Growing cannabis can be an exciting adventure for any cultivator. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned grower, mastering the basics will help you produce healthy plants with optimal yields and potent cannabinoid profiles. In this article, we will walk through each step of the process, from seed selection to harvest and curing. Along the way, you will learn best practices that make cultivation smoother, more efficient, and, most importantly, more rewarding.
1. Choosing the Right Seeds
Your journey begins with choosing high quality seeds. Two popular options are feminised seeds and autoflower seeds. Each has unique benefits.
Feminised Seeds
When you plant feminised seeds, you remove any chance of male plants popping up and sapping energy from your crop. As Barney’s Farms explains:
Pioneers of feminised seeds, we boast the title of being the world’s premier supplier of feminized cannabis seeds. As a cultivator, embracing feminised cannabis seeds opens a realm of immeasurable benefits, such as amplified yields, potent trichome composition with elevated THC and CBD concentrations, aromatic and flavour-rich bouquets, punctual floral cycles, and optimised cultivation efforts and spatial utilisation through the elimination of male cannabis plants.
By starting with feminised seeds, you lock in more predictable harvest times and higher quality flower. You also save space and reduce labor by not having to identify and remove male plants.
Autoflower Seeds
For growers craving speed and simplicity, autoflower seeds are a game changer. As Barney’s Farms puts it:
Autoflower seeds, my dear friends, are a true testament to the boundless ingenuity of humanity. Imagine, if you will, a seed that requires no manipulation of light cycles. A seed that springs into life with incredible zeal and blossoms into a fully formed plant in a mere matter of weeks. Indeed, autoflowering cannabis seeds have taken the cannabis cultivation world by storm, particularly in the UK, Europe, and the United States. With these autoflowering seeds, you need not concern yourself with the intricacies of photoperiodism, for they possess a genetic predisposition to flower independent of light cues. What is more, these autoflower weed seeds pack a veritable cornucopia of benefits into one plant and can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Autoflowers thrive on a simple schedule. Plant them, water them, feed them, and watch them go from seed to harvest in as little as 8 to 10 weeks. They tend to be smaller than photoperiod varieties, making them perfect for discreet grows or limited spaces.
2. Site Selection and Growing Environment
Whether you grow outdoors or in a controlled environment, selecting the ideal site is critical.
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Light
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Outdoors, choose a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
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Indoors, use full spectrum LED or HPS lights. Keep lights 18 to 24 inches above the canopy during vegetative growth, then lower to 12 to 18 inches during flowering.
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Air Flow
Good air flow reduces the risk of mold and pests. Outdoors, space plants to allow breeze between them. Indoors, use oscillating fans to keep air moving and strengthen stems. -
Temperature and Humidity
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Daytime temps 70–85°F during vegetative stage.
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Drop to 65–80°F during flowering.
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Maintain 40–60 percent relative humidity in veg and lower to 40–50 percent in flower.
3. Soil and Nutrients
Cannabis plants love rich, well drained soil. You can use a high quality organic potting mix or build your own blend.
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Soil Mix
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40 percent loam or garden soil
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30 percent compost or worm castings
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20 percent perlite or pumice
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10 percent coco coir for water retention
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Nutrients
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Vegetative Stage: Higher nitrogen (N), moderate phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
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Flowering Stage: Lower N, higher P and K.
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Use organic inputs when possible: fish emulsion, kelp extract and bone meal are great options.
Always follow manufacturer’s feeding charts and start at half strength. Overfeeding can lead to nutrient burn, so watch leaf tips for yellowing or browning.
4. Hydroponic Systems and At-Home Grow Kits
Many growers explore alternative growing methods beyond traditional soil. Two popular options are hydroponic systems and small at-home grow kits. Both approaches simplify cultivation and can deliver impressive results.
Hydroponic Systems
Hydroponics means growing plants in water enriched with nutrients. There are several easy to set up hydroponic methods:
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Deep Water Culture (DWC) Plants sit in net pots over a nutrient solution. Air stones supply oxygen to roots for rapid growth.
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Ebb and Flow A tray of roots floods with nutrient water then drains on a timer. This keeps roots moist and well fed.
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Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) A thin film of nutrient water flows through channels where roots grow. Excess solution returns to the reservoir for reuse.
