Several states across the country have legalized cannabis use for medical and recreational purposes. States like Oregon have numerous dispensaries that sell a variety of buds, edibles, concentrates, and so much more. Users aren’t limited to buying buds from dispensaries, though. In Oregon, adults over 21 can grow up to 4 cannabis plants at home. They can use the buds they cultivate for their own purposes, whether they want to smoke them, concentrate them, or use them to infuse their favorite recipes. Growing successful plants can be tricky, though. Here, we’ll provide some helpful cannabis growing techniques from the experts. ‌

Pick the Right Growing Medium

Choosing your growing medium is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll need to make when growing cannabis at home. Cannabis plants typically do best in soil that doesn’t retain a lot of moisture. The soil you choose could make or break your yield, so be sure to consider your options carefully. 

Pay Attention to Lighting

In the vegetative state, cannabis plants need 18 to 22 hours of light a day. Lighting is critical for growth and progress. Once the plants begin flowering, however, you need to reduce the amount of light they receive. It seems counterintuitive, but the extra hours of darkness are vital for growth. Keeping the plants exposed to light could actually keep them vegetative. 

Drought Stress Can Boost Potency

Another trick that might seem counterintuitive is drought stress. Letting the leaves of your plants wilt just a little and adding just enough water to revive them can actually boost the potency of your buds . Targeted underwatering, also called controlled drought, induces the production of higher concentrations of essential oils. 

If you’re considering controlled drought, you will want to pay close attention to your plants. You want the leaves to curl only a little and provide just enough water to perk them back up again throughout the flowering stage. 

Ensure Adequate Ventilation

No matter where you choose to grow your cannabis, you want to ensure adequate airflow. Ventilation is essential for preventing mold growth on your plants. It can also help to reduce the risk of nutrient burn and other issues like pests. 

Harvest Time Matters

You can do everything right during the growing and flowering stages of your buds. Premature harvest, however, can destroy all of your hard work. You don’t want to pick your flowers too soon. 

So, how do you know when your buds are ready? Watch the little hairs on the flowers. If they aren’t sprouting new ones, harvest time is near. When about half of those hairs have turned dark, indicating high concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes, they’re ready to go. Avoid picking too late, though, because otherwise, you’ll lose potency.

Cannabis Growing Techniques For Quality Results

There’s something inherently rewarding about growing buds yourself. The hard work of sprouting seeds, tending to the plants as they grow and mature, and eventually harvesting the flowers can instill any enthusiast with a sense of accomplishment. While you can grow up to 4 plants, you can always start with one. Give it a shot and see how it goes. You might surprise yourself and find that you like your buds a whole lot better than anything else you’ve ever had.