Growing marijuana at home can be gratifying and beneficial. Many budding cultivators, however, find it intimidating at first. Between the growing requirements and choosing the right seeds, we can understand where they’re coming from.
The good news is that it’s easier than it seems. But before you start, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with a few essential aspects. While these five points may seem obvious, they could mean the difference between an abundant crop and a bunch of duds.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s get digging!
Everything you need to know
Getting quality, resinous buds, and rewarding yields is possible when you grow marijuana at home. But when it comes to growing healthy cannabis plants, these essential tips could go a long way to a successful growth.
1. Stay on the right side of the law
Since the laws and regulations change often, it’s essential to do some research before growing marijuana at home. Determine if home cultivation is legal and if consumption is restricted to medicinal or recreational use.
In many cases, the state allows consumption but not cultivation, which could land you in hot water. In some states, you may even need a medical card to grow pot at home.
2. Decide where to grow
The next step in learning how to grow marijuana at home is deciding where to do it. Many strains thrive indoors, while others prefer growing outdoors.
Of course, either option has pros and cons:
Outdoor cultivation is more affordable as it uses natural elements to meet the plant’s needs. Unfortunately, this also means you’ll have to monitor your crops more closely to combat potential threats as early as possible.
The most significant advantage of growing outdoors is that, with enough space, your plants can reach their full potential in yield size.
Growing indoors may be more expensive, but it gives you better environmental control. While you could cultivate some potentially potent buds indoors, the limited space could stunt the size of your harvest.
3. Understand the plant requirements
When the standard requirements for homegrown marijuana are pretty general, some strains do have a few extra demands.
Missing the mark on the following requirements could destroy your crop, so be sure that you understand it before germinating your seeds.
- Water: As with all living things, marijuana plants need water. The amount of water depends on the growing stage and the growing conditions.
- Light: As a photoperiod plant, cannabis needs light daily to thrive. As with watering, the growing stage determines how much light is required.
- Temperature and humidity: Your plants need optimal conditions to thrive. The temperature should be 55–85°F and 50–70% relative humidity.
- Nutrients: A good balance of nutrients will help your crop grow healthy and strong.
- Airflow: Many cannabis strains are susceptible to mold and mildew. Sufficient airflow is a vital weapon in keeping your plants protected.
4. Choose a strain
When it comes to choosing your cannabis strain, there are a lot of factors to help you make the decision. It all depends on your preferences and what you want from the buds.
For example, you could select seeds based on their growing requirements and growth difficulty. What about their flowering time? Are you happy to wait for your plants to work through the various growth stages? If not, you could cultivate fast flowering seeds for buds in just a few short weeks.
5. Settle in and enjoy the ride
After growing marijuana at home and curing it, the next step is to enjoy the luscious buds. Luckily there are many different ways to consume your carefully cultivated weed. Ultimately, how you ingest is also a point to consider when selecting your preferred strain.
If you prefer edibles, for example, then strains with a corresponding flavor profile are a good match. Would you prefer to relax in a cloud of smoke? Then get ready to roll a fat joint or find the right bong.
Maybe you’re looking for a strain that’ll deliver specific effects. Whatever your preference is, you’re sure to find a strain to meet your needs.
Benefits of Growing Marijuana at Home
Growing marijuana at home offers a number of benefits for both novice and experienced growers alike. For starters, it allows the grower complete control over the strain, nutrients used, and other growing conditions.
This helps the grower to create their own personalized output to either enjoy themselves or share with others. Additionally, it supports sustainability and reduces the cost associated with purchasing cannabis from dispensaries. It is possible to set up a cost-effective system for growing marijuana at home with minimal upfront costs and even lower costs for long-term upkeep.
Aside from its economic advantages, many people appreciate growing marijuana in the comfort and safety of their own homes. Cannabis grown in an indoor environment can be monitored closely while still protecting it from external pollutants or pests that could cause harm to your yield.
Homegrown cannabis also gives growers access to more specialized lighting setups which can aid in the optimization of the overall production of your plants. Finally, although there are local laws governing its cultivation, the ability to grow your own high-quality cannabis provides discreet access when needed without having to shop at a dispensary or knowing someone with connections on ‘the black market’.
Ready, set, grow!
Armed with these essential tips, you’re ready to grow pot at home and enjoy impressive results. As critical as meeting your plants’ needs is on the outcome, the seed quality is also important.
When shopping for your preferred strain’s seeds, ensure they’re from a trusted and reputable source. Their quality lays the foundation for the buds you’ll harvest.
Most importantly, you should enjoy the process. Growing marijuana is a rewarding experience. So take the time to enjoy every step of the process.