The Beginners Guide on How to Grow Weed at Home in 10 Easy Steps
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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 Weed
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 1: Choose Your Place to Grow
A grow room isn’t needed to grow cannabis plants. Many people grow in their garage, bedroom, closets, and sometimes even the basement or a bathroom by utilizing a grow tent. What is important when selecting your indoor grow location is that is sizable enough to handle the plant growth, capable of holding the necessary grow lights and fans like a carbon filter fan that you’ll use (we’ll discuss that momentarily,) and that the area is clean.
Starting with a small indoor grow is best for beginners. It is easier to monitor plants when there is only one or two, it is cheaper to start with a small grow operation, and helps you learn from mistakes (which you can only expect as a beginner.) Many newbies lose a plant or two during their trial and error phase, though it does open many opportunities to succeed the next time around.
The Topogrow LED Grow Tent Complete kit has 200W LED grow kit panel lamp that provides full spectrum light for the 32”x32”x 63” grow tent package.
PROS
- It comes with 100 pieces of 3W LED lights so you’ll have 300W of LED grow lights in a single kit
- It also has two cooling fans that have a full-spectrum design and user-friendly feature.
- The grow tent is durable, water-proof, and highly-reflective.
- You can guarantee that you can use it during the germination stage up to the flowering stage.
CONS
- Limited growing space.
- Can’t plant more than three marijuana plants at the same time.
The HTGSupply complete grow tent kit is equipped with a 4-watt HPS grow light and a DWC Hydroponic system with advanced nutrients.
PROS
- All the electronic appliances in the kit can easily be plugged in standard household power outlets.
- The grow kit comes with the following: one (1) pair rope ratchet grow light hangers, one (1) unit HTG Supply 400-watt complete set HPS grow light with bulb, one (1) unit Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Grow/Micro/Bloom combo pack (each contains 1 liter), one (1) unit AgroMax Original grow tent, one (1) unit GrowBright thermometer/hygrometer, one (1) unit 120v single-outlet mechanical timer, one (1) unit 6″ clip-on circulation fan, one (1) unit 6″ inline fan with a flange kit, four (4) units Bubble Boy Single Shot 3.5-gallon DWC hydroponic systems.
- All electronic equipment has an individual instruction manual for easy set-up.
- The entire grow kit measures 39″ long x 39″ wide x 85″ high
CONS
- Requires 2×4 inch fans or an oscillating fan.
Important Factors when Choosing a Grow Location:
- Size of Plant: The small seedling doesn’t stay small for long. A marijuana plant can as much as triple in size when the flowering stage begins. The grow location should easily accommodate the plant growth.
- Accessories: Grow lights, fans, and other pieces of equipment take up space in the room.
- Air: Access to fresh air is another variable to consider when selecting your grow location. Fresh, outside air is best for plant growth.
- Plant Care: The chosen space for growing marijuana should also be sizable enough to allow you to check on and care for the plants. Elbow room is important!
Important Criteria when Choosing a Grow Spot:
- Ensure the space doesn’t allow light to leak into the area
- The chosen grow space must be clean and sanitary
- The area should be easy-to-access
- Choose an area that is inaccessible to others, i.e. nosey neighbors or those who might try to steal your plant
Concentrate on the last tip for location selection carefully.
You wouldn’t believe how many otherwise successful grow operations are interrupted by nosey neighbors. You want a grow location that isn’t easily spotted by other people, even if it is visitors to your own home.
The more people that see the plant, the more risks that you incur. You’re at risk of being arrested and going to jail if the police are notified of the grow operation and the plant also receives unnecessary disturbance that hinders their growth.
Step2: Choose Your Light
Grow lights provide the marijuana plants the light they need to thrive and reproduce. Quality lighting in the grow room is imperative to a good grow. It is a wise idea to invest as much money as you can comfortably afford to spend on high-quality lights. The initial costs are well-worth the expense when the plant begins flowering and producing those delightful buds that you’ll indulge.
HID lighting, or High-Intensity discharge, is the industry standard lighting for marijuana cultivation. The lights combine efficiency, value, and high output that yields great results in return. Although costlier than fluorescent or incandescent lights, they produce more lighting when and where it is needed the most. To use HID lighting, a ballast and reflector or hood are also needed. The reflector/hood is used to provide air and a mounting space for the lighting, while the ballast holds the lights in place.
The Mars Hydro PROII Series 400W LED Grow Light is for indoor plant growing, switchable between Veg and Flower modes. It can also be used as a hydroponic grow light. Besides, the blue and red LED lights, it also has UV and IR LED lights.
PROS
- Produces more red and blue PAR value for better growth and bloom.
- Improved reflector cup design enables up to 100% output.
- U-connector enables the user to connect multiple MarsHydro ProII series lights together.
- Light output is equivalent to 250 watt HPS/MH lighting.
- 3 year warranty with service center located in California.
CONS
- Lights are not bright enough.
- The light is inconsistent, with instances of products lasting less than 6 months.
The VIPARSPECTRA UL Certified Reflector Series V600 600W is widely applicable for a variety of indoor plants. It can be used with fruits and vegetables, leaves and greens, flowers, organic herbs aromatics and medicinal plants.
PROS
- 12-band full spectrum LED. Uses 12 different kinds of LED light for optimal spectrum.
- UL certified product.
