This frequently asked questions about growing cannabis article will answer some of the questions you may have about growing cannabis before you even have to ask them. There is so much to learn when growing cannabis; it can feel overwhelming sometimes. But if we take things step by step and break it down, it all becomes a lot easier.
This guide will explain some of the basics of cannabis growing to you. It will hopefully help you decide what type of cannabis you want to grow and what would be the best way to do it. Of course, if you have any questions but it isn't answered here, just drop a comment on this post or go and ask for help in our cannabis growers forum! You can find all the help you need right there.
But for now, let's move on to some of these questions!
Can I Grow Cannabis if I Don't Have a Green Thumb or Gardening Experience?
Most cannabis growers start out knowing nothing about growing plants, never mind growing cannabis plants. In many cases, cannabis is the first plant a person has grown.
You will find that most likely, cannabis is the first plant people begin to grow, and then, growing itself becomes a hobby. Pretty soon they are not just growing cannabis but lots of other plants too: fruits, vegetables, herbs, even mushrooms!
As Ed Rosenthal said, “Cannabis may not be addictive, but growing it definitely is". Anyone can do this, and it is a very enjoyable hobby. If you want to grow cannabis, even if it is the first plant you have ever grown, do it! You will be surprised how easy it actually is!
How Do I Get Cannabis Seeds?
Cannabis seeds are easily accessible for most people around the world. They are reasonably cheap too. You can either check out our guide on “Where to Buy Cannabis Seeds” or you can do a Google search for “cannabis seed banks.”
Simply find the seed bank you prefer, find a strain, and order them. Most seed banks will ship the seeds within a day, and they will be with you in less than a week, no matter where you are in the world.
How Do I Germinate Cannabis Seeds?
Germinating cannabis seeds is a very simple process. You soak the seeds overnight in some water, and then bury the seed into the grow medium about 1 cm deep. Put a plastic cup over the top of the seed in the grow medium to lock in moisture, then just wait.
After a few days, you will see a seedling shoot above the surface, and you're set to go! Sometimes, however, seeds can be a little more stubborn. In those cases, growers may use the “Paper towel method” to germinate the seeds. You can find out more about germinating cannabis seeds here.
How Long Does It Take to Grow Cannabis from Start to Finish?
How long a grow will take will depend on many things. But on average, 16 weeks is plenty for a grow to go from seed to harvest and be dry in jars ready for use. You would have about 2 weeks to take the plant from seed to seedling. Then another 4-5 weeks to "veg" the plant.
After the veg period is over, the plants will flower, and the flowering period can take anything from 6 to 20 weeks depending on what strain you are growing. When the flowers (buds) have fully grown, they will be harvested and hung to dry in the dark. It will take around 2 weeks until the buds are dry enough to smoke/consume.
The exact time of the grow will depend on lots of things. But as I mentioned, 16 weeks is a good average.
How Much Light Does a Cannabis Plant Need During Each Growth Stage?
There are a few different types of cannabis plants. Some need 18 hours of light for their whole life cycle. Some will only need 18 hours of light per day for their vegetative stage; some can grow under 18 hours of light for their whole life cycle. It really depends on what type of plant you have.
Photoperiod cannabis plants will need 18/6 (18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness per day) during the vegetative stage of growth. It will not begin to flower until it gets 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness per day (aka 12/12). However, bear in mind this is simplified somewhat. If you want to learn more about this, you can check out these posts:
Can I Use Regular Household Lights for Growing Cannabis Indoors?
Cannabis plants need a decent amount of light. They like to be under direct sunlight, and if you're growing indoors, you have to imitate that as much as possible. So though you can use household lights to grow cannabis, you will need a lot of them, and they will not grow high-quality cannabis with a decent yield. But it's better than nothing.
Understanding what grow lights to use for what size grow space can get really complicated the more you look into it. As a new grower, I would recommend you get the best LED grow light you can afford, preferably from HLG (Horticulture Lighting Group). Those lights are perfect for cannabis plants, and they are manufactured by one of the best lighting companies in the world!
