How to Grow Cannabis 113 – Beneficials Profile: Mites

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In this how-to article, Growers Network introduces the new grower to using beneficial mites for pest control.

The following is an article produced by Growers Network. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not claim any responsibility for any legal or financial repercussions of your decisions. Always consult with a lawyer or attorney before making a decision that could have a legal consequence!

Hello new grower! Pest control is tricky with Cannabis.

Why? Well, it’s an ingestible, often medicinal or edible product, so staying away from some specific chemicals are a must for patient/user safety. Additionally, Cannabis cultivation is illegal in many locations, so there are generally no overarching compliance standards for pesticide safety regarding Cannabis. What’s a grower to do? Well, have you considered beneficial organisms?

Do you want to learn more about cannabis pests? Check out Growers Network University!

What are Beneficial Organisms?

Beneficial organisms are organisms that live among your plants or soil and disrupt the life of a pest species. There are a number of advantages to using beneficials as pest control:

  1. Beneficial organisms are considered to be organic, as most are commonly found in nature.
  2. Pests don’t develop any resistance or tolerance to beneficials in a way that they might to pesticides.
  3. Beneficial organisms are persistent, and only need occasional reapplication.

crop duster
Long gone are the days of indiscriminate pesticide application.

While the focus of this article is on beneficial mites, there are many other beneficial organisms (and microorganisms) that we’ll cover in future articles, so be sure to check back often.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is intended for educational use only. Please check out the cannabis laws in your region before attempting to grow or purchase cannabis products or cannabis genetics. Growers Network assumes no responsibility if you break the law!

Mites

Mites are arachnids, which means they’re more closely related to spiders and scorpions than they are to other insects. That distinction doesn’t really matter here, however. What does matter is that these little critters can really help you if you know what you’re doing.

predatory mite
Your crop has a friend in Phytoseiulus persimilis

You might be saying (I’m PUN-ishing you now), “I thought we wanted to keep mites out of our grows,” and you’re not wrong. There are mite species that can potentially destroy your plants, such as spider mites and russet mites. Spider mites cause plant damage with their piercing mouthparts as they feed on the leaves and can lead to slowed growth, low yields, and death of seedlings.

However, there are predatory mite species that only go after the things that will harm your plants, including spider mites. Phytoseiulus persimilis, abbreviated as P. persimilis, is a mite that preys on several harmful spider mite species. P. Persimilis controls spider mites by laying their own eggs in the webbing that spider mites leave on plants. When the P. persimilis nymphs hatch, they are already on the prowl for spider mite eggs and nymphs, devouring them like it was going out of style. When fully grown (after about a week), a single predatory P. persimilis can devour as many as seven adult spider mites, twenty juvenile spider mites, or twenty-five spider mite eggs in a single day!

spider_mite_web
Spider mite infestation. Note the extensive webbing. This is bad.

A Good Predator, But Not Perfect

For all of its benefits, P. persimilis is not perfect, and there are a couple minor downsides to these predators. First, they’re great at what they do, and can make quick work of a spider mite infestation, but they will die off in about a week without a food source. So in the event of another outbreak, a reintroduction as P. persimilis is necessary.

The second downside is that they’re very sensitive to temperature and humidity, and thrive in temperatures from 70-85 degrees and a relative humidity of 70-80% inside the plant canopy. Most growers would agree that for established plants in vegetative or flowering stages this humidity is too high and will invite a variety of other pests. Fortunately, P. persimilis is still capable of controlling pests at more cannabis friendly humidities, just not as well as they otherwise might (The im-PUN-ity!)

However, despite these minor drawbacks, predatory mites are a great option for pest control in situations where chemicals aren’t appropriate.

There you have it, predatory mite basics. Please be sure to check out all of our how to grow articles and check back soon for more beneficials profiles! Happy pest hunting!

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Top Cannabis Strains for Treating Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

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In this article, Growers Network discusses a few of the best strains for managing Multiple Sclerosis symptoms.

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Cannabis for MS?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that affects 2.3 million people worldwide, and these days, more and more MS patients are turning to medical Cannabis for symptom relief. Patients report that Cannabinoids provides relief from spasms with additional evidence for its effectiveness as a pain reliever. This is wonderful news. A minor problem however, is that many patients don’t realize that all Cannabis is not the same, and there are actually specific strains that can provide the most effective relief from MS symptoms. With that in mind, we’re going to talk a bit about the best strains for management of Multiple Sclerosis.

Writer’s Note: The following information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace the advice of a qualified physician. And as always, if it’s against the law, don’t do it.

Recommended Strains for MS

I was just turned on to a wonderful Canadian site, Greencamp, that has a ton of information on medicinal strains of Cannabis. Their searchable Strainblazer™ database contains strain recommendations for a variety of chronic conditions and symptoms, even allowing patients to combine symptoms into a single search to find the best strain for their situation.

So, let’s talk about a few of the recommendations for MS.

1. Tower (Cannatonic)

Tower is a high CBD/low THC hybrid strain. Tower is not likely to induce psychoactive effects, but the high CBD content is good for relaxation and reduction in muscle spasms.

catatonic
Tower Cannatonic) is a low THC strain with a high CBD content.

