Theoretically, all that’s needed to grow a marijuana plant is to put seeds in a pot of soil, add water, place the pot in a sunny location or under a grow light, and then wait.
The reality is usually very different, especially for beginning growers. Fortunately, even the least experienced grower can begin to harvest robust plants once they learn to avoid common beginner mistakes.
Growers Need to Be Cautious
First-time growers may create problems for themselves if they fail to take simple security precautions. For instance, growers must understand local marijuana laws. Even in the most liberal areas, regulations can vary widely.
Regardless of local laws, limiting the number of people who know about plans to grow marijuana is wise. Friends may tell other people, which can start a chain of events that results in a crop being destroyed.
To be on the safe side, growers should cultivate plants in secure areas where they can’t be seen. It’s also wise to avoid posting photos of plants on Facebook or anywhere else.
Preparation Is Essential
Beginning marijuana growers are often so excited at the idea of cultivating their first crops they jump in without much preparation. But, like any skill, learning to grow robust plants means finding a reliable resource and doing some homework.
It is essential to decide whether to grow indoors or out and learn what equipment is needed for each method. Growers need the right seeds for their environment. They must understand plants’ growing cycles as well as water and nutrient needs. Outdoor cultivation also means learning how to protect crops from pests.
Invest in High-Quality Seeds
New growers often consist of patients who need the highest-quality medical marijuana or people who want to control cannabis purity and quality by growing their plants. However, new growers can still end up with inferior plants because they use poor-quality seeds.
Bad Seeds Produce Poor Results
As obvious as it may seem, high-quality seeds are required to produce healthy, robust plants. Beginners often make the mistake of planting the seeds they find in their favorite bud, but using them will lead to disappointing results.
Recognizing Healthy Seed
New growers may also have problems because they buy seed from the least expensive seller, rationalizing that they are just starting and don’t want to spend extra money. Unfortunately, money spent on bad seeds is wasted.
Spending a fortune on seeds is unnecessary when learning to grow, but it is crucial to avoid unhealthy and genetically inferior seeds. Growing marijuana requires an investment in time and equipment, and the best way to protect that investment is to buy seeds from a trusted source.
According to 420 Arena professionals, there are noticeable traits that identify the best seeds. Healthy seeds are hard and not pulpy. Buyers should also look for dark, mature seeds and avoid those that are yellow or green since they are immature.
Deciding on a Seed Type
Experienced, trusted sellers like Kind Seed Co carry dozens of strains and types of marijuana seeds. They also provide online guides that can help new growers find the best seeds for their needs.
Some of the categories that buyers can choose from include:
- Autoflower: Plants have short growing cycles and relatively low THC levels. There are many autoflowering strains, but Girl Scout Cookie and White Widow are two of the most popular.
- Feminized: These seeds produce only female plants, which have the highest quality bud. There are various feminized strains, with Gorilla Glue #4, Amnesia Haze, and Northern Lights being fan favorites.
- Sativa: Clients who prefer Sativa strains can find a wide range that includes Durban, Skunk, and Grapefruit.
- Indica: For those who enjoy Indica’s mellow, relaxing effects, seed banks provide strains for every taste. They include Critical Mass, Grandaddy Purple, and Afghan.
Every seed strain has its growth characteristics and requirements, so it is easy for new growers to find seeds that fit their needs. For example, autoflowering seeds have short life cycles, so they are ideal for those who would like more than one harvest each season.
Opting for feminized seeds means there is no need to remove male plants to ensure the most bountiful harvest. Every plant in the crop will produce bud.
Buyers who plant Sativa seeds can expect a long vegetative phase, so growers need to ensure plants get the water and nutrients required for rapid growth. Indica growers will get plants that flower faster than Sativa strains and produce high yields.
Research Soils and Fertilizers
New growers often buy a bag of fertilizer for their plants without understanding how it will impact their crop. But nutrient requirements for marijuana plants change as they go through various stages, so growers need to research the unique needs of their strains.
