Weed Grow Guide by Royal Queen Seeds

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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:

  • First and last name
  • Home and billing address
  • Telephone number
  • Gender
  • IP address
  • Email address
  • Date of birth

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:

  • First & last name
  • Gender

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).

  • Email address

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:

  • Revoke the consent you have granted;
  • Access personal data;
  • Rectify personal data;
  • Delete personal data;
  • File a complaint or a writ for the protection of your rights before the Spanish Data Protection Agency;
  • Be notified of any security incident that may affect your rights;
  • Limitation of processing;
  • Portability.
By Luke Sumpter Reviewed by: Silvia Maroto


Molasses serves as an important tool in the arsenal of many organic cannabis growers. This sweet and sticky substance introduces plenty of sugars and beneficial nutrients into the growing medium, feeding both the plants themselves and beneficial soil microbes.

What Is Molasses?

A dark, sweet, and syrupy substance, molasses stems from the processing of sugars from sources including beets and sugarcane[1]. Molasses is the residue left from the crystallization process of sugar, from which no more sugar can be obtained by physical methods. It is made by boiling, for example, the juice of the sugar cane, until the partial evaporation of the water, forming a syrupy product semi-crystallized[2].

  • Why Is Sugar Important for Cannabis?

It might come as a bit of a surprise, but sugar is vital to healthy and robust cannabis plant development[3]. Not only is sugar responsible for energy metabolism, but it also serves as a type of chemical messenger that helps promote health throughout the cannabis life cycle[4]. The production and distribution of sugars is something cannabis does naturally, but it can use assistance in the form of various practices and supplements. Enter molasses.

What Are the Benefits of Molasses for Cannabis Plants?

While sometimes used as a sweetener or cooking ingredient, molasses is also used to improve the health and yield of cannabis plants. This sticky syrup contains a wealth of nutrients that help to drive plant development and soil health, including:

  • Carbohydrates: These simple sugars serve as a life-giving energy source to beneficial microbes in the soil. As you feed bacteria and fungi in the rhizosphere, they multiply and help plants tap into nutrients.
  • Calcium: This mineral plays a crucial role in plant physiology, contributing to tissue growth and the structural integrity of cell walls.
  • Iron: This essential plant micronutrient plays a fundamental role in metabolic processes such as DNA synthesis, respiration, and photosynthesis.
  • Selenium: Selenium helps to reduce plant stress and activates important antioxidants and enzymes.
  • Copper: Copper helps plants to create energy and respire, and also plays a role in the breakdown of carbohydrates and proteins.
  • Magnesium: Magnesium forms the core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue, meaning deficiencies can lead to a lack of chlorophyll and stunted growth.
What Are the Benefits of Molasses for Cannabis Plants?

Types of Molasses

Now you know the many benefits that molasses can offer the cannabis grower, from key plant nutrients to sugars that feed microbial life[5]. When shopping for molasses, you’ll quickly discover a few different types. Check out the differences below to see which is ideal for weed.

  • Light Molasses

Light molasses, also known as “first” or “sweet” molasses, is less rich and lighter in color than other options. It is made from the first boiling of either beet juice or sugar cane. Light molasses is, as you might guess, light in color and offers a milder, or sweeter, flavor that is more palatable because only a small percentage of the sugar has been extracted. You’ll find light molasses mainly in baked goods, marinades, and sauces.

Molasses
  • Medium or Dark Molasses

Dark or “second” molasses is deeper in color and made following the second boil of sugar cane or beet juice. These types feature a much stronger flavor than light molasses, and the dark color stems from the increased concentration of carbohydrates. Dark molasses is less sweet and provides the underlying flavor of gingerbread cookies.

Molasses
  • Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses takes richness and darkness to another level. It results from a third boil, and as such is far less sweet and much more bitter than others. Blackstrap molasses is extremely viscous, dense, and often appears in savoury recipes such as baked beans.

Molasses
  • Treacle

Treacle differs from molasses in that it features less sucrose and appears much lighter. Although sweeter than all types of molasses, it also possesses a slightly bitter edge. However, much like molasses, treacle also comes from the boiling of raw juice. Manufacturers simply remove the syrup from the boil earlier in the process.

Molasses
  • Sulphured vs Unsulphured Molasses

Sometimes, manufacturers add sulphur dioxide to their molasses. This acts as a preservative and enhances the shelf-life of the product. However, this process can impact the flavor of molasses and also make it unsuitable for use in the garden.

As far as taste goes, the addition of sulphur dioxide leaves molasses with a chemical flavor. The preservative also acts to kill microbes, which means it will damage beneficial communities within your soil. For this reason, always choose unsulphured molasses for use in the garden.

Molasses or Honey?

If molasses contains sugars that help microbes thrive and plants grow, why not use honey instead? Honey contains plenty of sugar, and even works as a rooting stimulant when cloning cuttings. However, molasses brings more than just sugar to the table. Large quantities of essential nutrients make molasses the superior choice when aiming for massive yields.

How and When To Use Molasses in Cannabis Growing

So, with the above knowledge in mind, how should you go about using molasses when it comes to growing weed? Check out the techniques below to discover different ways to use molasses in your garden or grow room.

Which Type of Molasses Is the Best for Cannabis?

Before we delve into how to use it, let’s settle on the best type of molasses to use. We recommend aiming for unsulphured blackstrap molasses. This thick and dark version offers a much more concentrated source of sugars that will kick the microbial life in your soil into overdrive.

