Blast From The Past
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Shantibaba's grow room tips:
10 top tips
In my work I get to travel the world searching for botanical specimens and seeds, see different cultures and understand why people do and live how they do. In the last 20 years, I have been fortunate enough and trusted enough to be invited into growing operations on all scales all over the world during my travels, which now happens more frequently than it did before.
This is quite amazing to me and touches me deeply but far beyond that it shows me that people who are desperate and sick with limited time left on Earth will still attempt to plant a seed and grow a plant to get what otherwise they could not get . As a consequence it is taking away the black market of cannabis to some extent and replacing it with a sensible and natural medicine regulated and grown by the sufferers to be affordable and to manage pain for the sufferers. This means cultivation is limitless and knows no borders... after all; it is merely a simple herb.
There are numerous books available that detail every facet of cultivation that is not my intention for this article. But since my life's journey has presented me with a lot of opportunities to cultivate, I would like to share the top ten pieces of experience that may be of help to those who are growing, thinking to grow or using cannabis to help their life, as I do.
1.
Beginning with a known seed and its origins rather than using seed that came from some unknown source will reduce the possibility of your garden producing something that does not do the job you had hoped for. Get online and ask fellow growers world wide what seed they tried and where they got it etc. will be time well invested.
2.
Use the K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle in your approach to making your garden. There are so many different mediums to grow in, so many different foods so many opinions that in the end if you limit yourself to learning one or two facts about cultivation from each growing experience, you will know rather than need to ask. I always advise people to grow on soil from their local garden suppliers using locally made nutrients compatible with growing basic annual herbs and flowers, initially. As you become more confident with more grows you can choose to try other techniques etc. You will make mistakes that is certain, so why invest in anything too technical before it is warranted?
3.
Learn to use ph and ec metres to understand water, not only for the plant but so you know how to identify invisible causes that can be critical in general life. How many people know the ph or Ec of the tap water from where they live? We raise our families on it, cook with it clean ourselves with it, but most of us take it for granted that someone else is doing that. As you understand this point you will see that most of the crucial things we rely on to live are all invisible like air, electricity, gas and vitamins and far too many of us take far too much for granted. Empower yourself and take charge or at least be aware what is around you, it will change how you look at life.
4.
Air flow and air circulation is probably my most important single element in setting up an Indoor room. A very useful tip is to try to create a negative pressure. Making the size of the incoming inlets of air three times smaller than the size of the outgoing air, will force air to flow from one area to another as well as ensure old air is changed regularly. Air flow directly relates to control of temperature, humidity, smell and pressure known collectively as CLIMATE. Controlling the air movement will guarantee plant health on a fundamental level, so spend time and money on this factor.
5.
Prevention is always preferable to problems. Keeping growing areas clean from dead plant matter. Regularly cleaning with peroxide, ammonia or similarly powerful but friendly products used for cleaning will reduce the likelihood that fungi, pests, eggs or bacteria not wanted in a room will not grow there. Remember that an indoor room is a perfect environment for things to grow - both good and bad, so be hygienic and clean on a daily level.
6.
Electricity should begin from your waist and go up while all water and watering devices begin from your hips and go down. In all my rooms all electric cables or sockets are set high up while all water or hoses are set low down, that way your room will remain friendly, not dangerous and avoid inevitable accidents that happen as a result of either overflowing water or fire caused by cabling or accidents that occur when water meets electricity (probably 80% of the reasons people in NL get problems with authorities).
7.
While it is important to have good lights, the importance of pitch black darkness and the consistency/regularity of this pitch black hours of darkness will determine the flowering cycle and density of the flower. When you change your light time from growing (18hrs/6 dark) to flowering(12/12dark) then being consistent and maintaining an uninterrupted 12 hours of dark is the most necessary thing to do to make the flower reach its potential at harvest.
8.
Many people spend too much time on reflection material like myelin etc. a simple method is to use industrial vinyl used to line fish ponds as the base of the room, attached to the walls about 5 metre high making a swimming pool base in case water leaks etc. Then from 5 metre line the walls with a white/ black/ white plastic which will give plenty of reflection to the plants as well as making sure no light escapes. It is easy to clean and help to clearly define water areas and electrical areas for the eye.
9.
The choice of growing/flowering medium should be one that you initially feel confident to use. Do not begin growing in a new room on a new type of medium, as this can cause too many problems to deal with and act to complicate the grow rather than to relax and enjoy the growing.
10.
Finish the room and run it for a few days before you decide to use it for growing. The reason is it is much simpler and less work to make sure all systems of the room like air, exhaust, temperature etc. are checked without plants but run as if plants are in there for a few full day cycles. This factor will allow you to begin the new grow knowing your room is in good order so the only things that can go wrong are with the plants or human error. Inevitably you will reduce the unknown factors and things in growing that do go wrong will be easier to pin point.
If someone sticks to these basic set of principles in setting up a growing room inside then you will be on the right road to becoming a competent and happy gardener. Success in what you do
Shantibaba
10 top tips
In my work I get to travel the world searching for botanical specimens and seeds, see different cultures and understand why people do and live how they do. In the last 20 years, I have been fortunate enough and trusted enough to be invited into growing operations on all scales all over the world during my travels, which now happens more frequently than it did before.
This is quite amazing to me and touches me deeply but far beyond that it shows me that people who are desperate and sick with limited time left on Earth will still attempt to plant a seed and grow a plant to get what otherwise they could not get . As a consequence it is taking away the black market of cannabis to some extent and replacing it with a sensible and natural medicine regulated and grown by the sufferers to be affordable and to manage pain for the sufferers. This means cultivation is limitless and knows no borders... after all; it is merely a simple herb.
