Hey abby Grower Story:
PhatPat37

When it comes to dialing in precision techniques that produce bigger buds and better harvests, few growers embrace the science behind the process like PhatPat37. A dedicated father and cultivator with an eye for detail, he has taken his craft to the next level with precision growing methods, including the use of a drip irrigation system and crop steering techniques.

Having had the opportunity to help him through the process, I've seen firsthand how his dedication and willingness to learn have transformed his harvests. Today, we sit down with PhatPat37 to discuss his journey, techniques, and advice for other growers looking to step up their game!

Hey abby: Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

PhatPat37: Well, I grew up in an illegal state (where use or cultivation of cannabis was illegal), and really just had a great childhood. I didn't really didn't get into it too much then as a kid.

Hey abby: How did you originally discover cannabis?

PhatPat37: I was probably about 12 when I had my first little joint, just trying it out with the skateboarding guys. But you know, you get in trouble with your parents, lol. They start smelling in the room, so of course, I didn't hold on to it too long. My dad, from what I knew, was always one of those old-school stoners, but he quit once he had kids. But he was one of those that always knew. He told me, "I mean, I'm not dumb."

Hey abby: Smoker knows, man. They can tell when someone's been smoking—it's like an extra sense lol.

PhatPat37: Yeah definitely! So I wouldn't say it's a family thing… but it kinda is, lol.

Hey abby: It's in your blood! So you kinda attribute your discovery of cannabis to the skating scene and your skating homies?

PhatPat37: Yeah, it was that and also switching schools. I started to get into a little bit of trouble, my grades dropped a little, and I kind of stopped caring so much about school. I just started living life in a way. If I had to attribute it to one person, I would say it's my uncle. He used to tell me, "There're different ways to live life. You'll learn there's more to life than just black and white. There's a gray area. Once you start using cannabis and once you're old enough, you'll learn." And it probably wasn't until I was 24 or 25 that I really got what he was talking about.

There're other ways to live and it's just fine. People have their vices, like alcohol or caffeine. There's a lot of ore to cannabis, but it's healing at the end of the day. It's been around for so long, and honestly, especially in the skate scene, I come up with it.

PhatPat37’s cannabis plants grown in the Hey abby

Hey abby: I can relate to a lot about what you've shared already! How did that turn into growing our own cannabis?

PhatPat37: Once I started smoking, I started looking it up. I think it was on Attitude Seeds Bank, and I saw these pictrures and thought, "Man, I bet I could just grow one in my closet." It's just a plant, you know? Of course, I was 16 or 17, living in my parents' house, and being in an illegal state, I really didn't want to deal with all that. But it's always fascinated me, like "I can grow my own, smoke my own!"

It wasn't until I was about 25 and had my own legitimate place that I really gave it a shot. I've always been the type to be cool about learning stuff, and growing and keeping up with the plants has always been so cool to me—especially coming up as a kid growing mint and other little spices.

Hey abby: You mentioned growing mint and spices when you were younger. Did you have any other growing experience before cannabis? Any struggles?

PhatPat37: I've always experimented with fungus and mushrooms too. But that's easy, you just spray and keep it humid, and you get fungus coming up! But cannabis is different. It's really nice to know that I had my hands on it. One of my motivations is to help as many people as I can. I just want people to experience success and be able to use their own cannabis medicine. There's nothing better.

Hey abby: That's a big reason I joined Hey abby—to help and spread really solid cultivation knowledge and dispel all the Lore and bad science that causes so many growers to struggle. I want people to experience the satisfaction of harvesting and using their own medicine. There’s really nothing more gratifying than that! What inspired you to start using Hey abby for your cultivation? How has it gone?

PhatPat37: Once I saw grow cabinets, it kind of fascinated me. I mean, a tent only looks so good. When you have a big ass tent in the room, people are going to know what's up, or at least get curious, like "What are you doing in there?"

Hey abby: That's my art studio, my spray booth. It's an extended wardrobe. Lol.

PhatPat37: oh yeah, it's just tomatoes in there, lol. Tents are just not nice to look at. Hey abby's are just cool. They have everything you need—light, ventilation, carbon filters, DWC—it's self-contained! They come with everything, and they're not ugly; the cabinets are sleek and clean. That's what I was looking for: something easy, that looks nice, is discreet, and has everything in it.

Hey abby: You've had a bunch of successful grows that I've seen come to harvest; since getting more involved with the plant, how has your connection with cannabis changed?

PhatPat37: It's something that I've become so passionate about. I can't wait to come home and check up on them—how are they doing? how are they going to look? It just makes you have a different sort of relationship. At the end of the day, it's awesome to be able to produce for yourself and be self-sustaining, not having to go to a shop or call your guy. It's dope to have your own. Even just seeing how different plants and cultivars grow and react is cool, too. I've always been into weed, smoking and whatever. But since I've been able to grow now, it's whole different feeling—a feeling of success.

