Although marijuana is federally illegal in the US, it is legal in 38 US states and DC for medicinal use and recreational purposes in some states.
One of the provisions in those states is that adult residents aged at least 21 can legally grow a state-sanctioned number of marijuana plants for medical and recreational use.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, cannabis legalization reduces illegal marijuana cultivation in forest reserves. There are many benefits of homegrown cannabis to consumers, including high-quality weed at lower costs, harvesting all year round, and product consistency.
But while marijuana is basically a weed that can grow anywhere, growing high-quality weed is the real challenge.
This guide should help you transition successfully into marijuana farming.
1. Select The Marijuana Seeds and Clones To Grow At Your Farm
There are over 700 identified cannabis strains, including marijuana strains. Marijuana refers primarily to cannabis with a high delta-9 THC content. Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Different cannabis strains germinate and grow from corresponding cannabis seeds. However, some marijuana seeds are more challenging to grow than others. The marijuana seeds fall into three categories, feminized, autoflowering, and regular seeds.
So, you must consider these categories when you buy quality marijuana seeds for sale or from your grow shop because each category has advantages and disadvantages.
Feminized seeds are a good pick for new cannabis plants, reducing the risk of yield loss to pollination by male cannabis plants. Unlike regular seeds, they don’t require the farmer to identify and uproot male seeds.
However, feminized seeds are more expensive than regular ones and have lower genetic diversity.
On the other hand, autoflowering marijuana seeds favor cannabis farmers because they have a shorter growth cycle than regular and photoperiod seeds. They also have a higher disease-resistance capacity. But, they often produce a lower yield than photoperiod seeds.
Therefore, as a new marijuana farmer, the best way to begin your farming journey is by choosing the right seeds for efficiency and maximum growth.
2. Decide Whether to Grow Indoors Or Outdoors
Marijuana grows in most climates; however, growing a high yield of dank weed requires optimum climate control. High-quality marijuana requires precise growth conditions, including humidity, temperature, nutrient intake, light, temperature, and airflow.
Farmers can choose to either grow their weeds indoors or outdoors. An indoor marijuana setup has multiple advantages, including total environmental control, easy cleaning, and ease of keeping away from pests. However, indoor marijuana growth set-ups are expensive and have a negative environmental impact.
On the other hand, growing marijuana outdoors has the benefit of unlimited space, including for companion plants. The plants grown outdoors are also more resistant to disease and pests. But, they are more susceptible to unprecedented weather changes and theft.
Therefore, one of the best ways to do marijuana farming is to start by evaluating the most conducive and efficient set-up.
3. Identify The Ideal Growth Medium
A growth medium is essential for cannabis seedlings to take root for stability and absorb water, nutrients, and minerals. Given its availability, soil with manure or compost is the most common growth medium.
Soil is also user-friendly, especially for new cannabis farmers. However, soil tends to produce a lower yield than other growth mediums. That is because soil alternatives like perlite, coco coir, and perlite can support the roots, facilitate crop nutrition, and produce a higher yield. But, they require more skill and experience to use than soil.
4. Hydroponics
A hydroponics system is a medium-free growth option that uses specialized piping systems to transport water for growth. Its primary advantages include that the absence of a growth medium creates a larger surface area for the roots to absorb more oxygen.
Hydroponic farming systems also give marijuana farmers better control over nutrient administration and make monitoring and maintaining the ideal pH for maximum yield easier.
However, a hydroponics system is expensive to set up and is very unforgiving for inexperienced farmers. Nonetheless, it remains as one of the best ways to do marijuana farming.
5. Growth Cabinets/Chambers
As the name suggests, growth chambers are cabinet-like devices optimized to maintain a controlled environment for plant growth and maximum yield. Growth chambers feature smart control panels to help farmers regulate temperature, light humidity, and carbon dioxide levels.
Additionally, they feature a remote control and an alarm to help troubleshoot any problems with the plants and restore ideal climatic conditions.
Growth chambers come in diverse sizes, including reach-ins and walk-ins to suit diverse marijuana farmer needs. Moreover, they feature add-ons, including additional shelvings and lighting panels. The chambers are popular for facilitating large marijuana buds.
6. Grow Tents
A grow tent or grow room is a tent-like structure featuring metallic or wooden support poles covered with a canvas tarp to create an indoor plant-growing environment.
Like grow cabinets, grow chambers help marijuana farmers create a controlled microclimate to facilitate discreet and healthy plant growth. However, grow tents are more affordable, easy to assemble, and offer better ventilation.
7. Greenhouses
Greenhouses offer a middle ground between indoor and outdoor marijuana growth setups, especially when installed outdoors. A greenhouse protects the plants from extreme weather, pests, and theft while saving on lighting and heating equipment by utilizing sunlight exposure.
Nonetheless, they also have room for add-ons like lighting equipment to facilitate year-round growth. Greenhouses are also affordable and produce high yields.
Conclusion
Homegrown marijuana is the next big thing and has numerous benefits for the grower. If you are looking to become a marijuana farmer, consider the tips provided in this guide to achieve maximum yield and recoup your investment.
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