A whine about breeder harvesting claims

[BR2K]

As a legend in my own mind, I get perturbed when the world doesn't bend to my whims. Take for instance, my Critical XXL. It was SUPPOSED to be ready for harvest in 45-55 days of flower...I'm at 56 days of flower and the plant won't likley be ready until sometime in January. I don't even have a significant amount of pistal curl-in! Garden of Green - take note!

My Mandarin Gelato is rocking, right on the breeder's schedule - Way to go, Ministry of Cannabis! It's my rock star of all my grows. It suggests to me that the strain is great and that perhaps 5 gallon smart pots result in greater yields...except the aforementioned Critical XXL is in one and it's the runt of the litter.

I requested opinions about my Golden Tiger X Panama. The breeder, ACE Seeds, recommends an 11 on 13 off to manage flowering stretch. I decided to go with traditional 12/12. I have several crispy bud tops, as my training attempts were only moderately successful. I'll live with it and try to do better next time. It too, appears to be on track with ACE's harvest claim. I JUST noticed it's finally frosting up nicely, after 94 days of life and 63 days of flowering. It's got at least 10 days, according to ACE and I won't rush it.

This is both a rant and a PSA about why GWE and many people on this forum urge caution about relying on breeder recommendations. Now if y'all would be so kind as to correct this egriegious injustice, about the world not bending to my whims, immediately if not sooner, yeah, that would be great!

[Farmbuck]

Hi @BR2K don't rush the Aces strains..! I've been growing their strains for over 3 years now and I always pass their # of weeks recommendation. For example this is my third grow with Kali China and I let it flowering more than 9 wks. They say 7-9 weeks but I go further until I'm satisfy with the percentage of amber of 30% + for which I like.

Just to let you know I grew their Kali China, Panama, Thai Chi and Nepal Jam, so yes I use their #weeks as a benchmark.

[Xena]

Farmbuck I didn’t want you to think I was saying anything bad about you. I love your budporn I was just saying that you can’t judge what your plant looks like in the real world and compare it with budporn shots.

[Farmbuck]

I'm sorry Xena It's just right now I lost my father this morning and I'm trying to cope with it. It's not you it's me..! Yeah I know what you mean, this year it was not my best grow must be 2020. Hope you understand my dear grower.

[Xena]

I’m so very sorry to hear about your dad. This year keeps getting worse, thoughts and prayers are with you.

[JDU]

I've come to realize that I just don't have the ability to teach my plants how to read a calendar so I just let em do their thing. I had a OGK that went either 14 or 16wks (I don't remember which lol) & I'm glad i didn't take her at the advertised 9!!!! She is some of the best I've smoked.

[BR2K]

When I started this adventure, buying lights, seeds, coco, etc., I was in full chase of recovery after divorce. Basically, I needed something to calm what I term the screaming meemies. Anxiety with no real source, other than the general unsettling feeling that things were going too fast. I was much more susceptible to caving in to early harvest. I'm doing MUCH better now. especially with my "gardening with benefits" hobby

Now I'm all about documenting my progress and posting tidbits here and there.

[SoOrbudgal]

Hi JDU you still got a plant growing? Nice to see you online. I do believe most of my outdoor was effected by the months of smoke and ash debris. My OG kush is meh and i traded the Thai for some lotion. Thank goodness my indoor did OK not the best grow from the clones outdoor grow but better than the outdoor.

[JDU]

Howdy SoOrbudgal! Yeah, I check in now n then- mostly quick lurks. My break-up hit me pretty hard too BR2K but I lost my grows. Had to cut a grow 2wks before the window was due to open & don't have anywhere to set up a tent in order to start over. I shoulda made a plan before I let her know she was caught lmao!!!

[BR2K]

JDU - I feel your pain on the death of your relationship. Rest assured, you did the right thing. Up until the past few weeks, I didn't know what was up with my ex-wife. There was no hank-panky but her behavior pushed me out of the relationship. I suspect my ex fits the description of a narcissist. Although I'd heard the term, I never investigated what it meant. Now healed (mostly) I am emerging better than ever before...I wish the same for you!

[Xena]

I think you’re preachin to the choir. The timetables for the autos especially are down right criminal.......seed to harvest in 46 days. Bull! And takes 14+ weeks total. Only thing more deceptive is the supposed wattage on the leds.

[Rwise]

There are also mistakes one can make that extend how long it is to harvest. I made one of those with my first autos, I used coffee and coffee grounds to help reduce the PH. Well as it turns out caffeine is an herbicide and it caused the 90 day autos to go 130+ days to harvest. I do agree that the breeders could be more accurate with their time lines.

[Cali]

Rwise i agree. I think breeders mean you will get those results in perfect conditions. But let’s be real grows ain’t perfect. Plus they don’t tell you how they achieved those results meaning grow environment conditions. Plus some top their plants which stress the plants completely messing with its hormones I’m sure that plays a big role aswell. My last couple grows I have not topped my plants and I like it better. I feel they grow a lot healthier and get as many colas as if I topped but without cutting off the brain of the plant.

[Rwise]

I tend to agree with not topping, my outdoor grows are never topped as my findings through the years has been I get more if I dont top! Inside, well we do have limits.

[YYCannabis]

My autos are almost always double the time that a breeder says it should be. So 9-10 weeks ends up being 18 weeks. But since I’m n no hurry to harvest, I can afford the extra time to get fat yields.

As a side note, I’m thoroughly convinced that the defoliating that I do to my plants causes the extra time being needed.

[BR2K]

An update: Farmbuck definitely has it goin' on with his Kali Mists and such (ACE Seeds). I just tried a Golden Tiger X Panama (GTXP) bud, I pulled about 24 hours prior. Full disclosure, I'm not harvesting for about another week. I just took a side branch cola, to gauge where my GTXP is in the maturation process. I am very pleased to report the best-tasting bud I've ever grown. I vape, for health and security concerns. My limited experience is it doesn't provide the same taste as joints or a bong. GTXP has an awesome flavor, that I've been missing. The buzz I got was racy/speedy but pretty much confirmed that I should be good to harvest on Day 84 of flower...My Critical XXL has finally gotten with the program and should be ready the same time as GTXP. This will be 22 days past the 55 days of flower Garden of Green claimed. The good news is they're correct about everything else in their description - It's a beautiful, short plant. I have high hopes (pardon the pun) for the effects too.

[JohnEmad]

awesome stuff. I plan on obtaining some ace seeds next year sometime. They have some great looking varieties.