Legalities of cannabis consumption and cultivation vary widely in the United States, but it’s no secret that cannabis enthusiasts are fond of growing their favorite herb for medical or recreational use. The plant is colloquially called weed for a reason, as it’s relatively hardy and easy to grow indoors and out. That said, professional cannabis growers often use complicated hydroponics systems to grow high-quality marijuana for sale. Different strains of cannabis are best suited for different growing conditions, as well.
About the Cannabis Plant
The cannabis plant is native to South Asia, though various strains of cannabis grow all over the world. The two major types of cannabis are Sativa and Indica, though a low THC strain called ruderalis is often mixed into hybrid strains. Cannabis sativa grows very tall, with tall stalks and long leaves, and Sativa thrives in warmer climates such as Mexico and Thailand. Cannabis indica grows shorter and bushier with broader leaves in higher altitudes and cooler climates. Cannabis ruderalis plants are auto-flowering, meaning they flower at a preset time without the influence of light. Both types have male and female plants that produce flowers, but male plants produce flowers with seeds, which many users dislike. Cannabis growers can purchase “feminized seeds,” or seeds that are only female plants.
Growing Cannabis Outdoors
In certain climates, it is perfectly fine for cannabis plants to grow outdoors, and growers should pick either Sativa or Indica based on their region. Marijuana plants can thrive anywhere in good soil and optimal conditions. Testing the soil before planting is recommended to make sure that the pH balance of the soil is correct for cannabis, and then there are measures that can be taken to adjust soil pH and fertilize at the same time. When growing marijuana outdoors, one should fertilize as needed for the growth cycle of the plant. Fertilizer is important for outdoor growing as well to make sure the plants have the nutritional support they need. A grower must also pay attention to the timing of planting because cannabis flowers according to the amount of daylight.
It’s important to note that outdoor growing of marijuana is still illegal in many states. This means that, if you choose to grow outdoors, you should be very careful in how you go about it. Plants should be planted away from fences and neighbors, as some cannabis strains, especially Sativa strains, can grow very tall. Growing outdoors but inside a greenhouse or under a translucent awning can also be good for security.
- Best Marijuana Strains for Outdoor Growing: Feminized seeds are preferred for outdoor growing because they don’t require “sexing,” or removal of male plants. Cannabis strains with ruderalis genes can be good for outdoor growing as well, as they are shorter and auto-flowering.
Growing Cannabis in Soil Indoors
Indoor growing can be better for certain strains of marijuana because the grower can control the soil more tightly. Cannabis growers want to use high-quality potting soil and be careful not to overwater, as extra water encourages mold growth in the soil. Indoor growing also allows for control of lights, which is important for controlling flowering and harvest time.
When you grow cannabis indoors, you have to think about security as well. While you should grow near a window to take advantage of natural light, make sure plants aren’t visible from the street or by neighbors. It’s also important to make sure any guests who might see the plants won’t be shocked or close minded about growing cannabis.
- Best Cannabis Strains for Growing Indoors: For indoor growing, cannabis cultivators can grow higher maintenance plants since they can spend more time nurturing them. Indica dominant and ruderalis strains are probably the best, as they won’t be too tall. Autoflowering is also very necessary when plants aren’t dependent on natural light.
Growing Cannabis with Hydroponics
The word hydroponics literally means “water working” in Latin, and in practice, hydroponics is cultivating plants in a nutrient-rich, oxygenated, sterile water medium instead of soil. The liquid growing medium is cycled through the roots of the plants to constantly provide fresh nutrients and remove waste. Marijuana plants are said to grow much faster with hydroponic cultivation because the plants more easily take up nutrients. Using hydroponic growing, knowledgeable cannabis cultivators can play with the nutrients to produce various effects and influence the growth of the cannabis plant. Most hydroponic systems also use high-quality full spectrum lights.
Hydroponic growing requires a large investment not only in the growing system but also in lights. A lot of space is also required, so growing your own marijuana can be very difficult to do in an apartment or small dwelling. Growing marijuana also produces that distinct “weed” smell, so growers need to be very careful. Security is very necessary for this type of cannabis cultivation, and hydroponic growing is not recommended in states where growing cannabis is illegal.
- Best Marijuana Strains for Hydroponic Growing: Because cultivators can control so much about the environment using hydroponics, growers can use their discretion picking plants to grow in a hydroponic system. Other factors in choosing a marijuana strain can come into play, such as effects, flowering time, yields, and other factors.
No matter how you grow your cannabis, you will need to store and package it in the appropriate materials to present a professional looking product. To ensure freshness, you need foil-lined bags or pouches that seal in air. If you want to showcase the colored hairs on your gorgeous new marijuana strain, you would need packaging with a clear plastic port to view the product. You can find all these kinds of products at potpackaging.com, designed specifically for cannabis products and raw cannabis plant matter.
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