In the green room we use a standard 1000 watt metal halide bulb from GE. We have found that these less expensive bulbs seem to work the best. We also use a 1000 watt Sun Master Neutral Metal Halide bulb. This bulb throws the best array of blues and ultra violet colors. Studies have shown that UV is not beneficial but we have found that this bulb in combination with the standard GE has been a winning combination for results.
In the bloom room we use a standard 1000 watt metal halide bulb from GE. We also use a 1000 watt Sodium Vapor bulb. This bulb throws the best array of red colors for blooming. If you can only afford one bulb then get a Sodium Vapor for your bloom cycle. Studies have shown that blooming with metal halide only causes airy buds. We have found that this bulb in combination with the standard GE has been a winning combination for results.
Well, if you have followed our suggestions we have just cut your growing time by a minimum of 3 weeks, and showed you how to reduce your electric bill by as much as 75%. In addition you will need less than half as many light fixtures and bulbs, not to mention the fans to keep them cool. In our next article we will show you how to have 10 inch tall plants in 10 days.
Cuttings
Take big cuttings. This alone will change your life. Often books tell you to take a single node cutting. We teach you to take no cutting less than 4 branches, more if you can. A multiple branch cutting will inherently be a larger plant much faster. While your one node cutting is trying to take off, the several node cutting is exponentially growing from all sides, providing a much larger bush in mush less time. If we all started at the same time, the larger cutting would quickly win the race. We get 4 feet of growth in just 4 weeks using this method. People ask us how our plants can be so big in just 10 days; our answer is to make bigger cuttings.
When is it time to harvest
There has been a lot of discussion on when it is time to pick that beautiful fruit. Although much is discussed and written on this subject, the only right answer is the one of personal choice.
We believe it is time to harvest when the hairs of the calyx have reached about a 40% color switch. What I mean here is that when about a little less than half of the white hairs have turned some other color (yellow, pink, red, blue, brown) then it is time to pick the plant. An exception to this is the exotics that are grown outdoors which may color more quickly as part of their characteristic or conditions of environment. In general we find the highest content of THC to be at this 40% range. If you continue to let your bud go then the THC is changing into something else called CBN. CBN is the stuff that makes you sleepy instead of the euphoric feeling you get from THC. If you want a couch-lock high then look for a strain that produces this at the optimum THC level instead of the CBN level. You will have better results and less hangover or after effects.
Outdoors some plants will begin with colored hairs. For these plants the same is true; look for a coloration change. It may be from pink to purple, purple to dark purple or almost black.
Which buds do we look at? Some strains start with a ring of fire. That is, the sides of the plant start turning first. This is just an indication that the plant is becoming ripe and is not what we look for. We look at the overall canopy or the entire main top colas of the plant. We look to see if all buds are at least 40 percent or more. We don’t pick the plant the instant the first bud turns 40. We average the entire canopy which means that some are 45, some are 50 and some are 60.
Environment
Environment is the most important factor. You product is a result of 50 percent genetics and 50 percent environment. You can take the best strain and grow it in two differing environments and have two completely different results. To illustrate this all you have to do is look at the Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards of 2009[3]. There were over 64 entries into this contest. The first place winner and the last place winner were both the same strain, grown by different growers. Your plant product is 50 percent genetics and 50 percent environment[4]. Our environment consists of a fresh air, extreme ventilated, greenhouse effect running mostly ambient temperatures. During this time of year we run our garden around 58 degrees. We love the cooler temperatures.
Soil and Fertilizers
We created and market our own mix called Sunny Girl Gardens Organic Premium Container Mix. We also supply ferts for those who use bulk. We have been using this mix for over 12 years with proven success. No chemicals to add, no ph, no mixing, no worry, and no flushing as there is nothing to flush. Just plant, water and grow like a pro right out of the box. The mix is good for the entire life cycle of the plant. Never buy fertilizers again! This mix works on every strain, regardless of requirements. Our customers tell us they save 2 weeks growing time on any strain by using this mix. Save money and time by using our hassle free product. Be assured that your dirt and fert are always in tune. This is especially important for the new farmer or for the master gardener that oversees many farmers. Knowing that your support calls will not be the dirt or fert helps narrow in on the issue at hand and provides more control.
