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How to grow cannabis from a seed. This is a guide for first time growers that will show you how to get started growing your own cannabis.
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The Basics of Growing Cannabis
If you’re looking to grow your own cannabis, you’ll need to start with a seed. In this section, we’ll go over everything you need to know about growing cannabis from a seed. We’ll cover everything from how to choose a seed to how to care for your young plant.
The best time to plant
The best time to plant a cannabis seed is in late spring or early summer. If you live in a northern climate, you should wait until after the last frost has passed to avoid the risk of your plants getting cold damage. Cannabis seeds can also be started indoors and then transplanted outdoors later on, but this requires more work and effort.
The difference between male and female plants
How can you tell a male cannabis plant from a female one? If you’re a novice grower, it’s important to know the difference because only female plants produce buds – the part of the plant that contains all the goodies (THC, CBD, etc.) that you want. Male plants are generally considered worthless by growers because they don’t produce buds, and they can actually pollinate female plants, which reduces the quality of the buds.
Here are some ways to determine the gender of your cannabis plants:
-Look for pistils: These are short, white hairs that protrude from the buds. Female plants have more of these than males.
-Look forSphere-shaped pollen sacs: These are where male cannabis plants store their pollen. You’ll find them on the nodes – the areas where leaves and branches intersect. Male sacs are round, while female sacs are more tear-shaped.
-Check for calyxes: These are small leaves that envelope the base of budding flowers. On female plants, calyxes grow in bunches and are tightly packed together. On males, calyxes grow singly and spaced further apart.
The importance of soil
The Basics of Growing Cannabis – (How to Grow Cannabis from a Seed)
The most important part of growing cannabis is the soil. The type of soil you use will determine the health of your plants and how much yield you get. There are many different types of soils available on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Some soils are better suited for certain plants than others. For example, cactus soil is not ideal for growing cannabis because it doesn’t retain enough moisture.
When choosing a soil for your cannabis plants, you should look for one that is light and airy with a good drainage system. A mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite is a good option. You can also add some organic matter to the mix, such as compost or bat guano. Be sure to fertilize your soil before planting to ensure that your plants have all the nutrients they need to thrive.
How to Plant Your Cannabis Seed
If you want to grow cannabis from a seed, it’s important to know how to properly plant your seed. In this section, we’ll go over everything you need to know about planting your cannabis seed. We’ll cover everything from finding the right spot to planting your seed.
Step one: Choose your planting method
There are three common ways to plant cannabis seeds: directly in soil, in coco coir, or in rockwool. All three methods have their own pros and cons, so it’s important to choose the right method for your needs.
Soil is the simplest and most forgiving method, especially for first-time growers. Cannabis seeds can be directly planted in potting soil, and will germinate and grow into healthy plants with little effort. However, soil can also harbor diseases and pests, which can be difficult to control.
Coco coir is a type of coconut fiber that makes an excellent growing medium for cannabis. It is lightweight and well-draining, which helps to prevent root rot. Coco coir is also very easy to control pH levels in, making it a good choice for experienced growers who want to fine-tune their growing conditions.
Rockwool is a type of spun fiber made from rocks that is commonly used as insulation material. It is also an excellent growing medium for cannabis, as it retains moisture well and can be easily controlled pH levels. However, rockwool can be difficult to work with and too much moisture can cause problems such as mold growth.
Step two: Prepare your planting area
Assuming you’ve decided on where to grow your cannabis (outdoors or indoors), it’s time to prep the planting area. For an indoor cannabis grow, you’ll likely be using some type of container like a pot or grow bag. If growing outdoors, you can dig a hole in the ground or create a raised bed.
When growing in containers, make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom so that excess water can escape. If planting in the ground, make sure the area is well-draining.
Then, fill your planting area with a quality potting mix or soil. Once it’s filled, you’re ready to move on to step three and plant your cannabis seed!
Step three: Sow your seeds
Sow your drained and rinsed cannabis seeds one at a time into the peat pellet, taking care not to damage the tap root.Gently press the seed into the pellet until it’s half buried. Make sure the pointed end of the seed is facing downwards.
Place the pellet in a clear plastic cup or container, then add enough water so that it just covers the bottom of the peat pellet. Put a lid on your cup or container, and place it in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. Check on your seeds daily, and add more water if needed so that the bottom of the peat pellet is always wet.
Caring for Your Cannabis Plant
Cannabis plants are relatively easy to grow, but there are a few things you need to do to ensure your plant is healthy and happy. When growing from a seed, you need to be especially careful in the early stages of growth. This article will cover everything you need to know about growing cannabis from a seed.
Watering
One of the most important things you can do for your cannabis plant is to ensure that it has enough water. Depending on the stage of growth, your plant will need different amounts of water. For example, during the vegetative stage, your plant will need more water than when it is in the flowering stage.
To water your plant, you will need to check the soil moisture level first. The best way to do this is to stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil feels dry, then it is time to water your plant. If the soil feels wet or moist, then you should wait until it dries out a bit before watering again.
