Growing Made Simple

Best Nutrients for Deep Water Cultivation

April 3, 2020 by Growing Made Simple Leave a Comment

Deepwater cultivation is proving to be an excellent alternative method for cannabis growth, deriving from the hydroponic style of irrigation. Making use of soilless grow, the water is directly and constantly provided to the roots of the plant with the supplementation of additional nutrients.

Garnering bigger yields in an expedited manner, deep water cultivation is a huge step ahead in efficiency over normal soil-in-pot plant growth.

The Benefits of Deep Water Cultivation

Suspending the roots of the plant in water by way of a netting or special pot, the pool of water is then aerated and supplemented with best nutrients for proper growth. Because of the direct access to air and nutrients due to the lack of soil, root growth is expedited providing quicker vegetation.

What are the Best Nutrients for Deep Water Cultivation?

While harvest times will be similar, the quicker vegetation instead yields a bigger plant and subsequently bigger buds.

Other benefits of deep water cultivation include:

Lower maintenance compared to soil-in-pot plants
Fewer pests because of the lack of soil
Less complicated watering process

What are the Best Nutrients I Should Use?

There are a number of products that will offer various benefits throughout your grow. The three best nutrients that you should be aware of are Phosphorous, Potassium, and Nitrogen.

Applicable for all plant growth, these three will be vital in different ratios in both the vegetative and flowering states. While in the vegetative state, high nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are required.

Roots Organics Buddha Grow Fertilizer, 1-Gallon

During the flowering stage, it is important to lower the nitrogen levels while maintaining high phosphorous and potassium.

Some other best nutrients that will be included in the typical nutrient product include:

Iron
Sulfur
Manganese
Zinc
Magnesium
Calcium
Sulfur
Boron

The Best Nutrients Products

A staple in the hydroponics community, this triple combo of the Flora “Gro”, “Micro”, and “Bloom” has a well-rounded balance of nutrients that you will need through the grow cycle. Boasting proper pH balance, the Flora line can be utilized by both experienced and inexperienced growers. Some of the key benefits include:

Pros

Easily adjustable for your specific plants
Popular and highly rated among users
Highly concentrated, and relatively inexpensive for long term use over multiple grows

Cons

Not an organic product
Strong smell, which some users may not enjoy

Last update on 2020-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Advanced Nutrients Grow, Bloom, and Micro

Advertising their “pH perfect” line of the three nutrient products “Bloom”, “Micro”, and “Grow”, Advanced Nutrients guarantees a perfect balance of nutrients throughout the duration of your grow.

Pros

pH Balanced formula
Via the product description “Fulvic acid and powerful non-ionic surfactant, which form a multi-stage delivery matrix to ensure your plants absorb everything”

Cons

Slightly more expensive
Although they advertise not needing to meter your pH balance, this may be a bit misleading. You should still monitor the balance frequently.

Last update on 2020-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

FoxFarm Liquid Trio Formula

Another three-stage nutrient formula, “Big Bloom”, “Grow Big”, and “Tiger Bloom” can be utilized on both hydroponic and soil-based plants. A popular and long-established company, they promise lush growth with their “ultra-potent” formula.

Pros

Proven track record of customer satisfaction
Provides nutrients through the entirety of your grow

Cons

Finding the right balance of quantities may be difficult for some users
Only one of the three solutions is organic

Last update on 2020-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Roots Organic Buddha Grow and Bloom

A completely organic set of two products, this makes the Roots Organic products perfectly suited for cannabis growth. Although these nutrients are mainly designed for soil-based plants, they can also be utilized in hydroponic systems due to the fact they have little to no clogging.

Pros

Completely organic set of nutrients

Cons

One of the more expensive products
Designed as a soil based fertilizer
Nutrient levels may need to be adjust for hydrponic use
Bottles sold seperately

Last update on 2020-04-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Final Tips

Finding the best nutrients for your grow comes down to the product having the right set of nutrients, combined with personal preference and experience with each product.

Whether you believe the “pH balanced” product claims, or if you are looking for a completely organic grow, there may be a bit of trial and error with certain nutrient products.