Give this product a shot today. Try one next to your existing grow and see for yourself how your garden can become a jungle.
Comparison Test
Comparing our strains side by side with others is a constant reminder of how our work is credible. Our latest test was just completed in our advanced grow room, owned and operated by one of our licensed associates. In this room we grew our standard strains and two currently popular strains, Chem Dog and Vortex. We used identical methods in the same room for all plants, grown side by side.
In this case we grew the entire crop for 48 days. This first set of photos shows the difference in Pit Bull and Chem Dog both grown side by side. As you can see the Pit is ready to be harvested while the Chem Dog is still very immature bud. While the Pit is fully formed, the Chem Dog is just beginning to form. While the Pit has fully developed, over flowing crystals, the Chem Dog is just now beginning to create those morsels of medicine. The Chem Dog will need a few more weeks to catch up to the Pit.
If you needed to medicate you could harvest and cure the pit, however the Chem Dog would never work and taste like leaf at this stage. This is a perfect display of our genetics against what you get on the current market. Patients can’t wait for medicine.
It took an additional 2 solid weeks for the Chem Dog to finish. Although the Chem Dog produced a bit more product (less than 7 percent), we get an additional 3 crops per year using our strains. Our methods provide a consistent, perpetual, variety of medicine available on demand. While you’re waiting, were medicating.
We are not the only ones who experience this growth rate. There are many well recognized growers who have fully documented these growth rates both indoors and out. We contract with several producers for our Club Pit Bull operations in many states. All our producers report that they cannot grow our strains past 6 weeks without the customers and club owners immediately taking note on both quality and taste difference. The producers report no increase in production for crops over the 6 week period. The customer is the king and all of the consumers who enjoy our products enjoy them harvested under the 6 week period. They love the full, fresh flavors and wonderful tastes and effects they get from a fruit that is harvested in its peak period rather than when it is rotten and old.
Our producers, clubs and patients will tell you “don’t overgrow Stoney Girl strains”
lol... o lawd o lawd
A Study of Bloom Times
When last Ed and I were together (September 2010) he stated that I possibly picked too early and that I should try a case study on longer bloom periods prior to harvest. I promised I would do this and did. It was my intention to make an honest assessment of what we are doing, as is a continual part of improving our program. We ran 2 separate tests; one test for a comparison of ours harvested at normal periods and late periods, one test for a comparison of ours verses others. Here are the results. We also have had time to back this by popular opinion with several of our contract producers, clubs and the patients who ultimately make the difference. We understand your results may vary.
Test of Time and the Patient
I selected a Sugar Plum, Oregon Pinot Noir, and Pit Bull to use for this controlled test. These are strains we and our patients are very familiar with. At week five in the bloom cycle all other plants were harvested except these. The selected plants were bloomed for an additional 3 weeks for a total of 8 weeks. The hairs at this time were totally curled over and the buds had a much thicker and darker texture. The crystals never turned amber, however did turn a bit milky. Additional portions of the plants were let go for another week, for a full 9 weeks. It was evident that the plant had finished any growing and was beginning to go into a decomposition state at this stage.
Results
Production on these plants showed to be up to an additional 1% of product, however in our end results the gain in product was not worth the loss in quality or type of medicine that is usually produced.
We grow medicine for our patients and they are the ones we count on to tell us our results. This is the biggest factor in our testing, assuring we are producing high quality medicine that is extremely effective through organic methods. We selected 12 patients whom were familiar with our medicine including taste, texture and affect. All of these patients were given samples marked with the strain name as we usually do. None were told they had been grown longer. This was a blind test for maturity.
