Marijuana is becoming more and more popular across the United States. In fact, the latest article from The Pew Research Center mentioned that 57% of Americans now support marijuana legalization. This number is only going to continue to grow as people learn more about the benefits of cannabis. If you are thinking of getting into the cannabis cultivation business or just want to grow cannabis in your backyard, this blog post is for you. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the key elements of successful cannabis cultivation.
The Proper Environmental Conditions
The environment is one of the most important things to consider when growing cannabis. Cannabis plants need a lot of sunlight and fresh air to thrive. If you live in an area that doesn’t get a lot of sun, you may want to consider growing your plants indoors under artificial lights. Another important environmental factor to consider is temperature. Cannabis plants like it warm, so if you live in a cold climate, you may want to grow your plants indoors where you can control the temperature.
The Right Types of Lights
Sunlight is not the only type of light that cannabis plants need to grow. In fact, artificial lights are often necessary for indoor growing operations. Cannabis plants need a lot of light to produce the THC that people love. The two most common types of lights used for growing cannabis are high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights and metal halide (MH) lights. HPS lights are typically used during the flowering stage, while MH lights are used during the vegetative stage. No matter what light you use, ensure that your plants get at least 18 hours of light per day.
The Correct Grow Medium
The growing medium is the material you will use to grow your plants. The three most common types of grow mediums are soil, coco coir, and hydroponics. Soil is the easiest type of grow medium to use, but it doesn’t provide as much drainage as coco coir or hydroponics. Coco coir is made from coconut husks and is a popular choice for growers who want to avoid using soil. Hydroponics is a type of medium that doesn’t use any growing medium at all. The plants are instead grown in water that has nutrients added to them. No matter what grow medium you choose, ensure it is well aerated and has good drainage. Cannabis plants need a lot of oxygen to grow properly.
The Proper Water and Nutrients
Speaking of good drainage, it is essential to ensure that your plants have access to plenty of water. Cannabis plants like to be kept moist, but they don’t like to be waterlogged. Be sure to water your plants when the grow medium feels dry to the touch. As for nutrients, cannabis plants need a lot of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow correctly. These nutrients can be found in most commercial fertilizer mixes. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the package, as too much of any nutrient can be harmful to your plants.
As you can see, there are many things to consider if you want to grow cannabis successfully. But if you take the time to set up your grow operation properly, you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of beautiful buds. Not only will you be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor, but you will also be able to help others enjoy the benefits of cannabis.