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Missouri Cannabis Education
What Is The Difference Between
Home Growing Cannabis Indoors Versus Outdoors ?
Part 2 of 2 by Leah Maurer , contributing writer
Leah
Leah Maurer , a native Missourian , is now a canna-journalist and activist living in Portland , OR . She is a co-owner of
www . TheWeedBlog . com , a top national cannabis news and information publication , where she serves as the Editorial Lead . In 2014 , Leah founded Moms for YES on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone , it proved pivotal in the passage of the Measure , successfully legalizing recreational / adult-use cannabis in the OR . Leah is a social justice and cannabis activist at the core and hopes to see an end to the prohibition of cannabis globally .
24 November 2022
Last month ’ s column covered the basics of the cannabis plant ’ s life cycle , which is important to know if you are embarking on your own cannabis garden or if you are a caregiver for a patient who is managing a cannabis garden . However , there is much more to learn about growing cannabis , both indoors and outdoors . ( You can find part one of this article in the October 2022 issue at www . TheEvolutionMagazine . com .) Let ’ s take a closer look at the difference .
The indoor versus outdoor debate has been argued among growers and cannabis enthusiasts for quite some time . Some say the desired end product should drive your decision to grow indoors or outdoors . But both methods can produce satisfying results when grown properly . When choosing to grow cannabis indoors or outdoors , there are several factors to consider .
1 . Climate
Climate is the first factor to consider because you won ’ t be able to strategically plan your crop until you know where you ’ ll be growing . For example , cannabis loves sunshine and needs a summer season to reach its full potential outdoors . That means if you live somewhere with limited sunshine through the canopy , growing outdoors might not be your best option .
Likewise , if you plan to grow in an area that receives full sun all day long in a dry climate , you had better be prepared to water your plants heavily . Many deserts and high desert climates will require daily watering to keep your plants happy .
Other climate considerations include too much moisture . If you live in an area that receives substantial rainfall during the summer months , you will want to opt for a greenhouse over fully sun-grown plants . Too much moisture and humidity can lead to bud rot , mold , and mildew . Ultimately , if you do not live somewhere where it is possible to grow cannabis outdoors , you ’ ll be better off with an indoor grow .
2 . Space
In Missouri , registered medical marijuana patients are allowed to grow six plants , which is fairly typical across the country . In adult-use legalized states , each household can usually grow between four to six plants , even if they don ’ t have a medical card . Regardless , space is a factor to consider , as you ’ ll need adequate space for the number of plants you intend to grow . Outdoor plants will be much larger than indoor plants because you have less control over their height and width when they are outside . However , indoor plants will also take up a lot of space .
To avoid overcrowding an indoor grow setup , plan for enough space for the fully mature plants to grow — plan for three square feet per plant to ensure that the branches of neighboring plants do not touch each other . A crowded grow room is susceptible to problems like mold due to limited airflow and the transfer of pests or diseases .
If given an optimal environment , outdoor crops need more growing space and should be spaced four to six feet apart . You need to be able to get around each plant with ease since you ’ ll be working in the plant to stake up big branches , remove dead leaves , and build a trellis as they get close to maturity .
Keep in mind that each strain of cannabis grows differently . Do a little strain research before choosing to grow indoor versus outdoor growing . Don ’ t forget to account for additional space to dry and cure your harvested plants .