Back in the day, cannabis used to have a considerable stigma because it was perceived as an addictive substance. However, most of the stigma has died down because more and more people now realise that it can do more good than harm, leading to countries legalising it. Some people even decided to grow their own cannabis.
Growing cannabis in your garden (either indoor garden or outdoors) is like taking care of any other plant, but there are many differences because it requires special attention. You’ll need to devote significant time and effort to it because this plant is sensitive. There are also different growing techniques, such as growing it indoors or outdoors. It’s easy to mess up, but you can reap the benefits if properly handled.
We’ll guide you in this article if you’re planning to grow cannabis. The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Find a Cannabis Seed
You might think that cannabis seeds are hard to find, but it’s easier than you think. You can find one from your local gardening shop or on the internet. There are strains available for both outdoor and indoor growing. You might want to research the strain first because some are easier to grow than others or just because you like it.
You can also choose a specific type of seed. For beginners, starting with seeds with lower THC content is better because you can avoid growing an overpowering plant that might be harmful to you. Examples include White Widow, Northern Lights, and Blue Lotus.
Step 2: Germination
The work in growing cannabis starts with germinating your seeds. There are several ways to do this, but one of the most common is to soak the seeds in wet paper towels for a few days before planting. You can later transfer the seeds to the soil once they’ve sprouted.
Step 3: Choose Your Growth Medium
Once your seeds have sprouted, you can transfer them to soil, peat, or coco, which are considered the best medium for cannabis growth. Soil is pretty common and does what you expect, but peat has the advantage of being sterile and not having insects. On the other hand, coco is cheaper and provides a good alternative for those who want to grow their plants hydroponically. It all boils down to personal preference or needs, so you should consider that.
Step 4: Add a Light Source
The light source should be bright but not too bright. Cannabis plants grow best in moderate or dim light. You don’t want to blast them with full sunlight, or else it’ll kill them. Indoors, you should use LED lights for the best result because they produce less heat.
At this point, the cannabis is in its vegetative growth state. The light should use an 18-6 cycle, meaning it should be 18 hours on and 6 hours off. This is because the plant needs to get used to the cycle of light and darkness, which is crucial for its production of THC.
Step 5: The Harvest
A week before your harvest, you’ll need to “flush” your growth medium, stopping feeding it nutrients and only giving it water. This way, your plant uses all the remaining nutrients without leftovers.
Once that’s done, you can finally harvest your cannabis plants. You can snip them from the main stem, but you can also cut down the whole plant. You’ll know when it’s ready because the leaves will turn brown.
Step 6: Drying and Curing
Now that you have freshly-harvested cannabis, it’s time to dry and cure it. This is an integral part of the process because it preserves the plant and removes any unpleasant odour.
Drying your cannabis is simple; you just need to hang it somewhere. You can use a drying rack or hang it from a string. If you decide to hang it, keep it somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight.
The curing process requires storing it in a cool, dark place for about two weeks. During this time, you should regularly tend to it, turning it around and shaking it each day.
Conclusion
Growing cannabis is not as hard as you think it is. Having your cannabis plants is beneficial because you won’t have to go around buying supplies. All that matters is doing everything correctly to ensure they grow healthy.
Coffee Shop Seeds has what you need if you’re looking for cannabis seeds in the UK! We offer a wide range of high-quality seeds ready to grow, all for affordable prices. Simply go to our website and take your pick!