How to grow cannabis so that it gives the maximum yield? Consider the main trends in approaches to this delicate matter that will be relevant this year 2023.
Which Weed Growing Method is Better in 2023 and Why?
Experienced growers do not recommend marijuana starters use everything, but focus on the best method of growing cannabis – the most effective and one that will bring results. On the other hand, trying new methods to improve the result is still worth it.
According to https://askgrowers.com/, there are three main ways to grow cannabis: hydroponics, organic and mixed.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a method in which oxygen is used instead of soil, a solution enriched with nutrients – it goes directly to the roots. In this way, the plant’s energy is directed to the upper part instead of the roots and forms larger plants and a correspondingly rich harvest. In this case, it is possible to control the number of nutrients that the plant receives with maximum accuracy.
What is hydroponics? This is the base that serves as a source of nutrients for the plant, and also provides its structure, allowing the roots to hold on to it. Industrial waste is usually used as a base, for example, mineral wool, peat moss, expanded clay granules, rice, wood, and coconut shell fibers – everything that is available in great abundance at hand and can be used as a substrate.
Modern and advanced hydroponics methods do not use substrate at all. These include:
– Deep water culture system (DWC);
– Nutrient film technique (NFT) systems.
In this case, the roots are in a nutrient solution that is saturated with oxygen. This solution completely covers the roots and supplies them with the necessary substances around the clock.
Aeroponics is a method in which plants are suspended in the air and the roots are sprayed with a so-called nutrient mist.
Substrate-free hydroponics is one of the fastest weed growing methods, they also provide high yields and completely eliminates the risk of contamination through the soil.
Organics
Unlike the previous method, this one uses soil and compost based on organic plants. This method is good because living microbes live in the soil, and are able to release useful substances in the process of splitting the soil. Thanks to this, the plant is able to maintain a solid terpene profile, which improves its taste and aroma. Accordingly, the cost of cannabis grown in the soil will be higher.
The difficulty of this method is that it is hard for the producer to control the level of nutrients in the soil, and in general it is a laborious process that requires more effort, knowledge, and skill. In addition, chance also plays a significant role. Organic cannabis grows significantly slower and yields are also lower compared to hydroponics. Therefore, this method is definitely not suitable for commercial purposes.
Hybrid Method
This method is the most popular among growers who grow cannabis for mass sale. Plants grow in organically fertilized soil, and feeding is done with nutrients that dissolve in water. In this way, cannabis gets the nutrients it needs from the soil, and at the same time, the grower can control the nutrient saturation of the plant.
There are disadvantages to this method as well. As a rule, the most common is the pathogenicity of the soil, which is not subject to control. For example, insects, harmful fungi, а mold can be found in the soil. It is difficult to control, but the damage to the crop will be irreparable.
Retipping as a New Growing Method
Science does not stand still, and botanists are working hard to find the best weed growing method.
One of these new methods – the so-called “retipping” – gives large yields in a relatively small area, while maintaining the high quality of the resulting product. This allows you to save space and still get more selected cannabis with an ideal terpene profile.
The bottom line is to grow cannabis cuttings from large healthy mother plants that have been propagated in the laboratory in the traditional way. Cuttings are taken to obtain new identical plants that take on the best qualities of the parent specimens.
The method was developed by scientists at the College of Agriculture at the University of California, Connecticut. Today, it is a cutting-edge method that has been adopted by many large cannabis growers.
There is a drawback to this method as well. For growing mother plants, a significant amount of space is just needed. In addition, over time, mother plants lose vigor and are more susceptible to disease and pests.
Nevertheless, this method remains the most advanced in growing competitive cannabis at the moment, which leading growers are targeting in 2023.
Autoflowering vs Feminized
If to speak about the fastest weed-growing method we need to say it’s using auto-flowering strains. Autoflowering is a transition from vegetative growth to the flowering phase that occurs automatically, regardless of the lighting.
The main difference between auto-flowering cannabis and feminized cannabis is the flowering period. If automatic plants start flowering on their own, in the case of feminized seeds growing indoors, the grower must adjust the light so that the ratio of dark and light periods of light is met.
Autoflowering seeds are suitable for beginners or those who want a crop in a short time. Feminized seeds are for those who want maximum yield and are more suitable for commercial use. At the same time, this approach requires the maximum participation of the grower and the careful organization of daylight hours for the plant.
