[DopyDgz]

I’ve been looking for VA-specific info and noticed that they were scattered all over the site. Thought it might be easier to have one thread that gathers everything for Virginia.
The purpose of this thread is to unite Virginia growers so we can all share our experiences, tips, tricks, recipes, etc., and keep the Virginia marijuana community growing.


I’ll start it off.
Total newbie to growing (and even to gardening).
First grow. Growing two plants outdoors. Don't have an indoor setup.
Even though I've done something wrong at nearly every stage, my plants appear to be doing fairly well.
They're not ready to harvest yet, but guessing in the next 2-4 weeks?
But, the weather is quickly cooling off with lots of rain.
It's in the 50's today.
How much do I need to worry about possible negative effects caused by the weather?
I keep hearing about bud rot, etc.
What can I (should I) do to take these two plants across the finish line?

Hope there’s some interest in a VA thread.
Thanks!!


View attachment 2055484View attachment 2055485View attachment 2055486

what variety?

 

[DopyDgz]

I'm a Northern Va grower. I got my tent setup and started 4 bag seeds in April, 2021, right out of the gate. Out of those 4 plants, 3 were male. So, there's that.
Things are better now. Growing Bubba Kush fems inside and outside. Inside has started to flower. Outside looks like she's considering it.

if you are still here: how did those strains work out for you?

 

[DopyDgz]

Went outside just before 7am, it looks like the plastic did not come off entirely, just one side had (which I half suspected it would anyway due to using staples to hold it). So, this time I used some old deck boards I had and sandwiched the plastic between 2 boards. I also added an extra span of deck boards length wise and used some on the ends to help protect against the wind.

Some rain is going to still get in, it's not closed entirely, primarily at the ends, but the majority should be kept out and with it open some humidity levels should hopefully stay somewhat in check (although as soon as I can I will pull the plastic).

Sure is ugly looking...

View attachment 2239254

That open looking piece on the bottom there is on the side closest to the garage, so ideally not a huge amount of rain will get in via there. I am also hoping that with it open on both ends that the wind won't simply rip it off. One piece I wish I had done is ran a length across the top in order to give a peak to the plastic, as is, I can see rain collecting in there. Hindsight.

Still, if everything makes it through OK I will call it a win and know to be a little more prepared next year. Basically a learning experience so far, which with everything going well, is also causing way more stress for something to go wrong so close to being able to harvest.

you need to use this tarp. Just know that it will break down over time and need to be replaced after a couple of years or so:

https://www.amazon.com/Greenhouse-Waterproof-Resistant-Superior-Gardening/dp/B0C1G6W7YY?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[DopyDgz]

Va grower here !!! DC metro area.

Anyone else?

I am in Winchester, just started growing this year

 

[IgnorRayMuss]

Yeah, I made that mistake, and now have fungus gnats and some other tiny bug. I had planned to grow outdoors but realized the spot I picked did not get enough sun and was too visible to neighbors so I moved them onto my garage. Using bt in water to treat, seems to be working.

If you're bringing them inside I would do Dr Zymes and or Spinosad (Captain Jack's Dead Bug). Bt is only good for larvae. Zymes will knock down spider mites and most everything spinosad can't. Both are fine for cannabis.

 

[DopyDgz]

If you're bringing them inside I would do Dr Zymes and or Spinosad (Captain Jack's Dead Bug). Bt is only good for larvae. Zymes will knock down spider mites and most everything spinosad can't. Both are fine for cannabis.

I already own the bt so I am going wit that for now. Hoping to harvest 1st crop in a week or so. I REALLY do not want to sink any more $$ into this hobby that absolutley necessary, r it will be so expensive I'd be better off buying from a dispensary! Next crop will be indoors from start to finish. Planting Quick One and Wedding cake. I am hoping the worst of the heat is over, I think heat is why I never got colas on first crop (different varieties). All flowered well but buds did not bulk up. :-(

 

[DopyDgz]

What's ewc's I'm new only second grow that's why I'm trying cost to much to buy so I'm trying to grow m y own

Getting set up is pricey. I do not expect to see a return on my investment (lights, shelving, microscope....) until I have harvested at least 3 crops.

