Cannabis Grow Guide Part 1; You don’t need a large area to cultivate your cannabis plants. A modest tent, cabinet, designated place in a spare room, or even an empty part of the house, is common for small-scale producers. Here are some pointers to get you started.
Grow medium
Traditional soil and hydroponic trays are two feasible solutions for growing cannabis indoors.
Soil
If this is your first time growing indoors, the soil is usually your best bet. Potting soil made from a general potting mix is somewhat ineffective.
A light and airy horticultural potting mix is what you are looking for.
Hydro
A hydroponic system provides plants with all of the nutrients they need to thrive in water. There are various sorts of hydroponic systems that are simple and clear to learn. Common hydro systems include DWC or Deep Water Culture and Ebb and Flow.
Grow Lights
The quality of your plants is influenced greatly by the light source you employ in your grow room. Investing in a high-quality lighting system is essential. In the long run, it is worth it, especially if you want to build your business. The following is a list of the most commonly used cannabis grow lights.
Light-emitting diode (LED) grow lights
While LED (light-emitting diode) lighting may be more expensive, to begin with, it is the best choice for most cannabis farmers who can afford it. They are more energy-efficient and produce much less heat.
High-intensity discharge (HID) grow lights
HID (high-intensity discharge) grow lights are arguably the most often utilized lights for DIY-style grow spaces. They are often the most cost effective, efficient, and simple-to-use option available.
Fluorescent grow lights
There are several advantages to using fluorescent lights over alternative lighting solutions. They are a great choice for propagating immature plants or those with modest output expectations. In addition, keep in mind those watts equal grams.
You can still develop full small blooms even if your power supply is not very powerful. Additionally, no external ventilation system is required. Fluorescent lights are far less powerful than the other alternatives available.
Temperature, Humidity, and pH
Heating and cooling systems must be equipped with 24-hour timers and adjustable thermostats. When temperatures rise over a specific threshold, you may program your exhaust system to turn on automatically. The result is a consistent temperature and humidity level whilst conserving energy and money.
In most stages, your plants will need between 16-24 hours of light per day. During the blooming phase, your crops need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.
A pH meter may also help you keep an eye on the performance of your water and soil, so it is worth the investment.
You should aim to maintain the pH of your soil between 6 and 7, with 6.2- 6.5 being the sweet spot. 5.5 to 6.5 is a good range for hydroponics, with a sweet spot of 5.8-6.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money, and you can depend on the sun’s power to grow cannabis outdoors. Even though you will have to deal with seasonal weather conditions, you won’t have to spend a fortune on equipment and utility costs like indoor growers.
Having a network of cannabis farmers in your region might help you learn how to cultivate cannabis in your location’s environment. Depending on where you live, it might be good to understand what strains flourish in your area and when other growers are seeding, harvesting, and more.
Choosing a spot
Before beginning outdoor cannabis cultivation, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Your local weather
Thorough knowledge of the local climate is essential if you want to cultivate your plants there. A wide range of circumstances may be met by cannabis; however, it is vulnerable to harsh weather.
Temperatures more than or equal to 85 degrees Fahrenheit can harm your crops, while temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit might even kill your plants. A combination of heavy rainfall and strong winds, as well as excessive moisture, may result in mold and white mildew during the flowering period.
Gardening in the open air
There are various ways producers protect their crops, including hiding them in containers on balconies or roofs and erecting heavy-gauge wire cages. Whatever you choose, consider that outdoor cannabis plants may grow up to 10 feet tall or more, based on how much room you provide them.
The most typical outdoor growing location is the garden plot, where many people cultivate cannabis alongside other vegetables. If the light is excellent and the wind is strong, a balcony might be a terrific place to relax. To protect yourself from nosy neighbors, though, you may choose to enclose your patio.
The roof is a terrific place to get a lot of sunlight, but it may also be extremely windy.
Other factors to consider
After determining the climate in your area, there are a few factors you will need to keep in mind before growing your cannabis.
Sunlight
Weed plants require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight a day. Even if you have a large backyard, you may not grow anything in it if it does not receive enough sunlight. Place your cannabis plants in direct sunlight as often as possible to get the finest quality light, preferably during noon. Your plants’ blooming stage will be triggered when the seasons change as autumn approaches, and they get less daily sunshine.
Wind
In warmer climes, having continual wind is beneficial to your plants. It is also worth considering if you live in an area often battered by strong winds to plant next to anything like a wall or fence.
Security and privacy
It would help if you also thought about security and privacy. Many individuals desire to keep their ardens hidden from their neighbors and would-be robbers. Unless you reside isolated, tall fences and thick plants or trees are your best chance. It would help if you also kept your cannabis plants hidden from view in most states.
Light requirements
Outdoor cultivation of cannabis is widespread among many cannabis farmers. For the most outstanding results, outdoor producers require an easily accessible, secluded area that receives at least eight hours of direct sunshine each day. Over 8 hours of direct sunlight a day is necessary for outdoor growers.
Plant in the spring and get the rewards in the fall. It takes a great deal of light energy for cannabis plants to develop and create buds, which come from the sun. It takes less than one year for a cannabis plant to grow to the height of a tree in the wild since the plant gets its energy from the sun.
Part 2 coming next week