Without exception all our patients immediately complained to us about the test product. Regardless of strain, every patient without exception told us on contact that the product was not the same. The complaints start with a huge change in the effect of the medicine from targeting a particular condition to just being a couch lock. The flavors went from refreshing, fruity and tropical to heavy and earthy, with less than characteristic notes. The once happy, upper, alert, pain relief was now sleepy, couchy and heavy with lagging side effects such as the hangover feeling and scratchy throat.
The results coincide with what we are teaching. The stage at which you harvest dictates the chemistry delivered to your end product. We like to harvest at the peak fruitation point of flowering. See our “When is it time to harvest”. We grow strict organic methods. We have created fast flowering genetics acclimated for North America in which cold does not slow growth. Our strains are unlike any other in the market for taste. They are consistent, bold, aggressive, tasty varieties that stand in a class of their own. We proudly stand behind our work and feel that we are offering new options to the fast evolving mmj industry.
Setting Standards
Our focus from the beginning has always been on our needs. This is a common approach to inventions. In our case we are un-inventing a lot of unnecessary stuff by providing simple solutions that have worked for us. There are many good methods of growing however we show you ours. We prefer the KISS method as patients need an easy way to be a successful farmer. We believe the next revolution of growing will be the simplistic approach.
Quality and setting standards is another goal of Stoney Girl. We have in place a verification system to assure the consumer that they have our genetics. In this day and age we see a lot of dishonest things going on. It is hard for the farmer to know that he has an authentic cutting of anything. We hear of our supposedly genetic cuttings going for over five hundred dollars in some places. These are not our genetics and we would never stand for that kind of business. We provide not only assurance of genetics but also assurance of quality of meds from farmers to consumer. Farmers who join our licensing program supply organic medicine at its finest. There is a huge growing demand for this type of quantified, qualified medicine.
All of our photos that are published are plants that are within the 5 week bloom range, most within 4. As you know they are photogenic at this stage, which is unlike other strains at the same stage. We do grow many strains always checking what is out there and always sorely disappointed. The latest test is the Chem Dog which is currently very popular here in the North West. See our Comparison below for more information.
Patients in every US state are working with a numbers game. The farmer cannot just grow what the patient needs. They must work within a confined number of plants and be successful, while attempting to produce enough products to meet the needs in a timely manner. Shortening the time to harvest is a real goal for the mmj farmer. Maintaining quantity and quality, while speeding up the process of production is a must.
If the American famer went to the hydro shop for advice, corn would cost $10 bucks per gram.
American farmers have been improving crops and genetics for over 200 years. It is absolutely possible to improve genetics. We have been doing this with crops such as corn, wheat, and every other commodity.
More real science is needed about medical marijuana. We deserve more than Joes Garage Science Lab run by stoners. We need integration with the professional community of scientists and doctors, universities, hospitals and labs. They already have the equipment, knowhow, and knowledge to give us the answers we have been looking for the last 50 plus years. These answers could be provided in milliseconds rather than years. These types of professionals are even now eager to engage but cannot until we take down the wall that the federal government has built.
We here at Stoney Girl would love to breed by science; that is cannabinoid profiles rather than phenotypes (what we smell, taste, touch, feel, etc.). We would be able to breed for specific targets such as headaches, etc., rather than just mixing and matching phenotypes. We do not claim to be scientists or the best farmers, but we are successful patients who are forwarding our experience to other patients. We welcome credible testing on our work. We want to know what is making this stuff work and why particular strains are effective for particular conditions. As well we would welcome such studies to tell us what is going on when we harvest at particular stages of growth. We believe science would tell us why our patients like our meds picked at these stages, and show conclusive evidence of the benefits.
