Now that many states and countries are legalizing cannabis plants or marijuana, many people are considering growing it in their homes. Medical cannabis has shown to have plenty of health benefits, including relieving pain, treating various ailments such as cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.Growing marijuana can be quite exciting. When it comes to growing cannabis, it’s not just about purchasing seeds and planting; there are some important things that you need to keep in mind before you start growing cannabis. This article gives you a list of Things You Need to Know Before You Start Growing Cannabis and get the best outcome during harvest time.
- Understand the basics of cannabis
Before you even start thinking of growing cannabis, you must understand the concepts of the cannabis plant. Some of the basic things you should understand about the cannabis plant include the cannabis life cycle, nutrient requirements, and chemical structure. its life cycle, nutrient requirements, and structure.
You need to know that cannabis plant can be grown indoors, outdoor, or in greenhouses. There are three main types of cannabis: sativa, indica, and ruderalis. You should know the different types of cannabis seeds available, you can contact Marijuana seeds USA for the various types of seeds. Gather as much information about the cannabis plant before you grow it so that you can know what is expected of you as the grower.
2. Know how much power you will need
Once you have grasped some knowledge on cannabis plant, you need now to figure out the amount of power you will need to successfully grow your cannabis. This mainly applies to people who want to grow the plant indoors.
Cannabis plants need adequate light. For you to run a successful indoors growth, you will need the power of about 400-600W grow lights. Other than the lights, you also need to factor in electrical equipment like extractors, fans, etc.
3. Understand the costs associated with growing cannabis
The initial cost of setting up a grow space and buying the necessary equipment for the growing process can be quite high. The equipment you’ll need to grow cannabis indoors will depend on the size of your grow and your skills as a grower.
In most cases, the equipment you will need includes
- Fan
- Air filter
- Grow light
- Light reflectors
- Grow tent
- pH meter
- timer
- small ventilator
Buying the above equipment and running them can be quite costly, but the good thing is that most of this equipment is reusable, and you can quickly get a return on your investment.
4. Understand the various growing methods
After getting your seeds from reliable seed companies such as Farmers Lab Seeds, you must understand the different cannabis growing methods. Marijuana can be grown using different methods. You should therefore, understand the various grow methods available and select the one that suits your budget and level of skills. The most common method is growing cannabis in soil. In this case, the grower will be required to add nutrients to the soil which the plant absorbs through the roots. Growers can use natural options like compost or buy nutrient solutions from the stores.
On the other hand, growers can also choose to grow their cannabis plants in mediums instead of the soil. Methods that use mediums are known as hydroponic methods. Deciding on which growing method to use will entirely depend on the grower. But if you still new in the field of cannabis grow, it would be excellent to start with soil-based methods.
5. Choose the right grow space
Choosing the right grow space is a critical aspect of growing marijuana. That’s why you should carefully think about your grow space before you start growing. There are two options when it comes to home growing cannabis. You can either grow it indoors or outdoors. Both these have their pros and cons.
Growing your cannabis outdoors is excellent because it can help you to cost on costs. There will be no need to buy a grow light if you use the sun’s natural power. Additionally, if your plants receive the cool breeze, you won’t need to purchase fans or extractor. However, for outdoor growing, the main downfall is that you have no control over the climate and amount of lights your plants get. And outdoor growing can also attract more attention, which may be a risk if you live in an area where growing cannabis is not legal.
For indoor operations, your plants will be out of sight; therefore, it is less likely to attract any unnecessary attention. You also have total control over the climate in your grow space, allowing you to adjust things such as humidity, temperature, and amount of light that’s suitable for the plants. Some of the main downfalls of growing outdoors include buying and maintaining all the equipments, increased cost of electricity, and dealing with space limitations.
6. Pick the right strain
There are over 1000 cannabis strains available. Before you think of growing your cannabis plant, you should research the different strains out there and pick the one that suits your skills as a grower, and your grow space .
The difference between strains can be substantial, affecting everything from the plant’s life cycle and structure to the effects of its buds. It would be best if you read up on the various strains available and choose the strain that suits your grow space and preferences.
7. Know how to harvest
The last thing you should know before you start growing cannabis is how to harvest it. First and foremost, you must know the different stages of harvest and how they can affect the potency and effects of the buds. For instance, buds that are harvested earlier often have more uplifting effects. On the other hand, buds that are harvested later tend to have more relaxing effects. You should also know how to trim dry, cure, and store your buds to ensure great results.
Final thoughts
Now that you have a better idea of the things you need to know before you grow your cannabis plant, you can go ahead and order for your seeds and start planting, and enjoy the benefits of growing your own medical cannabis.
