Growing marijuana indoors is one of the safest and most effective ways to provide yourself with a steady supply without paying the exorbitant prices at dispensaries or through the black market. Knowing how to set up your grow room is one of the most important things to learn before starting the process. A proper grow room will help your autoflower or CBD marijuana plants thrive so that harvest time will be rewarding.
Consider the Location
Location is one of the most important considerations when it comes to setting up a grow room. One of the worst mistakes people make is growing their marijuana outdoors or in a detached building. For discretion and protection, it is wise to grow marijuana plants inside your home unless you have a private outdoor space.
It is also essential to choose a location that will give you complete access. Growing marijuana takes special care and a controlled environment. Being unable to control the growing climate defeats the purpose of growing indoors. When choosing the location of your grow room, consider the following.
- Choose an area that is near the back of the home, especially if you live in an apartment.
- Avoid choosing a room with many windows because the sun can heat the room nicely.
When choosing a location, always think discretion. Even if it is legal to grow marijuana where you live, it is not wise for everyone to know. It is crucial few people know about your grow room, so there are less likely to be problems. You will want to consider the following:
- Choose a location that is close to a water source. A water source will be especially crucial if you are growing an abundant crop.
- You need to have the ability to block out any light in the room entirely. During certain stages of growth and in certain amounts, marijuana plants require complete darkness. If the room has windows, covering them will be vital.
- Adequate ventilation is also essential for the room. If the room does not have the right level of ventilation, marijuana will not grow healthy and strong.
- The room must also have air conditioning to help control the temperature and humidity levels.
You should plan to choose a room that has plenty of space for growing supplies and room enough to move around and take care of the plants.
Location Options
The following are some ideas for choosing an indoor location for growing marijuana in your home.
- Walk-in closets
- Cellars
- Spare room
- Grow box
- Grow tent
- Attic
- Attached garage
Choosing the right location within your home will help to ensure the growing process is discreet and effective. Taking time to be sure you have all the right tools and equipment will provide the perfect growing atmosphere for cannabis plants.
What Equipment Do You Need?
Having the right equipment on hand is essential for growing healthy marijuana plants. You cannot treat marijuana like a mere houseplant and expect it to thrive. Although there will be some expenses involved in growing marijuana, once you have all the equipment in place, it is possible to save a lot of money by not having to purchase from a dispensary.
Grow Lights
There are several purchases you will need to make, and grow lights are one of the most important. Without light, marijuana plants will not make it past germination. Your light choice is crucial because it will determine the growth rate and energy costs.
You have several options when it comes to purchasing grow lights. Researching your options and learning as much as possible about the following will allow for the best decision to be made.
High-Intensity Discharge Lamps
High-Intensity Discharge Lamps (HID), Ceramic Discharge Metal-Halide (CMH), and Metal Halide (MH) bulbs all offer a wide spectrum of light.
The main problem with HID bulbs is they can put off a lot of heat. Too much heat can be bad for marijuana plants, so if you use this type of lamp, expect to need equipment to keep temperatures in control. The following article offers insight into the pros and cons of HID, CMH, and MH bulbs.
Pros
- They are some of the least expensive bulbs on the market.
- These lights produce almost the same light spectrum of the sun.
- HID lamps are ideal for vegetative growth.
- This type of light does not require any significant setups.
Cons
- They can cause too much heat.
- This type of light cannot be placed in a standard light socket.
- They can cause an increase in energy costs.
Light-Emitting Diodes (LED)
LED lights are a favorite among marijuana growers and for a good reason. These bulbs offer a full spectrum of light, including both UV and IR wavelengths, and some even feature concurrent red-spectrum light for optimized flowering. Because they are so intense, LEDs often need to be hung higher than HID bulbs.
LED lights can safely operate for 24-hours a day, without emitting too much heat, which can be detrimental to plant growth. With LED lights, growers can change the color spectrum of the light being emitted so they can more closely mimic different times of the day and seasons. Consider the following pros and cons before making a choice.
Pros
- These bulbs do not produce high levels of heat like some other lights.
- You can change the color being emitted, such as red or blue.
- LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours.
- Using LED lights ensures energy savings.
Cons
- The biggest drawback of using LED lights is the cost.
- LED lights cover a smaller area than some other types of bulbs.
- The diodes can fail under high heat.
Fluorescent Grow Bulbs
Another popular choice among marijuana growers is fluorescent lights. Many growers choose this type of light because it does not produce a lot of excess heat so that it can be placed close to plants. Although fluorescent grow bulbs will undoubtedly create a healthy yield, you may not see as big a return as with some lights.
