Cannabis home grow is exciting and challenging at the same time. Having the right skills will make every effort worth the sweat.
Now that medicinal cannabis is legal in over 50% of states in the US, cannabis enthusiasts are eager to try their green thumb in cannabis home grow. Growing cannabis is no different than growing other herbs; however, there are a few considerations to bear in mind. Also, remember that most states restrict the number of cannabis plants that can be grown in a residence. This implies a need to find the best practices to make the most out of each cannabis plant.
What makes for a successful home grow? In brief, you will need knowledge and resources coupled with sheer hard work. The learning curve is steep, but once you get the hang of it you will begin to reap fruits bountifully.
Akin to the beer home-brewing fad that died out as fast as it had started, cannabis home grow enthusiasm may experience a decline in the near future. For starters, many people join the bandwagon expecting the journey to be an easy one. Difficulties and challenges which are bound to happen cause many would-be cannabis farmers to give up, even before they get to the first harvest.
As much as this can be practiced as a hobby, it is one that takes effort and patience. A successful harvest is not measured just based on the quantity of the produce, but the quality as well. Here is when chemistry comes in; you need the right balance of phytonutrients to ensure that the cannabis produced will meet the medicinal and recreational standards.
Different cannabis strains have different growth characteristics; some grow tall and slender while others are short and bushy. Balancing resources adequately to meet the needs of each strain is more science than you probably imagined. When cannabis plants are undernourished, you will end up with plants that have the oddest of colors such as maroon, orange and yellow. Even if you can get past the color, the smell, taste, and potency of such plants can be very discouraging.
The startup cost for cannabis home grow is not much, with $300 you can be up and running. Ignorance, however, can cost you unnecessary expenditures, poor harvest, and other losses. This can be very discouraging for new cannabis farmers who may opt-out of this endeavor.
If you are a medical marijuana patient, growing your own weed can save you lots of dollars. You can also tailor your canopy to your individual needs. Having a few potent plans in your backyard will ensure that you have your medicinal ganja every time you need it, no shipping delays or “wrong package sent” delays ever again. Here are some tips to start you off:
1. Buy the right cannabis seeds
This could be the most import part of this process; if you start off with the wrong seeds no amount of effort is going to give you your desired harvest. Seeds (or clones) carry the genetic makeup of your ganja. Let’s say you desire the legendary purple weed, getting Amnesia Haze seeds will set you on the wrong path from the start.
The strain characteristics are in the seed; this includes the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other nutrients. The seed carries the potency, body and mental effects, smell and flavor of the ganja.
You need to ensure that you get your seeds from reliable sources. Cannabis seeds can be found online easily, but make sure to read online reviews from previous customers. Feminized seeds may give higher yields because the unproductive plants have been eliminated. Auto-flowering seeds will also ensure that your plants flower when they should, regardless of external conditions.
- Choose your method wisely
Cannabis can either be grown outdoors or indoors. Each method has its own pros and cons, while each method suits different needs. The legal implications for each method are different as well.
Outdoor growing is fantastic when you have a large backyard and are short of financial resources. Also, you need to find out if this is legal in your location. It requires less equipment, less technical skills, and fewer resources. On the flip side, you will need to be on the lookout for pests and other predators. Also, your canopy will be subject to the forces of erratic weather, if things go against the prediction you stand to make losses.
There are different approaches to indoor growing, while others keep coming up by the day. You could use a simple pot method, different hydroponics systems, aquaponics or any of the newer systems. Generally, indoor canopies give you some control over the external conditions. The plants take a shorter time to grow and you require less space.
On the flip side, indoor methods require more equipment, expertise, and money. Your plants are at a greater risk for molds due to improper ventilation as well as stagnant water lying around.
What does the law say about cannabis home grow?
Laws governing cannabis home grow will vary from state to state. States that have not legalized medicinal marijuana do not allow cannabis home to grow. States that have legalized medicinal marijuana have laws that regulate the legal age for growing cannabis, the number of plants that can be grown per person and per residence and the people authorized to grow cannabis. Here is a breakdown of the regulations:
- Legal age for growing cannabis a home in most states in 21 years
- Maximum number of plants is mostly six per person and 12 per residence, regardless of the adults living there
- 50% of allowed plants should be mature while the other 50% cannot be mature. This is to prevent the temptation to have surplus weed which can be sold commercially.
- States that have legalized medicinal marijuana may limit the permitted home growers to the patient or their caregivers exclusively.
- States that have legalized recreational weed may have regulations that are more lenient.
Due to these differences, it is important to find out what the law says about growing cannabis in your state.
Growing cannabis at home is not only cheaper; it is also safer because you can limit the exposure of your plants to harmful chemicals. In case you’ve encountered difficulty in starting out on cannabis home grow or maximizing yields at home, the above tips may sort you out. Feel free to leave comments and suggestions about how your cannabis growing experience has been so far.
References
1. Colorado.gov: Home grow laws. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/marijuana/home-grow-laws
2. Grow Weed Easy: Easy Beginner Grow Cannabis Guide w/ CFL Grow Lights | How to Grow Marijuana. Retrieved from https://www.growweedeasy.com/cfl-coco-coir
3. Healthline (2019): Sativa vs. Indica: What to Expect Across Cannabis Types and Strains. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/sativa-vs-indica
