How to Grow BIG Plants
Grow Space
While you can grow in an open room , closet , etc ., for the new grower , I ’ d recommend investing in a small grow tent . For less than $ 150 , you can purchase a 2-foot-deep by 4-footwide by 5-foot-tall tent , allowing you to precisely maintain environmental conditions like temperature , humidity , light cycle , and airflow while also controlling spills , messes , and odors .
Bonus Tip : Cannabis tends to grow best in temperatures between 70F and 85F and humidity levels between 40 % and 75 %.
Air Exchange
CO2 Generator
With your tent fully zipped up , there ’ s a limited amount of carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) rich air for your plant to breathe . Cannabis utilizes the process of photosynthesis to grow , which requires the continuous availability of CO2 . If it becomes depleted , so does the plant ’ s ability to survive . Exchange spent air for fresh air at least once every three minutes by adding a 4-inch inline “ intake ” fan to the bottom of the tent , forcing fresh , cool air in , and a 4-inch inline “ exhaust ” fan at the top of the tent , pulling old , warm air out . Inline fans run about $ 100 each .
Bonus Tip : Limit the escape of odors into the outside environment by connecting a 4-inch carbon filter ( approx . $ 50 ) to your exhaust fan .
Air Flow
Stagnant air inside your tent can become the breeding ground for pests and pathogens . Add a small fan for around $ 30- $ 50 to the tent ’ s interior to keep air circulating and plant leaves shaking .
Bonus Tip : Find an oscillating fan that clips right onto one of your tent ’ s poles to save floor space and cover more area with a single fan .
Lighting
Invest in a dimmable , full-spectrum , light-emitting diode ( LED ) lighting fixture . For one or two plants on your first grow , a light with wattage from 250W to 350W is more than sufficient and will run around $ 300 . Hang the light from the support beams that run along the top of your tent ’ s interior . Connect the light to a digital or analog outlet timer ($ 10- $ 15 ). For the first four weeks , run your light for 18 hours a day with six hours of continuous darkness . This is the vegetative period of growth . When the plant has grown enough that you ’ re ready to produce floral material , change the light ’ s cycle so it ’ s on for 12 hours a day with 12 hours of consistent darkness ( be sure to seal your tent to avoid light leaking in from outside ). The change in the light cycle , or photoperiod , is what triggers the plant to flower . After eight-10 weeks of flowering , your plant will be ready to harvest . If you ’ re growing from seeds that are “ autoflowers ,” this light cycle change isn ’ t relevant . You can maintain 18 hours of light per day and the plants will automatically flower when ready .
Bonus Tip : Hang your light using a pair of ratcheting adjustable hanger straps ( approx . $ 8 ), so you can raise and lower the light as your plant grows with ease .
Container and Soil
Set a five-gallon black plastic pot with drain holes ($ 2- $ 3 ) on top of a plastic saucer ($ 1-2 ) in your tent and fill it with a water-only super soil such as SoHum Living Soils ($ 35- $ 40 / bag ). Dig a small hole to place your seedling or clone and back-fill around it to secure the plant , water the soil enough that it ’ s moist throughout but not soggy , and allow it to dry out an inch or two into the soil between waterings . The easiest way to judge this is by sticking your finger into the soil . If it ’ s still dry two knuckles deep , it ’ s time to water .
Bonus Tip : Cannabis grows best when provided clean water in a particular pH range that allows the full range of necessary nutrients to be absorbed by the plant . For soil , that pH range is typically 6.0 to 7.0 .
Harvest
When your buds are nice and frosty with sugary trichomes just starting to turn amber , it ’ s time to harvest . Cut the stem of your plant just above the surface of the soil , flip it upside down , and use some twine , a coat hanger , or a zip tie to hang it from the top of your tent . Turn the light off completely but allow your intake and exhaust fans to continue exchanging air with the outside environment . At approximately one and a half to two weeks , remove your plant from the tent , cut the buds off the branches , trim any leaves , and place them in a mason jar in a cool , dark place . Cure the buds by opening the jar briefly once per day for two weeks , replacing the air within it .
Bonus Tip : Use the snap-test if you aren ’ t sure whether you ’ ve dried your plant sufficiently . Pinch one of the branches between your fingers . If it bends , keep drying . If it snaps , you ’ re ready to move on to trimming and curing .
Whatever you do , don ’ t overthink things ! Remember , growing cannabis for personal consumption should be enjoyable and therapeutic , never stressful .
For more information about YRG , visit
www . year-roundgarden . com or call 816.216.6917 and be sure to tell them The EVOLUTION Magazine sent you .
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