Flowering By Smell

[Thepizzaguy]

I started a few seeds on 9-18-07 and will have to shut down near Christmas when I take my vacation. I'ld tell you where I'll be as it is one of the most special places on Earth, but I had to reserve the room a year in advance, and by passing on the place I will be for Christmas would also be like giving out the reservation list.

Anyways, about a week ago, my vegging plants starting stinking up the place, and I thought that it may be a sign that they were mature enough to flower. I usually flower after 2 weeks of 24 hour light, but this time around I wanted to go 4 weeks. 2 weeks 24/0 and 2 weeks 20/4, followed by as many days as possible before I have to leave for my Christmas Vacation in flower.

I just switched my lights to 12/12 because I figured the extra week would do the budding process well. The flowering time will be 68-70 days, and it looks like I'll be getting a hook up for the trip, most likely a fair trade of some fresh bud for some old crusty stuff.

My simple question is, when a plant starts smelling whether in flower or veg, does it mean anything like it's ready to flower? Or a signal, like to attract insects? Maybe a sign that the plant is either growing at an optimal rate, or at a slow rate?

Sorry haven;t been high for long time and the question might be jumbled a bit.


Thanks,

[koshiva]

I am unsure whether the scent of the plants changes because it means the plants are ready to flower. Maybe it is a sign of maturity? In mammals their smell does change when maturity approachs though doesn't it, ie hormones/pheremones - all those chemical messengers some of which send out signals to others.

With 'some' plants(canna) it's definatly not the case since they can start to stink as soon as they get a couple of sets of leaves. Ever seen a week old seedling with trichomes? Those crazy Dutchies lol...

Speculation abounds as to the purpose of canna scents on the other hand, ie for what if any purpose to have a scent. Since the scent is so diverse just like the strains from which the scents essense is synthesised in the plants; the entire cannabis gene pool is like a repository of a vast range of scents. Imagine what some perfumes could smell like just based on individual strains or mixed strains? Isolation of the specific terpenes etc not so easy...scent can degrade, ie oxidation.

I'd suspect that the canna smell could serve several functions. For one it may serve as a determent to certain types of insects. Some strains definately do deter mites for example, ie mite proof. The plants must exude a plethora of chemicals along with the scents too and it's likely even that some deter animals too to some degree. On the other hand, could it be that some how over thousands of years of a plant(cannabis) being with man, like other organisms, a symbiotic relationship was begun whereby the reproduction of cannabis and subsequent generations was influenced markedly by mans 'selection' of the plants which were most favourable to his needs.

So over literally thousands of years - in some cases certain cultures chose to keep/use the cannabis plants that 'stank' the most. Maybe it was because those plants were most potent? Or perfume qualities, and insense was indeed a factor and therefore the most pungent was selected. Even over one hundred years adhering to such selection processes(seed distribution even accidental) - this would result in very 'skunky' plants being evolved from 'hempy' ancestors. For there may be those who'd like to get every one to believe that 'skunky afghan' is a recent addition to cannabis genes(ie skunk came about in the eighties) - but the fact is, thousands of years ago they had the skunkiest skunk just like today. It was so potent, it wasn't just 20% more potent than the stuff in the sixties..."or back in our day" ...the Afghan was thousands of percent more potent than heroin even and get this...it wasn't a WOMD yet.

[Cerebro]

Do you know what strain you are growing, it is probably just genetically stinky.
Plant scent is used to attract pollinators in some plants, but as MJ's pollination is simple airborne it's smell is mostly protective as Kosh said. Interesting thoughts though.

[Thepizzaguy]

Sorry. No I don;t know what the heck it is. It started a a couple different bag seeds about 2 years ago. That group produced a seed or two with was replanted. One of those plants hermi and produced about 15 seeds, the same happened with the next group. Not a bad hermi, just a few male sacks after 3 or 4 weeks of flowering.

It's just something that happened in the grow room. I haven't seen a fully or mostly male plant from these seeds yet.

Does BS#3 work for you? As a strain that is?

Cheers

[Thepizzaguy]

The current group of 4 plants had been vegging since 9-18, I think I went into this already. After 2 weeks I changed the light from 24 hours to 20/4. That went on for a week. Yesterday I decided to flower because I'm going away around Christmas and figured I better preserve a few extra days for flowering.