Stoney Girl, The Enterprise
Stoney Girl became an actual business for profit just recently. For over 10 years we operated as a philanthropic organization to assist local patients and provide free education, genetics and support. Now we have hundreds and thousands of requests for help. We apologize to all who are awaiting our assistance and want you to know that we are working very hard night and day to get to the point of providing the level of service we would like. This is a small 2 person family operation that is quickly growing to meet the new demands. Unlike other seed companies, when you call us you’re talking to our breeders. Try that with your favorite seed company. We personally grow, select and package every seed ourselves.
We receive a minimum of 200 calls each and every day, not to mention the e-mails, pm’s, cards, letters and candy grams. There is a huge need for good medicine. Our plan is aggressive however keeping within legal regulations means it takes longer for us to get to you. Unfortunately we cannot send you seeds. Stoney Girls future plans include a great deal of investment back into research and development.
How do we get the speed?
There are many reasons we can do a 9 week cycle; genetics, methods, environment, dirt and ferts, and practices. The following is an explanation of these elements.
Genetics
We do not use rudaralis or other auto bloom genetics. All our genetics start at a land race or a known base history level. We do not resource seeds from or to the commercial market. Our flagship for speed is the Berkeley, which has an origin in South American high mountains near the South Pole. This amazing plant bloom in as little as 28 days as there is a short season in the land of origin. Although fast this plant is highly medicinal and produces an abundance of crystals.
Our plants are acclimated for the North West, not Afghanistan. This means that our girls grow just fine right here in the US, in cooler temperatures. Our garden runs best at around 58 degrees. This is perfect temps for controlling mites and other environmental issues.
Can we improve genetics? Absolutely! American farmers have been doing this for years. For anyone to think different would be just plain ignorant. American agriculture has been improving crops such as corn, wheat, and every other commodity for centuries as has been shown by George Frisvold in his study “Who Gains from Genetic Improvements in US Crops”[1]. I recommend every developing farmer read this study. You may find a copy of this on our web site.
Organics
True organics is something that is rather new especially to the CA market. Most of the product we see there is mass produced or hydro. All the bud is identical in looks as far as trim and texture. The average consumer in this area has never seen nor experienced a truly organic earth momma bud. We have seen this time and time again on tours. We know there is a lot of educating to do to show these patients a true organic option. Here in the North West we can’t produce enough. Organic is an instant win over traditional meds with every patient, every time.
Medicine is a Food Crop.
Remember what Grandma used to say “You Are What You Eat”. Now consider the way we consume our medicine. It is often SMOKED or vaporized. This means it is entering your system through your lungs instead of through your digestive system. This makes it even more important to know what is in your medicine. This is why we teach strict Organic methods.
It is possible to become more sensitive to street weed after going organic for a period of time. You begin to taste and recognize the different fertilizers. The more difficult issue is the headaches that you can get from these fertilizers. All in all you become very dependent on organic meds.
Like organic fruit and veggies, organic medicine will not be the biggest, the most eye appealing and most perfect looking bud. But it will be the most flavorful, most potent and healthy bud that you have ever done.
Remember, you are what you eat, or smoke in this case.
What is Organic
There are many differing versions of the definition for the term “Organic”. In some circles anything that is found natural on earth is organic. This then would include Uranium and Anthrax. No one in their right mind would consider these items organic. However some manufacturers use this same methodology to put an organic label on their product.
The National Organics Standards Board defines organics as:
“an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony”[2].
Methods and Cycles
We recommend a push/pull method of growing for the producer. This allows perpetual medicine of differing varieties.
Green Room, Bloom Room
You will hear us refer to the Green room and Bloom room throughout this presentation. The green room is the vegetation cycle that runs a 24 hours per day light cycle. The bloom room is where the budding is done under a 12 hour light cycle. In the batch method you simply change the light cycles in the same room.
Push/Pull Method
If you have the room you should use the push/pull method. The advantage is a perpetual supply of medicine. We find here in Oregon that a group of 4 patients can be the most efficient and cost effective.
