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Learn how to grow Cannabis for beginners. Get started with this easy guide and learn the basics of growing Cannabis.
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The Basics of Growing Cannabis
Growing cannabis can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it is important to know the basics before you get started. This section will cover the basics of growing cannabis, including information on the different types of cannabis, the best methods for growing, and the equipment you will need.
Decide which cannabis strain to grow
Now that you know the basics of growing cannabis, it’s time to decide which cannabis strain to grow. With so many different strains available, it can be overwhelming to choose just one. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
First, consider what you want out of your cannabis. Different strains offer different benefits, so it’s important to choose a strain that matches your needs. For example, if you want a strain that will help you relax and reduce stress, look for a strain with high levels of CBD. If you’re looking for a powerful euphoric high, look for a strain with high THC levels.
Once you know what you want out of your cannabis, it’s time to start narrowing down your options. There are dozens of different cannabis strains available, so it’s important to do some research before making your final decision.
When you’re looking at different strains, pay attention to the following:
-THC levels: This is the main active ingredient in cannabis and is responsible for the “high” associated with smoking or consuming weed. The higher the THC levels in a strain, the more potent the effects will be.
-CBD levels: CBD is another active ingredient in cannabis and offers its own set of benefits. Some strains have high CBD levels and low THC levels, which makes them ideal for people who want the benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects.
-Indica vs sativa: Cannabis plants are typically classified as either indica or sativa based on their physical traits and effects. Indica strains tend to be shorter and bushier with thicker leaves, while sativa strains are taller and thinner with narrower leaves. Indica strains are known for their relaxing and couch-locking effects, while sativa strains are known for their uplifting and cerebral effects.
-Grow difficulty: Some cannabis strains are easier to grow than others. If you’re a beginner grower, look for a strain that is easy to grow and forgiving of mistakes.
Choose the right growing environment
One of the most important things you need to consider when growing cannabis is the environment. There are a few different ways you can grow cannabis, but the two most common are indoor and outdoor growing.
Indoor Growing
The main benefit of indoor growing is that you have complete control over the environment. This means you can control things like temperature, humidity, ventilation, and lighting. This is ideal for beginners because it makes it easier to create and maintain optimal conditions for your plants.
Outdoor Growing
Outdoor growing has a few advantages over indoor growing. The first is that it’s generally cheaper because you don’t need to invest in grow lights and other equipment. Additionally, some people prefer the taste of cannabis that’s been grown outdoors. Finally, outdoor growing is less labor-intensive because you don’t need to do things like water and fertilize as often.
Once you’ve decided whether you want to grow indoors or outdoors, you need to choose the right location. If you’re growing indoors, you’ll need a space that gets plenty of light and has good ventilation. If you’re growing outdoors, you need to choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil.
Get the necessary supplies
You don’t need much to get started growing cannabis. Here is a list of supplies you will need to get started:
– Cannabis seeds: You can find these online or at a dispensary. Make sure to do your research to find a reputable source.
– Grow medium: You can grow cannabis in soil, coco coir, or hydro. For beginner growers, we recommend soil. It is the easiest medium to grow in and is forgiving if you make mistakes.
– Container: Your container can be as simple as a plastic shady or you can use a more elaborate system like a deep water culture (DWC) system.
– Lighting: You will need some kind of artificial lighting unless you are lucky enough to live in an area where the sun shines year-round. For beginners, we recommend LED grow lights because they are more efficient and produce less heat than other types of lights.
– Ventilation: Cannabis plants need fresh air to grow healthy and strong. You will need some kind of ventilation system to bring fresh air into your grow space and remove stale air and excess heat.
The Planting Process
Before planting your cannabis seeds, you need to determine the best place to grow them. When growing cannabis indoors, you need to consider the size of your grow room, the type of lighting you will use, and the ventilation. Once you have determined the best place to grow your cannabis, you need to prepare the planting area. This includes removing any debris and rocks, and making sure the area is large enough to accommodate the number of plants you wish to grow.
Prepare the soil
Once you have decided where to plant your cannabis, you need to prepare the soil. The best type of soil for planting cannabis is loose, aerated, and rich in nutrients. Cannabis plants can grow in a variety of soils, but they will produce the best results in soil that is loose and rich in nutrients.
You can purchase pre-fertilized soil from a variety of retailers, or you can make your own by mixing compost or other organic matter into the soil. If you are making your own soil, be sure to mix it well so that it is loose and has a good amount of nutrients.
Once the soil is prepared, you will need to make sure that it is wet before you plant the seeds. You can do this by watering the soil well or by soaking it in water overnight. If the soil is too dry, the seeds may not germinate properly.
Plant the seeds or clones
Now that you have your grow area set up and your supplies gathered, it’s time to start planting! If you’re starting with seeds, you will need to germinate them first. If you’re using clones (already-sprouted seedlings), you can skip ahead to the next section.
To germinate cannabis seeds, you will need:
-Cannabis seeds
-A humidifier
-A heat mat
-A growing medium (soil or coco coir)
-Pots or plug trays
Fill your pots or plug trays with your chosen growing medium and moisten it with distilled water. Place 2-3 seeds on top of the soil in each pot, then mist the seeds with distilled water from a spray bottle. Cover the pots or trays with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse effect. Place them on top of the heat mat and set the temperature to between 70-90°F (21-32°C). Check on your seeds daily, misting them with distilled water if they look dry. Seeds will usually germinate within 3-10 days, at which point you can remove the humidity dome and lower the temperature to between 60-80°F (15-26°C).
