Wednesday, 25 March 2020

How to Create Your Own Cannabis Super Soil Mix!

In gardening, the soil is among the most important aspects of growing any plant. It doesn't matter if you are planting a towering oak, or a tiny little bean sprout, the soil is going to play a massive part in how healthy and strong your plant grows. For cbd flower wholesale faq, check out our link.

This Is Great Information for First-time Home Growers

In the case of cannabis cultivation, this is no different. Cannabis plants require a very particular set of nutrients within their soil, in order to yield the absolute best results. Because of this, many home growers find themselves simply making their own super soil mix, rather than buying it.

Let's talk about what goes into making a great super soil mix for your own cannabis plants.

Start Off with A Good Soil Base

You actually aren't going to need very much in order to be on your way to making your own super soil mix at home. All you need is a good soil base, and a few ingredients. Let's get started!

Starting with a strong and organic soil base is going to be the first key to success. Cannabis likes a well aerated, slightly acidic, and permeable soil to start with. Make sure that the pH balance of the soil is within the 5.7-6.5 range, and only contains natural and organic materials.

For example:

  • Guano
  • Peat Moss
  • Manure
  • Coco Fiber
  • Sand
  • Rock Dust
  • Vermiculite
  • Perlite

These types of ingredients will help get you started off on the right foot.

Learn How to Mix the Soil

Once you have your base soil, you want to begin by enriching it. Keep in mind, you should ideally create your super soil mix several months prior to using it. This is to help the components break down and permeate the soil better.

You can enrich the soil by adding other 'ingredients' to it such as:

  • Vegetable/Fruit peels
  • Eggshells
  • Compost
  • Lime
  • Epsom Salts
  • Coffee Grounds
  • Worm Castings
  • Rock Phosphate

Ratios Will Vary Depending on Composition

Add in your enriching ingredients to your base soil and mix it thoroughly. The ratios will vary depending on the composition of your starter soil. By adding these various components, you are creating a very nutrient dense and rich soil.

These ingredients will take months, or even years to break down sometimes. Because of this, you want to carefully plan your super soil operation. Ideally, you would allow these components to break down in the soil naturally.

However, there is a faster way if you are in a rush.

How To Make a Quick Mix

If you are in a hurry and wish to make a super soil mix that is able to use quickly, you can still do so. The 'quick and dirty method' can have your soil ready in two days.

  • Start by mixing 3 parts starter soil
  • Add in 1 part worm castings
  • Add in 1 part perlite
  • Add in 1/2 cup greensand
  • Add in 1/2 cup dolomite lime
  • Add in 1/3 cup guano

Simply mix all of this together and allow to soak thoroughly in water for two days. Let the water runoff completely, and use!

You should be careful with this method, however. It can often come out too nutrient dense and can run the risk of 'nutrient burning' your plant. Proceed with caution!

Creating a cannabis super soil mix can be a time consuming, and costly endeavor. For that reason, many home growers simply buy pre-made super soil mixes for convenience.

However, making your own can ensure that you know exactly what goes into it. In addition, it can help you feel more connected to your cannabis plants in a natural way. Ultimately, making a super soil mix is not for the faint of heart--but it can be fun!

Original Post: Discountpharms.com

What is PPE?

Most people would say that they are familiar with PPE in the workplace (personal protective equipment). Whether it be the food industry, or construction and warehouse jobs, PPE is almost always a standard for safety across any industry.

However, many cultivators tend to ignore the use of PPE in the grow house, and around their cannabis. By the way, if you're looking for the best wholesale CBD flower, you'll want to check out our updated article.

It's an Absolute Must!

It might seem like quite a bit of 'overkill', however, PPE when working in the grow house and around cannabis is an absolute must. Let's talk about why PPE is important, and what kinds of PPE you should be wearing.

What Kind of Protective Gear Is Necessary in The Grow House?

Within the cannabis cultivation industry, OSHA has its own set of federal regulations regarding protective gear when working in the grow house. In addition, each state will also have its own additional regulations and safety standards.

However, in general, you should always enter the grow house wearing the following:

  • Full body coveralls made of breathable material.
  • Gloves
  • Eye protecting glasses/goggles
  • Slip resistant shoes
  • Hairnet/hood/hat
  • Respirator on certain occasions

The idea behind PPE in the grow house is to not only protect the individual, but also the plants. Having yourself covered as much as possible will accomplish both.

Why Protective Equipment Is Important in The Grow House

It's always a good idea to wear PPE whenever growing cannabis on any scale--large or small. Even if you simply have 1-2 plants at home, you should always protect yourself to some degree.

