Are you in one of the many states that has legalized cannabis? If yes, then you may have found yourself with a new crop to plant in the garden this summer. Growing a new crop can be challenging even for veteran gardeners, but with a little help from your friends at Impello you can avoid some of the common mistakes that lead to a poor crop.
PICK RELIABLE CANNABIS SEED BANKS
When purchasing cannabis seeds, you might often choose the cheapest ones to save some bucks. However, the quality may be compromised, and you’ll end up spending more than you have to. That’s why you should pick cannabis seeds with the best genetics. Conduct your research so that you can buy from trusted cannabis seed banks. Cloning can be a good start too — just make sure to get the clones from reputable sources.
PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHTING
One essential element for growing cannabis is proper lighting. It’s not only the quality that will be affected but also the speed and size. While marijuana grown outdoors gets natural light, indoor cannabis needs extra care. This means that your usual lightbulbs are not enough to make up for the absence of lights.
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Invest in more premium lights, hoods, and reflectors. Get high-intensity (HID) lights, like high-pressure sodium (HPS) or T5 fluorescent lights. You can also use LEDs to save on energy costs. Just make sure to choose full-spectrum LED lights that allow you to modify the wavelength based on the marijuana plant’s needs as it grows.
ENHANCE WATER QUALITY
Dissolved solids from water can cause adverse effects on your marijuana plant. For instance, domestic water contains chlorine and fluoride. While they will not kill the plant, maximum yield can’t be expected. So, consider using a reverse osmosis system or filtration. Make sure to change the filters regularly. It’s also best to test the water from time to time to check whether the parts per million (PPM) of dissolved solids remain the same.
SECURE ENOUGH SPACING AND VENTILATION
Wondering how to grow high-quality marijuana? Allow enough spacing between the cannabis buds. Make sure no leaves or branches block the airflow. You can apply low stress training (LST) where you tie the plants down while they’re still young to ensure that the light is well-dispersed, improving the plant’s overall health. Using other tools like filters and fans will also help you maintain the airflow.
PROVIDE SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF NUTRIENTS
One of the 10 steps to growing weed is providing just the right amount of nutrients per growth stage.
Tribus Original is the perfect seedling to harvest cannabis growing products on the market today and it’s very versatile. Usage rates are 1 ml per gallon and with a price tag under $60 for a 250 ml bottle, and a little goes a long way. Because it consists of beneficial bacteria you really can't overfeed your cannabis plants with it, and it creates stronger plants from the inside out. For best results apply it to your grow media at least once a week. Tribus is compatible with all grow media, including hydroponics and even field application.
In addition to Tribus, these nutrients are necessary when feeding cannabis plants.
Nitrogen: In the vegetative stage, marijuana plants will need an abundant amount of nitrogen. However, in the flowering stage, it has to be reduced. Otherwise, it can affect the production of buds and lead to lower yields. Biostimulants and different types of soil amendments can help plants absorb more nutrients. The best soil amendments that enhance nitrogen include Guano, worm castings, and crustacean meal.
Potassium: A sufficient amount of potassium in the flowering stage helps promote the plant’s health and growth. If it’s lacking, the growth rate will decline, causing problems for the leaves. Natural soil amendments for potassium include wood ash, compost, and seaweed meal.
Phosphorus: When there’s a phosphorus deficiency, smaller leaves dry fast and turn purplish with seared edges. That is why the plants should be rich in phosphorus during the flowering stage. Dry soil amendments for phosphorus are glacial rock dust, chicken manure, and bone meal. Pick trusted soil amendment suppliers to achieve the best results.
Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus may be the three main nutrients that your cannabis plants need. However, they also need other nutrients like:
Magnesium: This nutrient is crucial in photosynthesis. It helps stabilize plant cell walls too.
Calcium: This micronutrient helps strengthen the stems, form the roots, and facilitate the growth of the tips. If calcium is lacking, tips become weak, and leaves get distorted.
Sulfur: Your plant should have the right amount of sulfur to form chlorophyll and help produce amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes. Inadequacy can make the marijuana leaves stiff and small, hampering their growth. Then, they will die off.
Manganese: If your cannabis plant lacks manganese, the leaves will turn yellow with white, gray, or brown spots. These will soon spread, causing the leaves to die.
During the flowering stage, various supplements can be beneficial too. These include:
Phosphorus and Potassium boosters: These supplements contain Phosphorus and Potassium, but they may also include a little bit of sulfur. Trace minerals, amino acids, and sugar may also be present. As they are potent enough, use a small amount only.
Carbohydrates or sugar: These help enhance the plant’s smell and taste. Other supplements also come with specific terpenes that contribute to buds’ flavors, such as berry and citrus. If you prefer a more affordable choice, you can use blackstrap molasses to add sugar and amino acids. They can enhance your plant’s taste and smell when you give them several weeks before harvest time.
Bloom enhancers: These help increase plant growth rate by supplying amino acids and humic acids. This way, the marijuana plant won’t have to produce everything on its own.
