Customer Reviews

Marijuana Question? Ask Ed

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I cannot understand the other reviewer's comment that this book isn't factual. In fact, that is the most absurd thing anyone could say about this classic encyclopedia that addresses many questions that other books tend to leave out. Case in point:
Q:I have been growing for 3 years now, and every time my plants start to bud, the leaves turn a reddish purple. What causes this and does it affect the potency of the plant?
Ed:There are 3 possible reasons for this:
1. The plant is genetically keyed to produce a red or purplish color and it does it as part of the plant's development.
2. The plant has suffered a cold spell and suffered from a temporary shortage of Phosphorous (P) with cells as well as in the soli and nutrient mix (which doesn't affect potency or growth). Some plants turn red or purple depending on temperature, red in warm conditions, purple in cold. (my note this is true, it also causes leaves to turn color in the fall due to a drop in evening temp.)
3. The plant is suffering from a P deficiency,this could occur either because it is unavailable, or there is a shortage in the medium. Lack of P does not affect potency.

Hello...is that factual enough an answer? Those of us who grow tomatoes and other types of plants KNOW Ed's answers are right on the money. Any *sshole can put a seed in a pot, and maybe get a plant. For those who need some finesse, or who live in climates that discourage growth will find this book a relief in answering the questions no one else cares about addressing.
Contents:
Chap 1: Cultivation Practices
Chap 2: Indoor Cultivation
Chap 3: Outdoor Cultivation
Chap 4: Lighting
Chap 5: Systems
Chap 6 Cuttings,clones,and seeds
Chap 7 Flowering, harvesting,pollination and seeding
Chap 8 The varieties
Chap 9 Genetics vs Environment
Chap 10 Insects and Pests
Chap 11 Drying and smoking
Chap 12 Smoking and Eating
Chap 13 Legal Implications

Duh! Is that comprehensive enough for you?
Great classic! The best reference book around!

This book is called Ask Ed. What you get is Ed's answers to questions set forth by the public in his popular High Times magazine column. "Great!" I thought. Just what I need. Something to improve my growing skills.... But wait............

The book is full mistakes and errors! As a "type-of-grow-book" it will certainly give you a foundation for cannabis growing logic and a bit about how to solve cannabis problems, but it has a fatal flaw. It appears that the writer has not actually put much of his "Answers" into practice.

There are a number of passages that read well and you say to yourself 'wow' that is a great idea. Putting them into practice is another thing all together. For example: a guerrilla grower (someone who grows outside of their own property) asks the author what he can do about predators eating his plants. The author tells him to put up an electrical fence around the plant! (How is he supposed to power the fence? Hot-wire it to an electrical pylon near-by?) But in all fairness the author does follow this up and admits that it is a bit silly and not very 'stealthy', but then he tells us to do something else that quite frankly does not work. It appears that the answers to the questions have been rushed and not well thought-out.

I have also noticed that the book was written in the late 80's. Sorry but there are better books out there on the cannabis subject that are more up-to-date. Do not expect to find new techniques mentioned in this book. What you can expect is 80's material that has a lot of holes in it. The back of this book tells us that the author has been giving out "expert advice" that has been used by millions of gardeners. I have to say that if this is the standard of advice he has given out then those `millions of gardeners' are certainly not getting very far with their grow. There are only 3 or 4 photographs which give us a good example of what a proper flowering cannabis plant should look like and yield. All the other pictures are sub-standard. Most of the picture suggest that only 1/8 of an Ounce is the standard yield for indica plants, when in fact it is closer to 1 Ounce and more.

But I do confess. I often turn to this book for its short but very interesting glossary. Pages 265 - 272 are really the meat of this book and that is about it. Go elsewhere for better information. Even a good non-cannabis grow book will give better information on the subject of cannabis growing than this one.

This book is highly recommended for those wishing to study how marijuana cultivation has evolved throughout the years--from the technologies available at the time of publication, variations and adjustments to techniques over time, etc. Packed with valuable information, this edition will provide you with insight into the ways that scientific development, procedural modifications, and Ed's own contributions have shaped marijuana cultivation as we know it.

For the most up-to-date information that takes advantage of the newest advances in horticulture, technology, and techniques, please check out our newest Deluxe edition, published June 2010. We've included fabulous, full-color eye candy of beautiful buds, helpful products, lush gardens--and even photos of what NOT to do. From germination to harvest, and everything in between, we've got you covered. Curiosity piqued? Click here to check out the updated edition! Marijuana Grower's Handbook: Your Complete Guide for Medical and Personal Marijuana Cultivation

Ask Ed is, yet, a excellent book. Ed Rosenthal is a famous writer about cannabis and related subjects, thast almost everyone knows. In this book, "Ask Ed", he write, in very simply mode, all the basics knowledge who ones need know about marijuana cultivation, specially for newbbies. All the basics are here, in simply but very helpfull text. Some informations are a little obsolete (Ed is from hippie generation...), but the book could vbe, yet, very helpful. For a new grower is a good source of knowledge and tips. Finishing: Ask Ed: if you are not an expert yet, this book is a good source.