Onion

Hi John, I have a Woolworths bag and a Pick n Pay R25 bag. The Pick n Pay bag is better. They have good volume and they work just fine in my experience. I also have the proper fabric bags. The shopping bags are more porous but it doesn't bother me.

Weekly Update:Molly grew balls and got the chopI am now carrying 60 litres of water up the hill per day, compared with a week ago when I was on about 40 litres a day with 7 plants and I'm now down to 6. I will put a DWD clone out in a pot to take the place of Molly. I am pleased with their progress, have no major pest issues to report and no pest management / feed changes.Photos as follows:Holly - Transkei originMystery Purple - bag seed Purple HazeInzane ITM - cloneDWD (my only plant that has serious pest problems is stunted)LC-18 x TranskeiWedding Cake - clone

They have already found their way. They have made it legal to use a product that it is illegal to procure. That means that only people who have the capital, facilities and skills can legally enjoy the product. It's a Catch 22. Unless they make it legal to trade, the so-called legal use of cannabis in private spaces is practically impossible for most people to achieve, who neither have the time nor the inclination to grow and don't have friends who grow either. So yeah, they already have their way. They have defined the criminal terms and the punishments are cruel to say the least. South Africa would do well to look to the examples that other countries are setting and open the economy to all and earn a fortune in tax revenue. Making it a legal activity would include children who will be assisting legacy growers with their work as part of the day's activities. Our government has our legislation all wrong. They are out of touch, in denial and they think they have found a creative way to continue Prohibition with even stricter law. Peace out and Namaste.

I'm not breeding this year, so Molly got the chop today. I'm outdoors and not set up for pollen collection at present. His sibling Holly is looking good though

There are some great breeders to be found who don't advertise what they are doing, for obvious reasons. There is a lot of magic happening and if you are fortunate enough to be given an opportunity to try these strains, you should be smiling Personally, I am excited for the craft cannabis industry going forward, just as long as our laws can accommodate the creativity without crushing us with patent law from giants like Monsanto.

Thank you. It hasn't been without its challenges. The grasshoppers and locusts had a good go in the early days. The wind on the mountain is also challenging. The soil is bad and needed a lot of amendment, and it gets terribly hot with all the rock. It is such a beautiful space though I wouldn't grow in the ground under these conditions again.

Weekly Update: The plants had a bit of rain this week and that always perks them up. Between them I am currently bottle feeding 20 litres of water twice a day. Holly gets 10 litres and the others get 5 litres each. If it is a feed day, they get that in the morning watering. They seem relatively pest free and I have been spraying them every two days. I have run out of the BT and I am going to see how it goes with the BB and neem until flower and monitor the efficacy of the BB on its own. It's going to be a mission when the rest of the plants demand more water too... trickle to fill, and up the hill lol. Otherwise nothing to report. I was probably premature getting excited at potential sexing. The Wedding Cake is not showing any further signs of sex, so I remain hopeful. The plants are all just bigger. Holly is shoulder height now for some perspective. I have a couple of cuttings each of the IITM and the DWD. Photos from the top: Holly Molly (left), Mystery Purple (right) Inzane ITM Wedding Cake DWD L-18 x TK

A remarkable recovery. Holly comes from a Transkei origin seed. At a month old she was fimmed by a red locust so I surrounded all of my seedlings in tulle and dowel tents until they were big enough to withstand pests. Today, Holly is chest high and showing sex. I have pruned and trained and she is nice and bushy. I am hoping for some good bud from her.

Weekly update cont... Wedding Cake (In Orgasoilux in a bag) - clone Double Wild Durban (In my soil mix in the ground) LC-18 x Transkei (In mixed soil remnants in a bag)

Weekly Update: Four months to the day that Holly's seed went into paper towel. The plants are in varying stages of development with a couple of late starters. I got some shots of node activity, to see if I can sex them all. I think they are all female except for Molly which might be a boy. I am still doing a foliar spray for pest control every 2 days. The neem will be phased out and I will use only BB and BT during flower. I have changed their feeding routine and the seem good on the following: - Monday - Molasses water Tuesday - water Wednesday - Epic 5:2 (humic and fulvic acids and kelp) Thursday - water Friday - Seagro (gentle general plant food from fish) Saturday - water Sunday - Cape Seaweed (kelp) Holly (Transkei origin grown in my soil mix in the ground) Molly (Transkei origin in my soil mix in the ground) Mystery purple (in Orgasoilux in a bag) Inzane In The Membrane (in Orgasoilux in a bag) - clone To be continued in the next post

Thank you Stefan, this is very kind of you to say. I hope you do very well with your organic growing!