Make sure your product contains the vital nutrients mentioned above, and then decide which factors appeal to your plant’s needs.

Growing Marijuana Guide – How to Set Up a Grow Room in Your Shed

March 23, 2020 by Growing Made Simple Leave a Comment

If you are one of the 20 million in the United States who use marijuana, or possibly one of the 220 million worldwide, getting your hands on reasonably priced cannabis can be a struggle. While legalization is slowly becoming the norm, limited availability of shops or even the illegality of commercial sale all together may get in the way of purchasing.

Because of these factors, making use of your own grow room can save you money and hassle in the long term. Below we will discuss how to grow weed in a shed, and what steps and equipment you will need to get started.

Pros of Growing in a Shed

Obviously, the most impactful benefit of growing your own cannabis is how much cheaper it ends up being down the road. While there are initial start-up costs (which we will explain below), the long term savings are immense.

An ounce of weed can reach nearly $400 depending on where you live and the strain, so being able to cultivate your own crop will undoubtedly save you money over time.

In addition to having cheaper access to your favorite strain, the reliability of access is another important factor. You’ll no longer need to worry about running out or even running to the shop to purchase more for that matter.

Having a renewing supply, especially if you are a medical patient, is a crucial benefit. If you are suffering from one of the numerous illnesses remedied through cannabis, the risk of not having access to your strain isn’t an option.

Being your own supplier completely remedies this issue and can help put your mind at ease.

Aside from the satisfaction of growing your own weed, being able to monitor the quality is completely in your hands. You’ll no longer be unsure as to whether what you’re buying is legitimate.

There is nothing worse than buying (potentially overpriced) weed to only find out it is subpar or a different strain. All these doubts get thrown out the window when the process is at your fingertips.

Downsides of Growing Your Own Cannabis

There are a few cons to growing your own weed, the most obvious being the upfront cost. While long term it will save you money, it can be quite pricey to get your feet off the ground in the meantime.

This also means an investment in time, as the upkeep does require a bit of know-how and hard work. Pests, mold, and accidental unhealthy plants are all growing pains that you don’t experience when buying over the shelf.

In addition to maintenance, the legality of growing your own cannabis is another factor to consider. While it may be legal to own and grow currently, the constant battle between state laws and federal laws in America can be a point of hesitation.

Luckily it seems to be swaying in the pro-marijuana direction, but it is a component that should stay in the back of your mind.

What Equipment Do You Need to Grow Your Own Cannabis?

There is quite a shopping list of materials to consider when learning how to grow weed in a shed. We’ll touch on the essentials below and the best practices when putting together your grow room.

Insulation

Maintaining the climate of your grow room is pivotal when growing healthy plants. Excessive humidity and heat, or on the contrast too little, can hinder plant production by blooming too early or creating mold around the enclosure.

Have thick walls for your shed and make use of insulation materials such as foam to regulate the temperature. This is especially important in climates that can see big drops in temperature at night or throughout different seasons.

Efficient growth requires a warm (not hot) climate, so ensure there aren’t any swings in temperature in your enclosure.

Seeds

Locating the right seeds is both an important but tricky process. The first step is to understand which strain you are looking to grow and finding a reputable breeder to source them from.

image showing a marijuana plant in the ground

Many of the largest seed banks are located in European countries that are unavailable to Americans, but you can also legally purchase seeds from online stores or dispensaries within your state. As a last-ditch effort, you can also try collecting seeds from cannabis you’ve purchased from dispensaries.

Soil and Pots

After germinating your seeds, the next step is to pick the proper soil and pot to plant them in. In terms of pots, there are a couple of variations:

Standard Pot- The most typical, these pots are readily available at most stores and are used for a wide variety of plants and flowers.
Air Pots- These have perforated sides and allow more airflow into the roots of the plant.
Fabric Pots- These prevent excess water from staying in the pot, and also increase airflow.

The higher you’d like your plant to grow, the bigger your container should be. Whatever container you choose, ensure that it has proper drainage and airflow for fast and healthy growth.

Purchasing soil is relatively straight forward, as any store-bought gardening soil will suffice. Making use of bottled nutrients can expedite the growth of your plants, but requires proper pH monitoring.

