If you’re trying to grow your own cannabis at home, you may have realized it isn’t as easy as you first thought. Once a few of your precious plants have started to lose their leaves, go brown, or worse, it’s time to up your growing game. These are our top tips for anyone getting into growing at home to maximize the plant’s potential and get the best harvests from the limited space you have, from grow light info to the types of seed you need.
Choose genetics, so that they are in your favor.
Any plant is limited by its genetics. Just like with any other plant or animal, different types are made for various reasons. You’ve most likely heard of hemp rope and clothes, which are made out of the same plant as the ones that you harvest the bud from to smoke, but they have been bred for very different conditions. Hemp uses the stem to create fibers that can be woven into different materials, but have very limited amounts of the active ingredients CBD and THC that make you feel good. Even within strains that are grown to be consumed for their effects, different strains have different genetics.
The main two groups are indica strains and sativa strains. Indicas are more calming and can be used for relaxing or as a sleep aid. Sativas are for a more energetic high, and might be better if you’re socializing and need something to help you enjoy the company. Finally, certain strains have been bred to flourish in big environments or outside, and others that do better in a smaller, contained environment. If you’re growing inside a smaller grow room, then these may be better to make the best use of your space, rather than growing a plant that grows best outside.
Seeds vs. clones
Cloning a plant is when you take a cutting from an already grown plant and replant it in soil. This cutting will then begin to grow roots and turn into a plant of its own. This can be useful if you have a plant that’s particularly hardy or had given you a good crop. If you’re starting from scratch, though, it’s much better to grow from seeds. This is because if you’re getting cuttings from someone else, you don’t know for sure what the plant is like. It may have issues you’re not aware of. In addition, cloning a plant is a delicate process, and by transporting cuttings in any way, you’ll be putting them at a disadvantage. The cuttings may be in shock and can be less likely to root properly, meaning you’ve wasted your time and money.
Use feminized seeds.
To make sure you aren’t wasting your time growing a plant that will never produce buds, make sure to select feminized seeds. These have been bred to stop any male seeds producing, and will ensure all your efforts go toward growing female plants that will bud correctly. Also, this will prevent any fertilization issues. Female plants will only produce smokable buds if they aren’t pollinated, which could happen before you’re aware that there’s an issue and ruin your crop.