Thank you @ORGANinc. That is very good information to help me understand the way the product is working.

I was gifted a tub of Epic 5:2 as a competition prize and have been using it both as soil drench and as foliar spray. This is the way that the Fulvic and Humic Acids in the Epic 5:2 work https://www.powergrown.com/fulvic-acid/ "Fulvic Acid This miracle molecule, fulvic acid passes through plant’s cell walls with ease. Fulvic acid acts like a claw or chelating agent attaching to minerals that would otherwise be rendered useless to plants. Essential nutrients vitamins and/or plant growth regulators (which plants may not be able to assimilate easily), will ‘piggyback’ on the fulvic acid to be transported to all cells that need them. This miracle molecule has incredible potential when used for soil enrichment in hydroponic applications and as a foliar spray. When necessary, they act as “free-radical” scavengers, supply vital electrolytes, enhance and transport nutrients, catalyze enzyme reactions, increase assimilation, stimulate metabolism, chelate and change inorganic minerals into organically complex minerals, solubilize, energize and transport major and trace elements to the site of need, and demonstrate amazing capacity for electrochemical balance. Fulvic acid is a natural mineral which has survived through the many years of evolution on Earth. It is one of the best and most basic minerals to encourage healthy plant growth. It has chemical properties that allow plants to absorb more nutrients and increases water storage capacity within the plant. Fulvic is so powerful that one fulvic molecule is capable of carrying 60 or more minerals and trace elements into plant cells. It also prolongs the time that essential nutrients remain in the plant cells and maximizes nutritional potential. Fulvic acid increases plant metabolism therefore it naturally increases growth. One property of fulvic acid is its ability to assimilate with other minerals in the ground when it’s a soluble state. It helps turn minerals into a more organic, usable product. When the minerals turn organic, they are more readily and easily absorbed by plant roots. Fulvic acid transmits immunity to all living things. It reacts to everything including living cells, plants, animals and even microscopic organisms. Fulvic acid may be administered via foliar applications. It has a low molecular weight which facilitates penetration into plants. Nutrients can be quickly delivered to all sites within the plant, correcting deficiencies and restoring natural balance. As soon as the first flower sites appear, apply fulvic acid as a foliar spray to increase the number of internodes, (flower sites a plant produces). The most exciting discovery in glasshouse agriculture in recent years is the application of fulvic acid in hydroponic or soilles cultivation. Agricultural scientists have been aware of the benefits of soil applications of fulvic acid for many years. However, it was only recently discovered that fulvic acid could provide the same benefits to soilless crop production. Adding fulvic acid to the nutrient solution once plants are established, around the second week, strengthens their immunities and increases their resistance to stress. Plants are not as susceptible to slight environmental changes in temperature or humidity. Fulvic acid will not compensate for poor hydroponic cultural practices however it does offer a buffer against minor inconsistencies. Nutrient up take is definitely enhanced when fulvic acid is added to the solution. Plants receive a steady supply of food as they require it. Sediment is reduced or eliminated from the nutrient solution when fulvic acid is added. Fulvic acid discourages binding which can cause minerals to fall out of suspension, rendering them unusable to plants. Fulvic acid helps plants deal with drought and freeze better. Its Superior Chelating action is highly desired by hydroponic growers it greatly improves the plants ability to absorb nutrients. It readily penetrates the cell walls of the plant, carrying nutrients and/or plant growth hormones along with it when applied as a foliar spray." And Humic Acid https://soilbiotics.com/files/7373-soilbiotics-humicacid.pdf "Humic acids chemically change the fixation properties of the soil, with benefits such as: • Neutralizes both acid and alkaline soils; regulates the pH-value of soils. • Improves and optimizes the uptake of nutrients and water by plants. • Increases buffering properties of soil. • Acts as natural chelator for metal ions under alkaline conditions and promote their uptake by the roots. • Becomes rich in both organic and mineral substances essential to plant growth. • Retains water soluble inorganic fertilizers in the root zones and reduces leaching. • Possesses extremely high cation-exchange capacities. • Promotes the conversion of nutrient elements (N, P, K + Fe, Zn and other trace elements) into forms available to plants. • Enhances the uptake of nitrogen by plants. • Reduces the reaction of phosphorus with Ca, Fe, Mg and Al and liberates it into a form that is available and beneficial to plants. The productivity of particular mineral fertilizers is increased considerably. • Liberates carbon dioxide from soil calcium carbonate and enables its use in photosynthesis. • Helps to eliminate chlorosis due to iron deficiency in plants. • Reduces the availability of toxic substances in soils. Humic acids biologically stimulate the plant and the activities of micro-organisms. • Stimulates plant enzymes and increase their production. • Acts as an organic catalyst in many biological processes. • Stimulates growth and proliferation of desirable micro-organisms in soil • Enhances plant’s natural resistance against diseases and pests. • Stimulates root growth, especially vertically and enable better uptake of nutrients. • Increases root respiration and root formation. • Promotes the development of chlorophyll, sugars and amino acids in plants and aid in photosynthesis. • Increases vitamin and mineral content of plants. • Thickens the cell walls in fruits and prolongs storage time. • Increases germination and viability of seeds. • Stimulates plant growth (higher biomass production) by accelerating cell division, increasing the rate of development in root systems and increasing the yield of dry matter. • Increases the quality of yields; improves their physical appearance and nutritional value."

