What’s Involved in Growing Your Own Marijuana?

Many people who live in legal cannabis states have decided to grow their own crops. Cannabis cultivation can be a challenge even for an experienced gardener, but with a bit of help, it’s possible to avoid common errors that diminish the quality of the crop. Here, you’ll learn what’s involved in at-home cannabis cultivation.

Choosing a Reputable Seed Bank

Some first-time growers choose the cheapest seeds available simply to save a few dollars—but that strategy can backfire. It’s important to choose seeds with good genetics when you grow your own marijuana. Do some research and find a good seed bank or start with clones from a reliable source.

Giving Seedlings Plenty of Light

Lighting largely determines the quality of a crop as well as plant size and the speed of growth. While outdoor crops receive natural light, indoor plants need additional care. Invest in HID (high intensity discharge) or full-spectrum LED lights that allow you to change the light wavelength based on growing plants’ needs.

Using High-Quality Water

The minerals in water can adversely affect plant growth. When cultivating cannabis at home, consider adding a reverse osmosis or filtration system. Change the filters often and periodically test the water to determine its mineral content.

Giving Plants Plenty of Space

To grow top-quality cannabis, be sure to leave enough space between plants. Techniques such as LST, or low-stress training, where plants are tied down while they’re young, will ensure proper light dispersal and better plant health. Other tools, including fans and filters, will improve airflow.

Providing Enough Nutrients

An important step in home cannabis cultivation is giving plants enough nutrients at each growth stage. These nutrients are crucial when feeding growing plants.

• Nitrogen
• Potassium
• Phosphorus

These are the main nutrients marijuana plants need, but others are important as well. Use magnesium, calcium, sulfur, manganese, sugar, and amino acids to properly nourish plants and give them the best chance of a healthy life.

Proper Pruning

While LST and other techniques don’t involve cutting, growers must prune their plants to increase crop yields and eliminate low-quality buds. During the vegetative phase, consider removing low-growing branches to reduce the risk of pest infestation.

Adequate Humidity and Temperature

Cannabis is a resilient plant that can grow under various conditions, but indoor crops must be grown at the right humidity and room temperature. Even the smallest changes affect plant growth, so precision is essential at every stage in the plant life cycle.

Harvesting at the Right Time

It’s the time all growers wait for because it’s when all that hard work pays off. However, harvesting plants early decreases the buds’ THC content, and all your effort will go to waste. The best crops are harvested based on trichome and pistil color, bud shape and consistency, and leaf color and condition.

Proper Drying and Curing

While most growers assume the hard work is over once the crop has been harvested, that’s not the case. Drying and curing are essential to the taste, quality, and THC content of the crop. Follow these steps.

• Cut the plants down and put the branches on a drying rack.
• Remove the largest fan leaves.
• Dry the buds slowly at about 50% humidity and a room temperature of 65-75° F.
• Cure the buds by putting them into airtight containers with wide openings. Store the containers in a dry, dark area and check them regularly.

While it takes about two or three weeks for the buds to be ready for consumption, many growers have seen better results from curing their crops for approximately two months. In short, the longer the buds are allowed to cure, the more enjoyable they’ll be.

Follow These Steps for High-Quality Crops

Home growers must consider numerous factors when cultivating cannabis. By considering these factors and being patient, the growers are more likely to produce buds they can be proud of.