There are numerous books available that detail every facet of cultivation that is not my intention for this article. But since my life's journey has presented me with a lot of opportunities to cultivate, I would like to share the top ten pieces of experience that may be of help to those who are growing, thinking to grow or using cannabis to help their life, as I do.
1.
Beginning with a known seed and its origins rather than using seed that came from some unknown source will reduce the possibility of your garden producing something that does not do the job you had hoped for. Get online and ask fellow growers world wide what seed they tried and where they got it etc. will be time well invested.
2.
Use the K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle in your approach to making your garden. There are so many different mediums to grow in, so many different foods so many opinions that in the end if you limit yourself to learning one or two facts about cultivation from each growing experience, you will know rather than need to ask. I always advise people to grow on soil from their local garden suppliers using locally made nutrients compatible with growing basic annual herbs and flowers, initially. As you become more confident with more grows you can choose to try other techniques etc. You will make mistakes that is certain, so why invest in anything too technical before it is warranted?
3.
Learn to use ph and ec metres to understand water, not only for the plant but so you know how to identify invisible causes that can be critical in general life. How many people know the ph or Ec of the tap water from where they live? We raise our families on it, cook with it clean ourselves with it, but most of us take it for granted that someone else is doing that. As you understand this point you will see that most of the crucial things we rely on to live are all invisible like air, electricity, gas and vitamins and far too many of us take far too much for granted. Empower yourself and take charge or at least be aware what is around you, it will change how you look at life.
4.
Air flow and air circulation is probably my most important single element in setting up an Indoor room. A very useful tip is to try to create a negative pressure. Making the size of the incoming inlets of air three times smaller than the size of the outgoing air, will force air to flow from one area to another as well as ensure old air is changed regularly. Air flow directly relates to control of temperature, humidity, smell and pressure known collectively as CLIMATE. Controlling the air movement will guarantee plant health on a fundamental level, so spend time and money on this factor.
5.
Prevention is always preferable to problems. Keeping growing areas clean from dead plant matter. Regularly cleaning with peroxide, ammonia or similarly powerful but friendly products used for cleaning will reduce the likelihood that fungi, pests, eggs or bacteria not wanted in a room will not grow there. Remember that an indoor room is a perfect environment for things to grow - both good and bad, so be hygienic and clean on a daily level.
6.
Electricity should begin from your waist and go up while all water and watering devices begin from your hips and go down. In all my rooms all electric cables or sockets are set high up while all water or hoses are set low down, that way your room will remain friendly, not dangerous and avoid inevitable accidents that happen as a result of either overflowing water or fire caused by cabling or accidents that occur when water meets electricity (probably 80% of the reasons people in NL get problems with authorities).
7.
While it is important to have good lights, the importance of pitch black darkness and the consistency/regularity of this pitch black hours of darkness will determine the flowering cycle and density of the flower. When you change your light time from growing (18hrs/6 dark) to flowering(12/12dark) then being consistent and maintaining an uninterrupted 12 hours of dark is the most necessary thing to do to make the flower reach its potential at harvest.
8.
Many people spend too much time on reflection material like myelin etc. a simple method is to use industrial vinyl used to line fish ponds as the base of the room, attached to the walls about 5 metre high making a swimming pool base in case water leaks etc. Then from 5 metre line the walls with a white/ black/ white plastic which will give plenty of reflection to the plants as well as making sure no light escapes. It is easy to clean and help to clearly define water areas and electrical areas for the eye.
9.
The choice of growing/flowering medium should be one that you initially feel confident to use. Do not begin growing in a new room on a new type of medium, as this can cause too many problems to deal with and act to complicate the grow rather than to relax and enjoy the growing.
10.
Finish the room and run it for a few days before you decide to use it for growing. The reason is it is much simpler and less work to make sure all systems of the room like air, exhaust, temperature etc. are checked without plants but run as if plants are in there for a few full day cycles. This factor will allow you to begin the new grow knowing your room is in good order so the only things that can go wrong are with the plants or human error. Inevitably you will reduce the unknown factors and things in growing that do go wrong will be easier to pin point.
If someone sticks to these basic set of principles in setting up a growing room inside then you will be on the right road to becoming a competent and happy gardener. Success in what you do
Shantibaba
DannyTwoJoints
2023 COE Winner
From Grow Articles:
Hobby Seed breeding
Many people ask many questions about making their own seeds from the plants they have been growing for sometime, so in this issue I shall deal with some factors to consider while making seed. We will cover some of the facets to look for in males of the species plus try to identify all the possible areas involved in the process of seed production so you the grower can feel confident enough to attempt this type of work. Making a product by using nature's ways is a most satisfying accomplishment to any gardener of any plant.
Most home growers have experience selecting a female plant, as this sex of the plant contains the flower clusters and makes more quantities of cannabinoids; the active ingredients unique to cannabis , than the male plant. So as a general rule if you want your female plant to reach its potential as a maker of substantial quantities of Cannabinoids you must kill any of the male flowers since their union will cause the female plant to become impregnated with male pollen and as a result seed will begin to form in the female flowers. Since a lot of energy of the plant is taken up making seeds, at this stage, there will be a reduction of cannabinoids as a consequence. That is the reason most growers prefer to grow a female plant without the presence of a male plant: to produce sinsemilla (without seeds) flowers.
Therefore it is important to note that to produce your own seed you will need to have both a female and male plant present at the correct moment. Considering male plants tend to flower, like the female plants, when they are exposed to 12 hours dark a day a little quicker than the female plant, you will need to time your plants life well to maximize the viable seed produced.
Cannabis is a heterozygotic plant; taking its genetic make-up from both parents .So selectively breeding cannabis for the particular traits that you want can be done by choosing particular phenotypes and genotypes from each new seed generation.