Weekly Update:The plants are doing great. They are taking a bit of wind but are none the worse for wear. They are still getting the same feeds and pest control.From the top:LC-18 x TKDWDWedding CakeInzane In The MembraneInzane In The Membrane (top view)Molly (TK origin)Mystery PurpleHolly (TK origin)

Weekly update:Still with the same routine. Seagrow and SST in their water daily and feeding Epic 5:2 once a week, with foliar spray of Epic 5:2 every 2nd day with my pest control (BB/BT/Neem).From the top: LC-18 x Transkei (in my soil mix) Double Wild Durban 1 (in my soil mix) Wedding Cake (clone in Orgasoilux) Inzane ITM (clone in Orgasoilux) Molly (Transkei origin in my soil mix) Purple Haze (Mystery purple thought to be haze in my soil mix) Holly (Transkei origin in my soil mix) Bella (DWD Clone 1 left) and Donna (DWD Clone 2 right)

Weekly update. The plants are flourishing at different stages of growth and training. I have run out of Seagrow and must replace, otherwise I am still giving the plants SST in their water daily and feeding Epic 5:2 once a week, with foliar spray of Epic 5:2 every 2nd day with my pest control (BB/BT/Neem). Two Double Wild Durban clones have rooted. From the top are: Molly (Transkei origin in my soil mix) Purple Haze (Mystery purple thought to be haze in my soil mix) Inzane ITM (clone in Orgasoilux) Double Wild Durban 1 (in my soil mix) LC-18 x Transkei (in my soil mix) Holly (Transkei origin in my soil mix) Wedding Cake (clone in Orgasoilux)

No. There is a misunderstanding. This thread is about the cannabis bill. I am asking about the law. If I grow surplus of 1.2 kg for my household on my 9 legal plants, there is no provision in the law that allows me to store that legally for personal use throughout the year. This would then theoretically leave me two options. Give away / destroy my surplus, or break the law if I store it for my own use. That is the point I am making and I am asking if there is a legal workaround.

I am busy revisiting the current proposed legislation. How on earth does one grow and store a year's supply of photoperiod plants and keep to the 1.2kg limit? 15 Years is a lifetime to spend in prison. I am in a communal living environment and so the ceiling is 1.2kg. That is not going to last one person very long, let alone a household. They neglected to consider how people who are unable to grow can legally access their recreational substance without getting a freebee. No craft brewer is going to give away more than half his product for free to anyone, so why should cannabis growers expect to give away their product (that cost them money to grow), for free?! Rhetorical questions for this forum, but the law makers have not thought this through, or if they have, they are doing it in a prohibition mindset. Do you have any advice on where / how one can legally store the year's harvest?

