Artsy Shot: Love is Growing
A post by Kate
Executive Summary
Every beginning is difficult, even with cannabis. To make it as easy as possible for you, we have created this comprehensive – but not overwhelming – cannabis growing guide so that your homegrown cannabis (finally) succeeds. From proper planting and transplanting, to optimal care, to the long-awaited moment of a bountiful harvest. All information, however, without a green thumb guarantee.
Cards on the table: Our first cannabis plant after legalization was a gift from Dad – thanks again for that! Since then, our enthusiasm for home cultivation has literally swept us away, so much so that we would now consider ourselves hobby gardeners. And if this extraordinary plant not only looks magical but also yields magic, all the better. This growing passion for home cannabis cultivation eventually led to the idea: Why the hell don't we add this divine stuff to our shop and enrich all the other wonderful people in the Psychedelika Club (aka you!) with the same joy that our green friends have brought us ever since?
☝🏻 Disclaimer: This blog post is aimed at adults who already consume cannabis – it is not intended as an encouragement to consume. We point out that cannabis consumption can entail health risks. Please note our general risk warnings.
Now you're probably asking yourself the crucial question: Do you have a green thumb and is that why your cannabis babies thrive so diligently? Nope, definitely not. We have to admit that we ourselves have several cacti on our conscience – no idea how we managed that. But that's exactly what gives hope! Because if your plant resume looks similar, we're now confidently taking away all your fear and excuses: Everything "made" with love simply tastes better – and that applies not only to cookies, spaetzle, and co. With our step-by-step cannabis growing guide, we are finally providing a remedy for overwatered, dried-out, and unhappy cannabis plants. We believe in you and your (soon-to-be) green thumb – you are allowed to believe in it too, from now on!
Cannabis Growing Guide
What you need:
- carefully selected cannabis seeds
- nutrient-rich soil
- small pot (approx. 0.5–1 liter)
- larger pot (at least 10–20 liters)
- nutrient solution
- a cool watering can
- For advanced growers: fancy water spray bottle, LED or MH lamp (for indoor cultivation), fan for air circulation
Step 1: Diligent Planting – including Germination
Germinating seeds: Place a seed (or several) between two moist paper towels and put them in a closed container (e.g., a Tupperware container) or a plastic bag to retain moisture (who doesn't love it moist and cheerful?!). Place the container in a warm and dark place (room temperature is sufficient) and check the seedling daily. Keep the paper towels moist, but not wet. After 24 to 48 hours, the seed should have started to germinate and show a small white root tip. Let the garden party begin!
Planting seeds: Fill a small pot (approx. 0.5–1 liter) with well-draining potting soil. Make a small hole (about 0.5–1 cm deep) in the soil and carefully and lovingly (always one at a time) place the germinated seed in the pot with the root tip pointing downwards. Lightly cover the seed with soil and water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Repotting: Time for an upgrade! When the plant is about 10–15 cm tall and has 3–4 sets of leaves, you should repot it into a larger pot (at least 10–20 liters) with nutrient-rich soil. Be careful when handling the root ball to avoid damaging the roots. Here, its roots can now spread out properly and prepare for the next growth phase.
Step 2: Perfect Care for Your Cannabis Plant
Light and Temperature: Make sure the plant receives 18 hours of light daily, ideally under an LED or MH lamp, or alternatively on a very sunny balcony or windowsill. Keep the temperature during the day at 20–25°C and at night not below 18°C. During the flowering phase (after about 4–6 weeks of growth), reduce the light hours to 12 hours per day to initiate flowering – for autoflowering cannabis strains like those available in our shop, you don't need to be so precise with this step, as they automatically transition into flowering, but it can't hurt.
Watering and Nutrients: Water the plant regularly so that the soil remains consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging. Use a light nutrient solution (1/4 to 1/2 of the recommended dose) in the first few weeks and gradually increase the concentration. During the growth phase, the plant needs more nitrogen, while during the flowering phase, it needs more phosphorus and potassium. Generally, plants prefer to be slightly dry rather than overwatered, as this leads to root rot, mold formation, and oxygen-depleted soil. The leaves are a good indicator: if they droop, they need more water; if they turn yellow, it was too much water (and perhaps too much nutrient solution). Just getting your hands dirty and gently feeling the soil daily also works!
Ventilation and Humidity: Ensure good air circulation in the growing area to prevent mold and diseases. Maintain humidity at 60–70% during the growth phase and reduce it to 40–50% during the flowering phase. If you don't want to make a science out of it like us, then investing in a water mister is worthwhile, because cannabis plants always enjoy a light summer rain shower – this also increases the humidity. It is important to note that the freshly showered plant should not be in the sun – the water droplets are like small magnifying glasses and will otherwise burn the leaves. At the latest, when it transitions into the flowering phase or if the air is generally stagnant, you can use a fan if necessary to ensure optimal conditions.
Pruning and Training: Prune the lower leaves and shoots that receive little light to direct the plant's energy to the upper, better-lit buds. If you want to be very precise, use training techniques like LST (Low-Stress Training) or topping (removing the tip) to control plant growth and maximize yields.
Step 3: The Long-Awaited Harvest (finally!)
Monitor flowering phase: The length of the flowering phase varies depending on the strain. For the varieties available in our shop, it's about 8–9 weeks. During this time, monitor the trichomes (resin crystals) with a magnifying glass – when they are mostly milky white and some are amber, the plant is ready for harvest. If the leaves start to turn (yellowish), this is another sign that the plant is ready for harvest.
Harvest Preparation: Carefully cut off the branches with the buds, preferably in the morning when the THC content is highest. Remove the large fan leaves and trim the smaller leaves around the buds. This improves the taste and aroma of the dried flowers.
Drying and Curing: Hang the cut branches upside down in a dark, well-ventilated room at a temperature of about 18–22°C and a humidity of 45–55%. Let them dry for 7–14 days until the stems snap when gently bent. After drying, place the buds in airtight containers (e.g., mason jars) and open them daily for 15–30 minutes to allow any remaining moisture to escape (curing). This process should take about 2–4 weeks and significantly improves quality!
After that, it's finally time to taste your home-grown cannabis and perhaps even drift off into Stoner Heaven. Hats off for this green masterpiece! And if you still have energy for DIY projects, then we warmly recommend Grandma's Cannabis Oil Recipe. We at the Psychedelika Club prefer edibles to smoking, because this method of consumption is not only healthier, but its effects are also simply a bit more psychedelic.
Outro
Cannabis has been legalized in Germany and suddenly you have a green thumb thanks to this cannabis cultivation guide – who would have thought that possible! If that's not proof that change is not only possible but inevitable! We hope this guide gives you the confidence you need for this green mission. If you experience even a fraction of the joy we experienced through this new hobby, it will have been worth it. And if you want to learn more about cannabis, its history, effects, and uses, then we highly recommend our Cannabis 101.
🙏🏻 Feedback: Did you like or find this post helpful? Do you have praise, criticism, or other feedback? Then we would be immensely grateful for an email to mail@psychedelika.club or a review on Google.
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