- With aluminum heat sink and advanced high speed quiet fans for improved heat dissipation.
- Uses only 260 watts, and light is comparable to 400 watts HPS/MH light.
- You can daisy chain multiple lamps resulting in the use of fewer outlets
CONS
- Noisy fan.
- Lights are not bright enough.
You’ll need two types of HID bulbs to grow marijuana indoors:
You’ll need two types of HID bulbs to grow marijuana indoors:
HPS: High-Pressure Sodium bulbs or HPS Lights are best used during the flowering stage. They deliver more light per watt than the MH bulbs.
MH: Metal Halide bulbs produce a blue light that helps the plant tremendously during the vegetative stage.
LED: LED grow lights are expensive, with prices as much as 10 times the cost of HID bulbs. The lights are more durable than the other options and use electricity. They also benefit the plant in that they do not produce the same intense heat as other lighting options. The result of this more intense spectrum of light is higher-quality cannabis and larger yields.
Fluorescent grow lights provide a cheaper start-up for a new grower, though they certainly fail to provide the same efficiency as the HID bulbs. In fact, fluorescent lighting produces approximately 30% less light per watt than the HID light bulb. Furthermore, several T5 bulbs are needed to attain the same output as a singular 600-watt HID bulb. The ballast, reflector, and bulbs are all included with a fluorescent grow light kit and no cooling system is required.
If you can splurge on lighting, by all means, take that opportunity. Grow lights tremendously impact the plant and how well it grows. The most distinguished of growers have attained their status in part due to the superb.
Step 3: Choose Your Growing Medium
Many mediums are available for indoor grows, giving you plenty of options to pick from. Each of the growing mediums has benefits and disadvantages, of course, but that’s the great thing about growing your own cannabis: you can experiment and choose your favorite method. Trial and error; live and learn. The first time that you grow you may prefer one method over the other but you can always try your hand at the alternative growing medium the next time around.
The two most common indoor grow mediums are soil and soilless, or hydroponics mediums. Hydroponics grows are still fairly new, though nonetheless common knowledge to most who partake in the 420-love.
List of Growing Mediums – The Best option to grow weed indoors
If you plan to grow marijuana with hydroponics this means you’re going to grow the plants in a bathtub or flow of highly oxygenated, nutrient enriched water. Instead of growing marijuana in soil, you’re growing it in an inert, sterile growing medium such as:
How to Grow Marijuana with Hydroponics
Once you’ve chosen your growing medium you must ensure you’re growing a healthy plant by providing all the nutrients requirements necessary. The plants nutrients will be supplied once you’ve mixed the water with the nutrient solution.
Hydroponics will introduce the water, nutrients and air to the roots via your chosen growing medium. You’ll get quicker results growing your plants hydroponically because you’ll bypass the web of roots and the energy which the plants require to obtain the nutrients, meaning you grow healthy, high quality plants quickly!
It’s important to consider that your plants entire atmosphere needs to be controlled within its growing environment in order for them to be healthy. It’s not likely that you’ll lose much water from your plants to evaporation when they’re grown hydroponically.
Bear in mind that plants are 80 – 95% water, the rest of the percentage is carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, your plants will extract these elements from the air and water.
Nutrients
Plants do not necessarily have to live in soil to survive, they require macro elements nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). The micro elements required are iron (Fe), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo).
Hydroponically growing your marijuana indoors enriches the water with these very nutrients. It’s an amazing process which creates a hydroponic nutrient solution which feeds your plants exactly what they need.
If you want a nutrient solution to see you through every stage of growth you need an all purpose hydroponic nutrient solution which has secondary elements such as calcium, sulphur and magnesium and trace elements boron, copper, molybdenum, zinc, iron, and manganese.
When hydroponically growing marijuana you’ll see different stages of growth, all of which need different levels of nutrients. You can adjust the different nutrient levels needed as required to produce high quality plants and receive best results.
You’ll want to consider purchasing your nutrients for your plants. It’s cheaper to buy powder which mixes with water rather than the pre-mixed solution. Your selected solution will include Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium which all play different roles. Nitrogen promotes healthy foliage, Phosphorus strengthens the roots and Potassium (K) encourages healthy growth.
When purchasing solutions the percentage not used up by Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium is trace elements and inert material, this percentage will depend on the solution you choose.
Here’s what you need to know:
- When the room you’re growing your plants in is below 80 degrees during vegetative growth you’ll need higher amounts of Nitrogen. 20-20-20, 23-19-17, 12-6-6 or something similar, with trace elements solutions should be just what you need to keep your plants healthy.
- If the temperature is higher than 80 degrees you don’t need to worry about the point above.
- When your plant is flowering you need more Phosphorus, the temperature does not contribute to this factor. Look for 15-30-15, 5-20-10, 2-4-3 or something similar, with trace elements.
- It’s essential not to over fertilize your plant as this will kill it. If anything, it’s better to under fertilize them as they will just take longer to go rather than dieing. You’ll get instructions with your hydroponic solution packaging, but if you’re unsure less is more!
- The plants absorb the evaporated water which will make your water reservoir drop, add 3 day old tap water to top it up.
- You must discard the used solution and clean out reservoir, pump and equipment used to grow your plants with hot water every 2 weeks. Following this add 3 day old (or longer) water to the reservoir and then add fresh solution.
- When you start a new crop you only need to clean the cups and tubing the plants are in.
