The Hobby Grow Podcast

This episode we are joined by Bronson from Cyclone Gardens, a longtime home grower and breeder whose cannabis journey stretches from early closet grows in Texas to creating standout hash genetics in Colorado.Bronson has spent years refining his craft through trial and error, old-school forums like Overgrow, commercial nursery work, home breeding projects, and an obsession with finding unique terpene profiles that stand out. I asked Bronson to join me today to talk about:* Learning to grow on the Overgrow forums in the early 2000s* Working in Colorado’s early clone nursery scene* Why he ultimately left commercial cannabis behind* Home breeding projects and hunting through his own genetics* Creating standout strains like Rum Runner * The realities of getting raided as a grower in Texas & Colorado* As well as his advice to new growers looking to improve their craft Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Jarod Farina, aka Chef Roilty, a cannabis chef who went from making hash in Florida to building one of the most unique infused dining experiences in the country.Jarod’s journey runs through underground hash competitions, home grows in Colorado, and eventually into fine dining kitchens including time spent staging at Joël Robuchon Restaurant Las Vegas. I asked Chef Roilty to join me today to talk about:* How winning an underground hash competition launched his cannabis career* His evolution from BHO maker to home grower to full-on chef* How cannabis and culinary worlds overlap more than people think* Lessons from working inside a Michelin-level kitchen* How he automated his grow and left it for a full month* Why most edibles miss the mark and how to do them right* As well as his advice to home growers and cannabis creators looking to level up Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Fernando Lazcano Tortosa, better known as HedonistGrower.Fernando is a legacy grower with roots in Spain’s underground scene, scaling from guerrilla grows to 100-light operations supplying cannabis clubs, before stepping back and shifting into education, community, and a broader European perspective on cannabis.I asked Fernando to join me today to talk about:* His journey from early guerrilla grows to running large-scale operations in Spain* How the cannabis club model actually works in Spain vs. Germany* The reality of legalization in Europe and why it’s not what people think* The current state of homegrow, genetics, and hash culture across Europe* Where the European market is behind and where it’s catching up fast* As well as his advice for growers thinking about entering the industry Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Zac Ricciardi, National Cannabis Specialist for BioSafe Systems and my co-author on all things Clean Growing & Clean Growers.Zac and I met through his IPM work, and he has spent years helping growers prevent problems before they start. We dive into what that looks like for hobby growers trying to keep a clean, healthy garden without overcomplicating it.I asked Zac to join me today to talk about:* How hobby growers can build a simple, practical IPM routine* What to do before and after visiting other grows* Why clean habits matter more than most growers think* How to avoid bringing pests and disease back home* Why genetics can be one of your best IPM tools* How environment and plant selection affect pest pressure* As well as his advice to other growers. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Terp Fountain Genetics.Terp Fountain is a grower, hash maker, and breeder focused on solventless-first genetics. We originally connected at Indo Expo through his solventless diamonds, and this conversation gets into how years of making hash shaped the way he hunts plants, makes selections, and now breeds for the traits he actually wants to smoke. I asked Terp Fountain to join me today to talk about:* How making hash first changed the way he hunts plants* Why he started breeding for hash instead of flower* What he looks for when phenos hit the wash* Why he culls hard, including runts and weak performers* How endgames differ as a grower, hash maker, and breeder* What makes a plant worth rerunning, keeping, or crossing* As well as his advice to other growers. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Spencer Ploessl of DarkStar Cabins.Spencer is an outdoor home grower, brand builder, and cannabis beverage industry operator whose path into cultivation came through homebrewing, gardening, and a deep curiosity about how things are made. We originally met through LinkedIn through the cannabis beverage industry, and stayed in touch through conversations about growing, the industry, and the simple pull of working with plants. His perspective brings together outdoor cultivation, appreciation for the plant beyond consumption, and the value of slowing down and reconnecting with nature.I asked Spencer to join me today to talk about:* His path from homebrewing into cannabis cultivation* What outdoor growing teaches you about patience and observation* Managing land and working with nature instead of against it* What growing on raw land taught him about patience* What he has learned from simply starting and paying attention* Why stepping outside and disconnecting matters for everyone* As well as his advice to other growers. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Nico of Trichome Science.Nico is a hashmaker, product developer, and former Michelin kitchen chef now working at the forefront of legal cannabis processing in the Netherlands. I first got introduced to his products in Amsterdam through Terps Army and later through The Fairy House events, and we stayed in touch through a shared interest in hash. His perspective is especially interesting because he bridges old-world cannabis culture, high-end culinary technique, and the fast-changing legal markets in Europe.I asked Nico to join me today to talk about:* Working in cannabis in Amsterdam and the Dutch legal experiment* How Michelin kitchens shaped his approach to hash and edibles* Why he sees flower as the start, not the finish* The difference between edible makers and real culinary execution* What Germany is getting right with home grow and clubs* Hunting hash plants, reading resin, and chasing unique profiles* As well as his advice to other growers. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by grower and community voice Screwston Scarecrow of Breeder’s Syndicate.Screwston Scarecrow is a longtime home grower with deep experience in seed hunting, verified cuts, and dialing in flower. He’s also one of the mods of Breeder’s Syndicate, and member of the Cannaluminati. We met through The Hobby Grow Discord where he’s been active sharing a variety of grows. I asked Screwston Scarecrow to join me today to talk about:* His path from beginner to deeply experienced home grower* Why provenance matters when buying seeds or sharing cuts* How to choose better packs and hunt with intention* Why home growers should understand the cuts behind hybrids* Endgame decisions that shape drying, storage, and final smoke* Why watering and cloning level growers up faster* As well as his advice to other growers. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Colorado marketer and new outdoor grower Sandra Bergman.Sandra entered the cannabis industry in 2019 as a retail marketer for major Colorado MSOs. Now she is taking her industry background into the backyard, learning outdoor cultivation the hands-on way: growing her own!I asked Sandra to join me today to talk about:* How she moved from cannabis consumer and industry pro to home grower* Her first grow failure, and what it taught her* Pots vs in-ground, and what changed her results* What surprised her most about trimming and harvest work* Her advice for first-time growers without a green thumb Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by home grower Alex C.Alex got started growing like many of us, using salts. As he worked alongside others at licensed grows and interacted with other growers at the hydro shop, he learned more about ways to dial in his approach, and he’s now experimenting with organics, compost teas, and microbes to chase better flavor and a more dialed routine. I asked Alex to join me today to talk about:* His path as a hobby grower* Moving from salts to organics, and why he switched* How microbes impact plant health and resilience* The “baby seed” issue showing up in his recent cycles* As well as his advice to other growers Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by hashish specialist, cultivator, and public speaker, The Dank Duchess.Duchess has long been a force in the global cannabis movement, carrying on the reins of legends like Frenchy Cannoli with hash education and advocacy, as well as her work forming the International Women’s Cannabis Conference. I asked Duchess to join me to talk about:* Her journey as a hobby grower * Her path from Florida business owner to global hash educator * Judging hash competitions around the world * Growing one plant, one cycle, from seed* As well as her advice to other growers and makers. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Colorado home grower Jerry aka Sicko The Barber.Jerry and I met at the Dude Grows Cup last year and got to talking about all things home grow and hash. As someone who has been growing since before medical and recreational, he’s got a unique perspective on how the cultivation scene has changed, as well as some classic stories about Colorado legends.I asked Jerry to join me to talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* How the home grow culture has changed* The evolution of Colorado Cannabis through the years* As well as his advice to other growers Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Australian Cannabis Advocate Jessica Peros of The Green Room HQ, a platform dedicated to shattering stereotypes and normalizing cannabis cultivation and consumption in the land down under.I asked Jessica to join me to talk about:* Her journey among cannabis growers* The Current Cannabis Climate in Australia* The Fight for Legacy in the Face of Legal* Experiences With The International Cannabis Community* As well as her advice to other hobbyists around the world Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Hobby Grower and Hash Maker Adam aka IndoOrganic.Adam is currently working as a solventless hashmaker for a vertically integrated grow/dispo in Denver and recently finished a Tissue culture master class which he’s using to start a bioscience lab to serve home growers.In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* Going from homegrown to licensed hash maker* The opportunities Tissue Culture offers for all growers (even if you don’t have a TC setup)* His lab startup serving the industry and home growers alike* And his advice to other growers. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Hobby Grower and Jug Dealer Gabe Fairorth.Gabe got introduced to a cannabis at a young age, and picked up growing after being on Phish tour as he headed back to Montana. After a few years, he eventually made his way to Colorado, finding a home as cannabis legalization gradually spread throughout the state and country.I met Gabe through his work with Sacred Seed and their Terp Trials, a first of its kind, single origin blind-tasting extract event using the same material from his grow. These days, Gabe’s helping growers around the world get better harvests through his work with the Jug Dealers. In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* Going from basements to the licensed market grows* Winning a High Times Cannabis Cup trophy* Sour D, Bagseeds and THC%s* The Terp Trials, BHO, & Rosin* How growing has evolved and changed around the world since he started * And his advice to other growersAnd more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Oregon Home Grower and Hash Maker Simple Hash.Gavin got his start growing in Colorado during the pandemic, a hobby that quickly grew into a home hash making effort as well. As time went on, he was able to build out a couple home labs to work in that gave him the opportunity to collaborate with other home growers and dial in his tek.In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower making hash at home* Designing a home hash room and what you need for a home cold room* Value of collabs for home hash makers* The Difference he’s seen in markets (Oregon vs CO) and products (availability, interests, etc.)