Water and fertilize the plants
Once your plants have been transplanted into their final location, it’s important to give them a good watering. How much water your cannabis needs will depend on a few factors, such as the size of your pots, the type of soil you’re using, and whether or not you’re using any kind of hydroponic setup. In general, though, you should water your plants until the soil is evenly moist but not soggy.
After you’ve given your plants a good watering, it’s time to fertilize them. Many commercial potting soils come with slow-release fertilizer pellets that will last for several weeks or even months. If you’re not using a commercial potting mix, you can fertilize your plants every two weeks or so with a dilute solution of liquid fertilizer. Just be sure not to overdo it—too much fertilizer can burn your plants.
Caring for Your Cannabis Plants
Although cannabis is typically known as a very hearty plant, it still needs proper care in order to grow properly. Cannabis plants can be started from either clones or seeds, but it is generally recommended that beginners start with seeds. Once you have your seeds, you will need to plant them in soil and ensure that they have enough light, water, and nutrients.
Monitor the plants for pests and diseases
Pests and diseases can destroy a cannabis crop, so it’s important to keep an eye out for them. The most common pests are aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. These pests can be controlled with chemicals, but it’s best to avoid using them if possible.
The most common disease is powdery mildew, which can be controlled with chemicals or by making sure the plants have good air circulation.
Prune the plants
To ensure your cannabis plants grow healthy and strong, it’s important to prune them regularly. Pruning means cutting away dead or dying leaves and branches, as well as any that are growing in the wrong direction.
Not only does this help the plant to direct its energies towards producing new growth, but it also allows more light and air to reach the leaves, which is important for photosynthesis. Pruning also helps to prevent pests and diseases from taking hold, as these are often attracted to weak or sickly plants.
To prune your cannabis plants, start by removing any dead or dying leaves and branches. Cut these back to the main stem, taking care not to damage the plant. Next, trim back any branches that are growing in the wrong direction. These can be redirected by tying them gently to a nearby support. Finally, cut away any leaves that are blocking light from reaching the lower parts of the plant.
Harvest the buds
Once the buds have completely matured, it’s time to harvest them. As a general rule of thumb, indica strains are ready to harvest after 8 weeks of flowering, while sativas usually need 10-16 weeks. Remember that these are just rough guidelines – the best way to know for sure if your buds are ready is to use a magnifying glass or jeweller’s loupe to check the trichomes (the tiny “hairs” on the buds). If most of the trichomes have turned from clear to milky white, your plants are probably ready.
You can also use a digital microscope if you want to get a really close look at your trichomes. Just remember that Harvesting too early will result in lower yields and less potent bud, while harvesting too late will make the bud less enjoyable as the THC will start to degrade into CBN (which makes you feel sleepy).
Once you’ve decided it’s time to harvest, there are a few things you need to do in order to ensure a successful harvest.
Troubleshooting
If you’re new to growing cannabis, then you may run into some problems. This article will help you troubleshoot some of the most common problems that beginner cannabis growers face. We’ll cover everything from nutrient deficiencies to pests and diseases.
Common problems with cannabis plants
During the vegetative and early flowering stages, there are a few common problems that can affect cannabis plants. By understanding what these problems are, and how to identify and treat them, you can ensure that your plants stay healthy and vigorous.
One of the most common problems is nutrient deficiency. This can manifest itself in various ways, such as yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor root health. If you think your plant might be suffering from a nutrient deficiency, the first step is to test the soil or growing medium to see what might be lacking. Once you know which nutrients are needed, you can take steps to correct the problem.
Another common issue is overwatering. This can happen when growers are too generous with their watering schedule, or if the pots do not have adequate drainage. Overwatering can lead to leaf drop, yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and root rot. If you think your plant might be overwatered, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. If the problem persists, consider replanting in a pot with better drainage.
Light stress is another issue that can affect cannabis plants. This happens when the plants are not getting enough light, or when they are getting too much light. Too little light will result in stunted growth and small leaves; too much light can damage leaves and cause them to turn yellow or brown. If you think your plant is not getting enough light, move it to a spot where it will receive more sunlight. If it is getting too much light, try shading it with a sheer curtain or moving it to a spot where it will receive indirect sunlight.
Temperature stress is also a common problem for cannabis plants. They prefer warm temperatures (between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit), but if the temperature gets too high or too low, it can cause stress that leads to leaf drop, stunted growth, or flowers that do not develop properly. If you think your plant is experiencing temperature stress, try moving it to a spot where the temperature is more consistent. You may also need to provide additional ventilation or cooling if the temperatures are excessively high.
Pests and diseases are another potential problem for cannabis plants. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and fungus gnats; common diseases include powdery mildew and botrytis (gray mold). To prevent pests and diseases from taking hold of your plants, practice good hygiene by keeping your grow area clean and free of debris; inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests or disease; quarantine any new plants before introducing them into your grow area; and purchase healthy clones or seedlings from a reputable source
How to fix them
If your cannabis plants are exhibiting any of the following problems, don’t worry — these issues can all be fixed!
Leggy Seedlings
If your cannabis seedlings are tall and spindly, with long spaces between leaves, they are said to be “leggy.” This means they aren’t getting enough light, and they are stretching to try to reach it. The solution is simple: move your plants closer to the light source. If you are using artificial lights, you may need to change the bulbs or get a different type of light fixture.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves on cannabis plants can be caused by a few different things: too much nitrogen, not enough nitrogen, too much water, pH problems, or nutrient deficiencies. If you think your plant might have a nutrient deficiency, the best course of action is to get a soil test kit and see what nutrients your plant is lacking. You can then add those nutrients to the soil. If you think your plant might have a pH problem, you can test the soil with a pH meter or strips (these can be found at most garden stores).
