Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible

gardens.
    Most alpine soils lack humus, and strong winds will dry out the plants. For best results, look for patches where pasture grass grows.
    You can help your plants deal with mountain stress by backfilling planting holes with a mix of peat moss, soil, polymer crystals, and slow-acting layers of organic fertilizer.
    Cold wind causes moisture loss, and plants dry out quickly. This causes stress which can weaken plants and leave them open to attack by disease and insects.

Guerilla-grown buds suffer many days of wind, rain, hot sun, and cool nights. Such stressful conditions often impair resin production.

Polymer crystals mixed in the soil absorb water and release it over time.
    Cool mountain environments, like those in Switzerland or the Rocky Mountains of North America, usually experience first frost in September and last frost during May.
    Spring and fall months are rainy with a dry period in July and August. Cold rains in the fall can cause mold. Planting early-maturing strains helps avoid weather problems.

Rain and wind coupled with heavy buds broke this plant. Tied together with nylon rope, buds were supplied with enough fluids to produce a healthy harvest.
    Tropical climates are generally warm to hot and humid. Rainy and dry seasons vary by location. Most jungle and tropical climates have daily rains. Protecting flowering females from rain with a greenhouse will help avoid bud mold and other problems. The closer to the equator, the less deviation there is between the length of days and nights. Extra hours of artificial light are necessary to keep plants in the vegetative growth stage. Tropical sativa strains are often favored in these regions because they are acclimated and require little special care.
    Nighttime temperatures and humidity are often high. In fact, extended nighttime temperatures above 85°F (28°C) will cause plants to stop growing. Nighttime cooling could be necessary to keep plants growing well.
Soil
    Soil is of three main types and all shades of gray and brown in between. Soil is the product of millions of years of geology.
    Clay soil, also known as “heavy soil” or “adobe” in North America, is common in coastal areas and is very widespread inland. It is difficult to work with.
    Clay soils hold water well and provide slow, even drainage. Clay soils are slow to warm in the spring, but hold warmth well into autumn when sunlight is fading. The density of clay does not allow for proper air circulation, and root growth is inhibited. For more information on clay soil, see Chapter Ten, “Soil & Containers.”
    Prepare clay soil at least a month before planting, adding lots of compost and manure. Clay soils can hold water too well, which can smother roots. Adding organic matter will “lighten” the heavy soil, thus creating air pockets, improving drainage, and promoting root growth.
    The month delay gives the manure a chance to “cool” so it won’t burn the plants.
    Use low sodium manure that contains few salts. Cows are given sodium nitrate to make them gain weight, but that same salt in their manure can lock up nutrients available to the plants, stunting their growth.
    Do not be fooled by anyone who suggests adding sand to break up clay soil. Sand and clay create cement; add straw to make bricks!
    One gardener had a backhoe operator excavate a pit 10 feet square by 2 feet (3 m × 60 cm) deep, built a 2-foot (60 cm) retaining wall around it, then filled it in with 400 cubic yards of river loam. This expensive, laborious soil transformation paid off in one outstanding crop after another over the years.
    A long-term option is to annually till in compost, manure, and other organic amendments.
    Raised beds are an excellent option for clay soil. Till the clay when it is damp and workable, and add manure/compost in heaps; plant directly in the mounds.
    Pile subsoil in a ring around the plant, making a bowl to catch rain water.
    Sandy soil is found near large bodies of water, in deserts, and in many inland areas. It is comprised of small, medium, and large particles and is easy to till even when wet. Plants can achieve excellent root penetration. Sandy soil feels and looks gritty.
    Sand is easy to work and warms quickly in the spring, but it does not hold fertilizer well, especially when over-watered–the nutrients wash out. Compost helps bind the large particles providing food and air circulation, but in hot climates the organic matter decomposes rapidly and is soon consumed by