The preparation for spring planting doesn’t need to be difficult. But a bit of extra effort in the months prior will allow the process to flow better. And if you do it correctly, this will almost certainly result in larger yields.
Cannabis Genetics
First, you need to decide if your goal is medical or personal. Quality genetics can help. Clones are one of the easiest to find. Clones can be selected by selecting a mother that has shown qualities worth cultivating for the purposes stated above. It is important to do some research before buying your clones. This can be done by asking a trusted friend, a breeder, or (if lucky enough to live in the medical state), a dispensary. This doesn’t mean it is always a good strain, or will grow well in your environment.
Your yields will increase by leaps and bodes if you root and veg your selections before starting your grow. Make sure that your clones are well-rooted before investing time and effort into the grow. It’s not bad to start with a rooting hormonal for your first few waterings. However, it isn’t necessary when using balanced organic soils. It’s best to grow vegetables indoors, or under fluorescent T5 lights in a greenhouse. You can train your plants to branch better by using techniques like super-cropping or FIM. It is important to have more branches to increase yields.
Grown from seed
The most important thing for anyone who wants to start growing cannabis by seed, my preferred method to do so, is knowing the best way to obtain genetics. You should only purchase genetics from seed banks that are reputable. It doesn’t mean that a particular strain will be a good strain for growing just because it has been marketed by a certain seed bank. You can also be sure that just because a strain is expensive, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good strain. So do your research and look at reviews of the seed banks.
It is crucial to select a strain that will thrive in your particular environment. There are strains that can grow in an equatorial environment, whether they’re pure lines or hybrids of equatorial lines. The genetics are used to having 12 hours with light, and then 12 without. This is because the strain’s geographical origin is close to the Equator. This category is not very common, however it’s important to know for future availability and education. Colombians (also known as equatorial) are also Panama strains or Congolese basins. There are other strains which are close to equatorial, such as Thai, Cambodian, South East Asian, etc. These strains also mature from their genetic markers rather than the lack of light. It is best to veg equatorial seeds at least 90 to 60 days following germination. This will allow the plant to mature and flower. The equatorial variety will produce more and flower sooner if it is allowed to mature for a longer period of time before flowering.
If you want to start with seeds from modern hybrids, or lines that come from high latitudes, such as those from the Hindu Kush (Afghanistan Pakistan North India), know that they are usually bred for rapid maturation, and more photosensitive. If you allow the seeds to mature for between 30 and 60 days after germination, your plants will be stronger and produce more than those that are induced into flowering. Some strains can go back into a vegetative stage if the daylight hours are cut too short. Knowing when to stop outdoor growing is crucial, especially if you live near a magnetic polarity. Shortening the daylight hours can also have an impact on thermal inertia as the earth’s axis moves from winter to spring. This increases CO2, which in turn accelerates maturation in strains that come from non equatorial climates.
Germination
The process of germination, for either old or new seeds, does not have to be difficult. But patience is required. Here is where genetic quality comes in. Seeds made from organic material tend to be more robust and have a much longer shelf-life.
The paper towel method is a simple and effective way to germinate your seeds. This method is not liked by some because it contains bleach or oxidizers. Simple instructions are provided for the paper towel technique of germination. You can lightly wet two to three pieces of paper towels, without soaking them. Place 10 to 13 or fewer seeds in a line in the middle of the paper towel. The paper towel can be folded around the seeds to create a pouch.
If you need to add more water to the paper towel, this is what you should do next. Place the folded moist paper towel in a plastic bag that can be sealed if the paper is sufficiently moist. After placing the bag into a dark area, check it every 12 hour to make sure the taproot is peeking out of the rounded side. It can take as little as two days for some seeds to germinate, but it may also be 12 hours depending on their age. Remember, you need patience to germinate seeds.
The seed can also be planted directly in the soil. This method is effective, but it does not show that the seed has germinated immediately. The particle-paper starting tray is layered so that once the seeds have roots, they can be easily removed from soil and planted again. In the bottom layer of every starting tray, I use an organic basic potting soil that contains mycorrhizae. After that, I place a starter soil mix with fewer nutrients on top. Three times in the evening, I completely saturate soil with water. This will allow the soil to hold water. The next day I record which strain is placed in each location and I push the seed pointed side down to ¾ depth or flush. I use either a turkey baster, or a dropper to wet the seed’s top.
Use Super Thrive, or H2O2 in water as an additive to help oxygenate the soil and eliminate any harmful pathogens. Use only half the strength of any product recommended by its manufacturer until you become familiar with it.
Do not overwater your plants or seedlings. They need water, but also to breath. Under-water your plants and they will eventually be able absorb more. It is best to check the humidity content every three days. Certain environments can be windy and dry, which will cause soil mix to evaporate much quicker. After you plant your seeds, put them somewhere like a window sill under fluorescent T5 lights to start the growth.
My personal preference is to start my seedlings by growing them under natural lighting to establish color differences that can be observed only at the beginning. Under T5 fluorescents, you get nice dark leaves with rapid growth. Once the first leaves are visible, plant the seedlings in a pot that drains well or a beer cup. Backfill the container with a simple organic soil mixture and place it under light to help build up roots and new leaves.
The Soil and its Amendments
It is important to have enough space for root development once your sativa/indica is in flower, whether it is under lights or not. It is best to use a good organic mix and to avoid too much nitrogen, which can inhibit sensitive vegetative growth. This is especially true for sativas. Sometime all you need is good organic soil, water and the occasional addition of tea.
Composting over winter is a great idea if you want to get the most out of your composting. The longer the composting process takes, the more time the organic materials have to breakdown. If you’re interested in composting, it is a great idea to do a soil test at a laboratory to find out if the soil requires amendment. Many farmers use this method and cannabis growers should too. Why waste money on costly amendments that aren’t needed?
Selecting Your Plot
If you have chosen your plot make sure to check that the light is good from dawn until dusk or for your entire grow. The plot can be shadowed from hills, mountains or trees, which will cause photosensitive strains flower sooner and limit the time they have to grow. This affects yields. A plot that is shadowed later in the growing season may also result in plants to recreg, which can lead to poor yields. Hardening the seedlings and clones is another way to avoid shock from sunlight if your plants have grown indoors. It is possible to achieve this goal by giving plants some indirect sun for a couple of days before you plant.
Spring Planting
If your soil is able to retain nutrients, you can do this directly on the ground. The amount of holes you make depends on the number of plants that will be grown. It is best to leave at least 5 feet between each plant. This will allow the roots of plants to spread and compete for nutrients. You can then plant the plants in your chosen balanced soil mix. Native soil is also recommended to be mixed in. Mixing native soil with your chosen balanced soil mix will allow the roots of the plants to grow more freely and avoid being crowded by the rich nutrient mixture that surrounds newly-planted strains. The more roots that your plants possess, the bigger the flower.
When the hole is filled but the soil still hasn’t been packed in, you can gently pull at the stem base to force the roots down and not sideways. If you live in an environment that is humid and where mold can be a problem, it is okay to water in the morning. Evening watering is an option, since the heat from the sun won’t stress the plants. In a drier environment, this is the best way to get cannabis into the dark phase and start producing cannabinoids. It is a great way to water cannabis and save money on water.
Enjoy the cannabis experience, no matter what your needs or tastes are. Cannabis grows in every color, shape and form that is possible. This tree of knowledge and life has been in use for thousands of years around the globe.
Originally published by Cannabis Now Magazine, issue 6.