How Is Cannabis Grown?
By Jeff Eckenrode
Image Credit: Jonathan Kemper
As more and more states legalize Cannabis, growing cannabis has gained in popularity as well.
Whether you're growing for medicinal or recreational purposes, understanding the different methods of growing cannabis is important for anyone looking to grow their own.
If you're interested in learning more about how cannabis is grown then you’ve come to the right place!
Here we’ll explore the most common ways to grow cannabis, their advantages and the unique challenges each method presents.
Image Credit: Matteo Paganelli
Outdoor Growing
Outdoor growing is as traditional as it gets: you plant cannabis seeds in the ground (or in pots) outdoors and let nature do the rest! This approach relies principally on sunlight, rain, and natural resources to cultivate cannabis.
Advantages:
Low Cost: Outdoor growing is generally less expensive because it doesn't require specialized equipment like grow lights or climate control systems.
Natural Environment: Plants grown outdoors can benefit from fresh air, natural sunlight, and the Earth's nutrients.
Large Yields: Outdoors, cannabis plants can grow very large, producing larger yields than their indoor counterparts.
Challenges:
Weather Dependent: Your crop is at the mercy of Mother Nature. Extreme weather conditions can harm or destroy your plants.
Pests and Predators: Outdoor plants are more vulnerable to insects, pests, and even animals that may damage the plants.
Legal Restrictions: Growing cannabis outdoors can be subject to strict regulations depending on where you live, and it may not be as private as indoor growing.
Image Credit: Ryan Lange
Indoor Growing
Indoor growing allows you to control every aspect of the cannabis cultivation process, including light, temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. This method typically requires grow lights, fans, air conditioning, and other equipment to simulate the perfect growing environment.
Advantages:
Complete Control: You can precisely control the growing environment to optimize plant health and maximize yields.
Year-Round Growing: Indoor growing allows you to cultivate cannabis any time of the year, regardless of external weather conditions.
Privacy: For those in regions where growing outdoors isn’t possible, indoor growing offers privacy and security.
Challenges:
High Energy Costs: The cost of running lights, fans, and other equipment can be significant, especially if you're growing large quantities.
Setup Complexity: Setting up an indoor grow space requires significant planning, including ventilation, lighting, and climate control.
Space Limitations: Indoor growing typically requires a dedicated space, and the number of plants you can grow is often limited by your available area.
Image Credit: www.zanda. photography
Greenhouse Growing
Greenhouse growing combines the benefits of outdoor growing with the control of an indoor environment. A greenhouse provides a controlled environment where cannabis plants can receive natural sunlight but are protected from weather extremes and pests.
Advantages:
Natural Sunlight: Plants benefit from the full spectrum of natural sunlight, which can enhance their flavor, their potency, and the overall health of the plant.
Temperature Control: Greenhouses can regulate temperature and humidity, reducing the risk of pests and diseases.
Efficient Use of Space: Greenhouses can accommodate large plants or many small ones, optimizing space for growers.
Challenges:
Seasonal Considerations: While greenhouses can extend the growing season, they’re still dependent on the climate and weather conditions of your region.
Initial Cost: Building or buying a greenhouse can be expensive, especially if you’re looking for one with proper ventilation and environmental controls.
Image Credit: おにぎり
Hydroponics
Hydroponics involves growing cannabis in a water-based solution that contains all the essential nutrients plants need. This method eliminates the use of soil altogether and can be done with a variety of systems, including: Deep Water Culture (DWC), Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), and Wick Systems.
Advantages:
Faster Growth: Plants grown hydroponically tend to grow faster because their roots have direct access to water and nutrients.
Precise Control: You can closely control the nutrient levels, pH, and oxygen levels, which can lead to optimized plant growth.
Efficient Water Use: Unlike soil-based growing, hydroponics allows you to recycle and reuse the water given to your cannabis plants.
Challenges:
Complex Setup: Hydroponics systems can be more complicated to set up and maintain compared to traditional soil-based growing.
Costly Equipment: You’ll need to invest in specialized equipment like pumps, reservoirs, and grow lights.
Regular Monitoring: Because the system is so controlled, it requires regular attention to ensure water and nutrient levels are balanced.
Aeroponics
Aeroponics is a form of growing in which plants are suspended in the air, and their roots are misted with a nutrient-rich solution. Unlike hydroponics, aeroponics doesn't rely on a liquid medium to support the roots but instead uses a fine mist to provide nutrients.
Advantages:
Highly Efficient: Aeroponics uses less water than traditional hydroponics and soil-based methods.
Faster Growth: With access to a mist of nutrients and oxygen, cannabis plants often grow faster than in other systems.
Space-Saving: Aeroponics systems can be designed to be compact, making them ideal for growers with limited space.
Challenges:
Technical Know-How: Aeroponics requires more advanced knowledge and maintenance to avoid issues like root rot or nutrient imbalances.
Expensive Setup: The specialized equipment can be costly, and if the misting system fails, plants can suffer quickly.
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