2. Nebula II CBD

While not as high in CBD content as Tower, Nebula II is another strain recommended for MS. This strain has a higher level of THC which is recommended for the pain stemming from MS, but be aware that more THC means a greater psychoactive effect and a diminished ability to function normally.

nebula II
Nebula II CBD has a even balance of THC and CBD.

3. CBD Shark

CBD Shark is a mid-level THC strain that still contains a high amount of CBD and is a good strain for relief from both pain and muscle spasms.

CBD Shark
CBD Shark is a hybrid strain with a fairly even balance of THC and CBD.

4. Jacky White

This strain has a medium-high THC level and nearly no CBD content. Jacky White would typically be recommended for patients seeking pain relief over those seeking relief from muscle spasms.

jacky white
Jacky White has a relatively high THC content, so be prepared for psychoactive effects.

5. Harmony

This strain contains the highest percentage of THC on the list. Harmony’s CBD content is one of the lowest in the group and therefore best suited for patients seeking pain relief. It is a strong strain, so novice patients should exercise caution with their dosing until they know how THC will affect them.

Harmony
With a high THC content, this strain is ideal for pain relief.

These have been only a few of the recommended strains for relief of the symptoms associated with MS. If you’re interested in Cannabis as a treatment option and you live in a legal jurisdiction, talk to a qualified physician to see if it may be right for you. Many patients are seeing the positive benefits of Cannabis therapy and as research into the plant’s medicinal properties continue, we expect even more will seek out Cannabis for management of a variety of conditions, including MS.

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5 Cannabis Themed Museums You Want to Visit

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In this article, Growers Network introduces you to a few Cannabis-themed museums for your education and amusement.

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5 Cannabis Themed Museums You Want to Visit

When most people think “education,” “culture,” or “museum,” their next thought is usually something other than Cannabis. Fortunately for us, some people do think about Cannabis more seriously, and as a result there are a number of interesting destinations for those interested not only in Cannabis use, but the plant’s history and culture as well. So, come on! Let’s take a (virtual) tour of five cannabis themed museums!

The Cannabis Museum

This Cannabis Museum, located in Ohio, features a privately owned collection of artifacts and educational materials designed to inform the public about the Cannabis plant’s place in American culture prior to its prohibition. The collection includes numerous examples of Cannabis products sold to the public prior to its ban, such as tonics and tinctures. The museum is supported through sale of high-quality, framed photos of the museum’s artifacts that include a wide variety of packaging images highlighting Cannabis’s accepted place in American culture prior to 1937. You can visit them online here to browse their collection and purchase prints.

cannabismuseumlogo

Cannabition Cannabis Museum

Cannabition Cannabis Museum is billed as “the world’s only immersive Cannabis Museum.” This Cannabis-themed art museum is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and features exhibits celebrating the art, culture, and history of Cannabis use. The Cannabition Cannabis Museum features exhibits such as the 24-foot tall Bongzilla (the world’s largest bong), rooms designed to give you the experience of “being high” without ingesting anything, and a number of other interactive exhibits. While you can’t use Cannabis at the museum currently, they are keeping a close eye on Nevada law which will hopefully soon allow public consumption cafes. You can visit the museum online here or in person at 450 Fremont St #140, Las Vegas, NV 89101

bongzilla
At 24 feet tall, "Bongzilla" is the largest bong in the world

Hash, Marihuana, and Hemp Museum

The Hash, Marihuana, and Hemp Museum has two European locations: one in Spain and the other appropriately located in Amsterdam. It features a number of interesting historical artifacts related to Cannabis and hemp cultivation. Exhibits include:

  1. Hemp fashion in early Japan
  2. A hemp surfboard
  3. Cannabis cartoons
  4. Cannabis pharmaceutical artifacts
  5. The history of hash making
  6. And much more from Cannabis culture all over the world.

You can visit them online here or in person at either Carrer Ample, 35, 08002 Barcelona, Spain or Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148, 1012 DV Amsterdam, Netherlands

hmhm_barcelona

The History of Cannabis Museum

Located in Washington DC, the History of Cannabis Museum features a variety of exhibits and artifacts highlighting the history of the plant from its earliest usage by ancient people to its place in modern culture. Exhibits change throughout the year, but always focus on medical, legal, cultural, historical information, and events impacting the Cannabis industry. Run by the Grow Club of DC, you can visit them online here or in person at 2822 Georgia Ave. NW Washington, DC 20001

thc_museum

DEA Museum

While the DEA Museum’s scope goes beyond Cannabis, it has a significant amount of information on Cannabis. This museum provides information on the “war on drugs,” although fans of Cannabis will find the bias against the plant amusing (and/or terrifying). We recommend looking at their virtual exhibits such as the fawning tribute to prohibitionist lawman Harry Anslinger, as well as a look at Cannabis as part of the museum’s series on “Nature’s Addictive Plants.” If you visit them in person, you can pick up some merch that you can wear ironically! You can visit them at 700 Army Navy Drive Arlington, VA 22202

dea museum

These are only a few of the museum’s that focus on Cannabis culture. If you’re not close enough to visit one of these, see what’s in your area. You may be surprised what you’ll find. As Cannabis becomes more popular, there are more and more Cannabis events and activities than you may realize.

Would you like to hear more about Cannabis culture events and activities? Leave a comment, send us a message, or better yet, start a discussion in the GN forums!