* His Grow processes and Hash Tek* And his advice to other growers out there considering making hash at home.And more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Rocky Mountain High 719, Colorado homegrower and boutique seed bank.Rocky got his start growing as a teenager on a farm, introduced to the plant early on in greenhouses. As time went on, he started collecting seeds from banks he saw in High Times until 210 when shipments started getting confiscated. Forced to grow the seeds he had, Rocky fine-tuned his selection process, and was encouraged to use those selections to make seeds for himself and friends, a path that led to curating a niche menu of breeders putting out gear for hobbyists and connoisseurs. In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* Running a seed bank and breeding his own gear* The #1 question people ask about seeds* Extensions of home grow beyond cannabis* Role of the home grower in today’s market* And advice to other growers out there.And more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Colin Clark, Colorado homegrower and licensed hemp farmer at Never Winter Botanicals.A native Coloradan, Colin’s been around cannabis for most of his life, eventually going to school for hydroponic cultivation. After college, he came back to Colorado and built a 5,000 sq ft greenhouse to grow hops, in addition to his modest home grow. When craft beer slowed down, Colin put his greenhouse to work researching the cannabis plant as a licensed hemp farm, and has since turned the effort into a profitable, licensed hemp farm that grows quality, smoking-grade products that are low in THC. In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* Greenhouse Growing, IPM, and Type 3 Cannabis* Sustainability Considerations for Cultivation* What it Takes to Grow Smokable Low-THC Flower * Growing From Seed for Single-Harvest Production* And advice to other growers out there.And more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by BC Glass, Colorado homegrower and prolific glassblower known for his unique bloopers.Brandon was introduced to cannabis at a young age through his brother, and eventually picked up glassblowing the same way. After living in the midwest in a less-than-legal climate, he made his way out to Colorado to grow and blow glass. As his art evolved, so did his pursuits in the home grow, including a focus on home hash making.In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* Growing Exclusively for Extract * Making Glass Art for Cannabis & Coral Collectors* Myths About Heating Hash & His Creme Brulee Tek* Plus advice to other growers out there.And more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Renie Boss, Texas Homegrower from just Southwest of Houston.Renie got her start growing in the 80s, but took a hiatus until 2015 when she restarted her grow.After blowing out her tents with a sea of green, her grow evolved to her garage, where she explores her passion for the plant.I met RBA through Discord, and wanted to highlight her journey with the plant as someone who has ben an active part of The Hobby Grow community. In this episode, we talk about:* Her journey as a grower (and how things have changed)* Considerations when Growing in Prohibition States* The impact hemp legalization and THCa have had on growers in Texas* And advice to other growers out there.And more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Leif, aka Regular Grower, Washington State home grower and aspiring home hash maker.Leif was first introduced to cannabis as a youth in Colorado, but got interested in cultivation later on in his adult life. His desire to have better control over the varieties he had access to drove him to grow his own, and his interest in hash has pushed him to continue to evolve as a hobbyist. In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* His extract journey and deciding to make hash at home* Growing for Hash & Regenerative Farming * Differences in Cannabis on Tribal vs. State Lands* And advice to other growers out there.And more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by RARExtracts, Colorado homegrower and Licensed Oklahoma Extractor.RARE got his start on the western slopes, eventually establishing himself in BHO and live sauces before setting up a licensed facility in Oklahoma to produce extracts for the medical market, including RSO.He and I first met at Secret Sesh at City Hall in Denver and reconnected after I moved out to Longmont over growing and hash.In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* The Evolution of extracts* Electricity in The Grow (And When to Hire an Electrician)* And advice to other growers out there.And more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Nick Sclafani, home grower out of Northern Colorado.Nick started growing way back in 2002, legally since 2008, but took a break for a while, and kicked things back off this year with an outdoor effort.He and I first met through LinkedIn, realizing we lived a few miles apart, and started meeting up for seshes and brews around town. I’ve been keeping an eye on Nick’s plants since he first posted about his return, and I’m excited to see what harvest brings him.In this episode, we talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower* The decision to dust off the grow and come out of retirement* Normalizing the plant through cultivation* Growing Cannabis With His Son* And advice to other growers out there.Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

