Sleepy Hollow Canyon-2011

[Slangheat]

Hey CC! Good to hear no disasters have struck the hollow.

I'm running a couple of sativa's as well... My Casey Jones is about 15-16' from the top of her pot, and about that fat around as well but she won't be done till mid-late Oct. Her colas are going to be so fucking long though, like fat spears of ganja - extreme frost as well so aside from a later, more stressful finish - the smoke should be great. My Chocolope will finish around mid Oct, and any rain can spell disaster for her as her branches aren't nearly strong enough to hold much more bud weight.. the Chocolope grew like a wild lady for sure and just trellising her up was a total pain. Makes the stouter structure of indica's easier to appreciate.

Like you, my GDP is doing great - this time last year I was experiencing must more moist mornings and I already had mold starting on them... this year has been much dryer and it looks like I may get to let them go full season.

Have you considered growing some Green Crack? It's gonna be around a lot this year, but it's an early finisher - mine will be done a good 2 weeks before the grandaddy. The high on the GC is a very nice contrast to the couchlock GDP also.

I went ahead with a strain called Odyssey from one of the sac-area clubs that is doing absolutely fantastic as well. Tall, lanky sativa growth structure, but puts on huge frosty buds with a strong smell of candy sweetness - looks to be only a week or two from harvest right now.

Can't wait to see some pics of that GDP. Thanks for the update/analysis CC!

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

Hey CC! Good to hear no disasters have struck the hollow.

I'm running a couple of sativa's as well... My Casey Jones is about 15-16' from the top of her pot, and about that fat around as well but she won't be done till mid-late Oct. Her colas are going to be so fucking long though, like fat spears of ganja - extreme frost as well so aside from a later, more stressful finish - the smoke should be great. My Chocolope will finish around mid Oct, and any rain can spell disaster for her as her branches aren't nearly strong enough to hold much more bud weight.. the Chocolope grew like a wild lady for sure and just trellising her up was a total pain. Makes the stouter structure of indica's easier to appreciate.

Like you, my GDP is doing great - this time last year I was experiencing must more moist mornings and I already had mold starting on them... this year has been much dryer and it looks like I may get to let them go full season.

Have you considered growing some Green Crack? It's gonna be around a lot this year, but it's an early finisher - mine will be done a good 2 weeks before the grandaddy. The high on the GC is a very nice contrast to the couchlock GDP also.

I went ahead with a strain called Odyssey from one of the sac-area clubs that is doing absolutely fantastic as well. Tall, lanky sativa growth structure, but puts on huge frosty buds with a strong smell of candy sweetness - looks to be only a week or two from harvest right now.

Can't wait to see some pics of that GDP. Thanks for the update/analysis CC!

Hey brother Slang...good to here from ya pard. Thanks for taking the time to throw in. I was jawin with a fellow farmer today who said it was his belief the Sativas require more potassium during the flower run. He uses Grow More 10-24-24, Humboldt Snowstorm and Potassium Silicate. Could be?

I think before I grew the GC I'd choose the Trainwreck. In my neck of the woods, the GC is considered average in terms of excess resale while the the Trainwreck has always traditionally retained it's market value. It's not the BMW of the field, more like a reliable station wagon with new tires...LOL IMO, even if the potassium were to make a big difference, I'm not sure I want to deal with late finishers. Kind-a-like dancin with the devil...One rain storm and you could be fooked...LOL

I do have some Odyssey Kush goin and it is doin great....Healthy and large sized colas. Hardly look like Sativa....Hell, maybe it's a Green Crack someone slipped in on me! LOL CC

 

[ManitoidsGhost]

Hey CC! Good to hear no disasters have struck the hollow.

I'm running a couple of sativa's as well... My Casey Jones is about 15-16' from the top of her pot, and about that fat around as well but she won't be done till mid-late Oct. Her colas are going to be so fucking long though, like fat spears of ganja - extreme frost as well so aside from a later, more stressful finish - the smoke should be great. My Chocolope will finish around mid Oct, and any rain can spell disaster for her as her branches aren't nearly strong enough to hold much more bud weight.. the Chocolope grew like a wild lady for sure and just trellising her up was a total pain. Makes the stouter structure of indica's easier to appreciate.

Like you, my GDP is doing great - this time last year I was experiencing must more moist mornings and I already had mold starting on them... this year has been much dryer and it looks like I may get to let them go full season.

Have you considered growing some Green Crack? It's gonna be around a lot this year, but it's an early finisher - mine will be done a good 2 weeks before the grandaddy. The high on the GC is a very nice contrast to the couchlock GDP also.

I went ahead with a strain called Odyssey from one of the sac-area clubs that is doing absolutely fantastic as well. Tall, lanky sativa growth structure, but puts on huge frosty buds with a strong smell of candy sweetness - looks to be only a week or two from harvest right now.

Can't wait to see some pics of that GDP. Thanks for the update/analysis CC!

My casey Jones last year WAS NOT FINISHED... when it froze solid a few days before THANKSGIVING...

For Real!