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Resources:

  1. Want to learn more about subjects similar to those touched upon in this article? Check out our articles on subjects such as:
    1. A Short History of Cannabis Consumption
    2. How to Grow 191 - Incredible Edibles
    3. Cannabis Prohibition: A Conspiracy or Something Else?

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About the Author

Chris DeWildt is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and Western Kentucky University. He worked in education and publishing for ten years before joining the team at Growers Network.

How to Grow Cannabis 192 – What are Extracts?

In this How to Grow article, Growers Network introduces the topic of extracts to the new grower.

The following is an article produced by Growers Network. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not claim any responsibility for any legal or financial repercussions of your decisions. Always consult with a lawyer or attorney before making a decision that could have a legal consequence!

Welcome back new grower. In this article, we’ll be talking about extracts. What are extracts, you may ask? Are there different kinds of extracts? Are they the same as concentrates?

I guess you better keep reading to find out!

Writer’s Note: The following information is educational. We do not advocate attempting to do your own extraction. Extraction should be performed by professionals with the proper equipment and facilities only, regardless of the legality in your part of the world. Again, DO NOT attempt to do your own extractions. It can be extremely dangerous!

Do you want to learn how to grow cannabis? Check out Growers Network University!

Want to “Get” Extracts? You Better Concentrate

When most people hear the words Cannabis or marijuana, they probably think about the more traditional methods of consumption, namely smoking the dried and cured flowers in a joint, pipe, or bong. Or maybe they think about Cannabis edibles like brownies, cookies, gummies etc. These methods are widespread and still the most common form of usage for Cannabis, but as medical and recreational Cannabis use become more and more popular, different methods of consumption are becoming popular as well, particularly “extracts.”

So what are extracts? Generally speaking, extracts are products made from extracting the desired cannabinoids from the cannabis flowers via some chemical process, resulting in a highly concentrated form of cannabinoids for consumption. This is why you’ll also hear them referred to as “concentrates.”

How Are Extracts Made?

Extracts are obtained through a chemical process in which cannabis flowers are exposed to a solvent such as butane, ethanol, or CO2 to separate the desired compounds (Cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.) from the plant matter, leaving only highly concentrated product with relatively little of the plant remaining. It’s not all about the “high” of THC though. Extraction techniques can also be used for concentrating other, non-psychoactive compounds for medical use, such as CBD or CBG.

Types of Extracts

Once an extraction has taken place, there are a number of products that can be further refined. These products come in a variety of forms, but are often not too dissimilar. We’ll introduce you to a few extracts now, but please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list.

Kief

Kief is a simple extract with a cannabinoid content higher than the flower it came from, but lower than other extracts removed via a solvent, and it’s one of the oldest cannabis concentrates known to humankind.

Kief is simply a collection of powdery trichomes and can be obtained easily if you use a grinder or sieve to break up your cured cannabis. It can be smoked or vaporized, with many users opting to sprinkle a little kief onto the flower they are smoking for a little added flavor and potency.

kief
Meet Kief. Hi Kief.

Hash

Hash is another relatively simple extract that can be made with or without solvent extraction. Like kief, Hash potency lands between the flower it came from and a solvent based extract such as shatter. In fact, the simplest hash is actually made from compressed kief! Hash can also be created using ice to extract trichomes from buds and leaves or by using a solvent such as ethanol. Though not as potent as other extracts, hash remains a popular concentrate.

hash
This is hashish, or just “hash” to its friends.

Butane Hash Oils (BHOs)

These highly concentrated extracts are obtained in a process that uses butane as the extraction solvent. BHOs come in a variety of forms and go by a variety of names. More information on a couple of these below:

Shatter

Shatter is a solid, glass-like product of highly concentrated THC and plant resins and can be smoked or vaporized. A variety of variables in the extraction process such as temperature, pressure, and time since harvest can cause shatter to have more of a liquid quality and this product is sometimes referred to as sap.

shatter
Notice the translucent, glassy quality of this shatter.

Wax

Wax is similar to shatter, but unlike shatter it doesn’t have the clear, glassy quality. Like shatter, wax can vary in consistency and as a result can go by several different names. For example, runny, liquid wax is called “budder” while harder wax goes by the names “crumble” or “honeycomb.” Wax is typically called wax because it resembles earwax or beeswax.

wax
As shown here, wax can come in a variety of consistencies.

Supercritical CO2 Oil

Supercritical CO2 oil is an extract obtained using carbon dioxide (CO2). This extract is mixed with propylene glycol to keep it in a liquid state and is most often used with a “vape pen,” essentially an e-cigarette with a cartridge that contains the CO2 oil. The portability and discrete nature of this product make it a very popular extract. Because CO2 is the solvent, it is very safe for consumers.

cartridge
This is a CO2 oil cartridge. It attaches to a battery and is used like a standard e-cig.

Rick Simpson Oil

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) goes by other names including Cannabis oil, hemp oil, cherry oil, or honey oil. This medicinal, whole-plant Cannabis oil is taken orally, sublingually (under the tongue) or applied to the skin (topically). Rick Simpson Oil is a popular extract among cancer patients seeking relief from a variety of symptoms, with some claiming, including Rick Simpson himself, that it was able to cure their cancer completely. These results are anecdotal however, and it should be noted that there is little clinical research available to validate the claims at this time. However, the prospect of additional research is good with Cannabis becoming more acceptable overall.

rick simpson
Meet Rick Simpson, the creator of Rick Simpson Oil. Hi Rick.