An example of this is best illustrated by beginning with two pure species such as Indica and Sativa. Let us say the male plant is a pure indica from Afghanistan. Its traits are broad leaf, dark green coloration, strong fruit scent, short dense flower clusters, and a tendency to flower quickly finishing in 7 weeks. If we then combine the male to a pure sativa female originating from Thailand with traits; long slender leaf shape, lime green to olive green shades, piney/spice scent, long airy flowers, and a tendency to have a long flowering time of over 10 weeks - we will get a lot of different combinations to select from. Testing a lot of the resulting generation seed (F1) will be necessary to see which combination is in line with the genetic area of interest you wish to follow.
F1 seed will express itself from this hybridization of sativa and indica by showing its phenotypes to express predominantly sativa traits as well as predominantly indica traits as well as a large proportion of the F1 seeds expressing a combination of both parents in different amounts. Considering phenotype will express certain traits the biggest or hardest job is to identify the particular F1 plant that carries the genotype that combines those characteristics in DNA coding. This is really done through trial and error and consecutive generations and a lot of testing - this is what we term SELECTIVE BREEDING.
In practical terms how do we produce that desired F1 seed? If we continue using the sativa : indica example I can guide those who wish to attempt it.
If the female Sativa plant has been growing and the hours of dark are at 12 hours or more then the hormones inside the plant will change the cycle of growing into flowering. The Sativa will show small hair like pistils to confirm preflower has begun. When this stage is reached with the female it would be recommended to keep your male Indica in a place that has more than 16/18 hours of light so it remains in a growing phase, giving the female time to develop and get her ready to be mature enough to produce a good fertile seed crop. If the male pollinates the female too early the female will produce a small amount of seed since the plant stops developing and puts its energy into seed development and not into flower cluster development. If the female is pollinated too late there will be a lot of non viable white seed produced as a result - so getting the female ripe and ready is the point in seed production.
As a general rule if you bring the male plant into flowering 2 weeks after the visible signs of flowering have been identified on the female, the pollination will be complimentary producing a good amount of extremely dark and healthy seed. However if you only use one single male plant to pollinate a series of female plants they can all be flowered at the same moment but a plastic bag can be placed over the male plant to control its pollen dispersal. Painting on or dusting female plants with collected pollen are also a very good method of controlled pollination and are useful when the male and female are out of sync in their flowering cycles naturally.
After introducing the male into the flowering cycle it will take approximately 2 weeks before the male flowers begin to become visible. A few days after that, the male flowers will mature and open releasing their pollen into the air, and with the female flower ripe to receive pollen, germination of the plant takes place. Controlling the amount of male pollen and the female plant it needs to pollinate can be done Within another 2 weeks there will be visible signs of the seed forming and the female plant will cease growing anymore flowers but rather put the energy into the development of the seed. When the female plant runs its natural life cycle and begins to die, the seed will become mature.
Cutting the entire female plant down and hanging it with all the seed inside it for 3 to 4 weeks will ensure a hardening off period for the seed to become useable. It has been known that too fresh a seed sometimes has problems germinating but leaving the fresh seed for the next season, there should be 100% germination of the F1 seed. So it is important to show patience when making and dealing with seed.
The importance of selecting plants for the traits that are useful to the breeder/grower is the main reason genetics have evolved as they have. Male plants of this species need to be carefully selected to avoid a lot of laborious work, which means one will need to do a lot of testing of F1 seed made from a particular male to verify if the sex linked traits are real or not. Males that auto flower irrespective of daylight hours are normally eliminated to insure against hermaphroditism or unwanted male traits. Males that flower too quickly or too tall are also not the best for breeding since they put too much energy into fiber production which is not the trait one is looking for in a medicinal plant. Males that have large hollow main stems are sought out rather than males that are more pith-filled stems - the main reason are that large hollow stemmed males are better THC producers than other plants. Males that produce tight floral clusters rather than airy sparse floral clusters are usually better to breed with. Finally if you rub your fingers against the stem of a developing male and are able to get strong odors or aromas (terpines) you will be advised to use these males as trichrome production and flavor are directly related to plants that produce odors early on. There are several other traits to look for in a male but these are rather advanced and need microscope help which is not really relevant for the hobby grower/breeder.
The purpose of reputable seed breeders is to start with good genetics, it will save years of selecting and doubt of parent origin, etc. and going on with interbreeding or hybridization from plants selected by yourself will help you design and select for things that you want in a plant. After 5 generations of this sort of hobby seed breeding the plant you will have will be unique to your selection process and very different from the parents, making it basically your creation. The process of seed breeding by way of selection is a very satisfying accomplishment and as close as we can get to designing Mother Nature, without interfering chemically or genetically manipulating a plant. Selective breeding is a long process and not for everyone, that is why companies have been spending years of research into selection of both female and male plants of Cannabis.
With time, focus and a lot of patience the knack for recognizing desirable and undesirable traits becomes more apparent. Having an open and curious mind, along with a developed sense of intuition will be the most useful tools for breeding good quality medicinal herbs.
Hobby Seed breeding
Many people ask many questions about making their own seeds from the plants they have been growing for sometime, so in this issue I shall deal with some factors to consider while making seed. We will cover some of the facets to look for in males of the species plus try to identify all the possible areas involved in the process of seed production so you the grower can feel confident enough to attempt this type of work. Making a product by using nature's ways is a most satisfying accomplishment to any gardener of any plant.
