Want to know how to grow healthy and magical plants? Here, we put together some of the most important steps you need to plant and harvest your own cannabis. Come and see!
Growing any type of plant from scratch is not a very easy task, but it is always incredibly pleasant – especially when you get a beautiful harvest. With cannabis, it is no different: although it needs a lot of care and will depend on your attention, we guarantee that there is no better feeling than seeing this little plant growing and developing. And there are different forms and important steps for those who decide to cultivate it!
On our platforms, one of the main subject we talk about is home growing. But we also believe that it is a decision that must be well thought out, taking into account all aspects involved, from the legislation in the country where you are located to the structure you will need.
If you are considering starting this adventure, you are in the right place. Here, we’re going to tell you the first steps into cannabis cultivation – everything you need to take into account to make it work for you and your buds. Come with us!
Why cultivate?
There are several incredible reasons to grow your own cannabis, and some of them can even help you guide your own process. Just to start, we can already mention that home growing is an incredible Harm Reduction strategy. It allows you to know exactly what you are consuming, in addition to not contributing to trafficking, which generates situations that may put many individuals in vulnerable situations.
But it must be remembered that planting also offers risks and can generate a situation of vulnerability, especially when it is not done within legal compliance. After all, we still live in a prohibitionist country! That is why, here in Brazil, it is so difficult to think about outdoor cultivation – it is not so discreet, it facilitates complaints and is even predisposed to theft.
And how to protect yourself?
Know the legislation well and do as much as you can to protect yourself. Anyone who wants to cultivate to make medicines, such as oils and tinctures, to treat any health condition, can ask for a preventive Habeas Corpus and guarantee their right to cultivation.
If you went after the laws and still had doubts, you can check out our interview with the lawyers of Rede Reforma. In it, you will find very didactic explanations about the current conditions and prerogatives for cultivation in Brazil!
Will it be seed or clone? How to choose your genetics
Once you’ve cleared up all your legal questions about growing, it’s time to decide which strain you want to plant. Basically, you need three criteria to choose from:
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Research which strains have the components you need for the desired effect;
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Knowing what is really the effect you are looking for;
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Understand what your growing space allows (is it indoor or outdoor?).
We also need to remember that it may not be that easy for everyone to find a wide variety of seeds or species to choose from. If that’s your case, don’t worry: you can even plant the seed you find in the brick weed – the famous preenseed. Taking good care, it will give great results!
Indoor or outdoor?
This choice between indoor or outdoor cultivation is extremely important, as it will also guide your entire cultivation process. In Brazil, we highly recommend indoor cultivation – mainly because of the reasons we have already mentioned, which are very related to prohibitionism. But, at the same time that it is more secure, controlled and discreet, it will also demand a bigger structure: a space specially determined for this, with ventilation, temperature control and lighting.
Outdoor cultivation is an incredible experience, especially if you are in a country that allows this initiative. Although he is a little less controlled, being susceptible to the sun, rain, weather in general and also to pests.
Each format has its advantages and disadvantages. So, if you want more help to find the ideal for you, you can check out our full text on the differences between indoor and outdoor.
How to choose the ideal soil
Once you’ve found the place to grow, it’s time to think about the growing medium – that is, the ideal soil for your cannabis to grow beautiful, slim and healthy. We basically have two main types of soil: living soil and inert soil.
The living soil is what we find in the courtyard of our house, so to speak. It is already prepared by Mother Nature, and also has living organisms that can help (or hinder) your cultivation. Depending on the amount of organic matter present, it can be perfect for planting. Inert soil, on the other hand, is empty soil: everything the plant needs should be added by you. Many people prefer this type of soil because it is more manipulable – but you will be responsible for filling it with nutrients and organic matter, which are the “food” of your plant.
And speaking of nutrition…
Like you, the plants also deserve a balanced diet! We need to think about water, macronutrients (NPK), micronutrients, pH and more – all of which are essential to ensure success when planting cannabis. But where to find these nutrients? How best to place them, and in what quantity? Don’t be afraid: we have a very complete post about the best diet for your cannabis.
