“G” uses Industria, (Dutch) fixtures and Phillips 600w HP sodium bulbs that burn 12 hours a day. The lights are spaced so plants receive 500-750 watts per square meter. That’s a lot of light and the reason buds are so full and dense. “G” chose these fixtures because they are able to hang closer to plants, 30-50 centimeters (11.7 x 19.5 inches) above, without creating hot spots. The design also vents the hot air away quickly and efficiently.

“I water by hand in the flowering cycle. I water daily until water runs out the bottom of the pots into the saucer. Plants need from a quarter to half a liter every day, depending on growth stage. I use the same 50/50 tap/RO water that I use in all stages of growth,” informs “G”.

“I water (fertigate) until it drains out at the bottom of the pots. About 0.25 – 0.5 liter runs out the bottom. Every flowering plant receives about 1-2 liters of nutrient solution every day”, continues “G” as he lifts up a pot to show how the water drains out.

His flowering solution mix includes a base of Advanced Hydroponics (Dutch) three-part fertilizer. He mixes it with Hy-Pro Nutrient solution (Dutch), plus PK 13/14 (Canna, Dutch) for the final-bloom mix after 2 to 3 weeks in the flowering room. According to “G”, the most important part of the mix is Canna’s PK 13/14!

The EC of the solution depends on the stage of the plant in the flowering cycle. Starting with an EC of 1.0 “G” bumps up the strength incrementally to reach a high of EC 2.5 at the maximum. The last 2 weeks they get nothing but plain water. He keeps the nutrient solution temperature between 18-21 degrees.

“G” prefers to mix his own growing medium for flowering plants as follows:

• 1 part Perlite
• 1 part Worm castings
• 1 part Oasis flock
• 2 parts Canna coconut coir

A couple of weeks from harvest this ‘Cyber Crystal’ bud shows minor signs of over-fertilization, but not enough to slow flower growth and density.

Perfectly grown ‘Chronic’ bud two days from harvest.

The garden area is always super clean and he has no trouble at all with spider mites or fungus. The only problem he has is with "Trauermückenlarven", fungus gnats. He keeps them in check with yellow glue (sticky) sticks.

CO2 is not cool, according to “G”, “I do not use CO2 because I am not an earth murderer”.

The ambient temperature of the room depends on the season and the outdoor weather. “I keep the temperature 20-28 degrees during the day and 17-22 degrees at night. It stays colder (20-24 degrees) during the winter, remember, this is Switzerland” says “G” with a smile.

The humidity also depends on outdoor weather. He keeps the relative humidity at 40-60 percent during the day and 50-80 percent at night. The worst season is autumn when fog blankets the ground and humidity outdoors is at 100 percent.

Close up of ‘Chronic’ bud just plucked and ready to dry.

Close up of ‘Chronic’ bud ready to hang in the drying room.

The flowering room measures 4 x 7 x 2.7 meters (13 x 22.75 x 8.75 feet). “G” has one intake fan that brings in air at the rate of 2500 m3/hour. The extraction vent fan expels 2500 m3/hour, plus there are four 30 centimeter (11.7 inch) oscillating fans that keep air stirred up.

“I have tested every system you can think about. But at last the most basic is the best! I learned lower technology means less work and cost and the yields are big, big. Now I know what you were talking about in the seminar!” smiles “G” with confidence.

“I used to have 10, 600w lamps and many high-tech headaches. Now I use only 6, 600w HP sodium lamps and produce more with less work and I have the same yield!” continues “G”, rolling a hefty fatty.

“G” has figured out that each plant tells you everything. All you need to know is to learn how to read and interpret the information. The information each plant gives you is the most important information about growing, not what’s in some greed-based miracle product or the imagination of a lame ego starved “grower” with “good advice”. The entire life of an indoor plant is about three months and it must grow as fast and strong as possible every second. Smart growers “listen” to their garden and give each individual plant everything it needs to make it grow as fast and strong as possible.

“What I finally can say is it makes a difference if you get in personal contact with the plants” grins “G” and continues, “You have to hold them like a baby. You do not have success if the garden is on full automatic and look at your plants one time a week. You must love them and they will love you and give you a great success.

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