Whether you're new to marijuana production or looking to improve your existing harvest, following this complete guide will help you produce large, high-quality yields right at home. With the right gear, methods, and attention, cultivating cannabis indoors can be an extremely rewarding and cost-effective endeavor.
Choosing Weed Varieties
The first step in planning your indoor harvest is choosing the right cannabis strains to cultivate. The three main types of weed plants each have their own traits.
Energizing strains
Known for their uplifting mental effects, these strains grow tall and slender with narrow leaves. They thrive in warmer equatorial climates and have a longer flowering time between 2.5-3 months indoors. Top energizing strains include Sour Diesel, Durban Poison, and Jack Herer.
Indicas
Indicas provide relaxing body-focused effects and spread short and bushy with wide leaves. Accustomed to colder mountain climates, they bloom faster within 2-2.25 months. Popular relaxing varieties include Northern Lights, Bubba Kush, and Bubba Kush.
Mixed strains
Mixed varieties mix traits from both energizing strains and indicas. They offer combined effects and have moderate flowering periods around 9-10 weeks. Well-known hybrids are OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies, and Blue Dream.
Setting Up Your Grow Space
Weed plants need the right controlled environment to flourish. Key factors for indoor cultivations are lights, airflow, layout, and finding the ideal discreet spot.
Location
Choose an empty space with easy access to irrigation and power outlets. An empty spare room, large closet, corner of the basement, or cultivation tent tucked away in a garage all make great stealthy cultivation room spots.
Lights
Marijuana requires intense light for all growth stages. LED grow lights are efficient and come in broad spectrum options simulating natural outdoor light. Provide 15-25 watts per sq. ft for the growth stage and 20-40 watts per sq. ft. for flowering.
Airflow
Proper airflow and exhaust systems maintain ideal temp, humidity, and fresh CO2 levels. Set up silent 4-6 inch blowers or carbon filters to refresh old air and eliminate smells.
Layout
Optimize your space by arranging plants carefully under the lights and leaving room to reach and work around them. Set up distinct zones for vegetation, bloom, curing, and cloning.
Growing Substrates
Weed can be cultivated in different substrates, each with pros and cons. Pick a proper option for your particular setup and growing style.
Soil
The traditional medium, soil is inexpensive and easy for new growers. It provides excellent flavor but requires more irrigation and nutrients to nourish plants. Enrich soil with perlite or coco to enhance drainage.
Coconut coir
Made from coir, reusable coconut fiber retains water but still lets in air to the roots. It's more sterile and more predictable than soil. Use coir-specific nutrients to avoid accumulation.
Hydroponics
In hydro systems, plant roots develop directly in fertilizer water solution. This enables quick growth but needs careful observation of water chemistry. DWC and drip systems are popular methods.
Germinating Seeds
Sprouting prepares your cannabis seeds to begin growing taproots. This prepares them for transplanting into their cultivation medium.
Paper Towel Method
Put seeds between damp paper towels and maintain them moist. Check after a week for growing taproots indicating sprouting is complete.
Direct Planting
Plant seeds right into wetted growing medium 1⁄4 inch deep. Gently water and wait 7-14 days until seedlings push through the Contact Us Today surface.
Cubic rockwool
Soak rockwool cubes in balanced water. Place seeds 1⁄4 inch deep into the cubes. Keep cubes moist until sprouts appear within 1-14 days.
Transplanting Seedlings
Once germinated, pot seedlings need to be transplanted to avoid crowding. Move them into proper sized pots.
Preparing Containers
Fill final containers with cultivation medium enriched with slow-release nutrients. Allow containers to soak up water overnight before transplanting.
Carefully Transplanting
Carefully loosen young roots from sprouting medium using a spoon. Place into prepared pot at equal depth as before and gently water in.
Growth Stage
The vegetative stage promotes leafy growth and plant structure through 3/4 to full day of continual lighting intensity. This Contact Us Today stage usually lasts 1-2 months.
Using 18-24 Hours of Lighting
Use lamps on a 24 daily schedule or outdoor light to trigger constant photosynthesis. Light intensity influences size and node distance.
Nutrients
Use grow stage fertilizers richer in N. Make sure pH remains around 5.8-6.3 for full nutrient absorption. Feed 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 strength after 2 weeks and increase slowly.
LST and topping
Topping, low stress training, and scrogging manipulate growth patterns for even canopies. This increases yields.
Bloom Stage
The blooming stage develops buds as plants show their sex under a 12 hour cycle timing. It lasts 2-3 months based on variety.
Changing Light Schedule
Switch grow lights to 12/12 or place outdoors for outdoor 12 hour cycle. This signals plants to start flowering.
Flushing
Leaching removes nutrient salts to enhance flavor. Feed weakly the first weeks then just use plain water the final 2 weeks.
Flushing
Continue 12 hour photoperiod but leach using neutral pH water only. Resume plain watering if buds aren't mature after two weeks.
Reaping
Recognizing when marijuana is fully ripe delivers maximum cannabinoid content and aroma. Cut down plants at peak ripeness.
Signs of readiness
Look for swollen calyxes, faded pistils, and 10-15% cloudy trichs. Inspect Subscribe Now buds across the plant as they don't all mature evenly.
Harvesting plants
Use sterilized, razor-sharp pruning shears to carefully slice each plant at the base. Keep several inches of stalk attached.
Curing
Hang intact plants or branches upside down in a lightless room with average temperature and humidity around 45-65% for 7-14 days.
Aging
Aging continues desiccating while aging the buds like fine wine. This technique smooths bitterness and intensifies cannabinoid contents.
Jars and Humidity
Trim cured buds from stems and store into glass jars, filling about 75% capacity. Use a hygrometer to monitor jar moisture.
Burping Daily
Open containers for a short time daily to gradually lower moisture. Remoisten buds if RH drops below 55%.
Long term storage
After 14-21 days when humidity levels off around 55-65%, do a final manicure and store forever in sealed jars.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even seasoned growers run into different weed plant problems. Detect issues soon and address them properly to keep a healthy garden.
Poor feeding
Chlorosis often indicate inadequate nitrogen. Purpling stems and leaves signal phosphorus deficiency. Test pH and increase fertilizers gradually.
Bugs
Spider mites, fungus gnats, mites, and nematodes are common pot pests. Use neem oil sprays, predator bugs, and sticky traps for organic control.
Mold
Excessive moisture encourages botrytis and bud rot. Increase circulation and circulation while reducing humidity under 50% during flowering.
Summary
With this complete indoor pot cultivation guide, you now have the knowledge to cultivate bountiful potent buds for personal harvests. Apply these techniques and techniques throughout the seed starting, growth, and bloom stages. Invest in quality equipment and closely check on your plants. In time, you'll be compensated with frosty aromatic buds you grew yourself under the patient guidance of your green hands. Good luck cultivating!