Whether you're new to weed production or looking to improve your existing harvest, following this complete guide will help you produce large, high-quality yields right at home. With the right supplies, techniques, and care, growing weed indoors can be an extremely satisfying and cost-effective endeavor.
Choosing Pot Varieties
The first step in planning your indoor grow is picking the right weed varieties to grow. The three main types of pot plants each have their own qualities.
Energizing strains
Known for their energizing cerebral effects, sativas grow tall and slender with narrow leaves. They thrive in hotter tropical climates and have a longer blooming time between 2.5-3 months indoors. Top energizing varieties include Jack Herer, Durban Poison, Super Lemon Haze, and Jack Herer.
Relaxing strains
These strains provide calming full-body effects and grow short and bushy with broad leaves. Adapted to cooler mountain climates, they flower faster within 8-9 weeks. Popular indica strains include Granddaddy Purple, Northern Lights, and Bubba Kush.
Hybrids
Hybrid strains mix traits from both energizing strains and relaxing strains. They offer blended effects and have medium blooming times around 2.25-2.5 months. Popular mixes are Blue Dream, OG Kush, and Blue Dream.
Setting Up Your Cultivation Space
Marijuana plants need the right controlled environment to thrive. Key factors for indoor grows are lights, airflow, layout, and finding the ideal discreet spot.
Location
Choose an unused space with easy access to irrigation and power outlets. An empty extra bedroom, unused closet, basement corner, or grow tent securely placed in a garage all make great hidden grow room spots.
Lights
Marijuana requires strong light for all growth stages. LEDs are efficient and come in full spectrum options mimicking real outdoor light. Cover 250-400 watts per sq. ft for the vegetative stage and 20-40 watts per sq. ft. for flowering.
Airflow
Proper ventilation and exhaust systems maintain ideal temp, humidity, and pure CO2 levels. Set up quiet 10-15 cm blowers or carbon filters to circulate stale air and eliminate smells.
Layout
Maximize your space by positioning plants carefully under the lights and allowing room to access and work around them. Set up separate zones for growth, flowering, curing, and cloning.
Growing Substrates
Cannabis can be cultivated in various mediums, each with benefits and cons. Pick a suitable option for your particular setup and growing style.
Soil
The classic substrate, soil is affordable and simple for beginners. It provides great taste but requires more irrigation and nutrients to nourish plants. Enrich soil with perlite or coir to improve aeration.
Coconut coir
Made from coconut husks, renewable coco coir retains water but still lets in air to the roots. It's cleaner and more predictable than soil. Use coir-specific nutrients to prevent accumulation.
Hydroponics
In water systems, plant roots develop directly in fertilizer irrigation solution. This allows rapid development but needs close observation of water properties. DWC and drip systems are common methods.
Germinating Seeds
Germination prepares your pot seeds to begin growing radicles. This prepares them for planting into their cultivation medium.
Towel Method
Place seeds between moist paper towel and maintain them moist. Check after 2-7 days for emerging radicles showing germination is complete.
Direct Planting
Insert seeds right into pre-moistened growing medium 6mm deep. Gently water and wait 7-14 days until seedlings push through the surface.
Cubic rockwool
Soak rockwool cubes in balanced water. Insert seeds 6mm deep into the cubes. Keep cubes wet until seedlings emerge within 1-14 days.
Repotting Seedlings
Once sprouted, weed young plants need to be repotted to avoid overcrowding. Move them into appropriately sized pots.
Ready Containers
Load large pots with growing medium amended with time-released fertilizer. Let pots to absorb water overnight before transplanting.
Carefully Transplanting
Carefully loosen seedling roots from germination medium using a spoon. Place into pre-soaked pot at equal depth as before and gently water Discover More in.
Growth Stage
The vegetative stage promotes leafy growth and plant structure through 18-24 hours of daily light intensity. This stage usually lasts 1-2 months.
Using 3/4 to full day of Lighting
Use lamps on a 24 daily schedule or natural sunlight to trigger constant growth. Light intensity influences size and internodal spacing.
Fertilizing
Use vegetative stage nutrients higher in N. Make sure pH remains around 5.8-6.3 for full fertilizer uptake. Fertilize 25-50% concentration after 14 days and strengthen slowly.
LST and topping
Fimming, LST, and trellising direct shoot patterns for flat foliage. This boosts yields.
Bloom Stage
The blooming stage develops buds as plants show their sex under a 12/12 cycle timing. It lasts 8-12 weeks depending on strain.
Switching to 12/12
Change grow lights to 12 hours on, 12 hours off or move outside for outdoor 12/12 timing. Request More Info This signals plants to begin blooming.
Stop Fertilizing
Flushing removes fertilizer residuals to enhance taste. Fertilize lightly the first period then just use plain water the final 2 weeks.
Flushing
Maintain 12 hour photoperiod but flush using pH-balanced water only. Return to plain watering if buds aren't ripe after two weeks.
Reaping
Knowing when cannabis is completely mature delivers peak cannabinoid content and aroma. Cut Discover More down plants at optimal maturity.
Signs of readiness
Check swollen calyxes, faded pistils, and 5-15% amber trichomes. Check buds around the plant as they don't all mature evenly.
Harvesting plants
Use clean, sharp pruning shears to gently slice each plant at the base. Leave 5-10cm of stem attached.
Drying
Suspend whole plants or colas upside down in a dark room with moderate temperature and RH around 45-65% for 7-14 days.
Aging
Curing continues desiccating while aging the buds like aged spirits. This technique mellows harshness and intensifies cannabinoid and terpene profiles.
Curing containers
Trim cured buds from stems and store into sealed containers, filling about 75% capacity. Use a hygrometer to monitor jar moisture.
Opening jars daily
Open containers for a few hours each day to slowly reduce humidity. Rehydrate buds if humidity goes under 55%.
Final Cure
After 2-3 weeks when moisture stabilizes around 55-60%, perform a last trim and keep long-term in airtight jars.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even experienced growers run into various marijuana plant problems. Identify problems soon and address them correctly to maintain a vibrant garden.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Chlorosis often indicate inadequate nitrogen. Purpling stems and leaves signal phosphorus deficiency. Check pH and boost nutrients slowly.
Pests
Thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, mites, and root aphids are frequent cannabis pests. Use neem oil sprays, predator bugs, and sticky traps for organic control.
Mold
High moisture encourages botrytis and root rot. Improve circulation and circulation while reducing RH below 50% during bloom.
Conclusion
With this complete indoor marijuana growing guide, you now have the knowledge to grow plentiful strong buds for private harvests. Follow these steps and methods during the seed starting, vegetative, and bloom stages. Spend in good equipment and carefully monitor your plants. In time, you'll be rewarded with sticky fragrant buds you raised yourself under the loving care of your green thumbs. Happy growing