Most home growers have experience selecting a female plant, as this sex of the plant contains the flower clusters and makes more quantities of cannabinoids; the active ingredients unique to cannabis , than the male plant. So as a general rule if you want your female plant to reach its potential as a maker of substantial quantities of Cannabinoids you must kill any of the male flowers since their union will cause the female plant to become impregnated with male pollen and as a result seed will begin to form in the female flowers. Since a lot of energy of the plant is taken up making seeds, at this stage, there will be a reduction of cannabinoids as a consequence. That is the reason most growers prefer to grow a female plant without the presence of a male plant: to produce sinsemilla (without seeds) flowers.
Therefore it is important to note that to produce your own seed you will need to have both a female and male plant present at the correct moment. Considering male plants tend to flower, like the female plants, when they are exposed to 12 hours dark a day a little quicker than the female plant, you will need to time your plants life well to maximize the viable seed produced.
Cannabis is a heterozygotic plant; taking its genetic make-up from both parents .So selectively breeding cannabis for the particular traits that you want can be done by choosing particular phenotypes and genotypes from each new seed generation.
An example of this is best illustrated by beginning with two pure species such as Indica and Sativa. Let us say the male plant is a pure indica from Afghanistan. Its traits are broad leaf, dark green coloration, strong fruit scent, short dense flower clusters, and a tendency to flower quickly finishing in 7 weeks. If we then combine the male to a pure sativa female originating from Thailand with traits; long slender leaf shape, lime green to olive green shades, piney/spice scent, long airy flowers, and a tendency to have a long flowering time of over 10 weeks - we will get a lot of different combinations to select from. Testing a lot of the resulting generation seed (F1) will be necessary to see which combination is in line with the genetic area of interest you wish to follow.
F1 seed will express itself from this hybridization of sativa and indica by showing its phenotypes to express predominantly sativa traits as well as predominantly indica traits as well as a large proportion of the F1 seeds expressing a combination of both parents in different amounts. Considering phenotype will express certain traits the biggest or hardest job is to identify the particular F1 plant that carries the genotype that combines those characteristics in DNA coding. This is really done through trial and error and consecutive generations and a lot of testing - this is what we term SELECTIVE BREEDING.
In practical terms how do we produce that desired F1 seed? If we continue using the sativa : indica example I can guide those who wish to attempt it.
If the female Sativa plant has been growing and the hours of dark are at 12 hours or more then the hormones inside the plant will change the cycle of growing into flowering. The Sativa will show small hair like pistils to confirm preflower has begun. When this stage is reached with the female it would be recommended to keep your male Indica in a place that has more than 16/18 hours of light so it remains in a growing phase, giving the female time to develop and get her ready to be mature enough to produce a good fertile seed crop. If the male pollinates the female too early the female will produce a small amount of seed since the plant stops developing and puts its energy into seed development and not into flower cluster development. If the female is pollinated too late there will be a lot of non viable white seed produced as a result - so getting the female ripe and ready is the point in seed production.
As a general rule if you bring the male plant into flowering 2 weeks after the visible signs of flowering have been identified on the female, the pollination will be complimentary producing a good amount of extremely dark and healthy seed. However if you only use one single male plant to pollinate a series of female plants they can all be flowered at the same moment but a plastic bag can be placed over the male plant to control its pollen dispersal. Painting on or dusting female plants with collected pollen are also a very good method of controlled pollination and are useful when the male and female are out of sync in their flowering cycles naturally.
After introducing the male into the flowering cycle it will take approximately 2 weeks before the male flowers begin to become visible. A few days after that, the male flowers will mature and open releasing their pollen into the air, and with the female flower ripe to receive pollen, germination of the plant takes place. Controlling the amount of male pollen and the female plant it needs to pollinate can be done Within another 2 weeks there will be visible signs of the seed forming and the female plant will cease growing anymore flowers but rather put the energy into the development of the seed. When the female plant runs its natural life cycle and begins to die, the seed will become mature.
Cutting the entire female plant down and hanging it with all the seed inside it for 3 to 4 weeks will ensure a hardening off period for the seed to become useable. It has been known that too fresh a seed sometimes has problems germinating but leaving the fresh seed for the next season, there should be 100% germination of the F1 seed. So it is important to show patience when making and dealing with seed.
The importance of selecting plants for the traits that are useful to the breeder/grower is the main reason genetics have evolved as they have. Male plants of this species need to be carefully selected to avoid a lot of laborious work, which means one will need to do a lot of testing of F1 seed made from a particular male to verify if the sex linked traits are real or not. Males that auto flower irrespective of daylight hours are normally eliminated to insure against hermaphroditism or unwanted male traits. Males that flower too quickly or too tall are also not the best for breeding since they put too much energy into fiber production which is not the trait one is looking for in a medicinal plant. Males that have large hollow main stems are sought out rather than males that are more pith-filled stems - the main reason are that large hollow stemmed males are better THC producers than other plants. Males that produce tight floral clusters rather than airy sparse floral clusters are usually better to breed with. Finally if you rub your fingers against the stem of a developing male and are able to get strong odors or aromas (terpines) you will be advised to use these males as trichrome production and flavor are directly related to plants that produce odors early on. There are several other traits to look for in a male but these are rather advanced and need microscope help which is not really relevant for the hobby grower/breeder.
The purpose of reputable seed breeders is to start with good genetics, it will save years of selecting and doubt of parent origin, etc. and going on with interbreeding or hybridization from plants selected by yourself will help you design and select for things that you want in a plant. After 5 generations of this sort of hobby seed breeding the plant you will have will be unique to your selection process and very different from the parents, making it basically your creation. The process of seed breeding by way of selection is a very satisfying accomplishment and as close as we can get to designing Mother Nature, without interfering chemically or genetically manipulating a plant. Selective breeding is a long process and not for everyone, that is why companies have been spending years of research into selection of both female and male plants of Cannabis.
With time, focus and a lot of patience the knack for recognizing desirable and undesirable traits becomes more apparent. Having an open and curious mind, along with a developed sense of intuition will be the most useful tools for breeding good quality medicinal herbs.