Lamps

There are a few different options when picking light sources to implement in your shed. Although you could use natural light via roof lighting, lamps will be a more reliable source year-round.

HID Lights- HID (high-intensity discharge) lights have become the top tier choice for lamps. These lights are easy to set up and have a lower starting cost, but produce large amounts of heat so they will require proper ventilation.
LED-The most energy-efficient lights, LED bulbs will lower your overall electric costs month-to-month. In addition, they produce far less heat, so climate management is easier.
Fluorescent- The most widely available, fluorescent bulbs are similar to the ones used around your house. Because of this, they use the same socket as normal lamps and are energy-efficient. Fluorescent bulbs, however, have significantly less light output. Placing the bulbs closer to the plants can help increase heat absorption.

Lamps will significantly increase the temperature in your shed, so managing this through ventilation is the next step.

Ventilation

As mentioned before, proper airflow is key to the health of your plants. Not only does this regulate heat, but it will also limit excess humidity. There are three main components:

Fans- Although industrial style fans are best for air circulation, smaller fans can also be integrated into your ventilation system.
Filter- Filters will purify incoming and outgoing air from your shed. These can be a great way to prevent an embarrassing conversation with your neighbor about any smells originating from your shed.
Ducts- Air ducts simply direct the air to and from the fans and filter. These are often bundled with filters when purchasing.

Pest Control Products

After you have started the growth process, managing its health requires more than just proper water and airflow. Your plants will naturally attract pests, especially when using a shed that is exposed to the elements.

Neem oil is an organic product that can act as a pesticide for your plants. Surprisingly only affecting the harmful pests, it also acts to reduce unwanted fungus growth.

Expected Total Cost

At the end of the day, how much will this all cost you? While there isn’t a steadfast price, there is a range you can expect to invest in your grow room.

Seeds- Depending on the source, a pack of five (which accommodates five plants) will cost between $50-$100.
Pots and Soil- The quality and type of pot will dictate the price, but you can expect to pay between $75-$150 for all five plants. Soil is relatively cheap, usually costing less than $20.
Lamps- The priciest component, lamps can range between $400-$600 depending on the wattage and type of bulb. Not included in this will be your electricity cost, which will vary on your location.
Insulation- The price on whether you install the ventilation yourself, or if you have a contractor install it, will vary. Foam boards would be the cheapest option, running around $20 per 4×8 foot sheet.
Ventilation- You can expect to pay around $150-$200 for the filter, ducting, and fans together.

Obviously these are all loose prices, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $750-$1200 for the entirety of the build.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

Learning as much about the process of healthy cannabis maintenance is vital to ensure a return on your initial investment. Growing isn’t as simple as the flowers you keep in your garden, so regular upkeep and diligence are important to properly yield enough weed to justify the cost of the build.

Keep in mind the cost of electricity and other upkeep products like nutrients and pest control that you’ll need for proper care long term. As long as you are conscientious of your plants, the return on your investment will show dividends in due time.

The Best Marijuana Strain for Growing in Small Spaces

January 13, 2020 by Growing Made Simple Leave a Comment

Growing marijuana from home can be a smart choice. You have control over the growing, you know where it came from, and you can be as stealthy or open about it as you see fit.

However, sometimes if you grow from home, you may find that you’re pretty limited on space. If you don’t have a lot of space, you’ll want to consider the right strain, where you want to grow, and the best ways to aid that growth into a healthy plant.

The Right Strain

For small spaces, the ideal strain is indica. More specifically, indica-dominant hybrids.

Indica hybrids are more desirable than pure indica when it comes to growing on your own because hybrids generally prove to stand up better against pests and mold or rot. Indica itself is better to grow in small spaces over strains like sativa due to it’s short and bushy stature.

The plants don’t stretch to concerning lengths during the flowering stage and stay at more manageable heights than other strains, even when they double in size. During the flowering stage, you can also trim the leaves for better size control.

Working With Space

When you’re working with limited room, you’ve got a few options to choose from when it comes to how you want to grow your plant. A popular choice is to invest in a growth tent, which can come in incredibly small sizes (some aren’t even bigger than a laundry basket).

