With the Illinois Cannabis industry continually growing, more and more cannaconsumers are looking to try their hand at the art of cannabis cultivation. If you haven’t considered it, you probably should if you can. There are few hobbies that are as rewarding as harvesting cannabis that you grew. However, there are many things you’ll need to know like the law and the items needed for indoor cultivation, and RiverBluff Cannabis Roselle is here to give you tips! So, kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn about growing some weed stuff.
The Law First
If you are going to grow cannabis, it is best to know the laws to be safe. It is only legal for patients of the medical marijuana program to grow cannabis, and those patients are limited to 5 plants per grow. If you are unable to obtain a medical marijuana card and desire to go outlaw, it is still best to stay under the five-plant limit. Most law enforcement agencies in recreational legal states have left small home growers alone as they have more pressing matters to spend funding on, and 5 plants is considered a civil violation punishable by a $200 fine in Illinois. Over 5 plants can lead to a felony.
A Closed Environment
When growing indoor cannabis, it is best to have as closed-off of an environment as possible to limit outside environmental factors. Most growers don’t have a room they can dedicate to this or room they can section off for this. That has led to the popularity of indoor grow enclosures. These enclosures are great for small indoor growers as they come with a reflective inner space, ports for fans and cords, and they are incognito. They look like a typical pop-up closet for smaller homes or even furniture! Here is a link to the 8 best cannabis grow boxes in 2024. Some of those boxes come fully equipped.
Lights
The type of lights you use are completely up to you. Though two types of lighting systems reign supreme in the cannabis industry, HID or High-Intensity Discharge lights are the champions of the old school and LED or Light-emitting Diode. For many years, HID systems, specifically high-pressure sodium bulbs, were the undisputed rulers of grow closets as the other options paled in comparison. HID lights are great for flowering but during seedling and vegetation stages they often give off too much light and make the room temperature harder to control. That led to the LED revolution we are currently in. LEDs run far cooler, are generally less costly, and consume less electricity. LEDs sound like the obvious choice but long-time growers will argue that LEDs are ok at everything but not great at anything and still prefer having the great flower power of HPS. Here is a link to the best cannabis grow lights in 2024.
Grow Medium
For first time growers, it is best to sow your seed to soil. Planting in soil allows you the largest margin of error as that is the plants natural grow medium. Most people understand the basic concepts of growing in soil. You water the plant, keep it in light, and give it food when needed. It is a method as old as civilization itself but there are other popular methods. The second most known medium for growing cannabis is hydroponics. Hydroponic systems can get costly quick. You also need to do the proper research on how to do it properly but those who master this art swear by it. Probably the newest craze in cannabis growing mediums is soilless mediums. Soilless mediums include coco coir, perlite, and vermiculite. Soilless cannabis cultivation has grown in popularity recently due to its versatility. It provides the basic methods of soil growing while allowing for complete nutrient intake like hydroponics.
Climate Control
Climate control may be the most vital part of home growing. Cannabis is a fickle plant. It is hard to kill completely but easy to stunt its growth if not pampered. If you are growing in an enclosure, you have already started to control the climate. The three most important factors for growing cannabis indoors are:
- Temperature control
- Humidity control
- CO2 levels
Find an environmental control system that works best for lifestyle.
Nutrients
Like any living thing, cannabis plants need the proper food to grow to their full potential. Cannabis plants love to devour nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. During the plant’s vegetation stage, it will require more nitrogen to aid in photosynthesis. During the flowering stage, it will require more potassium to develop thicker, denser buds. Other nutrients that come in handy are calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Most companies have their nutrients developed for specific stages of the plant’s life cycle to make it easier for first time growers.
Cannabis Genetics
The best part of growing cannabis is being able to select the exact strains you want to grow but is also probably the most perplexing because there are so many options! The best way to pick a strain to grow is by picking a strain you’ve had in the past and you know you liked. It is also a good idea to just search a strain name and the word growing to see if others report it as being problematic to grow. There are countless videos and message boards designed specifically to help you grow your dream plants. There is also no shortage of places willing to sell seeds. Do your research to see what people have to say about companies before you buy. It will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Other Things to Know Before You Grow
These are just the broad strokes! There are far more things to learn to hone your herbology skills. The Cannabis Gowers Bible is a must own for anyone trying their hand at cannabis gardening and YouTube is an invaluable resource. If you know someone growing cannabis, pick their brain and learn as much as you can. Cannabis cultivation is one of the most satisfying hobbies a cannaconsumer can take on. The first time you smoke something you raised, even if it is not that great, you will be smitten. Thank you for reading and best of luck with your gardening adventures. To stay up to date with all the latest deals and articles provided by RiverBluff Cannabis Roselle, be sure to SIGN UP four email group now!