Home Improvement

4 Tips for Growing Cannabis via Hydroponics

Nowadays, despite all the new styles, secrets, and setups used to grow indoor marijuana or cannabis, the main choice for growers remains whether to grow in soil or not.

Although a common method to grow cannabis is through soil cultivation, many growers and professionals in the cannabis industry swear that marijuana grown hydroponically has a cleaner taste compared to soil grown ones. On the other hand, some people argue that soil or organic based methods yield more flavorful cannabis.

Growing cannabis is a challenging job for most growers. It requires patience and the right techniques to yield better plants. Hydroponics is not a method that works like a magic want to fix bad genetics or poor growing habits. In fact, growing with hydroponics can be more challenging with more potential pitfalls. However, when done properly, it can help to produce stronger, bigger, larger and better yields under controlled nutrients, temperature, LED grow lights, and pH levels compared to more traditional growing mediums.

If you are planning to grow cannabis through hydroponics, which involves placing plants in water solutions with the right amount of nutrients, then here are five tips to grow lush cannabis via hydroponics.

1.     Choose the Right System

Many people think that hydroponic cultivation requires a pure water based medium for optimum yield; this really means to grow without soil. In hydroponics, there are different styles to adopt, including the drip method that requires drizzling of nutrients through the growing medium. Another method is the flood and drain, in which the growing media goes through periodic flooding rather than keeping the roots of cannabis submerged fully.

Another method is aeroponics, which makes use of mini-sprinklers and sprayers to mist the roots with nutrient film technique that sets the roots in a thin film of nutrient solutions to expose more of the roots to oxygen.

2.     LED Grow Lights at Optimal Distances

Once you choose the right system, another important factor you need to consider is the light source and the distance between the lights and the plants. If you choose Dorm Grow LED lights, then rest assured that you are in the same league as professional cultivators who grow cannabis on a commercial scale. LED grow lights are the leading supplemental light source that smart growers are turning to in the US. What makes them the ideal choice is the ability to adjust their light wavelengths for targeted growth of cannabis. LED lights also cut down power costs by up to 50%, and they help to keep pests away.

The correct distance to keep the lights away from the plants will depend on the strength of the light. The stronger lights should be kept at a larger distance away from the plants as compared to lower wattage lights. Although these are safe lighting solutions, like other plants, if growers supply excess light to the plants, it can lead to stunted growth. LED lights should be 1-3 feet above the plant canopy for best results. By increasing the distance, the plants will grow taller and lankier. Decreasing the distance will result in more dense, shorter plant growth.

3.     Control the Temperature

Installing LED light helps to maintain the temperature in the grow room. Plants absorb most of the light from the plants, but the majority of the heat just adds to the temperature of the grow room. It is advisable to ensure the temperature remains between 70 and 850F. A steady temperature not only helps to keep pests and pathogens away, but it will maintain the dissolved oxygen levels in the nutrient solution. If the temperature rises above 85 degrees, it diminishes the ability of the plants to hold on to oxygen.

4.     Maintain the Water Levels

Another important factor is to maintain the water levels. For cannabis, the water levels need to remain high to ensure the plants remain well hydrated. If the water level goes too high, the plants can face water logging. Lower water levels can lead to slow growth and create weaker plants. To keep the water levels in balance, it is advisable to connect a top-off reservoir to a float valve. This helps to maintain the water levels to a consistent one. From time to time, the addition of nutrients to the reservoir helps the plants to grow well.

Other tips you need to consider is keeping the grow space clean, and maintaining the pH levels. These factors are also important because they determine how well the plants will yield. Try to stick to these tips and soon you can have healthy cannabis growing in your indoor garden.