Trellising is a horticultural technique that allows cannabis plants to receive equal exposure to light and space, which helps them grow fuller flowers. It also promotes healthy air flow and prevents bud rot and mold.
Commercial scale cannabis cultivation is a specialized business. Developing the proper processes, assets and systems to comply with a multitude of state and local regulations can be challenging, but it’s essential for profitable, high-quality production.
How to use crop layering
Crop layering is a nifty little practice that can pay dividends for your cannabis production if executed correctly. It’s not only a good idea for outdoor and greenhouse growers, but indoor operations can reap the rewards too! The most important tenet to remember is that cannabis plants need plenty of light and air circulation to thrive. If you don’t, they may succumb to fungus and other plant diseases. The best part is, if you plan ahead, crop layering can be a painless, stress-free operation.
Crop layering is best accomplished using a variety of techniques – from the use of worm castings to a more traditional top dressing system. Regardless of the nutrient mix you select, be sure to hose off your prized possessions after each application to ensure the nutrients seep down to the roots where they belong. For the best results, consider your crop size and location to determine what type of layering method is right for you. A good rule of thumb is to use at least four times the volume of the largest plant.
Soil
Soil is a vital component of any cannabis grow, and it can make or break a crop. This is especially true for outdoor grows, where soil can provide the ideal environment for cannabis plants to thrive.
Soils are made of a blend of different kinds of organic material and minerals. These include sand, silt, clay, and loam. The combination of these materials determines the type of soil you use. Soils can also have varying drainage, nutrients, texture, pH level, and water retention.
For outdoor cultivation, you’ll want a soil that’s easy to work with and that has good drainage and water retention. This is important for growing cannabis, as it needs to be able to stay moist enough for the roots to keep growing.
A soil that is rich in nitrogen (N) can be especially beneficial for cannabis. Nitrogen is one of the most critical nutrients for healthy growth and high yields. It can be found in a variety of forms, such as animal blood meal, bone meal, fish bone meal, and alfalfa.
You’ll also want to ensure that your soil has a pH that’s between 5.5 and 6.5. Soil that is too acidic or too alkaline can stunt plant growth and lower yields.
The best way to check your soil’s pH is with a pH tester. These are easy to purchase and can be found at most gardening supply stores.
Once you’ve determined the pH of your soil, you can use it to determine if you need to add any additional nutrients or adjust the pH in your water. A good rule of thumb is to give your cannabis plant a little water every day, and then to add nutrients and adjust the pH once per week or so.
Top dressing is a great way to boost the nutrient profile of your soil and give it the extra boost it needs to thrive. This can be done by adding compost, a top-dressing fertilizer, or a mixture of the two.
The most effective way to use top-dressing is by mixing it with your soil before potting your cannabis plants. This gives you the chance to customize the mix and ensure that it includes all of the nutrients your plants need at any given stage of growth.
Light
Cannabis plants require a variety of wavelengths of light to grow and flower properly. Some wavelengths are used for photosynthesis, which converts carbon dioxide into plant nutrients, and other wavelengths are used for photomorphogenesis, which causes the plant to develop new leaves.
Using the right lighting strategy for each phase of your cultivation can have a dramatic impact on your yield and overall quality. It can also help you keep production costs down, so you can afford to spend more on product.
LED lights have become a popular choice for cannabis growers because they provide greater control over your lighting spectrum. They are also more efficient and use less energy than traditional HID lights, making them an affordable option for any grower.
You can use different color LED bulbs to control the amount of light your cannabis plants receive during each growth stage, which is a great way to ensure you get the most out of your investment. Additionally, LED lights are incredibly durable and long-lasting.
However, LEDs do cost a bit more up front than CFL bulbs, so it’s important to choose the best option for your budget. In addition, it’s worth noting that LEDs can be dimmed so you can adjust the amount of light they provide for each stage of your cannabis’s growth.
If you’re a beginner at growing marijuana, it’s essential to remember that the amount of light your cannabis plants receive is an important factor in their growth and harvest. It’s easy to over- or under-saturate your cannabis with too much light, which can lead to a light burn and stunted growth.
Another common mistake is keeping your grow lights too close or too far away from your plants. If your grow lights are too close, they can overheat the stems of your cannabis plants, which can cause them to “leggy.” The same goes for too far away, where the light can burn and damage the leaves on your cannabis plants.
If you’re a new cannabis grower, it’s best to start out with low-intensity lights and gradually increase the intensity over time as your cannabis grows. This allows you to better acclimate your plants and prepare them for higher-intensity lights in the vegetative and flowering phases of their development.
Water
Water is vital to the health of cannabis plants and their roots. Without sufficient moisture, the leaves of your crop will turn yellow or brown. This can signal that the crop is dehydrated, which can prove fatal if left unchecked.
Whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, watering cannabis is a crucial step in the cultivation process. It will determine how quickly your plants grow and whether they produce a high yield of cannabis.
The best way to ensure your cannabis crops are getting the right amount of water is to use a smart irrigation system. These systems will automatically give your plants the appropriate amount of water and nutrients, saving you time and money in the long run.
It’s also important to choose the right water for your growing area and the stage of your crop’s life cycle. For example, it isn’t a good idea to water cannabis in warm weather, as it will cause faster drying of the soil and roots.
You can avoid these problems by using a spray nozzle instead of a watering can when watering young seedlings, which have delicate roots that are not yet able to withstand strong water flows. You can also water your seedlings with a small quantity of water, letting the plant absorb it slowly.
While it may be tempting to use bottled water for your outdoor cannabis crop, this can be expensive and contains lots of additives that make the water unsuitable for an organic, natural crop. Collecting rainwater is a cheaper alternative and will help reduce your water expenditure and environmental footprint.
Moreover, rainwater is naturally filtered so that it doesn’t contain toxic chemicals or nutrients that could affect your crops. It’s also a great alternative to tap water, which can often be full of calcium and other minerals that can interfere with the health of your crops.
When choosing the right water for your crop, it’s also important to consider pH values and nutrient content. Depending on your location, water with a slightly acidic pH value (6.5) is ideal, while alkaline water (8.5) will damage the crop’s roots and slow down growth.