Plants require a mix of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, and this NPK value is listed on fertilizer bags. Once growers know their plants’ needs, they can use these values to help locate the right product for each growth stage. For example, plants require extra phosphorous in the flowering stage.
Soil also makes a big difference. It is essential to test soil pH levels before using it for either indoor or outdoor growing. Novice growers may assume that outdoor soil has everything plants need, but that is not always true. Soil may be too alkaline or acidic or not have enough nutrients.
Become Familiar with Ph Testing
Routine pH testing makes it easy for even inexperienced growers to ensure that soil has the balanced pH levels needed to thrive. If the balance is off, plants can get sick and become unproductive.
When soil is pH balanced, plants can absorb nutrients, so growers need to test pH levels regularly. Suppliers sell pH kits that make it easy to measure levels, which should be between 6.0 and 7.0 for regular soil. Hydroponic mediums are healthy when the pH level is 5.5 to 6.5
Be Patient During Germination
First-time growers often try to rush the sprouting, or germination, phase of seed life, which is a mistake. During this phase, seeds are fragile and should be handled as little as possible.
The simplest germination method is to place seeds in small pots filled with a growing medium. Do not add nutrients since they can harm seeds. Water seeds gently, keep them warm but not hot and then wait without disturbing seeds. Patience is essential when growing marijuana, and especially during germination.
Avoid Overfeeding or Overwatering
Inexperienced growers often feel that plants can never have too much fertilizer and need as much water as possible. However, neither is true.
Nutrient Overload
Because commercial fertilizers typically include suggested feeding schedules, beginners often overfeed plants without realizing it, leading to nutrient burn. The plants get far more nutrients than they can handle.
Professionals suggest dividing the recommended feeding schedule by four. If plants are pH balanced but begin to show signs of nutrient deficiency using this formula, it is easy to increase dosages gradually.
Overwatering Is Common
While it is difficult to overwater outdoor plants, the problem is common with plants grown in too big containers. Beginners generally keep container soil damp, which often means there is too much water for roots to absorb. As water sits in the pot, it deprives plants of oxygen.
If soil is damp, it’s too soon to water. Dry soil indicates it is the ideal time to add more water. However, pressing a finger into the top inch of soil to ensure it is dry can ensure plants get the right amount of water.
Ensure Plants Have Enough Light
New growers often fail to provide enough light for plants. Marijuana needs the right amount of light to thrive through each stage of growth. Seed suppliers offer guides that help buyers determine the light needs for the strains they buy.
Plants grown outdoors need at least eight hours of sunlight, which is usually not a problem. Indoor plants require grow lights, and there are dozens on the market. Professionals recommend using LED lights for the best results.
Prevent Plants from Getting Root Bound
When marijuana plants grow in containers, they can become root-bound, a typical new-grower problem. Essentially, plant roots grow across the edges and bottom of containers that are too small.
It’s an easy problem for beginners to miss because roots grow faster than other parts of plants. Since the condition can cause plants to die sooner, growers need to move them into bigger pots as soon as they spot the issue.
Learn How to Prune
Pruning can help increase marijuana plants’ growth, but it has to be done correctly. Many inexperienced growers get carried away and over prune, which can inhibit growth.
It’s a good idea to experiment with different pruning methods but try them cautiously, a little at a time. Growers can watch plants to determine how pruning affects them and then use results as a guide for the future.
Harvest at the Right Time
While patience is critical during every phase of growing marijuana, it is especially crucial at harvest time. Once plants are producing buds, growers need to monitor them to determine the right time for harvest.
The ideal harvest time varies from one strain to another. Harvesting too early can result in less potent buds, but there are plenty of professional guidelines that can help first-time growers recognize the signs that plants are ready.
Expert guides include photos and descriptions of maturing buds. They explain the results of harvesting buds at each stage of maturity.