Want to leverage molasses like a pro? Download our Pro Growing Guide for exact mix ratios, PPM/pH targets, and practical soil-health tips that maximize every molasses feed.

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Growing Guide!

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Using Molasses in Soil

You can enhance your soil with molasses quickly and easily. There are two ways to add it to your growing medium, either through water or in its dry form.

Watering With Molasses

Use these steps to water your plants with molasses:

  1. Fill up a watering can with lukewarm water.
  2. Add 4–5ml of molasses per litre of water and stir thoroughly.
  3. Maintain this concentration throughout the vegetative phase and apply 1–2 times per week.
  4. Keep a close eye out for any signs of nutrient burn, and dial back your feeding if you see these occur.
  5. Increase the dose to 8–10ml during the flowering stage to meet increased demand for potassium.
Using Molasses in Soil

Improve the Soil With Dry Molasses

Dry molasses is a mix of grains drenched with molasses. Here’s how to use it.

  1. Use a scoop to measure out 17.6 oz of molasses.
  2. Apply this volume for every 4–6m² of soil to enrich your growing medium at the start of the growing cycle.
  3. Apply the same quantity just below the topsoil at the start of the flowering phase.
Using Molasses in Soil

Using Molasses as a Foliar Spray

Foliar sprays allow nutrients to pass directly through the leaves via the epidermis and tiny stomata (pores). This allows growers to rapidly address any signs of deficiency.

To make your own molasses foliar spray, use these steps:

  1. Add one litre of lukewarm water into a spray bottle.
  2. Add a quarter of a teaspoon of molasses into the bottle.
  3. Mix the solution thoroughly by stirring and shaking.
  4. Spray liberally onto the leaves of your cannabis plants.
  5. Reapply once every two weeks throughout the growing cycle.

Using Molasses as a Natural Insecticide

You can also use the above formula to deal with pest insects[6]. Not only will this preparation deliver key nutrients directly through the leaves, but it will also help to prevent and dislodge sucking insects that do damage to leaves, stems, and branches.

This formula works well at dealing with pest insects such as aphids, whiteflies, and lace bugs.

Using Molasses in Soil

Using Molasses in Compost Tea

Compost tea harnesses the power of microbial life and crucial nutrients[7]These formulas blast plants with life-giving substances that help to boost plant health and increase your productivity.

Add one teaspoon of unsulphured blackstrap molasses to your compost tea preparation to bestow more carbohydrates and yield-enhancing minerals.

Tips for Using Molasses With Cannabis

Using the recipes and methods above will help to increase the health of your plants and soil while improving yields along the way. The tips presented below will help you refine the skill of working with molasses when growing cannabis. Learn when to stop using it, how to combine it with other amendments, and what the best alternatives are.

  • When To Stop Using Molasses

Using molasses can become problematic under some circumstances[8]. For example, it’s possible to give your plants too much of a good thing. When you add too many nutrients to the soil, the roots and leaves can become burnt. If you spot signs of nutrient burn, stop applying molasses until the problem resolves.

  • Combining Molasses With Rhizobacteria

Molasses helps to feed the microbes that already exist in the soil. But you can add an extra punch to your preparation by adding rhizobacteria as well[9]. This type of bacteria does a world of good by helping to free up nutrients and combating pathogens.

  • Molasses vs Commercial Supplements

Take a look at the ingredients list on a lot of organic supplements. Notice anything consistent? Loads of them contain molasses! Molasses achieves very similar results to a lot of pre-made solutions available on the shelves. However, some of these products contain additional goodies, and some growers simply prefer to use these supplements instead of taking the time to make their own.

  • Molasses Alternatives

Molasses is easily one of the cheapest and most effective soil enhancers out there. However, if you can’t access molasses, there are a few alternatives that also work well. These include:

  • Honey
  • Agave
  • Corn syrup

Why Molasses Is Excellent for Healthy Cannabis Plant Growth

Molasses contains a huge array of crucial minerals needed for weed plants to survive and thrive. Alongside this massive benefit, it helps to bring the soil to life by feeding beneficial bacteria and fungi. This then enables plants to tap into even more nutrients already present in the soil. The best part? Molasses is inexpensive but super effective!

External Resources:
  1. The effects of fulvic acid and sugar cane molasseson yield and qualities of tomato https://irjabs.com
  2. Experimental investigation of molasses as a sole nutrient for the production of an alternative metabolite biosurfactant https://www.sciencedirect.com
  3. The Effects of Sugar Beet Molasses Applications on Root Yield and Sugar Content of Sugar Beet https://www.biotechstudies.org
  4. Effect of Molasses and Organic Fertilizer in Soil fertility and Yield of Spinach in Khotang, Nepal https://www.nepjol.info
  5. Evaluation of baker's yeast strains exhibiting significant growth on Japanese beet molasses and compound analysis of the molasses types https://www.sciencedirect.com
  6. Effect of Molasses as a Spray Additive for Control of the Bollworm and Tobacco Budworm https://academic.oup.com
  7. Effect of Molasses on Regrowth of E. coli O157:H7 And Salmonella in Compost Teas https://www.tandfonline.com
  8. Efecto del uso de melaza y microorganismos eficientes sobre la tasa de descomposición de la hoja de caña (Saccharum officinarum) https://dialnet.unirioja.es
  9. Plant Associated Rhizobacteria for Biocontrol and Plant Growth Enhancement https://www.frontiersin.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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