How to Grow Marijuana: A Beginner’s Guide

Exploring the world of marijuana becomes an exciting experience when it comes to growing your very own plants. It becomes more than merely saving money or gaining control over the final strain result but rather a mystical green-thumb experience. 

 

Join us in the fascinating world of cannabis cultivation and discover a potential new hobby that can bring you closer to nature. 

Understanding the Basics of Cannabis Cultivation

Essentially, there are two ways to start: 

• Cannabis seeds

• Cannabis cloning

 

Cannabis cloning involves taking cuttings from a mother plant to create a new one. This speeds up growth and ensures the new plant inherits the traits of the original. It has many advantages but can be a bit more challenging. 

Types of Cannabis Plants: Indica, Sativa, and Hybrids

Every marijuana enthusiast is already familiar with the following types of cannabis plants, each with unique qualities and effects:

 

• Sativa are taller plants with narrower leaves. Their effect is more stimulating.
• Indica are shorter plants with broader leaves. Their effect is more calming.
• Hybrids combine Sativa and Indica in different ways to create a balanced experience. 

Preparing to Grow Marijuana

With this 101 preparation, we’re all set to review the factors to contemplate while preparing for the growing process.

Legal Considerations for Growing Marijuana in the US

The states of Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia have decriminalized not only the possession of marijuana but also its cultivation. The number of mature plants you can have in your residence varies in each case, so you should be informed before starting the process.

If you want to know more about the situation in DC, check out our piece on smoking weed in DC.

Choosing Between Indoor and Outdoor Growing

Marijuana can grow both indoors and outdoors, with each method having pros and cons to bear in mind.

 

Indoor Growing	Outdoor Growing
✅ More control over environmental factors.	✅ More cost-effective, as it uses natural light.
✅ Privacy to manage the plants.	✅ Higher plant quality.
❌ It requires specialized equipment and higher energy consumption, making the process more expensive.	❌ Cultivation is more exposed and limited by the climate conditions.

Selecting the Right Cannabis Strain

Consider the desired effects when choosing the cannabis strain you want to grow. You may prefer to enjoy high potency with THC or therapeutic benefits with CBD strains. Also, consider the growing environment, the ideal climate, and the harvest time of each strain.

Setting Up Your Growing Space

You need to plan your growing space to provide the right conditions for your weed plant. Based on your method, let’s review the details on how to set up everything to make your plant flourish.

Indoor Growing Setup

Preparing a dedicated area with proper lighting is essential for indoor plant growth. Add HPS or LED grow lights and include a ventilation system for air circulation, a temperature and humidity control method, and a watering system with nutrient-rich water.

 

Outdoor Growing Essentials

Outdoor growing allows you to take advantage of natural sunlight and air, but you must also consider weather and pest control. This type of cultivation requires nutrient-rich soil, an irrigation system, and plant protection elements.

Caring for Your Cannabis Plant

• Nutrient Requirements: They are the basic elements your plants need to grow, and each method needs its most effective set of nutrients. 
• Watering and Feeding: During the different stages of the process, you will need to adjust the watering amount, the techniques used, and the feeding schedule.
• Managing Light and Temperature: Cannabis plants depend on light cycles for healthy development. Usually, these cycles consist of 18 hours of light in the vegetative state and 12 hours in the flowering state. The temperature also needs to be adjusted according to the stage of the process.

Harvesting, Curing, and Storing Marijuana

The following steps will guarantee you keep the potency and flavor of your plants during the final section of the cultivation process.

When and How to Harvest Your Cannabis Plant

As your plant grows, you’ll notice two signs that indicate their maturity:

• The fan leaves, which are the longer and fingered ones, will start fading.
• The trichomes, the hair-like or crystal-like structures on the leaves, go from clear to cloudy to an amber color. 

 

When this happens, it means good news! Your plant is ready to harvest. Once you notice your plant is ready, gather your scissors and gloves and start trimming it carefully. Remove the fan leaves and cut the buds from the branches.

Properly Drying and Curing Marijuana Buds

Use a cannabis drying rack or hang-dry your plant for one to two weeks. The precise time will depend on the strain you chose. Avoid direct light on the plant during the drying process. 

 

To see if your buds are ready, gently bend a small branch. If it snaps cleanly, your buds are adequately dried.

Best Practices for Storing Marijuana

The last step is to store your buds in an airtight container to preserve the plant’s quality as much as possible. 

 

Keep the containers at a humidity level of around 60% for a few weeks. Afterward, store your buds in a cool, dark place to prevent mold and mildew. Learn more about how to store cannabis with our guide.

Embrace the Journey: Grow Your Own Premium Cannabis!

Feel ready to start growing cannabis at home? We understand this is a complex process for beginners, so we are here to help. 

Check out our variety of weed products, including our THC flowers, and receive fast and safe delivery in DC, VA, and MD. Become a VIP member at Purple Penthouse for more offers and exclusive products!