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You need more than just some seeds and soil to grow cannabis. Check out this list of must-have supplies for any home grower.
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Soil
sandy loam soil with good drainage is best for cannabis, but any type of soil can be used if you take the time to treat it right. If you’re growing in soil, you’ll need to water your plants more often than if you’re growing in hydroponics.
Nutrients
All plants need 17 different nutrients to survive. Three of these nutrients, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are called macronutrients because they are needed in large quantities. The other 14 nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, are called micronutrients because they are needed in smaller quantities.
The best way to get all the nutrients your plants need is to use a high-quality cannabis-specific fertilizer that contains a broad spectrum of essential elements. However, it is also possible to get all the nutrients your plants need from the soil itself.
Cannabis plants need six macronutrients and eight micronutrients. The three primary macronutrients needed for healthy plant growth are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These three elements are often referred to by their elemental symbols “N-P-K”. Nitrogen is responsible for leaf growth, phosphorus is responsible for root growth and flowering, and potassium helps with overall plant health and vigor.
The three secondary macronutrients required by cannabis plants are calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Cannabis plants need calcium for cell wall strength and cell division, magnesium for chlorophyll production, and sulfur for protein synthesis.
The eight essential micronutrients needed by cannabis plants are iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, zinc, copper, chlorine, and nickel. These elements are necessary for photosynthesis, enzymes functions ,and various metabolic processes.
Fertilizer
To get the most out of your cannabis plants, you need to give them the best possible growing conditions, including using the right soil and feeding them nutrient-rich fertilizers.
Cannabis plants are heavy feeders and will need a steady supply of nutrients to reach their full potential. A quality commercial fertilizer will provide all the nutrients your plants need, in the right proportions. However, it’s important to remember that every cannabis strain is different and will have specific nutrient requirements.
If you’re growing cannabis for the first time, it’s a good idea to start with a basic all-purpose fertilizer and then adjust according to your plants’ needs. Once you know what your plants need, you can fine-tune their nutrition with specialized fertilizers that are formulated for specific stages of growth or for specific problems such as nutrient deficiencies.
Lighting
Plants need light to grow, so lighting is one of the most important things you need when growing cannabis. cannabis plants grow best under full-spectrum LED lights , which mimic the sunlight that the plants would get outdoors. These lights are more expensive than other types of lighting, but they will save you money in the long run because they use less electricity and last longer.
Indoor
If you choose to grow cannabis indoors, you will need to invest in some quality grow lights. The type of grow light you choose will depend on the size of your grow space and the number of plants you plan to cultivate. If you are growing a small number of plants, you can get by with a couple of fluorescent tubes or CFLs (compact fluorescent lights). For larger grows, you will need to invest in some HID (high-intensity discharge) lights, such as metal halide (MH) or high-pressure sodium (HPS).
Make sure to get a quality light fixture that is specifically designed for growing cannabis. These fixtures will have reflective material inside to maximize the light output and help evenly distribute the light over your plants. You will also need to get a timer so that your lights can automatically turn on and off on a schedule. It is important to give your plants a dark period so that they can rest and perform essential functions, such as producing resin.
Outdoor
For outdoor cannabis cultivation, the best time to plant is in the Spring, after the risk of frost has passed. Cannabis plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow properly, so choose a spot in your yard that receives plenty of sun throughout the day. If you live in an area with hot summers, you may want to choose a spot that receives some shade during the afternoon to protect your plants from heat stress.
Once you’ve chosen a spot, clear away any weeds or debris and loosen the top layer of soil to help your plants’ roots establish themselves. If your soil is heavy clay or otherwise not ideal for growing, you may want to consider planting in raised beds or containers filled with high-quality potting mix.
Before you plant your seeds or clones, test the soil pH and adjust as needed – cannabis prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6 and 7. To encourage strong growth and prevent nutrient deficiencies, add some organic matter (compost, manure, etc.) to the soil before planting.
Ventilation
Ventilation is a critical factor in any cannabis grow room. It is necessary to ensure that your plants are getting the air circulation they need in order to grow healthy and strong. There are a few different ways to ventilate your grow room, and the method you choose will depend on the size and setup of your space. Here are some of the most common ways to ventilate a grow room.
Air exchange
Air exchange is the process of exchanging the air in a room with fresh air from outside. The most common way to do this is with a fan, but there are other ways, like opening a window or using an air conditioner.
The purpose of air exchange is to remove excess heat, humidity, and carbon dioxide from the grow room and to bring in fresh air. Heat and humidity can lead to mold and mildew, while too much carbon dioxide can stunt plant growth.
Most grow rooms need at least one air exchange per hour, but more is better. If you have a small grow room, you may be able to get away with less, but if you have a large grow room or are growing in hot weather, you may need more.
Humidity
Too much humidity can lead to mold and mildew, which can ruin your entire crop. If you live in a humid climate, you’ll need to take extra steps to ensure that your grow room is well ventilated.
The ideal humidity level for a grow room is between 40% and 60%. You can measure humidity with a hygrometer, which is a tool that measures the amount of water vapor in the air.
If the humidity in your grow room is too high, you can use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. Dehumidifiers come in all different sizes, so you’ll need to choose one that’s big enough for your grow room.
