There are several factors to consider when it comes to growing cannabis. In addition to the plant itself, you should also keep an eye on the drainage of your garden. By ensuring that the water is properly drained away, you can help prevent bacterial growth and other problems that can be harmful to your plant.
Indoor vs outdoor growing methods
When it comes to growing cannabis, there are two main types: indoor and outdoor. Although each method has its pros and cons, it’s important to weigh the options and make a decision.
For starters, indoor cannabis grows require considerably more energy. However, they can produce larger yields, albeit at a higher cost. If you live in an area where climate isn’t an issue, then you may be better off sticking to the outdoors.
On the other hand, indoor growers will have to deal with temperature and humidity. It’s also important to consider how much space you have to dedicate to your grow. This will affect your final price tag.
Outdoor marijuana produces large buds that are typically less dense than those grown indoors. However, they can be harder to harvest. They can be more difficult to trim, and their trichomes may not develop as evenly as those found in a well-lit room.
A hybrid growing method is also recommended for beginners. These methods combine the best features of both indoor and outdoor cultivation. In addition to creating a more stable environment, indoor growers are able to replicate the conditions of each strain.
Indoor growers often have the advantage of being able to experiment with different variables until they get it right. Some facilities even use supplemental lighting.
The sun is a powerful source of grow light. This is because the sun produces more than 35,000 times the amount of energy needed to power a single light bulb. That’s a lot of energy.
While the sun is the greatest natural source of light, it’s a good idea to use solar panels or LED lights to recreate the effect. Depending on your location, this can be a smart way to save money on your electricity bill.
Controlling CO2 in your garden
Adding CO2 to your cannabis garden can increase your yields, but it is important to use the proper method. If used improperly, it could be hazardous to your health. Using a CO2 controller can help you make the most of your efforts.
Luckily, there are several methods available to increase the concentration of CO2 in your grow room. The main advantage of using a CO2 controller is the ability to control the amount of CO2 that is injected into your growing room.
Some CO2 systems are designed to automatically increase the amount of CO2 that is delivered to your grow room. These systems typically range from large commercial facilities to small backyard gardens.
In addition to a CO2 generator, you can also add CO2 into your room by adding a bit of dry ice. Dry ice is a cold, solid form of CO2 that is released into the air when it warms. This is the most cost-effective method, but it can also be a fire hazard.
You can also try using a small fan on your floor to push the CO2 up and around your plant’s canopy. Make sure you have adequate ventilation and AC in your grow room to keep it cool.
CO2 is heavy. So it’s important to distribute it evenly over your plants. Several ways to accomplish this include fans, turbulators, and tubes.
Although CO2 can boost yields, there are other factors that affect yields more than CO2. For example, pests can harm plants, and too much CO2 can damage plants that don’t have sufficient light. To avoid these problems, select high quality growing mediums, and keep your grow room pest-free.
Avoiding pesticides
The use of pesticides in cannabis cultivation poses many environmental and health risks. For one thing, the application of pesticides can contaminate water quality downstream of the plants.
In addition to their potential environmental harm, pesticides also have a serious impact on human health. They have been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. It has also been found that some types of pesticides can be transferred to humans through inhalation.
A recent study published in the Journal of Toxicology showed that many of the pesticides that are used in cannabis cultivation can be transferred to humans through inhalation. However, the full scope of this danger remains unclear.
While some pesticides are considered safe for inhalation, others may have negative effects on human health. Using a variety of different approaches, the authors of the study were able to assess how persistent the pesticides were on cannabis.
Some researchers have found that pesticides can contaminate water quality at a low level. Researchers have monitored the presence and concentration of carbofuran and diazinon in surface water runoff. These two chemicals were found to be present downstream of public land cannabis cultivation complexes.
This research suggests that the use of pesticides in cannabis cultivation can negatively affect aquatic species and watersheds. Pesticides can be harmful to humans, too, and the amount of residue left on the plants can present serious health concerns for consumers.
Despite the potential dangers of pesticides in cannabis cultivation, some states have implemented rules limiting their use. For instance, New Jersey has banned the use of pesticides on cannabis plants. Besides, a handful of states allow the use of some pesticides under strict limits.
EC meters
EC meters are an important tool to ensure proper drainage in cannabis cultivation. EC meters measure the concentration of mineral nutrients in a solution, which can be used to assess the nutritional status of your crop.
Cannabis plants are very sensitive to the concentration of minerals in water. If the EC is too high, the plant’s leaves and roots will be damaged. On the other hand, if the EC is too low, the plant won’t be able to absorb all the water it needs.
EC measurements can be expressed in milli-siemens per centimeter. For example, a 0.1 EC reading means that there are 100 milli-siemens of salts present in one centimeter of water.
EC readings can be obtained from two sources: the reservoir and the soil. While the reservoir will give you a direct measurement of the EC of the nutrient solution, the soil will give you a reading of the EC+, or the total dissolved solids.
Depending on the growing technique, the EC level of the substrate will vary. Hydroponics can use a maximum EC of 1.800, while coco coir can go as high as 1.601.
An EC meter can be portable, so it is easy to take measurements. However, it is important to get a reputable meter.
Whether you are using a portable EC meter or a continuous EC meter, it’s important to calibrate it periodically. Using the meter without calibration will give inaccurate results.
It’s best to keep the EC and pH readings of the nutrient solution and the water that your plants are drinking at the same time. This way, you can optimize your operations.
Besides taking EC and pH readings at the same time, you should also know when to take them. If you know when the EC is higher than the nutrient solution in the reservoir, you can avoid overfeeding your plants.
Deep Water Culture (DWC) system
The Deep Water Culture (DWC) system is one of the easiest ways to grow cannabis. It allows you to take control of the root environment, which ensures healthy and productive plants. Having your plant roots submerged in water all day long gives them a much higher chance of survival.
While DWC is relatively easy to set up, there are still several things you need to know before you begin. For starters, you should make sure that the nutrient solution has the proper pH and temperature. This will help your plants absorb the nutrients they need.
You can use an air pump to supply oxygen to the water your roots consume. An air pump is inexpensive and can be purchased from aquarium shops. If you have a larger tank, you might need a more powerful pump.
Another advantage of a DWC system is that it allows you to control the level of water. When the water level in the reservoir drops, you can simply add a pH adjusted nutrient solution. However, it is important to remember that excess nutrients will accumulate in the water over time.
To keep your DWC nutrient solution healthy, you will want to monitor the nutrient levels. It is also recommended to check the EC value. Your EC meter should read at least 5000 ppm.
As your plants mature, they will take up more water than nutrients. So you will need to change your nutrient solutions every two to three weeks.
Aside from keeping track of the EC value, you should also keep an eye on your plant’s pH. Ideally, your plant should have a pH of 5.5-6.5. Plants in the flowering stage require a lower pH.
