Growing marijuana indoors is a great way for beginner cultivators to get familiar with all the process stages in a small space. You will harvest regardless of the season, with full control over the plant, its growth, and development. Practice controlling environmental factors such as light, temperature, humidity, and air quality for excellent yields. In this article, we will walk through the basics of growing indoors, from seed to harvest, and share some hacks.
*In January 2022, an official at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) quietly confirmed that, yes, cannabis seeds fall under the legal definition of hemp and, yes, they can be sold openly and without criminal liability. However, you must check with your local and state laws, as each state has legal rules for growing cannabis. Hence it may not be legal in your state or country.
Planting Cannabis: Step-by-Step Guide
Before growing, decide what kind of seeds you need: regular, feminized, or auto-flowering. On the websites of reputable seed banks, such as "Herbies," you can find a lot of useful information about the types of seeds and choose the most suitable ones. Look for high-quality pot seeds that suit your needs and growing preferences.
The next step on the way to harvest is seed germination:
- Separate viable seeds from non-viable ones: soak them in tap water for 12 hours, and then separate the floating seeds — they will not germinate.
- Arrange the seeds on a plate between wet paper towels at some distance from each other.
- Place the plate of seeds in a warm place with a constant temperature, such as the top of the refrigerator.
- Keep towels damp by sprinkling water periodically.
While waiting for the cannabis seeds to sprout, choose a container with drainage holes for planting and a nutrient-rich potting mix.
After completing the necessary preparations, be present for planting:
- When the seeds germinate and give a small root, dig a hole about 10 mm in the soil, carefully place the seed in the hole with the root pointing down, and cover it with soil.
- To move the seeds to the vegetative stage, you must provide them with the right conditions: sufficient lighting (18 to 22 hours a day), regular watering, and nutrients (especially nitrogen).
- Transplant the seedlings: Once the seedlings have grown a few sets of leaves and have outgrown their container, it's time to transplant them into larger containers with fresh soil.
Hacks on Caring for Your Weed Plants
Planting weed indoors can be rewarding, but it also requires proper attention and care to avoid potential risks and challenges. Here are some common tips and hacks for caring for your plants:
- Control humidity. Aim for a humidity level of around 40-60% during vegetative growth and around 40% during flowering to avoid mold and mildew growth.
- Provide the right amount of nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, to avoid deficiencies that can harm cannabis plants.
- Remember that indoor plants are not immune to pests and diseases, so treat them with insect repellent, powdery mildew, and bud rot.
- Train and prune the plants. Training and pruning techniques such as topping, low-stress training (LST), and defoliation can help increase yield and improve bud quality.
- Provide good air circulation in the area where the cannabis plants are located by using carbon filters, air purifiers, or other odor control systems to minimize the smell.
We hope that despite all the hard work, our advice will help you get not only your first harvest but also the pleasure of the growing process.
