Hi all. I don't know how many of my old friends this update is going to reach as a lot of people seem to have gone. Anyway I didn't want to let anyone down by not showing the end result, so here it is
As usual I apologize for my absence, but unfortunately I had a stroke of very bad luck. The day before I was due to start chopping (I had already chopped the small Purple Power, but see later) I did my back in carrying two Purple Powers into the kitchen. It was so bad I was on my hands and knees for several hours, not being able to either get up or lie down, and I ended up bed-ridden and eventually on crutches LOL. I was completely out of action for about a week, and in very bad shape for a week after that. Of course the rain decided to piss down on the remaining plants nearly the whole time. But more as I go ...
Small Purple Power (the dark purple one)
I was about two days from chopping this one and had stopped watering. As I went out to look at it one sunny morning I noticed all the buds seemed to have shrunk. Closer inspection revealed that the buds were incredibly leafy and as the leaves had started to die back the buds revealed their true size. That's what I get for bragging about how fat they were I guess
Also for the first time I was able to see into the center of the top cola and to my horror it was rotten as hell, so it went in the bin. The rest I cut and trimmed immediately, losing a few more buds to bud rot. I have to say I was more than a little disappointed with this plant, but this is what I got ...
As you can see the buds are indeed quite leafy, but they dried and smoke great (smoke report at the bottom).
Other Purple Powers
These had to wait much longer than I'd intended due to my bad back. Two were in the kitchen for a week while I lay in bed, the last one being outside in the rain. Anyway I dragged myself out of bed to chop them as bud rot was starting on these as well. However, apart from losing a few large buds, especially off my best Purple including the top cola which was massive (boo hoo), I managed to get the rest of the Purple crop in over the next few days. The bottom row of buds (first pic) had already dried for a week or so when the pics were taken.
Now I was feeling a little better
Cinammons
These really took their time as you know, and I eventually had to chop them before they were fully ripe. But with the deterioration in the weather they weren't going to get any better and my original plan of carrying them in and out of the garage at night was obviously a goner. So they came down. By this stage my back-pain had moved into my shoulders and neck. I can't say I particularly enjoyed trimming any of my plants due to the pain LOL, but these were the most difficult and again it took me several days. In fact I have a confession - the fourth Cinammon didn't get chopped at all. It was crap (no "buds" to speak of) and because I was in so much pain I just let it go. The following pics were taken in sequence as I built up the lines of buds in the cubby hole. Sorry they're a bit blurry but they had to be taken from one end as the cubby hole is narrow.
In the last pic two Purple Powers (one line) had been removed from the back for curing and the rest shuffled along to get the last Cinammon in there. So I had five of those lines in all. Please don't ask about weight as I don't have a clue LOL (nor scales of any description).
So that's the crop - hope you aren't too disappointed given the size of those plants, but the lack of sun in September really took it's toll on bud size I think, and unfortunately bud rot got a fair few buds thanks to the delay caused by my back injury. But I think they did pretty well regardless and I'm absolutely over the moon with the result, especially given the way they're smoking so far ...
Smoke Report
I have been very well behaved and resisted smoking any buds before they'd dried for at least two weeks. But now I've tried the dark purple Purple Power and one of the less purple ones, and just yesterday I tried some Cinammon (wow). So my findings ...
Purple Power (middle and right): The dark purple one smokes beautifully. It both smells and tastes of blackcurrant, and the smoke is cool and smooth. It's definitely more of an indica this one, quite a mellow hit although not a couch-locker by any means. Not particularly strong I'd say, but a nice stone nevertheless. Very unusual and very nice
The less purple one is a different beast. This has more of a lemon Rowntrees Fruit Gum flavour and produces an adrenaline-pumping body and head rush, very speedy (I keep thinking I'm having a heart attack when I smoke this stuff LOL). No doubt this is a sativa, and much stronger than the dark one. I highly recommend these.
Cinammon (left): As I said I just tried some of this yesterday and I'm very, very impressed. This is a much higher quality smoke than the Purple Powers. A lovely over-ripe orange yet lemony aroma and flavour from this one, and a strong sativa high. Very trippy too
What these would be like grown in the sun ....
OK, so that's it. I'd just like to say a big "Thank You" to all of you for all your help, advice and encouragement over the last six months or so. I've thoroughly enjoyed my first growing experience and couldn't have done it without you. I think it's been worth it, hope you all do too ...
As usual all comments, criticisers and scoffers welcome
lmfao looks like a fine ass bud mate...
I'm 50 years old and been a canna campaigner for many, many years but luckily first time in trouble so got off with a caution, but its hard to watch them chop your plants after you have given them so much time and energy... losing so many years of genetics is heartbreaking. Still, live and learn.... at least I have some good mates 
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