A
Apollo
Guest
In Thailand Khaolak I got some kick ass Sativa rapt in banana leaves.
I didn't ask why they have it raped in banana leaves.
But you know what Im very curious to know why
I will ask this guy now since we are still in contact and let you know his answer.-SaveTheBrains
DannyTwoJoints
2023 COE Winner
In Thailand Khaolak I got some kick ass Sativa rapt in banana leaves.
I didn't ask why they have it raped in banana leaves.
But you know what Im very curious to know why
-SaveTheBrains
Part 1
Shanti interview:
Source: Shantibaba – Mr. Nice Seeds – Interview | World of Seeds
December 23, 2010
Following a series of interviews with some of the worlds leading cannabis breeders, it was about time Soft Secrets pulled their fingers out of the Rizla papers and arranged an interview with cannabis cultures most prolific breeder to date, Shantibaba. With a professional career spanning over two decades, as a writer and traveler, the founding geneticist of the worlds most famous seed bank, the overall winner of Cannabis’s highest and most prestigious accolades, and the man that now works with Howard Marks, borrowing 10mins from this elusive breeder’s busy schedule was never going to be easy. Eventually, we finally managed to catch up with Shantibaba to ask him some questions about his work with and love for cannabis plants.
Where does the name Shantibaba come from?
While I was in India in the early 80’s an Indian friend and I established a gem cutting business in Jaipur called Shantibaba Enterprises…and considering it means peaceful person it somehow stuck to me.
When did you first discover cannabis and why did you start cultivating marijuana for yourself?
I tried cannabis with a few mates around 13yr old, found myself and a mate of mine on all fours following a white line on a grassy strip that was not there…laughed like there was no tomorrow, immediately felt akin with this plant.
It was the mid seventies when I first grew from seed, motivated out of the insatiable appetite to consume this plant, and never being able to find a constant product on the black market. So it was easier to learn to do it myself and not rely on anyone’s b/s. I made a lot of mistakes but finally went into growing indoor with lamps in Australia around 1978…or there about, which changed my life forever.
What are your most memorable ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ during your 2G years traveling across Asia?
Big question! I expect the highs would be not loosing my freedom and carefree nature and my time in India on my Royal Enfield. Looking for seed was my mission and having my own means to go anywhere at anytime where no road was the wrong road…that was a big HIGH.
The low time was rare in Asia…a lot more of those moments when I went to the so called Developed world of Europe.
Where else have you traveled in pursuit of landrace cannabis genetics?
That is a long list…but pretty much 4 out of 5 continents to date…only Africa eludes me for now, but I feel when my daughter is a little older we will do that continent together.
Probably south east Asia was the place I did most thoroughly since the 1980s and still doing. Was just in Irian Jaya (the Indonesian part of Papua New Guinea) and that was the hardest place I trekked in my life…after 12 days deep into tribal area doing 8-10 hours walk each day…I was ready to become a tree!
Please tell us about your favorite varieties of cannabis to grow.
I do not have a favorite, as anything I grow becomes a part of me during its life cycle. I get as passionate about growing fruits or veggies too! I expect Mother Nature’s world does it for me big time.
How did you become a Cannabis Geneticist?
Accidentally, if you want the truth! That sort of work was never viewed, and in certain places in the world still is not viewed as a job. So it was hard as a boy to aspire to a job that was not even in existence to the visible world…I expect it is a bit like the work my children will be doing in 20 years; not imaginable from where we stand with our current knowledge.
But generally I was partial to plants and my favorite three things are grapes, olives and Cannabis. Since Cannabis grew relatively quickly compared to fruit trees or nuts, it seemed to be something I could have an effect on in my life span.
Not to mention I love to travel, adventure and research, so it was also a job I could incorporate in all parts of my life where ever I was…in some way. Over time it consumed me and defined me unto what I am today.
When did you first develop your own stock and own seed bank?
It is hard to pin point a time about seed since from the first time I smoked I began collecting seed…
I suspect my University years were the defining point of my serious approach along with traveling and seed collection. Mullumbimby Madness was a strain I worked on with several others in northern NSW in the early to mid 1980’s and with which I had a lot of success with early on. The first Seed Bank that I founded unofficially was in Australia…but officially the tax paying companies only exist and still do exist in Holland.
In 1992 you relocated your seed bank to Amsterdam. In hindsight, do you ever regret this move?
Holland, especially the early to mid 1990’s was a fantastic period for like minded people. It was a happening daily and I expect the enthusiasm and passion for having a coffee shop to go to at the end of a day’s work to pow wow and exchange ideas etc…well it got us all in the plan. It was also the time I began working with Neville (who was the founder of The Seed Bank which went on to become the Sensi Seed Bank.) Rob Clarke was around a lot, and a host of other scientific char*acters…so it was an excellent time and a lot of very constructive breeding went on.
Regret the move to Holland…No, I do not regret anything I have done in my life up till now, so the answer would be no! But like all things, there is a life span and by 1998 I had had enough, not to mention the blatant capitalism and standard greed related things that come with success and change people you once knew well! Such is life!
How many cannabis cups have you won to date?
Cannabis Cups are things I do not really keep a tally on, as they kind of lost their meaning for me now. But let’s say 1998 was a year both Neville and I tried very hard to do our best work and it was a very successful year. Up until then, and between us both, we had done seriously well with breeding things people enjoyed. In a lot of European countries our strains have been entered by the respective growers and continue to receive accolades. It is not a reason or motivation to work with this plant, I leave that to the others nowadays.
After leaving Amsterdam as the world’s most famous cannabis breeder, what did Shantibaba do next?
