In this stage we are going to look at indoor growing: Having decided on the seed you want to cultivate (link to seed page on the shop), as previously noted we suggest that you opt for the auto flowering seeds. So now you will need the indoor grower’s equipment.
The most important factor in indoor cultivation is the lighting. As it’s indoors you will have to use artificial light. There are several types of bulbs available and you will need a reflector, to maximise the use of light (remember electricity is expensive). Our recommendation, having studied the various options and the associated costs, is to start with a cupboard kit, which has everything.
Is an example of a reasonably priced complete kit.
It has everything you need to make cultivation marijuana as easy as possible.
Cannabis, like any plant, has various stages. The first stage is to get the seed to germinate:
The easiest and so far in my experience a good method is the paper towel method:
Place seeds on a moistened paper towel on a plate, then cover with another plate to keep the moisture locked in. Seeds often sprout in 1-4 days, although some may take up to a week. Now we transfer the seed (once it has sprouted) into our moist growing medium. Make a small hole and put the seed in the medium. The seed will then emerge from the medium showing a couple of leaves, at this point the seeds will ned light for 24 hours a day, keep the light at least 3-6 inches from the sprouting plant. The seedling will grow the first two adult leaves, signalling the start of the vegetative stage.
During vegetative stage (4-5 weeks), we use a blue light (i.e. a bulb giving off light at the blue end of the spectrum). It is important to keep the light at a good distance so that it doesn’t burn the leaves. Lighting will be necessary for between 18 and 24 hours per day.
In the flowering stage we need a softer bulb equivalent to fall/autumn light.
This is an approximate time line:
1-2- weeks – Switch to a 12 hours light on and 12 hours no light, marijuana light cycle, your marijuana plant will start to show its first flowers.
3-5 weeks – The Plants start to stretch for light and flowers appear at the nodes. Your plant will start to develop creamy white pistils from its flowering points. New flowers will continue to develop over this period.
At 5+ weeks – The buds start to thicken significantly. Flowers will close and the calyxes (The outermost part of a flower, consisting of the sepals.) will swell. Your leaves will yellow as energy is put into making the flowers. During this time, your plant will reach its flowering peak, with pistils swelling and finally changing in colour from white to amber, moving on to a reddish brown.
Final 2 weeks – For the final 1 to 2 weeks of flowering you will want to flush your plant. This means use nothing but clean water.
Final 48 hours – You can further flush the nutrients and unwanted sugars from your flowering weed by turning out all light. The plant will utilize the sugars already produced during photosynthesis to continue to swell the budding points.
