If you’re considering setting you your own indoor grow space, you’re probably overwhelmed with all of the information floating around on the internet. There are so many sources available (including us) to new growers today that it’s hard to know where exactly to start. However, cannabis growing isn’t much different than growing other types of plants indoors. Also, a basic grow tent is pretty easy to put together- even on a budget. If you’re just starting your own indoor garden, here are a few steps to help you get things rolling.
Choose a Space
The first thing you’ll need to start your own indoor grow is a place to put your plants. What kind of space you choose depends on how ambitious you are. You can get a grow tent that sits in a corner of a room, you can use a closet, or you can dedicate a whole room to your weed plants.
There are three important questions that you should ask yourself when considering your grow space setup.
Question 1. Is it big enough to hold the number of plants you want to grow? You should give each plant four square feet of space, ideally.
Question 2. Can you install lights and a fan in your grow room? If not, then you need to reconsider the space.
Question 3. Is your potential grow room inconspicuous? The less obvious your grow tent is, the less trouble you’ll have with neighbors.
Get Grow Lights and A Fan
Once you have a space, it’s time to consider your environmental conditions. Plants should receive at least 150 watts of light each from a grow lamp, as this helps them reach their full potential. There are plenty of grow light options, from bulbs that fit standard light s to HPS grow light bays that can light stadiums. You can choose your light based on the number of plants you want to grow and your budget.
You’ll also need a fan in your grow room. An exhaust fan keeps air moving around your plants. This prevents problems like mold and spider mites, which could ruin your harvest. They also keep your humidity and temperature in check, so you that don’t roast your plants.
Get a Temperature and Humidity Gauge
You can prevent a lot of problems by keeping an eye on your grow room’s temperature and humidity. Cannabis plants prefer the temperature to remain between 68-78 degrees Fahrenheit (kinda like humans). Outside this range, problems like leaf cupping and nutrient burn start to crop up.
The humidity should stay between 45% and 75%. If your humidity is too low, your plants will lose water quickly and have to absorb much more through their roots. That can cause nutrient burn or leaf desiccation, potentially killing your plant. On the other hand, too much humidity encourages mold and root rot. Getting a good dual-purpose thermometer and humidity gauge helps you keep conditions stable.
Get Good Seeds
The last and most important requirement for growing cannabis is getting quality seeds. There are plenty of places where you can buy cannabis seeds, but not all seed sellers are created equal. Get your seeds from a trusted nursery or seller. Using bagseed or buying seeds off of eBay usually result in growing ditch weed instead of top shelf bud.
You don’t have to start out with a huge hydroponic system and a dedicated greenhouse to start home-growing. You can grow all the weed you want with grow tent the size of a moving box. You can start by setting aside eight square feet to grow two plants at a time, and you can expand from there. Growing weed can be a pretty rewarding hobby, and you can get your grow room up and running in no time.