The Push/Pull method requires 2 rooms or 2 separate areas in a room. You can separate a room with black plastic or Panda film. One room is run at 24 hours (Green room) and the other is run at 12 hours (Bloom Room). When you harvest a plant (pull) you move a plant from the green to the bloom room (push). You must also transplant a start to replace the one you took from the green room.
Thinking ahead is important. Timing is everything. You must keep starts ready and plant on time. It takes a bit to get this method going, but it is easy to maintain after establishing the groove. The key to any method is having starts ready to go when you need them.
The disadvantage to this method is that you always have the rooms full and do not purge them between harvests. This makes mite control extremely important.
Batch Method
If you have a small space or a single room then you will use this method. With the batch method you will run 24 hours of light for about 4 weeks then switch the light to 12 hours for another 4 to 5 weeks.
The advantage to this method is that you can purge or clean your room out between crops and after every harvest. Cleaning your room by spraying a mixture of water and bleach will ensure that the mites are kept at bay. The disadvantage is that you have to grow enough to store medicine to get you by for long periods.
Lighting Tips – saving energy and how to cut 3 weeks from your grow time
We want to show you how to grow your crop from starts to finish in just 9 weeks. We also want to throw out all that unneeded high priced snake oil and technology and help you become efficient without spending all your money. Remember that the farmers who grow our food do not shop at the grow stores. If they did we could expect ten dollar grams of corn.
We often have growers who tell us how much they get from a 1000 watt light. Most will boast that they get a pound per light. I had to stop and think about this for a moment to figure out what I average. After a bit of calculation I found that I was averaging a kilo per thousand watts of light. That’s 2.2 pounds. This is produced on less than 17 watts per square foot of grow.
When calculating production we use total product divided by the square footage of canopy cover, not pounds per light. This gives us the amount per square foot of canopy. This method can then be used to predict upcoming harvests. This is how the Federal Government and agriculture industry calculates crops as well. The feds have over 35 years of experience growing this stuff and can provide us much information.
To get this kind of results takes a combination of running full 12/24 hour cycles, Adjust-A-Wing Hoods, and a light track or track mover. An Adjust-A-Wing hood will cover an area 6’ by 7’6 which is almost twice the space of a standard parabolic hood. This means I need half the fixtures, half the light bulbs and half the electrical bill. Add a light track and I can use 2 fixtures in place of 8 without loss of production.
For lighting I use 2 - 1000 watt lights on a straight line track mover in my Bloom Room with Adjust-A-Wings, and 2 - 1000 watt fixed lights in my green room. My rooms are 10 by 13 and the amount of light you will need depends on the amount of space and crop size.
The use of fixed lighting in the green room allows for side lighting with a short hood over the shorter plants, a large hood over the large plants. The taller plants are staged so that they get side light from the light over the smaller plants. These lights are hung on ropes from small pulleys and tied off at the side wall. This allows us to raise and lower the lights for maintenance and growth. This way we do not have to climb up a ladder to change the chains or use risers to adjust our plants, they can sit on the floor.
In the green room we keep the lights about 12 inches from the tops of the plants. A good general rule is that if the light is burning the back of your hand, the light is too close. Getting too far away from the light will cause your plant to stretch. Another reason for stretching can be the size of your pot.
The bloom room lights are kept high and at least 18 inches from any buds to prevent burning. Buds can scorch easily so keep the lights away from close encounters.
Hours of Lighting
Your green room should be on 24 hours per day. Your plants do not need sleep and there is no required dark time for them to make roots. They can, and should work 24 hours per day. You will loose 42 hours per week if you run at 18 hours per day. That’s almost 2 days per week, or over a week per month you’re loosing of growing time. We find that it only takes about 4 weeks at 24 hours of light to get the plant 4 feet high. This is another tip to save you 2 weeks of growing time.
