Article by Anisha Dhiman, Growth Op
Although cannabis is a popular choice of those prepping for isolation, some would prefer to keep our interactions with humans to the barest of minimums to prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19.
In Canada, we’re lucky enough to be able to grow up to four plants legally at home, and spring is the time to pop those seeds.
For those apprehensive to leave the confines of their home and step outside, here’s an easy way to grow cannabis indoors.
Step 1: Choose a spot for the pot
Whether it’s the balcony or the corner of a room, be mindful of the location.
Cannabis plants thrive outdoors but can also grow indoors as long as the designated space is clean, and has sufficient light, and air.
As for selecting the right planting container, look into its drainage system. “Inexpensive options include disposable perforated plastic bags or cloth bags, while some choose to spend more on ‘smart pots,’ containers that are designed to enhance airflow to the plant’s root zone,” recommends Leafly.
Meanwhile, planting cannabis in a pot may have many advantages. Not only can the grower move around the pot but “if being stealth is a concern, a pot will restrict maximum growth potential of the plant, meaning you can quite effectively predict how tall and wide it will become,” Royal Queen Seeds points out in a blog.
Step 2: Plant it right
If a friend is practicing social distancing and is unable to lend seeds or clones, check out what the provincial cannabis retailer has to offer online.
The cannabis cycle kicks off with what is known as the germination stage — when the seed breaks from its shell and develops a root. A crucial stage in early development, the plant should get 18 hours of light on and six hours off. “Light is like food for your plants, so without it, even a healthy cannabis plant won’t produce quality bud,” writes Ashley Athill for The GrowthOp’s Homegrown series.
Step 3: Watch out for the bad guys
Temperature and humidity if not regulated can bust a plant’s growth. “If the seedling does not receive sufficient light, for example, the infant stem will begin stretching, which can possibly bend the stem or even kill the seedling. The results of the seedling stage depend on the genetics and environmental conditions,” Athill writes.