When considering the best lighting for a cannabis garden, the first thing to consider is the strain you are growing. Most growers agree that the red spectrum is better for flowering cannabis. HPS and CMH grow lights mimic the rays of the sun, and both emit a red spectrum. This red spectrum is essential for cannabis flowers. Cannabis lighting is not cheap, so it is crucial to set up the right schedule and adhere to it.
A High-Quality LED System Is The Best Choice For Growing Cannabis
You can find inexpensive grow lights, but these will not produce the same yield as a decent LED system. Also, you’ll need different lights for different stages of the growth cycle. An investment in decent standard lights is worth it if you’re growing marijuana for MMJ or for recreational use. It will pay off much faster if you have more harvests. However, if you’re just starting to grow cannabis, you might want to go for a less expensive HID system, but you’ll pay for it over time.
During the vegetative stage, marijuana plants need 18 hours of light and six hours of darkness. Changing the lighting schedule can trigger flowering, but you’ll need to monitor the growth of the cannabis plant to know what schedule is right for you. A good lighting plan will take into account the different light cycles in a cannabis garden and allow you to make necessary adjustments to the lighting. It’s also very important to rotate the pots, as plants tend to lean towards the light.
If you’re growing a small marijuana plant, a simple 150-watt LED white light bulb may be all you need. However, as your cannabis plants grow bigger, you’ll need more light over a wider area. You can use LED grow lights to support the different stages of a cannabis plant’s life cycle, but it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature to avoid damaging your plants and yielding inferior buds.
Choosing Seeds
If you are a beginner, you may be wondering if it’s better to buy regular or feminized cannabis seeds. Feminized seeds, which are sold by reputable companies, are generally more expensive, but the quality of feminized plants is the same as that of photoperiod varieties. You should look for a seed that states the genetic background of the plant.
When choosing a cannabis seed variety, there are three options: feminized, regular, and auto flower:
Feminized Seeds
When choosing indica female seeds for a marijuana garden, EC meters are essential tools. They measure the electrical conductivity of the soil, which allows for the proper concentration of nutrients. If you overfeed your cannabis plants, they will grow stunted and die, resulting in lower yields. A cannabis plant needs plenty of oxygen to thrive, and waterlogged soil is harmful to its roots. A good growing medium is moist but should remain partially dry between waterings to allow roots to breathe.
Regular Seeds
Regular cannabis seeds produce plants that are both male and female, but they are cheaper. Regular seeds produce more male plants, which are undesirable for pollen banking and cross-breeding. Regular cannabis seeds aren’t for every grower, though, so feminized seeds are best for beginners. A cannabis plant that produces only female flowers is more likely to produce high-quality cannabis buds.
Autoflower seeds
If you’re a novice, you may want to consider using autoflowering feminized seeds. They require less work and flower more quickly than regular photoperiod seeds. Besides, they’re easier to buy and ship. Moreover, they have high yields. If you’re growing a cannabis plant for the first time, consider buying auto flower seeds. Some auto flower seeds can produce several hundred grams per plant, making them a good choice for beginners.
Side Notes
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you can always opt for cheap seeds. However, cheap doesn’t necessarily mean bad. If you’re growing your own weed, it’s best to stick to older, reliable strains that have been grown for decades. If you’re starting out for the first time, it’s best to avoid new hybrid strains because they tend to flop without proper lighting.
Neal Hanson
Tech expert fresh from the Australian Coast. Been in the tech industry more than 9 years, as part of a Business Growth Group. His out of office days are 100% for freestyle surfing and waves chasing.