Growing cannabis organically means you cultivate the plant in the way nature intends it to be. This approach may require a lot of your resources and time, but the yield is definitely rewarding. By employing the organic method, you are also helping our planet since you use less to no synthetic chemicals.
Through this article, let me walk you through how to grow organic cannabis.
There are generally four stages in growing organic cannabis. Each one requires a set of tools that you need to ensure a productive harvest:
The tools are available in your local gardening or hardware store. These may also be purchased online which is more convenient since you would not need to physically visit a store.
If you decide to get your Cannabis growing necessities online I highly recommend growershouse.com.
They have a vast selection of grow lights, timers, pH meters, grow tents, and also great organic soils and nutrients.
At this point, you need to have a working knowledge of the three main types of cannabis seeds.
To buy quality cannabis seeds visit this online store or click the Seed type link above to go straight to the right seed category.
Seed strains are also worthy of one’s attention in growing organic marijuana. There are four strains of the plant:
To further discuss the differences between Sativa, Indica, and hybrids, you may refer to this blog post.
Almost every experienced and expert cannabis grower agrees that soil health determines the quality of organic cannabis produce. By using healthy living soil, chances are you will avoid experiencing potential nutrient deficiencies, pests problems, and plant pathogens.
Today, growers refer to super organic soil to harvest incredible-quality cannabis buds.
Although super soils have their plus and minus, it is still rewarding for any growers to prepare such types to achieve desirable buds. Here is a simple procedure in preparing a super soil:
(Alternatively, you can purchase a ready-to-use organic soil mix like in the PDF Shpopinglist that you can download below.)
Step 1: Determine your base soil.
You must choose the proper base soil for your super soil. Remember that cannabis plants thrive better if the ground is well-oxygenated, porous, and slightly acidic (pH 6 – pH 6.8).
Advisable it is for you to procure organic soil mixed with natural elements such as worm, casting, compost, coco coir, and more. Considerably it is expensive, but the significant health of your plants and the bud size are substantially worth it.
Below are some ingredients to expect from organic soils;
Step 2: Enrich your soil.
To do this, you must put your soil into a large container. Using a garden fork, loosen the dirt to aerate it. Afterward, improve your base soil’s conditions by adding some of the following:
The amount of each component you use in your super soil will be determined by the quality of your beginning soil as well as the amount of time you have before planting. If possible, you should prepare your soil at least six months before you wish to grow. You’ll be able to utilize more of the ingredients indicated above because they’ll have had more time to break down.
Step 3: Flush your soil.
If you lack time to prepare your super soil beforehand, Royal Queen Seeds have provided their visitors with a simple procedure to prepare cannabis soil.
In the pots you plan to grow in, combine:
Using your graip, blend everything. Soak the mixture in pure water for at least two days. You must keep the soil wet throughout.
After determining how to produce super soil, the next decision involves choosing between garden beds and soil containers.
Garden beds These refer to large patches of healthy land used for organic farming. Plants take advantage of the ample space in garden beds for deeper penetration of their roots.
Soil containers Growers use these containers to move their plants from one place to another. Marijuana placed in soil containers can be relocated under the Sun or into the shade. Another important aspect of using soil containers is when the weather outside becomes unfriendly; growers can transfer their growth to a safe place.
Like humans, marijuana plants need two types of nutrients to be healthy and robust – micronutrients and macronutrients.
Macronutrients
These are essential elements needed by plants in abundance. Thus, the term "macro." Known macronutrients are the following —
NITROGEN
Benefits
Sources
POTASSIUM
Benefits
Sources
PHOSPHORUS
Benefits
Sources
Micronutrients
Minerals that plants in small quantities cache fall under the category of micronutrients. However, just because they exist in such a small percentage does not mean micronutrients are non-essentials. The deficiency of any of these could cost the plant’s health:
IRON
Benefits
Sources
CALCIUM
Benefits
Source
BORON
Benefits
Source
MAGNESIUM
Benefits
Source
ZINC
Benefits
Source
Detecting nutrient deficiency in your plants could pose a significant challenge. Left undetected, a plant that is nutrient deficit could produce a low yield or might even wilt.