You should also make sure that your grow room has good ventilation. Ventilation helps to regulate the temperature and humidity in a space, as well as remove any unwanted odors. Most grow rooms have at least one exhaust fan and one intake fan.
Temperature
Cannabis plants need a little help to reach their full potential and achieve the highest possible THC level. Different cannabis strains prefer different climates, but in general, most prefer a warm and humid environment with a temperature around 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Day
To ensure your cannabis plant gets the correct amount of heat, you’ll need to know the average day and night temperature in your area. The ideal temperature for growing cannabis is between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too high, your plant will stop growing and start to die. If the temperature gets too low, your plant will become stressed and won’t be able to produce as much THC.
To find out the average temperature in your area, you can use a website like Weather Underground or The Weather Channel. Once you know the average temperature, you can adjust your grow room accordingly. For example, if it’s usually about 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night, you’ll want to make sure your grow room stays between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 62-68 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Night
Cannabis prefers a warm climate with daytime temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C) and nighttime temperatures no lower than 50-60°F (10-16°C). If nighttime temperatures drop too low, the cannabis plants will experience stress and may be more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Watering
To ensure your cannabis plants get the water they need, it is important to have a watering schedule and stick to it. You will also need to water more frequently as your plants grow. Be sure to check the soil before watering to make sure it is not too wet or too dry.
Frequency
Cannabis plants need to be watered regularly, especially during their vegetative growth stage when they are putting on the most new growth. During the vegetative stage, water cannabis plants every 1-2 days or as needed to keep the soil moist but not soggy. With most planting mediums, you can tell if your plant needs water if the top 1-2” (2.5-5cm) of soil is dry to the touch.
When your cannabis plants enter the flowering stage, they will need slightly less water overall but will need more frequent watering towards the end of flowering as buds swell and become heavy. During flowering, water your plants every 3-4 days or as needed to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
It is important not to let your plants’ roots sit in water for too long as this can lead to root rot and other problems. Be sure to check the drainage of your pots and only water as often as needed based on how quickly your particular planting medium dries out.
Amount
When it comes to watering your cannabis plants, more is not always better. In fact, overwatering is one of the most common mistakes growers make. The key is to give your plants the right amount of water, and then let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
This can be tricky to get right, but here are a few tips to help you out:
– Check the soil before watering. Stick your finger in the soil up to the first knuckle. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still damp, wait a little longer.
– Water in the morning or evening. Water that sits on the leaves can encourage mold growth, so it’s best to water early in the day so the leaves have time to dry off before nightfall.
– Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This will help encourage strong root growth.
If you’re not sure how much water your plants need, start with a small amount and then increase as needed. Remember, it’s better to underwater than overwater!
Pruning
Pruning your cannabis plants is an important step in growing healthy and productive plants. It helps to encourage new growth, remove excess leaves and stems, and improve airflow to the plants. Pruning also helps to prevent mold and mildew from growing on your plants.
When to prune
You can begin pruning when your plants have 4-6 nodes, or sets of leaves. When you first start, you’ll want to take off the very bottom set of leaves. These leaves are often yellow or brown, and they’re not doing much to help the plant grow. As your plant continues to grow, you can continue pruning the bottom leaves as new sets appear.
Once your plant has 12-18 inches of growth, you can begin topping, or pruning the main stem. Topping encourages side growth, which will create a fuller, bushier plant. You can topping once or you can do it multiple times – it’s up to you!
As your plant continues to grow, you may want to pinch or cut back the tips of the branches. This will help encourage more side growth and make your plant less likely to grow too tall.
How to prune
Pruning your cannabis plants is a key part of maintaining a healthy and bountiful harvest. By selectively removing leaves, stems, and buds, you can encourage new growth, control the shape and size of your plants, and increase airflow to prevent mold and mildew. Read on to learn more about how and when to prune your cannabis plants.
When pruning cannabis plants, it’s important to be delicate and precise. Remove any dead or dying leaves, stems, or buds using sharp, sterile scissors or pruning shears. Make sure not to damage the remaining healthy tissue.
In general, you should prune early and often during the vegetative stage of growth. This will help encourage strong, healthy growth as your plants develop. As your plants begin to flower, you can still prune them occasionally to remove any damaged or diseased leaves or buds. However, be careful not to over-prune during the flowering stage, as this can lead to reduced yields.
Topping is a type of pruning that involves removing the tip of the main stem. This encourages the plant to produce more lateral (side) branches, which can increase yields come harvest time. When topping cannabis plants, it’s important to make a clean cut just above a node (where the leaves meet the stem). A node is where new growth will occur, so by topping just above a node you’ll encourage two new branches to grow in place of the removed tip.
FIMing is another type of pruning that involves removing the central cola (the main bud at the top of the plant) along with a small amount of surrounding material. This encourages the plant to produce multiple smaller colas rather than one large one. FIMing should only be done once early on in the vegetative stage; if done later in development it can reduce yields come harvest time. When FIMing cannabis plants be sure to leave at least 2 nodes below the cut so that new growth can occur.
Pruning isn’t required for all cannabis growers – some prefer to let their plants grow unchecked throughout all stages of development. However, for those looking to get the most out of their crop, carefully considered pruning can make a big difference come harvest time!
