The Novice’s Handbook to Cultivating Cannabis at Home

If the idea of starting your own home cultivation operation sounds daunting, fear not. The process of growing cannabis can be broken down into straightforward steps. Before you begin potting your first seed, however, it’s important to brush up on your local cannabis laws (if you’re in Washington State, for instance, you can check out Washington State’s cannabis laws here)

Cultivating your own cannabis plants can be a rewarding hobby and it can also yield significant financial savings if you are a regular user. Whether you are an expert gardener or a novice, growing cannabis at home is something accessible to everyone.

Step 1: Choose Your Method
There are three main methods for cultivating cannabis at home: indoor growing, outdoor growing, and hydroponics. When proceeding, you need to assess your space and resources.

Indoor growing provides you full control over your growing environment. You supervise everything – temperature, light, humidity, and nutrients. Outdoor growing relies heavily on mother nature. It’s less expensive but at the mercy of changing weather conditions. Lastly, hydroponics is a soil-less system, that replaces the need for traditional soil with a water solution containing nutrients. This innovative method allows cannabis plants to absorb nutrients directly from the water.

Step 2: Procure Your Cannabis Seeds
The next step in cannabis cultivation is sourcing your cannabis seeds. These can be obtained legally in most areas where the cultivation of cannabis is legal. Some recommendable sources are online seed banks or local dispensaries.

Step 3: Start Growing
After selecting the method and procuring the seeds, it’s now time to start growing.

For indoor growing, the best way to begin is to plant the seed in a small container with porous soil. The seed should be placed about an inch deep. The ideal temperature for the rapid growth of cannabis plants is around 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Outdoor growers can follow a similar planting procedure, but it is essential to consider the area’s climatic condition and the time of the year. April or May, after the last frost, is typically the best time to plant.

Hydroponics, however, require a more complex setup. You need to purchase a hydroponic system and learn how to balance the nutrient levels in the water correctly. Fortunately, there are a lot of guides available about hydroponics that can be a great reference for beginners.

Step 4: Cultivation and Harvest
The cultivation period is the longest phase of the process. In indoor settings, cultivating cannabis usually lasts 3-5 months. Outdoor and hydroponic method takes a few months longer.

No matter what method you use, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your plants. They should get sufficient water, light, and nutrients, but not too much of any. Too much water could drown the plants, excessive light could burn them, and an overload of nutrients could damage the roots.

When the plants are ready to harvest (which you’ll know from the browning of the pistils), cut the plant at the base and hang them upside down in a cool, dark place with good air circulation for drying.

Congratulations! You have successfully navigated the process of cannabis cultivation at home. While it requires some time, patience and experimenting, you’ll eventually find a method that works best for you. Happy gardening!

Sources:
– Washington State’s cannabis laws
– Hydroponics
– Gardening