Weekly Update:All of the plants are starting to push now which is making me happy. I am still contending with hoppers and now we can add bolworm and aphids to the mix. I have been monitoring the infected plant, Holly, the big Transkei origin plant, and hand picking the worms. The aphids haven't made it onto the ganga yet but they have heavily infected the nearby weeds, which I have been pulling and throwing away. The hoppers are everywhere. Spraying once a week with BT/BB/Neem. Feeding daily with Seagrow and SST and weekly with Epic 5:2.

Very good job nursing her back to health! Happy festivities.

Another week has gone by. How time flies. I am now incorporating the Epic 5:2 as a weekly soil drench. I am still using the combo of BT / BB and Neem as a weekly foliar spray and partial drench, and this appears to be successful as I am not having a problem with pests, other than leaf miners on the one plant, which will be up-potted soon and may relieve some stress. Here are the plants in varying stages of growth and training. The biggest, bushiest plant is the one that was almost completely munched by the locust when it went in the ground. Not a lot to report at this stage. It seems the plants are relatively free of pests, with only hoppers and leaf miners evident. That little baby is not looking hundreds. I have just potted it up, so hopefully condition will improve.

Hey ORGANinc. Thanks so much for the info. This is very helpful indeed. I look forward to having you along for my journey with these plants. I feel confident they are going to flourish with the help of the Epic 5:2. I'm still so chuffed that I won this awesome product!

Greetings all.Weekly update time. On the weekend I pruned again. Each plant can tell a story. Some of the plants had some severe leaf miner damage, so I took the leaves off and I added neem to the usual pesticides. The affected plants have recovered nicely. I gave them all another pruning yesterday and training will begin with my little DWD.I'm still feeding them the teas I made, Seagrow and Envirofarm's Epic 5:2 Biostimulant. The Seagrow and SST goes with everything and occasionally I throw in the banana tea and the bacteria juice. I have given them the biostimulant twice. I am not sure how often it is done as that instruction is not on the tin. I need to contact them and find out. Is it a once off, or something ongoing?Despite some bad insect damage, wind damage and the near suffocation of two of the plants by a garlic and oil spray, I am happy with their overall growth and progress. The pics in order are as follows:Double Wild Durban (landrace)Polly (TK origin)Wedding Cake clone (thank you @Fridge)LC-18 x Transkei (TK landrace)Molly (TK origin formerly fimmed by locust)Mystery Purple (bag seed) already going purple in the stemsI took a couple of cuts from the DWD and they are in my make shift cloner.

I gave the TK origin plants a tidy up this morning after pruning them severely two days ago. The white stuff on the leaves is residue from the foliar treatment for pests, which I am now doing every second day (BT and Bioinsek).The first one is Holly, who was fimmed by the red locust initially.This second one is Molly, still coming out of the abnormal growth from the garlic spray suffocation.The next plant is DWD, growing strong in a tent until she fattens off nicely.I have the LC-18 x TK in a small pot, hardening off and recovering from a wind blasting a few nights ago (not pictured here).I took my Banana Blaze auto out her pot and put her in hydro because the stem was too damaged from the wind. I hope it doesn't rot off now. It was a last ditch attempt to get her to stand up on her own again (not pictured here).The mystery purple plant lives on. I didn't have the heart to cull it (not pictured here).I am playing food by ear. I have given SST, LABs and Seagrow. I will feed a bit more with Seagrow I think. I also think the new growth is looking good and any leaf damage is old now. I don't know if it is Brix or pesticide or both, but there is little insect damage these days.

Good news. My tents have withstood 3 nights of gale force winds. I need to lay some straw and then after the cold front that is on its way with several days of rain, I want to plant out some vegetable seedlings. In the meanwhile, here is an update on my ganga plants:The tiny sprout is a Banana Blaze auto (will go into a pot)The bigger sprout is the LC18 x TKThe seedling is the DWD (interesting growth)The pot plant is the Mystery Purple (wonder if a summer grower will produce purple tones)The bushy little plant is Holly (TKO2), recovered from her violent munching by the locustThe one close to the wall is Molly (TKO1), who lost a branch due to LST in the gale force windThe last pic is of Polly (TKO3), who has been a different grower from day one and has been clipped by grasshoppers