Vintage Colombian

[red rider]

llanos 101

llanos 101

I went to check out a finca in the llanos where they want to have a licensed outdoor grow. First off this finca is located right where the plains meet the mountains so it gets some nice cool evenings but still extremely hot to me. But the heat is just one problem, the humidity is super high (as to be expected). It reminded me of south Texas in the summer but not as intense.

Everything for the job is still in development so they have a long way to go not to mention waiting on the license so basically the rich guys just wanted me to get a feel for the finca and get a price from me to grow for them there. I came there with them knowing I was already involved in other projects and that I couldn't commit to anything full time but I could work at least 7 days out of every month. Of course they would have to provide transport (it's about 2 hours from my other job) and give me a decent place to stay while there. So I look at the finca and then head over to this fancy hotel to meet with the rich guys.

Of course they were hours late so by the time they got there I was half drunk and a little pissed they kept me waiting. Anyway we all sit down and start talking. I tell them right off that the humidity was going to be a bitch here to grow certain plants. These guys know nothing, I mean nothing about cannabis other than it makes money. It turns me off but I try to nicely educate them on the most critical points of the plant but it goes right over their heads and they fixate on how much they can produce and how much they can sell it for.
I'm not feeling it and try to tell them (again nicely) then we talk about money. One guy asks me how much to run the grow, I throw a number at them and they freak. First they acted like I was not translating correctly then they try changing the deal asking how much just to grow 20 plants to see what strain will produce the best in this climate. The whole time I'm calm because I don't need this job and really not digging the rich guys but their stressing cause they need me. I told them I'm not interested in growing 20 plants but they keep pressing offering a couple hundred bucks to develop a suitable plant. And they got these bimbos hanging around kind of distracting me but all I smell is bullshit. They were getting irritated because I told them the money was not even close and I already had projects more interesting. I had to be cool cause I was on their turf far from my home and people so I didn't want to piss them off. So I told them the offer was very very low but I would need time to consider. They couldn't say no so after more bullshitting about how beautiful the women there were I went back to my hotel in Villavicencio. In the morning their driver took me back to Bogota and once there I called and thanked them for the offer but I would decline. They wanted to know how much I wanted and I just told them thank you again but not interested in the job. I just didn't like them and although I think plants could grow well there, I don't want to work in heat like that.
Nice visit to the llanos but now I'm focusing on my current projects and trying to avoid opportunistic bimbos.

red rider

 

[red rider]

llanos

llanos

Looks like I'm going to take the llanos job after all. I had a long talk with the owner there and I think he gets it now. I will know more tomorrow but I think it's a go.

I will be living in the main house that's empty now. It is beautiful there but no idea how cannabis will grow but I think it will grow well. I'm kind of stressed from all the negotiating, I don't pretend to be a businessman but at the same time I'm not plumb dumb. I can see Punto Rojo by the 1,000s there, optimistically.

red rider

 

[Limeygreen]

Llanos is supposed to be reowned for being able to grow everything because of great soil and climate. That's what the colombians tell me anyways.

 

[red rider]

llano

llano

Llanos is supposed to be reowned for being able to grow everything because of great soil and climate. That's what the colombians tell me anyways.

I do see potential there (where I was) but it's hot and extremely humid, not to mention crawling with super insects. Narrow leaf tropical strains are the only thing I'm going to try there. But the Colombians I know like to tell you what you want to hear. Wherever you go here is where the best looking women are or the best this or that. Sometimes true most times not but I think they just like to say what they think you want to hear. But I'm still waiting on the green light for the llanos project and I'm not holding my breath as things change in the blink of an eye. I got to play the game but I have the upper hand because I don't need a job, they need me and if they don't I have other projects. The rich guy in the llanos is trying to play the "buddy up" game where he thinks I'll do him a favor cause I'm a nice guy. Wrong, I don't play, I won't "help" some rich guy get richer while I sacrifice. I like the Indians better, they don't seem to be bullshitters like the rich guys.

