Getting Started Growing Cannabis Indoors
Approximately 70% of the U.S. population consumes cannabis at least on occasion, but for many people, cannabis is far more than a plant they enjoy when it’s around.
Instead, cannabis is a way of life, a religion, and an escape from the sometimes harsh realities of life, whether it is aches and pains or sadness interfering with your well-being. Enthusiasts who understand the sheer magnitude of cannabis oftentimes find the cultivation process one that heightens their experience. This God-given plant has powers unbeknownst to some, but for the true cannabis enthusiasts, its amazing qualities are undeniable. Growing weed indoors offers the perfect opportunity to take your cannabis love to the next level.
Now that marijuana has become a hot topic around the country, many of the stigmas that once surrounded the plant are gone and more people are learning and accepting that it is a beneficial plant and a far cry short of the Class I narcotic the federal government has it labeled as. Currency eight states allow usage and cultivation of marijuana for recreational use, while more than 40 have legalized cannabis use and cultivation for medicinal purposes. Marijuana research is being conducted at universities, elite members of our community are showing their support, and advancements are being made every single day. Nonetheless, it is a crime to grow marijuana without a medical red card (How to apply for medical marijuana card?) if you don’t reside in a legal state.
Growing marijuana indoors alleviates the worry. Many people are growing cannabis indoors as we speak, producing large, beautiful, plants filled with those delightful buds that you so greatly appreciate. If you’re ready to join the trend, learning how to grow is the first step. Growing marijuana indoors isn’t as difficult as some people would assume. In fact, it takes just 10 simple, easy steps to grow!
What You’ll Need to Monitor During Growing
Growing marijuana indoors allows you to keep an eye on the entire growth process. Marijuana is a plant that requires lots of attention if you want it to yield powerful, potent results, though the overall process is fairly simple once you get the swing of things. Checking in on your plants three or four times per day can help yield the best results, especially for the beginning grower.
It is important to monitor the amount of air and light that the plant receives when growing marijuana indoors. Marijuana is a native outdoor plant and thrives when pristine conditions are noted. Thus, proper air flow, proper light, and the right amount of moisture are key ingredients to a successful grow.
Flowering plants like marijuana produce fruits only once per year during the fall season. They’re fruitful during this cooler period after receiving sunlight and nutrients during the warmer months. It’s called a photosynthesis period and is a process that you’ll need to reproduce when growing marijuana indoors. To do this, the plants need up to 16-hours of light during the seedling stage and approximately 12-hours during the flowering process.
The photosynthesis also requires proper air be delivered to the plant. All plants need air to survive, including the cannabis plant. A steady stream of airflow in the grow room is essential to a healthy marijuana plant. Marijuana plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 70 F to 85 F; an exhaust fan can help you maintain these temperatures. Since some strains of the marijuana plant prefer lower temperatures while others thrive when temperatures are closer to the highest temperature point, it is important to properly educate yourself on the preferences of the seedling before you begin.
Step 4: Get Cannabis-Friendly Nutrients
More nutrients are needed to grow cannabis than other plants. The following nutrients are important to a successful grow:
- Calcium
- Phosphorous
- Nitrogen
- Copper
- Iron
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Using a nutrient solution is necessary if you aren’t using an organic pre-fertilized mix. You’ll find the nutrients sold in a powder or in a liquid form that is mixed with water. These nutrients are designed for the vegetative or the flower growth state. The nutrients are usually sold in a two-part liquid that prevents elements from precipitating.
Nutrient deficiencies cause most of the trouble growers experience with their plants. It is imperative to feed the plant the nutrients above at half-level at the appropriate stage to prevent troubles. Only use a full-strength level if the plants are severely deficient. It is also important to test the pH levels in the water to ensure the best atmosphere for the plants.
The pH level is the acidic level of the plant. A pH of 7 is a neutral range, and the purest waterhas this pH level. Cannabis prefers an acidic environment at the roots. Using soil with acidic properties helps cannabis plants thrive when grown in nature. A pH level that is too high or too low can cause nutrient deficiencies in the plant. Some growers get lucky and have near-perfect pH levels in their water and are without worry of the levels. Otherwise, you should test the pH levels of your water.
Managing the pH levels of the cannabis plant is beneficial in that it helps plants thrive and causes far less nutritional deficiencies. Proper pH levels also result in plants that grow faster and healthier, with bigger yields as the result. The proper pH levels also allow you to adjust pH levels that are too high or too low.
Testing the pH level of your water is simple and takes less than five minutes to complete. By testing the pH levels of the water, you can prevent many of the common problems first-time growers often experience. Furthermore, you’ll yield a higher-quality flower by using water with the proper pH levels. A pH level of 6.0 – 7.0 pH is best for soil growth, while a pH level of 5.5 – 6.5 is best for hydroponics or soil-less grows.
A few additional tips to help maintain proper pH levels:
- Consistency is key to proper pH levels
- If you cannot get the exact pH levels, keep an eye on the level and take action if the pH level is too low or too high
- Add nutrients to the water before checking the pH levels or before adjusting the pH levels.
Content share offered by “Sophia Walters of Plantsily.com”