There you have it! Now you know what extracts are, how they’re made, and even a few specific types. These concentrated varieties of cannabinoids continue to increase in popularity as legal and medicinal Cannabis use increases around the world.

So what do you think? Have you tried extracts? We’d love to hear your thoughts as a comment, message, or in our forum!

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About the Author

Chris DeWildt is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and Western Kentucky University. He worked in education and publishing for ten years before joining the team at Growers Network.

5 Awesome Cannabis Strains for Small-Space Growing

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In this article, Growers Network talks about a few of the best strains for growing in limited space.

The following is an article produced by Growers Network. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not claim any responsibility for any legal or financial repercussions of your decisions. Always consult with a lawyer or attorney before making a decision that could have a legal consequence!

Awesome Small-Space Strains

When deciding to grow your own cannabis, there’s a lot of factors to consider:

  1. What grow tent you can use
  2. What kind of lighting system
  3. What growth medium you want to use
  4. When to water, and how to give your plants nutrients
  5. What pests live nearby
  6. And much more.

These are all important, but none of it will matter if your space can’t handle the plants you choose.

sativa indica ruderalis

What do I mean by that? Sativas are generally too tall for a small grow, while some are just too finicky and temperamental --we’re looking at you, San Fernando Valley OG! Others might have long flowering periods or other special characteristics that a grower with minimal space may not be equipped to handle. However, there are numerous strains out there that are perfect for growing in a small space, and we’re going to talk about them now.

1. Easy Ryder

Not to be confused with the classic Peter Fonda/Dennis Hopper film. Easy Ryder is a short plant that maxes out at about two feet high. This strain is characterized as tasty and potent as it comes on fast and strong. Some users consider its effects a little too short-lived however.

easy rider
Not this. RYDER, with a Y

2. Motivation

This is a very compact indica that produces a smooth smoking experience. Perhaps a bit of a misnomer, Motivation is characterized as being very potent and almost sure do induce an acute case of couch lock. Hope you didn’t have anything else to do today!.

couch
Motivation called and said to cancel your plans

3. Super Skunk

Super Skunk is a hybrid of Skunk and Afghani. Expect a big harvest of potent buds. It’s small stature makes it a perfect choice for growing in a small space.

skunk
It's a bird! It's a plane! Nope, it's super skunk!

4. Sweet Tooth

This shorty is great for your closet or grow tent. The finished buds are characterized as providing a long lasting high that not only elevates mood but also aids in relaxation and sleep.

candy
Curb your sweet tooth with some Sweet Tooth

5. Warlock

Let Warlock cast a spell on you with its heady introspective effects. This husky little Indica is great for both mood and concentration.

warlock
Some would say the Warlock experience is quite magical

There you have it, a few of our favorite (small) strains. This is a nowhere near an exhaustive list, and there are tons of strains that are well-suited for growing in a small space. If we missed your favorite small-grow strain, please leave a comment, or better yet, join our forum and start a discussion.

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The Cannabis Industry: The Effects of Big Data and Technology

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In this contributor article, Cannabiz Media's Susan Gunelius discusses how technology and big data is revolutionizing the legal Cannabis industry. You can read the original article here.

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The following is an article produced by a contributing author. Growers Network does not endorse nor evaluate the claims of our contributors, nor do they influence our editorial process. We thank our contributors for their time and effort so we can continue our exclusive Growers Spotlight service.

Big Data and Technology

In recent years, technology and big data have become critical to business success, and the cannabis industry is no exception. Machine learning, artificial intelligence (A.I.), databases, and predictive analytics are having a major impact on cannabusinesses, as well as their investors, regulators, and consumers. Cannabiz Media sees that impact first hand through the growth of the Cannabiz Media License Database.

Through the use of sophisticated algorithms and advances in data collection technology, software is now able to help marijuana businesses comply with regulations, meet demands, predict trends, maximize sales, and improve the efficacy of medical marijuana.

The list of possibilities that technology and big data bring to the cannabis industry is long, but we’ll take a closer look at three key ways these innovations are directly impacting the cannabis business.

1. Streamlining the Cannabis Regulatory Process with Big Data

Since cannabis is still considered a schedule 1 drug by the federal government, conducting clinical research into its pharmacology is a major challenge. This means that the growing cannabis market is lacking the clinical data needed that will allow cannabis businesses to develop new and better products. Global Cannabis Applications Corp (GCAC) hopes to change that.

GCAC’s “Citizen Green” technology takes advantage of artificial intelligence and blockchain to gather clinical data directly from consumers, essentially streamlining the process that stands in the way of cannabis product innovation. Simply put, Citizen Green rewards people who complete surveys with a cryptocurrency they can use toward products from global medical marijuana programs. But that’s not all.

citizengreen

By reconfiguring the survey data into a clinical standard and combining it with actual study data, GCAC reports that its Citizen Green technology provides improved patient outcomes and helps researchers identify qualified participants for clinical studies. This ultimately speeds up the approval process for new medical cannabis products.