Starting back to Bogota


red rider

 

[red rider]

Update

Update

Nothing going on here but waiting. Submitting more paperwork to the government and fees for our licensing. In the mean time I'm just growing a few plants at my house in Bogota. Rains every day this time of year and mold season so I don't try to flower indica type plants now. Even vegging can be tricky and slow due to the dark cold days but I started using a tent with lights to help them a bit. To be honest i'm getting bored because everything is on hold waiting for approval of the licensing, LA, Putumayo and the llanos are pending.
I have everything I need, more than I need really and I'm left alone to do as I please while getting a good salivary. But I'm sick of talking at meetings about what we want to do, I'm ready to get to work for real.
I talked to the guy building our greenhouses (still pending) and he was very pessimistic, saying Zipacon is no good for cannabis cultivation. He does have a few valid points but we can't change the location now, latter we can move to a better location. This guy has never grown a cannabis plant and only has experience with flowers.

It was a cold dark day but it seems to be raining everywhere in the country now. I'm going to take another mini vacation in a week or so and see my kids. I just need to get out of Bogota and the city life, I'm not a city type person. But I got a nice house and easy life so it's not bad. Really enjoy vaping now that I have a vaporizer that does flower and kief. Really brings out the flavor and gives a harder hit than my pipe.

Cured Mangobiche

Early tester

All in all we are still moving forward but incredibly slow.

red rider

 

[red rider]

First contact

First contact

September 1977, right after my 15th birthday found me living in DFW with my mother and her husband. I had spent the summer living and working at my uncle’s house/ranch with my cousins. I was back in school but still went on the weekends to hang with my cousins and party. I had two cousins, one my age and another about a year older. Mark was older and he was like a kiss ass to my uncle and as such he was kind of the boss and now driver since he got his license first. Tom was my age and was always getting the shitty end of the stick compared to his brother. My uncle was rich by any slandered but worked his ass off to get there and he felt everybody had to work hard and the older we got the harder the work got. But him and my aunt liked to travel and party leaving us boys in charge of the ranch with Mark being the boss. My uncle had 6 or 7 cars and trucks that we used (Mark driving) and after school one Friday I rode home with Mark in a brand new light blue Pinto station wagon my uncle had just bought. It was new but with 0 options, like am only mono radio and no air conditioning. I was excited on the way to my uncle’s house because Mark said he had some good weed. Since July, all I had been smoking was fan leaves off our never flowering plants and the occasional Mexican brick weed. It was still very hot and I remember putting my arm out the window racing down the highway and the wind burning my skin. About half way there, Mark hands me a tiny pin joint and says spark it up. It was so small I thought it would get one of us high but I lit it and took a big hit. I had never tasted cannabis like that, it was strong, sweet and hashy but in an instant, my lungs exploded and I was coughing my head off. Mark was laughing when I passed him the pinner, I recovered and asked what was it. He said gold, Colombian gold that cost $40 a lid (normal was $10). Another softer hit and I began to feel it, like a huge building wave. Suddenly I was the happiest kid on earth and everything was incredibly beautiful, I looked at Mark and we broke out in laughter. Suddenly we were at the ranch and still had half the joint, which I pocketed. The house was empty as my aunt and uncle were in New Orleans for the weekend. We were not permitted to bring girls to the house or party there so we were just going to shower and change clothes then head to the Sonic to hang out. In the house, the AC was running cold and it felt like heaven, Tom came in pissed that Mark made him ride the bus home but after a couple hits from the half pinner he was calm and cool. Mark went in the shower while Tom and I drank a beer, Mark and Tom shared a room and while Mark was, showering Tom came out of the bedroom holding the bag, the bag of gold. I had never seen weed like that, light yellow with very few seeds. We started rolling as the doorbell rang, it was Mark’s super sexy girlfriend Debbie. This girl was really hot with long black hair and perfect body, every guy in school wanted her. She went and slipped in the shower with Mark and that was the last we saw of them, leaving Tom and I holding the bag so to say. Tom and I got into the liquor cabinet and started drinking my uncle’s 20-year-old scotch. We stayed up all night drinking and smoking that gold. Mark and Debbie did not leave the bedroom until sunrise when Tom and I were falling down drunk. Mark flew into a rage when he say we smoked most of his bag, started to beat the shit out of us. Then Debbie grabbed what was left of the bag and flushed it with us watching saying the weed was evil. Never saw Debbie again.