Well, I left Holland as I was head-hunted by a Swiss group based in Ticino, the Italian side of Switzerland. I sold my interest in the GHSco, set up Mr. Nice Seed Bank, took my mothers and father plants, as well all of Neville’s mother and father plants, and headed to the hills. I was invited to set up a new company with a Swiss partner and was made vice-president along side Doctor Nussbaumer who was made president, plus 2 lawyers and 1 criminologist. Our intentions were to begin essential oil production, seed production, medical tinctures to aid patients with pain management issues, and just about anything else that was possible. My new country’s cultivation possibilities made Holland look like a kindergarten for growers, in comparison.
How did you make the connection with Howard Marks?
Over a beer or two at one of the High Times Cannabis Cup when I was breeding the White family hybrids… So that was in 1996. It was one of the most easy and deeply touching friendships that evolved from day one! Howard Marks was unknown to me previously so I did not have all the expectations that can cloud one’s view when you meet. Mind you, he had perfect credentials from my point of view. I recall he asked me with that silky smoked voice he has, “any chance an old bastard like me could find a way to work with you in this business?”… or something to those words. My reply was something along the lines of, “I think you might be a little high profile for me” and so it evolved…
Did Mr. Nice Seeds naturally develop or did it take lots of work to get things off the ground?
Since Neville and I had joined forces and had all the mothers and fathers of practically all strains, it was harder to choose which strains we’d use rather than create a new range. So it occurred with ease and good humor rather than any other way. Sort of like putting a new pair of shoes on that fitted perfectly from the first step.
Are the seeds you currently produce at Mr. Nice Seeds today still based on the foundations of your original work?
Yes, but since we have been involved in owning and founding other existing seed companies we decided to change the names for all old existing strains except for `Super Silver Haze’. We did that since so many other seed companies copied our original names but used different plants to make those seeds with. In fact look at `White Widow’ and how many companies offer it, all claiming it to be the original…that is why we renamed it `Black Widow’ and to this day no one has copied it.
continued-
Shanti interview:
Source: Shantibaba – Mr. Nice Seeds – Interview | World of Seeds
December 23, 2010
Following a series of interviews with some of the worlds leading cannabis breeders, it was about time Soft Secrets pulled their fingers out of the Rizla papers and arranged an interview with cannabis cultures most prolific breeder to date, Shantibaba. With a professional career spanning over two decades, as a writer and traveler, the founding geneticist of the worlds most famous seed bank, the overall winner of Cannabis’s highest and most prestigious accolades, and the man that now works with Howard Marks, borrowing 10mins from this elusive breeder’s busy schedule was never going to be easy. Eventually, we finally managed to catch up with Shantibaba to ask him some questions about his work with and love for cannabis plants.
Where does the name Shantibaba come from?
While I was in India in the early 80’s an Indian friend and I established a gem cutting business in Jaipur called Shantibaba Enterprises…and considering it means peaceful person it somehow stuck to me.
When did you first discover cannabis and why did you start cultivating marijuana for yourself?
I tried cannabis with a few mates around 13yr old, found myself and a mate of mine on all fours following a white line on a grassy strip that was not there…laughed like there was no tomorrow, immediately felt akin with this plant.
It was the mid seventies when I first grew from seed, motivated out of the insatiable appetite to consume this plant, and never being able to find a constant product on the black market. So it was easier to learn to do it myself and not rely on anyone’s b/s. I made a lot of mistakes but finally went into growing indoor with lamps in Australia around 1978…or there about, which changed my life forever.
What are your most memorable ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ during your 2G years traveling across Asia?
Big question! I expect the highs would be not loosing my freedom and carefree nature and my time in India on my Royal Enfield. Looking for seed was my mission and having my own means to go anywhere at anytime where no road was the wrong road…that was a big HIGH.
The low time was rare in Asia…a lot more of those moments when I went to the so called Developed world of Europe.
Where else have you traveled in pursuit of landrace cannabis genetics?
That is a long list…but pretty much 4 out of 5 continents to date…only Africa eludes me for now, but I feel when my daughter is a little older we will do that continent together.
Probably south east Asia was the place I did most thoroughly since the 1980s and still doing. Was just in Irian Jaya (the Indonesian part of Papua New Guinea) and that was the hardest place I trekked in my life…after 12 days deep into tribal area doing 8-10 hours walk each day…I was ready to become a tree!
Please tell us about your favorite varieties of cannabis to grow.
I do not have a favorite, as anything I grow becomes a part of me during its life cycle. I get as passionate about growing fruits or veggies too! I expect Mother Nature’s world does it for me big time.
How did you become a Cannabis Geneticist?
Accidentally, if you want the truth! That sort of work was never viewed, and in certain places in the world still is not viewed as a job. So it was hard as a boy to aspire to a job that was not even in existence to the visible world…I expect it is a bit like the work my children will be doing in 20 years; not imaginable from where we stand with our current knowledge.
But generally I was partial to plants and my favorite three things are grapes, olives and Cannabis. Since Cannabis grew relatively quickly compared to fruit trees or nuts, it seemed to be something I could have an effect on in my life span.
Not to mention I love to travel, adventure and research, so it was also a job I could incorporate in all parts of my life where ever I was…in some way. Over time it consumed me and defined me unto what I am today.
When did you first develop your own stock and own seed bank?
It is hard to pin point a time about seed since from the first time I smoked I began collecting seed…
I suspect my University years were the defining point of my serious approach along with traveling and seed collection. Mullumbimby Madness was a strain I worked on with several others in northern NSW in the early to mid 1980’s and with which I had a lot of success with early on. The first Seed Bank that I founded unofficially was in Australia…but officially the tax paying companies only exist and still do exist in Holland.