Why not Soil?
When growing your plants you need ideal conditions, which is rare to find with soil. This is because there is a lack of organic matter left on the surface, contamination and biological imbalances. Plants feed on Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium salts, which are broken down from organic matter by biological decomposition in soil.
Hydroponics can deliver high amounts of nutrients to enable your plants to survive, unlike soil which struggles to produce these levels of nutrients. Hydroponics allows you to know where you stand and allows you to feed to correct amount of food straight to the roots of your plant, this means the roots don’t need to search for their food.
You can easily measure and maintain the pH levels and nutritional value using hydroponics, ensuring your plants don’t go hungry. Unfortunately soil loses its nutritional value and pH and fertility are very difficult to measure.
Hydroponic systems can provided extended times of moisture, even constant exposure to moisture for your plants to stay healthy. If using soil plants are only exposed to moisture when watered.
Finally, hydroponic growing mediums are inert and steril, providing a happy, healthy environment for your plants. As we’re all aware, soil houses many pest, creatures and diseases which can be unavoidable.
Hydroponic Marijuana Setup
If you’re looking for a simple and easy to use system for growing your marijuana plants then you should consider the Ebb and Flow system. This is one of the most popular systems used and easy to get to grips with.
How it Works
1. It has a reservoir containing nutrient solution located below a growing tray.
2. An inert, soil free medium like fiber or stone can be used to support plants grown hydroponically to anchor the roots. They’re designed to enable your to grow a healthy plant, enabling the roots to breathe by providing ideal retention of air and water.
3. The growing tray the plants in their containers with a growing medium such as Rockwool.
4. Ebb and Flow requires the growing bed to be filled with your choice of nutrient solution via a small pump on a time. This will feed and water your plants.
5. The timer can shut the pump off and then the nutrient solution drains back into the reservoir.
The Ebb and Flow system are mainly popular due to their effectiveness, productivity, low maintenance and easy to use. They are perfect for any level of gardener, whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience the Ebb and Flow system will be perfect for your needs.
Other Systems You May Consider
There are various other systems for you to choose from. Following you can find a list and a brief description of other choices available to you.
Aeroponics
This is a form of hydroponics where your plants will be suspended in the air, you will not need a growing medium for this.
It might be sensible to use a little amount to germinate the seed or root a cutting. Your plants will be kept in a chamber at 100% humidity level which is created by the roots being held in a water and light proof container.
To feed your plants using this method you’ll need a fine spray of nutrient solution.
By using this method you’ll allow the roots to absorb maximum oxygen which can increase the rate of growth by up tp 10 times than if using soil.
You won’t see much water loss using this method due to evaporation.
Continous Flow
This system is a ‘top feed system’. A 2” or 4” PVC tube is used with an even row of hole cut in for the plants to sit in a holder or pot. The plants are fed nutrients continuously down the PVC pipe over the root system.
Deep Water Culture
This method is recirculating direct water culture systems and can be know as bubbleponics. It’s been known to be similar to the earlier mentioned aeroponics system and is an effective, easy method to grow your plants.
The difference with this method is you submerge the roots into the nutrient system. You must add air by using an air rock such as used fish tanks otherwise your plants will die. By pumping significant amounts of air through the system, the bubbles created will maintain substantial oxygen to the roots. Using this method correctly will have a positive effect on the growth of your plants.
Drip Irrigation
This system can save on water and nutes, it’s also efficient on cutting down on waste. This method works by placing small droppers are placed next to the stem or roots of your marijuana plant within the medium. There will be small drops of the nutrient solution will drip out on a regular basis to feed the plants.
Nutrient Film Technique
This method is very similar to the Ebb and Flow technique. This difference with this system is it’s more circular by the tray above the reservoir is tilted. The nutrients for your plants will be fed through the top and left to drain in a thin film which is located at the back of the tray and into the reservoir. This method allows the roots to feed and gives them access to air.
Wick System
To use this system it’s recommended for your marijuana plants to be sitting in pots with a soil medium. The thick wicks of cotton that connects the pots aggregate their roots with the reservoir underneath. The plants continuously suck up the nutrient solution when they’re dry through capillary action.
Sea of Green and Screen of Green
Both of these systems are more of a commercial route to take because yields and speed are essential, however it is possible to use them at home. They are a Dutch method rather than hydroponics. If you want to purchase a ready built grow room you’ll be saving yourself time, however by purchasing all the parts from the hardware store you’ll be saving money.
Marijuana Lighting
When growing Marijuana plants you may have the most success by using two different types of lights for different stages of growth, or simply at the same time. These lights are called high intensity discharge lights. Marijuana grows well from 420 to 730 nanometre, all of which using this method covers.
When choosing your light for vegetative growth you need to look for Metal halide light which is close to regular room light or compact fluorescent light which is more abundant in the blue or green spectrums.The flowering stage will benefit most from high pressure sodium which offers light in the orange, amber and red end of the spectrum.
Possible Solutions would be the following lights:
- HPS – High Pressure Sodium Grow Lights
- LED Grow Lights
Although the lamps mentioned offer a lot of light, you can imagine how much energy is wasted through emitted heat. To manage the heat and avoid damaging your plants you’ll need a god ventilation system and a ballast to operate.The ballast regulates the current to the lamps and supplies sufficient voltage to start the lamps, this is essential in operating your lamps. The cost of this is around $250 for a 600W HPS/MH digital ballast, bulb and reflector combo.