This is because working with plants and industrial grade chemicals and organic materials can be dangerous no matter what. In addition, sometimes you simply have to protect the plant as well.

The primary reasons for wearing PPE in the grow house include, but are not limited to:

Protect Against Biohazards

The grow house can become a hotbed for molds, and growths that thrive on the heat and humidity that exist within a grow house. It is important to protect your skin and respiratory system from these types of organisms. In addition, the resins and compounds on the cannabis itself can also cause skin and eye irritation when exposed to high levels frequently.

Protect Against Chemical Hazards

Pesticides, plant nutrients, fertilizers, fungicides, all can become quite commonly used in the grow house when growing cannabis. These chemicals and nutrients can irritate the skin and cause health hazards when individuals become exposed to them in large quantities. It is important to protect your skin, eyes, and respiratory system from them.

Protect Against Physical Hazards

Within the grow house, you are likely going to find increased moisture on the floors, as well as various pieces of industrial equipment that may be present within the grow house. It is important to protect your body from potential injury that could be incurred by accident within this environment.

Protect the Cannabis Plants from Hazards

It is incredibly easy to bring particulates, and other foreign objects into the grow house via your clothes, or body in some way. These particulates can harm or damage the integrity of the cannabis. You always want to protect the plants themselves from any harmful substances that you or others may drag into the grow house.

It may seem or feel odd to get into the habit of fully suiting up before entering the grow house at first. However, with time, you will get used to it.

With all of the various hazards that exist that could harm you, or the plants themselves, PPE in the grow house is essential to growing top quality cannabis.

Original Post: Discountpharms.com

Tuesday, 24 March 2020

The Best Water For Your Marijuana Plants

Water is at the heart of everything on Earth. Our bodies are primarily made up of it; virtually nothing on the planet can survive without it. Water is quite literally, the elixir of life. However, not all water is created equal. While the basic natural 'recipe' for water remains the same across the board, what that water contains can change drastically.

The difference in types of water is much more vast than simple 'saltwater' and 'fresh water'. Different regions can have water with all sorts of minerals and particulates in it that can drastically change the flavor, and viability of that water itself--especially when it comes to watering marijuana plants. Let's take a closer look.

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Ideal Water for Marijuana

Marijuana is very particular about the 'type' of water that it needs and enjoys. In most cases, simply grabbing water from the tap will not do. You are going to have to do a deep dive (pardon the pun), into your local water source to find out what it's really made of.

Unless you are using distilled water to begin with, you should always test the water prior to giving it to your plant. Here is what to look for.

Nutrient Density

When discussing water, you will often hear the terms 'soft' or 'hard' water. This has nothing to do with how dense the water feels, but rather how mineral dense it is. In general, marijuana likes hard water, so long as those minerals are the right ones.

Mineral content in water is always measured in parts per-million(PPM). Normal tap water will have a range of 50-300 PPM in mineral content. Cannabis plants will typically want 500-1,100 PPM of mineral content depending on what stage of life the cannabis plant is in.

In this case, you will almost always need to buy nutrient kits to treat your water within order to boost the mineral content.

pH Balance

pH balance is a scale that measures how acidic or alkaline your water is. You can measure your water by using pH testing strips that can be purchased at gardening stores or online.

The pH balance of the water is essential to proper growth, as it an effect the way that the nutrients are delivered to the plant's roots. Ideally, the pH balance of your water should be slightly acidic, between 5.7-6.5.

It is not necessary to maintain a perfect number here, simply maintain a healthy balance within the acceptable range. Always test and treat your water accordingly.

Water Temperature

If the water is too hot, or too cold, the plant will struggle to properly absorb the nutrients. Because of this, it is important to maintain a proper temperature before giving it to your marijuana plant. Ideally, the water should be between 68-73 degrees Fahrenheit (20-23 Celsius).

Rainwater Is Considered Good Water

Any kind of water can be used as a starting point for your marijuana plants, so long as it is properly treated to meet the requirements of the plant. Believe it or not, rainwater is typically the absolute best starting point for your marijuana.

It usually starts off very close, or exactly within the range that you need it to be and will require very little treatment. Distilled water is also great, as it allows you to start from scratch and add the nutrients that you need yourself.

Ultimately, whatever type of water you choose to start with is your choice. All you need to do is ensure that you are properly treating it and maintaining it to give your marijuana plant the precise nutrients and delivery efficiency it needs to be happy and healthy.

Original Post: Discountpharms.com

Nutrient Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Cannabis

Just because the cannabis plant is often referred to as 'weed', does not mean that it grows like one. That is, cannabis cultivation requires a fair bit more care and control than simply setting and forgetting.

