Contents
Green Rush Consulting provides tips on how to grow cannabis and advice on the cannabis industry.
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Get to Know Your Strain
Different cannabis strains offer different growing challenges and benefits. Some are easy to grow, while others are more difficult. Some strains produce a lot of THC, while others produce more CBD. Knowing which strain you’re growing will help you adjust your growing techniques to get the most out of your plant.
Indica vs. Sativa
The first thing you need to know about cannabis strains is that there are two main types: indica and sativa. Both of these strains come from the same plant species, Cannabis sativa L., but they have different genetic origins. Indica strains originated in the Hindu Kush mountains of India, while sativa strains originated in the equatorial regions of Africa and Asia.
The main difference between indica and sativa plants is their appearance. Indica plants are shorter and bushier than sativa plants, with wide leaves. Sativa plants are taller and thinner than indica plants, with narrow leaves.
The two types of cannabis also have different effects when consumed. Indica strains are known for their relaxing, couch-lock effects, while sativa strains are known for their energizing, cerebral effects. This difference is due to the different levels of THC and CBD in each type of strain. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, while CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that has been shown to have medicinal benefits.
THC vs. CBD
In the world of cannabis, there are two main types of strains: those that contain high levels of THC and those that contain high levels of CBD. THC is the psychoactive compound that gets users high, while CBD is the non-psychoactive compound that is thought to have a wide range of medical benefits.
Start with Good Soil
Good soil is the foundation of a healthy cannabis plant . There are many factors to consider when growing cannabis, but starting with good soil is the best place to start. Good soil will provide the plant with the nutrients it needs to grow, and it will also help to control the pH level of the soil.
Soil Amendments
Cannabis roots absorb a lot of nutrients, so it’s important to start with good soil and to add amendments as needed. Good cannabis soil should be loose and airy, drain well, and hold onto nutrients. It should also have a neutral pH so that roots can absorbing nutrients easily.
There are many ways to make sure your cannabis plants have the perfect soil. You can start with a high-quality pre-made mix, or you can create your own mix using a variety of ingredients. Some growers even choose to grow hydroponically, without any soil at all!
No matter what method you choose, it’s important to remember that your plants will need certain essential nutrients throughout their life cycle in order to thrive. These nutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). Most soils will have some of these elements naturally, but it’s often necessary to supplement with additional nutrients, especially as plants grow and flower.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers are any material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is added to a soil to supply one or more of the essential plant nutrients. In cannabis cultivation, fertilizers are used to supplement the nutrient supply from the growing medium, which is often not ideal for plant growth. Fertilizers can be applied before planting (basal application), during planting (side dressing), or during the growing season (top dressing). Fertilizers can be applied as a solid, liquid, or gas. Cannabis growers generally use granular or liquid fertilizers.
There are many different types of fertilizers available on the market, and choosing the right fertilizer depends on many factors, including the type of cannabis you are growing, the stage of growth, the type of growing medium you are using, and your personal preferences. Some common types of fertilizers include organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers, and biostimulants.
Organic fertilizers are derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, or minerals. Inorganic fertilizers are man-made and often contain synthetic chemicals. Biostimulants are a relatively new category of products that stimulate plant growth by improving nutrient uptake or utilization, improving stress tolerance, or enhancing other aspects of plant physiology.
No matter what type of fertilizer you choose, it is important to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid over-fertilization, which can damage your plants. When in doubt, it is always better to err on the side of caution and use less fertilizer than recommended rather than more.
Get the Right Lighting
One of the most important things you need to grow healthy cannabis plants is to provide them with the right lighting. The right lighting will help your plants grow strong and produce high-quality buds. There are a few different types of lighting that you can use, so let’s take a look at the options.
Natural Sunlight
Cannabis loves the sun and will grow best when it receives at least six hours of sunlight each day. If you are growing cannabis indoors, you will need to provide your plants with a high-quality artificial light source that mimics the natural sunlight.
Outdoor cannabis plants can be grown in a number of different climates, but they will generally do best in locations that offer long sunny days and cool nights. The ideal daytime temperature for cannabis plants is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime temperatures dipping down to around 55 degrees.
If you live in an area with cooler temperatures, you may need to provide your plants with some additional warmth during the daytime hours. One easy way to do this is to place a clear plastic sheet over your grow area to trap in heat.
Artificial Lighting
For most cannabis growers, artificial lighting is the only way to grow indoors. The type of light you use is just as important as the amount of light for cannabis growth. Different lights emit different spectrums of light, which can be beneficial or harmful to your cannabis plants at different stages of their life cycle.
Cannabis grow lights can be broadly classified into two categories:
1. Incandescent bulbs (such as standard household light bulbs)
2. Fluorescent bulbs (such as compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs)
Which kind of bulb you choose depends on a few factors, such as the stage of growth you are in, the size of your grow area, and your budget.
water Your Plants
As a general rule of thumb, you should water your plants about once a week. The best way to water your plants is to use a drip system or a soaker hose. Make sure that the soil is moist, but not soggy. You can check the moisture level by sticking your finger in the soil. The soil should be moist but not wet.