2. Distribution in the Cannabis Industry is Improved by Big Data

The distribution process for cannabis products differs from one state to another, and this is further complicated by additional regulatory and security concerns. However, when it comes to getting the products to the customer or patient, technology and big data are proving their value. Web and mobile apps developed by companies like Eaze, Meadow, and GreenRush allow consumers to choose their cannabis products and have them delivered right to their doors.

It might seem that big data and cannabis delivery are strange partners, but the truth is just the opposite. Eaze is able to capture customer data related to customer location, time spent considering a product, purchases, and more. For example, by analyzing this data and coupling it with machine learning, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence, Eaze is able to put the data into a usable format, allowing businesses to earn a better return on their marketing investments by targeting consumers specific product messages, develop new products, create special offers, and more. In essence, the technology gives the business a better overall understanding of not only the customer, but how the customer uses their products.

3. Optimizing the Decision-Making Process with Big Data Reduces Risk

Big data has never been more critical to decision making as it is today. In a fast-paced marketplace such as the cannabis industry, having access to real-time information can mean the difference between success and failure. Tech platforms such as Headset, Equio, and Zefyr track market trends, inventories, and consumer information from millions of data points. Using predictive analytics and A.I., the platforms can provide clients with quickly accessible and meaningful data.

machine learning

Companies use the available data collected from these platforms to analyze a variety of industry variables including:

  1. Inventory Trends
  2. Reordering
  3. Items Sold/Items Sold per Budtender
  4. Production Schedules
  5. Grow Cycles
  6. Packaging Needs
  7. Staffing Requirements
  8. Product Launches
  9. Market Share
  10. Sales Projections
  11. Wholesale Prices
  12. Consumer Trends/Behavior/Spending
  13. Healthcare Trends and more

The data can also be used for analysis of competitors’ brands, product releases, and prices.

This kind of data helps inform industry communication, spending, and decision making, but it also helps businesses gain market advantages and stay ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

Data and technology are integral for predicting not only what customers will want next, but which way the industry is going. Outside of the cannabis industry, corporations such as WalMart rely on data to make decisions in all facets of operations, so it’s only natural that the value of this data has been recognized in the cannabis business as well.

The important thing to understand is that when companies have access to reliable predictive insights and real-time business intelligence, they are in a better position to mitigate risks and increase revenue and profits. Data and technology have changed the marijuana business and there’s no going back, particularly when the data is powered by machine learning, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics.

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About the Author

Susan Gunelius, Lead Analyst for Cannabiz Media and author of Marijuana Licensing Reference Guide: 2017 Edition, is also President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company offering, copywriting, content marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, and strategic branding services. Susan is also a Certified Career Coach and Founder and Editor in Chief of Women on Business, an award-winning blog for business women. Susan holds a B.S. in marketing and an M.B.A in management and strategy.

Cannabis Flowering – How to Grow 152 – Basics of Flowering (Weeks 3-8)

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In the second part of this two-part how-to article, Growers Network discusses what to expect during weeks 3-8 of the Cannabis flowering cycle.

The following is an article produced by Growers Network. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not claim any responsibility for any legal or financial repercussions of your decisions. Always consult with a lawyer or attorney before making a decision that could have a legal consequence!

Flowering Basics Weeks 3-8

Welcome back beginning grower. This is the 2nd part of our two-part series on Cannabis flowering for beginners. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Part 1 here!

Do you want to learn how to grow cannabis? Check out Growers Network University!

Okay, let’s continue our cannabis flowering journey as we go from week three through week 8.

Weeks 3-4: Buds Form

The stretch of your Cannabis plants will slow as we reach week four, but expect the upward growth to continue. At this stage you’ll finally be able to see the buds as they continue to develop. The pistils will still be white at this stage and sticking straight out from the buds.

This part of cannabis flowering is when your plants are going to be exceptionally responsive to changes in their environment and nutrients, so make sure that you’re monitoring your plants closely. Remember, you may be in the home stretch, but you’ve got about another month to go, and you don’t want any health issues to start now. Your plants were pretty resilient in the vegetative stage, but now they are much more sensitive.

Things to watch for at this stage are:

  1. Leaf symptoms such as yellowing or discoloration. Don’t be alarmed if you see a few leaves die and fall off, especially if these leaves aren’t getting any light. Overall, your plants should still be lush and green in weeks 3-4.
  2. Nutrient burn. This happens when your plants are given too high levels of nutrients, and the tips of the leaves begin to look “burned.” A bit of nutrient burn won’t hurt your plants, but if the nutrient input isn’t reduced, the burn will continue to climb the plant. Plants that have experienced a severe nutrient burn can still produce healthy buds, so nutrient burn isn’t a reason to give up on a plant.
    1. If nutrient burn gets bad enough, it will reach your sugar leaves, which means you won’t be able to trim them after harvest and your buds will appear to have brown spots where the leaves were burned. Be sure to check out our how-to article on trimming if you don’t already know the value of sugar leaves.
  3. Nutrient Deficiencies. Nutrient deficiencies can result if similar problems to nutrient burn if not remedied. It won't necessarily affect the potency of your flowers, but they’ll look worse than they could have if you were providing proper nutrients and care.
  4. Light Burn. If your plants are getting too close to your lights as they grow, they may start to discolor, or “photobleach.” If you start to notice this, either increase the height you have the lights at, find a way to lower your plants, or start bending them away from the light.

cannabis flower
Brown, "burnt" leaf tips are a sign of nutrient burn.

