Learn To Grow Cannabis

Growing cannabis can be a rewarding hobby, and understanding how to cultivate it properly is a skill every grower should master. This guide will walk you through all the crucial stages, from germination to curing your buds.

Step 1: Germination

Choose Quality Seeds Start with healthy, mature seeds that are firm, brown, and slightly shiny. These are more likely to germinate successfully. Browse our selection of top-quality cannabis seeds here.

Select Your Germination Method

• Paper Towel Method: Place the seeds between two damp paper towels in a warm, dark area (70-85°F). Check daily for the taproot to emerge.
• Soaking Method: Submerge seeds in water for up to 24 hours. They’re ready for planting once they sink and show signs of cracking.
• Plant Directly in Soil: Place seeds about half an inch deep into moist soil. Keep the soil warm and dark until seedlings appear. Discover more germination methods here.

Maintain Ideal Conditions

• Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
• Humidity: 70-80% Keep the seeds in darkness until they begin to sprout.

Monitor Seedlings Once the small white taproot breaks through, transfer the seeds to your growing medium.

Step 2: Seedling Stage

Proper Lighting Use CFL or LED lights to avoid overheating. Keep lights 12-18 inches from the plants, and provide 18-24 hours of light each day to encourage growth.

Watering the Seedlings Ensure the soil remains moist, but not waterlogged. Check soil moisture regularly, and water when the top inch feels dry.

Nourishing the Seedlings Once the plants develop several leaves, start feeding them with a mild, nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Maintain a temperature of 70-75°F (21-24°C) with 60-70% humidity.

Air Circulation Use a small fan to promote strong stem development and help prevent mold.

Step 3: Vegetative Stage

Increase Light Intensity Switch to more powerful blue-spectrum lighting to encourage leafy growth. Keep the light source 18-24 inches above the plants and use an 18/6 light schedule (18 hours of light, 6 hours of darkness).

Watering and Feeding Water the plants more frequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between sessions. Gradually increase the amount of nutrients, focusing on nitrogen to support healthy stem and leaf development.

Training Your Plants

• Low-Stress Training (LST): Bend and tie down branches gently to allow more light to reach potential budding areas.
• Topping/FIMing: Prune the plant’s top to promote bushier growth and boost yields.

Maintain the Growing Environment

• Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
• Humidity: Reduce to 50-70% to minimize the risk of mold. Ensure adequate air circulation to strengthen plants and deter pests.

Step 4: Flowering Stage

Adjust Lighting Change to a 12/12 light cycle (12 hours of light, 12 hours of darkness) to trigger the flowering process. Make sure there is no light exposure during the dark period to avoid stressing the plants.

Change Nutrients Switch to fertilizers that are lower in nitrogen but higher in phosphorus and potassium to support flower development. Keep an eye out for nutrient deficiencies, which may appear as yellow leaves or purple stems.

Watering and Humidity Increase watering frequency but ensure you do not over-saturate the soil. Lower humidity levels to 40-50% to reduce the chance of mold in the developing buds.

Check for Pests Inspect your plants regularly for common pests like spider mites or aphids, and maintain good airflow to prevent bud rot or mildew.

Step 5: Harvesting

Assess Maturity Check trichomes with a magnifying tool. When most trichomes appear cloudy, and some start turning amber, it’s time to harvest. Additionally, harvest when 70-90% of pistils have changed from white to orange or brown.

Harvesting Process Cut the entire plant at the base or remove individual branches. Trim large leaves before drying, or opt to trim after drying.

Step 6: Drying and Curing

Drying Your Buds Hang plants upside down or place buds on drying racks in a dark, well-ventilated area. Keep the temperature around 60-70°F (15-21°C) with 45-55% humidity. Drying usually takes 7-10 days. Buds are ready when the smaller stems snap rather than bend.

Curing for Best Results Once dry, place the buds in airtight glass jars and store them in a cool, dark location. Open the jars (burp) for 10-15 minutes daily during the first week to release excess moisture. Continue curing for 2-4 weeks to enhance flavor and smoothness, or up to 6-8 weeks for peak quality.