So you have decided you want to know how to grow cannabis but don't know where to start. Maybe, you know how. It's just been a while, and you need a refresher. There are many factors to consider before growing cannabis, so we put together this handy how-to guide to break it down and help you out. Welcome to the beginner guide on how to grow cannabis.
In this guide, we will give you 8 top tips you need to consider before you start growing cannabis. These tips cover it all. From choosing the right seeds to curing your flowers.
Choosing the best space to grow setup
Growing cannabis takes up more space than you might think. It's not only plant size you should consider when deciding the best place to grow weed. There's ventilation, the fans you will use, and the space to get in and around your grow room/tent to feed your plants.
Buy the right equipment
Many growers start growing weed with the idea that it will save them money, and in the long run, it does. You will, however, have to shell out initially to get your growing going. To set up your cannabis grow, you will need to buy lighting, fans, timers, growing medium (soil, coco), and nutrients. In addition, to other supplies like a tent or blackout material.
What medium will you grow in
Before choosing a growing medium, you should consider the cost of each and how complex they will be to implement. Some growing mediums, such as hydroponics or aeroponics, will require more equipment at more expense than growing in soil or coco. And are also more complicated to set up, requiring more effort to maintain.
Create the optimal environment
Growing outdoors gives the grower no control over the conditions. Indoor growers can influence their environment by using a grow tent or a dedicated grow room.
Plants will only thrive in optimal conditions, and creating those conditions can often be the hardest because if you get this wrong, it can cause problems with pests and diseases. Ensure your grow space meets your plant's temperature, humidity, and light requirements for the best chance of success.
Choosing the right cannabis strain
The most complicated part of growing cannabis? Maybe. There are many cannabis strains to choose from and things to consider, like different growth patterns, yields, and desired effects. Do you want an indica, sativa, a hybrid, or an autoflower?
The best thing to do is to research different cannabis strains and choose ones that suit your needs. Seedbanks like the Amsterdam Seed Center often have tools like a seed finder. Using the seed finder, you can filter through over 1500 cannabis seeds and pick the best cannabis seeds for you.
Feed at the correct times
Sticking to a strict feeding schedule is crucial when growing cannabis. Failing to do so can lead to your plants not reaching their potential and a lot of time wasted. Many specialist feeding companies have helpful schedules to help you avoid this and get the best from your plants. Some are more complex than others, and extra research can pay big rewards.
Monitor your grow and make adjustments
Some people think they can pop a seed and return three months later to find a beast of a plant. Maybe this happens by a freak of nature or if you're lucky, but the rest of us need to monitor our grow regularly and sometimes make adjustments. The more you watch over them, the more you learn about your plants and growing. It helps you make minor adjustments that can make a big difference.
Harvest and Curing
So it's time to harvest your plant, and you could say the hard work is about to begin. Your flowers are ripe for the picking, smell delicious, and look resinous, but you need to get the timing right to get the most from your buds. Depending on when you harvest your crop and how long you dry and then cure it. The potency and taste can vary. There are specialist dry racks for drying cannabis flowers, but if you're working on a budget, you can use cardboard boxes and non-sticking baking paper to dry your harvest.
The best practice for curing is to put your buds in an airtight glass jar and store them away from direct light. Thoroughly shake your jar once a day before "burping" - exposing the contents of the jar to room-temperature air for an hour - do this anywhere between 2 weeks, six months, or as long as you prefer.
Start your journey at Amsterdam Seed Center
You can expect more top tips and growing guides from us in the coming months. And as always, if you have any questions, contact our team of experts at Amsterdam Seed Center, the no.1 seed bank in Amsterdam. They're always happy to offer assistance and advice.