In 1992 you relocated your seed bank to Amsterdam. In hindsight, do you ever regret this move?
Holland, especially the early to mid 1990’s was a fantastic period for like minded people. It was a happening daily and I expect the enthusiasm and passion for having a coffee shop to go to at the end of a day’s work to pow wow and exchange ideas etc…well it got us all in the plan. It was also the time I began working with Neville (who was the founder of The Seed Bank which went on to become the Sensi Seed Bank.) Rob Clarke was around a lot, and a host of other scientific char*acters…so it was an excellent time and a lot of very constructive breeding went on.
Regret the move to Holland…No, I do not regret anything I have done in my life up till now, so the answer would be no! But like all things, there is a life span and by 1998 I had had enough, not to mention the blatant capitalism and standard greed related things that come with success and change people you once knew well! Such is life!
How many cannabis cups have you won to date?
Cannabis Cups are things I do not really keep a tally on, as they kind of lost their meaning for me now. But let’s say 1998 was a year both Neville and I tried very hard to do our best work and it was a very successful year. Up until then, and between us both, we had done seriously well with breeding things people enjoyed. In a lot of European countries our strains have been entered by the respective growers and continue to receive accolades. It is not a reason or motivation to work with this plant, I leave that to the others nowadays.
After leaving Amsterdam as the world’s most famous cannabis breeder, what did Shantibaba do next?
Well, I left Holland as I was head-hunted by a Swiss group based in Ticino, the Italian side of Switzerland. I sold my interest in the GHSco, set up Mr. Nice Seed Bank, took my mothers and father plants, as well all of Neville’s mother and father plants, and headed to the hills. I was invited to set up a new company with a Swiss partner and was made vice-president along side Doctor Nussbaumer who was made president, plus 2 lawyers and 1 criminologist. Our intentions were to begin essential oil production, seed production, medical tinctures to aid patients with pain management issues, and just about anything else that was possible. My new country’s cultivation possibilities made Holland look like a kindergarten for growers, in comparison.
How did you make the connection with Howard Marks?
Over a beer or two at one of the High Times Cannabis Cup when I was breeding the White family hybrids… So that was in 1996. It was one of the most easy and deeply touching friendships that evolved from day one! Howard Marks was unknown to me previously so I did not have all the expectations that can cloud one’s view when you meet. Mind you, he had perfect credentials from my point of view. I recall he asked me with that silky smoked voice he has, “any chance an old bastard like me could find a way to work with you in this business?”… or something to those words. My reply was something along the lines of, “I think you might be a little high profile for me” and so it evolved…
Did Mr. Nice Seeds naturally develop or did it take lots of work to get things off the ground?
Since Neville and I had joined forces and had all the mothers and fathers of practically all strains, it was harder to choose which strains we’d use rather than create a new range. So it occurred with ease and good humor rather than any other way. Sort of like putting a new pair of shoes on that fitted perfectly from the first step.
Are the seeds you currently produce at Mr. Nice Seeds today still based on the foundations of your original work?
Yes, but since we have been involved in owning and founding other existing seed companies we decided to change the names for all old existing strains except for `Super Silver Haze’. We did that since so many other seed companies copied our original names but used different plants to make those seeds with. In fact look at `White Widow’ and how many companies offer it, all claiming it to be the original…that is why we renamed it `Black Widow’ and to this day no one has copied it.
continued-
Part 2
Shanti interview:
Source: Shantibaba – Mr. Nice Seeds – Interview | World of Seeds
December 23, 2010
What is GU?
`Gene Bank Technology’ was the name of the mother company I founded in Switzerland after leaving Holland. It was responsible for all the peripheral companies and activities we established afterwards like the Hemp beer , cloning nursery, essential oil distillation for the cosmetic industry, medical tincture (used for pain management of MS and Chemotherapy patients), and of course seed production.
GBT was closed and all assets were seized after 4 years of functioning nor*mally in Ticino…due to self righteous Prosecutors with a mission to eradicate Hemp in early 2003. To this day, no laws have ever been changed to initiate `Operation Indoor’, and cannabis is legal to grow in Switzerland…as long as it is not done for the illegal drug market. But that is politics and paradox, too difficult to interpret if you are sitting on my side of the fence.
Please explain a little about what you call ‘The Marijuana Specialized Nursery’?
GBT took over an old silo with 11 floors in Bellinzona in 1999 and the top floor was made to house the entire mother and father plants in a huge `state of the art’ grow room. It contained 42 different original plants that, when combined to each other produced the same F1 seed or aroma or flower top time after time. So in that room we held a library of all the years work both Nevil and I had put into finding genetics to replicate. It was a specialized plant nursery dedicated to one plant type…. Cannabis.
Which visions does Shantibaba hold in garden for the future?
I do not really think about the future very much but I plan to go back to old seed stock of both Nevil’s and my own and pull a few old flavors out of the vaults. The thrill of making the strongest effecting Cannabis has gone for me , I prefer to concentrate on aromas and flavors in the future…since all my plants are proven to be strong enough already.
Grow some Olives and make some wine in between raising a few children gives me something to do during the night hours of my grow rooms and breeding projects…
Shanti interview:
Source: Shantibaba – Mr. Nice Seeds – Interview | World of Seeds
December 23, 2010
What is GU?
`Gene Bank Technology’ was the name of the mother company I founded in Switzerland after leaving Holland. It was responsible for all the peripheral companies and activities we established afterwards like the Hemp beer , cloning nursery, essential oil distillation for the cosmetic industry, medical tincture (used for pain management of MS and Chemotherapy patients), and of course seed production.