red rider

 

[red rider]

As it turns out the property in Zipacon where the finca is does not have a clear title for cannabis licensing. So now we have to start at a new location. Everything else is ready for approval, I was not happy when I found out yesterday, not only that had these rich guys came to my house looking at and taking pictures of my plants. All I have going now is seedlings and a few mother plants but I don't like strangers sniffing around. So I'm not good company now and having my investor bringing these looky lue's to the grow didn't sit well with me. I was rude and gave them no information as well as telling my investor to never bring these posers to meet me. Anyway I'm going to see my kids for a few days and get out of this city. And I have another guy really close to where the kids live that wants to get licensed to grow. He wants me to work with him and I might be able to do something part time. I guess I'm not good with people when dealing with the plant, I was much happier growing quietly by myself. I'm sure everything will work out but I have to learn not to let people piss me off so easily. Next week we are going to look for a new location (just me and the investor lady) and I hope to have good news.

red rider

 

[red rider]

Mangobiche

Mangobiche

I'd like to mention that it's been raining here everyday since February, not all day but everyday. I know it's what they call "winter" now but it seems to be raining a lot more than normal for this time of year. The mornings are usually clear skies and bright sun but sure enough before noon it clouds up and rains like a mofo till late afternoon, clearing up as the sun goes down. I get so little sun light that I put the plants out in the backyard to drink up a little sunshine but I've got to be home in the afternoon to put them under cover from the rain (sometimes with hail). I never leave the house with the plants in the yard fearing the rain.
Anyway the university Mangobiche I find to be the strongest I've found yet. Oh yes with all the rain nothing dries fast or even at all in the open air. I find myself making little drying areas on the TV so I got something to smoke. But the Mangobiche is dry and been curing for a little while and I've been able to get a good idea of their quality. It's seeded with Bangi Haze but still packs a punch and tastes nothing like mango. To me it tastes like spicy incense. earthy type and I love it. The plants look very "sativa" but the hit is heavy yet clear and uplifting. I feel it's a good representation of vintage Colombian as I remember it although not the best. This is just one of many I'm growing to find the one I'm looking for. I started some of the Mango X Bangi haze to see what they are like, really wish I could have found a nice male MB but lucky to have found two non hermi females.

Next week should be interesting as we search for another grow location. But I can see my beautiful investor lady starting to wear from all the licensing bullshit. When we first started she was bright and outgoing, now she looks like she needs a vacation. Still optimistic but tired of all the run around. I try to keep positive and forward moving reassuring her that I am committed and we will succeed.
Going to spend a few days with my kids and happy about it.


red rider

 

[red rider]

Went to Paipa to talk to a guy about a licensed grow he's starting there. Like Bogota, it's high elevation although not as cold. The guy's ok, has no idea about cannabis but he owns a lot of land and a company that installs solar panels. Anyway he just wants a small grow with one greenhouse, I liked the location as it's on the sunny side of a mountain. I basically told him it was going to be expensive and I'm only interested in non commercial cannabis varieties. He agreed with everything and we went on to starting a few Colombian seeds I had with me. Had a meeting with him the next day and he had a bicycle accident and broke his leg putting everything on hold.

Cured Colombian

In the mean time I'm still working here in Bogota, I've got some ACE Malawi and Mangobiche X Bangi Haze as well as some unknown Colombians started. Waiting for the rainy season to end (July) to flower some hopefully at a finca. As always waiting but I'm in no hurry.

red rider

 

[red rider]