In short, to grow nice buds, you will want to avoid nutrient burn and deficiencies as much as you can. Your plants aren’t growing leaves like they were in the vegetative state, so it’s very important to take care of the leaves you have!

The last thing to note at this stage is that your plants have probably started to smell. Depending on your situation this may be a good or bad thing, but if you’d rather not explain the smell to anyone downwind, you should consider a carbon filter to solve your smell problem.

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Need Cannabis Seeds? Find resources here!

Weeks 4-6: Buds Fatten Up

At this stage of cannabis flowering, your buds are getting bigger. They’ll still have all the white pistils sticking out, but you’ll be able to see the buds getting bigger every day.

At this point the “stretch” is about over and you can reduce the amount of training you’re doing with your plants. You’ll also want to make sure your buds and colas are standing up straight. Provide support with netting or ties, and don’t flatten them down.

cannabis flowering
If your buds get too heavy, you'll want to add extra support with netting or ties.

Since your plants aren’t adding a lot of new leaves at this stage, you have to be careful with the ones you still have. You may want to trim away leaves that are covering up your bud sites, and this is acceptable, but remember that plenty of good leaves serve as nutrient storage for the plant!

The pistils will probably still be white at this stage, but watch those buds grow!

Weeks 6-8: Pistils Darken and Buds Ripen

At this stage of cannabis flowering, your plants are done generating new leaves altogether and putting the last of their resources into growing buds.

Cannabis is an annual plant, meaning that once it reproduces, it dies. So, it’s natural to see a few of the leaves begin to die as the plants puts all their remaining energy into securing the next generation (Well, it would if we had allowed them to pollinate).

The plants should still be mostly green even this late in flowering. Don’t let your guard down if you see yellow leaves, because it could be nutrient or light burn, both common during the flowering stage, and a quick response is critical. We’ll cover these more thoroughly in another article but for now, check out the images below.

marijuana flowering
The yellowing of the tops of your leaves can mean your lights are too close to your plants.

You can generally avoid these late cannabis flowering problems by making sure you plants aren’t getting too much heat or light. You don’t want to discolor, bleach, or burn your buds. Too much heat can also evaporate away some of your THC and that means lower potency!

Week 8+: End of Flowering, Flush, and Harvest

Okay new grower, you’re almost there. Are you treating your plants like the divas they are? Attending to their every need? You better be, this close to the end you don’t want any problems that will interfere with your upcoming harvest. Though there are exceptions, few strains will be ready for harvest at week 8, but we can see the finish line just ahead.

Many growers will do a final flush around this time. This simply means they stop treating with nutrients and give water only for a few days up to a few weeks before harvest. This allows any remaining nutrient chemicals to be “flushed” out of the plants. If you’re growing in soil like we recommended, cease any fertilizer use. In hydro grows, they literally flush out all the remaining nutrients.

You should see trichomes and pistils maturing at this stage of flowering, with the pistils darkening and the trichomes becoming opaque or cloudy (for more about this be sure to check out our When to Harvest article). At this stage you’re really just maintaining your plants until the buds are ready. Since different strains will be ready at different times, there is no magic formula to calculate how many days or weeks until your harvest, so keep an eye on those pistils and trichomes!

When you’re this close to harvest, leaf yellowing is normal, as your plant is putting its last bit of energy into growing the buds. Just be sure that your buds still look nice and healthy. If you haven’t installed a filter by this point you may want to consider it if your plants are “stinky.” Remember to respect your neighbors!

One final tip here -- if your buds look like they’re being damaged by light, heat, or nutrient issues, it’s better to harvest a bit early than to let the quality degrade further. Chalk it up as a learning experience. They’re not mistakes, they’re opportunities to improve your knowledge and technique.

bobross
Like Bob Ross says "They're not mistakes, they're happy accidents."

So there you have it. If your buds look go you’re ready to harvest, trim, dry, and cure. Great job new grower! You raised her up from a seed and now it’s time to see just what she can do.

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How to Grow Cannabis 163 – Drying Your Cannabis

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In this How-to article, Growers Network explains the basics of drying your Cannabis for the new grower.

The following is an article produced by Growers Network. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not claim any responsibility for any legal or financial repercussions of your decisions. Always consult with a lawyer or attorney before making a decision that could have a legal consequence!

Drying Versus Curing

Hey there new grower/canna-curious individual! Ready to learn about drying your weed? Let’s go!

Before we talk about drying we should make a distinction between drying and curing your Cannabis. Curing is a slow-dry process that comes later, after trimming and the initial drying of your buds. You can see our article on proper curing here.

Do you want to learn how to grow cannabis? Check out Growers Network University!

Why Dry?

Drying Cannabis adds the following benefits:

  1. Smoother smoke/Tastes better
  2. Increased potency of buds
  3. Brings out the subtle tastes and aromas of your buds
  4. The cannabis will not require a ton of lighter fuel to burn.

buds

When to Trim?

This is up to you, but many sources recommend that a new grower should trim “wet,” before the initial dry. This is because you’ll find it easier to get at all the leaves and there’s a reduced chance of knocking the trichomes off your buds. You can read our article on trimming here to get more information on trimming wet versus trimming dry.