When to Water
Cannabis plants need water when their leaves start to droop. If you wait too long, the leaves will turn brown and crisp. To check if your plant needs water, stick your finger in the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels wet, leave it be for now.
How often to water will depend on a few factors:
-The size of the pot (or container)
-The type of soil you’re using
-The temperature and humidity of your grow space
-Whether you’re using a fan or not
-The stage of growth your plant is in
How Much to Water
cannabis plants need a lot of water, but how much water they need depends on a few factors. The size of your plant, the soil it’s grown in, the temperature and humidity of your grow space, and how often you’re watering all affect how much water your plant needs. A good rule of thumb is to water your plants when the top inch or two of soil is dry.
To check if your plant needs water, stick your finger in the soil about an inch or two down. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it feels moist, give it a few more days. Remember that overwatering is just as bad as underwatering! If you’re unsure, err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering.
Prune Your Plants
Technically speaking, pruning means to remove parts of the plant that are no longer productive. This can be done for a number of reasons, including to encourage new growth, improve air circulation, and remove diseased or dying areas of the plant. When it comes to cannabis, pruning can also help to increase yields.
When to Prune
Cannabis plants can be pruned at any time, but the best time to prune is during the vegetative stage before flowering. Pruning during the vegetative stage allows the plant to heal quickly and redirect its energy into growing new leaves and branches.
Pruning also helps to ensure that your plant will grow evenly and will produce buds all along the main stem, rather than just at the top. To prune your cannabis plant, simply snip off any leaves or branches that are crowding or crossing over other parts of the plant.
How to Prune
Pruning is an essential cultural practice in cannabis cultivation. Its primary purpose is to manage plant size, but it also influences air and light penetration, the direction of growth, and even the taste and smell of the final product.
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to pruning cannabis plants. The best approach depends on the cultivar, the stage of growth, and the desired outcome. In this article, we will provide an overview of the most common pruning techniques and offer some tips on when and how to use them.
Topping: Topping is a pruning technique that involves removing the apical meristem (the growing tip) from the main stem. This stimulates lateral (sideways) growth and encourages the formation of multiple colas (the flowering tops of the plant). Topping can be performed at any time during vegetative growth, but it is most commonly done when plants are between 3 and 6 weeks old.
FIMing: FIMing is similar to topping, but rather than removing the entire apical meristem, only a portion is removed. This results in a more gradual stimulation of lateral growth and prevents excessive shock to the plant. FIMing can be performed at any time during vegetative growth, but it is most commonly done when plants are between 3 and 6 weeks old.
Lollipopping: Lollipopping is a pruning technique that involves removing all of the lower leaves and branches from a plant. This allows light and air to penetrate more deeply into the canopy, which improves bud development and quality. Lollipopping can be performed at any time during vegetative growth or early flowering.
Defoliation: Defoliation is a pruning technique that involves removing some or all of the leaves from a plant. This can be done for aesthetic purposes or to stimulate bud development by increasing light exposure to the flowers. Defoliation can be performed at any time during vegetative growth or early flowering.
Harvest Your Plants
Once you have determined that your plants are ready for harvest, it is time to cut them down and begin the drying process. This is an important step in the growing process, and there are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure a successful harvest.
When to Harvest
Harvest time is one of the most critical times in the life of your cannabis plant. Get it right, and you’ll be rewarded with a great harvest. Get it wrong, and you could end up with a disappointing yield.
The best time to harvest your cannabis plants is when the trichomes (the tiny resin glands that cover the buds) are at their peak maturity. These glands produce the cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) that give cannabis its psychoactive and medicinal properties.
You can determine the maturity of the trichomes by using a magnifying glass to look at the gland heads. They will change from clear to milky white as the plant matures. When about 50-75% of the gland heads are milky white, it’s time to harvest.
The other way to tell when to harvest is by looking at the color of the pistils (the small hairs that protrude from the buds). In the early stages of flowering, these hairs will be white or pale green. As harvest time approaches, they will turn red, orange, or brown.
How to Harvest
Harvest time is one of the most important steps in cultivation, as it is when growers finally get to see the results of their hard work. Careful planning and execution are crucial in order to ensure a successful harvest that yields high-quality buds.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when harvesting your plants:
-The timing of the harvest is crucial – too early and the buds will be underdeveloped, too late and they will be over mature and may start to degrade.
-Pay close attention to the trichomes – these are the tiny resin glands that cover the buds and contain the majority of the plant’s THC. When they are opaque or milky white, it is generally considered to be the perfect time to harvest.
-Trim the plants carefully – removing excess leaves will help improve airflow and prevent mold or pests from taking hold.
-Cure your buds properly – this step is essential for preserving potency and flavor. Curing involves storing the dried buds in airtight containers in a cool, dark place for several weeks. This allows for further evaporation of moisture and enhances the taste and smell of the finished product.