Full spectrum LED lights are the commonly recommended lights to use. This is because they’re low cost, low power usage and the color spectrum they produce is perfect for growing marijuana plants. The advantages the full spectrum LED lights have over the high intensity discharge lights are:
- They cover all stages of growth from seedling, vegetative and flowering.
- Run on approximately half of the electricity.
- Bulb life of around 50,000 to 60,000 hours.
- Emit very little heat.
- Do not require a ballast.
As you can see lighting systems grow and change with the times, like everything. The full spectrum LED lights are a great step forward from the high intensity discharge lights, make your life a lot easier!
Marijuana Growing Seeds or Clones
You may know someone who grows marijuana plants, in this case you can ask them for some clones. You may have some friends who can save you some seeds out of any good marijuana they come across! If you don’t have access to clones then you have to look for marijuana seeds for sale.
Germinate the Marijuana Seeds
Before germinating your seeds you’ll need to get everything set up and tested to ensure it works unless you’re using clones, if this is the case you don’t need to germinate your seeds. You must choose your growing medium first before germinating your seeds.
For instance, if you were to use rockwool cube you can start the seed on and surround it the growing medium of your choice. Remember that your seeds won’t be getting any nutrients from your growing medium, just support.
To germinate your seeds you must keep around 70% of the rockwool cube submerged in water when it’s at its maximum. It’s important to keep the top portion above the water so that the seed doesn’t submerge.
Once your seeds have germinated at the roots have grown to around a quarter of an inch, you can place the seed so that it’s root down on your growing medium, in your hydroponic cups.
Vegetative Marijuana Growth
The vegetative phase is the first stage of growth. When considering your lighting options you must understand that if the position of your light is wrong it can cause your plant to either dry out and turn brown if the lights too close, or grow too tall to stretch to the light source if it’s too far away.
If you plan to use LED, metal halide or high pressure sodium from the very start then you must start with it being around 20 inches or more above the top of the plant (although this is less for LED). You should lower the light around an inch daily until you believe it’s in the right position and your plants are receiving the correct amount of lighting.
During this first stage of growth you should keep the light on for a minimum of 18 hours a day, even better if you can stretch to 24 hours a day to begin with. The longer you can keep the light on, the faster your plants will grow, but of course you’ve got to consider the cost of this.
Marijuana Flowering
The vegetative phase is the first stage of growth. When considering your lighting options you must understand that if the position of your light is wrong it can cause your plant to either dry out and turn brown if the lights too close, or grow too tall to stretch to the light source if it’s too far away.
If you plan to use LED, metal halide or high pressure sodium from the very start then you must start with it being around 20 inches or more above the top of the plant (although this is less for LED). You should lower the light around an inch daily until you believe it’s in the right position and your plants are receiving the correct amount of lighting.
During this first stage of growth you should keep the light on for a minimum of 18 hours a day, even better if you can stretch to 24 hours a day to begin with. The longer you can keep the light on, the faster your plants will grow, but of course you’ve got to consider the cost of this.
The best thing to do is leave your plant alone during this time and don’t be tempted to go and check on it so that you avoid any chance of light reaching it.
The strongest light that should reach your plant during the flowering stage is a light equal to moonlight. If a light source any stronger reaches your plant you risk delaying the flowering stage, you may even be at risk of the plant not flowering if light exposure continues and your plant will be stuck in the vegetative stage.
The flowering stage is easy to spot, just look out for what looks like little white hairs developing at the bud sites. This should become visible after about ten to fourteen days of the flowering light cycle, so keep your eyes peeled!
When you can visualize this stage then it’s time to remove the mail plants (this isn’t required if you have female clones).
The red or white hairs that you see are pistils, they will turn into big buds if your plants are growing healthily.
Seven Tips on How to Determine Sex of Plants
1. Female plants tend to have more complex branching as they grow, whereas males tend to be slightly taller and less filled.
2. Male plants will reach maturity and grow taller around two weeks before female plants.
3. Male plants pollen sacs, they grow taller so that they can drop the pollen on to the females reproductive organs.
4. The pollen sacs the males possess will eventually open up to be yellow flowers. Females have hair whiteish pistils which will be sticky so that it can catch the pollen dropped from the flowers.
5. The best way to determine the sex before the plant reaches maturity is to take a cutting from a number of plants and place it in soil to grow for a few days. Force flowering by using the 12 hour on 12 hour off light cycle and you’ll be able to determine the sex, this is called cloning. You must keep track of which clone came from which plant as they’ll be the same sex as their host.
6. If the plant sprouts from the top or bottom of the seed it’s generally a female. If the plant is sprouting from the side they’re generally male. This method of determining the sex of the plant has a 90% success rate and may not be reliable used by itself.
7. Hermaphrodites occasionally occur and can make it very difficult to determine whether the plant is male or female. Hermaphrodites are plants which exhibit both male and female reproductive capacities. They can be the result of environmental stress and can send mixed signals. If you start to notice flowers and pistils on the same plant, try pruning off the flowers to ensure that the marijuana plant doesn’t self-pollinate (or pollinate other surrounding females).
The flowering cycle generally lasts around two months, but depending on the type of seed it can take a little longer. It should take around three to four months in totally to grow a crop in a hydroponic environment, it’ll take much less time if you’re using the sea of green or screen of green methods.
