The idea of cultivating your own marijuana has been something you’ve been thinking about as more states legalize it for both medical and recreational use. You enjoy working in your vegetable, herb, or flower garden and figure it can’t be that much different. Or, as a user, maybe you’re new to gardening and want to give cannabis a try. Having your own plants, whether they are vegetables or cannabis flowers, can be an enjoyable pastime with delicious and healthy benefits.
Your first step is to make sure growing your own weed is legal in the state you live in. Currently, 17 states allow medical marijuana recipients and some recreational users the right to grow their own marijuana plants. These states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.
The state laws vary on how many plants a grower can have, and other factors in determining that number. In general, the number of plants that can be grown in a home range from around 6 to 12. The most consistent factor to the state laws are the plants have to be kept in a secluded room where no one outside of the house can see them. Also, if there are children in the home, fewer plants are allowed to be grown.
There are several factors to growing healthy marijuana plants. Air circulation is the most essential system involved. Here are a few tips for improving the air circulation in your cannabis grow room.
What are the most important things in your Cannabis grow room?
You’ve checked your state laws and understand the number of plants you can have. Now, it’s time to plan your indoor garden. Your cannabis grow room can be as simple or elaborate as you desire!
Most indoor grow areas are in a specialized tent in a secluded room. The grow tents are the optimum environment for cultivating your weed at home. They protect the plants and don’t require you to have to do any changes to your house. Grow tents can be purchased in a variety of sizes and materials. Make sure your grow tent has openings to give you easy access to your plants and is high enough for adequate plant growth. The ceiling of the tent needs to be far enough above the top of the tallest plants to safely add lights, fans, and ventilation systems.
In your grow tent, the two most important aspects are optimum air circulation and ventilation. Getting these features right will ensure the health of your plants.
Why is it important to have good air circulation?
In the confined space of a grow tent, any small fluctuations in the environment can have a serious effect on a plants growth and its overall health. Proper air flow helps to control the humidity, temperature, and air quality by dispersing water vapor and heat evenly throughout the space.
Poor air circulation can cause pockets of carbon dioxide (CO2) depletion. Outside, plants get their CO2 from abundant sunlight by the process of photosynthesis. Indoors, with a lack of sunshine, plants use up the CO2 in the environment more quickly. Without CO2 plants lack the energy they need to grow.
Good quality air circulation also keeps the humidity and air temperature stable. Too high heat and moisture can allow the growth of mold and mildew. It can also create an environment that supports pest infestations. Humidity comes from the outside environment and the plants themselves. Their leaves give off water vapor by transpiration, increasing the moisture in a small, enclosed area like a weed grow room.
The different types of air circulation systems
Cannabis air circulation systems range from do-it-yourself creations to more elaborate store-bought configurations. Fans are the least expensive and easiest way to create air flow in a confined space. Air flow should be directed above and below plants without blowing directly on them. Too much wind can cause the plants to develop clawed leaves and wind-burn. For small tents, clip-on fans work well. In a medium to a large area, you can use oscillating or floor fans.
Lights are another factor in growing healthy marijuana plants. In the vegetative state, plants need at least 18 hours of light. After they have bloomed, the amount of light required is reduced to about 12 hours a day. Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) are the weakest bulb. They work well in small grow rooms. The LED (light emitting diode) and HID (high-intensity discharge) lamps are more expensive, but give off more light.
How much it can cost
The costs associated with growing your own cannabis can vary greatly depending on how simple or elaborate your cultivation system is. The size of your grow room, the materials you use, and type of circulation systems you choose can all have an effect on the total price range.
Grow room tent prices can range from just over $100.00 for a smaller 2x2 foot model to over $300.00 for larger sizes. Lamps can cost anywhere from around $50.00 for a CFL 200 watt light to over $300.00 for a 140 watt LED or HID system. Air circulation and exhaust systems can range from the cost of small clip-on fans for well under $100.00 to more complex store-bought systems that can cost several thousands of dollars.
For a smaller grow room, Including the air circulation and exhaust systems, a basic setup on average can cost under $2,000.00. That may sound like a lot of money, but much of that expense is on reusable equipment and initial purchase of the plants. After the grow room is set up, the only costs should be maintenance. Your savings really start once the plants are mature. Then you won’t have to purchase your marijuana elsewhere.
As you get the hang of growing your own cannabis, you can start experimenting with the different breeds. In time you can learn to cultivate your own unique flavors. The first step is learning the best methods for growing your own marijuana. The most important technique is how to improve the circulation in your cannabis grow room for healthy, hearty plants.
