Growing Cannabis in Hydroponics

The term hydroponics describes its key attribute, which is growing plants with water. This method encompasses a wide array of systems, such as deep water culture, nutrient film technique, aeroponics, drip systems, ebb and flow, and drain-to-waste.

Hydroponics has been used in agriculture for decades because it’s an incredibly efficient method for growing plants. Hydro is well known to increase efficiency, but it simultaneously leads to increased costs and technical barriers.

Key Benefits of Growing in Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponics has become one of the most popular ways to grow cannabis in recent years. Let’s find out why.

Ideal for Limited Space

A major benefit of growing cannabis in a hydroponic system is that they can be customized and fit in virtually any growing space. This is ideal for the closet grower because limited space necessitates an efficient system. Customizing your hydroponic system allows you to tweak every aspect of the way your cannabis plants grow.

Rapid Growth

Possibly the biggest attribute for growing cannabis in hydro systems is their ability to increase the rate at which plants grow. This increased efficiency reduces downtime and the overall length of flowering. Every grower understands the importance of shorter flowering times, so with this in mind, hydroponics are held in high regard for their overdrive capabilities.

In various studies, researchers have found that a fine-tuned hydroponic system is capable of reducing harvest times by 1-2 weeks. This is 1-2 weeks less that you’ll need to spend on electricity and nutrients. Generally, growers that have their crops in closet spaces would prefer their plants to finish as soon as possible, and this makes hydro a premium choice for many.

Bigger Yield

If you’re looking for a notably larger yield, then hydroponics might be the method for you. Every cannabis grower strives to produce not only a significant yield but also a bounty of high-quality flowers. Luckily for you, hydroponics allows growers to reap both quality and quantity.

Many hydroponic-specific nutrients are made to push cannabis crops to their limit. The rapid growth that occurs from hydroponically grown plants is the result of their need for stronger nutrients. Many nutrient producers have found the optimal doses of fertilizer for each stage of growth, whether it’s the juvenile stage or the late flowering phase. This ability gives each plant a catered dose of nutrients that it demands, which it then rapidly uptakes. .

Reduces Water Waste

Many hydroponic systems recycle the water in their reservoir. Aside from drain-to-waste, these systems are incredibly efficient in reducing water waste. This is done by continually re-adjusting the pH and nutrient content in the water, rather than throwing it out and refilling the reservoir.

Cost Efficient

Hydroponics can become fairly pricey when bought from online retailers, but are also incredibly cheap when built via DIY methods. Simple bucket systems can be constructed with equipment easily sourced from local hardware stores.

The Downside of Growing Cannabis in Hydroponics

As with anything, there’s always a negative aspect when compared with so many beneficial facets.

Not Beginner Friendly

Although hydro empowers us with bigger yields, faster growth, and High-Times’ looking buds, it’s also far more difficult than growing in soil. Growing in hydroponics is not as straightforward as it sounds because you’re required to be aware of every aspect during the grow. These elements are the pH level, EC content, water temperature, and nutrient strength. The moment any of these fall out of their norm, your plant will suffer.

Not Organic

The nutrients that are used when growing in hydroponics are seldom organic. This is because hydroponic nutrients are composed of salts that are readily available to the plants’ root system. Most of these salts are produced from industrial sites that also cater to large agricultural companies.

Growing Cannabis in Soil

This is the standard method for growing cannabis and is by far the most accessible method. Growing in soil means that you can either grow from pre-packaged dirt or soil from your backyard.

Rather than direct absorption that’s seen in hydroponic systems, cannabis grown in soil interacts with many different elements to absorb nutrients from the soil. These include bacteria, fungi, and pH. Soil-based nutrients are found in different forms, such as organic compounds rather than stripped salts.

Benefits of Growing Cannabis in Soil

There are a plethora of benefits when growing marijuana in soil-based mediums.

