Many people yearn to grow cannabis but do not figure out how to do it right. This is because only a few sites are dedicated to providing reliable and updated information about growing cannabis at home. Anybody seeking to grow cannabis for recreational or medicinal purposes should follow the proper steps to maximize yields and get the best quality. So, how can aspiring marijuana cultivators get started? This piece will highlight every step of growing cannabis at home.
Germinate the Seeds
It is easy to find quality weed seeds from existing plants or buy from a local supplier, especially in states where growing weed is legal. Once the gardener has the seeds, they need to ensure they are viable before planting. The seeds need warmth and moisture to start germinating. Therefore, the cultivator can fold them with a wet paper towel and dip them in a Ziploc bag before placing them in a warm place. If the seeds are viable, they will develop a white tail about five days later. A great tip
for growing marijuana at home is to germinate many seeds to increase the chances of getting female plants, which generate the desired flowers. This is because it is impossible to tell whether the seeds will grow into male or female plants by looking at the seeds.
Plant the Seeds
Any container with drainage holes can be ideal for planting cannabis seeds. The gardener should buy the appropriate potting soil mix and plant the seeds about an inch deep with the tail pointing deep in the pot. After planting, the pot should be placed where it can get direct or indirect light from a bulb or sunlight. With the ideal conditions, the first set of leaves will appear about two or three days later. Always use the spray bottle in the first few days because pouring water on the pot might make the seeds float.
Stimulate Vegetative Growth
Cannabis plants must become sexually mature before they start flowering. When growing the plants indoors, the cultivator can use
LED lights in all growth phases. A standard thumb rule to remember is to provide enough lighting, about 75 watts, for every square foot of the cannabis cultivation garden. Let the baby plants grow for at least three weeks with approximately 18 hours of light daily. Manure or fertilizer may not be necessary if the pot of soil has a quality soil mix.
Stimulate Flowering
This phase involves transplanting the flowers into the container from where they will mature with controlled lighting. Add enough bloom fertilization with less nitrogen and high phosphorus and potassium into the soil mix to provide relevant nutrients. Equal hours of uninterrupted light and darkness daily encourage cannabis to flower. However, interrupting these sessions of darkness could make the male cannabis create
pollen sacs that pollinate the female to produce seeds, affecting the flower quality. For the next nine weeks, the cannabis cultivator should water the plants with clean water until the large leaves start turning yellow and more than half of the pistols start turning brown or red.
Harvest
After nine weeks, it is time to chop the plants and hang them in a cool, dark area, just like the growing area. The plants should dry for about a week before trimming off the leaves and buds. Experts recommend only opening the buds in an air-tight container once a day to preserve the flavor. Freshly harvested cannabis will smell fantastic, but visitors might notice it. So, it is advisable to use smell control to avoid letting everyone know about it.
These are the best practices for growing cannabis at home. The process may vary slightly, but these tips can be a good starting point. Remember to read and understand what the law says about growing marijuana to avoid legal issues.