• Pay with a money order, cash, or a business credit card with a business address to minimize on-line ordering risks. Ask seed vendor to destroy your payment information as soon as your order is processed.
• Ship seeds to a real address and name. Use some initials in the name and address, and misspell the name but still make it deliverable.
• Ship seeds to a third party-friend, family member, business, etc. They do not need to know what is in the package. Ask them not to open the package.
• Do not have seeds shipped to the same address where your garden is located
• Do not have packages sent that require a signature • Use a public e-mail address when ordering. Count on your e-mails being saved somewhere. Do not use this e-mail for other purposes.

• Increase security by using a proxy server to hide your computer's IPaddress. Learn more about proxy servers by searching for "proxy server security" on www.google.com.

• Patience is a virtue. International shipments take longer than domestic
shipments. Wait several days longer before you start searching for the shipment. Do not telephone or e-mail vendor until a reasonable time has passed.

Many national governments monitor all international telephone calls. Use a telephone card and call from a public telephone or one that cannot be traced back to you.

If you live in a country where seeds are illegal, call from a public telephone and use a calling card. Do not call the seed company from a telephone located at a grow house. Even if you are a medical marijuana grower in the United States of America, the seeds must pass the US border and federal law applies.

Seized Seeds: Note for USA Citizens

If Customs seizes your order ofseeds, they will send you a note informing you of that fact. We have never heard a report of a law enforcement official showing up at the door of a seed buyer.

You can see an actual letter at the site www.onlinepot.org and http://www. onlinepot.org/ mailing_ scams/ badboyletter.htm. You will receive the letter with the dreaded green tape that says "Opened by US Customs."

Seed Quantities and Pricing
Seeds are generally sold in packages of 5,10, and IS. Prices range from about $3 to $30 USD per seed. Often less expensive seeds are perfectly adequate for many growers' needs and desires. More expensive seeds are usually more stable and extra care has been taken to produce them. Furthermore, expensive seeds are often winners of recent cannabis cups or are more difficult to produce. My preference is to purchase seeds that are in the middle price range. Unless feminized, always purchase packages of 10-15 seeds, because the odds are that SO percent of the seeds will be female and the other halfmale. Ofthe desired female seeds, some will show more desirable characteristics than others.

Feminized Seeds
Feminized seeds are becoming very popular world- wide. When grown in a stress-free environment virtually all feminized seeds grow into female plants. They are more expensive than "normal" seeds. Normal seeds generally yield a SO/SO mix of male and female plants. Male plants are weeded out and female seeds are harvested.

Receiving Seeds
Checkseeds to ensure none are crushed. Ifseeds came in a see-through bag, do not open it. Call or e-mail the sellerimmediatelyto explaintheproblem.Ifone ora few are crushed, return all seeds for replacement.

Ifyou are not going to plant the seeds immediately, remove them and keep them from the original package. Keep seeds dry or they might start to germinate. Place them in a small dark vial or film canister with a dry packet of silicone, the kind you find in electronics packages. Label the crush-proof container before you place the seeds inside.

Storing Seeds Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place. Make sure to label containers! Some seeds will remain viable for five years or longer when stored properly. When 50 percent of the stored seeds do not germinate, the average storage life is over. But seeds a year old or older often take longer to sprout and have a lower rate of germination. Seeds store for a long time when humidity is less than 5 percent and temperature is 35°-41°.

Seedlings
During seedling growth, the root system grows rapidly while green aboveground growth is slow.Water and heat are critical at this point of development. The new, fragile root system is very small and requires a small but constant supply ofwater and warmth. Too much water will drown roots, often leading to root rot and damping-off (rotting at the soil line). Lack of water will cause the developing root system to dry up. As the seedlings mature, some will grow faster, stronger, and appear healthier in general. A little heat now will help nurture small seed- lings to a strong start. Other seeds will sprout slowly and be weak and leggy. Most growers cull sickly, weak plants during the third to fifth week of growth, and focus attention on the remaining strong survivors.

