Why hydroponics weed

But as hydroponic gardening gains popularity as a way of growing high-grade cannabis the year round, M tells VICE what it takes to do what he does, in India. So, how come you started growing your own weed?

But as you go, you realise that you need to know what you are smoking and where it is coming from. Else, there is no point to it. I started growing my own weed around to stay away from those bad things, and know that what I will have will guarantee me a nice, clean high.

Do you need to have a green thumb to do this? It's complicated at the start but you have to have patience for the trial-and-error process to show results. I just started by reading lots of articles on hydroponic gardening. I started by going to my local gardener, picking up a small pot and a bunch of other plants to hide the one I was desperately trying to grow.

I bought the seeds from Slimjim which now sells seeds on another platform. It was beautiful to watch the buds flower in front of you. I still remember it had a watermelon kinda smell. The nutrients are provided directly to the plants to keep them abundant irrespective of the weather out there. There are also pests outdoors. When you move indoors, you have control over all that stuff and hence, your buds are bigger, healthier and more potent.

So, what do I need to do to have my own quality hydro stash whenever I need it? I made the switch two years ago, when I built my first grow box, which was the size of a wardrobe. It had lights and exhaust fans, and a shiny reflective plastic sheet for the light to bounce off. This list specifically outlines equipment needed to install your hydroponic system and does not include lights, fans, filters, and other basic needs for any grow room.

A benefit this setup offers is that it can easily be expanded as you want to grow more plants as long as your reservoir has enough capacity to provide all the plants with enough water. To expand a drip line setup, all you need to do is add additional lines to the new pots.

When growing hydroponically, you are responsible for providing all of the nutrients necessary for plants to survive. Nitrogen N , Phosphorus P , and Potassium K are the three essential nutrients for plant growth known as macronutrients. Additionally, there are secondary and micronutrients that will help the plant develop as well. Many companies sell hydroponic nutrient solutions that are specifically designed for certain stages of growth. Nitrogen-rich nutrient solutions will be used in the vegetative stage while phosphorus-rich nutrients become more necessary in the flowering phase.

Nutrients will come either pre-mixed in a solution or in powder form. While powder form might be cheaper and less bulky, it is best to stick with liquid pre-mixed nutrients if you are a small-time grower as they mix with water easily and are more forgiving.

When mixing in nutrients, take a few measurements to make sure your solution is safe for the plants. First, make sure you have the right EC electrical conductivity reading, and secondly, ensure your pH reading is correct. The EC reading is how growers can tell how strong their solution is, and how mineral-rich the water is.

The more minerals, the higher the EC rating will be. Generally speaking, a reading between 0. When a plant is young, it will need a lower amount of nutrients as opposed to when it is flowering and growing quite big. Another common measurement used is ppm parts per million which is another way of looking at how nutrient-dense your solution is. There are two different scales for ppm used in the cannabis industry: the and the scale.

During the grow period, the priority is developing leaves and stems, creating a sturdy, healthy plant. With that strong foundation in place, you move onto the bloom phase, creating as many sticky buds as you can. Make sure your plants are getting adequate light, either naturally or from grow lights, and plenty of ventilation.

Check your water for the proper pH level before mixing in your nutrients.