ddimebag
Active Member
I recently tested a a couple of Autoflowering plants from Royal Queen Seeds. Take this review with a grain of salt; the sample size was small, and the conditions were less-than-perfect.
Bluematic seeds are dark, striped, medium-large in size.
Creamatic seeds are lighter, cracked pattern, medium sized
22/06/2012: Germination in wet paper towel between plates at room temperature
24 hours later: Both Creamatic seeds cracked open. (C1, C2)
48 hours later: Both Bluematic seeds have germinated; one has a taproot, the other just cracked. (B1, B2)
All four seeds are planted. (soil, small plastic pots) and placed by a large, south-facing window.
17/07/2012: B1 and C1 are showing their first pistils.
18/07/2012: B2 is showing its first pistils.
20/07/2012: C2 is still not showing signs of flowering. B1 and B2 are both shorter than C1 and C2, but in a similar stage of development (in terms of number of nodes and size of branches). All four plants are planted outside in a 50 liter bag with Atami Bio Grow Mix. The bag has holes around the bottom for drainage. The surface of the soil is covered with grass clippings. The purpose of this is threefold; water will be conserved during drought, nitrogen and micronutrients will slowly leach out from the grass into the soil, and lastly, to help camouflage the bag. Lastly, slug pesticide (biologically degradable, non-toxic to humans and animals) was sprinkled on top of the grass clippings. The grow location receives a lot of direct sunlight during the entire day. C1 stem broke; I put in a stick for support.
21/07/2012: The plants are watered and fertilized (BioGrow – 3ml/L, Rhizotonic – 2ml/L) and a slug trap is put next to the bag, just in case the slug poison is not sufficient. The slug trap consists of half a plastic bottle buried in the ground up to the rim, and filled with beer. Slugs are attracted to the yeast in the beer, fall into the container and drown. Great way to use up your expired beer!
01/08/2012: Went to check on the plants. C1 and B1 are doing well, forming top buds and a few side buds on C1. C2 and B2 aren’t doing so good for some reason…
B1
C1
B2
C2
09/08/2012: C2 and B2 look like they are just about dead. The base of the main stem is brown and dry on both of them. C1 and B1 are doing well, growing buds and trichomes. B1 smells like generic herbal indica. C1 smells sweet, floral and fruity. A bit hazy maybe… C1 is taller and better developed than B1. The plants were fertilized with 6 ml BioBloom, 2ml Power Roots, and 1.5 ml Green Sensation in 2 liters of water.
C1
B1
19/08/2012: The plants are looking good. C1 is taller and branchy. B1 is shorter and more compact, with no significant branching. Both are producing buds and resin, and there are resin glands on large leaves as well as the smaller ones. There were a lot of large calyxes. C1 smells sweet, fruity and slightly citrusy. It reminds me of the Citral from Growi Seeds I grew once. B1 smells hashy with a hint of citrus, typical indica smell. So far, I prefer the aroma of C1. The plants were watered with worm casting tea. The tea was made by soaking a large handful of worm castings in tap water (I let it stand for 24 hours to let chlorine evaporate. Chlorine kills microorganisms in the worm castings.) This was done for about 40 hours. An air pump was used to aerate the water. Lastly, I pollinated a few of the lower buds with Tahoe OG pollen.
C1
B1
31/08/2012: The calyxes are starting to swell up. The plants look like they will be done in 7-10 days. The scent of the resin has not changed since last time. I noticed a few moldy spots (grey-white fuzz, plant material under it is turning brown). These were removed as carefully as possible. The C1 had a larger patch of mold than B1. The plants were given a liter of worm compost tea (brewed for 48 hours in a bucket with an air pump). The buds I pollinated last time don’t look like they are making seeds.
C1
B1
05/09/2012: The plants are cut at the base of the stem and brought home. The largest fan leaves are removed (not the leaf stems; they have trichomes) and the plants are placed in a bottle with water to leach out some carbohydrates. Small samples of leaves are examined under the microscope to determine the maturity of the trichomes.
C1: Amber: ~ 5% White: ~ 45% Clear: ~ 50%
B1: Amber: ~ 10% White: ~ 70% Clear: ~ 20%
B1
C1
06/09/2012: The plants are trimmed and hung to dry in a dim, cool room with a vent. It seems, now that the leaves are gone, that much of the Bluematic was lost due to mold before I even cut it down. Creamatic was much more resistant to mold, but there were a couple of buds that were affected. The yield is rather pitiful, but there are a lot of resinous trimmings for making hash.
10/09/2012: Bluematic starts curing in a glass jar.
