How to Grow Cannabis: A Beginner’s Guide
A Simplified Guide to Growing Cannabis – Calling all gardening aficionados! If you’re keen on growing cannabis at home, you’re in luck. Whether you’re cultivating indoors or outdoors, starting from seeds or clones, this guide provides beginner-friendly tips for each stage of the growing process.
From Germination to Seedling
To kick off your cannabis growing journey, you have two options: grow from seeds or start with a clone. Regardless, it’s crucial to consider the specific traits and environmental needs of the chosen cultivar. Different genetics thrive in various conditions, be it cooler climates, hot and humid environments, or somewhere in between.
Growing from Seeds:There are three types of cannabis seeds: regular, feminized, and auto-flowering. You can legally purchase seeds at Authorised Retail Stores.
Germination: Before planting, you need to germinate the seeds. This involves placing them between damp paper towels until tiny sprouts appear. Once taproots develop, transfer the seeds to containers with growing medium. Seedlings require a warm, humid environment with 18 hours of light per day.
Growing from Clones: Clones don’t need germination but require time to develop roots. Unfortunately, clones are available for purchase at Authorised Retailers.
From Transplanting to Vegetating
After germination, the next stage is the vegetative phase. If growing indoors, you’ll need to transplant your seedling into a container with proper drainage. Attention to specific conditions, including light, humidity, and temperature, is crucial. Cannabis plants are dioecious, meaning they grow into either male or female plants. Identifying and removing male plants is essential to prevent pollination.
If growing outdoors, transplanting options include using pots or planting directly into soil. Factors like temperature, sunlight, shelter, and water need consideration for successful outdoor growth.
From Flowering to Harvesting
The flowering time of a cannabis plant varies based on factors like cultivar and environment. Indoors, you’ll need to adjust the light-dark cycle to 12 hours each to induce flowering. Outdoors, flowering occurs naturally as summer transitions to fall.
Harvesting time depends on the cultivar and whether the plant was grown indoors or outdoors. Observing trichomes (resin-secreting glands) can help determine readiness. For outdoor plants, harvest is usually in early to mid-fall.
From Drying to Consumption
After harvest, drying and curing are crucial steps. Drying requires a warm, dark, and well-ventilated space, with the process taking three to ten days. Following drying, curing enhances flavour and aroma by placing the buds in airtight jars. Burping the jars releases moisture during the curing process, which can take two to eight weeks.