Another advantage to 24 hours is that the plant will respond more quickly when put into the 12 hour cycle for budding. Consider this; your plants have never seen darkness a day in their life. Now you throw them into a 12 hour cycle and suddenly they will react because they do not need any time to understand it is fall and it is time to go to work. You will save a week by running 24 hours of light in your vegetation room.
Your bloom room should run at 12 hours per day. You should be consistent with these hours. Always turn them on and off at the same time of day if you can. In summer or hot climates we run the cycle from 8pm at night to 8am in the morning, during the cool time of the day.
If you need to switch photo periods then always let it be on the dark side. For example say you have been running the lights during the day from 8am to 8pm. Now it’s getting warmer and you want to run your lights from 8pm to 8am when the day is cooler. To switch from day to night let your room sit in the dark for the extra time. In this example I would not turn the lights on at 8am as usual and let it be dark till 8pm. This will give the plants an extra 12 hours of darkness but will not cause shock. If I turn the lights on and give them the extra 12 hours of light then I take a risk of shocking them back into vegetation or worse, into hermaphrodites.
What Type of Light?
Use florescent for starts and the young green stage; use metal halide for the green room and use mostly sodium vapor for your bloom room. The bloom room is best outfitted with one sodium vapor and one metal halide for a balance of spectrum.
Do not use halogen, regular incandescent house, or 150 watt mh yard lights. These are not good and do not provide the correct light.
LED lights are very expensive and not yet developed and ready for market. We feel this is an evolving technology and will be ready for the consumer by the end of the year.
In our garden we use a mixture of bulbs to widen the spectrum of light. We run 2 fixtures in each room.
In the green room we use a standard 1000 watt metal halide bulb from GE. We have found that these less expensive bulbs seem to work the best. We also use a 1000 watt Sun Master Neutral Metal Halide bulb. This bulb throws the best array of blues and ultra violet colors. Studies have shown that UV is not beneficial but we have found that this bulb in combination with the standard GE has been a winning combination for results.
In the bloom room we use a standard 1000 watt metal halide bulb from GE. We also use a 1000 watt Sodium Vapor bulb. This bulb throws the best array of red colors for blooming. If you can only afford one bulb then get a Sodium Vapor for your bloom cycle. Studies have shown that blooming with metal halide only causes airy buds. We have found that this bulb in combination with the standard GE has been a winning combination for results.
Well, if you have followed our suggestions we have just cut your growing time by a minimum of 3 weeks, and showed you how to reduce your electric bill by as much as 75%. In addition you will need less than half as many light fixtures and bulbs, not to mention the fans to keep them cool. In our next article we will show you how to have 10 inch tall plants in 10 days.
Cuttings
Take big cuttings. This alone will change your life. Often books tell you to take a single node cutting. We teach you to take no cutting less than 4 branches, more if you can. A multiple branch cutting will inherently be a larger plant much faster. While your one node cutting is trying to take off, the several node cutting is exponentially growing from all sides, providing a much larger bush in mush less time. If we all started at the same time, the larger cutting would quickly win the race. We get 4 feet of growth in just 4 weeks using this method. People ask us how our plants can be so big in just 10 days; our answer is to make bigger cuttings.
When is it time to harvest
There has been a lot of discussion on when it is time to pick that beautiful fruit. Although much is discussed and written on this subject, the only right answer is the one of personal choice.
We believe it is time to harvest when the hairs of the calyx have reached about a 40% color switch. What I mean here is that when about a little less than half of the white hairs have turned some other color (yellow, pink, red, blue, brown) then it is time to pick the plant. An exception to this is the exotics that are grown outdoors which may color more quickly as part of their characteristic or conditions of environment. In general we find the highest content of THC to be at this 40% range. If you continue to let your bud go then the THC is changing into something else called CBN. CBN is the stuff that makes you sleepy instead of the euphoric feeling you get from THC. If you want a couch-lock high then look for a strain that produces this at the optimum THC level instead of the CBN level. You will have better results and less hangover or after effects.