Important Facts to Remember for Flowering Stage
1. Less than 12 hours light will reduce flowering speed and overall yield.
2. Putting the lights on during the 12 hour dark period even if it’s a short period will harm your plant and leave them stuck in the vegetative stage.
3. If you want to work in your grow room whilst it’s dark then you can use a green light bulb, green light doesn’t effect the plants.
4. You can leave your plants in 36 hours of darkness to send the message that it’s time to flower. This can decrease the time in which flowering begins.
Harvesting, Curing and Storing Marijuana with no Smell!
This stage is crucial to producing high quality marijuana. There are 3 key steps you need to take to produce the perfect buds.
1. Timing Your Harvest
This stage is crucial to producing high quality marijuana. There are 3 key steps you need to take to produce the perfect buds.
How Can You Tell It is Ready?
You may notice that the larger fan leaves are beginning to turn yellow and wilt, there’s no need to worry your plants aren’t ruined! You can in fact remove these leaves to allow more light to the lower parts of the plant.
The list above notes the signs that harvesting is approaching, however many people go by the color of the trichomes. This is the tiny structure on the flowers and trim leaves that produce resin and is where THC resides! To inspect these you’ll need some form of magnifier. There are three changes that the trichomes go through as they mature that you’ll be able to observe:
- They swell and their heads flatten (also known as ‘mushroom’).
- Turn from being clear to milky or clouded.
- Turn amber or brown.
The changes in trichome color can provide a good guide to the levels of THC and CBD in each bud and determine whether your plant is ready to be harvested.
For many, harvesting when trichome is clear is too early, although you’ll still get high the effects may be light because it hasn’t had as long for the active ingredients and molecules to peak.
When the trichomes are milky you’ll get a good hit without it being too heavy. Finally once the trichomes begin to turn amber, depending on when you choose to harvest they effect will become heavier and heavier the more the trichomes change color.
Flushing Your Plants
Marijuana plants can suffer from a build-up of salts or nutrient residues which is why it’s essential to flush your plants. A common method is using plain water every 10 days throughout the grow to help clear out this build-up.
If you plan to flush your plants 3 – 7 days before harvest this will improve the quality of your buds. To do this with your hydroponic system you should run clean water through the system for the last few days, pH your water to about 5.8, although pH is not as critical at this stage as there are no nutrients to lock out.
Don’t worry if you experience some leaf yellowing, it’s perfectly normal!
Chopping Your Plants
If you have the time and patience to cut your plant in sections, this will give you the best results! The smaller leaves protect the trichomes and would be best to leave on throughout the cutting and drying stages.
To cut your plants effectively remove the fan leaves first and handle the branches extremely carefully, otherwise the trichomes could fall off. Using a sharp pair of secateurs or fiskars cut each branch from the plant.
2. Drying Your Buds Properly
To preserve the terpenes in your buds it’s essential to dry slowly, this will preserve the flavor, weight and smell. You should prevent mold and fungus growing and ruining your bud by ensuring there is good air circulation where you’re drying your buds.
You should have a drying area prepped and ready for your freshly harvested branches. It should be a dark area with clean fresh air and ventilation, with enough room for your branches to have plenty of space surrounding them.
Ensure you hang your branches with plenty of space between one another. You can purchase custom made drying cabinets or boxes to provide the perfect environment to dry your buds. It is possible to purchase commercial drying boxes or simply make your own if you’re a dab hand at DIY.
When drying your buds you should turn them around so that the air flow meet all of the buds. Be sure to inspect your plants regularly, drying can take from a few days to a couple of weeks. The branches and stems will begin to crack rather than bend between your fingers when your plants are dry.
3. Curing your buds properly
Trimming
Before the final cure you must trim your freshly grown marijuana, you can use a clean sharp pair of scissors to do this. Gently remove any remaining leaves that could be shielding the buds.
Curing
To cure your marijuana you need to separate the individual buds from the stems and place them in a glass jar. Open the buds up twice a day to allow them to breathe for fifteen minutes for the first week or two that they’re in the jar. By doing this it allows a complete air exchange and removes any remaining moisture.
You’ve now completed the finishing touch to your marijuana and we’re sure it’s going to make all the difference to the quality of your smoke! Well done for having the patience to follow every step through!
Conclusion
We hope this hydroponic marijuana grow guide has given you all the information you need to grow high quality plants. Remember to read through the guide before you start to ensure you have all the equipment you need to get the best results! Happy growing!
Soil Medium
Most growers use soil for their cannabis growth and it’s the most suitable option for beginners. Many different potting soils are available from your local gardening store.
Most will work for your operation, though it is advisable to avoid Miracle Gro since it contains artificial extended release fertilizer that harms the cannabis plant. Compost potting soil, while more expensive, is the best option. Compost soil sometimes referred to as super-soil, allows cannabis plant growth from seedling to flowering without the need for added nutrients.
Compost soils are also available at the local gardening store, though it is possible to make your own by mixing a few ingredients like bat guano and worm castings together.
Soilless
Soilless growing is popular indoors. Also known as Hydroponics, this medium feeds the plant using concentrated mineral salt nutrients that the plant absorbs through its roots during the osmosis process.