You can use standard flowering pots, growing them like flowers, or you can use space buckets. Space buckets are a bit complex to put together, but you can DIY them, and the final product leaves you with a discreet way to grow your cannabis while still saving space.

Precautions To Take

There will always be standards to follow, no matter where you’re working, and you’ll want to make sure you’re giving your marijuana the right conditions to grow. You’ll want to keep the temperate right, usually somewhere around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit, and you’ll want to keep the humidity around 40% and no higher than 50%.

You should make sure to properly ventilate your growing area and make sure the roots of your plant are never exposed.

For indica in particular, you should keep it in its vegetative stage for about 2-4 weeks, though sometimes you can even push it to five weeks or only leave it for one. The trick to this is picking a strain that isn’t auto-flowering.

Auto-flowering strains will bud on their own, so you won’t be able to control when it goes into the flowering stage. By being able to control that switch, you consequently have more control over the height of the plant, which is what you want if you’re working with limited space.

The Best Marijuana Strain for Growing in Small Spaces

During the vegetative stage, the best schedule is an 18/6 schedule, which is 18 hours of light and six hours of dark. After your 2-4 week period, you’ll want to switch the timing of your lights to a 12/12 schedule, which means 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.

This new light plan will trigger the flowering stage. You’ll want to avoid altogether going into your growing space during that dark period because if any light seeps in, it might negatively interrupt the plant growth.

For lighting, your best bet is to use LED grow lights since they’re a lot more efficient than standard light bulbs. You’ll want to make sure you grow your plants at least a foot away from your grow light so that the plants don’t get burnt.

Growing at home is simple once you learn the ropes, and it can be enjoyable to have complete control over your own marijuana. As long as you pick the right strain and grow in the right conditions, you’ll be on track to growing yourself something you can be proud of.

The Best CFL Lights for Growing Cannabis: A Guide

December 12, 2019 by Growing Made Simple Leave a Comment

So you want to grow cannabis, perhaps for yourself, maybe to give to others and get a little something in return. I’ll tell you right now that looking towards using CFL lights was a smart option.

Not only will this post give a list of some of the best CFL lights for growing weed, but you’ll get some tips on the benefits and types of CFL lights, as well as things to know when you start growing cannabis.

What is a CFL?

CFL stands for compact fluorescent lightbulb. These bulbs come in a variety of wattages, sizes, and colors, and are usually either screwed in or plugged in.

image showing a compact fluorescent lightbulb

You’ve probably seen them; they’re the spiral-shaped lightbulbs that everyone recommends over standard (incandescent) ones.

Benefits of Using CFL Lights for Growing Cannabis

Fluorescent light bulbs use less energy because of their compact design, lowering your power bill and saving you money on energy costs.
CFL heat levels are lower than higher-intensity lamps and don’t require you to purchase fans to ventilate the space.
These kinds of light bulbs don’t fade away as they run out of life. When the bulbs work, they work, and when they don’t work anymore, they die. Because there’s no flickering or fading in between, you won’t have to worry about not knowing how much juice the bulb has left.
If you break a CFL, you can buy another one – they don’t cost much either. You can buy them online or in any major department store from Target to Home Depot.
CFL lights are fantastic for beginners because all you need to start growing are the lights and your plant.
Because you only need those lights and the plant, you can grow pretty much anywhere and stay discreet about it.

A List of the Best Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs

Westinghouse 3667000 Light Bulb

Pros:

It doesn’t get super hot.
It isn’t too bright.

You can find and purchase this bulb here.

This lightbulb is equivalent to a 25-watt incandescent light bulb, which is not only expensive but hard to find and not optimal for growing cannabis.

This CFL is only 5 watts, meaning a low level of heat that doesn’t damage the plant and won’t burn you if you touch it. The light isn’t hard on the eyes either and gives off a pleasing glow without being too bright.

Sunblaster CFL Self-Ballasted Propagation Lamp

Pros:

Easy to install.
Ensures proper development and crop growth.

You can find and purchase this bulb here.

