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 9: Harvest Your Cannabis
Harvesting the cannabis plant at the right time is just as important as the growth process. If you harvest the plant too soon, it loses potency and won’t provide as much yield. If you do not harvest soon enough, the plant becomes dry and sometimes overpowering. So how can you determine if it is the right time to harvest the plant? Knowledge will take you a long way, as will visual inspections of the plant. You should also use a magnifying glass to inspect the resin-filled trichomes on the buds.
One method of determining if it is the right time to harvest the plant is by looking at the pistils on the leaves of the marijuana buds. While this method is not as reliable as the trichomes method, which we’ll discuss later, it definitely helps first-time growers better understand what to look for.
The pistils on the plant are opaque and amber in color when they’re ready to harvest. If you notice the pistils are sticking out of the plant and white in color, it is too soon to harvest the plant. At least half of the hairs on the leaf should be dark when it is ready to harvest, although most recommend allowing growth for a few more days or weeks to get the highest THC levels from the bud. When 60 – 70% of the hairs are darkened, the highest levels of THCare noted. Allow the buds to continue darkening and the results produce a more relaxing CND result.
It is normal to see new pistils appear when it is close to harvest time, though if this occurs three times or more, it’s best to cut the leaves to protect the remaining buds. Keep in mind that different strains look different ways during harvest. Some strains maintain white pistils even when it is time to harvest. Use the Internet to browse pictures of your specific strain if there are questions. Experienced cannabis growers are also beneficial to consult for information.
The next method of determining if it is time to harvest your plant is by examining the trichomes on the leaves. This is the easiest of the two methods and provides more accurate results. Use the magnifying glass of your choice to examine the trichomes on the leaves of the plant. Trichomes look like tiny mushrooms growing underneath the leaf. Sometimes called resin glands, the trichomes make weed sticky and contain the high levels of THC that alters your state of mind. Trichomes will either be clear or cloudy. It isn’t always easy to decipher between the trichomes, though most people say the cloudy trichomes look as if they’re coated with a plastic film. The latter is the ideal condition for harvesting your buds. If all of the pistils on the plant stick out, it is safe to say that it is not the right time to harvest the plant. When harvest time arrives, the pistils will curl inward. So, even when you cannot make an accurate determination based on the trichomes, simply examining the pistils will help.
You’ve worked hard to reach the harvest stage and certainly anticipate enjoying the fruits of your labor. It is oftentimes difficult for new growers to keep their hands-off during the harvest stage and that is understandable. However, waiting just a bit longer is well-worth the results. High-potency buds and high-yields give plenty of reason to wait a few more days if the buds aren’t quite ready to harvest.
Some people harvest their bud in stages. If you’re all-too-eager to test out your product, this might be an option that satisfies your excitement. You are responsible for the buds and how they turn out. Follow the guidelines of harvesting and you’re sure to get the results that you are after.
Content share offered by “Sophia Walters of Plantsily.com”