Speed root growth by keeping the soil 2°-5° warmer than the ambient air tempera- ture. Ideally the ambient air temperature should be 7SoC (24°C) and the growing medium temperature 77°-80°C (25°-2rC). Use heating cables or mat to raise the temperature of the growing medium.

Technically and legally, all cannabis, whether rope or dope, is classified as Cannabis sativa. Regardless of origin, all cannabis is considered Cannabis sativa (c. sativa) under international law. However, according to Hemp Diseases and Pests, Dr. J. M . McPartland, R. C. Clarke, and D. P. Watson, (CAB International), Cannabis sativa can be further classified as: Cannabis sativa (= C. sativa var. sativa), Cannabis indica (= c. sativa var. indica), Cannabis ruderalis (= c. sativa var. spontanea), Cannabis afghanica (= c. sativa var. afghanica). Each has distinct growth patterns, look, smell, taste, etc.
Most popular strains of cannabis are a combination of two or more of the following: C. sativa, C. indica, C. ruderalis, and C. afghanica. But there are also many seeds with the genes from just one of the below.

STEPONE: Day1

Presoak seeds in a glass of plain (distilled) water for 24 hours. Do not soak longer or they could rot. At first seeds will float on top of the water. As water penetrates they sink to the bottom.

Within a few hours, seeds will sink to the bottom of the container. Seeds found floating the following day are probably not viable.

A small, white rootlet often emerges from strong viable seeds.

STEPTWO: Day2

Use a dinner plate or a small container with a grate. A grate lets excess water drain away. If using a plate, tip it to drain off excess water.

Set a paper towel or cheesecloth on the plate or grate and moisten it with distilled water until saturated.

Pour the water out of the glass and place the seeds on the moist paper towels and cover the seeds with three more moist paper towels.

Drain off all excess water and put the moist seeds in a shadowy, warm location (70°-90°F, [21o-32°C]). The top of a refrigerator is ideal. Check daily and keep evenly moist but not soggy. Do not let seeds dry out or let water stand so oxygen is cut off to seeds. Let excess water drain away freely.

STEP THREE: Days5-8

Once seeds have sprouted and the white sprout is visible, they are ready to be moved into the growing medium. Seeds that do not show a white rootlet now may never germinate. Do not throw them out, plant them. But such seeds might never germinate, and if they grow they could turn into weak plants.

STEPFOUR: Days5-8

Prepare a seed flat, Jiffy or rockwool cubes, etc. for planting sprouted seeds. Fill the seed flat with a store-bought seedling mix or make your own 50/50 mix of fine perlite and peat moss or coco peat.

Water the mix in the flat with plain water until it is completely saturated; water should run freely from the drainage holes in the bottom when the medium is saturated.

Seedlings do not have enough stored energy to force through too much soil before sprouting. Plant seeds twice as deep as the width of the seed. For example, plant an eighth- inch (3 mm) seed O.2S-inch (6 mm) deep. Make small indent about O.2S-inch (6 mm) in the growing medium, one for each seed in individual containers.

Use tweezers and carefully remove each sprouted seed and set it in the premade planting hole. Take care not to expose the tender rootlet to prolonged intense light or air. Point the white root downward.

Cover the sprouted seed with a O.2S-inch (6 mm) layer offine, moist planting mix.

Once covered, gently press the soil into firm contact with the sprouted seed.

Once planted, set the flat or rooting cubes of sprouted seedlings under the lamp. The photo above shows clones on the left and seedlings on the right.

Seeds set inside rockwool blocks often heave up and out. Germinate seeds before planting and make sure the white rootlet is at least D.S-inch (1.S cm) long to avoid this common problem.

STEPFIVE: Days10-14

In four to six days after planting, most of the seeds will have broken through the planting mix or emerged from the root cube.

Within a couple of days of emerging, the first smooth non-serrated cotyledon leaves emerge. Some seedlings will show their first signs of "true leaves" with the classic cannabis serrations and pointed tips.

After seven to ten days, all the seedlings will have cotyledon leaves and many will have their first set of true leaves.

In 10 to 14 days all the seedlings should have true leaves that are the same size or larger than cotyledons.

Some growers apply a mild (quarter-strength) fertilizer, but it is not necessary for another week. Most important now is to keep the soil evenly moist.

STEP SIX: Days21-30

Start feeding two to four weeks after seedlings have sprouted. Some growers wait until leaves yellow to begin feeding. Use a mild quarter- strength solution. If yellowing persists, give seedlings a little more fertilizer.

STEP SEVEN: Days21-30

Peat pellets or root cubes (both seedlings and clones) may be transplanted in two to three weeks or when the roots show through the sides. Feed with a dilute, quarter- strength fertilizer solution.

STEP EIGHT: Days26-30

Grow seedlings and clones under light fluorescent or dim HID light for the next couple of weeks, until they have two to three sets of true leaves. This is a critical time for plants, and they need extremely close attention. Do not let them dry out!

Potential Problems
Too much or too little light coupled with overwatering or underwatering are the main reasons for poor seedling growth. This sickly freak trifoliate seedling is the result of dodgy genetics as well.

Overwatering and underwatering are the biggest obstacles most growers face when germinating seeds and growing seedlings. Keep the soil uniformly moist, not waterlogged. Do not let the growing medium's surface dry for long. Keep it evenly moist. Setting root cubes or planting flats on a grate allows good drainage.

A shallow flat or planter with a heat pad under- neath may require daily watering, while a deep, one-gallon pot will need watering every three days or more. A properly watered flat of rockwool cubes needs water every three to five days when sprouting seeds. When the surface is dry (0.25- inch [6 mm] deep) it is time to water. Remember, there are few roots to absorb the water early in life, and they are very delicate.

Seeds do not need any extra hormones to germinate. Household water contains enough dissolved solids (food) to nourish seeds through their first few weeks oflife. Supplemental nutrients often disrupt internal chemistry.

Electricity
• Do not steal electricity
• Electric bill-is it the same as the previous tenants?
• Ground all electrical outlets and connections
• Inspect electrical connections for signs of heat damage and repair immediately
• Keep electrical use to a reasonable amount, and keep the air clean around the house

Fragrance
• Do not let grow room air-conditioner water drain outdoors; it smells like cannabis
• Discharge odor-laden air via a roof vent or chimney
• Use a carbon filter and an ozone generator to neutralize the marijuana fragrance

Noise
• Muffle all noise from fans, ballasts, pumps, etc.
• Use insulated ducting
• Put rubber or foam fittings on all fans to reduce noise and vibrations
• Set ballasts on a noise-reducing base

Lifestyle
• Never trust anybody-friends, family, brother, sister, children, even your mother!
• Have a regular schedule and simple lifestyle
• Have a reason for extra electrical consumption
• Don't flash a large cash income. Buy large assets such as houses and cars over time
• Have a regular job and a reason for your activities
• Have few visitors and keep to yourself
• Keep a low profile and be a good neighbor and citizen
• Keep your property clean and in excellent repair
• Drive a street-legal car with no outstanding warrants on the drivers
• Pay bills on time

Cannabis Life Cycle and Indoor Growing
Introduction
Cannabis cultivated indoors needs light (1), air (2), a growing medium (3), warmth (4), nutrients (5), and water (6). As explained earlier in this chapter, you can control all these needs in your indoor garden and achieve optimum results.

Cannabis is a short-day plant. In nature, it flowers when autumn days are short and nights are long. Outdoors, cannabis normally grows as an annual plant, completing its life cycle within one year. A seed that is planted in the spring will grow through the summer and flower in the fall, producing more seeds.

Cannabis goes through three distinct stages of growth: seedling, vegetative, and flowering. Most varieties or strains will stay in the vegetative growth stage as long as they receive 18–24 hours of light and 6–0 hours of darkness. Most strains of cannabis will flower when they receive 12 hours of light and 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness.

Indoors you can use this knowledge to control the life cycle and harvest up to six crops a year.