Go Organic

You can easily grow organic cannabis when you choose to use soil. Not only does growing organic cannabis protect you from harmful heavy metals and chemical residues, but you’re also able to recycle the soil and re-use it.

Not only will your flowers be organic, but their aroma and flavor tend to increase due to natural oils that are more abundantly found when grown in organic conditions.

Plug and Play

Growing marijuana in the soil is like turning on the cruise-control option. Everything that the plant needs are inside the soil, and all the microbes are hard at work doing the heavy lifting. No longer do you need to fuss with pH and EC meters to fine-tune every aspect of your grow.

Instead of having to monitor every angle of the grow operation, you can confidently allow the ecosystem found within the roots, rhizosphere, and overall environment to allow your cannabis plants to flourish.

Due to the ease of growth, growing in soil is beginner-friendly, and you’ll be sure to harvest picture-perfect cannabis flowers.

Cost Effective

If you decide to grow in soil, then you’ll need a bag of dirt and a few containers. It doesn’t get easier than this, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Space Effective

You won’t need to worry about growing in soil if you’re limited to a small closet because containers come in all shapes and sizes.

The Downside in Growing Marijuana in Soil

Similar to that of growing in hydroponic systems, soil isn’t immune to adverse attributes.

Prone to Pest Infestations

Soil has a tendency to attract insects. In many cases, pests arise from the soil itself because larvae survived the packaging process. Due to this, it’s common that growers using soil are in constant combat with whiteflies, mites, thrips, and gnats.

Average Growth Rates

Compared to hydro, growing in soil may feel like growing in slow motion. Although the growth rates are classified as standard, soil can’t compete with hydro systems.

Which is Right for You?

The choice is ultimately yours to make. Each option is perfect for growing cannabis in a closet space, but both also present inevitable consequences. If you opt for hydroponics, then you’ll need to understand an entirely new way of growing. If you opt for growing in soil, then you’ll need to be satisfied with a lower yield and increased flowering time. Regardless of the choice you choose, it’ll be your motivation that will produce top-shelf buds.

Hydro vs Soil: What You Need to Know For Your Closet Grow

When you’re finalizing the details regarding your upcoming closet grow, the question that’s continuously on [...]

16
Jun

The Best Lights For a Closet Grow Operation

When it comes to growing cannabis, most of us are limited to small spaces. Luckily, [...]

16
Jun

Everything You Need to Start Your Very Own Closet Grow Op!

There’s nothing more fulfilling than growing your own cannabis. For most beginners, the daunting task [...]

16
Jun

The post Hydro vs Soil: What You Need to Know For Your Closet Grow appeared first on Just another WordPress site.

Necessary Considerations Before Choosing a Light

The first and foremost consideration when beginning a closet grow op is to determine the useable grow space. Although you may have a 2’x2’x4’ closet, this overall space will be reduced because of the necessary equipment that’s placed in the room beside the plants.

Does the door open to the inside, outside, or does it slide? Is the closet space located in an attic or a basement? Is it easy to vent air out of the closet? These are all questions you need to ask yourself when determining what light you’ll eventually use. The primary consideration here is the required light footprint and heat accumulation.

Once you understand the basics of your space, you’ll be able to determine if you require a small 100-watt LED or a 2’ 200-watt T5.

The Best Lights For Small Spaces

The three best lights for limited areas are T5s, LEDs, and CFLs. We’re not including HIDs because they consume too much power and emit far to much heat. The additional heat emitted by HIDs will increase electricity costs associated with cooling down the room. Let’s compare and contrast the three top choices.

T5 Lights

T5 lights are an excellent option for a closet grow operation because of their adaptability. They come in a wide range of sizes, light output, and weight. Most modern T5s also come standard with a dimming option, which means you’re able to turn one or more of the bulbs off to reduce electricity costs or heat.

The most common T5 for a closet grow space is the 2’ by 2 bulb option. For an added boost in the grow room, you can purchase a 2’ by 4-bulb fixture that will pump out lumens while keeping your heat accumulation manageable.