A properly cared for cannabis plant will require careful procedure, nutrients, and light control in order to yield the absolute best bud annually. If you're looking for high CBD hemp seeds for sale, we have you covered.

Not Putting Nutrients in the Soil Is the Most Common Mistake for New Growers

Because growing cannabis can be so tricky, it is important to know some common mistakes newcomers make when growing. In this way, you can avoid making them for yourself.

Not putting nutrients in the soil is one of the largest areas of concern for most newcomers. Here are some common mistakes that new growers make, in regard to the nutrients they give their new cannabis plants.

Poor pH Balance

Cannabis is amazingly pH sensitive. Often new growers will simply grab some water from their tap and add it to their plant as if it was a normal flower or herb. This is potentially a lethal mistake for the plant itself. You should always make sure the pH balance of the water is correct, before giving it to your plant.

Ideally, the pH balance of water for cannabis plants should be between 5.7-6.5. Anything more or less can harm the plant in a multitude of ways. Always check your water, before watering!

Overfeeding Can Cause Leaf Burn

It's easy to become excited by progress. If you notice your cannabis plant is growing beautifully, you might become overzealous and give it more food. After all, more food will only help it grow faster, right? Wrong.

Overfeeding the plant nutrients can cause something known as 'leaf burn'. This is when the tips of the leaves turn yellow or brow in color. This is a sign that the roots are too blocked by nutrients and cannot access proper levels of water. This will eventually kill the plant if not corrected! Take care to only feed your cannabis what it needs, never ever too much.

Not Knowing Your Water Source

The pH balance of the water isn't the only thing that is important. In certain areas, particularly urban areas with municipal water sources, can have all types of particulates and minerals in the water. These are generally safe for human consumption but can cause issues when fed to a cannabis plant.

You should always do your due diligence to check the composition of your local water, to make sure it is safe to give to your cannabis plant. If not, it will need to be treated properly.

Growing in Improper Containers

When cannabis grows outside, the soil itself has a natural method for allowing water runoff. When growing indoors, inside a container or vessel, you will not necessarily have that. It is important to ensure that water and excess nutrients have a easy path of runoff in order to prevent them from building up and sitting in the soil for extended periods of time.

Improper water runoff can lead to root disease, root rot, and a host of other issues with the cannabis plant down the road. Always make sure that the water and nutrients have a place to go when they are in excess.

Cannabis plants are rather fickle beasts. While growing cannabis is considered to be a relatively straightforward process, it still has the chance to go sour rather quickly. Make sure that you understand the nutrients process and how to properly feed your cannabis.

A happy cannabis plant is one that eats right, and gets the proper nutrients to stay healthy. .

Original Post: Discountpharms.com

Monday, 23 March 2020

The Right Time To Harvest Your Cannabis

Every experienced grower recalls fondly the feeling of their first harvest. After months of hard work and dedication, the time comes at last to reap the rewards! It can be an extremely exciting time. However, often this excitement can lead to premature harvesting by newcomers.

It is important to know exactly when the right time to harvest is, to avoid a bud that is too weak or too overbearing. Let's go over the several different ways that you can tell when harvest time has come. PS. You can buy quality hemp seeds here.

Industrial Cannabis Harvesting Machines

How to Tell When It's Harvest Time

There really is no perfect science behind determining exactly when your cannabis plants will be ready to harvest. In most cases, you will have to keep a close eye on it and determine for yourself. Although, there is a general guideline that you can follow in order to give you an idea of when to begin checking for signs of harvest.

For example:

  • Indica strains are typically ready to harvest 8 weeks after flowering.
  • Sativa strains are typically ready to harvest 10 weeks after flowering.
  • Auto-flowering seeds are typically ready to harvest 10 weeks after the seedling phase.

These general timelines are suggestions and should not be your 'gospel'. For a more in depth understanding of when your bud is ready to harvest, you will likely need to get more hands-on with the cannabis itself.

The Trichome Method & Pistil Method

While your seed bank will typically have a suggested harvesting time frame on the seeds themselves, this suggested time frame should never be relied upon. Instead, you should either use the 'trichome' method, or the 'pistil' method.

The Trichome Method

Trichomes are the tiny little glands on the flower of the cannabis plant that produce the resin containing all of the terpenes and cannabinoids that we smoke cannabis for. Trichomes are a powerful indicator of when your cannabis is ready for harvest. However, they cannot be seen with the unaided eye. You will need to use a magnifying glass (a jeweler's loupe is recommended).