How to Dry

Your buds will begin drying as soon as you remove them from the live plant (or cut down the plant), so it’s important to keep them in the proper environment so they don’t get too dry before curing.

dryyyyy

There are different ways to go about this process, but the most common is to cut branches from your plant (12”-16”), remove the unwanted leaves and hang the branches over a string or wire. Some growers prefer to hang the whole plant while others will snip the buds from the branches and use a drying rack.

Editor’s Note: The length of the drying process will vary based on how much stem you leave on your plants that you hang up. If you only cut the colas, for example, the cannabis will dry much faster, but less evenly. If you cut the whole plant down and hang it out to dry, the cannabis will dry more slowly, but much more evenly.

Proper Drying Conditions

No matter what method you prefer, you need to control the environment of your drying buds. You want to keep them in a dark room with a humidity of 45-55% and a temperature of 60-70 degrees F (15-21 C). Dark rooms prevent damage from the sun or other forms of light, and the environmental ranges are crucial for proper drying of your buds. Many growers elect to use a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to maintain these conditions. It’s highly recommended that you use a small fan to help circulate air flow to prevent microclimates from forming. Remember: too high of a humidity and you risk mold. Too dry and your buds will lose potency and won’t cure properly.

moldyweed
Note the mold on these buds. This happens when you don't dry properly.

Once you begin drying, you can expect the process to take between 5-15 days. This is a rough range, so we recommend that you monitor your Cannabis closely to avoid over drying. When your buds feel slightly “crispy” on the outside and the smallest branches snap rather than bend when you apply pressure, your bud is dry!

Here’s a quick recap:

  1. Read our “When to Harvest” article
  2. Cut your plants down,
  3. Dry in the dark for 5-15 days (hang by branches or use drying rack)
  4. Keep your humidity at 45-55% and temperature between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit (15-21 C)
  5. Make sure to circulate the air.

Congrats new grower! Now you know the basics of Cannabis drying. Be sure to read the curing article before your initial dry is finished and check out the rest of the how-to articles. Happy drying!

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How to Grow Cannabis 151 – Basics of Flowering (Weeks 1-3)

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In the first part of this two-part how-to article, Growers Network discusses what to expect during the first three weeks of the Cannabis flowering cycle.

The following is an article produced by Growers Network. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not claim any responsibility for any legal or financial repercussions of your decisions. Always consult with a lawyer or attorney before making a decision that could have a legal consequence!

Flowering Basics Weeks 1-3

Welcome back, new grower. Hopefully you are doing well. Today we’re going to discuss what to expect while you’re expecting your Cannabis flowers! It’s an exciting time as you begin to see all the fruits of your labor begin to develop and grow. So let’s go!

What are Cannabis Flowers?

Cannabis flowers are your buds! In dioecious plants ( plants with distinct/separate males and females) the flowers are pollinated by pollen from a male plant, which results in seeds that can be planted grow up into the next generation of plants.

live buds
This bud is a clear indication of a flowering plant

You probably already know that it’s important to keep your males away from females, since pollinated females produce seeds, and that’s something you typically don’t want when cultivating or consuming your Cannabis.

Do you want to learn how to grow cannabis? Check out Growers Network University!

So, let’s assume you’ve properly sexed your plants and are waiting for your plants to go from their vegetative state and into flowering. What should you expect? Read on and we’ll tell you!

vegetative
These plants are in the vegetative stage. No buds to be seen.

Weeks 1-3: Transition from Vegetative to Flowering

When growing Cannabis outdoors, flowering is triggered by the shorter day length that occurs as summer turns to fall. Because they’re dependent on mother nature, outdoor grows are limited to production during these specific photoperiods unless they use some special equipment. However, an indoor or greenhouse Cannabis grow can operate any time of year, assuming that they are controlling the environment and the amount of light that the plants are receiving.

So how do we get our plants to think winter is coming? No, we don't make them watch Game of Thrones, we control the amount of light they receive. If you remember from our veg article, before flower begins the plants are exposed to 18 hours of light a day and six hours of darkness (referred to as an 18-6). When we are ready to enter flowering we change our light cycle to a 12-12, meaning twelve hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, which mimics the natural decrease in daylight as winter approaches. Your plants will start to “think” that now is the time to start reproducing for the next generation.

lights
Cannabis plants under indoor grow lights.

Note: When you begin your 12-12 cycle for flowering, it’s important to know that it’s the 12 hours of darkness that triggers your plants to begin flowering (technical term for this is scotoperiod), so it’s very important that the 12 hours of darkness isn’t interrupted when you take your plants into flowering. If you do, weird things will happen like your becoming plants developing male and female traits (hermaphroditism, commonly abbreviated as “herming”), or worse yet, not developing flowers at all! So if your tent is dark, make sure it stays that way the full 12 hours!

When does veg end and flowering begin?

Great question, you smart cookie! The vegetative state typically lasts from 2-4 weeks, with some growers preferring to transition to flowering at the earliest opportunity and others waiting so the plants can become as large, strong, and hardy as possible before they begin producing buds. The take home here is that once you hit a point in veg where your plants seem strong and sturdy, you can switch to the 12-12 light cycle and induce flowering.