Hey abby: It makes it a lot more enjoyable when you have a nice harvest and pull down fire like you are too!

PhatPat37: Yeah dude, when you can actually pull down some gas, it's amazing. We all go through growing pains, but once you can smoke on your own, there's nothing like it.

Hey abby: Sharing your weed with friends, family, et cetera—what's that like for you? What was their reaction and how rewarding is that for you?

PhatPat37: It's so cool. Of course, not everything's fire, you know? Lol, the first few bits were okay, and that's the reaction I got. I give it to my people and don't ask for money, but then he's like "No, bro, I'm going to send you some money because that was gas." That's validation in itself for me. And of course, I always share with my aunt and stuff, and they love it. If it's good enough for them to hit me up again for a little bit more, that's all I need to hear.

Hey abby: Yeah it's always nice hearing it from people in your circle or those who really know cannabis! Speaking of harvests, what does success look like for you as a home greower? What is a successful grow for you?

PhatPat37: It's something I can go from start to finish. So it's really just making it all the way to the flower, no mold, no botrytis, and that's a win for me. If I can harvest something, I always shoot for a QP. But if I hit four ounces, that's success. If I can hit at least four ounces for one plant in one of these grow boxes, that's good for me!

Hey abby: Awesome!! I see you're using the drip kit. I love to see people successfully use it. You're doing full crop steering cues, right?

PhatPat37: Yeah, I am!

Hey abby: I know I've kinda helped you with crop steering and understand it, so you have your own 2 feet under you, but what keeps you motivated and growing your skills?

PhatPat37: Right now, it's genetics. I've always been fascinated by Humboldt, hearing about the terps, flavors, and canabinoids they can produce. So I’ve got the the blueberry muffin, big foot OG and a sour apple auto. I watch all these dudes, and hearing about all these flavors they can get, it's all about stocking up and seeing what I might want to run next. Like, I'm looking at my beans right here.

Hey abby: Has there been anything you've grown thus far that has really stood out to you, or even something you've seen or smoked previously?

PhatPat37: I'm kinda on the hunt! I really wanna try a good blue dream. It has that unique smell and taste, but I wanna see which blue dream is gonna be legit. That and a good OG or Diesel strain, something with that gas. Everything now is fruit or candy terps. I can go through 10 of these packs and they will all have something similar, and breeding has gone away from that pungent gassy profile. So that's kinda what I'm searching for. But I would say the Maui Wowie was really nice, super fruity! I'm sitting on a zip, it's all sealed up marinating. I really want to get into it lol.

Hey abby: Well, dont let it sit too long, bro, it'll start ot lose its wow factor. I have an issue with those candy or dessert strains, personally. They taste, smell, and look great, but they just don't really do it for me. I have to smoke all day to get where I need to be.

PhatPat37: I thought it was just me, lol! I'm like, dude, I'm four bowls in, what's going on?

Hey abby: I grew up kind of on OGs. Living in LA , that's our thing. LA is OG and Kush. If you could give your past grower self any one piece of advice, what would it be?

PhatPat37: Probably a few things. First, quit buying so many nutrients—stick with one line and figure it out. Stop messing with the pH so much, and try to evaluate the plant more before taking action. At the end of the day, try not to overcomplicate things—keep it simple stupid! Really take the time to understand the plant before you dive in deep, and don’t rush to buy shit right away.

Hey abby: Simple, great advice! Especially about buying things lol. Speaking to people who may have been in your shoes before, maybe thinking about dipping their toes into growing or buying a Hey abby but feeling unsure about their ability—do you have any words of advice for them?

PhatPat37: Hey abby is a great place to start! If you don't know if you want to dabble into the black or the OG, or go all in with the whole tent, maybe start with the Soil Edition. Don't be intimidated, you have to jump in just like anything.

Don't be afraid to take the leap. Was it money? You'll get your money back. Money comes and goes, and you can't take it when you're go. So what? Honestly, you're probably spending at least 300 bucks a month buying your meds anyway. Save some money for a few months, and you'll be able to grow and smoke your own.

Hey abby Soil Edition grow box >>

Hey abby: It's crazy—most people don't even realize that we offer financing options too! You can get a box for just around $20 a month and you have a full kit ready to grow basically. With power, water, and everything you need to grow, it will still be much less than you'd spend on weed in a month. Plus, if you’re getting around four ounces on the low end, that’ll last you about four months, if not more. You're saving yourself money, plus you're having cleaner, better cannabis that's only been in your hands.

PhatPat37: And that's really what it's all about man!

Hey abby: Do you have any big growing plans in the future?

PhatPat37: I'm about to be 33 on Saturday. I just had my first kid, so we're enjoying life! With the landscape that they have with cannabis now, I’ve been thinking about getting into some sort of content creation, or at least helping out as many people as I can.

Hey abby: I respect the shit out of that bro- big ups to you for wanting to share, help, and give back! I appreciate you taking the time to do this!

Grower's Pick: Blue Dream

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