Time to refresh your DIY home project list…

We’re sharing some helpful tips on how to grow a cannabis plant at home.

It all starts with a seed strain. The two major types of cannabis plants are Indica and Sativa. Indica strains typically offer a deep ‘sleepy’ sense of relaxation, while Sativa strains tend to have a more energizing effect. Indica plants grow around 3-6 feet tall and are ideal for growing indoors. Sativa plants can grow up to 20 feet tall!

Once you’ve selected your strain, it’s time to set up your pot plant den.

1) Create your cannabis grow ‘room’ or outdoor space

Your weed seed incubator can be in a closet, tent, cabinet, spare room, garden or out on your patio.

 

2) Choose your cannabis grow lights

If choosing an indoor setup, the quality of light in your grow room will be the number one environmental factor in the quality and quantity of your cannabis yields, so it’s a good idea to choose the best lighting setup you can afford.

The two main types of HID lamps used for growing are:

  • Metal halide (MH), which produce light that is blue-ish white and are generally used during vegetative growth.
  • High pressure sodium (HPS), which produce light that is more on the red-orange end of the spectrum and are used during the flowering stage.

Fluorescent grow lights

Fluorescent light fixtures, particularly those using high-output (HO) T5 bulbs, are quite popular with small scale hobby growers for the following reasons:

  • They tend to be cheaper to set up, as reflector, ballast, and bulbs are included in a single package.
  • They don’t require a cooling system since they don’t generate near the amount of heat that HID setups do.

 

3) Choose your soil (or go soil-less)

Soil

Soil is the most traditional medium for growing cannabis indoors, as well as the most forgiving, making it a good choice for first-time growers. Any high quality potting soil will work, as long as it doesn’t contain artificial extended release fertilizer (like Miracle Gro), which is unsuitable for growing good cannabis.

Soil-less (aka hydroponics)

Indoor growers are increasingly turning to soil-less, hydroponic media for cultivating cannabis plants. This method requires feeding with concentrated solutions of mineral salt nutrients that are absorbed directly by the roots through the process of osmosis.

 

 

4) Nourish your plants

Growing high-quality cannabis flowers requires more fertilizer, or nutrients, than most common crops. Your plant needs the following primary nutrients (collectively known as macronutrients):

  • Nitrogen (N)
  • Phosphorus (P)
  • Potassium (K)

Going with an organic fertilizer has advantages for microbial life in soil and helps offset harmful runoff. Local home and garden shops usually carry natural and organic fertilizers.

 

5) Choose a container

Traditional plastic, ceramic, fabric and air pots are all potential container choices – as long as they offer proper drainage so that water can pass through the root system of the plant. Another option is hydroponics (ex. rockwool cubes, encased flood and drain basins, bucket systems). You’ll likely start out your seedlings in small containers and carefully transplant to larger pots.

Small to medium outdoor plants:

5 gallon pot

Large outdoor plants:

10 gallon pot or larger

If you’re growing outside, be mindful to rotate your cannabis plants so they get adequate sun exposure, and be sure to shade them during peak sun hours as well as shield from wind.

 

6) Water your weed

Growing a cannabis garden means benefiting from rain and groundwater, but regardless of your setup – you will need to water your plants frequently (especially in summer). Consider using filtered water and testing your water to ensure balanced pH levels.

In rainy damp climates, cannabis roots can become waterlogged and contract fungal conditions. Best way to avoid this is planting your cannabis in raised beds, and digging ditches to redirect water or adding gravel to the soil. Weather events such as a heat wave, windstorm or torrential downpour can be severely damaging. Be sure to have proper reinforcements in place for your cannabis plants to thrive. 

Protecting your cannabis plants, whether inside or outdoors, is part of the nurturing process. 

Keep an eye on your cannabis plants every few days, and have fun growing at home! 

Looking for seeds? Why not try ORIGINS Cannabis Seeds?