If you plan to use a hydroponic grow system for growing, you’ll need to choose a type of material to grow. Choices include expanded clay pebbles , rockwool cubes , and vermiculite . Most of the soilless mixes soil include two or more mediums to ensure optimized growing experiences.
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
Specs
- Contains complete Primary, Secondary and Micro Nutrients for enhanced yields and better crop quality
- Contains highly purified concentrates for maximum solubility
Specs
- Contains complete Primary, Secondary and Micro Nutrients for enhanced yields and better crop quality
- Contains highly purified concentrates for maximum solubility
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 water has 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 (buy test strips ) 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.
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.
Step 5: How to Get Cannabis Plants & Where to Buy Cannabis Seeds
In order to grow cannabis, seeds or a plant is necessary. While finding seeds or plants might seem like a daunting, impossible task, there are actually many locations from which to make the purchase. But first, you’ll need to decide if you’ll use seeds or a clone and whether you prefer an indica, sativa, or a hybrid plant!
Most experts agree that seeds are the best option for new growers. Seeds aren’t as needy as the clone, thus alleviating some of the hiccups new growers experience. Using seeds to grow allows you to ‘autoflower,’ or use extreme lighting to breed the plant. Thus, the seed has a strong root foundation since it can soak up all the nourishment that it needs.
The disadvantage of using seeds should not be discluded from your decision. On the downside, not all seeds will grow and some of the seeds that do grow do not produce the results desired. Costs of seeds also become an issue, especially if you’re attempting a larger harvest. Non-feminised and feminized seeds are available for purchase, which causes even more trouble for the new grower. Non-feminised seeds produce about 50% male seeds and male seeds do not create flowers.
A clone, or a plant cut from a mothering plant, cannot spread roots and is harder to grow than seeds. The risk of disease and other contamination is also prominent with clones and they require a lot of attention to thrive. Quality is the biggest concern associated with the use of clones. On the upside, however, you’re always assured that the plant is a female. You also know exactly what the yield will look like since it is a copy of the mother plant. It is easy to re-clone the plants and since the clone is more mature than a seed, there are far more advantages there, too.
Clones and seeds are each available for purchase at local dispensaries if you reside in a legal state. Purchasing a clone from a dispensary aids in the confidence that you’ve purchased a quality plant. Costs of the seeds or clones vary from one dispensary and strain to the next. It is easy to learn more about the plants from the trained staff at the dispensary, which is also advantageous to a new grower.
If you do not reside in a legal state, finding clone become a much more difficult task, though not impossible. Mail-order clones for sale aren’t difficult to find, but the concern of quality is present. Shipping the plant via the mail is risky in a multitude of ways. Can the plant survive the transport? Has it been treated with pesticides? These are just some of the risks associated with the purchase of a clone from an online source.
Purchasing seeds from a marijuana seed bank is a less risky option, though it is nonetheless important to carefully consider the options. Gray areas exist in the legality of shipping seeds through the mail. Purchasing your seeds or clones from a weed-friendly location, like Amsterdam, reduces risks and worry.
Step 6: How to Germinate a Cannabis Seed
Germination is the process of getting your seeds to sprout. It is easy to determine if the plant has germinated since a small white tendril begins growing out of the seed. This is the plant’s first root, known as the taproot. The taproot creates the additional roots that the cannabis plant will make.
Germination is the process of getting your seeds to sprout. It is easy to determine if the plant has germinated since a small white tendril begins growing out of the seed. This is the plant’s first root, known as the taproot. The taproot creates the additional roots that the cannabis plant will make.
The taproot grows and pushes the seed up through the growing medium that you’ve chosen. The leaves that are produced are called cotyledons.
Cotyledons are created inside the seed. Those first leaves that you see break from the shell once the taproot breaks it open. Once these leaves fall, the first true leaves of the plant bloom. To germinate seeds, keep the following information in mind.
- Plant the root down! The taproot should point downwards into the medium. This prevents the seedling from rejoining itself.
- Do not place the seeds too deep into the growing medium. The seeds need only about ½” to 1” of medium depth to thrive.
- Do not soak the seeds during the germination process, but keep them moist. Soak hard seeds for up to 32-hours, but no longer.
- Privacy is also important during germination. Do not bother the seeds whatsoever as you await the taproot.
- Springtime temperatures help marijuana seeds thrive during the germination process.
Gentle care should be given to the seeds. Do not touch the taproot since it is fragile and will easily snap off. Remember that seedlings are fragile until the roots begin sprouting. To keep the seeds happy, it is a must that you keep them moisturized.
The chosen germination method isn’t important, but moisture is of the greatest importance. Use incandescent bulbs over the seeds to keep them warm during the germination process. There are several ways to germinate seeds.
The steps below outline the easiest germination method that most people utilize. First, gather the supplies:
- Seeds
- Paper Towels
- Clean Paper Plates
With the supplies needed, tear four sheets of paper towel from the roll. Soak in water. The paper towels should be completely wet, but not sapping with water.
Tear off two paper towels and lay on the plates. Place your cannabis seeds atop the paper towels. Give each seed about a one-inch distance from the next.
Cover the seeds with the remaining two sheets of paper towels. Use another plate over the top of the seeds (flip the plate upside down so to engulf the plate) to provide the dark, protected space in which the seed will thrive. Keep the area warm. The waiting game now begins.