The Sunblaster can be installed in just about any fixture and made especially for indoor growing. Because of the strength and color of the light, you’ll find that your plants will lean towards it like they would towards sunlight.

This lightbulb has enough power to aid more than a couple of plants at a time and doesn’t flicker when in use.

Satco S7334 40-watt CFL Soft-White Light Bulb

Pros:

It lasts for a long time when in use.
Fits in all standard light fixtures.

You can find and purchase this bulb here.

This 40-watt bulb provides a pleasant light that isn’t too bright and isn’t too dim. Because it can fit in any standard fixture, it’s easy to install so you can use it anywhere.

This lightbulb will save you energy while providing your plants with growth-encouraging color temperature.

Hydrofarm Agrobrite FLCDG125D CFL Bulb Kit

Pros:

It comes with a reflector to increase light coverage.
It lasts for more than a year.

You can find and purchase this bulb here.

This product is a little CFL system that comes with a 125-watt CFL bulb, a reflector, and an 8-foot power cord, meaning you get everything you need to get the most out of it.

The glass around the lightbulb allows the light to cover a medium-sized garden evenly and can accommodate a 200-watt bulb if necessary. On top of all that, the system comes with a warranty.

Buyer’s Guide

What You Need to Get Started on Growing Cannabis

Always start by considering your budget, the size of the space you need, the temperature, and the amount of privacy you want, among other things.

The Best CFL Lights for Growing Cannabis: A Guide

Once you know where you want to grow, make sure you consider the following factors to give your plant the right conditions to thrive:

A medium of growth: You can germinate your seeds in soil, on a moistened paper towel, or in enzyme-rich water, as long it the temperature and condition of the air is right.
The right light: That’s what this guide is all about, after all. Cannabis needs 12 hours of sunlight for optimal growth, so if you’re growing indoors, you’ll want to look over that list of CFL bulbs we’ve provided.
Water: Plants need water. Cannabis is no exception. Remember to pay attention to the pH level of the water to avoid damaging your plants with water that’s too acidic or too basic.
Air circulation: Cannabis needs fresh air to grow, so if you’re growing indoors, it might be smart to get a fan to ventilate any excess heat.
Proper temperature: The ideal temperature for cannabis is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Cannabis doesn’t do too well in extreme heat or extreme cold, so make sure to watch the temperature.
Proper humidity: Cannabis grows well in humid environments because the leaves aspirate the moisture in the air. A dedicated cupboard, tent, or room can provide this environment. Make sure that the humidity is appropriately balanced, however, so you aren’t growing mold at the same time as your plants.

How to Pick the Best CFL Grow Lights

When picking out a CFL light, you want to consider:

The size of the bulb.
The wattage (or the Lumen, or the Kelvins).
How much area the light will cover.
The temperature color of the bulb.

After you know what you need, it’s only a matter of researching where to get the bulb you’re looking for – or choosing from the list above.

CFL Types

Generally, there are three types of CFL bulbs, based on color temperature: soft white, cool white, and daylight. Soft white and daylight are the two types you want to invest in, and it’s smart to have both of them in your growing setup.

Soft White or Warm White: These bulbs fall somewhere between 2700 and 3000 Kelvins and emit a warm-colored white light that mimics natural sunlight. These kinds of lights work their magic best during the budding and flowering stages of your plants.
Cool White or Bright White: These bulbs are usually between 3500 and 4100 Kelvins. They aren’t the best for growing plants in general and should either be avoided or used very sparingly.
Daylight: These bulbs come between 5000 and 6500 Kelvin. They provide a cool-colored white light that aids in growth in the vegetative phase of the plants due to not being too hot.

If you know what you’re doing, your plants will thrive under CFL bulbs. If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t sweat, you can use what you learned here as a solid jumping-off point.

All in all, CFL is the best way to go for a cost-effective and straightforward start-up. Make sure you get the right bulb that fits your growing conditions, and you’ll be on your way to growing some quality stuff.

