Hydroponics Cannabis Growing Guide

Hydroponic Weed: Pros and Cons

Frederick Gericke William started this groundbreaking idea over a century ago. Though Williams innovated this project to cultivate garden flowers and vegetables, marijuana growers popularised hydroponic by utilizing it as one of the methods of growing cannabis.

This method is expensive but gives quality buds, and hydroponic delivers good yields for growers. This article will showcase everything you need to know about hydroponics.

The Definition of Hydroponic Marijuana

The term hydroponics came from the Latin language, meaning ‘water working.’ This method is always well-nourished, highly aerated/ventilated.

This hydroponics process is the all in one solution; you don’t need soil for this. All the minerals required by your cannabis to grow are always available in the hydroponics space, but instead of waiting for the soil to extract nutrients for your roots to be healthy. They also have no inert growing process, this process is unlike any other.

Aerators, water, and other nutrients have always been incorporated before the introduction of your marijuana; the roots of your cannabis will have direct contact with nutrients that aids the rapid growth of cannabis.

No need for consuming too much energy or gathering soil with the purpose of high yield, hydroponics is a stress-free and straightforward process.

You will be in command of all the methods in the hydroponic process; you control the space, air, water, nutrients, and so forth. This method is fit for people living in cities with little or no rainfall and those that have the financial resources to invest in growing marijuana through the use of technology.

The important difference between this and other methods of growing cannabis is, this method does not involve the usage of soil through plants and still acquire some of their minerals from air and water.

Learn more: Pots and Soils for Weed Guide

Advantages of Hydroponic Marijuana

Many growers use soil because there are more deposited nutrients from decomposed plants and animals in it. Elements like Phosphorus, Sulphur, Nitrogen, and Potassium salt are produced by decomposing nutrients. In most occasions, the salts are broken down in the soil, and they nourish the cannabis roots.

The problem most growers face while using land is the ability to adjust the number of nutrients needed by the roots in the right proportion.

Hydroponics is the solution to all the difficulties listed above because it doesn’t require the usage of soil, hydroponic can help you control the flow of nutrients and define the kind of ecosystem you want your marijuana to thrive. This method is a significant advantage for all growers.

Marijuana from hydroponics are tended to be more quality, with soothing taste, offers high THC, and the presence of quality buds. You don’t have to worry about the weather/climate condition or marijuana pests, while your customers enjoy the quality. Growers always relish a seamless process while using hydroponics.

Growers love to choose the marijuana strains they desire; only growers can determine what they want from the outcome of a plantation. You have several ways to grow weeds hydroponically. You can grow marijuana, whether indoors or outdoors, with this method. Follow a simple procedure once you make all the necessary things available.

Vital tools that are needed to get the best from your plantation

1. The first is a Lighting system, though we recommend LED light, you can use an HPS and MH lights if you can’t get a LED light.
2. Lighting hangers; Hydroponics marijuana is placed in between lights; you need to hang the light to the ceiling where you keep them then draw the cable downward for the cannabis to benefit.
3. Media and containers: These are needed in your grower’s room to covey seedlings and buds.
4. Ventilation fans: Remember, you’re providing everything you need in precise proportion. You need a ventilation farm to support the exchange of air of your hydroponics plant.
5. Ducting is usually a cable attached to the plants or around it to supply water and other kinds of fluid.
6. Reservoirs, pumps, and tubing: You can’t assure at all times that there will be enough availability of water. That’s why you need a tank to store water for subsequent time. Pumps and tubes are also required to distribute the water/liquid.
7. Timers are needed, especially in a hydroponics setup, because it helps regulate lighting and other things in the room. While controlling the room, you can do other things since the timer is set up.

Nutrients for Hydroponic Weed

Hydroponics marijuana doesn’t need soil to thrive; they require nutrients taken from the soil. Below are the element/minerals and that can help with the growth of Marijuana.

Nitrogen; is essential to all plants, including marijuana. It provides protein and enzymes that are needed for photosynthesis to occur. Every plant needs the green pigments photosynthesis to provide.

During the vegetative stage of your marijuana, if the room temperature is not up to 80 degrees, then you need to add more Nitrogen. Still, if the temperature in the marijuana room is more than 80 degrees, then Nitrogen is not required anymore.

Phosphorus; to those that smoke marijuana or love the smell, this is the most crucial element they look forward to in every marijuana. Phosphorus primarily converts solar/light energy to chemical energy required for growth. Without the presence of adequate phosphorus in your plant, then no growth can occur.

They are the source of plant wax, oil, terpenes, plant sugar, and the likes. In a nutshell, phosphorus gives marijuana its flavor; if you see any weed with deep flavor, it means there is a shortage of phosphorus in it.

Potassium: If you desire plant growth at the nursery stage, get more nutrients that contain potassium for your marijuana. Potassium helps cannabis in the early stage to grow and sprout flowers, which is essential to all growers. Plants also need potassium to support their growth while they are aging.

Calcium; we all know calcium is a source of strength even for humans. This element strengthens the cell walls of cannabis and enables plants to increase their rate of water retention.

Magnesium; There is no photosynthesis without magnesium. These elements are part of the components that make photosynthesis occur in plants. Magnesium also aids in the activation of some useful enzymes to hasten the growth of marijuana.

Sulfur; is another element needed for plant growth. The presence of sulfur determines how well your seed and root development. Enzymes and vitamins also need sulfur to function. Trace elements; So other plants need a high concentration of trace elements, but this cannot be said of marijuana.

Nutrition & Fertilizer

Marijuana comes out well whenever the trace elements are low. The few trace elements needed to get a high yield in marijuana are Iron (Fe), Chlorine (Cl), Molybdenum (Mo), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Boron (B), and Manganese (Mn).

These elements are also called macro factors. Non-essential elements; These are elements a plant itself can produce; for instance, marijuana also provides some elements that support its root, seeds, and flower production.

Previous elements we have talked about are produced through external reactions, but non-essential elements are gotten from marijuana itself, and here are examples — iron (Fe). Copper (Cu), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Manganese (Mn), Chlorine (Cl), & Zinc (Zn), In a Hydroponics set up, the above nutrients are combined with salts and water.

Fertilizer Beginners always ask how to apply fertilizer to the hydroponics medium. It is a simple process, but you need to use it with caution. Fertilizer is synonymous with the soil, but there is a method you need to follow for manure to be added to hydroponics marijuana. The best way to apply nutrients/fertilizer to your hydroponics is to combine it with the nutrients in the setup.

If you are not sure about the best way to fertilize your plant, I will advise you to learn from an expert. When you over-fertilize your marijuana in a hydroponic setup, then you kill cannabis, but when you under-fertilize it, the plant grows slower.

Learn more: Weed Fertilizer Guide

What to do about timing your grow light

When the seeds germinate, the next phase is the vegetative growth stage, which can also be called photoperiod. In marijuana growing, photoperiod helps to switch between night and day (dark and light).

Anyone that is experienced in regulating light can effectively manage the marijuana growing phase. Reproduction in the vegetative stage can be useful if the light is turned on for 18-24 hours while you turn the light off for 0-6 hours. Eighteen hours of light and six hours of darkness are recommended in the vegetative stage. Led light is highly recommended.

In the flowering stage, your marijuana requires twelve hours of light and twelve hours of darkness to thrive. Ensure the length of the plant is between 12 to 20 inches. You will start seeing changes within seven days of obeying the light twelve hours guideline.

Learn more: Week by Week Guide to Flowering Stages

In conclusion, eradicate all-male plants because they only reproduce pollen and don’t reproduce the buds most growers need. We suggest you try the hydroponics method, especially if you are a beginner.