Some seeds sprout within a day or so, while some take many days. Providing the seeds with the proper warmth, air, and moisture-enhancing the odds of faster sprouting, but otherwise, it is a waiting game.
Once the taproot sprouts, the seeds need to transfer to the growing medium you’ve chosen. Use a pair of tweezers to pick up the seed.
Most people place their seeds inside of small flowering pots filled with potting soil. Use an ink pen or pencil to poke a hole in the soil. The hole should expand about ¼ way down into the soil. Water the newly transferred seed, ensuring not to oversaturate the soil.
Did You Choose a Clone?
Obviously, cloned plants have already endured the germination process outlined above, so where does one start to produce buds from their clones? It’s much simpler than germinating and requires that you simply keep an eye on the plant, provide it the proper moisture and warmth, and leaving them alone.
So many people want to touch their plants to see if the roots have sprouted. This is devastating to the plant. So, wait a week and see the roots sprouting without disturbing the plant.
Step 7: Vegetative Stage – Only Stems and Leaves
The second stage of plant growth is known as the vegetative stage. During this stage of development, the plant is building its structural integrity and there are lots of stems and leaves beginning to bloom.
It is important to provide adequate nitrogen (buy nitrogen fertilizer) to the plant since it is now in the photosynthesis process. If any seeds have failed to germinate, remove them immediately so they’re not soaking up valuable nutrients and light that the healthy seedlings need.
The vegetative stages usually last for about three weeks. During this time, the primary goal is keeping the plant comfortable. Monitoring nitrogen levels is extremely important during this stage and novice growers also understand the importance of adding more fertilizer, water, and light to produce the best foliage when leaves begin blooming.
Once the leaves begin blooming, they do so in a series, producing a specific number of leaves during each series. The first series results in one leaf, while the second series produces three leaves, and so on and so forth.
One series usually yields no more than 10 leaves. It takes approximately three weeks of growth for the plant to undergo five to six growth rounds. Each series should produce leaves and branches that continually expand.
Once you see the first leaf, measure the nitrogen levels in the soil. The electrical conductance should be at one until the plant grows. When there’s four or five series of foliage on the plant, raise the electrical conductance of the nitrogen solution to 1.5.
Once you see branches, it is okay to raise the nitrogen levels to 2, though do so with caution. Remember, do not overwater the plant.
During the vegetative stage, provide the plant with six hours of darkness every 24-hours. Use your grow lights to simulate light at night. It is a good idea to keep track of the humidity levels in the room since it affects the plant’s health.
A humidity level around 50 – 70% is ideal for the cannabis plant since it is sensitive to the humidity level in the room during this important stage.
Step 8: Flowering Stage – Buds Start Growing!
After the three-week vegetative stage, the fun begins as you enter the flowering stage. You’ll loathe at the amazing buds that you begin to see growing, also encouraging you to continue just as you have thus far. Those big, beautiful buds indicate that you’ve done things right and will be rewarded for your efforts so soon.
First, determine the sex of the plant, if seedling were used. It is important to identify the gender of the plant because male and female plants cannot be mixed together since it can ruin the plants. How can you determine the sex of the plant?
The easiest method examines the 5th series of leaves the plant produced. Check the leaves immediately before the plant begins flowering. Indica and hybrid strains usually show their sex between the leaves.
A female plant has a tiny white fiber on the underside of the leaf. Male plants have a small ball rather than this fiber. It is easy to use this method, but not always reliable. It isn’t easy to see the sex organs on a small plant, for example. If you prefer, use the cuttings to determine the sex.
To use this method, use the cuttings from the plant attained during the vegetative stage and plant them elsewhere. The cuttings need 12-hour rotating cycles of light and darkness. Determine sex by evaluating the leaves.
Once the male plants are gone, check the roots of the cannabis plant to ensure they’re not intertwined and that there is enough space between each plant. If the plant needs to be transferred due to size, this is the perfect time to transplant.
You’ll need to adjust the light pattern provided to the cannabis plant during the flowering stage. The days are now shorter, with the plant requiring only 12-hours of sunlight, followed by 12-hours of darkness.
Most plants mature in about seven to nine weeks, but each strain and plant varies. Sativas require the lengthiest flowering stage. Do not anticipate the plant maturing before the eight-week mark.
Flushing the cannabis plant is done two-week prior to harvest. When you flush the plant, you simply stop feeding the plant nutrients and depend upon pH balanced water to rid the soil of salts and minerals that might cause the bud to have a strong chemical taste.
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 THC are 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.
Step 10: Dry & Cure Your Buds Like a Professional
If you think that your job as a grower is complete after harvest, think again! The curing process is the final stage of growing cannabis indoors. Curing the buds is a process that dies the buds slowly in a weather-controlled environment, then transferring to a glass jar to allow the various plant processes to occur.
When buds are cured, they’re easier to smoke, causing less harshness. They also smell better (that lovely smell is one that every marijuana smoker enjoys nearly as much as actually ingesting) and are far more potent.
To cure the buds, place them in a dry environment that has a room temperature of about 70 F. The room should contain about 50% humidity. When the buds are moved to mason jars, raise the humidity level in the room to about 58% – 65%. Curing buds takes only 5 to 7 days total; it’s worth the few added days.
Once you’ve cut the buds from the plant, hang them upside down after trimming. Allow the buds to dry hanging upside down until the stems snap when they’re bent. If the buds easily pop off, it is time to enjoy the rewards!