Land race lumbo

Land race lumbo

You would think by now I would know to keep my mouth shut but my ego feels it necessary to educate. So yesterday day another young scientist guy comes over to meet me (not by request) and he’s typical of the type. Never used cannabis in his life but interested in using his knowledge of chemistry and HPLC to profit. Instantly I do not like this guy, as he starts sniffing around my grow, then he starts trying to show me pictures of plants on his phone. I ignore the pictures and start making coffee and he sees my SMG seedlings. I told him a little bit of the history of how I obtained the seeds verifying their authenticity (never should have said a word). Then Poindexter comes at me with, there is no indigenous landrace cannabis from Colombia or for that matter the Americas, cannabis originated in Asia. This guy speaks really good English, his intelligence is obvious as is his book learning but his arrogant attitude offends me more than it should. So I pour some coffee and heat up my vape. I say look man, humans are not indigenous to Colombia, we originated in Africa. Then I went back out to the garden to mix some soil.

red rider

 

[CannaRed]

Awesome thread. Love reading your stories

 

[bigherb]

Red rider

Thanks for sharing

Seems like you have your hands full . I hope you land a situation which best suits you

I’m curious if you have acquired CBG Punto Rojo . I recall PR being a favorite of your and there selections look to be something from the past

Best wishes to you

1luvbigherb

 

[red rider]

Punto Rojo

Punto Rojo

Red rider

Thanks for sharing

Seems like you have your hands full . I hope you land a situation which best suits you

I’m curious if you have acquired CBG Punto Rojo . I recall PR being a favorite of your and there selections look to be something from the past

Best wishes to you

1luvbigherb

Greetings my brother, thank you so much. I'm actually better than I ever have been and closer than ever to many of my dreams.
As far as the Punto Rojo I have access to a few different local varieties with the name (PR), CBG being one of them. As a matter of fact I still have and smoke some of the CBG PR we grew a few years ago here. It's very well cured now but I love it in the mornings with the coffee.

But nothing compares to the Punto Rojo I had in 77, maybe nothing ever will. However at the moment I'm not growing any of the PRs as I've got some un named or unknown Colombians I'm interested in. Due to plant count limitations I can't grow enough to know what is really here. I do have a Mangobiche from the Colombian national university that is the closest to the vintage Colombian we love. Tastes like 1970s and hits just as hard with an effect that brings back the memories in a positive light. But I've got a long way to go and so much more to learn. Trying to be calm and focused while pressing forward, humble confidence. The best is yet to come.

red rider

 

[BlackBart]

I used to get Colombian Gold in the late 1960's it is still some of the most finest cannabis I have ever smoked . Thank you for sharing

 

[red rider]

Redbud Rhonda (summer 78)
The summer of 1978, I was 15 years old and living with my mother and step dad in Grapevine TX. My mom was working for this rich Texan called big Jim; together they built a huge restaurant/dance club right by the lake. I worked there washing dishes with my cousin Mark who waited tables while mom was the manager. There was about 30 employees and the place was packed almost every night. On the property was an old brick house that my mom, step dad and I lived in. It was a nice house 30 years before but now was a little run down, although livable. Bad thing was living that close to the club was we were always on call to work extra shifts. One night while taking the trash out, I caught a whiff of weed, Colombian weed to be specific. As I went behind the dumpster to investigate, Rhonda one of the bartenders jumped out, said, “You scared the shit out of me”, and handed me a pin joint. Rhonda was about 25 and had bright orange red hair and alabaster white skin. She had that Pat Benatar look with short cut hair and blood red lipstick and nails. Thin and always wearing silky braless tops and super tight disco pants. She was so hot; I had trouble just trying to speak with her. However, I hit the joint and felt it right away, Colombian sweet and strong. Rhonda was high and kissed me out of the blue then rushed back into the club leaving me with the rest of the joint. Between the weed and contact with her I was slightly aroused and had to wait to go back to work. I lusted after her ever since but nothing ever came from it but teases. One night I was alone in the house and there was a banging at the front door, I answered and it was Rhonda. She was drunk and started hugging and kissing me, saying I had to do her a favor. Of course, my answer was yes and she gave me a brown paper lunch bag. Now she was like in a panic saying I had to hold it for her cause some bad shit was coming down and she did not want to be holding. I said sure and hide the bag in a crack in the stone fireplace mantel. Safe and out of sight, Rhonda dashed out the door leaving me with something to hold on to. I didn’t think much about it until one night when I was watching the local news on TV with my mother and found out her and her boyfriend got busted selling coke to an undercover cop. Now I wanted to see what was in that bag she gave me but as I went to retrieve it, the damn thing fell back into the wall beyond reach. I gave up and forgot about it until one day after we had moved out of the house and it was being demolished to expand the clubs parking lot. The whole house was a big pile of bricks and as I searched near where the fireplace was I found the bag in perfect condition. Inside it was some ludes (lemon), some coke and a big bag of Colombian redbud. It was top quality compared to the mersh that was around at the time, with slightly seeded nickel sized bud clumps. It had a rusty red/gold color and an industrial spicy Colombian smell and taste, super expando. The effect was mood altering in a very uplifting way, changing any situation in a positive way. Never saw Rhonda again or redbud like that but I had the best summer in 78.

