For a lot of growers, indoor growing is by far the best option. It means they can control the environment, the light cycles, don’t have to worry about the weather or most pests. There is much less space for error and for issues outside of their control. Growing inside can be extremely easy, cost-effective and a great way for beginners to get to grips with growing. While we learn what our plants respond well to it is best that we can control everything going on with the plant. This is just a short beginner’s guide to indoor growing using soil rather than hydroponics. Most growers recommend soil growing for those who are new to cannabis cultivation. This is because hydroponics can be quite complex, but can also be expensive and requires a lot of hard work and know-how. Let’s start as simply as we can, and how most growers start, with a small indoor space like a cupboard.
Step 1: Choose a Grow Space
This is vital before we do anything else, we need to make sure we have an appropriate space prepared for our seedlings. The space we will need depends very much on how many plants we want to grow. I would recommend for beginners that a smaller space and fewer plants will be easier to manage and more cost-effective. Many people choose cupboards rather than whole rooms because it is easier to monitor the environment and ensure that the plant is being well looked after.
Remember that we need to supply the plant or plants with everything they need to thrive. This means that the space will need to accommodate lights, fans, vents and any other equipment we might need. Make sure there is easy access to the space so that we can check the plants every day. We also need to make sure that it will be easy to control the temperature and humidity.
Step 2: Set Up
Grow Lights
There are a few options when it comes to grow lights. There are many types of grow light including fluorescent, HID, and LED lights. Each has its own pros and cons, so it’s a good idea to research thoroughly. HID lights are usually recommended for beginners because they provide plenty of light and are inexpensive. There are two different colours of lights available; Metal Halide for the vegetative stage and High-Pressure Sodium for flowering. The first gives off a blue spectrum light and the second an orange. However, MH lights can also be used for flowering if we don’t want to swap out the bulbs. These lights will need to be on a timer to ensure the plants are getting the correct light cycles, mimicking the sun.
Temperature
Most cannabis strains do well in balmy, warmer climates. We need to ensure that the temperature doesn’t drop too low and that there is not too much fluctuation in temperature. When the plants are just tiny babies they will need their space to be around 20 – 25 degrees C. As they get older they will thrive if this temperature is increased to around 28 degrees C. The night time temperature, essentially when the lights are off, should be between 15 – 22 degrees C. Keep a thermometer in the grow space to check that the temperature is correct every day. Too hot or too cold can badly damage plants, especially when they are young.
Equipment
Here is a list of all the basic stuff we will need to set up an indoor grow area;
Containers:
Which kind of container depends very much on the grow medium, since we are using soil we will just need pots as you would use for any plant. We need to make sure there are holes in the bottom for airflow and drainage.
Thermometer/Hydrometer:
Of course, we will need devices that keep track of the temperature and the humidity. There are devices called Thermo-Hygrometers that measure both.
PH Meter:
Since we are using soil it is vital that we keep an eye on the PH balance of the soil. The PH level should be 6 – 7 for healthy, thriving plants. If we mess up the PH the plants could stop being able to absorb nutrients altogether.
Fan/Air Filter:
If the plants are in a cupboard we need to make sure they have access to fresh air at all times. At one side we will need a fan and at the other, an air filter to ensure the air is always circulating.
Caring For The Plants
Finally, let’s have a look at the right way to care for the plants while they are growing. Once the grow space is perfectly set up it is up to the grower to make sure the plants get everything they need. We need to make sure the plants get all of the nutrients they require to grow healthily.
These nutrients are:
Iron
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Copper
Calcium
Potassium
Usually, it’s a good idea to purchase a nutrient-rich soil before growing so we don’t need to worry too much about manually applying these nutrients. They are usually available in a liquid or powder form if we are worried the soil is not nutrient-rich.
When it comes to watering we need to be careful. One of the most common causes of plant death is over or under-watering. If we just give our plants the same amount of water every day without checking their needs we could harm them. Every day have a look at the plants and at the soil to gauge how much water they need. Look out for drooping leaves, dry soil and generally unhappy-looking plants.
This is basically everything a beginner needs to get started growing their own plants. Of course, there is still a lot of ground to cover when it comes to in-depth care and harvesting. Keep an eye out for more information and remember how important it is to do plenty of research before starting the first growing endeavour.
Remember: It is illegal to germinate cannabis seeds in many countries including the UK. It is our duty to inform you of this fact and to urge you to obey all of your local laws to the letter. The Vault only ever sells or sends out seeds for souvenir, collection or novelty purposes.
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