12/09/2012: Creamatic starts curing.
24/09/2012: Creamatic smoke test.
26/09/2012: Bluematic smoke test.
Conclusion:
Though this was my first experience with autoflowering plants, I suspect that they would have done much better indoors under an HPS. The yields were very low, and the buds looked fluffy and unimpressive. Creamatic seems to grow taller and has better developed branches than the Bluematic. It also had a thicker stem, larger taproot and better mold resistance. Bluematic grew very short and compact (which is good for a small scale SOG type grow, but causes mold problems outdoors, or in high humidity). The aroma of Creamatic is more pleasant than that of Bluematic. I know I only tested two plans of each strain (ended up being just one of each), but I think that there are better autoflowering genetics to be found. Two that come to mind are Dr. Greenthumb’s Iranian Autoflower, and perhaps Joint Doctor’s Diesel Ryder. Having said that, I do think that Creamatic might have some potential when grown under a strong HPS lamp with a 24/0 or 20/4 lighting schedule. After all, I started my plants on the window sill, so they received less-than-perfect conditions before they were planted outside. This review should be taken with a grain of salt, seeing as I ended up testing just one plant of each strain, which were grown in as simple a way as possible (reflecting the abilities of inexperienced growers who are most likely to purchase autoflowering seeds).
Smoke Report: Creamatic
Today I am testing the Creamatic. It smells rather generic, though somewhat sweeter than your average coffeeshop weed. The buds are fairly resinous, but also very fluffy and look unimpressive. These buds have been curing for 12 days.
Setting: Trip room, blacklight and color-changing LEDs
Mindset: Neutral/somewhat positive.
Tolerance: I smoke every day, but I haven’t yet today.
Smoking utensil: Glass bubbler (dry) with glass screen
Bowl #1
After breaking up a bud, my fingers smell very strongly of generic hash, and slightly herbal. Can’t detect anything special about the smoke on the exhale. Just smoky and a little herbal. Not very strong, but I am starting to feel it.
Bowl #2
The smoke is quite smooth; more so than the cheaper varieties available at the local coffeeshops. It doesn’t sparkle while burning, indicating the lack of fertilizer in the bud. Starting to get stoned now. It reminds me of an indica dominant hybrid. One that gets you stoned but not sleepy. It feels like a relaxing indica stone, without the afghani couchlock. I feel it mostly around my head, but in a physical way. It really doesn’t resemble a sativa high, except that I don’t mind doing stuff right now. Just went back and finished the end of the grow report, for example.
Bowl #3
Time to put some music on…damn, that feels good! I have to say, it smokes better than it looks. I know this is my first smoke of the day, but I’m pretty baked right now. The music is definitely enhanced by it (and typing skills impaired).
Bowl #4
I guess the couchlock comes later on with this one. Glad I don’t have to get up…
Conclusion
These buds smoked better than they looked. A little better. Not very potent, but get you stoned if you keep smoking. Starts out with a mellow indica buzz, but soon gets very sleepy. Not bad for helping me fall asleep, but I had better. The day after testing it, I looked up the genetics behind this cross, and it seems that Maple Leaf Indica (a pure Afghani strain) is one of the parents. This would explain the sleepy crash. All in all, I wouldn’t grow this strain again, though I am not giving up on autoflowering plants just yet.
Smoke Report: Bluematic
Time to test the Bluematic. There aren’t really any buds, just loose clusters of calyxes. Smells grassy, even after curing for 16 days. From the way it looks, I will probably just use it to make some hash.
Setting: Trip room, blacklight and color-changing LEDs
Mindset: Neutral/somewhat positive.
Tolerance: Took two hits of some indica a few hours ago, but feel sober now.
Smoking utensil: Glass bubbler (dry) with glass screen
Bowl #1
From the first hit, I can tell that the smoke is harsher than with Creamatic. Doesn’t smell or taste like much…just smoke and grass. Don’t feel anything yet, except a bit sleepy and light-headed.
Bowl #2
Slowly starting to get stoned. Sitting, staring at the screen in a stupor, my mind blank. Still not very strong. After I get up to close the curtains, I feel sober again.
Bowl #3
Feel slightly stoned again. I think I would have to take a huge bong hit to get anywhere with this.
Conclusion:
This was really no fun to smoke…very weak and the stone itself is more of a stupor. Might do better indoors.
Bluematic seeds are dark, striped, medium-large in size.
Creamatic seeds are lighter, cracked pattern, medium sized
22/06/2012: Germination in wet paper towel between plates at room temperature
24 hours later: Both Creamatic seeds cracked open. (C1, C2)
48 hours later: Both Bluematic seeds have germinated; one has a taproot, the other just cracked. (B1, B2)
All four seeds are planted. (soil, small plastic pots) and placed by a large, south-facing window.
17/07/2012: B1 and C1 are showing their first pistils.
18/07/2012: B2 is showing its first pistils.
20/07/2012: C2 is still not showing signs of flowering. B1 and B2 are both shorter than C1 and C2, but in a similar stage of development (in terms of number of nodes and size of branches). All four plants are planted outside in a 50 liter bag with Atami Bio Grow Mix. The bag has holes around the bottom for drainage. The surface of the soil is covered with grass clippings. The purpose of this is threefold; water will be conserved during drought, nitrogen and micronutrients will slowly leach out from the grass into the soil, and lastly, to help camouflage the bag. Lastly, slug pesticide (biologically degradable, non-toxic to humans and animals) was sprinkled on top of the grass clippings. The grow location receives a lot of direct sunlight during the entire day. C1 stem broke; I put in a stick for support.
21/07/2012: The plants are watered and fertilized (BioGrow – 3ml/L, Rhizotonic – 2ml/L) and a slug trap is put next to the bag, just in case the slug poison is not sufficient. The slug trap consists of half a plastic bottle buried in the ground up to the rim, and filled with beer. Slugs are attracted to the yeast in the beer, fall into the container and drown. Great way to use up your expired beer!
01/08/2012: Went to check on the plants. C1 and B1 are doing well, forming top buds and a few side buds on C1. C2 and B2 aren’t doing so good for some reason…
B1
C1
B2
C2
09/08/2012: C2 and B2 look like they are just about dead. The base of the main stem is brown and dry on both of them. C1 and B1 are doing well, growing buds and trichomes. B1 smells like generic herbal indica. C1 smells sweet, floral and fruity. A bit hazy maybe… C1 is taller and better developed than B1. The plants were fertilized with 6 ml BioBloom, 2ml Power Roots, and 1.5 ml Green Sensation in 2 liters of water.
C1
B1
19/08/2012: The plants are looking good. C1 is taller and branchy. B1 is shorter and more compact, with no significant branching. Both are producing buds and resin, and there are resin glands on large leaves as well as the smaller ones. There were a lot of large calyxes. C1 smells sweet, fruity and slightly citrusy. It reminds me of the Citral from Growi Seeds I grew once. B1 smells hashy with a hint of citrus, typical indica smell. So far, I prefer the aroma of C1. The plants were watered with worm casting tea. The tea was made by soaking a large handful of worm castings in tap water (I let it stand for 24 hours to let chlorine evaporate. Chlorine kills microorganisms in the worm castings.) This was done for about 40 hours. An air pump was used to aerate the water. Lastly, I pollinated a few of the lower buds with Tahoe OG pollen.
C1
B1
31/08/2012: The calyxes are starting to swell up. The plants look like they will be done in 7-10 days. The scent of the resin has not changed since last time. I noticed a few moldy spots (grey-white fuzz, plant material under it is turning brown). These were removed as carefully as possible. The C1 had a larger patch of mold than B1. The plants were given a liter of worm compost tea (brewed for 48 hours in a bucket with an air pump). The buds I pollinated last time don’t look like they are making seeds.
C1
B1
05/09/2012: The plants are cut at the base of the stem and brought home. The largest fan leaves are removed (not the leaf stems; they have trichomes) and the plants are placed in a bottle with water to leach out some carbohydrates. Small samples of leaves are examined under the microscope to determine the maturity of the trichomes.
C1: Amber: ~ 5% White: ~ 45% Clear: ~ 50%
B1: Amber: ~ 10% White: ~ 70% Clear: ~ 20%
B1
C1
06/09/2012: The plants are trimmed and hung to dry in a dim, cool room with a vent. It seems, now that the leaves are gone, that much of the Bluematic was lost due to mold before I even cut it down. Creamatic was much more resistant to mold, but there were a couple of buds that were affected. The yield is rather pitiful, but there are a lot of resinous trimmings for making hash.
10/09/2012: Bluematic starts curing in a glass jar.
12/09/2012: Creamatic starts curing.
24/09/2012: Creamatic smoke test.
26/09/2012: Bluematic smoke test.