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In addition to the ready fertilizers, you can think of making yours with a compost bin!
Time to germinate!
After determining the location and means of cultivation, it is time to officially start the life of your plant. If you choose to start with seeds, not clones, you will need to germinate them! The process is relatively easy, but it requires some important care so that everything goes well.
After choosing your seeds, whether they are regular, feminized or automatic, you will need a glass of water, a paper towel and a small plate to make the germination. We also recommend that you follow the biodynamic calendar to do this on the ideal date!
When your seeds become buds, you should put them in the chosen soil. While they are small, it is nice to place them in separate small pots or special trays for cultivation. They should stay there until they create a stronger and healthier root!
Transplanting your seedling
Its plant has grown and is already showing small leaves. Perfect! Now, it’s time to understand if she is ready for the transplant – leave her initial container and go to one with more space. To find out, just a quick test:
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Tap the side of the container/vase to loosen the soil/roots from the walls. Turn slowly and feel with your hands if the plant loosens itself in a square filled with roots, or if the earth starts to disintegrate. If she holds the earth, it is the right time! If the soil loosens, it means that it does not yet have enough roots to move to a larger space.
The ideal is to do some transplants throughout the life of your plant, so that it always has a controlled space to develop until it passes through all stages: vega, flora and harvest. You can learn exactly how to transplant here in this post!
The ideal photoperiod for each phase
In nature, one of the most important elements for the development of plants is the sun. This is because the rays of light are absorbed by them and transformed into food – you know, that process of photosynthesis that we hear a lot about at school.
So, whether indoor or outdoor, it is important to control the amount of light that cannabis receives in each of its life stages! To achieve this in an indoor grow, it is necessary to have a good structure and special lights for the plants. In outdoor, it is important to plant respecting the cycles of nature.
In fact, it is very important to pay attention to the stages of the plant. Throughout its development, it will show whether it is female or male, if you have used conventional seeds. If it’s a male, throw it away – that’s the motto.
Pruning, topping and defoliation
Your little plant will grow and develop a lot until it starts to generate the much desired buds. So, in the middle of the way, it is important that you prune and remove the “bad” leaves from time to time. The processes are not complicated, but you need to be especially careful with the stage your plant is in – no pruning of the flora! We teach you step by step here.
When you choose to prune your plant, you can also take some clones. Areas of the plant where the light doesn’t get on very well, but are still healthy, are great for that! So, your plant only needs to spend energy to heal itself once, and you finish all the processes in one day.
Harvest time
How do you know if your buds are already ripe? Look, it is not an exact science: each grower prefers in a different way, and the time of harvest can also depend on what will be done with cannabis – whether it will become hash, for example, or if it will be smoked. What indicates the maturity of buds are their trichomes. Use a magnifying glass to observe them:
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There are growers who prefer to harvest when 80% of the trichomes are in a more milky white and 20% transparent – and few amber trichomes. This is the lightest hash guys.
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As people who want a hash with darker and also oily coloring, the harvest is done when there is a higher percentage of amber (super ripe) trichomes.
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Meanwhile, others believe it is best to harvest when they are 70% milky white and 30% amber.
How to dry and cure your buds
Did you think the planting process ended in the harvest? Make a mistake, partnership! There is one more step: drying and curing the harvested plants. After harvesting, it is necessary that your buds stay in a controlled, dark, dry and well-ventilated environment until drying is complete – or you may end up losing the entire crop to the mold.
In case you notice that the harvest was great, you can still select some of the best buds to undergo a curing process. We explain exactly how long it takes and how to do it here in this post.
By following all these steps carefully and with care, we guarantee that you will get a wonderful harvest! If you have any questions, just consult here on the blog – all the texts in our cultivation series are linked here. You can also count on us there on Instagram @girlsingreen710 and follow Alice’s legal cultivation, in California!
To the next!