By RQS Editorial Team


CANNABIS MONTHLY GROW GUIDE: SOUTHERN EUROPE & USA

Southern Europe and the Southern United States share the same latitudes and an equally diverse range of microclimates. The Canadian border and Paris share the north, the middle is Lisbon and San Francisco, while New Orleans and the Canary Islands sweat right on the edge of the tropic of Cancer. The wonderful weed will grow well at all these latitudes; it’s just a matter of timing—but let’s set latitudes and timing aside just for a moment.

CANNABIS, THE PLANT

Cannabis is an annual dioecious plant that germinates in the spring and is ready for harvest some time in the fall after substantial growth over the whole time period. Latitude and species selection play definite roles in when these times may actually be.

Isolating female plants to create sinsemilla and nurturing them to maturity extends the growing season of cannabis considerably. A wild crop in nature or a hemp crop have their life cycles significantly shortened as they are fertilised very early.

Cannabis Plant Growing

SPRING IS EARLIER IN THE SOUTH

Closer to the equator means earlier, warmer springs for earlier planting, and longer days followed by a long growing season. Further from the equator, spring comes later while the Earth tilts enough to supply the 12 hours and more of light needed for robust early cannabis vegetation. The grow season is shortened in proportion, but doesn’t affect final quality or potency—only harvest time comes sooner.

CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE SPECIES

Also, species selection can mean differences in the stages of development of up to six weeks. A pure indica like Northern Light or an indica-dominant strain like Speedy Chile can be harvested and cured before something like a Shining Silver Haze or any sativa with a tropical heritage is close to ready. Some sativas will keep maturing until November, especially during a two or three-stage harvest on big plants.

WHEN DOES SPRING, SPRING?

Also, outdoor growing times are measured monthly from full moon to full moon. So, although the calendar may say spring begins on March 20th, as far as plants are concerned, it really begins in the days following the equinox. Everything slides along two weeks to accommodate natural cycles; plant activity can be observed to respond to lunar and seasonal cycles at each phase of growth.

DIAL YOUR OWN PRECISION

Giving exact times and dates for an area that is more than a thousand kilometres from top to bottom can be imprecise as the countries and areas in question are just so darn big and varied in climate. But don’t worry, cannabis is a virulent plant. Experienced growers have already developed a sixth sense as to which strains cater to their particular spot on the planet. Inexperienced growers can find great suggestions and general information throughout our website.

Each of these tips can be applied to either continent at each particular time of year. Cannabis goes through distinct phases in its growth that are common to all cannabis grown around the world. The same maintenance is required to achieve great marijuana from Mozambique to Melbourne or Paris to Patagonia.

WINTER

DECEMBER & JANUARY

• AVG day length: definitely too short for doing anything with outdoor cannabis in the Northern Hemisphere.
• AVG temps: not very cannabis friendly, that’s for sure.

EUROPE

It is the dead of winter and, except for tropical Gran Canaria, it is cold at best and buried under snow at worst in Southern Europe. If there was a successful crop in the previous year, many are enjoying the well-cured and aromatic fruits of their labor while considering the coming season and processing lessons learnt for getting more and higher-quality nuggets in the jar.

US

The same can be said for the States. While New York is gripped in a fist of ice and snow and Miami is tropically pleasant, successful farmers will be whiling away the fallow season.

To reinvigorate pots or garden beds, many will spread generous quantities of soil amendments such as alfalfa, kelp, feather and bone meals, rock dust, and worm castings. A good deep mulching to insulate the medium from the wrath of winter aids the decomposition process for virile soil come spring.

Fall Cannabis

FEBRUARY

• AVG day length: calm down tiger, still too short for anything to do with weed, unless you are using supplemental lighting.
• AVG temps: still not warm enough.

It is the last full month of winter, and enthusiastic growers on both continents are sniffing the air for hints of spring. Those who are wanting to go big are planting seeds or setting clones aside for early vegetation under supplemental artificial lighting. Plants given a solid two months head start before relying on the sun alone will be truly monstrous cannabis trees once given plenty of root room and lots of lumens.

Spring

MARCH

• AVG day length: 11h 05m to 12h 34m
• AVG temps: 5–16°C

March is the first month of spring, which includes the all-important vernal equinox during the full moon period. After the full moon of March, spring can be considered to have truly started as the days begin getting longer than twelve hours.

A minimum of 12 hours of daylight are required to ensure healthy cannabis vegetation and later flower development. Plants germinated and nurtured earlier than this (without supplemental lighting) will get very satisfactory vegetation results, but the all-important end product will be fluffy and sub-standard. Going with the flow of the seasons will always render better plants when not using supplemental lighting.

Growers closer to the equator who germinate in spring will be popping seeds now. The days will quickly lengthen and temperatures will rise just as quickly to give baby plants ideal growing conditions. Further north, growers will wait until April to germinate, which guarantees functional day lengths and temperatures.

APRIL & MAY

• AVG day length: April - 12h 37m to 13h 59m
May - 14h 02m to 15h 06m
• AVG temps: April - 8–19°C
May - 13–23°C

And they’re off!

Spring is full of vigorous and verdant growth; temperatures are gentle, but warming noticeably, and the cannabis plant booms. If plants are in smaller pots for early vegetation, they will quickly fill the grow medium with roots, especially in the presence of mycorrhizae and Trichoderma colonies. Upturn a pot or two regularly to discern root development as potting-on wants to be done before any root-binding happens.