Seedling Growth
Seed germination is induced with moisture, heat, and air which activate hormones within the seed. Within 24– 72 hours the seed’s coating splits and a white rootlet emerges and continues to grow. The Nebula seeds (right) have been germinating for 24 hours.
After three to seven days of germination, the rootlet grows downward and a sprout with seed leaves pushes upwards in search of light. Plants like the Jamaican Pearls (right) continue the seedling growth stage about a month. During this stage the seed establishes a root system and grows a stem and a few leaves. Seedlings need 16–18 hours of light to grow strong and healthy.
Vegetative Growth
Vegetative growth is maintained in this AK-47 and other strains by giving plants 18–24 hours of light every day. As the plant matures, the roots take on specialized functions of transporting and storing food. The root tips push farther and farther into the soil in search of more water and food. The delicate root hairs actually absorb water and nutrients. Delicate root hairs will dry up and die without water. They are very frail and are easily damaged by light, air, and bumbling hands if moved or exposed.

The stem also grows upward producing new buds along the stem. The central or terminal bud of this Thaitanic carries growth upward; side or lateral buds turn into branches or leaves. The stem carries water and nutrients from the roots to the growing buds, leaves, and flowers. If the stem is bound too tightly by string or other tie-downs, it will cut the flow of life-giving fluids, thereby strangling the plant. The stem also supports the plant.
Often indoor plants develop weak stems and may need to be staked up, especially during flowering. Bending and training plants also makes best use of light indoors.

Chlorophyll (the substance that gives plants their green color) converts carbon dioxide (CO2) from air, water, and light energy into carbohydrates and oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis. Tiny breathing pores called stomata are located on the underside of the leaf and funnel CO2 into contact with the water. The stomata open and close to regulate the flow of moisture, preventing dehydration. The stomata also permit the outflow of water vapor and waste oxygen.

Pre-flowering
Cannabis grown from seed grows pre-flowers after the fourth week of vegetative growth. You can see a male pre-flower nub in the photo above. They generally appear between the fourth and sixth node from the bottom of the plant. Canna- bis plants are normally either all male or all female. However, occasionally an intersex plant with both male and female flowers will appear. Each sex has its own distinct flowers. Pre-flowers will be either male or female. Growers remove and destroy the males (or use them for breeding stock) because they have low levels of cannabinoids (chemical components of marijuana: THC, CBD, CBN, etc.). The most desirable female plants are cultivated for their high THC content.
Flowering

Flowering is triggered in most strains of cannabis like the Chronic bud (below) by 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of light every 24 hours. Once flowering is induced with the 12/12 light/ dark schedule, they are at peak ripeness in 7–12 weeks. Plants that developed in tropical regions often start flowering under more light and less darkness.

Flowering Male Plants
Male seedlings that were not removed during pre-flowering are removed as soon as male flowers are visible so that they do not pollinate females. A grower removed the Super Silver Haze plant (left) from his garden as soon as he saw the male flowers.

Flowering Female “Sinsemilla” Plants
Unpollinated female flower buds develop without seeds, known as “sinsemilla.” Sinsemilla flower buds continue to swell and produce more resin while waiting for male pollen to successfully complete their life cycle. After weeks of heavy flower and cannabinoid-laden resin production, THC production peaks out and buds are ready to harvest.

Seed Crops
When both male and female flowers are in bloom, pollen from the male flower lands on the female flower, thus fertilizing it. The male dies after producing and shedding all his pollen. Seeds form and grow within the female flowers such as the seeds of the Sweet Diesel (left). You can collect the seeds roughly six to eight days after pollination.

Mother Plants
Select strong, healthy, potent mother plants. Give mothers 18–24 hours of light daily so they stay in the vegetative growth stage. Cut branch tips from mother plants and root them. The rooted cuttings are called “clones.” Cultivating several strong, healthy mother plants is the key to having a consistent supply of all-female clones.

Clones
Cut branch tips and root them to form clones. Clones take 10–20 days to grow a strong healthy root system. Give clones 18–24 hours of light so they stay in the vegetative growth stage. Once the root system is established, transplant clones into larger containers. Now they are ready to grow for one to four weeks in the vegetative growth stage before being induced to flower.