This is why it’s essential to measure the space where your plants will eventually grow in. You’ll more than likely keep your T5 roughly 6-12” above the plant canopy. You’ll notice if the outskirts of the area are being covered by light or not. If your space isn’t adequately covered, you’ll know that you need to either decrease your plant count or increase the light output.

T5s are similar to CFLs and LEDs in the sense that they emit very little heat and are very efficient with the power they consume. You won’t receive an eye-popping electricity bill that’s usually associated with HIDs.

T5s differ from LEDs by easily replacing bulbs and overall lower costs. T5s are similar to CFLs because you can go to your local hardware shop to purchase a new lamp if needed.

T5s are also efficient because they can be used in every stage of growth, from initial seed germination to harvest.

cfl lIGHTING

CFLs are considered the most budget-friendly option compared to LEDs and T5s. These minimalistic bulbs produce negligible amounts of heat and electricity costs. Although they’re perfect for keeping your grow closet temperature low, they generally lack the high lumen output found in LEDs and T5s.

Luckily for you, many CFL manufacturers understand that their bulbs are being used for cannabis production. It’s becoming more common to find 100-watt CFL bulbs in local hardware stores, making CFL lighting an attractive option.

CFL lighting shines with its adaptability in the grow room. Contrary to LEDs and T5s, CFLs can easily be purchased and placed in various locations in your grow closet. When you notice an area that isn’t receiving enough light, you can fix the situation by merely buying another bulb.

CFLs produce such little heat that you can confidently place your lights 1-4” above your cannabis crop. This is the ideal scenario, especially when growing in your closet area. You want to maximize the available room with plants for an efficient harvest, and keeping the bulbs just above the canopy will generate healthy flowers.

Efficient gardeners consider the grams produced per watts used. The goal is to reach the optimal 1-gram of flower per watt of light, and as you gain experience with CFLs, this number is a possibility.

LED Lighting

LED lighting is seen as the next-generation method for cannabis growth. The last 10 years have shown significant interest in this revolutionary technology, and many cultivators are beginning to switch over from costly HIDs.

LEDs used to be seen as a fad due to their poorly built designs. Many LED manufacturers were using homemade models, and they lacked a clear standard that’s found in more traditional HPS and MH varieties.

Fast forward to now, and it’s common to see LEDs ranging between 100-1,000-watts. LEDs are now direct competitors with HIDs at a fraction of the electricity and heat outputs.

As you scale up the number of watts used in a LED, you’ll find that it emits more heat than a T5 or CFL. As long as you choose an appropriate LED, these can prove to be your best option in a closet grow operation. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to utilize 1,000-watts in a small space so your best choices will range between 100-watts up to 400-watts. Anything above these numbers and your efficiency may begin to dwindle.

LEDs have a major benefit over T5s and CFLs by being digitally operated. Many have remote controls that allow users to dim their LED system between 10-90%. This is a significant range and empowers you to have full control over the amount of light that the LED emits.

LEDs also have the option to change the colors of their lights on-demand. This means that from the touch of a button, you can switch every LED diode into the red color spectrum for flowering. Alternatively, you can easily change the diodes into the blue range for seedlings and the vegetative phase. In comparison the T5s and CFLs, LEDs are the clear winner in terms of adaptability.

The major downside of LEDs is that they cost significantly more than T5s and CFLs. You’ll routinely find LED systems that cost between $500-$1,000. The efficiency of LEDs come at a steep price, but they may pay for themselves throughout a growing cycle in terms of the money saved from electricity costs.

Three Ideal Options

Since each grow room is different, we can’t say one of the three light types is vastly better than the rest. LEDs, CFLs, and T5s all have advantages and disadvantages. They’re all readily equipped to grow high-quality marijuana in small closet spaces. These three options cut down the costs of running a cannabis grow operation by reducing electricity bills.