Spring Material List

EUROPE

Organic pest and pathogen sprays can begin being applied in their fortnightly cycle now. A whole bunch of bugs will make their appearance to feast on nutrient-rich cannabis leaves as the weather warms. Check the undersides of leaves for eggs or signs of mites and other creepy crawlies that can inhibit healthy growth. It is a good time for enzyme-rich water additives like aloe vera or compost teas to help maintain soil and root health.

US

A number of species will require topping during this period, which encourages a more open aspect for better sun penetration and unhindered air circulation. Depending on the size of the plant, regular topping or training during the vegetative phase ensures an even canopy of buds with plenty of air circulation and no popcorn growth on any branches.

Summer

JUNE & JULY

• AVG day length: June - 15h 08m to 15h 23m
July - 15h 22m to 14h 39m
• AVG temps: June: 14–28°C
July: 17–31°C

Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime.

You can be sure that any country you visit at this time of year is going to range from sensually warm to notoriously hot. Spanish and Southern Cali beaches are sweltering, while in the Alps or the Appalachians it is very pleasant.

EUROPE

It is time to look out for pathogens and bugs. The regular watering needed to keep plants hydrated during hot summers makes ideal conditions for root problems. A well-mulched, healthy and complex rhizosphere can fight off pathogens like Pythium and suppress bugs that like humid soil conditions. Still, keep an eye on plant performance to discern any root problems.

US

Foliage spraying with kelp and seaweed extracts or compost teas helps plants combat heat stress while maintaining root health and nutrient uptake. Top dressing with selected amendments ensures plants continue to get a steady feeding while rapidly vegetating during the summer. Top dressings include, but aren’t limited to, alfalfa and clove meal, any number of manures, worm castings, neem cake, compost, and shell flours. Foliage spraying silica during the heat is of mineral benefit to plants as well as a double deterrent for pathogens and creepy crawlies.

At the end of July, some species with shorter flowering times will be differentiating for a September harvest. This includes feminized strains that generally don’t get much larger than 2 metres. Watch those trichomes.

AUGUST

• AVG day length: 14h 39m to 13h 35m
• AVG temps: 19–30°C

Usually the time of differentiation in cannabis is the time when the plant changes from the vegetative phase to the “pubescent” stage. With flowers yet to properly develop, plants subtly change their growth patterns to reveal an altered silhouette. Rather than a thriving, bushy, and homogeneous plant with a reaching aspect, the plants morph to hint at where flower sights will be. Branches may turn up at the ends in preparation for buds, and un-topped tops will stop growing side branches to concentrate on cola building.

Summer things to do

EUROPE

From this point on, consistent flower growth can be expected until harvest time. Clusters of calyxes form on the nodes, ready to expand into full flower structures. Pistils are vibrant and healthy, and there is already visible trichome development.

US

Organic weed in beds or pots will be getting a good feed around now, with some rich amendments for flowering plants being added as top dressing. Growers using standard commercial potting mixes need to be careful as many brands run very “hot”, and supplementation can irrevocably burn plants. With cannabis, making or purchasing a super soil, then bio-organically maintaining it, is the way to go for contemporary high-grade outdoor weed.

With regular weed, those males should be gone, gone, gone. Feminized plants and those with shorter flowering times will be fattening up quite nicely now, as will a second autoflower crop.

Fall Cannabis

SEPTEMBER

• AVG day length: 13h 30m to 11h 54m
• AVG temps: 14–26°C

On both continents, flowering is properly underway and plants are laying in puffballs of young calyxes that expand along their own stalk to form a cannabis bud. Individual calyxes can be seen and pistils are becoming further separated as the flower clusters increase in volume. Aromas are also starting to develop and resin production within the trichomes is increasing.

More rapidly maturing species will be harvested mid to late September, so just another reminder to watch those trichomes for changing colors.

The second batch of autos will be harvested at the beginning-to-middle of September, and a third crop can be set out as a late-season crop. Plants will not be as large since the days are shortening, but will mature nonetheless.

September is the month of the autumnal equinox, when days following the full moon start to be less than twelve hours. This is mega resin season.

OCTOBER

• AVG day length: 11h 51m to 10h 26m
• AVG temps: 11–21°C

This is what it’s all about. Resin production is off the charts, buds are dense and compact with swollen calyxes, and branch support is likely needed. Aromas are at their maximum, and the time has come to watch those trichomes much more closely.

EUROPE

During the final stages, two weeks is a substantial amount of time in the growth of a vigorous annual like cannabis. Still, most species will be harvested in this time-frame; whether it be early or late in the month depends on the dominant genetic traits.

US

Larger plants, especially those giants that were given supplemental lighting during vegetation, will need to have the more advanced upper buds removed. This allows the lower flowers to mature in more light.

Fall Cannabis Material 

NOVEMBER

• AVG day length: 10h 23m to 9h 17m
• AVG temps: 6–16°C

At this time of year, and at these shared latitudes, the same thing will be happening on both continents. Resin-encrusted flowers are being admired and sniffed, some dry in the jar, some still on the plant, yet all bulging with trichomes. This is the true meaning of a labor of love.

Sativas with a notoriously long maturing time are finishing up now, as are the lower flowers of larger plants. The much cooler temps at this time of year can promote exceptional colouration of cannabis.

Plants harvested last month will be dry and on their way to being fully cured by now. They have been trimmed and hung in an environment with stable humidity and temperatures, then cured in an airtight container that is burped regularly to outgas any moisture and stale air.

The final autoflower crop in a multi-harvest grow is also complete and ready for harvest. The plants will be small as sunlight wasn’t optimum, but there is still high-quality flower ready for the drying rack.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: