The more you can cover up your balcony , the more various cultivars you can choose . Select cultivars that are suited for your climate conditions , outdoor , or greenhouses . These cultivars are genetically suitable for balcony growing and will ensure a good harvest . Balconies that suffer from low light conditions should consider sativa or autoflower cultivars . Typically , a cultivar that does well with screen of green ( SCROG ) and other techniques is a must-have . Picking the appropriate cultivar will ensure you grow large cannabis plants that give you a fat harvest .
Keeping Your Grow Invisible
Having a successful balcony grow requires keeping your activities secret . Staying undetected takes some planning but is achievable for anyone . We already know our area so we can begin to plan out how we want our balcony to look . Jump online and search for balcony privacy . That will give you some quick ideas on how to cover up your grow , set a budget , and keep your balcony looking nice . I have chosen a variety of covers like plants , sheer curtains , and blackout curtains to keep my cannabis hidden . I like to grow bamboo , pampas grass , Miscanthus Giganteus , butterfly pea , nasturtium , jasmine , and Malabar spinach . These plants produce edible flowers , have a pleasing smell , and are beautiful . Creating a balcony with privacy will keep your grow stealthy and an appealing place to be .
Oh , That Smell
There is no better smell than cannabis , but not everyone enjoys it . The more cannabis plants you have , the more powerful odor there will be . Usually , 10 plants or less aren ’ t a problem as the wind will blow the smell away . However , having more than 25 plants becomes noticeable quickly . One way to decrease odor is to stagger your plant growth cycles . You can have some finishing flower , some in veg , and some sprouting . It is best to pick cultivars that aren ’ t narcotic , hash heavy , gassy , or have a skunky smell . Cultivars with lemon-lime , candy , nutty , pine , and fresh smells will decrease noticeability . In my opinion , unpleasant odors carry on the wind farther , are off-putting for some , and may bring complaints from neighbors . Alternatively , you can add plants that cover up the cannabis smell . Some choices are sage , rosemary , mint , peppermint , and basil . I like to mix these varieties to create an overpowering smell . However , these plants can create added work for your garden and are not as aromatic as some suggest . A good rule of thumb is for every cannabis plant in a five-gallon ( 19-liter ) pot to have three non-cannabis plants in a one-gallon ( four-liter ) pot . I have also found essential oil diffusers help a lot and allow you to save space . For every five-gallon pot , use two essential oil diffuser sticks . Essential oil diffusers are cheap , small , and can be placed anywhere .
What About the Rain ?
When growing outdoors or on a balcony , the most important thing you should do is check the weather . Checking the weather predictions for the day , week , and month is essential . Many times , I have been caught out by storms destroying a crop when I wasn ’ t prepared . Collecting rain allows you to have a free source of water on hand . However , being an urban grower , I often question what is in that water . In many areas , rainwater pH is not optimal for cannabis , can cause your plants to be waterlogged , and may cause future problems . A way to combat too much rainwater is to lift your plants .
“ Balconies that suffer from low light conditions should consider sativa or autoflower cultivars .”
20 Maximum Yield