Outdoors some plants will begin with colored hairs. For these plants the same is true; look for a coloration change. It may be from pink to purple, purple to dark purple or almost black.
Which buds do we look at? Some strains start with a ring of fire. That is, the sides of the plant start turning first. This is just an indication that the plant is becoming ripe and is not what we look for. We look at the overall canopy or the entire main top colas of the plant. We look to see if all buds are at least 40 percent or more. We don’t pick the plant the instant the first bud turns 40. We average the entire canopy which means that some are 45, some are 50 and some are 60.
Environment
Environment is the most important factor. You product is a result of 50 percent genetics and 50 percent environment. You can take the best strain and grow it in two differing environments and have two completely different results. To illustrate this all you have to do is look at the Oregon Medical Cannabis Awards of 2009[3]. There were over 64 entries into this contest. The first place winner and the last place winner were both the same strain, grown by different growers. Your plant product is 50 percent genetics and 50 percent environment[4]. Our environment consists of a fresh air, extreme ventilated, greenhouse effect running mostly ambient temperatures. During this time of year we run our garden around 58 degrees. We love the cooler temperatures.
Soil and Fertilizers
We created and market our own mix called Sunny Girl Gardens Organic Premium Container Mix. We also supply ferts for those who use bulk. We have been using this mix for over 12 years with proven success. No chemicals to add, no ph, no mixing, no worry, and no flushing as there is nothing to flush. Just plant, water and grow like a pro right out of the box. The mix is good for the entire life cycle of the plant. Never buy fertilizers again! This mix works on every strain, regardless of requirements. Our customers tell us they save 2 weeks growing time on any strain by using this mix. Save money and time by using our hassle free product. Be assured that your dirt and fert are always in tune. This is especially important for the new farmer or for the master gardener that oversees many farmers. Knowing that your support calls will not be the dirt or fert helps narrow in on the issue at hand and provides more control.
Give this product a shot today. Try one next to your existing grow and see for yourself how your garden can become a jungle.
Comparison Test
Comparing our strains side by side with others is a constant reminder of how our work is credible. Our latest test was just completed in our advanced grow room, owned and operated by one of our licensed associates. In this room we grew our standard strains and two currently popular strains, Chem Dog and Vortex. We used identical methods in the same room for all plants, grown side by side.
In this case we grew the entire crop for 48 days. This first set of photos shows the difference in Pit Bull and Chem Dog both grown side by side. As you can see the Pit is ready to be harvested while the Chem Dog is still very immature bud. While the Pit is fully formed, the Chem Dog is just beginning to form. While the Pit has fully developed, over flowing crystals, the Chem Dog is just now beginning to create those morsels of medicine. The Chem Dog will need a few more weeks to catch up to the Pit.
If you needed to medicate you could harvest and cure the pit, however the Chem Dog would never work and taste like leaf at this stage. This is a perfect display of our genetics against what you get on the current market. Patients can’t wait for medicine.
It took an additional 2 solid weeks for the Chem Dog to finish. Although the Chem Dog produced a bit more product (less than 7 percent), we get an additional 3 crops per year using our strains. Our methods provide a consistent, perpetual, variety of medicine available on demand. While you’re waiting, were medicating.
We are not the only ones who experience this growth rate. There are many well recognized growers who have fully documented these growth rates both indoors and out. We contract with several producers for our Club Pit Bull operations in many states. All our producers report that they cannot grow our strains past 6 weeks without the customers and club owners immediately taking note on both quality and taste difference. The producers report no increase in production for crops over the 6 week period. The customer is the king and all of the consumers who enjoy our products enjoy them harvested under the 6 week period. They love the full, fresh flavors and wonderful tastes and effects they get from a fruit that is harvested in its peak period rather than when it is rotten and old.
Our producers, clubs and patients will tell you “don’t overgrow Stoney Girl strains”
lol... o lawd o lawd