Conclusion:
Though this was my first experience with autoflowering plants, I suspect that they would have done much better indoors under an HPS. The yields were very low, and the buds looked fluffy and unimpressive. Creamatic seems to grow taller and has better developed branches than the Bluematic. It also had a thicker stem, larger taproot and better mold resistance. Bluematic grew very short and compact (which is good for a small scale SOG type grow, but causes mold problems outdoors, or in high humidity). The aroma of Creamatic is more pleasant than that of Bluematic. I know I only tested two plans of each strain (ended up being just one of each), but I think that there are better autoflowering genetics to be found. Two that come to mind are Dr. Greenthumb’s Iranian Autoflower, and perhaps Joint Doctor’s Diesel Ryder. Having said that, I do think that Creamatic might have some potential when grown under a strong HPS lamp with a 24/0 or 20/4 lighting schedule. After all, I started my plants on the window sill, so they received less-than-perfect conditions before they were planted outside. This review should be taken with a grain of salt, seeing as I ended up testing just one plant of each strain, which were grown in as simple a way as possible (reflecting the abilities of inexperienced growers who are most likely to purchase autoflowering seeds).
Smoke Report: Creamatic
Today I am testing the Creamatic. It smells rather generic, though somewhat sweeter than your average coffeeshop weed. The buds are fairly resinous, but also very fluffy and look unimpressive. These buds have been curing for 12 days.
Setting: Trip room, blacklight and color-changing LEDs
Mindset: Neutral/somewhat positive.
Tolerance: I smoke every day, but I haven’t yet today.
Smoking utensil: Glass bubbler (dry) with glass screen
Bowl #1
After breaking up a bud, my fingers smell very strongly of generic hash, and slightly herbal. Can’t detect anything special about the smoke on the exhale. Just smoky and a little herbal. Not very strong, but I am starting to feel it.
Bowl #2
The smoke is quite smooth; more so than the cheaper varieties available at the local coffeeshops. It doesn’t sparkle while burning, indicating the lack of fertilizer in the bud. Starting to get stoned now. It reminds me of an indica dominant hybrid. One that gets you stoned but not sleepy. It feels like a relaxing indica stone, without the afghani couchlock. I feel it mostly around my head, but in a physical way. It really doesn’t resemble a sativa high, except that I don’t mind doing stuff right now. Just went back and finished the end of the grow report, for example.
Bowl #3
Time to put some music on…damn, that feels good! I have to say, it smokes better than it looks. I know this is my first smoke of the day, but I’m pretty baked right now. The music is definitely enhanced by it (and typing skills impaired).
Bowl #4
I guess the couchlock comes later on with this one. Glad I don’t have to get up…
Conclusion
These buds smoked better than they looked. A little better. Not very potent, but get you stoned if you keep smoking. Starts out with a mellow indica buzz, but soon gets very sleepy. Not bad for helping me fall asleep, but I had better. The day after testing it, I looked up the genetics behind this cross, and it seems that Maple Leaf Indica (a pure Afghani strain) is one of the parents. This would explain the sleepy crash. All in all, I wouldn’t grow this strain again, though I am not giving up on autoflowering plants just yet.
Smoke Report: Bluematic
Time to test the Bluematic. There aren’t really any buds, just loose clusters of calyxes. Smells grassy, even after curing for 16 days. From the way it looks, I will probably just use it to make some hash.
Setting: Trip room, blacklight and color-changing LEDs
Mindset: Neutral/somewhat positive.
Tolerance: Took two hits of some indica a few hours ago, but feel sober now.
Smoking utensil: Glass bubbler (dry) with glass screen
Bowl #1
From the first hit, I can tell that the smoke is harsher than with Creamatic. Doesn’t smell or taste like much…just smoke and grass. Don’t feel anything yet, except a bit sleepy and light-headed.
Bowl #2
Slowly starting to get stoned. Sitting, staring at the screen in a stupor, my mind blank. Still not very strong. After I get up to close the curtains, I feel sober again.
Bowl #3
Feel slightly stoned again. I think I would have to take a huge bong hit to get anywhere with this.
Conclusion:
This was really no fun to smoke…very weak and the stone itself is more of a stupor. Might do better indoors.
Attachments
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1Right before planting outside July 20th.jpg -
2First visit - August 1st.jpg -
3August 1st B1.jpg -
4August 1st C1.jpg -
5August 1st B2.jpg -
6August 1st C2.jpg -
7August 9th.jpg -
8August 9th C1.jpg -
9August 9th B1.jpg -
10August 19th.jpg -
12August 19th C1.jpg -
13August 19th B1.jpg -
14August 19th B1.jpg -
15August 19th B1.jpg -
15August 31st.jpg -
16August 31st B1.jpg -
17August 31st C1.jpg -
18September 5th.jpg -
19September 5th B1.jpg -
20September 5th C1.jpg -
21September 5th.jpg -
22September 5th.jpg