So I just checked the plants and I swear they grew 2 inches over night and I didn't move the lights up. I guess I'll move them up 2 inches Monday. they were between 3-5 inches above the tops. Closer than I usually keep them.

And thanks for the opinions on smell and maturity. Would like to hear a few more ideas, or someone who knows.

[Thepizzaguy]

So it looks like 8-9 days ago I put my four plants into 12/12 lighting, and as of yesterday no sign of sex. The plants are healthy have plenty of water and food. Nice smells that wax and wane throughout the day. Hopefully in a day or two I'll find out what I have and adjust the box accordingly. I am still hopeful that 3-4 4-4 will be female because these seeds have yet to produce a 100% male plant. Just a few female hermi's.

[Pharm Girl]

Hermies......what's this world coming to?

[Thepizzaguy]

I guess it's coming to a point.

And three days later my 1st female appears, and she's the tallest of the group at 18 inches. The 4 plant are in their own 1 gallon+ pots, under 4-23 watts CFLS. The other 3 plants are between 14-15 inches tall. I managed to have all seeds sprout at the same time for once and have kept the lights no more than 5 inches above the tops. Was looking at a Christmas Harvest, but 60 days won;t be enough flower time, so I have to figure out what I'm going to do. I am taking a vacation for 8 days between 12-21 and 12-28. Have been paying for it all year long.

My 1st idea is to ask a friend to sit with my plants at his house. He has a secure room that gets locked whenever he's not home. My room is vulnerable when I'm not here, and even when I am. The second idea is to keep the plants in my room, soak them good right before I leave and set the gallon pots in a large rubber maid with a few inches of water. The last idea is to move the plants into the top half of the garage. There's over 600 square feet of space, and I've already set aside a grow area among the boxes. I'm sure there's a heating pad or electric blanket around here I can use to keep the plants warn at night during the 8 day trip should we have a very cold Christmas.

Crap. I should have started the seeds a month earlier. I'm open to a few early ideas, and any points to ponder.

[smokinsince60's]

Personally, I don't think you are giving your plants enough time to bud. I am growing in a little greenhouse (live in CA and have my prescription for medical mj) my plants have been budding for 12 weeks. I use a jeweler's loop to judge harvest time and that should be next week for optimal maturing of my buds and their trichomes. Is this the same way you determine when to harvest?

[Thepizzaguy]

No. I look at the pistols. When they are mostly orange, red or brown, then I start thing about harvesting. I have a magnifying glass and fiddle with it, but it's not my source for readiness. I agree 60 days is not enough flower time for indoor plants. I also agree, even though no one has pointed this out, the plants aren't getting enough light.

So today I added 2 more 23 watt CFL's, and will be heading to Walmart for some more after I do the hospital/doctor thing with my mom. I think I can get 6-8 more 23 watt CFL's for the 20 I have in my pocket. That will give me 12-14 23 watt lights. I usually double the light when the plants officially start flowering, only I'm light a few bulbs.

2 more plants show pistols/hairs, one is still making up it's mind. My female to male ratio is now up to 90% with these sends I created from a couple hermis. The total light will be in the range of 276-322 CFL's at 1200-1400 light watts, and 19000-23000 lumens. Above average for most of my other growing attempts.

So what's going on in California and your medical grow? Any thing interesting or discussion worthy? Feel free to use this as a platform, it's better than just having me post my nonsense. And as you can see there's a lot of it!

EDIT: Got 8 lights yesterday for 16 bucks. Box is up to (10) 26/100 watt lights. One of the bulbs in a 4 pack was broke. Must return it today and get replacements. Set up is 8 on top 2 along the side. Still waiting for slacker to show sex.

[Thepizzaguy]

10-30-07; 4th plant showed her pistols, but one of the other plants is a hermi. At first it showed pistols on the tops away from the main stem. Today there are a cluster of pollen sacks. They are on the main stem where the secondary branching and buds are. I am thinking about how to handle it.

Snip off the sacks as they appear.
Wait and harvest pollen for one of the other females for female seeds.
Ignore it and like nature take it's course.
Rip it and adjust grow box for 3 plants instead of 4.

Cutting the sacks as they show no doubt I'm going to miss a few and end up with a few hermi seeds, and a low harvest from the plant. Ignoring it will just effect all for plants, and will have low harvest from all plants, hermi and female seeds. Harvesting the pollen isn't something I've done before I would have to wait until the sacks burst anyways. Ripping lowers overall harvest, but prevents other plants from being seeded.