Trichomes Can Not Be Seen with the Naked Eye

Normally trichomes are crystalline and clear in appearance. However, throughout the flowering stage, the trichomes will become milky and hazy in color. When the trichomes have become mostly milky, with very little clarity, the cannabis is ready for harvest and has maximized THC content. If the trichomes have turned amber in color, you have waited too long.

The Pistil Method

Pistils are the tiny little 'hairy' growths that appear on the cannabis flower throughout the flowering stage. These tiny growths are important to the reproductive system of the cannabis plant and is where the seed will develop if the plant is pollinated.

Pistils Will Change Color

In the beginning, the pistils will appear white in color. However, over time, they will begin to change into reds, browns, or oranges depending on the strain. Once at least half of the pistils have visibly changed color, the bud is ready to harvest. When 60-70% of them have changed color, you will have a more potent and 'powerful' bud.

Timing Is Everything!

It's important to note that timing is everything when it comes to harvesting cannabis. If the trichomes are too clear, or the pistils too white, the cannabis will be weak and lacking in the THC potency you are looking for. If the trichomes are left to turn amber, or the pistils become too dark, the cannabis will be too strong and have an unpleasant flavor and aroma.

Honing in on the proper technique and time frame for your crop is going to take some trial and error. Understand the general timeline of your strain and keep a watchful eye on the bud itself. Eventually you will find the right formula to success!

Original Post: Discountpharms.com

Did You Know That Your Cannabis Plant Can Get Stressed Out?

The fact that plants are living and thriving organisms is widely known by the general population. However, many individuals really don't take the time to explore what it that really means.

Often it becomes far too easy to simply ignore plants and give them a bit of water ad sunlight every now and then. However, plants can find themselves needing a bit more nurturing than that in order to survive and thrive. For information on where to get CBG seeds on sale (different than CBD), click on the link.

Your Stressed-Out Plant Can Die If You Don’t Treat It Properly

Cannabis plants can and do undergo stress quite often. There are several scenarios in which cannabis plants can become stressed and produce less than optimal yield--or even die entirely. Let's explore some of the main causes of cannabis plant stress.

Water Stress Is Brought Upon By Over Watering or Under Watering

It is entire possible for a cannabis plant to get too much, or too little water. During the dry periods the plant can begin to wilt and dry up. During the moist periods, the cannabis plant can become waterlogged and develop issues in the roots. It's crucial that you are maintaining a healthy balance of water for the happiness of the plant!

Nutrient Stress

In most cases, cannabis plants experience stress due to lack of nutrients due to excess buildup around the roots. Simply giving your cannabis plant nutrients in the soil might not be enough. Performing proper root flushes to clear the roots of excess salts and substrate build-ups will ensure that the roots can access the nutrients you give them!

pH Stress

Cannabis is highly pH sensitive. Ideally, the water you use on your cannabis plants should be slightly acidic, with a pH balance of 5.7-6.5. Always check the pH balance of your water before watering your cannabis plant.

Age Stress

Cannabis plants are annual plants. This means that they will grow, produce a harvest, and die. However, some first-time growers will try to extend the lifetime of their plant past this natural cycle. This can cause stress on the plant, and lead to lower and less potent yields. If you have a plant you particularly love, it's best to clone the plant and allow the mother to die of naturally!

Light Stress

Cannabis plants are very particular about the cycles of light that they need, and enjoy, in order to grow properly. They are seasonal plants, and as such naturally respond to the changing of light cycles.

By keeping an irregular light cycle, you can inadvertently trigger early changes in the plant that can stress it out and even kill it. It is vital that you know what stage your cannabis plant is in and stick to the proper light schedule daily.

Damage Stress

Breakage in the stem, or stalk; chemical burns from nutrients or fertilizers; heat damage; torn leaves and branches, these are all physical damage that a cannabis plat can incur that will cause it stress and harm. It is crucial that you treat your cannabis plants gingerly and protect them from external forces that might harm them and kill them.

Environment Stress

There are plenty of environmental factors that can lead to your cannabis plant getting stressed out; irregular temperatures, sudden moisture level changes, plants that are too close together and create issues. The cannabis plant needs to be in a happy and stable 'home' in order to thrive.

Disease/Pest Stress

Pests and diseases are the bane of any cannabis plant, indoors and outdoors. These pests or illnesses can destroy entire crops and leave all your hard work decimated. They can cause massive stress in the cannabis plant and render it unable to grow and produce. Working diligently to identify early stages of disease and preventing pests will ensure your plant lives a stress-free life.

A happy cannabis plant will yield far better results than a stressed cannabis plant. While it may seem like a lot of work, it is crucial that you work hard to make sure that your cannabis plant is as happy and comfortable as possible.

Original Post: Discountpharms.com