Hydroponic setups use less water and grow cycles tend to run faster. You control exactly what nutrients the plants receive. That level of precision can lead to bigger yields and stronger plants.
At-Home Grow Kits
If you want a simple grow without investing in pumps and plumbing, at-home grow kits offer a plug and play solution. Kits usually include a small container, a grow light, a fan and pre measured nutrients. Many kits come with:
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Seed Pod and Medium Pre mixed soil or clay pebble pods where you place the seed and let it sprout.
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LED Grow Light A compact light panel that sits above your plant. No special setup is required.
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Fan and Reservoir A small fan to keep air moving and a water tank that holds your nutrient solution.
With an at-home kit you only need to plug the unit in and water or refill the reservoir on the schedule provided. These kits work well on a counter or in a small closet. They make learning to grow cannabis easy and fun.
4. Germination and Seedling Care
Healthy seedlings set the stage for strong plants.
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Paper Towel Method
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Place seeds between two moist paper towels on a plate.
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Cover and keep warm (70–75°F).
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Check daily. When taproots reach 1/4 to 1/2 inch, transfer to your growing medium.
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Direct Soil Germination
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Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep in moistened soil.
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Cover with a dome or plastic wrap to retain humidity.
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Remove cover once seedlings break the soil.
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Seedling Light
Use low intensity light for 18–24 hours per day. Keep lights at least 24 inches above to avoid stretching.
5. Vegetative Stage
During the vegetative phase your cannabis develops foliage and establishes root systems.
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Light Schedule
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Photoperiod plants: 18 hours on, 6 hours off.
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Autoflowers: 18 hours on, 6 hours off or 20 on, 4 off.
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Training Techniques
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Topping: Cut off the main stem tip to encourage side branches.
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Low Stress Training (LST): Bend and tie branches to create an even canopy and boost bud sites.
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Screen of Green (SCROG): Use a net to spread out buds for uniform light exposure.
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Feeding
Follow a nitrogen rich feeding schedule. Increase gradually as plants grow. Monitor pH to keep it between 6.0 and 7.0 in soil.
6. Flowering Stage
This is when your cannabis will produce flowers rich in cannabinoids and terpenes.
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Lighting
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Photoperiod: Switch to 12 hours light, 12 hours darkness.
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Autoflower: Keep the same light schedule used in veg.
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Feeding
Transition to bloom nutrients with higher phosphorus and potassium.
Flush your plants with plain water or a flushing solution 1–2 weeks before harvest to improve flavor. -
Pest and Disease Management
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Inspect leaves daily for signs of spider mites, aphids or powdery mildew.
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Use insecticidal soaps or neem oil for prevention.
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Maintain good air flow and keep humidity in check.
7. Harvesting
Knowing the right time to harvest makes a big difference in quality.
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Trichome Inspection
Use a magnifier to look at trichomes on buds. Harvest when most turn milky white with some amber for a balanced effect. -
Flushing
Stop nutrients 1–2 weeks before harvest. Water with plain pH balanced water to clear any build up. -
Cutting
Cut whole plants at the base or trim individual branches. Handle buds gently to avoid knocking off precious trichomes.
8. Drying and Curing
Proper drying and curing unlock the full aroma and potency of your cannabis flowers.
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Drying
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Hang branches upside down in a dark room at 60–70°F and 50–60 percent humidity.
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Dry for 7 to 14 days until small stems snap instead of bend.
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Curing
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Trim buds from branches and place loosely in glass jars.
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Store jars in a cool dark space and open once per day for the first week to release moisture and allow fresh air.
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Cure for at least 2 weeks. Longer curing (4 to 8 weeks) improves flavor and smoothness.
9. Compliance and Testing
Cannabis must comply with local THC limits (usually 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis). Work with a licensed lab to test:
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THC and CBD Levels
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Pesticide Residues
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Microbial Contaminants
Keeping detailed records of your input use, harvest dates, and lab results helps maintain transparency and ensures your product meets regulatory standards.
Happy Growing!
Growing cannabis can be fun, engaging, and deeply satisfying. By choosing the right seeds, whether feminised for predictability or autoflower for speed, you set yourself up for success from the start. Combine solid site selection, proper soil and nutrient management, careful pest control, and patient drying and curing to produce top quality cannabis flowers rich in CBD and terpenes. With these best practices in hand, you are ready to cultivate a crop that stands out in both quality and consistency.