Guide To Soil Selection For Growing Marijuana

December 12, 2019 by Growing Made Simple Leave a Comment

Whether you’re looking to grow a small plot of marijuana for your own personal use, or looking to jump on the growing train of commercial growers, getting started can seem a bit daunting. There is so much to consider when deciding how to set up your system, and marijuana can be a bit of a fickle plant.

If a hydroponic system is out of the budget or space for the time being, there’s no reason to stress. Growing marijuana in soil is a great alternative, and tends to be more cost effective and simple for the beginner.

Guide To Soil Selection For Growing Marijuana

Running out to your local large box store home improvement center will track you on the wrong course, though. In order to succeed at growing marijuana, you need to become a soil selection aficionado and learn to discern what your plants crave, and what will choke them.

What Kind of Soil Does Cannabis Need?

Let’s start by discussing what cannabis does not need. The biggest mistake inexperienced growers make is taking that lazy trip to Home Depot and choosing the seemingly-easiest option: that great big green bag of Miracle Grow that claims to have everything your plants need to thrive in the bag – including fertilizer.

Don’t fall for that trap. Ideally, you shouldn’t see “fertilizer” listed as an ingredient, and stay far away from anything that claims to be extended release or long-lasting.

A good specialty mix should provide everything your plants need to thrive without the addition of unbalanced chemicals and fertilizers. There are two main considerations you should be looking at when it comes to soil for your marijuana: texture and nutrient content.

Texture

Soil should allow for good drainage and air circulation while still allowing enough moisture retention to keep your roots happy. It needs to hold onto enough moisture so that the roots have easy access to nutrients, but not so much that air can’t circulate, rotting the roots.

When you feel the soil, it should be light and spongy yet course.

A good soil may contain an additive that helps to break up the soil and keep it from clumping too tightly, or you can purchase that to add separately. Coco coir, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite are pH balanced additives that will do the trick.

Nutrients

The “dirt” itself only provides the growing medium and foundation for your plants’ root systems. But nutrients are what really feed the plants and cause them to grow.

Here’s where using a high quality mix or making your own gives you the upper hand. They’ll be established in the base mix so that they are broken down as food for your plants over time, providing nutrients like calcium, nitrogen, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and other micronutrients.

Some effective nutrients may include Azomite, Blood meal, Bone meal, Crustacean meal, Dolomite lime, Epsom salts and Wood ash/bio char.

Providing these nutrients is just the first step, though. A healthy fungal population will work to keep the root system healthy through a symbiotic relationship.

Additives that can help establish a fungal population include humic acid, kelp meal or mycorrhizal inoculant/endomycorrhizae powder.

In addition, a good community of diverse bacteria helps to break down sugars in the soil and convert them into nutrients that the plants are able to use. These organisms will also serve as a bolster to the cannabis plant’s immune system, helping it to better combat disease, pests, and adverse environmental conditions.

Additives like bat guano, worm castings, and fishmeal can be very helpful here, too. They make for great sources of micronutrients and minerals that go into a thick and healthy bud.

The Best Soil For Growing Marijuana

You can always make your own soil, but you can skip a few steps (and sore muscles) by going straight to the source and purchasing one of these top-notch soils:

Happy Frog Potting Soil by Fox Farms

Hands down, this is a crowd favorite among growers both backyard and professional alike. Overall, people who have used this soil claim to get the best results for their plants.

Complete balanced nutrition
Perfectly maintains pH level
The right blend of microbes and fungi for maximum nutrient absorption
Contains bat guano, earthworm castings and forest humus
Ready to use
Light texture
Perfect for container plants
No topsoil, no fillers and no sludge.

Get it here.

Ocean Forest by Fox Farms

Perfect for growing in a small grow room or grow tent, this soil provides the right mix of ingredients and fertilizer. It’s ready to use straight out of the bag and is perfect for providing the right mix to help seedlings grow to hardy plants, giving it rave reviews from users.

Lightweight
Well-aerated
All-natural
pH allows for optimum fertilizer uptake
Contains worm castings, guano, and aged forest products

Get it here.

Mother Earth Coco + Perlite

Some experts argue that this is a really strong growth medium for marijuana. As a natural alternative to potting soil, it’s made of natural plant products.