Additionally, these three light types reduce the amount of equipment needed in your grow space. HIDs usually require high-performing inline fans, hoods, and even air conditioners to keep the temperature in check. With LEDs, CFLs, and T5s, you’ll need far smaller fans to keep adequate air circulation in the room.

When choosing any of these options, it comes down to your environment and grow style. Regional climates play a significant role as well, and a closet grower in Minnesota during the winter will need vastly different requirements than a grower in Southern California. The main advantage of these three lighting options is that they’re incredibly adaptable and straightforward to use so that you can optimize your grow closet operation with ease.

Hydro vs Soil: What You Need to Know For Your Closet Grow

When you’re finalizing the details regarding your upcoming closet grow, the question that’s continuously on [...]

16
Jun

The Best Lights For a Closet Grow Operation

When it comes to growing cannabis, most of us are limited to small spaces. Luckily, [...]

16
Jun

Everything You Need to Start Your Very Own Closet Grow Op!

There’s nothing more fulfilling than growing your own cannabis. For most beginners, the daunting task [...]

16
Jun

The post The Best Lights For a Closet Grow Operation appeared first on Just another WordPress site.

There’s nothing more fulfilling than growing your own cannabis. For most beginners, the daunting task begins when considering all the equipment that’s needed to start a closet grow operation. We’ve considered every facet to make your first growing experience as simple as possible. Join us as we list everything you’ll need to start a high-yielding closet grow op.

A Basic Grower’s Principle

Before we begin, it’s imperative that we mention a fundamental principle that will keep your growing experience stress free. The idea of KISS (Keep it Simple, Stupid) means always to streamline whatever you do in life, especially when growing cannabis. Growing marijuana can be as simple or complicated as you make it, and this principle should be your guiding light in your new found hobby.

When posed with any situation in the grow room, just remember: KISS!

Measuring Your Available Space

The first thing you should do before purchasing any equipment is to measure your available closet space. Closets are generally small, but not always, so it’s essential to know what amount of space you’re dealing with.

Start by measuring the length, width, and height. These three components will give you a clear understanding of your closets’ upper limit when dealing with air intake, lighting, air circulation, and plant count.

Requirements Checklist for Starting Your Closet Grow Operation

● Grow Tent (optional)
● Lights
● Timers
● Lighting Accessories
● Inline Fan
● Circulating Fan
● Medium
● pH meter
● EC meter (if growing in hydroponics)
● Thermometer with built-in hygrometer
● Extension cords (if necessary)
● Trays

Grow Tents

For convenience sake, placing a properly sized grow tent within your closet will create a cleaner growing environment. If you choose not to invest in a grow tent, then a mylar roll is necessary to place on the four corners to increase the amount of light received by your plants.

Lighting

For a closet grow operation, you won’t need a 1,000-watt high-intensity discharge (HID) bulb unless you have a large 8’x8’ walk-in closet. HIDs, such as HPS (high-pressure sodium) and MH (metal halide) produce far too much heat for the average closet grow, so we can’t recommend this type of lighting.

In the circumstance of closet grow spaces, the best option falls onto the categories of CFL, T5, and LED lighting. These three lights are capable of producing copious amounts of cannabis while keeping the grow closet fresh.

T5 Lights

T5’s are flexible because they come in an array of options, such as 2-4 bulbs that measure 2’ in length. These usually have a built-in switch that allows you to dim the lighting by 50% or more. The heat that T5s produce is minimal, so they can be placed ideally directly above the plant canopy.

Hanging T5s is usually a breeze, as they come pre-installed with hangers on both ends. To attach to your preferred method of hanging.

CFL Lights

CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs are ideal in the closet grow room because they use even less power than T5 lights and are incredibly cheap. Hardware stores have aisles dedicated to CFLs, so you’ll have a plethora of options.

Generally, a 40-100-watt CFL in the 4100K color spectrum is ideal for a small growing space. The heat output is minimal, and the plants will thrive with a decent amount of lumens provided.

