It can take a lot of work to grow cannabis at home, and you might not even get a good crop on your first try. It’s a form of art.
But for your first (or second, or third) time growing marijuana at home, a few pointers from the experts could make all the difference. You can maintain the happiness and health of your cannabis plants by paying attention to watering, light exposure, pest control, nutrients, and pruning. Additionally, if you’re looking to legally cultivate cannabis, you may need to get an MMJ card online, which allows you to grow marijuana for personal medical use in many states.
However, what about growing indoors as opposed to outdoors? Does cannabis require pots, or can it be planted directly in the ground? Are pesticides and fertilizers required?
In addition to discussing some frequently asked questions by amateur horticulturists, this guide will cover five key pointers for beginners in cannabis cultivation.
Important Legal Considerations
To find out if growing cannabis is legal in your state, check out our lists at the top of the article.
Regretfully, the Online Medical Card home state of Louisiana prohibits the cultivation of cannabis with a non-negligible THC content. You undoubtedly have inquiries, such as:
- Can I submit a license application? It is extremely unlikely that you will be granted a license to grow cannabis in Louisiana, even though you could apply for one. Large-scale growers currently hold the licenses, and the state currently has very few authorized growers.
- Can I grow hemp instead? In line with the 2018 Farm Bill, which is a federal law that permits states to cultivate high-THC and low-THC cannabis strains known as hemp, Louisiana does have an industrial hemp program. What’s the key word here? industrial. You can definitely apply for a license to grow hemp, but if you can only grow on a small scale, it probably won’t be financially advantageous to do so.
- What if I violate the law? We at OMC strongly advise everyone to abide by the laws of their respective states. Simply put, if you are caught growing cannabis in Louisiana, there are legal repercussions. However, you should consult an attorney with any legal questions you may have.
Tips for Growing Healthy, Bountiful Cannabis Plants
You might be interested in growing your own medical cannabis if you live in a state that permits home cultivation. How can you improve your chances of producing a crop that is healthy?
Water Religiously
For cannabis plants to flourish, especially before they begin to bud, they require a lot of water. Numerous factors will determine how much water you actually need, including:
- Your local climate and weather conditions
- Whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors
- Whether your plants are in pots or in-ground
There are two ways to determine whether your cannabis plant needs water, according to most experts:
- The finger test – The finger test involves inserting your finger about two inches into the ground. You must water the soil if it is dry; if it is damp or wet, wait a day or check again later.
- The pot weight test – By weighing your pots, you can determine whether or not your plants require watering. To feel the weight of your pot after watering, pick it up. It may be time to sprinkle your pots if they weigh a lot less than they did after watering.
Maintain Ample Light
When it comes to growing cannabis plants, light exposure is just as important as watering. Let’s dissect our advice according to the growing environment:
- Outdoor growers: Artificial lighting won’t be necessary for outdoor growers (unless you want to try adding various colors from the spectrum, but that’s a more sophisticated approach). All you have to do is set up your pots (or plant your plot) in a spot that receives at least 12 hours of direct sunlight every day, as the sun produces the entire spectrum of light.
- Indoor growers: Indoor growers will require “grow lights,” which are artificial lights made especially for plant growth. Your grow light should be ventilated, covered with glass to avoid overheating, and attached to a timer or remote control for convenient tinkering. Turn on your lights for as many hours as you can each day before your plant starts to bud; you can even leave them on all day. You can switch back to a standard 12-hour light cycle once budding starts.
Prevent Pest Growth
Pests can sabotage your crop and kill your plants, even if you’re growing indoors.
You must take action to lessen both:
- Insects: You can stop insects from eating your cannabis plants by using pesticides and keeping your airflow open (the latter is especially important for indoor growers).
- Birds and small mammals: Deer, chipmunks, rabbits, and birds can all cause serious damage to your garden, including your cannabis plants. You can keep animals away from your plants by covering them with landscape fencing or chicken wire.
Use Plant Nutrients
Cannabis plants require several vital nutrients to grow robustly and begin budding, just like other crops:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Carbon
- Oxygen
- Hydrogen
The final three will come from air and water for your plants, but you’ll probably need to use fertilizers to help them with the rest.
We understand your desire to cultivate your cannabis plants entirely naturally. You can, and a variety of organic and all-natural fertilizers are currently on the market.
Prune As Needed
Your cannabis plant may require occasional pruning, just like other plants. Pruning is quite easy; simply trim any leaves or stems that are:
- Brown
- Dry
- Drooping
- Rotten
- Dead
Pruning is not necessary every day; once a week, you should check for unhealthy leaves and stems.
Although you can purchase specialized pruning shears, you can also use pocket knives or kitchen shears for pruning.
Online Medical Card: Your Trusted Connection to Medical Cannabis Care
Medical marijuana patients in OMC home state nearly always have to rely on cannabis pharmacies to source their plant medicines, whereas in other states, growing cannabis can be a fun experiment (or turn into a career).
However, how can one obtain access to a dispensary or pharmacy that sells marijuana? First, a licensed healthcare professional’s recommendation is required. OMC links patients with cannabis-savvy, licensed professionals—clinicians who can assist you in obtaining medical cannabis. Additionally, if you’re interested in cultivating cannabis on a larger scale, you may need to apply for a CA cannabis grower license, which allows legal cultivation under state regulations.
Are you prepared to begin the medical card application process? Make an appointment with Online Medical Card.
