by Erika Cruz, Outreach monks
Cannabis business professionals continue to seek ways to profit from this booming market as the cannabis industry continues to grow exponentially.
Cannabis has a huge potential to succeed. The market is projected to grow from USD 28,266 billion in 2020 to USD 197,74 billion by 2028 (a CAGR of 32.04%).
To truly succeed in this highly competitive environment, it is important to understand the entire cultivation process, from seed to harvest. In this guide, you will learn the best practices and essential steps for successful cannabis growing.
Let’s begin!
How to Choose the Right Seeds
Selecting the right seeds is essential to a successful cannabis crop. It’s important to think about your goals and preferences when choosing a strain from a seed store. Do you want a high-THC strain or one that has more CBD? Are you looking for a Sativa-dominant or Indica dominant plant?
Spend time selecting and researching the best seeds for your cannabis growing journey. Contact the seed store and ask for their advice.
Germination
The next step after you’ve got your seeds is to germinate them. In the first stage of cannabis production, the seeds sprout and grow into seedlings. The seeds are soaked up by water and biochemical changes occur that stimulate growth.
To encourage the growth of the seeds, soak them in water for 24 hours. Transfer the seeds onto a damp paper towel, and then place them in an environment that is warm and dark. In a matter of days, tiny roots and shoots will appear, indicating the successful start of the growth cycle.
Seedling stage
Next, you will need to move them into a growing medium. Fill small pots with a light, airy mix of soil. Be sure to keep the soil moist, but not saturated. Use fluorescent or LED lights to provide your seedlings 18-24 hours of daily light.
Keep the temperature between 70-75degF and to avoid mold growth .
Vegetative Stage
During the vegetative phase, your cannabis plants’ main focus will be on growing new leaves and branches. Give your plants 16 hours of daily light to promote healthy growth. Use specialized grow lights, or natural sunlight when growing outdoors. Maintain a temperature between 70-80degF (21-25degC) to avoid excess moisture.
It is also advisable to use nutrient-rich fertilisers with a higher nitrogen content during this phase. This promotes a robust vegetative phase and prepares plants for flowering. The package will tell you how much and how often to use the fertilizer.
When watering, ensure that the soil is moistened evenly but not saturated. Allowing the soil to slightly dry between waterings can prevent root rot.
Flowering Stage
After a few days of vegetative growth your cannabis plants will begin to flower. You must set the cycle of lighting to 12 hours light, followed by 12 complete hours of darkness. This is also called photoperiod light.
The plants will begin to produce flowers when the light schedule changes. It’s important to keep the light and darkness periods consistent to avoid stressing plants. Remember that flowering time varies from strain to strain and can last anywhere between 8-10 weeks.
Harvesting
It’s finally time to harvest cannabis. You can tell that your plants are ready by the presence of tiny, crystal-like structures called trichomes on the flower. The trichomes will turn from clear to amber or cloudy, which indicates the best time for harvesting.
Examine the trichomes with a magnifying lens or microscope. After you are ready, trim the leaves and carefully trim the branches. Harvesting too soon or too late may affect the potency and quality of your final product. Wait until the trichomes reach the desired color and maturity.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis cultivation requires patience, attention to detail and a constant learning process. Following the guidelines in this guide will ensure that you get a high quality yield and position yourself as a leader in the rapidly growing cannabis industry.
Erika Cruz, author bio: Erika is a contentwriter at Outreach Monks. This leading marketing agency is known for its innovative solutions in digital marketing. Erika’s expertise in creating engaging copy and content helps clients connect with their audience.
The post Members Blog: From Seed To Harvest – A Guide for Successful Cannabis Cultivation first appeared on National Cannabis Industry Association.
