This article deals with the cultivation of the flowering plant cannabis primarily for the production and consumption of marijuana buds, which contain the main psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. Cultivation techniques for other purposes such as the production of hemp vary dramatically. A basic description of hemp cultivation can be seen in the US propaganda film Hemp for Victory , shot during WWII. While it is possible to grow cannabis simply for the purpose of a houseplant or as a hobby, the practice is quite challenging due to the need to keep the annual plant in a near perpetual vegetative state, which requires root pruning and artificial lighting for the winter months.
General aspects
Brief History
Evidence found in ancient burial sites indicates that humans have been experimenting with cannabis recreationally, spiritually and medicinally since the 3rd millenium BC. Herodotus, an important Greek historian of the 5th century BC, described how the Scythians of the Middle East used cannabis in steam baths. The status of cannabis has changed in recent years. In 1937 the USA outlawed cannabis for reasons possibly related to racism and/or industrial economic interests. In the 2000s, the vast majority of states has outlawed the cultivation, consumption and trade of cannabis with penalties ranging from a small fine to jail time.
Botany
Cannabis belongs to the genus Cannabis in the family Cannabaceae, along with hops. It comprises three species: C. sativa , C. indica , C. ruderalis (APG II system) and is usually a dioecious (has separate pistillate (female) and stamenate (male) plants) annual plant (life period: April-September).
Generally only non-drug cultivars of C. ruderalis are grown for industrial/agricultural purposes whereas for consumption high-cannabinoid cultivars of both C. indica and C. sativa can be used. C. sativa generally grows tall (some varieties can reach 3 meters) and is possible to grow in a very close matrix. The resultant plants (often referred to as hemp) will have very fine yet strong fibers which can be used among many others for the creation of durable fine cloth resembling silk. C. ruderalis bears great differences relative to C. sativa and C. indica . It's very short, produces only traces of THC and flowers independently of the photoperiod and according to age. The other two species flower as they sense light hours diminishing due to forthcoming winter. However, commercial cross-bred hybrids containing both ruderalis, indica and/or sativa genes exist (usually called autoflowering). Such strains are advantageous for some growers due to their small size and early harvests. The lowrider can be harvested within 60 days from germination. See also: Cannabis strains.
Cannabis needs five things to prosper: A grow medium (like soil), light (natural or artificial), warmth, water and nutrients (food).
Air Temperature
Cannabis is a summer plant. The optimal day temperature range for cannabis is believed to be 24 to 30 °C. At night temperature may fall as low as 15.5 °C. Temperatures above 31 °C and below 15.5 °C seem to decrease THC potency and slow growth. At 13 °C a plant will undergo a mild shock, though sometimes cannabis has been observed to withstand (only temporarily) freezing temperatures.
Soil
Soil is the natural growing medium of cannabis and very popular among growers. Certain characteristics are recommended:
- Good drainage to facilitate nutrient absorption and prevent root drowning.
- Ideal pH between 6.0 and 7.0. To increase pH one can add agricultural lime during watering. For decrease ground coffee or lemon peels may be used. Commercial fertilizers (even organic) almost always make the soil more acidic (decrease its pH).
- Ideal temperature range: 18-24 C.
- Fertilization: NPK stands for the percentage of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium respectively, the most essential elements a plant needs to thrive. NPK shows the degree of fertilization in commercial soils. For example if a bag of soil reads "N-P-K: 12-12-12" this means 12% N, 12% P, 12% K. Proper soil for cannabis must contain all three in both stages of growth, with more N required for the vegetative stage and more P for the flowering stage. A vegetative fertilizer may say 3-1-1 or 30-10-10. A flowering fertilizer may say 1-3-1 or 10-30-10. There are wide choices of chemical fertilizer NPK ratios available commercially.
Loam soil and compost are considered most effective and cheap choices.
Water
Watering frequency indoors is determined by many factors, including the age of the plant, the stage of growth, the medium used, the medium's makeup, the grow room's temperature, the light used and container volume. It is not possible to recommend a specific interval good for all plants in all stages of growth. A very common way to determine when to water is to keep an empty planter filled with dry soil next to your plants. Compare the weights daily and do not let your plants get as light as your dry example.
A conspicuous sign of water problems is the downward wilting of leaves.
Nutrients
Nutrients are the food of plants and come in the form of fertilizers which can be chemical or organic, liquid or powder and may contain several elements (see also: fertilizer). Commercial fertilizers must indicate the levels of NPK (mentioned above). During vegetative stage cannabis needs more amounts of N than of P,K while during flowering P is more essential than N, K. The presence of secondary nutrients (Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphur) is recommended. Also there are seven micronutrients (Iron, Boron, Chlorine, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum) that are not extremely important and rarely manifest as deficiencies.
Fertilizers although vital for good cannabis growth, must be used frugally otherwise they could burn the plant. As a general rule, half the amount suggested in a bottle may be given each time.
As a plant acclimatized to virtually every growing region on Earth, its nutrient needs vary widely with its genetics and can truly only be determined with experience. Chemical plant foods vary greatly maker to maker, and some can be used at full strength, or the strength listed for plants with large fruits like the tomato.
Organic cannabis
Organic cultivation of marijuana is similar to the organic food movement in recent times. It is superficially similar to the hydroponic methods, with the exception of tending towards soil and nutrients which are derived from organic sources. In general, these sources are items like guano. The use of soil (generally in buckets or ally printed on the container. For this reason, the supposed organic cultivation of cannabis, especially indoors, resembles other controlled cultivation methods where the intake of the plants is closely monitored.
Stages Of Development
Germination
Duration: 12 hours to 8 days. Warmth, darkness and moisture initiate metabolic processes such as the activation of hormones which in turn trigger the expansion of the embryo within the seed. Then the coating cracks open and produces a small embryonic root that begins growing downwards due to gravitropism, if placed in a proper growing medium. Soon (after 2–4 days) the root is anchored and two circular embryonic leaves (cotyledons) emerge in search of light, as the remains of the seed shell are pushed away. This marks the beginning of the seedling stage.
Seeds may be germinated by soaking them between wet paper towels, in a cup of water at room temperature for 24 hours, or in wet peat pellets. Regardless of the method used however, distilled water is often employed since it has the proper pH. In most cases tap water is sufficient. Peat pellets are often used as a germinating medium as they make it unnecessary to transplant the fragile seedlings; the saturated pellets with their seedlings can be planted directly into the intended growing medium with a minimum of trouble and effort, or shock to the plant.
A technique that achieves high germination rates is the following: First the seeds are inserted into a cup of water. All will initially flow over the surface so forcing them to immerse completely is recommended. Then the cup is left in a warm dark place for no more than 24 hours (otherwise seeds might drown). Shortly most will go down the bottom, an indicator that water has penetrated the shell. Finally, the seeds are placed carefully in a constantly damp, warm and dark environment such as wet cotton or towel. Dirty hands (even traces of nicotine on them) can damage the seeds. As soon as the root can be distinctl
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