Fluorescent bulbs are less expensive than some other choices, but they also have drawbacks that should be explored. Knowing the pros and cons of this type of light will help you to make the right choice.
Pros
- These lights do not produce a lot of heat, so they will not cause growth problems.
- Fluorescent lights are very energy efficient.
- This type of light is ideal for growing seedlings and can be placed closer to the plants.
- Fluorescent lights are produced in a wide array of shapes and sizes for all types of grow room needs.
Cons
- The light output is not as strong as some types of bulbs.
- These bulbs are not suitable for larger grow room setups.
- Fluorescent lights only have about an 8,000-hour lifespan.
Choosing the right light is vital for healthy marijuana plant growth. The one you choose should be based on the size of the grow room and your budget.
Air Flow Equipment
Air circulation is also an integral part of growing marijuana indoors. Oscillating fans, dehumidifiers, and heaters all contribute to proper airflow. A consistent stream of fresh air will provide your plants with the ability to conduct gas exchanges effectively. With the right airflow, you will notice the following benefits.
- Prevents the clogging of the stoma, which are necessary for gas exchange
- Strengthens the branches of your plants
- Helps with humidity and temperature control in the grow room
- Helps to prevent stunted growth
Because heat rises, it is crucial to place the exhaust system at the top of your grow room. A top-mounted exhaust system will help to dissipate the heat and remove it.
It is also essential to use at least two oscillating fans, depending on the size of your grow room, to pull cooler air from the bottom of the room and circulate it over the plants. Using fans will help to control the temperature inside the grow room better.
With the right level of air circulation, you can rest assured your plants will grow strong and healthy and will be less likely to suffer from mold and mildew growth. Air circulation will also help to control the CO2 levels because without air circulation, heavy CO2 settles near the floor.
Environmental Controls
Even the most advanced growers need help in being able to control the environment of their plants adequately. To ensure your grow room is at the right temperature throughout the growing period, use a thermometer or a hygrometer. These devices must have built-in memory so you can keep track of temperature fluctuations.
Scheduling controllers are also necessary, especially if you plan on a large grow setup. Most people do not have time to monitor the environment in their grow room continually, and these controls can help. Smart controllers can automatically activate lights, watering systems, and any airflow devices, keeping the environment in proper check at all times.
Growing Medium
One of the big decisions you will need to make before growing marijuana is whether to grow in soil or to use a hydroponic system. Both offer their pros and cons, and it often boils down to personal choice. You can choose between soil, coco blends, or hydroponic systems.
Soil
Soil is typically the first choice for many new growers because it is possible to purchase a soil medium that is already packed with vital nutrients, and this can offer healthy growth. Although soil is easier to use, it is also more difficult to correct any nutritional deficiencies your plants may suffer. Marijuana plants also do not grow as well in soil.
Hydroponic
This type of system may be a bit more involved than a soil medium. One positive of using a hydroponic system is there is no need for soil or any growing medium at all, although clay pellets are often used to support the roots. Nutrients are added directly to the water, but the chances of root rot and overfeeding are possible.
Coco Blends
Coco blends seem to offer the best of both worlds when it comes to soil and hydroponics. They soak up nutrients like soil and provide a high level of moisture like hydroponic systems. As with hydroponic systems, root rot and overfeeding are more likely with coco blends.
Keep Your Grow Room Clean
Your grow room needs to be impeccably clean to prevent health issues with cannabis plants. Keeping the room clean will help to prevent diseases that could lead to plant death. Even if the plants don’t die, mold and other infestations can lead to bunk weed which is no good for the consumer, whether the product is to be smoked as dried flower or extracted into concentrates.
It is also vital animals are kept away from the grow room. Cats and dogs can carry pests that could cause problems with the growth of your cannabis plants. They may also become curious and ingest the plants or cause expensive damages.
Each time you start a new growing cycle, be sure to thoroughly disinfect the grow room before any seedlings are brought in. Doing so will help you to avoid fungal growths and diseases, which can wreak havoc on the plants.
Conclusion
Yes, there is a lot to consider when it comes to setting up your grow system. Choosing the location and equipment is as important as choosing the seeds.
Take time to research your options and learn as much as possible about marijuana growing equipment. The more new growers know, the better equipped they will be to make smart decisions that will benefit their desires to develop a healthy crop of marijuana.
Growing marijuana indoors is not as difficult as it might seem. With the right knowledge, space, and equipment, you can produce a healthy crop and enjoy many benefits. Why should anyone purchase from a dispensary, much less from the black market, when it is possible to grow cannabis at home? Check out our selection of cannabis seeds at kindseed.com.
