Are you interested in growing your own Cannabis at home or starting a homegrown cannabis company? While it may seem like a far-fetched idea, it is surprisingly easy, provided proper research is carried out beforehand. This helps you make informed choices that will help you maximize your yields and ensure you only harvest high-quality buds. There are a variety of factors to consider before embarking on the journey. These include knowing what strain you want, the best soil to plant your cannabis plants in, and, most importantly, whether you want to grow it indoors or outdoors. Marijuana is a hardy plant that can grow basically anywhere all year round in any condition, which means that its potency is not easily affected.
Here are a few tips for any first-time grower:
- Choose what strain to grow
Not all Cannabis was created equal! At the very least, there are 779 different strains that are currently known. Strains can basically be described as different types of Cannabis that are bred to have specific effects on the user. One, therefore, has to research all strains available in order to pick out what works best for them. Different strains also require different growing environments. Furthermore, some have auto-flowering cannabis seeds that blossom on their own within 2-4 weeks, while others take longer to mature. The most common strains are Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid.
2.Obtain the right space to cultivate
One of the most important points to note is that you do not need a large cultivating space to start. A small tent, cabinet, or even a corner in an unused room in the house is okay to use. One can start with just one or two plants and adjust as you go along. Marijuana plants are “bio accumulators,” which means that they suck up everything around them; hence the place has to be clean as messy spaces invite harmful bacteria and pests.
3. Choose your grow light
When growing Cannabis outdoors, it is important to ensure that your plant is located in a place where it can get at least 8+ hours of direct sunlight each day. If you are growing your plants indoors, cultivating Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) and household LEDs are good inexpensive ways of getting the light you need to grow your plants. Other fluorescent lights that are traditionally made for seedlings and plants may also get the job done but may need some changes to ensure that they emit stronger light.
4. Choose your growing medium.
There are a variety of cannabis growing mediums to choose from when deciding on an environment in which to grow your plant. Soil-based grows are common, and can be effective in environments with rich soil and plenty of light. This means less work for you because you won’t have to add nutrients throughout the plant’s life cycle. It is also likely that the plant will produce high-quality buds that have better flavor. The best option for outdoor soil growing is composted soil, which you can purchase or make on your own.
Another growing medium that is perfect for indoor growing is Deep Water Culture, which is a hydroponic growing method where each plant’s roots are growing in a tub of water. This system promotes faster growth since nutrients are easily accessible by the roots.
5. Choose your nutrients
Unless you are using compost super soil, then you will need to get cannabis nutrients to ensure that you get maximum productivity. It’s especially important to start adding nutrients at the budding stage because cannabis plants use up most of the nutrients fast.
6. Germination & planting
Germination is a really important stage and comes before planting. It can be done easily by folding your seeds in a moist piece of paper for a few days. The paper needs to be kept moist until you notice that the seeds popping as the root emerges.
After the seeds pop, you’ll need a pot that should hold at least one gallon of water and be able to drain off excess water. Once you have added whatever media you want to use, you can now plant the seeds. The seeds need to be covered and watered appropriately.
7. Vegetative stage
The Cannabis growing cycle consists of two major phases: the vegetative phase and the flowering phase. During the vegetative phase, the plants only have a few leaves and are put under 18 hours of light and six hours of darkness per day to provide the best photosynthesis conditions. When grown indoors, it is easy to have control and consistency because lights are set to the times that suit you instead of relying on actual daylight hours. One is also in control of the temperature, light source, CO2 levels, and humidity.
During the vegetative stage, you can monitor the sex of your plants and put pest control measures in place. Close and early monitoring of your plant will help prevent diseases, poor yields, or even plant death.
8. Flowering stage
This is the stage where your plants start developing buds. It lasts about 7-9 weeks. This stage is alternatively referred to as the stretch phase. Some strains, during this stage, double in height. Due to fast growth, it is important to ensure that your plants get enough nutrients. The plant then goes through a number of changes like developing white pistil hairs that gradually turn darker as days go by. These are signs that your plant is nearing its harvest days.
9. Harvest
If you think your cannabis plants are ripe for harvest, it is important to stop feeding them nutrients. This process is termed as flushing. You can then examine your buds to determine whether they are ready for harvest. Harvesting requires tools. You should have a pair of scissors or gardening shears to remove the buds. Make sure that you are as gentle as possible.
10. Curing
Curing is the process that comes after cultivating and harvesting your buds. This is an important process where the buds are placed in an airtight container and stored in a cool dark location or storage room. Continue to check up on the buds while opening the jar once per day. After three weeks, the buds should be cured and ready for use.
No matter where you grow it, whether indoors, under expensive tents or outdoors under natural lighting, if you follow the above-mentioned steps, you should reap bountiful, healthy buds. Please note that one method may not work for all growers, and each method has its pros and cons. Understanding the steps of growing the plant and mastering the skill is what will give you ultimate results.
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