When watering your cannabis plant, you want to make sure that you do not overwater it. This can lead to root rot, which can kill your plant. To avoid overwatering, always check the soil moisture level before watering and only water your plant when necessary.
Fertilizing
As your cannabis plant grows, it will gradually begin to deplete the nutrients in the soil. This is especially true if your plant is growing in pre-fertilized potting mix or soil that contains limited nutrients. For this reason, you’ll need to fertilize your plant every couple of weeks during its vegetative stage, and then cut back to once a month or so during flowering.
There are two main types of fertilizer: synthetic and organic. Synthetic fertilizers are typically made from chemical compounds and can be absorbed by plants more quickly than organic fertilizers. However, they can also be more damaging to plants if not used properly. Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are made from natural sources like composted manure or bone meal. They’re generally safer for plants, but they can take longer for plants to absorb.
Both synthetic and organic fertilizers come in different forms, such as powders, liquids, or pellets. In general, it’s best to use a liquid fertilizer because it’s easier for plants to absorb. Whichever type of fertilizer you choose, make sure you read the instructions carefully before applying it to your plant. Over-fertilizing canburn your plant’s roots and stunt its growth.
Pruning
You can encourage your cannabis plant to grow in a certain way by pruning it, or cutting off parts of it. It might seem counterproductive to cut off parts of your plant, but in some cases it can actually help the plant to grow better. For example, if you want your plant to grow wider instead of taller, you can cut off the top of the plant. This will cause the plant to grow out more, rather than up.
Lighting
Lighting is key when it comes to growing healthy cannabis plants. The right light will help your plants grow strong and produce lots of buds.
Cannabis plants need lots of light to grow well. But, they also need a dark period to rest and produce buds. For this reason, it’s important to give your plants a daily cycle of 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.
You can provide your plants with the right amount of light by using grow lights. These are special lights that are designed to provide the right kind of light for cannabis plants.
There are different types of grow lights, but the most common are fluorescent and LED lights. Fluorescent lights are cheaper, but they don’t last as long as LED lights. LED lights are more expensive, but they last longer and use less energy.
Whatever type of grow light you choose, make sure it provides enough light for your plants. A general rule of thumb is that cannabis plants need about 500-600 lumens per square foot of growing space. So, if you have a 4×4’ grow area, you will need at least 8,000 lumens of light.
Harvesting Your Cannabis
Although some people swear by clones , starting with a seed is the only way to guarantee a genetic lottery in your grow. Even if you’re not planning on entering any competitions, it’s nice to know that you have the option of growing a wide variety of plants. You can also avoid potential problems with pests and diseases by starting with a clean slate.
When to harvest
The best time to harvest your cannabis crop is early in the morning. The THC resin glands are most active at this time and you will get the most psychoactive effect from your buds. You will also get more of the “high” from the THC if you smoke it at this time. If you are growing for medical purposes, you may want to harvest a little early so that the buds are not as potent.
How to harvest
The process of harvesting your cannabis plants is crucial to ensuring a successful crop. There are several things to keep in mind when harvesting, including the time of day, the maturity of the plants, and the method of harvest.
Harvesting early in the morning is ideal, as the plants will be less likely to lose moisture during the harvest process. The plants should also be mature before being harvested – generally, indica strains should be harvested after 8 weeks of flowering, while sativa strains can be harvested after 10-12 weeks.
There are two main methods of harvest – hand picking and machine trimming. Hand picking is the more traditional method, and involves carefully removing each bud from the plant by hand. Machine trimming is a more efficient method, and involves using a trimming machine to remove the buds from the plant.
Drying and curing your cannabis
Drying is the process of removing water from your cannabis. Curing is the process of allowing chlorophyll to degrade, while slowly drying your cannabis. Proper curing adds greatly to the taste, smell, and overall quality of cannabis.
Cannabis should be dried in a dry, dark, and humid free environment. If you can regulate the temperature and humidity, that’s ideal. But if not, a closet or box will work just fine. If you have too much humidity, your cannabis will mildew and be ruined. If you have too little humidity, your cannabis will dry too quickly and lose potency and taste.
The ideal curing environment has 60-70% relative humidity and 60-65°F. To achieve this in a small space like a closet or box, you’ll need to use a humidifier and either a space heater or air conditioner. A hygrometer can help you monitor the relative humidity in your curing space.
You can cure your cannabis in jars, plastic bags, or other containers. Jars are generally preferred because they allow you to monitor the progress of the cure and prevent mold or other problems. When using jars, make sure to open them on a daily basis to allow fresh air to circulate and prevent mold from forming inside the jar.
To dry your cannabis properly, it needs to be hung upside down in an environment with good airflow. A fan directed at the plants can help speed up the drying process by circulating air around them. Drying usually takes 3-7 days but can take up to two weeks in humid environments. When the plants are dry enough, they should snap rather than bend when pulled gently from the stem.