100% natural coconut coir
No artificial additives
Great aeration and drainage
High cation exchange capacity

Get it here.

Big Rootz All Purpose Potting Soil

Big Root All Purpose Potting Soil is the perfect beginner-ready choice, as it’s mixed and balanced for the easiest application.

Versatile for indoor or outdoors
Use as an additive to boost existing soil
Includes triple washed coir, peat, worm castings, compost and mycorrhizae
Completely organic

Get it here.

Roots Organics Rod Original Potting Soil

With perfect consistency that enables proper drainage for an active root system, this soil comes ready to use.

Contains extra-long coco fibers, premium earthworm castings, bat guano, fish bone meal, feather meal, glacial rock dust, mycorrhizae, soybean meal, humic acid, pumice, perlite, and green sand
Excellent drainage
Better yields and healthy plants
Ready to use

Get it here.

The growth medium you plant your marijuana in can make all the difference to the life and vitality of your plant and its yield. The soil you choose needs to be able to support the functions of the plant through all stages of growth.

Even if you don’t fancy yourself with a green thumb, choosing the right soil can be easy if you follow these guidelines.

Growing Different Strains of Marijuana

December 12, 2019 by Growing Made Simple Leave a Comment

A plant is a plant is a plant. Right?

Nope!

Amature and professional gardeners alike understand that different types of plants enjoy growing in differing situations. You can’t stick your aloe plant outside in your Pennsylvania garden next to your tomatoes, amidst your cucumbers and expect it to thrive.

It won’t even survive.

That’s an obvious example. But different strains of the ‘same’ marijuana plant have varied growth requirements when it comes to substrate, light, space, and nutrients.

Ganja isn’t just ganja when we’re talking about growing conditions. If you’re looking to cultivate some cannabis plants of your own sit up and pay attention.

This guide will show you what you need to know.

Growing Different Strains of Marijuana

If you’ve heard anything about marijuana use lately, you’re probably familiar with the fact that there are three different strains of cannabis available. Well, actually two strains, but for our purposes we’ll call it three. You’ll see why in a bit.

When it comes to actual use of the plant, they all have their place:

Indica strains have a sedative effect on the body and are good for helping you to wind down and relax. They’re used for relieving insomnia, muscle spasms, anxiety, and pain.
Sativa strains tend to be more cerebral, offering uplifting and invigorating feelings. They’re good when you need to be active, social, and creative. They’re used for relieving ADD/ADHD, mood disorders, depression, and fatigue.
Hybrid strains are a mix of the above two strains and offer a good balance of their qualities somewhere in the middle. They usually express more of one strain’s qualities over another, though.

Many of these have similar effects when it comes to pain control, appetite stimulation, and other uses, though to varying degrees.

That’s all useful information when choosing what plants you want to grow, but it also comes in handy when plotting out how you’re going to grow them.

Growing Indica Marijuana Strains

Indica is great for growing indoors where space is limited, as it tends to stay short. That’s also a good reason it does well outside in smaller space gardens, where soaking up direct sunlight is a priority.

But this plant also does well outside in climates where fall is short and winter comes on quickly. That’s because these plants mature and reach their full potential quickly.

That also means their flowering period is shorter, but they put out a higher yield.

Indica Growing Highlights

Leaves are short, broad, and bushy, allowing for maximum light absorption
Plants are shorter in stature and stocky with a branchy low profile
They grow and mature quickly
Grows well indoors
Short flowering period pushed by higher chlorophyll content, so there can be more annual cycles. Flowering period is usually around eight weeks.
Plants produce more buds than sativa
Tolerates higher fertilizer than sativa
Needs nutrient-rich medium

Growing Sativa Marijuana Strains

Sativas can sometimes be difficult to grow indoors for many people, as they tend to grow tall and lanky. They love the heat since they originated near the equator making them ideal for hot climates or indoor growth space with no summer temperature control.

Sativa’s vegetation generally grows faster, though they have a longer flower cycle. They tend to produce lower flower yields, so they aren’t as profitable for professional growers.

