5 Mistakes To Avoid When Growing Marijuana

The legal cannabis market of North America was valued at $6.7 billion in January 2017.

It’s an appealing idea to invest in that market, but to smokers, it might be more appealing to just grow the plant yourself. But if you get it wrong, you’ll end up with a disappointing crop.

Here are 5 key mistakes you must avoid when caring for your weed.

Not testing the soil pH

Acid to alkaline scale is measured with a unit called ‘pH’. Cannabis plants prefer a very slightly acidic soil, hitting around 5.5 to 6 on the pH scale.

The garden center where you buy the soil should be able to help you pick a suitable degree of acidity.

However, it’s still a good idea to test your soil to make sure it’s OK. Otherwise, your weed might not thrive as much as you’d hoped.

Not testing the water pH

Just like with soil, cannabis is very sensitive to the pH of the water you use. For the best results, you want to be using water that’s between 6 and 7 pH.

This helps the plants absorb nutrients effectively, which in turn helps them grow.

If the water from your taps is too alkaline, you can add other substances or buy filters to lower the pH – but don’t overdo it and push it too far the other way.

Overwatering your weed

If you weren’t a keen gardener before, don’t fall for the common mistake of watering your plants too often.

They don’t need to be topped up every few hours. If the topsoil feels dry to the touch, feel free to give them a splash – but if it’s still moist then don’t add any more water.

Make sure that there’s adequate and unblocked drainage underneath the plants too, so that excess water can run out once the soil is soaked. Otherwise, it’ll pool at the bottom of your pots, which can cause problems.

Not keeping the plants warm

Cannabis does best in a warm climate. If you don’t live in one, don’t expect your plants to do very well outdoors.

How to grow weed if you’re in a cold country? Bring your plants into a greenhouse or other covered area, and kit it out with heat lamps. A target temperature of around 75°F is just about right.

Make sure there’s decent ventilation, but not so much that your plants are getting cold from drafts. And if the plants are inside, remember to make sure there’s also plenty of light.

Not thinking about the strains

There are hundreds of cannabis strains. You need to know what you’re growing for two very important reasons.

Firstly, if you’re going to sell this, you need to know exactly what you’re selling.

Secondly, if you’re growing multiple strains you need to make a clear schedule detailing which strain is growing where, and research the different needs of each.

Cannabis strains can have very different requirements for healthy growth. So you need to be on top of what’s what, and make sure their needs are being met.

They plants may also mature at different times, and you need to make sure harvests are timely and efficient.

Good luck!

Growing cannabis is not as easy a task as it first may seem. But it can be hugely rewarding.

You never know what the quality of the pot is like at your local dispensary. But you can ensure the sure of the quality of your own crop if you keep it healthy.

Good luck with your growing!