Growing cannabis for the first time can be a little confusing and intimidating, especially for first-timers. Numerous variables go into growing cannabis seeds and harvesting high yields. And the process can get broken down into an effortless one. It is crucial to set some precise goals before embarking on this journey, apply some structure, and ensure that all essential bases are covered. You also need to purchase your cannabis seeds from a reputable online dealer such as Seed Supreme. That will ensure that you pick high-quality strains that will give you high yields.
Other tips to consider when growing cannabis for the first time include:
- Decide the strain you want to grow.
There is numerous cannabis genetics available for your consideration. Some are selective breeding products that let growers select advantageous traits displayed by certain strains and across them to come up with novel super-strains.
Some strains are suitable for growing outside, while others do well when grown indoors. If you intend to have them outdoors, you may want to consider a Sativa-dominant or huge Sativa strain that will utilize your space and give high yields. Also, Sativa tends to flower for a longer time than Indicas, which may be inappropriate to grow in colder climates.
If you plan to grow indoors and have limited space, consider Indica dominant or pure Indica variety that sprouts to a smaller size. You might also want to look into having an auto-flowering variety. These do not depend on a light cycle shift to start flowering. They are also hardy and grow extremely fast. Auto flowers are the best choice for growers looking for strains that grow speedily.
- Choose the lights you want to use
If you intend to grow your cannabis seeds online, you will require good lighting to facilitate proper photosynthesizing. There are many varying kinds of lights to consider. All these come with their drawbacks and benefits.
For instance, LED lights are the preferred choice for many indoor growers. That is because they are effortless to run, give off little heat, and are powerful at the same time.
Compact fluorescent lights are another light source to consider. They are affordable, emit a reasonable spectrum of light, and perform well in tiny spaces. The only drawback with these lights is that they are unsuitable for use in large surroundings.
Last but not least, there is also high-pressure sodium grow lights. These have been in use for a long time. They are affordable and highly effective. However, the HPS lights produce a significant amount of heat, which may not be ideal for your plants.
- Dial-in how much light your plants require
If you choose to grow a photoperiod strain, you’ll be required to avail your plants with a varying cycle from what you’d depend on to grow auto-flowers. Most cannabis seed growers choose to plant their cannabis under eighteen hours of light and six hours of complete darkness. When your plant reaches the desired size, switching your light cycle to, for instance, twelve hours of light and twelve hours of darkness will signal your plants that it’s time to commence flowering. Keep this light cycle until it’s time for harvest. You can consider plugging in a timer to automate your lighting schedule for the best results and yields.
- Give your plants the nutrients they need
For any plant to thrive or survive, various nutrients are required. Most of these contain minerals that facilitate the growth of the plants. Plant nutrients fall into two categories, namely the micronutrients and macronutrients.
Macronutrients should be in high amounts, and they include nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. The best fertilizers will display their ratio on the packaging. On the other hand, micronutrients are also essential. Some of these include nickel, manganese, copper, iron, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, and zinc.
Once you gain considerable experience, you can figure out how to make your nutrients. However, if you are growing cannabis seeds for the first time, you may want to consider getting premade formulas that contain all these nutrients to make your growing experience better.
Remember, if your cannabis plant has fewer nutrients than required, it will experience deficiency and might fail to give the best yields. Have the right balance, and this makes it effortless to craft your formulas eventually. Be careful not to overdo the nutrients, lighting, and watering if you desire to get the best results. The last thing you want is to have unhealthy plants when you spent a fortune growing them.
- Keep your soil slightly acidic.
An essential point to note is that cannabis plants thrive better in acidic soils. To determine this, you can measure the soil’s PH using PH testing probes or testing papers. You want to keep your soil within the range of 6-7. That allows for easy uptake of the required nutrients that facilitate their growth.
If your soil is alkaline, you may consider adding iron sulfate or a cottonseed meal. If it is too acidic, you can try using coffee grounds. You want the best performance for your cannabis plant and get value for your money by getting high-quality yields.
- Be on the lookout for pests.
Depending on where you grow your cannabis seeds, you may need to employ some pest control measures to keep your crops from infestation. Outdoor growers, especially, should keep a close eye on the area the crops are planted, watching out for any creepy insects on the surface of the soil and bottom of the leaves.
However, not all kinds of bugs are harmful. Use organic pest control since spraying a synthetic one might damage the soil. Or affect the taste of the end product. By ensuring proper plant health, you prevent pests from attacking your crop and soil. For larger ones, consider the use of a barbed wire to fence around.
- Be on the lookout for harvest indicators.
Since you’ve probably invested so much energy and resources into growing your cannabis plant, you must harvest at the appropriate time. There are various signs that you can look for to tell that the crop is ready.
You can zoom in on the trichomes using a magnifying glass. At first, they might appear translucent but will eventually be cloudy as days progress. The best time for harvest Is when they are cloudy. You can also look at the pistils and ensure that almost all of them have an orange color. That shows that it’s nearly harvest time.