The slower the curing process, the better the benefits. Never attempt to speed dry the bud since it reverses the benefits of curing. Even if the buds become a bit overdry, curing is still beneficial.
Use one-quart wide-mouth mason jars to cure the bud. A drying rack is helpful to hang the buds from, though there are alternative methods if the rack is unavailable. Use a hygrometer if you want to measure the humidity levels in the dry to prevent over-drying.
You can cut off the entire plant to hang upside down or only specific branches. Be sure that the extra leaves are trimmed from the plants, though this isn’t absolutely necessary. Trimming the bud improves the overall appearance and reduces the harshness of the buds when smoking.
Use a small fan to improve the airflow quality in the room if you notice the buds are wet or soggy. The improved airflow reduces the risk of the buds becoming moldy, which is one of the most common concerns during this stage of the growth process. Do not point the fan directly at the buds, but instead in another direction. This prevents the buds from drying out too fast.
After the five to seven day period has passed, it is time to place the buds into the mason jars. The one-quart size (sometimes labeled as 32-ounce) prevents mold growth and provides appropriate humidity levels for success. Mason jars can be purchased from the local grocery store or craft store for just a few dollars each.
The one-quart mason jar holds approximately one ounce of buds. Fill the jar to about 75% capacity so room still comes in at the top. There should be enough room in the jar to allow the jars to move around. If you notice the buds sticking together, they’re too wet. This problem is easily resolved by leaving the lid off of the jar for a short time.
Mason Jar is Your Solution to Store Your Buds!
Check on the buds at least once per day during the first few days of the curing process. Many people check the buds several times per day, especially if there is a moisture concern. As long as the buds are examined once every 24-hours, however, you should be good to go.
When you check on the buds, make sure to also open the jar once a day to give the buds the fresh air they need. The cannabis smell increases each and every day during the curing process. When the aroma that fills the air is aromatic, you’re on the right path!
Supplies Checklist: Are You Ready to Start Growing?
An assortment of supplies is necessary to grow weed indoors. While the list of supplies needed to grow indoors is longer than that for outdoor growers.
it is simple to acquire the items nonetheless. Be sure to carefully select all of the items you’ll use in your grow operation. Quality products make a considerable difference in the ease of growing and the outcome of the buds that you produce.
Supplies needed to Start Growing Cannabis
Space: Marijuana is greedy so to say in that it needs its own personal space to thrive. Grow tents are available for a couple hundred dollars and take some of the stress off of growing. However, there are a plethora of additional areas in the home perfect for growing. Carefully research the choices before deciding where to grow.
- Seeds: Indica, Sativa, or hybrid, the choice is yours. Obviously, without seeds, growing marijuana won’t happen. Review the various seed banks if you want to purchase seeds online or visit the local dispensary to browse the selection.
- Cloned Plant: If you’ve opted to grow marijuana indoors using a cloned plant, choose your plant carefully.
- Grow Lights: Grow lights are the most expensive and most important supply that you need to grow cannabis.
- Fertilizer: Avoid germinate your seeds.
- Grow Medium: Soil and soilless (hydroponics) mediums are available.
- Mason Jars: Quart-sized provide optimal results.
- Fan: Cannabis plants need airflow to reproduce. A good quality fan can create better yields.
- Paper Towels
- Paper Plates
It Is beneficial to ask others for their product recommendations before making a major investment. Local growers always have the best information to offer. There is also an abundance of information available online. When you know the best products for your money, it is much easier to get the results that you want.
Electricity Use
Small-scale growers shouldn’t notice a considerable difference in their electricity usage and costs each month, although a minimal rate and usage increase is only expected. Larger grow operations using lamps and fans may add several hundred dollars to the electricity costs over the course of the four-month growth period.
Nonetheless, most growers agree that it is still cheaper to grow their own marijuana than it costs to purchase from the local dispensary or weed man, not to mention far more enjoyable.
There are many factors that determine how cannabis cultivation affects your electricity usage. Your location is a primary factor.
Electricity rates vary from one city, state, and town to the next, The number of plants that you’re growing also impacts the electrical usage, as does the supplies that you choose.
Higher-quality grow lights and fans are usually more energy-efficient and produce less energy.
Setup Costs
Growing weed indoors is more expensive than an outdoor grow since more supplies are needed. The actual amount of money that it takes to get started considerably varies, however, and is usually affected by your actual desire for the grow operation. Some growers spend as little as $100 to get started while others spend $1500 or more without blinking.
If you plan to purchase a fan & filter, grow lights, growing tent etc. for your indoor grow, expect to spend a few hundred dollars. These initial costs subside considerably so you won’t endure so much expense the second and subsequent grows.
Spending more money on high-quality lamps, lights, bulbs, and nutritional supplies ensures your operation is a true success. Nonetheless, beginners have options if money is of concern.
Conclusion On How To Grow Weed
Gather your supplies, choose your grow area, and let the fun begin! Growing cannabis indoors is exciting, fun, and a rewarding experience that anyone with a desire to grow can enjoy.
First-time growers may find some unease in the process, but as with most things, time and experience dwindle the nervousness. Do not allow fear to hold you back from growing marijuana.
Everyone starts out here and many are now successful growers. You don’t need a green thumb or years of gardening experience to grow weed indoor