LED Lights

LEDs are at the cutting edge of lighting technology because they reduce the amount of power required to push out a high amount of lumens. LEDs are generally the most expensive of these three options, but they eventually pay for themselves in electricity costs.

LEDs are ideal because they can be placed just above the plant canopy without the possibility of heat stress. LEDs also have the advantage of having multiple LED diodes in a full spectrum of colors.

Timers

Timers are an absolute necessity in any grow room. These can be purchased in local hydroponic stores or at your local hardware store. They can be as simple as a general timer with a single outlet, or they can be expensive digital timers that are strictly marketed to growers.

Lighting Attachments

When hanging your preferred choice of lighting, it’s vital that you choose lighting attachments that are rated to hold the given weight of your lamps. The last thing you want to walk into is a destroyed garden because of a fallen light.

Rope ratchets are ingenious tools that allow you to heighten or lower your lights rapidly. If you aren’t using a grow tent, then you’ll need to hold the rope ratchets securely by installing strong fish-eye hooks into the ceiling.

Thermometer & Hygrometer

It’s critical that you always know the temperature and humidity level in your grow closet. The most common mistake for beginners is not to purchase a dual thermometer/hygrometer. Knowing these levels will enable you to increase or decrease specific components in your grow space to meet the needs of your cannabis plants.

Inline Fan & Circulating Fan

Air circulation for cannabis plants is equally crucial as the water and light that they receive. Since you’re growing in limited closet space, it’s best to purchase a 4” inline fan. Any larger and you may find yourself with too much intake or exhaust power.

A 4” inline fan attached with 4” circumference ducting will adequately create the ideal amount of airflow in your closet grow operation.

A circulating fan is also highly recommended because it pushes air in all directions to decrease the chance for mold in your prized cannabis garden.

Growing Medium

The medium that you choose is essential because it will dictate how your plants will grow. When growing in hydroponic or aeroponic systems, an EC and pH meter are absolute requirements. If growing in soil, various amendments are needed.

Soil

Soil is potentially the easiest method for growing in a closet. All that’s needed are bags of soil depending on the number of containers that need to be filled. The number of containers is dependant on the number of plants you choose to grow.

Just as we stated in the very beginning, you can make your soil mix as complicated or as straightforward as possible. For this reason, we recommend an organic compost mix that doesn’t require additional amendments.

Although a pH meter isn’t a requirement when growing in soil, it’s still recommended if problems arise in your plants.

Hydroponics or Soilless

Hydroponics is an excellent way to streamline your closet grow operation. Although they are incredibly efficient, they do require more know-how compared to soil growing. They’re also much more expensive because of the additional tools needed in maintaining the garden.

If you choose to go down the hydroponic route, a simple soilless medium is ideal for the budding grower. Soilless mediums such as coco coir are extremely forgiving because it holds a large amount of moisture and can be re-used after harvest.

Trays

Trays are needed in the growing room because they make clean-up a breeze. Whether hand watering or automated watering, any spills can turn into a headache. Trays can be placed underneath your plants, and any runoff will be efficiently caught in these containers.

Your New Journey

Growing cannabis is not only enjoyable because of the eventual harvest, but also for the learning experience. By beginning this new endeavor, you’re opening the doors to the wide world of cannabis. Through trial and error, you’ll eventually find your green thumb.

Hydro vs Soil: What You Need to Know For Your Closet Grow

When you’re finalizing the details regarding your upcoming closet grow, the question that’s continuously on [...]

The Best Lights For a Closet Grow Operation

When it comes to growing cannabis, most of us are limited to small spaces. Luckily, [...]

Everything You Need to Start Your Very Own Closet Grow Op!

There’s nothing more fulfilling than growing your own cannabis. For most beginners, the daunting task [...]

The post Everything You Need to Start Your Very Own Closet Grow Op! appeared first on Just another WordPress site.