 

[DopyDgz]

Another heat wave here in Virginia, going to be around 100° the next 3 days. Oh well, just means I'll be watering twice a day along with spraying the outside of the pots several times a day. Greenhouse is getting pretty crowded, just the way I like it. Most got what will hopefully be the last topping before flower. The Cretan landraces look like they are already trying to flower and got their flowering top dress a few days ago. The hybrids will get theirs this weekend after the heat wave. Was hoping to not top my Napali Highland semi dwarf but looks like I'm either going to have to top or move it out of the greenhouse. It has a sort of natural camouflage so maybe. My Cretan landrace in the ground is around 7' and still growing. The Napali in the ground is driving me crazy because it still hasn't shown sex. Man im digging this retirement thing. I can just fart around the garden and greenhouse all day. View attachment 2686613View attachment 2686614theNapaliHighlandView attachment 2686615mixing up the flowering top dress View attachment 2686616View attachment 2686617mycillium after 3 days in a bucketView attachment 2686618 i usually have an audience, they have gotten so used to seeing me outside they hardly pay any attention to me until I start taking pics.View attachment 2686621View attachment 2686622 the Cretan and Napali in the raised bed.

 

[DopyDgz]

Another heat wave here in Virginia, going to be around 100° the next 3 days. Oh well, just means I'll be watering twice a day along with spraying the outside of the pots several times a day. Greenhouse is getting pretty crowded, just the way I like it. Most got what will hopefully be the last topping before flower. The Cretan landraces look like they are already trying to flower and got their flowering top dress a few days ago. The hybrids will get theirs this weekend after the heat wave. Was hoping to not top my Napali Highland semi dwarf but looks like I'm either going to have to top or move it out of the greenhouse. It has a sort of natural camouflage so maybe. My Cretan landrace in the ground is around 7' and still growing. The Napali in the ground is driving me crazy because it still hasn't shown sex. Man im digging this retirement thing. I can just fart around the garden and greenhouse all day. View attachment 2686613View attachment 2686614theNapaliHighlandView attachment 2686615mixing up the flowering top dress View attachment 2686616View attachment 2686617mycillium after 3 days in a bucketView attachment 2686618 i usually have an audience, they have gotten so used to seeing me outside they hardly pay any attention to me until I start taking pics.View attachment 2686621View attachment 2686622 the Cretan and Napali in the raised bed.

What varieties do you like best for our heat and humidity here in VA?

 

[IgnorRayMuss]

Getting set up is pricey. I do not expect to see a return on my investment (lights, shelving, microscope....) until I have harvested at least 3 crops.

ROI? Are you in finance? Talk a out ROI with little to no due diligence and complain about the costs. For most of us here this us a hobby, a labor of love. You're killing any of your own potential love of this form of horticulture with your expectations of ROI when you have no experience or expertise in the field.
Your first novice mistake was taking on autoflowers for your 1st grow. They can be incredibly finicky and difficult to read. Photos are much more forgiving.
Live and learn. Try photos next time. They are far more forgiving.

 

[DopyDgz]

ROI? Are you in finance? Talk a out ROI with little to no due diligence and complain about the costs. For most of us here this us a hobby, a labor of love. You're killing any of your own potential love of this form of horticulture with your expectations of ROI when you have no experience or expertise in the field.
Your first novice mistake was taking on autoflowers for your 1st grow. They can be incredibly finicky and difficult to read. Photos are much more forgiving.
Live and learn. Try photos next time. They are far more for

ROI? Are you in finance? Talk a out ROI with little to no due diligence and complain about the costs. For most of us here this us a hobby, a labor of love. You're killing any of your own potential love of this form of horticulture with your expectations of ROI when you have no experience or expertise in the field.
Your first novice mistake was taking on autoflowers for your 1st grow. They can be incredibly finicky and difficult to read. Photos are much more forgiving.
Live and learn. Try photos next time. They are far more forgiving.

