Indoor Growing
One of the most common methods for cultivating cannabis is growing indoors. There are several benefits to growing inside rather than outdoors. Indoor cultivation allows growers to carefully control the environment that the plants are exposed to. Factors like light, temperature, humidity, nutrients and water can all be precisely monitored and adjusted as needed. This level of environmental control makes it possible to harvest multiple crops per year rather than being limited by seasonal changes. Security is also improved with indoor grows, as plants are not exposed outdoors where theft could occur. Some of the key considerations and equipment needed for successful indoor cannabis cultivation include:
Lighting
The most important factor in indoor growing is the lighting system. High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps like metal halide (MH) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) bulbs are typically used to simulate the sun’s light spectrum indoors. MH lamps are preferred in the vegetative state as they emit bluer light which cannabis plants use for photosynthesis and growth. HPS lamps emit an orange-reddish light that cannabis flowers respond well to in the flowering state. Proper wattage and placement of the lighting fixtures above the canopy is critical for optimal growth.
Ventilation and Climate Control
Ventilation systems with inline fans and carbon filters are necessary to exchange stale air, control temperatures and remove excess humidity and odors from the grow area. Thermostats, hygrometers and dehumidifiers help monitor and maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels for the different plant stages. Heat from high-wattage lights also needs to be dissipated, requiring ventilation.
Nutrients and Hydroponics
Soil-based mediums or soilless hydroponic systems can both work for indoor grows. Hydroponic systems are more complex but allow for precise nutrient delivery and easier pH and environmental monitoring. A balanced nutrient solution appropriate for the plant’s stage of growth must be delivered on a regular schedule. Growing mediums like rockwool, clay pellets or coconut coir hold the roots and provide stability.
Outdoor Cultivation
While requiring less equipment and upkeep than indoor grows, outdoor cultivation has its own unique challenges. Outdoor plants are exposed to temperature fluctuations, rainfall, pests and potential mold/mildew issues that must be dealt with. Production is also constrained to the local climate and growing seasons. That said, outdoor grows can take advantage of natural sun light and require less costly infrastructure than indoor grows. Selecting cannabis varieties suited to the local environment is important. Some best practices for successful outdoor cannabis cultivation include:
Site Selection
Ideally, outdoor plants should be situated in an area with sunny exposure for at least 6 hours per day, rich well-draining soil, adequate space and appropriate wind/rain protection if needed. Proximity to housing and visibility from public areas is an important legal consideration as well.
Plant Hardening
When starting seeds or transplanting young clones outdoors, a gradual acclimation process called “hardening off” is required to adjust them to outdoor conditions. This may involve moving them in and out of shade and gradually exposing them to wind and sunlight over 5-7 days.
Pest and Disease Management
Common outdoor cannabis pests include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies and various fungi/molds. Organic or chemical pesticides, growth regulators and fungicides may need to be applied preventatively or in response to problems. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) aims to control issues without harming beneficial insects.
Harvest and Post-Harvest Processing
Outdoor plants will reach optimal ripening and harvesting during peak fall seasons in most climates. Ensuring full trichome development and dehydrating/curing the harvested plants properly is important for highest quality end product. Yields per plant are usually larger outdoors than indoor amounts.
Guerrilla Grows and Outdoor Security
For illegal or sanctioned medical grows, discreet outdoor plots hidden in remote forests (“guerrilla grows”) offer an alternative to permitting issues but come with risks of theft, destruction and criminal prosecution if discovered. Security equipment like trail cameras, electric fencing and alarms can help deter theft of outdoor crops.
Living Organic Soil Cultivation
In contrast to hydroponics or conventional soil-based growing methods that rely heavily on synthetic additives, a living organic soil system is a more natural and sustainable approach that produces cannabis of higher quality. It involves carefully developing active, nutrient-rich soil full of beneficial microbes and fungi. Organic nutrients from compost, cover crops and mineral amendments maintain the soil ecosystem over multiple seasons of cultivation. No synthetic fertilizers or supplements are used. Living soil grows require more advanced horticultural skills but offer increased disease resistance, greater terpene expression and a more pure end product free of chemicals. Careful initial soil development and maintenance of this balanced, microbial-driven system leads to outstanding plant health and harvests.
Genetics and Breeding
Advanced cultivation also involves working with and selecting preferred cannabis genetics. Growers may hunt landraces and heirloom strains for breeding new varieties optimized for certain qualities, environments or grow methods. Hybridizing, breeding for homozygosity and selective seed multiplying creates stable, high-yielding cultivars. Seedbanks, clones and mother plants need isolation and proper care. Feminized and regular autoflowering seeds suitable for various climates have also become popular options for growers. Genetic cataloging and archival of heritage strains preserves cannabis cultivation diversity.
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