Manitoid

 

[guest8905]

...Hell, maybe it's a Green Crack someone slipped in on me! LOL CC

 

[Slangheat]

My casey Jones last year WAS NOT FINISHED... when it froze solid a few days before THANKSGIVING...

For Real!

Manitoid

I hear it is a very slow finisher... she seems to be going right along though. We'll see.

I won't hit freezing temps in my area for a good long while still - she could weather a normal rain, but a storm is what worries me as CC mentioned... that could fook me!

I hear you on the GC CC, although people around my parts love it... I guess I forget to take market into consideration when I make some comments as most is just to satisfy me and my families chronic smoking habits. Trainwreck was a favorite back when my parents had it in their garden but I've yet to run it... I can def see it in the Casey though.

Don't forget to take some pics for us soon, rootin for a strong finish!

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

Alrighty then...Middle of Sept and this ol cowboy aint all the way to the house yet, but I can see the barn from here. As stated earlier, overall I'm happy with the ways things are shaking out. A few tweaks here and there in the garden-mechanics area for next year but the biggest unknown, I do believe, has been answered. Location, location, location. While the Hollow continues to lose a bit sunlite during the early fall as the sun tracks lower and lower, it's still the best place for me to do my grow-shenanigans. The most important reason is the garden security. Some folks visitin my property have been within 100ft of the Hollow, and never noticed the 10ft plants. Just the other day, my aunt Tillie was a stones throw from the garden and all she said was: "What in the world is that awful smell...?" LOL Ive had the opportunity to see folks comin and going on the dirt road along side my property and if the Hollow were anywhere else, I'm sure I would be crappin green nickels with fret and worry right now. I'll whack a few more trees next year and not plant the southern slope most likely, but other than that, it is what is...

So with that:

Like I said, I like the security and stealthiness of the Hollow. It's sort of the guerilla mentality. Ya trade off a little sunlite exposure for more peace of mind that the garden visibility is minimized as much as possible without sacrificing too much yield. That's an LA Confidential in the forefront, a good 8 ft across and just as high. I like this strain. Gets busy early and the colas develop size and weight without breakin a sweat. Right behind it, in a straight line up the photo, is an OG Kush. Another boomer with outstanding cola development. She'll be in the lineup also next year. Behind the OG (straight up the photo) and at the far end is the same Blue Dream I have posted below. She's a good 12 ft in height and something to admire but she's as fast in developing as my aunt Tillie headed down hill with her walker in overdrive. Just sayin...lol

A GrandDaddy in the foreground, a med forest behind. The GDP is one of 3 planted in whiskey barrels in 30gal Geo's. Still reached 4ft in height- 4ft wide and are throwin some awesome buds. These chics are already in flush mode...

GDP bud shots. I need to clone this chick. Early finisher, almost coke can size colas and buds tighter than a bulls ass at fly time and harder than a whore's heart...well, you get the idea...On the left side of the photo a little further up is an easily 8ft high x 8ft wide Querkle. Another starter for next season. Similar to the LA Con, early to get to it, early to finish with excellent, weighty and tight cola development. Crossed with Space Queen, these chics, IMO, are runway grow-model material.

A Blue Dream- Still not feelin the cowboy gro-luv for the strain. The plant is over 10ft in height, 8 ft across and definitely a real spear chucker up towards the top, but it looks like all my Dreams are runnin late...literally. LOL If she really loads up, IMO, I'm concerned her and her clone sisters will be a ducks on the pond come late Oct with any early rain. Massive yield wont do me any good if a storm hammers the massive yield into moldy dog snot, if ya get my drift... The Hollow is going to require early or mid-Oct finishers. My Blue Dreams, while awesome in size, along with other Sativas, unfortunately just may not be practical. Just to get a better idea of this plant's size, the planter is apprx 3ft-6" wide.

 

[GP73LPC]

wow

looking wonderful !!!

 

[growbig789]

thats a beautiful sight for sure.. The sun angle definitely drops more than I thought as well. I have a couple little ones in my backyard I'm having to reposition due to more shade creeping than I originally thought.

I hear you, I would sleep better at night knowing the garden is secure than missing out on a little extra sun. good plan to narrow it down to the strains that work best for your spot, because that is a killer spot

 

[mapinguari]

Your plants look really health CanniDo, and your narration should be voiced by Sam Elliott. Nice stuff!

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

beautiful my friend! the canyon must stank

Hey Dankers...yea, it gets a bit reeky come afternoon and into the evenins. I dont know if it's the smell of good meds or money...maybe both?? lol Yer op is lookin outstanding for a southern california pilgrim...lol! CC

 

[guest8905]

cc- great post brother. Hope the 530 is doing well. Stay safe and green, your in the home stretch now. Keep up the great work!

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

cc- great post brother. Hope the 530 is doing well. Stay safe and green, your in the home stretch now. Keep up the great work!

Hey thanks Sticks...Here in the northern reaches of the 530, we're gettin the normal stuff everyone everywhere else is getting. A few large busts, a few rip-offs gone bad, a knifing here, a shooting there, ya know, the usual gro-drama that goes with the territory. There are some good folks, some bad folks and then there are the just plain dumb-asses.

