Meliniotis C (Sunlight Systems)
- How to set up a grow-room. UK
1995 37pp + 2pp advertisements for growing equipment
and seeds.
Disclaimer:
The main disclaimer makes no reference to cannabis,
disclaiming any responsibility for "resultant effects
on any person or thing including (but not restricted
to) plants, shrubs and trees". Recommends reader
to consult experts if there are any further questions
relating to particular types of plant. At the base of
the publishing and copyright information there is a
further notice: "N.B. Research carried out on the
cannabis plant is referred to in this book. Please note
that the cultivation of cannabis is still illegal in
the UK and in most other countries." The book cleverly
states the general principles of artificial light and
hydroponic cultivation techniques without, for the most
part, stating this is for cultivation of cannabis. However
the cover, featuring a "Rasta" tending plants
under the slogan "Grow your own Homegrown"
leaves little doubt as to identity of the intended reader.
The various
sections include why and how to set up a growroom, whether
in a spare room, attic, cellar or small cupboard, light
proofing, selection of high-intensity discharge lights
(recommended), including metal halide and sodium lamps
for flowering. A height/coverage table is provided (similar
to other publications) and a list of daylight requirements
of different plant types. Small print suggests that
plants "like cannabis ... wont flower unless given
at least 12 hours darkness".
Section on
equipping the growroom suggests soil types (potting
compost), food (good quality - do not overfeed), pot
size, propagators, extension sockets, timers, circuit
breakers, spray bottles, watering techniques, fans/extractors,
heaters and reflective/lightproof sheeting.
Section on
indoor growing advises on germination of seeds (in water
or tissue paper, or propagators), recommending a day-length
of 18 hours for growing - and 12 hours for flowering
- cannabis (p14/15). Sections on repotting, flowering,
and taking cuttings. Advises separate areas for propagation
of seedlings/cuttings, vegetative growth of plants,
and flowering (3 chambers as in Tricameral Sinsemilla).
Paragraphs on testing kits, pests (esp. spider mites),
insecticides and fungi.
Chapter on
hydroponic growing (recommended), including nutrient
film technique (use of tanks where water and nutrients
are recycled via a water pump and reservoir, growing
media (rockwool recommended - or soil) pH (neutral or
lower) and conductivity. Shows diagrams of mini-blocks
of rockwool for cuttings, fitted into larger blocks
as cuttings develop.
Chapter on
specialist equipment and growing techniques including
CO2 - from cylinders,
dry ice,. or home-brewed beer or wine - remote air-conditioning,
humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and economy 7 electricity.
Suggests yields of 25-50g per square foot, depending
on species. Development of mother plants for cuttings,
keeping plants compact & pruning, hormone chemicals,
& stressing plants ("to produce better quality
oils for perfumes") by pruning larger leaves, underfeeding
and underwatering.
The appendices
give tables of buying and running costs of indoor equipment,
a plant day-length index (cannabis listed as flowering
with 12 hours or less), and electrical safety. Finishes
with a double-page advertisement for Sunlight Systems
products, including growlights, hydroponics, meters,
propagators, rockwool, extractor fans, heaters, timers,
CO2 cylinders and seeds.
Comment:
This publication is sold by Sunlight Systems for £5.00.
It outlines the main requirements of a grow room in
simple language and diagrams. Although cannabis is mentioned
only a few times, and the diagrams are ambiguous, most
of the information is clearly directly relevant to cannabis
cultivation, and was based on research with cannabis
plants.
