So, you want to develop your own hemp plants? That’s probably the coolest decision you have ever made.
Growing cannabis plants is pretty straightforward. The steps are simple, and if you are a beginner, you surely learn how to grow them instantly.
But that doesn’t mean mistakes will not happen. But hey, you are not alone! Even if you do make a mistake during the growing process, you are one of the many growers learning along the way.
But the good news is that you can easily avoid unwanted issues or mistakes while growing marijuana plants.
Want to know how? Simple, you just have to learn about the common growing mistakes and do your best to avoid them at all costs.
Mistakes You Should Avoid When Growing Cannabis
Here are several mistakes, which you should avoid at all costs when you are growing marijuana. Check them out!
- When You Don’t Know What You Are Growing
Not knowing what exactly you are trying to grow is pretty S-H-O-C-K-I-N-G.
To be very honest, this is a mistake that most cannabis growers make, especially beginners.
Someone might come up and hand you a “BAG OF SEEDS” for you to grow. Understandably, you will be pretty delighted as you got to save some cash on the seeds.
But the main issue is, “You have no idea what type of cannabis seed received.”
What I am trying to point out here is that you don’t know whether the seeds you receive are Sativa, Indica, or Auto-flowers.
This is undoubtedly a pretty bad start.
Remember, all weeds are not the same. Each of them is different from one another when it comes to appearance, taste, and yields.
For instance, the growing conditions for Indica Auto-flower will be different when compared with the picky photoperiod Sativa.
But if you live in pretty cold areas, there are some strains that you can use, like the JAMAICAN PEARL. They are an excellent choice for growing cannabis in cold climates.
On the other hand, other strains [most of them] will grow well during the hotter regions. In short, you have to be well aware of the type of strain you are using right before you purchase them.
- Improper Physical Environment
Want to grow a bud that can make you cry happy tears?
You need to create and maintain the right temperature, light, and humidity for the entire growing operation, even when it’s just one cannabis plant.
As a grower, you must carry the power to modify the three things depending heavily on whether your plants are within their life cycles.
During the early stages of the cannabis plant, the humidity levels should be higher and during the flowering and vegetative stages, keep the humidity levels lower.
Remember, plants will definitely flourish well when the temperatures are lower.
But too much heat and light [over 85F] will burn the plants, and the leaves will start showing yellowish lines. This is not good news, my friend!
To avoid this scenario, you must maintain 18 hours to 24 hours of light early on. Once your cannabis is all set to enter the flowering stage, drop the lights to 12 hours per day.
If you don’t do so, there is no chance you will receive an excellent yield. When you are growing cannabis outside, you will be at the mercy of Mother Nature.
But you must opt for an environment where the temperature will remain steady and stays within the 65F to 85F temperature range.
- Poor Sprouting Practices
When you purchase some good-quality seeds from i49.net , you have to handle them carefully. Germination techniques, which require the cannabis seeds to be touched, are sub-optimum.
Our hands tend to be covered with oil, bacteria, and sweat, which will easily get transferred to the seeds once you touch them.
So, the best and also the SAFEST way to germinate is by directly placing the seeds into the soil without touching them. You can just open up the seed pack, make a hole in the soil, and pour in the seeds.
This way, there will be no need for any seed transfer to take place.
- Overfeeding & Overwatering
Overwatering and Overfeeding are something that should be avoided at all costs. Let’s look at them in detail:
OVERFEEDING
There are many growers out there who love their cannabis plants more than themselves. So, they believe that providing them with a lot more nutrients is a good thing.
Honestly, it’s not a good idea!!
Overfeeding your weeds will lead to nutrient burn. It can also take a much worse turn, like nutrients lockout, which is caused due to the accumulated minerals within the soil.
If something like this happens, you need to flush out your soil with water and start over with the feeding work to return the pH level to an ideal window.
I am requesting that you don’t overdo the feeding work.
OVERWATERING
Water is life, and there is no doubt that and your plants need water to grow.
But overwatering them is not a good use as it is a lot worse than occasional underwatering.
Plants have the power to recover from slightly dry conditions, but when you overwater them constantly, it will prevent the roots from receiving proper oxygen.
This might lead to various other issues, such as root rot and fungus. You must allow the soil to dry out first after watering them. Remember, less frequent watering is a lot better than overwatering.
- Not Monitoring The pH Levels.
Monitoring the pH levels of your cannabis plant is highly essential for you. Do you know why? It’s because weeds uptake nutrients through a small window.
So, when the pH level is too high or too low, your cannabis will get sick. That is why maintaining the pH levels is something that you must take care of at all costs.
To make things a little easier for you, have I have listed the correct pH levels below. Take a look!
- For soil: 6.0 to 7.0.
- Soilless and Hydroponics: 5.5 to 6.5.
Try using the pH down and pH up products. It will be a lot easier for you to adjust the water levels for an optimal pH level. Also, keep a pH measuring drop or a pH meter beside you for constant monitoring of pH levels.
- Premature Harvest
When the shoots begin to develop on the cannabis plants, many growers excitedly cut them off. This is a mistake that I have seen many growers make.
Even when you see buds are forming on your plant, don’t try to cut it down. Instead, wait for a while until it’s the right time to cut them.
Cutting the buds way too soon will not provide you with the full taste and potency profiles. But during this exciting time, Trichomes will be your best friend.
This is because the color of the trichomes will tell you when it’s the right time to harvest.
You cannot check the color of the trichomes with the naked eye, and you need a microscope for that. So, when the trichomes are the best way to clear, this indicates it’s too early to harvest.
But when the trichomes turn cloudy, that is the perfect time to harvest. If the trichomes turn entirely red, your cannabis plant, without a doubt, is all ready for a good harvest.
- No Proper Ventilation
You should take care of proper ventilation significantly when you are growing your plants indoors. Remember the simple formula –
No proper ventilation = molds.
A standing fan that blows a mild breeze over the plants will be enough for small growth.
But extensive growing operations will need sufficient to ensure that air is constantly flowing and does not become stagnant.
When you are growing your plants outside, air circulation will not be an issue.
You just have to keep your eyes open and watch out for thieves. Remember, your all-time smiling and good-natured neighbors can also steal stuff [It has happened with me before!].
To make sure your plants are not stolen in the middle of the night while you are fast asleep, try to plant companion species along with it. Doing so will surely confuse the person who is trying to steal your cannabis plant.
Ending Words
Growing marijuana on your own is a good thing, but you might end up making some mistakes, which is pretty standard.
You can also avoid mistakes when you know what exactly they are. Here, in this article, you find some of the most common mistakes done by both professional and first-time growers.
I can assure you that once you check out these mistakes, you will surely avoid them when you are growing cannabis.
Good luck with your cannabis-growing work! Happy growing!