Yea, were almost there but it does test the pucker string factor about now...lol Thanks for the good words and the same back to ya...CC

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

Your plants look really health CanniDo, and your narration should be voiced by Sam Elliott. Nice stuff!

LOL bud...thanks for the Ups and the kind words...hope all goes well for you too pard...CC

 

[guest8905]

ii was thinking more of a jim hightower voice

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

ii was thinking more of a jim hightower voice

Personally, I think Hightower is an idiot...But hey, thanks for the thought...lol CC

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

So now then...getting geared up for harvest which means cutting, drying, trim & manicure. The trim and manicure will be what it is but the first 2 are obviously my main concern. Ive never done harvest on such a large scale, and as a one man show, without a solid plan, I fear I'll be eventually overwhelmed with the cutting and drying process and in the end, wind up with an unacceptable amount of harvest loss due to not being able to stay ahead of the process. It seems to be a common occurrence amongst the grow community. Looking ahead to final trim and manicure is pointless if the product isnt harvested and dried properly and IMO, this is where having an absolute smooth process is critical. I wont have a trim machine to help bail me out so method and timing will be everything. Sounds real simple on paper..lol.

So, to insure I dont fall behind and to give myself a little harvest wiggle room, I'm planning on harvesting using 2 different methods. First, the majority of plants I'll harvest in the standard 3 cut method- first the top buds,, a week or so later the middle and then the bottom when ready. Probably the best method to insure consistent bud maturity although a more labor intensive way in that each bud has to be semi-trimmed and hung individually to dry. And a drying rack system is going to be required.

The other method I will be using is to cut some plants down whole, strip all the shade/water leaves, semi trim the buds and hang the entire plant inverted. You dont get the consistent flower maturity from bottom to top and you give up nominal weight by not allowing the middle and lower tiers of the plant to increase in size as in the 3 cut method, but in a pinch, it gets the plant drying which can buy time and reduce yield loss.

So, seein as I dicked around too long to build a drying shed, Ive converted my tool shed into a temporary dry shed for this year. For the 3 cut harvest method, I'll have 2 rabbit wire screened dry racks 24 inches deep and 14ft long along one wall. 3 if necessary. The larger buds will be hung from the bottom of the screen while the smaller popcorn stuff will lay in the racks. Ive used this method indoors and it it quite efficient, just not on this large of scale.

For the full plants, a different method. First, Ive put up a trim-pole out in the Hollow. A 12 ft long 2x4 "flag pole" with movable pegs starting at 5ft high and the highest one at 10ft to accommodate any size plant. I'll cut the plant, hang it inverted from the peg best suited for the length of the plant so the top of the plant isnt touching the ground, strip it down to buds and then hang the entire plant in the dry shed. I'm using a "flag pole" because I dont want to damage the buds by laying the plant on the ground and it will be more efficient to get the initial trimming done without bending and kneelin for long periods of time. I'll do this process down in the Hollow, again, so as not to damage the plants trying to carry them out of the Hollow due to their size and it will be easier to rake up the shit load of leaves that will be left over.

ive installed an A/C in the dry shed, have circulation fans on stand-b and timers to control the drying temps. I'm thinkin all this may just work although I realize the grow-Gods will have the final say...lol I'm not sure my little tool shed can handle this whole op but like my grandpa used to say: "Dont worry about the mule son, just load the wagon..." I'll post some pics when this whole plan gets rollin... CC

 

[GP73LPC]

you must spread some reputation around before giving it to CanniDo Cowboy again.


sounds like you've got it all worked out

 

[Green and Gold]

The other oddity is the majority of buds on the west side( in relation to the sun track) of most all my plants, are smaller in size than those on the morning side.
CC

First, great thread. I've been checking in periodically.

What you said about the buds on the west vs. the morning side is interesting. I was in a friend's garden yesterday evening near Placerville and was seeing the same thing. Very pronounced, much more bud production on the morning sun side of the plants.
I'd never seen this happen before, until last night, and this morning I read your post about the same thing.

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

First, great thread. I've been checking in periodically.

What you said about the buds on the west vs. the morning side is interesting. I was in a friend's garden yesterday evening near Placerville and was seeing the same thing. Very pronounced, much more bud production on the morning sun side of the plants.
I'd never seen this happen before, until last night, and this morning I read your post about the same thing.

In my case, I have a stand of trees on the west end of the Hollow. The trees begin blocking the sun about 3 to 4 pm in the afternoon, whereas the morning sun hits the plants around 7.30 am. I gotta believe if the stand of trees wasnt there, that might be up to 2 additional hrs of sun. 2 hrs a day for 6 months-it would certainly add up...Who would have thought? Thanks for the check in and your insight G&G...CC

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

you must spread some reputation around before giving it to CanniDo Cowboy again.


sounds like you've got it all worked out

LOL GP...well, you know how plans go in this business. It all sounds good today but today aint tomorrow and the next day and so on...lol Thanks for the check in bro and all your reps! CC