Growing Cannabis: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Cannabis-Anbau: Eine Schritt-für-Schritt Anleitung für Anfänger

Growing cannabis can be both rewarding and challenging, especially for beginners. With the right guidance and a little patience, even you can successfully grow your own plants without having a green thumb. Here's a simple step-by-step guide to get you started.

1. Preparation: What you need

Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials:

  • Cannabis seeds or seedlings : Choose a strain that is suitable for beginners, such as Northern Lights or Blue Dream.
    • Normal/Photoperiod seeds: These require a change in the light cycle to move from the growth phase to the flowering phase.
    • Autoflowering seeds: These start flowering automatically, regardless of the light cycle, making them particularly easy for beginners. There is no need to repot them, as this can cause stress.
  • Growing medium: soil, coconut fiber or hydroponics.
  • Pots: Start with small pots and later move to larger ones (for regular seeds). For automatic seeds, the seeds should be planted directly into the final pots.
  • Lighting: LED or HPS lamps are best.
  • Ventilation: A fan and possibly an exhaust system.
  • Nutrients: Special fertilizers for the growth and flowering phase.
  • pH meter and EC meter: To control the pH value and nutrient concentration.
  • Water: Filtered water is best.

2. Germination of seeds

Cannabis seeds in a damp paper towel

Start germinating your seeds. To do this you will need:

  • A damp paper towel.
  • A plate or a plastic box.

Steps:

  1. Place the seeds between two damp paper towels.
  2. Place the paper towel on a plate or in a plastic container and cover it.
  3. Place the plate in a warm, dark place.
  4. Check the seeds daily and keep the paper towel moist.
  5. After 3-7 days the seeds should germinate and show small roots.

3. Planting the seedlings

Once the seeds have germinated, carefully plant them in small pots with growing medium. Make sure to place the root side down and cover the seeds lightly with soil. For automatic seeds, plant them directly into the final pots to avoid transplant stress. Place the pots in a warm, bright place or under your lights.

4. The growth phase

Cannabis seedling in a large terracotta pot full of soil

During the growth phase, plants develop their leaves and roots. Here are the most important steps:

  1. Lighting: Make sure plants receive 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness per day.
  2. Watering: Water the plants regularly, but avoid waterlogging.
  3. Nutrients: Start with a weak nutrient solution and gradually increase the amount.
  4. Ventilation: Ensure good air circulation to prevent mold growth.

5. The flowering phase

Three cannabis plants in the flowering phase on the balcony in the sunlight

After 4-6 weeks in the growth phase, you switch to the flowering phase:

  1. Normal/Photoperiod seeds: Reduce the light time to 12 hours light and 12 hours dark per day.
  2. Autoflowering seeds: These start to flower automatically after about 3-4 weeks, regardless of the light cycle.
  3. Nutrients: Switch to special flowering fertilizers that contain more phosphorus and potassium.
  4. Humidity: Keep the humidity at 40-50% to avoid mold growth.

6. Harvest

After 8-12 weeks of flowering, your plants are ready for harvest:

  1. Check trichomes: Use a magnifying glass to look at the trichomes (resin crystals) on the buds. If they are milky white or amber, the plant is ready to harvest.
  2. Cutting: Cut the plants at the base.
  3. Drying: Hang the plants upside down in a dark, well-ventilated place and let them dry for 7-14 days.
  4. Curing: Store the dried flowers in airtight jars and open them daily for 10-15 minutes to allow moisture to escape. Repeat this process for 2-3 weeks.

    Conclusion

    Growing cannabis can be a fulfilling experience, especially if you know the basics. With this step-by-step guide and a little patience, you can successfully grow your own plants.


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    Sources:

    1. Cervantes, J. (2006). Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible. Van Patten Publishing.
    2. Rosenthal, E. (2010). Marijuana Grower's Handbook: Your Complete Guide for Medical and Personal Marijuana Cultivation. Quick American Archives.
    3. Green, G. (2003). The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medical Use. Green Candy Press.

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