Expect rapid growth when you begin the 12-12 light cycle. You will see your plants nearly double in height in a short period of time. This period of intense growth is known affectionately as the “flowering stretch.”

stretch
Here are the same plants pre and post stretch. Guess which is pre stretch and which is post stretch.

As your plants enter flowering, the females will begin to develop their white, hairlike pistils, but it will be a bit of time before these begin developing into recognizable Cannabis flowers.

It’s important during early flowering to regularly check your plants to be sure that you are only cultivating females. Why? Simply put, males make fewer, smaller, less-potent flowers and if your females are pollinated by the males, your flowers will be smaller, less potent, and full of seeds. In early flowering, female pistils and male pollen sacks can look similar. Be sure to look at our article on sexing your plants here.

From weeks 1-3 of flowering, your plants will be producing new stems and leaves as it grows taller. In this early flowering stage your plants will still be fairly resilient, like they were in the vegetative stage.

Some Notes

Note #1: Autoflowering Strains -- If you’re growing autoflowering strains, you won’t need to change their lighting schedule to trigger flowering. Autoflowering strains flower in response to their age, not the amount of light the receive daily. However, there is still a lot of good information in this overview, even if you are growing an autoflowering strain.

Note #2: Training -- There are a variety of ways to train your plants so that they’ll grow properly. You don’t want them to block light, stunting their own growth or a neighbor’s growth. If you have room, create some space between your plants to avoid this. You can also gently bend the stretching stems down to form a flat, even canopy. The gently bent stems are then secured to a stake or trellis netting with plant twist ties. This method is called low-stress training (LST). It’s also recommended that you continue to prune leaves that are in continuous shade or darkness, as they drain resources from the plant.

There are many methods and variations on plant training which we will cover in later articles.

net
Trellis netting is often used to train plants and maximize light exposure

That's all the time we have for today new grower. But don’t worry, we’ll take you through the end of flowering in Part 2 of this article. Stay tuned and keep growing!

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How to Grow Cannabis 142 – How to Sex Your Plants

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In this how to grow article, Growers Network explains the whys and hows of determining the sex of your Cannabis plants.

The following is an article produced by Growers Network. This article is for educational purposes only. We do not claim any responsibility for any legal or financial repercussions of your decisions. Always consult with a lawyer or attorney before making a decision that could have a legal consequence!

The Joy of Sex(ing Your Plants)

You may or may not already be aware that Cannabis plants exist in male and female forms. Unless you’re breeding plants, you don’t really want the males hanging around because unpollinated female plants are going to produce your biggest and most potent buds, whereas pollinated females will produce smaller, milder buds that will be full of seeds. As a “budding” grower, you’ll want to separate your males and females prior to flowering. But how do you know which are male and which are female?

confused man

There are a few ways to sex your plants with your naked eyes. Some of these methods start when the plants are young and others require a more mature plant. You want to get the males out before they start dropping pollen over your females. So here we go!

Do you want to learn how to grow cannabis? Check out Growers Network University!

Sexing Your Plants (Visually)

Editor’s Note: These are listed in chronological order, not order of effectiveness. It becomes easier to differentiate the cannabis sexes as the plant matures.

Growth Patterns (<2 weeks)

This method is not particularly effective, since plants grown indoors under artificial light won’t necessarily conform to this description, but GENERALLY male plants will grow taller, while female plants can often exhibit more complex branching. However, this behavior might vary from cultivar to cultivar. Additionally, even if you are able to detect these differences early in the life cycle of the plant, it may be too early to be certain and you shouldn’t start ripping out your “males” just yet.

So why did we mention it? So you’ll know better when somebody tells you that this is a good method for sexing your plants.

Maturity Rate (2-4 weeks)

This method requires you to take some notes and keep tabs on your plants, which we generally recommend anyway.

Male plants typically reach sexual maturity two weeks earlier than females. When a male plant begins to mature, its pollen sack will begin to develop. These are sometimes called “false buds.” As mentioned above, male Cannabis plants will typically be taller than females and this fact, coupled with the detection of the developing pollen sacs are a common method to determine the gender of your plants. This method can be used accurately, but the beginning grower may want to get a feeling for the grow cycle before sexing plants this early on.

Flowers versus Pistils (4-6 weeks)

For the beginner, the most reliable method for sexing plants requires an examination of the “pre-flowers” of your plants. We mentioned the males “pollen sack” above and this is still a good indicator to gender, even when a little further along in the life cycle. The male flower is small and spade-shaped at this stage as it continues to mature. The female plant however, doesn’t develop a “flower,” but a pistil.

Fortunately for us, the developing female flower has some features that make it quite different from the developing male flower. While we said the male flower will be spade shaped, the female pistil is longer and pointier. Specifically, the pistil has a uniquely defining feature: it will look like it has a two wispy white hairs extending out from it, and these are the actual pistils themselves. If you are able to identify the flowering parts and see these white “hairs,” you can be very confident that you are looking at a female plant.

male and female
Male pollen sacks                                 Hairlike female pistils

Author’s Note: If you find plants with both male and female flowering parts you’ll want to get it out of your grow. These plants are hermaphrodites and will pollinate your plants when they are mature. We will talk more about this phenomenon in a later article.

Final Thoughts

So there you have basics of Cannabis sexing. Watch for our more advanced germination articles where we will discuss leaf sample DNA testing you can do at home (really!)

Happy growing!

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