Cowboys Grower | When Passion Leads to the World of Professional Cultivation
Watch on Youtube -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE4c3DL56V8&t=1s
The story of "Cowboy Grower," who turned a once-illegal plant into a source of success
The journey of "Cowboy Grower," or Khun Pok, began during his student years. Driven by a passion for cannabis since his teenage days, he eventually transformed that interest into a professional cultivation career—achieving remarkable success with this now-legal plant.
From Curiosity to Passion: The Beginning of a Love for Cannabis
Khun Pok first encountered cannabis at the age of 14, introduced by curious teenage friends eager to experiment. What started as a moment of curiosity quickly turned into a deep and lasting fascination. "The moment I got to know cannabis, I immediately felt—wow, I’m in love with this plant," he recalled. From then on, he began collecting seeds from compressed cannabis bricks to experiment with growing, although it was still casual and not serious at the time, as cannabis was still illegal.
From Consumer to Cannabis Seller: The Turning Point That Sparked His First Income
Khun Pok’s life began to change during his third year of vocational school. It was then that he discovered the potential to earn money from cannabis for the first time. "It started when I bought a block of compressed cannabis for 100 baht. Then a friend of mine wanted some too, so I split it in half and sold him his share for 100 baht. That’s when I realized—hey, there’s a way to make money here without much investment at all." From that moment on, Khun Pok began to see the business potential in cannabis and started seriously studying cultivation techniques.
From Compressed Cannabis to Imported Seeds: Expanding the Horizons of Cultivation
Khun Pok began learning about cannabis cultivation through a Facebook group called “Let’s Grow,” one of the earliest online communities for Thai cannabis enthusiasts. It was within this group that he discovered various growing techniques and how to order cannabis seeds from abroad. “That’s where I first saw detailed grow analyses and learned about growing from imported seeds—the group was the main source of shared knowledge back then,” he explained. The first foreign cannabis seed he ever purchased was “Super Silver Haze,” a highly popular strain during that era.
Overcoming Obstacles: Arrest and a New Beginning
Khun Pok’s journey in cannabis cultivation wasn’t always smooth. During the period when he was expanding his grow operation, he was arrested by the police and had all his assets confiscated. “I think I got arrested about 3–4 months before cannabis was legalized. They took everything—every single thing, including all my money. I had nothing left,” he recalled. The incident left him deeply discouraged, but with the support of his family and a strong belief in what he was doing, he found the strength to get back on his feet and start over.
Legal Reform: A Golden Opportunity for Cannabis Cultivators
When cannabis was decriminalized, Khun Pok saw a new opportunity to build a legitimate business. He decided to seek funding from his family to launch a fully operational cannabis farm. “I called my mom and my uncle, pleading with them—‘It’s legal now, Mom. Please give me a chance. I promise I’ll do my best,’” he recalled. With a starting budget of 450,000 baht, Khun Pok began building his cannabis farm—renting land, renovating the space, and purchasing all the necessary cultivation equipment.
Cannabis Cultivation Secrets from “Cowboy Grower”:
- Meticulous Phenotype Selection: “Phenotype selection is the most critical step in growing large cannabis plants. We need to identify phenos that can best withstand our local climate conditions.”
- Choose a Location with a Healthy Ecosystem: “I picked a grow site that’s nearby, convenient, and not too far from the city. Most importantly, it has a good ecosystem—with beneficial insects and optimal VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) conditions.”
- Soil Enrichment with Organic Matter: “I take old topsoil and rejuvenate it through composting, adding organic fertilizers and various types of animal manure. The soil here is excellent—it's been enriched over time by fallen rain tree leaves, turning it into rich, black earth.”
- Prioritize Sunlight Exposure: “My grow area gets about 80% full sunlight. There are a few spots where large trees cast some shade, but it doesn’t pose any real problem.”
- Attention to Every Detail: “I constantly adjust the soil’s pH and EC, always exploring new techniques to improve results. I also switched from soil to coco coir cultivation because it promotes faster growth.”
“Cowboy Grower” Marketing: Building a Distinct Identity in the Cannabis Market
“Cowboy started back when I was studying in vocational school—I was in the Faculty of Animal Science, and we had this cowboy costume competition,” Pok shared, explaining the origin of the nickname “Cowboy Grower” that later became his personal brand. “So I decided to use it as the name for my Facebook page, since no one else was doing it at the time.”
“I didn’t know what to name the page, so I went with ‘Cowboy Grower’—it just felt right. Back then, there weren’t many new growers around, and I wanted people to remember me as ‘Cowboy Grower.’”
King Whale: Premium Thai Fertilizer Tailored for Cannabis Growers
“I first heard about King Whale fertilizer online, and several seniors recommended it, so I decided to give it a try,” Pok shared about his experience with King Whale, the Thai-made fertilizer that transformed his cannabis cultivation. “Once I started using it, I found it worked really well—it helped cut down costs significantly, while still delivering full flavor and effects. And most importantly, King Whale is a Thai product, so I’m happy to support it.”
Why Choose King Whale?
- Cost-Effective: King Whale fertilizer is more budget-friendly compared to imported alternatives, significantly reducing overall production costs.
- Premium Quality: King Whale fertilizer is rich in essential nutrients vital for cannabis growth—promoting strong, healthy plants, vibrant flowers, and high yields.
- Support Thai Products: Using King Whale fertilizer helps support Thai farmers and contributes to the growth of the local economy.
“I grow both indoor and outdoor cannabis, using King Whale fertilizer as the main component,” Pok revealed, sharing his approach to maximizing results. “About 70% of my feeding comes from King Whale, and the other 30% I mix with fermented plant juice.” The outcome? “Strong, healthy cannabis plants with deep green leaves and fully developed buds on every branch and node.”
Perspectives on Sustainability in the Cannabis Business
Khun Pok believes the cannabis industry still holds vast potential for growth, especially if the plant continues to be developed and utilized effectively. However, he foresees that in the future, consumers will increasingly prioritize organic cannabis to avoid harmful chemical residues. For this reason, he encourages growers to shift their focus toward organic cultivation methods to meet evolving consumer demands.
Pride in the Cannabis Cultivation Profession
Khun Pok proudly states that cannabis is the reason he’s come this far. “I can say it without hesitation—everything I have today is because of cannabis. Back when it was still illegal, or even in the early days of legalization, many friends and people around me didn’t understand what I was doing. They questioned why I was doing it, what the point was. I was judged and looked down on by friends, neighbors—everyone,” he shared. Despite the criticism and lack of acceptance, Khun Pok never gave up, firmly believing that cannabis could sustain his life and livelihood.
A Message to Aspiring Growers and Those Feeling Discouraged
For those considering cannabis cultivation: “At this point, it’s no longer something you can approach with trial and error like in the early days. If you’re going to invest time and money into this, you need real confidence—and you have to truly believe in yourself. You must be the real deal to succeed. If you’re easily shaken by even minor criticisms or pressure from those around you, I can say with certainty: you won’t make it in today’s environment. You need strong self-belief, and most importantly, you need to actively seek knowledge and build as many connections as possible.”