If you want to find out more about the nutrient needs of cannabis plants and its effect on potency and yield, check out my post: “How to know what know what nutrients are lacking in a cannabis plant.”
As its measurement varies from 0 to pH 14, the pH scale helps growers identify their soil’s acidity or basicity. The health of any marijuana strain rests on the soil’s pH level.
The rule of thumb for marijuana soil’s pH is from 6 – 7—this rule applies for cultivars grown on earth. If cultivated through the hydroponics system, the pH level might be more acidic — from 5.5 – 6.5.
The capacity of your plants to absorb vital nutrients depends on your soil’s pH range. Certain nutrients and trace elements will no longer be available to the plant if the pH of your growing media falls outside of the mentioned ranges. This situation explains why even if a nutrient is physically present at the plant’s roots, the plant may begin to show signs of nutrient shortage.
One upside of organic growing is that you would be less worried about maintaining your pH—the soil’s ability called "self buffering" is the reason for this. Buffering capacity refers to the soil’s ability to resist change. In the case of acidity, it can withstand a change in pH.
But this does not mean that growers can relax in maintaining the pH range of the soil. Closely monitoring is still a good call.
Abundant harvest – One primary concern of commercial breeders is the probability of diminished yield if they opt to grow cannabis organically. But this is not necessarily the case. Once the factors are at their optimum, those who grow weed via natural means can expect an abundant harvest.
Yields may be lower than non-organic growth if the micro-environment is not optimal. In the past, this was undoubtedly the case. However, commercially available organic fertilizers, growing media, and additives, as well as knowledge of how to use them, have greatly improved over time.
Enhanced flavor and aroma – Cannabis that is organically grown can manufacture excellent terpene and terpenoid qualities. Of course, this is achievable in an optimized environment where the plants grow.
Better potency – The potency of cannabis depends on the appropriateness of nutrients it receives. Since the proper balance between micro and macronutrients is significantly regulated in organic growing, organically grown cannabis has better potency than its non-organic counterparts.
Just like any other growing medium, soil growing your marijuana has its disadvantages.
Burdensome – Maintaining an organic garden of marijuana requires more work from the grower. A lot of interaction should occur between you and your growth. Some of the methods that succeeded this season may not work next year. To attain the most excellent potential result, you must constantly change your growing procedures and develop your technique. However, if you dedicate yourself to growing chemical-free produce, all of your efforts will be worthwhile.
Pricey – We all know that the process it took for a product to be made determines its price. Since organic cannabis requires more effort, it is more expensive than non-organic weeds. Yet, the good news would be some patrons enjoy fresh and chemical-free marijuana products.
Constant soil improvement – In growing Cannabis organically, frequent soil amendments are observed by the farmer. He should aim for the proper balance of nutrients using organic fertilizers / nutrients.
The answer to this question cannot be a simple "yes" or "no."
The idea that organic cannabis is healthier than plants grown through a soilless medium is somewhat debatable.
One primary reason organic weed is "slightly healthier" is that the plant is grown as what nature has intended – using soil. Growers avoid the use of synthetic chemicals because they utilize natural fertilizers.
Traditional growers also pinpoint the experience of customers in consuming marijuana grown other than organic procedure. Aside from ingesting chemicals, customers experience burn in the throat and lungs, more significant cough, headaches, and hangovers as they consume weeds cultivated synthetically. Albeit, there is not much scientific research to back up this claim.
Whether grown indoors or outdoors, cannabis is susceptible to pests attack. To address this issue, you should be aware of the following: (1) types of pests, (2) pests prevention, and (3) pests elimination.
Types of Pests
Here are some of the pests that can affect your marijuana:
Aphids
Barnacles
Broad mites
Bud rot or mold
Caterpillars and inchworms
White powdery mold
Mealybugs
Leaf miners
Grasshoppers
Etc.
Pests Prevention
Growers need to get ahead of the potential problem they must face. This is the most effective way of pests prevention. Follow these practical steps of avoiding damaging pests attack on your plants:
Pests Elimination
Sometimes, no matter how we protect our plants from pests’ invasion, they still manage to break through our defenses. At this point, these are the steps you should carry out:
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