Sativa Growing Highlights

Leaves are tall, thin, and lanky
Plants are tall and thin in stature, some growing taller than 12 feet or becoming vine-like
They take longer to grow and mature. Average growing period is about six months
Sativa requires more light than indica
Long flowering period. Can take up to 10-12 weeks or longer until ready for harvest.
Low flower yields
Requires light to medium fertilization. Take special precaution to not over-supplement nitrogen.

Growing Hybrid Marijuana Strains

As we mentioned earlier, hybrids tend to lend the best of everything. They have the ability to offer the better qualities of each. As a result, we see a wide variety of different growth patterns and flowering times.

Today’s hybrids tend to be cultivated to be higher yielding.

Especially with newer hybrids, it’s often difficult to know what you’re going to get ahead of time. That’s because the genetics of cannabis aren’t necessarily cut and dried.

Many of the typical garden plants you’re familiar with are monoecious. One single plant has both male and female organs, making resulting offspring typically more uniform.

Marijuana is dioecious. Each singular plant is either male or female, making breeding more complicated. The female plant has to be fertilized by pollen from the male plant.

With two plants’ in the mix instead of one, there’s the possibility of more genetic variation than when a singular plant self-pollinates. If you took a fistful of seeds from one cannabis plant, planted them all in the same soil, and tended to them all in the same way you’d wind up with a bunch of different plants.

selective focus photography of person holding spoon pipe with kush

They would all resemble the parent plants to some degree, but not a one would be an exact copy in stature or traits.

With all that said, you don’t really know how your hybrid will present itself, especially since it’ll be a combination of its sativa and indica predecessors. It’s a good idea to understand the needs of both.

Growing Multiple Marijuana Strains

Growing more than one strain together in the same place/room/tent/bed can prove to be a very frustrating endeavor, even for the most experienced of growers. Bushier indicas may crowd into sativas.

Taller sativas may hoard light from indicas. Providing the correct nutrient content for your sativa-dominant hybrid may choke the indica-dominant hybrid (of the same strain!) with nitrogen.

Most experts agree that one of the most difficult things to do is to cultivate pure indicas and sativas together, and many also believe that even individual hybrids follow the same rule. It’s best to keep your strains separated so you can keep good tabs on exactly what they need to thrive.

As a grower, even if a hobbiest, it’s important to understand the needs of your plants. By understanding the differences in your cannabis strains, you’ll be well on your way to cultivating a thriving crop.

Growing Made Simple

The Benefits of Deep Water Cultivation

What are the Best Nutrients I Should Use?

The Best Nutrients Products

Advanced Nutrients Grow, Bloom, and Micro

FoxFarm Liquid Trio Formula

Roots Organic Buddha Grow and Bloom

Final Tips

Pros of Growing in a Shed

Downsides of Growing Your Own Cannabis

What Equipment Do You Need to Grow Your Own Cannabis?

Insulation

Seeds

Soil and Pots

Lamps

Ventilation

Pest Control Products

Expected Total Cost

Other Things to Keep in Mind

The Right Strain

Working With Space

Precautions To Take

What is a CFL?

Benefits of Using CFL Lights for Growing Cannabis

A List of the Best Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs

Westinghouse 3667000 Light Bulb

Sunblaster CFL Self-Ballasted Propagation Lamp

Satco S7334 40-watt CFL Soft-White Light Bulb

Hydrofarm Agrobrite FLCDG125D CFL Bulb Kit

Buyer’s Guide

What You Need to Get Started on Growing Cannabis

How to Pick the Best CFL Grow Lights

CFL Types

What Kind of Soil Does Cannabis Need?

Texture

Nutrients

The Best Soil For Growing Marijuana

Happy Frog Potting Soil by Fox Farms

Ocean Forest by Fox Farms

Mother Earth Coco + Perlite

Big Rootz All Purpose Potting Soil

Roots Organics Rod Original Potting Soil

Growing Different Strains of Marijuana

Growing Indica Marijuana Strains

Indica Growing Highlights

Growing Sativa Marijuana Strains

Sativa Growing Highlights

Growing Hybrid Marijuana Strains

Growing Multiple Marijuana Strains

Footer

Design

Content

Strategy