LOL. chill dude. I am very much the hobbiest! l all I was saying (in response to someone saying they were grwing their own to save $$) is, do not expect to save any money on the first crop is you have had to spend $$ on your set-up and equipment! Just like growing vegetables: if you are starting from scratch, don't expect to save any $$ the first year. And if you are talking to me, who said anything about autoflowers?!

 

[orggrwr]

What varieties do you like best for our heat and humidity here in VA?

Only been growing 5 seasons now and in my experience almost all cannabis plants handle heat and humidity well as long as they are healthy and have plenty of water. It's the cool rainy fall weather that brings the bud rot and they are all susceptible to that. Keep your plants healthy, well fed, and well watered and they will sail through heat waves and say give me more. This year I'm growing a mix of modern hybrids and landraces and none of them mind the heat this year. Just don't want high heat in late flower but that's up to mother nature. Good luck. I'm in Fredericksburg by the way and it's definitely been a hot summer.

 

[Budtirement]

if you are still here: how did those strains work out for you?

Hey @DopyDgz. Still here gardening in Alexandria. Virginia is a good place to grow! The Bubba Kush from ILGM, was a big hit. Did well inside and outside. Nice fat colas. This summer I'm growing a Hawaiian Puna Buddaz cross photo regular seed outside for the first time. It's doing well in the heat and is starting to flower just now. Inside I have 2 Jack Herer autos in my 2x4x5 at day 50, also first time growing this strain. It has been my experience in 7 years of growing here in Virginia that all the strains I've grown have done well unless; inside I mess up watering or, outside they get attacked by tomato worm caterpillars which cause serious bud rot. Have BT ready! Had a big infestation of spotted lantern flies on the cannabis plants and grape vine this year but I used a vacuum every few days to remove them and any damage seems minimal at this point. Grapes are ripe and deliciously sweet.
My experience so far is I can keep a steady supply just growing inside in the tent and if outside ripens well I get enough to last years but it does take patience to grow and research to keep upping my game with soil and amendments. Happy growing!



2 Puna Buddaz cross photoperiods. Got these seeds from Pua Mana 'Ohana seed bank in Hawaii.

2 Jack Herer autos starting to smell good when I open the tent. Got these seeds from Triangle Hemp Seed Co., in North Carolina.


Blue Haze ILGM in winter 2024

Bubba Kush, IGLM in summer 2024

LA Kush autos in 2025, got seeds from a friend

Hindu Kush from ILGM in 2022

 

[IgnorRayMuss]

LOL. chill dude. I am very much the hobbiest! l all I was saying (in response to someone saying they were grwing their own to save $$) is, do not expect to save any money on the first crop is you have had to spend $$ on your set-up and equipment! Just like growing vegetables: if you are starting from scratch, don't expect to save any $$ the first year. And if you are talking to me, who said anything about autoflowers?!

If you do your research and are not gear driven it's way more than possible to spend less than your plants provide. If you throw around ROI I think its more than appropriate to address your lack of Due Dilligence.

 

[josh65]

I'm talking to someone saying lot places seeds no good like Royal Queen seeds and bunch more is he right

 

[orggrwr]

I'm talking to someone saying lot places seeds no good like Royal Queen seeds and bunch more is he right

RQS is legit.

 

[josh65]

He works for some place we're I got recharge sent paper with seeds he said his seeds are better than everyone else but don't have web site got his phone number is this legit

 

[orggrwr]

He works for some place we're I got recharge sent paper with seeds he said his seeds are better than everyone else but don't have web site got his phone number is this legit View attachment 2689788View attachment 2689789View attachment 2689790View attachment 2689791

I have no way of knowing if it's legit or not

 

[IgnorRayMuss]

RQS is legit.

100% white label
So many good breeders out there who are almost dumping beans before the ban. Why bother with white label bs sold in individual blister packs? RQS is local to nowhere. When possible by locally produced beans adapted to your type of grow. If not locally produced then regional or even from a similar climate (west coast beans rot in east coast humidity) RQS is a 7-11 of beans. You're paying for packaging, art direction, marketing and convenience. You are losing out on a much wider world of genetics and involvement in your cannabis community.

 

[josh65]

He also said oceanforest farms and happy frog no good