red rider

 

[Maggotbrain]

Hey Red rider,
I love your posts. And I love what you're doing in Colombia. I've missed the old weed so much over the years. It sound like were about the same age. I'm working on a similar project in the states. I recently acquired a pretty large amount of seeds collected in the 60's, 70's and 80's and I want to reintroduce people to the old weed.

But the real reason for my post is to let folks know about a good new movie about the Colombian marijuana trade in the 60's through the 80's. It's called "Birds of Passage" and it was made in Colombia about an indigenous family that got involved in the trade. I saw it on Amazon Prime. It is a well written and beautifully filmed movie with very good acting and it gives you a glimpse of what it was like in Colombia at the time.

 

[red rider]

Hey Red rider,
I love your posts. And I love what you're doing in Colombia. I've missed the old weed so much over the years. It sound like were about the same age. I'm working on a similar project in the states. I recently acquired a pretty large amount of seeds collected in the 60's, 70's and 80's and I want to reintroduce people to the old weed.

But the real reason for my post is to let folks know about a good new movie about the Colombian marijuana trade in the 60's through the 80's. It's called "Birds of Passage" and it was made in Colombia about an indigenous family that got involved in the trade. I saw it on Amazon Prime. It is a well written and beautifully filmed movie with very good acting and it gives you a glimpse of what it was like in Colombia at the time.

Thank you, I'll check it out

 

[OldCoolSativa]

I can't say it better than bigherb, I hope you land a situation which best suits you, red rider, and I'm glad to see you closing in on it.

I've been growing Colombian punto rojo cultivars for a year now and think the weed is on par with the very good Colombian we had in the 1970s, but it's not as good as the best that was available then. I'm finding that only about 10% of the plants are sexually stable in my indoor environment. Is that consistent with what you're seeing in their native environment? All this hermaphroditism means I've been smoking a lot of seeded Colombian bud lately. I'm such a throwback because I enjoy seeded bud and the ritual of de-seeding it. Now I save the seeds.

 

[red rider]

Wild weed

Wild weed

I can't say it better than bigherb, I hope you land a situation which best suits you, red rider, and I'm glad to see you closing in on it.

I've been growing Colombian punto rojo cultivars for a year now and think the weed is on par with the very good Colombian we had in the 1970s, but it's not as good as the best that was available then. I'm finding that only about 10% of the plants are sexually stable in my indoor environment. Is that consistent with what you're seeing in their native environment? All this hermaphroditism means I've been smoking a lot of seeded Colombian bud lately. I'm such a throwback because I enjoy seeded bud and the ritual of de-seeding it. Now I save the seeds.

Greetings my friend, so glad you have the Colombians. Here most growers won't touch the native strains due to the flowering time, low potency and mostly inter sexed plants. All with the exception of the CBG PR hermi with my latest Mangobiche (name) 90% hermied. The same Mangobiche from the university however had a decent hit. Over the years I've come close to obtaining the vintage quality but still falling short. Now I'm not trying to reach a goal but still looking. And I'm smoking all my seeded MB just like the old days but I don't have an album cover to clean the seeds on. Of course now keep every seed neatly labeled.

red rider

 

[red rider]

04

04

My first garden in Colombia 2004,

red rider