Frank M & Rosenthal E.: Marijuana Growers
Guide deluxe edition USA Red Eye Press 1990
330pp
This
is a revised edition of a book first published in
1978.
Disclaimer:
"The information and images in this book are
presented as information that should be made available
to the public. The publisher and authors do not advocate,
nor encourage, the breaking of any law. At the time
of this printing marijuana use and cultivation is
illegal under federal statutes and international agreements.
Growing marijuana for personal use is no longer legal
under any state law. We urge readers to support the
Drug Policy Foundation, National Organisation for
the Reform of the Marijuana Laws, and similar organisations
in their efforts to secure sane, sensible and fair
marijuana legislation".
The book commences with a review of marijuana law
reform, and a list of reforming organisations. The
preface states: "The purpose of this book is
to show you how to grow enough marijuana to supply
all your family's needs.
Chapter 1 gives a history of cannabis and cannabis
uses and a discussion of the species question. Chapter
2 discusses cannabinoid content of various varieties
of cannabis, and THC potencies, including much complex
botanical and biochemical information. There is no
mention here of modern hybrids.
Chapter 3 discusses preliminary preparations, including
seed selection, the cannabis life-cycle, and the requirements
of indoor and outdoor growing sites. Shows how to
produce a continuous supply from a multi-level unit
lit by artificial light (p60). Discusses potencies
of different plant parts, and the pros and cons of
indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Chapters 4 to 10 deal with indoor cultivation systems,
dealing with light requirements (natural light, fluorescents,
high intensity (MH/HPS) lights, the spectral characteristics,
output and coverage, reflectors and reflective walls,
electrical wiring and safety. Chapter 6 deals with
soil characteristics and requirements, organic and
inorganic fertilisers and composts, perlite, vermiculite
and containers. Chapter 7 deals with environmental
conditions for germination (plant in moist warm soil),
day length, proximity of lighting, watering and essential
minerals, air temperature, circulation, humidity and
additional CO2.
Chapter 8 describes thinning and pruning techniques,
transplanting, supports and training. Chapter 9 deals
with nutrients and fertilising, essential elements,
foliar feeding, signs of deficiency, and introduces
soil-less mixtures (sand, vermiculite, perlite mixes),
and warns of the dangers of overfertilisation. Chapter
10 advises on identification and protection against
diseases and plant pests. Chapter 11 deals with equipment
maintenance, cleaning, and restarting a second crop.
Chapters 12 to 16 deal with outdoor cultivation, including
choosing a site, soil characteristics, planting and
transplanting, caring for the growing plants, and
coping with insects and other pests.
Chapter 17 advises on flowering, including sexing
plants (photographs), sexual variants, and sinsemilla
production. Chapter 18 is about breeding and propagation,
including production of seeds and breeding for specific
characteristics, taking cuttings and producing clones
form mother plants, grafting onto other species, and
treatment of seeds with colchicine to produce polyploid
plants (a crude form of genetic engineering) - although
this latter method was not recommended and carried
a safety warning. Chapter 19 discusses the effect
of environmental factors on potency.
Chapters 20 and 21 advise on harvesting, manicuring,
drying, curing and storage, with substantial technical
information.
There is a full bibliography (unusual in such a book),
index, and 3 pages of advertisements for other publications.
The book also contains over 50 colour photographs
of the various stages of the cannabis life cycle,
including some excellent microscopic views of resin
glands and insect pests.
Comment: This book is well written and very
comprehensive, fully-referenced and technical. It
certainly contains sufficient information for the
novice to produce plants, but a novice may give up
when faced with the mass of biochemical and botanical
information. An enthusiasts, rather than a beginner's
book, not stressing hydroponic methods of cultivation
or modern hybrid varieties. The stated requirements
of indoor growing as stated are similar to those of
Marlow's book, and there are allusions to continuous
production, although not of the same nature as in
Tricameral Sinsemilla. This does appear to
be a book written in 1978, with minor updates (on
the law, addresses of organisations etc.) in the 1990
edition.