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Cannabis Cultivation?
The preferred temps for cannabis plants differ slightly depending on the stage of growth. But on average, you should try to keep the plants at around 26°C during the daytime (when lights are on) and no lower than 18°C when the lights are off.
Do bear in mind, however, these are not set limits. Plants will not die if they hit 27°C, for example. Just try to keep the plant within these temps, and they will grow happily through their whole life cycle.
How Do I Control the Smell of Cannabis During Cultivation?
The most popular way of controlling the smell of a cannabis grow is with a carbon filter. The filter is added to the grow room extraction so air passes through it. The air is filtered of any organic molecules using carbon in the filter, and then it is exhausted with very little to no smell at all. It is a must-have for any indoor grower!
However, cannabis plants outdoors are hard to cover up. You will have to plant other plants around it to try and mask the smell in the air. There isn't much you can do about it. Just consider growing some strains that have a low scent if you're growing outdoors and are worried about the pungency.
Is It Better to Grow Cannabis in Soil or Hydroponics?
This is an argument you see often between cannabis growers. It is all down to opinion. For me, I think growing organically in the most sustainable way possible is an amazing way to grow.
Cannabis plants have grown in their natural environment for millions of years. I think it is best to try and imitate that as much as possible by growing organically and in organic living soils outdoors under the sun. But that isn't how I grow.
You have to find what method of growing works best for you. If you can do the full organics living soil method, go for it and see if it works for you. Maybe you want to try full hydro to try and get a grow done a little quicker, with a little more yield, give that a go too!
You have to experiment and find a grow method that works well for you and your lifestyle. How much time you have to spend with the plants will dictate what methods will work for you. Hydro takes more time than soil grows, but hydro is easier to fix if you have problems. A tough choice to make, just have fun making it!
Can I Grow Cannabis Hydroponically as a Beginner?
Yes!! All of the resources you need to learn how to grow are right here on Percy's Grow Room. From the hundreds of grow guides we have around the site to our world-class cannabis growing forum, everything is here.
I would recommend you sign up for the forum if you haven't already. We have the best cannabis community on the internet. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and always happy to help! Our community will take you through every step of your grow and get you to an awesome harvest. Really, don't be shy, come and say hi!
Can I Use Regular Soil from My Garden for Growing Cannabis?
If you have good soil in your garden, then yes! Go for it. However, if you have any doubt at all in the soil, you should amend it. The best option for you may be to dig a big hole, maybe 50L in size, and fill it with high-quality super soil or living soil.
You can buy these from a store, but they are expensive. You can also get the ingredients you need and build your own super soil.
This will be perfect for your plants, and they shouldn't need any food throughout the whole growing cycle! If they do start to suffer from deficiencies, it can easily be amended using top dressing.
What Are Common Signs of Nutrient Deficiencies in Cannabis Plants?
The most common sign of nutrient deficiencies in cannabis plants will be yellow leaves, rusty spots, and a general sick look to the plant. Problems can manifest in many different ways though. You can usually tell what deficiency a plant is suffering from by looking at what leaves are turning yellow and what shape any color any spots are.
Do not rush into trying to fix a deficiency if you don't know it's a deficiency! Sometimes too much nutrients can look like a deficiency. A new grower may add more food, making the problem worse. Before trying to fix a problem, get a proper diagnosis by getting help in the forum.
Can I Use Tap Water for Cannabis Cultivation?
In most cases, tap water is fine to use for cannabis plants. But of course, like most answers with this hobby, it differs because of certain factors. First off, is the water high quality? You can check the EC/TDS/PPM of the water to find out how pure it is. If it has too many contaminants, you may need to use reverse osmosis water, distilled water, or spring water.
Also, water from the tap usually has chlorine and chloramine in it. These are added to help kill pathogens in the water that may make you sick. But they will also kill microbes in your soil, so if you're growing organically, you will need to let the water “degas” before using it.
To do that, simply let the water sit for 24 hours, preferably with an air stone in it. This will help get rid of the chlorine. To remove the chloramine, however, you may need to use a vitamin C amendment. If you have any doubt, just come and ask in the forum.
