Another Top 10 Tips For Growing Indoors: for the Beginner
With the prospective changes in the laws for Michiganders in regards to cannabis, many more are going to be looking into growing their own ganja, and here at the MMM Report we fully encourage those with the time and patients to try.Growing cannabis can be an enjoyable experience, if you know what you’re doing. It can also be a major headache and very costly if you don’t. Here are 10 simple tips to help you get the most out of your indoor marijuana garden.
1. Do your research!
This sounds like a no brainer first step, but it’s one many people overlook. Before you get started familiarize yourself with the basics of growing cannabis. Do some reading on growing, grow room design, and the other basics. It will save you a lot of headaches down the road. Don’t be afraid to use our forums to ask questions. The internet is full of information at your fingertips. Don’t forget to use it.
2. Proper room before you start
Don’t plant a single seed before you have your room built. Rushing to construct your room in a hurry won’t give you the best results. Build your room completely before you start your seeds or clones. You can always use the extra time to save up money and buy the seeds you really want while your are getting your grow room ready.
3. Veg and flower rooms
Build yourself a room (or use tents) specifically for flowering, and a second room (tent) just for vegging. Having a separate vegetative room will allow you to keep a mother, and have clones ready to go as soon as you finish your harvest. This allows you to guarantee your favorite genetics are always available, and you won’t risk bringing foreign pest and fungus into your room on purchased clones.
4. 3000 Lumens per sq ft for Lighting
The minimum amount of light required by marijuana plants is around 3000 lumens per square foot. However, it’s not 100% accurate, since although you may have a 10,000 lumen light, the amount of light that reaches the plant varies with the distance between the light and plants, and reflectivity of the grow box. The ideal amount is somewhere around 7000-10,000 lumens/sqft, and as long as the plants do not burn, as much light can be used as you want. (*note, the sun produces about 10,000 lumens/sqft, on a sunny summer day).
Determining lumens for your grow area:
Determine the square footage of your area (example in a 4 foot by 4 foot area, there is 16 square feet)
If you have a 1000 watt High Pressure Sodium Grow Light, that produces (approx.) 107,000 lumens.
Divide this by 16 (your square footage) 107,000 / 16 = 6687 lumens per square foot.
So just divide the total amount of Lumens, by the total amount of Sq ft, and thats your lumens per square foot.
5. Ventilation
When it comes to ventilation, you can never have too much of it. Air movement will help keep your plants happy and healthy. By removing hot humid air, ventilation helps prevent mold and mildew. Ventilation also replenishes CO2 that plants need to photosynthesize. If possible, filter any fresh air that is drawn into the grow room. This will reduce the number of new pests introduced into the grow room.
6. Start with a simple grow method
Before you decide to try out that latest greatest high tech growing method you read about, start with the basics. Those people have spent many hours tweaking their grow rooms to a point of perfection. Instead, start with a good bag of soil, some pots, and a simple but good plan, then tweak your methods until you have achieved a heavenly perfection of your own.
7. Stick to one line of nutrients
If you have been to any grow shop recently, you will know that they have a metric ton of products that claim they make your plants grow faster, yield bigger buds, and taste better. Mixing different brands of nutrients can cause lockout and a number of other problems. Pick a single brand of nutrients and use only that one line. Most brands have a complete line of nutrients designed to give you the best results possible.
8. Cleanliness
As the old adage goes. “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. This is also true for our grow rooms. Keep them clean, don’t leave trash in the grow room. It invites pests, and may present a safety hazard. If you pull off dead leaves, dispose of them outside of the room. If you can, have a clean pair of shoes and/or clothes you can put on before going into your rooms. This will keep down the likelihood of pests problems like spider mites. Keep in mind that pets can unknowingly carry pests that can infest your garden as well. Dogs/cats roll in the grass outside, and then walk in the house and possibly into your grow room, taxing the pests to a feast. A simple suggestion is to keep pets away from grow areas. Keep a pair of oversized coveralls hanging by the door, next to your grow room shoes. If you use a few simple preventative measures, you can help keep pests out. Your plants will thank you.
9. Mumms the word
This one can be difficult for many of us. Growing is very exciting. Sometimes you want to show your closest friends what you have going on. Maybe you can make them a little jealous. Stop! Keep your mouth shut, and don’t tell anyone about it. People have a bad habit of talking. For every person you trust enough to tell, expect they will tell 10 people that they trust enough to tell. Before you know it, you could have some undesirable attention.
10. Start with good genetics
As always, starting with the right strain can make or break your garden. If you want big yields, then don’t grow a strain known to be a low producer. If you want a certain type of high, make sure you pick a strain that was designed for it. This goes back to tip #1. Do your research. It will save you time, energy and money.