Plants will be due for 3rd fertilizing this w/e when the soil dries out, as I am alternating between straight water and fertilizer hoping to prevent over fertilizing. Smell continues, but it is not as strong as it was when I started flowering. Temps range between 75 and 80. 75 when my window is open, 80 when the window is closed. It feels pretty humid when I open box, more so a day or two after I water.

Plant 1 is hermi. Plant #2 is female with 50% of branches showing pistols, and top 2 nodes with hairs. Plant #3 is a monster with hiars covering 80 of branches and nodes. Plant for was late bloomer and is female, but coverage is yet to be determained.

Health of plants are good to excellent. No issues. Common loss of a few lower leaves after 1st feeding of fertilizer. Only real issue is the hermi, but even that plant looks very healthy.

SEEDS History: out of 20 plants 85% female 15% hermi ZERO 100% male plants

[Cerebro]

I'd definitely rip the herm. Seeds are cheap enough to bypass making your own. You dont want seeds all thru your bud either, so rip it imo.

[Thepizzaguy]

Cebero,

That's the best idea I came up with. Unfortunately, this is my first grow since the beginning of may, and I haven't had any bud since at least up to Christmas. Hey I know it's an excuse, but I decided to keep the sacks in check with a pair of Fiskars.

The reason is that this one plant had a two day spurt and is now 80% female with hairs on all side branches and the top three nodes. The sacks only have come in on 4th and 5th node near the center of the plant, and only at the main stem as far as I can tell. It's a day by day thing, and the more days that pass the greater the likely hood I'll keep it.

Sacks snipped to date: 6
Big time smell this morning. Spicy.


All plants still have vigorous growth with most leaves standing and pointing erect at attention, to the light, of course.

Needless to say, I've very excited about the grow. If not to smoke, I am planning on drying and storing bud and try to get a couple grows in before I start smoking. Hopefully.

I did say that Christmas I am going to have some smoke. I am vacationing and will pick up a few joint or grams from a friend. The place I am going is one of the world natural wonders, and the winter temps dip down into the -45 range over night and rarely get above freezing during the day.

[Cerebro]

will you be posting any pics?

[Thepizzaguy]

Would like to. The last time I posted somewhere, I used my sister's phone and forget or didn't know how to remove the pics. I was then raided by my mom. She saw nothing, but it shook me up for sure. I then gave her all the CFL's I had and had to replace them under the table.

I may snap a few pics before I leave for Christmas and post when I get back. I have a problem with pictures. But you have to admit that if I was "faking" all of this, I could have a serious mental issue.

I don't know why I even post anything. Sure I can answer the easier noob questions. I just have nothing better to do than to post about my pot growing. What am I supposed to do sleep 24/7?

[Cerebro]

I didn't think you were faking, I never even considered it. Just wondering if you would be posting pics.
You've got nothing better to do......I cant help you there.
Stay chill mate.

[Thepizzaguy]

11-4-07: Plants are 20-24" tall and are about to overgrown my already large box. in about 6 inches, I'm going to have to let the lights burn the top set of fan leaves unless I can figure out how to squeeze another few inches out of the box.

The hermi, plant #1, showed another sack, but this one had a hair lopping out of it. The plant also took off and is the 2nd best plant with pistols and hairs on all branches and at many of the nodes along the main stem. It's also the shortest and was in a difficult spot with fan leaves pressed against the side walls. Add to this I remove a few sacks, it's one very stressed plant.

Plant #2 only stands out as the average plant. It's still not mostly covered with pistols, and most of the branches have started flowering. If anything the plant shot up the last few days and is one of the tallest plants at 23".

Plant #3 still ranks as best plant in the box. Has large flowering branches, thick bushes of pistols along most of the main stem. Looks like it's going to resemble my very first plant that produced a single cola 16" long and individual buds the size of my fist. Unfortunately as a noob, I cut that plant to early and the high was weak. This plant won't come to the same fate.

Plant #4 is behind the others in size and production. Although the last 2 days the plant started going. Another day or two and the slacker may become 3 best in the group, ranked slightly above plant #2.

Sacks snipped to date 7. Constant odor wafting throughout the basement.

[Cerebro]

You should train it to the walls.
That will allow you to bend the plant and expose more bud to light. As well as keeping it away from the lights heat