1.) Construct or procure a large flat bed no less than six inches deep and fill nearly to the top with good soil which has an acidity between pH 5 and 7. Work in some manure, but not too much, and do not use any high nitrogen chemical fertilizers as this will lessen survival chances of the grafts.or
Use flower pots and follow the same soil and depth requirements described above
or
Use the site on which you plan to grow your pot-hop vines
or
If you wish to attempt this project in a hydroponic growing table use a moderate nitrogen formula. HYPONEX is fine. If you mix your own nutrient use a preparation similar to Formula B described in the article on hydrophonics in this manual. Do not use formula A or C at this time or your grafts may perish.
2.) Having chosen one of these growing places, plant seeds from the very best marijuana you can get your hands on. Highest quality Michoacan, Panama Red, Vietnam or Acapulco Gold are preferred. Because of environmental influences any of these are likely to be natural triploid, or tetraploid varieties, that is, they may have one or two extra sets of chromosomes. Such mutants not only produce more resin, but are also larger, healthier and more likely to survive grafting.
3). As the plants grow weed out the inferior ones which tend to crowd the others. By 45 days from the time of planting they should be spaced about the ten inches apart, or one to a flower pot.
4). At the same time that you start the marijuana also plant hop seeds. Choose one of the several polyploid varieties available at most seed houses. Follow the same soil and planting instructions as for marijuana.
5). When the plants are 45 days old lay some kind of marker (a toothpick or matchstick will do) at the base of the marijuana plant parellel to the cotyledons (the unserrated first leaves that came out of the seed). With a single-edge razor blade sever these plants below the cotyledons, about an inch and a half above the ground (Fig. 1). Discard or smoke the upper portions of the plants.
6). Sever all of the hop plants at approximately the same point. Make sure that at least an inch of stem extends below the cotyledons to the point of severance. Uproot and discard the lower portion of these plants.
7). Split each marijuana stem about 1/2 inch downward from the point of severance. Make this split perpendicular to the marker which represents the directions in which the cotyledons extended from the stem (Fig 2).
8). Cut a slant about 1/2 long at the base of each hop stem. Make the cut perpendicular to the cotyledons of the hop scion (Fig 3).
9). Insert the hop scion into the split in the marijuana stock so that the slanted wedgewound of the hop makes direct contact with one side of the split-wound in the marijuana. Allow about 1/16 inch of the hop's slanted wound to show above the severance point of the marijuana stock.
10). Bind the graft with flat grafting raffia about midway between the top and bottom of the split.
11). Smear graft sealer around the wound. Graft sealer and binding raffia are available from most nurseries.
12). Allow the wound dressing to remain on the plants for about ten days. During this time be sure the plants receive adequate water and are not exposed to the hot sun for long periods. TRANSPLANTONE can be added to the first water to lessen the shock of the graft.
13). After ten days remove the dressing. The surgery should now be satisfactorily healed.
14). After an additional ten days the "hop" vine may be transplanted to its final growing site. The vines should be planted at least four feet apart and given a fence or preferably an arbor on which to climb. The leaves can be harvested, dried, and smoked in the same manner as marijuana.
It is not my place to advise whether or not you would be breaking the law by owning cannabinated hop vines. No such case has ever been tested in the courts. It is inlikely that narcotics agents woukld ever discover your secret and if they did it is very possible that you would eventually win your case. But this could be costly and time consuming. The hassle of standing trial can in many ways be worse than the penalty. Also bear in mind that it is illegal in the United States to grow the marijuana seedlings required in making this graft. The hops fruit is used in beermaking as a flavoring. If any readers are interested in home brewing they might try the fruit of "potted" hops for a unique experience in beer drinking. Those who do are warned that beer also contains the toxin alcohol.


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