GBT was closed and all assets were seized after 4 years of functioning nor*mally in Ticino…due to self righteous Prosecutors with a mission to eradicate Hemp in early 2003. To this day, no laws have ever been changed to initiate `Operation Indoor’, and cannabis is legal to grow in Switzerland…as long as it is not done for the illegal drug market. But that is politics and paradox, too difficult to interpret if you are sitting on my side of the fence.
Please explain a little about what you call ‘The Marijuana Specialized Nursery’?
GBT took over an old silo with 11 floors in Bellinzona in 1999 and the top floor was made to house the entire mother and father plants in a huge `state of the art’ grow room. It contained 42 different original plants that, when combined to each other produced the same F1 seed or aroma or flower top time after time. So in that room we held a library of all the years work both Nevil and I had put into finding genetics to replicate. It was a specialized plant nursery dedicated to one plant type…. Cannabis.
Which visions does Shantibaba hold in garden for the future?
I do not really think about the future very much but I plan to go back to old seed stock of both Nevil’s and my own and pull a few old flavors out of the vaults. The thrill of making the strongest effecting Cannabis has gone for me , I prefer to concentrate on aromas and flavors in the future…since all my plants are proven to be strong enough already.
Grow some Olives and make some wine in between raising a few children gives me something to do during the night hours of my grow rooms and breeding projects…
DannyTwoJoints
2023 COE Winner
From Best of Red Eye Vol.1 (2001/2002?)
DannyTwoJoints
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DannyTwoJoints
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Tetsuo
Well-known member
My tibute to you sir... you will never be forgotten. we will make sure of this.
another PORTRAIT OF the PROHIBITIONIST:
HARRY JACOB ANSLINGER, HIS sade LIFE, HIS WORK. (ndlr, ruining thousands of people's lives over a plant that can not only cure but build, warm, cheer, feed, relieve,...etc)
Born in 1892, Altoona Pennsylvania. He became special agent in railroads. In 1918/1919, he moved to Belgium, at the local CIA antenna. Before going to work at the american ambassy in Den Haag. He then became consul at Hambourg in 1921.
In 1923 he married Martha Deniston, niece of Andrew Melton, american billionaire. We find Hasslinger again in Bahams and Venezuela, where he work as vice-consul at american consulat in Venezuela. In the mean time, he became journalist, and produce his first article. "Sharks, sea creatures"
In 1929, Harry, who was overdedicated at prohibition, made the law project, for each beer bottle be accounted with a official letter addressed to finance ministry. In 1930, Andrew Melton, become finance admunistrator of Coolidge's gouvernement.
Anslinger is then named director of narcotic bureau which depends directly on Melton's office.
Alcohool is not prohibited anymore, our guy (Anslinger) with a budget of 100k$, organise a contest for sensationnalism journalist. The purpose of this move is to prouve that cannabis make you crazy and criminal.
In order to justify the buget allowed by the oncle of his spouse.
1937, Harry publish his best articles in a book tittled, "Marijuana killer or the youth".
In this pamphlet, we can read that, in whole human history, marijuana is the drug that generates the most violent crimes.
1937.01.09, Roosevelt sign the marijuana tax act, and so come a total prohibition of the "killer grass".
Harry Anslinger then began a campain against Jazz. Who, according to him generates a downfall of races. This been a rapid failure. 1951, he become president of "US, drug commission", in 1954, he declares: "heroïne and marijuana have been imported by communists, in order to destroy our country."(1)
1962, he turned 70' years old, JFK freshly elected, fired him. He move from Narcotic Bureau at the very moment when congres investigate the methods of Narcotic Bureau.
Harry does not want to retire, he is named US representativ at UN. His goal was set, to get from senat the validation of the Unique Convention Act.
Is it true that he said, : "we got em, they been defently caught, they can not change the law anymore."(2) He supposedly said this a day in 1967, where senat voted his law by 84 against 0.
There was votes against, because this convention included cannabis with the drugs ban, the man respinsable for this is our harry Anslinger. The US delegation was lead by Harry who at that time was considered a great diplomate, and became a full time Narcotic Bureau administrator.
He was known in us for his strong belives in favor of the Marijuana tax act. Because of this, Harry became the nemesis of every hemp smoker in US, UK, and their supporters.
Scofield 1971, says that inclusion of cannabis in a international agreement, was due to the efforts of one and only man H. Anslinger. This means that cananbis was considered as dangerous as heroin, MDMA, DMT.
John kaplan, in his book, Marijuana the new prohibition 1971, says : "chapter regarding marijuana was redacted by american delegation lead by Harry Anslinger(3).
Doctor Adolf Lande, who was deputy of the convention and was part of all the decision making process, made clear that he did not agree with the decision to put marijuana on the same toxicity level as MDMA heroin or cocain.
Adolf Lande declare:" the conclusions were made without scientific, historical, and political evidences wich dominated entirely the conference of the unique Convention."
Narcotic bureau shut down in 1968, the administration of narcotic is transfered to Department of Justice. (DOJ)
Regarding narco bureau, E. Ingersoll the last director of Anslinger declared in senat commission that corruption had reached the highest level of drug administration, mostly at the NYC office. Assets and informants were to free and could decide arbitrary on each arrestation. There was obvious ties with criminals(4).
DEA raised from the ashes of Narcotic Bureau(BNDD) (FDN).
Traduction fidèle du récit de J-P Galland, "fumée clandestine" 1993.
Sources:
1. Cite par J-P Gène dans, Drogues. février-mars 1984
2. Cite par H. G Behr et A. Juhnke, Drogenpolitik und der Bundesrepublik, Rowhalt, 1985.
3. Cite par g.nahas haschish cannabis marijuana PUF, 1976 , p.70.
4. Cité par H. G Behr et A. Juhnke, Drogenpolitik und der Bundesrepublik, Rowhalt, 1985.
5. Anslinger ref on MNS forum
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