The Bottom Line: Unexpectedly thorough and accurate information. That is, if you want to chance getting arrested because you're growing pot in your garden.
elsa70's Full Review: Mel Frank - Marijuana Grower's Guide
I find it hard to believe that a book that deals with growing Marijuana is published as available to the large public and on sale at all major bookstores, both online and in real life. However, not only have I checked on the Barnes and Noble and Amazon websites; I own a copy. Don't ask me why. I don't know. Neither me nor my brother smoke marijuana. I don't have anything personal against who does, either; but we certainly don't think we will begin harvesting crops on our first-floor balcony! It may have ended up on my bookshelf because my ex-roommate (a.k.a. boyfriend) did have a penchant for marijuana, and perhaps it was his since the date of publication is 1994 (it's an Italian translation); after all, this area of Italy is called Canavese, which literally means land of canopy/hemp, so many locals must have toyed with the idea of growing a more remunerative sort of grass than the one they mow every other Saturday…What really doubled me over with laughter, however, was the fact that this product is actually in the Epinions database!
So see, I have this book right in front of me, and I am flabbergasted because it's actually a professional handbook on gardening. Therefore, I am submitting my own entry to the Gardening Write - off:
I shall review a book that teaches how to grow marijuana in your own garden.
(It's a book. It's listed under gardening books. It's a bestseller! This is crazy. ) I don't intend to offend anyone by publishing a review on such a topic. I just found it amusing. Please, forgive me. Or refrain from reading.
PLEASE.
…………
All right. So, I have already mentioned that my former boyfriend did like to smoke. I had already heard of the author of this book, Mel Frank; he and some other author (Ed Rosenthal) are considered close to gurus for those who fight for the liberalization of the drug. I was expecting some sort of pamphlet that praised the benefits of smoking marijuana and an encouragement to fight against prohibition of legal use of cannabis by governments - especially after reading the preface, where the author pleads for the liberation of those imprisoned for violation of cannabis laws.
Instead, this book actually deals with every aspect of the plant itself; beyond historical and medical information, the manual covers in full detail all the specifics on how to pick the seeds, grow, how to prune, how to harvest and breed marijuana plants; how to ferment and / or dry the product; how to store it.
300 pages concerning the maintenance of cannabis plants. The entire book counts 325 pages. I wonder why the author didn't include a chapter regarding how to avoid getting caught growing the plants; it is only dealt with generically, when discussing whether the plants should be grown indoors or outdoors. I guess he was confident with the notion that eventually sooner or later marijuana would become legal; for the first edition of this book is dated 1978.
(For those who don't know: as of 2002, it isn't legal yet. I will not further discuss the issue of legalizing pot; I am reviewing a legal book on how to grow illegal plants.)
The book is divided in five parts:
1.General information on Cannabis:
A brief trace of its history, an explanation of the various varieties, of the active ingredient in cannabis and its effects, and an overview of the plant's life cycle, the appropriate seeds, and the pros and cons offered by growing indoors and outdoors.
2.Indoor Gardening:
here the author begins getting downright serious. He explains, with graphics, color photos, pictures and charts, on how to set up an indoor garden; provision of artificial light, what are the best fertilizers and the appropriate soil for ensuring an excellent crop, the setting and distance of the artificial light, the watering of the plants, the humidity percentage that must be set in the environment, the best airing of the cultivated area, and how to take care of insects and diseases.
It reminds me of books on how to grow orchids in a greenhouse.
3.Outdoor Gardening:
How to choose the appropriate setting for the plants, the best humus and composts, fertilizers and weeding for a thriving bush of tall, lavish marijuana plants in your backyard! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)
Both indoor and outdoor chapters also discuss thoroughly how to take care of the adult plants; there are extensive sections dealing with transplanting, supports for plants, thinning, pruning and even some interesting gardening tips.
4. Flowering, Propagation and Breeding:
This part is essentially a nice rebuffing of the botanical notions studied during my Biology class in High School. Only, at the time, Botany exams weren't applied specifically to this species. In these pages the author deals with sexing the plants, the breeding, the flowering and seeding cycles, and the possibilities of reproducing the plants by grafting and cuttings.
5. Final chapter: Harvesting, Curing and Drying
How do you strip the plants of all leaves? Can you pick any leaves while the plant is still growing? What's the difference in harvesting male plants and female plants? When are you supposed to pick the leaves? How do you make hash? How do you dry weed? Where should you keep your pot? have you ever asked yourself such questions? Here you'll find all the answers.
There it is. All you may need to grow your first crop of wholesome, natural and cheap marijuana. All in all, I must admit, the book is quite interesting for all those who wish to learn basic principles on gardening, for I have noticed quite a few tips that may be applied to a number of other varieties of plants. It is written in a very clear, easy and detailed manner, and is quite accurate and explanatory in all of its 21 chapters. It might be obsolete in a few pages - after all, the original text has been written a quarter of a century ago.. For instance, the book doesn't appropriately cover the topic of hydroponic tecniques; I have heard (on the Discovery Channel!) that hydroponics are the easiest way to coax the seeds to germinate, and is by far the most common procedure today. Nevertheless, I can imagine that provided with the right space, the right necessities and this book, one may become a successful grower of cannabis plants.
I must also admit, having never seen any cannabis plants in real life, that they are actually pretty plants and resemble many common indoor plants. One may also want to grow them just for the beauty and height of them.
Too bad, you can't. I don't quite understand the purpose of this book if not for personal laughs. As of today, neither in Italy nor in the U.S. am I allowed to grow my own personal field of marijuana. So why purchase this book? Why allow this book to be sold on book counters everywhere when the consumption is illegal? Why did I review this book in the first place?
I don't know. Perhaps someone out there is interested in becoming a marijuana farmer. I guess you should buy this book, then. It's actually on sale at Amazon.com; $16.77, 30% off.
However.
I think I'll stick to my terracotta vases with other herbs.
Rosemary. Sage. Thyme. Parsley. Marjoram. Oregano.
(Oh, yes, I get my personal high on Basil. I am elated when I crop my basil leaves for Pesto. )
All right, I can't blame you. You're probably mad because you were expecting something useful to read about in my entry. Well, there are so many talented, green-thumbed authors I read of in the past couple of days, I figured, you really didn't need MY advice in gardening, did you?
Ginahill and ed-grover are co-hosting this Gardening Write-off to welcome in the growing season. DO READ the contributions made by the Epinions writers listed below.
Scientifically rigorous enough for a professional botanist yet accessible to anyone who wants to grow their own marijuana, this book is illustrated wi...More at Buy.com
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