This episode we are joined by Sonoma Sungrown, home grower and hash maker out of Sonoma County, California. Sunny’s been growing in NorCal since 2007, outdoors since 2020, and has been making hash at home for the last 3 years.Sunny and I first met through his podcast, The Homegrown Hashishin, an extension of the Homegrown Hashishin Society discord. He’s been curating a community at the intersection of home growing and home hash making, attracting new makers with actionable advice, as well as advanced makers looking to pay their experience forward. I asked Sunny to join me today to talk about:* His journey as a hobby grower from indoor to outdoor* KNF & Jadam in the Grow* The Path of the Home Hash Maker* Live Resin vs Live Rosin: Safety, Cleanliness, User Experience* Deep Diving on New Tek for Making Rosin Vapes at Home* Heat Cures, Jams, & PlatingAnd more…Give it a listen, leave a review, reply with some feedback or some guests you’d love to hear from. Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

Episode #05: Striking a Balance Between Caregiving & Content Production with Jim Berry | Finding Opportunity at the Intersection of Home Grow & Content, What It Takes to Get 4 a Light in A Home Grow, The Pros & Cons of Monocropping, and a Discussion on Drying & Curing Approaches | Hosted by Ben Owens | www.TheHobbyGrow.com Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

Episode #04: Growing The Best Possible Weed For Yourself with Weed Shanty | One Grower's Pursuit of The Finest Home Grown, The Value of Entering Cups as a Home Grower, Why All Growers Should Pop More Seeds, and Advice For Anyone Considering Giving Growing a Shot | Hosted by Ben Owens | www.TheHobbyGrow.com Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

Episode #03: From Home Grown & Hydro Store Life to Growing & Breeding for Scale with Dan Nelson | From the Basement to the Breeding Room, The Current State of Cannabis Seeds, HLVd From Seed, and Advice for Hobby Growers On Getting Ahead | Hosted by Ben Owens | www.TheHobbyGrow.com Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

Episode #02: Hobby Grows & THCa with Branham Pate | Growing Cannabis Plants In a Prohibition State, The Intersection of Home Grows and THCa, What It Takes To Phenohunt for Compliant A-Flower, and Universal Advice For Anyone Considering Growing Anywhere | Hosted by Ben Owens | www.TheHobbyGrow.com Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe

Episode #01: From The Basement to 40,000 Sq Ft of Canopy with Drew Greco | One Grower's Journey from a 4-Lighter to Running Commercial Cultivation Facilities, The One Thing Most Grow Podcasts Get Wrong, and Advice for Hobby Growers Considering a Career in Cannabis | Hosted by Ben Owens | www.TheHobbyGrow.com Get full access to The Hobby Grow at benowens.substack.com/subscribe