How Often Should I Water My Cannabis Plants?
This will depend fully on the medium you're growing in. In soil grows, cannabis plants like a wet and dry cycle. This means after watering, you should let the soil dry out a little before watering again. This will happen at different rates depending on the size of the plant and the pot it is in. But usually, once every 2-3 days is enough.
But if you grow in soilless mediums like coco or rockwool, the plants will need to be watered daily, maybe even numerous times a day. You can set up auto watering systems for this if you need to. Just note that plants growing in soilless mediums are considered hydroponics, and they should always be kept wet by watering daily. It is not like soil.
Can I Grow Cannabis Indoors Without a Grow Tent?
Yes, of course, but a grow tent is preferred for many reasons. To make the grow light more efficient, it is good to have reflective walls, something a grow tent provides.
Also, light leaks are a big problem for photoperiod plants, especially during the flowering stage. Grow tents provide a place that will not leak light when set up properly; this is not easy to do without one.
Also, ventilation and covering the smell is important. You need to maintain negative pressure in the grow room and filter air through a carbon filter. This is easier to do in a grow tent than a grow room.
So yes, though it can be done, it is recommended you use a grow tent. You can get them in all shapes and sizes so have a look around before you decide to use a grow room.
How Do I Determine the Sex of Cannabis Plants?
When a cannabis plant starts to flower, it will display its reproductive parts. Males will show a male flower, and females show a female flower. It is easy to remember which one is which because male parts look like balls, and female parts look like a tear shape.
The balls on the male will be rounded and sit on a small stalk like a bunch of grapes. The females' parts, however, will not be on a stalk, and they will be tear-shaped with a white hair (pistol) protruding from it. This is the key thing to look out for. White hairs show it is female. If you don't see them during the flower, you may have a male.
But just like everything else here, if you have any concerns or issues, just ask for help in the forum! It is better to get a second opinion to make sure. We have seen many new growers mistake a female plant for a male and try to kill it. Don't do that! Get help before you kill your plant in case you're mistaken.
What Is the Difference Between Indica and Sativa Cannabis Strains?
There is a lot of controversy behind this question. Most people would say indica plants give you a heavy, body stone, while sativa plants give you a head high and more euphoria. But that isn't really the case. It will differ from person to person depending on their own endocannabinoid system.
The main difference between indica and sativa plants should not be looked at as the effect it has on the user, but more, how that type of plant grows.
Indica cannabis plants will usually grow short and bushy and have a shorter flowering period compared to sativas. Indicas are known as “Broad Leaf” cannabis. This is because the blades of the leaves will grow wide.
Sativa plants, on the other hand, will grow very tall and thin. Their flowering period can be very long, lasting up to 20 weeks with some strains. Sativa is also known as “Narrow Leaf”. This means the blades on the leaves grow thin.
Most cannabis growers today will grow a hybrid that is a mix of indica and sativa, which will carry traits from both plants.
How Do I Choose the Right Cannabis Strain for My Needs?
This is important!! Before you start your grow, it would be a great idea to figure out what you enjoy and what works well for you. Whether it be for medical use or recreational, you want to make sure the cannabis you're growing is going to be one you enjoy.
Do also take into consideration your grow skills though. If this will be your first grow, consider growing something with a short flowering period that is indica dominant. Venture into the long-flowering sativas if you like. But do it when you have some experience and some surplus cannabis to last you over a long grow.
Do You Have Any Questions About Growing Cannabis?
When it comes to growing cannabis, there are so many questions; it never really ends! You can grow as basic as possible if you wanted to, or you could take out university degrees in botany and attempt to learn everything. It is completely up to you. The most important thing about growing cannabis is that you enjoy it!
If you have any questions that you do not see the answer to here, feel free to come and ask for help in the cannabis growers forum. As I mentioned earlier, we have a great community full of cannabis enthusiasts who are always happy to help fellow growers get started or make improvements to their grow.
So don't be shy, come and join the community; it would be great to have you there.
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